Archive for September, 2008

Dermatographic Urticaria

Monday, September 29th, 2008

I found out that I had this condition yesterday. Here’s my history.

I’ve always noticed that I will sometimes get what looks like an insect bite, a round and raised part of the skin in the same place on my hand every time.

At first I thought that it was a real insect bite but when it kept on happening in exactly the same place each time, I thought perhaps not. And I also noticed that when I scratched the back of my hand in this area and nearby that it might sometimes reveal even more.

By accident, I looked up what “hives” were yesterday. And finally I found what my condition is: “dermatographic urticaria”. Apparently 5% of people have this so I am not alone.

It is basically the skin responding to a stimulus (in this case, a pressure of some sort) and the mast cells within releasing a histamine. You normally see this with insect bites but I seem to get it even without them.

The weird thing is that I can’t reproduce them every time. If I see one, then I can scratch the rest of the back of my hand and produce a huge breakout.

But people who have this problem bad can reproduce it whenever they want. Some people even call it “skin writing” because they can literally write an essay on the surface of their skin! Thankfully, it only lasts about 30 minutes or so.

Personally, I find that it occurs when I scratch the back of my hand with the stubble from my chin! But, like I said, it only happens sometimes and I can’t reproduce it on demand. Perhaps my urticaria is caused by a combination of scatching and other factors, such as stress or heat.

Posted in Allergies | Comments Off

Breast Enlargement Surgery

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

What other people call breast “augmentation” is simple breast enlargement surgery.

Women have been having this operation for many years now and it still remains the most common cosmetic procedure for women to have.

Is Silicone Safe?

In the 90s there was a lot of controversy about silicone implants and their propensity to leak. Many women turned to saline implants instead and some even arranged to have surgery to swap out their existing implants.

Advancements in technology means that implants very rarely leak and most women now opt for the original silicone implants. This is because they give the best and most “natural” feel that can be compared to real breasts.

The Operation

The operation only takes around 2 hours. You will be put under general anesthetic and then the surgeon will make a small incision. This incision is usually placed in the armpit, in the crease under the breast or around the nipple.

Over the next few weeks and months, the scar from the incision will pretty much disappear.

In rare cases, an incision can be made in the belly button and the implants inserted this way. This is an extremely rare, expensive and frankly unnecessary method.

The implants are then inserted and inflated. The valve that is used it turned around so that it does not face outwards.

How Much Does It Cost?

Typically you will pay something around $6,000 for silicone implants. Many clinics may even be able to offer interest free financing if you prefer to pay off the cost on a monthly basis. In this sense, breast implants can be considered a life long investment in your self esteem and well being.

Posted in Cosmetic Surgery | Comments Off

Coccyx Pain (Tailbone Pain)

Monday, September 15th, 2008

The coccyx is the last part of your backbone. Many people also call it a “tailbone” but the true medical name is a coccyx. This nickname makes sense though, because it is basically the remnants of what was once our tail before we lost it. In humans, there are still many muscles attached to this bone.

Pain is sometimes felt in this bone, normally through injury. Women can also injure this bone during childbirth. Usually, this is only mild pain and general painkillers are enough.

Personally, I have had this pain myself a few months ago after falling whilst sitting. I had a mild pain lasting for a few days which eventually went away.

If your pain is much worse or does not go away then I would advise speaking to the doctor. The problem itself could be a number of things and only a medical professional can diagnose it.

One thing to remember is that this bone is actually fragmented in most people so if a doctor examines you and diagnoses a “fracture”, they may actually be misdiagnosing the true cause of your problem. This is because the coccyx is not a single bone but actually a number of small vertebrae that are fused together.

Again, the main thing is to see your doctor of medical professional if the pain does not start to go away within a couple of days. Unfortunately, some people have to live with the pain and a true fracture does not heal as well as e.g. a leg or an arm.

In these cases, the most important thing is to manage the pain effectively.

If you have chronic back pain then you may want to check out this site: Cure Back Pain.

Posted in Pain Management | Comments Off

Anorexia Side Effects – The Dangers Of Anorexia Nervosa

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

Anorexia side effects are numerous in people with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that affects many women but also some men. The effects of rapid slimming and very low body weight take their toll on the body and there are huge side effects which can even lead to death such as in famous cases like the singer, Karen Carpenter.

Malnutrition

By not eating enough generally, your body does not receive enough in the way of nutrients that it needs such as vitamins. No amount of supplements can compensate for the nutrients that the body needs to receive naturally from food and needs to build and maintain it.

Hence why it is common to see brittle hair and yellow nails.

Menstrual Cycles

Many women who are anorexic actually stop having periods altogether. Clearly, this is not normal.

Cardiac Arrest

This is perhaps the worst side effect possible. Anorexia sufferers have hardly any muscle at all, and this includes their heart muscle which degenerates. The heart muscle weakens until it gives up and results in cardiac arrest, often killing its victims.

Organ Damage

Frequently, the liver and the kidneys are amongst the organs often affected.

Osteoporosis

Particular in younger women, anorexia damages the bones and can lead to life-long osteoporosis.

Is your child suffering from anorexia? Read about how a stay at home mom cured her daughter of anorexia. This site might just save her life: Anorexia Home Treatment.

Posted in Eating Disorders | Comments Off

Regrow Thinning Hair – Treatments To Regrow Your Hair Back

Saturday, September 13th, 2008

Regrow thinning hair – is it possible? It sure is and there are many different treatments to choose from. In this article, let’s take a closer look at what works and what doesn’t when it comes to a man wanting to regrow thinning hair.

Rogaine (Minoxidil)

Also known as “Regaine”, this is one of the most popular pharmaceutical treatments for thinning hair.

It is available in 2 forms, either a foam or a spray. Originally a blood pressure medication, it was found that many patients benefitted from ceasing of their hair loss and actual hair regrowth.

However, it does have many side effects. The most common is an itchy scalp but you can also get reduced libido and headaches, among others.

Propecia (Finasteride)

Originally a treatment against prostate enlargement, this has also been shown to be effective for regrowth of hair in males (it does not work for women).

Do not use this drug if there are pregnant women living with you as even microscopic particles can cause birth defects.

There are also many health concerns about the long term effects of taking propecia.

Vitamins

Many people advocate a more natural approach to getting your old hair back. In these cases, vitamins are often recommended.

These usually include B6, E as well as zinc.

Massage

Some people report that regular scalp massage is effective for regrowth of hair. Said to be because the blood flow to the scalp is enhanced.

If you want to try this, make sure that you use a good oil such as coconut oil.

Diet

Possibly one of the most important things is to ensure a good diet. Some people have reported restoration of their old hair by adoping the raw food diet.

Discover the secret techniques that Hollywood actors use to naturally regrow lost hair within weeks: Stop Your Hair Loss.

Posted in Hair Loss | Comments Off

Double Chin Exercises – How To Get Rid Of That Unsightly Double Chin!

Friday, September 12th, 2008

Double chin exercises are a great way to get rid of the unsightly flab on the bottom of your face that everyone can see. Before we start, I should add that losing a little weight will help greatly too. This is because double chin exercises do not really burn any fat but they do help to tone and tighten the skin which, if it is sagging slightly, can often contribute to a double chin.

The Muscle

The muscle that we are going to be working out is the platysma. This is the muscle we use to drop down our jaws. It is also the muscle we use when we want to show an expression of “melancholy”.

Exercise 1

Whilst standing, put your head back slowly until it can go no further. Keep your mouth closed and slowly return your head so it rests above your chest. Repeat this motion several times.

Exercise 2

Slap the underside of your chin with the back of your hand. Start slowly so you can get a good feel that rapidly increase the speed.

Exercise 3

Open your mouth by lowering the lower half of your jaw. Then pretend as if your lower jaw is like a construction digger and mimic a shoveling action, just like the digger catching some dirt and then lifting it up.

Below is a great video of double chin exercises:

Posted in Exercise | Comments Off

Herbal Treatments For Insomnia – Natural Alternatives To Drugs

Thursday, September 11th, 2008

Herbal treatments for insomnia work very well. Even the big drug companies will manufacture herbal alternatives so, unlike most medication, herbal treatments for insomnia really are a good and effective alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Nytol

Nytol is one of the biggest brands of sleeping pills. However, they now also make Nytol Herbal tablets. These contain hops, dogwood Jamaica, wild lettuce, passiflora and pulsatilla.

All of these herbs have sedative and analgesic properties which help you to drift off to sleep quickly.

Avena Sativa

Also known as oats, this is a very common herbal cure for sleepless nights due to it’s mild sedative properties.

Hypnotics

These herbs are strong nerve relaxants and many people find it easy to sleep when taking such herbs. The most common ones are hops, valerian and chamomile. Chamomile is great when taken as a tea.

Precautions

As with drugs, do not take any of these herbs if you are intending to drive or operate machinery. Do not think that they are less effective than pharmaceuticals because in many cases they are actually much more potent.

Celery Juice

Many people report that this is a highly effective way of going to sleep quickly.

Milk

Milk acts as a mild tranquiliser. Take it with cinammon or honey for best results.

Struggling to sleep and too many thoughts in your head? Use modern technology to fall asleep completely naturally: sleeptracks.

Posted in Sleep | Comments Off

Condom Latex Allergy – What Is This Allergy And Alternatives To Latex Condoms

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

Condom latex allergy is a phenomenon that affects at least 2% of the general population at any one time. It is therefore no small problem so let’s take a look at how it manifests itself and what the alternatives are.

What Is Condom Latex Allergy?

Most condoms are made of latex which is a natural rubber material. Unfortunately, around 1% to 3% of the population will suffer from an unwanted response.

Usually, this presents itself as a skin breakout, rash or blotches but sometimes it can progress to blistering. A very few people may even suffer anaphylactic shock and require a shot of adrenalin but this is extremely rare.

Health Workers

Health workers and others who come into regular contact with latex (usually due to wearing gloves) actually have an increased chance of a latex allergy due to the exposure. Something like 6% of health workers will have this allergy.

What Are The Alternatives?

Before considering the alternatives, you should make sure that it definitely is the latex that you or your partner are suffering a reaction to. For instance, some people may be suffering a reaction to a spermicide rather than the latex of the condom itself.

The most common alternatives are polyurethane and lambskin.

Polyurethane is a synthetic plastic that actually feels much better than a latex condom i.e. greater sensation and better transmission of body heat.

Lambskin condoms are made from the intestinal membrane of a lamb (think sausages!). They are 100% natural and said to give the best sensation for any condom.

Worse Protection Against STIs

Although non-latex condoms work well to prevent pregnancy, they do not provide an efficient barrier against sexually transmitted infections. So, use them only with a partner that you trust.

Posted in Birth Control | Comments Off

What Is Pscyhosomatic Pain?

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

In simple terms, psychosomatic pain is pain that is “in the mind” only and not in response to e.g. a sharp object or inflammation.

Before we even look at this further, there is a lot of evidence to support the idea that our own brains can trick us.

Evidence

In hypnosis, pain can either be created out of nothing or even relieved. This can happen regardless of any external stimulus.

All drugs are tested in double-blind placebo trials because it is a well known fact that many people take a pill and actually cure themselves, rather than the drug being responsible.

There are a great many illnesses that are made worse or even exist in the first place depending on how anxious the patient is.

Examples

You may have a recurrent pain that you get maybe once per year in the same part of the body. It could be entirely meaningless. I would always advise you to investigate it first, just in case, but there are many cases of people who sometimes get strange pains for absolutely no reason.

More commonly, psychomatic pain is seen in people who have anxieties, especially those who are anxious about their health. The fear of the pain is seen to cause the problem to be self fulfilling, even if there is no root problem that is causing the pain.

Treatment

Again, I must reiterate that any pain that you are worried about should be investigated by your doctor.

There are some people who have chronic pain for which there is no explanation and the investigation reveals nothing. In these cases, there are 2 approaches.

One is to take pain relieving drugs or treatments such as analgesics. Anti-inflammatories are unlikely to have any effect.

The other is to try and address the mental issue. There are many approaches to this such as hypnosis, antidepressant drugs and therapy.

Posted in Pain Management | Comments Off