Getting Rid of Constipation

This simply means opening your bowels less often then normal and/or having to strain to pass faeces. The word "nomal" is important here, because what is usual can vary hugely from person to person; it can be anything from two to three times a day, to two or three times a week. For instance, if you normakky open your bowels twice a day,then only opening them twice a weekcould mean that you are constipated.

Cause

Your intestine is basically a long muscular tube along which food is propelledd by muscular contraction - a bit like squeezing toothpaste. Water and nutrients are extracted from the food along the way, and its progress is influenced by many factors. Changes to anything that influences your bowel action may lead to constipation, including:

• Diet - Not enough fibre or fluids.
• Poor bowel habit - ignoring the need to open your bowel
• Age - the older you are, to more prone you are to constipation.
• Exersise - The less we exersise, the less our bowels open.
• Medication
• Hormonal change - like pregnacy.
• Medical problems.

Treatments

If changes to your diet and lifestyle that address the possible cause don't seem to work, medication may help. Many constipation medications are available without prescription from your chemist, but the differences between them can be confusing; ask your pharmacust if in doubt. Broadly, such medications can be divided into four categories:

• Bulk-forming laxitives - these are good for people who cannot get enough fibre.
• Faecal softeners - explains in the name.
• Osmotic laxitives - these draw liquid from your body and retain it in your bowels.
• Stimulant Laxatives - these work by incresing contractions.

Hope this helps you, and good luck!
Credit to Dr. Dawn

Giving up Smoking

Did you know that there are more than 4000 different toxins in cigarette smoke? Smoking related problems kill around 2,500 people every week in the UK and costs the NHS nearly £2 billion a year. Smokers make up 28% of British men and 24% of women - if you are one of them read on; I have some frightening statistics.

Facts and Figures

• Half of all smokers will die as a result of smoking-related diseases.
• A third of fire deaths in people over 70 are thought to be due to smoking.
• If you smoke, your children are three times more likely to smoke.
• 450 kids start smoking every day.
• Smoking while prgnat increases the risk of still birth, premature birth, and cot death.
• In the uk, out of every 1000 young people who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day, 500 or more will die early of smoking related diseases.

Passive Smoking

Tabacco smoke is made up of the smoke that we inhale and "sidestream smoke" that comes from the burning tip of a cigarette. Since sidestream smoke hasn't passed through a filter it has a higher concentration of toxins that inhale smoke. In a smoky atmosphere, 85% of the smoke is sidestream smoke.

Nonsmokers who are exposed to passive smoking at home have a 25%  greater risk pf developing lung cancer and heart disease (without ever smoking). If you smoke, your children are exposed to the equivalent of them smoking 60-150 cigarettes a year, and they are

• Twice as likey to have asthma and chest infections
• More likely to die of cot death.
• Be off school with coughs and colds more often.
• More likely to need hospital admission within the first year of their life.

Giving up Smoking

This isn't easy - no one ever said it was - but there are certainly more optionss available to help smokers now then ever before. If you are serious about giving up, here are some tips to get you started:

• Work ot what you spend on cigarettes in a week, a month and a year, and how much you would save.
• Make a list of the reasonsyou want to smoke and the reasons you want to stop - which is longer?
• Keep a diary of when you smoke to help you identify triggers like being on a coffee break. Recognizing your weak points will give yiu a better chance of avoiding temptation in the days ahead.
• Set a date to quit. You will need to be strong - if you are under a lot of pressure, now may not be the best time, but dont look for excuses.
• Make a plan for what you will do instead - taking up a new hobby may help take your mind off things.
• Think about how you will cope when you have weak moments. A walk could be helpful. Bartering with yourself and putting a time delay in can be very effective.
• Get proffesional help - your chances of quitting permanently are greatly improved if you have the back-up of a smoking-cessation clinic. If you doctor's surgery doesn't run one, they can advise you of local services.

I hope this helped you, and good luck!
Credit to Dr. Dawn

Treating Hayfever

Also called allergic rhinitis, thisy eyes and nose are due to the allergy, and the us inflammation of the lining of the nose and throat caused by an allergy to pollen. Of course, it does not cause a fever and often has nothing to do with hay! Hayfever usually develops in the late teens but it can start earlier.

Symptoms

The symptoms of itching and runny eyes and nose are due to the allergy, and the timing of your symptoms gives a clue to your specific allergy. If you develop symptoms in March or April you are probably reacting to silver birch, London plane, ash, or willow. Symptoms of grass pollen allergy (timothy, rye, and fescue) come on from May to July, and weed pollens (dock, nettle, or plantain) and mould spores cause trouble in July and August.

The number  of people suffering from hayfever has quadrupled in the last 30 years, but no ine really knows why. One possible theory is the effect of global warming on the life cycle of grass and trees.

Predicting Pollen Levels

The presence of pollen is given as a pollen count- weather forecasters often give a pollen index in their reports when its high. As a general rule, pollen counts are the highest on sunny days when there is a stable, high-pressure weather system. Theytend to dip first thing in the morning, then rise as the dew evaporates. When the air heats during the middle of the day, the pollen rises into the upper atmosphere and the count can fall but it increases again later, peaking in the early evenings as the air cools again. Peak counst occur occur earlier in the evening in rural areas than cities, where it remains warmer for longer. Contrary to popular belief, hayfever tends to be more of a problem in urban areas than it is the country. That may sound illogical given that there are fewer plants in cities, but it's probably due to the addictive effect of traffic fumes and pollens.

Treatments

Treatment depends very much on severity of symptoms. You can manage mild symptoms by simply staying indoors when the count is very high, keeping windows and doors shut. Wear wraparound sunglasses if you go out, and buy a car fitted with a pollen filter.

Eye drops and nasel sprays help runny eyes and noses, but many people take anithistamine tablets, available from you chemist. Talk to your pharmacisr about which one is best for you - the older types tend to cause drowsiness (no bad thing if you are struggling to sleep at night, but not ideal if you need to be alert for work); some of the newer ones are less sedating.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal showed that the herbal remedy butterbur was as effective as traditional antihistamines for hayfever. Doctors have suggested this to lots of their patients with some great results and, unlike some antihistamines, does not cause drowsiness


I hope this will help you, if you have any further questions ask your GP/ Doctor. Good luck!
Credit to Dr. Dawn

Eczema

This is a commom skin condition that affects as many as one in five children and between two and ten per cent of the adult population. The good news is that around one third of children with eczema will grow out of it by their mid-teens.

Features of Eczema

The main feature of eczema are dryness and inflammation, resulting in very itchy skin. Doctors are often asked about the difference between eczema and dermatitis, but to be honest, the two terms are interchangeable. The most common forms of eczema are listed below.

Common forms of Eczema

• Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema. It often tends to run it families, and is closely linked to asthma and hayfever
• Allergic contact dermatitis results from an allergic reaction to a substance in contact with the skin, such as contact with rings, watch straps and belt buckles.
• Irritant contact dermatitis is an irritation caused by frequent contact with chemicals; doctors often see this type of dermatitis on the hands of hairdressers.
• Infant seborrhoeic eczema is also known as cradle cap, and is a condition that occurs with babies. It can look unpleasant but it's rarely itchy and usuallynclears up within a few months.

Is there a Cure?

There is currently no cure for eczema, but researchers have identified a gene  responsible fir producing a protective proteinthat is defective in eczema sufferers. This discovery could herald the development of a whole new way of treating the condition, but in the meantime we have ti treat the symptoms as they arise and avoid any triggers that may cause the condition to flare up.

Do's and don'ts

Do:

• Use prescription steroids, which were perscribed by a doctor.
• Avoid a temoreture too hot or too cold, extremes of tempreture can irritate the skin.
• Keep your nails short, and avoid scratching
• Consult a doctor.

Dont:

• Use soap, it drys the skin.
• Use aerosol deodorant- use roll-ons as they are less irritable
• Have bubble baths, these dry your skin.
• Rub skin after bathing
• Overuse prescribed steroid creams.

Hope this helps you.
Credit to Dr Dawn.

 

Acne

About eight out of ten teens suffer from acne, a condition in which spots develop on the skin. The spots are caused by overstimulation of the sebaceous glands in the skin, which produce an oily substance called sebum. The sebum blocks the pores and makes people prone to spots.

 

Teenage Acne

Teenage acne is associated with a rise in the levels of the male hormone testosterone as puberty is reached. Whether or not you develop spots has nothing to do with how high the testosterone levels are, it depends on the sensitivity of your skin to the hormone - and girls produce testosterone too. It is the testosterone that stimulates the glands to produce sebum, blocking pores and causing spots.

Adult Acne

The good news is that most people grow out if it by their late teens or early twenties. However, a few people will still be struggling with it in their forties. There is also an adult form called acne rosace that affects one in ten women between the ages of 30 and 50. It can affect men too, although its less common. In both men and women it tends to run in families. Acne rosacea causes red skin with broken veins and acne-like pustules on the forehead, cheeks and nose.

Treatments

Chemists' shelves are packed with products claiming to clear your skin. I find the most effective are creams that contain benzoyl peroxide.  These creams come in varying strenghs so always try the weakest first; ask your pharmacist for advice.

Soap can alter the pH of the skin and in some people may make acne worse. Try washing your skin with an antiseptic solution (ten parts water to one part antiseptic) instead; it can really help control greasy skin.

You can also visit http://the-health-talk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/home-made-spot-treatments.html for some homemade treatments for acne and spots.

Doctor's Advice

If over the counter remedies dont work, dont despair. Your doctor will be able to help. It's such a common problem that they see someone with acne almost evry day. They will say to try topical antibiotics, such as creams or gels, some of which contain vitamin A. If they dont work, it may be worth trying a course of antibiotics. These are normally taken every day for several months. It often takes eight weeks or so to see a definite improvement.

One type of oral contraceptive (Co-cyprindiol) is also  licensed for the treatment of acne. It is very effective, although it is not suitable for all women. In very severe cases, they will refer patients to a consultant dermatologist, because there are some treatments that are onlt availablle via a specialist.

Questions

Doest eating chocolate make ance worse?
No, research shoes there is not link between your diet and acne. A balenced diet diet suppors healthy skin, but chocolate doesn't give you spots

Squeezing blackheads get rid of them quickly?
No, in fact it makes it worse and can scar.

Moisturizers make acne worse?
Yes they do, as they block your pores, making you prone to spots.

Acne creams clear up spots?
No, most of them are to sprevent new spots from appearing.

Do hair products cause acne?
Yes, along the hairline.

Does it run in families?
Yes, it not definite, but if you had it, your children are more likely to suffer from it.

Its a sign of poor hygiene?
No, its a sign that the pigment of the cells are blocking poors, ad infact washing can make it worse.

Hope this can help you.
Credir to Dr Dawn

 

Dental Abscess

These are pus-filled sacs found in the tissue around the end of the root of a tooth, usually caused by bacterial infection.

Cause

A periapical abscess may occur when bacteria invade the pulp (the tissues in the central cavity of a tooth), causing the pulp to die. This often happens as a result of dental caries, as the tooth's enamel and dentine are destroyed allowing bacteria to reach the pulp. Bacteria can also gain access to the pulp when a tooth is injured. The infection in the pulp then spreads into the surrounding tissue to form an abscess.

An abcess that occurs when bacteria accumulate in the pockets that for between the teeth and gums is called a periodontal abscess. This type of abscess indicates chronic periodontal disease, in which the periodontal membrane (attachment of the tooth to bone) is damaged and, in severe cases, the supporting bone eroded.

Symptoms

The affected tooth aches or throbs, and biting or chewing is often painful. The gum around the tooth is tender and may be red and swollen. An untreated abscess may eride a sinus (a channel) through the jawbone to the gum surface, where it forms a gumboil. If the gumboil bursts, pus is discharged into the mouth, and the pain lessens. As the abscess spreads through the surrounding tissues and bones, glands in the neckand face may become swollen and symptoms of infection, such as headache and fever, may develop.

Treatment

A periapical abscess may be drained by drilling through the crown of the tooth into the pulp cavity to allow the pus to escape, followed by root-canal treatment (filling of the pulp cavity with dental cement). Extraction of the tooth may be necessary. Antibiotic drugs are perscribed if the infection has spread. A periodontal abscess can usually be treated by carefuk scraping away of the infected material by the dentist.

Hope this helps and good luck. You should ask a dentist if you have any further questions.

How to Get Rid of Warts

Treating warts can be difficult, if not frustrating and embarrassing. bellow are some ways in which you can get rid of them.

1. Freeze the Wart, then insert a sterelized needle several times into it.
2. Soak in warm water.
3. Crush a vitamin C tablet, mix with water to make a paste, then apply to the wart and cover with plaster/ bandage.
4. cover your wart in crushed basil leaves and a plaster.
5. Squeeze lemon juice onto the wart.
6. Freeze the wart using non-proscription, over the counter medication and follow the instructions.

Hope this helps, and good luck!