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Home Remedies for Puffy Eyes
Do you wake up looking as if you cried all night?
Are your eyes so swollen when you come home from
work that your significant other thinks you spent
the day at the pub instead? Swollen, red eyes can
make life miserable, not to mention cause others to
misinterpret your lifestyle. A little insight,
however, can help determine the cause of marshmallow
eyes, and the home remedies outlined in this article
make them very simple to treat.
Reducing Swelling
A diet dominated by salty foods or allergies and
chronic sinusitis are two common reasons for eye
puffiness. Often, what you can't see can bother you.
Irritants and chemicals found in makeup, perfumes,
and detergents can have inflammatory effects on
eyes. And eyes definitely don't take kindly to
today's computer-focused workplace; they rebel with
redness.
Puffy eyes are only a temporary problem for most
people. Many cases can be cured by simple home
remedies and/or by eliminating substances that may
cause swelling. Some helpful tips are available in
the next section.
Home Remedy Treatments for Puffy Eyes
The home remedies found below, are easy to locate
and will relieve you from some of the discomfort
caused by puffy eyes.
From the Home Remedies Cupboard
Tea. Green tea or black? Both work well to
soothe puffy, irritated eyes. The difference? Not
much. Caffeinated teas help constrict blood vessels
and reduce swelling, while herbal teas (especially
chamomile) contain anti-irritants that soothe
redness and inflammation. Steep 2 bags of your
choice of tea in hot water for three to five
minutes. Let cool until the bags are comfortably
warm to the touch. Lie down, close your eyes, and
place a tea bag over each eye; then cover with a
soft cloth. During hot months, put the cooked tea
bags in the refrigerator and apply to eyes when
needed for a refreshing, eye-opening experience.
From the Home Remedies Drawer
Spoons. Teaspoon-size spoons are just the
right utensils for temporarily helping your eyes
reduce to normal proportions. Place 4 or 6 spoons in
the refrigerator. When you need to deflate those
eyeballs, lie down, close your eyes, and place one
spoon (curved side down) on each eye. As the spoon
warms, replace it with a cold one from the fridge.
From the Home Remedies Refrigerator
Cucumbers. From the vegetable bin comes the
well-known cucumber remedy. Cucumbers aren't only
deliciously cool and soothing to the touch, but
their astringent properties cause blood vessels to
constrict. Lean your head back, rest a slice on each
closed eye, and relax for five to ten minutes while
the cukes cure your puffiness.
Egg whites. Call this kitchen cure a souffle
for the face. Whip up 1 or 2 egg whites until stiff,
and apply with a brush or soft cloth underneath your
eyes. The skin will feel tighter and look less like
puff pastry.
Potato. The common potato also pampers puffy
eyes. Tubers are tried and true in European folk
medicine as a means to soothe painful joints,
headaches, and other inflammatory conditions. Potato
starch acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to ease
irritated eyes. Start by pretending you're making
hash browns. Peel one potato, then wash and dry it.
Grate the potato as fine as possible, then instead
of frying it up with butter, place the pulp in a
clean cloth and fold to make a poultice. Place the
poultice on your eyelids for 15 minutes.
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With thanks from: How Stuff Works.com
Benefits of Fasting in Ramadhan
Ramadan is
a period of fasting, reflection, devotion,
generosity and sacrifice observed by Muslims around
the world. While major holidays of other faiths have
largely become commercialized events, Ramadan
retains its intense spiritual meaning.
The word
"Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for
"parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is
expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those
who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other
holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by
nature a time of sacrifice.
Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and
thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who
have little to eat every day.
Through
increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their
Creator, and recognize that everything we have in
this life is a blessing from Him.
Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings
of generosity and good-will toward others. The
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, "A
man's wealth is never diminished by charity."
Through
self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good
speech, and good habits.
Through
changing routines, Muslims have a chance to
establish more healthy lifestyle habits --
particularly with regards to diet and smoking.
Through
family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen
the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their
own communities and throughout the world.
...read full article by clicking below link
With thanks from: Islam.About.com |
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common
condition that will catch up with most people who
live into older age. Blood pressure is the force of
blood pressing against the walls of your arteries.
When it's too high, it raises the heart's workload
and can cause serious damage to the arteries. Over
time, uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the
risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Hypertension Symptoms
High blood pressure is sometimes called a silent
killer because it may have no outward symptoms for
years. In fact, one in five people with the
condition don't know they have it. Internally, it
can quietly damage the heart, lungs, blood vessels,
brain, and kidneys if left untreated. It's a major
risk factor for strokes and heart attacks in the
U.S.
What Causes Hypertension?
Normal blood pressure readings will fall below
120/80, while higher results over time can indicate
hypertension. In most cases, the underlying cause of
hypertension is unknown. The top number (systolic)
shows the pressure when your heart beats. The lower
number (diastolic) measures pressure at rest between
heartbeats, when the heart refills with blood.
Occasionally, kidney or adrenal gland disease can
lead to hypertension
Prehypertension: A Warning Sign
Almost one-quarter of Americans have prehypertension.
Their blood pressure is consistently just above the
normal level -- falling anywhere between 120 and 139
for systolic pressure or 80 to 89 for the diastolic
pressure. People in this range have twice the risk
of developing heart disease than those with a lower
reading. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes
to help lower your blood pressure.
The Hypertension Danger Zone
You have high blood pressure if readings
average140/90 or higher -- for either number --
though you may still have no symptoms. At 180/110
and higher, you may be having a hypertensive crisis.
Rest for a few minutes and take your blood pressure
again. If it is still very high, call 911. A
hypertensive crisis can lead to a stroke, heart
attack, kidney damage, or loss of consciousness.
Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis can include a
severe headache, anxiety, nosebleeds, and feeling
short of breath.
Who Gets High Blood Pressure?
Up to the age of 45, more men have high blood
pressure than women. It becomes more common for both
men and women as they age, and more women have
hypertension by the time they reach 65. You have a
greater risk if a close family member has high blood
pressure or if you are diabetic. About 60% of people
with diabetes have high blood pressure.
Hypertension and Race
African-Americans are more likely to develop
hypertension -- and to develop it at a younger age.
Genetic research suggests that African-Americans
seem to be more sensitive to salt. In people who
have a gene that makes them salt-sensitive, just a
half-teaspoon of salt can raise blood pressure by 5
mm Hg. Diet and excessive weight can play a role, as
well.
Hypertension and Sodium
Sodium, a major component of salt, can raise blood
pressure by causing the body to retain fluid, which
leads to a greater burden on the heart. The American
Heart Association recommends eating less than 1,500
milligrams of sodium per day. You'll need to check
food labels and menus carefully. Processed foods
contribute up to 75% of our sodium intake. Canned
soups and lunch meats are prime suspects.
Hypertension and Stress
Stress can make your blood pressure spike, but
there's no evidence that it causes high blood
pressure as an ongoing condition. However, stress
may affect risk factors for heart disease, so it may
have an indirect connection to hypertension. Stress
may lead to other unhealthy habits, such as a poor
diet, alcohol use, or smoking, which can contribute
to high blood pressure and heart disease.
Hypertension and Weight
Being overweight places a strain on your heart and
increases your risk of high blood pressure. That is
why diets to lower blood pressure are often also
designed to control calories. They typically call
for cutting fatty foods and added sugars, while
increasing fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and
fiber. Even losing 10 pounds can make a difference.
Hypertension and Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood
pressure. Guidelines from the American Heart
Association state that if you drink alcohol, you
should limit the amount to no more than two drinks a
day for men, or one a day for women. They define a
drink as one 12-ounce beer, four ounces of wine, 1.5
ounces of 80-proof spirits, or one ounce of
100-proof spirits.
Hypertension and Caffeine
If caffeine can make you jittery, can it also raise
your blood pressure? It might have a temporary
effect, but studies haven't shown any link between
caffeine and the development of hypertension. You
can safely drink one or two cups a day, according to
the American Heart Association.
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