Weight Gain and Weight Loss in a Traditional African Society

The Massas is an ethnic group in Northern Cameroon that subsists mostly on plain sorghum loaves and porridge, along with a small amount of milk, fish and vegetables (1, 2). They have a peculiar tradition called Guru Walla that is only undertaken by men (2, 1):
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Vaginal Itching : Causes, Home Remedies and Preventions

Vaginal itching is a tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin of the vagina and the surrounding area (vulva). The itching may cause a desire to scratch the affected area. Many women will experience vaginal itching at some point during their lives. It�s an unpleasant condition that needs proper care.


Causes

Common causes of vaginal itching include:

.Chemical irritants -- such as detergents, fabric softeners, feminine sprays, ointments, creams, douches, and contraceptive foams or jellies.
.Menopause -- the drop in estrogen causes thinning of the vaginal wall and less lubrication.
.Stress -- may increase vaginal itching and make you more susceptible to infections.
.Vaginal yeast infection -- often includes a discharge that is white and curd-like. Vaginal yeast infections can be brought on by antibiotics, birth control pills, pregnancy, menstruation, condom use, sexual intercourse, diabetes, and a weakened immune system.
.Vaginitis -- inflammation, itching, discharge, and odor caused by other infections (including sexually transmitted diseases). Vaginitis in girls before puberty is common. If a young girl has a sexually transmitted vaginal infection, however, sexual abuse must be considered and addressed.

Other possible, but less common, causes of vaginal or vulvar itching include the presence of other skin conditions that may or may not be precancerous, and pinworms -- a condition that primarily infects children.


Home Remedies

The following are some commonly used home remedies are proven in most patients with vaginal itching. These home remedies have worked for many women with vaginal itching but the results can vary from person to person.

. Mix three tablespoons of the apple cider vinegar, in one quart of warm water and fill your douche bag. You can safely do this twice a day to make the itching go away.

. Regular consumption of ginseng may act as a replacement for lowered estrogen levels, and eliminate the dryness, itching and burning associated with menopause.

. Apply ice or a cold compress for immediate relief from the itching. This is especially effective at night when the itching is most intense.

. Fill a shallow tub or sitz bath with warm water and a half cup of salt. Stir until the salt dissolves, then sit in the water for 10 to 15 minutes.

. Eat 1 cup of yogurt a day. Make sure the yogurt doesn't contain any sugar and that it has live acidophilus cultures in it. Acidophilus helps control the fungus that causes yeast infections.

. Apply yogurt to the vulva to help relieve external itching.

. Rinse your vagina with warm water mixed with 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar twice a day for two days.

. Increase your intake of foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries and broccoli.

. Apply aloe vera gel liberally to the affected area. Repeat process until you get relief from itching.

. Drink 1-2 cups of nettle tea daily to get relief from this problem. Add 1 tabelspoon of dried nettle leaves to a cup of boiling water

. Apple cider vinegar mixed with yogurt and water can be dabbed on the irritated area with a washcloth. Wash with cool water if there is a stinging sensation.

. Buttermilk provides good results in stopping the growth of bacteria, which may cause the itching. Apply it to the vaginal area or drink it everyday.

. Garlic is also used for feminine itching due to its antifungal properties. Create a drink made from crushed whole garlic and water, and consume until itching is gone.

. Herbal extracts are ideal for home remedies, specifically extracts of olive leaves, grapefruit seed and slippery elm.

. Boil a tablespoon of the dried rind of pomegranate in 2 cups of water, strain and use as vaginal douche for the fishy smell and irritation.

. Boil 150 gm of lady finger in two cups of water, for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the water and add little sugar to taste. Take 50-100 ml of the decoction at frequent intervals to treat vaginal itching or vaginitis.

. Extract juice from fresh henna leaves and take a tablespoon twice a day. Take one on empty stomach in the morning, and another, 4-6 hours after lunch. Take this for ten days to cure symptoms of vaginitis.

. Add a sliced banana to a tablespoon each of honey and gooseberry juice, and eat it daily for a few days to get relief from vaginal itching.

. Juice some asparagus roots and take a tablespoon of it two times in a day for 2 weeks to treat vaginal itching.

. Boil a tablespoon of the dried rind of pomegranate in 2 cups of water, strain and use as vaginal douche for the fishy smell and itching.

. Boil 1 thread of saffron in � cup of water with a teaspoon of milk added to it. Boil until � of the solution remains, and drink it daily to cure vaginal itching, discharges, burning, and irritations.


Preventions

Once your genital itching is relieved and remedied, you�ll want to take the proper steps to keep it from happening again. Assuming you�ve had a pelvic exam and have ruled out any sexually transmitted disease itching or symptoms (which may require antibiotics), you can follow these steps to prevent vaginal itching from occurring in the future.

- Use well washed under garments.
- Maintain good toilet hygiene.
- Always take a warm bath.
- Avoid irritants like scented tampons.
- Use condoms during sexual intercourse.
- Always keep vaginal area clean.
- Clean your vagina area thoroughly after having sex.
- Avoid tight clothes and wear cotton panties.
- Avoid douching as it disturbs the balance of the microorganisms within the vagina.
- Be sure to clean diaphragms, cervical caps and spermicide applicators after each use.
- Take care to clean the anal area from front to back to prevent the intestinal bacteria from spreading into the vagina.



~source:simple-remedies.com~

Simple Food: Thoughts on Practicality

Some people have reacted negatively to the idea of a reduced-reward diet because it strikes them as difficult or unsustainable. In this post, I'll discuss my thoughts on the practicality and sustainability of this way of eating. I've also thrown in a few philosophical points about reward and the modern world.
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Vaginal Odor : Causes and Natural Home Remedies

Vaginal odor is any abnormal odor which originates from the vagina. An abnormal vaginal odor is often described as having a "fishy" smell. Abnormal vaginal odor is often associated with other symptoms such as vaginal itching or irritation and vaginal discharge. Left untreated, this condition may cause not only physiologic problems but also emotional (stress) and social problems (the person feels uncomfortable thinking the odor is detected by others.

The most common cause of vaginal odor is bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is associated with an overgrowth of certain bacteria in the vagina. Some of the causes of smelling vaginal include:-

* Douching
* Over washing
* Application fragranced articles on the affectionate areas
* Smoking
* Eating a bad diet
* Application an IUD
* Having unprotected sex
* Wearing panties fabricated from constructed bolt or deeply applicable trousers
* A vaginal infection
* Pelvic inflammatory disease

Many women wish to know of ways for reducing vaginal odor but do not whom to turn to. They are frustrated and embarrassed but prefer wincing from the problem. Usually, women are not very comfortable in discussing problems related to their private parts. You can get rid of foul vaginal odor and you can really do it right in the comfort of your own house. These natural remedies are designed to not only rid the smell, but to also kill the infection.

Natural Home Remedies for Vaginal Odor

. Wear cotton underwear. Cotton is a distinctive fabric in that it enables oxygen to pass by way of, but absolutely nothing else. Silk doesn�t have this identical top quality.

. Tea tree oil in your bath will help to eliminate bacteria that are getting the odor. Just a few drops in the tub are all it takes. Tea tree oil is antibacterial oil and it will fight off the unhealthy bacteria while leaving the healthy bacteria intact.

. Yogurt is one of the foods that a woman should eat everyday to make sure that there is a balance between the good bacteria and the bad bacteria in the body. Yogurt contains live finishes that will bring the body into balance.

. You can create a wash to use specifically for this area of the body with grapefruit oil and water. Make sure that the oil is diluted effectively.

. Put a cup of apple cider vinegar in the bath as this will do the trick to obviate vaginal odor. The apple cider vinegar is one of the home remedies for vaginal odor that is also used for bacterial vaginosis.

. Mix 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil to 5 to 6 ounces of water. The solution is to be applied to the vagina. Tea tree oil has antibacterial nature.

. Add 1 tablespoon of chlorophyll in 7 to 8 ounces of water and consume the mixture. Green plants produce chlorophyll. It acts like a natural deodorizer.

. Dip a tampon in yogurt and then insert it into the vagina. This would ensure that the healthy bacteria tackle the harmful ones successfully.

. Vitamins C which is ascorbic acid should be included in the diet. You should consume as many citrus fruits as you can as they are rich sources of this vitamin.

. Use a solution of vinegar, salt, and water to wash the vaginal area several times a day, another effective choice in home remedies for vaginal bacteriosis.

. Use baking soda solution to wash the vaginal area. Just a little baking soda and some water can do the trick. Baking soda is very alkaline and when you mix some thing really alkaline with some thing really acidic, you neutralize it.

. Use fresh garlic and make a paste that is applied to the outside area of the vagina at night and remove it the following morning. 

. Be sure and drink plenty of water. Water helps keep the vagina flushed of bacteria and other contaminants. It also helps flush away the sugars that act as fuel for yeast infections.

. Wash the vaginal area with an antiseptic solution made by mixing turmeric and water 1:5 ratio.

. Crush a clove of garlic in a cup, add half a cup of yogurt with 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and take this first thing empty stomach every morning for 6 weeks.




~source:bettermedicine.com~

Goitre : Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

A goitre or goiter, is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx (voice box). Goitre rarely occurs when the thyroid gland is functioning properly. Over 90% cases of goitre are caused by iodine deficiency. The thyroid gland is in the lower part of the front of the neck. It lies just in front of the trachea (windpipe). It has a right and left lobe which are connected together by a narrower band of thyroid tissue. (It is roughly the shape of a butterfly.) You cannot usually see or feel a normal thyroid gland. If the thyroid enlarges it causes a swelling in the neck which is a goitre.

The common causes of goitre:

.Juvenile goitre due to congenital hypothyroidism

.High consumption of certain foods that neutralise iodine, such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Other foods, like soy, may also induce goitres.

.Puberty, pregnancy

.Dyshormonogenesis, a genetic enzyme deficiency that interferes with normal thyroid hormone synthesis.

.Benign or malignant tumours of the thyroid gland.

.Certain drugs, such as lithium and phenylbutazone


Some symptoms of goitre:

.Diminished power of concentration.

.Emotional upsets

.Depression

.Irritability

.Swelling of the thyroid gland.

.Breathing problems, if the goitre is large enough to press on the windpipe (trachea).

.Swallowing problems, if the goitre is large enough to press on the oesophagus.


Treatment always depends on the size and cause of the goiter swelling and whether it is causing other symptoms. Many of those who suffer from goitre will require lifelong medication treatments in addition to any other treatment used. Fortunately for those who are against modern drugs or simply cannot afford them, there are home remedies which one may utilize instead.

. All foods containing iodine should be taken liberally. These are lettuce, turnips, carrots, garlic, onions, oats, pineapples, whole rice, tomatoes, watercress, strawberries, guavas, citrus fruits, egg yolks, and sea foods.

. Watercress is one of the best sources of the element iodine. A paste made of this vegetable can also be applied beneficially over the affected parts. It helps to reduce swelling.

. A teaspoon of swamp cabbage juice with tea almonds should be given once or twice daily as a medicine.

. Kachnar, botanically known as Bauhinia variegata, has been used as a folk medicine for treatment of goitre in India. About 30 ml of the decoction of the bark should be given twice a day in the morning on an empty stomach.

. Dandelion has been found valuable in treating goitre. The leaves of this salad vegetable should be smeared with clarified butter, warmed and bandaged over the swollen parts for about two weeks.

. The flax seeds should be grounded in water, heated and applied over the affected parts. The leaves of the tree should then be bandaged over them.

. Do the neck stretches and exercises daily. These help stretch the muscles that are attached to the thyroid gland. Aerobics and jogging also help relieve a person suffering from goiter.

. Regularly intake of water nut (shingara) lotus reed, stem to the lotus tube of Plancuperous tuberosus and pineapple.

. Take equal parts of sorrel leaves and olive oil and mash them. Spread this paste on the goiter. It would help relieve a person suffering from goiter.

. Cucumber is a rich source of diet for goiter affected people. It should be included in the daily diet in the form of salads.

. Fluoride, chlorine and iodine are related with each other in the sense of chemistry. They block an entrance of iodine into thyroid. So try to avoid chlorinated water, fluoridated water and toothpaste containing the same.

. Vitamin A is necessary for iodine. Take enough of that to cure goiter.

. Vitamin B complexes nourish the thyroid gland and also help to utilize the iodine. Take enough Vitamin B complex to prevent thyroid malfunctioning.

. Another best way to get rid of thyroid malfunctioning is go for fasting. Keep yourself on fruits and vegetable juices. After couple of weeks, start with light but nutritious diet.

. Regularly drinking barley water is one of the easiest natural home remedies for goitre.

. Take tea almonds with one teaspoon of juice made from cabbage leaves.

. Drink pineapple juice on a daily basis for controlling all your thyroid related problems.

. Bananas and oats are also very effective in stimulating the thyroid.

. Pound few cloves of garlic,make a paste and tie the paste in cloth,use as poultice over neck.




~source:home-remedies-for-you.com~

How Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Cause Fat Loss?

Gastric bypass surgery is an operation that causes food to bypass part of the digestive tract. In the most common surgery, Roux-en-Y bypass, stomach size is reduced and a portion of the upper small intestine is bypassed. This means that food skips most of the stomach and the duodenum (upper small intestine), passing from the tiny stomach directly into the jejunum (a lower part of the upper small intestine)*. It looks something like this:
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Blocked Milk Duct : Symptoms, Causes and Natural Home Remedies

A blocked milk duct sometimes occurs in breast-feeding women. A blocked milk duct can cause a painful swollen area in a breast. The overlying skin is sometimes red and inflamed, but not so intense as with infective mastitis. When you feed your baby, the pain may increase due to the pressure of milk building up behind the blocked duct.

A blocked milk duct will usually clear within 1-2 days and symptoms will then go. However, in some cases a blocked milk duct becomes infected and develops into a mastitis. So, some cases of mastitis develop as a complication of a blocked milk duct, but some cases occur without a preceding blockage.


Symptoms of Blocked Milk Duct

.Tenderness or bruised feeling.
.Lumpiness in one area.
.Pain as your milk lets down.
.Redness. This is inflammation - may not be infection.


The most common causes for blocked milk duct are:

.A hurried feed or missing a feed.
.Baby having a cold, leading to difficulty feeding.
.Unusual food has made your milk taste different, and baby did not like it.
.Pressing your finger on the breast to allow air to baby�s nose.
.Tight bra, clothes, seat belts.
.Sleeping in a position that squashes the breast.
.Milk dried into one of the ducts in the nipple


While medical remedies are available for all these contingencies there are some home remedies also and these home remedies are time tested and they have been time and again proven to be effective.

. Make sure that you nurse your baby frequently. This practice is very necessary in order to empty the breast completely. Breast feeding the baby often, can help increase comfort and reduce inflammation of the breasts. It is one of the most natural remedies for treating blocked milk duct.

. Massage the sore area of breast frequently, especially after every feeding. To massage it effectively, start from the top of the breast and gently work towards the nipple area. Sometimes by hand pressing the breast, particularly while taking a warm shower, the clog tends to open up and dissolve so that the milk can flow freely. In some cases, it has been found that the combination of warm shower and massage helps to remove the dried milk lump lump that has blocked the nipple.

. Placing of warm compress, towel or heating pad on the nipple before breast feeding can also help the blocked milk ducts to open up and in the process allow milk to drain uninterruptedly.

. Holding your baby in different positions every time while breast feeding ensures that the milk ducts empty properly. When the breast is sore and milk duct is blocked, it is a very simple natural remedy to try positioning your baby in a way that the chin of the baby is pointing towards the sore point. This would direct the suction towards the clogged duct and improve the healing process.

. Avoid wearing tight bras and clothing as they aid in blocking the milk ducts. Under wired bras should also be avoided as they tend to cut the breasts and thereby cause infection. While nursing, your bra should be well fitting and should allow you to breathe easily.

. Massage the breasts with a comb. Use a wide-toothed comb, or one without sharp teeth; soap the blocked area, and �comb� from the outside towards the nipple. This can help break up the blockage. Try not to leave soap on your nipple.

. Arm-swinging exercises encourage circulation: washing windows or cleaning the car.

. Check your nipples for a white �spot� that may be dried milk. Gently squeeze or pick it out.

. A sufficient intake of vitamin C helps prevent clogging of milk ducts and at the same time promotes healing of clogged ducts.

. Drink hot herbal infusions of lecithin and Echinacea. These will help relieve the pain and unclogging the ducts.

. Soak your breasts in warm water with some Epsom salts added. (one handful of Epsoms with every 2L of water). Rinse your breasts afterwards just to remove the saltiness.

. Dangle feeding (breastfeed while leaning over baby) can be used in order for gravity to pull the blocked ducts open.

. Get one teaspoon of castor oil and gently massage the breast starting at the center of your chest side of your breast and work across toward the other side of your breast in the direction of your arm pit area. Be sure to include massaging around and underneath the nipple, and to the sides.

. A warm compress using a cabbage leaf is an excellent way to help loosen the blockage in a clogged milk duct. Simply microwave a cabbage leaf for a few seconds in the microwave and then place it on the breast for 2 to 3 minutes (make sure it is not too hot). Repeat this every hour throughout the day.

. Refrigerate a potato for a few hours, and then grate some of the potato. Apply the grated potato over the affected breast and cover with a clean wash cloth or towel for 5 minutes while lying down. Repeat this every hour throughout the day using some freshly grated potato.

. Two teaspoons of dried leaf of goat�s Rue put in boiled water if taken regularly, the quantity of secretion of breast milk will increase by almost 50% and it also clears the milk ducts of all types of clogging.

. Take some parsley and put it on a cotton diaper. Tie the ends securely and dip the diaper in boiling water for about 15 minutes. Cool the diaper to the required temperature and gently compress the breasts with the diaper.




~source:naturalhealthanswers.co.uk~