COMMON MEDICINE

The flakes that we call dandruff, or scruf, are actually an accumulation of dead skin cells. When the cells of the scalp grow too fast, they clump together noticeably in the hair. Static electricity and sticky, oily hair surfaces keep the scales from falling. Any scaling may be called dandruff; but most cases are probably justa a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis The actual cause of this condition is not known, but it seems to be determined by genetic and hormonal factors. If your dandruff is unmanageable or spreads to your eyebrows or other parts of the body, consult a dermatologist, as the condition could be due to severe seborrhoeic dermatitis, blephatitis or psoriasis.

As a rule, dandruff doesn’t go away and must be controlled with regular treatment. There are several shampoos designed for that purpose: tar shampoos and those containing selenium sulphide, zinc pyrithione and salicylic acid work best, so its worth checking the list of ingredients. If such shampoo doesn’t provide relif, your doctor will be able to prescribe a more effective treatment.

Hiccups are caused by uncontrollable and involuntary spasms of the diaphragm. These suggested remedies  – they are the same for both children and adults – are intended to help stop the contractions:

1. carbon dioxide inhibits hiccups, so get yourself to breathe in and out of a paper bag (never use a plastic bag);
2. hold your breath and count up to ten;
3. get a spoonful of sugar to swallow or
4. get a glass of water to drink as quickly as possible.

If hiccups persist for any length of time, you should consult your family doctor.

Strep throat is a term used to loosely describe any kind of sore throat, but to a doctor it has an exact meaning: a strep throat is an infection caused by a streptococcus bacterium. Once a sore throat is diagnosed as streat throat is diagnosed as strelp throat, it is treated with antibiotics. These drugs are needed to clear up the infection and to prevent the possible dangerous consequences of streap throat such as rheumatic fever and kidney disease. A sore throat, of course, may develop for a variety of other reasons. The most common of these are viral infections, which can cause sore throats that are more painful than bacterial infections. Sometimes a sore throat is the acoompanying symptom of another problem such as allergy, a cold, influenza, brochitis or measles. An irritated throat can also be the price you pay for smoking or drinking too much. Finally, a sore throat may indicate the presence of serious illness such as cancer or leukemia.

Sinus is a hollow air space anywhere in the body. There are four sets of sinus attack referred to us paranasal sinuses. Each of these sinuses opens into the nose and shares a continuous mucous membrane with it. Because the nose and sinuses are so closely connected, a viral  or bacterial infection in the nose can spread easily into a sinus. The resulting inflammation of the sinus mucous membrane is called sinusitis, or a sinus attack. A cold, influenza, allergies, a tooth or throat infection, can all cause sinusities.

The symptoms of sinusitis include nasal blockage that becomes worse after a few days instead of better, as with a common cold; a thick yellow and green discharge from the nose; and depending on which sinuses are effected, pain in the forehead, cheeks or around the eyes. Eventually the passages between the nose and the sinuses may become completely blocked; this may reduce the discharge but makes the nose feel even more stuffed up, and breathing has no to be through the mouth. Read the rest of this entry »

If your alone and and if you have symptoms of chest pain that radiants to your arm and up to your chaw, it is a HEART ATTACK. If no one to help and a hospital is far, you can wait you have to help yourself.

Cough repeatedly and vigorously. Take deep breaths before every cough. Deep breath, get oxygen to lungs. Coughing makes blood circulation alive.

INSOMNIA  OR DIFFICULTY IN SLEEPING is common in many people under many different circumstances. In fact more than 10 per cent of people may have sleeping problems. If you are facing a temporary but important deadline at work or are under a lot of pressure, you may worry and therefore lose sleep. However, one you have met the deadline or the pressure is relieved, you should be able to sleep normally. Our bodies prefer regular daytime activity, so shift workers have trouble adjusting their patterns of sleep. Read the rest of this entry »

Athlete’s foot is the most common fungus that troubles humans, although ringworms come in a close second. Look for a medication whose active ingredient is tolnaftate or clioquinol. Read the rest of this entry »

Painful cramps or spasms in the muscles of the leg often occur at night and are common among athletes and people with circulatory problems.
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Malaria is currently one of the most serious infectious diseases in the world. It s caused by a parasite, Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans by the bite of an Anospheles mosquito. The parasite invades the red blood cells and liver cells, causing periodic destruction of those cells. The disease may ultimately be fatal. Read the rest of this entry »

Toothache is caused by a irritation of the tooth’s pulp, or nerve centre. The irritation can be the result of tooth decay that has penetrated the hard outer layers of the tooth, an abscess or an impacted wisdom tooth.

To ease the pain rinse your mouth with warm water, use dental floss to remove food particles trapped near the aching area, then cover the tooth with a small wad of cotton wool. Aspirin may also help to relieve the pain, but never place aspirin, or any other painkiller, directly on the teeth or gums; the result can be a painful burn. If one of your cheeks is swollen, place a cold compress on it.