Bad Breath Remedies and Home Medicine For Halitosis

Bad breath is caused by odor producing bacteria in the mouth. There are certain food products like garlic and onion that are responsible for bad breath. The most common cause of bad breath is bad teeth. If you have dental decay at the roots of the teeth, then it is likely that you will suffer from bad breath.

What causes halitosis or bad breath?

There are a number of causes of bad breath, including:

* Poor oral hygiene * Gum disease (e.g. gum boils, abscesses, spongy gums, gingivitis) * Multiplication of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth and digestive tract * Candidiasis * Chronic sinus infection * Certain medications (especially those that cause dry mouth as a side effect) * Smoking

Possible Symptoms of Bad Breath / Halitosis

The main symptom of bad breath is an odor that usually comes from the far back region of the tongue and grows stronger when the person talks. Bad breath is often accompanied by a foul taste in the mouth. The odor can vary from barely noticeable to overwhelming depending on the cause and proximity to the person.

There are a variety of herbal mixtures for bad breath to help eliminate the problem.

* Drinking plenty of water daily will help to control bad breath. Dehydration will attempt to conserve moisture by reducing the salivary flow, which minimizes the saliva's cleansing effects on bacteria which is a cause of bad breath.

* Clean your tongue with a special tongue scraper in order to remove bacteria.

* Brush your teeth at least twice daily, or after every meal is even more effective.

* Clean your teeth and tongue with baking soda to receive fresh breath. Or rinse the tongue with baking soda that has been dissolved in a little warm water.

* Eat plain yogurt for a six week period, as this can help to eliminate bad breath, as it decreases the levels of offensive compounds produced by bacteria in the mouth by 80%.

* Gargle with a glass of water which has the juice of half a lemon added.

* Brushing your gums and tongue with powdered cloves is another herbal mixture for bad breath.

* If you suffer from bad breath, then try to avoid foods such as: blue cheese, salami, tuna, curry, garlic, onions, anchovies, red meat, milk, coffee and cola.

* A natural deodorizer is parsley, and cardamom seeds help to sweeten the breath.

* Another bad breath reducer is fennel tea. The compounds that are found in the tea can decrease bacteria growth that causes bad breath.

* Cranberries fight offensive-smelling bacteria.

* Eat a green raw Guava in order to fight against bad breath.

* Cloves can be kept under the molars without chewing in order to keep your breath fresh.

* Alfalfa tablets may help eliminate bad breath.

*Anise Chew anise, cardamom, dill or fennel seeds to help mask odors. Anise, the licorice-flavored seed, kills the bacteria that cause odor.

*Chlorophyll Try liquid or chlorophyll tablets which you can buy at your pharmacy. Chlorophyll has a deodorizing effect and is used in a number of products for that purpose.

In order to prevent bad breath, oral hygiene is essential. Use a good quality mouthwash every day along with brushing. Be sure to rinse with the mouthwash for a minimum of two minutes for maximum effect. It is also advised to change your toothbrush every three months. Always consult your doctor before taking any remedy or supplement on an ongoing basis, particularly if you are pregnant or have other health issues.
By Franchis Adam

Stretch Marks Home Remedies - How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are scars left behind when skin is overstretched, and fibers in the middle layer (dermis) have broken. They most often occur during pregnancy, bodybuilding, extreme weight gain, occasionally puberty and are usually found on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, legs, and upper arms. Fresh stretch marks appear initially as red lines and then slowly fade to a pale white color over the course of several months. While it is possible to reduce and even eliminate the appearance of stretch marks, it is much easier to prevent them.



Stretch marks (striae) -- pink, red or purple streaks on the skin -- may occur where skin is rapidly stretched. Stretch marks are most often associated with rapid weight gain and pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are very few effective treatments for stretch marks. The actual cause of stretch marks has not yet been determined so far. A reduction in collagen level in the skin affects the structure of the skin and may lead to occurrence of stretch marks. The pink color that shows in the initial stages points to rupturing of the small blood vessels in the outer layers of your skin.

Before you contemplate splurging your hard-earned cash on the latest, most expensive creams or the newest advances in surgical procedures, there are some easy and helpful ways you can do in the comfort of your own home to treat stretch marks.

If your stretch marks are not too faded or are relatively new, try using a loofah or body brush while bathing or showering and gently scrub the affected areas. Doing so would loosen and remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the stretch marks, leaving the new skin in your natural color beneath it.

There are also countless oils and creams available over the counter which you could try. In some cases, these could help reduce the severity of your stretch marks. Remember though, that if you are expecting, it would be wise to ask your physician prior to starting the use of any oils and creams to get rid of stretch marks.

Prescription creams are also available for the treatment of stretch marks. These may be very successful on mild stretch marks and may improve the appearance of deeper stretch marks as well. Retin-A cream is commonly used to reduce the redness in new stretch marks and may help prevent prominent scarring. However, Retin-A can only be used on newer stretch marks that are still red or pink, typically less than one year old.

You may also opt to see your dermatologist to get an appropriate prescription cream such as Retin-A. A significant decrease in the size of stretch marks has been observed in patients who have participated in Retin-A studies.

However, Retin-A should not be used to get rid of stretch marks by pregnant or lactating women, as there have not been a sufficient number of studies done to prove it could not adversely affect an unborn child.

Laser surgery is by far the most definitive and permanent means of to get rid of stretch marks. Keep in mind that the type of laser to be used would largely depend on the coloration of your stretch marks.

There are certain expensive and difficult surgeries that will help to reduce the look of stretch marks. If they bother you that bad, then see a doctor about getting a microdermobrasion surgery to remove the marks. Laser surgery is also an effective way to fight the awful looking things. These are extreme measures only for those who are serious about getting rid of skin problems.

Generally, you should want to do something about your stretch marks because you want to and not because someone is pressuring you. If a lover or loved one is forcing you to do something about it, then consider a relationship change. It will be easier to get rid of that bum than it will be to get rid of the stretch marks.

At-Home Options

Many skin care experts say that keeping the skin soft and supple, not to mention well hydrated, can help ward off stretch marks, so be sure to drink lots of water (which is good for your skin in general). If you already have stretch marks and would like a way to cover them up, then you can use regular body makeup or you can buy specially formulated creams that work to remove stretch marks but are also tinted to help make them less visible.
By Franchis Adam

A Guide to Treatment and Relief of Constipation

Constipation - we all know the feeling. Most people suffer from constipation at least once in their lifetime. Constipation is not a disease, rather, it's is a series of symptoms that can be caused by any number of things, from poor diet, lack of exercise, a side effect of medications, a side effect of a more serious illness or disease, and major changes in your life. People can suffer from constipation from infancy and throughout their lives.

The most important thing to know is if you are actually suffering from constipation or if it is actually your body's natural schedule. Each body works on it's own schedule. Being aware of your body's schedule will enable you to determine if you are suffering from the symptoms of constipation and if you should treat these symptoms.

Commercials for laxatives would have you believe that everyone needs to have a bowel movement at least once a day. This is not always the case. Some people need to have a bowel movement more often - they naturally defecate 2-3 times per day. Some people naturally defecate once per day - while still others may only need to defecate 2-3 times per week. There is no set precedence. Each individual body functions according to it's own timetable.

So, when should you worry about constipation? Most physicians diagnose constipation if the following criteria are present: Less than 3 bowel movements in a week (less that 1 for more serious cases), extreme difficulty passing feces, feces that is dry, hard, and small, and bloating or discomfort in the abdomen. Once you have been diagnosed with constipation, you should develop a plan to decrease the episodes of constipation as naturally as possible. While constipation is not in itself a serious ailment, the failure to treat it could lead to more serious illnesses.



Constipation Treatment

There are many constipation treatments available - from medications to natural treatments. In severe cases, your physician may recommend the use of laxatives for constipation relief. But in most cases, the physician will want you to relieve the constipation with natural treatments.

While laxatives may sometimes be a necessary constipation treatment, you will only want to rely on laxatives for short-term
relief. Overuse of laxatives can cause your digestive system to become dependent on the laxatives and can disrupt the normal digestive cycle - this could lead to a more serious bout of constipation.

The best constipation treatment is one that consists of a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. A healthy diet and exercise are essential for your overall health - and in turn, a healthy digestive system is essential for your overall health.

A healthy diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that are rich in fiber, and foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. You should limit your intake of foods that may trigger constipation - such as dairy products, foods that may cause gas, and foods that are high in protein. Some protein is necessary, of course, but foods like red meats, which have high protein content, can do more damage to your digestive system than good.

You should also try to avoid stress whenever possible. Stress and other life-changing events can contribute to the onset of constipation. Should you find that you are actually suffering from constipation, you should seek natural constipation relief whenever possible. There are many natural constipation treatments.

Many of these can be used daily in order to prevent constipation - and many can be used to provide constipation relief after the symptoms begin. Infants often suffer from constipation, as their bodies need to adjust to changes more rapidly than adults. A great remedy for constipation relief in infants is adding corn syrup to the formula. Corn syrup can also be added to warm water or warm milk for older children and adults.

It is very important for your overall health to be aware of your body's natural digestive cycle and to do things that will help your body to perform this cycle naturally. Living a healthy lifestyle is the best thing that you can do for your body.

Dr John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health. If you are looking for more information, read about Constipation Relief at http://www.ayurvediccure.com/constipation-treatment.htm. AyurvedicCure.com is the World's Largest Alternative Health Portal. Also participate in Health Questions Q&A where you can Ask, Answer and Earn Money! Also visit the exclusive Baby Care Guide section.


About the Author
Dr John anne

Symptoms of Diabetes - How to Recognize Early Symptoms

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body fails to produce insulin or produces insulin, but does not use it properly. Insulin is a naturally produced hormone that converts sugar and starches into energy. The cause of diabetes is not known - but there are factors that are known to contribute to the onset of diabetes. These factors include genetics, obesity, lack of exercise, and other environmental factors.

There is no cure for diabetes, but the disease can be managed with a healthy lifestyle and, in some cases, injection of the insulin that your body does not produce.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Sometimes diabetes may be hard to diagnose because the symptoms themselves are not serious and sometimes are ignored.

Some of the most common symptoms of diabetes are:

Increased urination - if insulin is not being produced or used properly, this causes the sugars from the food that you intake to build up in your blood. You kidneys (kidneys filter the blood and remove sugars) are forced to work harder than normal and sometimes can't keep up. This causes you to urinate more often, which can cause dehydration.

Increased thirst - dehydration caused by your kidneys not being able to filter the amounts of sugar from you blood properly causes you to feel extremely thirsty.

Unexplained weight loss - if your body is not absorbing and using the sugars that you consume and the sugars are leaving your body through more frequent urination, your body is being denied calories that help you to maintain a healthy weight.

Hunger - losing calories through urination when your body does not absorb the sugars that you consume can cause you to constantly feel hungry.
Fatigue - if your body is not using the sugars that you consume properly, your body is not creating the energy that you need. This can lead to a feeling of extreme tiredness and other symptoms that are often associated with flu - sluggishness, overall feeling of weakness, etc.

Blurred vision - high levels of sugar content in your body that is not being turned into energy causes your body to take the necessary fluids from your tissue. Your body will sometimes take fluids from the lenses of your eyes - causing you to be unable to focus clearly and your vision to become blurred.

Tender gums - your body's ability to fight germs is decreased when you have diabetes. This increases the risks of infections in your mouth (one of the main entrances of germs) and can cause your gums to become red, swollen, and tender. The bones in your mouth that hold your teeth are also at a higher risk of infections causing your teeth to become loose. People with diabetes may also experience sores and pus pockets in the gums.

Slow to heal - high levels of sugar in the blood slow your body's natural healing process and you may have sores that take much longer to heal than is normal.

Infections - the decrease in your body's ability to fight germs can cause you to be more prtions one to infections. Bladder and vaginal infections are a huge concern in women.

Tingling extremities - nerve damage can be caused by the excess of sugar in the blood, resulting in tingling sensations in the hands and feet, loss of sensation in the hands and feet, and sometimes a burning pain in the legs, feet, hands, and arms.

When to Seek Help?

One of the greatest things about your body is the ability to give signals when things are not quite right. Most illnesses are diagnosed using certain medical tests along with comparing the symptoms that you are experiencing. Before treating yourself for any illness or disease, it is important to consult your physician for a proper diagnosis. Treating an illness that you do not have can lead to other, sometimes worse, conditions.

If you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms above, you should visit your physician so that the two of you can determine if you have diabetes. Diabetes is a manageable disease - and you and your physician can devise a course of action so that you can continue to live a normal lifestyle.

As with many diseases, the earlier you begin treatment the higher the chance that the disease can be managed. Even before you begin showing signs of diabetes, you can develop a plan of care for your body's overall health that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Dr John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health. If you are looking for more information, read about Diabetes Symptoms and Diabetes Cure. AyurvedicCure.com is the World's Largest Alternative Health Portal. Also participate in Health Questions Q&A where you can Ask, Answer and Earn Money! A great opportunity to get help from other people for free!


About the Author
Dr John Anne