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What you need to Know about Chicken Pox

Chickenpox, also known as Varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with Varicella zoster Virus.

Chickenpox is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person.

Currently there is an outbreak of Chicken Pox in Mombasa and Nairobi and this is what you need to know;

·        Don’t scratch! By refraining from doing so, the lesions and sores heal faster and won’t become infected. 

·        Applying Calamine lotion on the spots may ease itching 

·        Shower: Daily bathing will help keep the skin fresh and clean 

·        Stay at home: In order to avoid infections, it’s best if you remain at home until  all lesions dry up and become scabs. You also don’t want to infect others. 

Home made remedies for Headache

Many a times when we get sick or fever we rush to take painkillers, not knowing that there are natural remedies which can be found within our surroundings that of great help.

Below are five remedies that can help overcome headache;

Ginger Tea

Crush up an inch of ginger root and add it to boiling water. This homemade tea reduces inflammation in about the same amount of time as it would take an aspirin to work. It has been used for centuries in Asia to treat a number of ailments.

Cold (or Hot) Compress
Apply icepack to your head, but make sure not to put the ice directly on your head. You can wrap ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel.
Apply heat to the back of the neck with a hot shower, bath, or heating pad. Heat can loosen up the muscles that tighten with tension headaches.

Exercise
Exercise increases blood circulation and the fresh air will also help to relieve headache. Also, it allows the whole body to relax. Most tension headache sufferers find immense relief with the addition of exercise.

Staying Hydrated
Probably the most common reason people get headaches is because they are dehydrated. A headache is a warning sign, letting you know that something is wrong. Most people don’t drink enough water. Drinking at least 4-6 glasses of water every day will ease a lot of headaches.

Lemon
Fresh lemon juice with tea is one of the best cures for headaches. The lemon peel is also very useful. Pound the lemon peel into a fine paste and apply it as a plaster on the forehead.

Cholera menace, what you need to know

In the past one month, 65 people have died while 326 cases of cholera outbreak have been reported in different parts of Kenya, most recent case being 3 inmates who died at Shimo La Tewa prison in Mombasa while 30 others isolated after showing cholera symptoms. The rise in cases has been blamed on heavy rains in different parts of Kenya region that have polluted drinking water supplies.

Cholera, a highly contagious intestinal infection, is transmitted by water soiled by human waste.

 Cholera is an infection of the intestine by the bacterium vibrio cholarae with some types producing more severe disease than others, it can be successfully treated with oral rehydration salts but it can kill within hours if left untreated.

Cholera is typically transmitted to humans by either contaminated food or water. Most cholera cases are a result of transmission by food and water.

SYMPTOMS

·      The primary symptoms of cholera are profuse diarrhea  and vomiting of clear fluid  it starts half a day to five days after ingestion of the bacteria

• Rapid heart rate
• Loss of skin elasticity (the ability to return to original position quickly if pinched)
• Dry mucous membranes, including the inside of the mouth, throat, nose, and eyelids
• Low blood pressure
• Thirst.
• Muscle cramps

PREVENTION

•          Wash hands with soap and water frequently, especially after using the toilet and before handling food
•          Drink only safe water, including bottled water or water you've boiled or disinfected yourself. 
•          Eat food that's completely cooked and hot and avoid street vendor food, if possible.
•          Avoid raw or improperly cooked fish and seafood of any kind.

• Stick to fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and fruits that can't be peeled, such as grapes and berries.
• Be wary of dairy foods, including ice cream, which is often contaminated, and unpasteurized milk.

Benefits of watermelon

Watermelon

Mens Libido booster

This juicy red fruit could be the new sexual star. While watermelon is 92 percent water, the remaining eight percent contains the phytonutrient citrulline, which converts to arginine, an amino acid that relaxes blood vessels, according to 2008 research from Texas A&M University’s department of horticultural sciences., watermelon may help improve blood flow to erectile tissue (present in the female clit¬oral area as well as the male penis), increasing arousal. Scientists at the university’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center are now working on increasing the fruit’s citrulline content.

But if you are trying to conceive, don’t overdo it! Watermelon, like tomatoes, contains the antioxidant lycopene, which is in the same family as carotene and therefore has the same beneficial antioxidant effects. On the one hand, that’s great since carotene, found in many brightly coloured foods, has been shown to lower the risk of cancer and heart disease. But it is also anti-estrogenic, says Dr. Sony Sierra, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at Toronto’s LifeQuest Centre for Reproductive Medicine, “so a very high volume may block estrogen and prevent the lining of the uterus from growing and the fertilized egg from implanting.” Some of Sierra’s patients have disordered eating habits and eat massive amounts of high-carotene foods such as carrots or kale. She advises clients to follow Canada’s Food Guide, which recommends a wide variety of vegetables and fruit, in seven or eight half-cup servings daily for women (up to 10 servings for men).

Heart health

Watermelon's high levels of lycopene are very effective at protecting cells from damage and may help lower the risk of heart disease, according to a study at Purdue University. Also, the fruit's concentrations of citrulline and arginine are good for your heart. Arginine can help improve blood flow and may help reduce the accumulation of excess fat. A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extracts helped reduce hypertension and lower blood pressure in obese adults.

Anti-inflammatory properties

"The lycopene in watermelon makes it an anti-inflammatory fruit," Jarzabkowski said. Lycopene is an inhibitor for various inflammatory processes and also works as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals. Additionally, the watermelon contains choline, which helps keep chronic inflammation down, according to a 2006 article published in Shock medical journal.

Reducing inflammation isn't just good for people suffering from arthritis. "When you're sick, you have cellular damage, which can be caused by a variety of factors including stress, smoking, pollution, disease, and your body becomes inflamed," Jarzabkowski said. "It's called 'systemic inflammation.'" In this way, anti-inflammatory foods can help with overall immunity and general health. 

Hydration

"Watermelons are the perfect example of a food that can help you stay hydrated," said Jarzabkowski. Their water content can help keep you hydrated, and their juice is full of good electrolytes. This can even help prevent heat stroke

Suffering from Asthma? Try this Remedies

The exact cause of this disease is not known but it can be triggered by allergies, air pollution, respiratory infections, emotions, weather conditions, sulfites in food and certain medications. Common symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

There are many medical treatments for asthma. Some simple natural remedies can also provide relief from symptoms.

1. Ginger

• Mix equal quantities of ginger juice, pomegranate juice and honey. Consume one tablespoon of this mixture two or three times a day. 
• Alternatively, you can mix one teaspoon of ground ginger in one and a half cups of water and take one tablespoon of this mixture at bedtime. 
• Cut one inch of ginger into small pieces and add it to a pot of boiling water. Let it steep for five minutes, allow it to cool down and then drink it. 
• To detoxify your lungs, prepare a fenugreek decoction by boiling one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water and mixing one teaspoon each of ginger juice and honey in it. Drink this solution every morning and evening. 
• You can also eat raw ginger mixed with salt. 

2. Garlic

The following garlic remedy can help clear congestion in your lungs during the early stages of asthma. 

• Boil two or three cloves in one-quarter cup of milk. 
• Allow it to cool to room temperature and then drink it. 

3. Coffee

The caffeine in regular coffee can help control asthma attacks because it acts as a bronchodilator. Hot coffee helps relax and clear the airways to help you to breathe easier. The stronger the coffee, the better the result. 

But try not to drink more than three cups of black coffee in a day. If you do not like coffee, you can opt for a cup of hot black tea. Do not use caffeine as a regular treatment though.

STAY HEALTHY DURING RAINY SEASON

The rainy season may have its charms: the cool weather, the reason to wear jackets and the magnified pleasure of a cup of hot coffee or a bowl of hot soup.But it has dangers as well, primarily in the form of diseases like dengue and in infectious bacteria and viruses that become active due to the high humidity brought about by repeated spells of rain.Luckily, there are simple precautions we can take to stay in peak health condition during this tricky season;

1. Wash your hands

Bacteria and viruses come alive during the monsoon and you can come into contact with them just by crossing the road or holding on to an infected railing or bench.Wash your hands as frequently as you can with soap and warm water

.2. Don't touch your face

The flu virus commonly enters our body through the eyes, nose and mouth.Resist the urge to scratch your eye or wipe your sweaty forehead. Bring a clean napkin or handkerchief instead.

3. Protect yourself from dirty water

Clogged gutters and dirty puddles are a common sight during rainy season. Unfortunately, they are sources of water-borne diseases like diarrhea, influenza, cholera and fungal skin infections.Covering up is the best way to protect yourself from these diseases and still maintain your active life. Aside from a jacket, invest in a good pair of rain boots. In the Philippines, many commuters prefer wearing rubber slippers because, unlike most closed shoes, they dry fast and are easy to move around in.Rain boots are now available for a very cheap price and can be found in a range of styles and designs to suit anyone. They can be taken indoors and stored in lockers or in a bag underneath your office desk.

4. Avoid eating street food

While fried fish, fruits sold in the streets sound like a good idea any time of the year, the rainy season is when you should stay away from them. Food cooked and sold in the open air are likely to come in contact with airborne and waterborne diseases and bacteria.

Better to eat fresh, home-cooked meals. Why not cook fish at home?

5. Keep mosquitoes out

The mosquito population grows during monsoon because stagnant water — their choice breeding ground — becomes more common.To keep mosquitoes out of your life, do some housecleaning. Look through flower pots, fountains, ditches, nooks and crannies that may be holding stagnant water. Clean them out and cover them until the end of the season.

Slather mosquito repellent over your body, especially when you go outdoors.

6. Drink herbal tea

Herbal tea has curative properties for coughs, colds and sore throat — common ailments during the rainy season.To make it extra good for your body (not to mention pleasant and delicious), you can add body warming ingredients like cloves, ginger, pepper, basil and min