Posts Tagged ‘Swimming’

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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Losing weight on thighs and hips by keeping a track on diet and exercise.

Losing weight can be one of the hardest physical challenges that one can go through in life. Women tend to gain weight on hips and thighs. Women have a tendency to accumulate fatty acids in their body, specifically in the thighs and hips. Women must not only do the right thigh exercises, but also include aerobic exercise and sound nutrition to get best results.
Thighs are a difficult part of the body for women, because it is hard to lose weight in this area and keep the thighs toned.

EXERCISE

- Building up your leg muscles is the first step towards losing weight on your butt, thighs and hips.
- Squats are one of the best exercises you can do for your hips, butt and thighs and they’re also a functional exercise, helping us build strength for a variety of daily activities.
- Lunges are a challenging exercise as on the front leg, you’ll work the glutes and hamstrings and, on the back leg, you’ll work the quads and calves.
- Step ups are another great exercise for the glutes. For step ups, place one foot on a step or platform and push through the heel to lift the body up. The other key is to concentrate all your weight on the stepping leg.
- The stepper is an effective way to lose thigh fat because it focuses on the butt muscles.
- Running, like walking is accessible, especially on elevation are easy to learn, reduces stress, helps in weight loss, and it makes you feel good.
- Swimming is an excellent way to lose fat from your thighs.

DIET

- A healthy diet has of course been so effective in not only getting rid of fat deposits but also in maintaining the overall soundness of the body.
- Cut on the amount and type of oil and fat in the diet.
- Avoid too much paneer, oil in dals (pulses) or even combination of oil and cereal.
- Cut down on your carbohydrates intake like potato, rice, grains, pasta. Use brown carbs instead like sweet potatoes, whole grain bread; increase your lean protein intake such as chicken, egg whites, cottage cheese, protein shakes etc.
- Eat less carbohydrates and more proteins.
- Eat more of channa roti (chapati), wheat and soya mixed roti or the diabetic atta roti which is made with dals and other cereals leaving out pure wheat.
- The non-vegetarians can eat all varieties of foods including fish and chicken. Go easy on red meat; you can have it once in a week.
- Eat lots of green vegetables.
- Cut down on fruit juices.

What kind of diet should be followed if the person is gaining fat on stomach?

People face problem of being overweight at an early age especially gaining weight or fat on stomach. This is a matter of concern as this is the time when health can start deteriorating if one is not careful.

Having a large tummy means that you are eating more calories than you need to. This does not mean you start dieting. Burning the fat from the stomach and achieving a toned belly are totally different goals that require different approaches.

- A healthy diet, slightly lower in calories than the body requires will help burn fat from all over the body including the flat stomach area.
- Food intake should only reduce calories a little at a time over the course of many months.
- Reducing calories too much results in a lowered metabolism and even possibly a gain in weight.
- A five meal pattern is ideal i.e. three meals and two small snacks in between. Remember not to snack between these five meals even if it is a cup of tea with a teaspoon of sugar.
- Follow the half plate rule which means that half of your plate should be filled with carbohydrates and proteins and the rest should be vegetables cooked in minimal amount of oil.
- Avoid second helpings.
- Serve food yourself and keep away serving bowls in kitchen.
- Do not cut down on pizzas, pastas or paranthas entirely. Just reduce the proportion by 20%.
- Cut down on junk fatty foods like chips, namkeens etc.
- Cut down on the proportion of sweets and deserts.
- Alcohol especially beer adds a lot of calories. Reduce your drink intake.
- Walking, jogging, running, swimming, cycling, step aerobics, rowing, rock climbing, are all fun and effective exercises.
- Abs exercises that specifically target the abs are crucial when it comes to reduce stomach fat.
- Exercise the side of the stomach as well as the front abs
- Crunches are one of the best for flattening stomach.
- become more active inside and outside the house.