Posts Tagged ‘Bacteria’

What are different home remedies for swimmer’s ear – a summer problem?

Characteristics of Swimmer’s Ear
- It is caused by excess water getting trapped in the ear canal.
- It generally happens most during the summer or the swimming season.
- It can also happen throughout the year as well.
- Swimmer’s ear is also known as Otitis Externa.
- It is a condition when the ear is infected and gets an inflammatory feeling.
- It leads to fungus or bacteria.
- Their skin becomes soft around the ears leading to wrinkles on it.
- The extra soft skin could then break and create room for infections to enter.
- If there is any cut, the harmful bacteria in the water could then enter and create havoc.
- This problem causes great pain and discomfort.
- One experiences formation of earwax, loss of hearing, pain or swelling in the ear amongst other things.

Home remedies for Swimmmer’s Ear

1. Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar
- Rinse ears using a cotton ball that is soaked in a mixture of half white vinegar and half rubbing alcohol.
- According to Dr. Emily Senay, a CBS medical correspondent, the vinegar can kill any bacteria lurking in the ear.
- The rubbing alcohol will dry out excess water.

2. Olive Oil
- Warm a few drops of extra virgin olive oil.
- Then place it in the ear.
- Cover with a cotton ball to prevent drainage.

3. Hot Compresses
- Hold a heating pad or warm cloth against the painful ear.
- The heat will help to evaporate excess water.
- It will then reduce pain in the ear.

4. Baby Oil
- Place two to three drops of baby oil into the ears prior to entering the water.
- This can help prevent swimmer’s ear.

5. Garlic Oil
- To reduce the inflammation, place two to three drops of garlic oil into the ear canal.
- This can also aid in healing and boost immunity.

6. Blow Dry
- Set your blow dryer to a low heat setting and gently blow into the ear.
- Hold the dryer at least 12 to 18 inches away from the ear.
- This should help eliminate any excess water in the ear.

7. Ear Plugs
- Consider using ear plugs made for swimmers when you are in the water.
- This will help prevent water from getting in the ear and causing irritation.

8. Apple cider vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar is an effective cure for otitis externa.
- Dilute apple cider vinegar with equal amounts of water and rubbing alcohol and put the solution in to the affected ear.
- Do this 2 times daily.
- It kills all bacteria and fungi.

Other additional Home Remedies
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar, water and hydrogen peroxide solution and put in to the affected ear.
- Application of hot compress on the affected ear reduces pain and soreness.
- Resting one’s ear against a heating pad with a towel in between gives immense relief.
- Cleansing one’s ear with a saline solution is another effective remedy
- Swimmers must take care not to jump into unclean water as it could contain bacteria.
- Care must be taken to wear a swimmer’s cap to avoid water from entering into the ear canal.
- Swimmers are advised not to poke into or scratch their ears.

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Acute Bronchitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for treating acute bronchitis

When we breathe in, we take air which passes through mouth, nose, and voice box into the trachea and continues the route to each lung via either the right or left bronchi Acute bronchitis is the inflammation of these bronchi tubes and makes it difficult for the air to reach the lungs.

In most cases, it is caused by viruses or bacteria and it lasts for several days or weeks. Common cold is also one of the reason behind acute bronchitis. Smoking is the commonest reason for this to happen. Chemical irritants can also cause acute bronchitis. When a person is suffering from acute bronchitis, sticky mucus fills up the bronchi causing them to swell up and this inflammation restricts the air to flow in and out.

The symptoms for acute bronchitis includes:
- Inflammation of bronchi tubes makes it difficult for air to pass through. It causes wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
- Fever and Chills
- Body pain
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- It gets worse at night.
- Tickle feeling in back of throat.

Doctor should be called for if the cough and wheezing sound remains for more than two weeks or you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a condition in which stomach acid gets into your esophagus (windpipe) or blood in your cough.

Diagnosis of acute bronchitis is done by clinical examination and sometimes microbiological examination of the phlegm. A chest X-ray to reveal any kind of inflammation in lungs is also done.
Pneumonia is a possible complication. Some people also may have sinusitis.

Treatment of acute bronchitis includes:
- Albuterol inhalation helps to dilate the bronchial tubes.
- Short-term steroid therapy will help minimize inflammation within the bronchial tubes.
- Steam inhalation.
- Take plenty of rest.
- Take antibiotics if the color of the phlegm changes.
- Fluid intake should be sufficient.
- Increase the humidity of the environment.
- Generally, acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, antibiotics do not help.

To prevent acute bronchitis:
- wash hands regularly.
- quit smoking.

Dry Mouth or XEROSTOMIA – Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment

Dry mouth means that there is not enough saliva in the mouth. It occurs when the mouth is less wet. Saliva glands are not able to generate enough saliva. Dry mouth problem increases with age. Dry mouth can also occur in conditions when a person is nervous, upset and when the person is under stress. One can think why saliva is so important. Saliva is important as it helps in digestion of food, prevents decaying of teeth and mouth infections, chewing and swallowing of food becomes easy, controls the bacteria and fungi infections.

WHAT CAUSES DRY MOUTH?
- Salivary glands are not working properly.
- There is not enough saliva produced in mouth.
- Some side effects of certain medications.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Damage to the nerves that produce saliva in salivary glands.
- Lack of water.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF DRY MOUTH?
- Problems in chewing and swallowing.
- Dry and burning feeling in the mouth.
- Bad breath.
- Lips become very dry.
- Smelling and soaring mouth.
- Mouth infections.
- Cheeks become dull, pale.
- Problems in speech.
- Dental decay.
- Mouth and tongue becomes sensitive to acidic, salty & spicy foods.
- Tongue becomes red, raw and dry.
- Hoarseness.

HOW CAN DRY MOUTH BE PREVENTED?
- Drink lots of water.
- One should breathe through nose and not through mouth.
- Alcohol makes mouth dry so one should avoid alcohol.
- Caffeinated drinks should be avoided.
- Too much spicy and salted foods should be avoided.
- Keep your teeth healthy so visit dentist at least twice a year.
- Avoid sticky foods.
- Brush teeth properly.

HOW CAN DRY MOUTH BE TREATED?
- Medications can be given to improve the working of salivary glands so that it can produce proper amount of saliva.
- Artificial saliva can be given to keep the mouth wet.
- If dry mouth is caused by certain medications then doctor can change those medications.
- Stimulate the flow of saliva.