Fighting Bulimia - Things You Must Know

Fighting Bulimia – What You Need to Know

Bulimia, or as it is known scientifically, Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder. But it is much unlike other eating disorders like stress eating (also known as emotional eating) or anorexia nervosa. To treat someone with bulimia, it is important be aware of the spectrum of related eating disorders.

Knowing the difference between eating disorders

Stress eating is a psychological response that many of us have experienced - we binge on favourite "comfort foods" like a double chocolate chip ice cream laden with sugar and fats that give us an instant simple calorie-loaded rush. Because we associate a delicious and filling meal with a great mood subconsciously, the stimulus to binge eat and recreate that same feeling of happiness is triggered off in times of stress.

Stress eating

Binge eating is therefore a copying mechanism of addressing stress, anxiety and even depression. Not only does it not address these issues (it in fact suppresses them), but can also lead to obesity. And, it can escalate into a vicious cycle of having negative thoughts triggered by obesity and body image issues, and resorting to binge eating to address these feelings.

Stress eating can be quickly identified, and other modes of addressing the causes of stress and anxiety are often beneficial. Exercise helps sufferers not only lose weight gained from episodes of binge eating, but also increase blood circulation and oxygenation, which in turns improves mood and general well being.

Anorexia Nervosa

In stark contrast, anorexia nervosa is a crippling body image disorder wherein the sufferer is convinced that he/she is overweight. This fear of obesity fuels an overpowering urge to reduce food intake. Anorexics can literally starve themselves on a frugal diet, or resort to foods with low calorie content to feel fuller, thereby drastically reducing intake of essential calories.

This behaviour is most often fuelled out of poor self esteem and a negative body image. Celebrity magazines which popularize waif thin figures and the fashion industry's emphasis on thinness have been blamed for being an anorexia trigger. However, anorexia nervosa goes as far back as the 1870s - one of Queen Victoria’s own physicians first diagnosed it.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is a highly self destructive body disorder, as one can see in its description and impact on human physiology. The aforementioned concept of binge eating is highly relevant to understanding Bulimia Nervosa.

While a popular image, reinforced by pop culture is of bulimics simply vomiting up the food consumed as a radical and dangerous weight loss mechanism, there is more to it.

Patients undergo manic binge eating sprees where they eat large volumes of food rapidly, often without paying any real attention to the food they're eating. This phase is marked by a sense of feeling "uncontrolled".

And, to compensate as swiftly for the food consumed, patients often bring themselves to expel the food from their body. While bulimics often see it as most convenient to simply induce vomiting by touching tip of one's throat with a finger (thereby inducing the gag reflex), other methods are also used. This include resorting to using laxative aids, administering a bodily enema.

Bulimics have cited the feeling of needing to "purge" out the food, as it were an impure object from the body rapidly.

Treating Bulimia

The most crippling aspect of bulimia, the vomiting and purging often goes unseen. However, bulimics can be identified by signs such as needing to visit the bathroom rapidly after finishing a meal, binge eating sprees and eating rapidly, and looking malnourished. Bulimia Self help resources therefore focus on driving the message that there is a clear and definitive problem - and that bulimia is not a lifestyle choice, but a real disorder.

Bulimia treatment includes monitoring a diet plan to reinforce the concept of healthy eating, devising a meal plan to not feel apprehensive and out of control about eating, and devising strategies to intercept the onset of binge cravings. This forms the preliminary approach to changing approach towards food. After addressing these, body issues and other triggers are addressed systematically to root out the causes of Bulimia.

What Is Male Menopause: Facts, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments

What is Male Menopause?

An increasing number of men are having concerns about a decline in hormones during mid-life, as a result the words “andropause” and “male menopause” are starting to be seen everywhere. It used to be called a “mid-life crisis”. A more accurate label is the term male menopause, for the sometimes distressful and very real condition. Men are relieved that it is no longer called a silly crisis; there are a number of reasons for the decline that occur mid-life.

Image Source: depositphotos.com

Some physicians refer to the problem as testosterone or androgen decline in men as they are aging since there is not a period that is well defined and referred to as menopause.  It is also known as low testosterone. The production of testosterone declines as men begin aging but diabetes and other conditions can cause the decline in the male hormone production.

The decline in testosterone that is experienced, can come with some symptoms including:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Sexual problems
• Weakness

The difference from female menopause is that the decline in testosterone that men experience happens slowly. In women the production of hormones stops completely. The substance that is needed to produce testosterone is not depleted entirely from the testes, unlike with the ovaries. Men that are healthy could be able to produce sperm well past their eighties.

Image Source: desertsierramedical.com

There may be subtle changes that occur in the testes from the ages of forty-five to fifty years of age, and after the age of seventy some men may experience dramatic changes.

How Is Male Menopause Diagnosed?

There are some things that the doctor will do to diagnose male menopause.

• Question you about symptoms
• A physical exam will be performed
• Rule out medical problems that could contribute to the condition by ordering tests
• Order blood tests. These tests may involve measuring testosterone levels.

Can Male Menopause Be Treated?

Testosterone replacement therapy might provide some relief to the symptoms of low levels of testosterone.

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Decreased libido (loss of interest in sex)
• Morning erections decrease
• Sexual intercourse frequency declines
• Testicular and genital size decreases
• Body fat increases
• Memory loss
• Changes in mood
• Vagueness
• Gynaecomastia (enlarged nipples)

There is the potential for side effects and risks with testosterone replacement therapy just like there is with the therapy for replacing hormones in women. An example would be that prostate cancer could be made worse by the testosterone replacement.

Speak with a doctor to learn more when considering replacement therapy for androgen. There may be lifestyle or other changes recommended by your doctor to aid with the male menopause symptoms. These could include:

• Antidepressant or other medications
• Diet
• Program for exercise

Alternative Male Menopause Treatments

• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Exercise
• Multi-mineral supplement
• Multi-vitamin supplement
• Soy
• Vegetables that contain indole- (brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage)
• Ayurvedic herbal remedies
• Grapefruit should be avoided
• Alcohol should be avoided
• Ayurvedic dietary changes

Before you use a complementary or alternative treatment, or make changes or stop any treatment in favor of alternative approaches, you should check with your doctor or another qualified medical professional. In some cases, alternative treatments can pose a danger while in others the preventives or treatments might be useful.
Tammy Mahan has been a nurse for 20 years. In her free time she works as a freelance medical/health writer for Healthline.com.

Effective Treatments Of Warts On Face

Warts on the face can be a real problem and as such no one would want to have them as the face is a very key part when it comes to building confidence.
Filiform warts, as they as sometimes called, can be the most uncomfortable thing that can happen to you, mostly because they are noticeable. They most commonly appear around the eyelids and lips and their most common symptoms are itching of the areas affected, bleeding if scratched and they can also be sore and irritating. If you realize that you have all these signs and symptoms then it means upon confirmation that you have Filiforms and the next step would be to treat them.
Here, depending on what you feel most comfortable with, you can either choose to go for home remedies or medical treatment. Although both of these methods are not 100 percent effective they will give you a result according to how the latter has been administered.

Home Remedies for Warts on the Face

There are a few home treatments or remedies that one can use to treat Filiforms.

1.  Handy Milkweed: Predominantly a plant from North America and named for its milky juice is known to contain components that aid in the treatment of Filiforms. The juice that comes from the leaves of this plant can be directly applied to the affected area after which the area is covered.  A repeat of the same process for several days will leave the wart dried up,forming a scar that heals with time.


2.  Salicylic Acid: It is yet another home remedy that can be used to treat Filiforms. Salicylic acid is the dominant ingredient in most of the effective topical treatment for warts. This product is available over the counter or on websites such as AboutWart. Ointments containing the salicylic acid are highly effective but are preferably safe when prescribed by a dermatologist as some contain high concentrations that can be dangerous to the skin.
3. Lime Juice: Using lime juice is also another home remedy that one can use to treat Filiforms. It contains citric acid that when applied penetrates infected tissues and the acidic content works on the wart.Later the outgrowth will have to be peeled off.
4. Aloe gel can also be soaked in a cotton ball and applied to the wart infested area. Eventually the wart will dry up. This can cause a reaction with the skin causing itchiness and as a result one is advised to consult and be very carefully before using this option.
5. A paste of baking soda and water can also be a workable home remedy. An application of this paste to the affected area three times a day would bring results in a few days.

The last three procedures can be ad hoc but very effective and come in handy if one does not have the option of other ways to treat the warts.

Medical Procedures and Treatments

There are also medical procedures that can be used to eliminate the wart problem. These methods are only advisable to be used after a full diagnosis and prescription of a dermatologist. The medical procedures also have to be presided over by a qualified medical doctor. Let's look at some of the methods considered to be the most effective.

1. Immunotherapy: A common method among many, it can be very effective depending on how your immune system responds. This method involves provoking your immune system to the kill the wart infection. Antigens are induced into the body and time given to allow the body’s immune system to respond to it device and an attack against the virus.
2. Laser treatment: This is also another treatment method. Electro cauterization as it is commonly called involves passing a high frequency electrical current through the wart to burn it. The process is done in 20 to 30 minutes where the heat produced by the electrical current depletes the wart. Though highly effective the process can be uncomfortable to others and as such has to be recommended by a doctor and thought about carefully by the patient.

   

   If this method is ineffective a patient may sometimes be advised to go for laser surgery where the warts are attacked by a laser beam to burn them. This method is most commonly used for plantar and genital warts.
3. Cryotherapy: This is a procedure that involves the use of liquid nitrogen as a cryogen to free the wart. The application of this procedure causes a blister to form.It is then covered with a bandage and after a week or so the dead skin can be removed. The procedure requires between at most four treatments to produce results, and is highly effective.
4. Prescriptions of over the counter medicines can also be an effective method to treat filiform warts though as mentioned earlier, precise caution and consultation should be done before using prescriptions to treat filiform warts. An example of these over the counter medication may include Imiquimoid and Fluorouracil. Salicylic acids can also fall under this category and can be found in the form of adhesive pads treated with salicylic. Caustic pencil which contains silver nitrate also does treat Filiforms.

All the above options are effective in the treatment of filiform warts and even though some may be more effective than others, the guarantee is that depending on how the chosen home remedy method is administered or the medical treatment taken as prescribed is also administered the warts this form of wart will be treated.  The fact is that of the methods discussed above, home remedies can have an effect rate of 40 to 60 percent though this depends on how your body, especially the skin reacts to the particular remedies.
The medical treatments and procedures mentioned above have an effective rate of 60 to 80 percent but as mentioned earlier, these should only be considered after a qualified doctor or dermatologist has prescribed, suggested and if need be administered using the relevant procedures. This does give you and insight on how to treat Filiform warts effectively so that you can reach such informed decisions.

Back Pain - Causes, Prevention and Treatments

If you're suffering from back pain, you are not alone. In fact, it has been estimated that some 31 million Americans are suffering from painful back conditions at any given time - and they're spending a combined $50 billion dollars each year as they seek out treatment and relief. So what's the solution? In this quick guide to back pain, we will take a look at prevention techniques, treatment options, and the key signs that you should see a back pain specialist.

What causes back pain, and how can it be prevented?

Back pain can be caused by numerous factors. Often, individuals will suffer from stress-induced muscle spasms, twisting or contorting their bodies, or through sports injuries. Back problems can also be related to scoliosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, kidney stones, poor posture, etc. In some cases, back pain cannot be completely avoidable, but there are certain tactics that can help to prevent problems. Maintaining a healthy weight and diet is a significant factor in back health, as well as maintaining good posture when sitting at a desk for extended periods of time. It's also important to warm up and stretch before engaging in any type of physical activity - from exercise to sports or even gardening. When lifting objects, be sure to lift from your knees, keeping the object close to your body and avoid any twisting movements. Always ask for help if something is too heavy or award to lift.

How can back pain be treated?

Upon pulling a muscle in your back, or inflammation, you should immediately use cold treatment methods to ease any further swelling or spread of the pain. For chronic pain or muscle spasms, it is advisable to use warm, moist heat for relief. Hot baths or a heating pad can be very effective. If you choose, you may also elect to continue cold therapy to numb any deep pain. Be sure to carefully stretch and exercise your back, but never to the point where further pain is caused as a result. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications or topical analgesics may also help to relieve your symptoms.

When should I see a back pain specialist in NYC?

If, after attempting these home remedies for back pain for several days you have seen no improvement, it is advisable that you consult with a back pain specialist. There are also certain cases in which you should immediately seek medical attention. This is advisable if you experience:

• Numbness or tingling
• Pain after a fall or injury
• Problems with urinating
• Weakness
• Fever
• Weight loss (if not on a diet)

From here, your back pain specialist may need to order urine or blood tests, or run X-Rays to properly diagnose the source of your symptoms. Depending on the results, your specialist may recommend physical therapy, a visit to a chiropractor, deep tissue massage, laser treatments, numbing injections, or prescription pain medications and/or muscle relaxers to help you to find relief from your pain and move forward with a happier, healthier life.


Never ignore the signs that your body is giving you. Your health is of the utmost importance, so if you are in pain or discomfort, you should not hesitate to contact a back pain specialist NYC. By following these simple tips, you can keep your back in good shape for the future.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments: Which Is Right For You?

Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

There is a variety of erectile dysfunction treatments available. Important factors for the determination of the best treatments are underlying health problems, causes, and condition severity. Not only will the doctor explain each treatment’s benefits and risks, they will take your preferences into consideration. The preferences of your partner will also play a role in the choice for treatment.

Many men successfully use oral medications to treat erectile dysfunction. These include:

• Cialis (Tadalafil)
• Levitra, Staxyn (Vardenafil)
• Viagra (Sildenafil)

All of these medications work in a similar matter. Nitric oxide, which causes the penis muscles to relax and is a natural chemical produced by the body, is enhanced by these drugs. Blood flow is increased allowing you to obtain an erection when sexually stimulated. The dosage, side effects, and how long it takes the medications to work will vary. The determination of which medication will work best will be made by your doctor using your specific situation.

Flushing, headache, stomach upset, changes in vision and nasal congestion are among the possible side effects.

Your erectile dysfunction might not be fixed immediately by the medications. You might have to have the dosage adjusted and work with the doctor to find the medication that is right.

Get a doctor’s approval before you take any prescription, over the counter or herbal remedy for erectile dysfunction. Not all men should take these medications for erectile dysfunction even though they might help some people. There medications might not only fail to work for you they could be dangerous if:

• Nitrate drugs which are typically prescribed for angina (chest pain) are being taken including various forms of nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate.
• Have had a stroke
• Have heart disease or failure
• Are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), medication for high blood pressure or alpha blockers for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Suffer from diabetes that is not under control
• Have uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (extremely low blood pressure)

Penis pumps, surgery and implants

It may or may not be a good choice to use medications and they might not work for you. The doctor might recommend a different option for treatment in this case.

Other options for Treatment:

• Vacuum erection device (penis pump) – a battery operated or hand powered hollow tube that acts as a pump. It is put over the penis and used to suck air out of the tube. Blood is pulled into the penis by the vacuum that is created. A tension ring is placed around the penis base once an erection is gotten so that the blood will remain in it, keeping the penis firm. The device is then removed. The erection will usually last long enough for you to have sex. The tension ring is removed after intercourse. A possible side effect is the bruising of the penis and ejaculation might be less forceful. A specific model might be recommended by your doctor, as a penis pump is a good option for your treatment. You will be sure that the manufacturer is reputable and it fits your needs. The ones that you find in sex ads, and magazines might not be effective or safe.
• Penile implants – two sides of the penis have devices surgically placed in them. Semi-rigid or inflatable rods are what make up these implants. You can control when you have an erection and how long it is with inflatable devices. The penis is kept firm but can be bent with the semi-rigid rods. Other methods are usually tried before these are suggested. Complications such as infection are a risk just like they would be with any other surgery.
• Blood vessel surgery – erectile dysfunction can be caused by obstructed or leaking blood vessels in rare cases. There are surgically repaired.

ammy Mahan shares her knowledge on Healthline.com .

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Facts, Risk And Treatments

Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevailing autoimmune disease that affects more than 20 million Americans each year.  It tends to be bilateral and asymmetrical, which means it appears on both sides of your body. It is a chronic inflammatory polyarthritis condition, which means it upsets multiple (five or more) joints in the body and is often linked to joint deformities, especially in the hand and fingers.

Image Source - webmd.com

RA can be very serious, causing premature disability, compromised quality of life, and sometimes even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 1997, rheumatoid arthritis accounted for 22 percent of all deaths due to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.

Unlike arthritis that is brought by old age, rheumatoid arthritis can affect you at any age, including young children. In fact, a 2007 CDC study estimates that among 294,000 children with arthritis or other rheumatic condition, there were at least 16,000 classified as rheumatoid arthritis and other polyarthropathies. Fortunately, cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are still relatively rare today.
Early diagnosis can prevent further damage from RA, but this is sometimes challenging because early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are very non-specific. These include:

• Malaise
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Muscle soreness
• Low-grade fever
• Weight loss

Are You At Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

What causes rheumatoid arthritis is still a mystery. However, many experts suggest that it could be a combination of genetics and exposure to specific environmental factors.

• Gender – Typically, women are two to three times more predisposed to developing rheumatoid arthritis than men. Breast feeding, oral contraceptive, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), live birth history, and menstrual history are suspected to be contributing factors as to why women are at higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

• Age – While it is true that rheumatoid arthritis can hit you at any age, the onset of the disease begins between ages 30 and 50 and is at peak at 60 years of age in both men and women. 

• Smokers – Among a list of possible risk factors, smoking has the strongest and the most consistent link to rheumatoid arthritis. Studies suggest that a history of smoking is connected with a modest to moderate (1.3 to 2.4 times) increased risk of RA onset.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Conventional Versus Natural Approaches:
Since symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis usually involve joint pain, swelling, and inflammation, conventional anti-inflammatory approaches such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and analgesics are used by most physicians.

However, while these can relieve pain – and there’s a lot to be said for pain relief – it’s very important to understand that chronic use of these types of medications are associated with significant and very serious side effects such as kidney and/or liver damage. In the U.S., overuse of analgesics is a very common source of kidney failure.

NSAIDs also kill some 30,000 people every year due to bleeding ulcers, and the oral drugs have been linked to a host of problems, including heart failure. Vioxx and Celebrex make prime examples of these very real dangers. This is not to say that they are not useful agents in some cases; however, you need to use them very, very cautiously.

With respect to rheumatoid arthritis treatment – or any other disease – opting for natural approaches is still the best way to go.  The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center has a wholearticle on this, titled “Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis ,”where there are several helpful alternative remedies that may be of significant benefit to patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Some examples are acupuncture, hydrotherapy, tai chi, and yoga.

Here are crucial lifestyle changes (Prevention) to achieve success against RA:

• Eliminate sugar, especially fructose, and most grains. For most people, it would be best to limit fruit to small quantities.
• Eat unprocessed, high-quality foods, organic and locally grown if possible.
• Eat your food as close to raw as possible.
• Get plenty high-quality animal-based omega-3 fats. Krill oil seems to be particularly helpful, as it appears to be a more effective anti-inflammatory preparation. It is particularly effective if taken concurrently with 4 milligrams of astaxanthin, which is a potent antioxidant bioflavanoid derived from algae.
• Incorporate regular exercise into your daily schedule.

Arriene Hernandez is an avid reader of Mercola.com and Dr. Joseph Mercola’s daily newsletter.

Neck Pain Treatments For A Healthy Life

Most people have experienced some level of acute pain in the lower back, shoulders, or neck. While treatments can tend to focus on specific parts or areas of the body for alleviation of this pain, it’s important to remember that all parts of the body are connected, closely related, and all work together to maintain health and balance. The neck and the spine for example, can often be seen as two separate regions, but the neck is essentially an extension of the spine, and therefore part of the greater whole. Spine and neck pain are therefore technically the same, depending on where the pain occurs. Neck pain treatment, therefore, can be considered part of a more comprehensive health management strategy for the whole spine, and it all starts with having your head on straight.

The Head:
Having the head balanced and aligned correctly is crucial for the whole body to function well. The spine is supported by muscles around it, and if those muscles become weak or get injured, the spine slowly starts to fall out of place. This often causes spine and neck pain as the muscles over-strain or even tear as they try to support the spine.

The Neck:
The neck supports the head as well due to which muscles in the neck can become tired if the position of the head is unnatural. Posture correction workouts and simple stretches can serve as effective neck pain treatment and reduce back pain discomfort and neck pain in these cases. A core workout can also help strengthen the stomach muscles, lower back muscles, groin, and legs, since these muscles support the spine. If these muscles weaken, the spine is likely to misalign, causing pain in the spine and the neck.

The Spine:
A misaligned spine can also give way to muscle imbalance. When the body is in optimal alignment, it takes minimal energy and work to stay upright and pain free.  But if the body becomes twisted and torqued out balance, muscles must fight and struggle just to try and maintain alignment. Often times the muscles that are working the hardest to maintain balance will be the muscles that experience the most pain, either by painful knots, always feeling tight, or always seem to hurt. Misalignment or imbalance in upper most region of your spine could lead to one or many of a myriad of symptoms and conditions including headaches, dizziness, neck and lower back pains, distorted body posture, muscles tenderness, and decreased strength and flexibility. Because pain and discomfort often act as the body’s first warning signal that something may be out of place, seeking effective neck pain treatment at the start will help to stop more serious issues from developing in the future.

Other issues, including onset of a head tilt to the side, slight forward head posture, a slouch, or any lateral curves to the spine can also be indications of misalignment. If not addressed, these problems could eventually lead to systematic breakdown of whole bone structure of the entire spine resulting in malfunction, disc herniation, degeneration, arthritis, spurs, or worse.

Every organ in the body takes commands and receives signals from your brain and all of these messages are relayed through the spinal cord, which is protected by the spine.  If organs such as the stomach, pancreas, lungs, or the heart do not receive the right information, it can result in a myriad of problems, including heart burn and indigestion, to even more serious issues like diabetes, heart palpitations or arrhythmias. It is critical to maintain a healthy nervous system for the body to function properly. Remembering that it’s all connected, effective neck pain treatment can be considered a great way to also help maintain a healthy nervous system.

Generally, keeping active and maintaining good health is the best way to prevent problems from starting. Professional neck pain treatment should be considered if pain becomes chronic or gradually worsens, as these can lead to many more serious issues, including anxiety and depression. Developing a comprehensive and effective treatment plan to ensure all the right connections stay in place to live happy and pain free.

Anti Wrinkle Tips that Can Help Fight Wrinkles

Wrinkles are every woman’s nemesis and the fact that they are inevitable hurts! Still, though one may not be able to prevent them completely, one can definitely delay their appearance with some tips and fight their visibility with some anti-wrinkle treatments.

Wrinkles can be easily categorized according to two distinct variations; one as the fine lines that are usually superficial and on the skin surface only, and two as the deep furrows that are the actual cause of concern. Sensitive skin is most prone to developing wrinkles be it in the first form or the second one, and the most susceptible areas are often the lips, forehead and eyes.
Ever since the time that mankind has acknowledged that ageing causes wrinkles, anti-wrinkle treatments and anti-ageing solutions have been flooding the market each year, year in and year out. Everyone is one the lookout for that one thing that will beat every single product out there, the one thing that will really reverse the signs of ageing. Though the popularity of such treatments has always been on a high, people are also now wary of what they buy and whether it really works or not.

The Main Culprits for the Appearance of Wrinkles
Wrinkles are often the outward reaction of an internal problem and that problem is the problem of weakened connective tissues and lower collagen production. As we age, our skin’s natural collagen producing capacity goes down and the elastin in the connective tissues also starts to break down. This is just a form of natural skin damage.
Skin that is damaged in this manner loses density and looks thinner. It also loses its healthy fat content and starts deteriorating in its elasticity. Such skin may also appear stretched, dehydrated and rough. When such lax tissues are pulled down by gravity, the skin sags and forms the more deep wrinkles and furrows. Though skin all over one’s body ages in the same manner, it is the parts where it is most exposed to natural elements and the sun can one see the most wrinkles and skin damage.

Some of the most common reasons for damaged skin, which in turn leads to the formation of wrinkles, are:

• Ageing related natural damage
• Recreational hazards (sun tanning)
• Occupational hazards (working under the hot sun)
• Dehydration and lack of moisture in the skin
• Overexposure to the sun
• Heredity
• Skin injuries
• Surgeries
• Skin diseases that leave scars
• Heavy acne bouts
• Air and water pollutants including contact with harsh chemicals
• Abuse of drugs
• Smoking, both passive and active
• Repetitive muscle movements
• Stress
• Quick and extreme weight loss
• Vitamin deficiencies

Can I Stall Appearance of Wrinkles?
If you wish to fight off those unsightly wrinkles, there are some tips that can help you stall them and they are as follows:

• Do not use soaps on your face as irrespective of which soap you use, it is bound to have some chemicals that dehydrate your skin.
• Clean your face completely of make up and impurities at least twice a day. Make it a routine and use natural cleansing products only as some of the products that are available in the market contain harmful chemicals and toxins.
• Before you apply any make up in the morning, apply a thin layer of moisturizer and rub it in. This will help your skin retain more moisture throughout the day.
• The skin area around the eyes is extremely thin and delicate. Use natural products for this area and apply it with a light touch.
• Try natural anti-wrinkle products when you use them. You can also select products that have add-on nutrients for your skin.
• Try to inculcate the habit of sleeping on your back rather than the sides. This will stop the gravitational pull from adding wrinkles to your face.
• If you smoke, stop smoking. Inhaling secondary smoke is just as harmful for your skin so avoid the company of smokers.
• Drink 8 or more glasses of water each day to keep your skin hydrated, soft and supple.

Indeed, when people tell you that wrinkles are an inevitable part of aging, they are right. But the appearance of wrinkles can be both delayed as well as diminished by following the tips given above and the options for anti-wrinkle treatments that help.

Say Goodbye To Cellulite Forever

You are familiar with the adage “you don’t get out of this life alive”, but for most woman they might add “and cellulite-free.” Incessant complaints about unruly humps and bumps around thigh area are constant predicament even among teens to women nearing in their golden years. According to American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, almost 90% of all women regardless of race are prone to cellulite.

The intensity of the demand to fight or least curb cellulite overwhelmed mall shelves with anti-cellulite products from temporary relief such as caffeine infused creams to more effective no surgery fat processes like laser, massage and suction. Introducing Cellulaze, an anti-cellulite laser treatment approved by Food and Drug Administration. Unlike other fat treatments that target the outer layer of our skin, Cellulaze goes underneath to fix the unsightly humps and bumps of the skin. Let’s us discuss the basics of the on the dreaded skin condition.

Cottage Cheese Explained

Cellulite is undiscriminating skin condition. Being slim does not exempt you being cellulite-free. So whether you are fat or thin, jiggly or muscled, you are a perfect target of cellulite. The fight for cellulite is synonymously battling with genetics, hormonal factors, diet, lifestyle and age. Sad to say women are more prone to those pesky undulations and indentations due to female skin architecture says NYC dermatologist, Dr.Schweiger. Men’s connective tissue is diagonal and criss-crossed, laid smoothly and continuous. While women’s connective tissue lies vertical to the skin and during the start of puberty, wherethe estrogen levels increases and skin elasticity weakens and the fat chambers (septae) starts to develop due to the connective tissue structure causing the fat to be pushed upwards while at the same time the fibrous bands pull the skin downwards.

Introducing the New Technique

Before, having cellulites means that you have to deal with them forever, but not anymore and this is what the buzz about Cellulaze. A surgeon will administer a local anesthesia and threads a laser fiber with the help of a cannula that is as thin as the pencil lead and trims the fat chambers (septae) melts them and heats the skin from the inside out and this encourages the growth of collagen and elastin.

The laser fiber turned into 90 degrees is effective enough to break and vaporize  stubborn septae. The laser fiber will then be turned toward skin surface wherein the heat will thicken the skin. The moment those septae were severed, there is no chance for them to grown back making you totally cellulite-free. The laser heat is said to promote collagen and elastin growth will make your skin 29% more elastic.

The key to get rid of cellulite successfully is to treat the problem at the root just like what Cellulaze does. With minimal downtime, patients’ needs not to avail leave from work since they can go back to work the next day as observed with patients who undergone Celulaze. But patient are required to wear compression garments, thinksupertight bike shorts for at least a week. Expect bruising and soreness during the first two weeks before it disappears. Patients can see a change as fast as two weeks. Maximum results can be achieved within four to six months at most as that is the time where the increase of collagen and elastin are maximized. And the good news to all is that patients who undergone Cellulaze three years ago experience zero-cellulite reoccurrence.

Erectile Dysfunction Evaluation: What to Expect

If you have made an appointment to see your doctor about erectile problems, you have taken the hardest step. Now, you need to make the most of your medical evaluation so that you receive the right treatment. It helps to know what to expect and what your physician will ask of you in order to make an accurate diagnosis. 

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, has multiple causes. Even if you suspect the reason in your case, your doctor needs to do a thorough assessment. The exam entails asking you many questions about your sex life, erectile function, and overall men's health. As the questions are quite personal, you may want to prepare for the most likely ones. Expect to explain in detail when you noticed your erectile problems and whether the onset was sudden or gradual. You will also need to describe exactly what is occurring and whether it coincides with a particular situation.

In addition to questions, your doctor will take a thorough medical history. You will want to have information handy about any medical conditions, their diagnosis and treatment, and surgery dates. If you have copies of records or prescriptions from another doctor, bring those along. You should also be prepared to discuss overall health such as sleep, diet, and exercise habits.
Typical evaluation questions include:

• The nature and onset of your erectile problems
• When and how you achieve erections
• Whether sex is painful
• Past and present medical conditions
• Medications and supplements taken regularly
• Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine intake
• Drug use including overuse of prescription drugs

As psychological factors can cause or exacerbate ED, your doctor will ask you screening questions. Be prepared to discuss these topics:

• Mood changes such as anxiety or depression
• Stressful personal situations
• If in a stable relationship, issues such as tension or a partner’s sexual problems
• Whether you can achieve erections on your own
• Spontaneous morning erections
• Premature ejaculation

In addition, your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for physiological issues. The evaluation typically includes penile nerve function and circulation, structural abnormalities such as a curved penis, and a prostate exam. You will likely be asked questions to help determine whether your testosterone levels are low. For example, your doctor may inquire whether your sex drive has changed.

Some men have a silent medical condition, such as early diabetes or high blood pressure, that is causing ED. If you have not had a recent health screening, your doctor may order lab work in addition to taking your blood pressure. As lab results are critical to treatment, take the tests as soon as possible and follow all preparation instructions.

Talking about ED is never pleasant, but seeking medical help is a smart move. By knowing what to expect at your evaluation, you can better partner with your doctor to regain a satisfying sex life.

3 Alternative Treatments for Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are common to women who are undergoing the menopausal stage. It is a condition wherein you will feel intense warmth or hot feeling all over your face down to your neck and chest. Some women find this unbearable and too uncomfortable which can make them fret. Its episodes may occur from as little as few times in a week to more frequent like several times in a day.

Some of its common symptoms include a feeling of strong heat or warmth spreading on face all throughout the upper body. It is also characterized by flushed appearance and red skin. Rapid heartbeat, perspiration and chilled feeling are also included in its symptoms.

There are many treatments being offered today for this kind of menopause symptom. However, most women who are experiencing it often opt to choose alternative treatments or natural remedy as it is more effective and safe. Included in these are the following:

1. Black Cohosh – This is one of the most popular alternative treatments that are being used today by most women. Aside from menopausal symptoms, Black Cohosh is also being used to treat various medical disorders such as malaise, malaria and rheumatism. It is also called “macrotys” by a group of alternative doctors.

2. Plant Estrogen's – It is believed that the reason why women who live in Asian countries are less likely to suffer from hot flashes is because they are getting more estrogen compound through soy products and plants.

3. Ginseng – Though there is no concrete evidence that proves ginseng to reduce episodes of hot flashes, many women are still using it as they are claiming it to work wonder on their hot sweats. Ginseng is also known to treat mood swings and insomnia.

Other options:
You can also find relief from hot flashes through the following ways:

* If you are a smoker, you might want to quit if you want to relieve yourself from night sweats as it can worsen your hot flash episodes.
* Alcohol must also be avoided.
* Learn a rhythmic breathing exercise that will help you calm and relax your mind during episodes of hot flashes.
* Short-term, low-dose estrogen can also be used as treatment.

Aside from these alternative treatments, you may also opt to visit your doctor to ask for his advice on the best treatment that will work for you. Remember, you can always trust your doctor’s advice on things like this.

There are tons of ways you can choose from in order to free yourself from discomfort brought by excessive night sweats. But you certainly need to understand clearly yourself or your body to see the best remedy that can definitely help you treat your hot flash episodes.