For any person, man or woman, baldness is an embarrassing condition, and it can easily make you feel like you are losing control over your body. For women it can seem even more embarrassing, because with men it almost seems expected, while women are expected to look beautiful for as long as they can. The fact is that baldness, whether male or female, is a hormonal problem, and as women age, their hormones change as well. Though baldness may look differently between men and women, this does not mean that women are exempt. If you are starting to worry about whether or not you have to worry about female baldness, read here to get some important facts on this condition, and find out how easy it is to treat.
When it comes to female pattern baldness, the baldness in women looks differently than it will in men. Baldness in women occurs in a more even thinning across the entire head, rather than a specific area of the head. Women sufferers will start to see more and more hair thinning and falling out, in the shower, on pillows, in the hair brush, and in areas around the house. Women with curlier or thicker hair will not notice the thinning or hair loss as quickly as someone with straighter hair, conversely, the lighter your skin tone, the more likely you are to notice hair loss than someone with darker skin. The medical terms for hair loss for both genders is the same -- Androgenetic Alopecia. Hair loss for women does not occur as rapidly as it does for men, due to the simple fact that testosterone plays a role in Androgenetic Alopecia, and women simply produce less of it.
The primary difference is that generally female pattern baldness appears as a thinning over the crown area of the head, rather than a localized patch of baldness as it does with men. It is also important to know that you are not alone. Female pattern baldness occurs in more than 55% of women as they age. Unlike men however, as mentioned, severe hair loss is rare in women as they simply do not produce the levels of testosterone that men do. Genetics are the key determining factor in whether or not a women will suffer from female pattern baldness. Women will begin to notice the typical female pattern baldness later than men and after the onset of menopause when most cases of female baldness begin due to the amount of hormonal fluctuations. The good news for women however is that because their hair loss does not occur at the same rates as a male, the conditions of patterned baldness are much easier to treat than with most males. So while experiencing baldness may feel much more traumatizing to women than to men, the good news is that treatment is much easier for women than for men.
Depending on how severe your hair thinning or loss may be, there is a wide variety of medications and treatments to help. Whether you are looking for natural supplements, or want to try more advanced treatment such as Propecia, the sooner you begin treatment the sooner you will see results. For some women, dealing with it fast and effectively is the only intention, so you may want to talk to your doctor to see if Propecia or generic Propecia will be right for you. Whether you want the go slow approach to hair loss treatment, or whether you want a fast and painless way to go about it is up to you, but the sooner you start seeking treatment, the sooner you will start seeing results.
Is Female Pattern Baldness Treatable?
How Health Reform Will Affect You
Ever since President Obama came to the Oval Office, America has been waiting with baited breath to see if he would come true with his promises to change American health care. And it sounds like he has. If you have heard about all of the amazing changes to health care, but aren't quite sure what this will mean in your everyday life, read here to see just what changes to health care Obama's new health care reform have provided. After one of the most heated political debates in decades, Congress has finally passed a health reform policy in March 2010 that will mean universal health care for you over the next four years. Other countries all over the globe, like Canada for instance, offer their citizens public health care that is paid for and administrated by government health agencies. This option was discussed in Congress to meet Obama's goal of health care for all America.
Though the issue of creating a national and public health coverage was not accepted by Congress, that of the universal health care reform was and this is the best news for health care America has seen in some time. Though America's health care will not be run by the government as is done in many other countries, it will during the next four years mandate national health coverage meaning. What does this mean for you? You will never be denied health care again, and this is how it is going to work. Starting in the year 2014, every citizen and legal resident of the United States is required to have health coverage, and insurance companies will no longer be able to say no to people with pre-existing conditions. Public health care options will not be mandated, but will be available for families that qualify through a program that is being described as "expanded Medicaid". And though programs such as Medicaid will assist families that fall below federal poverty levels, the government will continue to step in by providing subsidies to American families that earn between 100-400% of current poverty levels.
No longer will any American be able to worry about not being able to afford health care. In addition to subsidies, health care reform brings many changes to how insurance companies will be able to work and provide medical coverage. The government is proposing that mandated state-run health exchanges be initiated in order to provide every possible opportunity for affordable health care. Cost share programs are also being instigated, as are health care protection cost gaps being considered to help you and your family get the health care you need. The health care reform policy is known as the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and is designed to protect American families from missing out on valuable health care due to costs. Though this is not a policy without controversy, it does offer many Americans renewed hope that they will soon be able to enjoy the advantages of health insurance. This program is to begin this year, and will begin with children being the first to be considered for cheap health insurance plans that they previously may not have been eligible for. Over the next four years, all of America will be required to hold health insurance, and will be able to do so at a cost you can afford.
Read More......
The Sure-fire Solution to Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most commonly contracted bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States, and most of the world. In 2008 alone, and in the US alone, 1,210, 523 new cases of chlamydia were reported. Considering that most people who have contracted chlamydia are not aware of it-because it is a "silent" disease-the number is probably closer to 2 million.
The symptoms include:- In Men
- Burning while urinating
- Discharge from penis
- Itching or burning at the tip of the penis
- Pain and swelling in the testicles
- In Women
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Burning while urinating
- Lower abdominal pain
- Lower back pain
- Nausea
- Fever
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Pain during sex
Most cases of Chlamydia show no symptoms at all
Typically, people get Chlamydia in the genital region, with a risk of it spreading to the rectum and the abdomen. However, people can also contract it in the throat.
Unfortunately, there are a number of ways to get Chlamydia.
- Vaginal sex
- Anal sex
- Oral sex
- Childbirth (If the mother has Chlamydia, the child may contract it.)
WHY YOU MUST TREAT IT
Just because you have no symptoms does not mean you are good to go. For one, you can infect your sexual partners. For another, there are many complications that are quite likely to occur, including:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Permanent damage to fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues.
- Pelvic pain
- Infertility
- Ectopic pregnancywhen the pregnancy occurs outside the uteruswhich may lead to death in the mother and fetus
- Increased chance of contracting HIV
- For men, there is a chance of genital pain, fever, and sterility.
TESTING
Any physician can give you a number of simple laboratory tests that will give an accurate and quick diagnosis. They will swab your penis or cervix or do a urine test.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
The best way to prevent Chlamydia is to not have unprotected sex. Make your sexual partner take an STI test to be sure he or she is disease-free. And remember, always wear a condom, because oral contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted infections and diseases. Sexually active women over 25 should be tested by a physician every year. If you suspect that you may have contracted an STI, get tested right away. It's SILENT, remember?
The good news is treatment is simple. Your doctor will prescribe you either Azithromycin or Doxycycline. These antibiotics are well trusted to cure Chlamydia. Doxycycline is taken twice a day for one week. Always take the full prescription of Doxycycline to make sure the infection is gone.
Read More......
How to Treat Migraines with Corticosteroids
Those who suffer from migraines and cluster headaches know the frustration of trying dozens of different pills and medications, only for none of them to work-not to mention the pain. At times, it feels like you'll have to suffer for the rest of your life with no hope. They are debilitating, and you wonder how you are going to live with it. Even the really hard stuff-vicodin, codeine, and even morphine-come with no guarantees. Fortunately, there are some more creative solutions out there.
Definitions
Migraine: An intense headache lasting between 4 (usually 6) and 72 hours that typically localizes on one side of the head. Symptoms include throbbing, nausea, and light and sound sensitivity. Many experience warning signs in the form of visual disturbances, "auras", eye pain, and tunnel vision. Less common symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Frequent urination
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness in limbs
- Difficulty finding words and speaking
- Sweating
Cluster Headache: A one-sided, severe burning, sharp, and/or steady head pain (often around one eye) that can last up to 3 hours. These headaches typically occur at least once a day, but often several times, for a period of a few weeks to a number of months before vanishing for months or years. Cluster headaches often wake sufferers just a few hours after falling asleep. Common symptoms include:
- Tearing
- Red eye
- Running nose
- Congestion
- Flushing
- Swelling near the eye(s)
Preventative Treatment
Because migraine headaches are notoriously difficult to get rid of, it is best to try to prevent them. Traditionally, this meant limiting eye strain, stress levels, and certain sensory stimuli. These things are all still good, and you should definitely try to find out what your triggers are so you can avoid them. Pay careful attention to the food and tasks that you do before it comes on.
As a general rule:
- Avoid Smoking & Drinking Alcohol
- Use Only Natural Sweeteners
- Exercise Regularly
- Practice Stress Management
- Stick to a Healthy Sleep Routine
For cluster headaches, many of the same things are true, especially the smoking and alcohol!
Medical advances have provided some more options. Prednisone helps to prevent migraines and cluster headaches, while also acting quickly to relieve symptoms. Other drugs, such as Lithium, Antihistamines, Propanolol, and Calcium channel blockers, are good to lower the frequency of your headaches, but they do not act quickly to significantly reduce symptoms. Many doctors will choose to have you combine these medications.
Prednisone works by entering the liver, where it is converted into prednisolone. In addition to suppressing the immune system and relieving inflammation, prednisolone is a steroid. It has a number of side effects, so your doctor may be cautious about prescribing it to you, especially if you have or are high risk for osteoporosis or diabetes and other blood-sugar disorders. Normally, prednisone is taken 80mg daily for a while, then reduced over the course of a few weeks, however, always take prescription medications exactly as your physician states. Only he or she is an expert at your case and can say what will be most effective and safe for you body.
Read More......
Yoghurt drinks and weight loss
There has been an interesting shift in newspaper journalism. In the good old days, it used to be all about the news. Now the stories are encased in bubble wrap so nothing can cause offense. Everything has two sides and, to achieve balance, both sides must be given equal prominence. Except when it comes to stories that might boost the sales of the corporations buying ad space in the newspapers and magazines. In these stories, readers are given only the bright side - the side that sells the products or services. Who needs balance when it builds the profits of a good customer. Which brings us to the coverage of probiotic yoghurt drinks. Here everything is sunshine and light. Did you know there are bacteria living in your stomach? Wow, tell me more. It's probable these bugs are what makes us fat! And. . . With the right research, probiotic drinks will kill the bad bugs and promote weight loss! Sounds like a miracle product is in the works and it will emerge to save us all from bad bacteria tomorrow.
This story is connected with the research being carried out at the Schools of Medicine at Washington University and the University of Colorado. This is a perfectly respectable project with funds provided by the National Institutes of Health. Their latest papers were published through the peer review system and are legitimate. But they do not conclude that high-fat diets and sugar cause obesity and the research does not mention any of the probiotics. In fact, the project experiments on the microbes in the guts of mice. It may be scaled up to humans in the future. But, for now, the researchers colonize "ordinary" mice with human microbes and then feed half a low-fat diet. The other half receives a traditional Western high-fat, high-sugar diet. Not surprisingly, the mice eating the Western diet gain weight. When the microbes from the fat mice are transferred to thin mice, the thin mice gain weight. It seems the Western diet transform the microbes into new varieties encouraging weight gain in any mouse.
There is much to follow up in this research but, just to be clear, there is no suggestion that the same diet changes the microbes in human guts nor that eating yoghurt will cause weight loss. The way the story has been presented misrepresents the science to sell the named probiotic drinks. In fact, there is no evidence published in any peer-reviewed journal to suggest that yoghurt changes a bad diet into a healthy diet. The only way to lose weight remains eating a healthy balanced diet alongside a regular program of exercise. If you find yourself feeling hungry while eating healthy food and working out in the gym, use phentermine - the only drug with a fifty year track record for suppressing your appetite. This drug has proved to be a miracle worker in being able to modify the messages coming out of the stomach and calming down the call for more food. So, to keep your motivation high when dieting, buy phentermine and feel satisfied with smaller portions. Continued over several months, you will find the weight dropping away and a new healthy body emerging. This is hard work but it pays off. Trust what you read in the newspapers about probiotics and the only thing you lose is your hard-earned dollars.
Read More......
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
The marketers are out in force these days. They want to convince everyone that there is a pill to cure all ills. Oral medications are convenient for the patient. Just swallow and wait for results. They are profitable for the doctors because it takes only a minute to write out a prescription and wheel in the next patient. If you have to talk to the patients, this is fewer patients per day and less profit. It's great for the pharmaceutical industry. Just press the "go" button on the machines in the factory to make the pills and watch the money roll into the bank account. But, as a country, do we really want everyone to be dependent on pills? Surely there must be a better way of delivering treatment to those who need it. Well, in the question lies the answer. The most effective treatments deal with the patient as a human being with a problem instead of a piece of meat to be pacified and sent away with a pill. This is not to say that pills cannot and do not provide effective relief. The drugs used to treat anxiety are safe and effective. But all the major clinical trials show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) produces better results than drugs. So what is CBT?
If you have an anxiety disorder, you should be the focus of attention. You need to move from a negative mindset to a positive outlook on life. Let's take each of the letters in turn:
c = cognitive. Cognition is the process of thinking. It deals with beliefs, opinions and all the other emotions and ideas that run around inside our heads. The problem with anxiety is that you see the future and fear the worst. It's great to have foresight. It helps you avoid danger. But you need a sense of proportion. Not everything is really dangerous, not everything has to be perfect, so you need to learn new priorities. Stop the automatic fear response. Slow down and think about the world more carefully. With a little determination, you can be more focused, avoid anger and frustration, and build a better outlook.
b= behavior. This is what you do and this is your chance to put that new world view into practice. When you have learned the new skills of relaxation, you have to confront the real-world situations where you have felt anxious. No more hiding away. You have to destress, grow calm and find peace as you try to reach your goals.
t = therapy where a guide teaches you coping skills so you can heal and recover from all that negative emotion and find new purpose and optimism. This is not teaching you to be less anxious. It's teaching you to be more self-confident.
Nothing in CBT denies a role for xanax. It's a great drug for the relief of anxiety over the short term. In fact, using xanax helps to calm your mind and make you more responsive to the therapy. As your mind slowly changes around to a positive way of thinking, you can ease off on the drug and allow yourself to start living life afresh. Let your new self-confidence crowd out the old fears and leave your mind calm.
Read More......
