Home Remedies for Weakness

General weakness or feeling lethargic is a common problem faced by many. Weakness can be defined as “lack of physical or muscle strength and the feeling that extra effort is needed to perform daily activities”.

Weakness may leave you without energy to carry out day-to-day activities, drowsy or tired, sluggish, and uninterested.You can feel weak due to lack of essential nutrients, not getting enough sleep, a weak immune system, skipping meals, emotional stress, and too much physical labor.

To feel energetic and refreshed in life, you must exercise daily for at least 30 minutes, maintain your ideal body weight, follow a good diet, sleep properly, drink water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated.

Many simple home remedies also can give you a boost of energy and restore your strength.

Here are  top  home remedies for weakness.

1. Bananas

Bananas are a great source of natural sugars like sucrose, fructose, and glucose that can give you a quick and substantial energy boost. Plus, bananas have potassium, a mineral your body needs to convert sugar into energy. The fiber in bananas also helps maintain the glucose level in your blood.

Whenever you feel weak, eat one or two bananas. You can also try a banana shake or smoothie.To help strengthen your body and keep from feeling weak, eat a ripe banana with one tablespoon of honey twice daily.

2. Almonds

-Almonds are packed with vitamin E that can help you feel energetic and fight the symptoms of general weakness. Also, the high dose of magnesium in almonds plays a role in changing protein, fat, and carbohydrates into energy sources. A mild deficiency of magnesium may be the cause of weakness in some people.

-Soak two almonds in water overnight. In the morning,  eat the almonds.

-Also, carry roasted almonds with you and whenever you feel fatigue or weak, eat some to get instant energy.

3. Milk

Milk is considered the best source of vital B vitamins that are believed to reduce weakness. Also, it is a good source of calcium that keeps your bones and muscles strong.

-Whenever you have weakness, drink a cup of warm milk with one teaspoon of honey mixed in it.

-You can also boil two to three figs in one cup of milk. Eat the boiled figs and drink the milk to gain strength.

-Alternatively, add one teaspoon of clarified butter to a glass of warm milk. Drink it twice daily to cure weakness caused by excessive loss of blood.

4. Indian Gooseberry

Also known as amla, Indian gooseberry is a highly nutritious fruit that can improve your energy level. It is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, protein, irons, carbohydrates, and phosphorous. Simply eating one Indian gooseberry daily can strengthen a weak immune system.

-Deseed a few Indian gooseberries and put them in a juicer to extract fresh juice.Mix two tablespoons of the juice with an equal amount of honey.Drink it two or three times a day for a week.

5. Mangos

Mangos are a sweet and juicy fruit that contains a good amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that assure optimum health. They are also an excellent source of dietary fiber, potassium

, magnesium and copper.

Plus, the iron present in mangos can help combat anemia by increasing the red blood cell count in the body. Moreover, mangos contain starch, which transforms into sugar that provides instant energy.

-Drinking a glass of mango milkshake will accelerate the process of generating energy during times when you feel weak.

6. Strawberries

Strawberries are a low-calorie addition to a healthy diet that can keep you energetic throughout the day. They are packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps repair the body’s tissues, boosts immunity, and wards off free radical damage. Also, you get a healthy dose of manganese, fiber and water from strawberries.

-Drink half a glass of fresh strawberry juice whenever you feel weak.

You can also eat them plain or mix them with other fruits to make a low-calorie, high-fiber fruit salad.\

7. Eggs

One of the most important ways to fight weakness is to eat a well-balanced diet. Eggs are loaded with nutrients such as protein, iron, vitamin A, folic acid, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid.

Eat one egg daily to start feeling better in no time. You may eat a hard boiled egg, an omelet with cheese or green vegetables, or an egg sandwich.

8. Coffee

The caffeine present in coffee perks up the brain and gives you an instant boost of energy. There’s no harm in drinking coffee as long as you drink it in moderation.

In addition to making you feel energetic, it can improve your metabolism rate, increase endurance, improve focus and reduce pain. Don’t drink more than two cups of coffee a day. More than that can increase your risk of anxiety and insomnia.

If you still feel tired most of the time even after trying these remedies, make an appointment to see your doctor to determine the exact cause and get it treated properly.

Getting Children to Listen the First Time

When children do not seem to pay attention or listen to what you are saying, you may find yourself repeating everything you ask, often raising your voice with each repetition.

 Instead, the first time that you calmly make your request, make sure that your child has direct eye contact with you. Then, ask him to repeat what you said so that you know he understood. 

Sometimes, this will prevent the familiar cycle of repeating yourself!

Burns and Scalds

A burn is an injury to the skin from something hot – a heater, oven, hot iron or saucepan.

Scalds are the most common burn among children. They’re caused by hot liquids, hot drink or boiling water in a kettle

First steps when a burn happens

-If your child gets a burn or scald, first make sure the area is safe and there is no risk of further injury to your child or yourself.

- Take your child to a safe place if possible. If the burn or scald is over your child’s clothing, remove the clothing immediately, if it isn’t stuck to the burn

  First aid treatment

-Treat the burn under running water; cool the burn, not the child; cover with a loose, non-stick dressing.

-Treat the burn under running water for 10-20min minutes. Do this straight away. This treatment is still useful up to three hours after the burn.

-Cool the burn, not the child. If the burn is large, stop cooling it after 20 minutes. This is because hypothermia can happen quickly in children. Cover the burn with a loose, light, non-sticky dressing such as plastic wrap or a clean, wet cloth. Raise burned limbs. 

When to get medical attention

 -visit a doctor for burns to face, airway, hands or genitals; go to hospital for large or severe burns.

-Don’t apply ice, iced water, lotions, moisturisers, oil, ointments, creams or powders to the burn. -Butter or flour can make the damage worse.

- Go to a doctor or hospital if the burn is the size of a 20-cent piece or larger, or if it’s deep, raw, angry or blistered.

- Also go if the pain persists or is severe, or you’re not sure how bad the burn is.

Sunburn and Dehydration!

Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're outdoors.

Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened.

Cover up. Clothing that covers your child's skin helps protect against UV rays. Although a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best, they aren't always practical.

Get a hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection.

Wear sunglasses. They protect your child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don't forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet.

DEHYDRATION

With the hot days of summer, learn to protect your child against the dangers of dehydration and heat illness. Things that put you child at risk for dehydration are: prolonged exposure to high temperatures, direct sun, and high humidity, without sufficient rest and fluids.

What signs of dehydration should we watch for?

Early signs of dehydration include fatigue, thirst, dry lips and tongue, lack of energy, and feeling overheated. But if kids wait to drink until they feel thirsty, they're already dehydrated. Thirst doesn't really kick in until a child has lost 2% of his or her body weight as sweat.

Untreated dehydration can lead to three worse types of heat illness:

Heat cramps: Painful cramps of the abdominal muscles, arms, or legs.

Heat exhaustion: Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, weakness, muscle pain, and sometimes unconsciousness.

Heat stroke: A temperature of 104 or higher and severe symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, seizures, disorientation or delirium, lack of sweating, shortness of breath, unconsciousness, and coma.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 5 oz. of cold tap water or a sport drink for a child weighing 88 pounds.

One ounce is about two kid-size gulps.

Nosebleed (epistaxis)?

 Simple first aid to stop the bleeding.

• Sit up with your head bent forward.
• Using your thumb and index finger, pinch the nostril for at least 8-10 minutes.
• Breath through your mouth.
• Ice wrapped in a towel or plastic bag can be applied to the nose, while it is being pinched, to help stop the bleeding.
•  Don't blow your nose for at least 12-24 hours because that can dislodge the blood clot
• It is also important to remain quiet and not talk excessively, which could cause you to inhale blood
• Once the nosebleed has stopped, do not pick the nose or try to blow out any of the blood remaining in the nostrils. This may cause another nosebleed.
• Do not stuff anything into the nostril

Prevention of nose bleeds

1.     Staying well hydrated, drinking plenty of water.

2.     Nasal saline sprays are also helpful.

3.     Absorbent cotton or gauze to coat the interior of the nostrils with a gel or petroleum jelly

4.     Avoid forceful nose blowing.

5.     To control nose-picking in children, keep their fingernails cut short.

VACCINE/IMMUNITY

As a parent everyone must have heard the word Immunity /Vaccine?

But what is it ?

What is immunity ?

Immunity Protects us From Disease.

Immunity is the body’s way of preventing disease.  Children are born with an immune system composed of cells, glands, organs, and fluids located throughout the body. The immune system recognizes germs that enter the body as "foreign invaders” (called antigens) and produces proteins called antibodies to fight them.

The first time a child is infected with a specific antigen (say measles virus), the immune system produces antibodies designed to fight it. This takes time. usually the immune system can’t work fast enough to prevent the antigen from causing disease, so the child still gets sick.  However, the immune system “remembers” that antigen. If it ever enters the body again, even after many years, the immune system can produce antibodies fast enough to keep it from causing disease a second time. This protection is called immunity.

What is vaccine?

Vaccines contain the same antigens that cause diseases. For example, measles vaccine contains measles virus. But the antigens in vaccines are either killed, or weakened to the point that they don’t cause disease. However, they are strong enough to make the immune system produce antibodies that lead to immunity. In other words, a vaccine is a safer substitute for a child’s first exposure to a disease. The child gets protection without having to get sick. Through vaccination, children can develop immunity without suffering from the actual diseases that vaccines prevent.

Simply put, vaccines save lives!

You have the power to protect your baby!

As a parent, you work hard to protect your baby, and vaccines are a valuable tool in your ongoing efforts to keep your child healthy and safe. Vaccines offer the best-known protection against a number of devastating illnesses, but they must be administered on a timely basis in order to protect your children at the earliest possible opportunity; protecting them when they are most vulnerable.

Here are the 14 diseases that can be prevented with routine childhood vaccination:

Diphtheria

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hib ((Haemophilus influenza B)

Influenza (flu)

Measles

Mumps

Pertussis (Whooping cough)

Pneumococcal Disease

Polio

Rotavirus

Rubella

Tetanus

Varicella (chickenpox)

Maximum diseases are covered under the National immunisation programme of all countries but vaccines for the following diseases are optional and you can discuss with your doctor to protect your child from them

Hepatitis A

·         Caused by Hepatitis A virus

·         Spreads by Personal contact, Contaminated food or water

·         Signs &symptoms- Fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine. 

·         Complications - Liver failure, death   
    From 1 yrs onwards   ,2 intramuscular shots second dose  within 6 to 18mnths.     

Influenza (flu)
·         caused by Influenza virus
·         Spread by Air, direct contact                   
·         Signs & symptoms Fever, muscle pain, running nose, cough
·         Complications Pneumonia,Reyesyndrome,myocarditis, death
 Recommended for high risk children with asthama and chronic lung infection,
  Every flu season when ever vaccine becomes available , intramuscular or nasal spray,2 shots ,second dose 28 days after the first dose

Rotavirus
§  caused by Rotavirus virus
§  Spread by Through the mouth
§  Signs &symptom  Diarrhoea, fever, vomiting   
§  Complications Severe diarrhoea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, kidney and liver disease, death.

From 2mnth onwards ,oral drops given in 3 doses at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.

Varicella (chickenpox) 

•  caused by  Varicella Zoster virus
•  Spread by Air, direct contact
• Signs &symptom Rash, fever
•  Complications Bacterial infections, meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, death. 
•     From 1 yr onwards,2 shots , subcutaneous ,second dose after 3 mnths of first dose in less than 12 yrs and within 1mnth in children  more than 12 yrs .

     HPV (Human Papilloma virus)

•          Certain human papillomavirus (HPV) types cause cancer, including: cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal (base of the tongue, tonsils and back of throat) cancers.
•          Spread by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity with another person. It is possible to have HPV without knowing it, so it is possible to unknowingly spread HPV to another person.
•          HPV vaccine is a strong weapon in prevention.
•         Doctors  recommends that all 11 or 12 year old girls get the 3 doses (shots)  of HPV vaccine at 0,2 and 6 mths interval  to protect against cervical cancer.

  

WEANING -   Introducing solids to your baby

Introducing solids is important for helping your baby learn to eat, giving him experience of new tastes and textures from a range of foods, developing his teeth and jaws, and building other skills that he’ll need later for language development.

  Solids don’t replace breastfeeding or infant formula. Your baby needs breast milk and/or infant formula along with solids until at least 12 months.

When your baby needs them?

Signs your baby is ready for solids include when your baby

•   Has good head and neck control and can sit upright when supported 
•  Shows an interest in food – for example, looking at what’s on your plate
•   Reaches out for your food  
•    Opens his/her mouth when you offer her food on a spoon.
•  These signs happen at different times for different babies, but most babies    will show signs by around four to six months.
• When you’re first introducing  solids, it’s a good idea to offer solids when you and your baby are both happy  and relaxed. 

How to introduce solids?

Food texture- First foods can be mashed, smoothed, pureed or offered in soft pieces – it’s up to you.

Food types- All new foods are exciting for your baby.You can introduce solids in any order. 

There’s no need to introduce just one food at a time. But if you’re worried about a family history of food allergies, then you can introduce one new food at a time, wait 5 days - then introduce another to make sure you can be aware of any food allergies that come about .This can help with identifying allergic reactions. High allergenic foods include: eggs, wheat, gluten, soya, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, seeds etc.

When to introduce?  

    4-6mnths 

•   Breakfast and bedtime should be breast milk or formula milk.
•       Try new food at midmornings and mid-afternoons as this time your baby   is in his best moods both happy and relaxed
•   Start with mashed fruits, daal water, smooth silky watery rice porridge .
•   Start with 1 or 2 tablespoon and gradually increase the quantity.

What to introduce?

  

1.Fruits

•  Mashed bananas: Bananas should be mashed, and then given plain or mixed with cream or milk. Start with quarter banana, and increase it every week until the baby accepts it.
• Boiled and mashed apples: Take an apple and cut it into pieces, taking care to remove the center core.  Boil it and then mash it either with a spoon or in a mixer.  Start with half an apple and increase it to the limit accepted by the child. 
•   Other seasonal fruits: Other seasonal fruits like pears (to be prepared like apples), chikoo (simply mashed), papaya (simply mashed), and mango (simply mashed) can also be given. It has been observed that papaya helps soften stools if the baby is constipated.

2.Mashed and well-cooked vegetables:

·         Vegetables should first be boiled, then mashed in a blender.

·         Carrots ,peas and pumpkin are very healthy.

·         Until your baby is seven month stain your vegetable puree as too much fibre can cause bloating in infants less than seven month.

3.Porridge:

There are several ways of offering home-made porridge:

-Oats porridge ,soak oats and boil it with milk .

-Suji kheer (rava kheer) roast semolina add milk cook till done.

-Rice kheer (rice porridge) boil rice with milk and cook till done.

-Dalia from broken wheat-soak and boil dalia add water or milk as u like.

-Raagi (or nachni) with milk

 4.Mashed and well-cooked khichri ( daal and rice)

•  Take equal quantity of rice and masoor or moong daal ,coarse grind and     store in a jar. (easy for your daily  use)
• Heat 1/4teaspoon ghee, roast this  mix , add water and cook till soft
•  Vegetables like carrot,beans,peas ,potato etc  can be added, avoid adding too much salt .
•  Initially, you should put the cooked khichri in a blender so that it is easy for the baby to swallow.

5. Curds/yogurt:

  When the child is about 6 months old, curds can be introduced in the child's diet.  Start with about 2 teaspoons and then gradually increase. Avoid adding sugar or other sweeteners to the curds.

6.Soft boiled egg:

Egg can be added to the baby's diet when the child is about 6-7 months.  The egg should be boiled in water for three minutes, and then cooled in running water.  First begin with one teaspoon of the yolk (yellow portion), and then gradually introduce the white portion of the egg.  The white is very high in proteins, but can also cause allergic reactions in some babies.

7.Fish, minced meat/chicken

In the case of non-vegetarians, these foods can also be introduced, in the soup form initially.  It can later be steamed, minced and offered to the child.

Plan your Childs meal:

Breakfast         - 8am

Mid-morning     -11am

Lunch              - 2pm

Mid-afternoon   -5pm

Dinner             -8pm

Bedtime          -10pm

Example of vegetarian food plan

Vegetarian meal plan: six to eight months

Breakfast - breast or formula milk

mid morning - breast or formula milk or stewed apple

lunch - mashed rice mixed with breast or formula milk

mid afternoon - breast or formula milk

dinner - breast or formula milk

bedtime - breast or formula milk

Vegetarian meal plan: eight to ten months

Breakfast - breast or formula milk

mid morning - mashed banana

lunch - mashed khichdi with carrots (gajar) and pumpkin (kaddu)

mid afternoon - breast or formula milk

dinner - mashed vegetable soup with potatoes

bedtime - breast or formula milk

Vegetarian meal plan: ten  to 12 months

Breakfast - breast or formula milk

mid morning - stewed pear

lunch - mashed khichdi with vegetables and fruit or mashed idli with curd and vegetables

mid afternoon - breast or formula milk

dinner - mashed vegetable soup with potatoes or mashed khichdi with vegetables and fruit

bedtime - breast or formula milk

(Gradually increase portion sizes).