Research Confirms Antibacterial Properties of Punica Granatum – Anaar

Posted on January, 1 at 11:45 pm

The fruit Punica Granatum is known in India as Anaar. It is famous as a home remedy for a number of ailments from olden days. It seeds and peels are the most beneficial parts. Research done on this fruit revealed that it have antibacterial properties too. This article tries to gain further insight.

Knowledge Gained from Research on Punica Granatum:

• The research study was carried out at the Human Resource Development, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.
• The researchers powdered the peels of Pomegranate (common name of this fruit) and extracted the components present in it.
• When the components of this fruit were mixed with a chemical substance called acetone, the composition was found to be most effective against the bacteria.

Significance of the Research: Doctors prescribe antibiotics to kill bacteria present in our body. But these harmful organisms are present in our body either individually or in the form of colonies. Antibiotics can kill the bacteria when they are separated. The strength of bacteria to cause damage increases by 1500 times when they form colonies and attack our organs. Antibiotics then become simply ineffective. Instead intake of these antibiotics turn fatal. It is because antibiotics are also harmful toxins. When they fall short in killing the bacteria, they target the healthy cells in the body. In this way, antibiotics can be counter productive too.

But components of Pomegranate are natural substances. They cannot prove to be counter productive to the body on failing in their task of killing the bacteria, unlike the antibiotics.

Alternative Medicinal Benefits of Punica Granatum: Juice of this fruit can treat Jaundice and Diarrhoea. Nose bleeding can be treated by the juice of Pomegranate flower. Dried flowers are effective in treating bronchitis.

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Variegate Porhyria

Posted on December, 28 at 7:38 am

Variegate porphyria or mixed hepatic porphyria is the hepatic disorder in which low levels of enzymes are diagnosed which hinder the production of heme in its seventh step.

Heme is an essential component of blood so in case its production is hindered which can result in acute consequences. The presence of this condition have long lasting symptoms which can even affect the skin of the body.

Symptoms Of Variegate Porhyria:
The symptoms of Variegate Porhyria includes:

• Acute pain in abdomen
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Weakness in the muscles
• Seizures
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• In case skin is sensitive then pigmentation of the skin, Increased hair growth, blistering, scarring will appear on the skin
• Skin becomes fragile and gets damaged easily.

Causes Of Vriegate Porhyria:

The causes of variegate porhyria are considered as the autosomal inheritance of a gene which gets mutated. The person shaving this mutated gene have the diminish activity of the enzyme called protoprophyrinogen oxidase enzyme protein. This gene remains silent for some time and show aits symptoms after a small span of time.

Types Of Porhyria:
Few types of variegate porhyria includes:

• Acute intermittent proporhyria
• Variegate proporhyria
• Heriditary coproporhyria
• Porhyria cutanea tarda
• Erythropoietic protoporhyria
• Congenital porhyria

Treatment Of Variegate Porhyria:

Since in this condition mutation in the gene takes place so there is no relevant treatment for curing it. Although the symptoms can be treated alone. For curing this condition completely it is necessary to remove the entire liver then only condition can be totally cured.

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What Is A Bladder Cyst ?

Posted on December, 26 at 5:50 am

Bladder is the part of kidney. So, the cysts found in bladders are also considered as kidney cysts. The cysts of kidneys and bladder are usually abnormal pouches which contain some fluid in them.

Signs And Symptoms Of Bladder Cysts:
The signs and symptoms of bladder cysts includes:

• Colour of urine turns dark while that of stool changes into light color
• Urinary difficulty will be noticed. Problem will be there in urine discharge
• Bowel movements will face problems
• Pain in the abdominal region will be noticed
• Fatigue and weakness will be there
• Sometimes Blood will be noticed in the urine
• Mild fever, nausea and vomiting are some other common symptoms which are noticed

Causes Of Bladder Cyst:
The causes of bladder cyst includes:

• Some imbalance of hormone in the body can result in the development of cyst in the body
• Some acquired cystic disease in the kidney can also result in the formation of bladder cysts
• Autosomal recessive poly cystic kidney disease can be a cause of Bladder cyst.
• Accelerated hypertension can also play an important role in the formation of bladder cyst
• Imbalance of Acid – Base solution in body can also result in this condition.

Bladder Cyst In Women:

In women, bladder cyst are commonly found in ovaries are termed as ovarian cysts. This happens because ovaries and bladder are in close proximity to each other. The cyst of ovary is very problematic for any woman. Presence of any cysts in woman’s body results in menstrual irregularities, pain in pelvic region, painful intercourse, painful bowel movements, nausea, vomiting, tenderness in breasts etc.

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Hepatic Cyst

Posted on December, 23 at 7:35 am

Hepatic cysts are found usually in the liver when the any cavity in liver which is usually empty gets filled with certain fluid resulting in a cyst. The actual cause for this condition to arrive is not yet known and this condition do not have any well defined symptoms too.

Hepatic cyst usually grow into huge tumors it is for the same reason that no appropriate treatment is there for treating them.

Causes For Hepatic Cysts:
The causes for hepatic cysts includes:

• Any kind of Polycystic disease in kidney can result in cyst generation in liver
• Congenital hepatic fibrosis
• Echincoccosis
• Caroli’s disease
• Choledochal cyst

These are considered to be the few causes for development of hepatic cysts. Actually the real causes for this is not yet known. In some cases they are found even at the time of birth while in other conditions some related condition have resulted in their formation.

Symptoms Of Hepatic Cysts:

These hepatic cysts do not have well defined symptoms. If they grow large in size they result in enlargement of the liver, infection in the bile duct or any kind of obstruction in it, pain in the abdominal region, all this happens because the cyst itself is infected so spreads the infection in its surrounding parts.

Complications Related To Hepatic Cysts:
There are few complications attached to the condition of hepatic cysts these includes:

• Obstructions in the bile duct
• Infections in liver and bile duct
• Swelling the abdominal part
• Pain in the abdominal part
• Enlargement of the Liver

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Obstructive Jaundice

Posted on December, 22 at 7:13 am

Jaundice is defined as that condition in which the eyes, skin, and various other tissues of the body acquire yellow color. This yellowing is caused due to the excessive circulation of bilirubin in the body.

Obstructive jaundice or “Cholestasis” is caused due to some obstruction caused in the flow of bile. The condition of obstructive jaundice is caused due to some drug reaction, presence of stone in bile duct, excessive intake of alcohol, cancer etc.

Symptoms Of Obstructive Jaundice:
The common symptom of obstructive jaundice includes:

• Stools turns pale in colour
• Urine acquires darker colour and also carry urobilinogen
• Itching is noticed in the skin
• Skin and eyes turn yellow in colour

Causes For Obstructive Jaundice:
The causes for obstructive jaundice can be divided as intrahepatic causes and extrahepatic causes.

• Intrahepatic Causes: In this condition any kind of damage caused to the liver cells result in obstructive jaundice. The common cause for this condition to arrive is considered as the excessive intake of alcohol, drugs, hepatitis etc. It is a view that intake of these increases the amount of liver enzymes which indicates liver damage. The symptoms of this condition includes swollen belly and enlarged spleen.
• Extrahepatic Causes: As we know that a common duct which carries bile to intestine from the liver . In case an obstruction is caused in this duct due to stones, or due to presence of pancreatic cancer then it can result in condition. Not only the bile duct stone but even stones present in gall bladder can pass from the gallbladder duct and move into the bile duct obstructing it. This causes obstructive jaundice and pancreatitis in addition to abdominal pain.

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Choledochal Cyst

Posted on December, 21 at 7:08 am

Choledochal cyst is the condition in which the common bile duct gets an abnormal structure at the time of birth only. Due to this abnormal structure, by the time baby reaches the age of 2 or 3 the collection of bile begins in the duct itself.

This collection transform into a sac or cyst which presses the bile duct and prevent bile from reaching into the intestine. The collection of bile in intestine can result in jaundice or it spread infection also which can result in abdominal pain and fever.

Symptoms Of Choledochal Cyst:
The symptoms of choledochal cyst includes:

• Obstruction of the bile duct and retention of bile in the duct itself
• Enlarged liver followed by jaundice
• In advance cases, scarring and cirrhosis of liver cells takes place
• Accumulation of fluid takes place in the liver
• A risk of cancer development in the walls of cyst is a possibility
• Pain in the abdomen
• Inflammation in the ducts of bile

Diagonisis Of Chodochal Cyst:

The diagnosis of Chodochal cyst can be done by scanning the abdominal region in the ultrasound machine. Some blood tests are also conducted but they are not capable enough to diagnose cyst although they provide enough information about the symptoms of its presence.

Treatment Of Choledochal Cyst:

The treatment of Choledochal cyst is possible only with the help of surgery. In this surgery the cyst and affected duct of bile is replaced with a piece of intestine. This fresh piece will now act as a common passage in the blie source and intestine.

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What Is Intrahepatic Cholestasis?

Posted on December, 18 at 4:16 am

Intrahepatic Cholestasis (ICP) also termed as Obestetric Cholestasis is a condition in which cholestasis occurs furing the preggnancy period. This condition can cause itching which is troublesome and can even lead cause complications for both the mother and the fetus.

Most of the times this condition is ignored as itching is also a common symptom in pregnancy. In case of ICP continuous itching turns out as the symptom for this condition. This condition is noticed mostly during the third trimester and this condition can also be considered as the main cause of jaundice in preganacy.

Signs And Symptoms Of Intrahepatic Cholestasis:
The signs and symptoms of Intrahepatic Cholestasis are:

• Itching is the main symptom, which is not only limited to hands, palms, soles of the feet and rash is not formed
• The intensity of rash increases during evening time.
• This kind of itching do not respond to anti itching remedies.
• The amount of serum bile acid count decreases, which can be identified on testing which is usually a means of recognising the disease.

Some less common symptoms for this condition are:

• Stools are of light colour
• Increased nausea
• Fatigue
• Urine of dark colour
• Blood will take longer time in clotting so time period for blood clot to form will increase
• Jaundice
• Decrease in appetite
• Pain will be there in upper quadrant

Genetic Factors For Intrahepatic Cholestasis:

The condition of ICP is found mostly in families where the reoccurance of this condition is noticed at a frequent rate. It is due to this reason that research was conducted to find out whethere genes are responsible for this condition.

The reaseach concluded that, some genetic mutation was noticed in hepatocellular transport protein which is known to control the secretion of a protein called phosphatidylcholine into bile. This mutation in mother’s body during the pregnancy period is transferred to the baby which carries all along and sufferes from the same condition in the later stage of life.

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Obstetric Cholestasis

Posted on December, 15 at 7:29 am

Obstetric cholestasis is the condition in which the liver of the pregnant women gets affects thus becomes sensitive and oversecretion of the pregnancy hormones takes place. Actually in normal situation, bile produced in the liver moves down the bile ducts to reach the intestine, where it is used for digestion purposes. If the person suffers from the condition of obstetric cholestasis, the normal flow of bile from the liver to the intestine is hindered. Due to this proper flow of bile into the intestine does not takes place. Due to this excess of bile salts gets collected in the intestine. Thus result in this condition of obstetric cholestasis.

Symptoms Of Obsteric Cholestasis:
The symptoms of obsteric cholestasis includes:

• Itching in soles of feet, hands
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Jaundice
• Due to itching scratches are formed which can sometimes bleed.
• Urine in dark color and/or stools in pale
• Mild depression
• Loss of appetite
• In severe conditions, acute depression, nausea

Risks For Pregnant Women Suffering from Obsteric Cholestasis:
The risks for pregnant women suffering from obsteric cholestasis includes:

• Fetal distress
• Still birth
• Premature birth
• Hemorrhaging

Diagnosing Obsteric Cholestasis:
The diagnosis of obsteric cholestasis can be done by:

• Serum Bile Acid Test: This test checks that whether or not are levels of bile elevated or not. In order to take this test women needs to fast untill the test is carried out. Fasting ensures the correct measurement of the bile levels in the body.
• Liver Function Test: This test must not be the sole test for confirming this condition as it is possible that elevation in bile juice takes place rapidly while the liver enzymes take a longer time to get elevated.

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Top 10 Benefits of Jatropha Seeds

Posted on December, 12 at 3:54 am

Jatropha is a small tree which grows in India, Africa and North America. The leaves and roots of the tree are found to posses medicinal benefits. The seeds of this plant can be used to produce bio diesel. This article lists the benefits on this useful plant.

Top 10 Beneficial Facts about Jatropha Seeds:

1. 27-40 percent of the seeds of this plant produce oil. It is used as fuel in countries like Brazil and Philippines.

2. According to an estimation published on the Time Magazine, 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel per acre per year can be produced by the cultivation of this tree.

3. In December, 2008, a plane from New Zealand air lines could successfully complete a flight from Auckland city by using a mixture of Jatropha seeds oil and jet fuel. The cost of flying was reduced to one third.

4. This tree can be cultivated in the same place and at the same time along with other cash crops like coffee, sugar, fruits and vegetables.

5. The remaining of Jatropha seeds after the oil is extracted can be used as fodders to the cattle or can be used to produce bio gas for cooking.

6. The oil can be used as an illuminant to prepare candles. It is because on burning this oil no smoke is emitted.

7. Oil cake of this plant is rich in chemicals like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These chemicals are essential for plant’s growth. That is why the oil cakes can be used as manures in the fields.

8. The plant is found to possess properties to treat cancer and cure skin diseases and sores.

9. The juice of the leaves can treat piles and are used to clean teeth too.

10. The roots of the plant can save life from snakebites and treat diarrhoea.

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Natural Health Supplements

Posted on December, 11 at 2:33 am

Natural supplements for health provides for an alternative treatment for various diseases and do not bear any side effects too. Almost all the supplements of health have properly documented safety tools and have also proven their effectiveness scientifically .

Natural Supplements For Thyroid Problems:

The hormone of thyroid is an essential hormone which is responsible for metabolic regulation, development and growth of brain and regulating the activity of brain. Ir regulation of this hormone in body results in two condition which are Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is the condition in which the secretion of hormone decreases from the required level. This decrease results in appetite loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, gain in weight, abnormal periods, dry hair/skin, weak immune system etc.

Similarly Hyperthyroidism is condition caused due excess secretion of thyroid gland. This condition results in fatigue, insomnia, bulging eyes, increase in sweating, nervousness, intolerance to heat etc. Goiter is the main disease cause due to this condition.

Some Herbal Supplements For Strengthening The Thyroid Secretion:

• Flax seed oil
• A herb called Kelp is a rich source of iodine. This plays a crucial role in strengthening thyroid.
• Cayenne is a good body cleanser so it proves beneficial for removing all the body toxins from the body.
• Mullein
• Lobelia
• Royal jelly or bee pollen can prove beneficial for body fatigue
• Coleus is another herb which proves beneficial for stimulating thyroid hormone
• Kava – Kava can prove beneficial for treating anxiety and depression
• Avena sativa is a useful herb for depression, decreased energy levels and low libido. This herb is also beneficial for low cholesterol and also for calming the effect of central nervous system.

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Supraventricular Tachycardias

Posted on December, 9 at 7:32 am

Superaventricular tachycardias is the condition in which irregular heart beat is noted due various reasons like high fever, stress, exercise etc. The types of Superventricular tachycardias includes:

• Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
• Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), which includes Wolff – Parkinson – White Syndrome.

Actually when the episode of supraventricular tachycardias occurs, it is an indication that electric system of the heart is not working properly. Which results in rapid heart beat at least 100 heart beat in one single second.

Causes For Supraventricular Tachycardis:
The causes of Supraventricular Tachycardis includes:

• Faulty electrical connections in the heart
• High levels of heart medicine can also result in this condition.
• Sometimes this condition can be genetic which can be transferred from the parents to their off springs.

Symptoms Of Supraventricular Tachycardis:
The symptoms of supraventricular tachycardis includes:

• Pounding pulse
• Palpitations
• Feeling of light headed
• Fainting of the patient can be possible
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the heart
• Sweating
• Tightness in the throat

Steps To Prevent Supraventricular Tachycardis:
The following are the steps required to prevent Supraventricular tachycardis. These are:

• Avoid intake of alcohol in excess amount.
• Try to limit the intake of caffeine. Sometimes even the decaffeinated tea or coffee can result in this condition.
• Avoid smoking this will also prevent this condition from occurring frequently.
• Intake of herbal remedies, diet pills, decongestants in excess amount can result in this condition. So, avoid their intake in excess amount.
• Illegal drugs like cocaine heroine etc. can also result in this condition. So, intake of such drugs must also be avoided.

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Psychogenic Seizures

Posted on December, 8 at 6:44 am

Psychogenic seizures do give an impression of epilepsy but are due to the same reason that is why they are known as nonepileptic seizures. Such seizures are psychogenic which means that begin from the brain. These are caused due to the activity of the subconscious brain.

Psychogenic Noneleptic Seizures:

Psychogenic noneleptic seizures are the attacks which are similar to epilepsy but do not have electric discharges as them. So, they are different from epilepsy. This disorder is considered to be a conversion disorder which is generated due to some psychological disturbance in the brain.

Causes For Psychogenic Noneleptic Seizures:
The causes for psychogenic noneleptic seizures includes:

• Somatoform disorder
• Factitious disorder
• Malingering
• Some trauma of the past can also result in the development of this condition.

Risk Factors Associated With Psychogenic Noneleptic Seizures:
The risk factors which are associated with the condition of psychogenic noneleptic seizures are:

• The patient suffering from this condition have a history of multiple vague, they might suffer from a major depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder.
• These patients might have some abnormal personality traits or personality disorder which is full blown.
• These disorders can be related to some trauma that had taken place in the childhood like child abuse, attempt to rape etc. The condition of psychogenic seizures usually is the representation of the suppressed trauma in the brain.
• In adverse case this condition can result in false memory syndrome. So, this condition must be handled carefully.
• Some other conditions like adverse dynamics in family, disability in learning and bullying in adulthood can be result in this condition.

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