Acne

Today we are going to talk about acne, it's causes and how to treat it, I hope you enjoy today's update...

 

What Is Acne?

There's a reason it's called "common acne" -- nearly everyone suffers from pimple outbreak at some point in life.
It starts when greasy secretions from the skin's sebaceous glands plug the tiny openings for hair follicles (plugged pores). If the openings are large, the clogs take the form of blackheads: small, flat spots with dark centers. If the openings stay small, the clogs take the form of whiteheads: small, flesh-colored bumps. Both types of plugged pores can develop into swollen, tender inflammations or pimples or deeper lumps or nodules. Nodules associated with severe cases of acne (cystic acne) are firm swellings below the skin's surface that become inflamed and sometimes infected.

Although acne remains largely a curse of adolescence, about 20% of all cases occur in adults. Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s. It occurs in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases. Women are more likely than men to have mild to moderate forms into their 30s and beyond.
Acne lesions are most common on the face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.

Contrary to popular belief, acne isn't caused by a harmful diet, poor hygiene, or an uncontrolled sex drive. The simple truth is that heredity and hormones are behind most forms of acne. Swearing off chocolate or scrubbing your face 10 times a day won't change your predisposition to this unsightly, sometimes painful, and often embarrassing skin problem.

What Causes Acne?

The cause of acne is not fully understood. Though stress can aggravate acne, it clearly does not cause it.

- Hormones. Common acne in teenagers starts with an increase in hormone production. During puberty, both boys and girls produce high levels of androgens, the male sex hormones that include testosterone. Testosterone signals the body to make more sebum, the oil produced in the skin's oil glands.

- Bacteria. Excess sebum clogs the openings to hair follicles -- especially those on the face, neck, chest, and back. Bacteria grow in these clogged follicles. This makes blackheads or whiteheads form on the skin's surface -- a condition called non-inflammatory acne. Sometimes this clogging causes the follicle wall to break under the pressure of this buildup. When this happens, sebum leaks into nearby tissues and forms a pustule -- this is called inflammatory acne. Larger, tender pustules are called nodules.

Depending on the type of pill, oral contraceptives may trigger acne in some women but suppress it in others. Some injectable contraceptives and hormonal devices may also cause acne. Steroids taken by some bodybuilders and other athletes can also lead to severe outbreaks.
Acne has many subtypes. Acne neonatorum and acne infantum occasionally affect newborns and infants, usually boys. A pimply rash appears on the face but usually clears within weeks with no lasting effect. People who escaped their teen years almost pimple free may develop persistent adult-onset acne as they get older.

Despite the normal increase in androgen levels during puberty, some doctors believe that flare-ups of acne have less to do with androgen levels than with how a person's skin responds to an increase in sebum production. The bacteria Propionibacterium acnes occurs naturally in healthy hair follicles. If too many of them accumulate in plugged follicles, they may secrete enzymes that break down sebum and cause inflammation. Some people are simply more sensitive than others to this reaction. Sebum levels that might cause a pimple or two in one person may result in widespread outbreaks -- or even acute cystic acne -- in another person.

Well is all for today, See u guys soon!!!  And don't forget to leave you comments...

Chronic Skin Conditions (Psoriasis)

Hi everyone, I'm back with a new update about chronic skin conditions, I hope you find it interesting.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that produces thick red plaques covered with silvery scales. The most common areas affected are the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, although any skin surface may be involved. It can also occur in the nails and body folds.
Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person, but it can occur in members of the same family.
Psoriasis usually begins in early adulthood or later in life. In most people, the rash is limited to a few areas of skin; in severe cases, it can cover large areas of the body. The rash can heal and come back throughout a person's life.

What Are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?

Psoriasis starts as small red bumps, which enlarge and become scaly. The skin appears thick, but may bleed easily if the scales are picked or rubbed off.
In addition, the rash may produce:

• Itching
• Pitted, cracked, crumbly, or loose nails

How Can I Find Out if I Have Psoriasis?

If you have a rash that is not healing, contact your doctor. He or she can evaluate the rash to determine if it is psoriasis.

What Causes Psoriasis?

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is believed that a combination of factors contributes to the development of the disease. An abnormality in the immune system causes inflammation in the skin, triggering new skin cells to develop too quickly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days. With psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every three to four days. The buildup of old cells being replaced by new cells creates the silver scales of psoriasis.

What Causes Psoriasis Outbreaks?

No one knows what causes psoriasis outbreaks. The severity and frequency of outbreaks vary with each person. Outbreaks may be triggered by:

• Skin injury (for example, cuts, scrapes, or surgery)
• Emotional stress
• Strep infections

How Is Psoriasis Treated?

There are many treatments for psoriasis. Some treatments slow the production of new skin cells, while others relieve itching and dry skin. Your doctor will select a treatment plan that is right for you based on the extent of your rash, where it is on your body, your age, health, and other factors. Common treatments include:

• Steroid creams
• Moisturizers (to relieve dry skin)
• Coal tar (a common treatment for scalp psoriasis; it may also be used with light therapy for severe cases; available in lotions, shampoos, and bath solutions)
• Vitamin D cream (a special form that is ordered by your doctor; Vitamin D in foods and vitamin pills have no effect on psoriasis)
• Retinoid creams 

Treatment for moderate-to-severe cases of psoriasis includes:

• Light therapy. Ultraviolet light is used to slow the production of skin cells, and is administered under a doctor's care. PUVA is a treatment that combines a medicine called psoralen with exposure to a special form of ultraviolet light.
• Methotrexate. This oral drug can cause liver disease and lung problems, so its use is limited to severe cases of psoriasis and people taking this medication are carefully monitored with blood tests. Chest X-rays and occasional liver biopsies may also be needed.
• Retinoids. A class of drugs related to Vitamin A, they can be used in cream or gel forms and pills to treat psoriasis. Retinoids can cause serious side effects, including birth defects; therefore, retinoids are not recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to have children.
• Cyclosporine. This immunosuppressant drug may be used for very severe psoriasis that has not responded to other treatments. Because it can damage the kidneys and raise blood pressure, regular monitoring is needed.
• Biologic therapies. Newer drugs for treating psoriasis include Amevive, Humira, and Enbrel. All of these are given by injection and work by blocking the body's immune system from "kick-starting" an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis. A similar drug, Remicade, is given by IV on a regular basis.

 Psoriasis cannot be cured, but treatment greatly reduces signs and symptoms, even in severe cases.

Well this is all for today, what do you think??? Don't forget to leave your comments... See u soon!!!

Chronic Skin Conditions (Eczema)

One of the most commom problems are the skin conditions that's what we are going to talk today...

Chronic skin conditions typically aren’t curable, but they can be managed using drugs and by paying close attention to your lifestyle. Learn more about symptoms, treatments, and ways to feel better.

- Eczema: Is term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated.

- Psoriasis: Is a common skin disorder that produces thick red plaques covered with silvery scales.

- Acne: Although acne remains largely a curse of adolescence, about 20% of all cases occur in adults.

- Rosacea: Is a common disorder that mainly affects skin on the face. It causes redness on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead.

 Eczema

Eczema  is term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic refers to a group of diseases with an often inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and high fever.
Eczema affects about 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults and children in the U.S. Most infants who develop the condition outgrow it by their tenth birthday, while some people continue to experience symptoms on and off throughout life. With proper treatment, the disease can be controlled in the majority of sufferers.

What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?

No matter which part of the skin is affected, eczema is almost always itchy. Sometimes the itching will start before the rash appears, but when it does the rash most commonly occurs on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. It may also affect other areas as well.
Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened, or scaly. In fair-skinned people, these areas may initially appear reddish and then turn brown. Among darker-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation, making the affected area lighter or darker.
In infants, the itchy rash can produce an oozing, crusting condition that occurs mainly on the face and scalp, but patches may appear anywhere.

What Causes Eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it's thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body's immune system to an irritant. It is this response that causes the symptoms of eczema.
In addition, eczema is commonly found in families with a history of other allergies or asthma.
Some people may suffer "flare-ups" of the itchy rash in response to certain substances or conditions. For some, coming into contact with rough or coarse materials may cause the skin to become itchy. For others, feeling too hot or too cold, exposure to certain household products like soap or detergent, or coming into contact with animal dander may cause an outbreak. Upper respiratory infections or colds may also be triggers. Stress may cause the condition to worsen.
Although there is no cure, most people can effectively manage their disease with medical treatment and by avoiding irritants. The condition is not contagious and can't be spread from person to person.

How Is Eczema Diagnosed?

A pediatrician, dermatologist, or your primary care provider can make a diagnosis of eczema. Since many people with eczema also suffer from allergies, your doctor may perform allergy tests to determine possible irritants or triggers. Children with eczema are especially likely to be tested for allergies.

How Is Eczema Treated?

The goal of treatment for eczema is to relieve and prevent itching, which can lead to infection. Since the disease makes skin dry and itchy, lotions and creams are recommended to keep the skin moist. These products are usually applied when the skin is damp, such as after bathing, to help the skin retain moisture. Cold compresses may also be used to relieve itching.

Over-the-counter products, such as hydrocortisone 1% cream, or prescription creams and ointments containing corticosteroids are often prescribed to reduce inflammation. For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids. In addition, if the affected area becomes infected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection-causing bacteria.
Other treatments include antihistamines to reduce severe itching, tar treatments (chemicals designed to reduce itching), phototherapy (therapy using ultraviolet light applied to the skin) and the drug cyclosporine for people whose condition doesn't respond to other treatments.
The FDA has approved two drugs known as topical immunomodulators (TIMs) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate eczema. The drugs, Elidel and Protopic, are skin creams that work by altering the immune system response to prevent flare-ups.
The FDA has warned doctors to prescribe Elidel and Protopic with caution due to concerns over a possible cancer risk associated with their use. The two creams also carry the FDA's "black box" warning on their packaging to alert doctors and patients to these potential risks. The warning advises doctors to prescribe short-term use of Elidel and Protopic only after other available eczema treatments have failed in adults and children over the age of 2. It should not be used in kids under age 2.

How Can Eczema Flare-ups Be Prevented?

Eczema outbreaks can sometimes be avoided or the severity lessened by following these simple tips.

•  Moisturize frequently
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity
• Avoid sweating or overheating
• Reduce stress
• Avoid scratchy materials, such as wool
• Avoid harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents
• Be aware of any foods that may cause an outbreak and avoid those foods

This is all for today tomorrow I will come back with more info about skin conditions, see you soon, and take care!!!

Heart Disease Part II

Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease

Symptoms of  heart valve disease may include:

• Shortness of breath and/or difficulty catching your breath. You may notice this most when you are doing your normal daily activities or when you lie down flat in bed.
• Weakness or dizziness.
• Discomfort in your chest. You may feel a pressure or weight in your chest with activity or when going out in cold air.
• Palpitations (this may feel like a rapid heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat, skipped beats, or a flip-flop feeling in your chest).

If valve disease causes heart failure, symptoms may include:

• Swelling of your ankles or feet. Swelling may also occur in your abdomen, which may cause you to feel bloated.
• Quick weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible).

Symptoms of heart valve disease do not always relate to the seriousness of your condition. You may have no symptoms at all and have severe valve disease, requiring prompt treatment. Or, as with mitral valve prolapse, you may have severe symptoms, yet tests may show minor valve disease.

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Symptoms of heart failure can include:

• Shortness of breath noted during activity (most commonly) or at rest, especially when you lie down flat in bed.
• Cough that is productive of a white sputum.
• Rapid weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible).
• Swelling in ankles, legs, and abdomen.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
• Other symptoms include nausea, palpitations, and chest pain.

Like valve disease, heart failure symptoms may not be related to how weak your heart is. You may have many symptoms, but your heart function may be only mildly weakened. Or you may have a severely damaged heart, with few or no symptoms.

Symptoms of Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects may be diagnosed before birth, right after birth, during childhood, or not until adulthood. It is possible to have a defect and no symptoms at all. Sometimes it can be diagnosed because of a heart murmur on physical exam or an abnormal EKG or chest X-ray in someone with no symptoms.
In adults, if symptoms of congenital heart disease are present, they may include:

• Shortness of breath.
• Limited ability to exercise.
• Symptoms of heart failure or valve disease.

Congenital Heart Defects in Infants and Children

Symptoms of congenital heart defects in infants and children may include:

• Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, fingernails, and lips).
• Fast breathing and poor feeding.
• Poor weight gain.
• Recurrent lung infections.
• Inability to exercise.

Symptoms of Heart Muscle Disease

Many people with heart muscle disease, or cardiomyopathy, have no symptoms or only minor symptoms, and live a normal life. Other people develop symptoms, which progress and worsen as heart function worsens.

Symptoms of cardiomyopathy may occur at any age and may include:

• Chest pain or pressure (occurs usually with exercise or physical activity, but can also occur with rest or after meals).
• Heart failure symptoms (see above).
• Swelling of the lower extremities.
• Fatigue.
• Fainting.
• Palpitations (fluttering in the chest due to abnormal heart rhythms).

Some people also have arrhythmias. These can lead to sudden death in a small number of people with cardiomyopathy.

Symptoms of Pericarditis

When present, symptoms of pericarditis may include:

• Chest pain. This pain is different from angina (chest pain caused by coronary artery disease). It may be sharp and located in the center of the chest. The pain may radiate to the neck and occasionally, the arms and back. It is made worse when lying down, taking a deep breath in, coughing, or swallowing and relieved by sitting forward.
• Low-grade fever.
• Increased heart rate.

Heart Disease Part I

Today we are going to talk about Heart Disease, causes why is produced and it's symptoms and the treatment for each one...

Coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, heart attack -- each type of heart problem requires different treatment but may share similar warning signs. It is important to see your doctor so that you can receive a correct diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Learn to recognize the symptoms that may signal heart disease. Call your doctor if you begin to have new symptoms or if they become more frequent or severe.

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.

Other symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

• Shortness of breath.
• Palpitations (irregular heart beats, or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest).
• A faster heartbeat.
• Weakness or dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Sweating.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone.
• Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm.
• Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn).
• Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.
• Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats.

During a heart attack, symptoms typically last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or oral medications. Initial symptoms may start as a mild discomfort that progresses to significant pain.

Some people have a heart attack without having any symptoms, which is known as a  "silent" myocardial infarction (MI). It occurs more often in people with diabetes.

If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY. Call for emergency help (dial 911 in most areas). Immediate treatment of a heart attack is very important to lessen the amount of damage to your heart.

Symptoms of Arrhythmias

When symptoms of arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm, are present, they may include:

• Palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats, fluttering or flip-flops in your chest).
• Pounding in your chest.
• Dizziness or feeling light-headed.
• Fainting.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest discomfort.
• Weakness or fatigue (feeling very tired).

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of arrhythmia. Most people with AF experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Heart palpitations (a sudden pounding, fluttering, or racing feeling in the heart).
• Lack of energy.
• Dizziness (feeling faint or light-headed).
• Chest discomfort (pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest).
• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing during normal activities).

Some patients with atrial fibrillation have no symptoms. Sometimes these episodes are brief.his is our fall for today see u tomorrow with the part 2 of Heart Disease I hope you like the post of today leave your comments, and share this with your friends...

Well that's all for today, at least the part I tomorrow I will update partII, don't forget to leave a cooment, See u tommorow, and keep healthy, bye...

Osteoporosis

One of the most dangerous disease is osteoporosis, and there's so many things about this disease that is unknown and this is the first disease that I'm going to talk about... Hope all your comments...

What is osteoporosis?
 Is a disease in which the bones become weak and can break easily. Often people don't know that they have osteoporosis until a bone actually breaks (or fractures). Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common bones that break are in the hip, back and wrist. The condition is quite serious because fractures can lead to pain, hospitalizations, surgery, disability and even death.
Bones are made up mostly of proteins and minerals. Two minerals that are especially important in bone are calcium and phosphorus. Bones are living tissues and old bone cells are always being replaced by new ones. There are special cells that build up new bone (osteoblasts) while other cells (osteoclasts) break down the old bone. As people get older, their bodies don't replace all the bone that has been broken down, and bones tend to become weaker and more likely to break.

 
What are the most common types of bone breaks (fractures) due to osteoporosis?
Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common bones that break are the hip, wrist and spine. Click on the specific bones below for more on that type of fracture.

Hip
Wrist
Spine

How common is osteoporosis?
Over 10 million people in the United States already have osteoporosis. About 18 million others have lost some bone mass and are likely to develop osteoporosis in the future. More than 80% of those affected are women.

Osteoporosis leads to over 1 1⁄2 million fractures each year in this country. One out of two women and one out of eight men over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture related to osteoporosis at some point during their lives.
 
Who is at risk of developing osteoporosis?
Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but women are at higher risk than men. In both men and women, the risk of osteoporosis goes up with age, with bone loss usually starting slowly around age 30. For men, bone loss tends to occur gradually over time, while women experience a period of heightened bone loss around menopause that then slows down again after a few years.

Thin people with small bones are at the highest risk of osteoporosis. And this relates to another reason women experience higher rates of osteoporosis than men: they often simply begin with less bone mass.

Of all racial and ethnic groups, African Americans tend to be at the lowest risk, but all races and ethnicities suffer from osteoporosis.

 
Can osteoporosis be treated?
It is best to prevent osteoporosis before it starts, and there are many steps that everyone can take to decrease the risk of bone loss. If you are at high risk of osteoporosis or are already experiencing bone loss, talk to your doctor about available treatments. There are medications that can slow the rate of bone loss and even help rebuild bone.
 
How can you prevent osteoporosis?
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of osteoporosis:

• Don't smoke
• Get regular weight bearing exercise like dancing, walking or climbing stairs
• Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D
• Eat green leafy vegetables that contain vitamin K, like kale, spinach, broccoli and cabbage
• Talk to your doctor to see if postmenopausal hormones are right for you 

Who should be screened?
There are no good screening tests to identify people who will develop bone loss and fractures. However, if you have osteoporosis risk factors or symptoms, there are tests (like xrays and bone scans) your doctor can do to see if you've had bone loss.

What are the symptoms?
Bone loss can continue for many years without causing any symptoms, so many people with osteoporosis don't know they have it. Sometimes the first symptom is a broken bone. Vertebra (bones in the back) can break leading to pain, loss of height, or back deformities. Hip fractures can lead to pain, surgery, disability and even death. Fractures of the wrist and other bones can also lead to pain, hospitalization and disability. That's why preventing osteoporosis is important.

Well this is all for today, tell what do  you think about osteoporosis, does anyone on your family suffer this disease, what other things do you know about osteoporosis? Don't forget to leave a comment... See u soon...
 

Welcome

Hi everyone, my name is Sandra and I thought it was a good idea to write a blog about Health and Wellness specially considering that the world has changed a lot, because health issues have increased, so I hope you enjoy this blog...