• ADVICES FOR YOUR SKINCARE

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    24 Mar 2009 /  General health

    1) Don’t take chances— there are numerous medical skin treatments used by Americans every day. Some of the treatments are relatively effective, but none is without a certain amount of risk. Even so, some reports indicate that about 100,000 people in North America had collagen injected into their skin to eliminate acne scars and wrinkles on the cheeks and around the eyes. No one can say for certain how long the results of these injections will last— some say six months to a year, and others say not nearly that long. And just recently, many people have begun reporting side effects, ranging from temporary allergic reaction to disease and permanent disfigurement. As of now, the debate continues whether or not collagen injections present a serious risk, But it is a treatment you should investigate as thoroughly as possible before trying.

    Liquid silicone injections are also causing quite a stir. Even though the FDA has not yet given its approval of liquid silicone for dermatological use, some doctors are still injecting it into patients’ skin to smooth out wrinkles and scars. Experts say that since silicone lasts forever, complications such as autoimmune disorders are difficult to correct. Silicone can also swell and harden tissues inside the body, causing permanent disfigurement and damage to internal structures.

    2) Stop smoking— besides all the other health problems attributed to smoking, a study at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center in Salt Lake City suggests that cigarette smoking causes premature facial wrinkles.

    Researchers studied 132 men and women with an average age of 47 and found that those people who had smoked an average of two packs a day for 25 years were 5 times more likely to get facial wrinkles than were non-smokers.

    3) Drink plenty of water— some medical experts recommend that you pay attention to how much water you drink because it can make a difference in the overall appearance of your skin. You should try to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other noncaffeinated fluids every day to help flush out toxins and to help keep your skin moist and young looking.

    4) Exercise— studies show that physical exercise, if sufficiently vigorous, can have a beneficial effect on your skin. Through exercise, your skin receives a better flow of blood, making you look healthier, younger and more attractive. According to researchers, their findings from a study of several age-matched pairs of sedentary and active people show that there is a pronounced difference in skin tone and texture between the two. The skin of those who exercised looked smoother, more supple, and had fewer wrinkles and better color than the skin of those people who did not get regular exercise.

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  • THE “WONDER DRUG” ASPIRIN: WAYS IT CAN HELP YOU

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    24 Mar 2009 /  General health

    A potent drug found in most medicine cabinets, aspirin seems to provide more and more health benefits as medical research studies continue. Here are some of the latest promising developments concerning aspirin:

    1) Heart attack and strokes— studies have shown that aspirin, taken every other day by men and women who have had heart attacks, chest pain and strokes caused by clogged blood vessels, can reduce the risk of a second heart attack and lower overall death rates. However, it should be noted that the study also suggests that aspirin may promote those strokes caused by bleeding in the brain.

    The major study, conducted by researchers in Boston, concludes that aspirin is as good as clot-dissolving drugs and high-tech procedures for controlling angina, the dangerous chest pain which afflicts 750,000 Americans every year. The study involved almost 1,400 patients and is, to date, the largest ever conducted in order to determine the best treatment for unstable angina— the leading cause of admissions to hospital coronary-care units.

    2) Pregnancy— researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland report that daily low doses—1/5 to 1/2 of a tablet—of aspirin can help prevent pregnant women from developing high blood pressure or from giving birth to low-weight babies.

    Studies by French researchers suggest that aspirin may help women who have had previous miscarriages deliver a healthy baby. However, since aspirin can cause bleeding in the late stages of pregnancy, it is not likely to be used except in high-risk cases.

    Caution: Although these studies suggest that aspirin may provide some benefits to pregnant women, you should not take the drug without first getting your doctor’s permission.

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  • 6 COMMON WEIGHT LOSS MISTAKES

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    24 Mar 2009 /  General health

    Before beginning any weight-loss, diet or exercise program you should consider the following:

    1) You should consult your doctor before you begin any weight-loss, diet or exercise program. This is especially true if you are overweight, or suffer from a medical problem such as diabetes or heart disease.

    2) Avoid crash diets and other rapid-weight-loss programs that drastically cut the number of calories you consume.

    3) Extremely low-calorie, liquid-formula diets should not be used without the recommendation of your doctor and then only under his or her supervision.

    4) The only drugs you should use to lose weight should be prescription drugs, which are recommended by your doctor and used only for a short time.

    5) Avoid diets that call for restricting fluid intake. This can lead to dehydration.

    6) Using dieting aids that contain laxatives or diuretics will not lead to a significant weight loss, and may harm your body.

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  • HOW TO PREVENT AND GET OVER FLUS

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    24 Mar 2009 /  General health

    Fever, headache, muscle ache and weakness are commonly experienced symptoms of influenza or the “flu”. This nasty viral infection comes in a variety pack of three main types: A, B and C.

    Whichever letter of the alphabet you get can make you miserable. There are some precautions you can take to reduce your vulnerability to the flu, but once you get it there’s nothing to do to get rid of it until it’s ready to leave. Antibiotics don’t work because it is a virus. There are, however, certain things you can do to make a bout with the flu a little less miserable. Here are a few suggestions:

    1) Stay in bed— in all but the mildest of cases, a victim of the flu is usually better off in bed, resting in a well-ventilated room.

    2) Get lots of liquids into your system— this is especially important when you have a fever because of the possibility of dehydration. Liquids can also provide essential nutrients when you feel too sick to eat solid food. Try thin soups and fruit and vegetable juices. Warm fluids can also soothe a sore throat.

    3) Make use of a painkiller— an analgesic such as ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen can help reduce the fever and the body aches and pains caused by the flu.

    4) Get steamed— steam heat has a soothing effect on the lungs, helping to reduce the discomfort caused by a cough, sore throat, or dry nasal passages.

    5) Soak your feet— if you have a headache or nasal congestion, soaking your feet in hot water may help.

    6) Get vaccinated— protect yourself against the flu by getting a flu shot in the fall or very early winter. Because the vaccine takes about two weeks to get into action, you shouldn’t wait until the flu is all around you before getting your shot.

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  • GETTING THE RIGHT HOME-FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR NEEDS

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    24 Mar 2009 /  General health

    Many people are opting for a home gym over health clubs as a method of staying in shape. Having your own home-fitness equipment is both convenient and private, making it much more attractive than waiting in line to use equipment and then being on “display” at most health clubs. However, before you make an investment in home-fitness equipment there are several things you should consider.

    1) What kind of exercise will be best for you? You should know what type of exercise you will enjoy doing and will continue doing on a long-term basis. If you are easily bored, it’s probably a good idea to stay away from such equipment as stationary bicycles. If your time for exercising is limited, you may be better off choosing equipment such as ski machines, rowers, or stairclimbers. A treadmill would be a good choice for anyone who enjoys walking or running.

    2) How many pieces of equipment should you have? Obviously the more pieces of equipment you have in your home gym, the more varied and comprehensive your exercise program will be. Alternating between different equipment provides a variety of benefits as well as helping to prevent boredom.

    3) Is the equipment both comfortable and enjoyable? The best way to determine the appropriate equipment for your needs is to make a personal test at the store. Wear your sweats when you go to look at the exercise equipment and try a 5 to 10 minute workout on several different models. If a particular store won’t let you test the equipment, take your business somewhere else.

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