The Sun And Your Skin

By Deborah Baker

When you spend too much time in the sun or in any other kind of ultraviolet rays, your skin cannot make enough of the protective pigments that protect your skin and the skin becomes inflamed because of the overexposure. For those with fair skin or light sensitive skin, as little as fifteen minutes in the sun could be enough to burn.
The results of sunburn are not always immediate, you may feel the symptoms within minutes or it may take a few hours and could cause vomiting, headache, fever or even collapse in severe cases. Regular excessive exposure to the sun can cause the skin to become rough, wrinkled and leather like which also makes you look older.
In some cases, excess exposure to the sun can cause damage to the epidermis (the outer skin layer) and damage the blood vessels under this layer which can prevent the production of protein in the skin and cause damage to the DNA leading to skin cancer.

So, does that mean you should avoid the sun altogether? Well, no, because as already mentioned, the sun provides essential vitamin D. The answer of course, is to get the balance right and treat your skin properly with additional moisturiser, drinking plenty of water and wearing sunscreen.
In order to prevent yourself from getting sunburnt and damaging your skin, which is after all the body's barrier between the internal organs and the external environment, remember the following points:
Try to keep your skin well moisturised at all times, preferably using natural skin care products, this can help to prevent the skin for tightening up and drying out, particularly in the salty wind by the sea.
When you go out in the sun for the first time (either on holiday or just at home in the summer) limit the amount of time you spend exposed to the sun to fifteen minutes then increase the time daily.
Apply sunscreen approximately 15-30 minutes before going out into the sun and re-apply sunscreen every two hours. If you are sweating or swimming a lot, apply more often, and don't forget that you can burn through water so apply waterproof sunscreen before you go into the pool or sea. Also bear in mind that reflected sun rays can be more intense so you might need to wear a shirt in the water.
Avoid being in direct sunlight between 10a.m. and 3p.m. whenever possible.

Should you get burnt, even mildly, try paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen for the pain, antibacterial soaps or antiseptics will help prevent infection and after sun products which contain aloe can help to cool the overheated, painful skin.
Good skin care these days has become a natural and essential part of keeping healthy because of the health threats to the body's largest organ, such as sunburn. Taking care of the skin can help to prevent the development of skin ailments like psoriasis as well as skin cancer. Learning what type of skin you have, what the best skin care products to use are and what is an appropriate amount of exposure to the sun for you is an essential part of maintaining healthy and young looking skin.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Sun-And-Your-Skin&id=8935550

Inflammation - The Different Ways It Can Affect Your Health

By Parthasarathy Rengaswami

Inflammation is a term often used both by medical professionals and by laymen to refer to a condition on some part of the body. It results from the body's immune system's efforts to protect the body from stress, infection or toxins. The inflammatory condition is created by the activation of certain proteins that can protect the cells and tissues. In this sense, inflammation can be beneficial to your health.
When the inflammatory condition is visible, as it is when you have a sore throat, fever or swelling of the glands, it is good for your health because it protects your body by fighting infection. An inflammatory response can also help you when you sense danger by releasing adrenaline to prepare you to fight or flee away from the danger depending on your perception of the best course open to you.

But there is another kind that can result from harmful bacteria, fatty foods etc. that can be harmful. It can affect your health in several ways.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) results when your digestive track is attacked by the immune cells clustering around your intestine. This manifests as diarrhea, ulcers or cramps. A serious condition may even require your intestine to be removed surgically. Several factors like stress, antibiotics, environment and genetics may cause this.
Inflammatory conditions may occur in the joints resulting in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). RA may be caused by factors like Vitamin D deficiency, Salty Diets and Smoking. While RA causes stiffness and pain in the inflamed joints, there is a risk of a patient's other organs including the eyes getting affected.
An injury on any part of your body can lead to an inflammatory condition. A bruise on the walls of the blood vessels or the formation of plaque in the arteries due to accumulation of fat can result in blood clots and can even lead to the development of a heart disease. The protein Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been identified as the culprit causing these problems.
People who have excess fat due to unhealthy eating habits as well as people enjoying robust health can be attacked by inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, celiac disease etc, diseases which often trigger heart diseases and cancer of the lung, esophagus, cervix and digestive tract and colorectal cancer. Since inflammation results in the slackening of immune regulation by the cells of the body, cancer cells begin to grow unchecked.

If several organs of the body are inflamed, it will affect the growth of bones and may lead to loss of bones by preventing the replacement of damaged parts of the bone through growth of new bones. Inflammatory conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and bowels and rheumatoid arthritis, can affect the bone growth.
This chronic condition can affect your skin in the form of Psoriasis, by causing skin cells to grow too fast. Losing weight has been found to provide relief against psoriasis since excess weight is conducive to inflammatory conditions.
Depression can cause inflammatory conditions in the brain.

Losing weight can fight inflammation but this is made difficult by the increased levels proteins generated by inflammation.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Inflammation---The-Different-Ways-It-Can-Affect-Your-Health&id=8921216

Benefits of a Day Spa

By Jamie Osteen

We all like and deserved to be pampered. With our stressful lifestyle and hectic schedules, it has become almost impossible to make time to pamper ourselves at home. But with the rise of salons and day spas, you can now get several medical and beauty benefits under one roof. A couple of visits to a day spa can leave you feeling rejuvenated, from inside and out.
The origin of a spa came from Ancient cultures like the Egyptian, Romans and Greeks, who used spa therapy for relaxation and rejuvenation. But today, day spas do a lot more than just soak you in a tub. Along with medical benefits, you also get beauty treatments that make you feel better, refreshed and more beautiful.

Following are just some of the facilities you can benefit of:
Body massage: You could discover several health benefits you never knew before with a body massage at a day spa. A body massage alleviates back pain, arthritis, muscle soreness and helps you shake off the distractions of daily life. A spa session could also result in improved sleep and subtle weight loss.
A CyberRelax chair massage is a great way to experience an invigorating body massage in total privacy. The CyberRelax chair can decrease stress by releasing your body's natural endorphins and decrease muscle tension while increasing circulation all while indulging yourself in ultimate comfort.
Spray tan: Many spas offer spray tans that give you a sun-kissed look in a few minutes. We all know the harmful effects of exposing ourselves to the sun's UV rays for a natural tan. But airbrush tanning is completely safe and lasts longer than a natural tan. Done manually by a tanning expert, a spray tan gives quick results minus the tan lines. So you get a completely natural looking glow to your skin even in winter, when your skin tends to lose moisture and sheen.
Facials: If you've so far only had the regular facials, then a spa could give you something more with a red light facial. Red light treatment has proven benefits for the skin. While a facial will help your face shed a few years along with the wrinkles and fine lines and other problems, red light body therapy will repair damaged cells, stimulate collagen, and tighten the skin. Anti-aging, reduction of scars and a cure of psoriasis are just some of the benefits of red light treatment.

A day or two at a spa can do wonders for your skin, health and mind. If you haven't tried it yet, then you're missing out on an incredible way to de-stress and rejuvenate yourself. Get in touch with the nearest day spa and take advantage of the numerous benefits on offer.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-of-a-Day-Spa&id=8900288

Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis - Everything You Need To Know

By Anishka Gupta

Psoriasis is a skin disease which is caused due to overactive functioning of certain white blood cells called T-Cells which are controlled by the body's immune system. Psoriasis has several sub types depending on the part of body it affects and the severity of the disease and for each sub-type there are different signs and symptoms.
However, in general there are some common signs and symptoms of all the sub categories of Psoriasis. Most often, psoriasis is recognized by formation of thick scaly skin or small bumps in the skin which are covered by layers of dead skin. The bumps are often itchy but scraping away at the scales or bumps only lead to abrasions.
Typical Signs and Symptoms
The following signs indicate development of psoriasis skin disease:

• Patches of skin turn shiny or silvery in appearance and may also have scales.
• Scratching the scales leads to cracked bleeding.
• Extreme itching on the affected skin area, especially on scalp or in the groin area.
• Reddish, smooth and bright skin caused due to extreme exposure to sun or other skin injuries like cuts, bites or burns.
• Formation of plaques due to continued piling of dead skin cells.
• Formation of lesions, either small or large.
• Fungal infection inside the nails.
• The affected area tends to get worse because of mental stress or trauma.

Classification of Psoriasis
According to its symptoms and the area of body it affects, Psoriasis can be classified into many types:

• Plaque psoriasis - The most common form of Psoriasis which results in red, scaly and thick skin, usually occurring on elbows or knees.
• Guttate Psoriasis - Symptoms include tiny pink lesions less than one centimetre in diameter.
• Psoriasis Arthritis - It affects the joints, especially the fingers and causes inflammation and pain in movement.
• Inverse Psoriasis - This type of psoriasis occurs only as red shiny patch of skin in folds of skin like armpits and groin.
• Scalp Psoriasis - Formation of scales on scalp and extreme hair loss characterize this type.
• Nail Psoriasis - Psoriasis which results in deformation and discolouration of nails.

Tests
Usually a skin biopsy is recommended before diagnosis, especially if the disease appears to be guttate or inverse psoriasis. It involves taking a skin sample and studying it under a microscope to identify piling up of T-Cells which is the root cause of the disease.
Complications
Certain complications are associated with Psoriasis some of which are listed below:

• Obesity
• Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes
• Cardiovascular diseases
• High Blood pressure
• Increased risk of eye infections like conjunctivitis
• Increased risk of other diseases related to immune system like celiac disease.
• Diseases or infections related to the kidney.

Author is a passionate writer and loves to share articles on medical issues.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Signs,-Symptoms-and-Diagnosis-of-Psoriasis---Everything-You-Need-To-Know&id=8874722

Welcome Tea Tree Oil to Your List of Favorite Essential Oils

By Evelyn Lerner

Tea tree oil has been used in Australia for hundreds of years and is now becoming increasingly popular in recent decades in complementary and alternative medicines. It is produced by steam distillation of the leaves and branches of the tree.

The primary uses of this oil have historically capitalized on the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of the oil. This article discusses developments in our understanding of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the oil and its components, as well as its efficacy.

Antimicrobial Activity:

Of all of the properties claimed for tea tree oil, its antimicrobial activity that has received the most attention. The earliest reported use of this plant was by the Bundjalung Aborigines of northern New South Wales. Crushed leaves of the tree were inhaled to treat coughs and colds or were sprinkled on wounds, after which a poultice was applied. The oral history of Australian Aborigines also tells of healing lakes, which were lagoons into which the tree leaves had fallen and decayed over time.

Antibacterial Activity:

Reports of the antibacterial activity of tea tree oil appear in literature from the 1940's to the 1980's. Then in the early 1990's, many reports describing the antimicrobial activity of the oil appeared in the scientific literature. All of these effects confirm that the oil compromises the structural and functional integrity of bacterial membranes. A broad range of bacteria have now been tested for their susceptibilities to the resulting in positive proof that this oil could be beneficial as an antibacterial agent.

Anti-fungal Activity:

Comprehensive investigations of the susceptibility of fungi to tea tree oil have only recently been completed. Data now show that a range of yeasts and other fungi are affected by this oil. Subsequent tests have shown that germinated conidia (causing growth of common fungi) are significantly more affected by the oil than non-germinated conidia, suggesting that the oil inhibited fungal growth indicating that the oil could be helpful in stopping and eliminating fungal infections.

Antiviral Activity:

A study was performed with tea tree oil and eucalyptus proving they were capable of exerting a direct antiviral effect on HSV (herpes simplex virus) thus providing significant results for their possible application as antiviral agents in recurrent herpes infection is promising.

Anti-protozoal Activity:

Studies have shown that tea tree oil has antiprotozoal activity (something that destroys protozoa or inhibits their growth and ability to reproduce). A few of the protozoa of medical importance include Plasmodium (the cause of malaria); Entamoeba histolytica (the cause of amebiasis, amebic dysentery) and Trichomonas vaginalis (a cause of vaginal infection); and Pneumocystis carinii (a common cause of pneumonia in immune-deficient people).

Anti-Inflammatory Activity:

Recent studies now support the anecdotal evidence attributing anti-inflammatory activity to tea tree oil and demonstrating the oil's effect on a range of immune responses.

Benefits of Tree Tea Oil:

• Heals infected skin wounds
• Treats acne
• Cures fungus infection of the nails
• Improves athlete's foot
• Prevents lice
• Improves psoriasis
• Eliminates dandruff
• Heals gingivitis
• Reduces cough
• Improves ear infections
• Gets rid of ringworm

Safety and Toxicity:

Topical use is safe and that adverse events are minor, self-limiting, and infrequent. No evidence of irritation was seen when patch testing humans including those who had previous positive reactions to tea tree oil. Rarely, topically applied tea tree oil has been reported to cause systemic effects in domestic animals.

In conclusion we see a wealth of animal including human studies now supporting the long-held beliefs that tea tree oil has many beneficial attributes for many health conditions.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Welcome-Tea-Tree-Oil-to-Your-List-of-Favorite-Essential-Oils&id=8875778

Peeling Penis Skin - What It Means and How to Treat It

By John Dugan

Men's health specialists often hear from patients with concerns about peeling penis skin. Dry, itchy, flaky skin is unattractive, to say the least, and it can be alarming, especially for men who may have neglected to cover up during a recent encounter. Fortunately, in most cases, there is a simple explanation, and the itching and peeling can be treated easily at home through improved hygiene techniques and ongoing attention to penis care. On the other hand, some men may require more intensive treatment, including prescription medications, so it is best to check with a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Some common causes of dry, peeling penis skin

1) Eczema - Also known as dermatitis, eczema is a superficial inflammation of the skin that is usually caused by an irritant in the immediate environment. It can appear as a raised rash with peeling skin, and it can be moderately to severely itchy. Men who have a rash with peeling skin and an itchy penis may be treated with over-the-counter cortisone creams. As these medications can be damaging to the skin with long-term use, all instructions should be followed for use, and a moisturizer should be applied at the same time.

2) Psoriasis - This chronic condition is an autoimmune disorder in which the body overproduces skin cells, causing rough, reddened skin with flaky, whitish or silvery patches. On the penis, this can appear as dry skin, with a red layer underneath. Psoriasis is generally treated with topical creams.

3) Allergies or intolerances - Skin allergies or intolerances to environmental irritants can result in itchy, peeling skin, as well as redness and rashes. Men who have known allergies should avoid contact with allergens that might trigger a reaction and may use antihistamine creams or moisturizers to deal with any symptoms.

4) Candida (yeast) or other fungal infections - Fungal infections, including yeast infections (thrush), can cause itching, peeling and dryness of the skin, as well as swelling and a thick discharge. Fungal infections generally require treatment with a topical antifungal cream.

5) Balanitis - Swelling of the foreskin, along with itching, redness, soreness and peeling, are often diagnosed as balanitis, an umbrella term for inflammation of the foreskin and glans. This is most often caused by poor hygiene, although skin infections are also indicated by these symptoms. Cleaning the area well, and in some cases applying medicated creams, are generally recommended for treatment.

Checklist for dry penis skin care

Once the source of the problem has been determined, men should follow their physician's recommendations for care, including using any prescribed medications as directed. In addition, they can support the healing process and improve overall penis health by observing the guidelines here:

1) Keep the skin clean. Skipping a shower once in a while won't cause much harm, but men who neglect their hygiene on a regular basis are prone to recurring skin infections.

2) Wash with warm, not hot water. Hot water tends to leech oils from the skin, rinsing away the natural lubricants that keep the skin soft and supple.

3) Use sensitive skin cleansers and detergents. Body care and laundry care products often contain harsh soaps or detergents that wash away the oils from the skin, leaving it feeling dry, itchy, tight and uncomfortable. Using hypoallergenic or sensitive skin products can prevent overly dry skin from developing.

4) Drink plenty of water. Adequate hydration starts on the inside; men should follow the 8-glass-a-day rule for smoother, plumper skin.

5) Make use of a penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). A top-drawer product made with natural emollients like Shea butter and vitamin E can soothe the skin, lock in moisture and provide a smooth, even, attractive appearance.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Peeling-Penis-Skin---What-It-Means-and-How-to-Treat-It&id=8867123

Probiotics’ benefits go beyond digestion

By Gabriella Boston

We hear about them everywhere — how they clear up everything from a bloated gut to a depressed mind. How they boost the immune system and improve skin health. How they delay allergies in children and prevent urinary tract infections in women. The list is truly impressive. But what are probiotics? And do they deserve all the attention and accolades?
“Probiotics can impact just about everything in the body,” says Meagan McCusker, a University of Connecticut dermatologist who uses probiotics to treat a wide variety of conditions including acne and psoriasis. “They really can’t and shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to overall health maintenance.”
So what, exactly, are they?
By way of the National Institutes of Health: “Probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria".
The idea is that the “friendly bacteria” will help fight the good fight along with gut-dwelling bacteria to scare off pathogens, improve immune function and aid digestion, among other things, McCusker says.
“In some patients I have seen rapid improvement of digestive distress like gas and bloating after they have started taking probiotics,” says local nutritionist Jared Rice, who started taking the supplement for his own health maintenance seven or eight years ago.
“I can definitely say that it’s been a very positive experience for me since I started taking probiotics. And I have never experienced any downsides,” he says.
It was around that time, in 2006, that Dannon introduced its Activia yogurt with live cultures to the U.S. market. That’s when many Americans picked up on probiotics, says Mary Ellen Sanders, executive director of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.
“We’ve been tracking this topic for more than 20 years, and it really was doing nothing until Activia. And now it’s super hot,” Sanders says.

How to use probiotics

Probiotics come in many forms, and they don’t need to be delivered through yogurt — particularly important for the dairy-intolerant. Probiotics can be found as fresh, refrigerated supplements at some health food stores, as well as dried and preserved.
For health maintenance, McCusker says, try starting with no more than 5 billion units of active probiotic cultures — preferably a mix of cultures that include strains of Lactobacillius and Bifidobacterium.
Ebeth Johnson, a D.C. nutritionist and chef, says to look for the following foods to provide that probiotic benefit: unpasteurized miso, live cultured pickles, tempeh, unsweetened kefir and yogurt, as well as kombucha teas.

“Blue algae is also a great source of probiotics,” Johnson says. “Get them at your local health food store and blend them into your morning fruit and greens smoothie.”

Rice cautions that, when buying probiotic food products, you should check nutrition labels, just as you would with any food, to be sure they are healthful beyond their probiotic content and don’t have too much sugar or fat.
On the other hand, if you take probiotics as a supplement, don’t look at that as a silver bullet, because benefits will be experienced only if the probiotic is combined with a healthful diet on the whole, he says. “You can’t continue to eat fast food and pop some probiotic supplements and expect a great outcome.”
In fact, the probiotics thrive best when prebiotics are present. Prebiotics, which are found in such foods as whole grains, bananas and onions, are nondigestible carbohydrates that create a probiotic-friendly gut environment.
The appropriate probiotic dosage, according to McCusker, is about 5 billion units for daily health maintenance and 15 billion-20 billion when you are treating a specific condition. (Note: The US Food and Drug Administration has not any health claims for probiotics.)
Before you get to the higher dosages, Rice says, you should talk with a nutritionist or doctor with particular expertise in the area of probiotics about side effects, though they are rare.
So, is this all a fad that will disappear once the next nutrition celebrity makes a splash?
Sanders doesn’t think so.
“Unlike multivitamins, for example, many people who take probiotics actually feel much better,” she says, adding that’s enough of a reason for many to keep taking them.
Rice says he’s excited about the therapeutic possibilities for probiotics in the future as nutritionists and doctors get a better handle on targeting certain conditions with certain strains and combinations of probiotics.
“It’s an evolving topic. But I can see how probiotics at some point will be used more like a prescription,” he says. “I don’t think the concept of bacterial balance will fade. I think it will grow.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/probiotics-benefits-go-beyond-digestion/2013/10/15/30aab59e-3052-11e3-8906-3daa2bcde110_story.html