A sore throat is a painful, itchy, and irritated throat.
This could produce an uneasy feeling because it brings difficulty in swallowing our food and drinking our fluids. This could also make us uncomfortable at night as it ruins a good night of sleep.
But don’t worry, as you can do remedies to ease and treat this while at home!
You can try the following home interventions:
Try the healing effect of honey – this is a good remedy for sore throat. It helps to speed up the healing of sore throat because of its anti-inflammatory properties. You can add 1 tbsp of honey to a glass of water and drink it, or take at least 1 tbsp of honey followed by 1 glass of water. Please note however that you should not give honey to children under 1-year-old.
Gargle with warm salt water- it could help to break down secretions, thereby soothing a sore and itchy throat. Just add 1/2 tsp of salt into a glass of warm water and gargle it. It could also help to have a clean throat.
Increase your fluid intake or stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is an essential part of treating your sore throat. If you are dehydrated, your body is unable to produce enough saliva that can help to keep your throat lubricated. Thereby making your sore throat worsen.
Moisturize the air – use a humidifier or if not available, you can use a DIY instead. Go for a steam bath, the moist air coming from it helps to reduce swelling and painful throat. You can also drape your head and lean into a bowl of hot water to breathe in the steam.
Have proper nutrition, eat your meal. Food is the fuel of the human body, it gives us the energy, vitamins, and minerals that our body needs to combat an illness.
Elevate your pillow – an extra high pillow will help you breathe easier, thus promoting a good night of sleep. Enough rest or sleep is good at boosting your immunity.
When to see your doctor?
You need a doctor’s consultation or go to the nearest clinic or hospital if you already have a severe sore throat. A sore throat accompanied by high fever, swollen tonsils, severe pain when swallowing, and if you have nausea or vomiting.
Remember that prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to distance yourself and use your face mask when interacting with a sick person. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Do some ways to boost your immune system, just like eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Drinking enough water, doing physical activities and exercises. Performing your hygiene daily, and having enough rest and sleep.
Are you one of those who are experiencing headaches from time to time? Headaches are very disturbing and can cause disabling you to do your daily tasks and duties. According to our health source, headaches can lead to sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and psychological and physical problems.
The general signs and symptoms are as follows:
There is a moderate to severe pain
Presence of pulsating and throbbing sensation.
It is aggregated by physical activities
Nausea
Vomiting
You can feel light and sound sensitivity.
Pressing or tightening around your head.
Pain around eyes
Restlessness
This common symptoms usually go away on its own even without medications, but you should seek a doctor’s consultation if:
Your headaches seem worsening over time.
Disabling you to do daily chores and activities already.
You have two or more headaches in a week.
You needed an increase dose of over the counter medications to relieve headaches.
Furthermore, you are taking pain medications to relieve headaches on most days and your headache won’t go away without medications.
If your headache comes with double vision, seizure, confusion, stiffness, fever, weakness, numbness, or difficulty in speaking.
Headaches worsen despite rest and home intervention.
Risk factors of headaches includes: anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, caffeine, chronic pain conditions, obesity, snoring etc.
You can use over the counter medications like analgesics (naproxen and ibuprofen) to relieve headaches, be sure to ask the pharmacist regarding the medication that is effective and suitable for you. Possible causes of headaches are infection, stroke, inflammation, meningitis, traumatic brain injury, brain trauma.
Note: you better seek a doctor’s consultation to better check your condition and to take actions regarding it. The doctor will perform tests to diagnose your headache’s problem. Some of the tests that the doctor may perform are imaging tests like: CT scan and MRI to look for underlying medical condition. After recognizing the problem, the doctor will prescribe certain medications for your treatment.
Here are some lifestyle and home remedies that you can do to help relieve headaches:
Exercise regularly
Avoid headache triggers
Avoid medications overuse
Get enough rest and sleep
If you are obese, you may want to lose weight.
Reduce stress
Avoid too much caffeinated drinks
Don’t skip your meals
Headaches are really a problem that you have to resolve to continue your daily activities. Always take control and seek an understanding about your situation. It’s a healthy action to talk to someone and share your feelings about it, accept counselling and support from other people, it will really help.
Many of us are already exhausted, lonely, stressed and even depressed with what the COVID-19 or the coronavirus brought to us. This pandemic gave us many realizations about life, that:
We must be thankful to God for the gift of life.
Self-love, self-care and personal hygiene is important.
Your Family (Mother, Father, Wife, Husband, Children, Siblings etc.) are the best companions.
Home is the safest place to stay.
Life is too short, we should enjoy and appreciate it.
Health is wealth, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables are the best food to eat.
We need the love and care coming from our loved ones. The comfort they give us can relieve worries/stress.
Appreciate the importance of other people who are ready to serve and risk their lives just to make us safe (they are the Frontliners).
There are many things that life can offer, that we can do other things (baking, cooking, gardening etc.)
We can sacrifice, we can walk short distances without riding a vehicle, we can skip unhealthy foods, we can cook our food without buying in the fast food chain/restaurant.
What is COVID-19 or the coronavirus? A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in Wuhan, China in the year 2019. It came from a large family of viruses which can cause illness or even death. It spreads from person to person. When the person affected cough or sneeze, it easily lands to the objects surround him/her. It transfers easily through droplets.
Common to severe symptoms includes:
—Fever —Dry cough —Tiredness or fatigue —Flu like symptoms- body aches and pains —Rashes on the skin —Sense of smell or taste are loss —Headache —Loose stools —Inflammation of the conjunctiva —Chest pain —Loss of speech or movement —Difficulty of breathing
Note: Consult your doctor or physician right away if you notice any possible symptoms that may indicate a COVID-19 to begin the treatment because the earlier the treatment, the higher the chance of healing.
Who are at greater risk?
Those who have low immune system like babies, elderly and those with underlying diseases.
Precautionary measures that you can do:
Always maintain a 1-meter distance to others, use your face mask, specially when you are outside.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Sanitize or use alcohol-based to kill viruses.
It is possible to catch it to someone who has mild cough but doesn’t look or feel ill (carrier). Avoid going to the crowd.
You are experiencing serious symptoms, call the nearest facility before going to the hospital.
Practice proper hygiene, cough, and sneeze etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose using your bent elbow or through a tissue, then throw away after using.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. These are the common entry holes of viruses.
Boost your immune system through eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly.
Do not self-medicate, it may bring bad effects on your health, you better consult your doctor if you feel ill or sick.
Listen to your health officials regarding health protocols.
Be updated with the current issues regarding COVID-19.
Do you know of someone who has or experienced this disease? It is a serious kind of disease which needs immediate intervention.
According to our health source, here are the symptoms, causes, risk factors and management of the disease.
Stroke is a form of brain attack which occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain has blockage, and as a result the brain cells will be deprived of oxygen and begin to die. The memory and muscle, which are controlled by the brain, lost. It is a very life-threatening disease that requires prompt medical action or intervention.
What are the signs and symptoms of stroke?
Numbness or weakness in the face, leg, or arm, specially on one side.
Trouble speaking and understanding
Confusion
Sudden or severe headache
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Problems in walking, balance and coordination
Note: Consult your doctor or physician right away if you notice any possible symptoms that may indicate a stroke to begin the treatment because the earlier the treatment, the higher the chance of healing. After you are diagnosed with the disease, you need medical check-up with your doctor until you are well. Avoid self-medication.
What are the risk factors of stroke?
Family history
Heart disease
Alcohol abuse
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Smoking
Diabetes
High cholesterol level
Sedentary lifestyle
Increasing age/older
Overweight or obese
How can you prevent stroke?
Maintaining a healthy weight
Eating healthy diet
Treat high cholesterol
Exercise regularly
Avoidance of alcoholic drinks
Do not smoke, stop smoking
Maintain a healthy blood pressure
Control diabetes
Types of stroke :
Transient ischemic stroke- clot that temporary blocks blood flow to the brain. It last for a short period of time.
Ischemic stroke– can be embolic, the blood clot travels from another part of the body to your brain.
Thrombotic stroke- an ischemic stroke caused by a clot forming in a blood vessel in your brain, the blood clot won’t go away without a treatment.
Hemorrhagic stroke– a blood vessel in your brain ruptures.
Aneurysm hemorrhagic- causes a portion of the weak blood vessel to balloon outward and sometimes rupture.
Arteriovenous malformation- abnormally formed blood vessels, can cause hemorrhagic stroke when this blood vessel ruptures.
What are the causes of stroke?
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
caused by blood clots or other clots
Ischemicstroke
Blockages or narrowing of the arteries
Reduce blood flow that damages brain cells
Fatty deposits within the arteries called plaque that can cause clots
Hemorrhagicstroke
Arteries in the brain leaking blood or bursting open.
Blood vessels can burst and spill blood
Ruptures may due to hypertension, trauma, aneurysms and blood-thinning medications.
What are the complications stroke?
Speech difficulties- can affect areas of your brain which have to do with speech and swallowing and as a result you may have difficulty in writing, reading, and problems in understanding what other people are talking/speaking about.
Behavior change- having a stroke can contribute to depression or anxiety, more impulsive, more withdrawn from socializing.
Numbness or pain- decreased sensation, affect your ability to feel or sense temperature.
Paralysis- a stroke on the right side of the brain can affect movement on the left side of your body.
What are the Diagnostic exams or tests for stroke:
Blood tests- to test how quickly the patient’s blood clots and to test for any infection.
Physical exam- includes symptoms and medical history, blood pressure taking, listening to carotid arteries in the neck etc.
CT scan- series of x-rays that can show hemorrhages, strokes, tumors, and other conditions of the brain.
MRI scan- this is radio waves and magnets which create an image of the brain to detect damage.
Carotid ultrasound- to check any plaque and the blood flow in the carotid arteries.
Cerebral angiogram- to give a detailed view of the brain and neck blood vessels, they insert dyes into the brain’s blood vessels to make them visible under x-ray.
Echocardiogram- an image of the heart, is being checked for any sources of clots.
What are the treatments for stroke?
For TIA– includes taking medications that will help prevent future strokes.
Includes antiplatelet- reduce the components of your blood called platelets from sticking together to form a clot.
Anticoagulant- medications that reduce the buildup of clotting proteins.
Carotid endarterectomy- removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery of your neck. Your doctor may recommend this surgery.
For Ischemic stroke
Will depend on your individual medical history.
Prescribed medications
Your doctor can use procedures to physically remove the clot or clot busting medications to your brain. These aren’t always beneficial because your medical history may put you at risk for side effects.
Hemorrhagic stoke
Treatment involves trying to stop bleeding in your brain
Prescribed medications
Surgical procedures which include surgical clipping or coiling (to keep the blood vessels from bleeding further).
Through rehabilitation, you may be able to regain lost motor function, speech and swallowing abilities, but will take time to see results.
Rehabilitation may include the following:
Physical therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
You may join a support group, these group of people may be helpful to share experiences and exchange information with, regarding the disease. This can also help in reducing depression that can occur after stroke.
Support from friends and family. They can provide you more comfort and practical support. Being with them will help you keep the motivation you need in fighting with the disease and improving your health.
Diabetes mellitus are a group of diseases that affect your body on how it uses the blood sugar (or the glucose). It is significant because it’s our brain’s source of fuel and the source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and other body tissues. So if you suffer from diabetes, it means that you have too much glucose in your blood that can lead to serious health conditions.
According to our health source:
Types of diabetes includes:
Type 1 diabetes– may develop at any age (during childhood or adolescence). In this type, symptoms come quickly and more severe.
Type 2 diabetes– more common type, it can develop at any age but more common to those older than 40 years old.
Gestational diabetes– occurs during pregnancy but will resolve when the baby is born.
Signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes includes:
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent urination
Feeling hungry and thirsty
Frequent infections
Slow wound healing
Blurring of vision
Feeling tired/ fatigue
Irritability
The presence of ketones in the urine
Note: Consult your doctor or physician right away if you notice any possible symptoms that may indicate a diabetes, to begin the treatment because the earlier the treatment, the higher the chance of healing. After you are diagnosed with the disease, you need medical check-up with your doctor until your sugar levels stabilize or go back to normal. Avoid self-medication.
Type 1 diabetes
What are the Causes?
The exact cause is unknown. What is known is that the immune system (the one responsible for fighting harmful bacteria and viruses) attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to a little or no insulin. So, the sugar builds up in your bloodstream instead of being transported into your cells.
What are the risk factors?
Dietary factors– low vitamin D consumption
Geography– it is uncertain but Finland and Sweden have high rates of type-1 diabetes
Presence of damaging immune system cells (autoantibodies)
Family history– you are at risk if your parents or siblings have this type 1 diabetes.
Environmental factors– exposure to viral illnesses
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Causes:
For prediabetes (that could lead to type 2) and type 2 diabetes– your cells become resistant to the insulin’s action, so the pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to overcome the resistance. The sugar builds in the bloodstream instead of moving into your cells where it is needed for energy. Genetic, environmental factors and being overweight accounts to the development of type 2 diabetes, though not everyone with type 2 is overweight.
Risk factors:
Family history– you have a higher risk if your parents and siblings have this type 2 diabetes.
Inactivity or sedentary lifestyle
Weight– the fatty tissue your body have, the more resistant your cells to insulin. Physical activities help your body use glucose as energy and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin, and can also control weight gaining.
Race– it is unclear but races like Black, Hispanics, American- Indians and Asian- Americans are at higher risk.
Age– as you get older you’re at risk because you tend to exercise less, gain weight and loss muscle mass.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (common condition characterized by excessive hair growth, obesity, and irregular menstrual period).
Gestational diabetes– if you experienced this during your pregnancy, there is a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Abnormality in the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides– you are at risk if you have low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol.
High blood pressure– a blood pressure of 140/90 mm/Hg (millimeter mercury) is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes:
Cause:
For gestational diabetes– during the pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to sustain the pregnancy and these hormones make the cells more resistant to insulin. In normal situation your pancreas responds by producing enough extra insulin to overcome the resistance, but when the pancreas can’t keep up, there are too little glucose gets into your cells and too many stays in your bloodstream.
Risk factors:
Family or personal history
Age– older than 25 years old women
Weight– overweight before pregnancy
Race– unclear but women who are Black, American Indian, Hispanic, and Asian are most likely to develop this gestational diabetes.
There are complications related to diabetes that could threaten your life. Below are the possible complications:
Cardiovascular disease, damages in the nerves, kidneys, eyes, and feet.
Skin conditions
Alzheimer’s disease
Hearing impairment
Complications for gestational diabetes may include: (for the baby)
Excess growth- macrosomia (the baby grow too large.)
Low blood sugar
Type 2 diabetes later in life
Death if gestational diabetes is untreated.
Complications to the mother may include:
Pre-eclampsia (characterized by high blood pressure).
Subsequent gestational diabetes
More likely to develop type 2 diabetes as you get older.
Tests for diabetes includes:
Glycated hemoglobin test– this will indicate your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months.
Random blood sugar test– your blood sample will be taken at random time.
Fasting blood sugar test– blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast.
Oral glucose tolerance test– you fast overnight, before testing the blood sugar level.
Test for type 1 diabetes:
Urinalysis — your urine will be tested.
Test to see autoantibodies– destructive immune system cells.
Test for gestational diabetes will be done if you are:
High risk– if you are obese or overweight, had previous gestational diabetes, family history of the disease.
An Average risk- screening test will be done during the second trimester.
Screening tests may include:
Initial glucose challenge test– drinking a syrup glucose solution, then after 1 hour you will have a blood test to measure your blood sugar level.
Follow-up glucose tolerance testing– you will be asked to fast overnight, then they will measure your fasting blood sugar level. You will drink again a sweet solution with higher concentration of glucose, then the blood sugar level will be checked every hour for a period of 3 hours.
Treatments to all types of diabetes:
Healthy eating
Physical activity
Type 1 and 2 diabetes treatment:
Monitoring your blood sugar
Insulin therapy
Oral or other medications
Transplantation (pancreas transplant) in some who have type1 diabetes
Bariatric surgery
Treatment for gestational diabetes:
Controlling and monitoring your blood sugar level
Insulin or oral medications
Treatment for prediabetes:
Healthy lifestyle choices
Healthy weight through exercise
Healthy eating
Oral medications
What are the home remedies you can do:
Eat healthy foods– preferably those foods that are lower in fat and calories and higher in fiber.
Get more physical activity– do physical activities daily for 30 minutes, for example: brisk walking, biking, jogging etc.
Lose excess pounds– motivate yourself to achieve a healthy weight.
Coping management to help you with the disease:
Seek mental health professional to speak with. If you are stress about the disease, feeling down and losing hope.
Try a support group or talk to someone who has the same battle as yours. You will find health tips and effective ways they have been through.
MOMSOTHERSIDE
HealthCare 