This first aid technique is called the Heimlich hug or Heimlich maneuver In 1974, Dr Henry Heimlich
described this emergency treatment for choking victims. There is no local statistics, but in the U.S. about
2,000 Americans choke to death each year. These deaths could have been prevented by the Heimlich
maneuver.
When a person suddenly chokes because of an obstruction in the throat, the most urgent problem is
the blocked breathing leading to a lack of oxygen. Since the brain cannot survive even for a few minutes
without oxygen, an emergency first aid has to be done to relieve the choking and prevent brain damage and death.
The most important part of the rescue is to be able to identify if a person is choking or not. In adults,
the usual causes are while eating or from dislodged dentures. In children the most common cause is from
swallowing small toys or food too big for them to swallow. A choking victim will first cough or something to
that effect, then will be unable to speak with gasping for breath. It may either be a witnessed choking or
you may find him already unconscious and turning blue because of lack of oxygen. You have to do a quick survey of his surrounding or what he was doing when it happened. If needed, you have to force open
his mouth or use a spoon to check if there is food in the mouth. Choking usually occurs in a restaurant or
at mealtime since food like steaks or meat is the most common cause.
1. Stand the victim and put your arms around his or her waist.
2. Make a fist with your left hand and place it slightly above the navel just below the rib cage.
3. Grasp the fist with your hand and give a quick upward thrust. This cause sudden elevation of the
diaphragm, compressing air in the lungs and expelling the foreign object forcefully.
For choking infants or small children, let him lie on his back and use the heel of the middle and
index fingers over the same area as in adults and use this to thrust the object out.
NEVER slap a choking person on his back or neck as this may dislodge the object father down
the windpipe and cause complete block in respiration.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Best and Worst Beverages for Weight Loss
Skinny Sipping: Drink Pounds Away
Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That’s a mistake. The average American gets a fifth of daily calories from beverages. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and reduce your total calorie count. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss?
Spoiler: Soda
Every time you chug a bottle of soda, you’re consuming hundreds of empty calories. Switching to diet soft drinks is an obvious way to cut calories, but the research is mixed on whether this switch results in weight loss. Some studies show a short-term benefit. Others find diet soda drinkers gain weight. If your calorie intake exceeds what you burn off, just switching to diet soda may not do the trick.lpers on the path to weight loss?
Helper: Water
Replacing carbonated soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories per day, and the benefits don’t stop there. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may encourage the stomach to feel full more quickly, so you don’t eat as much. In addition, new research suggests drinking plenty of water may have a positive effect on your metabolism.
Jury’s Out: Fruit Juice
Juice can have as many calories as soda, but it has far more to offer in the way of nutrients. This presents a dilemma -- you want the vitamins and antioxidants without all the extra sugar. The safest bet: Look for 100% fruit juice. Steer clear of juice drinks that have added sweeteners. Look for the percent of real juice, noted on the nutritional label. You can also slash calories by drinking water with a tiny bit of juice added.
Helper: Vegetable Juice
Vegetable juice is every bit as nutritious as fruit juice with about half the calories. One cup of tomato juice has 41 calories, compared to 122 calories for orange juice. Choosing juice with pulp provides some fiber, too, which can help control hunger.
Jury’s Out: Smoothies
Blend a banana, strawberries, and blueberries into a frothy smoothie, and you’ve got a delicious arsenal of disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. The homemade variety is best when you’re counting calories, because you can control the ingredients -- skim milk and fresh or frozen fruit are all you need. Restaurant smoothies may contain ice cream, honey, or other sweeteners that boost the calorie count sky-high.
Jury’s Out: Low-Fat Milk
Eating calcium-rich foods may do a body good, but calcium probably won't help you lose weight, new research now reveals. Some earlier studies suggested calcium may prompt the body to burn more fat, but there’s little evidence to support these claims. To get the benefits of calcium without getting extra fat, stick to skim or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Spoiler: Energy Drinks
Sports and energy drinks are calorie bombs like soda. They may have more added nutrients, but you can find the same vitamins and minerals in low-calorie foods. People who are serious about losing weight should stay hydrated with water rather than sports drinks.
Helper: Black Coffee
When you need a shot of caffeine, coffee is a better choice than soda or energy drinks. Black coffee is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of coffee (about 3 to 4 cups a day) may improve mood and concentration, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.
Spoiler: Fancy Coffee
Once you add heavy cream, flavored syrups, and/or a snowcap of whipped cream, that innocent mug of black coffee becomes a minefield of fat and sugar. Specialty coffees can contain up to 570 calories per cup -- possibly more than an entire meal! If you don’t like your coffee black, add a little skim milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calorie count low.
Helper: Green Tea
Green tea is another excellent choice when you’re looking for a little caffeine. Not only is it calorie-free, some research suggests green tea extract may stimulate weight loss. It's not clear exactly how it aids weight loss, though caffeine and micronutrients called catechins may each play a role. The benefit appears to last only a few hours, so it may help to drink green tea at least twice a day.
Spoiler: Coolers
Coolers may sound light and airy, but they are heavy on calories. A 12-ounce cooler containing wine can have 190 calories and 22 grams of carbs. The same size hard lemonade or bottled alcoholic "ice" can have as much as 315 calories. Regular wine is not exactly a diet drink, with 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass. A low-calorie alternative is a wine spritzer: mix a dash of wine with some sparkling water.
Spoiler: Cocktails
A shot of hard liquor has fewer calories than wine or wine coolers, but once you mix in soda or cream, watch out… An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories. A less fattening option is to mix rum or vodka with diet soda.
Helper: Light Beer
OK, beer is not really going to help you lose weight. But if you’re out with friends and want to share a pitcher, light beer is the way to go. A 12 oz serving has about 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer.
Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That’s a mistake. The average American gets a fifth of daily calories from beverages. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and reduce your total calorie count. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss?
Spoiler: Soda
Every time you chug a bottle of soda, you’re consuming hundreds of empty calories. Switching to diet soft drinks is an obvious way to cut calories, but the research is mixed on whether this switch results in weight loss. Some studies show a short-term benefit. Others find diet soda drinkers gain weight. If your calorie intake exceeds what you burn off, just switching to diet soda may not do the trick.lpers on the path to weight loss?Helper: Water
Jury’s Out: Fruit Juice
Juice can have as many calories as soda, but it has far more to offer in the way of nutrients. This presents a dilemma -- you want the vitamins and antioxidants without all the extra sugar. The safest bet: Look for 100% fruit juice. Steer clear of juice drinks that have added sweeteners. Look for the percent of real juice, noted on the nutritional label. You can also slash calories by drinking water with a tiny bit of juice added.
Helper: Vegetable Juice
Jury’s Out: Smoothies
Blend a banana, strawberries, and blueberries into a frothy smoothie, and you’ve got a delicious arsenal of disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. The homemade variety is best when you’re counting calories, because you can control the ingredients -- skim milk and fresh or frozen fruit are all you need. Restaurant smoothies may contain ice cream, honey, or other sweeteners that boost the calorie count sky-high.
Jury’s Out: Low-Fat Milk
Eating calcium-rich foods may do a body good, but calcium probably won't help you lose weight, new research now reveals. Some earlier studies suggested calcium may prompt the body to burn more fat, but there’s little evidence to support these claims. To get the benefits of calcium without getting extra fat, stick to skim or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Spoiler: Energy Drinks
Sports and energy drinks are calorie bombs like soda. They may have more added nutrients, but you can find the same vitamins and minerals in low-calorie foods. People who are serious about losing weight should stay hydrated with water rather than sports drinks.
Helper: Black Coffee
When you need a shot of caffeine, coffee is a better choice than soda or energy drinks. Black coffee is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of coffee (about 3 to 4 cups a day) may improve mood and concentration, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.
Spoiler: Fancy Coffee
Once you add heavy cream, flavored syrups, and/or a snowcap of whipped cream, that innocent mug of black coffee becomes a minefield of fat and sugar. Specialty coffees can contain up to 570 calories per cup -- possibly more than an entire meal! If you don’t like your coffee black, add a little skim milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calorie count low.
Helper: Green Tea
Green tea is another excellent choice when you’re looking for a little caffeine. Not only is it calorie-free, some research suggests green tea extract may stimulate weight loss. It's not clear exactly how it aids weight loss, though caffeine and micronutrients called catechins may each play a role. The benefit appears to last only a few hours, so it may help to drink green tea at least twice a day.Spoiler: Coolers
Coolers may sound light and airy, but they are heavy on calories. A 12-ounce cooler containing wine can have 190 calories and 22 grams of carbs. The same size hard lemonade or bottled alcoholic "ice" can have as much as 315 calories. Regular wine is not exactly a diet drink, with 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass. A low-calorie alternative is a wine spritzer: mix a dash of wine with some sparkling water.
Spoiler: Cocktails
A shot of hard liquor has fewer calories than wine or wine coolers, but once you mix in soda or cream, watch out… An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories. A less fattening option is to mix rum or vodka with diet soda.
Helper: Light Beer
OK, beer is not really going to help you lose weight. But if you’re out with friends and want to share a pitcher, light beer is the way to go. A 12 oz serving has about 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Your Allergy Relief Kit
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on February 17, 2011
Sources: © 2011 WebMD
Skin Creams and Lotions
For allergic skin reactions, keep small tubes of moisturizer and hydrocortisone cream in your allergy kit. Moisturizers can soothe the dry, itchy feeling, and hydrocortisone cream reduces inflammation. Having this and other items handy will help you tame allergy flares -- wherever they happen. For serious skin reactions or eczema, your doctor may recommend or prescribe other medications.
Injectable Epinephrine
Ever had a severe allergic reaction? If you are at risk for a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), your kit should contain injectable epinephrine, such as EpiPen or Twinject. It can stop or curb the dangerous reaction some people have to allergens such as certain foods, medications, or insect stings. A severe reaction may include swelling of the airways, difficulty breathing, and a significant drop in blood pressure. Severe reactions can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Sources: © 2011 WebMD
Skin Creams and Lotions
For allergic skin reactions, keep small tubes of moisturizer and hydrocortisone cream in your allergy kit. Moisturizers can soothe the dry, itchy feeling, and hydrocortisone cream reduces inflammation. Having this and other items handy will help you tame allergy flares -- wherever they happen. For serious skin reactions or eczema, your doctor may recommend or prescribe other medications.
Injectable Epinephrine
Ever had a severe allergic reaction? If you are at risk for a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), your kit should contain injectable epinephrine, such as EpiPen or Twinject. It can stop or curb the dangerous reaction some people have to allergens such as certain foods, medications, or insect stings. A severe reaction may include swelling of the airways, difficulty breathing, and a significant drop in blood pressure. Severe reactions can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Eye Drops
When your allergies leave you red-eyed and itchy, it may be helpful to have eye drops handy. They can reduce inflammation and symptoms of itching, tearing, and swelling. Ask your doctor which kind of eye drop is right for you.
Decongestants
If stuffiness and congestion are your main concerns, include decongestants. Nasal tissues tend to swell during an allergic reaction, and decongestants counter it. They’re available over the counter as pills and may come combined with an antihistamine. People with certain conditions including high blood pressure, glaucoma, or thyroid disease should talk with their doctor before taking decongestants.
Nasal Sprays
Decongestants also come as nasal sprays. But these should not be used for more than a few days straight because they may make symptoms worse. Other nasal sprays may also help allergy symptoms. If allergies have your nose feeling dry, pack a nasal saline spray. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription nasal spray to help control nasal allergy symptoms.
Dust-Proof Pillowcase
Frequent travelers with dust mite allergies, take note: those dust mite-proof, zippered pillow covers from home can fold up small. Keep one in your allergy kit, and you'll have a way to fend off this allergy and asthma trigger wherever you spend the night.
Where to Keep an Allergy Relief Kit
Once your allergy kit is complete, go over the contents with your doctor. Make sure you haven't left out anything critical. Then carry your kit with you at all times in a purse or briefcase. Another option is to make multiple kits -- one for home, one for your car, and one for work. Make sure to check periodically for items that may have expired or need replacing. When you travel, be sure to store a kit in your carry-on.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures for the Face: Before-and-After Pictures
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on January 28, 2011
Sources: © 2009 WebMD
Mirror, Mirror, Say It Ain't So
At some point, the mirror betrays you. It shakes your sense of youth with vivid signs of aging -- little wrinkles around the eyes or lips, age spots, maybe some sagging skin. There used to be few options for turning back the clock without going under the knife. But today, you can soften the signs of aging with a wide range of non-surgical procedures for the face. Learn how these techniques work -- and see before-and-after photos.
Botox Basics
If forehead creases are bringing you down, Botox and Dysport injections can provide a temporary fix. Botox and Dysport contain the purified toxin of botulism bacteria. In tiny doses, this toxin relaxes the clenched facial muscles that cause crow's feet, frown lines, and the like. The injections take only a few minutes and cause minimal discomfort.
Botox: Before and After
Botox injections usually take three to seven days to reach their full effect. The result is smoother skin in the treated area. As the muscles slowly regain the ability to contract, lines and wrinkles reappear. To maintain the desired effect, injections must be repeated every four to six months.
Chemical Peel Basics
Chemical peels use an acid solution to exfoliate the outer layers of skin. The solution often contains a combination of glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, phenol or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Application can take as little as 15 minutes and may cause some stinging and irritation. Over the next few days, the upper layers of skin will peel, revealing newer, younger and smoother looking skin.
Chemical Peel: Before and After
A series of treatments can reduce age spots, fine lines around the mouth and eyes, acne scars, and wrinkles caused by sun damage or aging. Mild peels, like the one shown here, have more subtle results. The application may be repeated every few weeks until the desired effect is reached. Deeper peels initially cause swelling and crusting but ultimately have more dramatic results. Moderate to deep peels may be repeated in six to twelve months.
Microdermabrasion Basics
You may have heard of dermabrasion, a procedure that sands away the top layer of skin. It's an effective way to treat severe sun damage, but it causes bleeding and requires a week of recovery time. Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical alternative. Often called a "power peel," it blasts the skin with tiny crystals that exfoliate the outer layer. This can reduce fine lines, brown spots, and mild acne scars -- usually with no recovery time.
Microdermabrasion: After
As the outer layer of skin is exfoliated, the powdery dead skin cells are suctioned from the face (shown on left). Immediately following microdermabrasion, the newly revealed skin looks pink and feels tight, like a sunburn (shown on right). The irritation usually subsides in about 24 hours leaving subtle improvements in tone and texture. It can take up to 10 sessions, several weeks apart, before the differences are clearly visible.
Thermage Basics
For saggy, crepe-like skin, thermage can come to the rescue. This device uses radio frequency energy to heat the skin. The heat stimulates the body's production of collagen, tightening the skin. Thermage can be painful, but one treatment is usually enough for good results.
Thermage: Before and After – Eyelids
Droopy eyelids respond particularly well to thermage. The results won't appear until four to six months after the procedure, but the difference can be dramatic.
Nonablative Laser (Fraxel) Basics
Nonablative lasers, such as Fraxel, penetrate beneath the surface of the skin without damaging the outer layer. This stimulates collagen production, reduces fine lines, and improves skin tone and firmness. The procedure can be painful, so a topical anesthetic is applied. Because nonablative lasers do not damage surface skin, there is no recovery time.
Nonablative Laser: Before and After
Nonablative laser therapy is a good option for people hoping to improve both skin tone and texture without taking time off from work. Each session may cause mild redness, which improves quickly. For the best results, plan on four to six treatments with several weeks in between.
Nonablative Laser for Melasma
Nonablative lasers are especially effective in treating melasma, the splotchy brown patches that often develop during pregnancy. This image shows a striking difference in the cheek area after four treatments with a Fraxel laser.
Diode Laser Basics
People with severe acne are experiencing dramatic results from another laser procedure. Diode lasers can destroy the oil-producing glands that feed acne. Like Fraxel, diode lasers penetrate below the surface without damaging the skin's outer layer. The main side effect is short-term redness and inflammation, but patients usually do not require a recovery period.
Diode Laser: Before and After
Diode laser therapy may require several sessions to maximize results. In this image, acne has improved significantly six months after a series of five diode laser treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Like lasers, IPL goes below the surface to a deeper layer of skin called the dermis. Short pulses of light are administered to heat and destroy targeted cells and stimulate rejuvenation. Unlike a laser, IPL delivers a broad spectrum of light which can treat a variety of skin imperfections at the same time and causes only moderate sensation.
IPL: Before and After
IPL can reduce the redness associated with Rosacea or lighten dark circles under the eyes caused by clusters of blood vessels showing through the skin. Several sessions of IPL vaporize the blood vessels, leaving the surface skin undamaged. IPL can also remove unwanted pigmentation (like melasma and age spots) by destroying pigmented cells. IPL also stimulates collagen production, which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Cosmetic Filler Basics
Cosmetic fillers are substances that help smooth facial wrinkles and folds by bulking up the tissue underneath. The fillers are injected directly into problem areas in hopes of reducing wrinkle lines and facial creases. Collagen, a natural firming fiber, is the oldest and best-known cosmetic filler. Newer alternatives include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate beads, and ordinary fat harvested from your own thigh or belly.
Cosmetic Filler: Before and After
The results of hyaluronic acid injection, shown here, can last nine months or longer. The results of collagen injections vary but may need to be repeated every three to six months. The effects of injecting a wrinkle with fat cells are often permanent. Another filler that yields permanent results is polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA. PMMA has long been used by surgeons in bone cement for joint replacement, but is now approved for cosmetic procedures.
Making the Decision
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are not without risks. There's the possibility of an allergic reaction to topical anesthetics or injectable fillers. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can result in scarring or uneven skin color. But these procedures are generally considered less risky than cosmetic surgery. To assess your personal risks and benefits, talk to your dermatologist.
Sources: © 2009 WebMD
Mirror, Mirror, Say It Ain't So
At some point, the mirror betrays you. It shakes your sense of youth with vivid signs of aging -- little wrinkles around the eyes or lips, age spots, maybe some sagging skin. There used to be few options for turning back the clock without going under the knife. But today, you can soften the signs of aging with a wide range of non-surgical procedures for the face. Learn how these techniques work -- and see before-and-after photos.
Botox Basics
If forehead creases are bringing you down, Botox and Dysport injections can provide a temporary fix. Botox and Dysport contain the purified toxin of botulism bacteria. In tiny doses, this toxin relaxes the clenched facial muscles that cause crow's feet, frown lines, and the like. The injections take only a few minutes and cause minimal discomfort.
Botox: Before and After
Botox injections usually take three to seven days to reach their full effect. The result is smoother skin in the treated area. As the muscles slowly regain the ability to contract, lines and wrinkles reappear. To maintain the desired effect, injections must be repeated every four to six months.
Chemical Peel Basics
Chemical peels use an acid solution to exfoliate the outer layers of skin. The solution often contains a combination of glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, phenol or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Application can take as little as 15 minutes and may cause some stinging and irritation. Over the next few days, the upper layers of skin will peel, revealing newer, younger and smoother looking skin.
Chemical Peel: Before and After
A series of treatments can reduce age spots, fine lines around the mouth and eyes, acne scars, and wrinkles caused by sun damage or aging. Mild peels, like the one shown here, have more subtle results. The application may be repeated every few weeks until the desired effect is reached. Deeper peels initially cause swelling and crusting but ultimately have more dramatic results. Moderate to deep peels may be repeated in six to twelve months.
Microdermabrasion Basics
You may have heard of dermabrasion, a procedure that sands away the top layer of skin. It's an effective way to treat severe sun damage, but it causes bleeding and requires a week of recovery time. Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical alternative. Often called a "power peel," it blasts the skin with tiny crystals that exfoliate the outer layer. This can reduce fine lines, brown spots, and mild acne scars -- usually with no recovery time.
Microdermabrasion: After
As the outer layer of skin is exfoliated, the powdery dead skin cells are suctioned from the face (shown on left). Immediately following microdermabrasion, the newly revealed skin looks pink and feels tight, like a sunburn (shown on right). The irritation usually subsides in about 24 hours leaving subtle improvements in tone and texture. It can take up to 10 sessions, several weeks apart, before the differences are clearly visible.
Thermage Basics
For saggy, crepe-like skin, thermage can come to the rescue. This device uses radio frequency energy to heat the skin. The heat stimulates the body's production of collagen, tightening the skin. Thermage can be painful, but one treatment is usually enough for good results.
Thermage: Before and After – Eyelids
Droopy eyelids respond particularly well to thermage. The results won't appear until four to six months after the procedure, but the difference can be dramatic.
Nonablative Laser (Fraxel) Basics
Nonablative lasers, such as Fraxel, penetrate beneath the surface of the skin without damaging the outer layer. This stimulates collagen production, reduces fine lines, and improves skin tone and firmness. The procedure can be painful, so a topical anesthetic is applied. Because nonablative lasers do not damage surface skin, there is no recovery time.
Nonablative Laser: Before and After
Nonablative laser therapy is a good option for people hoping to improve both skin tone and texture without taking time off from work. Each session may cause mild redness, which improves quickly. For the best results, plan on four to six treatments with several weeks in between.
Nonablative Laser for Melasma
Nonablative lasers are especially effective in treating melasma, the splotchy brown patches that often develop during pregnancy. This image shows a striking difference in the cheek area after four treatments with a Fraxel laser.
Diode Laser Basics
People with severe acne are experiencing dramatic results from another laser procedure. Diode lasers can destroy the oil-producing glands that feed acne. Like Fraxel, diode lasers penetrate below the surface without damaging the skin's outer layer. The main side effect is short-term redness and inflammation, but patients usually do not require a recovery period.
Diode Laser: Before and After
Diode laser therapy may require several sessions to maximize results. In this image, acne has improved significantly six months after a series of five diode laser treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Like lasers, IPL goes below the surface to a deeper layer of skin called the dermis. Short pulses of light are administered to heat and destroy targeted cells and stimulate rejuvenation. Unlike a laser, IPL delivers a broad spectrum of light which can treat a variety of skin imperfections at the same time and causes only moderate sensation.
IPL: Before and After
IPL can reduce the redness associated with Rosacea or lighten dark circles under the eyes caused by clusters of blood vessels showing through the skin. Several sessions of IPL vaporize the blood vessels, leaving the surface skin undamaged. IPL can also remove unwanted pigmentation (like melasma and age spots) by destroying pigmented cells. IPL also stimulates collagen production, which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Cosmetic Filler Basics
Cosmetic fillers are substances that help smooth facial wrinkles and folds by bulking up the tissue underneath. The fillers are injected directly into problem areas in hopes of reducing wrinkle lines and facial creases. Collagen, a natural firming fiber, is the oldest and best-known cosmetic filler. Newer alternatives include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate beads, and ordinary fat harvested from your own thigh or belly.
Cosmetic Filler: Before and After
The results of hyaluronic acid injection, shown here, can last nine months or longer. The results of collagen injections vary but may need to be repeated every three to six months. The effects of injecting a wrinkle with fat cells are often permanent. Another filler that yields permanent results is polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA. PMMA has long been used by surgeons in bone cement for joint replacement, but is now approved for cosmetic procedures.
Making the Decision
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are not without risks. There's the possibility of an allergic reaction to topical anesthetics or injectable fillers. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can result in scarring or uneven skin color. But these procedures are generally considered less risky than cosmetic surgery. To assess your personal risks and benefits, talk to your dermatologist.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tips for Exercise, Diet and Stress Reduction
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on April 12, 2011
Sources: © 2011 WebMD
Tips for Recovering From Depression
If you've had depression, you know how hopeless you can feel. It's important to get professional treatment. But there are things you can do to ease symptoms of depression. Exercise, changing your diet, and even playing with a pet can improve your mood. Click to the next slide to see how you can start regaining control of your life.
Let Your Pet Nuzzle Blues Away
Sometimes your pet really can be your best friend -- and that's good therapy. When you play with your pet, you take your mind off your problems. Also, when you take care of your pet you're fulfilling a commitment to something outside yourself. Caring for others can be very therapeutic.
Eat Smart to Lift Mind and Body
There's a connection between mind and body. Although there is no specific diet that works for depression, a healthy diet can be part of an overall treatment plan. Build your diet around plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help boost your physical and emotional health.
Choose Foods to Boost Your Mood
Some studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 may ease the mood changes that are part of depression. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids. So do flaxseed, nuts, soybeans, and dark green vegetables. Seafood and low-fat dairy products are sources of B12. Vegetarians who eat no meat or fish can get B12 in fortified cereals, dairy products, and supplements.
Sources: © 2011 WebMD
Tips for Recovering From Depression
If you've had depression, you know how hopeless you can feel. It's important to get professional treatment. But there are things you can do to ease symptoms of depression. Exercise, changing your diet, and even playing with a pet can improve your mood. Click to the next slide to see how you can start regaining control of your life.
Let Your Pet Nuzzle Blues Away
Sometimes your pet really can be your best friend -- and that's good therapy. When you play with your pet, you take your mind off your problems. Also, when you take care of your pet you're fulfilling a commitment to something outside yourself. Caring for others can be very therapeutic.
Eat Smart to Lift Mind and Body
There's a connection between mind and body. Although there is no specific diet that works for depression, a healthy diet can be part of an overall treatment plan. Build your diet around plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help boost your physical and emotional health.
Choose Foods to Boost Your Mood
Some studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 may ease the mood changes that are part of depression. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids. So do flaxseed, nuts, soybeans, and dark green vegetables. Seafood and low-fat dairy products are sources of B12. Vegetarians who eat no meat or fish can get B12 in fortified cereals, dairy products, and supplements.
Try Low-Fat Carbs for a Pick-Me-Up
Serotonin is a brain chemical that enhances your sense of well-being. Carbohydrates raise the level of serotonin in your brain. Low-fat carbs such as popcorn, a baked potato, graham crackers, or pasta are options. Vegetables, fruit, and whole grain options also provide fiber.
Drink Less Caffeine to Improve Mood
Do you really need that third cup of coffee? Anxiety can accompany depression. And too much caffeine can make you nervous, jittery, or anxious. So cutting back on soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate may make a difference in your mood. It can also help you sleep better at night.
Treat Your Aches and Pains
Feelings of depression can be related to pain. Work with your health care team to treat your depression and your pain.
Choose an Exercise You Enjoy
If you don’t like to run, you won't last long training for a marathon. But you will stay with a moderate exercise you enjoy. For instance, try golfing without a cart, riding a bike, working in your garden, playing tennis, or swimming. The important thing is to pick something you like. Then you'll look forward to it and feel better when you do it.
Exercise With Others for Support
Staying connected with other people helps overcome the lethargy, exhaustion, and loneliness of depression. Join an exercise group or exercise with a friend. You'll stay connected. And you'll have support to help you stay on track!
Be Sure You Get Enough Sunlight
Do you feel more depressed during darker, cold months? You may have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is most common in the winter, when there's less sunlight. SAD can be treated with light therapy or exposure to artificial sunlight, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Type 2 Diabetes
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on February 25, 2010
Sources: © 2008 WebMD
Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?
Type 2 diabetes strikes people of all ages, and early symptoms are subtle. In fact, about one out of three people with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it. Diabetes is a chronic condition that thwarts the body’s ability to change food into energy. This allows sugar levels to build up in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease, loss of vision, and other serious complications.
Insulin: Turning Glucose Into Energy
1) After eating, the stomach breaks carbohydrates down into sugars, including glucose. 2) Glucose enters the bloodstream and stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas. 3) Insulin and glucose travel in the blood to all the body’s cells. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells and be used as fuel.
Excess glucose is stored in the liver.
Type 2 Diabetes
In diabetes, the cells cannot absorb glucose properly. That means glucose levels in the blood become elevated. With insulin resistance, the body makes excess insulin but the muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use or respond properly to insulin. With long-standing, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes the pancreas will reduce the amount of insulin it produces.
Diabetes Warning Sign: Thirst
One of the first symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be an increase in thirst. This is often accompanied by additional problems, including dry mouth, increased appetite, frequent urination -- sometimes as often as every hour -- and unusual weight loss or gain.
Diabetes Warning Sign: Headaches
As blood sugar levels become more abnormal, additional symptoms may include headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue.
Diabetes Warning Sign: Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction could be a complication of diabetes. Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerve endings in the penis causing impotence. It’s estimated between 35% and 70% of men with diabetes will have at least some degree of impotence in their lifetime.
Risk Factors for Women
Having gestational diabetes when you’re pregnant puts you at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later on. Women who give birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds are also at risk. Having a history of polycystic ovary syndrome can also cause insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes.
Risk Factors You Can Control
Sources: © 2008 WebMD
Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?
Type 2 diabetes strikes people of all ages, and early symptoms are subtle. In fact, about one out of three people with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it. Diabetes is a chronic condition that thwarts the body’s ability to change food into energy. This allows sugar levels to build up in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease, loss of vision, and other serious complications.
Insulin: Turning Glucose Into Energy
1) After eating, the stomach breaks carbohydrates down into sugars, including glucose. 2) Glucose enters the bloodstream and stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas. 3) Insulin and glucose travel in the blood to all the body’s cells. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells and be used as fuel.
Excess glucose is stored in the liver.
Type 2 Diabetes
In diabetes, the cells cannot absorb glucose properly. That means glucose levels in the blood become elevated. With insulin resistance, the body makes excess insulin but the muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use or respond properly to insulin. With long-standing, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes the pancreas will reduce the amount of insulin it produces.
Diabetes Warning Sign: Thirst
One of the first symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be an increase in thirst. This is often accompanied by additional problems, including dry mouth, increased appetite, frequent urination -- sometimes as often as every hour -- and unusual weight loss or gain.
Diabetes Warning Sign: Headaches
As blood sugar levels become more abnormal, additional symptoms may include headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue.
Diabetes Warning Sign: Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction could be a complication of diabetes. Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerve endings in the penis causing impotence. It’s estimated between 35% and 70% of men with diabetes will have at least some degree of impotence in their lifetime.
Risk Factors for Women
Having gestational diabetes when you’re pregnant puts you at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later on. Women who give birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds are also at risk. Having a history of polycystic ovary syndrome can also cause insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes.
Risk Factors You Can Control
- Being overweight, defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 25.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Abnormal cholesterol and blood fats, such as HDL "good" cholesterol lower than 35 mg/dL or a triglyceride level over 250 mg/dL.
- High blood pressure greater than 140 /90 in adults.
- Smoking.
Risk Factors You Can’t Control
- Race or ethnicity: Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asians have a higher than average risk.
- Family history of diabetes: Having a parent or sibling with diabetes boosts your risk.
- Age: Being 45 and older increases your risk of type 2 diabetes.
The more risk factors you have, the greater your odds of developing type 2 diabetes.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sun Damaged Skin
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on July 21, 2010
Sources: © 2010 WebMD
The Dark Side of Sun Exposure
Basking in the warm glow of the sun can make us feel good, and in the short term, makes us look good. But the cumulative effects of sun exposure put us at higher risk of cellular damage, early wrinkling, age spots, actinic keratoses, and skin cancer -- including melanoma, the most serious type. Can you spot the effects of excessive sun exposure?
Suntan
Tanned skin may be revered as beautiful, but that golden color you see is the result of injury to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer. To prevent sun damage, use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when outdoors.
Sunburn (First-Degree Burns)
Sunburn is skin damage from the sun's UV rays. Most sunburns result in redness, heat to the touch, and mild pain, affecting only the outer layer of skin (first degree burns). Sunburn usually appears within hours after sun exposure and may take several days to weeks to fade. Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen, cold compresses, aloe, or moisturizing creams may help reduce pain and discomfort.
Sunburn (Second Degree)
A second degree burn – damaging deep skin layers and nerve endings – is usually more painful and takes longer to heal. It's characterized by redness, swelling, and blistering. If blisters form, do not break them – they're a source of moisture and protection. Breaking the blisters may lead to infection. Consider seeing a doctor if you have a blistered sunburn.
Wrinkles
The sun's rays make skin look old and wrinkled years before it should. More than 80% of the signs of skin aging in adults are the result of the tans they had as teens before the age of 18. That's because over time, the sun's ultraviolet light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching.
Wrinkles
The sun's rays make skin look old and wrinkled years before it should. More than 80% of the signs of skin aging in adults are the result of the tans they had as teens before the age of 18. That's because over time, the sun's ultraviolet light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching.
Melasma (Pregnancy Mask)
Melasma (or chloasma) is characterized by tan or brown patches on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Although usually called the "pregnancy mask," men can also develop it. Melasma may go away after pregnancy. If it persists, melasma can be treated with prescription creams and over-the-counter products. Use a sunscreen at all times if you have melasma, as sunlight worsens the condition.
Actinic Cheilitis (Farmer’s Lip)
Related to actinic keratosis, actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition that usually appears on the lower lips. Scaly patches or persistent dryness and cracking of the lips may be present. Less common symptoms include swelling of the lip, loss of the sharp border between the lip and skin, and prominent lip lines. Actinic cheilitis may eventually evolve into invasive squamous cell carcinoma if not treated.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma is the most easily treatable and least likely to spread, though it can damage surrounding tissue. Because basal cell carcinoma spreads slowly it occurs mostly in adults. Basal cell tumors can take on many forms, including a pearly white or waxy bump, often with visible blood vessels, on the ears, neck, or face. Tumors can also appear as a flat, scaly, flesh-colored or brown patch on the back or chest, or more rarely, a white, waxy scar.
Melanoma
Melanoma is not as common as other types of skin cancer, but it’s the most serious and potentially deadly. Possible signs of melanoma include a change in the appearance of a mole or pigmented area. Consult a doctor if a mole changes in size, shape, or color, has irregular edges, is more than one color, is asymmetrical, or itches, oozes, or bleeds. Melanoma can affect the skin only, or it may spread to organs and bones. It can be cured if it's found and treated early.
Cataract
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that blocks the passage of light to the retina. Cataracts are painless but may cause vision problems, including foggy vision, glare from light, and double vision in one eye. Prevent cataracts by wearing a hat and sunglasses when in the sun.
Shun the Sun
The best way to prevent sunburn, premature wrinkles, skin cancer, and other damaging effects from the sun is to stay out of it, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. If you can't, apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more liberally (don't forget the lips and ears!), wear a hat and sunglasses, and cover up with clothing when outdoors. If you notice changes to your skin such as a mole changing appearance, a new growth, or a sore that won't heal, see a doctor right way.
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