Hives
Hives or urticaria is red itchy spots that appear on the skin, their bump-like appearance being the reason for the given name. They usually occur when a person develops an allergy to a drug, insect sting or food item. Infections or stress may also lead to the condition due to the release of certain chemicals such as histamine or mast in the body. Histamine is released when the body is in contact with toxins or pollen. This is a common condition that usually occurs in individuals who are more prone to allergies.
Normally hives lasts about one to two days and in this duration it may change rapidly in size and location by the hour. It may appear to have completed receded, only to quickly reappear in another spot. Hives may be accompanied by a deeper swelling known as angioedema and may also appear in mucous membranes, the eyes and lips.
Chronic urticaria lasts about six weeks and in about 80% of the cases cannot be traced to any allergic reaction. Urticaria may cause difficulty in breathing and shock but this occurs only in rare cases and hives hardly leads to life threatening situations. Hives affects 15 to 20% of the population at some time in the course of their lives. Acute hives in children may be caused due to a viral infection.
Stress hives
It is said that having hives may lead to stress, but stress does not lead to hives. However some studies show that emotional stress may cause hives, as do extreme hot or cold weather conditions. Chronic stress and tension may cause hives, so it is important to find ways to relax and take some time off your normal routine. Stress affects the immune system and may indirectly lead to hives especially when it persists for a long period of time. Stress is known to affect the hormonal balance and the body chemistry leading to hives.
Hives usually recedes by itself without any serious implications. In severe conditions, drugs or injections may be prescribed. Only in rare cases where a swelling blocks the airway and prevents the person from breathing properly, would it be described as an emergency.
Plethysmography
Plethysmography is a diagnostic tool that is used to measure flow or pressure. Body plethysmography test involves sitting inside an airtight box and breathing to a particular volume. Blood pressure cuffs are placed around your arm and leg. The patient undergoing plethysmography test must remove clothing on arm and leg and refrain from smoking at least half hour prior to the test. The consequent expansion and decompression of the chest volume allows physicians to rule out any blockages in the limbs as it measures systolic blood pressure. Any abnormal readings can be indicative of arterial occlusive disease, vascular disease or blood clots or even deep venous thrombosis. This test is also referred to as arterial plethysmography and is a vital pulmonary function test. Plethysmography is often used to determine bronchial reactions to histamine or metacholine. But this test is not as accurate as arteriography.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy comes from the Greek words - homoeo (similar) and pathos (suffering). This system of medicine attempts to stimulate the body to recover itself. Homeopathy seeks to correct 'like with like'. Samuel Hahnemann described this principle by using a Latin phrase Similia Similibus Curentur, which means, "Let likes cure likes." While this system of medicine has been around for about 200 years, it is receiving considerable attention now as a popular form of alternative medicine.
Homeopathic medicines seek to recognize and remove the underlying cause for the symptoms. While conventional medicines try to suppress a symptom such as cough or fever, homeopathy seeks to look for remedies that will cause similar symptoms in a healthy person. Conventional medicine seeks to dry up the mucus, reduce the histamine level and aid in comfortable sleep. Homeopathy medicine will differ for persons suffering for a barking cough or dry cough in the evenings.
Homeopathy medicine
Homeopathic medicines appear to be small white sugar pills. The medicines are usually alcohol-based or can be diluted in water. Most of the homeopathy medicines are derived from vegetable and plant materials. They are prepared in concentrated form and then undergo a process of dilution to a potency that is sufficient as treatment for a particular ailment.
Potentization is a process of diluting the homeopathic medicine in alcohol or lactose so as to make it more palatable. A homeopathy medicine is more effective and powerful as it gets diluted. This is because homeopathy medicine is based on the premise that dilution enhances the curative properties of a substance.
Bibliography / Reference
| 