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 enema 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 Epsom 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 cause compression 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.

Fever

Fever is a warning signal the body sends out indicating that something is wrong with the system. Fever is an acute condition, and all acute conditions are direct manifestations of the self–cleansing and health restoring activity of the body. Fever should be allowed to run its natural course in order to have better health once fever subsides on its own.

If the fever is suppressed with antipyretics or antibiotics, then it will only lead to other chronic diseases. Hence, the best way to treat fever is not to interfere with the body’s self–healing process.

Fever is generally accompanied by increased body pains, generalized fatigue, malaise and distaste in the mouth.

Treatment

• Only liquids such as lime juice, tender coconut water or orange juice should be given 3–4 times a day till the symptoms subside and the patient should be encouraged to drink plenty of water.
• 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.

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 moved 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 hiccough 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.