 |
No solid food till fever subsides.
|
|
Warm water enemas early in the morning during the fasting period for the first 3
days, and thereafter, as per need till fasting is discontinued.
|
|
Mud packs for 15-20 minutes two or three times a day.
|
|
Chest pack and cold compresses on the forehead frequently.
|
|
Cold sponge baths or cold friction baths are invigorating, and bring down body
temperature.
|
|
Rubbing the spine with ice also reduces temperature.
|
|
Adequate rest and relaxation with light clothing in a well ventilation room are
essential.
|
|
Once the body temperature comes down and the coating on the tongue reduces,
fasting should be discontinued. First fresh fruit juices and later on fresh juicy
fruits, raw salads, sprouts and soups could be eaten. Gradually, one should switch
over to normal diet. |
Abscesses
These are closed cavities containing pus. Abscesses cause pain, occasionally fever
accompanied by chills and malaise.
Treatment
|
Fasting to cleanse the internal system. |
|
Warm water enemas initially during the fast. Mud packs are to be applied 3-4
times a day. |
|
All other measures to improve general health should be employed. |
|
Bathing the abscess with warm Epson salt water reduces pain. |
|
Ice packs wrapped around the abscess also reduce pain and swelling. |
|
Application of hot poultice made of wheat flour paste (prepared by mixing the flour
with boiling water) mixed with turmeric powder and packed in a muslin cloth and
wrapped around the abscess overnight will remove the accumulated pus by the
next day. |
|
Fomentation to the abscess and mud application relieves pain. |
|
Once the abscess opens up it should be bathed frequently with warm water to
prevent re-infection. |
Bunions
Bunions form as a result of wearing badly fitting shoes. If the footwear is too short or too
narrow the big toe joint is forced inwards resulting inflammation and enlargement of the
joint due to constant pressure and irritation.
Treatment
|
Select footwear that fits in and the straight inner margin of which does not causecompression on the big toe. |
|
A pad of cotton kept in between the first two toes prevents bunions from forming. |
|
Stretch the big toe regularly in the correct direction after removing the footwear. |
|
Warm water Epsom salt bath to the feet is useful in relieving pain caused by the
bunion. |
Bruises, Strains, Sprains and
Muscle injuries
No matter how healthy one is, it is absolutely impossible to avoid an occasional sprain or a
bruise.
Treatment for Sprain
|
RICE Principle to be strictly followed. |
R - Rest. Complete rest for the first 24-48 hours.
I - Iced packs to the affected area for 20-30 minutes once in every 2 hours for
24-48 hours.
C - Cold compress - Frequently cold compress reduce bleeding and swelling by
constricting the blood vessel.
E - Elevation of the sprained area reduces swelling.
|
Continuous use of cold compresses reduces the flow of blood and hence, delays
healing. Therefore after 24-48 hours of ice-cold applications, hot applications to
be employed on the affected area to restore blood circulation which will speed up
the healing process. |
|
Employ hot and cold baths frequently. |
|
In case of bruises or abrasions, intake of foods, rich in Vitamin C should be
recommended to speed up the healing. |
|
A cold pack applied to bruises and injured muscles are also helpful in relieving pain. |
|
An ice massage to bruises and injured muscles are also helpful in relieving the pain. |
|
Hot water application later on in the form of fomentations or affusions over the
bruises and injured muscles after first 24 hours of ice massage are often beneficial. |
Heat Exhaustion
It usually occurs when body is exposed to extreme heat, especially when excess clothing
is worn and while working in closed, badly ventilated rooms. Symptoms are; fainting, cold
and damp skin and feeble or rapid pulse rates. But most cases recover.
Treatment
|
The patient should be removed to a cool place and given a brisk rubbing with a
cloth dipped in cold water. |
|
Lemon juice with honey added to hot water will provide the energy required and
should be given periodically. |
|
A cold chest pack will stimulate the heart, promoting normal circulation. |
|
A cold compress on the forehead is useful. |
|
If the body temperature is below normal, then the legs should be wrapped with
cloth dipped in hot water with a blanket over it. |
Hiccough
It occurs due to the spasm of the diaphragm caused by nervous irritation.
Treatment
|
Drink a glass of warm water. |
|
Fomentation to abdomen and cold compress can relieve pressure on the diaphragm. |
|
Diversion of attention elsewhere. |
|
Deep breathing. |
|
Sipping of ice cold water slowly. |
|
Eating a spoonful of honey or sugar stops hiccoughs immediately. |
Nose Bleeding (Epistaxes)
Bleeding from the nose may be due to external trauma, nose picking, nasal infection or
drying of nasal mucosa. Sometimes, the blood drains into the pharynx and is swallowed.
Nose bleeding may occur due to blood Dyscrasia, hypertension, nasal tumors etc., where
before treatment it is necessary to detect the underlying cause and treat accordingly.
Treatment
|
The patient should lie down, slightly lowering his head. Ice-cold compress should
be placed over the nose which will facilitate clotting of blood. |
|
Avoid blowing the nose. |
|
Sniffing cold water mixed with lemon juice helps the bleeding to stop. |
Toothache
Toothache is surely one of the most excruciating of pains ever suffered by man. Pain is
often accompanied with swelling.
Treatment
|
Fomentation and cold compress to be applied to check on the affected side. This
reduces inflammation by diverting the blood circulation. |
|
Brushing teeth, rubbing with salt and gargling later on with warm saline water help
to bring down the pain. |
|
General measures which improve health and good oral hygiene help providing relief. |
|
Fasting often helps in controlling the secondary infection and thus provides relief
from pain. |
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