Mumps is a viral disease named after a virus called Mumps. This contagious disease mostly affects young children. Though, it can affect young adults as well. Mumps causes easily noticeable inflammation of the salivary glands (present on the back of the cheeks) and is accompanied by immense pain. The disease may also cause inflammations in other organs as well.
There is no specific treatment for Mumps. The disease usually runs its course and goes away on its own. Therefore, several natural home remedies for Mumps have been suggested to facilitate the process of healing and to provide relief from the symptoms of this disease.
Being a painful disease, the conventional treatment makes use of harmful painkillers, whereas the natural treatment calls for the use of natural ingredients and therapeutic procedures to reduce the pain.
Prevention is better cure in case of this dangerous disease. The development of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been of great help in controlling and preventing Mumps disease. Hence, it is essential to vaccinate small children with this vaccine to reduce the chances of contracting this fatal disease.
Rarely, even if the disease is contracted after vaccination then its intensity is so mild that the affected individuals seldom realize or bother about the symptoms which disappear on their own. Use of aspirin is strictly forbidden in case of small children.
Causes and Symptoms of Mumps
As already mentioned, Mumps is caused by a viral infection. It is usually spread through the droplets of mucus discharge from the nose or throat of the Mumps affected individuals. Act of sneezing and coughing release these tiny droplets in the air, which can land on the objects nearby.
When an infected individual comes in contact with these droplets, either directly or indirectly then the infection spreads. The infected individual is generally considered contagious three days prior to the manifestation of symptoms up to the first four days of the disease.
Unvaccinated children between the age group of 2 to 12 years are more at risk of developing this disease. The incubation period ranges between 14 to 25 days. This means that Mumps viral infection takes 12 to 24 days to manifest the actual symptoms of the disease. The infected individuals do not incur the diseases again.
Swelling of the salivary glands under the ears is the most important and distinguishing symptoms of Mumps. Other symptoms include fever up to 103 ° F, sore throat, muscular pain, headache, loss of appetite and a general feeling of weakness and tiredness.
The pain tends to increase with movement of the jaws, like while eating. In some rare cases can be characterized by serious complications like deafness, inflammation of testicles, brain, pancreas, thyroid gland, ovaries etc. Hence, it may increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women and infertility in males.
Natural Home Remedies for Mumps
- Make a paste by grinding dry ginger along with some water, just enough to form a paste. Apply this paste on the swollen area to reduce Mumps pain and swelling. This is regarded as one of the most valuable natural home remedies for Mumps.
- Similarly, a paste prepared from Chebulic myroblan herb mixed with water is a highly beneficial natural remedy to reduce Mumps disease.
- Fenugreek and asparagus seeds make for an ideal home remedy to cure Mumps naturally. For this take both the ingredients in equal proportion, grind them and prepare a fine paste by adding some water in the grinded mixture. Finally, apply this paste on the swollen area to heal the problem.
- Rubbing aloe vera juice helps in the treatment of Mumps and relieves pain too. Similarly, aloe vera paste prepared from aloe vera leaves can also be applied to eliminate this problem.
- Applying a paste prepared from crushed margosa leaves, turmeric powder and some water is one of the simplest home remedies for Mumps treatment.
- Heat three or four leaves of sacred fig (peepal), coat some oil on them and again heat. Application of this home remdy serves as a natural Cure for Mumps inflammation.
- Placing a warm cotton ball dipped in mullein tea on the swollen area is one of the most effective natural home remedies for Mumps.
Including rice water in the diet is one of the most highly recommended natural home remedies for Mumps. To improve the taste, some clarified butter and a pinch of salt can also be added in the rice water. Moreover, ginger, garlic, black pepper and other such spices are highly beneficial in curing this contagious disease. Besides, restrict the consumption of acidic foods like citrus fruits and curd.
Therefore, there should be more emphasis on vegetable juices (non acidic) instead of citrus fruit juices. Plus, adequate consumption is also advisable to combat the diseases effectively. The diet should consist of soft foods as movement of the jaw can be painful for the affected individual. Last but not the least; the patient should take sufficient rest.
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