Sunbathing? Do Not Forget Your Aloe Vera!

Have you heard about the legendary beauty of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra? Much of her beauty is owed to the "lily of the desert" Aloe Vera. Aloe vera has been blessed with enormous medicinal properties that more and more people are now convinced that Aloe is a significant herbal remedy for a diverse range of ailments.

Planning a holiday to beautiful Diani Beach in Kenya? Or planning a holiday in any tropical paradise that has loads of sunshine? Just remember never to step out without Aloe Vera as Aloe is an excellent remedy to soothe your skin after sun exposure. Aloe Vera has a multitude of positive effects on the epithelial layer of the skin. You would have most definitely have heard about Aloe's role in wound healing, as an anti-ageing agent, its role in burns and its ability to block off UV light. Aloe Vera is conventionally available as creams and gels. However these creams and gels have additives that tend to neutralize the beneficial effects of Aloe. Instead why not use Aloe in the form of capsules? Aloe Vera capsules taken 2 daily for a week before holidays start and everyday while on the tropical holiday keeps out excess UV light and also ensures that you are able to retain the tan better.

Have you noticed that it is much harder to get tanned but far easier for the tan to disappear? Now you can keep that heard-earned tan for longer without having to resort to fake tanning products that give an artificial tanned appearance to the skin. Aloe Vera works to soothe the skin and prevent the soreness that can be caused by exposure to the sun's ultra violet rays. It also helps to moisturize your skin and provide much needed nutrients so that your skin holds up to sunlight better and your sun tan lasts longer than normal. Aloe Vera is also known to have unique healing properties that enables people with skin ulcers to get rid of these ulcers. Aloe also has the ability to help you overcome chronic, irritating eczema and heals quickly and effectively painful, and unsightly burn injuries. Aloe Vera capsules work from inside out and makes your skin look healthy and young.

So what are you waiting for? Get that tan you always wanted and keep your skin looking healthy and young. CHECK THIS OUT FOR A FABULOUS OFFER!!

Best Home Remedies For Earaches

Earaches have the tendency to bug you more so when you are traveling. Earaches can be very mild to the very sinister. Earaches are caused by infection in the ear, hardened wax in the ear, a foerign object stuck in the ear canal, sinusitis or rhinitis leading to block of the Euatachian tube (a small tube connecting the sinuses to the middle ear) or even pressure changes arising out of deep-sea diving or high altitudes like while flying. Earaches can be accompanied by fever, giddiness, nausea, or vomiting. Earaches arising due to infection can have the focus either in the external ear (Otitis Externa) or middle ear (Otitis Media). For some conditions like wax or foreign object in the ear and infections consult the doctor for treatment. However to get temporary relief from an earache till you seek medical opinion here are some home remedies:

1. Put some drops of Hydrogen Peroxide in the ear as a relief from severe earache.
2. Two drops of holy basil leaf juice can also relieve earache.
3. Cut a piece of garlic. Wrap it with a piece of cotton ball, immerse it with alcohol. Squeeze the excess alcohol and put it in the ear that aches. This remedy is effective Home Remedy for Earache.
4. Immerse half a cotton wool ball in olive oil put in the microwave (approx 20 seconds) till its warm not hot, squeeze out excess oil so its damp, then put in ear.
5. Pour some garlic juice in the paining ear as its antibiotic characters help to relieve the pain.
6. A good Home Remedy for Earache is to Crush a garlic clove and wrap in kitchen towel, then squeeze the juice into the ear, wrap a small quantity of the crushed garlic in a little bit more kitchen towel and place softly in the ear and leave for 30mins or so.
7. For gripping ear pain just put some drops of warm onion juice and your pain will just vanish away in a moment. This is another good Home Remedy for Earache.

Remember to seek medical opinion always to treat the underlying cause.

Home Remedies For Yeast Infections

Yeast Infections! Everyone falls prey to these irritating organisms at some point in life or the other. In my practice at Diani Beach Hospital, I have noted that people fall prey to these infections more here considering the heat and humidity at the coast. To make matters worse many doctors shrug off these yeast infections or prescribe antifungals and treat the acute episode. Yeast infections are notorious for their recurrence. This results in patients often seeing multiple doctors for the same problem. Another reason why yeast infections are on the rise is due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics that eradicate the helpful bacteria normally present in our body. The most common yeast infection is Candida albicans. Candida is normally present in all of us and it causes infections whenever our immunity is reduced. It is thus an opportunistic pathogen. When the infection is acute or severe do consult a doctor. However there are several home remedies that one can use to keep these infections at bay or manage them when there is an active infection.

1. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of lukewarm water and gulp it down. Please note that this remedy is not for people with a weak stomach! Incidentally this remedy also prevents PMS.
2. Pour half a cup of salt and half a cup of vinegar into a lukewarm bath and soak for 20 minutes to get instant relief from itching.
3. Drink 8 ounces of cultured buttermilk everyday till symptoms vanish. It works better if taken at night as there is more time for the cultures to kill off the yeast cells.
4. Dip a tampon liberally in tea tree oil or fresh yoghurt and insert it into the vagina and leave overnight. This works magic. However do not insert this if there are cracks or fissures in the vagina.
5. Use baby oil that contains aloe vera and Vitamin E and rub on the affected area for relief from symptoms.
6. If you are on strong antibiotics drink plain yoghurt containing acidophilus to prevent yeast infections.
7. One glass of cranberry juice with each meal can restore the vaginal pH and prevent yeast infections or lessen symptoms of an active infection.
8. Freeze a tea bag (of any kind) and leave it on the affected part till it melts. This relieves itching immediately.
9. Do not sit with wet bathing suits, do not share towels, swimwear and other personal effects. Remember good personal hygiene is a must to prevent yeast infections.

The Heat Is Unrelenting!!

Hello everyone,

Given the fact that there has been an understanding of sorts between the major political parties there seems to be an easy calm in the current political scenario in the country. This has come as a blessing and a sigh of relief to the various business interests in Kenya and also in the whole of East Africa considering the strategic importance of Kenya. Let's hope for the best and wish that the country is restored to normalcy from its dark days of political turmoil.

So much for the political heat! There has been a slight delay in the beginning of the monsoon season (much to the relief of the few tourists at this time of the year!) considering that it normally rains cats and dogs at this time of the year. As a result the heat has been unrelenting and everyone is praying that the rains do make their customary appearance for the benefit of the farmers. The normal rainy season is from April to July and the months of July and August are very pleasant before the heat sets in again in the month of September till the next rains.

Diani is generally extremely quiet during the months of April, May and June as the tourists stay away from the rains and Malaria which is synonymous with the rainy season in this part of the world. Add to this the fact there is not much game to be viewed in the national parks on the safari circuits during the rains because the animals get plenty of water anyway and thus there is no need to visit the watering holes. I could do with some extra time to update my blogs without compromising my regular medical practice though!!

Have a pleasant day.

Cosmetic Surgery At Diani Beach Hospital

Diani Beach Hospital has now joined the elite band of hospitals that can offer cosmetic surgeries to patients. At Diani Beach Hospital we offer liposuction by a revolutionary new technique that is outlined below. We also offer additional services like Facial Fat Transfer for wrinkle removal, BOTOX, injections of Hyaluronic acid for facial wrinkle smoothening among other procedures.

Tumescent Liposuction: Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures the world over. However there are several mishaps that can possibly happen with this procedure. Failure of the patient to check the credentials of the performing surgeon is one of the most common reasons why these tragedies happen. Remember Donde West?? A qualified surgeon is one of the first things that a patient should ensure while contemplating the procedure. Conventional liposuction is performed undwer General Anaesthesia, a risk in itself. Added to this the surgeon can often get 'greedy' and attempt a megaliposuction as the patient is under general anaesthesia! In addition to this when a patient is under general anaesthesia there is every chance of the surgeon inadvertantly piercing the abdominal cavity as the patient is unable to feel any pain and thus guide the surgeon.

We, at Diani Beach Hospital, perform Liposuction by using a revolutionary new procedure called as Tumescent technique. In this procedure, there is no use of general anaesthesia, the patient is awake during the whole procedure, the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia (and under conscious sedation in some patients who wish), can get back to their hotels/houses within 3-4 hours after the procedure is completed, and get back to normal routine within a couple of days.

The areas of the body that can be sculpted by liposuction include: the abdomen, the thighs, hips and waist, love handles in men and women, the breasts, fat pads in the upper back, neck, calves and buttocks.

Apart from liposuction we also perform facial fat transfers to eliminate wrinkles. Conventional treatment for wrinkles by using BOTOX or Collagen give satisfying results but are short-lived in their action leading to resurgence of the wrinkles. However fat transfer into the wrinkles give more long-lasting and better cosmetic results.

If you are planning a holiday to Kenya, enjoy Kenya's finest game parks and pristine beaches and should you desire to get your body sculpted while on holiday (or get a more youthful face!) get in touch with us.

For more details on both these procedures contact dr.rajgopal@dianibeachhospital.com or call us at + 254 40 320 2435.

Now You Need Not Worry About Your Digestion Problems While Traveling!

It is common knowledge that when one travels there is obviously going to be feasts galore and you need to taste and savor the local delicacies! To many people eating is a passion and whatever they eat they seem to have no problems with digestion but to a few unfortunate ones (like me) after a couple of feasts the very thought of food sets the ghost of indigestion in full flow! How can one avoid the unpleasant feeling of indigestion especially while on a vacation?

The answer lies in Biochemistry! Tissue salts, also called as cell salts or biochemic salts are composed of minerals which occur naturally in our bodies and all organic matter. Dr. Scheussler demonstrated that when a human cell is reduced to ashes it contains 12 minerals or biochemic salts and to ensure perfect health these 12 salts must be present in the right balance in all human cells.

Tissue salts are described as NUTROCEUTICALS - nutritional substances used to maintain optimal body health. Thus tissue salts can be taken regularly to promote health and functioning. Because they work at supporting health at the cellular level, regular use of the appropriate tissue salts can ensure that the therapeutic effects of other natural remedies are optimized and that the bio-availability of nutrients in the diet is improved. A healthy diet should be able to provide all the tissue salts that our bodies need. Unfortunately, due to modern farming methods, the food that is available to us is often deficient in the minerals and vitamins that are essential for health - even if we follow a healthy diet. Added to this is the fact that many people rely on fast food or pre-packed processed meals due to time constraints and a stressful lifestyle. This means that the majority of people in Western countries are deficient in essential vitamins and other nutritional substances, and need to take supplements on a daily basis.

One such preparation that aids healthy digestion and promotion of harmony in the digestive tract consists of Kalium Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate and Natrium Phosphate. These salts are easy to take as they are very tiny and just needs to be placed under the tongue where they will dissolve slowly like peppermint!

Go ahead and feast this vacation with the full knowledge that Triple complex digestion tonic will work wonders for your digestion! Check it out!!

Traveling? Keep Your Immune System In Top Form

The immune system is an amazingly complex and intricate system that is constantly waging a battle against endogenous and exogenous agents that have the potential to cause trivial and deadly diseases in the host. Thus it is crucial to keep the immune system at its peak performance to enable it to withstand the daily struggles it faces against invading microorganisms. The first line of defence is thus to maintain the structural integrity of the immune system. More so when you are looking forward to that long awaited trip abroad - you do not want to fall sick and miss out on a lovely vacation!

More and more people are looking for natural immune system boosters and herbal and homeopathic remedies have been around for thousands of years that seek to serve as tonics to boost up the immune system and encourage normal and efficient defence against invading pathogens.

ImmunityPlus is now available and is a blend of herbal formulations aimed at providing support to the immune system and is devoid of any side effects or stimulants and is non-addictive. ImmunityPlus contains a selection of herbs known for their supportive function in maintaining immune system health and well-being. It supports the healthy functioning of the immune system, thereby helping to maintain the natural defense against pathogens and optimum performance. ImmunityPlus can be used consistently without compromising health and not causing any side effects to help maintain the body's natural ability to fight viral and bacterial infections and also to promote recovery after any illness.

ImmunityPlus is one hundred % natural and comprises of various herbal ingredients tried and tested as immune system boosters. Some of the ingredients are African potato, Buchu (used by the natives of Western Cape of South Africa), Golden Rod, an extract of olive leaf, among various proven ingredients. Read more about the same by clicking here.

ImmunityPlus is available in liquid formulation and all it takes is 10-15 drops in a glass of water thrice daily just before beginning your vacation and take for a minimum of three weeks.

Physiotherapy Services - Latest Addition At The Hospital

Diani Beach Hospital has been in the forefront of medical care at the South Coast of Kenya and is often deemed as the premier healthcare facility at the coast for both tourists and residents alike. The hospital is constantly expanding the repertoire of services offered and now boasts of unique services.

The physiotherapy department is now fully functional for over two years. The department has been equipped with the latest equipments like a Short-Wave Diathermy, Ultrasound and Magnetotherapy, TENS, a state-of-the-art traction unit, treadmill and aerobic cycle. The physiotherapist, Ms. Lennah, is an extremely well-qualified and warm person and she is truly liked by all the patients. The department caters to muusculoskeletal rehabilitation and every attention is paid to ensure that the patient is returned back to normal levels of functionality.

The department has recently been upgraded with a state-of-the-art Hydrotherapy unit which is the first of its kind in the entire coast of Kenya. Scheduled to open for patient care in a month's time, the hydrotherapy pool will now look at offering rehabilitation harnessing the healing powers of water.

Patients who wish to book an appointment with the Physiotherapist can now do so by calling the hospital reception.

Welcome To The Blog Of Diani Beach Hospital

Hello everyone,
Welcome to my blog about Diani Beach Hospital. Diani Beach Hospital is a prestigious private medical facility in the South Coast of Kenya situated on the pristine Diani Beach. This is a blog that is dedicated to the services offered by the hospital, news updates, traveling health tips and recent happenings at the hospital. I hope you will find the information helpful for your healthcare needs while traveling to Kenya.
I also will update the blog on the various health facilities in Kenya in general in this blog. You can get in touch with me at: dianiraj2007@yahoo.com and dr.rajgopal@dianibeachhospital.com for any information that you might need.