Mumps

A highly contagious disease, mumps is an infection caused mostly in the salivary glands and gonads. At times, it might be seen at the other parts of the body as well. People usually experience mumps in the age group of 5 to 15 years. The main symptom of mumps comprises of the swelling in the salivary glands. Mostly, a person is infected with mumps only once in a lifetime. However, there might be rare cases, where the infection occurs for the second time as well. Though there are no specific treatments for mumps, they can be alleviated with the help of home remedies

• Swollen, painful salivary glands, on one or both sides of the face
• Pain while chewing or swallowing
• Fever
• Weakness and fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat
• Mild abdominal pain
• Dry mouth

The main cause of mumps is Paramyxovirus. The virus mainly infects the saliva of a person and spreads easily from one person to another. A highly contagious disease, mumps spreads when you come in contact with an infected person who has just sneezed or coughed. Some other ways, through which the virus can spread, include sharing utensils with an infected person. At times, parotid glands swell due to the influenza virus or Coxsackie virus, making a person susceptible to mumps. Lack of immunisation and weakened immune system also adds to the risk of getting infected with mumps.

• Rub Chebulic myroblan herb in water. Apply this paste over the swelling. This is an effective home remedy for curing mumps.
• Smear the leaves of peepal leaves with clarified butter and warm them over fire. Place these leaves over the swelled area and bandage it properly.
• Peel one side of the herb Indian aloe. Warm the peeled side and sprinkle some turmeric powder over it, along with the extract of Indian barbery. Place it over the inflamed area and bandage it properly.
• The seeds of asparagus and fenugreek are beneficial in treating mumps. Take equal proportions of asparagus and fenugreek seeds and grind them. Adding some water, make a paste out of it. Apply this paste over the swellings to get relief.
• Grind dry ginger and make a paste with water. Apply this paste over the infected area. Not only would this reduce the swelling, but also subsidize the pain.
• Mash the leaves of margosa and add some turmeric powder and water, to form a paste. Apply this paste over the affected area. It would prove effective in treating mumps.
• It is advisable to avoid any kind of acidic food. The patient suffering from mumps should not be given citrus juices and curd. Instead, water and vegetable soup should be preferred.
• Liquids like rice water, flavored with some ghee and taken along with raw mango pickle, are amongst the ideal foods during mumps.