Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Heel pain

Heel pain is the most common complaint. Some of the causes are arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis. Also exercising too hard, wearing the wrong type of shoes, or probably standing too long on your feet, can cause foot pain. Though the pain can be cured easily at home, you should consult the doctor if there are other symptoms like tingling, numbness, leg cramps, or fever.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Shock


Shock is a condition of severe depression of the vital functions. It is associated with changes in the circulatory system, varying from temporary weakness to complete failure. Its severity varies with the nature and extent of the injury and it is a common cause of death following severe injuries.
Shock may develop at once or its onset may be delayed. Loss of whole blood or plasma from the circulation is the most important cause of shock. The severity of shock depends on the amount and rapidity of bleeding. A badly shocked victim will look pale, bluish, cold and sweaty and will also be mentally slow.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Workout tips

The best workout, according to top trainers and fitness experts, is one that includes the mind and spirit as well as the body. Consider some alternatives to your regular weight and cardio training. For a change of pace, try yoga, Pilates or tai chi, all of which engage your mind, body and spirit. Include these alternative mind/body disciplines on a regular basis. Add them to your workout regime and feel the difference.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Eye strain while using computers

If you spend most of your weekday sitting in front of a video display terminal, you've probably noticed that using a computer can be a pain in the neck, the eyes and almost every other part of your body!

It's no wonder computers cause eye strain. Studies have shown that computer users tend to stare at a glowing screen without blinking for much longer periods than do people who use typewriters. This is why many people using computers experience dry eye problems. In addition, computer screens reflect a great deal of glare - from windows, overhead lights and even the user's own bright clothing. Finally, many computer users sit practically face-to-face with the monitor.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Sore Throat

A sore throat can really get you down, so here are a few things you can use to take away the suffering.

Vinegar can ease the pain. Any type will do but wine vinegar or cider vinegar may taste better. Put a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle, then swallow. Do this 3 times a day until things are on the mend.

Put some warm water in a glass and mix with some salt. Put in your mouth and gargle and spit out. Don't swallow. This should get rid of the soreness.

Take a few almonds and mix them with a couple of teaspoons of honey. Sit down and eat away. This will give the pain of a sore throat nothing to moan about. Honey is a natural pain killer, so are almonds. The almonds will also help to relieve the inflammation.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Blister Care

Small, intact blisters that don’t cause discomfort usually need no treatment. Nature’s best protection against infection is a blister’s own skin, or roof. To protect the roof, this type of blister can be covered with a small adhesive bandage if practical.

Larger or painful blisters that are intact should be drained without removing the roof. First clean the blister with rubbing alcohol or antibiotic soap and water. Then heat a straight pin or safety pin over a flame until the pin glows red, and allow it to cool before puncturing a small hole at the edge of the blister.

Drain the fluid with gentle pressure, then apply an antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin with polymyxin B (double antibiotic ointment) or bacitracin alone. Avoid ointments that contain neomycin because they are more likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Finally, cover the blister with a bandage. Change the dressing daily--more frequently if it becomes wet, soiled, or loose.

Blisters with small tears are treated the same as those that you have punctured. Blisters with larger tears should be "unroofed" carefully with fine scissors, and the base should be cleansed thoroughly with soap and water or an antibacterial cleanser. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandages as described above.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Blisters

Blisters form when the skin rubs against another surface, causing friction. First, a tear occurs within the upper layers of the skin, forming a space between the layers while leaving the surface intact. Then fluid seeps into the space.

Soles and palms are most commonly affected for several reasons. The hands and feet often rub against shoes, skates, rackets, or other equipment. Blister formation usually requires thick and rather immobile epidermis, as is found in these areas. In addition, blisters form more easily on moist skin than on dry or soaked skin, and warm conditions assist blister formation.