Wednesday, August 12, 2009

MEDICAL ICE PACK

ICE PACK
Ice pack is a local application of ice over a body segment.

Effects:
1. Relieves pain.
2. Prevents or lessen black and blue discoloration due to capillary bleeding.
3. Stops bleeding especially if applied with pressure.
4. Prevents and reduces swelling.
5. Decrease blood flow to the area.
6. Constricts blood vessels, therefore, decreases tendency to bleeding.

Things Needed:
1. Two bath towels.
2. Two safety pins.
3. Finely crushed ice-amount depends on the size of the area to be treated.
4. A piece of flannel cloth or baby’s blanket.
5. A piece of plastic.

Procedure:
1. Spread the finely crushed ice on the bath towel, forming a layer about one inch thick. Adjust the surface area as needed for the affected part. Wrap the ice and secure it with safety pins.
2. Wrap the area or joint with flannel cloth or towel and place the ice pack, following the contour of the area.
3. Never apply an ice pack directly on the skin. Cover the packed ice with plastic and secure carefully to prevent the bed from getting wet.
4. Treatment time: 30 minutes to one hour. If there is a burning sensation during the ice pack application, the ice pack is not well insulated. Add insulator or add towel flannel cloth.
5. To end treatment, remove the pack, dry the area and observe reaction. Treatment may be repeated after two hours in acute injuries to relieve pain and swelling.
6. Cover or bandage area to avoid chilling, especially in acute sprain ankles.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

MEDICAL STARCH BATH FOR PATIENTS

STARCH BATH
Starch Bath
Immersion bath in starchy water for a soothing effect.

Effects:
1. Relieves skin irritation.
2. Soothes burning and itching sensations.
3. Tendency to dry skin.

Things Needed:
1. Bathtub. For babies, big basin may be used.
2. Big drum or plastic water container for adults, big enough to soak the whole body.
3. Two glasses of starch for adult. Half glass for babies and children.
4. One bath towel.
5. Face towel.

Procedure:
1. Fill up the tub 2/3 full with warm water. Water should be deep enough to immerse the affected areas. Use bathtub if whole body is affected.
2. Melt the starch in cold water in a small basin. Mix well the melted starch into the tub water.
3. Undress the patient and assist him into the tub.
4. With face towel, bathe the parts not immersed. Wet the head or hair if the scalp is affected. Immerse patient for 20 minutes, but do not rub him with towel.
5. After 20 minutes, drain the water and pat dry the patient with use soap even for washing hands, unless the physician orders a specific soap.
6. Keep patient warm and avoid chilling.
7. Give daily bath or twice a day, depending upon the patient’s condition.

Monday, August 10, 2009

SKIN ALLERGY AND ITCHINESS

SKIN ITCHINESS AND ALLEGY
An allergy is a condition of acquired specific alteration, which may be caused by sensitization and exposure to an allergen. Skin itchiness may be due to contact with allergen.

Water Treatment
1. Starch bath. You may use kamoteng kahoy flour for this.
2. Gawgaw or starch powder. Use powder after taking a bath or at bedtime.

Herbal Medication
1. Kakawate or madre de cacao leaves. Crush or chop young leaves and extract the juice. Apply the juice on the skin until itchiness is relieved.
2. Kalatsutsi or graveyard flower sap from leaves or barks. Extract the sap or juice from the leaves and trunk. Mix with coconut oil. Rub the mixture on the affected skin, 2 times a day.
3. Kanya Pistula or golden shower leaves. Rub the crushed leaves on the affected area until relieved from itchiness.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

HERBAL MEDICINE FOR RING WORM

RINGWORM
Ringworm is an infection of the skin, hair and nails with various fungi, producing ring-like lesions with raised borders.

Water treatment Using Herbal Decoctions

1. Daily bath with bayabas or guava leaves decoction. Boil 10 cups of chopped fresh leaves in ½ gallon of water for 15 minutes. Add enough cold water to fill up one big pail after straining. Bathe with this decoction while still hot.
2. Tabako Leaves decoction shampoo (if head and hair are affected). Boil 10 leaves of fresh tabako leaves in ½ gallon of water for 15 minutes. Cool and drain. Add enough water to fill up a 3-gallon pail. Shampoo hair with decoction, once a day until healed.
3. Kamatigui or touch me not balsam compress or poultice. Crush 5-10 kamatigui or touch me not balsam flower. Amount depends upon the size of the infection. Crush flowers until juice is extracted. Apply directly over the infected part as compress for 30 minutes, 2 times a day.
4. Bawang or Garlic cloves. Peel and crush one clove of bawang or garlic and rub it on the affected area until it gets red. Apply 2 times a day: in the morning after morning bath and in bedtime.
5. Adelfa bark and leaves. Chop a one-foot long branch. Mix with one cup chopped fresh young leaves. Mix the juice with 5 drops of fresh coconut oil. Apply on affected parts, 3 times a day.
6. Akapulko or ringworm bush leaves. Crush 5 leaves. Rub the juice on the affected areas, 2 times a day.

Friday, August 7, 2009

MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR MOSQUITO BITES

MOSQUITO BITES
Infected mosquito bites becomes swollen and painful.

Water Treatment
1. Rub the infected area with wet soap. Don’t rinse with water; let it dry on the skin for two hours. If itchiness is not relieved, repeat after four hours.
2. Keep the surroundings clean and dry. Empty all stagnant water containers in and around the house.

Herbal Medication
1. Kataka-taka or Life Plant leaves. Pound five to 10 leaves and extract the juice. Apply the juice on the bitten part, three times a day.
2. Atis fruit or Sugar Apple. Pound and extract the juice from one unripe fruit. Apply directly on the infected bites, three times a day.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

DEALING WITH COLON CANCER

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. With 655,000 deaths worldwide per year, it is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-shaped growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy. Therapy is usually through surgery, which in many cases is followed by chemotherapy.

The symptoms of colorectal cancer depend on the location of tumor in bowel and whether it has spread to elsewhere in the body (metastasis). Most of the symptoms may occur in other diseases as well, and hence none of the symptoms mentioned here is diagnostic of colorectal cancer. Symptoms and signs are divided into local, constitutional (affecting the whole body) and metastatic (caused by spread to other organs).

Local symptoms are more likely if the tumor is located closer to the anus. There may be a change in bowel habit (new-onset constipation or diarrhea in the absence of another cause), and a feeling of incomplete defecation (tenesmus) and reduction in diameter of stool; tenesmus and change in stool shape are both characteristic of rectal cancer. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding, including the passage of bright red blood in the stool, may indicate colorectal cancer, as may the increased presence of mucus. Melena, black stool with a tarry appearance, normally occurs in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (such as from a duodenal ulcer) but is sometimes encountered in colorectal cancer when the disease is located in the beginning of the large bowel.

A tumor that is large enough to fill the entire lumen of the bowel may cause bowel obstruction. This situation is characterized by constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distension and vomiting. This occasionally leads to the obstructed and distended bowel perforating and causing peritonitis.

Certain local effects of colorectal cancer occur when the disease has become more advanced. A large tumor is more likely to be noticed on feeling the abdomen, and it may be noticed by a doctor on physical examination. The disease may invade other organs, and may cause blood or air in the urine (invasion of the bladder) or vaginal discharge (invasion of the female reproductive tract).

The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 7%. Certain factors increase a person's risk of developing the disease. These include:

* Age. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. Most cases occur in the 60s and 70s, while cases before age 50 are uncommon unless a family history of early colon cancer is present.
* Polyps of the colon, particularly adenomatous polyps, are a risk factor for colon cancer. The removal of colon polyps at the time of colonoscopy reduces the subsequent risk of colon cancer.
* History of cancer. Individuals who have previously been diagnosed and treated for colon cancer are at risk for developing colon cancer in the future. Women who have had cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
* Heredity:

* Family history of colon cancer, especially in a close relative before the age of 55 or multiple relatives.
* Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) carries a near 100% risk of developing colorectal cancer by the age of 40 if untreated
* Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome

# Smoking. Smokers are more likely to die of colorectal cancer than non-smokers. An American Cancer Society study found that "Women who smoked were more than 40% more likely to die from colorectal cancer than women who never had smoked. Male smokers had more than a 30% increase in risk of dying from the disease compared to men who never had smoked."

# Diet. Studies show that a diet high in red meat and low in fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish increases the risk of colorectal cancer. In June 2005, a study by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition suggested that diets high in red and processed meat, as well as those low in fiber, are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Individuals who frequently eat fish showed a decreased risk. However, other studies have cast doubt on the claim that diets high in fiber decrease the risk of colorectal cancer; rather, low-fiber diet was associated with other risk factors, leading to confounding. The nature of the relationship between dietary fiber and risk of colorectal cancer remains controversial.

# Physical inactivity. People who are physically active are at lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

# Virus. Exposure to some viruses (such as particular strains of human papilloma virus) may be associated with colorectal cancer.

# Primary sclerosing cholangitis offers a risk independent to ulcerative colitis

# Low levels of selenium.

# Inflammatory bowel disease. About one percent of colorectal cancer patients have a history of chronic ulcerative colitis. The risk of developing colorectal cancer varies inversely with the age of onset of the colitis and directly with the extent of colonic involvement and the duration of active disease. Patients with colorectal Crohn's disease have a more than average risk of colorectal cancer, but less than that of patients with ulcerative colitis.

# Environmental factors. Industrialized countries are at a relatively increased risk compared to less developed countries that traditionally had high-fiber/low-fat diets. Studies of migrant populations have revealed a role for environmental factors, particularly dietary, in the etiology of colorectal cancers.

# Exogenous hormones. The differences in the time trends in colorectal cancer in males and females could be explained by cohort effects in exposure to some sex-specific risk factor; one possibility that has been suggested is exposure to estrogens. There is, however, little evidence of an influence of endogenous hormones on the risk of colorectal cancer. In contrast, there is evidence that exogenous estrogens such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), tamoxifen, or oral contraceptives might be associated with colorectal tumors.

# Alcohol. Drinking, especially heavily, may be a risk factor.

The treatment depends on the staging of the cancer. When colorectal cancer is caught at early stages (with little spread) it can be curable. However, when it is detected at later stages (when distant metastases are present) it is less likely to be curable.

Surgery remains the primary treatment while chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be recommended depending on the individual patient's staging and other medical factors.

Because colon cancer primarily affects the elderly, it can be a challenge to determine how aggressively to treat a particular patient, especially after surgery. Clinical trials suggest that "otherwise fit" elderly patients fare well if they have adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery, so chronological age alone should not be a contraindication to aggressive management.

Surgeries can be categorised into curative, palliative, bypass, fecal diversion, or open-and-close.

Curative Surgical treatment can be offered if the tumor is localized.

* Very early cancer that develops within a polyp can often be cured by removing the polyp (i.e., polypectomy) at the time of colonoscopy.
* In colon cancer, a more advanced tumor typically requires surgical removal of the section of colon containing the tumor with sufficient margins, and radical en-bloc resection of mesentery and lymph nodes to reduce local recurrence (i.e., colectomy). If possible, the remaining parts of colon are anastomosed together to create a functioning colon. In cases when anastomosis is not possible, a stoma (artificial orifice) is created.
* Curative surgery on rectal cancer includes total mesorectal excision (lower anterior resection) or abdominoperineal excision.

In case of multiple metastases, palliative (non curative) resection of the primary tumor is still offered in order to reduce further morbidity caused by tumor bleeding, invasion, and its catabolic effect. Surgical removal of isolated liver metastases is, however, common and may be curative in selected patients; improved chemotherapy has increased the number of patients who are offered surgical removal of isolated liver metastases.

If the tumor invaded into adjacent vital structures which makes excision technically difficult, the surgeons may prefer to bypass the tumor (ileotransverse bypass) or to do a proximal fecal diversion through a stoma.

The worst case would be an open-and-close surgery, when surgeons find the tumor unresectable and the small bowel involved; any more procedures would do more harm than good to the patient. This is uncommon with the advent of laparoscopy and better radiological imaging. Most of these cases formerly subjected to "open and close" procedures are now diagnosed in advance and surgery avoided.

Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy is a minimally-invasive technique that can reduce the size of the incision and may reduce post-operative pain.

As with any surgical procedure, colorectal surgery may result in complications including

* wound infection, Dehiscence (bursting of wound) or hernia
* anastomosis breakdown, leading to abscess or fistula formation, and/or peritonitis
* bleeding with or without hematoma formation
* adhesions resulting in bowel obstruction. A 5-year study of patients who had surgery in 1997 found the risk of hospital readmission to be 15% after panproctocolectomy, 9% after total colectomy, and 11% after ileostomy.
* adjacent organ injury; most commonly to the small intestine, ureters, spleen, or bladder
* Cardiorespiratory complications such as myocardial infarction, pneumonia, arrythmia, pulmonary embolism etc

Chemotherapy is used to reduce the likelihood of metastasis developing, shrink tumor size, or slow tumor growth. Chemotherapy is often applied after surgery (adjuvant), before surgery (neo-adjuvant), or as the primary therapy (palliative). The treatments listed here have been shown in clinical trials to improve survival and/or reduce mortality rate and have been approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration. In colon cancer, chemotherapy after surgery is usually only given if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (Stage III). At the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, researchers announced that colorectal cancer patients that have a mutation in the KRAS gene do not respond to certain therapies, those that inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)--namely Erbitux (cetuximab) and Vectibix (panitumumab). Following recommendations by ASCO, patients should now be tested for the KRAS gene mutation before being offered these EGFR-inhibiting drugs.

However, having the normal KRAS mutation does not guarantee that these drugs will benefit the patient.

“The trouble with the KRAS mutation is that it’s downstream of EGFR,” says Richard Goldberg, MD, director of oncology at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina. “It doesn’t matter if you plug the socket if there’s a short downstream of the plug. The mutation turns [EGFR] into a switch that’s always on.” But this doesn’t mean that having normal, or wild-type, KRAS is a fail-safe. “It isn’t foolproof,” cautions Goldberg. “If you have wild-type KRAS, you’re more likely to respond, but it’s not a guarantee.” Tumors shrink in response to these drugs in up to 40 percent of patients with wild-type KRAS, and progression-free and overall survival is increased.

The cost benefit of testing patients for the KRAS gene could potentially save about $740 million a year by not providing EGFR-inhibiting drugs to patients who would not benefit from the drugs. "With the assumption that patients with mutated Kras (35.6% of all patients) would not receive cetuximab (other studies have found Kras mutation in up to 46% of patients), theoretical drug cost savings would be $753 million; considering the cost of Kras testing, net savings would be $740 million."

According to the American Cancer Society statistics in 2006, over 20% of patients present with metastatic (stage IV) colorectal cancer at the time of diagnosis, and up to 25% of this group will have isolated liver metastasis that is potentially resectable. Lesions which undergo curative resection have demonstrated 5-year survival outcomes now exceeding 50%.

Resectability of a liver metastasis is determined using preoperative imaging studies (CT or MRI), intraoperative ultrasound, and by direct palpation and visualization during resection. Lesions confined to the right lobe are amenable to en bloc removal with a right hepatectomy (liver resection) surgery. Smaller lesions of the central or left liver lobe may sometimes be resected in anatomic "segments", while large lesions of left hepatic lobe are resected by a procedure called hepatic trisegmentectomy. Treatment of lesions by smaller, non-anatomic "wedge" resections is associated with higher recurrence rates. Some lesions which are not initially amenable to surgical resection may become candidates if they have significant responses to preoperative chemotherapy or immunotherapy regimens. Lesions which are not amenable to surgical resection for cure can be treated with modalities including radio-frequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation, and chemoembolization.

Patients with colon cancer and metastatic disease to the liver may be treated in either a single surgery or in staged surgeries (with the colon tumor traditionally removed first) depending upon the fitness of the patient for prolonged surgery, the difficulty expected with the procedure with either the colon or liver resection, and the comfort of the surgery performing potentially complex hepatic surgery.

Most colorectal cancers should be preventable, through increased surveillance, improved lifestyle, and, probably, the use of dietary chemopreventative agents.

The comparison of colorectal cancer incidence in various countries strongly suggests that sedentarity, overeating (i.e., high caloric intake), and perhaps a diet high in meat (red or processed) could increase the risk of colorectal cancer. In contrast, a healthy body weight, physical fitness, and good nutrition decreases cancer risk in general. Accordingly, lifestyle changes could decrease the risk of colorectal cancer as much as 60-80%.

A high intake of dietary fiber (from eating fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other high fiber food products) has, until recently, been thought to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma. In the largest study ever to examine this theory (88,757 subjects tracked over 16 years), it has been found that a fiber rich diet does not reduce the risk of colon cancer. A 2005 meta-analysis study further supports these findings.

The Harvard School of Public Health states: "Health Effects of Eating Fiber: Long heralded as part of a healthy diet, fiber appears to reduce the risk of developing various conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, diverticular disease, and constipation. Despite what many people may think, however, fiber probably has little, if any effect on colon cancer risk."

More than 200 agents, including the above cited phytochemicals, and other food components like calcium or folic acid (a B vitamin), and NSAIDs like aspirin, are able to decrease carcinogenesis in pre-clinical development models: Some studies show full inhibition of carcinogen-induced tumours in the colon of rats. Other studies show strong inhibition of spontaneous intestinal polyps in mutated mice (Min mice). Chemoprevention clinical trials in human volunteers have shown smaller prevention, but few intervention studies have been completed today. The "chemoprevention database" shows the results of all published scientific studies of chemopreventive agents, in people and in animals.

Aspirin should not be taken routinely to prevent colorectal cancer, even in people with a family history of the disease, because the risk of bleeding and kidney failure from high dose aspirin (300 mg or more) outweigh the possible benefits.

A clinical practice guideline of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against taking aspirin (grade D recommendation). The Task Force acknowledged that aspirin may reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer, but "concluded that harms outweigh the benefits of aspirin and NSAID use for the prevention of colorectal cancer". A subsequent meta-analysis concluded "300 mg or more of aspirin a day for about 5 years is effective in primary prevention of colorectal cancer in randomised controlled trials, with a latency of about 10 years". However, long-term doses over 81 mg per day may increase bleeding events.

A meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration of randomized controlled trials published through 2002 concluded "Although the evidence from two RCTs suggests that calcium supplementation might contribute to a moderate degree to the prevention of colorectal adenomatous polyps, this does not constitute sufficient evidence to recommend the general use of calcium supplements to prevent colorectal cancer.". Subsequently, one randomized controlled trial by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) reported negative results. A second randomized controlled trial reported reduction in all cancers, but had insufficient colorectal cancers for analysis.



MEDICAL REMEDY FOR FAINTING SPELLS

FAINTING SPELLS
Fainting is a feeling of light-headedness and dizziness.

First Aid
1. Lower the head between the knees, if the patient is still on a chair.
2. Or let him lie flat with the head lower than the feet. This is done to draw blood to the head.
3. Check pulse and respiration to see if breathing and pulse is strong. If breathing is rapid and pulse is strong, get a paper or plastic bag, big enough to cover the face. Hold the bag over the nose and mouth and let the patient breathe in and out slowly in the big bag for a few minutes. If he does not recover after 15-20 minutes, bring the patient to the nearest hospital or medical clinic for medical attention.
4. if the patient is not breathing and pulse cannot be felt, prepare to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Have someone to call a doctor or get ready to transport the patient to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. If someone is able to do CPR, give CPR while the patient is being transported to the hospital. Stop only when the patient’s pulse becomes palpable and he is already breathing.
5. Check if the patient is diabetic or not. Ask the family.

Herbal Medication
1. Atis or Sweet Sop Leaves. If the patient is breathing and pulse is strong, crush atis or Sweet Sop leaves. Let the patient smell the aroma of the juice. Put it over the nose for him to smell it. Let him smell it until dizziness or fainting spell is out.
2. Bayabas or Guava leaves. Crush the bayabas or Guava leaves. Let the patient smell the aroma instructing him to take deep breathes. Put the crushed leaves over his nose for him to smell the essence of the leaves.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

TURPENTINE STUPES MEDICAL PROCEDURE

TURPENTINE STUPES
The application of turpentine and oil to the abdomen or joint, combined with moist heat.

Effects:
1. Relieves abdominal distention or gas pain.
2. Relaxes bowel or intestinal spasms.
3. Stimulates the peristaltic movements of the intestines.
4. Relieves pain and congestion in the adjoining parts of the sprained ankle.
5. Relieves pain due to intestinal colic.
6. Promotes the absorption of serious effusion and exudates.

Things Needed:
1. Set of Hot fomentations.
2. Sheet or Blanket to cover the patient.
3. One bath towel.
4. Bottle containing turpentine and oil in the following mixture: 1 tablespoon turpentine to 8 tablespoons mineral oil for children, 1 tablespoon turpentine to 6 tablespoons mineral oil for adults. Turpentine Mixture: Put one tablespoon of turpentine in a bottle with cover and add 8 tablespoons mineral oil, for children. For adults add only 6 tablespoons of mineral oil to 1 tablespoon of turpentine. Cover the bottle and shake mixture thoroughly. Label the bottle with this proportion of turpentine and mineral oil. This mixture can be kept for future use. Keep bottle away from children.
5. Cream and lotion.

Procedure:
1. Brings all things needed to the bedside including the mixture of oil and turpentine.
2. Prepare the patient as for fomentation on the abdomen or ankle.
3. Apply the oil and turpentine mixture with your fingertips to the area to be treated.
4. Observe the skin very carefully o see if the patient is allergic to turpentine. If redness is noticed, discontinue the treatment. Wipe and remove the oil and turpentine mixture and apply cream on the skin.
5. Cover the area with the dry towel and apply the hot fomentation over the area with the turpentine mixture. Fomentation pad should not be very hot.
6. Give the three sets of fomentations. For abdominal distention teach patient to do abdominal breathing. While the hot fomentation is still on the abdominal area, tell patient to do abdominal breathing. Breathe in slowly bringing the abdomen up on inspiration and down on expiration. Do this exercise for a few minutes, with rest periods in between.
7. After the last fomentation pad, remove the hot towel and with the dry towel remove the oil from the skin.
8. Apply cream on hand lotion over the skin area treated and bandage (for sprained joint).
9. If abdominal distentions persist, repeat the treatment after two hours, unless contraindicated (not advised).
10. If patient is not relieved in spite of the treatment, consult your physician immediately.

Precaution and contraindications:
1. Do not use turpentine on patients who have kidney disease.
2. Do not give to patient allergic to turpentine.
3. If intestinal obstruction is suspected, never give any hot treatment but bring the patient immediately to the nearest hospital. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction are: severe abdominal pain, no intestinal activities. Listen with your ears against the abdominal movements of the intestines. Cannot pass out gas or stool.
4. Elderly patient and fair-complexioned individuals are more sensitive. Use mixture of oil and turpentine for children.
5. For diabetic patient, use children’s mixture.
6. Fomentation towels should not be very dry.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

HOT FOOT BATH PROCEDURE

HOT FOOT BATH
A local immersion bath covering the feet, ankles and legs.

Effects:
1. Relieves head, chest and pelvic congestions by the drawing of blood from those areas to the legs and feet.
2. Stops nosebleed.
3. Relieves pain and spasm of the feet and legs.
4. Induces sweating in the case of fever-lowers body temperature.
5. Relieves menstrual cramps by relaxing the uterine spasm.
6. Relieves headache.
7. Relaxes the whole day.

Things Need:
1. One kerosene can or plastic pail.
2. One small basin.
3. One large “Kaserola” or kettle of boiling water.
4. Chair or stool.
5. Compress cloth or face towel.
6. Pitcher or diaper.
7. One old newspaper, if done in bed.
8. Bath towel.
9. One blanket.

Procedure:
1. Close windows and doors. If done in the bathroom, the patient should seat on a chair. If the patient is too weak to sit, patient may lie down and treated in bed.
2. Remove clothing of patient, and drape with blanket.
3. Assist patient’s feet into pail or basin of water. Water is ankle deep to start with. Temperature should be as hot as can be tolerated.
4. Apply cold compress to the forehead or on the nape if compress is small.
5. Add hot water. In adding hot water to the foot tub, push the patient’s feet to one side and place your hand between the feet and steam of water. Increase the water temperature to the patient’s heat tolerance.
6. Continue adding hot water for 20-30 minutes. Don’t let the water cool off.
7. At the end of the treatment lift feet from the water and poor cold water over again.
8. Give hot and cold-water shower if patient. Give him warm sponge bath if done in bed.
9. Dry patient and keep him comfortable. Let patient rest till he stops perspiring.