Naturopathy

Purgative taken to relive the constipation merely aggravate the disease. Catarrh of the intestines takes many years to develop and its treatment in the natural way can, take at least months: the patient should therefore, not lose patience. A start should be made with fasting. Only water, preferably lukewarm water, should, be taken.

One should continue to fast as long as one is able to between four days to a week. Break the fast with clear soup of boiled vegetables without adding salt or any other seasoning. This should be continued for two-three days and then the patient should go to boiled vegetables, adding churned curd of cow's milk. The curd, churned and mixed with water, may be taken upto two litres in a day.

When the discharge of mucus with the stools starts, warm water enema should be taken. Clay mixed with cold water may be plastered, over the lower abdomen upto half an hour. Mud pack can help deal with colic or dysentery.A patient suffering from catarrh of the intestines needs rest and fresh air. After he has gone through the regimen of a fast and then soup fo boiled vegetables, he should preferably take vegetables, potatoes and plantains roasted over coals and curds.

Cereals should be avoided as they tend to increase acidity. Salt should also be taken in small quantities and condiments, chilies and seasonings should be totally given up. Fats, particularly oils, should be avoided. Butter can be taken in small quantities. Honey could be used for sweetening instead of sugar. The vegetables should be peeled off their outer covering before cooking. Flea seed soaked in water may be taken twice in the day in the beginning of the treatment.Chronic cases: In certain chronic case the curd treatment might be needed but complete rest is advised throughout the treatment. Light exercise, walking, might be advisable after some days of complete rest.Catarrh of the intestines is an intractable disease and would need strong will power on the part of the patient to deal with.

Patient must have faith and confidence that he would recover not that without the faith and confidence his recovery would be hampered, it would only be slower. The greater the confidence and mental resilience in the patient, the quicker would his recovery be.But if you take plenty of water, exercise and avoid heavily spiced, fried things, you are not likely to fall a prey to the disease. Do not delay to answer the "call of nature". Suppression of the urge to void your bowels is the villain of the piece in many cases of catarrh of the intestines.

Symptoms of Hyperacidity:

We have discussed the digestive processes in the previous section, and have noted the presence of the gastric juices which help in digesting the food. When the hydrochloric acid present in the stomach increases in quantity, the condition is known as hyperacidity. It is this condition which gives rise to gastritis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach) and ulcers - gastric, peptic and duodenal.

The first symptoms of ulceration in the stomach include dizziness, nausea, eructation and loss of appetite. Acidity goes on increasing leading to a burning sensation or even pain in the stomach which is relieved after ingestion of food. As the disease progresses there is distension of the stomach due to excessive flatulence, mental tension, insomnia, bad temper and gradual weakening of the body.

Constipation also appears and sometimes the stools are tinged with blood.Serious complications like haemorrhage, perforation and obstruction of the pylorus (the orifice through which food passes from the stomach to the intestine) also appear. Unless it is detected in time massive bleeding may lead to death.In addition to dietetic indiscretions, habits of thought also play a vital role in cases of ulcers.

Those given to excessive worry, anger, tension, jealousy and hurrying are more prone to suffer from ulcers.Allopaths also prescribe bland food free from acidity and condiments for ulcer patients.

Ulcer patients should avoid spices and seasoned or fried foods. Nothing that is likely to augment the acidity of the stomach should be taken. Alcohol is, of course, the first thing which is forbidden. Milk, cream, butter, fruits and boiled vegetables are the best diet for an ulcer patient. The fruits recommended are banana, mangoes, musk melon and dates. This regimen would progressively reduce the acidity in the stomach.An advanced state of the disease should for only milk and fruits diet is recommended.

Milk should be taken in moderate quantities - say about 250 to 300 millilitres - every hour. Leafy vegetables should be avoided in the beginning. The various types of gourds should be boiled without their rind because the rind is likely to create friction in the stomach. Flea-seed husk - 10 to 15 grammes - should be taken with water or milk after every meal.The ulcer patient must take one to one and a half litres of water during the day.

He must bathe in cold water twice daily. Hip bath for ten to fifteen minutes and clay plastered over the lower abdomen for half an hour in the day can help the ulcers to heal. The hip bath or the mud pack should be taken on an empty stomach and should be followed by a walk. In case of constipation, daily enema should be administered.

Daily massage and deep breathing exercises also help. The patient must also try to get rid of his worries and stay cheerful. It has to be remembered that hyperacidity does not come up suddenly: it is a gradual development and its cure is also a gradual process.Distension or Dilation Associated with hyperacidity is another disease of the stomach: distension or dilation. It can occur without giving rise to any symptoms. If food is retained for a long time in the stomach, it gives rise to fermentation. The condition is both painful and irritating. It also tells upon the general health of the sufferer.

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