COMMON MEDICINE

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.
Read the rest of this entry »

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.

The term alternative medicine can be applied to any form of medicine that differs from conventional Western understanding of disease and its treatment. It includes many different types of therapies and some, such as acupuncture and osteopathy, enjoy fairly widespread acceptance. The various forms of alternative medicine have gained more respect in recent times because of the growing number of people who have become alienated by the clinical remoteness of orthodox medicine or as a last resort when science fails to effect cure. Even among orthodox medical practitioners, there is a steadily growing awareness that conventional methods are not necessarily the only or even the best way to handle every sort of health problem. Some practice forms of alternative medicine themselves or have contacts to whom they refer patients. Read the rest of this entry »

Australian physiotherapist Frederick Matthias Alexander developed the Alexander technique late last century to cure himself of a disorder that had defied conventional treatment. The technique is based on the belief that the body should operate in harmony with itself and not be dictated to by the will. Correct functioning of the body is established by posture improvement, diet and individualised exercise programme. While the technisque is not an exercise, it requires practice and experiment with the guidance of a tutor – it cannot be learned from books or lectures. The rewards are improved coordination and poise, greater understanding of mind-body unity and general peace of mind.

CHIROPRACTIC AND OSTIOPATHY both developed late last century and eal with problems of the spine by manipulation. While the treatment of both therapies is similar, the theory on which is based differs; the same therapist. however, ofthen combines both disciplines. Read the rest of this entry »

HERBAL MEDICINE is an ancient system of tratment involving the use of plants, or substances extracted form them. Mnay drugs used by doctors today are also derived from plants, but herbalists use them in their natural, unrefined, unconcentrated form; they consider that in this way side effects are balanced. Herbal medicines are administered in infusions, liquid medicines, tablets or creams. Herbalists believe there is a natural remedy for every ailment, but most regard herbalism as complementary to, rather than a substitute for orthodox medical treatment. Herbal remedies can have side effects and interact with other therapeautic drugs.

HOMOEOPATHY is a branch of medicine that developed in the eighteenth centrue alongside orthodox medicine. It relies very much on the body’s own considerable healing powers and uses only mineral, plant and animal substances in its treatments. A sick person is given minute quantities of heavity diluted natural substances, which if given in a concentrated dose to a healthy person would produce the symptoms of the same disorder. Orthodox medicine asserts that the dilutions are so great that the resulting liquid is little more han pur water and must therfore be ineffectual. But for people concerned about the side effect of many powerful modern drugs based on artificial chemical substances, homoeopathy offers an alternative. In addtion, homoeopaths take a great interest in a patients’ lifestyle, personality, medical history and general health, which generates an atmosphere of confidence and reassurance. This cannot help but assist in a patient’s recovery.