SPRAINS

SPRAINS TIPS AND TREATMENT

 

All you did is step off the curb, twist your ankle a little and there you are, with an ankle swollen up to twice its size and too painful to walk.

A sprain is the wrenching of a joint with partial rupture or other injury to its attachments, and without dislocation of the bones. The signs of a sprain are rapid swelling, heat and disablement of the joint. The pain is usually great and increased by moving.

• Apply ice- packs to the area as soon as possible. This will aid in reducing the swelling and inflammation. Apply for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for the first 24 hours.
• Keep the limb elevated and rest the joint.
• It is best to have an x-ray taken to be sure there is no fracture or broken bones.
• Do not apply weight or pressure.
• After the initial several days, you may use intermittent heat to speed healing.
• A poultice of turmeric and water can be applied to the area of the sprain under gauze dressing to reduce bruising and swelling.

SIDE STITCHES

SIDE STITCHES TIPS & TREATMENT

You are out for morning run and suddenly you get a sharp pain, a catch or stitch in your side. Side stitches are caused by a spasm in the diaphragm, the muscle between your chest and your abdomen, which isn’t getting the oxygen it needs.

• Stop
• Massage the area; it will release the cramped muscle.
• Exhale deeply as you massage.
• Get your breathing back to a normal pace, and then walk.
• Learn to belly breath. Become aware of your breathing as you exercise.
• Try to train yourself to have a bowel movement before you begin exercising.
• Do not eat for two hours before strenuous exercise.

DIURETICS Care

You feet are so swollen you can’t get your shoes on and you feel like you swallowed a football.

Fluids retention can be a problem that results in a bloated feeling, swollen feet and ankles, particularly for pregnant women. Anyone taking a diuretic routinely is at risk of losing too much potassium from the body.

Replace that potassium by eating several bananas daily, and dry a natural diuretic, such as cucumber, celery or lettuce.

CUTS, SCRAPES AND PUNCTURE WOUNDS Care

We all get a minor injury, a proper cut or a little scrape on our skin now and then. React swiftly and apply gentle pressure. Press down on the cut using a clean soft cloth. (Cuts that page open, bleed profusely or have jagged edges need medical attention.)

• Clean and cut with mild soap and warm water. Flushing the wounded under running water helps removes debris and bacteria.
• A small cut can be treated with the application of honey which contains enzymes which aid in healing.
• Peel a banana and apply the inside of the peel directly on the small injury and secure it firmly against the injury. Change the peel every three or four hours for a rapid healing treatment. After 24 hours remove any peel and exposé the injury to air. Exposing the wound to air will further speed this healing process.
• Wash puncture wounds and call your doctor. Puncture wounds are deceiving: they may look small, but the object causing the wound may carry germs deep into your body.
• Keep your tetanus booster up to date. Adults need a booster every 10 years. If you suffer a deep puncture wound, you may need an additional booster shot at the time of injury.
• Be alert to infection. A cut or scrape that becomes sore, red or contains plus is infected. See your doctor

ATHLETE’S FOOT Protection

Those hot, tired and sweaty feet! The average pair of those hard-working feet that carry us around so faithfully give off about 1\2 pint of perspiration daily.

Athlete’s foot fungus feeds from the dead skin cells and calluses of the feet, especially the skin between the toes.

• Take a daily multiple vitamin B capsule. An individual who is lacking in these vitamin is more likely to get athlete’s foot
• Wear shower shoes or foot covering in public places such as gyms or swimming pools.
• Keep the feet clean and dry particularly between the toes. Do not share towels.
• Change socks daily and wear only absorbent cotton ones. Wash all socks with white vinegar.
• Air shoes after wearing and dust feet with garlic powder before putting on your socks.
• At home expose the feet to air, wear sandals or some type of foot covering that provides ventilation as often as possible.
• Squeeze the juice from 1 large onion and massage into the infected areas of the feet. Allow to dry and then rinse. Repeat morning and evening.