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Archive for May, 2012

Yeast infections can be a terrible source of discomfort for any woman. While most people think of these bothersome infections as predominantly a woman’s problem they can happen to men as well. A vaginal yeast infection can be transferred to a man through intercourse. In fact the infection can go back and forth until it is diagnosed and treated.

Knowing what to do when a yeast infection happens to you can be of tremendous relief. Hopefully you will never develop such an infection but if you do then you will be prepared to cope with it ahead of time.

Natural Remedies for Yeast Infections:

While there are plenty of medical remedies that you can purchase in a pharmacy to help treat yeast infections you may also want to look into the natural yeast infection cures that are available to you. While a cream or suppository might be an effective remedy often times the treatment is very short lived and you end up getting recurring yeast infections. This is not what you want to happen at all!

Most home cures for yeast infections are geared towards females but it is worth noting that many of these yeast infection home treatments can be adapted accordingly to be useful for men who develop yeast related infections. To prevent reoccurring yeast infections and to deal with the symptoms of these infections try out some of the home treatments described here.

Plain yogurt is a natural cure for yeast infections that can help to fight yeast and keep it under control. Plain yogurt can be used as an internal yeast infection natural treatment as well as an external one. It is imperative that you purchase yogurt that is plain and unsweetened as yeast thrives on sugar.

Consuming plain yogurt will provide you with a source of good bacteria that will help with the digestive process. It is best to eat it before a meal. To use it internally apply plain yogurt to a tampon and insert it or if you prefer rub a small amount of plain yogurt on the outside of your body. Just leave the tampon inside for a few minutes and then remove it.

Other Yeast Infection Cures:

Eating more garlic or taking garlic pills offers a treatment for yeast infections that is welcome because yeast and garlic do not like each other very much! Kyolic garlic tablets and water can offer a yeast infection cure not just for female yeast infections but for yeast infections of the mouth as well. Garlic is considered to be a natural form of antibiotic that has many benefits to health.

Another treatment for vaginal yeast infection that you might want to try is apple cider vinegar. This natural remedy is very strong however and therefore a small amount goes a long way. Run a warm bath and add a cup of apple cider vinegar to it and then take a long, relaxing soak. This should help!

If none of these natural cures do the trick then you should see your doctor. It is possible that you may have another problem besides a yeast infection. However in most cases you will find that these alternative remedies will help you to feel better right away!

Samantha

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If you are preparing to have an MRI done soon you may be concerned about whether there are any side effects associated with it that could affect your health and well-being. Is an MRI even safe? Here we take a look at the MRI and consider whether there are side effects to concern yourself over.

An MRI (which stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging or machine-readable information) can help detect a medical condition that an X-ray might not be able to find. The MRI machine that is used for the test is made up of many intricate parts and is very modern in the technology it uses. This test is non-invasive in nature as well as safe and painless for the patient. The radio waves and magnetic fields that are generated are not intense enough to bring about any serious or permanent damage to the body which is a relief to anyone about to have one!

MRI side effects are not common at all because precautions are taken by the medical personnel conducting the test to make sure that the individual will be safe throughout the entire procedure. Let us explore this further.

Psychological Side Effects:

While physical harm is not a concern for the patient, some people experience psychological effects from having an MRI scan. In order for your body to be scanned you must lie down on a table. This table will then slide you into a chamber that will provide access to the MRI machine. You will be enclosed in the area and will have to remain still and lying flat on your back for as long as the procedure takes, which could be in the area of 30 to 40 minutes. The opening the person is in is fairly small and for those who are bothered by small spaces it can bring some discomfort and concern with it. If you suffer from claustrophobia then this is something that you should discuss with the radiologist before the test gets underway.

For severe claustrophobia an open MRI machine can be used, if the hospital has one available. Another option is to take medication that will help calm your nerves. For those with a milder form of claustrophobia try closing your eyes and breathing deeply to help you relax. Conjure up a mental image that makes you feel happy and more comfortable and at ease.

Other Potential Side Effects:

For some people another MRI side effect is a sore back because you must remain on the table for the length of the test. While this is a very temporary side effect it can be a concern for those who suffer from chronic pain in their joints.

The MRI machine is by no means quiet. As a result this can lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and sweating. These are side effects that are not terribly common but they do affect some patients and are worth becoming aware of before the date for the test is scheduled for you.

Samantha

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Anxiety is an emotion that we all experience on occasion. However if a person experiences it too frequently then it is a sign that a problem is on the horizon and needs to be addressed.

An overabundance of anxiety is a concern that cannot be swept under the carpet. But there are natural methods for coping with the prevalence of this emotion. Here we explore the most effective natural cures for anxiety.

Too Much Anxiety:

Anxiety is something we all suffer from from time to time. It is a normal response to a situation that is stressful and difficult to cope with. However if you experience it on a regular basis and your worries threaten to assail you then it is possible that you have developed generalized anxiety disorder.

If you are experiencing irritability, restlessness, poor concentration or find yourself growing impatient very easily then you should be evaluated by a medical professional. It helps to also become familiar with the most effective natural cures for anxiety.

Bodywork for Relief:

Bodywork is an excellent natural way of releasing tension and anxiety in the body and the mind. To help you to relieve stress, let go of muscle tension, sleep better and to feel more relaxed try massage therapy or shiatsu. You can also explore other methods of bodywork to reduce the level of anxiety you feel.

Mind and Body Techniques for Relief:

Techniques that engage both your mind and body can also provide an effective cure for anxiety in a natural way. Examples of those include meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback, yoga and tai chi. There are also mind/body exercises that you can do. Getting plenty of physical activity is also a natural anxiety cure as it reduces stress, gives you more energy and provides relaxation. What you might want to do is to try a variety of mind/body techniques and then choose the ones that are most fitting to your lifestyle and schedule.

The Herb Valerian:

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an herb that is often used to treat those who suffer from insomnia as it can provide a restful night’s sleep. This is also an herb that has shown success in patients who suffer from a mild form of anxiety. Be aware however that the research done on Valerian and anxiety shows promise but is limited at the present time.

This herb should be taken once a day. The best time is approximately one hour before you go to bed. You should continue to take it for a period of two to three weeks at a time. You should not take it for more than three months. Valerian should not be taken with other types of medication. In particular it should not be taken if you are also taking antihistamines or sedatives.

Other Natural Anxiety Remedies:

Other natural remedies for anxiety that you may wish to explore include the herbs passionflower and kava as well as aromatherapy. Chamomile is also good for anxiety as are the B vitamins and the minerals calcium and magnesium.

Becca

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Arthritis is a painful and devastating conditions and even though it’s normally associated with older people it can impact people of all ages.

Your doctor can prescribe to you any number of prescription medications to help you cope with your arthritis but you can take a more natural route to help yourself. This is a very smart and healthy choice that does not come with the worry over any side effects.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a painful and debilitating medical condition that affects the joints. It is broken down into two categories- there is osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are effective natural remedies for arthritis that are worth learning about.

Natural Arthritis Remedies:

Silicon is one kind of mineral that can offer joint pain relief as it has the ability to nourish joint cartilage. You need to take in an abundance of minerals that build tissues on a daily basis in order to keep your bones as healthy and as strong as possible. This will help to prevent bone spurs from developing.

Researchers have found that following a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (which means a diet that includes dairy products and eggs but no meat of any kind) for at least one year’s time can improve the condition for those those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis relief can be found if you can figure out what plays a role in worsening your condition. It is believed that for some individuals’ allergies to food or food sensitivities has an arthritis association.  For instance wheat, potatoes and tomatoes seem to aggravate some sufferers but not others. Discuss this with your doctor.

More Natural Remedies for Arthritis:

Paying attention to your daily diet is important but there are other herbal remedies for this condition that can help to stop joint pain. Herbal treatments do not just relieve pain but they also reduce inflammation in the joints, eliminate toxins that have built up in the joints and protect and support the joint cartilage.

Cayenne pepper is thought to be an herb that can relieve joint pain for arthritis sufferers. A cream made from this pepper has been found in a variety of studies to help those who suffer from both OA as well as RA. Cayenne pepper is also an herb that can be added to food and included in recipes and therefore consumed orally.

Arnica cream can be applied topically to the affected areas and is a relatively strong pain reliever for those who suffer from arthritic hands and joint pain in other areas of the body. Arnica can be used in an ointment or massage oil and then carefully and gently rubbed into sore regions.

Other herbal remedies for arthritis that act as mild analgesics include chamomile, mint, juniper, rosemary, thyme, wild yam and yarrow. Mint, wild yam and yarrow can also be made into a tea for relief from symptoms.

Samantha

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