How to Prevent Snoring?

Snoring is the sound of the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) vibrating when it relaxes during sleep. Although it does no harm in itself, it can disturb the snorer and anyone who shares the same bed or room. Snoring can be provoked by conditions that cause swelling in the nasal and throat passages, such as hay fever, colds, and throat or sinus infections, as well as combinations, of lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, being overweight, and smoking. More men than women snore, and the tendency to do so increases from middle age onwards. In children, it is often due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you or your partner notice the following symptom in addition to snoring:

* You have pauses in breathing of 10 seconds or more during sleep. (You may wake suddenly as you take a deep breath to compensate).

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Using a nasal strip One remedy for snoring uses an adhesive strip attached to the nose to make breathing easier. Stick the strip across the soft part of your nose before you go to bed. The adhesive pad has bands of plastic embedded in it that tighten and lift the sides of the nose, helping to maintain airflow while you sleep.

Applying the strip
The strip should be attached to the soft part of your nose, just above the nostrils.

Arrange to see your doctor if:
* The snoring is not helped by the measures on this page and is disrupting your sleep and/or your partner’s sleep

* You feel tired and irritable during the day

What you can do yourself
As well as being embarrassing, snoring can be disruptive to relationships. Try some of the following measures to get a better night’s sleep.

* You are more likely to snore when sleeping on your back. Train yourself to sleep on your side by tucking a pillow into your back or sewing a tennis ball into the back of our nightclothes.

* Lose any excess weight; this will reduce fat deposits around the back of your mouth and nose.

* Reduce your alcohol intake and avoid drinking any alcohol in the 4-5 hours before you go to bed.

* Give up smoking, as tobacco smoke irritates the linings of the nose and throat.

* Don’t use sleeping tablets or sedative antihistamines because they relax the soft palate.

* Try self-help measures to relieve any nasal congestion.

* It may help to use a plaster strip that keeps the nasal passages open (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE).

* If your partner’s snoring is making it impossible for you to sleep, try gently nudging or nudging or calling to your partner so that he or she changes position but does not wake up.

Food Poisoning: Key Tips & Remedy

Most attacks of food poisoning are due to poor hygiene, cooking, or food storage, which allows bacteria or viruses in contaminated food to multiply. The most commonly affected foods are seafood, dairy products, and undercooked eggs and poultry. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps in the abdomen, and, sometimes, fever, headache, and dizziness.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
* You have severe abdominal pain or vomiting
* There is blood or mucus in your stools

PREVENTION
Food hygiene Follow these steps to prevent germs from multiplying and avoid food poisoning.

* Before preparing food, wash your hands with warm water and soap, and dry them on a clean hand towel.

* Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate. Store raw meat in the bottom of the fridge so it can’t drip down.

* Use different chopping boards and work surfaces for raw meat, cooked meat, and vegetables. Clean boards and surfaces thoroughly after use.

* Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, fish, or eggs.

* When reheating food, ensure that it is very hot all the way through. Don’t reheat it more than once.

What you can do yourself
You can treat a mild case of food poisoning at home using the following measures.

You should feel better within a day or two.

* Get plenty of rest and make yourself as comfortable as possible.

* Drink at least 8 glasses of clear fluids a day. Take small sips so that you don’t vomit. If necessary, take an oral rehydration preparation (see DRUG REMEDIES).

* As soon as you can eat, have bland foods such as boiled rice, pasta, and mashed potatoes. Start with small amounts, returning to your normal diet once you can eat these foods without problems. You should avoid tea, coffee, dairy products, alcohol and fatty or spicy foods until a few days after the diarrhea has stopped.

* Be careful about hygiene to avoid passing on the infection to other people. Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, and have your own towel. Don’t make food for others, or share cutlery, cups, or plates. Keep away from those who are vulnerable to infections, such as young children, elderly people, and pregnant women.

* Take an antidiarrhoeal medicine if you need to stop diarrhea quickly (see see DRUG REMEDIES).

DRUG REMEDIES
Oral rehydration preparations are designed to replace lost water, sugars, and salts. Make up a sachet with the recommended amount of water and drink the solution instead of or in addition to regular drinks.

Antidiarrhoeal drugs should be used only as a last resort because diarrhea is the body’s way of getting rid of infection. You can take loperamide for quick relief if diarrhea is likely to cause embarrassment, for example, at work.

Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse or have not cleared up within 28-48 hours.

Effective Remedies for Hay Fever

Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen or mould. When pollen grains or mould spores get into your eyes, nose, or airways, they cause symptoms such as sneezing; a runny or blocked nose; itching in your eyes, nose, and the roof of your mouth; watery, red eyes; and a cough. You may also develop wheezing. Symptoms can develop at any time from early spring to early autumn, depending on which pollens or moulds trigger the allergy. Hay fever tends to run in families that have a high incidence of allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema, but many people seem to grow out of the problem as they get older.

What you can do yourself
Most people are able to control their symptoms using over-the-counter remedies. Try the following to see what works best for you.

* Take an antihistamine to relieve most hay fever symptoms (See DRUG REMEDIES).

A steroid nasal spray is particularly effective in helping to prevent or relieve sneezing, watering, itching, and stuffiness in your nose (see DRUG REMEDIES). You can use the spray either alone or with an antihistamine.

* Sodium cromoglicate nasal spray (see DRUG REMEDIES) can be used as an alternative to a steroid nasal spray for mild symptoms.

* For itchy eyes, use sodium cromoglicate or antihistamine eye drops ( see DRUG REMEDIES).

* Decongestant drugs can be used in the short term to clear a blocked nose (see DRUG REMEDIES). They can also be used to help clear your nose when starting a course of a steroid nasal spray.

* Avoid substances that can further irritate your nose and eyes, such as tobacco smoke or dust, perfumes, or strong-smelling chemicals.

* When the pollen count is high (usually on hot, dry, windy days at mid-morning and early evening), stay indoors as much as possible, keeping windows and doors close. In a car, keep windows and air vents closed. Some newer cars have pollen filters.

* Dry clothes inside if possible. If you do dry washing outside, bring it in before the evening.

* Have a shower and wash your hair before bed to remove pollen that has built up during the day.

Seek medical advice if:
* There is no improvement after you have been using home treatments for 2-3 weeks

DRUG REMEDIES
Antihistamine tablets are a convenient treatment that can be used on a one-off basis or regularly, and with nose sprays or eye drops (if these treatments don’t ease symptoms by themselves). They quickly relieve most hay fever symptoms, including sneezing, although they are not as effective as steroids for a blocked nose.

Steroid nasal sprays relieve nasal symptoms more effectively than antihistamines. They can take several days to reach their full effect, so try to start the treatment before the hay fever season begins, and use the spray daily.

Sodium cromoglicate nasal spray can be used as an alternative to a steroid nasal spray, although it is not generally as effective. It also needs to be used continuously.

Eye drops containing sodium cromoglicate or antihistamine can prevent or relieve symptoms. Sodium cromoglicate eye drops can take a few days to have a noticeable effect, and they must be used continuously.

Decongestants, available as nasal sprays or drops, act quickly. They are good for occasional use. Do not use them for more than 7 days, however, or they may make you feel more blocked up when you stop.

Home remedies for indigestion

Improper functioning of digestive system leads to indigestion or stomach upset, as a result there is amalpitta (chest burns), aruchi (unpleasant taste) in the mouth, nausea, tendency of vomiting, atop (heaviness in the abdomen) and discomfort.

Here are some effective home remedies to cure:

1. Drink hot water with ginger juice and honey.

2. Eat a little carom seeds frequently

3. Eat burnt garlic

4. Mix pepper powder, lemon juice and salt and rub on raw radish slice. Eating such
slices will relieve indigestion.

5. Eating a ripe banana smeared with cardamom before going to bed.

6. Drink a glass of water mixed with lemon juice and pinch of salt.

7. Eat cardamom seeds with little sugar

8. Heat a glass of buttermilk to which is added little cumin seed, curry leaves and
ginger powder. Drink it warm before going to bed.

9. Make an infusion of cinnamon, pepper powder and honey. A tablespoon of this after
meals relives indigestion.

10. Soak a teaspoon of celery seeds in buttermilk for six hours run this in blender
and drink it.

11. Take basil leaves with honey twice a day preferably first on an empty stomach.

12. Orange juice is beneficial to combat indigestion

13. grind cardamom seeds with ginger cloves and coriander seed. This is an effective
remedy for indigestion

14. A drop of clove oil added to a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of soda bicarb is beneficial

15. The juice of fresh coriander leaves is beneficial

Do's and Don'ts for Indigestion

Regularly do exercise as it keeps your body in shape, keeps weight under control, and prevents indigestion.

Drink plenty of water.

Eat simple and light foods, green and fibrous vegetables, low fat, and less oily foods.

Always wear comfortable and good fabric cloth.

Get rid of smoking habit as it causes not only indigestion but various other diseases.

Relax yourself by doing meditation and yoga and keep a good balance between work and rest.

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tea, beverages and chocolates as all these create more complication and causes indigestion.

Avoid playing and doing heavy physical work just after your lunch.

Avoid taking heavy meals eating 4-5 small meals is better than eating one heavy meal. Overeating also causes indigestion.

Effective remedies for heat rash and sunburn

Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is an itchy, red, pimply rash that may develop around your neck and on your chest, back, armpits, and groin in hot or humid weather, particularly during exercise. Babies who overheat because they are dressed too warmly, or because of a fever, are particularly susceptible to heat rash.

Sunburn is the result of overexposure to sunshine or to ultraviolet rays on a sunbed. If you are mildly burnt you will have red, sore skin on areas such as your shoulders, arms, thighs, back, and nose, which may begin to itch and peel a few days later. More severe sunburn can cause blistering and pain. Although you are most likely to burn in hot summer sun, you can also burn on an overcast day, in water, or at high altitudes, for example. Babies, children, and fair-skinned people with red or blond hair and blue eyes are most at risk.

Arrange to see a doctor immediately if :
* You are not sure that a baby has heat rash, or a baby has a rash with fever

* You have severe sunburn with extensive blistering, and/or feel unwell, with vomiting, fever, confusion, or headaches

* A child or baby has sunburn

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Treating a baby with heat rash

A baby with heat rash needs to be cooled down promptly. The rash should then disappear.

* take off your baby’s clothes and nappy and lay him or her on a cotton sheet or towel to let the air circulate around the skin. Leave your baby to kick freely until he or she cools down.

* Don’t use ointments, lotions, or powders because they may block the pores and aggravate the rash.

* If your baby has a fever, give plenty of fluids and take steps to reduce it.

Cooling down

Once your baby is undressed, the air will help to cool his or her skin.

NATURAL REMEDIES
Aloe vera is found in many after-sun lotions and is also available as a gel, It has soothing properties that help to cool sunburnt skin and relieve dryness and irritation. However, don’t use gels or cream to treat heat rash.

PREVENTION
Safety in the sun The effects of the sun on your skin don’t always show straight away, so you may not realize you are burning. The following measures will help protect you from sunburn.

* Whenever your skin is exposed to the sun, use sunscreen or sunblock (see DRUG REMEDIES, below).

* Don’t go out in summer sunshine when it is at its strongest, between 11am and 3 pm.

* Don’t use sunbeds.

* Be especially careful when you are close to water or snow because the reflected sunlight increases the likelihood of you getting sunburnt.

* Keep babies out of the sun completely. Use a sunshade or sit them in the shade.

* Wear loose, lightweight trousers and tops with sleeves, and also a hat, if you are out in the sun for long periods. Some clothes are now labeled with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), which indicates how effective they are at blocking the sun’s rays.

Sun protection
Choose a hat that shades your child’s face and neck and apply sunscreen to skin exposed to the sun.

What you can do yourself
You can treat an attack of heat rash or a case of mild sunburn with the following measures. They will make your skin feel more comfortable and help to speed your recovery.

Heat rash
* Loosen or remove your clothing and find a cool place to sit, such as an air-conditioned room. If available, use a fan to help cool yourself down, and avoid any activity that might make you sweat.

* Have plenty of cool, non-alcoholic drinks.

* Apply a cold compress to affected areas. Soak a sponge or face cloth in cold water, wring it out, and apply it to your skin. Use it as often as needed.

* If your baby develops heat rash, take immediate steps to cool him or her down

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
* To soothe dry, itchy skin, try taking frequent, lukewarm baths with oatmeal bath oil . Pat your skin dry afterwards.

* While you have a heat rash, don’t use antiperspirants, perfumes, lotions, or creams, as they may irritate your skin or block your pores.

* When the weather is warm, wear lightweight, loose clothes made of natural fibres such as cotton.

* If you are prone to heat rash, acclimatize yourself gradually whenever you move from a cool climate to a hot one. Increase the time you spend in the heat over several days.

* To prevent heat rash in a baby, avoid overdressing or using too many blankets. (Check by feeling the back of your baby’s neck - it should be warm but not sweaty.)

On hot days, keep your baby in cool, shady areas and give him or her plenty to drink.

Sunburn
* Stay out of the sun while you have sunburn. If you do go outdoors, wear cool, lightweight clothes that cover the burns completely.

* Don’t pick at peeling skin and leave any blisters to burst on their own.

* Have a cool bath and add about 4 tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate to the bath water. Pat yourself dry with a soft towel.

* You may find a cold compress soothing. Soak a soft cloth in cold water, wring it out, and apply it gently to your sunburnt skin. Repeat as often as you need to throughout the day.

* Calamine lotion may help to cool sunburnt skin (see DRUG REMEDIES).

* Try an aloe vera lotion or gel to soothe your skin. Wait until the skin has been cooled down before applying moisturizers, as they hold in the heat of the burn.

Seek further medical advice

Arrange to see your doctor if :

* A hear rash does not fade within 2-3 days

* A baby is still feverish after you have used cooling-down methods.

DRUG REMEDIES
Calamine lotion has a cooling effect on sore, itchy sunburnt skin. Dab it on with cotton wool as often as needed.

Sunscreens and sunblocks have different sun protection factors (SPFs) for different skin types – the fairer your skin, the higher the factor. Most people need an SPF of 15 or higher, (Much higher factors may be needed at high altitudes, when skiing, for example). Use a sunscreen even in the shade and on cloudy days.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside; reapply every 2 hours and each time after you have been swimming. Use a total sunblock with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide if you have very fair skin and for all children.

Remedies For Stiff or Soar Neck

A painful or stiff neck is usually due to a muscle strain or spasm, caused by poor posture or a minor injury. You may suffer from a stiff neck and shoulders if you sit hunched over a computer for long periods, or you may wake with a stiff neck if you sleep awkwardly. Pain may also be felt in your head, shoulders, arms, or upper back and may be worse when you turn your head or look up or down. Pain and stiffness can also be due to a “whiplash injury” , arthritis in the spine, or an underlying illness or injury.

WARNING

Seek immediate medical help if:

* You have a sore or stiff neck with any or all of the following symptoms; fever, vomiting, headache, dislike or bright light, and a rash (see p 150)

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:

* You have a sore or stiff neck after an injury

* You have tingling, numbness, or weakness in an arm or hand, or weight loss or fever

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Neck exercise The following exercise will help to loosen up a stiff neck.

* Stand straight, or sit on the edge of a chair looking straight ahead. Drop your head to one side, towards your shoulder. Keep your shoulder down.

* Hold for a few seconds, then raise your head again. Repeat on the other side.

* Repeat the exercise 5 times on each side, about 3 times a day. Exercise to the point of discomfort, but don’t try to exercise through pain.

* Gradually increase the range of movement. Stop at once, however, if the pain gets worse or if it begins to move into your arm or hand.

Arrange to see your doctor if:
* The soreness or stiffness is getting worse

* The problem has not eased after 2 days

What you can do yourself
A stiff and sore neck due to muscle strain or poor posture should begin to ease within 2-3 days using these home treatments.

* Continue with normal activities as far as the pain allows. If the pain is bad, however, you may need to rest your neck for the first day or two.

* A padded collar may help to support your neck. You can make a collar by rolling up a hand towel and putting it into one leg of a pair of tights, then gently securing it around your neck. Only wear a collar for a short period, and don’t wear it at night.

* Start gentle neck exercises as soon as you are able to do so.

* Take a painkiller or try an ibuprofen gel or cream.

* To relieve muscle spasm, stand under a warm shower, or place a covered hot-water bottle or a heating pad on the back of your neck, for 15 minutes every few hours.

* Use a supportive pillow in bed. Alternatively, make a neck-support pillow by tying a scarf or bandage around the idle of a pillow to form a butterfly shape. Rest you head on the narrow part.

DRUG REMEDIES
Painkillers will help relieve the discomfort of a stiff or sore neck and help you to keep your neck mobile. Take paracetamol (See p 187), or ibuprofen (see p 184), which may be more effective.

Ibuprofen gels and creams (see p 184) have an anti-inflammatory effect and may reduce pain when rubbed into the neck area.

How to prevent excessive sweating?

Almost everyone sweats more than usual when exercising or in hot weather, but some people generally sweat too much,Excessive sweating is common in adolescence but can continue throughout life .It can cause body odour and affect work and social relationships.

People who sweat excessively are also more prone to fungal skin infections. Although some people are naturally susceptible to this problem,other factors,such as stress and anxiety,may have a significant role. Excessive sweating sometimes occurs in women around the time of the menopause, or as a feature of conditions such as an overactive thyroid gland.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
• The sweating is prolonged or unusual

• You are losing weight

Seek further medical advice if:

* You are still troubled by excessive sweating or body odour after following the advice described here

* You have any other symptoms associated with the excessive sweating

What you can do yourself
There are some useful home treatments that help to reduce sweating and body odour.

* Bathe or shower at least once daily in warm (but not hot) water.Dry yourself thoroughly afterwards.

* Use an antiperspirant or an antiperspirant combined with a deodorant.If an ordinary product does not work,try a stronger preparation containing aluminium chloride
* Wear clean underwear and clothes every day.Choose natural fabrics,such as cotton,particularly next to your skin.Avoid tight clothes.

* If your feet get sweaty,wear leather shoes and cotton socks,and change both regularly.Go barefoot or wear sandals whenever possible.

* Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day,to replace lost body fluids.Cut down on alcohol and drinks containing caffeine,particularly hot drinks.

* Avoid spicy foods,which are likely to make you sweat,and onions and garlic,because of the odour.

* If you sweat when you are anxious,try practical techniques that reduce stress

* If you are overweight,try to lose some weight.

Drug remedies

Antiperspirants and deodorants
Antiperspirants block the pores that produce sweat,while deodorants attack the skin bacteria that cause body odour.many products contain a combination of the two.Apply them daily after washing.If you develop skin irritation,use a hypoallergenic product.Absorbent,deodorizing foot powders are available for feet.

Aluminium chloride preparations
(see p 177) treat severe sweating from the armpits,hands,or feet. These are usually roll-ons that are applied to dry skin each night and washed off the next day.Use the product less often as sweating decreases.Dont use it on broken or irritated skin.close to the eyes or lips,or if you have shaved or removed hair from the skin in the previous 12 hours.

Using aluminium chloride
Wash thoroughly and make sure that your skin is completely dry before you apply the antiperspirant.

Natural remedies for runny nose

How to treat blocked or runny nose naturally

If you have a runny or blocked nose, you feel stuffed up, may lose your sense of taste and smell, and may only be able to breathe through your mouth. You may cough at night because of mucus dripping down the back of your throat. If your “bungee up” nose is due to a cold or sinus infection, you may also have a thick yellowish-green discharge from your nose. A blocked or runny nose can also be caused by allergies to substances such as pollen, house dust mites, pet dander (flakes of skin), and mould. Symptoms can occur at any time or be seasonal, as with hay fever.

NATURAL REMEDIES
Aromatic oils such as menthol, eucalyptus, or camphor, are traditional treatments for a blocked nose. Try sucking lozenges containing menthe, or putting a few drops of an aromatic oil on a tissue and inhaling it. Use a menthol chest rub at night if you are having difficulty sleeping.

What you can do yourself
Try the following home treatments to help relieve your blocked or runny nose.

* Drink at least 8 glasses a day of clear fluids such as water, fruit juice, herbal teas, and clear soups. Hot drinks will help to loosen mucus if your nose is blocked. Using saline nose drops has a similar effect .

* Try a steam inhalation, or run hot water into the bath or shower and inhale the steam

* Remedies containing aromatic oils may help to relieve a stuffy nose

* If you have a blocked nose due to a cold, try a decongestant nasal spray

* If your nose is sore from blowing it, apply some petroleum jelly around your nostrils to protect them.

* To treat a blocked or runny nose caused by an allergy, use a steroid nasal spray and/or an oral antihistamine

* Avoid smoke and dust; they can irritate the lining of your nose and worsen symptoms.

DRUG REMEDIES
Saline nose drops (see p 188) can be bought from your pharmacist, or you can make your own by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml (half a pint) of lukewarm water. Apply them using a dropper, 2-4 times a day.

Decongestants. Available as nasal sprays or drops, quickly relieve a blocked nose by reducing swelling and congestion in the tissues lining the nose. They also lessen mucus production. They should not, however, be used for more than 7 days, otherwise they may make you feel more blocked up when you stop using them.

Steroid nasal sprays containing a corticosteroid drug are particularly effective for nasal symptoms such as a blocked nose. They can take several days to reach their full effect, so, if possible, start using them at least 2-3 days before exposure to allergic triggers.

Antihistamines, in the form of tablets or liquids, usually work within 1 hour. You can use them to relieve a runny nose due to allergy, but they are not so effective for a blocked nose. They can be taken regularly or only as needed – for example, if you are visiting a house with pets.

Arrange to see your doctor if:

* Symptoms have not begun to clear up using the measures described here

* You develop new symptoms

* You are using medications continually to relieve your blocked or runny nose.

How to heal mouth ulcer quickly?

Common mouth ulcers start with burning pain or soreness, then a shallow, grayish-white pit with a red border develops. The ulcers tend to recur, but are not contagious. They are more likely to develop if you are run down or stressed. Some women get them before a period. Badly fitting dentures or careless tooth brushing can also cause them, Rarely, an ulcer in the mouth may be due to cancer.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:

* You also feel sick and/or have a fever
* Many ulcers develop at the same time
* You have had a mouth ulcer for longer than 2 weeks and/or it is getting bigger

DRUG REMEDIES
Antiseptic mouthwashes Rinsing your mouth for about 1 minute twice a day with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine reduces the risk of a secondary infection and will help your mouth ulcer to heal.

Mouth ulcer treatments include a mouth ulcer paste containing a steroid drug that reduces inflammation and helps healing. The sticky paste helps to keep the treatment in place. Apply it after a meal and at bedtime, so that it stays in contact with your ulcer for longer.

Mouth and throat treatments
Rinses, sprays, or gels containing the painkiller benzydamine can help to reduce the pain and inflammation of a mouth ulcer. Speak to your pharmacist before using one to treat child. Some products contain a local anesthetic to numb the area and provide temporary relief; however, using an anesthetic regularly may increase irritation.

Seek further medical advice if

* You have severe pain that is not controlled by the measures described above
* You have difficulty swallowing
* The ulcer has not healed within 2 weeks and/or it is getting bigger
* You have recurrent mouth ulcers

What you can do yourself
A common mouth ulcer normally disappears within a week or two without treatment, but it can be very uncomfortable. Try the following measures to reduce pain and help the ulcer heal more quickly.

* Eat soft, soothing foods, such as yoghurt, ice cream, and custard. Sip cool water or other cooling drinks through a straw.

* Avoid any food or drink that will irritate your mouth and aggravate your ulcer, such as citrus fruits and drinks; coffee; salty or spicy foods; hard, scratchy foods such as nuts, crisps, and toast; and very hot food or drinks.

* Clean your teeth using a soft tooth brush.

* Use an antiseptic mouthwash. Alternatively, make a salt-water mouthwash by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml (half a pint) of warm water and use it several times a day. Swish the mouthwash around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit it out.

* Apply a mouth ulcer paste containing a steroid to ease pain, aid healing, and protect your ulcer from irritants.

* Ease pain with a mouth rinse or spray containing a painkiller, or a lozenge, gel, or spray containing a local anesthetic.

How to stop bleeding gums?

Tips to treat gingivitis naturally

Bleeding from the gums is usually a sign of gum inflammation (gingivitis), Healthy gums are pale and firm, but diseased gums may become purplish-red, swollen, and shiny, and bleed when you brush your teeth. Your breath may smell unpleasant. The cause is usually a build-up of plaque ( a deposit formed from food particles, saliva, and bacteria) at the base of the teeth due to poor oral hygiene. Bleeding gums can also be due to vigorous brushing or poorly fitting dentures. You may be prone to them during pregnancy or if you take certain drugs.

Arrange to see your dentist or doctor if:

* You have toothache or loose teeth

* You bruise easily and feel tired and weak

* You are taking a prescribed medicine, such as an anticoagulant, that may cause
bleeding gums. Don’t stop taking prescribed medicine without consulting your doctor

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE

Oral hygiene
The following oral hygiene routine helps to reduce the risk of gum disease and prevent tooth decay. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months. Clean between your teeth with dental floss or tape. There are many types available; tape may be more comfortable for your gums.

* Brush your teeth before going to bed and when you get up in the morning or after breakfast. Use fluoride toothpaste and a small, soft-bristled brush. Brush all the surfaces of your teeth, especially where they meet the gums, using short, vertical or circular strokes.

* Use dental tape or floss once a day to get rid of plaque between your teeth and at the gum line. Wind a piece around one finger of each hand. Keeping it taut, move it up and down the side of a tooth, going slightly below the gum line. Repeat, using fresh pieces, for every tooth.

What you can do yourself
Use these measures to help your gums heal and prevent more serious damage to gums and teeth.

* If bleeding is profuse, try pressing a piece of gauze or cotton wool soaked in ice-cold water on your gums for a few minutes.

* Practice good oral hygiene (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). Brush your teeth gently using a new, soft-bristled brush, making sure you don’t scratch your gums. Use dental tape or floss, or a tapered interdental brush (which looks like a tiny bottlebrush), to clean between your teeth.

* Don’t use toothpicks to clean between your teeth, because they can injure your gums.

* Stop smoking, because tobacco smoke aggravates bleeding gums.

Seek further medical advice

Arrange to see your dentist or doctor if:

* Your gums are still bleeding after you have tried the above measures for 7-10 days

* You have any other symptoms

How to prevent dizziness or fainting?

Dizzy spells and feeling faint are common problems. Causes include low blood sugar, drinking too much alcohol, or simply getting up too quickly .Feeling faint may also be due to emotional shock or panic, or may occur in pregnancy. An occasional attack is rarely a cause for concern, but sometimes the problem is due to an underlying condition or to certain drugs.

See your doctor first

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:

* You are taking a prescribed medicine that may be causing the problem, such as drugs for high blood pressure or tranquillizers.

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Recovery measures If you feel faint or dizzy, sit down and put your head on your knees, Alternatively, lie down and raise your legs on a chair or cushion. Try to keep calm, because fast breathing (hyperventilating) and anxiety can make symptoms worse. Breathe slowly and deeply. Open a window or go out into fresh air if you feel steady on your feet.

Helping blood flow
Lean forward and put your head down to improve the blood flow to your brain.

PREVENTION
Avoiding dizzy spells Combine these steps with any treatment from your doctor to help prevent further attacks.

* Avoid hot and stuffy environments. Have a window open, or go out into fresh air from time to time.

* Don’t get up suddenly after lying down or sitting.

* Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.

* Eat regularly. Have healthy snacks, such as fruit, between meals to keep your
blood sugar level steady.

* Try to avoid straining on the toilet, as this can cause a drop in blood pressure and make you feel faint.

* If you are pregnant, don’t stand for long periods or lie flat on your back.

What you can do yourself
There are several things you can do to help you get over a faint or dizzy spell quickly.

* Keep your head down on your knees or your feet raised and try to control your breathing

* If it has been several hours since you last ate, eat or drink a sugary snack (not something containing artificial sweeteners).

* Don’t drink caffeinated drinks such as coffee ,tea, or cola, or alcohol, and don’t smoke, as all of these can make your symptoms worse.

* Don’t try to drive or operate machinery until you are completely recovered.