Germs Health Dictionary

Having a lethal effect upon germs... disinfectant

1. Beta carotene: Carrots are a rich source of this powerful antioxidant, which, among other vital uses, can be converted into vitamin A in the body to help maintain healthy skin. 2. Digestion: Carrots increase saliva and supply essential minerals, vitamins and enzymes that aid in digestion. Eating carrots regularly may help prevent gastric ulcers and other digestive disorders. 3. Alkaline elements: Carrots are rich in alkaline elements, which purify and revitalize the blood while balancing the acid/alkaline ratio of the body. 4. Potassium: Carrots are a good source of potassium, which can help maintain healthy sodium levels in the body, thereby helping to reduce elevated blood pressure levels. 5. Dental Health: Carrots kill harmful germs in the mouth and help prevent tooth decay. 6. Wounds: Raw or grated carrots can be used to help heal wounds, cuts and inflammation. 7. Phytonutrients: Among the many beneficial phytochemicals that carrots contain is a phytonutrient called falcarinol, which may reduce the risk of colon cancer and help promote overall colon health. 8. Carotenoids: Carrots are rich in carotenoids, which our bodies can use to help regulate blood sugar. 9. Fiber: Carrots are high in soluble fiber, which may reduce cholesterol by binding the LDL form (the kind we don’t want) and increasing the HDL form (the kind our body needs) to help reduce blood clots and prevent heart disease. 10. Eyes, hair, nails and more! The nutrients in carrots can improve the health of your eyes, skin, hair, nails and more through helping to detoxify your system and build new cells! 11. Improves vision There’s some truth in the old wisdom that carrots are good for your eyes. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision. Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. A study found that people who eat large amounts of beta-carotene had a 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little. 12. Helps prevent cancer Studies have shown carrots reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Falcarinol is a natural pesticide produced by the carrot that protects its roots from fungal diseases. Carrots are one of the only common sources of this compound. A study showed 1/3 lower cancer risk by carrot-eating rats. 13. Slows down aging The high level of beta-carotene in carrots acts as an antioxidant to cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism. It help slows down the aging of cells. 14. Promotes healthier skin Vitamin A and antioxidants protect the skin from sun damage. Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes and uneven skin tone. 15. Helps prevent infection Carrots are known by herbalists to prevent infection. They can be used on cuts—shredded raw or boiled and mashed. 16. Promotes healthier skin (from the outside) Carrots are used as an inexpensive and very convenient facial mask. Just mix grated carrot with a bit of honey. See the full recipe here: carrot face mask. 17. Prevents heart disease Studies show that diets high in carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Carrots have not only beta-carotene but also alpha-carotene and lutein. The regular consumption of carrots also reduces cholesterol levels because the soluble fibers in carrots bind with bile acids. 18. Cleanses the body Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out the toxins from the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fiber present in carrots helps clean out the colon and hasten waste movement. 19. Protects teeth and gums It’s all in the crunch! Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste. Carrots stimulate gums and trigger a lot of saliva, which, being alkaline, balances out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria. The minerals in carrots prevent tooth damage. 20. Prevents stroke From all the above benefits it’s no surprise that in a Harvard University study, people who ate five or more carrots a week were less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate only one carrot a month or less.... amazing health benefits of carrots

destroys germs or micro-organisms such as bacteria, etc.... germicidal

A technique to produce a germ-free environment to protect patients from infection. It is used for any procedure that might introduce infection into the body and is essential for all surgery – even minor procedures. Asepsis is achieved by ensuring that all people who come into contact with the patient scrub their hands and wear sterilised gowns with disposable masks and gloves. Operating-theatre air and equipment must also be clean. An aseptic technique is also necessary when caring for patients whose immune system (see IMMUNITY) is suppressed: one example is LEUKAEMIA, the treatment of which affects the immune system. Asepsis is aimed at preventing infection; antisepsis is the use of chemicals to destroy germs already on the body or in a wound (see ANTISEPTICS).... asepsis

In?ammation of the URINARY BLADDER. The presenting symptom is usually dysuria – that is, a feeling of discomfort when urine is passed and frequently a stinging or burning pain in the URETHRA. There is also a feeling of wanting to pass water much more often than usual, even though there is very little urine present when the act is performed. The condition may be associated with a dragging ache in the lower abdomen, and the urine usually looks dark or stronger than normal. It is frequently associated with haematuria, which means blood in the urine and is the result of the in?ammation.

Cystitis is a common problem; more than half the women in Britain suffer from it at some time in their lives. The cause of the disease is a bacterial infection of the bladder, the germs having entered the urethra and ascended into the bladder. The most common organism responsible is called Escherichia coli. This organism normally lives in the bowel where it causes no harm. It is therefore likely to be present on the skin around the anus so that there is always a potential for infection. The disease is much more common in women because the urethra, vagina and anus are very close together and the urethra is much shorter in the female than it is in the male. It also explains why women commonly suffer cystitis after sexual intercourse and honeymoon cystitis is a very common presentation of bladder in?ammation. In most cases the in?ammation is more of a nuisance than a danger but the infection can spread up to the kidneys and cause PYELITIS which is a much more serious disorder.

In cases of cystitis the urine should be cultured to grow the responsible organism. The relevant antibiotic can then be prescribed. Fluids should be taken freely not only for an acute attack of cystitis but also to prevent further attacks, because if the urine is dilute the organism is less likely to grow. Bicarbonate of soda is also helpful as this reduces the acidity of the urine and helps to relieve the burning pain, and inhibits the growth of the bacteria. Careful hygiene, in order to keep the PERINEUM clean, is also important. (See URINARY BLADDER, DISEASES OF.)... cystitis

Inula helenium. N.O. Compositae.

Synonym: Aunee, Scabwort.

Habitat: Moist meadows and pasture land.

Features ? The stem. growing up to three feet, is branched, furrowed, and downy above; egg-shaped, serrate leaves embrace the stem. The calyx is also egg-shaped and leafy, and the flowers, blooming in July and August, are large, solitary and terminal, brilliantly yellow in colour. The root is light grey, hard, horny and cylindrical. The whole plant is similar in appearance to the horseradish, its taste is bitter and acrid, and the odour reminiscent of camphor.

Part used ? Root.

Action: Diaphoretic, expectorant and diuretic.

In combination with other remedies it is made up into cough medicines, and can be of service in pulmonary disorders generally. Skillfully compounded, slight alterative and tonic qualities are noticed. Wineglass doses are taken of a 1 ounce to 1 pint (reduced) decoction.

These modest present-day claims for Elecampane are far exceeded by Culpeper's exuberance. In his view, the root "warms a cold and windy stomach or the pricking therein, and stitches in the side caused by the spleen; helps the cough, shortness of the breath, and wheezing of the lungs. . . . Profitable for those that have their urine stopped. . . . Resisteth poison, and stayeth the venom of serpents, as also of putrid and pestilential fevers, and the plague itself." When we are also told by the same author that it kills and expels worms, fastens loose teeth, arrests dental decay, cleanses the skin from morphew, spots and blemishes, we realize in what esteem Elecampane was held in the seventeenth century! But here again germs of truth are hidden among manifold exaggerations.... elecampane

A naturally occurring chemical that performs a wide range of biological roles. It is involved in the laying down of memories in the BRAIN; in killing viruses, bacteria and cancer cells; and in helping to control blood pressure. NO, comprising a nitrogen atom attached to an oxygen one, is one of the smallest of biologically active compounds as well as having such diverse functions. The chemical is a muscle relaxant and is important in maintaining the heart and circulation in good condition. NO is also the toxic agent released by macrophages (see MACROPHAGE) to kill invading germs and spreading cancer cells. It acts as an essential NEUROTRANSMITTER and protects nerve cells against stress. Researchers are studying how it might be used to treat diseases, for example by using it as an inhaled gas in certain respiratory conditions.... nitric oxide (no)

A vast group of single-celled microscopic organisms living in the soil, in water, or in the human body as parasites and which are responsible for much human disease. They are of three types: bacilli (rod-shaped), cocci (spherical), and spirochete (curved coils). Bacteria can only be identified with the aid of a microscope.

One school of medical thought believes bacteria to be a by-product of disease and not a direct cause of infection. Dr Pettenknofer, famous Viennese physician sought to demonstrate this when he surprised bystanders when he deliberately swallowed a glass of water containing millions of active cholera bacilli. He did not contract the disease or die as feared. Other similar demonstrations have been made to prove that before germs can harm the body, cell-soil on which they flourish must have undergone toxic degeneration. It is believed that when body resistance is low, hostile bacteria invade tissue and destroy cells. See: ANTIBACTERIALS. ... bacteria

 Caused by toxins produced by infections: influenza, malaria, etc.

Indicated: anti-bacterials, anti-microbials that activate the body’s immune system to inhibit growth of bacteria and germs. The following have special reference to the liver.

Alternatives. Teas. From any of the following: Holy Thistle, Thyme.

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea. Goldenseal. Blue Flag.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Milk Thistle 1; Blue Flag root 1. Dose – Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid Extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Every 3 hours. Tincture Myrrh BPC (1973) 20-30 drops in water every 3 hours.

See: NOTIFIABLE DISEASES. ... jaundice, infective

Nursing procedures (also called barrier nursing) designed to prevent a patient from infecting others or from being infected. The patient is usually isolated in a single room.

Complete isolation is used if a patient has a contagious disease, such as Lassa fever, that can be transmitted to others by direct contact and airborne germs. In this case, all bedding, equipment and clothing are either sterilized or incinerated after use. Partial isolation is carried out if the disease is transmitted in a more limited way (by droplet spread, as in tuberculosis, for example).

Reverse isolation, also called reverse barrier nursing, is used to protect a patient whose resistance to infection is severely lowered by a disease or treatment such as chemotherapy.

The air supply to the room is filtered.

All staff and visitors wear caps, gowns, masks, and gloves.

Occasionally, long-term reverse isolation is needed for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (see immunodeficiency disorders).... isolation