SiamWEB Health Corner: Article : Common Ailtents : An Alphebetical Guide

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Athelete's Foot

This is a fungal infection which afflicts people who have been wearing wet and sweaty socks and shoes. The affected area, usually around the toes, may itch a lot. The skin appears soaked all the time and may be torn. There is also a foul smell. There are antifungal creams or powders available from the pharmacy. Use a powder when your skin is still intact. Use cream if the skin is torn. Iodine and benzoic acid are also effective.

It can happen to anyone who has just taken durians or garlic. In such cases, using a mouthwash will get rid of the problem immediately. If your bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene, then you'll need to see a dentist to fill up those cavities and remove the tartar.

If you allow yourself to remain sweaty over a period of time, bacteria can cause odours. Many underarm deodourants are easily available in most shops. These products inhibit bacterial growth in comparison with anti-perspirants which reduce sweating. Dusting the body with baking powder or adding a few drops of oil of lavender to your bath are effective in preventing body odour. A safe anti-perspirant is aluminium chloride, available OTC at the pharmacy.

Coughs are due to throat irritation resulting from foreign particles or an infection. Generally, you can either have a wet cough or a dry cough. Wet coughs help expel mucus and phlegm while dry coughs are just irritating. Ask you pharmacist for a recommendation on the type of cough syrup which best suits you. Smoking causes coughing and should be stopped.

Dandruff can be dry or waxy. Dry dandruff is due to poor circulation or scalp irritation from an unsuitable shampoo. Waxy dandruff is due to over-production of oils by sebaceous gland in the scalp. For dry dandruff, massage your scalp regularly. A natural treatment for waxy dandruff is applying lemon juice to the scalp. Doctors normally recommend medicated shampoos. These normally contain zinc pyrithione or selenium sulphide as active ingredients.

Diarrhoea can be due to anything from a change of diet and anxiety to food poisoning. It is usually preventable. Always consume well-cooked food and drink treated water. On your own, you may take kaolin (a suspension) or charcoal tablets available OTC. Remember to drink lots of water and see a doctor if vomiting occurs or there is blood in the stools.

Many harmless things like watch casings, the button on your jeans or jewellery can cause allergic reactions from your skin. The best way to deal with eczema is to prevent direct contact. Stick a piece of plastic to the back of your watch or tuck your shirt into your jeans. If you do a lot of washing, wear gloves when your hands come into contact with detergents.

Fever, headache, joint pains, stomach upset and runny nose. You'll know it when you get it. Apart from giving you MC, the doctor cannot do much to cure you. Plenty of rest is necessary. To relieve the symptoms you can take paracetamol for the fever and pain. Actifed syrup clears runny nose. Nose sprays are very effective but be very careful not to get addicted. Extra vitamin C of about 1500mg a day speeds up recovery. High potency vitamin B complex reduces lethargy.

This is a burning sensation in the stomach and occurs to many students under examination stress. Overeating is another possible cause. Many antacids are available OTC. They contain hydroxides of magnesium or aluminium which will neutralise stomach acids. To prevent acid stomach, avoid coffee, alcohol and try to take many small meals instead of a few huge ones. Relaxing yourself by reading Teens also helps.

Drink plenty of fluids. If you have no appetite, drink glucose or honey mixtures for energy. Don't try to mummify yourself. Heat worsens fever and so do ice-cold drinks. Remember to drink hot but bathe cold. Sleep under a fan and place ice packs over your forehead for ten minutes hourly. Paracetamol should be taken in moderation about 4000mg a day.

High tech mosquito repellents in the form of a transmitter which emits a frequency that drives mosquitoes away are now available. More traditional methods including sprays, ointments, nets and coils are also effective. Mosquitoes strike at any time but are fiercest at night. Wear light-coloured clothing and take thiamine supplements which will give your sweat an odour that drives mosquitoes away.

This occurs when you fly into a different time zone. Fatigue, sleeplessness, loss of appetite and disorientation are common symptoms of jet lag. Milder symptoms can also occur when you travel by overnight coach to Malaysia. It is probably a better idea to start your journey in the day and arrive at night to sleep even though you may "waste a day". Drinking lots of water and taking vitamin C supplements of 2000mg a day can help relieve jet lag.

Knee pain associated with exercise often occurs when the athelete does not warm up before strenous activity. The knees are subjected to tremendous strain during exercise because they support the weight of your body. Being overweight, running without properly cushioned shoes and doing exessive high impact exercises can easily hurt your knees. Lose weight and use good air-cushioned shoes to avoid knee problems.

Found in hair, these are blood-sucking parasites causing itchiness and redness in the scalp. It spreads very easily through the sharing of combs and towels. To treat the problem, simply use a shampoo containing malathion. Remember to boil towels and change combs.

Another viral infection, mumps spreads very easily and often affects young people. Fever, loss of appetite, pain behind the ear especially during eating are the symptoms. To reduce pain, avoid sour food and drink plenty of fluids. Male teenagers suffering from mumps must see a doctor because the testes get inflammed and can lead to sterility. For prevention, a vaccine is available.

Everyone has rough edges in his or her nails every now and then. Though many people know that they are supposed to file down the rough edges, some "conveniently" bite on them, worsening the problem. You can give yourself a disincentive for biting nails by painting them with the bitter juice of aloe vera. Brittle nails can be a sign of vitamin A or protein deficiency, common in girls going on a crash diet. Take also, supplements of zinc and vitamin B6. If there is an underlying fungal infection, use a medicated cream for nails.<

This occurs about 14 days after menstruation. It marks the point when an ovum is released into the uterus. It is normally felt on one side of the lower abdomen as a pain or cramp. It is sometimes felt on both sides. However, the pain is often mild and most doctors will only give their patients mild painkillers. Taking vitamin B complex supplements offers some relieve as well.

If your girlfriend is especially irritable on certain days in the month, she is likely to be suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Common symptoms include abdominal pain, breast tenderness, headaches and fatigue about one week before the period starts. Vitamin B6 (100mg 2 times aday) and vitamin E (100iu a day), the mineral magnesium and lots of understanding from friends are known to relieve symptoms of PMS.

This can be due to bacterial and viral infection or irritation from smoke or other chemicals. The affected eye is usually slightly swollen, red and itchy with some discomfort but little pain. In most cases, bathing the eye in a lotion or using anti-inflammatory eye drops can relieve the symptoms. Recovery should take only 3 or 4 days.

If you get a toothache in the middle of the night and can't get to see your dentist immediately, you can relieve the pain by first drying the tooth with a piece of tissue. Next, press a cotton pellet soaked in oil of cloves onto the affected part. If you have lost a filling and the part feels very sensitive, rub some fluoride toothpaste onto the exposed cavity.

Caused by sharp teeth, iron, vitamin deficiency or simply stress, mouth ulcers can make you feel miserable. They can occur on the inner cheeks, palate, gums or even the tongue. Never rub salt on ulcers. To speed up recovery, use antiseptic mouthwashes and take vitamin B and iron supplements.

Possible causes include allergy, hormonal problems or infection. Good hygiene is often the best prevention. Keep the vaginal area dry and avoid contact with powders and deodourants to prevent chemical irritation or allergic reactions. Also avoid tight clothes. You would normally need to see a doctor to treat vaginitis. Antibiotics or antifungal creams may be required to eradicate infection. Taking garlic supplements can speed up recovery.

This is caused by the excessive buildup of gas in the intestine. It is due to gulping, consuming fermented foods and anxiety with nervous swallowing. If you have a problem with wind, avoid foods like cheese, soy sauce and alcohol. Too much fruit,onions and carbonated soft drinks can also cause wind. Charcoal tablets can be taken to relieve a bloated stomach.

Too much sun is certainly no fun. Thes best way to avoid skin damage is to limit exposure time. A sunscreen helps, but one must not take it for granted. Take cold showers if you have a burn. Apply calamine lotion to ease the pain.

This can be caused by smoking, excessive coffee or the use of an abrasive brush or toothpaste. Many toothwhitening pastes are available OTC. However, you would need a dentist to remove most stains due to tartar.

It could be due to a boring lecture for while there is no cure or fatigue which can be due to iron deficiency, insomnia or plain laziness. Exercise can improve your concentration and for those on a diet, try iron supplements and lots of vitamin B complex. Eat lots of rice and bread but avoid sugary foodstuff.