Sometimes there are unexpected, but highly effective ways of dealing with health problems that you may never have heard about. Here are some surprising ways to improve your health and wellness:
Secure a broken arm
If you or a friend experiences an unexpected break in one of the arm bones, you can make an easy impromptu cast with a magazine. Simply roll up a magazine to form a U-shape and position it under the arm, then bind it in place with tape, bandage, or strips of cloth.
Trick away an itch
If you have to wear a cast for a while, and you suffer from the sensation of itchy skin, try this trick. Spend a minute scratching the same exact area on the opposite arm or leg, and you may convince your brain it’s the real one.
Quickly bring down a fever
When you are suffering from a fever of 102°F or lower, you can generally treat it with rest and a lot of fluids. When fevers are higher, you can bring them down quickly with the help of an ice pack or two. Strategically place the ice packs in areas where blood flows close to the surface, such as under the arm or groin.
Kill germs with honey
If you have a small scratch or cut, place a small amount of honey on the wound before putting on a bandage. Honey has some powerful antibacterial abilities and can destroy most types of bacteria that commonly infect wounds.
Treat a cut with black pepper
If you cut yourself while working in the kitchen, reach for the black pepper. After rinsing the cut under cool running water, sprinkle a dash of pepper over the wound and apply light pressure for a couple minutes. Black pepper has many beneficial properties, such as being antiseptic and analgesic.
Ease allergy symptoms by cleaning or shaving your mustache
If you have a mustache and find yourself prone to allergy symptoms, you may want to shave it. A surprising amount of allergens, like pollen grains, get stuck in facial hair. If you can’t bear to part with it, then you should wash the mustache once or twice a day with liquid soap to reduce allergen exposure.
Have a better nap after a cup of coffee
A Japanese study found that people who drank coffee and then immediately took a short nap woke up more refreshed and alert. The reason is that the caffeine began to kick in after 20 minutes, which was the length of the nap.
“As adenosine levels increase, we become more fatigued. Napping clears out the adenosine and, when combined with caffeine, an adenosine-blocker, further reduces its effects and amplifies the effects of the nap,” said Allen Towfigh, M.D., medical director of New York Neurology & Sleep Medicine.
Beat bloat with water
It may sound odd, but drinking water when you feel bloated could be just the cure you need. Whether your bloating is caused from heavy high-fiber foods or dehydration, drinking water can relieve your symptoms in no time.
“Water mixes with water soluble fiber and makes it into a gel-like substance. This affects the motility of the gut and reduces the symptoms of bloating,” says Dr. James Lee, M.D., a gastroenterologist with St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California.
With a little creative thinking, you can find some surprising solutions to everyday health problems. What favorite unusual remedies do you know of?
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.menshealth.com/health/14-strange-true-health-tips
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20857218,00.html
http://wellnessmama.com/7910/unusual-health-changes
