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Hydrochlorothiazide, also called by the short-hand terms hydrochlorot or HCTZ, is a diuretic primarily used to relieve fluid retention caused by various disorders. It is usually prescribed to be taken once daily and is provided in tablets and capsules of various dosages. Hydrochlorot is available in generic form and as several brand names including Ezide and Microzide.

1. Edema

   • Hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed to reduce fluid retention, or edema, caused by congestive heart failure and kidney disorders, and from taking medications such as steroids or estrogen. Edema usually occurs in the feet, ankles and lower legs, but can affect other parts of the body as well. Hydrochlorot blocks salt and fluid re-absorption in the kidneys and causes increased urine output.

   High Blood Pressure

   • Another common use for hydrochlorot is reducing high blood pressure, which helps prevent serious cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as kidney problems. Researchers have not fully determined why the drug decreases high blood pressure, and also why it does not affect normal blood pressure. Theories include reduction in blood volume and cardiac output that result from sodium being eliminated through urine, and also that the drug may be able to directly widen blood vessels.

   Kidney Stones

   • Doctors can legally prescribe medications for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), called off-label use. One of these uses for hydrochlorot is preventing calcium-containing kidney stones, as the drug reduces the amount of calcium in urine.

   Ménière's Disease

   • Physicians also sometimes prescribe hydrochlorot to relieve symptoms of Ménière's disease, a condition characterized by too much fluid and pressure in the inner ear. This disorder can cause extreme dizziness and vertigo, and it affects balance and hearing.

   Edema During Pregnancy

   • Taking diuretics during pregnancy usually is not recommended, and any edema should be resolved by wearing support hose and elevating the legs. However, if a pregnant woman experiences edema from a disease-related (pathologic), cause, a doctor might prescribe medication such as hydrochlorot. Hydrochlorot also may be prescribed if the fluid retention causes extreme discomfort which is not alleviated by other methods.

Disodium diphosphate is a chemical additive and preservative. It has many aliases. Disodium diphosphate also is known as disodium dihydrogen diphosphate, disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate and disodium pyrophosphate. It also has the name sodium acid pyrophosphate. This chemical is an odorless white powder and, because it has a valance of greater than two, it can bond to many other chemicals.

1. Conversion

   • It can covert sodium nitrite into nitrogen dioxide. Sodium nitrite is a colorless or yellowish hydrophilic salt that is a meat preservative and an antidote for cyanide poisoning. It can widen blood vessels as well. Nitrogen dioxide is a strongly oxidizing, poisonous reddish-brown gas. This is one area in which conversion to another substance is not needed

   GRAS

   • Disodium diphosphate either colors food or prevents discoloration. It is used to color hot dogs in their packaging. It also is used in commercially packaged hash browns to prevent the potato from oxidizing and browning. It is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance in the use of food, but there are warnings of excessive use because it may lead to imbalanced levels of minerals in the body and bone loss.

   Baking Bread

   • Disodium diphosphate is used in canned seafood to retain color and to prevent decomposition during transport from the production plant to stores. It also is used as a leavening agent for different kinds of breads. A leavening agent is a substance that acts like yeast to make bread rise.

   Industrial Uses

   • Disodium diphosphate is a buffering agent and a Lewis base, a base that gives away electrons, drawing it near to other compounds. It neutralizes other substances. It also has industrial uses. It can remove iron stains and stabilize hydrogen peroxide. It is used to clean the machine used in dairy farms. It also is used to remove hair from pigs and feathers from poultry before they are led to slaughter. It is used in making plastics, too.

   Making Cheese

   • Disodium diphosphate is added to rennet casein as a food preservative and to make certain foods edible. Rennet is the lining of cattle stomach (tripe) used for curdling milk. Casein is a phosphoprotein of milk. It is produced when rennet curdles milk. Disodium diphosphate also makes milk curdle or coagulate and is used as a principal substance in making cheese.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a form of the herb licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) from which the compound glycyrrhizin has been removed. DGL is commonly used for problems of the digestive tract. It is available in several forms, including powders, capsules, chewable tablets and as an ingredient in various digestive compounds.

1. Licorice

   • Glycyrrhiza glabra, Koehler's Medicinal Plants, 1887, public domain

     Licorice root has a long history of use in both the Chinese and Western herbal traditions. It has a soothing effect on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and lungs, and is used for cough, sore throat, gastritis and any condition that irritates these membranes. Licorice is one of the most common herbs in detoxification and cleansing formulas.

   Glycyrrhizin

   • Glycyrrhizin diagram, Shaddack, public domain

     Glycyrrhizin (also known as glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizinic acid) is the main active constituent in licorice root. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner in her book "Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth," glycyrrhizin decreases inflammation by enhancing the movement of white blood cells toward the inflamed area, and increases the activity of several immune compounds. The compound also inhibits the breakdown of cortisol and corticosteroids, increasing the anti-inflammatory effects of these hormones.

   Side Effects of Glycyrrhizin

   • Some people experience increased water retention and blood pressure with long-term use of licorice root. Glycyrrhizin is responsible for this, as it can cause the body to reabsorb sodium at the kidneys, which decreases the amount of water excreted. Licorice root is therefore contraindicated in anyone with high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney or liver disease, and it should not be used by pregnant women.

   DGL Uses

   • Deglycyrrhizinated licorice was developed in order to avoid the effects of licorice root on blood pressure. DGL is safe in pregnancy and is safe for those with high blood pressure and liver and kidney conditions. Its sole use is to soothe irritations of the digestive tract, as without the glycyrrhizin, the detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects of licorice are lost.

   Contraindications of DGL

   • There are no known contraindications of DGL. Some people are adverse to the taste of the chewable or powdered forms.

Sometimes there's little warning before your system revolts, making it quite easy for throw-up to end up in places you don't want it. Throw-up not only smells bad, but it leaves stubborn stains behind as well. A good night's rest is unlikely if evidence of throw-up on your mattress lingers. There are several items you may already have around the home that prove useful in eliminating this problem.

1. Items to Remove the Throw-up

   • Don rubber gloves, as removing throw-up is a gruesome chore. An old towel is helpful for scooping up the solids so you can dispose of them. Use plastic bags, newspapers or paper towels if you don't have towels to spare for this particular chore. An easy way to get rid of the throw-up is to use a wet/dry vacuum, if you have one handy. Make sure to clean it out as soon as possible afterward. Check the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning it out.

   Products for Removing the Stain

   • The suds from soapy water can be efficient in cleaning up these unsightly stains. Add several squirts of dish soap to a quart of warm water and use an electric mixer to create suds. Dip a sponge in the suds and wipe the stain. Rinse the area with a solution of warm water and white vinegar in equal parts. Don't pour the solution onto the mattress, as this will oversaturate it. Sponge it onto the area with a clean cloth or sponge and blot the area dry immediately with a dry towel.

   What Removes the Smell?

   • The optimal way to both allow your mattress to dry and help with odor elimination is to drag it outside and let the sunshine take care of it. Sunshine works wonders on stains and odors. Have a friend help you to carry the mattress outside and lay it on a blanket in the sunshine. If the weather isn't cooperating, sprinkle baking soda on the dampened area and leave it overnight. If you can't wait that long, let the baking soda sit for at least three or four hours. Vacuum it up with your vacuum cleaner's brush attachment.

   Considerations

   • If you opt to use a product you purchase at the store, ensure that it has enzyme fighting capabilities. It may also boast that it's good for cleaning urine and blood, which are also organic stains. Read the manufacturer's directions carefully and follow them closely. For whatever product you use, make sure that you don't oversaturate the mattress, as this can lead to mildew problems later.

Treatment for swollen and itchy eyelids depends on the source of inflammation and irritation. Eye conditions that cause inflammation can be difficult to treat because they tend to reoccur, according to the National Eye Institute.

1. Causes of Eyelid Inflammation and Irritation

   • Corneal abrasions can be painful.

     Eye infections are a common cause of swelling and itching. Blepharitis stems from bacterial growth in the oil glands near the base of the eyelashes. It looks crusty and dandruff-like on the outside. It can cause swelling, itching, redness and dryness. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is usually caused by bacteria, virus or allergies. Pink eye can cause swelling, itching, burning and redness. Corneal abrasions-a scratch to the front, clear part of the eye (cornea)-can be very painful and cause swelling, itching and the sensation that a foreign body is present. Allergies are another common cause of itchy, swollen eyelids. Eyelid problems can also be caused by rosacea, a disease of the skin.

   Treatment

   • Blepharitis is treated by applying warm compresses and washing the eyelids with baby shampoo. To use a warm compress: dampen a clean washcloth and hold over closed eyes for several minutes; repeat several times. This relieves itching and helps open up oil glands. Wash eyelids with a clean washcloth or a cotton swab soaked in clean water. Gently scrub eyelids for 15 seconds and rinse. Use a different swab for each eye. Conjunctivitis can clear up without treatment, but if a bacterial infection is present, prescription antibiotics are needed. Compresses help relieve the irritation, but cleanliness is a must. Frequent hand washing helps prevent spreading pink eye. Minor abrasions can heal on their own, but deeper injuries require medication, ointment and sometimes patching. Allergy symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter drops, allergy medication or prescription drops, depending on the severity. Eye problems from rosacea occur in about half the people with the disease, according to the National Rosacea Society. Symptoms are usually treated with oral antibiotics.

   Additional Considerations

   • Most eye problems are minor and resolve themselves. Drops called artificial tears soothe irritated eyes and are available without a prescription. However, eye problems can worsen quickly. If that happens, consult a doctor immediately.