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Archive for the ‘Anemia’ Category

Breastfeeding is a privileged time when a mother provides her nursing baby with the ideal food for its growth and development. Breast milk has the best nutritional elements to ensure the baby a healthy and happy growth. Breastfeeding also provides powerful antibodies to the newborn baby and lower its risks of serious infections.

A breastfeeding mother should always think of her needs as well as the needs of her baby. Even in the cases of a nursing mother suffering from deficiencies (such as anemia or calcium deficiency) her breast milk would be adequate and nourishing enough for the baby. The breastfeeding mother should take care of her needs so she can enjoy every moment spent with her new baby and not feel tired and drained by such a beautiful thing as breastfeeding.

The daily requirements of a nursing mother are about the same as for a pregnant mother. A breastfeeding mother should not undertake a diet low in calories as she may she very weak. A balanced eating schedule for a mother is to have three meals per day and two to three healthy snacks in between.

The diet of a breastfeeding mother should be generous in fruits, vegetables and food rich in proteins and fibers. The snacks have to be healthy and easy to carry around.

A nursing mother should also keep herself very well hydrated as her daily liquid needs are going to be important.

Breastfeeding mothers should avoid alcohol as it crosses into breast milk and can be transmitted to the baby. Other stimulants rich in caffeine such as chocolate, black sodas, coffee or tea should be taken in very moderate quantities if any a tall.

A breastfeeding mother also needs to choose quality fats in her diet such as fish and vegetable oils. Fatty acids are essential in the development of the baby’s brain and should be a part of a breastfeeding mother’s diet.

Some food can give breast milk a certain odor or taste that baby might not like. Whenever eating a new food, it is a good rule to take small or moderate quantities of it. If the breastfed baby gets irritable or has gas, the food should be avoided for a certain period and re-introduced in very small amount later in the nursing mother’s diet.

Overall, breastfeeding should be a fun experience and not a time of feeling deprived or restricted. Enjoying a healthy lifestyle by getting sufficient quality food, rest and being ell hydrated will ensure the both nursing mother and baby are happy and well.

Abrasions: Abrasions are caused by slight scraping, cutting or rubbing of the skin, resulting in it being grazed or broken. Cinnamon was traditionally used as a natural antiseptic and clove oil was used to disinfect the wound. Honey was spread on the wound also as an antiseptic and helped to speed up the healing process. Tea was also used externally to check bleeding and to fight against bacteria.

Other common remedies were crushed marigold flowers that are then applied externally; crushed Parsley leaves; crushed fresh plantain leaves; onion juice that is applied externally; dock leaves, applied either directly or as a lotion; tea made from sage applied externally; bruised geranium leaves; and pounded root or leaves of comfrey made into a poultice. While bathing, witch hazel and lavender made into compresses or poultices were used. Yarrow, meadowsweet and elderflowers were also utilized. Later on, iodine was used on abrasions and cuts more frequently.

Other remedies were a little more unusual. One of these included putting fresh elderflowers in equal amounts of lard which was then heated gently until the flowers were crisp. The mixture was then strained through a piece of linen to form a kind of ointment. Lard and white horehound is also used to make a similar ointment.

Abscesses: An Abscess is any accumulation of pus. This usually occurs in a body cavity and often causes swelling and inflammation. There are a lot of traditional cures for abscesses and some are stranger than others. Using a hot poultice made from bread and milk is commonly used (also used for boils) because it brings the abscess to a head. Some use a beaten egg with three tablespoonfuls of white flour which is cooked slowly and carefully formed into a white paste. This paste is then spread on a piece of cloth or gauze and placed on the affected area. This application is repeated every three hours.

Various herbs, either combined or used separately, are also turned into a poultice to remedy abscesses. These include comfrey, marshmallow root, chickweed, slippery elm and plantain. Certain vegetables were also used for abscesses and boils. Hot poultices made of raw carrots or crushed boiled turnips are used. A paste of mashed and cooked are spread on a piece of cloth ad applied on the abscess or boil. Eucalyptus oil and onion juice are also applied externally.

On the stranger side, one traditional remedy involves taking a small quantity of snails and boiling them in ground salt. The paste that is formed is then applied to the abscess or boil.

Anemia: Anemia is unofficially known as low blood count or bloodlessness. This is a condition wherein there is an inadequacy of red blood cells, the cells that contain hemoglobin, circulating in the body. This is caused either by a slow production of red blood cells or prolonged loss of blood.

Traditional cures of anemia include dandelion tea and nettle tea which is rich in iron and is often sweetened with honey. An infusion of herbs could be taken also as an alternative. These herbs include alfalfa, dandelion root, rose-hip, centaury, yellow dock and watercress. Yellow dock is very rich in iron.

Watercress is also abundant in iron and is considered a good cure for anemia and so are cabbages, carrots apples and onions. Ancient cures for this condition also consist of comfrey, angelica, fenugreek, fumitory, barberry and St. John’s wort.

A gastric ulcer occurs when there has been a break in the protective lining of the stomach which leads to further erosion of both the lining of the stomach and the intestines. Such erosion will result in a raw, open and painful sore occurring in the stomach lining.

Gastric Ulcers are caused when there is an imbalance between the amount of stomach acid the body is secreting and an enzyme called Pepsin and the natural defenses of the stomach lining (known as mucosal). There is a spiral shaped bacteria living in the acid environment of the stomach (Heliobacter Pylori Bacterium) which can also cause gastric ulcers. Whilst both obesity and smoking along with the excessive use of anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin) will also increase the risk of someone developing gastric ulcers.

There are certain warning signs that you should look for to know if you have a gastric ulcer or not.

One of the primary symptoms felt by someone with a gastric ulcer is a gnawing or burning pain in the upper middle stomach or just below the breastbone which will last from 30 minutes to sometimes over 3 hours. Unfortunately a large number of people mistake this kind of pain for heartburn because it is so similar, whilst others just mistake it as hunger pains.

For some people the pain caused by a gastric ulcer will wake them up during the night and for others it may come on immediately after they have eaten or meal or it may occur some 2 to 3 hours later on. For some patients the pain caused by the ulcer can be relieved by food or milk, whilst others will avoid eating as they often associate the pain they feel with eating.

Although the pain of a duodenal ulcer can often be relieved by food, for those suffering from gastric ulcers the pain is usually increased after they have had food. For some patients they have found that a delay in eating will only cause the pain from a gastric ulcer to be more severe and certainly from research carried out it is more likely that these people are suffering a duodenal ulcer rather than a gastric one.

As previously mentioned along with the pain the other signs and symptoms of a gastric ulcer will include weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss, pain relief after drinking milk, eating food or taking antacids, tiredness as well as the abdomen becoming bloated. However, if your ulcer begins to bleed you may notice that your stools have become tarry and foul smelling and you may also begin to vomit blood.

Yet there are some signs and symptoms which are relating to gastric ulcers that people sometimes confuse as heartburn instead, and these are indigestion or feeling hungry. But there are such signs and symptoms as the pain that may be felt after eating which make it easier to diagnose if some has a gastric ulcer or not.

A well planned diet for women should supply both macronutrients, like proteins, carbohydrates, and fat, as well as micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Without vitamins and minerals, our bodies cannot synthesize new cells, build new tissues and produce the energy we need, regardless of how much carbohydrate, protein, fat and water we ingest everyday. Vitamins also serve as anti-oxidants, chelating heavy metals and attracting free radicals to detoxify our systems. Some help fight infection, clot blood, heal wounds, and strengthen bones. Others contribute to hormone production, stable cholesterol levels, conversion of food into energy and healthy cell regeneration.

Normally, we can obtain the vitamins to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances from a balanced diet. Whole foods are the preferred source of important vitamins and minerals for your health. Never forget to add high vitamin vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, oranges, strawberries, or spinach to your meals.

In a perfect world, you’d always eat right, but in the real world of busy schedules, fast food and processed food lead the monthly grocery list items, thus leading to deficiency diseases. Heavy menstrual periods, vegetarian diets, or just nixing top iron sources such as red meat can leave you too pooped to feel fit. Are you a vegetarian? Plant sources of iron are poorly absorbed, leaving you anemic. Hence taking a multivitamin supplement is a good insurance policy.

Not everything we swallow is absorbed by our bodies. Fat-soluble vitamins like A and D have the capacity to be stored in our bodies. Others, like vitamin C and some of the Bs, are water-soluble, which means they are eliminated in our urine and sweat and must be replenished regularly. Every essential nutrient has a vital task in our bodies. Moreover, each one usually works synergistically with one or several others. For example, vitamin E works more efficiently in the presence of vitamin C. Calcium has a much higher absorption rate when taken with magnesium. And zinc may assist a variety of other nutrients to bolster the immune system.

A diet rich in vitamin C may slow the progression of osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder in older individuals. Osteoporosis affects a large percentage of older women, and this condition typically begins in a woman in her 30′s. A woman over 40 should consider supplementing her diet with calcium and magnesium along with vitamin D. Ultraviolet rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. We can create 20,000 IU of vitamin D in just 20 minutes of sun exposure. Not only is vitamin D important for calcium absorption, it aids weight loss, strengthens bone, and protects against cancer and depression. The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.

For those of us who live in areas where sunshine is relatively rare round the year, it will be wise to go on a supplement of vitamin D. Vitamin K is often overlooked in regard to bone health, where it is very important. The body needs it to manufacture certain proteins that are necessary for bone formation. The best sources of vitamin K are leafy green vegetables.

Western diet that is high in sugar and fats may be substantially lacking in chromium, normally found in foods such as liver, whole grain cereals, meat, cheese, brewer’s yeast, molasses, mushrooms and egg yolk. Chromium is used in the treatment of: high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, depression and anxiety, and premenstrual syndrome related symptoms.

If you are pregnant and your hands and feet swell, Vitamin B6 may help you get rid of excess fluid. But you have to be careful, as this vitamin, found in potatoes, bananas, brown rice and avocados, can get lost in processing. Elderly people have trouble absorbing B vitamins. Many of these vitamins work synergistically with other B vitamins. If you like to take care of your brittle nails or want to prevent hair loss, you would benefit by taking biotin (B7 or vitamin H) supplements. Biotin aids in cell growth, in fatty acid production, in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and in the utilization of other B-complex vitamins. Biotin works synergistically with vitamin B6, riboflavin and other B vitamins. It also helps to lower blood sugar levels. People with level 2 diabetes have significantly lower biotin levels. Biotin, found in brewer’s yeast, soy flour, cereals, egg yolks, milk, nuts and vegetables, is destroyed by food processing techniques such as canning.

Beta Carotene reduces risk from cancer, heart disease, aging, cataract etc and is provided by fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids.

Magnesium can help to ease not only premenstrual syndrome, but also high blood pressure and kidney stones. Magnesium helps to turn food into energy, and also in transmitting electrical impulses across nerves and muscles. It is also vital for absorption of calcium. This vital mineral may be deficient in people with diabetes or in those who consume excess calcium or use diuretics indiscriminately.

If there is a lack of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid (one of the B group of vitamins) anemia will develop. Most women in their reproductive years come up short on iron, used by the body to make hemoglobin. Iron, which is absorbed in the intestine, comes in two forms hee and nonheme. Heme is found in meat and is usually well absorbed by the body, whereas non-heme comes from plants and is poorly absorbed. If you are experiencing fatigue, split nails, sore tongue, cold hands and feet or vague gastrointestinal problems such as gas, belching or constipation, the reason can be attributed to lack of iron. Take iron tablets along with meal for better absorption. Have your doctor test hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin, the storage form of iron.

Folic acid also prevents birth defects and may lower the risk of cancer. All women of reproductive age, women who have a drink a day or more and anyone who wants to lower her risk of colon cancer must have 400 mcg (600 mcg if you’re pregnant) of folic acid. Elderly people are particularly at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, although it may also be present in the young women. Anemia due to a lack of vitamin B12 is called pernicious anemia. Vitamin B12 is essential for the nervous system, which is why a deficiency can also cause inflammation of the nerves (neuritis) and dementia (mental deterioration). A vegetarian or vegan diet can cause deficiency because vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin, such as meat, fish, eggs and milk. It can also be caused by the inability of the small intestine to absorb vitamin B12.

A group of phytonutrients called bioflavenoids aids the immune system by protecting the cells of the body against environmental pollutants. Along the membrane of each cell there are microscopic parking spaces, called receptor sites. Pollutants, toxins, or germs can park here and gradually eat their way into the membrane of the cell, but when bioflavenoids fill up these empty spots there is no room for toxins to park. Bioflavenoids also reduce the cholesterol’s ability to form plaques in arteries and lessen the formation of microscopic clots inside arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. A diet that contains a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, at least six servings per day, will help you get the bioflavenoids needed to help your immune system work in top form.

Selenium is a natural mineral that increases natural killer cells and mobilizes cancer-fighting cells. Best food sources of selenium are tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables, brown rice, egg yolks, cottage cheese, chicken (white meat), sunflower seeds, garlic, Brazil nuts, and lamb chops.

Essential fatty acids protect the body against damage from over-reactions to infection. When taking essential fatty acid supplements, such as flax or fish oils, take additional vitamin E, which acts together with essential fatty acids to boost the immune system. One way to get more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet is to add one to three teaspoons of flax oil to a fruit and yogurt smoothie.

Nearly every puppy in the world is born with roundworms. This is because the roundworm’s larvae are transmitted from the mother to the puppy while it is still in the womb. A female dog can harbor roundworms in her tissue, often making them immune to dewormings. The roundworms then have the opportunity to emerge during pregnancy through the mother’s bloodstream and infect the unborn puppies. Roundworms can also be transmitted to newborn puppies through the mother’s milk during nursing.

Roundworms are also easily transmitted to humans. Young children are most susceptible because they are always sticking their fingers in their mouths! Roundworms are transmitted to humans and dogs through eggs that are in a dog or puppy’s stool. They can either be ingested through direct eating of the stool or by eating something else that has eaten the stool (the dog eats a bird, mouse, etc. that has eaten the dog’s stool).

Everyone should wash their hands frequently after handling the puppy or dog and make sure that all feces is removed from the yard and disposed of on a daily basis. Most infections in people are mild and cause no symptoms at all. However there have been cases of worms migrating to the liver, brain, and eyes.

Symptoms of roundworms in humans include:

o Anemia

o Appetite Loss

o Difficulty Breathing

o Constipation

o Cough

o Cramping

o Diarrhea

o Fever

o Hives

o Itching

o Nausea

o Chest Pain

o Muscle Pain

o Passing of Worms

o Rash

o Skin Lesions

o Swelling

o Vision Disturbances

o Vomiting

o Weight Loss

Infected puppies can become quite ill and heavy infestations may lead to convulsions and even death. Most puppies that die are around the age of two to three weeks old. Puppies should be wormed at ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. Adult dogs should receive yearly stool samples from their veterinarian to check for worms. Roundworms will look like spaghetti in the puppy’s feces.

Symptoms of roundworms in dogs include:

o Potbelly

o Diarrhea

o Gas

o Vomiting

o Lack of Energy

o Slow Growth Rate

o Dull Coat

o Coughing (if immature roundworms have migrated to the puppy’s lungs)

Some dogs may show some or all of these symptoms while others may show no symptoms at all. When adult roundworms are seen in the dog’s stool this is often because of ongoing disease in the bowel or sometimes because the worm burden had become so great that the worms are crowding each other out.

Treatment of roundworms is not dangerous and is highly effective. Buy your wormers from the vet and give them regularly as instructed. The tablets are not difficult to give if you train your dog to take them in tiny bits of cheese or put them into sweets. The best way to protect your family and dogs from roundworms is through a regular program of both medication and prevention (keeping the yard clean of feces).

Iron deficiency during pregnancy appears to be a common problem. About 30 mg of iron is required by a pregnant woman, which is double the amount of normal requirement. Iron is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin in blood of both the mother and the child.

The amount of blood increases by 40% during pregnancy. This increase in blood is required to supply essential nutrients for the proper development of fetus. This requires the extra production of hemoglobin in mother’s body. The fetus also produces hemoglobin for its blood. This is the reason for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

Excess menstruation (menorrhagia), characterized by loss of abnormal quantities of blood during menstruation is another cause of iron deficiency anemia in women.

Counter Iron Deficiency Anemia the Natural Way with Ayurveda

The single important remedy directed by Ayurveda is intake of green leafy vegetables, nuts, broccoli, beans, whole grain food items, lean meat, poultry, seafood etc. One herb singled out as the best source of easy accumulated iron is muringa leaves.

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves have different nutrients like beta-carotene, Vitamin C, proteins and potassium. Iron is an important nutrient in moringa leaves, which can be cooked like spinach. The leaves can also be dried and powdered to be used in different forms including soups.

Fenugreek, lettuce, spinach, beets and soybeans are essential vegetables you need to include in your diet. Fresh honey is also a source of easily digestible nutrients, which should be made use of.

Milk from cows growing in natural conditions, pomegranate etc are other food sources you can depend on.

Ayurvedic food supplement Chyavanaprash also helps, especially when you take it with warm milk mixed with a dash of turmeric.