Natural Health

Breastfeeding Problems

Most mothers realize breast milk is best for their newborn baby, but some women experience problems, such as too little milk or painful nipples. Feeding your baby frequently by day and, at first, by night encourages milk flow and helps to prevent engorged breasts.

If your baby is positioned correctly, feeding should not hurt. Keep your nipples dry and exposed to fresh air as much as possible, to prevent cracking. Some women find squeezing out a drop of milk at the end of the feed and rubbing into the nipple can prevent cracking too. If you do develop a crack, change your baby’s feeding position each time you breastfeed. Read the rest of this entry »

Boils

The cause of these inflamed, pus filled swellings on the skin is usually a bacterial infection in a hair follicle or a wound. They are painful to the touch and can be embarrassing, particularly when they are on the face and neck. Boils can also occur in the armpits, groin area or on the buttocks.

Do not try to squeeze or lance a boil yourself as this may only lead to the infection spreading.

Unusually large or recurrent boils may need medical treatment. Read the rest of this entry »

Body Odor

The unpleasant smell that we often think of as due to perspiration is caused by a combination of stale sweat and bacteria, not fresh sweat. The most effective way to protect against it is to wash thoroughly every day and wear clean, loose fitting clothing in natural fibers. Most people find that a combination of good hygiene and an effective antiperspirant or deodorant will keep the problem under control, but some people may find they need to take extra measures. Read the rest of this entry »

Low Blood Sugar

An abnormally low level of sugar in the blood is known as hypoglycemia. It can occur in people with poorly controlled or unrecognized diabetes, but also in non-diabetics. Some sufferers also have thyroid problems, so a check-up may be advisable. The carbohydrates we eat are converted into sugar, which is carried in the bloodstream to provide energy for all our body functions. Ironically, people who eat large amounts of sugary foods are most at risk of low blood sugar. This is because refined sugars cause an almost instant surge in the blood sugar level, but this quickly drops, so you crave more sugar and find yourself a vicious circle of energy highs and lows that exhaust the body. Other symptoms of a low blood sugar include irritability, poor concentration, weakness, headaches and fatigue. In diabetics it can, at worst, lead to a coma. Read the rest of this entry »

Blood Pressure

For most people, blood pressure problems involve high blood pressure, where the heart has to work very hard to pump blood. Not surprisingly, high blood pressure is one of the most important factors in causing heart disease. It is natural for blood pressure to rise in times of excitement and stress, but constant stress, smoking, a lack of exercise, too much alcohol, being overweight and a poor diet can cause it to stay permanently high. Read the rest of this entry »

Blisters

These fluid-filled bubbles of skin result from damage to the skin. They are often caused by friction, for example by walking long distances with unsuitable shoes or thin socks. However, they may also result from burns or as part of a skin disease such as eczema or an infection like chickenpox. Most blisters are best left alone. If one is ready to burst you can carefully puncture it with a sterilized needle and let the fluid drain away. Read the rest of this entry »

Bedwetting

It’s quite common for children to wet the bed up until the age of five or more, and some continue to do it well into their teens.

In children who have previously been dry, renewed bed­wetting may be caused by stress or anxiety. While it persists, don’t make a fuss about the wetting, which may cause more anxiety, but try to discover the underlying cause of the problem and put it right.

Young children who start to wet again both day and night may have a urinary infection, so consult your doctor. Read the rest of this entry »