Rajen's Easytips

THYROID CANCER

1. What is thyroid cancer?

The thyroid gland, located in the lower part of the neck, secretes hormones that deliver energy to body cells and controls metabolism.
Thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, benign lumps, thyroiditis, auto-immune thyroid disease and thyroid cancer have become common globally.
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy.

2. What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?

Its symptoms may include lump in the neck, pain in the lower front part of the neck, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, hoarseness of voice, and trouble in breathing and swallowing.

3. Exams and Tests

Physical examination, blood tests, thyroid and other scans, thyroid ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy and surgical biopsy can be done to detect thyroid cancer in a patient.
With early diagnosis and treatment, most of the cases of thyroid cancer are completely curable.

4. Surgery

For most thyroid cancer cases, the entire thyroid is removed and the patients need to take thyroid replacement hormone throughout their lives.
Lymph nodes in the neck that contain cancer are also removed.

5. Follow-up

With Radioactive Iodine Therapy (RIT) post surgery, any thyroid tissue remaining in the body takes up the iodine which kills cancer cells.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy (RIT) requires a special set up, including isolation rooms and separate drainage system.
Administering a dosage of radioactive iodine post operatively can save a person’s life by killing the microscopic cancer cells and even help patients whose thyroid cancer reappears after surgery
After radioactive iodine treatment, patients are kept under observation in isolation wards to check the radiation levels.
Lutetium therapy is another upcoming treatment option for thyroid cancer.

AYURVEDIC FASTING

FAULTY EATING HABITS

We eat

Food packed with preservatives or which is chemically grown, thus increasing the chances of unnatural cell division within the body.
More than necessary if the food is tasty, and less than our nutritional requirements if it is not.
A wide variety of food confusing our limited number of digestive enzymes.

We also have wrong food combinations like

Non-vegetarian food with milk products
Sour foods with milk products
Heavy junk foods with cold beverages.

We eat when we have time, although our digestive enzymes are released according to our body clock, making digestion difficult in the absence of these enzymes.

CONSEQUENCES

When food is not digested properly, only some of it becomes rasa and gets absorbed by the body.
The rest is either excreted, or it stagnates and starts rotting in the body after a certain time.
It is this aamras that is responsible for diseases.
It works as an antigen, triggering our auto immune system, leading to diseases with unknown etymology such as psoriasis, allergies, and rheumatoid arthritis.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Ayurveda prescribes langhan or fasting to get rid of this toxic aamras.
You can fast once in 6 days by consuming only an eighth of your normal diet, or by going on a liquid diet for a day.
During this time, your enzymes will be able to act on the food left stagnating in your body for the past five days.
Breaking the fast is as important as keeping the fast.
Your first meal should be chawal ka maand or rice water.
The second meal should be watery kichhdi made with dal and very little rice.
The third meal should be light kichhdi with equal amounts of dal and rice.
The fourth meal should be a thicker version of the same.
Your normal daily food should be your fifth meal.

ADVANTAGES

Your energy does not depend on how much or what you eat, but on how you are digesting your food.
Fasting is a good way to strengthen your sluggish digestive system and boost your metabolism.

DEPRESSION & ANXIETY CURE BY AYURVEDA

DEPRESSION & ANXIETY - CURE BY AYURVEDA

1. DEPRESSION

Depression is a major mental health problem, and sufferers experience high and low moods.
According to WHO, depression and suicide will become the 3rd most common cause of death after cancer and coronary heart disease in the coming years.
Depression usually manifests in the late 20s, although children and old people may suffer too.
Risk of depression is higher in patients with a family history of depression.
It could occur because of an early childhood trauma or because of the loss of a parent.
Adults could experience depression because of negative events such as loss of a job, financial stress, marital disharmony, and divorce.

SYMPTOMS

Diminished interest or pleasure in almost all pleasurable activities.
Insomnia or early morning awakening.
Fatigue, loss of energy, loss of appetite leading to weight loss.
Diminished ability to think or concentrate.
Feelings of worthlessness and recurrent thoughts of death.
Loss of libido, changes in the menstrual cycle.
Crying and persistent feelings of guilt.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Panchkarma procedures like shirodhara and shirobasti are useful.
Aphrodisiacs help to elevate the mood.
Ashwagandha and kaucha powder are useful.
Brahmi vati should be taken with milk.
Nasya of jyotishmati tailsa is beneficial.

2. ANXIETY

Anxiety too has a lasting influence on a person.
It can influence the functioning of his body.
There are several psychosomatic disorders which are caused by anxiety and stress.
Some people might feel the need to use the toilet all the time.
Others may complain of tiredness, and still have trouble falling asleep.

SYMPTOMS

Excessive worry about many of the simple things in daily life.
Restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, headache, sweating.
Difficulty in concentration and nausea.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Taking Snehan or medicated oil message is also important.
Sitting peacefully, focusing and doing pranayama in the early morning is recommended.
Stick to a sattvik diet.

THE SCIENCE OF THE CHAKRAS

Each chakra is near an important organ of the body.
An endocrine gland is associated with each chakra.
These endocrine glands communicate with the brain where the mind is mapped.
In this way, the mind gets control of vital energies.

1. ROOT CHAKRA

The body function is elimination.
The organs are kidneys, bladder, and large intestines (rectum and anus).
The feelings are selfish rootedness and survival-oriented competitiveness when energy moves in, and fear when energy moves out.

2. SEX CHAKRA

The body function is reproduction.
The organs are uterus, ovaries, prostate and testes.
The feelings are sexuality and amour when energy is inward (increasing); when energy is outgoing and depleting, there is unfulfilled lust.

3. NAVEL CHAKRA

The body function is maintenance or anabolism.
The organs are stomach, liver, small intestines, gall bladder, and pancreas.
Upsurge of energy at this chakra gives pride and anger; when energy moves out, unworthiness and resentment result.

4. HEART CHAKRA

The body function is self-distinction (between me and not-me).
The organs are the heart and thymus gland of the immune system whose job is to distinguish ‘me’ from ‘not me’.
There is romance and compassion when energy moves in (‘me’ extends to include a partner or everybody), and loss, grief, hurt and jealousy when it moves out.

5. THROAT CHAKRA

The function is self-expression.
The organs are lungs, throat and speech organs, hearing organs and thyroid gland.
There is freedom of speech when energy moves in, and frustration when the opposite happens.

6. BROW/THIRD EYE CHAKRA

The function is evolution and intuitive energy.
The organs are the middle and hind brain, eyes and pituitary gland.
As energy moves in, there is clarity of understanding, and confusion with depletion of energy.

7. CROWN CHAKRA

The function is self-knowledge.
It is associated with the pineal gland.
There is satisfaction when energy is gained, and despair as it gets depleted.

EXPEL WASTE MATERIAL FROM YOUR BODY

The human body is made up of Panchatatva, or 5 elements –

Earth
Water
Fire
Air and
Space.

These elements keep the body healthy.
When either of these becomes weak or defiled by the waste material they produce, we fall ill.
Each element has a specific work that leads to the formation of a certain kind of waste.
If this waste remains inside the body, it causes diseases; hence it needs to be expelled.
So, to ensure a disease-free body, prevent waste matter from remaining in it.

1. Earth’s waste

Excreta are waste produced by the element earth.
By relieving yourself in the morning, you throw out waste of the element earth from the body.
If this is not expelled, it leads to constipation, indigestion, gas formation, appetite loss, belching, obesity, piles, blood impurities, skin diseases, fatigue, depression, joint pain, headache, weak eyesight, diabetes, high blood pressure, hair-related problems, nocturnal emission and impotency.

2. Water’s waste

Urine is refuse discharged by the element water.
By relieving yourself several times during the day, the waste of water is removed.
If this is not removed, it increases toxic substances causing diseases of the kidney and bladder.

3. Fire’s waste

Bad and offending heat is waste material of the element fire.
By having a bath in the morning, the waste of element fire is removed from the body.
If this waste is not removed, it causes lack of freshness, burning, itching in the body, foul sweat, skin diseases and appetite loss, and reduces immunity.

4. Air’s waste

Carbon dioxide is the waste material produced by the element air.
Practicing yoga asanas, pranayama or other exercises, waste of the element air is expelled.
If this is not expelled, it causes respiratory diseases, asthma, cardiac problems, skin diseases and kidney disorders.

5. Space’s waste

Negative thoughts are the waste material of the element space.
When we remain peaceful and calm and think positively, the waste of space is dispelled.
If negative thoughts are not removed, it will lead to agitation, tension, worry, depression, high blood pressure, anxiety, anger, insomnia, mental fickleness, dissatisfaction and inflated ego.

SINUSITIS ATTACK

Sinusitis is infection of the sinuses caused by an allergy or bacterial, fungus or virus infestation.
Sinuses are moist air spaces within the bones of the face around the nose, and when we are healthy, sinuses are filled with air.
But, with nasal congestion due to cold or allergy, they don’t allow the sinuses to drain properly, and bacteria get trapped, leading to inflammation and secondary infection of the sinuses.
An acute attack of sinusitis generally lasts for four weeks, and symptoms may be confused with bronchitis.
If the symptoms continue for 10-12 weeks, it is sub-acute, and if it lasts longer, it is chronic sinusitis.

CHRONIC SINUSITIS

Chronic sinusitis lasts more than 3 months.
It can be caused by prolonged rhinitis, nasal polyps, and deviated nasal septum.
Symptoms may include nasal congestion, general malaise, headache, night-time coughing, thick green/yellow discharge, feeling of facial fullness that worsens with bending, dizziness, aching teeth, and foul breath.
Unless complications occur, there is no fever.
Chronic sinusitis can lead to reduced sense of smell, and in some cases, dental infection.
Take steam inhalation and gargle at least once a day.
Increase intake of water, avoid sour and fried food, and eat a balanced diet with fruits and roughage.
The best position to avoid breathlessness is to prop your head up on two pillows.

YOGIC TREATMENT

Splash the eyes with cold water to refresh them and to prevent muck setting in the corners.
Then do the kriyas of neti by drawing in a mild solution of lukewarm, saline water through one nostril and letting it flow out of the other nostril; repeat this with the other nostril.
Then do tratak or stare at an object without blinking till the eyes start watering.
Also do kapaalbharti or using the diaphragm for medium to rapid and forceful exhalation of the breath.
Focus only on the exhalation as the inhalation is automatic.
Do about 100 strokes preferably at a medium pace.
These 3 kriyas work wonders for your puffy face, ear pain, running nose, paining sinusitis, watering eyes and sniffles.
This may be followed by simple asanas which will clear the passages and encourage the flow of liquids from the eyes, nose or sinuses.
All asanas should be done with the eyes closed, a gentle smile in Ujayee breath, and be held for 30 seconds.
Greev chakkar or neck rotation – 5 times from the right side, then 5 times from the left side.
Hast utthansan or stand with your arms raised and bend backwards. Follow this up with veerbhadrasana, marjariasana, and vajrasana.
Sitting Garudasana or intertwining arms and hands while sitting in sukhasana, padmasana, or vajrasana, can be done and also, gomukhasana, bhujangasana, naukasana, ardhapawanmuktasana and padmasana.
End with Pranayama. Do 20 rounds of each pranayam in vajrasana or padmasana or even in a chair.
Keep the spine straight, eyes closed and smile.
Ujjayee, surya bhed, chanra bhed, bhastrika, anulom vilom and bhraamhari are helpful.
Move from the sthul or gross to the suksham or subtle; the sequence is therefore, kriyas, asanas and finally pranayamas.

SOME HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENTS

Calcarea sulphurica – cures headache with thick, yellowish mucous, one-sided discharge from the nose and sore nostril edges.
Hydrastis – is good for thick, yellowish expectoration.
Mercurius solubilis – is for smelly nasal discharge, difficulty while lying on the right side, cough which worsens at night, and yellow mucous expectoration.
Sticta – is prescribed for dry, hacking cough at night, sore throat, pulsation from the right side of the sternum down to the abdomen, which worsenstowards evening and when tired.
Hepar sulph – is for nasal congestions, choking cough, dry hoarse cough when exposed to cold.

RHINITIS ATTACK

The patient usually develops the problem as an adult, and suffers nasal congestion and post-nasal discharge, often associated with thickening of the sinus membranes.
It may be caused by allergens like house dust mites and their dander, feathers, fngus like aspergillus, clothes and other organic material, bakery dust, food and certain drugs.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs during pollen season and may be triggered by plants and trees.
It does not usually develop until after 6 years of age.
Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs throughout the year and is commonly seen in younger children.
Though it is not infectious or life-threatening, it could lead to major complications like otitis media, frequent nose bleeding and protruding upper incisors in children, and other respiratory infections.
The aim should be to prevent or reduce the symptoms caused by the inflammation of the affected tissues.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding the allergens is the easiest cure, but not always possible.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT

The aim is to prevent or reduce the symptoms caused by the inflammation of the affected tissues.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding the allergens is the easiest cure, but not always possible.
Certain homoeopathic medicines help build immunity against the allergen.

Arsenicum album

It is useful in thin, watery burning discharge and continuous sneezing which is worse in the open, but better indoors.

Ambrosi

It is useful in curing a stuffy feeling in the nose and head, and irritation in the trachea and bronchial tubes.

Eucalyptus globules

It cures feelings of stuffiness, and is effective in thin, foul-smelling watery discharge from the nose.

Histaminimum hydrochloricum

It is useful when the head feels cold and nostrils are blocked on one side.

Solanium hycopersicum

It is useful to cure profuse watery discharge from the throat and a nose discharge with a salty taste.