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| Sun, 29th January 2012 |
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Today, stress is overtaking our lives. It is the result of too many nerve impulses reaching our brain, resulting in overload. The neurones cannot cope with the extra work, so symptoms ensue. This leads to a vast range of symptoms like irritability, becoming short tempered, yelling at kids and spouse, restless nights, bad dreams, headaches, fatigue. Then a heap of unrelated "psycho-somatic" symptoms. (Symptoms present, but not due to disease.) Tummy upsets, lack of appetite, or eating ravenously (to 'soothe the nerves'), wheezing, aches and pains, nervous coughing, itchy skin, the twitches, feeling anxious or foreboding thoughts. The list goes on. Sit down and re-assess your life. Prioritise. Re-set your daily work schedule. Make lists and apply it to writing. Try and reorganise workplace relationships and schedules if possible, or negotiate with your superiors and work mates. Eight hours sleep a night is essential. Three simple sensible low fat, low carb meals a day with minimum salt are vital. Get 30 minutes physical activity. Walking is best. Don't use food and caffeinated fizz drinks as a solace. You'll get fat, feel worse and lose self esteem. Take a relaxing shower at bedtime. Have a warm milk drink. This contains "tryptophan" natures natural sedative. Read Psalms 23 before lights out. Then work through the others. Repeat the Lords prayer - it says it all. This calms the spirit, and is so refreshing and encouraging. Don't resort to medication unless essential. If the downhill spiral continues, seek counselling from a competent friend, psychologist or doctor. |
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| BACKACHE |
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I hurt my back lifting. Is there a simple remedy? | |
A: | Sure. Keep active. Don't go to bed. Most are muscle strains where fibres go into temporary spasm from overstretching. Take 2 Panadol-osteo morning and night whilst it persists. Alternate hot and cold showers (10 minutes) and massage of sore spots by your best friend improves circulation and removes toxins (Balmosa, Lin methyl sal), or visit a registered "remedial massage practitioner" who does pressure points. | |
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| CELLULITIS |
Q: |
I picked a tiny pimple on my leg, which has become angry red, painful with streaks going to my groin where there are tender lumps. | |
A: | This is cellulitis, once an aggressive killer, but then responded dramatically to antibiotics. But it has resurfaced as a horror. Intravenous antibiotics often for 2-8 weeks are often needed. Never pick pimples or little skin irregularities, especially on legs where blood circulation is poor at best. | |
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| GLANDULAR FVEVER |
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My 18 year old daughter developed a fever, sore throat, swollen glands under the jaw, armpits and groin. Took antibiotics and skin turned a fiery red. | |
A: | This maybe glandular fever (or "infectious mononucleosis" in med speak). A blood test gives a quick answer, which will show positive antibodies to the Epstein Barr virus. Lots of fluid (water is best), paracetamol for fever and pain, and going quietly for a while is essential. No specific therapy, and amoxil, a widely used antibiotic turns the skin red. Most recover, but takes anywhere from two to ten weeks to regain normal vitality. Frequent fatigue is common for many months. Early nights and no smoking are essential. | |
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| WEIGHT LOSS |
Q: |
I lost a lot of weight from dieting, but now skin is loose and droopy. Should I have plastic surgery to improve my appearance? | |
A: | Stick with the status quo for a while, and keep droopy spots covered. Chest, tummy, buttocks suffer most. But so does face and neck. Stick to your food routine, for thin and healthy sure beats fat and fragile. Plastic surgery is hugely expensive and uncomfortable. You're looking at $10k plus, for a make over. | |
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| PIMPLES |
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What's the most common question teenagers ask? | |
A: | Facial pimples, is commonly acne. It hasn't changed in a lifetime. Most are caused by hormonal irregularities in the teens, and quietly settle with or without intervention. Regular facial cleansing with non alkaline soap, warm water, then pat dry with very soft towel. Any acne lotion (chemist) helps. Eryeacne or Differin cream for stubborn cases, or erythromycin capsules on prescription for several weeks helps. | |
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