Swallow

The Digestive System – what is it and why is it important for health ? Part 2

The digestive system allows the digestion and absorption of food and execution of waste products. There can be many problems associated with the digestive system which if ignored can lead to complex situations.

- Ulcerative Colitis
If a person is suffering from bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and anemia then it could be ulcerative colitis which is an inflammation and ulceration of the colon and rectal lining. Drugs are needed to cure it.

- Liver disease
If a person is suffering from loss of taste, then it could be a possibility that he or she is affected by a liver disease.

- Diverculitis
If a person is suffering from severe stomach pain that does not abate within an hour and is not relieved by antacids, coupled with pain, recurrent diarrhea, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting then it could be diverculitis which is an infection of pouches on the wall of the colon that requires antibiotics, antispasmodics and a high fiber diet.

- Peptic Ulcer
If a person is suffering from persistent ache in the gut that lasts for more than a few days between meals and at rest together with flu like symptoms, weight loss or rectal bleeding, then it could be peptic ulcer which can be treated with antibiotics and antiulcerants.

- O-esophagus Cancer
If a person is suffering from difficulty in swallowing, weight loss, chest discomfort, heartburn then it could be the cancer of oesophagus and it can be diagnosed by a barium meal and endoscopy.

- Hiatal Hernia
If the food is regurgitated from the stomach into the mouth then there is a possibility that the person is facing from hiatal hernia in which the upper part of the stomach slide up through the opening in the diaphragm and is diagnosed with barium meal and is treated with surgery.

- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
If a person is suffering from fluctuation between diarrhea and constipation with stomach cramps which rarely hit you while you are asleep then it could be irritable bowel syndrome which can be treated with antispasmodic drugs, frequent small meals and fiber diet.

- Acidity or Heart Burn
If a person is suffering from a burning pain in the chest then it could be because of acidity which is often confused with a heart attack. When stomach’s excess acid is forced back up from the wind pipe, acidity bursts. Eating a rich spicy meal just before bed time is the main cause for acidity. Take an antacid and raise the head of your bed and sleep on your left side.

- Round Worms
If a person is suffering from anal itching then it could be because of round worms and you need a de-worming session.

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Tonsillitis – Inflammation of the tonsils – Causes and Symptoms, Remedies, Dietary Considerations

Tonsillitis refers to acute inflammation of the tonsils, which lie, one on each side of the throat. Chronic tonsillitis is a term applied to cases in which there is enlargement of the tonsils accompanied by repeated attacks of infection.

SYMPTOMS OF TONSILLITIS

The main symptoms of tonsillitis are:
- Sore throat.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Pain in various parts of the body.
- Difficulty in sallowing.
- Weakness.
- Tonsil appear inflamed and red when the mouth is wide open.
- Sometimes, spots of pus exude from them.
- The tonsorial lymph glands which lie just behind the angle of the jaw are tender and enlarged.
- Pain in the ear.

CAUSES OF TONSILLITIS

- Toxic condition of the system which is brought to a head by a sudden lowering of vitality, resulting from exposure and sudden chill.
- Tonsils become enlarged and inflamed when the toxins cannot be got rid of through the normal channels of elimination such as bowels, kidneys, and skin.
- A throat affliction of this kind is also associated with and is the result of chronic constipation,when toxins are re-absorbed into the bloodstream.

REMEDIES FOR TONSILLITIS

- Vegetable Juices : Juices of carrot, beet and cucumber, taken individually or in combination are beneficial.
- Milk : A glass of pure boiled milk, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder and pepper powder should be taken for three nights.
- Lime : A fresh lime squeezed in a glass of warm water with four tsp of honey and a quarter tsp of common salt should be sipped slowly in such cases.
- Fenugreek Seeds : A gargle made from fenugreek seeds is very effective. To make such a gargle, two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be allowed to simmer for half an hour in a litre of water and then set aside to cool. The entire quantity should be used the same day as a soothing gargle.

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS

Foods that should be avoided are cold drinks and aerated drinks, spicy food, curds, buttermilk, fried food, ice-cream, hard and crunchy food articles, strong coffee, tea and alcohol and one should avoid smoking.
The best diet to begin with, the patient should fast for three to five days by which time the serious symptoms should subside.
After the acute symptoms of tonsillitis are over, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for next three or four days.
Gradually, the patient can embark upon a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

NOTE:
Daily dry fiction and a hip bath, as well as breathing and other exercises should all form part of daily health regimen. The bowels should be cleaned everyday. A cold pack should be applied to the throat at two-hourly intervals during the day.