A quiet walk in the fresh air will help relieve a headache attack.
Photo: Shutterstock
Everything happens in life. Sometimes an attack of headache, pain in the lower back or shortness of breath covers when the usual medicines were not at hand. How can you help yourself in such cases strictly on the basis of scientific and medical data? “Komsomolskaya Pravda” has collected methods and tips, the benefits of which are confirmed by studies and practicing doctors.
HEADACHE: COFFEE OR COLA
“If a person has a headache, then it is extremely undesirable to immediately take medication,” surprises neurologist, doctor of medical sciences, professor at Sechenov University Margarita Naprienko. – The pain counteracting system works in the body. You may be able to get by without allowing an attack to develop.
In one of her speeches, the professor told reporters: at the first sign of migraine, it is recommended to drink a caffeinated drink. “It can be a cup of sweet tea, coffee or cola,” the doctor advised.
In addition, a quiet walk in the fresh air helps to relieve a headache attack. This improves the supply of oxygen and activates the production of hormones that are responsible in our body for the analgesic effect. But with physical exercises you need to wait a bit. Tension headache, which is very common in modern people, is only made worse by physical activity (even simple bends!)
BACK PAIN: HEAT, COLD AND THREE BEST EXERCISES
Low back pain ranks second among all patients’ pain complaints. First, the hands are extended to wrap the sore spot with something warm. Or apply cold? And if it gets even worse?
– Warming up and cooling down equally can reduce the intensity of acute back pain. Cold and heat act in this case in the same way, – explained to KP a neurologist, candidate of medical sciences Pavel Brand.
At the same time, however, there are cases where the effect of temperature can cause damage, warns the expert. Namely: if the patient has symptoms that may indicate that the cause of back pain is diseases of internal organs. For example: temperature, skin rashes, etc. (for a full list of symptoms, see the Health section on KP.RU) In such situations, you should see a doctor immediately.
In addition to hot and cold, some simple exercises can help relieve lower back pain. It is important that they are not only effective, but also safe. An example of such a complex was given on the air of the Doctor TV channel by a sports doctor, rehabilitation specialist Mikhail Sorokin.
1. Lie on the floor (on a rug or gym mat) face down. Stretch your arms out in front of you at shoulder width. Slowly raise your body, supporting yourself on your hands, and bend at the waist like a cat.
2. Stand up straight, press your hands to your sides. Straighten your shoulders and gently bend backwards without tilting your head back. In order not to fall, you can lean on, for example, a table.
3. Standing, lower your arms and roll your shoulders forward. Tilt your head slightly. Gently pull your hands down. Your job is to flex your lower back while keeping your pelvis in place. For greater comfort, you can do the exercise by pressing your back against the wall.
What it looks like in the pictures: It can be seen on the Doctor’s TG channel. It is recommended to perform each exercise 15 to 20 times. During the day, it is advisable to warm up 3-5 times.
ASTHMA ATTACK: STRONG BLACK TEA
If there is shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, and there was no inhaler at hand, doctors recommend drinking strong sweet black tea (or coffee) in small sips if you are sure that your blood pressure has not increased and there is no tachycardia, i.e. fast heart rate). The secret is here.
The caffeine found in tea is very similar to theophylline in its action. This substance is a bronchodilator. It dilates the bronchi, opens the airways and thus relieves wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
“Even small amounts of caffeine can improve lung function for up to 4 hours,” according to Cochrane, an international research database portal. At the same time, there is currently no evidence that caffeinated beverages provide 100% relief in the event of an asthma exacerbation, warn the authors of a scientific review. However, no deterioration was observed. So it’s worth a try, maybe it will help you.
The caffeine found in tea is very similar to theophylline in its action. This substance is a bronchodilator.
Photo: Shutterstock
SWOLLEN THROAT: WATER + SALT
If a cold has caught your throat, you can make your own effective gargling solution. This prescription is recommended by one of the world’s leading centers for evidence-based medicine, the Mayo Clinic (Minnesota). It’s simple: a quarter tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water. As a rule, it helps with pain and sore throat.
Also, experts advise to dissolve lollipops. At least from a pharmacy, at least ordinary sucking sweets (the less sugar, the better). The main thing here is the abundant secretion of saliva, which will moisturize and soothe a sore throat.
And a tablespoon of honey diluted in warm water will help ease a cough, the Mayo doctors add. This method is recommended for adults and children over one year old, if there is no allergy.
IMPORTANT
All the described methods of alleviating the condition in no case replace the drug therapy prescribed by the doctor. For any health problem, you should consult a doctor and follow his recommendations in the future.
STAY IN CONTACT
What are the signals to call an ambulance?
When you shouldn’t rely on self-help, wait for it to pass soon, but you urgently need to seek medical help, said Oksana Drapkina, chief therapist at the Ministry of Health. Call 911 if you or someone close to you has any of the following symptoms:
– sudden onset of sharp, severe chest pain;
– chest pain that radiates to the jaw, left arm or back;
– sudden sharp pain in the chest with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of immobility (for example, after sleeping);
– pain accompanied by nausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and/or shortness of breath, confusion, bluish lips or face, sweating, low blood pressure.
