Acne Vulgaris Treatment

Acne vulgaris is a form of acne that affects people all over the world. It is mainly found in teens, but adult cases are quite common. The exact cause of the condition is unknown.

All cases begin with a comedone, or acne lesion, that is clogged with oil and bacteria. It lies beneath the skin and grows as the skin produces oil (sebum). The bacteria feed off the oil and it can become enlarged and swollen. If this occurs, the skin in turn becomes irritated as white blood cells try to fight the inflammation.

If the clogged follicle stays beneath the surface of the skin, but does not become inflamed, it is called a whitehead, or closed comedone. If the plug enlarges and pushes through the skin?s surface, it is called an open comedone or blackhead. The dark appearance of the plug is due to the melanin buildup on the surface and not dirt.

Acne vulgaris can cause skin to become inflamed. The mildest form of this inflammation is a papule, which appears as a small, hard bump on the skin. Pustules are similar to papules but they have a white or yellow center. This type of acne vulgaris is inflamed and causes irritation. A nodule is a large legion that can be painful and last for a few months. Cysts are similar to nodules, but are pus-filled and also leave deep scars. Both cause scarring and can last for a few months. A rare form is called acne conglobata. This is a condition that usually affects men between the ages of 18 to 30 years old. It affects the face, chest, back, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. It can cause severe scarring of the body.

Acne Vulgaris treatment can range from over-the-counter solutions such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, found in popular topicals such as Clearasil and Stridex, which fight to clear the skin by reducing the bacteria on the surface and clearing the pores. Other over-the-counter methods that can be used are mild scrubs that will not irritate the skin or tea tree oil (an oil from Australia that has anti-bacterial properties).

Glycolic Aci! d, a fru it acid that exfoliates the skin to cause quicker cell turnover, works to clear pores quickly and fight clogged pores. In its earlier use, it was only used in a dermatologist?s office, but now it can be purchased over-the-counter in low percentages of the acid.

For more severe cases, one must visit a dermatologist for stronger acne vulgaris treatment. Medications such as Accutane or Retin-A may be prescribed. Accutane, or isotretinonin, should only be used when the skin has not responded to other acne vulgaris treatment. It is usually very successful to clear skin of even the worst conditions, but it has serious side effects.

Most people will experience dry face and chapped lips when they take Accutane. Those two side effects are the most common; but other side effects are more serious such as birth defects, neurological and other physical problems and possibly depression. However, if your condition has not improved with OTC remedies, and Accutane is the last resort, the promise of a successful acne vulgaris treatment may outweigh the possible risks.

David Bloom is an avid health enthusiast and a regular contributor to a variety of health websites. He is the author of Acne Vulgaris Treatment, a blog dedicated to the treatment of acne, covering conventional and natural remedies for clearing up blemished skin.

The Positive Effects Of Touch And Massage Can Be Magnified Via Pressure Points

Some have said that pressure points are like magic buttons that can either help or even take away health problems. I don't think this a magic cure but if used regularly I believe it can help to rebalance the body's energy and thereby make the health problems less frequent and less intense.

Some pressure points can give instant relief for such things as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, tension related illness, and even back pain. There is also a danger here as you must understand where the particular pressure points are and how much pressure to apply.

Proper use of these pressure points can help improve posture, assist with eating habits and provide good sleep as a result of a relaxed state of mind.

An art of healing which uses pressure points is Shiatsu, which originated in Japan. Shiatsu uses the power of touch and pressure to allow a person to use their own energy for self-healing.

A Shiatsu practitioner uses pressure with his/her thumbs, fingers, palms, elbows, knees and feet to give deep relaxation and a feeling of well being. A Shiatsu session will leave you feeling deeply relaxed and invigorated with a sense of being in touch with every part of your body.

Shiatsu actually originated from traditional oriental massage and it works on the body?s energy system using the network of meridians or as some say energy pathways, which relate to the different parts of the body.

We should all be familiar with the healing power of touch as when you were a child your mother would always say that a kiss or a rub from mommy would make it better. So in essence we have all felt the power of touch from an early age. It would be great if we could give each other hugs whenever one needs it but, unfortunately society taken this away from us and we cannot ask for physical contact unless there is an extreme or traumatic situation.

All forms of massage can fulfil our need for touch but Shiatsu is very practical as the receiver can remain clothed during a session. Some peo! ple are very inhibited and find it difficult and uncomfortable to take their clothes off and therefore, don?t bother with a massage. This means that there a lot of people missing out on the benefits of touch.

Anyone can learn enough about Shiatsu to ease every day aches and pains for family and friends. Shiatsu like massage is used more as a preventative measure and assists in keeping the body healthy and in balance.

A number of conditions, which Shaitsu can help, include headaches, back pain, muscular stiffness, some forms of arthritis and rheumatic pains. It has also been known to assist in the treatment digestive, circulatory, respiratory and reproductive problems. Furthermore, because it provides deep relaxation it can also help in the treatment of tension, depression and anxiety.

Massage and Shiatsu can work hand in hand as the warm touch of another person can encourage the body to let go and relax. Healing by touch has been well documented in history as it has the ability to bring relief without the use of medical science. The power of touch used with some knowledge has the ability to enhance people?s lives in a positive way. Every one of us can make a difference by gaining some knowledge and perhaps we can also influence society for the better.

Walter Pigatto is an expert on the skill of touch and can assist you in finding solutions to you and your family's relaxation/pain solutions. He can also show you how to develop the sensual side of your relationship and much more. To learn more visit Power Of Touch web site today!

Ayurveda The Indian Traditional Healing System And Way Of Life

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of healing incorporating a number of different techniques such as dietary therapy, herbal medicine, meditation and massage.

Background and History

Ayurveda means 'science of longevity' and it originated around the 6th century BCE. Originally a Hindu system, it soon spread across religions. Its principles were said to have been passed down to humankind from by the gods, originating with Brahma, the father of all gods.

By the Middle Ages the system was extremely well developed, with great universities teaching all aspects of Ayurveda. However, it began to suffer as India was invaded, with the final straw being the colonization of India by the British, who bought scientific Western medicine with them. Thankfully, the Indian Congress realized how important Ayurveda was and supported it and in 1921 Mahatma Gandhi opened the first new college for ayurvedic medicine. This began the revival in the old ways, and now ayurveda is practiced alongside Western medicine in India. Ayurveda has become increasingly popular in the West since the 80s, due to such figures as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Dr. Deepak Chopra MD.

How does it work?

Ayurveda holds that we are born in a state of perfection and poise, but soon lose this due to bad diet, temperament or living conditions. The ancient texts talk of 3 basic constitutions or 'doshas' - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These are balanced in health, but become unbalanced in illness. Vata controls movement and communication and relates to the nervous system. Pitta is connected with fire and water, and it regulates heat and digestion and the metabolism. Kapha is responsible for stability and moisture and relates to the structure of the body.

In order to prevent or treat illness these three doshas must be balanced and this can be achieved by changing your lifestyle or diet, by massage, meditation, yoga, or herbs, among other things. An experienced Ayurveda therapist will choose the best treatment fo! r each s pecific case.

Ayurveda is truly a holistic system, more of a way of life than just a healing therapy, and incorporating every strand of human existence. Still very common in India, it is relatively unknown in the West, and certainly not as well known as traditional Chinese Medicine, with which it shares some broad similarities. This is a shame, as it has much to offer.

The author maintains an A-Z of complemetary and alternative medicine at http://www.therapy-info.com

10 Tips to Maximize Your Metabolism

Metabolism basically means the count of calories you burn per day. Repeatedly you might have read articles about accelerating the rate of metabolism. The most common are consuming highly nutritious food and performing workouts. If your metabolism rate is slower, it shows you are burning less calories. In order to increase the rate, you must follow the below tips:

1)Do not observe fasting because you burn too many calories at once, which is really harmful to your body. In this process your muscles turn weak and you face dehydration rather than minimizing the fat content.

2)Dine about 6-8 times a day by consuming nutritious items such as fruits and vegetables.

3)A heavy breakfast is a key factor in increasing the rate of metabolism. Since you are awake for the whole day, the rate of metabolism is fast.

4)There are many kinds of healthy fats available such as nuts, fish, olive oil, and flax oil. They can be substitutes for processed carbs.

5)Consume less sugar so that the insulin production is regulated and you will thus burn calories easily.

6)Eat about 1 gm of protein per pound because the excessive fat content will be drained away.

7)Remember that alcohol is harmful for people planning to lose weight. It prevents fat burning and contains 100s of calories.

8)Green tea and water are the best forms of beverages that do not affect the metabolism process. So use them instead of tea, coffee and alcohol.

9) Night shifts are normally not advisable, but if you think they are unavoidable then follow the above-mentioned tips carefully.

10) Stay as active as you can. Run when you need to walk, do not keep sitting and working, move your arms, stand up once in a while etc. These small steps will also assist in your metabolism.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1601.html

You are wel! come to republish the above article only if you add our hyperlinked URL.

Surgery: the Ultimate Weight Loss Extreme

Liposuction, tummy tucks, gastric bypass, implanted electrical devices... every day there is another surgical solution to obesity. There are many reasons not to undergo surgery, and only one reason to try it: you'll die if you don't.

My goal in this article is not to describe every surgical procedure and describe the pros and cons of each one. There are certain commonalities to all surgical weight loss opoerations, and it is this common ground that I base my arguments on.

Anaesthetic Complications

Morbidly obese people - the only people who should even consider surgery, are the highest at risk for complications to surgery due to anaesthetic. The weight of fat pressing downward on the chest and the belly mean that the lung capacity is diminished. When you're lying down for the surgery, this weight is directly downward on your lungs, which means that when you are put under, it is very difficult to keep you breathing. This is the same reason why some obese people have sleep apnea, the airway closes during sleep due to the pressure, so they suffocate a little bit at night. That effect is more severe with the use of anaesthetics.

Compounding this problem, deep vein thrombosis is twice as common among obese people. This is a blood clot within a vein. Since general anaesthetics operate through the bloodstream, thrombosis is a major complication because it restricts blood flow. Being immobile for surgery can also make existing clots worse, even while getting rid of your belly fat.

Chances are you don't need surgery or its complications: visit The Best Weight Loss Program for Men

Changes Aren't Permanent

Do you think you get to eat whatever you want after having any of the fat-reduction surgeries? Think again! People who are recovering from any surgery are put on a strict diet to help them heal. Believe me, it is much less appetizing than the Mr. Weightless Plan. Once you've recovered, though, you can eat whatever you want, right? No way. Your docto! r will p ut you on a special diet so that you don't gain the weight back. If you don't follow the diet, you'll see the pounds start packing on very quickly. Your body is used to being at a certain weight, and will try to maintain that, even after surgery. This is physiological and psychological. You will gravitate towards your former weight through Adaptation. Read more about this phenomenon in my article: Adaptation.

So, if you're going to be put on these special disagreeable diets anyway, why pay all the money for the surgery unless you absolutely have to? You're going to have to diet after anyway, so why not try my fast weight loss diet before trying surgery?

Expensive

Okay, so you're a movie star, and you can afford to get facelifts and lipo once a year to keep you looking great. I think it's a bad idea for your health, but if you're rich, then that's your prerogative. But what about the rest of us? Are you really going to save for months or years to afford your surgery? Compare the price of my guaranteed products (and let's not forget exercising is free) with surgery that will cost $5,000.00 or more. Seriously, where's the competition? If my plan doesn't work, you get your money back. If you regain the weight after the surgery, will the doctor give your money back? No way... he'll offer to do more surgery for more money.

For my part, the issue is clear: some people are morbidly obese and will die within months if they do not have immediate surgery. There is no doubt that they must have it right away. For everyone else, from the pleasantly plump to the beer-bellied, there is a better way. Do not subject yourself to high risks and high costs and end up put on a horrible diet in the end. Take the mature step and do what's best for you: start a program that will get you losing fat naturally, quickly, safely and enjoyably.

Just delay your decision one month. In that month, try the Weightless Plan. You'll see how easy losing weight is.

David Mr. Weightles! s McCorm ick is the founder of Weightless Products. In his series of articles, he covers everything every man needs to know to lose weight fast and keep burning fat. There are no banners, no pop-up ads, no need to sign up, all articles are available in full for FREE. Wait Less for Weight Loss, visit the best weight loss program for men today!

What to Expect During a Blepharoplasty Consultation

A consultation is mainly a time for communication between the patient and surgeon. The patient must be given time to express what is bothersome. For example, a patient may have hanging and excessive upper eyelids, bags under their eyes, and droopy eyebrows. From the patient?s perspective, it may only be the upper eyelids that are bothersome. Dr. Ebroon feels very strongly that a patient should only work to address what is bothersome to them.

After listening to the patient?s concerns it is time to review the medical history. What other medical conditions does the patient have? What surgeries has she had in the past? Does she have any particular eye conditions? Is she allergic to medications? What family history exists? Does the patient smoke? What else is going on medically?

Once these questions are answered, then Dr. Ebroon can perform a comprehensive examination of the eyes, eyelids, and face. This includes taking vision, taking ten separate measurements of the eyelids, assessing for dry eye with two different dry eye tests, looking at the eye with a microscope, assessing the position and strength of the eyelids, checking for droopy eyelids, measuring eyebrow position, looking for normal eye reflexes, testing the nerves around the eyes, and taking eyelid photographs.

Once the physical examination is completed, Dr. Ebroon can give his recommendations. He discusses what surgical technique he would advise, if any. He also discusses any special circumstances of the surgery given a patient?s unique medical history and physical examination. For example, a patient with dry eyes might be told that their surgery needs to be more conservative so as not to exacerbate the dryness.

Finally, Dr. Ebroon tries to answer any remaining questions. He tries to anticipate common questions that are asked during the consultation. Nevertheless, patients always have unique concerns that are best addressed at this point after a thorough history and physical examination. Dr. Ebroon r! ecognize s that patients feel much more comfortable when they have been given enough time to ask questions.

Patients meet Dianne, Dr. Ebroon?s surgical coordinator, after the consultation is completed. Dianne is happy to review ?before and after? pictures of other patients who have had surgery. (These pictures are all from patients who have given our office permission to show their pictures to others.) It can be quite helpful to see examples of others who have benefited from blepharoplasty.

Dianne can also go over possible surgical dates. Dr. Ebroon performs most of his surgery on Fridays so that patients can incorporate the weekend into the healing process. Dr. Ebroon?s surgical schedule is often booked for a at least a few weeks. Sometimes a cancellation will open up a sooner date.

Dr. Daniel Ebroon is an Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon which means he specializes in plastic surgery of the eyelids. Cosmetic eyelid surgery (also called blepharoplasty) is cosmetic surgery that rejuvinates tired looking eyes. To Learn more about Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery, please visit Dr. Ebroon's websites at: http://www.ebroon.com and http://www.cosmetic-eyelid-surgery.com

Elliptical Trainer Incline Are Ramps on Elliptical Trainers Worth It?

Many people in the market for an elliptical trainer often ask if they should purchase an elliptical trainer with an adjustable ramp. Precor was the first manufacturer to introduce ramps on elliptical trainers and they probably also first applied the term ?cross trainer? to elliptical trainers.

Precor?s ?EFX? elliptical trainer brand stands for ?elliptical fitness cross trainer?. Personally, I think that this use of cross trainer is a big departure from the original meaning of cross training, but I understand what they mean by it. An elliptical trainer can be used to target a wide range of muscles ?- both in your lower and upper body (providing the elliptical trainer also has upper body handles).

The use of an adjustable ramp, otherwise known as an incline, can go even further to more precisely target the individual muscles in your lower body. The steeper the incline, the more emphasis that is placed on the hamstrings, calves, and glutes. Also, by recruiting more of the muscles in your lower body, the greater the intensity of the exercise and the greater the cardio effect.

Many of the Precor ellipticals don?t come with upper body handles. However, they do have a line that combines a ramp and upper body handles. You will need to decide if you can get by with just the cross ramp. Some trainees increase the intensity of their workouts by not holding on to the side rails and just pushing off with their legs. This will give you a great workout, but it takes some practice to remain balanced.

It?s hard to go wrong by purchasing a Precor elliptical trainer. After all, Precor did invent the elliptical trainer and they?ve been at it longer than anyone else. Of course, this quality comes with a fairly high price tag and Precor commercial grade ellipticals built for health club use are too big and heavy for most home applications.

When it comes to elliptical inclines, the only other major brands that offer them are Reebok and NordicTrack, which are manufactured by ICON Health and Fitn! ess. The se are much cheaper ellipticals (many under $1000) and as a result, the quality is nowhere near that of Precor.

All things considered, my choice would be to pass on the incline if shelling out over $3000 for Precor is not possible and go with a solidly-built elliptical in the $1000 - $2000 price range. There?s a lot more to choose from in this group and you can still get an excellent workout without a ramp.

Rich Rojas writes unbiased Elliptical Trainer Reviews and articles on health and fitness at http://www.ellipticalhome.com

What Every Woman Needs!

As a woman, your body is very complex. Throughout every phase of your life you will require extra care and nutritional support. Today's scientific advances support a number of natural choices for women, like soy. Still, the fact remains that calcium, folic acid and iron continue to be the most important nutrients that can impact a woman's total health. All women should take a daily multiple vitamins with these essential nutrients.

Calcium is essential to strong healthy bones.

As a woman you have a much greater risk of developing osteoporosis because you have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly then men do. Be sure to consume adequate calcium throughout life, as this may reduce your risk of osteoporosis later in life. Calcium is essential to the health of bones, teeth and skin, yet few adults get enough of it in their diets. Make sure you find a high quality calcium supplement to ensure you receive a health-enhancing daily allowance.

Folic acid impacts women in many ways.

It plays an important role during rapid fetal growth and development. In fact, adequate intake of folic acid as part of a healthy diet before and in early pregnancy may reduce the risk of having a baby with a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord. All women of childbearing age are recommended to consume 400 mcg of folic acid everyday starting at least one month before conception into the early weeks of pregnancy.

Folic acid also plays a role in the maintenance of normal homocysteine levels; elevated levels of homocysteine are believed to be a risk factor of heart health.

Iron

Iron is a vital nutrient that plays an essential role in forming healthy red blood cells and transporting oxygen. It's estimated that as many as 62% of women over the age of 20 are not meeting the RDA for iron. Women also tend to be low in iron because they tend to eat foods low in iron and lose iron through menstruation.

Drinking a glass of orange juice with your cereal can boost iron absorption by the ! body. Vi tamin C helps the body metabolize the iron. A high quality Vitamin C supplement rich in antioxidants to help fight the harmful effects of free radicals is a wonderful supplement not only to assist iron absorption, but also to combat ageing.

Vitamin C is coveted for its many benefits, including a contribution to healthy bones, teeth, blood vessels and the production of collagen.

In addition to taking a daily multiple vitamin, routine exams are key to prevention and healthy living. You should have a yearly gynecological exam that includes a pelvic exam, breast exam and PAP test. Also, consider performing monthly self-breast exams to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. If you are over 40, you should have a mammogram every year.

(c) Kim Beardsmore

Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. Tons of recipes, articles, resources, free newsletter and more to help you lose weight and keep it off forever. Estimate your healthy body weight or receive a free weight loss consultation at http://www.weight-loss-health.com.au

Perm Your Hair Get A New Look

Knowing what suits your face is very important. It can be understood that the hairstyle suits you so you can go ahead with the idea of the perm. It is a style statement for many and can make an impact on everyone. Getting it professionally done is one of the important things one should keep in mind while getting the perm done.

There are different kinds of perm which can be permanent as well as temporary. Make a choice according to your liking. It gives bounce to your hair, adds a new look to your body which can be very satisfying. It helps in making it very soft and adds fullness to the same. Many people have different reasons for perming their hair whether the reasons are good or bad.

If you decide to perm your hair, make sure that you have made it clear whether it looks good on you. If it doesn?t suit you then the whole idea of keeping the perm is lost. Different hair types would need different ways of getting their perm done. When getting your hair permed keep in mind that you should have extra long hair and it should be in good condition which means well-conditioned and moisturizing.

Once the perm is done extra care should be taken, avoid perming your colored hair. If ever you plan to color your hair then it should be done after your perm. Getting two processes done at the same time can create problems for hair and it can be avoided by a wise choice. Excessive use of shampoo would not be good either, but the use of good conditioner for permed hair would also be good. Try to towel your hair gently and avoid knots.

Mostly getting a perm done would take 2 hours or more. It would take more than 24 hours to get the perm fully settle and have a great impact on your whole personality. The perm would last for 3-5 months which is good enough if you happen not to like the perm.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of sites related to hair and skin care which have information on hair care tips, skin care tips, knowing about perm, care to be given to your skin.