Wellness expert Roopashree Sharma answers your health queries.
Dear Reader, Health is something we all take for granted. Until, one day, we get a rude wake-up call and find that we can no longer do so.
Are worried about your health?
Do you want to build your immunity?
Are you facing skin or hair issues?
Is your digestive system giving you trouble?
Or is belly fat your problem?
Mail your queries to wellness expert Roopashree Sharma at getahead@rediff.co.in (SUBJECT: Roopashree, can you help?) for her advice.
Hi
I have been having constant cough since many years.
I feel very little phlegm in my throat and, once I spit, I feel relaxed for 1-2 minutes but again phlegm comes.
I got myself checked from many doctors and they are saying that I have an allergy problem.
I have also got tested for TB and my report came negative.
I tried homeopathy but nothing happened.
I tried honey and clove with warm water on an empty stomach but no progress.
In office, I feel much cough but in home very less. Please suggest what I should do.
I have back pain problem also.
Earlier, I had a runny nose but no longer now.
My body is sensitive to weather change and pollution (too much dust). Due to this my nose gets runny but after taking hot tea/soup, I feel comfortable.
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Height: 5'8
Weight: 52 kgs
Body: Slim
Health issue: Constant cough
Name withheld on request.
According to the science of Ayurveda, any living being is a conglomeration of three elements -- Vata (air and ether), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (water and earth).
The Kapha element is responsible for growth processes such as fluid secretions, binding, potency, patience, heaviness, compassion and understanding in an organism.
An imbalance in this element results in excess mucus, allergies (sneezing) and congestion.
I advise you to visit an Ayurveda practitioner to confirm if the Kapha dosha is the root cause of your problems.
Meanwhile, you could try the remedies given below to control your symptoms.
Have 1 tsp onion juice mixed with 1 tsp honey twice a day for a period of one week.
Pranayams are a must for you to strengthen your respiratory system. Start with 10-15 minutes each of Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom every morning.
The objective is to keep your lungs healthy.
Since you are sensitive to weather change, natural tulsi and honey juice made at home (crush a handful of tulsi leaves and mix it with honey).
You can take 2 tsps of this concentrate in the morning and evening for 7-10 days, every time there is seasonal change. If your symptoms are severe, you can take it for an increased number of days.
In case you are working in a closed, air-conditioned environment, wear a scarf to keep your throat warm.
Dear Ma'am,
I am having pain in the lower scapular region, wrist joint, elbow joint since last 10 years after I met an accident.
During treatment, the doctor diagnosed that I have Fibromyalgia (widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues). In two years, he injected steroid four times in the scapula.
Now, the situation is such that I am facing fatigue and extreme pain whole day and it worsens when I have oily food which I avoid mostly.
Any help from your end would be highly appreciated.
Age: 43
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 96 kgs
Health issue: Kidney stone and high blood pressure
Best regards,
Imtiyaz
Considering the severity of your condition, I will request you to visit an Ayurveda practitioner.
They will confirm if the musculoskeletal pains are due to an increase in the Vata element that governs the movement functions of the body such as locomotion, movement, speech, respiration, circulation, etc.
It is also dominant below the umbilicus part of our body.
Gentle oil massages should help with pain relief.
I recommend a glass of haldi milk in the mornings. Try being in water for half hour -- a pool or even a bathtub -- without straining yourself to ease the pain.
Start pranayama. Breathe in with right nostril and breathe out with left nostril for 10 minutes every morning.
Hello Ma’am,
I am Gurpreet aged 43, height 6 feet.
I am suffering from psoriasis (on my skull and beard) for last six years.
My digestion is good.
Please advise me some oil so that I can cure from this disease.
Gurpreet
The reason for this problem could be blood impurities.
Try these remedies for purification and detox:
Neem is the best source for purification as well as external application.
For one week, drink 1 tsp of neem leaves juice (freshly made at home) every morning.
The juice can also be applied on the affected areas.
After 20-30 minutes, have one 1 small shot wheatgrass juice.
After having neem juice for a week, have petha (white pumpkin) juice every morning for 10 days to a month for a complete detox. However, avoid if you have a cold.
With the summer coming up, you can have mint and cucumber flavoured water -- another great remedy for detox -- through the day.
Add almond milk to your diet and avoid sugar consumption.
It is also important to balance your nadis, so practise Anulom Vilom every morning for a minimum of 10 to a maximum 30 minutes.
Dear Roopashree
My hair is okay in winter but in summer I sweat a lot from my head and face and my hair becomes sticky in one day. It looks like I have oiled it.
I have long hair and I can’t wash it every day.
What can I do? Can you help?
Thank you,
Evelyn Salins
You seem to have oily skin type and may have a high Pitta element in your body.
While sweating is natural and a good way for the body to release toxins, these few measures can help regulate it.
But please don’t apply any products that claim to reduce or stop sweating as it will only block your pores and might lead to other severe ailments.
In the summer season, practise five minutes of sheetli pranayam every morning to reduce the heat in the body.
Take a break if you feel cold and start again in a couple of days.
Apply sandalwood (fresh paste made from the stick) on your forehead for 21 days.
Pure sandalwood oil, applied on your temples, will also help you cool off.
Jasmine is another fragrance that eases your senses and gives a sense of cooling. Try jasmine essential oil on your temples or just keep fresh jasmine flowers around you.
You can also try henna application once in 15 days or a month, only on the roots of your hair. It will cool you and help control oil secretion.
Only buy pure natural powder.
Depending on your preference, you can chose to apply on rest of your hair as it will give a bounce to limp locks.
Dear Roopashree,
Greetings.
I frequently get acidity, bloating, indigestion, constipation, despite continuing similar food pattern and timing like…
1. Dosa and egg for breakfast
2. Rice and chapati for lunch
3. Chapati with two spoons of curd rice for dinner
The timing is also regular like 7 am/ 1 noon / 7 to 7.30 pm.
In between, I have perhaps two cups of tea or coffee and plenty of water… at least a glass of 150 ml every half hour.
I do simple workout like walking for 15 minutes and very little body movement like crunches/plank for 5-10 minutes each any time of the day.
My age is 53.
If I take Gaviscon, then it gets alright soon and next day morning is good.
What do you suggest so I can avoid this problem?
Thanks and regards,
Ramesh S
While it is good that you are maintaining a steady time for your diet, I would request you to study more about Viruddhahara (antagonistic foods).
These, on ingestion agitate the bodily humors (fluid substances), thus causing symptoms like bloating, acidity, indigestion, etc.
One such combination in your diet is omlette and dosa, which might not go well together.
You can start consuming these separately, may be on alternate days.
At night, chhaas (buttermilk) is a better option than curd.
Observe if the symptoms increase after any particular meal or tea/coffee and accordingly regulate those as well.
Roopashree Sharma, a qualified yoga trainer and naturopathy enthusiast, is the founder of Atharvanlife.
You can send in your health queries to Roopashree Sharma at getahead@rediff.co.in (SUBJECT: Roopashree, can you help?). Do remember to include your age, height, weight, where you stay, health issues and any other details that will help. If you wish to remain anonymous, please let us know.
Please note: This is an advisory. Please consult your doctor as well. In case of any discomfort, please stop the regime and visit your doctor.
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