5 Common Myths About Acne

In spite of the fact that the scientific knowledge about acne and its causes has progressed in the last few years, there are still many myths that continue to be held as truth.

The following are five of the most common myths about acne:

1. Acne is caused by poor hygiene

Skin infections are associated with acne, and this may be what has led to this myth. The combination of sebum and dead skin cells that lead to acne actually occurs beneath the skin's surface, where is can't be washed away.

2. Acne is caused by certain foods

It has long been thought that chocolate and greasy foods cause pimples. There is no evidence to prove that this is true. These foods are not very healthy so eating to much of them can cause other health problems, which can aggravate problems with acne.

Some of the foods that do seem to aggravate acne when it is already present include milk and foods with high levels of iodine. Iodine is commonly found in seafood, so it's a good idea to limit your milk and seafood intake if you're suffering from acne.

3. Acne has to run its course

It's commonly thought that the only way to deal with acne is to let it run its course. This is no longer the case - there are many treatments available to deal with acne. If you're suffering with it, talk to a dermatologist to see if any treatments are available that could help.

4. Acne is a teenage condition

While most teenagers deal with acne to some degree, it is by no means limited to them. Most people's acne clears up by the time they reach their 20's, but there are others who continue to have problems in adulthood. Some people even experience it for the first time in their 30's and 40's.

5. Sun is good for acne

Sun exposure is not a good way to deal with acne. It can help to dry out excess oils from the skin so it does have a short-term benefit but the skin gets used to the change quickly and the benefit is lost. Plus, sun can seriously damage the skin and lead to skin cancer, so the risk is greater than the benefit.

John Lenaghan writes about natural acne treatment and other acne related topics on the Acne Squad website. For more information visit http://www.acnesquad.com.

Isotertinion (Accutane) Treatment For Acne

Isotretinoin is actually the generic term for Accutane. It is a synthetic Vitamin A derivative that creates a potentially long lasting change in the cells, lining the pore. This change allows cells to slough off naturally with clumping and plugging the pore.

Using Accutane, the pores will not become plugged and hence oil can flow freely to the skin surface. Also the amount of oil is reduced as Accutane temporarily re-regulates the oil gland to produce less. And the beauty of using Accutane is that, the benefit is long lasting and in some cases, the benefits are permanent.

Accutane is the most important drug today in the arsenal of medications that are used to treat severe and persistent nodular, cystic acne. It has provided great improvement to the acne problem for majority of the patient who use it since 1984. And about 60% of those who used Accutane actually needed only one- course of treatment and 30% needed two- course of treatment for clear skin.

Although Accutane is a powerful medication, it also has its side effect. It can cause your skin to be overly dry and chapped your lips. Hence when taking Accutane, you need to monitor your condition.

Accutane also has other side effects including nose bleeds and muscle and joint soreness. However the good news is that majority of the patients who use Accutane do not suffer from these side effects.

Accutane is known to cause birth defects in a developing fetus if a pregnant woman takes it. Therefore women who are sexually active must use appropriate birth control measure for one month before using Accutane. They must also continue with the control measure throughout the entire course and for at least three months after the therapy stops. However, accutane does not affect future pregnancies.

Serious side effects from Accutane are liver and pancreas damage, depression and brain swelling. Fortunately such cases are rare and can be reversed when one stopped using the medication.

If you have severe acne and do not respond well to other treatments, you may seriously want to consider taking Accutane for a five to six month period. The prescription is to be tailored according to your height and weight and should be taken with a meal because Accutane is absorbed better with food.

When taking Accutane, you must monitor the situation for any side effects as mentioned above. You are required to take mandatory blood tests including:

- living profile studies,
- complete blood count and
- cholesterol and triglyceride levels

The purpose of these tests is to ensure that there aren?t any abnormalities such as liver inflammation and a dangerously high triglyceride level which could inflame the pancreas, decrease the white blood count or seriously lower the red blood cell count. And for fertile women, a serum pregnancy test is to be done every month.

Alvin Poh shares more ideas and articles like this on the very popular website Ask About Acne at http://www.askaboutacne.com

All About Acrylic Nails

Thanks for visiting and finding my article. What follows is information that I have pulled together from many different sources. I hope you find it both interesting and helpful. I certainly don't claim to be an expert on acrylic nails but did have a bit of fun writing this.One of the latest trends in nail care and style is acrylic nails. These nails come is a number of designs and colors catered to the customer?s tastes. The nails are commonly applied for a special occasion, but many women choose to use acrylic nails as part of their regular beauty routine. Using these nails is a fantastic way to lengthen and strengthen short, brittle nails.

Some people actually use the nails to stop themselves from biting their nails. Nail biting is a tough habit to break. Artificial nails are a wonderful deterrent for the habit because the nails are quite strong and nearly impossible to chew. For this reason, many people choose to maintain acrylic nails on a regular basis. Routine maintenance also stuff splitting and breaking of the nails. The bi-weekly maintenance for artificial nails is less trouble than maintaining natural nails.

Beautiful nails sure can be sexy, there's no denying that. The industry itself is huge, from the products that are sold, to the nail technicians that service the needs of individuals.

Many nail technicians suggest that acrylic nails should be cared for as if they were natural nails. It is a good idea to avoid exposing the nails to water for an extended period of time. The water can seep in between the acrylic and the natural nail, causing damage and possible infection. Wearing rubber gloves when washing dishes is recommended, but aside from that, artificial nail wearers can go about their usual routines without worry, especially if the nails are applied using quality materials.

The acrylic nails that are created by mixing a powder with a liquid. Nail artist literally paint and shape the nails into place using this mixture. The liquid recommended by most professional nail technicians is Ethyl Methacrylate, or EMA. Ethyl Methacrylate is a little more expensive than its alternative, Methyl Methacrylate or MMA. Methyl Methacrylate is commonly used because it is more cost-effective. However, MMA is linked to a number of harmful side effects, including skin irritations and irregular nail growth. Most nail artisans urge customers to choose Ethyl Methacrylate because of its superior quality. Excellent materials and proper nail care insures consumers that their nails will enhance their hands with style and safety.

Once care and maintenance are in place, a regular acrylic nail customer can concentrate on nail color, design and trends. One of the classic nail color combinations is found in the French manicure. This design is simply a natural nail color accompanied by white tips. This is a popular option for many women because the colors compliment any outfit. Some customers are a little more daring and want to play with color. Nail artists create a plethora of designs ranging from stars to teddy bears.

In addition to color, many people choose to add a little sparkle. Nail artists and technicians offer inserts that are imbedded right into the acrylic. Some more exotic choices include tiny gems and stickers that come in a huge range of shapes, designs and colors. A very popular current trend is nail piercing. A nail technician pierces the nail with a piece of jewelry. Doing this on natural nails is virtually impossible so you can see that acrylic nails offer great flexibility.

A typical nail application service takes about an hour. Maintenance sessions at the nail salon usually take about 15 minutes. The process is relatively quick and doesn't cost very much. Acrylic nails are a cost-effective, easily maintained enhancement to a person?s grooming routine.

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world of health and beauty. You can get interesting and informative information here at Acrylic Nails

Treadmill Machines for CardioVascular Workouts

Treadmill machines are a great way to exercise. They are one of the best ways to have cardio vascular workouts. It helps to lose weight considerable as well as tone up muscles. Whether its raining outside or sunny outside, one can easily get on the treadmill machine and have a go. The best pat is one can listen to music and even read a book while on the treadmill. While on a cross trainer or a fitness rower, its no possible to do the same. Manual as well as powered treadmills is also available. The manual treadmills are much cheaper than the powered treadmills.

The various companies, which make a variety of treadmills, are Proform Weslo, Reebok, and Johnson. They make treadmills to suit every budget and workout. Beginners as well as those who want an advanced workout can use treadmills. The prices of start from $300 and treadmill machines can cost as much as $3000. Of course the more expensive treadmill machines offer a variety of functions and are meant more for gym use rather than home use. The treadmills, which are meant for home use, can even be folded away. The running belt wraps around the console and thus it can be stowed away.

The more expensive versions of the treadmill machines have a variety of functions. They also have a console, which offers many resistance levels. The incline of the treadmill can also be adjusted. Therefore the treadmill can simulate the action of walking uphill. Those who want an advanced workout should opt for, which will help them in their workout, thus treadmill machines offer a variety of advantages for the runner. The control panel on the treadmill machine also gives the reading for the heart rate; pulse rate, the miles covered and speed can be adjusted as per convenience.

Pollution: Checking the Damages Caused to the Respiratory System

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DAMAGE

The long-term effects of air pollution include serious diseases like cancer. The highly polluted city air slowly metamorphoses our healthy and pink colored lung tissues into darkened particles of smog, dust, and other pollutants, making the lungs more vulnerable to infection. The highly sensitive respiratory system can be damaged in a number of ways.

Environmental pollution: One of the potent dangers is the environmental pollution. The environment smog contains many chemicals. Many of these chemicals are exhausted by the vehicles and the industries. What is more, several household cleaning products also emit such poisonous gases.

Cigarette smoke: This is yet another dangerous emission. The passive smokers are the hardest hit. Burning fags pose a serious threat to our respiratory system. Tobacco smoke contains over 40 chemicals including the dangerous tar. Most of them are known causes of cancer. Approximately 90 per cent of lung cancer cases among men, and more than 70 per cent among women have been traced to smoking.

Besides tar several other chemicals enter our lungs from a burning cigarette. The tar from a single cigarette temporarily immobilizes the cilia of the upper and lower tracts of the respiratory route. The tar also temporarily paralyses the macrophages in the lung alveoli. When the cleansing and filtering functions are made inactive, the lungs and the air passages are laid bare to the different particles, viruses and bacteria that are airborne besides of course the tar.

These substances settle down in the lungs? mucous layers. It takes almost an hour for the paralyzed cilia to recover. But repeated paralyzing from the heated tar eventually kills them. Mucus builds up as a result of repeated smoking. The accumulated mucus blocks the smaller air passages. The obstruction triggers the ?smoker?s cough?. This familiar reflex cough is the distressed lung?s effort to clear the air routes.

Indoor air pollution: This is one of the most dangerous but often disregarded dangers. The offices and homes are mostly bases of indoor air pollution. Many cleaning compounds besides furniture and synthetic carpets, certain construction materials, and even air fresheners emit hazardous gases. These remain highly concentrated in unventilated or AC rooms. The most vulnerable sections of people exposed to these respiratory dangers are children, elderly people and those having a history of respiratory illnesses. These people generally spend most of their time within the four walls. The indoor air pollutants not only weaken our lungs but also invite infections.

Occupational risks: Many professionals are daily exposed to impurities released by their activities. These workers run a high risk of suffering from respiratory diseases. Mention may be made of people picking cotton, those working in work in farms or shipyards, mechanics installing brake insulation or lining. Other people who suffer from such risks are miners, construction workers, quarry workers, stone cutters, and sandblasters among others.

GOVERNMENT & NGO MONITORING OF POLLUTION

All the governments have their independent agencies to monitor the pollution levels. There are also non-governmental agencies (NGOs) that carry out this activity. The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in USA, for instance, issues regulations for protection of workers. It has made mandatory the wearing of air masks with filters for certain jobs. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) monitors and also regulates the pollutants released into the air by different organizations and industries. In spite of such efforts, across the world, various types of respiratory illnesses have registered a rise.

DISORDERS & DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Any portion of the respiratory tract can be affected by the disorders and diseases of the respiratory system. Though the common ailments of the respiratory system are trivial, yet at times they can be life threatening as well.

Common cold, running nose & stuffy nose: Viruses cause colds by targeting the pharynx and the nasal passages. First, the viruses infiltrate the body through the respiratory system. Then, they target the cells in the nasal passage membranes. But before they can destroy the cells, the body?s immune system fights back. The immune system increases the flow of blood to the area. Such reinforcement of white blood cells leads to swelling of the membranes. This causes the stuffy nose. Increase in mucous secretions to neutralize the viral attack leads to the runny nose. Mentionably, the infection can affect the sinuses -- membrane-lined cavities located within the head, besides the middle ear and the lower respiratory tract.

Hay fever & asthma: These are allergic reactions of the respiratory system. These conditions are caused when the immune system is irritated by irritants like dust or pollen. The symptoms of hay fever are sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. It is a seasonal reaction when there is abundance of pollens in the air. Asthma attacks are generally mild. But, they can be life threatening too. A person suffering from asthma experiences difficulty in breathing. It occurs as the bronchi and bronchioles get inflamed and remain constricted temporarily.

Laryngitis: Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. Laryngitis is caused by various factors. They can be diverse like voice overuse, cigarette smoke or viral infection. Laryngitis leaves different effects on the voice. Till the inflammation subsides, it can either get hoarse, or get reduced to a whisper.

Bronchitis: Bronchitis refers to membrane inflammation. The membranes lining the bronchioles or the bronchi get inflamed. Bronchitis occurs due to bacterial or viral infection. Bronchitis can also happen from irritating chemicals.

Pneumonia: This infection of the alveoli is caused by viruses or bacteria. Pneumonia is a potentially serious state of the lungs. In pneumonia the alveoli gets inflamed after fluid builds up. This gathering of fluid and the consequent inflammation impedes the flow of carbon dioxide and oxygen between the alveoli and capillaries.

Tuberculosis: Also known as TB, it is caused by the tuberculosis bacterium. The lungs are primarily attacked in TB. At times, other body tissues also get affected. Unaddressed, the lung infection can even destroy the lung tissues. Earlier, tuberculosis was controlled by antibiotics. However, the bacterium has evolved an antibiotic-resistant strain posing a grave health problem.

Emphysema: This non-contagious disease affects alveolar tissue gets partially destroyed. The remaining alveoli gets enlarged and weakened. During exhalation, the bronchioles collapse. As a result, air remains trapped inside the alveoli. In the long run, emphysema affects the patient?s ability for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide. The circulatory system also fails to function. This causes breathing problems. Emphysema can occur due to genetic factors besides infection, smoke, smog, and cigarette.

Lung cancer: The main cancer causing agents are uranium, asbestos, and tobacco smoke. Genetic reasons can also cause cancer. The respiratory cancerous tumors are formed in the lung tissue (alveolar), the bronchioles or the bronchi. Early detection of such tumors can halt their progression to other parts of the body. Then the treatments are more effective, and the prognosis for recovery is rather good. Unfortunately, 85 per cent of the lung cancers are diagnosed at a later stage when the tumors have already spread. In such extreme cases, the prognosis is poor.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome: It is also called RDS. The dysfunction refers to a cluster of symptoms. All point to severe malfunctioning of lungs.

IRDS: Premature infants may suffer from Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS). IRDS happens when the alveoli fail to fully expand during inhalation. Alveoli expansion needs a chemical called surfactant. However, among the premature infants, the undeveloped alveoli fail to produce enough surfactant. The common treatment for IRDS is administration of air and surfactant through a breathing tube. This administration enables the alveoli to produce surfactant.

ARDS: Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) occurs when the lungs get severely injured. Many automobile accidents, poisonous gases, or lung inflammation can cause such a dysfunction. ARDS patients generally have to battle for life with 50 per cent survival rate.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Many traditional and alternative health systems like Yoga, Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy have various means of treating the different types of respiratory disorders. Yoga has simple breathing exercises called ?Pranayam? that have proven track records. The other alternative health systems like Ayurveda, Unani and homoeopathy also have viable strategies to effectively treat the respiratory ailments.

However, prior to taking recourse to any of them, one should consult experts of those systems. Obviously some of the obnoxious habits like smoking and taking of alcohol must be given up to get the optimum results. This holds true for any treatment.

Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for children.

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Is There Anything I Can Do To Help Me Receive The Distant Healing You're Sending Me?

The main thing to do is to be relaxed and open your heart.

Distant Healing is the energy of Love which is channelled from the healer's heart centre to the requesting person. Opening your heart to this energy, and relaxing and becoming aware of your feelings, really does help in the process.

Receiving healing is the opposite of trying. Trying implies effort and focus; healing works best if you are relaxed and open, with a quiet mind.

If you become aware of any fear or tension in the body, take your attention to that area. If you feel fear and are having strong negative thoughts in your mind, scan your body and look for tension, take your awareness down to the level of your feelings, and consciously breathe into that area.

You may feel this tension as dark shadows; as you consciously breathe into that area, you feel the light flowing in, and the whole area becoming lighter and more alive.

Quite often, it can be those dark shadows of tension that are the root cause of the imbalance.

It is like allowing all the boundaries to melt away; you feel your awareness expanding and growing in balance and harmony at the same time.

It helps also to use forgiveness in this process and to take personal responsibility for your life. When we stop blaming others, we bring our energy back to ourselves and bring our life back into balance.

Message channelled by George Lockett (C) Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved.

* New book * A Journey into the Self -- the multi-dimensional nature of being human: HealerGeorge Web Site and New Book

Description: What is this book going to do for YOU? For those who are seeking a complete energetic makeover, as you read it you will feel a stirring and awakening in the depths of your heart. For those who have questions about Shifts in Consciousness, Energy Balancing and Healing within the body, you will find clear answers.

Read HealerGeorge?s Blog: Curezone Blog or ask at question at: Ask HealerGeorge

Lose Weight by Eating More

Is it possible to lose weight by eating more? Sure, if what you're eating more of are high-fiber foods. How is this possible? Simply put, fiber is a natural calorie absorption blocker.

A study performed by the USDA found that women who doubled their fiber intake from 12 to 24 grams per day absorbed 90 fewer calories. This equals losing 10 lbs. over the course of a year. Fiber keeps you full, thereby decreasing the total amount of calories consumed per day.

Fiber is extremely important to health and weight loss. So much so, the U.S. Food & Nutrition Board has set the first recommended daily intakes: men up to age 50 need 38 grams of fiber per day and women need 25 grams per day. To reach these recommendations, a minimum of 6 servings of fruits and veggies and 3 servings of whole grains are needed daily.

So where can you find fiber? Here is a list of foods that will help you reach the daily fiber intake recommendations:

Onions (1/3 cup = 1 gram)
Broccoli (1/2 cup = 2 grams)
Oranges (1 orange = 3 grams)
Flaxseed (1 tbsp. = 1 gram) ~ sprinkle on cereal or in yogurt
Asian pears (1 pear = 4 grams)
Almond butter (2 tbsp. = 2 grams)
Hot chocolate (1 cup = 3 grams)
Rye bread (1 slice = 2 grams)
Beans (1/2 cup = 6 grams)
Oregano (1 tsp. = 1 gram)
Basil (1 tsp. = 1 gram)
Light popcorn (1 bag = 8 grams)
Chickpeas (1/2 cup = 6 grams)
Frozen chopped spinach (1/2 cup = 2 grams)
Whole wheat pasta (1 cup = 5 grams)

Other foods high in fiber include: oat bran, oatmeal, flour or whole wheat tortillas, mushrooms, sesame-seed buns, low-sodium V8, sweet potatoes, wild rice, cauliflower, carrots, nuts, and berries.

Jennifer Murray is a Certified Lifestyle & Weight Management Specialist, the Healthy Foods Editor for BellaOnline, http://healthyfoods.bellaonline.com, and the owner of http://www.weightlossinfocenter.com