Flush your body with plenty of water and avoid drinking soda, caffeine, or alcohol which can exacerbate symptoms.
Concentrated cranberry tablets can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Take them with D-mannose twice daily. The D-mannose binds to some bacteria which are then excreted through urination. Both are safe for pregnant women. Time release vitamin C may help repair damage to the urethra caused by the infection.
Bearberry, also known as Uva-ursi, is also very effective for uncomplicated bladder infections; but it is not recommended during pregnancy, and should not be taken for longer than four weeks by anyone.
Heather Auld, M.D.12:04 a.m. EST February 16, 2015
Heather Auld, M.D. is an Integrative doctor with Lee Physician Group. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is board eligible with the American Board of Physician Specialties in Integrative Medicine. Her office is located at 16281 Bass Road, Suite 301, Fort Myers. She can be reached at 239-495-4480 orheather.auld@leememorial.org.
Waiting for a magic pill that will provide a healthy heart and long life? The bad news is you'll wait forever for that impossible potion. The good news is you probably have far more control over your wellbeing than you know.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY HOSPITAL
Due to advancements in prevention and treatment, cardiologist Gerald Sotsky of Valley Hospital has seen a decrease in heart disease during his career.
Cardiologists Jeffrey Matican, MD, and Gerald Sotsky, MD, agree - remarkable tools for preventing and treating heart disease are available today. A noteworthy decrease in heart disease during their careers has been a marvelous development.
"Now we prevent heart attacks and treat people who have it," said Dr. Sotsky, chair of cardiac services for Valley Medical Group.
As for Dr. Matican, chief of cardiology and medical staff president for Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, he cares for a greater number of patients in their nineties than he could ever have predicted as a new doctor. These older seniors are now a regular part of his practice. This bit of news is excellent - the frequency of heart disease is down and life expectancy is up.
The first step to good heart health? Adopt healthy living, said Dr. Matican. Precipitous drops in the incidence of cardiac disease have coincided with widespread changes over the last 30 years, including less smoking, improvements in diet and a greater interest in exercise. "People are living longer because of lifestyle trends," he said.
Matican's words comprise both a simple equation and a stunning statement. In a very real way, your life depends on how you live it.
Knowing your risk factors for heart disease is crucial too, especially since most of an individual's health profile is subject to modification. In other words, the chances of getting heart disease can be reduced. Common risk factors include smoking, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, stress and family history, and there are numerous examples of their possible harmful effects. Smoking, which causes heart disease and a plethora of other disabling and deadly conditions, elevates blood pressure, increases fatty deposits in arteries, reduces exercise tolerance and increases the blood's tendency to create life-threatening clots. (Smoking has also has been proven to sicken or kill non-smokers.) Obesity promotes cholesterol build-up in artery walls and the onset of diabetes. Diabetes plays its own grim role in heart disease by damaging blood vessels. A family history of heart disease can mean a tendency to high cholesterol.
All adults should address smoking, exercise and diet as early on as possible, emphasized Dr. Matican. Next on the heart-healthy agenda is determining which of your risk factors need to be managed. Appropriately scheduled physical exams should start in your twenties. "You might not need an annual every year," said Dr. Matican, "but you certainly need a baseline." He added, "It's never too late to turn over a new leaf" as lowering risk factors is valuable at all stages of life.
Not consulting a physician until you feel ill or, even worse, have chest pain or shortness of breath can mean fewer options for your care, or a heart attack that could have been prevented.
"A lot of heart disease is sub-clinical, meaning it will not have symptoms until it's advanced," said Dr. Sotsky, who noted these obvious red flags generally don't present until a blockage of at least 70 percent exists. Checkups can reveal serious conditions, but they are also valuable in helping prevent heart disease or lessening its effects.
When it comes to your heart, your physician should be your most trusted advisor. He or she also is a gatekeeper to the advanced cardiac care available today, including diagnostic testing. One of many examples is coronary calcium scoring, in which a non-invasive scan shows if and how much calcified plaque is present in the coronary arteries. The results provide cardiologists with information about managing a patient's risk factors. Sometimes "the calcium score changes your mind about how aggressively a patient should be treated," said Dr. Sotsky.
Statins - drugs most often known to lay-people for their ability to lower high bad cholesterol - have been highly instrumental in reducing the frequency of heart attacks by fighting inflammation. "The most important effect of statin drugs is to promote plaque stability and prevent plaque rupture," said Dr. Sotsky, who prescribes the life-saving drugs in a variety of circumstances. Diabetics and individuals with coronary, carotid, or peripheral artery disease or a high calcium score are likely candidates.
Stress reduction is important, too, said Dr. Matican. "Stress in our society is also a major contributor to heart disease."
Stress not only raises blood pressure and blood sugar, it also sets off harmful behavior such as overeating and drinking. Traditional or chair yoga, tai chi or any kind of exercise can be helpful. Dr. Matican also recommends meditation or sitting alone quietly for 30 minutes. Both Englewood Hospital and The Valley Hospital have underscored the importance of treating all aspects of a person by offering growing specialized services in integrative medicine, a science-based discipline that embraces the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection.
Of no small consequence is the physician you charge with your care. Choose one who takes the time to explain things to you and commands your respect, said Dr. Matican. "The doctor-patient relationship is very important. You won't follow the advice of a doctor you don't trust."
'Tis the season for coughing, sneezing and sore throats. But if you're looking to nix that feeling of blah immediately, look no further than your pantry and fridge.
This roundup of remedies can help alleviate the pain and discomfort that comes with the common cold. After all, anything that prevents us from sucking on cherry-flavored lozenges or guzzling grape syrup is considered a win by us.
Honey
This all-nautral sweetener is delicious in tea, however, when taken by the spoonful (in moderation, of course) can help reduce throat irritation.
According to Greatist , "This sore throat remedy has been in rotation since ancient times and with good reason. Adding bee’s honey to warm water or tea is considered a steadfast treatment for a sore throat."
Salt Water
Just say it, "Mom, you were right."
Mixing a tablespoon of table salt into a warm glass of water and gargling for 15-30 seconds is a sure fire way to reduce the inflammation in your throat.
Whiskey
While you're boss may not approve of this remedy during office hours, swigging this alcohol on the back of your throat can ease pain and discomfort during a cold. Hot Toddy , anyone?
Fluids (water, tea, seltzer)
Be sure to increase the amount of liquids you're consuming when you're feeling under the weather. In order to flush out the impurities and allow for proper absorption of vitamins, drinking plenty of fluids is essential.
Stick with water, hot tea and even club soda for the biggest hydrating benefits.
Marshmallows
Yes, you read that correctly. Health states , "According to anecdotal reports, modern-day marshmallows can help ease sore throat pain, possibly because the gelatin coats and soothes."
So snuggle up on the coach and make some hot cocoa, your throat will thank you.
Research into obesity establishes benefits of engaging in moderate levels of daily exercise
Adults should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, the British Heart Foundation recommends. Photograph: Tony Watson /Alamy
Lack of exercise is twice as likely to lead to an early grave as obesity, research has shown.
A brisk 20-minute walk each day could be all it takes to avoid dying prematurely, the findings suggest.
Scientists looked at the effects of obesity and exercise on 334,161 European men and women whose progress was followed for 12 years. They found that people who engaged in moderate levels of daily exercise – equivalent to taking an energetic 20-minute walk – were 16% to 30% less likely to die than those classified as inactive.
Although the impact of exercise was greatest among people of a normal weight, even those with a high body mass index (BMI) levels saw a benefit.
Overall, avoiding inactivity theoretically reduced the risk of death from any cause by 7.35%, said the scientists. Having a BMI lower than obesity levels, defined as a score of 30 or more, was estimated to lower mortality by 3.66%. Keeping waists trim, irrespective of BMI, had a similar impact on death rates as exercise.
BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared and is a standard tool used to assess whether someone is overweight or obese.
Lack of exercise was thought to have caused almost 700,000 deaths across Europe in 2008.
Study leader Prof Ulf Ekelund, from the Medical Research Council (MRC) epidemiology unit at Cambridge University, said: “This is a simple message: just a small amount of physical activity each day could have substantial health benefits for people who are physically inactive.
“Although we found that just 20 minutes would make a difference, we should really be looking to do more than this – physical activity has many proven health benefits and should be an important part of our daily life.”
Participants in the research, who had an average age of about 50, were recruited to the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (Epic) study conducted across 10 European countries, including the UK. All had their height, weight and waist sizes measured and provided self-assessments of physical activity levels.
Just under a quarter (22.7%) were categorised as inactive, working in sedentary jobs without engaging in any recreational exercise.
The findings, which are published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, say the greatest reductions in the risk of premature death were seen when comparing moderately active groups with those who were completely inactive.
Using the most recent available public data, the researchers calculated that 337,000 of the 9.2m deaths that occurred in Europe in 2008 could be attributed to obesity, but physical inactivity was thought to be responsible for almost double this number – 676,000 deaths.
Co-author Prof Nick Wareham, director of the MRC epidemiology unit, said: “Helping people to lose weight can be a real challenge and, whilst we should continue to aim at reducing population levels of obesity, public health interventions that encourage people to make small but achievable changes in physical activity can have significant health benefits and may be easier to achieve and maintain.”
June Davison, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: “The results of this study are a clear reminder that being regularly physically active can reduce the risk of dying from coronary heart disease.
“The research suggests that just a modest increase in physical activity can have health benefits. Adults should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, carrying it out in sessions of 10 minutes or more.
“Whether it’s going for a walk, taking a bike ride or using the stairs instead of the lift, keeping active every day will help reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease.”
There are many different things that can cause headaches: Abrupt changes in your diet or an everyday schedule like getting too much or too little sleep, stress, long working hours, skipping a meal, or from using the computer for a long time without taking breaks. Headache can cause unbearable pain along with nausea, and at times vomiting. Many people don’t realize that the most common cause of a headache is dehydration. There are many over the counter medicines available in the market to get rid of headache, but all of them have potential side effects, disrupt gut bacteria and can cause other health problems. Instead of relying on quick fixes through drugs, try some of these natural remedies which are proven effective for even some of the worst headaches including tension, cluster and migraines.
1. Water
Headaches aren’t unhealthy by themselves, headaches are a sign that tell us that something is wrong, however our body does not always give straight and clear signals that tell us how to behave. When our body is dehydrating, we don’t always feel thirsty, and most often headaches is your body telling you to hydrate. Most adults require anywhere between two to five litres a day depending on their height and weight and depending on the type of lifestyle they have.
If the reason behind the headache is dehydration, then you can easily get relief from the pain by drinking large amount of water. Water is very effective home remedy for headaches. Simply drink a glass of clean, filtered water at the first sign of headache and continue taking small sips throughout the day. Once your body gets hydrated the pain will automatically start to ease. When suffering from a headache, it is advisable to stay away from any kind of drinks that can dehydrate your body, especially caffeinated.
2. Massage Scalp, Neck and Ear Lobes
Doing some light massage can distract you from the pain, as well as improving circulation and relieving tension. For a basic massage, gently press your fingers over your temples, and move them in slow circles. Or, try these more advanced techniques:
Do a scalp massage. Hop in the shower and treat yourself to a long scalp massage as you shampoo your hair. Or, for a drier version, pour a little bit of coconut or argan oil on your fingers and rub into your scalp.
Find two tennis or racquet balls and put them in a sock. Lie on a flat surface and place the two balls just below the base of your skull, on the occipital bone, and relax. You may feel sinus pressure or minimal discomfort at first but it will go away. This is especially helpful for sinus headaches.
Have someone else massage your neck and back if possible. The simple touch of someone else who cares about you can relieve a lot of tension instantly. Have them focus on the occipital region as well.
Gently massaging the bridge of your nose can help relieve sinus and migraine headaches.
Massage the soft part of your hand in between your index finger and thumb. Nerves in that spot allow your blood vessels in your forehead to constrict.
Firmly massage the acupressure point on each hand where the thumb and index finger bones meet (second metacarpal bone). It’s best if somebody does this for you, so both hands can be massaged simultaneously, but if that’s not possible, massage one hand for five minutes, then massage the other hand.
3. Ice Pack
Using an ice pack to apply cold compress over the forehead can give quick relief from headaches. To apply cold compress you can also apply a cold cloth on your head and temples for ten minutes and again repeat the process after some time until you get some relief. A bag of frozen vegetables can also serve as an icepack. When cold compresses are placed over the forehead, it numbs the pain and helps the blood vessels to shrink and improves the blood circulation, thus giving relief from the pain. This particular remedy works when the headache is due to stress or sinus.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques.
People around the world use a variety of tricks to distract themselves from pain. If you’re in the midst of a headache, don’t worry about learning something new — stick to whatever is closest to your comfort zone. (You can always read up on different meditation techniques later, when you feel better.) Some popular options include:
Meditation.
Prayer
Deep breathing
Visualization
Listening to binaural beats
Try to just calm down. If you can fall asleep, that might help.
5. Hot Water
Applying heat on the back of your neck with the help of a hot water bag can give you relief from headache caused due to stress. When heat is applied it relaxes the tense muscles thus giving relief from the throbbing pain. Along with a hot water bag, you can also take a hot shower. Another option is fill a tub with bearable hot water and then put your hands in it for ten to fifteen minutes. When you do this, blood circulation improves and thus giving your relief from the headache. For those suffering from chronic headache, must keep their legs dipped in a bucket filled with hot water for ten minutes before going to bed.
6. Lemon
Lemon is very effective and powerful ingredient to treat headache pain. When you drink warm water mixed with some lemon juice, it reduces the intensity of a headache. This particular home remedy is beneficial when headache is caused due to gas in the stomach. Another option is apply lemon crust paste on the forehead to get immediate relief from the pain. At the same time you may also drink a steaming cup of lemon tea three to four times a day when suffering from headache.
7. Feverfew
Can be taken in capsule or tablet form, as a tea, or even eaten in a sandwich (it tastes bitter). There is mixed evidence to support the effectiveness of feverfew but it has been relied upon for centuries, so it might be worth trying. There are no serious side effects, although you might experience a sore tongue, mouth ulcers, or nausea, digestive problems and bloating. Coming off long-term use of feverfew can disrupt sleep and actually cause headaches.
8. Betel Leaves
Betel leaves are known for their analgesic as well as cooling properties which can hugely help to get rid of a headache effectively within a few minutes. For this remedy, you need to take two to three fresh betel leaves and with the help of a grinder make a fine paste out of it. Now apply this paste on the forehead and both sides of the head for half an hour. Soon you will get relief from the intense pain. At the same time you can also chew one or two betel leaves to treat headache.
9. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy preparations vary considerably but some of the more commonly used essential oils for headache treatment include lavender, sweet marjoram, and chamomile. Use for neck massaging, in a bath, or to inhale. Mix five drops rosemary oil, five drops nutmeg oil, five drops lavender oil in a carrier oil. Massage on the neck and upper back area.
10. Ginger
Ginger has got anti-inflammatory properties that can help in easing headache pain. At the same ginger helps in relaxing the blood vessels in the head and reduces swelling in the brain and activates natural opiates in the brain which helps in lessening the pain associated with tension headache. When having a headache, you must drink ginger tea three to four times a day to reduce inflammation in the body. However, it is important to take ginger tea at the very beginning of a headache. This will help the ginger to act quickly and lessen the headache.
11. Apple
When you wake up in the morning with a headache, you must eat a piece of apple by applying some salt to it and then drink some warm. Soon you will be able to get rid of persisting headache. Along with apple, you can also use apple cider vinegar to treat headache. Fill a large bowl with steaming hot water and add three to four tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into it. Now place a towel over your head and take the steam for ten to fifteen minutes. Another option is to add some apple cider vinegar to a glass full of water and drink it two to three times a day to alleviate headache.
12. Almonds
Almonds contain pain-relieving chemicals that may reduce your headache symptoms in as little as 10-15 minutes. A handful of almonds is always a handy natural substitute for any over the counter quickie.
13. Cayenne pepper
Another endorphin stimulant, cayenne will help to alleviate your headache. Both consumption and topical applications are know to cure some of the worst headaches. Sweet Relief Cream is one type of topical application that works very well, especially when combined with DMSO.
14. Peppermint
Peppermint has got calming and soothing properties that can help in the treatment of headaches. You can make herbal tea by adding one teaspoon of dried peppermint herb in a cup of hot boiling water. Cover and allow it to steep for ten minutes, then strain it and add some honey to sweeten it before sipping it slowly. You can also use peppermint oil to gently massage the temples, jaws and the back of your neck. This will give you instant relief from the pain. In addition, inhaling the soothing aroma of peppermint steam can ease the symptoms associated with headache such as vomiting.
15. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has got pain relieving as well anti-inflammatory properties. To quickly get rid of headache you must use eucalyptus oil to massage the forehead and temples for fifteen to twenty minutes. The oil will provide a soothing effect thus giving relief from the pain. At the same time it will also help in relaxing the tense muscles around head. Along with eucalyptus oil you can also coconut oil or almond oil to massage the forehead in order to get rid of your headache.
16. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another herb that can effectively treat headache. Take some cinnamon sticks and grind them to make a powder out of it. Now add some water to this powder to make a thick paste and apply it on your forehead and temples and lie down for half an hour. Soon you will get relief from headache. After some time wash your forehead with lukewarm water. This remedy is helpful when headache is caused by exposure to cold air.
