Category: Health Tips 5

Aloe vera is a plant that predominantly grows in arid climates. The plant is popularly known for its health benefits such as healing of wounds and minor skin infections and many more. In fact, many commercial products on the market have aloe in it because of its wonderful properties on the skin and on overall health. Aloe isn’t only available in commercial products. Any individual, who has an aloe plant or can get a hold of it, can make use of its extracts and its healthy properties.

How to Store Aloe Vera

• Caring for an Aloe Vera plant is easy. In fact, its maintenance is very similar to other houseplants.
• Caring for an aloe leaf and its gel is another matter.
• With improper storage, the gel and the leaf can turn brown and dry up. When this happens, the Aloe is of no use.
• But why is Aloe Vera very important and useful as a house plant?
  • It helps to heal wounds such as cuts and burns.
  • It helps to heal skin conditions such as rashes and acne.
  • It helps alleviate pain from a sun burn.
  • It speeds up healing.
  • It has wonderful moisturizer properties that work great on the skin and hair.
  • It has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • The plant grows easily and needs little maintenance.
• When talking about storage, this does not mean the whole plant.
• Storage is very important after harvesting the extracts or cutting and filleting of the aloe leaf.
• When storing aloe, it is important to know which parts of the aloe leaf and which to avoid.
• The rind or the outer layer of the aloe leaf can be used for composting.
• The yellow sap or the second layer from of the aloe leaf should be avoided at all costs because it can cause diarrhea as well as other problems when taken orally.
• The inner layers of the aloe leaf, the mucilage and the gel, are the most important parts of the aloe leaf.
• Once the aloe leaf is harvested, it should be processed and stored as soon as possible in a period of a couple of hours to avoid oxidation which spoils the aloe extracts.

Store Aloe Vera Leaf

• In storing both the aloe extract and the leaf, cold temperature is important.
• Storing the aloe extract and the leaf in the refrigerator can make it last longer for as long as a year.
• It is best to store aloe extract in a brown or dark container to block out light.
• Adding a drop of vitamin E, grapefruit seed extract, and citric acid powder can help discoloration of the aloe and make it last even longer.
• Only use glass or a plastic container that is food-safe.
• The whole leaf can be stored in the refrigerator and a small portion is cut only when it needs to be used. This keeps the extracts fresh.
• It is better to fillet the leaf rather than just squeezing aloe juice out from the relief. Filleting the leaf and scraping the gel or extracts yield a larger amount.
• Aloe vera is always best when used fresh.

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that is naturally produced in the human body where it is primarily stored in the muscles to supply energy to the body’s cells. When creatine is metabolized, creatinine is produced and eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When kidneys aren’t functioning well, levels of creatine in the body is increased causing problems.

Reduce Creatine Levels

A person with high creatine levels is at great risk of dehydration, heart and kidney damage, and even death. To reduce creatine levels, the following are effective ways:

• For a person taking creatine supplements, reduce the amount being taken.
• Drink as much fluid as possible, creatine levels can be lowered by urination.
• Always check one’s creatine levels by taking frequent blood tests. This will indicate if creatine is being excreted properly out of the body
• Eat a proper diet that is helpful for the kidneys
• If creatine levels are not controlled by diet and medication, doctors may conclude a failing of the kidneys, therefore causing the patient to begin dialysis.

How to Reduce Creatine Level in Blood

Due to high creatine level in the blood, certain conditions cause the kidneys to malfunction. But other than kidney disease, dehydration and urinary bladder obstruction are also reasons why blood creatine level is high.

To help reduce creatine level in the blood, the following must be done:

• Have a complete physical examination
• Follow the doctor’s advice
• Increase fluid intake
• Control your diet to reduce one’s daily calorie intake.
• Exercise daily
• Eat foods that are good for the kidneys like lettuce, cabbage, onions, carrots, cranberries, sprouts, omega 3-rich foods, high fiber foods etc.
• Decrease consumption of foods harmful for the kidneys like red meat, dairy products, caffeine containing drinks and such.
• Always get a blood test of one’s creatine levels at least every year or more often of necessary.

Natural Treatment for High Creatine Level in Blood

To help the body excrete excess creatine, here are some measures to do.

• Increase fluid intake to flush out creatinine from the kidney.
• Drink cranberry juice as it is helpful in treatment of urinary tract infections.
• Include vegetables in your diet like cucumber, lettuce, cauliflower and carrots. These vegetables can help manage kidney disorders.
• Refrain from drinking too much alcohol.
• Avoid red meat and foods rich in flour and sugar as they are likely to meddle with kidney functions.
• The use of ginseng is also beneficial in reducing creatine levels in the blood.
• Aloe Vera juice also enhances kidney functions. It helps to control blood sugar and blood pressure.
• Exercise regularly to burn off calories.

A seroma is a medical condition or side effect wherein fluid collects under the flap of the skin after a trauma, operation/surgery, or other reasons. This condition makes it difficult for healing to begin. Also, it invites infections and other complications. Thus, in operations like a tummy tuck, it is always a good thing to check if the patient has developed a seroma.

Seroma after Tummy Tuck

• A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a procedure wherein the structure of the abdomen is altered to make it firmer. It can be done together with a liposuction to remove excess fats then to have a firmer stomach. Skin will also be removed and the belly button may have to reconstructed in the process.
• A seroma is not expected but is a serious side effect that could occur after a tummy tuck.
• The presence of a seroma is considered serious because there is no way that there could be direct drainage of this liquid out of the body. Thus, further treatments and even corrective surgery can be done.

What is a Seroma after Tummy Tuck

• Complications in the tummy tuck can cause blood vessels to rupture, causing blood plasma to seep out and collect to form a seroma.
• This is further complicated by dying cells that collect in the area. This could progress with or without infection.
• This collection of fluid and dying cells make the area more prone to infections – if this does not have infections already.

Seroma after Tummy Tuck Symptoms Identifying

• A seroma will often cause an area of the abdomen to become hard or distended. There would a lump that could be painful to touch, though it is possible that it can progress without pain at all.
• Sometimes, fluid might be oozing out of the wound.

Seroma after Tummy Tuck Cause

• The main cause of seroma is the pooling of fluids from blood plasma and dead cells.
• This pooling of various liquids and solids can lead to infections that could further irritate the area.

Seroma after Tummy Tuck Treatment

• The best thing to do to treat a seroma is to drain the fluid from the pocket. In many cases, another surgical operation may be necessary to correct this problem.
• Antibiotics and other medications will usually be given to prevent further infections or to cure existing ones.

Ammonia Smelling Discharge

Vaginal discharges do not often have a very strong odor. Certain changes can occur and lead to issues like ammonia smelling discharges. A number of factors including menopause and the way the undergarments are washed can cause this condition. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.

Ammonia Smelling Discharge Symptoms

A strong smelling vaginal discharge is the primary symptom. It may be an isolated symptom, but it can also occur with any of the following:

• Vaginal Itching
• Whitish, clumpy discharges
• Brown or greenish discharge
• Vaginal Dryness

Some of the most common causes of ammonia smelling vaginal discharges include:

• Menopause. Several changes occur in a woman’s body during menopause. Those changes can affect the vaginal discharges causing a strong ammonia scent. A women undergoing menopause should report these symptoms to her healthcare provider for proper management.
• Diet. There are certain foods that can affect how bodily discharges smell. These can include foods like asparagus and broccoli.
• Urinary Tract Infections. Bacterial presence in the urinary tract can also affect the way that the vaginal discharges smell.
• Using Bleach to Launder Underwear. Washing underwear with bleach is a common practice. But, if the underwear has not been rinsed properly it can still carry the smell of the bleach. This scent can be mistaken for the smell of the discharges and not identified as the smell of the panties themselves.
• Yeast or Bacterial Infections. Vaginal yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis can cause foul smelling discharges. They are usually accompanied by itching. Some women complain of pain as well.

Ammonia Smelling Discharge Treatment

Treating this symptom is going to depend on what is causing it. Some of the common treatments include:

• Regular Washing With a pH Balanced Wash – this is prescribed to menopausal women. In addition to hormone replacement therapy, which can help with the other signs of menopause, regular washing can help keep the ammonia scent away.
• Increase Fluid Intake, this helps keep the body hydrated and also helps to prevent the concentration of urine.
• Thoroughly Rinse Underwear and Avoid Using Bleach to Clean Them. There are a number of gentle fabric soaps that do not leave harsh smelling residue on the cloth and also prevent skin irritation.
• Antibiotic Medication. This is given for patients suffering from bacterial Vaginosis and yeast infections.

Women can also observe that diet changes or omitting and lessening the amount of food may be a cause of the changing vaginal odor. Maintaining a balanced diet with enough carbohydrate and protein is also necessary.

Seed ticks are the tiny larvae of ticks. It is smaller than adults and only has 6 legs as compared with 8 in adults. Still, even though these are smaller, they are as potent as adults. Like their adult counterparts, seed ticks also burrow into the skin and feed on blood. Likewise, they can also pass to humans those diseases caused by full grown ticks.

Seed Ticks Bites

• The bites of seed ticks can be as painful and itchy as those of the adult ticks. However, because the seed ticks are much smaller, the way that these are removed from the body will greatly differ from when the adults are being removed.

There are a wide range of simple home remedies and simple treatments that can be used to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with a bee sting.

Sweat Bee Sting Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms associated with sweat bee sting include,

• Severe itching and at times pain at the site of the sting are common symptoms
• Formation of an elevated papule, which is red and sore to touch. This papule is often associated with the formation of vesicles, due to accumulation of fluids following the inflammation
• Burning sensation at the site of the sting is also common
• In children, bee sting is often associated with fever and malaise, due to spread of the venom into the blood stream.

Sweat Bee Sting Treatment

The first and the most essential thing to do after a bee sting is to check if the stinger is removed. If the stinger is not removed, it would continue to release venom into the body and aggravate the symptoms. Here are some simple tips to remove the stinger,

• Scrap the skin gently with a knife or your finger nails. While doing so ensure that the knife or your nails are clean in order to avoid any secondary infection
• Alternatively one can remove the stinger by washing the area with soap water and wiping it with alcohol or any antiseptic solution. This is useful when the stinger is not visible.
• In case the stinger is visible one can try to remove the stinger using a clean tweezer. Immediately after removing the stinger apply cold compress at the site to reduce pain and inflammation

Sweat Bee Sting Remedy for Relief

Here are some simple home based remedies that can be used to reduce the inflammation, itching and pain associated with bee sting,

• Rub the affected site with baking soda or alternative apply a paste of baking soda mixed in water. Baking soda is alkaline in nature and helps pull the heat from the site. This aids in cooling the site and reduces inflammation and irritation at the site
• Household ammonia is also very useful in reducing the pain associated with bee sting.
• Local application of apple cider vinegar is also very beneficial. Add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to your toothpaste and apply at the site of the sting. This helps in reducing the inflammatory response and provides instant relief
• Homeopathic remedies like ledum and apis mel are considered very beneficial in reducing pain and inflammation associated with bee sting. Take low potency of these remedies, repeated over four times during the day. Drinking 2 tea spoons of honey mixed with one cup of water about twice a day also tends to have a soothing effect on the skin and reduces itching and irritation at the site of the sting.