Category: Health Care

A lot of people, almost every one of us experiences acidity, acid reflux or heartburn every few days – at least once or twice a week. Commercial medications like omeprazole are used very frequently to deal with acidity. However, these medications are not a long-term solution and can have adverse effects, especially if overused. What’s the solution then? Simple lifestyle modifications and home remedies for acidity can have greater and surprising effects.

Bringing some very simple and easy changes to your diet, changing your sleep pattern, and changing your eating habits and timings can significantly improve acidity symptoms. This very important guide will help you with some amazing, easily practicable home remedies to effectively fight with acidity. Before discussing that, let’s know a bit in-depth about acidity.

What is Acidity and What Are Common Symptoms?

Commonly termed as “acidity”, acid reflux is a very common phenomenon due to stomach’s action of pushing the acid towards the esophagus – a tube that connects your mouth to the stomach and helps in movement of food from the mouth to stomach.

Some types of acid reflux are completely normal and harmless and don’t cause any symptom. But when they happen quite frequently, there is a burning sensation inside the esophagus.

According to an estimation, about 14 to 20% of all US adults have one or other forms of acid reflux. Heartburn is among the most common symptoms of acidity, which causes a burning, painful sensation around the chest as well as throat.

Acidity is not harmful until it is completely ignored and left to become a causative factor for some other, more serious complications. People who regularly feel heartburn for months, as many as 20 to 40% of them are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is potentially the advanced and more serious type of acid reflux. And interestingly, GERD is among the most common digestive disorders in the US.

In addition to regular heartburn, some other common acidity symptoms include difficulty swallowing, acidic taste at the back of the mouth, asthma, cough, inflammation of the sinuses, tooth erosion, etc.

Here are some very easily practicable natural ways of effectively dealing with acidity.

1. Avoid Overeating

It’s very easy to conclude that overeating is the most common factor responsible for acidity or acid reflux. And you must have to control it if you want to have a long-term solution.

You have ring-like muscle near the opening of esophagus in the stomach, which is known as “esophageal sphincter”. It works as a valve and stops the acidic contents of the stomach from reaching the esophagus. It opens naturally when you swallow food or drink, belch or vomit. Otherwise, it is made to remain closed all the time.

If you have continued acid reflux, there is a weakness or even dysfunction of this sphincter. Too much pressure on the sphincter wall, especially due to overeating may also weaken the sphincter’s muscles, resulting in the quick squeezing of acids through the opening.

And that’s why, without any surprise, acidity is common after finishing your meals. And larger, uncontrolled meals make the case worse.

So, what’s the most important step to deal with frequent acidity and belching? Avoid eating large meals. It doesn’t matter how delicious they are! It would be even more intuitive if you can divide your three meals into five or six short meals.

2. Follow a Low-Carb Diet

Various evidences suggest that diets low in carbs may give some relief from the symptoms of acidity. Scientists believe that undigested carbs may cause bacterial growth in the gut and increase abdominal pressure. Some scientists even claim bacterial growth as one of the major causes of acid reflux. And, impaired digestion and absorption of carbs is usually responsible for unwanted bacterial growth.

Excessive accumulation of undigested carbs in your digestive system may cause you feeling bloated and gassy, and it forces you to belch quite frequently. And interestingly, various studies indicate that diets low in carbs can effectively improve the symptoms of acidity.

In another study, researchers asked participants with GERD to consume prebiotic fiber supplements and noted that there was a significant improvement in the growth of gas-producing bacteria. And as a result, the symptoms of acidity got worse.

So, instead of consuming excessive carbs, try adding low-carb foods such as lean meat, eggs, fish, cauliflower, broccoli, chicken breast, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, olive oil, apples, strawberries, and blueberries etc.

3. Basil Leaves

Carminative and soothing properties of basil leaves can help you with quick relief from acidity symptoms, including belching, heartburn, the fullness of stomach, and nausea etc. Whenever you get first signs of acidity, eat a handful of fresh basil leaves, or boil them in a cup of water to make basil tea. Sip the tea frequently throughout the day to ease the complications.

4. Fennel

Chewing fennel or “sauf” after every meal can be one of the best preventive measures to keep acidity at bay. Fennel is known for its amazing gastrointestinal benefits and can be among the most effective home remedies for acidity. In particular, Fennel tea is very useful to ease indigestion and bloating, especially after heavy meals.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a very humble spice known as a very good natural antacid. Adding cinnamon to your cuisines can also keep the acidity symptoms at bay. For quick relief, consume one or two cups of cinnamon tea to heal your gastrointestinal tract. In addition to its antacid prowess, cinnamon is loaded with additional nutrients too.

6. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is among the “Sattvic” food described in Ayurveda. So, whenever you feel heavy, especially after a spicy meal, try sipping a glass of our very own, desi chaas instead. Buttermilk is packed with lactic acid and is surely one of the most underrated home remedies for acidity. Hopefully, you will understand its effectiveness and will add to your diet quite regularly. To enhance the taste, add a pinch of black pepper or one tbsp ground coriander leaves.

7. Jaggery

Ever wondered, why our grandparents usually finish the meals with a piece or two of jaggery? Because it is high in magnesium and significantly improves intestinal health. Jaggery or gur improves digestion by making your digestive system more alkaline. Eat a short piece of jaggery after every meal, and notice the difference. You can also enjoy the “gur sharbat” in summers to keep your stomach temperature down and feel fresh throughout the day.

8. Cloves

Cloves have earned a prominent place in traditional medicines, especially in Ayurveda and Chinese. Cloves are among the top home remedies for acidity, as it is carminative in nature, and can prevent the excessive formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Adding cloves while cooking especially to recipes like kidney beans and black gram, can greatly affect digestive health. You can also try eating crushed cloves with an equal quantity of cardamon to get quick relief from acidity. The combination of cloves and cardamon will also improve the odor from the mouth.

9. Cumin Seeds

Cumin seeds are among the most effective acid neutralizers and can ease digestion as well as stomach pain. Roast a handful of cumin seeds, crush them slightly and stir in a glass of water. Consume after every meal to have a feel-good factor.

10. Ginger

Ginger hides multiple health benefits beneath its knobby appearance. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory attributes, ginger can be among the best home remedies for acidity and a myriad of other gastric problems. Ginger has been a common folk treatment for problems like nausea and stomach ache. In addition to improving your digestion, ginger can also improve the flow of saliva.

To get the best results, try chewing a few thin slices of fresh ginger. Alternatively, squeeze one tbsp ginger juice by crushing, and consume twice o thrice a day. For even better results, steep a piece of fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water and drink after meals.

11. Cold Milk

If you are not intolerant to lactose, cold milk can also help you to deal with acidity easily. Like buttermilk, cold milk is also among the most underrated and ignored home remedies for acidity. It can be proved a blessing for those who are suffering from chronic acidity due to problems like a gastric ulcer or GERD.

Milk is loaded with calcium and can prevent the buildup of acid in the stomach when consumed cold. So, bust the myth that milk should be consumed warm or hot only, and try drinking cold milk right from your refrigerator next time when you feel acidic.

12. Coconut Water

Coconut water is a great natural solution for upset stomach. It works as an amazing detox and improves your digestion by soothing the stomach and preventing constipation. Additionally, drinking coconut water regularly can also improve your stomach’s pH levels and work on mucous production in the stomach. Mucous protects your stomach lining from acid production and its harmful effects. Since coconut water is rich in fiber, it also prevents the re-occurrence of acidity.

Like we said earlier, acidity is not a huge problem, but it may result in more serious complications if ignored or left untreated. Instead of loading your body with antacids, try one or more of these home remedies for acidity. If you get acidity quite often and for a very long time without any improvement in symptoms, talk to your doctor for an appropriate diagnosis for the exact cause(s) and suitable treatment.

Also known as “avian influenza,” bird flu is a very common viral flu that primarily affects poultry like chickens, ducks, turkeys, quails, and pigeons, etc. Bird flu spreads to other birds, animals, and even humans due to direct contact with the infected birds. Humans usually get the symptoms of bird flu after unknowingly consuming the infected poultry. Symptoms may take up to a week to appear and may become mild to severe depending on the amount of consumed poultry, stage of infection in the specific bird, and the consumer’s immunity.

The mild symptoms may include runny nose, fever, chills, headache, and sore throat, while some severe symptoms are diarrhea, bloody stool, shortness of breath, sleeping disturbances, and bleeding from the gums, etc. Doctors may prescribe a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics to ease the symptoms. However, home remedies to fight the bird flu virus are preferred, especially for mild symptoms.

Herbal remedies are safe for your body and can be very effective in improving the symptoms within a few days. Moreover, they can also improve your immunity to help you fight better with bird flu. Check out some very affordable yet surprisingly effective home remedies to fight the bird flu virus. Also, don’t forget to talk to a doctor if you get persistent symptoms, even if they are mild.

1. Turmeric

Curcumin is the active component of our very own turmeric. Curcumin is very well-known for its inflammatory and anti-infective properties. Regular use of turmeric, even with the recipes, may reduce the risk of avian flu inflammation by stimulating the immunoprotected agents in your body. Also, thanks to its antiviral properties, turmeric can be very effective in improving the mild symptoms of bird flu.

What to do: Adding half tbsp turmeric to your favorite cuisines is usually effective to keep bird flu symptoms at bay. You can add a bit of it to a glass of warm milk or water for even better results. Adding it to one tbsp honey is not a bad idea either.

2. Ginger

Various studies back the anti-influenza potential of ginger. Regular consumption of this spicy root is a sure shot solution for mild problems like cough, cold, and sore throat, etc. And, the active compounds of ginger, like gingerols and zingerone, may also prevent the growth of influenza in your body. Also, taking a few slices of ginger daily can also improve your immunity against common pathogens.

What to do: Find some interesting way of introducing ginger to your guts. It can be preparing healthy ginger tea, taking thin slices of ginger with lukewarm water, or adding it to your favorite dishes. Adding a few drops of lemon juce and honey will give you some added benefits and will also improve the taste.

3. Astragalus

Surprisingly, astragalus is still not commonly used as an edible root. This immune-boosting herb can be among the most effective home remedies to fight bird flu. Some studies (not concluded yet) also back astragalus’s ability to support the bone marrow by improving the interferon production. According to a study, astragalus can improve the overall immune response to bird flu by significantly reducing influenza replication. 

What to do: Adding astragalus roots to soups or boiling them for tea: both are very effective ways of dealing with bird flu symptoms.

Caution: Don’t start consuming astragalus roots without consulting your doctor. And, we strongly suggest that pregnant and breastfeeding women must avoid this root completely.

4. Echinacea

Echinacea is popular for its ability to purify the blood and also boost overall immunity. With these two powerful properties, echinacea can singlehandedly deal with a wide range of bird flu symptoms. According to a study, the ethanol extracts of echinacea can have great effects against the avian types of influenza.

What to do: Make a cup of tea by boiling fresh or dried echinacea flowers. Try consuming it twice or thrice a day regularly for very good effects. If you have discomforts like high blood pressure, low blood pressure, diabetes, or any other heart problem, we suggest you ask your healthcare provider before consuming echinacea.

5. Garlic

Haven’t we always the admirer of the antibiotic and antiviral properties of garlic? Garlic can effectively protect your immune system against a wide range of infections. Also, it can be one of the most effective home remedies to fight the bird flu virus.

What to do: Try consuming one or two cloves of garlic with one glass of water too early in the morning to bolster your immunity. You can add half tbsp honey as a taste enhancer. Adding crushed garlic to your meals is another very effective way of improving your overall immunity.

6. Green Tea

We can’t keep green tea out of our list when we talk about anti-inflammatory and anti-influenza beverages. Can we? In case you don’t know, green tea is not only about reducing your belly fat! Thanks to its active compound catechins, green tea is among the most powerful home remedies to fight the bird flu virus. The compound can effectively reduce the complications associated with bird flu.

What to do: Consume two to three cups of green tea every day to see the difference in your immunity.

7. Forsythia

Forsythia contains a phenolic compound known as “forsythiaside,” which is known for anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, particularly against the avian strains of influenza. It may also enhance your immunity and help to fight the symptoms of bird flu.

What to do: Various types of health supplements are prepared with the dried fruit for the forsythia flower. However, we don’t have enough information related to the oral consumption of the forsythia herb. And, don’t start consuming forsythia supplements before asking your doctor.

8. Add Vitamin C to Your Diet

Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant and can help eradicate many influenza symptoms, including those of the bird flu virus. Enough intake of vitamin C through natural sources can improve your immunity and the ability to fight against bird flu. A study even backs the ability of vitamin C to contain avian influenza.

What to do: Add vitamin C rich foods like lemon, spinach, broccoli, tomato, and other leafy green veggies to your diet

9. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper works to dilate the skin pores and induces sweating. This improves the release of toxins from the body and also eases bird flu symptoms. In addition, cayenne pepper is known for strengthening the immune system and can also be helpful in preventing bird flu.

What to do: Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper daily in your diet to fight bird flu.

10. Olive Leaf Extracts

Olive leaf extracts are packed with both anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. And, they can improve your immune system. In addition, olive leaf extracts can also power the blood and lymphatic system to increase your ability to deal with the mild complications of bird flu. Although not available easily, fresh olive leaf extracts are among the best-known home remedies to fight the bird flu virus.

What to do: If you can somehow get olive leaf extracts from the market, you can ask your doctor for the instructions to use. Otherwise, you can also boil some dried olive leaves to prepare your won olive tea. Add honey or peppermint to enhance the taste, as olive leaves taste a little bitter.

11. Steam

You can also try stream if you have symptoms of bird flu, like nasal congestion or other respiratory troubles. Steam is very helpful to open up the respiratory passage and ease out the related symptoms.

What to do: Boil two to three cups of water, keep a good-sized boil in front of you and cover your head with a towel. Try inhaling the steam for a couple of minutes, and increase the duration according to your comfort. Repeat these steps daily for a few days to see the difference.

12. Oregano Oil

Oregano contains carvacrol as a primary component, which is popular for its antiviral activities. Regular use of oregano oil can help to deal with mild symptoms of bird flu. Studies suggest that oregano oil can effectively improve the symptoms but may not be good enough to kill the bacteria causing avian flu. Hence, you may have to complement it with other, more effective home remedies like turmeric or ginger.

How to Use Oregano Oil: Add a few drops of oregano oil to one cup of warm water. Add one tbsp turmeric and try inhaling for a few minutes. Avoid direct application of oral consumption of oregano oil to prevent possible irritation.

Blue-Green Dragon

Blue-green dragon is one of the most underestimated Chinese herbal formulas. But if used correctly, it can be an effective home remedy to fight the bird flu virus. The blue-green dragon is prepared by combining eight traditional herbs, and all of them have their own abilities to improve the immune system. Ephedra is one of the main herbs that may improve sweating by dilating the skin pores – and hence, it can help release the toxins out of the body. Unfortunately, Ephedra is banned in the USA by FDA due to insufficient records of its effectiveness or health benefits.

However, other ingredients of blue-green dragon-like Bai Guo, Gypsum Fibrosum, Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis, Semen Pruni Armeniacae, Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae, Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralenis, and Fructus Jujubae can have great effects on bird flu symptoms.

What to do: You can find the blue-green dragon supplement easily online. Combine the formula with cayenne pepper to improve the taste as well as efficacy.

Prevention of Bird Flu

We still don’t have a vaccine to prevent bird flu, and hence prevention measures become very important. Here are some preventive steps to control the spread of the flu virus.

• Destroying suspected or infected birds: Once the flu is detected in birds, the priority must be to destroy them as soon as possible. It may sound a little cruel, but it’s better to destroy a bunch of infected birds instead of allowing the spread of infection to other birds, animals, or humans. Heating the birds at 56°C for 3 hours or at 60°C for 30 minutes.
• Disinfecting the whole farm: Disinfecting the farm equipment, including clothes, gloves, boots, containers, nets, and even the vehicles used for transporting birds, is very important to control the possible outbreak. Disinfectants like iodine compounds and formaline are commonly used for disinfecting purposes.
• Banning or Limiting the Transfer of Live Birds: Shipment of live birds for any purpose should be limited until the outbreak of bird flu is controlled completely. The bird flu virus transmits very easily, even from the droplets of birds. Hence, live birds’ transfer should be limited or even banned, especially in highly affected areas. Quarantine of bird farms also becomes a must to control the spread effectively.
• Try to Get a Flu Shot: A flu shot won’t necessarily prevent the bird flu. However, it has shown some promise to prevent the human strains of influenza.
• Avoid going too small or large farms where birds are grown in groups.
• Avoid roaming around markets or crowded places, especially without any purpose.

Home remedies for the bird flu virus are effective only when there are mild symptoms. You can’t rely solely on home remedies if you develop some moderate to serious symptoms like throbbing headache, constant nausea, and vomiting, fever, especially with chills, body pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, eye pain, etc.

You must get prompt medical attention if you feel any of these symptoms for more than a few hours. Isolation of the affected person becomes critical to stopping the spread of infection to others. Hopefully, you now have a decent list of home remedies to fight the bird flu virus. Take appropriate care of yourself and your family, eat healthily, have a simple lifestyle, and don’t be ignorant. Bird flu is not a massive problem until people take it very lightly. If you don’t become careless, you won’t find it very difficult to deal with bird flu.

Have you ever noticed unnatural, unusual spots right in front of your visual field? Do you find it demanding at times to see things clearly due to those cloudy, spluttery eye floaters?

You may notice them, especially when you try to see at some bright objects like a white wall, a blank white paper, or sometimes, a clear, blue sky.

Isn’t it very annoying?

Although you may find eye floaters very annoying, more often than not, they are not harmful to your eyes or vision. But being annoying is more than enough to find some practical and safe options to get rid of them finally.

This post will deal with some potential causes of eye floaters, their symptoms and complications, different treatment options, and some very effective home remedies. Let’s start with knowing a bit in detail about eye floaters.

What Are Eye Floaters?

Most people think that the small lines, circles, dots, cobwebs, and other shapes they notice in the visual field are in front of the eyes. But, interestingly and surprisingly, they are not! In fact, they are actually inside your eyes! And they are floating all the time!

They may often appear as gray or black flecks that seem to move around with your eyes’ movement or when you directly look at the specks. What you see are actually eye floaters, very tiny, at times irregular or cellular masses or clusters of gel inside the black part of your eye. Yes, eye floaters may look like some definite objects, but in reality, they are shadows casting by the clumps on your retina of the eye.

Different Common Types of Eye Floaters

Experts started to call them “floaters,” needless to say, due to their floating nature, especially how they keep drifting when you intentionally try to focus on them.

Everyone can have a completely different experience related to floaters, but some common types may include:

• Grey dots
• Black dots
• Threadlike, transparent strands
• Squiggly and uneven lines
• Rings
• Web-like structure

Once you start noticing eye floaters, they are less likely to go away completely. However, the appearance does reduce with the progression of time.

Potential Causes of Eye Floaters

Why do you get eye floaters? As we have already said, eye floaters are formed in the back of your eyes, known as “vitreous.” Most of the eye floaters are formed with very tiny, gel-like flecks of collagen – we all know that it’s a type of protein.

The vitreous in our eyes keep maintaining a gel-like disposition throughout birth and adolescence. The vitreous usually gets thick or shrink with the advancement of age, and sometimes, they even start dissolving and become more like liquid. Some of the gel-like particles may not dissolve completely, as they are protein fibers. Instead, they keep floating in the gel-like, watery center of the vitreous

These clumps, flecks, or strands keep forming in the area of vitreous and form shadows on your retina, and as a result, they appear as eye-floaters, especially when you try to focus on a white, blank background.

Since the movement of floaters is in sync with the movement of your eyes, you are unable to focus properly on these floaters completely and may never understand the exact shapes, sizes, or colors. And that’s why you keep experiencing the movement of these floaters in front of your eyes.

How are Eye Floaters Linked with Flashes?

Don’t you notice flashes in front of your vision fields at times? You surely do! You can name them “seeing stars” or “lightning streaks.” The frequency of noticing these flashes increases, especially when you feel dizzy or get an injury on your head.

If you notice the continuous appearance and disappearance of floaters regularly, that’s still fine. However, if you notice clusters of floaters at a time and that too with flashes, you shouldn’t waste any time before talking to an ophthalmologist.

Such type of sudden incidence may be caused by a pulling away of gel-like vitreous from your retina. And this condition is medically called “posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)” and is caused by dislodging of the retina from the innermost layer of the vitreous. However, it’s very rare; there might be a tear or hole in the retina that may lead to “retinal detachment.” Retinal detachment is one of the most serious eye conditions and calls for an immediate medical emergency.

PVDs are also rare but are common when compared to retinal detachment and are less serious. But you still have to get proper medical attention to assess the cause and possible treatment plan.

Conditions that May Cause Eye Floaters

You might have a predisposition of getting eye floaters, especially if you,

• are aged between 50 to 75
• have chronic headache
• suffer from migraines very often
• use prescription glasses, especially for nearsightedness
• have swelling or inflammation in the eyes due to certain medical conditions
• have bleeding from vitreous due to injury or trauma of the eye or head
• recently had eye surgery, mainly after having a cataract
• have a torn or detached retina
• are suffering from diabetic retinopathy
• are having an eye tumor for so long

Eye floaters are very common and don’t usually call for medical attention. However, they may sometimes indicate some serious health issues, especially when combined with some other, more serious symptoms or signs. It is very important to discount such possibilities after talking with an eye specialist.

If your doctor doesn’t diagnose a potentially harmful health condition as a cause of eye floaters, here are some home remedies you can try to manage.

Tips to Treat Eye Floaters

1: Don’t Treat Them at All!

Yes! If you and your doctor are sure about no other serious problems, “not treating the eye floaters at all” is the best way to deal with them. Why? Because floaters tend to fade away or even disappear with time. And even if that’s not the case, your brain starts adapting accordingly with time and learns easily to ignore them. And if your brain isn’t seeing something as a real problem, you don’t need to be worried at all.

Also, with time, eye floaters usually move and settle at the bottom of your eyes as the vitreous liquefies. The bottom of your eyes helps you with overhead vision, which is blocked due to eyebrows and eyelashes, and the eye floaters don’t remain bothersome and noticeable at all.

If you are annoyed with eye floaters constantly, and for a very long time, you can try shifting the fluid in the vitreous by moving your eyes up and down for a few seconds. With that, eye floaters won’t be visible in front of the field of vision anymore.

However, if the eye floaters start becoming a cause of major concern and start impacting your life massively, you can discuss with your doctor to have one of these treatments.

2: Get a Thorough Eye Exam

Even if you are not experiencing troublesome eye floaters, we suggest you go for a thorough eye exam. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a regular eye checkup is recommended to people over forty, even without having any eye trouble. It becomes a must for people over sixty.

What’s the reason for it? Any underlying condition like diabetic retinopathy or a tumor in the eye may be responsible for eye floaters’ constant appearance, and interestingly, without causing a vision problem! So, you may not even be wary that you are already struggling with a potentially dangerous eye condition, and you are dangerously close to suffering from a compromised vision!

Since we have already discussed the potential causes of eye floaters, a lot of them may even go unnoticed due to the absence or lack of signs and symptoms. So, you must go for a thorough eye-checkup regularly to discount any eye condition that may hamper your vision for the rest of your life.

3: Get Yourself Tested for Blood Count

An abnormal and sudden increase in white blood cells, especially due to an inflammation or infection, may also lead to eye floaters. If your blood count is higher than the normal range, a combination of anti-inflammatory and antibiotics should be enough to improve the condition. However, don’t reach a conclusion or try medication without having a thorough discussion with a licensed medical practitioner.

4: Stay Hydrated

Without any doubt, water is very important for the overall growth and functioning of your body. Dehydration can be responsible for a wide range of health problems, including the eyelids’ excessive dryness. Dehydration or deoxygenation of the collagen in the vitreous may cause shrinking of the inner eyes, and hence, may lead to eye floaters.

Therefore, staying hydrated is not only required for you to stay physically healthy and active, but it is also essential for your eyes’ health. Furthermore, eye floaters may also be a result build-up of toxins inside the eyes. And you know, only water can remove the toxins thoroughly from your body!

Number 4: Detox from Molds and Heavy Metals

According to Homoeopathic Ophthalmologist Dr. Edward Kondrot, “An unhealthy diet with heavy metal toxicity may be responsible for eye floaters. And, he suggests a 6-hour urine examination to check out the heavy metals. Dr. Kodrot states that “we have seen a lot of eye floaters patients with an increased level of lead and mercury in their urine samples.”

According to a research, heavy metals get accumulated in the ocular tissues of humans, including the vitreous.

If you constantly have eye floaters, we also suggest you look out for molds at your home or workplace. Mold is a type of fungus that matures healthily in warm or humid conditions.

Constant moisture at home or workplace may be favorable for mold growth, especially if there is poor ventilation. Places like washrooms, window sills, AC vents, basements, fireplaces, attics, sinks, etc., are more than perfect for molds’ growth. Molds can be harmful and cause health problems, especially to those who have some respiratory problems like asthma or are allergic to molds. Molds are usually not responsible for eye-related problems but may be linked with blurred vision, red eyes, and eye floaters.

If you are sure about humidity inside your home or at the workplace, try some effective ways of getting rid of it.

5: Have an Anti-inflammatory Diet

Sometimes, people wrongly assume that inflammation is always visible through skin or physical appearance. However, internal inflammation, mainly at the cellular level, is never visible and doesn’t even show through signs until there is something serious. In fact, system-wide inflammation, if it remain unnoticed, may be responsible for serious health problems like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.

So, never, we repeat, never ignore the importance of a healthy diet in your life. And have an anti-inflammatory diet full of leafy greens, foods high in omega three fatty acids, and other very important nutrients. Get rid of unhealthy, processed foods from your diet as soon as possible.

Try to cook foods for yourself and your family instead of munching outside regularly and frequently. These are some foods you can add to your diet to deter eye floaters:

• Tomatoes
• Antibiotic-free eggs
• Coconut oil
• Whole grains and legumes
• Citrus fruits like grapefruit and oranges
• Extra-virgin olives and olive oil
• Raw nuts like almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, etc.
• Tuna, wild Alaskan salmon, or other fatty fishes
• Dark green veggies like spinach, collard greens, kale, and Swiss chard, etc.
• Organic berries such as cherries, blueberries, and strawberries, etc.

Final Words

Eye floaters are not a problem until they are accompanied by some major signs and symptoms we have mentioned above in the write-up. You don’t really need to treat them at all! However, if they annoy you regularly and frequently, you can talk to your doctor and find the possible cause(s). “Removal of the cause” is a way to go ahead as far as treatment is concerned. Otherwise, we can tell you to “just chill”! They are not even a problem!

Also known as “Methi Seeds,” Fenugreek is cultivated in central and south Asia (mainly in India). It is one of the earliest ancient Indian remedies been used for a wide range of health problems. These days, the multi-purpose seeds are grown and cultivated throughout different parts of the world, including the USA, North Africa, and other Mediterranean regions.

The seed has become a very common spice used in a wide range of Indian and Asian dishes. Additionally, fenugreek seed is used in soaps and shampoos as a natural thickening agent too. Unfortunately, thanks to the prevalence of modern medicine and a lack of knowledge about traditional remedies, the healing power of fenugreek seed are ignored.

In this write-up, we will recall some amazing benefits of using fenugreek seeds for skin, hair, and health.

Fenugreek Seeds for Skin

 1. Improves Your Skin’s Health

Fenugreek seed can be a very good, all-natural alternative to all the contemporary, chemical-loaded creams. The seed contains natural oil and is packed with skin softening, moisturizing, and hydrating properties. Thanks to its carotene, potassium, and vitamin C constituents, you can successfully use fenugreek seeds for face glow.

 2. It May Improve Acne

Fenugreek acts very effectively on your digestive system and removes all the toxins from the body and the skin. As a result, it can be a wonderful home remedy for skin problems like acne. Various researches claim that regular application of fenugreek seeds as a face mask can even control fresh acne outbreaks. And, thanks to the presence of salicylic acid, fenugreek seeds can also be effective to unclog skin pores.

Applying the fenugreek paste at night and washing in the morning can help you overcome acne outbreaks and plenty of other skin problems.

 3.Cleanses Your Skin

Fenugreek seed can be your ultimate, natural skin cleanser. When you crush the fine granules of seeds into a powder, you get a wonderful skin cleanser that can easily go through your skin pores and get rid of all the unwanted skin oils and dirt. What do you get in return? Of course, fresh, young, and clean skin. What more? You can use fenugreek seeds as a natural, gentle skin exfoliator too.

Make a thin, coarse paste from soaked fenugreek seeds, and you have plenty of different options to use fenugreek seeds for your skincare routine.

 4. Helps You Overcome Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is the sole cause of unnatural skin darkness and other skin problems. And if you are in search of an effective way of overcoming hyperpigmentation, yes mate, fenugreek seed can be the answer! Fenugreek seed contains vitamin K and can be immensely helpful in skin lightening and removing the blemishes – hence, speeding up the skin cells’ healing process.

• Prepare a fine paste from ½ cup, soaked fenugreek seeds.
• Apply on the skin affected by hyperpigmentation.
• Leave for about ten minutes before washing with lukewarm water.

 5. Delays Premature Ageing

You can completely lose your confidence if you get premature aging signs, including fine lines and wrinkles. But you don’t have to ponder much, as using fenugreek seeds for skin can also be effective against premature aging. The spicy seeds are packed with potassium, vitamins, and dozens of other nutrients that can maintain the skin’s elasticity and keep the signs of premature aging at bay.

You can prepare an anti-aging face pack by adding two to three drops of lemon juice and five drops of rose water to fenugreek seeds paste.

Water in which seeds are soaked can also be an effective remedy for premature aging.

Fights Dryness of the Skin

It can be very challenging as well as struggling to deal with dull and dry skin. However, using fenugreek seeds as a face mask can help you overcome this common yet annoying problem. Fenugreek seed can be effective in retaining moisture in the skin and can also repair the damaged skin cells – hence, in return, it gives you much suppler, smoother, softer skin.

• Mix two tbsp of soaked fenugreek seeds with one tbsp each of honey and yogurt.
• Apply the face pack on your face.
• Wash off after twenty-odd minutes and pat dry.
• You will start noticing the difference if you can use this dryness treatment regularly.

Fenugreek Seeds for Hair

 6. Fenugreek Seeds Promote Healthy Hair Growth

As we have already discussed, fenugreek seeds contain different types of nutrients. These nutrients can be immensely helpful in healthy hair growth as well. Applying the paste, especially fenugreek leaves, can be very healthy for your scalp and promote natural hair growth. What more? It can even preserve the natural hair color too!

According to a study on men and women aged between 30 and 67 years noticed a very good effect of fenugreek seeds for hair growth. As many as 80% of volunteers noticed an improvement in thickness and hair volume after getting fenugreek treatment for a while.

 7. Fenugreek Seeds Can Treat Dandruff

Yes, you can use fenugreek seeds as an all-natural, gentle, and chemical-free conditioner too. Thanks to its mucilage content, fenugreek seed works as a very effective conditioner. In fact, it is used as a treatment for the flaky scalp for so many years!

You can prepare a hair mask or a conditioner easily by soaking the seeds overnight and blending them to make a paste. And the best part is that you can get the most of fenugreek seeds for hair by using them internally and externally.

 8. Makes Your Hair Silky and Shiny

If you are now annoyed so much with dry and frizzy hair, you don’t have to go beyond fenugreek seeds, as regular usage of soaked overnight seeds can help you to finally get shiny, voluminous, and silky hair.

 9. Prevents Premature Hair Greying

Premature hair greying has become a very common and prevalent problem for modern-day youth. Instead of using hair colors and dyes loaded with harmful chemicals, you can use fenugreek seeds to fight premature hair greying.

• Add a few drops of Amla juice to the paste prepared from soaked fenugreek seeds.
• Apply the mixture on your scalp and allow a resting time of about one hour.
• Use a mild shampoo to wash the hair.
• Repeat this treatment twice a week for promising results.

 10. Controls Hair Fall

We have already discussed the effectiveness of fenugreek seeds on the scalp. This action can improve scalp health and can make the hair stronger right from the hair follicles.

• Use soaked fenugreek seeds and blend them with lemon juice.
• Apply on your hair, covering evenly from hair roots to ends.
• Let the paste rest for half an hour before going for a shower.
• Using fenugreek seeds for hair fall will start showing results after three to four weeks.

Fenugreek Seeds and Health Benefits

 11. Fenugreek Naturally Boosts Testosterone

Fenugreek can effectively boost testosterone levels – the hormone known for playing some very important functions in males.

According to a study on about 100 males between 35 to 65 years, fenugreek seeds successfully elevated the serum testosterone levels and the sperm count. The study participants were asked to add fenugreek seeds supplement to their diet for twelve weeks to overcome the deficiency of testosterone.

 12. Fenugreek Seeds Can Improve Breastfeeding

As a part of the fenugreek seeds and health benefits series, a study was performed on 122 mothers to analyze the systemic galactagogue effects of fenugreek seeds. The study also compared the results of fenugreek seeds with other placebo and galactagogue supplements. Surprisingly (or not), the researchers found that consuming fenugreek seeds effectively increased breast milk production in breastfeeding women. Hence, regular consumption of soaked fenugreek seeds or adding them to the diet can drastically improve breastfeeding and several other related problems.  

 13. Fenugreek Can Assist Weight Loss Programs

Early research suggests that consuming 500 mg of fenugreek seeds regularly can help in reducing unhealthy body fat. Fenugreek is packed with healthy fibers and induces a feeling of fullness, and can help you avoid overeating. In a study, participants were asked to drink fenugreek seeds, and they felt less hungry than those who didn’t participate in the study.

 14. Helps Treating Diabetes

If we talk about further benefits of fenugreek seeds for health, it can support the efforts of treating diabetes. You can’t rely on these seeds solely to overcome diabetes, but combining them with other conventional treatment methods and a healthy diet can be immensely effective. Fenugreek contains a special fiber that can make a sticky and thick gel in your intestine and control the absorption of excess sugars and unhealthy fats.

A study was performed in two separate groups of people having type 2 diabetes. The group that took fenugreek seeds two times a day noticed a considerable improvement in type two diabetes symptoms.

 15. Helps Improving PCOS Symptoms

In a study, females with menstrual disturbances, infertility, and hyperandrogenism were asked to consume fenugreek capsules. All of them noticed a considerable improvement in these PCOS symptoms – that too, within a couple of months.

In addition, their period cycles got normal, and ovaries reverted to normal health as well. The best thing is, the participants in the study reported no side effects of fenugreek capsules either.

16. Can Help Relieving Constipation

Constipation is a very common problem affecting millions of people all over the world. And there is enough evidence of fenugreek seeds for gut health. These seeds can prevent various stomach disorders, including constipation, and can promote healthy guts. As we already know, fenugreek seeds contain a good amount of mucilage and prevent constipation by softening and relieving mucus membranes. In addition, these seeds can easily control excess mucus production as well.

Thanks to its mucilage and high fiber content, fenugreek seed is a bulk-forming laxative. What more? The seeds expand when they combine with water. As a result, you get a better muscular contraction and improved bowel movement – both of which are important for bulky, voluminous stools.

17. Fenugreek Seeds Improve Heartburn

According to a study, thanks to effectiveness of fenugreek seeds for gut health, they can also reduce the severity of heartburn. By working similarly as an OTC antacid, fenugreek seeds can soothe gastrointestinal inflammation by forming a shielding line on the intestinal coverings.

18. Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Fenugreek seeds reduce both total cholesterols as well as LDL (the bad cholesterol). The seeds contain a high amount of steroidal saponins that can easily intercept the cholesterol and triglycerides absorption. As a result, the seeds dissuade the production of cholesterol in the liver.

According to a human double-blind trial, the experts found that fenugreek seeds didn’t only reduce the cholesterol levels but also inspired the production of good, healthy cholesterols.

19. Fights Inflammation

Here is another amazing benefit of using fenugreek seeds for health. These seeds contain linoleic acids and can offer very effective protection from almost all types of inflammations. What more? The flavonoids, ethanol, and mucilage extracts of the fenugreek seeds are already known for their wonderful anti-inflammatory properties.

20. Fenugreek Seeds Reduce Aluminum Toxicity

In a study, fenugreek seeds’ consumption effectively reduced aluminum toxicity by protecting bones, kidneys, and brain.

Another study demonstrated that fenugreek seeds also worked to control the progressive loss of memory due to aluminum toxicity. It can be effectively used as a detoxifying supplement to control almost all aluminum toxicity signs and symptoms.

These are some amazing, hard to ignore the benefits of using fenugreek seeds for health. In addition to promoting your skin and hair’s health, fenugreek seeds can be proved a blessing for other aspects of your health too. If you were not aware of these benefits, or you were behaving like an ignorant (just like most of us do), you should now start giving some importance to this amazing seed.

Soaking a handful of seeds overnight and consuming or using them as paste/face pack/conditioner can help you overcome many health issues. Hopefully, you are now very well aware of the miraculous benefits of fenugreek seed, and you are now more than ready to add it to your daily routine.

What is creatinine? How to lower creatinine level? Why is high creatinine not good for your body? How is the blood-creatinine level studied? Is there a natural way of lowering high creatinine level? In this article, we will discuss all these questions and a lot more about high blood-creatinine level.

Creatinine is a type of waste product produced by the metabolism and use of your muscles. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering creatinine from your blood with other waste products—these filtered products exit from your body through urine. A creatinine test reveals very important information related to your kidneys. A serum-creatinine test is performed to measure the creatinine level in your blood. It gives insight into the glomerular filtration rate of your kidneys, which is a parameter of examining the kidneys’ filtration capacity.

Why Does Your Doctor suggest for A Blood-Creatinine Test?

Medically known as “serum-creatinine test”, it measures the creatinine level in your blood sample and indicates the proper or improper functioning of your kidneys. You may have to go for multiple blood-creatinine tests depending on various underlying conditions, including:

• Diabetes Type 1 or 2: Your doctor may suggest serum creatinine test at least once every year.
• Any kidney disease: Doctor may ask for frequent tests for proper monitoring of your health.
• An illness or disease, affecting your kidneys: Including diabetes, high blood pressure, or prolonged intake of medications that can affect your kidneys.

What Do High Creatinine Levels Mean?

Generally, a high creatinine level is an indication of unhealthy or slightly inefficient kidneys. It indicates that your kidney(s) is not working at its maximum capacity. Sometimes, creatinine levels are also increased due to very long and severe dehydration or certain medications, eating a lot of meat, or low blood volume. Intake of dietary creatinine supplement may also elevate the serum-creatinine level for a short period.

If you have a high serum-creatinine level, your doctor may recommend other blood and urine tests to confirm the underlying cause(s). If there is even a slight indication of kidney damage, it’s critical to check the possible contributory factors that can cause further damage. Undoing permanent kidney damage is not straightforward. However, a combination of certain medications and lifestyle adjustments, can control the damage to some extent.

Symptoms of high creatinine levels

Yes, a patient needs to go through proper medical investigations for correct diagnosis and treatment. Identifying the high serum-creatinine level at the right time can be immensely helpful to control possible damage to the kidney(s). Like proteinuria, an elevated creatinine level indicates certain health conditions and is not a condition itself.

You may develop certain symptoms of high creatinine level, as your kidneys may not be able to remove waste products, especially creatinine from your body. You may develop a combination of symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Muscles Cramp
• Chest Pain
• Nausea
• Changes in appearance, frequency and smell of the urine
• Swelling or fluid retention
• Itchiness
• High blood pressure
• Vomiting

High creatinine levels causes:

• Temporary elevation of serum-creatinine levels due to various medications, supplements, and foods etc.
• Regular and frequent consumption of very high amounts of red meat and protein.
• Overexertion while doing heavy or strenuous exercises.
• Kidney infections and impairment.

Certain diseases may also cause an increase in serum creatinine levels, including:

• Diabetes
• Gout
• Muscular dystrophy or rhabdomyolysis is causing the abnormal breakdown of muscles.
• Continuous high blood pressure
• Urinary tract infections
• Goodpasture syndrome
• Shock causing a high amount of blood loss
• Autoimmune disorders like lupus

Are high creatinine levels life-threatening?

High creatinine level is not always life-threatening but can indicate serious health issues like chronic kidney disease. Yes, it may become life-threatening if increased seriously, and especially doesn’t managed properly on time.

Home Remedies to Reduce High Creatinine Levels

If you have high blood-creatinine levels, you need to talk to your doctor for a proper treatment plan to find and treat the possible causative factors harming your kidney functions and elevating the creatinine levels in your blood.

Along with proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, you can include the following home remedies to reduce creatinine levels effectively.

1. First of All, Reduce Your Intake of Protein

According to researches, excessive intake of dietary proteins can cause an elevated creatinine level. More often than not, the elevation of creatinine due to high protein intake is temporary. High consumption of cooked red meat, in particular, can affect your normal creatinine levels. Red meat already contains creatinine, and the cooking heat may be responsible for a raise in blood-creatinine levels.

In addition to red meat, other protein sources, including dairy products, can also be responsible for an abnormally higher creatinine level. Hence, if you habitually eat a lot of red meat or other foods high in protein, you should substitute them with more fruits and vegetables. Try adding following recipes to your diet to keep a check on your creatinine levels naturally.

• Hearty vegetable stew
• Vegetable patties
• Lentil soups and other lentil curries etc.

2. Avoid Consuming Creatinine Supplements

Your liver forms creatine naturally, and creatine is then transported to the muscles and used for energy. Unused or left creatine is converted into a waste product as “creatinine”.

In addition to the natural form, people take creatine from oral supplements as well. Athletes, in particular, are known for taking creatinine-producing supplements to improve their performance. But medical experts don’t support this idea, as prolonged usage of creatine supplements can affect your kidneys in the long term.

So, if you want to improve your kidney function, you should avoid consuming creatine supplements, as there is not enough research backing the safety or efficacy of creatine supplements. If you wish to consume, talk to your doctor first.

3. Lower your Creatinine Levels Naturally by Adding More Dietary Fibers

We need more studies to conclude the effects of dietary fibers on blood-creatinine levels. Nevertheless, according to the study, there were notable reductions in creatinine levels in people suffering from chronic kidney diseases which started to take more fibers through their diets.

Fruits, legumes, vegetables, and whole grains are some of the best sources of healthy fibers.

4. Reduce Your Salt Intake

Reducing your salt intake can also help you lower your creatinine levels naturally because recipes containing excess salt can cause increased blood pressure. And, processed foods, in particular, contain a lot of phosphorus and sodium, overconsumption of which can potentially cause various renal problems.

Instead of eating salted foods, try adding more unprocessed, spices, herbs, and other whole foods to your diet.

5. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol consumption can adversely affect your kidney’s function. If you are habitual alcoholic, moderate alcoholism can help reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Excessive alcohol intake can severely damage your kidneys and cause conditions like alcohol dependency and high blood pressure. If you consume alcohol regularly, try to cut down the quantity slowly and regularly. Sudden withdrawal of alcohol may cause other lifestyle and habitual disorders, so that’s not the best idea at all.

6. How to lower creatinine levels by food?

A healthy diet can be very helpful to reduce the high creatinine level. Following are some effective food habits you can adapt with other treatment options to bring the elevated creatinine level back to the normal, healthy level.

• Cucumber: Adding cucumber to your diet can give surprising effects on your creatinine levels and reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. Consuming cucumber can help you stay hydrated, as well as keep the high blood sugar levels in check. Cucumber is not only a delicious option for your salads; it is low in calorie and is a very powerful antioxidant. They are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, silica, magnesium, and potassium etc. and that’s why also known as “natural kidney cleanser”. Cucumber can remove the debris and tiny stone particles from kidneys and the urinary bladder as well.
• Onion and Garlic: If you are looking for an effective high creatinine level treatment, both garlic and onion can be the answers. Garlic protects your kidneys from potential radical medicated damage. On the other hand, thanks to its PGA prostaglandin content, onion can reduce high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a massive risk for kidney patients, increasing the chances of kidney failure. Kidney patients, especially those with a high creatinine level, should increase onion and garlic intake to protect their kidneys.
• Carrots: Carrots can be very good vegetables if you have both heart and kidney problems. A carrot is packed with a lot of nutrition, including vitamin A, C, D, and calcium. Regular intake of carrots can protect your kidneys and can also reduce the risk of kidney infections.
• Green Leafy Vegetables like cabbage and lettuce can also reduce high levels of creatinine in the blood. Not only that, but leafy green veggies are also good at preventing the formation of kidney stones.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: If you are looking for highly effective home remedies to reduce high creatinine levels, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can be surprisingly helpful. Eat foods like salmon, walnuts, sardines, and tuna etc. to ensure good health of your kidneys and keep a check on high creatinine levels.
• Soy Products: Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and removing metabolic wastes from your blood can be highly effective in maintaining kidneys’ health and serum-creatinine levels. Soy foods can be especially beneficial for people having prolonged kidney disease. Soy milk, tofu, and soy nuts etc. should find a place in your kitchen if you want to check creatinine levels.

How to reduce creatinine level by yoga?

There is less evidence of the effect of yoga on the creatinine level. However, certain yoga postures can help to maintain your kidneys’ overall health. You can combine following yoga postures and your medicinal treatment and other lifestyle adjustments to ensure good health of your kidney. Not only kidneys, these yoga postures positively affect other parts of the body as well. So, by targeting your kidneys with yoga, you are helping other body parts too. In short, good health starts here with yoga.

• Sphinx Pose: In addition to boosting your immunity, sphinx pose or Slamba Bhujangasana also strengthens your kidneys and other abdominal organs.
• Sitting Half Spinal Twist: Ardha Matsyendrasana stimulates liver and kidneys and also works positively on your immunity.
• Two-Legged Forward Bend: Paschimottanasana stimulates the kidney, relieves menstrual discomfort, as well as improves digestion.
• Bridge Pose: Setu Bandhasana stimulates various abdominal organs, reduces high blood pressure, and reduces physical and mental stress.

How to lower creatinine level fast?

• Avoid alcohol, beer, caffeine, wine, and other carbonated drinks
• Avoid excessively salty and sugary foods.
• Reduce the consumption of legumes from your diet.
• Control the intake of white bread, white flour, dairy products, and red meat etc.
• Completely avoid junk foods to control sodium intake.
• Avoid oranges, chocolates, potatoes, tomatoes, and nuts etc.
• Avoid frozen meals, canned soups, canned vegetables, salted potato chips, and cheese etc.

When it comes to answering an all-important question like “how to lower creatinine level”, we have to focus thoroughly on many different aspects, including causative factors, underlying diseases, and the timeline from which patient has high serum-creatinine level.

These home remedies or tips are only for “supporting” other medical treatments and management. Suppose you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms of high creatinine level. In that case, we recommend you to talk to your doctor – consulting a specialist of renal diseases will be more beneficial.

We don’t back the idea of relying only on these or any other home remedies or any other “self-treatment” for elevated creatinine level. Sometimes, it is an indication of a serious kidney-related problem(s). Getting proper medical guidance from a practicing healthcare provider is advised.