Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Malaria

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Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. Each year 350-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide, and over one million people die, most of them young children in sub-Saharan Africa.

This sometimes fatal disease can be prevented and cured. Bednets, insecticides, and antimalarial drugs are effective tools to fight malaria in areas where it is transmitted. Travelers to a malaria-risk area should avoid mosquito bites and take a preventive antimalarial drug.

Symptoms:
In the early symptoms malaria can resemble the onset of flu, periods of chills and fever lasting several hours and occurring every few days. Respite can last from several days to several months. If not treated, the spleen and the liver become enlarged, anemia and jaundice develop. In severe cases delirium and unconsciousness may lead to death from general weakness, anemia, or clogging of the vessels of cerebral tissues by affected red blood cells. Cerebral malaria is mainly encountered in young children and pregnant women.

People with malaria typically have cycles of chills, fever, and sweating that recur every 1, 2, or 3 days. The attack of the malaria parasites on the person’s red blood cells makes the person’s temperature rise and the person feel hot. The subsequent bursting of red blood cells makes the person feel cold and have hard, shaking chills. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea often go along with the fever. The destruction of red blood cells can also cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and anemia.

Common symptoms of malaria are fever, shivering, pain in the joints, headache, vomiting, and anemia. The disease can be diagnosed by a microscopic examination of the patient’s blood and can normally be cured by taking animalarial drugs. However, there are some regions that parasites have developed resistance to these drugs. Over time, humans also develop immunity to the parasite, but children are very vulnerable until they develop this immunity.

The disease is transmitted by mosquitos – they generally are most active in the evening, night and early morning, expecially if there is no wind. So avoid going outside at these times unless you are wear long sleeves and pants to cover exposed skin, use insect repellent and use mosquito nets over doors, windows and beds.

Various medicines help prevent infection but no no antimalarial prophylaxis is totally effective. Some are known to produce some very adverse reactions in certain individuals. Be particularly careful about taking Lariam. You should consult your doctor before taking any anti-malarial drugs.

People living in malarial areas often take no prophylactics and take medicines to cure malaria at the first onset of symptoms. Fansidar is commonly and fairly effectively used to get rid of the disease.

Causes:
Humans develop malaria when infected with one of the four protazoan parasites from the genus Plasmodium. The four species include:

Plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium vivax
Plasmodium ovale
Plasmodium malaria

.
P. falciparum is the most widespread and dangerous of the four
Transmission of malaria is affected by climate and geography, and often coincides with the rainy season. We become infected with the parasite from anopheline mosquitos. The malaria protazoa develops in the gut of the mosquito and is passed to humans in the saliva of the insect as it draws a person’s blood. The parasite travels to the liver of the human through the blood stream. Here, the Plasmodium multiplies. After 9-16 days, the protazoa return to the blood supply, where they penetrate red blood cells. The parasite then causes red blood cells to break down.

The parasite is spread to people by the female Anopheles mosquito, which feeds on human blood. Although four species of malaria parasites can infect humans and cause illness, only malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is potentially life-threatening.

The time between a mosquito bite and the start of illness is usually 7 to 21 days, but some types of malaria parasites take much longer to cause symptoms. When infection occurs by blood transfusion, the time to the start of symptoms depends on the number of parasites in the transfusion.

Where is malaria found?
Malaria transmission occurs in large areas of Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. The risk to travelers varies depending on local weather conditions, the number of mosquitoes in the area, and the traveler’s itinerary and time and type of travel.

How is malaria spread?
A person gets malaria from the bite of an infected female mosquito. The mosquito bite injects young forms of the malaria parasite into the person’s blood. The parasites travel through the person’s bloodstream to the liver, where they grow to their next stage of development. In 6 to 9 days, the parasites leave the liver and enter the bloodstream again. They invade the red blood cells, finish growing, and begin to multiply quickly. The number of parasites increases until the red blood cells burst, releasing thousands of parasites into the person’s bloodstream. The parasites attack other red blood cells, and the cycle of infection continues, causing the common signs and symptoms of malaria.

When a non-infected mosquito bites an infected person, the mosquito sucks up parasites from the person’s blood. The mosquito is then infected with the malaria parasites. The parasites go through several stages of growth in the mosquito. When the mosquito bites someone else, that person will become infected with malaria parasites, and the cycle will begin again.

Malaria parasites can also be transmitted by transfusion of blood from an infected person or by the use of needles or syringes contaminated with the blood of an infected person.

How is malaria diagnosed?
Malaria is diagnosed by a blood test to check for parasites.

Who is at risk for malaria?
Anyone who lives in or travels to a country where there are malaria-infected people and mosquitoes is at risk.

What complications can result from malaria?
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum can cause kidney or liver failure, coma, and death. Although infections with other malaria parasites cause less serious illness, parasites can remain inactive in the liver and cause a reappearance of symptoms months or even years later.

Is malaria an emerging infectious disease?
Yes. Many countries have been experiencing a resurgence in cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly of the four human malaria parasites. Urban migration, poverty, and poor sanitation have returned malaria to cities where it once was eliminated. New roads, logging, and irrigation have drawn people into once-isolated areas where mosquitoes thrive. Refugees, migrants, and tourists have spread the disease across borders.

The seriousness of the worldwide re-emergence of malaria is made worse by the spread of parasites that are resistant to anti-malaria drugs. Parasites, like bacteria and viruses, can develop resistance to the drugs used to prevent or treat infection. Malaria parasites are increasingly resistant to chloroquine, the drug most widely used for prevention and treatment. Chloroquine-resistant strains have been reported from areas in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

The potential also exists for malaria to become re-established in the United States. Currently, about 1,200 malaria cases are reported each year in the United States. Almost all occur in persons who were infected in other parts of the world (imported malaria). Small outbreaks of non-imported malaria, the result of transmission from imported cases, have also been reported. So far, the outbreaks have been quickly and easily contained. A continued increase in drug-resistant malaria throughout the world, however, could increase the number of cases of imported malaria and improve the chances for malaria to re-emerge in the United States.

How can malaria be prevented?
No vaccine against malaria is available. Travelers can protect themselves by using anti-mosquito measures and by taking drugs to prevent malaria.

1. Avoid mosquito bites — Avoiding the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes is the best way to prevent infection. Because Anopheles mosquitoes feed at night, malaria transmission happens mainly between dusk and dawn. Travelers should take steps to reduce contact with mosquitoes both when outdoors and inside, especially during these hours.

When outside: Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants. For extra protection, treat clothing with the insecticide permethrin.

Use insect repellent on exposed skin. The most effective repellents contain 20% to 35% DEET (N,N-diethylmethyltoluamide). Follow application instructions carefully when using these products.

When inside: Stay in well-screened areas as much as possible during the evening.
Spray living and sleeping areas with insecticide.

Use a bednet when sleeping in a room that is not screened or air conditioned. For extra protection, treat the bednet with the insecticide permethrin.

2. Take anti-malaria drugs — When traveling to an area known to have malaria, discuss your travel plans with a doctor well before departure. Medicines to prevent malaria are usually prescribed for persons traveling to areas where malaria is common. Travelers from different countries might receive different recommendations because of differences in the availability of medicines. Travelers visiting only cities or rural areas where there is no risk of malaria might not need preventive drugs. An exact itinerary is needed to decide on the right degree of protection.

To be sure that your anti-malaria drug helps protect you against malaria, you must follow the recommended doses and schedules exactly:

Take pills on the same day each week, or, for pills to be taken daily, at the same time each day.
Take pills after meals.
Take the recommended doses 1 to 2 weeks before travel, throughout the trip, and for 4 weeks after leaving the area with malaria.
Do not stop taking the pills after arriving home. Complete the full dosage.
Travelers should understand that they can get malaria even if they use anti-malaria drugs. Pregnant women and young children need special instructions because of the potential effects of malaria illness and the danger in using some drugs for malaria prevention and treatment.

Malaria- Causes, Symptoms and Herbal Remedies
Maleria Treatment & Prevention in Homeopathy

Homeopathic Malaria Treatment

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Resources:
http://www.astdhpphe.org/infect/Malaria.html
http://www.kilimanjaro.cc/malaria-symptoms-treatment.htm
http://www.davidson.edu/academic/psychology/ramirezsite/neuroscience/psy324/rebergner/what_causes_malaria.htm

Categories
Herbs & Plants

Colchicum

 

 

Colchicum autumnale
Image via Wikipedia

Botanical Name:Colchicum Luteum.
Family: Colchicaceae
Genus:     Colchicum
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:     Liliales

Common Names: The common names “autumn crocus”, “meadow saffron” and “naked lady” may be applied to the whole genus or to many of its species; they refer to the “naked” crocus-like flowers which appear in late summer or autumn, long before the strap-like foliage which appears in spring.

Colchicum melanthioides is probably the best known species from the tropical regions. In contrast to most temperate colchicums the flower and leaves are produced at the same time, the white flowers are usually a small corymb which is enclosed by white bracts. Close relatives (such as Colchicum scabromarginatum and Colchicum coloratum) have flowers with very short stalks and might be pollinated by rodents.It is also called Saffron

The Botanical name is Colchicum Luteum. Indian name is Hirantutia

Other Names are Colchicum autumnale, Autumn Crocus

Habitat : Colchicum is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coast, down the East African coast to South Africa and the Western Cape. In this genus the ovary of the flower is underground. As a consequence, the styles are extremely long in proportion, often more than 10 cm (4 in).Grows wild in meadows, especially on limestone.

Description:   Colchicum is an annual herb with brownish fleshy under ground stems. It is almost conical in shape,flattened on one side and round on the other.The plant has very narrow leaves, large flowers and fruits with recurved tips.

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Colchicum is a genus of flowering plants containing around sixty species of perennial plants which grow from corms. It is a member of family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia and part of the Mediterranean coast.

Colchicum autumnale, commonly called “autumn crocus” or “naked ladies”, is the best known species. It produces purple, pink or white flowers resembling those of the crocus which appear from September to October in its native latitudes. It forms a rosette of dark green leaves, but only after flowering.

Colchicums are native to Europe and northern Africa. The scientific name comes from Colchis, an ancient country bordering on the Black Sea, now part of the Georgian Republic, where colchicums are abundant.

Constituents:      The chief constituents of Colchicum is the alkaloid,colchicine,which occur in the form of yellow flakes,crystals or as whitish yellow amorphous powder..

Several other species, such as C. speciosum, C. album, C. corsicum and C. agrippinum, are grown for their flowers.

Its leaves, corm and seeds are poisonous, containing the alkaloid colchicine. Its roots and seeds have long been considered to have valuable medicinal properties deriving from the use of small doses of this drug, such as to treat gout.

In this genus the ovary of the flower is underground. As a consequence, the styles are extremely long in proportion, often more than 10cm.

In the UK, the National Collection of Cochicums is maintained at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk.

Colchicums should be planted immediately after delivery in August or September. (They often bloom in their shipping container if not planted immediately.) Plant the corms in well- drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Good planting sites include naturalized areas under the filtered shade of large trees and shrubs, in rock gardens, or among low-growing groundcovers such as sedum. For the best visual display, plant colchicums in clumps. The corms should be planted 2 to 3 inches deep and 6 inches apart.

Colchicum autumnale is most commonly known as autumn crocus, but in various regions it is known as naked-ladies, colchicum, and meadow saffron. It should be noted that it’s not a crocus, and it’s not saffron, and should definitely not be used in place of saffron in cooking because eating any part of this plant can kill you.

The autumn crocus is native to Europe but has been introduced to Canada and the U.S., where it is both grown in gardens and lives as a wild escapee in meadows and woodlands. It’s a perennial herb in the lily family (Liliaceae) which grows from a corm (a solid bulb) that can unfortunately be mistaken for a wild onion. The rapierlike leaves grow about a foot high, and in the early fall one or two leafless stalks sprout from the corm; each stalk produces a single white-to-purplish-pink flower that resembles a crocus.

The extreme toxicity of this plant has been known since the times of ancient Greece, but in the fifth century, herbalists in the Byzantine Empire discovered it could be used to treat rheumatism and arthritis, and the Arabs began to use it for gout. The useful active ingredient in the plant is an alkaloid called colchicine, which is still used to treat gout and which has anticancer properties.

Poisoning from this plant resembles arsenic poisoning; the symptoms (which occur 2 to 5 hours after the plant has been eaten) include burning in the mouth and throat, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, and kidney failure. Death from respiratory failure often follows. Less than than two grams of the seeds is enough to kill a child; a specific antidote doesn’t exist, so treatment typically involves giving the victim activated charcoal or pumping the stomach.
Cultivation:
Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Foundation, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen. Prefers a rich well-drained loam in a sunny position. Tolerates partial shade but dislikes dry soils. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 7.5. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c. The autumn crocus is easily grown in grass and can be naturalized there. It also grows well amongst shrubs and by woodland edges. Plant the corms about 7 – 10cm deep in July. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits, though slugs may attack the corms. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers.
Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a seed bed or a cold frame. Germination can be very slow, taking up to 18 months at 15°c. It is best to sow the seed thinly so that it is not necessary to transplant the seedlings for their first year of growth. Apply a liquid fertilizer during their first summer, however, to ensure they get sufficient nourishment. Prick out the seedlings once they are dormant, putting perhaps 2 plants per pot, and grow them on in a greenhouse or frame for at least a couple of years. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant. The seedlings take 4 – 5 years to reach flowering size. Division of the bulbs in June/July when the leaves have died down. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can be divided every other year if a quick increase is required.

Medicinal Uses:

Theophrastus (c.371-287 B.C.) noted it to be very toxic. In the fifth century (Byzantine Empire), it was used for the treatment of joint conditions. Colchicine is an alkaloid that relieves the joint pain and inflammation of gout. Colchicine is still derived from the plant itself because chemists have not been able to synthesize it inexpensively in the laboratory.
Colchicum is a medicine of great repute.It is mostly used in Afghanistan and northern India. Its medical properities were well known even among the Arabs As an effective Allopathic medicine colchicum is used beneficially in gout.

Though known since at least the time of the ancient Greeks, autumn crocus was considered too poisonous to use medicinally and it was not until research in the Eighteenth century that the plant was discovered to be of value in the treatment of gout. In modern herbalism it is still used to relieve the pain and inflammation of acute gout and rheumatism, although frequent use has been known to encourage more frequent attacks of the complaint. Both the corm and the seeds are analgesic, antirheumatic, cathartic and emetic. They are used mainly in the treatment of gouty and rheumatic complaints, usually accompanied with an alkaline diuretic. Leukaemia has been successfully treated with autumn crocus, and the plant has also been used with some success to treat Bechet’s syndrome, a chronic disease marked by recurring ulcers and leukaemia. A very toxic plant, it should not be prescribed for pregnant women or patients with kidney disease, and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See also the notes above on toxicity. The seeds are harvested in early summer, the corms in mid to late summer when the plant has fully died down. They are dried for later use[238]. The fresh bulb is used to make a homeopathic remedy. It is used in the treatment of nausea, diarrhoea and rheumatism

Gouts: Colchicum is useful in releaving pain and inflamations of gout. Clinical experiments with colchicum in small dose over a long period have shown effective tresult in such conditions. The seeds, chiefly the rind, also containing colchicine, may be used in the treatment of gout.

Rheumatism: The drug is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatic swellings.A paste made with saffron and egg can be applied benefically to rheumatic and other swellings.

Wounds: Dried and powdered roots of the plant is very useful in the healing of wounds. It should be sprinkled on the affected area.

Other Uses:
Plant breeding.

The poisonous alkaloid ‘colchicine’ is extracted from this plant and used to alter the genetic make-up of plants in an attempt to find new, improved varieties. It works by doubling the chromosome number.

Precautions: It has a very bitter taste. It has an action similar to that of colchicine, but the bitter is more active and toxic.When taken in large dose ,colchicine causes intestinal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. The regular use of the drug can cause severe irritation in the intestine. To counteract this, it is advisable to use the drug with belladonna.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant, but especially the bulb, are poisonous. They cause vomiting, violent purging, serious inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and death. Handling the corms can cause skin allergies in some people.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Help taken from: Miracle of Herbs, en.wikipedia.org and biotech.icmb.utexas.edu and http://www.piam.com/mms_garden/plants.html

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/safmea04.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicum

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Colchicum+autumnale

Categories
Yoga

Vrikshasana(Yoga Exercise)

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Posture : Vriksha means tree . A tree is always in a standing position, remains stable and grows upward. The similar process is involved in this asana(exercise) and hence it is called Vrikshasana.
Pre position : Standing Position.


How to do the exercise:

1. Exhale and inhailing take both the arms up above the head from the sides and join the palms at the top.
2. Lift the heels and stand on the toes and pull the whole body upward. Continue smooth breathing.

Position :
Except the toes, the whole body right from the heels to the fingers of the hands, is stretched upward. Pull the hands upward as much as possible. The more the body is kept stretched, the more it is possible to keep the balance. Keeping the legs stable, one should pull the body upward, thinking that he is being pulled up by some force. Taking the asana position continue smooth breathing, and keep the sight and the mind fixed, as looking here and there will disturb the balance of the body.
Releasing:
1. Inhale, and exhailing bring both the hands down from the sides.
2. Bring the heels on the floor and take up standing position.

Duration : As this asana(exercise) involves balancing, it is enough to maintain it for one minute. To have certain special results, one should increase this duration to three minutes.
Internal Effects In this asana(exercise) all the muscles are stretched in one direction at one time and then relaxed. This process helps to remove all the strains. The muscles get rest and relaxation and even the earlier strains caused by other asanas get removed.
Precaution : The asana being simple there is nothing to bother. However, while stretching the body upward, one should take care to maintain the balance.

Reference Book:- Yoga Pravesh

Categories
News on Health & Science

Got acne? Say No To Milk

WASHINGTON: Teenagers with acne, a common skin disease that causes pimples, may get a clear skin if they cut down their milk intake, a new study says.

Many a spotty teenager has been told to lay off chips and chocolate if they want clear skin but a research carried out at Harvard School of Public Health showed that teenagers who drink a pint or more of milk a day are almost 50 per cent more likely to develop spots and pimples than those who rarely or never drink milk.

The researchers looked at the teenage diet of more than 47,000 women and then compared dairy product intake with cases of acne. Analysis of the results revealed a clear link between milk and skin problems, reported the online edition of Daily Mail .

Worst off were those who regularly drank skimmed milk, with two half-pint glasses a day raising the risk of the condition by 44 per cent. Those who drank a pint of whole milk a day were 12 per cent more likely to develop acne, while semi-skimmed milk increased the risk by 16 per cent.

Overall, those who regularly drank milk were 22 per cent more likely to have suffered from acne than those who rarely or never drank it.

Cream and cottage cheeses also raised the risk of the condition; however, chips, chocolate and pizza did not, the scientists said.

Writing in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the researchers said that sex and growth hormones naturally found in cow’s milk might trigger off spots.

However, Britain’s milk producers said that milk has many health benefits. “Unnecessary exclusion of dairy from the diet can compromise nutrient intakes,” said Judith Bryans of the Dairy Council.

Source:The Times Of India

Categories
News on Health & Science

How to Choose Pain Medication

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Not every pain killer is created equal. Find out the differences between common over-the-counter medications and discover what’s really in your medicine cabinet.

Two Groups of Pain Medications are there:
Over-the-counter medications fall into one of two groups. The first are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This group includes aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen. Ibuprofen goes by the brand names Advil and Motrin. Naproxen is better known as Aleve. Ketoprofen is sold as Orudis. These drugs work by preventing your body from producing chemicals that cause fever and swelling. Doctors recommend them for minor to moderate discomfort due to headaches and muscle aches, colds and the flu, menstrual pain, arthritis, and toothaches.

The other category includes just one drug: acetaminophen. It’s also known as Tylenol. No one is sure exactly how it works. One theory is that it keeps the brain’s pain centers from receiving nerve signals. It’s good for fever and mild to moderate pain from headaches, including tension headaches and migraines, as well as back pain, sore throat, arthritis, and shingles. The main difference between acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is that acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation. That means it won’t help with aches caused by swelling due to sports injuries, for example.


Some Warnings Regarding Pain Medication:

In general, each one of these drugs is safe for most people when taken as directed. There are some exceptions. Don’t give aspirin to children or teenagers because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare life threatening condition. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs shouldn’t be taken by people who have ulcers or take blood thinning drugs, or by pregnant women. Acetaminophen is usually okay for pregnant women looking for short-term pain relief. In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs shouldn’t be given to children under 12 without first consulting a doctor. While acetaminophen is considered to be safe for children, pay close attention to dosage. Acetaminophen overdose is a common cause of drug-related deaths in children and adolescents.

Choose a Pain Medication:
So with all these choices, how should you decide which over-the-counter pain medication is best for you? It partly depends on your symptoms. They all help with pain and fever, but since acetaminophen doesn’t work for inflammation, you’ll need to use one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling. Because people respond in different ways to each of these drugs, most doctors suggest that you stick with the one that has worked for you in the past. That increases the chances that the drug will be effective and lowers the odds that you will suffer any side effects.

So do you need a cabinet full of over-the-counter pain medications?
Not really. You’re probably better off with just the one or two that work best for you. And if you’ve inadvertently collected more than a couple different kinds, some of them have probably expired anyway. So it may be worth checking to see what you’ve got. And what you can toss out.

Natural and Ayurvedic Pain relief Medication is most of the time hermless and can be safely used even without consulting any one.The main advantage is that they have no side effect.

Herbal Pain Relief

Drug Free Pain Relief

Natural Pain Relief Medication

Finding Hope for Chronic Pain Relief

Homeopathic Pain Relief

Help taken from:video.about.com

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