COMMON MEDICINE » Uncategorized

GASTROENTERITIS

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:56:59 +0000

Gastroenteritis – most commonly described as an upset stomach – is an inflammatory disorder of the digestive stract. The condition may be contagious, which explains why members of the same family often come down with it, one after the other. The ailment encompasses a broad range of symptoms, from mild vomitting and diarrhea to more severe forms of these same symptoms. More often than not the culprit is a virus. Other causes of gastroenteritis include food poisoning (either from food or drink contamination or from eating a poisonous food), allergic reactions to food, and bacterial imbalance of the digestive tract. Taking antibiotics can provoke this latter condition. Well-known kinds of gastroenteritis include traveller’s diarrhea, salmonellosis, botulism and dysentery.

STOPPING HICCUPS

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:02:07 +0000

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

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:11:41 +0000

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.

CHIROPRACTIC AND OSTIOPATHY

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:20:44 +0000

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.

Osteopaths believe that faulty alignment of bone structure is the underlying cause of many disorders, even of apparently unrelated conditions like ashma. The body is examined as an integrated whole and treatment is through powerful manipulaton of joints and massage of muscles.

Chiropractors on the other ahnd believe that disorders result from faulty working of the nervous system. They treat specific joint, muscle or bone areas rather than the body as whole. Treatment involves even more forceful manipulation of the joints than in osteopathy. Less usual methods of chiropathic treatment include exercise and nutritional advice. Chiropractors handle nervous and stress-realted conditions also.

Many doctors may refer patients to qualified chiropractors and osteopaths for the treatment of unexplained muscle and joint problems for which orthodox medicine would otherwise prescribe painkilling drugs. In some cases manipulative therapy can save a patient from undergoing surgery. Neither method uses injections or recommends active drugs, although both may advocate the use of herbal remedies.

HOMOEOPATHY

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:18:57 +0000

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.