Whether red or white, you can caramelize onions in various ways and without using sugar. In addition, we explain what you can use onions for once you have them caramelized.
How to make caramelized onion without sugar
How to use caramelized onions
Special recipe with caramelized onion without sugar
Caramelized onion bread
If you do not like sugar, do not tolerate it or do not consider it healthy, you do not have to do without caramelized onions, which give a deep and rich flavor to the dishes. In fact, sugar is not necessary, because onions contain their own healthy sugars that will caramelize if cooked properly.
However, some people add sugar, honey or agave syrup to speed up the process and obviously get a sweeter taste. But if you’re interested in not adding sugars to your dishes, honey and agave aren’t an option either. We tell you how to make caramelized onions without sugar.
HOW TO MAKE CARAMELIZED ONION WITHOUT SUGAR
All you need are onions (preferably yellow or brown), water, a pinch of salt, a good large iron skillet and a little time. Slow cooking is the key to this process so that natural sugars brown and contribute to a great transformation of flavor.
Take three onions and prepare to chop them. To avoid crying, put on glasses, wet the onions before cutting them and use the sharpest knife you have.
Remove the outer layer of the onions, cut them into quarters and julienne them finely.
Heat the pan over medium heat, pour two tablespoons of olive oil, add the onions and stir. Add a pinch of salt and stir for three minutes until they begin to soften.
Lower the heat to a minimum and cook uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the onions are very soft, slightly sticky and of an intense golden color. Do not be tempted to increase the temperature to speed up the cooking time.
It is very important to stir every 3-4 minutes to prevent the onion from peeling to the bottom. If they stick, add a tablespoon of water and scrape off the stuck pieces. They are not a problem, because they provide more flavor. Lower the heat further or put the pan on a smaller stove if you are burning too much.
When they are almost ready, add two tablespoons of water or, better, broth, and let the liquid evaporate. You already have your caramelized onion.
You can use it immediately or cool it to room temperature to store it in the refrigerator, where it keeps 3-4 days. If you freeze it, you can use it within a month.
HOW TO USE CARAMELIZED ONIONS
The caramelized onion is an ingredient in pizzas, sandwiches, frittatas, soups or stews. Its contribution to the final flavor is spectacular. The caramelization process of onions takes away the spicy flavor, and gives them a much milder and spicier flavor.
They are the perfect complement to:
Top for mashed potatoes and soups
Onion bread
As a base for a balsamic onion sauce
For veggie burgers or barbecue sauces
In tapas
In salads
SPECIAL RECIPE WITH CARAMELIZED ONION WITHOUT SUGAR
CARAMELIZED ONION BREAD
Onions are available all year round. However, its main season, when it is sweetest, is May, July, August and September. Those will be the best times to bake onion bread.
Ingredients:
1 packet dry yeast
250 ml warm water
500 g flour
1 packet baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
500 g fresh quark cheese
2 caramelized onions
1 tablespoon olive oil
Baking onion bread is not difficult, but it takes some time. The actual preparation is about 15 minutes. But the dough has to rest several times and then bake for at least 30 minutes.
Elaboration:
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
Add the flour, baking powder and salt.
Add the quark and knead with your hands until a firm mass is formed.
Wrap the dough in a tea towel and let it grow in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
After a while, add the caramelized onions to the dough.
Knead and let it rise again for 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200 ºC with heat up and down.
Knead and form a loaf or place in a rectangular mold.
Bake the bread in the oven at 200 ºC for about 30-40 minutes.
Gum inflammation or gingivitis is a common ailment that should be treated in time. You can resort to home remedies that are effective.
Swollen gums: causes
Symptoms of gum inflammation
How to lower gum inflammation quickly
Consequences of gingivitis
Gums serve important functions for oral health: they protect the roots of teeth and jaw bones from infection and decay, hold teeth and hold them firmly in place.
When they are healthy, they have a uniform pale pink color and a firm, smooth texture that fits perfectly to the contour of the teeth. Red, swollen or painful gums indicate that there is a problem.
If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to take action, as simple inflammation of the gums can lead to much more serious gum disease, called periodontitis, and tooth loss. How to lower gum inflammation quickly? Some home remedies can be very effective.
SWOLLEN GUMS: CAUSES
There are several reasons why the gums may be inflamed, such as:
The accumulation of dental plaque or tartar, due to poor or ineffective dental hygiene.
Gingivitis or periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the gums that requires treatment to prevent its progression, as it can cause tooth loss.
Bacterial or viral infections.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause.
Toxic, such as tobacco smoke.
Good dental hygiene is essential to keep your gums healthy, although you should do it with proper technique, since excessive or too aggressive toothbrushing can also harm them.
Eight out of ten people have inflamed gums, i.e., gingivitis. Most don’t even know it, because gingivitis hardly hurts. It is caused by bacteria in the oral cavity. If you don’t brush your teeth properly, bacteria will multiply because they feed on the food residue left between your teeth.
These bacteria form dental plaque and produce acids and toxins that can inflame the gums, i.e., gingivitis. This does not always cause bleeding, because inflammation occurs in pockets that form between the gums and teeth, so brushing does not reach the focus of inflammation and no blood is seen when brushing your teeth.
In addition to careless oral hygiene, gum inflammation can also be caused by brushing your teeth too intensively. Rubbing too hard or using bristles that are too hard can damage the gums. Wounds are a breeding ground for bacteria, which promotes inflammation and infections.
If you have sensitive gums, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
SYMPTOMS OF GUM INFLAMMATION
There are some signs that the gums are inflamed. The most frequent are:
Swelling of the gums. The most obvious symptom is swelling of the gums, which may protrude more than normal.
Redness.Deep red color, instead of the usual pale pink.
Bleeding gums when brushing or other contact, even if you do it gently, or when flossing.
Soft gums.
Bad breath that doesn’t go away
You may notice pain or tenderness when touching, biting, or chewing.
When gum inflammation is due to periodontal disease, there may also be bad breath or receding gums, which can make teeth look longer than normal.
HOW TO LOWER GUM INFLAMMATION QUICKLY
Although there are some causes of inflammation that require deeper treatment, such as periodontitis, the following measures will help reduce inflammation of the gums and relieve pain: Here are some of the highlights:
1. MARSHMALLOW INFUSION
The roots of the marshmallow plant contain substances that form mucilage. When drinking the marshmallow infusion, these mucous substances are deposited as a protective film on the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and stomach and stay there for a long time.
To prepare the infusion:
Put 2 teaspoons of dried marshmallow flowers and leaves (you will find them in herbalists) in 250 ml of freshly boiled water.
Wait 15 minutes and then strain.
Drink the infusion in small sips.
You can drink 3 or 4 cups a day.
2. BLUEBERRY INFUSION
Blueberries have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Its infusion is used to rinse your mouth and massage your gums after brushing your teeth. The massage can be done with the brush itself, very gently, or with a finger:
Pour 1 tablespoon of dried cranberries over 1 cup of cold water.
Bring it to a boil and then let it sit for 10 minutes.
Use this infusion to rinse your mouth, gargle and massage your gums after brushing your teeth.
If you want the effect to be faster, you can get the massage every hour.
3. LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help relieve gingivitis. The acidity of lemon prevents bacteria from multiplying and regulates the pH level in the mouth, which also relieves bad breath.
Mix the juice of half a lemon with a cup of warm water.
Rinse your mouth with it, but don’t swallow the mixture.
Do this rinse twice a day, but not too often, only in point cures, as the acid can attack the enamel.
4. CHAMOMILE
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, as well as analgesic effect, and promotes the healing of inflamed gums by stimulating blood circulation and reducing inflammation.
In addition, chamomile has a soothing and disinfecting effect on inflamed gums. Prepare an infusion of chamomile for 5 minutes and use it to rinse your mouth several times a day.
5. COCONUT OIL PULLING
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which can be used effectively against bacteria and pathogens. To fight or prevent gum inflammation:
Take a teaspoon of coconut oil and let it melt in your mouth.
Push the oil hard back and forth in your mouth and have it pass between your teeth for five to ten minutes. This allows you to reach all areas of the tooth.
This practice is called oil pulling and it is recommended to do it every day or at least twice a week.
6. HOW TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION OF THE GUMS WITH BAKING SODA AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
The combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is very effective against inflamed gums. It has antibacterial effect and reduces plaque.
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup of warm water.
After brushing your teeth at night, rinse your mouth for about two minutes with this preparation.
Do not use the mixture more than twice a day, nor many days in a row, as it could damage the enamel. Use it only in specific cures.
7. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Another popular home remedy for inflamed gums is apple cider vinegar. Dilute two teaspoons of vinegar in a glass of water and gargle with the mixture about half an hour before brushing your teeth.
This natural oral rinse has an antibacterial effect, is anti-inflammatory and stimulates the formation of saliva, but, like the previous case, it is important not to do it daily, because it could damage the enamel. He resorts to it only in specific cures.
8. ICE
Ice has vasoconstrictive effect, that is, it reduces blood flow in the inflamed area, which helps decrease swelling. It is also a natural painkiller, so it can reduce pain and discomfort in the gums. Apply the ice wrapped in a cloth on the inflamed area for a few minutes.
9. SALT WATER
Salt water has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, so it can help kill bacteria and reduce the risk of gum infection. It also helps eliminate food debris and bacterial plaque that may accumulate in the gums and contribute to their inflammation. Rinse with salt water for 30 seconds several times a day, mixing a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
10. ALOE VERA GEL
Aloe vera gel contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and prevent gum infections. You can apply some on the gums and massage it gently.
11. TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. To use it, add a few drops to a glass of warm water and gargle for about 30 seconds.
It is also important to rest properly, because stress and lack of sleep weaken the immune system and favor general inflammation of the body, also of the gums.
CONSEQUENCES OF GINGIVITIS
If gingivitis is not treated, the inflammation can spread to the entire dental system. This can cause the gums to recede and teeth to fall out. Inflammation of the gums can pose a health risk.
Gingivitis with mild symptoms can be treated by improving hygiene and with home remedies, but if it does not improve in a short period of time, you should seek the help of the dentist.
Dental care plays a critical role in maintaining healthy gums. Teeth should be brushed thoroughly at least twice a day. You should also use an antibacterial mouthwash and floss or special brushes to prevent inflammation of the gums. It is also highly recommended to do one or two professional dental cleanings a year.
Fever is part of the defense that the body puts in place against aggression. Allying with her to enhance that defense is the best way to overcome it and come out stronger.
From how much is fever
Normal body temperature
How to measure body temperature
Causes of fever
How to Lower Fever Without Medicines
The human being has regulated his body temperature so that it remains constant around 37 ºC. Like other herbivorous and frugivorous animals, it defends itself from the heat by cooling itself with sweating. Fever – pyrexia or hyperpyrexia – is the prolonged increase in body temperature.
FROM HOW MUCH IS FEVER
Animals that do not sweat, such as carnivores, do so through breathing, increasing respiratory rate and evaporation with their mouth open and sticking out their tongue. The nervous system balances caloric losses and intakes to keep the temperature constant. For various reasons, body temperature may rise above normal.
Fever is considered to occur when it exceeds 39 ºC. If the temperature only rises a few tenths, it is a low-grade fever. When the elevation is temporary, for example after a great physical effort or a hot bath, we do not speak of fever but of hyperthermia.
NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE
The normal body temperature is usually about 36.4ºC early in the day and about 37ºC in the afternoon, although the figures vary from person to person. The most accurate temperature is rectal and is usually one degree higher.
Children often have more intense or elevated fevers, due to the vitality of their immune system, which is usually a sign of a good prognosis.
HOW TO MEASURE BODY TEMPERATURE
Usually, for convenience, body temperature is measured in the armpit. Another option is to take it in the mouth, where it can reach half a degree more than in the armpit.
CAUSES OF FEVER
Most of the time the fever is of infectious origin. Microorganisms introduce toxic substances into the body and it responds. Trauma, hemorrhages and bruises, non-infectious inflammations, heat stroke… They can release internal substances that also activate the mechanism of fever.
And there are emotional situations that, by directly affecting the nervous system, unbalance the regulating centers of temperature and produce fever. The fever begins with chills accompanied by tremors, goosebumps, tooth chatter… In a process that sets in motion the increase of heat in the body by contracting blood vessels, decreasing heat loss and increasing muscle tone and activity.
With the increase in body temperature, the number of pulsations and respiratory rate rise. Urine becomes dense, appetite is lost, thirst increases, and constipation and heaviness or headache are tended.
HOW TO LOWER FEVER WITHOUT MEDICINES
Contrary to what fever may seem, it does not imply a loss of control on the part of the systems of homeostasis or self-regulation of the organism, but rather an act of solidarity and coordination between the systems and organs that compose it.
As it is easier to suppress fever than wait for it to take effect, and we do not have time to take care of ourselves, it is usual to take an antipyretic without listening to the body or solving the situations that produce it. But that is equivalent to cutting the red-light cable that indicates the lack of oil in the car instead of adding it to the tank.
Since fever is a defensive process, it should not be systematically suppressed. As Dr. Isaac Puente said, “medicine cannot offer the sick organism a substitute for fever capable of equalizing with it in results, nor of replacing it in curative efficacy. The first indication is to respect it when it does not reach excessive proportions.”
The best treatment is, therefore, to help with our therapeutic resources to meet the objectives intended by the fever itself, to the point of making it unnecessary for having achieved them. That is, to act in favor of organic effort instead of suppressing it. Only when this is not enough do we have to resort to medication.
Therefore, the best treatment for a person with fever is to use our therapeutic resources to help meet the objectives intended by the fever itself, until it becomes unnecessary.
DRINKING FLUIDS AND RESTING
The lack of appetite that accompanies fever indicates that digestive overexertion should be avoided. Its purifying and detoxifying function suggests the need for a liquid diet of easy assimilation: provide liquids that drag toxins from the tissues, through the bloodstream, in order to expel them with urine or sweat, and hydrate well to recover these watery losses.
Therefore, in the event of a fever, especially if it is very high and with great sweating, it is advisable to eat natural fruit juices, especially citrus fruits that stimulate immunity (two or three glasses a day), purifying vegetable broths (onion, celery, cabbage …) Without oil or salt and with the juice of a lemon (two or three bowls a day), and three or four infusions a day of purifying plants (horsetail, sage …), sudorific (elderberry, ginger …) and relaxing (linden …), which stimulate cleansing and reassure.
All this can be accompanied by more specific preparations for the disease that causes fever (thyme in respiratory problems, chamomile in the digestive …). You would also have to drink during the rest of the day one or two liters of water depending on the amount of urine or sweat eliminated.
Until the fever disappears, it is not advisable to start a solid diet, and fruits and salads must be used for the transition to the usual diet.
If you have a low-grade fever, or the temperature does not reach 38 ° C, you can initially adopt an expectant attitude with rest and liquid diet. Rest always makes it easier for most energy expenditure to be concentrated on stimulating the immune system and internal self-regulatory mechanisms, as well as the combustion of toxins.
If it is a higher fever, we can help by causing sweating, wrapping up in bed with enough blankets and ingesting vegetable broths and infusions (especially the mixture of linden, elderberry and ginger) very hot.
Log wraps with cold water, lasting two or more hours, also cause sweating.
WASHES OR ENEMAS
A very effective measure in most patients with fever, especially if the origin is infectious, are washes or enemas, applied at a slightly cold temperature. Apart from refreshing and decongesting, intestinal cleansing removes waste and toxic substances that are most often part of the environment that feeds pathogenic viruses or bacteria.
To be effective an enema in an adult must be at least a liter to a liter and a half of liquid (in children a quarter of a liter or a half is enough). Irrigation is done with an infusion usually of thyme or chamomile, for its disinfectant and anti-inflammatory power.
Rest, liquid diet, sweating and cleansing enemas are measures that act in solidarity with the body and facilitate the disappearance of fever because they help it fulfill its function.
COLD RUBBING
Sometimes, when the fever is triggered at very high temperatures, 41 or 42 ºC, we can resort to a series of six cold rubs, one every half hour, or trunk wraps with cold water little drained and of short duration (twenty or thirty minutes), to lower the temperature temporarily with a symptomatic non-drug treatment.
The headache that sometimes appears due to congestion or the mobilization of toxins can also be relieved with enemas, with trunk wraps, applying a cold compress on the forehead or with the application of hydrotherapeutic socks (put on some socks of thread or cotton dipped in cold water and drained, others dry on top of them and a third of wool on the previous ones).
DRINKING FLUIDS AND RESTING
The lack of appetite that accompanies fever indicates that digestive overexertion should be avoided. Its purifying and detoxifying function suggests the need for a liquid diet of easy assimilation: provide liquids that drag toxins from the tissues, through the bloodstream, in order to expel them with urine or sweat, and hydrate well to recover these watery losses.
Therefore, in the event of a fever, especially if it is very high and with great sweating, it is advisable to eat natural fruit juices, especially citrus fruits that stimulate immunity (two or three glasses a day), purifying vegetable broths (onion, celery, cabbage …) Without oil or salt and with the juice of a lemon (two or three bowls a day), and three or four infusions a day of purifying plants (horsetail, sage …), sudorific (elderberry, ginger …) and relaxing (linden …), which stimulate cleansing and reassure.
All this can be accompanied by more specific preparations for the disease that causes fever (thyme in respiratory problems, chamomile in the digestive …). You would also have to drink during the rest of the day one or two liters of water depending on the amount of urine or sweat eliminated.
Until the fever disappears, it is not advisable to start a solid diet, and fruits and salads must be used for the transition to the usual diet.
If you have a low-grade fever, or the temperature does not reach 38 ° C, you can initially adopt an expectant attitude with rest and liquid diet. Rest always makes it easier for most energy expenditure to be concentrated on stimulating the immune system and internal self-regulatory mechanisms, as well as the combustion of toxins.
If it is a higher fever, we can help by causing sweating, wrapping up in bed with enough blankets and ingesting vegetable broths and infusions (especially the mixture of linden, elderberry and ginger) very hot.
Log wraps with cold water, lasting two or more hours, also cause sweating.
WASHES OR ENEMAS
A very effective measure in most patients with fever, especially if the origin is infectious, are washes or enemas, applied at a slightly cold temperature. Apart from refreshing and decongesting, intestinal cleansing removes waste and toxic substances that are most often part of the environment that feeds pathogenic viruses or bacteria.
To be effective an enema in an adult must be at least a liter to a liter and a half of liquid (in children a quarter of a liter or a half is enough). Irrigation is done with an infusion usually of thyme or chamomile, for its disinfectant and anti-inflammatory power.
Rest, liquid diet, sweating and cleansing enemas are measures that act in solidarity with the body and facilitate the disappearance of fever because they help it fulfill its function.
COLD RUBBING
Sometimes, when the fever is triggered at very high temperatures, 41 or 42 ºC, we can resort to a series of six cold rubs, one every half hour, or trunk wraps with cold water little drained and of short duration (twenty or thirty minutes), to lower the temperature temporarily with a symptomatic non-drug treatment.
The headache that sometimes appears due to congestion or the mobilization of toxins can also be relieved with enemas, with trunk wraps, applying a cold compress on the forehead or with the application of hydrotherapeutic socks (put on some socks of thread or cotton dipped in cold water and drained, others dry on top of them and a third of wool on the previous ones).
THE ORGANISM IS PURIFIED
The internal combustion that occurs in fever destroys morbid substances, disintegrating them and making possible their elimination through organic emunctories, that is, through sweat, urine or respiration.
This effect not only affects the possible toxins of bacterial, viral, drug, etc. origin that have just reached the body, but also the deposits of organic catabolic that have been generated for some time.
All this contributes to the fact that after fever the person usually recovers vitality and reaches a higher degree of health than before the febrile process.
FEVER ALLOWS THE BODY TO FOCUS ON THE PRIORITY
The anorexia or lack of appetite characteristic of fever reduces the energy expenditure of digestion and concentrates all the organic effort on increasing immunity and fighting aggression, infectious or not.
According to Manuel Legatee and his Thermal Doctrine, fever is also an aid mechanism to restore the body’s thermal balance by bringing blood from the internal organs, usually congested, to the surface of the skin, which is often poorly irrigated.
For reasons of hygiene, it is necessary to clean the toilet periodically. For this you do not need any aggressive chemical cleaning agent. Natural and homemade products are sufficient.
Cleaning the toilet is not one of the most enjoyable household chores. However, there is no choice but to roll up your sleeves to eliminate urine fouling and bad odors.
No special cleaners or aggressive chemical-synthetic cleaning agents are needed. In fact, many of these abrasives or chemicals are harmful because they scratch or damage the surface of the toilet instead of cleaning it and it gets dirtier and dirtier.
For the sake of the environment, you should use natural homemade products to clean the toilet. You will also relieve your wallet, since many of the home remedies that we present below are usually almost everyone in their home and are cheap.
1. CLEAN THE TOILET WITH VINEGAR
Cleaning vinegar or white table vinegar are natural disinfectants whose acid reliably dissolves limescale deposits. To clean your toilet with vinegar, you simply need to pour it into the dirty toilet, leave it on for about 30 minutes, rub with a brush, and finally rinse with water.
If you have very dirty areas on the toilet seat, grab a cup or two of concentrated cleaning vinegar and spread it out with a clean cloth. Again, let everything absorb for about half an hour before washing the areas with water. In the case of very resistant dirt, it may make sense to leave the product on overnight.
2. ELIMINATE DRY URINE WITH BAKING SODA
Sometimes vinegar is not enough to dissolve intense dirt. If you do not get it, you will need another home remedy to clean the toilet, baking soda.
You can combine this remedy with vinegar to remove even the strongest dirt. You will see that the chemical reaction of vinegar and baking soda produces bubbles. Fear not, they are harmless carbon dioxide. After 15 minutes, rub the scale with the toilet brush.
A cleanser with citric acid and baking soda can help with the most stubborn deposits.
Ingredients:
600 ml water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons citric acid
10 ml of liquid soap (pH value 5.5 to improve surface tension)
Elaboration:
Mix 500 milliliters of cold water with two tablespoons of cornstarch in a saucepan and bring to a boil stirring constantly until you get a milky and hard dough.
In a second pot, boil 100 milliliters of water. Let the water cool, then mix it with two tablespoons of citric acid (important: citric acid should not be heated, otherwise poorly soluble calcium citrate is formed, which in turn can lead to deposits).
Add the liquid soap to the mixture of water and citric acid.
Finally, mix the contents of both pots and fill a bottle with the bath cleaner.
3. DENTURE CLEANERS HAVE A STRONG ANTI-LIMESCALE EFFECT
If the above solutions have not worked at all, use a denture cleaner to finish the job.
Use only one pill and flush it down the toilet. After an exposure time of about 15 minutes, rub with the brush and pull the chain.
4. DETERGENT POWDER ACTS ON TOILET DIRT
If you want to clean a very dirty toilet, you can also use washing powder for white clothes, which is an excellent remedy for limescale deposits and other debris.
The surfactants it contains dissolve dirt particles to make your toilet shiny again. Pour about half a cup of detergent into the toilet bowl and let it act overnight.
Use detergent with some environmental quality certification, such as Ecocert or European flower.
5. SOAPY WATER FIGHTS BACTERIA
Last but not least, you should also clean the seat and toilet lid. It is best to use a mild soapy solution that does not irritate the skin. Apply this mixture to the lid and toilet seat and then wash it with a soft, clean cloth.
If possible, you should use two cloths to clean the toilet, one for the “surfaces”, that is, the seat and lid of the toilet and the other for the outer side of the ceramic cup.
Microfiber cleaning cloths are especially useful because they can be easily washed in the washing machine at 60 degrees Celsius. To avoid mixing rags, they should be of different colors.
6. CLEAN THE TOILET WITH THE BRUSH
Probably the best-known way to clean the toilet is the brush. For the sake of the environment, you can use a sustainable wood brush to clean your toilet.
If possible, use the brush after each visit to the toilet to remove dirt from the edge before it settles. You can even help yourself with such a brush for hard-to-reach places.
A discarded toothbrush is also very suitable, the bristles are moistened with vinegar or another cleaning agent. This allows you to effectively remove deposits under the edges of the toilet.
Stress and antibiotic resistance favor urinary tract infections. There are alternate.
Cystitis: symptoms
What is cystitis?
Cystitis: causes
Cystitis: immediate relief with natural treatment
How to prevent cystitis
Up to 60% of healthy adult women develop a urine infection at some point in their lives. When a bladder infection occurs, it is called cystitis, the most common urinary tract infection. It occurs less in men, but when it occurs there may be more complications, with prostatitis.
Although in Spain it is customary to prescribe antibiotics as the first choice when treating cystitis, there is currently more awareness of discarding them as a first option to prevent resistance from developing. Therefore, it is a good idea to try to combat cystitis with natural options.
In addition to following a diet rich in vegetables and fruits that strengthens the defenses and favors the alkalization of urine, you can resort to medicinal plants that fight infection in case of cystitis and provide immediate relief.
CYSTITIS: SYMPTOMS
When a bladder infection occurs, it is called cystitis, the most common urinary tract infection.It occurs less in men, but when it occurs there may be more complications, with prostatitis. These are the symptoms of urine infection.
Feeling cold in the lower belly or heat loss
Stinging or discomfort when urinating
Urge to urinate many times and in small amounts
Feeling generally unwell and lack of strength
Sometimes to this are added a urine with a bad smell and abdominal pain.
Complicated infections can also present fever, back pain, nausea and vomiting.
WHAT IS CYSTITIS?
The microorganisms that most often produce the infection are gram-negative bacilli, frequent in the ano-genital area, and Escherichia coli, which is the causative agent in 80% of acute infections in patients without urinary catheters, stones or urological alterations.
Normally, bacteria that gain access to the urinary bladder are rapidly eliminated by dilution, with urination, and by the antimicrobial properties of urine and bladder mucosa. Leukocytes found in the bladder wall and prostate secretions possess antimicrobial properties.
Whether infection occurs depends on the resulting interaction between the microbe or numbers of microbes and the person’s local and general defense mechanisms.
Therefore, more vigilance should be done when they occur in the elderly, in pregnancy, in people surveyed, in children, in diabetes mellitus, in immunosuppression or when it comes to hospital-acquired infections.
CYSTITIS: CAUSES
Several factors contribute to germs colonizing the urinary tract:
A change in normal perineal microflora, which can be triggered by antimicrobials, other genital infections, intercourse, or the use of spermicides, diaphragms, tampons, or female hygiene products.
Poor recovery of tone after pregnancy, which is accompanied by a decrease in urethral tone and urethral peristalsis, as well as insufficiency of the vesicoureteral valves.
An obstruction, which is any impediment to the free flow of urine, for example, by a tumor or stone and, in men, by prostatic hypertrophy.
A neurogenic dysfunction of the bladder, in which neurological alterations trigger urinary stasis.
The use of bladder irritants, such as condoms, tampons, and soaps.
Vesicoureteral reflux, which facilitates the reflux of bacteria.
CYSTITIS: IMMEDIATE RELIEF WITH NATURAL TREATMENT
In case of cystitis, a mixture with predominant antiseptic action and, secondly, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and diuretic action is appropriate.
Blueberry. Its effectiveness in the treatment and prevention of urinary infections is due to its non-stick properties, which prevent bacteria from clinging to the bladder wall. In a large-scale 6-month trial compared to placebo, bacteriuria was reduced in elderly women taking 300 ml a day of a standard cranberry drink. This anti-adherence is also considered preventive. Daily consumption of cranberry extract powder decreases the occurrence of infections. The dose is 2 glasses of unsweetened juice a day, diluted with water, preferably mineral; or two capsules of dried cranberry powder two to four times a day.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) contains arbutin, a urinary antiseptic that acts against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli L2. One study showed that it decreases the frequency of recurrent cystitis. Arbutin is thought to work by releasing hydroquinone into the bladder; That is why either 3 g of dried plant in decoction are taken (the whole plant is recommended, since it has other components that alkalize the urine) or 400 to 800 mg of hydroquinone derivatives four times a day. If symptoms do not subside within 48 hours, treatment is changed. Due to the toxic risk of this substance and its richness in tannins, bearberry and arbutin are recommended only in the short term (less than a week) and sporadically (less than 5 times a year): in high doses it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and pigment the urine. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation or children under 12 years of age. It should also not be used with other substances that acidify the urine (this may reduce its antimicrobial effect).
Apart from blueberry and bearberry, heather is used; for its anti-inflammatory action, devil’s claw, thyme, cat’s tail, nettle, corn stigmas and saw palmetto; and as anti-inflammatories and also diuretics, elderberry bark and goldenrod.
HOW TO PREVENT CYSTITIS
The most effective diet is a vegetarian diet. From a broad diet in which there are abundant raw fruits and vegetables, with the absence of meat, fish and their derivatives, to a raw vegetable diet based on fruits and salads. We should take 1 gram of vitamin C a day.
It may also be useful to follow a fruit monodiet or perform a therapeutic fast (either Buchinger style, which is the one I advise the most, or hygienist style, also recommended). If you do not opt for a vegetarian diet, it is also advisable to consume plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially garlic and onions.
In infant urine infections, the protective and curative effect of breastfeeding should be highlighted.
Other important measures are:
Eliminate foods and substances that irritate the bladder, such as caffeine, refined sugar, white flour, alcoholic beverages, and nicotine. These substances create an environment in the bladder that predisposes to infection and can slow response to treatment.
Drink plenty of water: Your water diuresis reduces bacterial numbers in your urine. Specifically, it is recommended to drink at least one and a half liters of water a day (about six glasses).
Pay attention to the type of liquid you drink. It is highly advisable to drink cranberry juice and other liquids such as barley water, anti-inflammatory effect, and tea.
Flaxseeds contain abundant mucilage, which helps soothe the mucosa of the urinary system. They may also have anti-inflammatory effects. One to three teaspoons of fresh flaxseeds are taken, ground with food. Once ground they deteriorate quickly, so it is best to grind only those that are going to be added directly to the dishes and store the rest whole.
TAKING CARE OF THE FLORA
Both in urinary infections and other types we must think about recovering the bacterial balance of the usual flora, try to avoid situations in which we attack it and use probiotic or prebiotic bacteria, which help recover the right conditions for the saprophytic bacteria that defend the body from pathological bacteria to live.
A good option is to take Lactobacillus acidophilus, which protects gastrointestinal and urinary tissues, strengthens immunity and prevents the colonization of pathogenic bacteria.
Lactobacilli are also indicated in the treatment of yeast infections or candida, sometimes a consequence of the use of antibiotics.
They can be taken with yogurt or in capsule, in probiotic formulas. It is best that the probiotic formula contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacteria and fructooligosaccharides. They are taken twice a day before meals.
SUN, AIR AND REST
To prevent infections, strengthening training in general is also important, which can be practiced walking barefoot and ensuring that the feet react well to cold stimuli.
Hydrotherapy also helps: general applications with cold water that strengthen the body or applications of hot water (in wet cloths, with water bottles …) in the lumbar area.
Stress can lead to immunosuppression and infection. Any technique that reduces stress (therapeutic massage, yoga) and strengthens defenses is beneficial.
Exercise generally helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and Kegel exercises condition the bladder muscles (preventing urinary retention and incontinence).
OTHER KEYS TO PREVENTING INFECTION
Eliminate possible perineal irritants, such as scented bath products and showers.
Wear cotton underwear.
Urinating before and after sexual activity.
HOW IS A URINE INFECTION DETECTED?
In case of infection, simple urinalysis may show significant pyuria (presence of dead leukocytes forming pus) and bacteriuria (presence of bacteria).
The detection of a microorganism in more than 10,000 cfu/ml (colony forming units per milliliter) allows the diagnosis to be established. The isolation of more than one organism can mean contamination and it is advisable to obtain another urine sample, even if the patient has already started treatment.
Urine cultures, antibiograms or aromatograms are often useful for documenting sensitivities to certain antibiotics or plant essences. Urine culture, as a diagnosis and therapeutic control, must be done before, during and after treatment.
It should only be labeled as a urinary tract infection if a culture has been performed and it is positive and coincides with the clinic.
Once the germ has been identified and it is known whether or not it is sensitive to certain antibiotics or plant essences, you can be more confident in using the appropriate drugs or essences effectively.
Diastasis is common in the postpartum period and can cause the belly to protrude. In addition to an aesthetic issue, it can lead to problems such as back pain or incontinence.
What is abdominal diastasis?
Causes of abdominal diastasis
Abdominal diastasis: symptoms
Abdominal diastasis: exercises
What to avoid if you have abdominal diastasis
The pressure exerted on the abdomen by a pregnancy can cause the abdominal muscles to separate, leading to what is known as diastasis. It is estimated that it happens in 66% of women in the third trimester of gestation and that about 40% of them continue with diastasis 6 months after delivery.
But women who are or have been pregnant are not the only ones who can suffer from this separation of the abdominal muscles that, in addition to a bulging stomach, can cause pain and discomfort in other parts of the body. We explain why and when it happens and what to do (or avoid) to correct it.
WHAT IS ABDOMINAL DIASTASIS?
Abdominal diastasis is the excessive separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, which form the two central vertical rows of the so-called “tablet”.
The rectus abdominis run from the lower edge of the rib cage to the pubis and join at the linea alba, which is made up of a network of connective tissue. They help us stay upright, flex the trunk forward, keep the viscera in place and also participate in breathing, among other functions.
When there is a distension or rupture of the connective tissue that joins the rectus abdominis is when abdominal diastasis occurs and, consequently, the abdomen loses its stiffness.
Abdominal diastasis is usually considered to occur when the separation of the rectus muscles is greater than 2 centimeters. Some experts measure different distances along the linea alba (above and below the navel), since the distance between the recti is usually greater in the area above the navel, even in people without diastasis.
CAUSES OF ABDOMINAL DIASTASIS
Diastasis recti is associated with situations in which there is an increase in abdominal pressure or with diseases that cause weakness of the connective tissues.
The most common is that it appears during pregnancy (especially in multiple pregnancies or very large babies) or at the time of delivery, when this involves pushing for a long period. Other causes include:
Being overweight or obese.
Trauma to the abdomen.
After abdominal surgery.
Repeated movements that affect the abdominal area.
Chronic constipation.
Chronic cough.
ABDOMINAL DIASTASIS: SYMPTOMS
Often, people with abdominal diastasis notice a bulge in the central part of the abdomen while at rest, which worsens with increased abdominal pressure. In some cases, through the central part of the abdomen you can see lumps that are part of the intestine that come out, such as hernias.
In addition, there may be:
Abdominal pain.
Pelvic floor involvement, with urinary incontinence.
Back pain.
ABDOMINAL DIASTASIS: EXERCISES
Diastasis of the rectus abdominis can resolve spontaneously, but often it is not. However, you can improve a lot by making lifestyle changes (mainly losing weight), specific exercises and, in cases where this does not work, surgery.
There are several exercise programs aimed at both preventing diastasis during pregnancy and improving symptoms in people who already have it. They usually start with gentle movements that involve the core and progress depending on the evolution to more intense exercises. The ideal is to perform them with a specialized physiotherapist, since not all exercises are good and some could aggravate diastasis.
It has been seen that they work better when diastasis has recently appeared, so it is important to start doing them as soon as possible.
These diastasis-oriented exercises can be combined with pelvic floor strengthening exercises for the prevention or treatment of urinary incontinence.
WHAT TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE ABDOMINAL DIASTASIS
Certain movements can worsen abdominal separation. It is advisable to avoid:
Lifting heavy objects.
Slamming up when you’re lying down. You must turn your body to the side and, from that position, lift the trunk helping you with your arms.
Activities and movements that push the abs out (like classic abs).
