7 Simple Ways to Control Food Cravings

Once and for all, you promise to yourself of losing the extra 10 lbs. of weight before Christmas.  You consider this goal achievable within your time frame, but of course with the help of a good diet plan and daily exercise routine. To be in perfect shape especially when the holiday season is coming, is what most women wish for. Who doesn’t want to look their best on Christmas parties, reunion and other holiday activities? But how many times have you promised that to yourself but only to fail? The culprit is food cravings.

It’s been known that when one is trying to lose weight, a sudden desire to indulge in sweets, salty and greasy foods also becomes intense. Not being able to control to these cravings could lead to feeling of guilt and disappointment that may result in giving up on the goal of losing weight.

 Listed below are some tips and tricks on how to control food cravings:

1. Trick your sweet tooth with a spice. Add cinnamon, vanilla or nutmeg to yogurt or steamed low-fat milk. According to study these spices can satisfy the sweet tooth, a sweet flavor minus the calories.
2. Try a peppermint. A really strong craving for sweets can often be subdued by eating a peppermint followed by a few bites of fruit such as an apple or pear or a few sips of fruit juice.
3. Pick a peck of pickles. If you’re about to start your binge-eating episode, open the fridge and grab some pickles. Crunching on a sour pickle helps eliminate the craving for sweets and salty treats. They’re tangy,   salty, crisp, satisfying and almost calorie free.
4. According to study, when a person is low in the mineral chromium, combined with an unhealthy eating habit such as starving your self during the day and overeating at night can generate food cravings. Taking a daily supplement of complete multi-vitamins-mineral   that includes chromium, will help get your nutrients intake back in equilibrium and make food cravings to disappear.  Broccoli, lean meat, whole grain foods, cheese, brewer’s yeast, cereals, black pepper, thyme, mushrooms are good sources of chromium.
5. As soon as you feel the urge of reaching for a bag of chips, create an absorbing activity, such as reading a favorite novel, chat with friends, play online games, listen to your favorite music, take a walk and so on, to entertain your mind. Once you are immersed in a stimulating or playful activity for 10 to 15 minutes your craving is likely to go away.  Most often people crave sugary treats when they are bored. 
6. Give in- occasionally. If craving for a certain food is very hard to control, give in once in a while. Depriving yourself from your cravings for a long time may cause a feeling of anxiety. Thus to prevent from having this negative emotion that may cause you more to crave, doctors suggest to give in once in a while.  If you want to have ice cream plan in advance, taking in consideration how much and how often you will have it. Eat only reasonable, calorie-controlled portions in the middle of a satisfying meal. Don’t store an easy to grab half-gallon in the freezer instead buy just the exact amount of what you want to eat at the same day you plan to have them. This will prevent you from the temptation to overeat. 
7. Don’t starve yourself. This strategy of losing weight will not work, though it gives you quick, temporary results but it will backfire on you. Starving can cause blood sugar to drop which makes you to crave more carbs and to binge later on.

photo credit: morgueFile

Remedies for Dark Circles under the Eyes

I’ve noticed recently that the dark circles under my eyes are getting noticeable. I had to do something. Nobody wants to have dark circles under the eyes. It does not only makes you tired and unhealthy looking but what’s worst, it makes you look older. Luckily, these days with an easy access to the internet, there’s always ready answers to our concerns.

So, what causes dark circles? Medically speaking, dark circles are harmless and not necessarily caused by lack of sleep or illness. Dermatologists and ophthalmologists agreed that the contributing factors are fatigue, allergies, overexposure to sun, menstruation or pregnancy, poor nutrition, daily stress, smoking, alcohol and most often genetics caused by hyperpigmentation. If your parents have them, there's a fair chance that you do too.

Sometimes the engorged blood vessels under your eyes can be mistakenly thought of as dark circles. Because the skin under your eyes is thinner, mostly to a fair-skinned person blood vessels there are more visible and can be perceived as darkened skin.



Below are some remedies that could help lighten or conceal under-eye circles:



Cover them up with a concealer that is especially formulated for under-eye darkness. When you’re wearing a concealer under your foundation, choose a cream concealer that’s a little lighter shade than your skin but when wearing the concealer alone pick a shade same as your skin. Gently dab the concealer with a makeup brush or your pinky finger into the dark areas and very lightly pat the edges to blend it in. Finally, powder lightly to help the concealer stay put.



Try a cold compress. You can use a cold washcloth, chilled spoons or used teabags as your cold compress. Lie down for 10-15 minutes, close your eyes and apply a cold compress to your eyes. During weekends when you’re at home all day you can repeat the procedure several times throughout the day. Cold compress will help constrict your blood vessels and may help lessen tissue swelling thus results in eliminating some of the darkness.


Always use sunscreen especially made for the face with a sun protection (SPF) of at least 15- 20 every day, since sun’s rays is one of the culprits of darkening the skin under your eyes. Wear a hat and sunglasses when going out in the sun.


Brighten up your eyes by using white eyeliner on you lower eyelids. Lighter color makes your eyes look brighter thus diverts attention away from dark circles.



Use an eye cream that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s). It will not only reduce wrinkles but also lighten up the skin. The most common type is glycolic acids (extracts derived from fruit and other plants). Also an eye cream that contains ingredients such as retinol and vitamins K, C, and E are very effective in treating dark circles under the eyes.

However if you are still unhappy about the skin darkness under your eyes, see a dermatologist for a consultation to know if prescription creams, laser therapy, dermal fillers, etc. are suitable for you. These treatments are a bit expensive and some are mildly invasive but may give you a greater satisfaction and long term results. Good luck!

photo credit:

Free Stock Photos.biz

Tips on How to Lose Weight

 
A few years ago, I started to notice that gaining weight seemed easier and losing it was always a great struggle. Even though I had been careful on what I ate and was exercising regularly, my weight kept on climbing. I noted that my diet and exercise routine were not as effective as it used to. I panicked. I thought I had to do something before it’s too late.

Then I learned that as we age, our metabolism slows down due to hormonal imbalances or hidden medical conditions and perhaps from yo-yo and crash dieting. There are also other factors to consider like genetics, muscle loss associated with aging and a sedentary lifestyle. I realized that I had to change my diet plan and decrease my caloric intake to be able to lose weight. Nowadays I eat more fruits and vegetables, cut back on carbs and greasy foods. I also move around more often and add 15 to 30 minutes more to my daily walk. I’m in control of my weight again.

It’s time for us to take care of our body and time to take care of our health. According to a medical study, even 20 percent of excess weight puts our health in higher risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, diabetes and other diseases.



I listed below some tips and tricks that help me shed few pounds here and there. Every little bit helps.

• Exercise is crucial in losing excess weight and in keeping it off. We gain weight when we ingest more calories than we burn and the only way to burn up calories and fat is exercise. A good exercise is when it increases your respiration and heart rate such as running, walking, bicycling, etc. for 30 minutes to 1 hour a day. Choose an exercise that you enjoy the most, like walking, dancing, swimming, etc. You are less likely to give up exercising when you are having fun. Be creative, for example if you are not an early riser take a walk in the evening instead. If working out seems overwhelming at the beginning, exercise 15 to 30 minutes in the morning and 15 to 30 minutes of exercise in the afternoon, do whichever works for you.
  
• Eat slowly, learn to savor and enjoy each bite of your food. Put your fork or spoon down between every bite. Sip water frequently. By eating slowly, it will give your body time to signal your brain that you are full, and to stop eating. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full.
  
• Drink a glass or two glasses of water 10 minutes before meals. The water fills up your stomach and reduces the feeling of hunger, therefore makes you eat less. Water will hydrate the body, making the metabolism speed up, which will aid the body in burning calories and fat. Make water your prime drink.  Stay away from sodas and other sweetened drinks. Eliminating the non-nutritive, sugar-filled, possibly harmful beverages from your diet is a great first step in the right direction of losing weight and improving your health.
  
• Limit your intake of white rice, and white flour, or better yet switch to whole grain breads and brown rice instead.
  
• Put tempting treats in hard to reach spots (like the highest cupboard), or better yet don’t bring junk food into your home, so there will be no temptation to eat unhealthy foods.
  
• Take a nap or a shower when feeling a strong desire for food. Make an activity to divert yourself from reaching for food in the fridge. Make sure you have 8 hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep would dampen your mood and could lead to overeating.
  
• Try to eat 5-6 smaller meals per day, such as breakfast, a lunch, an afternoon snack, a dinner, and an evening snack. Eating smaller meals keeps your metabolic rate high throughout the day because your body is constantly using up energy to digest the food you are eating. Eating smaller meals will also leave you feeling lighter and more energized throughout the day.
  
• Eating several small meals per day may not work for everyone. For me I eat a good breakfast but in a smaller portion, lunch is my biggest meal of the day and dinner is the lightest. Exercise burn up calories, which means that your body will burn up food better while your active, so eat your main meal at middle of the day and eat something light (like salad with fat-free dressing or a small bowl of vegetable soup) for dinner.
  
• Avoid skipping meals or starving yourself because this will put your body into survival mode. Your metabolism will slow down to conserve energy. When your metabolism slows down your body burns a lot less calories.
  
• Don’t deny yourself from the fun of eating out once in a while, but remember to pare your portions. Save half or one-third of the food for take out and make it your lunch the next day.
  
• If you lose control and overeat one day don’t get discouraged, just compensate for it by exercising more the next day to burn the extra calories you consumed. 
• Don’t deprive yourself of some enjoyable treats once in a while, like a cone of ice cream or a small slice of a chocolate cake, but add an extra 30 minutes to your daily walking routine to pay off for the extra calories and eat less on your next meal.
  
• If you can’t avoid a meal that is high in fat especially during an event or a celebration, prevent the harmful effects of a fatty feast by following it up with a bowl of oatmeal. The whole grains help transport cholesterol out of the body. Researchers say the soluble fiber and anti-oxidants in the oats are responsible for their usefulness as a fat taxi.
  
• Brush your teeth right away after every meal. The minty freshness and clean feeling of your mouth will serve as cue to your brain that mealtime is over.
• Have an inspiration, take use of the upcoming Christmas party or a high school reunion to motivate yourself to lose weight. Think about buying an expensive blouse or dress one size smaller than your actual size. Hang it beside your mirror or a place where you can see it every day to serve as an inspiration to lose weight so you can wear it when the event comes. Imagine how trim your body looks and how well the clothing fits you.
• The bottom line is do not wait till the excess weight files up on you. As soon as you notice that you are gaining a few pounds, do something to get rid of it right away, if you don't your putting your health at risk. Remember to eat less and exercise more!

photo credit: Free Stock Photos

Home Remedies for Back Pain

Yesterday, my hubby told me that a good friend and his wife are coming over to our house this week for a visit. We had been to their house two months ago. They were gracious hosts and their home was very welcoming.  I thought I had to do some house cleaning before the visit to make sure our place would feel cozy and inviting to our upcoming guests. I had not thoroughly cleaned the house for a while so it would be good motivation for me to do this chore.

However, I have a tendency to become an obsessive-compulsive person when it comes to cleaning the house. The clean up is not done until I dust all over, like behind the fridge, at the back of entertainment center, couch and so on. Though the guests would not see those areas and they will just stay to visit for probably two hours, overdoing it is unnecessary. However, I don’t feel reassured until the house is squeaky clean so I kept going and going like the energizer bunny. I was so exhausted when I finished and my back hurt badly. I then remember the nursing interventions for back pain I used on my patients during my nursing days. I listed them below. It was time to utilize them on myself and today my back feels much better. I will go to the Blind Massage Clinic at the mall in a little while to have a whole body massage. It’s time to pamper myself!

Simple remedies for mild back pain:

• Soak in a tub with warm water for half an hour if possible.
• Take an over- the - counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help alleviate the pain.
• Ask hubby to give you a back massage with the use of herbal oil or ointment.
• Lie down on firm mattress with a heating pad underneath the painful area.
• Use a small pillow under your head and large pillow under your knees for a most comfortable position.
• Complete bed rest for 24 to 72 hours if possible.

Simple tips to prevent back Pain:

• Strengthen abdominal and back muscles by doing regular exercises such as walking, swimming and bicycling.
• Avoid heavy lifting, if you can't avoid it use proper body mechanics such as bending your knees when picking up the object.
• Push large objects, don’t pull them
• Maintain correct body posture at all times 
• When working in a computer, sit in a firm chair with a supportive back.
• Try not to sit in one position for a long time. Stand up and stretch at least once in every 30 minutes.
• To avoid housework related back pain. Follow these simple tips:

When doing dishes – open the cubbyhole door under the sink and keeping one leg elevated on the ledge.

When ironing – rest one foot on a box or a step stool.

When vacuuming – bend your knees and move your feet slowly rather than jerking them forward and back

See a physician as soon as possible if:

• Back pain is severe or recurring, or if it follows an accident
• The pain radiates into hip or leg  
• Backache is associated with bowel or urinary problems  

Hope these tips help... more next time!

Don’t Ignore Burnout

  

Burnout becomes a way of life for many people nowadays. If you are working on a job that is highly stressful and demanding, or a job that does not fit with your interests  and skills, or are you  trying to reach some unrealistic goals. These are among the common scenarios of impending burnout. But you have no choice the economy is tight, unemployment is on the rise and your skills are limited. Jobs are scarce these days and you can’t afford to be picky. You have a family to support, need to pay bills and bring foods on the table three square meals a day. In other words, you work to live. You can’t just quit your job every time you hit a wall.  

Many of us are worried that the feeling of burnout will strike anytime soon and if it does,  you wonder if you will ever recover from it.  What will you do if you won’t? Burnout is inevitable,  the question is when. Focusing on prevention is a smart thing to do, by learning how to recognize it’s early signs so you can take steps before it becomes your worst nightmare. The earlier the stage of burnout you are in, the easier it will be to find a solution to the situation. Sometimes a simple stress management strategy is all what it takes to solve the problem.

Listen to your body and mind when it’s telling you “I am exhausted and I need a break”.  Most people are stubborn on this, they would say, “I can’t afford to take a break, I have so many bills to pay” so they ignore the warning signs and force themselves to work through it. The end result, your energy reserves has depleted and you feel  extremely exhausted not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.  


After all, some people burnout because they work too long and too hard. The key is to balance life, there should be a time for work and time to relax and have fun. Reward yourself with an enjoyable and relaxing vacation occasionally. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, by eating healthy foods, exercising and sleeping adequately. Get a physical check up to make sure you have no hidden health problem that is causing you to be depressed or makes you extremely exhausted.

On the other side, burnout can sometimes be used as a motivation. Sometimes it’s a signal that there is an exciting new adventure just around the corner waiting for you. Listen to your inner voice and it will tell you what it is. Like for example, when I experienced burnout few years back, I had a long and hard soul searching and self analysis for months. I was desperate and depressed. Then one day an idea came about.  I went back to college and pursued a nursing degree. I was grateful that my husband and my son were always there as my support system. Though college life was not devoid of stress and pressures, the change of atmosphere and the feeling of hope and sense of accomplishment were all worth the journey. If not for my burnout, I would probably still doing the same job as a hotel maid until now. I would have been missing out on the great opportunity!

How to Fight the "I’m Too Tired Blues"

Do you struggle with low levels of energy from time to time, that doing daily house chores seem like a tedious undertaking? Sometimes you want to cook your family a good meal for dinner but you feel so tired that you end up calling for food delivery instead. You know your house needs tidying and you had that plan in your mind to reorganize and pick up the clutter before hubby and the kids come home, but instead you spend most of the day curled up like a ball under the covers. Does this sound familiar? If so, rest assured that you're not alone. According to doctors, fatigue is the most common complaint of adults seeking medical treatment and most of these are women.  


It’s definitely frustrating when we are constantly having an energy crisis. Then the feeling of guilt comes in and we blame ourselves for a lack of motivation to do the things we used to do for the family. Perhaps our body is giving us a hint that something is wrong inside us but oftentimes we ignore the warning and fatigue becomes a way of life. Take in mind that it is not normal to live feeling exhausted week after week though you are getting an adequate amount of rest. We need to be attentive to our parents as well, because older people presume that their fatigue is due to aging, therefore ignores it and will not seek medical care until physical illness becomes obvious.

 How could we reinvigorate our old self again? Why do we feel fatigue? Maybe our lifestyle or psychological problem or an underlying illness can be responsible for feeling fatigue all the time.  If we suspect it’s our lifestyle causing us the feeling of weariness, tiredness or lack of energy then we should assess our daily activities or routines to point out the culprit and to change our way of life. But if you think it’s not your lifestyle that’s making you too tired, then you need to go see a doctor for a more thorough evaluation.

Most common causes of fatigue due to lifestyle:

·         

      Crash diet/ fad diet - a type of diet that aims to produce very rapid weight loss in an extremely short period of time, often around 3-7 days. It is not a healthy way to lose weight because it concentrates on extreme calorie restriction and it deprives our body of proper nutrition. If you are on this type of diet, it will be hard for your body to function normally. It will slow down metabolism and conserve energy by making you slow down. This diet will make you lose weight but only temporarily, later on when you go back to your normal eating routine you will most likely gain the weight back and even more.

If you really want to lose weight the healthy way, why not follow a sensible diet in combination with regular exercise instead. Drink plenty of water throughout the day because dehydration is known to cause fatigue. Start your day right by eating a good breakfast every day that has a component of complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.

·         Lack of exercise or inactivity - according to studies, a workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk will not only improve our physical condition but will also stimulate an overall feeling of well-being. Therefore our body and mind become better able to handle the everyday emotional and physical stresses of life. Meanwhile prolonged inactivity can increased the risk of obesity and loss of muscles strength which makes us feel tired quickly.

·         Excessive physical activity - though exercise is good for our body and energizes our being, sometimes it can be addictive, over exercising can drain our energy reserves. Working long hours without enough rest can zap your energy quickly, so always listen to your body when it’s telling you to take time off.   

·         Lack of sleep – 6-8 hours of sleep every night is enough for most of us to feel well-rested and recharged for the next day. But remember oversleeping is as bad as not having enough sleep as well. Both can make us feel groggy and tired all day. Sometimes there are some instances when getting a good night rest is not possible, such as your job requires you to work late overtime, taking a 30 minute to 1 hour nap might save the day. Taking a nap is also good for older people who are having a hard time getting quality sleep at night. Make sure to take a nap at the same time everyday and should not be more than an hour.

·         Side effect of medications - are you taking a prescription or an over-the-counter medicine? High blood pressure medicines and cough and cold medicines are some of the common medications that can cause drowsiness. Talk to your doctor if you suspect that your medication is the reason of your fatigue so the doctor can adjust the dosage. Never stop taking prescription medication without checking with your doctor first. 

·         Alcohol use or abuse - Alcohol is a depressant. It will calm you down and not step up your energy. It can affect your central nervous system like a sedative, and can cause you to feel tired hours after you had your last drink.

·         Too much caffeine consumption - when we need a good pick me up to start our hectic day, the  first thing comes up in mind is to have a cup of coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant, drinking a moderate amount enhances an individual alertness, both physically and mentally. But over consumption of caffeine will have a rebound effect on our body.  

·      
       Smoking-     cigarette is bad for our overall health. It also inhibits the normal delivery of oxygen to tissues, which results to feeling fatigue.

·       
          Stress - stress is always a part of our everyday living. We might not be able to get away from it but there are many ways how to deal with stress. Learn better ways to relax such as yoga or meditation. When you start feeling stress, stop and take a deep breath 10 or 20 times until you start to feel relaxed. Learn how to say no, too many commitments and obligations would wear you out. Pamper yourself once in a while, have a facial and body massage, take a long bath while listening to your favorite love songs or anything you can think of that makes your heart and soul happy. Take a relaxing vacation, you deserve it.

  

Fatigue due to a psychological problem:

•  Clinical Depression
•   Anxiety
•  Grief

·         

 Most common physical illnesses than can cause fatigue:


       Anemia

Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Undiagnosed Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Sleep apnea

Heart Disease

Diabetes

There are many diseases that can cause fatigue both psychological and physical diseases. You owe it to yourself to see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Oily Skin

Today's curse; tomorrow's blessing!

When my son turned 13, I started noticing a series of physical changes. One of them was his young, smooth and healthy looking skin slowly turning oily. As time passed the oiliness was getting worse and acne started to emerge. My first reaction was a panicked, “oh no, not my son!” I was hoping, as my son grows up, that he will not become the next victim of this genetic curse. That he will grow up enjoying a healthy looking skin.

Oily skin is in my genes, everyone in my family had it. Oily skin compounded with acne problems to boot. I had been battling oily skin and acne since my teenage years and even in my adult life. I still have some of the ugly acne scars as proof. 

So the next available day I had, I went straight to the pharmacy checking every product available for treating acne. There are a lot to choose from and it was confusing what to buy. Some of them were familiar, I had tried them on my acne before and they didn’t work, but I was hoping something would work on my son’s skin.  So I bought the most expensive brand of acne facial cleanser and an acne gel that is supposed to help heal and dry acne. Over-the-counter acne treatments are generally mild and contain: benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid as their active ingredient. Although they help clear acne, their results are not long-term. My son’s skin eventually developed bacterial resistance to the treatment and it was not as effective as it used to. Along the way, I switched brands of acne products and rotated their usage. This routine became frustrating and costly and eventually my son got tired of using them.

Another option was to see a dermatologist, but I’ve been there and done that also. The dermatologist will prescribe oral antibiotics and a topical gel.  The medication works wonders but only temporarily. Once you stop taking the antibiotics, your acne will soon return with a vengeance. Another thing to watch out for are the side effects of the antibiotics that you have to deal with.

When kids reach puberty, certain hormones are activated. This hormonal surge can stimulate the sebaceous glands, resulting in more sebum and hence, oily skin. When you have oily skin, you are prone to acne as well. Unfortunately, there is no magic cure for oily skin. Teenagers will have to learn how to live with oily skin for the time being. I know how frustrating it can be to have a whole new set of problems in your already complicated teen life.

The best you can do is to always keep your skin clean. When washing your face, try using a mild soap and follow it up with an astringent for oily skin. Use warm water in the rinsing of your face. Warm water is a better solvent than cold water and this helps in removing the grime from your skin.

On the upside; according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies, a person who has an oily skin tends to age better and wrinkle less than a person who has a dry or normal skin.Yay!!! =)

Remedies for Tension Headache

Life of a mom could oftentimes get hectic and overwhelming. Everyday, we are so absorbed with taking care of our family’s needs that we often neglect to find time to unwind and relax. Stressful everyday life is one of the common causes of tension headache. As moms we cannot afford to be sick. Usually our first impulse when we start feeling a headache is to go to the medicine cabinet and reach for that quick fix. To avoid over using pain medication, we should  try these simple remedies first.

Take a shower.  Taking a hot shower may relax you and ease the tension in your head and neck. It will soothe the muscles and relax them that will help relieve your headache. Some people prefer the feeling of cold against their foreheads and necks and for them it seems to help.

Take a nap.  Take a power nap, even a 15 to 20 minute good nap will make you feel a lot better.  It will refresh your system and clear your head. Avoid oversleeping because you're more likely to wake up with a headache. Don't sleep in an awkward position, it can cause the muscles in your neck to contract which could trigger a headache. The best sleeping position is on your back.

Exercise.  A brisk walk for 30 minutes every day will help relax your muscles. It will also help you sleep better at night. Walking is very relaxing and a good stress reliever.

Drink some water. Mild dehydration is common cause of many headaches.

Take vitamins. When you’re under a lot of stress, your system runs out of nutrients, such as vitamin B and magnesium. Replenish what you’re missing, and your system will be less likely to stay out of whack.

  Avoid skipping or delaying meals. A missed meal can cause muscle tension and when blood sugar drops from lack of food, the blood vessels of the brain tighten. When you eat again, they expand leading to headache.

 Avoid certain foods. Take notes of the foods you eat, headaches could be caused by the foods you eat such as aged cheese, chocolate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), nuts, yeast and alcohol can cause mild allergic reactions that results in headaches. Experiment through elimination to see whether any of these could be causing your problem.

Try an acupressure technique. With your thumb, press the point on the back of your other hand where the base of your thumb and your index finger meet. Apply pressure for about two minutes. This helps trigger the release of endorphins, the brain’s feel-good hormones. Squeezing under the bony ridges at the back of the neck also can help.

How to Ease a Toothache

For me, dental pain is the most dreaded pain to have. That’s the reason why I am very meticulous in the taking care of my gums and teeth.

Last month, coincidentally, my husband and my son had a toothache on the same day, which happens to be a Saturday. Both of them took an ibuprofen hoping the pain would go away.  But as the day progressed it was getting worse. My husband called the dentist, got an appointment but not until Monday. Sunday was my husband’s birthday. The celebration was cancelled and I was disappointed while both men were nursing their toothache for the rest of the weekend.

Toothache always comes unexpectedly and oftentimes in the most inappropriate moment, like the middle of the night or on a weekend (when dental clinics are closed).  So being fearful of toothaches myself, I had gathered some home remedies that would help us alleviate our misery while waiting for the dentist appointment. 

• If the pain is mild, try to ease it by taking aspirin or an ibuprofen. Rinse your  mouth periodically with a solution of baking soda and warm water.
• Try gargling some Listerine Antiseptic.
• If gums are temporarily irritated or swollen, you can make yourself a delicious ice pack: pineapple sherbet. It tastes good, the cold reduces the swelling and according to some studies pineapple has curative effects.
• Floss between the aching tooth and its neighbors- sometimes impacted food can set up the pain.
• Rest an ice bag or a cold compress on the jaw of the affected side. If cold applications don’t help, try a hot water bottle or a warm compress.
• If you see a cavity, clean it out gently, using sterile cotton on the end of a toothpick, then saturate another bit of cotton with oil of cloves and pack it gently into the cavity with a toothpick. Clove has antiseptic properties that help decrease infection and relieves pain.
• Apply ice on the web of the skin between the thumb and the index finger on the same side of the body as the toothache. 
• You could also try an acupressure technique, with your thumb, press the point on the back of your other hand where the base of your thumb and your index finger meet. Apply pressure for about two minutes. This helps trigger the release of endorphins, the brain’s feel-good hormones. (not applicable for pregnant women.)

There are a lot more toothache remedies out there, but these are the ones that me and my family had tried. Dental pain is an indication that something is wrong.  These measures are temporary relief while visiting your dentist is still advisable.