Treatment For Ringworm

The scientific name of ringworm is dermatophytosis or tinea. It is a fungal infection of the skin and the cause of this infection is dermatophyte group. Dermatophyte is a group name for the three genera that are responsible for the fungal infection among humans and animals. These genera are Epidermophyton, Trichophyton and Microsporum.

The following are various causes of transmission of ringworm:

1. It can transmit due to direct skin to skin contact. Ringworm can infect you if you come in direct skin contact with an infected person or animal.
2. It can even transmit through indirect contact. If you use contaminated articles or expose yourself to contaminated environment, you are prone to this infection.
3. If you encounter contaminated soil, you might contract the infection.

People with weak immune system are highly prone to this infection. A few people, who are prone to this infection, are as follows:

1. If a person is having skin breaks due to some serious wounds or diseases related to skin, which creates a passage on the skin’s exterior, he/she is prone to this infection.
2. People who are either too old or young have very high chances of contracting ringworm.
3. People suffering from severe stress, malnourishment or diseases have very high risks of infecting to this fungal infection in skin.

This fungal infection affects different parts of your body. The following are the types of ringworms that you need to get familiar with:

1. Tinea Captis: It affects the scalp and can lead to various bald spots on the head, as the hair breaks very easily.
2. Tinea Faciei: This infection affects the complete face except the bearded area. This infection is common in children, because they are in constant contact with their pets.

Ringworm is a common yet distressing infection, but you can treat it with the help of proper medical help from your doctor.

Treatment For Depression

Treatment for depression usually involves a combination of drugs, talking therapies and self help. Hardly anyone with depression is admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Most get treatment from their GP and make a good recovery.

Mild depression

• If you are diagnosed with mild depression but your GP thinks you’ll improve, you can have another assessment in two weeks' time to monitor your progress. This is known as 'watchful waiting'.
• Antidepressants are not usually recommended as a first treatment.
• Exercise seems to help some people. While your progress is being monitored, your GP may refer you to an exercise scheme with a qualified fitness trainer.
• Talking through your feelings may also be helpful. You may wish to talk to a friend or relative, or your GP may suggest a local self-help group.
• Your GP may recommend self-help books and computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) (see below for further details).

Chronic mild depression (present for two years or more) is called dysthymia. This is more likely in people over 55 years and can be difficult to treat. If you are diagnosed with dysthymia, your GP may suggest that you start a course of antidepressants.

Moderate depression

• If you have mild depression that is not improving, or you have moderate depression, your GP may recommend a 'talking treatment' or prescribe an antidepressant (see below for further details).

Severe depression

• Your GP may recommend that you take an antidepressant, together with talking therapy. A combination of an antidepressant and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) usually works better than having just one of these treatments.
• You may be referred to a mental health team. These teams are usually made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, specialist nurses and occupational therapists. They often provide intensive specialist talking treatments, such as psychotherapy.

Talking treatments

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
You normally have a fixed number of sessions - usually six to eight sessions over 10-12 weeks. Some GP practices have counsellors specifically to help patients with depression.

CBT is based on the principle that the way we feel is partly dependent on the way we think about things. It teaches you to behave in ways that challenge negative thoughts - for example, being active to challenge feelings of hopelessness.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
IPT focuses on your relationships with other people and on problems, such as difficulties with communication or coping with bereavement. There is some evidence that IPT can be as effective as medication or CBT, but more research is needed.

Counselling
Counselling is a form of therapy that helps you to think about the problems you are experiencing in your life, in order to find new ways of dealing with them. Counsellors support you in finding solutions to problems, but do not tell you what to do.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants take two to four weeks to take effect. If the first antidepressant you try is not effective or causes side effects, it may be necessary to change the dose. Sometimes, a different type of antidepressant will be recommended.

Your GP or specialist nurse should see you every one to two weeks when you start taking antidepressants. You should continue taking the antidepressants for at least four weeks (six weeks if you are elderly) to see how well they are working. If your antidepressants are working, treatment should be continued at the same dose for at least four to six months (12 months if you are elderly) after your symptoms have eased. If you have a history of depression, you should continue to receive antidepressants for up to five years, or longer.

Antidepressants are not addictive but withdrawal symptoms are quite common if you stop taking them suddenly, or you miss a dose.

SSRIs
If your GP thinks you would benefit from taking an antidepressant, you will usually be prescribed an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).These are as effective as the older TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and have fewer side effects. Fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline are all examples of SSRIs.

SSRIs increase the level of a natural chemical in your brain called serotonin, which helps to lift your mood. You may have some side effects when you start taking SSRIs, such as nausea, headache, sleep problems and anxiety. However, these tend to improve over time.

Some SSRIs should not be prescribed for children under the age of 18 years. Research shows that the risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviour may increase if they are used to treat depression in this age range. Fluoxetine is the only SSRI that may be prescribed for under-18s, but only when specialist advice has been given.

Other antidepressants
These include:

• TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), such as dothiepin, imipramine and amitryptyline. These are used to treat moderate to severe depression. They work by raising the levels of the chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline in your brain, which both help to lift your mood. You should not smoke cannabis if you are taking TCAs because it can cause your heart to beat rapidly.
• MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), such as phenelzine sulphate, is sometimes used to treat 'atypical depression'. This is when you tend to eat and sleep more than usual. You should not smoke cannabis if you are taking MAOIs because it may affect the way these medicines work, and it is not clear what effect this may have on you.
• New antidepressants, such as venlafaxine, nefazodone, and mirtazapine, work in a slightly different way from SSRIs and tricyclics. These drugs are known as SSNIs (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Like TCAs, these antidepressants work by changing the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in your brain. Studies have shown that a SSNI like venlafaxine can be more effective than a SSRI, though it is not routinely prescribed as it can lead to a rise in blood pressure.

St John's wort

St John's wort is a herbal treatment that some people take for depression. Though there is some evidence that it may be of benefit in treating mild or moderate depression, its use is not recommended. This is because the quantity of its active ingredients vary among individual brands and batches, so it is uncertain what sort of effect it could have on you.

Taking St John's wort with other medications, such as anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, antidepressants and the contraceptive pill, can also cause serious problems.

You should not use St John's wort if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as there is not enough evidence that its use is safe in these situations.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Sometimes, other treatments, such as specialist medicines or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), may be advised if you have severe depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) works for severe depression, but it is only used when antidepressants and other treatments have not worked.

If ECT is recommended for you, you will first be given an anaesthetic and medication to relax your muscles. You will then receive an electrical 'shock' to your brain through electrodes placed on your head. You may be given a series of ECT sessions. For most people, the treatment works well in relieving severe depression, but the effect may not be permanent. Some people may experience unpleasant side effects, including memory problems.

Lithium

If you have tried several different antidepressants and have experienced no improvement, your doctor may offer you a type of medication called lithium, in addition to your current treatment.

There are two types of lithium - lithium carbonate and lithium citrate. Both are usually effective, but if you are taking one that is effective, it is best not to change. In order to work, you have to have a certain level of lithium in your blood. If this level becomes too high, the lithium can become toxic. Therefore you will need blood tests every three months to check your lithium levels. You should also avoid going on a low-salt diet because this can also cause the lithium to become toxic - consult your GP for advice about your diet.

Before you start taking lithium, you should have an electrocardiograph (ECG) to check your heart.

Carers

If you are looking after someone who suffers from depression that affects them so much that they need you to help them with their activities, Carers Direct can help you. On Carers Direct you can find out all about how to get help with caring for the person you look after, your legal and employment rights, and getting benefits on Carers Direct.

Withdrawal symptoms

Antidepressants are not addictive in the way illegal drugs are, but when you stop taking them you will probably have some withdrawal symptoms, including:

• stomach upsets,
• flu-like symptoms,
• anxiety,
• dizziness,
• vivid dreams at night, and
• sensations in the body that feel like electric shocks.

In most cases, these effects are mild. But, for a small number of people, they can be quite severe. They seem to be most likely to occur with paroxetine (Seroxat) and venlafaxine (Efexor).

Treatment For Gonorrhea

Treatment For Gonorrhea;Gonorrhea, also known as "The Clap," is a sexually transmitted disease that affects about 800,000 people a year in the United States. It can be contracted by both men and women, however men are four times more likely to exhibit symptoms of the disease. It is important to get tested if you think that you may have gonorrhea or if you are exhibiting any symptoms of gonorrhea, as prolonged infection can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women, and epididymitis in men. Gonorrhea is easily treatable with antibiotics.

Diagnosis and Testing
If you think that may have gonorrhea, or have gonorrhea symptoms, visit with your doctor. Simple tests are available to confirm an infection. The sooner you begin gonorrhea treatments, the better. While gonorrhea treatment is 95% to 99% effective, it cannot reverse any damage already done to your reproductive organs.

Your doctor will begin the exam by taking your medical history and asking you for information about your symptoms. It is important to be as clear as possible about any symptoms you may be having, so your doctor can estimate how long you have been infected. Your doctor will then conduct a physical exam during which time he will look for any signs of infection, including fever, inflammation of the vagina or penis, and discharge from the vagina or penis.

If you are a woman, your doctor will also check you for any tenderness in the lower abdomen that could indicate an infection. Your doctor will also take a sample of any discharge that is apparent. In women, samples may be

Treatment For Autism

Treatment For Autism;There is no cure for autism; however, with appropriate treatment and education, many children with the disorder can learn and develop. Early intervention often can reduce challenges associated with the disorder, lessen disruptive behavior, and provide some degree of independence.

Treatment depends on the individual needs of the patient. In most cases, a combination of treatment methods is more effective. Autism usually requires lifelong treatment.

Occupational therapy and physical therapy are sometimes used to treat autism. Occupational therapy helps improve independent function and teaches basic skills (e.g., buttoning a shirt, bathing). Physical therapy involves using exercise and other physical measures (e.g., massage, heat) to help patients control body movements.

Autism treatment includes the following:

• Behavior modification
• Communication therapy
• Dietary modifications
• Medication

Behavior Modification

There are several methods of behavior modification that are used to treat inappropriate, repetitive, and aggressive behavior and to provide autistic patients with skills necessary to function in their environment. Most types of behavior modification are based on the theory that rewarded behavior is more likely to be repeated than behavior that is ignored. This theory is called applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Behavior modification often involves highly structured, skill-oriented activities that are based on the patient's needs and interests. It usually requires intense, one-on-one training with a therapist and extensive caregiver involvement.

Sensory integration therapy is a type of behavior modification that focuses on helping autistic patients cope with sensory stimulation. Treatment may include having the patient handle materials with different textures or listen to different sounds.

Social interaction is often affected by limited emotional development that is common in autistic patients. Play therapy is a type of behavior modification that is used to improve emotional development, which in turn, improves social skills and learning. Play therapy involves adult-child interaction that is controlled by the child.

Social stories can also be used to improve undeveloped social skills. Stories are designed to help autistic patients understand the feelings, ideas, and points of view of others, or to suggest an alternate response to a particular situation. They also may be used to help patients understand and cope with their own feelings. Behavioral therapists can teach caregivers how to develop social stories.

Communication Therapy

Communication therapy is used to treat autistic patients who are unable to communicate verbally, or to initiate language development in young children with the disorder. Speech therapy may be used to help patients gain the ability to speak.

Picture exchange communication systems (PECS) enable autistic patients to communicate using pictures that represent ideas, activities, or items. The patient is able to convey requests, needs, and desires to others by simply handing them a picture.

Hairloss Treatment

Hairloss Treatment

There are only two FDA approved remedies that can generate increased hair growth. One is Rogaine, or topical minoxidil, which is a shampoo available in a few strengths. The other drug is Propecia, which is a small dose of the prostate drug finasteride. But, they don't work for everyone, especially when there is actual baldness rather than thinning of hair.

Rogaine and Propecia share some crucial drawbacks. The biggest drawback is that if you stop taking them, you will start losing your hair again and the quality of the overall hair is poor. So, once started you will have to continue with this for the rest of your life or till you are ready to go out with a bald head! They are also very expensive. (A wig may be cheaper!) In addition, we do not know what using these drugs for an extended period of time will do to us in the short or long term.

Minoxidil is a blood-pressure-lowering medication that can, even in shampoo form, affect aspects of heart function. Researchers at the University of Toronto reported that rogaine may cause heart changes if used for long periods of time.

Propecia has been known to cause loss of libido and impotence. Finasteride interferes with the conversion of testosterone to another form of the hormone.

Complementary therapies do not have the side effects noted with these drugs.

Hormone therapy may be prescribed for certain types of hair loss. But it does possess some risk. Some doctors may try to speed recovery form alopecia areata with corticosteroids applied topically or injected in the scalp. The treatment can be painful. It may also cause permanent scarring in the scalp.

Cortisone taken orally may stimulate new hair growth. But the effect is likely to be temporary. Prednisone, another orally administered steroid, has proved effective in some cases of alopecia areata. Side effects include weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, acne, and menstrual problems.

Hormone therapy in the form of birth-control pills may reverse baldness due to hormonal imbalances in young women.

Hair transplantation is another technique used to combat baldness. This involves the relocation of plugs of skin from parts of the scalp containing active hair follicles to bald areas. Several hundred plugs may be needed to be implanted at the rate of about 10 to 60 at a session. The transplanted hair may drop out, but new hair usually begins to grow from the transplanted follicles within several months. The process is painful and expensive, and it does nothing to retard genetic or age-related hair loss.

Scalp reduction is a form of cosmetic surgery that involves tightening the scalp so that hair- bearing skin from the back and sides of the head is pulled toward the crown. Hair may then be transplanted to the remaining bald area at the top of the head. The process is painful and expensive. It does nothing to retard genetic or age-related hair loss.

Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes is a very serious disease. Left unchecked, it can bring serious consequences including death. Fortunately, it is a disease that can be managed. Unfortunately most of the people who have diabetes do not know that they have it and hence do not treat it till it become very late. If you suspect you have diabetes, it is very important that you get prompt professional attention and to determine whether you suffer from this.

Over 100 million people suffer from diabetes in the world. In the United States, it is believed that over 14 million people suffer from diabetes. That includes people of all ages, from children to the elderly. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 6 percent of the general U.S. population over age 40 has been found to have diabetes-and an equal amount has not been diagnosed yet.

People with Type II diabetes are at higher risk of vision and kidney problems, heart disease and nerve damage. More than 90 percent of the time, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, cutting back on fat and getting daily exercise can help keep your blood sugar levels in line. (see: Lifestyle Changes Can Prevent Diabetes ) If you have diabetes, follow your doctor's advice. The natural and Complementary remedies discussed in this website-used in conjunction with medical care and with your doctor's approval-may help stabilize your blood sugar levels and, in many cases, reduce the need for taking medications or insulin injections. (Do not stop taking medications or alter insulin injections without first consulting and getting approval from your medical professional.)
Symptoms of Diabetes
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Polyuria: Passing of too much urine, or frequent urination.
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Thirst
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Weight loss
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Tiredness - often present in diabetes. But other disorders can also result in tiredness. So, this alone is not sufficient.
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Unrelenting hunger
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Itching of the genitals and skin
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Visual disturbances (such as blurry vision)
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Skin disorders (for example, boils)
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Pain and/or numbness of the extremities
Diabetes Can Be Life Threatening

Diabetes is believed to be the nation's third or fourth leading cause of death. It makes the sufferer susceptible to serious complications that can lead to death.
Diabetes hastens wear and tear on many crucial functions of the body. In particular, it attacks:

The circulatory system. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes leads to coronary heart disease, stroke and circulation problems in the hands and feet. These conditions are two to four times more common in people with diabetes, and they account for most of their hospitalizations. Heart attacks, hardening of the arteries, strokes, poor circulation in the feet, amputations-these are concrete and common examples of diabetes damage.

The kidneys. Diabetes is the leading cause of end- stage kidney disease.

The eyes. Diabetic eye disease, or diabetic retinopathy, is the major cause of new vision loss in Americans 20 to 74 years old, according to the National Eye Institute.

The nervous system. Nerve cells may be disturbed or damaged, causing severe pain or loss of feeling-a condition known as neuropathy.

Many people have the false belief that Type II diabetes is not very serious. But it is not so. In 1986, 144,000 people died as a result of type-II diabetes in the US, and 951,000 were totally disabled. In 1986, the economic cost of type- II diabetes in the United States was estimated at $19.8 billion. Of that, $4.8 billion was spent on treating related conditions and complications-primarily cardiovascular conditions that manifested themselves in heart attacks, hardening of the arteries and strokes. Circulatory problems, such as poor circulation in the feet, leading to amputation, are also common in type- II diabetes.

Diabetes is a very serious disease and should be treated as such. In nearly all situations, people with diabetes require, at a minimum, routine medical treatment- including daily self-care. Through scrupulous attention to a healthy lifestyle and a strong commitment to maintaining target blood-sugar levels, diabetic people can significantly slow down the degenerative process.

Left unchecked, diabetes shortens life. It is not a condition that goes away.

sleepwalker treatment

Sound, restorative sleep is the foundation of a healthy life. A good night's sleep is undoubtedly one of the most precious gifts we can enjoy.

Sleep provides the rest our body needs. Rest is the basis of activity. If you sleep well at night, you function well in the daytime. If you don't sleep well, you don't function up to par. Your reactions are slower, your mind feels heavy and dull, you tend to get upset more easily, you don't work as efficiently, and, in general, it's a lot harder to get through the day. Thus, sleep is vital for healthy brain activity during the day. A wholesome sleep ensures that your moods, emotions, reflexes, and cognitive ability are at their best when you are awake.

Happiness and misery, obesity and leanness, strength and weakness, sexual vigor and impotence, consciousness and loss of sensory acuity, even life and death, depend on the quality of sleep.

Charaka, Ancient Ayurvedic Physician (India)

In spite of the fact that importance of good sleep had been known well before Christ's birth, sleep complaints are very common today. Several studies have clearly shown that sleep complaints are very common in the general population. One study conducted over a two-year period (1978 to 1980), included 4698 patients, each of whom underwent a polysomnographic (PSG) study. The proportions of diagnostic categories in those with sleep complaints, after those evaluated for impotency are excluded were:

51% with hypersomnia

31% with insomnia

15% with parasomnia

3% with sleep-wake schedule disorders.

A subsequent study on 3085 patients over a 1-year period (1981 to 1982) showed remarkable consistency with the results of the first study. The most frequent disease categories included in these surveys were sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia related to psychiatric or psychophysiologic disorders. A study by The Institute of Medicine in 1979 concluded that about one-third of all adults in USA had some sleep disturbances. Risk factors for sleep complaints identified were:

Old age

Female sex

Poor education and socioeconomic status

Recent stress

Alcohol and drug abuse

Despite this high prevalence of sleep disturbances, most of the patients who visit a primary care physician with sleep complaints will not be properly diagnosed. William C. Dement. MD estimated that family practitioners catch fewer than 1 or 2 percent of their patients with apnea. Even those with the most flagrant symptoms are rarely identified.

Missing sleep is more than inconvenient. Recurrent insomnia can throw the whole system out of balance and can lead to chronic fatigue. Researchers have made an association between insomnia and other diseases, such as depression and anxiety. It robs you from enjoying good relationships with friends and family members.

It's very important that we do whatever we need to do in order to sleep well. Addressing sleep disorders is a very important step you can take to have a healthy, wholesome life. Good sleep is foundation for increased stamina, resistance to disease, slower aging process, and elevated mood.

The most common form of sleep disorder is insomnia-the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Other common sleep complaints are: Snoring, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, Restless leg syndrome, Sleepwalking, Night Terrors, Nightmares, Bedwetting, etc. However, these are only a very small fraction of the disorders listed in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders by American Sleep Disorders Association.

The consequences of inadequate sleep can be dangerous. Healthy men deprived of even a single night's sleep have a 30 percent drop in the activity of their immune system's tumor-fighting cells the next day. The electrical activity in the brain during dream sleep puts a stop to muscle activity. This allows the body to reconstruct damaged muscle tissue. Lack of sleep means that your body does not get enough time it needs to repair worn-out tissue. People who had inadequate sleep in a night was found to experience a surge of high blood pressure when they wake up in the morning. In some cases, that surge can lead to stroke or other heart problems.

Sleep problems add nearly $16 billion to the nation's total costs for health care each year.
According to the U .S. Department of Transportation, each year two hundred thousand sleep-related accidents claim more than five thousand lives (some put the number at closer to twenty-three thousand deaths). Sleepy drivers also cause accidents that results in hundreds of thousands of injuries. In a survey of physicians, 42 percent of them admitted that they had caused the death of at least one person because they had been too sleepy to make wise medical decisions or perform surgery properly.
How much sleep you need in a day? It depends on the individuals. Many people can get by on five or six hours a night. Others need nine or ten hours.

Sleep needs generally decrease with age. A one-year-old baby requires about fourteen hours of sleep a day. By age five, children need about twelve hours. Adults, on average, need about seven to eight hours. Women tend to require more sleep than men. Many elderly people sleep less than their younger counterparts. They tend to sleep less at night but doze more during the day than younger adults.

High blood pressure treatment

High blood pressure treatment

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood pressure has two components-the systolic pressure (It is the force that blood exerts on the artery walls when the heart is pumping) over the diastolic pressure (it is the residual force that remains when the heart relaxes between beats). The measurement is written one above or before the other, with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. For example, a blood pressure measurement of 130/85 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) is expressed verbally as "130 over 85."

Blood pressure varies from person to person and by ages. In general:
Normal blood pressure is less than 130 mm Hg systolic and less than 85 mm Hg diastolic. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.

Hypertension is generally defined as a blood pressure greater than 140/90. You should bring your blood pressure closer to what's considered optimal, 120/80. Elevated in blood pressure is bad because it raises your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Depending on other risk factors, even the high end of normal may be too high for some people. A study done by researchers at the University of Michigan suggested that even slightly elevated blood pressures can be dangerous for some people, especially those who are obese (those with 20 percent to 30 percent above the recommended body weight). Borderline hypertension is defined as anywhere between 140 and 160 systolic, and between 90 and 95 diastolic. Anything above those levels is bona fide hypertension. (The exception is elderly patients. Here, systolic pressures are sometimes allowed to rise to 180 to compensate for aging arteries, as long as the patient doesn't have other risk factors such as obesity or high cholesterol.)

High blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) for getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. Hypertension is often called the silent killer. It is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. But only about half of those who have it know they have it. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. You can prevent and control high blood pressure by taking action.

Stress treatment

A recent survey showed that 70-90% of us feel stressed at work and outside. Today's fast paced lifestyle is putting a toll on us. Unless we learn to manage stress, we will get sick. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are steps we can take to manage stress. We, at holisticonline.com, want to provide you with all the information you need to manage your stress.

You will learn how to detect symptoms of stress, recognize diseases that are often mistaken for stress, and common sense ways to manage and prevent stress. Prevention and cure are the two limbs of stress management.

We are looking for your experience in managing your stress. Please send us an e-mail. Alternately, you can use our discussion forum.

If you are a practitioner or a physician and would like to contribute to holisticonline.com, please let us know. Thank you and enjoy!

Anemia Treatment

Description of Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disease in the world.

Anemia literally means, "without blood", and is a deficiency of red blood cells, or the presence of abnormal red blood cells due either to reduced production, abnormal production, excess destruction, or blood loss.

Symptoms of Anemia

Tiredness, dizziness, headaches, depression, slow healing, loss of sex drive, bruising, nervousness, shortness of breath, pallor and palpitation.

Main Causes of Anemia:

• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin B-12 or folic acid deficiency
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Vitamin E and B-6 deficiency
• Thyroid disorders
• Alcoholism
• Lead Toxicity
• Infectious diseases such as malaria

Seek Professional Help When...

• Your skin is pale and you feel weak, tired and out of breath.
• Your tongue is slick or sm
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  ooth.
• You experience fatigue upon exertion.
• Your skin is jaundiced.
• You have bleeding under your skin and you bruise in response to the slightest trauma.
• You are unable to do your usual physical activities.
• You feel tired for more than five days.

Treatment Acne Scars

Description of Acne:

Acne is the scientific term for what we normally call pimples, blackheads, whiteheads or nodules that form on the face, chest, upper back or shoulders. Acne sufferers experience persistent, recurring reddish blemishes on the face, chest, shoulders, neck, upper back or buttocks. When these blemishes are spots that have a dark, open center, they are called blackheads. Whiteheads are spots that bulge under the skin and have no opening. Pimples, on the other hand, are whiteheads that rupture. The boil-like lumps are called nodules.

Despite the common myth, poor hygiene or poor diet does not cause Acne. It is believed to be the result of an overproduction of sebum, a waxy substance that lubricates the skin. The sebum may plug a hair follicle, bacteria grows inside the blocked follicle resulting in an inflammation. This can result in a pimple, or in rare cases, a boil or a cyst. Acne is an outbreak of many pimples, blackheads, etc.

Conventional Treatments for Acne:

If you have a persistent, uncontrollable acne, see a dermatologist.

A prescription drug called tretinonin, a derivative of Vitamin A, alters the growth of oil glands. It can dry up current pimples and prevent others from forming. Unfortunately, it also has an uncomfortable, burning or drying sensation.

For inflamed acne, your dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics.

For out of control acne, your doctor may prescribe a drug called isotretinoin (Accutane). It is one of the most potent acne remedy and can, in some cases, virtually eliminate the problem. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most hazardous. Use of this drug may result in itching, headaches, muscle pain and hair loss. It may cause birth defects if taken by pregnant women. So, it is only used when nothing else works. In order to minimize the problems cause by this drug, researchers are now testing preparations that can be locally applied at the affected areas, so as to minimize its reach.

Common Sense Care for Acne:

• Wash the affected area twice a day with mild soap. Use soap such as Dove, or one that contains benzoyl peroxide, such as Oxy-5. Wash as often necessary to keep the area clean. Do not scrub.
• Shampoo the hair regularly.
• Keep long hair off the face and shoulders and wash it daily.
• Avoid shaving as much as possible; when shaving take care to avoid nicking the pimples. Use a fresh shaving blade to minimize the chance of spreading the infection.
• Avoid use of make-up or cosmetics in areas prone to acne. If you have to wear make-up, use only the hypoallergenic or fragrance free kind.
• Don't pop, pick, scratch, or squeeze your pimples. This may cause infection and scarring.
• You may use an over-the-counter treatment that contain substances such as benzoyl peroxide (gel or cream) or salicyclic acid. Start with the lowest strength and apply once a day about half an hour after washing. It may take several weeks to work. Never use more than 5 percent strength without consulting a physician.

Call Your Doctor When:

• If the acne does not get better after two to three months of over-the-counter-treatment.
• You have a large number of pimples or you have signs of scarring.
• If your skin is abnormally flushed around your cheeks or nose, you may have rosacea.

Herbal Medicine for Acne:

• Black currant seed oil or evening primrose oil, three 500-milligram capsules a day daily for three months or until your acne clears up.
• Herbalists also may recommend echinacea, calendula, tea tree oil, and goldenseal. Drinking a tea made with a combination of nettles and cleavers tincture may be effective for acne.
• If stress is a contributory problem for your acne, try relaxing with a cup of tea made from lavender or chamomile.
• Chinese herbs cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower are prescribed by Chinese herbalists.

Caution: Under no circumstances, do not use any herbal preparations to newborns without consulting your qualified practitioner.

Food and Nutrition Recommendations for Acne:

Most doctors now believe that acne is not a food related problem. Some alternate practitioners use diet as a basis for their treatment of acne.

Eat foods high in beta carotene, such as carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe and other yellow-orange fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin Therapy for Acne:

Nutritionists generally suggest:

• 30 - 50 mg Zinc supplement daily - Zinc may help contribute to reducing the inflammation and heals the damaged skin.
• Chromium supplements - Chromium helps boosts the body's ability to break down glucose.
• Vitamin A - reduces sebum and keratin production. (Caution: taking mega doses of Vitamin A can cause headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain and other side effects. Consult a qualified practitioner before taking mega supplements)
• Vitamin E - an antioxidant (200 to 400 IU a day)
• Vitamin B-6 50 mg per day. This vitamin aids in the metabolism of hormones

Homeopathy Treatments for Acne:

• In severe cases, you should consult a qualified practitioner for proper treatment.
• If you have itchy acne, try taking Kali bromatum 6X three times daily until you notice an improvement.
• If you sweat profusely, and have rough, hard skin, and you frequently suffer from constipation, take 6X Sulfur 3 times daily.
• If you have pus filled pimples, take a 6X dose of Antimonium tartaricum, 3 times daily until you see an improvement.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Acne:

Acne is believed to be from Pitta dosha aggravation. So, the treatment includes a diet that includes plenty of bland foods such as oatmeal, apple sauce, basmati rice and eliminating fried foods, spicy foods and citrus fruits.

Drink a tea made by combining 0.5 teaspoons of cumin, coriander and fennel in a tea ball and steeping it in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink the tea after breakfast, lunch and dinner.

To cleanse your face:

• Wash your face with chick pea paste (mix one teaspoon of chick-pea flour with a little water). Dry with a clean towel.
• Apply a paste made by mixing a teaspoon of almond powder with a cup of goat's milk. Let this paste dry on your face for a few minutes before washing it off.
• Apply a turmeric-sandalwood cream after removing the mask. (The turmeric may stain your face yellow, usually this should disappear in about two weeks.)