Wednesday 12 June 2013

7 Skin Changes During Pregnancy and What to Do About Them



Pregnancy can be a joyful time but the release of hormones can cause unexpected changes to your skin. Not every woman will experience these changes, but below are seven skin changes that are common.

Stretch Marks

The American Pregnancy Association stated that almost 90 percent of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks appear as pink or reddish streaks along your abdomen, thighs or breasts.
There is no proven method to reduce stretch marks but lotions using vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids have been reported to improve their appearance.

Mask of Pregnancy (Chloasma)

According to Dr. Sears, facial color changes may appear in the second trimester called chloasma or the “mask of pregnancy”. Pregnancy hormones stimulate the melanin in the cells to release more pigment.
This increase in color may not occur uniformly so a blotchy tanned look may appear on your face. There is no way to avoid the release of hormones but limiting your exposure to the sun or UV light may decrease the appearance of chloasma.
Use a good sunscreen on your face and wear hats that help block the sun.

Pimples

Extra hormones during pregnancy increase oil production so acne may increase. Wash your face twice a day with a mild fragrance-free soap. Avoid using typical acne products that may contain medicine that is not recommended during pregnancy.
Use a plain astringent such as witch hazel and follow with an oil-free moisturizer. Consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns about which products to use.

Linea Nigra

Many women have a faint line that extends from the top of their public area to their belly button. During the second trimester, this line may darken and is then called linea nigra. Linea nigra is often darker in dark-complected women, but may lighten again several months after pregnancy.

Darkened Pigmentation

Your nipples and areola may also darken but unlike in the case of a linea nigra, they are less likely to lighten again after pregnancy. Other skin spots such as freckles or moles may darken.
Consult a dermatologist if the moles seem to have changed in other ways such as in size, developed irregular borders or seem more risen.

Varicose Veins

Blood flow during pregnancy increases and may cause the development of bluish, thickened veins on your legs. Varicose veins are partially hereditary but there are things you can do to try and avoid them.
The American Pregnancy Association warns to avoid standing or sitting in one place for long periods of time. Walking helps move the blood back to your heart, and wearing support hose can also help. Try to elevate your legs when sitting and take vitamin C to keep your veins healthy.

Itchiness

As your skin stretches and tightens over your growing belly, you may find that you have severe itchiness late in your pregnancy. Combine that with increased heat and perspiration that your body produces, and an actual rash may appear on your abdomen.
Whattoexpect.com says that relief may come from only taking short showers to avoid drying out your skin. Use corn starch on those areas that rub, wear loose clothing, and dress in layers to avoid becoming over-heated.
Use a moisturizer on your abdomen to keep the skin from becoming too dry. The American Pregnancy Association suggests using calamine lotion to combat itchiness.
If the problem becomes more severe, consult a dermatologist. Some women develop a more advanced type of skin itchiness and rash called PUPPP, for which a dermatologist can prescribe safe medication.

sources: http://health.yahoo.net/articles/pregnancy/7-skin-changes-during-pregnancy-and-what-do-about-them
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Tuesday 11 June 2013

Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

 

Sexual Health

"When you're in the mood, it's a sure bet that the last thing on your mind is boosting your immune system or maintaining a healthy weight. Yet good sex offers those health benefits and more. That's a surprise to many people, says Joy Davidson, PhD, a New York psychologist and sex therapist. 'Of course, sex is everywhere in the media,' she says. 'But the idea that we are vital, sexual creatures is still looked at in some cases with disgust or in other cases a bit of embarrassment. So to really take a look at how our sexuality adds to our life and enhances our life and our health, both physical and psychological, is eye-opening for many people.'
Sex does a body good in a number of ways, according to Davidson and other experts. The benefits aren't just anecdotal or hearsay -- each of these health benefits of sex is backed by scientific scrutiny."

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Sexual Problems and Depression



If you are clinically depressed and also experiencing sexual problems, you're not alone. Sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) or an inability to have an orgasm, often co-exist with depression. The good news is that doctors can usually treat sexual problems that are related to depression.

What is the connection between sexual problems and depression?

Think of the brain as a highly sensitive sex organ. Sexual desire starts in the brain and works its way down. That's because of special brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These chemicals increase communication between brain cells and trigger more blood flow to the sex organs. The problem is, with depression and other mood disorders, these brain chemicals are imbalanced.
Many men and women with depression tell of having low or no sexual desire. And that puts a tremendous strain on intimate relationships.

Do antidepressants cause sexual problems?

As helpful as antidepressants are in boosting a person's mood or sense of sense of self-worth, some types of antidepressants -- for example, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) -- have undesirable side effects. Those side effects can result in sexual problems.
Antidepressants help boost mood in people with depression by altering the balance of brain chemicals. But the same chemicals are involved in the sexual response. Antidepressants change that balance too, often causing sexual dysfunction. The sexual side effects of antidepressants appear to increase as the dose of medication increases.

What types of sexual problems are associated with antidepressants?

Sexual problems with antidepressants may include:
  • Inability to initiate or enjoy sex
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED) for men
  • Decreased sexual desire
  • Inability to achieve an orgasm

How are sexual problems with depression treated?

There are ways to manage the sexual side effects of antidepressant medicines without compromising treatment. Your doctor might try newer antidepressants that may not dampen the libido or prescribe another medication to take in tandem with the antidepressant.
Without knowing there's a sexual problem, your doctor can't do anything about it. Talk openly with both your partner and your doctor. Then ask your doctor what might help your situation.
Once they realize that the sexual problems associated with the medications can be treated, most people taking antidepressants choose to continue taking them.

sources: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/sexual-problems-and-depression
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Best Access for Heart Procedures Is the Wrist

Reaching the heart through the wrist rather than the groin improves patient outcomes for heart procedures like angioplasty, but the United States lags behind in adopting the safer method



Doctors around the world are opening clogged arteries in the heart by going through blood vessels in the wrist rather than the femoral artery in the groin when performing angioplasties and related procedures, but U.S. cardiologists have been slower to adopt the safer treatment method.

That's one finding of a review of more 2.8 million of these procedures — called percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) — from the largest U.S. registry ever studied. The big data analysis uncovered a 13-fold increase over six years in the proportion of PCI procedures done through the radial artery in the wrist, yet today only one in six proceedures uses this newer method because of a lag in physician training, says a new paper in the journal Circulation by Dmitriy Feldman, MD and other investigators at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York.
According to Samin Sharma, MD, a cardiologist and Director of Clinical & Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai in New York, “This is a hot topic. At Mount Sinai we do about 12 to 13 percent radial, which is increasing, just as in the paper.” Radial PCI refers to access through the radial artery in the wrist; groin access is usually through the femoral artery.

The proportion of U.S. procedures in which a patient’s heart was accessed through the wrist went up from only 1 percent in 2007 at the study start, to just over 16 percent in the last quarter of 2012, when the study concluded.
Sharma puts the report into perspective with experiences from around the world, “It’s purely education," he said. "Radial in the U.S. has never taken off in the way it has internationally. In France they do 75 percent radial and in India 68 percent radial.” The United States rate is 16 percent.

Why the Wrist Is Safer Than the Groin for Angioplasty
During a PCI procedure, a narrow area of a heart artery is widened by angioplasty or a related procedure. Wrist access for PCI is safer for patients than groin access because the risk of bleeding is cut in half and there are fewer complications after the procedure, according to the new report.

Radial PCI also provides the greatest benefit over groin access for patients who are at highest risk for complications. This includes patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), patients who are 75 or older, and women.

“I don’t think we know the answer to why women are more at risk, but they are more likely to bleed than men, particularly women who are older and with lower BMI [body mass index], said study author Dr. Feldman.
"Many trials have shown that radial procedures saves lives, particularly in the cases of heart attack," noted Dr. Sharma.

Training Doctors in Safer Methods
The transition to the new method for heart procedures is a slow one, because many physicians first learned to access the heart through the groin and are not familiar with the wrist method.
“Many centers perform radial PCI, but not all operators perform them," said Feldman. "About 13 percent of centers don’t perform any radial PCI.” The new review found geographic variation in the uptake of radial PCI procedures, which are used more often in the Northeast than in other regions of the United States.
For the doctors in these centers, training is particularly important.

According to Sharma, the procedure “is very simple and the younger generation is learning more radials.” American College of Cardiology physician training programs aim to speed adoption of radial PCI. 

Choosing the Safest Heart Procedure
How do patients and healthcare teams decide whether to go in through the wrist or groin to reach the heart? “You have to choose an institution and individual doctors who are performing radial procedures,” recommended Feldman.
At his institution, Sharma noted that the radial procedure is done as the default strategy when the patient is obese, for those who have blocked arteries in a leg, and for those with a higher risk of bleeding. “Any patient is a candidate. We compress the wrist with the thumb and see whether there is any decrease in sensation in the hand. In 95 percent of patients, you still have good blood flow to the hand, and you can do the radial procedure,” Sharma said.
If you or a loved one need a heart procedure, discuss it with your physician. “I think when patients undergo this procedure and are given an explanation of risks and benefits is the time to have this conversation. The risks include bleeding and complications. Discussion should include what route and what the safest procedure is,” Feldman said.
Sharma agreed, “Ask the doctor, ‘why don’t you do the procedure by the radial approach?’”
Weigh your options, because electing to have a radial procedure over a femoral one just might save your life.

sources: http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/best-access-for-heart-procedures-is-the-wrist-1508.aspx
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brighten up tired eyes

Banish the Bags Under Your Eyes

Tired of being told you look tired? Here's how to get rid of eye bags, puffiness, dark shadows, and circles.



Noticing bags or dark circles under your eyes? You're not alone.
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons get asked about dark circles and under-eye bags all the time. "I hear patients voice complaints several times a day," says dermatologist Valerie Goldburt, MD, PhD, of NYU Langone Medical Center.
Good news: There are fixes for under-eye flaws. The first step is figuring out just what the problem is.

Morning-After Puffy Eyes

Seasonal allergies, a cold, a sinus infection: These are some of the things that can lead to water building up under the eye.
"We have the thinnest skin around our eyes, so it's the area that's most influenced by the in-and-out flow of fluids," Goldburt says.
A dinner heavy with salty food or a night of crying while watching a tearjerker movie can also cause morning-after puffiness. The reason is osmosis. "Water always travels from areas in the body where there's low salt concentration to tissues where there's more salt, Goldburt explains. That principle holds true whether the salt comes from tears or from soy sauce.

Simple Fixes for Under-Eye Bags

Addressing the underlying cause will help treat these temporary eruptions of puffiness.
Here are steps to try:
  • Treat hay fever, if that's the problem. There are non-sedating, over-the-counter allergy medications that may help. If you have or suspect hay fever, talk with your doctor about how to treat it (whether or not it's affecting your eyes' appearance).
  • Try a neti pot. Irrigating the nasal cavity with a neti pot -- a device that looks like a small teapot -- can help relieve fluid buildup caused by allergies, sinus congestion, or a cold.
  • Switch your sleep position. Your sleep position may be contributing to under-eye bags. Thanks to gravity, sleeping on your side or stomach can encourage fluids to collect under your eyes. If you're a side sleeper, you may notice a heavier bag on the side you sleep on. Goldburt advises her patients who wake up with puffy eyes to sleep on their back and add an extra pillow under their head.
Changing your sleep position takes some getting used to, says Goldburt, a self-described "former eye-bag sufferer" and stomach-sleeper herself. Still, she says, "The earlier you start changing your sleep position, the better, because after a few years under-eye bags can became permanent."
Other everyday habits, including rubbing your eyes frequently, going to bed with makeup on, and excessive drinking, can contribute to under-eye bags, too. "Sleeping in eye makeup can irritate your eyes, causing fluids to pool," Goldburt says. Heavy alcohol drinking causes dehydration. That weakens the delicate skin around the eyes, making it more likely to sink into a pouch.
Eye bags are very common, and are usually not related to your health. But if your bags appear suddenly and you're not suffering from allergies, a sinus infection, or a cold -- and they don't ease up when you try the lifestyle steps mentioned above -- it's a good idea to see your doctor. Some thyroid or kidney problems can cause under-eye fluid retention, notes New York dermatologist Craig Austin, MD.

Dark Circles

When dark shadows or bags linger, the cause typically is not something temporary, like a few too many cocktails. It might be something you've inherited. Pigmentary issues that cause under-eye discoloration are common among people of Asian or African descent. Age also contributes to dark circles. With age, the skin around the eye thins, exposing the tiny blood vessels that lie just below.
Still, you can do something about it.
If you pull the skin sideways and the darkness turns blotchy, that's evidence the problem is caused by excess pigment in the area, says Joseph Eviatar, MD, a New York ophthalmic plastic surgeon.
Most often, dark circles aren't about changes in the color of the skin at all. Instead, they're created by a loss of volume in the area around the eye. That exposes the orbital bone, creating a hollow trough that shows up as a dark circle. With the delicate eye area one of the first spots to reveal signs of aging, this can happen as early as the late 30s or 40s.
What can you do?
Makeup can help conceal dark circles. Hiding dark circles with concealer is simpler than you may think, says New York makeup artist Kimara Ahnert. Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone. If you have mild discoloration, pick a liquid formula. If your shadows are more prominent, go for more coverage with a cream or cake concealer. Lightly pat the concealer on from the inner corner of your eye to just past the outer corner.
Other, more expensive options, including treatment with IPL or intense pulse light, can help by destroying those pigment cells and smoothing the skin. A series of four IPL treatments, at about $200 each, is typically needed to see improvement. Skin lightening creams that contain hydroquinone or kojic acid may also diminish the darkness.
These fixes are less successful when the dark circles are caused by extremely thin skin. "That's really difficult to treat," Eviatar says. "Eye creams that contain caffeine may help a bit because they constrict the underlying blood vessels."

Prevention and Quick Fixes

Here are four things you can do -- without surgery -- to help keep your eyes looking youthful.
  1. Don't smoke, and always apply a sunscreen around the eye area. Smoking and exposure to UV rays both weaken collagen and cause premature wrinkling and sagging.
  2. Apply a moisturizer to the eye area nightly. "You don't need to spend a lot," Goldburt says. "Almost any drugstore moisturizer will provide the hydration you need."
  3. Add a prescription retinoic acid -- the vitamin A cream that goes by the generic name tretinoin -- to your daily skin care regimen. "It's the single best thing you can use to prevent wrinkles and improve existing lines," Goldburt says.
  4. To calm puffy eyes, place cold spoons, slices of cucumbers, chilled tea bags, or even a package of frozen peas under your eyes. The cool temperatures -- rather than any special properties of cucumbers or peas -- reduce swelling. And, yes, placing a hemorrhoid cream under your eyes might help get rid of puffs, too. "We have patients who swear by it," says Brent Moelleken, MD, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, "but we suggest a retinol eye cream instead."

Fillers for Hollow Eyes

Some people choose to get hyaluronic fillers, such as Juvederm or Restylane, injected under their eyes. "Fillers mimic a youthful look by correcting the contours of the eye socket," Eviatar says.
If you pursue this, you really want someone who knows what they're doing. Injecting dermal fillers under the eye is, Moelleken warns, a very "technique-dependent" procedure. The filler needs to be injected deep under the muscle rather than into the superficial layers of the skin. An inexpert job can lead to puffiness. So choose a skilled, board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or ophthalmic surgeon who is experienced in under-eye injections.
The procedure costs about $500 to $700. Results last about eight months. Ask your doctor about side effects, such as minor swelling and bruising that can last for a week or two. Your doctor may suggest injecting Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin (wrinkle-smoothers that erase crow's feet) at the same time. But it's up to you how much, or how little, you want to do.

Eyelid Surgery Gets a Makeover

Some people choose to go further to address sagging skin that creates pouches under their eyes.
Today, eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is done through incisions made in the eyelid. Doctors may remove a little bit of fat, reposition the fat, or even add fat grafts, depending on what's needed. Lasers are used to firm up loose skin. These procedures cost between $2,500 to $5,000, and recovery from bruising and swelling takes 10 days to two weeks.

sources: http://www.webmd.com/beauty/eyes/banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes
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Brain Tumor



Brain tumor facts Medically Edited by:
  • Primary brain tumors can be either malignant (contain cancer cells) or benign (do not contain cancer cells).
  • Brain tumors can occur at any age.
  • The exact cause of brain tumors is not clear.
  • Physicians group brain tumors by grade (the way the cells look under a microscope).
  • Brain tumors are classified as grade I, grade II, or grade III, or grade IV
  • There most common type of primary brain tumors among adults are astrocytoma, meningioma, and oligodendroglioma.
  • The most common type of primary brain tumors in children are medulloblastoma, grade I or II astrocytoma, ependymoma, and brain stem glioma.
  • Studies have found risk factors for brain tumors to include ionizing radiation from high dose X-rays (for example, radiation therapy where the machine is aimed at the head), and family history.
  • The symptoms of brain tumors depend on their size, type, and location.
  • The most common symptoms of brain tumors include headaches; numbness or tingling in the arms or legs; seizures, memory problems; mood and personality changes; balance and walking problems; nausea and vomiting; changes in speech, vision, or hearing.
  • Brain tumors are diagnosed by the doctor based on the results of a medical history and physical examination and results of a variety of specialized tests of the brain and nervous system.
  • Treatment of a brain tumor depends on the type, location, and size of the tumor, as well as the age and health of the patient.
  • Options for brain tumor treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (or a combination of treatments).

Types of primary brain tumors

There are many types of primary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors are named according to the type of cells or the part of the brain in which they begin. For example, most primary brain tumors begin in glial cells. This type of tumor is called a glioma.
Among adults, the most common types are:
  • Astrocytoma: The tumor arises from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes. It can be any grade. In adults, an astrocytoma most often arises in the cerebrum.
    • Grade I or II astrocytoma: It may be called a low-grade glioma.
    • Grade III astrocytoma: It's sometimes called a high-grade or an anaplastic astrocytoma.
    • Grade IV astrocytoma: It may be called a glioblastoma or malignant astrocytic glioma.
  • Meningioma: The tumor arises in the meninges. It can be grade I, II, or III. It's usually benign (grade I) and grows slowly.
  • Oligodendroglioma: The tumor arises from cells that make the fatty substance that covers and protects nerves. It usually occurs in the cerebrum. It's most common in middle-aged adults. It can be grade II or III.
Among children, the most common types are:
  • Medulloblastoma: The tumor usually arises in the cerebellum. It's sometimes called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. It is grade IV.
  • Grade I or II astrocytoma: In children, this lowgrade tumor occurs anywhere in the brain. The most common astrocytoma among children is juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. It's grade I.
  • Ependymoma: The tumor arises from cells that line the ventricles or the central canal of the spinal cord. It's most commonly found in children and young adults. It can be grade I, II, or III.
  • Brain stem glioma: The tumor occurs in the lowest part of the brain. It can be a low-grade or high-grade tumor. The most common type is diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

What are the risk factors for brain tumors?

When you're told that you have a brain tumor, it's natural to wonder what may have caused your disease. But no one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors seldom know why one person develops a brain tumor and another doesn't.
Researchers are studying whether people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop a brain tumor. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for brain tumors:
  • Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation from high dose x-rays (such as radiation therapy from a large machine aimed at the head) and other sources can cause cell damage that leads to a tumor. People exposed to ionizing radiation may have an increased risk of a brain tumor, such as meningioma or glioma.
  • Family history: It is rare for brain tumors to run in a family. Only a very small number of families have several members with brain tumors.
Researchers are studying whether using cell phones, having had a head injury, or having been exposed to certain chemicals at work or to magnetic fields are important risk factors. Studies have not shown consistent links between these possible risk factors and brain tumors, but additional research is needed.

What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?

The symptoms of a brain tumor depend on tumor size, type, and location. Symptoms may be caused when a tumor presses on a nerve or harms a part of the brain. Also, they may be caused when a tumor blocks the fluid that flows through and around the brain, or when the brain swells because of the buildup of fluid.
These are the most common symptoms of brain tumors:
  • Headaches (usually worse in the morning)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in speech, vision, or hearing
  • Problems balancing or walking
  • Changes in mood, personality, or ability to concentrate
  • Problems with memory
  • Muscle jerking or twitching (seizures or convulsions)
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
Most often, these symptoms are not due to a brain tumor. Another health problem could cause them. If you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated.

What is the treatment for a brain tumor?

People with brain tumors have several treatment options. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Many people get a combination of treatments.
The choice of treatment depends mainly on the following:
  • The type and grade of brain tumor
  • Its location in the brain
  • Its size
  • Your age and general health
For some types of brain cancer, the doctor also needs to know whether cancer cells were found in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Your doctor can describe your treatment choices, the expected results, and the possible side effects. Because cancer therapy often damages healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. You and your health care team can work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your medical and personal needs.
You may want to talk with your doctor about taking part in a clinical trial, a research study of new treatment methods. See the Taking Part in Cancer Research section.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat brain tumors include neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and neuroradiologists.
Your health care team may also include an oncology nurse, a registered dietitian, a mental health counselor, a social worker, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, and a physical medicine specialist. Also, children may need tutors to help with schoolwork. (The Rehabilitation section has more information about therapists and tutors.)
You may want to ask your doctor these questions before you begin treatment:
  • What type of brain tumor do I have?
  • Is it benign or malignant?
  • What is the grade of the tumor?
  • What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
  • What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
  • What can I do to prepare for treatment?
  • Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how long?
  • What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can side effects be managed?
  • What is the treatment likely to cost? Will my insurance cover it?
  • How will treatment affect my normal activities? What is the chance that I will have to learn how to walk, speak, read, or write after treatment?
  • Would a research study (clinical trial) be appropriate for me?
  • Can you recommend other doctors who could give me a second opinion about my treatment options? How often should I have checkups?

Nutrition during brain tumor treatment

It's important for you to take care of yourself by eating well. You need the right amount of calories to maintain a good weight. You also need enough protein to keep up your strength. Eating well may help you feel better and have more energy.
Sometimes, especially during or soon after treatment, you may not feel like eating. You may be uncomfortable or tired. You may find that foods don't taste as good as they used to. In addition, the side effects of treatment (such as poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth blisters) can make it hard to eat well. Your doctor, a registered dietitian, or another health care provider can suggest ways to deal with these problems.

What supportive care is available for patients and caregivers?

A brain tumor and its treatment can lead to other health problems. You may receive supportive care to prevent or control these problems.
You can have supportive care before, during, and after cancer treatment. It can improve your comfort and quality of life during treatment.
Your health care team can help you with the following problems:
  • Swelling of the brain: Many people with brain tumors need steroids to help relieve swelling of the brain.
  • Seizures: Brain tumors can cause seizures (convulsions). Certain drugs can help prevent or control seizures.
  • Fluid buildup in the skull: If fluid builds up in the skull, the surgeon may place a shunt to drain the fluid. Information about shunts is in the Surgery part of the Treatment section.
  • Sadness and other feelings: It's normal to feel sad, anxious, or confused after a diagnosis of a serious illness. Some people find it helpful to talk about their feelings. See the Sources of Support section for more information.
Many people with brain tumors receive supportive care along with treatments intended to slow the progress of the disease. Some decide not to have antitumor treatment and receive only supportive care to manage their symptoms.


sources: http://www.medicinenet.com/brain_tumor/article.htm
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9 Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Hello, sweet dreams. Learn how to get to sleep better the all-natural way 

 

slumber results in increased energy and productivity, improved heart and immune system health, a better mood, even a longer life. And hey, you just feel so much better after a satisfying 8 hours of rest. But chances are, you’re not getting that. “Sleep issues are epidemic among women today,” says Michael Breus, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan. If sleep is still elusive, try these 9 natural ideas to find the sleep formula that works best for you.
 
1. Set a sleep schedule. 
If you do only one thing to improve your sleep, go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning—even on weekends. 
 
2. Keep a sleep diary.
To help you understand how your habits affect your rest, track your sleep and other activities every day for at least 2 weeks. Write down not only what’s obviously sleep related, but also what you ate and what exercise you got. Comparing your activities with your sleep patterns can show you where to make changes. 
 
3. Stop smoking.
Nicotine is a stimulant, so it prevents you from falling asleep. Don’t worry that quitting will keep you up nights: That effect passes in about 3 nights, says Lisa Shives, MD, founder of Northshore Sleep Medicine in Evanston, Illinois.
 
4. Review your medications.
Beta-blockers (for high blood pressure) may cause insomnia; so can SSRIs (antidepressants including Prozac and Zoloft). Write down every drug and supplement you take and ask your doctor if they can affect your sleep.
 
5. Exercise, but not within 4 hours of bedtime.
Working out—especially cardio exercise—improves the length and quality of your sleep, says Shives. But 30 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise keeps your body temperature elevated for about 4 hours, inhibiting sleep. 
 
6. Cut caffeine after 2 p.m. 
Caffeine stays in your system for about 8 hours, so if you have a cappuccino after dinner, at bedtime it’ll either prevent your brain from entering deep sleep or stop you from sleeping altogether.
 
7. Don’t drink before bed. 
A few hours after drinking, alcohol levels in your blood start to drop, which signals your body to wake up. It takes the average person about an hour to metabolize one drink, so if you have two glasses of wine with dinner, finish your last sip at least 2 hours before bed.
 
8. Snack on cheese and crackers. 
The ideal nighttime nosh combines carbohydrates and either calcium or a protein that contains the amino acid tryptophan. Snack about an hour before bed, so that the amino acids have time to reach your brain. 
 
9. Stay cool. 
Experts recommend sleeping in a room that’s between 65° and 75°F, which is a good guideline. Pay attention to how you feel in bed: Slipping between cool sheets helps trigger a drop in your body temperature. That shift induces melatonin production, which makes you drowsy.

sources: http://discover.rodales.com/health-and-fitness/help-me-sleep-at-night?cid=synd_Yahoo_Health_HowToPreventMemoryLoss_Slideshow_9WaystoSleepBetterEveryNight
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Monday 10 June 2013

Childhood Skin Problems

There are a number of skin conditions seen in young children, including cradle cap, roseola, and Fifth disease.

Cradle Cap



Cradle cap (also called infantile seborrheic dermatitis) is a rash that begins as scaling and redness on a baby's scalp. This condition is a noninfectious skin condition and is a form of eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis is common in infants, usually beginning in the first weeks of life and slowly disappearing over a period of weeks or months. The condition rarely is uncomfortable or itchy.

What Causes Cradle Cap?

The precise cause of the rash is not known; however, Pityrosporum ovale (a yeast) is believed to play a role in this condition.

How Is Cradle Cap Treated?

Mild cases of cradle cap can be treated with mild shampoo. You should wash the hair more frequently than before. This, along with soft brushing, will help remove the scales. Medicated shampoos (dandruff shampoos containing sulfur and 2% salicylic acid) may loosen the scales, but these shampoos can cause irritation and should be used only after consulting a pediatrician. Additional medications, such as topical steroids, may be prescribed to treat the scales and redness.

How Can Cradle Cap Be Prevented?

In most cases, frequent shampooing with a mild baby shampoo can prevent cradle cap from coming back once it has cleared up. A stronger medicated shampoo may be needed in some cases, but seek the advice of your doctor regarding the use of these shampoos. Most children outgrow cradle cap by the time they are 6 months old.

Roseola



Roseola is a viral illness that usually affects children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. It is typically marked by several days of high fever, followed by a pinkish-red flat or raised rash that appears on the child's trunk and spreads over the body just as the fever breaks.

What Causes Roseola?

Roseola can be caused by two common and closely related viruses: human herpes virus (HHV) type 6 and type 7. These two viruses belong to the same family as the herpes simplex viruses. However, HHV-6 and HHV-7 do not cause the cold sores and genital herpes infections that HSV can cause. Roseola is contagious and spreads through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat of infected people. Someone who has not yet developed symptoms often spreads the infection.

What Are the Symptoms of Roseola?

In most cases, a child with roseola develops a mild upper-respiratory illness, followed by a high fever (often higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit) for three to seven days. The child may be fussy or irritable during this time, may have a weak appetite, and may have swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck.
In many cases, the high fever abruptly stops and a rash appears on the child's body at about the same time. The rash is made up of flat or raised pinkish-red spots and appears on the torso. The spots turn white when touched. Individual spots may have lighter areas or "halos" around them. Usually, the rash spreads to the face, legs, arms, and neck.

How Is Roseola Diagnosed?

To diagnose roseola, a doctor will take a history and do a thorough physical exam. A diagnosis of roseola is often uncertain until the fever goes down and a rash appears. As a result, the doctor may order tests to make sure that the fever is not caused by another type of infection.

How Is Roseola Treated?

In most cases, roseola does not require treatment other than trying to bring down a high fever. Antibiotics cannot treat roseola because it is caused by a virus.
Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) can help to reduce your child's fever. Avoid giving aspirin to a child because the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye's syndrome, which can lead to liver failure. A sponge or towel soaked in cool water may help comfort the child until the fever drops. Ice, cold water, alcohol rubs, cold baths, and fans should be avoided.
Encourage your child to drink clear fluids such as water with ice chips, children's electrolyte solutions, flat sodas like ginger ale (stir room-temperature soda until the fizz disappears), or clear broth. Fluids decrease the risk of dehydration.
Call your child's doctor if your child is lethargic, not drinking, or if you cannot keep his fever down. Seek emergency care immediately if your child has a seizure.

Can Roseola Be Prevented?

There is no known way to prevent the spread of roseola. The infection usually affects young children but rarely adults. Therefore, it is thought that exposure to roseola in childhood may provide some lasting immunity to the illness. Repeat cases of roseola may occur, but they are not common.

Fifth Disease



Fifth disease is a highly contagious condition caused by human parvovirus. The condition results in a facial rash that looks like the cheeks have been slapped.
Fifth disease usually affects school-aged children.

What Causes Fifth Disease?

The virus that causes Fifth disease is transmitted by sneezing or coughing. The disease is only contagious before the rash appears.

What Are the Symptoms of Fifth Disease?

Symptoms of Fifth disease include:
  • Flu- and cold-like symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, fever, generalized aches and pains in joints and muscles, loss of appetite, and irritability.
  • A facial rash that looks as if the cheeks have been slapped; the rash is not painful but is warm to the touch.
  • Spreading of the rash to the thighs and arms.

How Is Fifth Disease Diagnosed?

In most cases, a doctor can diagnose Fifth disease by seeing the typical rash during a physical exam. To confirm the diagnosis, a blood test may be done to look for antibodies to parvovirus.

How Is Fifth Disease Treated?

There is no treatment for the disease itself, but medications like Tylenol or Advil can treat the symptoms. Those who have Fifth disease should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.\

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The Essentials of Diabetes Management

Diabetes management plans have the same components, but the order in which they're delivered will depend on the type of diabetes you have.





Diabetes management is critical to avoid long-term damage to your body. The plan your medical team develops for your day-to-day diabetes treatment will depend on the type of diabetes you have —type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
However, regardless of type, everyone with diabetes needs to have a treatment plan in place for staying healthy and keeping blood sugar levels stable.
Diabetes Treatment: Type 1 Diabetes
Goals: People with type 1 diabetes cannot naturally produce insulin, a hormone necessary to process glucose into energy. This causes blood glucose levels to go dangerously high, causing system-wide damage. Because of this, the immediate goal of type 1 diabetes management is to provide the insulin you need to bring down your blood glucose level.
Long-term goals for type 1 diabetes treatment involve keeping blood glucose levels steady to prevent diabetes complications such as:
Your diabetes management plan will include:
  • Insulin. You must take insulin on a daily basis, usually through self-injections. Depending on symptoms, you may need to take insulin between one and four times a day and vary the amount you take depending on factors like illness, exercise, travel, and eating large or small meals. To make sure you’re getting enough insulin, you must regularly test blood glucose levels.
  • Diet. You should eat a diet low in fats, sodium, and sugars, and high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. You’ll also pay close attention to the amount and type of carbohydrates you eat because carbs can drastically affect blood sugar.
  • Exercise. Diabetics should get between a half-hour to an hour of physical activity most days of the week. This will help stabilize blood sugar levels. If, between diet and exercise, you can manage to lose some weight, it will aid diabetes treatment tremendously.
  • Medications. Doctors may prescribe medications to help keep diabetes complications in check. If so, you’ll need to take them every day without fail.
Diabetes Treatment: Type 2 Diabetes
Goals: People with type 2 diabetes have become resistant to insulin, creating many of the same problems faced by people with type 1 diabetes. The goal of type 2 diabetes treatment is to regain control over blood glucose levels, and then maintain that control long-term to prevent complications.
Your diabetes management plan will include:
  • Diet and exercise. Unlike type 1 diabetics, people with type 2 diabetes are still producing insulin. Because of this, the primary focus of type 2 diabetes management is on diet and exercise to restore at least some and perhaps most of the body's ability to process insulin. The diet and exercise guidelines are the same for type 2 diabetics as for type 1. Because many type 2 diabetics are overweight, bariatric surgery is an option for those who cannot lose weight through diet and exercise.
  • Medications. Along with lifestyle changes, you may also be prescribed medications to help your body better process insulin or reduce blood glucose levels. You must be sure to take these medications as prescribed.
  • Insulin. If diet and exercise aren't enough, you may have to take insulin between one and four times per day, and the amount will vary depending on activities. You also will need to self-test regularly to make sure blood glucose levels remain stable. However, unlike those with type 1 diabetics, people with type 2 diabetes may be able to stop taking insulin and other diabetes medications if they lose weight and their bodies respond to diet and exercise.
Diabetes Treatment: Gestational Diabetes
Goals: Gestational diabetes develops in women during pregnancy, causing their blood sugar levels to rise. Since this form of diabetes usually resolves itself after childbirth, the goals are focused on managing blood glucose levels to maintain the immediate health of the baby and the mother.
Your diabetes management plan will include:
  • Diet and exercise. Eat a balanced diet featuring a wide variety of nutritional foods. The "eating for two" myth is exactly that — women don’t need to double their food intake. In fact, an extra 300 extra calories a day is more than enough.
  • Monitoring the baby. Doctors will keep a close eye on baby's health throughout the pregnancy to make sure that high blood glucose levels do no harm. Periodically your doctor will perform special tests to make sure your baby is not having problems. Most often this involves monitoring the child's heartbeat and the response when your child moves around.
Doctors use similar strategies to treat the different types of diabetes — it’s the delivery order that differs. Regardless of the type of diabetes you have, a diabetes care team can help guide you through your management plan.
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Drinking Alcohol Linked to Unhealthy Diet

Study Shows People Who Drink Alcohol Less Likely to Eat Whole Grains and Fruit



March 30, 2010 -- A federal study shows that men and women who drink alcohol are less likely to eat whole grains and fruit and to drink milk, and they are more likely to eat unhealthy foods high in fat and sugar.
Researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Cancer Institute, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture interviewed 8,155 men and 7,715 women in the U.S. about their drinking and dietary habits. Their findings are reported in the April 2010 issue of Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
"Heavy drinking and dietary factors have independently been associated with cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and other chronic health problems," NIAAA Acting Director Kenneth R. Warren, PhD, says in a news release "This finding raises questions about whether the combination of alcohol misuse and poor diet might interact to further increase health risks."

Alcohol and Poor Diet

Overall, the study results show that among current drinkers for both sexes, as alcohol use increased, healthy eating scores decreased. Eating fruit decreased and calorie intake increased in both men and women who drink alcohol. Eating whole grains and drinking milk decreased significantly among male alcohol drinkers.
Researchers note that both diet and drinking alcohol are lifestyle behaviors that can be modified in order to reduce the risk of disease and disease-related deaths.
The findings are based on data collected for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a large, ongoing survey of the U.S. population that is being conducted by the CDC. This data were collected between 1999 and 2006. Most of the study participants were non-Hispanic whites, had at least a high school education, did not smoke, and had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, indicating that they were either overweight or obese.
The researchers ranked participants' alcohol drinking status as either never, former, or current drinkers. In this study, 76% of men and 65% of women were current drinkers. Researchers also factored in the participants' Healthy Eating Index scores, which measured how closely people followed federal dietary guidelines. The Health Eating Index scores were based on the participants' memory of what they had eaten in the past 24 hours.
The researchers note that a 24-hour recall of individual diets does not reflect a person's overall eating habits, but it does provide a snapshot of a person's dietary preferences. Moderate alcohol drinking is defined by the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines as no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.

Study researcher Rosalind A. Breslow, PhD, an epidemiologist in NIAAA's Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, says in a news release, "Our findings underscore the importance of moderation for individuals who choose to consume alcoholic beverages, and a greater awareness of healthy food choices among such individuals."

sources: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=114901
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Blissing Out: 10 Relaxation Techniques To Reduce Stress On-the-Spot

If your hectic lifestyle has got you down, experts say relaxation techniques can bring you back into balance -- some in five minutes or less




The kids need a ride to school, your husband can't find his shorts, your boss has just scheduled an online meeting, and your best friend desperately needs your help -- all at the same time.
Is it any wonder that you can't find a minute for relaxation? In fact, if you're like most women, you may have even forgotten how to relax.
And though experts say that some stress is good for you -- it can sharpen your senses and your mind -- too much stress is bad for your mental and physical health. At the same time, relaxation can do wonders to restore balance in your life -- and may even reduce some of the health risks associated with stress.
WebMD talked to the experts to learn more about relaxation -- and how to attain it. What follows are 10 on-the-spot techniques you can use -- any time and almost anywhere -- to reduce the tension in your life.
1. Meditate
If you're thinking meditation means twisting your body into an uncomfortable position and uttering "oohs" and "omms" for an hour, guess again. Any repetitive action can be a source of meditation, says Herbert Benson, MD, author of The Relaxation Response and director emeritus of Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine in Chestnut Hill, Mass. This includes walking, swimming, painting, knitting -- any activity that helps keep your attention calmly in the present moment.
When you catch yourself thinking about your job, your relationship or your lifelong to-do list, experts say to simply let the thought escape, and bring your mind back the repetition of the activity. Try it for just 5 to 10 minutes a day and watch stress levels drop.
2. Picture Yourself Relaxed
Is your mind too talkative to meditate? Try creating a peaceful visualization, or "dreamscape." To start, simply visualize anything that keeps your thoughts away from current tensions. It could be a favorite vacation spot, a fantasy island, that penthouse in New York City -- or something "touchable," like the feel of your favorite silk robe or cozy sweater.
The idea is to take your mind off your stress, and replace it with an image that evokes a sense of calm. The more realistic your daydream -- in terms of colors, sights, sounds; even touch and feel -- the more relaxation you'll experience.
3. Breathe Deeply
Feeling stressed evokes tense, shallow breathing, while calm is associated with relaxed breathing, says Michael Lee, author of Turn Stress into Bliss and founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy in Bristol, Vermont. So to turn tension into relaxation, he says, change the way you breathe.
Try this: Let out a big sigh, dropping your chest, and exhaling through gently pursed lips, says Joan Borysenko, PhD, director of Harvard's Mind-Body Clinical Programs. Now imagine your low belly, or center, as a deep, powerful place. Feel your breath coming and going as your mind stays focused there. Inhale, feeling your entire belly, sides and lower back expand. Exhale, sighing again as you drop your chest, and feeling your belly, back and sides contract. Repeat 10 times, relaxing more fully each time
4. Look Around You
"Mindfulness is the here-and-now approach to living that makes daily life richer and more meaningful," says Claire Michaels Wheeler, MD, PhD, author of 10 Simple Solutions to Stress. It's approaching life like a child, without passing judgment on what occurs. Mindfulness means focusing on one activity at a time, so forget multi-tasking! Staying in the present-tense can help promote relaxation and provide a buffer against anxiety and depression.
Practice it by focusing on your immediate surroundings. If you're outdoors, enjoy the shape and colors of flowers, hear a bird's call or consider a tree. In the mall, look at the details of a dress in the window, examine a piece of jewelry and focus on how it's made, or window-shop for furniture, checking out every detail of pattern and style. As long as you can keep your mind focused on something in the present, stress will take a back seat.
5. Drink Hot Tea
If you're a coffee-guzzler, consider going green. Coffee raises levels of the notorious stress hormone, cortisol, while green tea offers health and beauty, says Nicholas Perricone, MD, author of 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity.
Chamomile tea is a traditional favorite for calming the mind and reducing stress. And black tea may be a stress-fighter, too, researchers from University College London report. Participants who drank regular black tea displayed lower levels of cortisol, and reported feeling calmer during six weeks of stressful situations than those who drank a placebo with the same amount of caffeine.
6. Show Some Love
Induce the relaxation response by cuddling your pet, giving an unexpected hug to a friend or family member, snuggling with your spouse, or talking to a friend about the good things in your lives, says psychologist Deborah Rozman, PhD, co-author ofTransforming Stress. When you do, you'll be reducing your stress levels.
Why? Experts say social interaction helps your brain think better, encouraging you to see new solutions to situations that once seemed impossible, she says. Studies have also shown that physical contact -- like petting your dog or cat -- may actually help lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormones.
7. Try Self-Massage
When your muscles are tense and you've no time to visit a pro, try this simple self-massage technique from Darrin Zeer, author of Lover's Massage and Office Yoga.Relax, and travel straight to Zen-land.
  • Place both hands on your shoulders and neck.
  • Squeeze with your fingers and palms.
  • Rub vigorously, keeping shoulders relaxed.
  • Wrap one hand around the other forearm.
  • Squeeze the muscles with thumb and fingers.
  • Move up and down from your elbow to fingertips and back again.
  • Repeat with other arm.
8. Take a Time-Out
Adults need time-outs, too. So when you sense your temper is about to erupt, Jeff Brantley, MD, author of Five Good Minutes In the Evening, suggests finding a quiet place to sit or lie down and put the stressful situation on hold. Take a few deep breaths and concentrate on releasing tension and calming your heartbeat. Quiet your mind and remember: Time is always on your side, so relax. The stress can wait.
9. Try a Musical Detour
Music can calm the heartbeat and soothe the soul, the experts say. So, when the going gets rough, take a musical stress detour by aligning your heartbeat with the slow tempo of a relaxing song. And you might want to make that a classical tune. Research shows that listening to 30 minutes of classical music may produce calming effects equivalent to taking 10 mg of Valium.
10. Take an Attitude Break
Thirty seconds is enough time to shift your heart's rhythm from stressed to relaxed, Rozman says. The way to do that: Engage your heart and your mind in positive thinking. Start by envisioning anything that triggers a positive feeling -- a vision of your child or spouse, the image of your pet, that great piece of jewelry you're saving up to buy, a memento from a vacation -- whatever it is, conjuring up the thought will help slow breathing, relax tense muscles and put a smile on your face. Rozman says that creating a positive emotional attitude can also calm and steady your heart rhythm, contributing to feelings of relaxation and peace.
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