Tag Archives: treatment

Group B Strep Can Bring About Meningitis In Newborns by Joseph Hernandez

Posted by on February 5, 2012 No comments

Group B Strep is the major common source of sepsis and meningitis (a severe illness of the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the brain) in infants. Group B Strep is a bacterial infection that may affect a newborn if the mother is is colonized with the bacteria and passes it to her baby during childbirth.

The bacteria normally takes hold in the vagina and/or the lower intestine. It is found in about 1 out of every 4 adult women. However, it often does not cause an active infection or result in symptoms. Passing of the bacteria from expecting mother to the child typically happens in the course of labor and delivery. The baby might be exposed to group b strep, for instance, if the bacteria moves up from the mother’s vagina into the uterus after the membranes (bag of water) break. The newborn may likewise be exposed to GBS when passing down through the birth canal. During this time period, the infant can consume or breathe in the bacteria.

About seventy five percent of instances of Group b strep in babies happen during the seven days of life, and the majority appear inside of a few hours following birth. This is called “early onset” group b strep. The rest develop a GBS infection at anytime from one week to several months after delivery. This is called as “late onset” disease. In general, approximately 50% of instances of late onset can be related to the newborn’s mother having been colonized with the bacteria. In the other situations of late onset, the origin of the infection is unknown.

After the newborn comes into contact with the bacteria, it can enter the newborn’s bloodstream. This can bring about sepsis (overwhelming infection throughout the body), pneumonia, or meningitis. They are all serious illnesses which can advance rapidly and leave the infant with lifelong disabilities or might bring about the baby’s death. Various typical possible disabilities are: brain damage, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, and seizures.

The most common symptoms of meningitis include: a high fever, lethargy, unusual irritability, trouble feeding, stiffness, vomiting, and rashes. Because the infection can advance quickly quick treatment is needed to prevent significant harm to the child. For bacterial based meningitis (like that caused by Group B Strep), treatment requires the speedy administration of intravenous IV and antibiotics. A diagnosis of meningitis is established by taking a sample of spinal fluid from a spinal tap and growing the bacteria for proper identification. This is important in order to identify the correct antibiotic for use. The results of the test normally requires several hours. In the time it takes for the results, the infection could cause permanent injury or kill the newborn. Given the immediacy required, treatment normally commences before there is a confirmed diagnosis if meningitis is a possible explanation for the baby’s symptoms. Penicillin is the most commonly used treatment.

If a newborn died or suffers from irreversible disabilities that were avoidable except for the failure on the part of a physician to diagnose GBS meningitis or to give immediate treatment that doctor may be liable for malpractice. Parents of children thus injured by GBS meningitis need to consult with a lawyer experienced in birth injury lawsuits without delay because the law permits only a limited amount of time to pursue a birth injury case.
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What Are The Treating Mercury Poisoning Autism Links by Rachel Evans

Posted by on February 5, 2012 No comments

Even with a significant amount of research and studies being conducted examining the connection between mercury and autism, many people still do not fully understand this connection, or whether a connection even exists at all. This is due to the highly conflicting nature of these studies and published information. This article will attempt to clarify the treating mercury poisoning autism link.

Before we can truly understand the connection between mercury and autistic children, it is important to clarify what exactly autism is. Without delving into too much detail, let’s just classify autism. In that case we’ll say that, like ADD and ADHD, autism is a neurological disorder, or ND. Essentially this means that autism is a disorder affecting the nervous system. This becomes important when we learn that one of the main causes of neurological disorders is believed to be heavy metal poisoning, such as that from mercury and aluminum.

In recent years, the number of children being diagnosed with autism and other neurological disorders has rapidly increased. And while the reason for this is hotly debated in academic circles, one theory claims that the increase is due to significantly more exposure to heavy metals such as mercury for today’s children. The claim is that there are increased levels of mercury in our food, water, and air.

But can mercury really be targeted as a cause for autism? To many people, the answer is an unequivocal yes. They believe that an increased exposure to such heavy metals at a very young age is what is causing this recent spike in the diagnosis of children with neurological diseases like autism.

Is there a Treatment?

There is a new form of autism treatment that is currently gaining a lot of momentum. Known as biomedical treatment, this method attempts to solve autism by rectifying the root of the problem – the physical condition of the nervous system. This is contrary to the common opinion of experts that autism is a psychological disorder, because the outwardly visible symptoms all indicate as much. However, the theorists in support of biomedical treatment argue that these symptoms are simply a by-product of an unhealthy nervous system, making autism a physical disorder.

The ultimate goal of biomedical treatment, then, is to rid a child’s body of toxic substances, and to begin to mend already-existing harm done by toxins. However, this method of treatment is not universally considered an effective medical treatment. Despite this, there are many popular treatment programs based upon the biomedical treatment school of thought. And while slightly different in their approach, the goal of each is to rid the body of unwanted toxins, and to increase levels of healthy nutrients.

Once again, this treatment method is not universally accepted in medical circles. But, it is gaining momentum, and a good chunk of the supporters are parents who claim to have seen positive results in their child as a result of treatment. Because of this, the treating mercury poisoning autism link may very well be worth looking into.

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Choosing the Proper Acne Alternative Treatments by Dean Iggo

Posted by on February 5, 2012 No comments

Choosing the right regimen of acne alternative treatments can mean a lifetime of clear skin without the difficulty of obtaining yet another medicine from your doctor that either won’t work or will cause such severe side effects that you will believe the acne is better than the treatment. Millions of people suffer from acne on a worldwide basis. There are a number of homemade and herbal remedies that we in the western world don’t even consider because they are not a prescription medication. However, acne alternative treatments are the only thing that will cure your acne problems without side effects.

Acne Alternative Treatment 1

Choosing a diet that is reliant upon unprocessed fruits and vegetables can help to cure your acne. You will need no less than five servings of some type of vegetable and one serving of some variety of fruit every day for the diet treatment to work. If you eat a lot of trans fats, you will have to cut them out of your diet. Increase your intake of foods that contain omega-3 oils. Be sure to take in at least eight glasses of water each day with your new diet.

Acne Alternative Treatment 2

Increase your intake of vitamin and nutritional supplements. Taking five thousand international units per day of Vitamin A has been shown in a variety of studies to decrease acne in many people. Zinc can help prevent acne before it starts if taken in mild doses. Vitamin B6 can reduce skin sensitivity and help stop acne breakouts as well.

Acne Alternative Treatment 3

Using herbs like sarsaparilla, yellow dock, burdock, and cleavers has been shown to dramatically reduce acne outbreaks. If a blemish erupts while using these herbs, dab it with tea tree oil for overnight results. These are best taken in their natural form for full effectiveness. The best way to do this is through tea.

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Kidney Stones Report- Try a Natural Kidney Stones Cure before Lithotripsy by Joe Barton

Posted by on January 30, 2012 No comments

If you have kidney stones then your doctor probably has suggested lithotripsy. The newest kidney stones treatment has been label as the least painful and most efficient treatment by some doctors. And they are correct. However, did your doctor tell you that you can also try a natural kidney stones cure to dissolve and pass your kidney stones at the comfort of your own home. Probably not!

If you are among the more than one million Americans who will treat kidney stones this year; you might want to pay close attention! Because though your doctor does have a professional opinion about how you should treat your kidney stones, your doctor also has his interests and his profession in mind. In other words, the medical profession would lose billions of dollars each year if all kidney stone sufferers turned to natural health.

And before we go any further… Fact! Almost 90% of kidney stones can be dissolved with an acidic drink flush which naturally dissolves calcium-formed kidney stones.

Lithotripsy- Cancel Your Treatment!

I am sure your doctor has given you details about your treatment. But if you have forgot! Lithotripsy is a shortened word for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy which is a medical procedure that is painless, non-invasive (they don’t cut you open) and can be performed under one hour.

Lithotripsy has been gaining popularity because patients remain conscious during the treatment which could take place on a water-filled mattress or a shallow tub of water. The doctors use x-rays to locate the kidney stones and apply external bursts of high-energy shockwaves to where the stones are located. Between 60 to 120 shocks per minute will be delivered to the area which will cause the stones to break into smaller pieces allowing them to pass through the system.

You will be able to leave that day.

But do you need to spend 1-2 paychecks for a kidney stones treatment?

Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees

I have always been amused by this expression but I wish I could make a banner and show it to the most lucrative industry to the 21st century, the medical industry. And when it comes to kidney stones, the medical industry is making a killing. In fact, I have some customers who have spent over $20,000+ for their kidney stones alone after multiple treatments and surgeries. But does it really have to be this way?

I would disagree! Though lithotripsy is highly effective, you can save thousands of dollars by dissolving and preventing future kidney stones at home.

What do you think people did when they had kidney stones fifty years ago? Probably not surgery like we know it now! Most people’s kidney stones would pass on their own by a little altering of the diet. And most people didn’t realize it until the pain was gone and forgotten. And some didn’t realize they were doing exactly what they should be… drinking water and eating acidic foods.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

After you dissolve and pass your kidney stones with our Kidney Stones Report. We would recommend the following kidney stones prevention tips. As a wise sage once said, “Prevention is the Best Medicine”.

1. Drink Water. Most people get kidney stones because they don’t drink enough water. You should have a goal to drink 10-12 glasses of water each day. A good rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces each day.

2. Vitamin Intake. Vitamin C and D can increase your risk of kidney stones when you take more than the daily recommendations. Read the labels and follow them closely.

3. Calcium Intake. Though you might think it would be better to get less calcium, after all, kidney stones are typically made up of calcium. This is incorrect! You should actually aim to get your recommended amount of calcium each day.

4. Low Sodium. You should also cut the sodium out of your diet. Begin by trying to get less than 2400 mg per day. If you are a healthy eater; you are probably good to go. If you don’t even know where the food labels are located; it might be time to get an introductory course of food labels. Take a look today.

5. Low Protein. You should also try to decrease your protein intake. If you are meat and potatoes person; this tip might apply to you. However, most people are not going to fall in this category.

6. Your Weight. Being overweight or obese can also be a cause for kidney stones. You should begin to learn how to maintain a healthy weight. Do you know what your body mass index (BMI) is? Do you have a bigger waist than you should? Our Kidney Stones Report can give you helpful tips to lose body fat and feel like you want.

7. Inactivity. Most of our jobs are conducive to inactiveness but you should try to stay active regularly. Go to the gym. Go for a hike. Do some yard work.

The Natural Kidney Stones Cure

Research leads to proven remedy! Can phosphoric acid dissolve calcium build up? Many researchers also experimented with a natural remedy (phosphoric acid) to dissolve and pass kidney stones. Again, researchers were baffled because it worked! To learn more about a guaranteed natural home-remedy (using phosphoric acid) to dissolve and pass your kidney stones in less than 24 hours… please check out our Natural Kidney Stones Cure website today and save a paycheck!

What You Need To Know About Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder by Zoey Eber

Posted by on January 30, 2012 No comments

Let’s face it, there are so many options for treating attention deficit hyper activity disorder today, you hardly know which way to turn. After reading this article you’ll have a basic knowledge of the currently used methods of treatment available today.

Generally speaking, ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyper activity disorder, involves problems with sustained concentration, attention, and difficulty in completing tasks. This disorder affects children as well as adults. Boredom, excessive worrying, overactivity, impatience, impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and problems communicating with others are some typical symptoms.

Diagnosing ADHD involves a very detailed evaluation of both current and past behavior. There is no specific test for identifying this condition. It is a highly specialized field of study, usually undertaken by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other ADHD specialist.

There are many available options for treating ADHD, including drug therapy and behavioral modification. But there are a variety of highly effective natural alternatives that are also gaining popularity today. In any case, any type of treatment should include close monitoring in the way of follow-up visits.

There are several drugs used in treating ADHD, including both stimulants and nonstimulants. Stimulants prove to be effective in about 70-80% of patients, and are primarily used to help promote focus and block distractions. Among the more popular stimulants in use today are Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Methlin, Dexedrine, Focalin and Metadate.

Strattera was the first nonstimulant drug to be used in the treatment of ADHD. In rare cases where Strattera or any of the other stimulants are not well tolerated or prove to be ineffective, Wellbutrin, Pamelor, Effexor, Catapres or Tenex are used.

Drugs used in the treatment of any illness or disease, including ADHD, can have side effects. Common side effects associated with ADHD drugs include headaches, stomachaches, decreased appetite and weight loss, sleep problems, jitteriness and social withdrawal. Some of the stimulant drugs have also been known to cause increased blood pressure and heart rate in patients with undiagnosed or pre existing heart conditions.

Another popular alternative for treating ADHD is behavioral therapy. This treatment focuses on environmental adjustment, creating more structure and establishing routines in the patient’s life. This type of therapy usually requires more time than drug therapy.

Children with ADHD typically need more help in organizing their lives. This is usually achieved by establishing daily routines thru implementing schedules, and generally providing a structure to organize tasks as well as belongings. As children need routine in their lives, they also function better with structure. It is important to reward their accomplishments to provide encouragement.

A variety of methods are used for treating adult ADHD. Enhancement of self esteem is effectively achieved using behavioral and cognitive therapy. Anxiety and stress reduction can be accomplished using stress management and relaxation techniques. Behavioral coaching helps in organizing work and home activities, while job coaching helps in improving work relationships and performance.

Homeopathic alternatives are enjoying amazing popularity these days, and have been shown to be highly effective in treating all sorts of conditions and illnesses. Particularly in the case of children, parents are realizing the potential dangers involved with drug therapy and are opting for a more holistic approach in treating ADHD. Homeopathic remedies are safe and don’t compromise over the counter or other prescription medicines the child may be taking. When homeopathic remedies are to be used, it is important to ensure they are manufactured in an FDA registered facility with the supervision of a qualified pharmacist or homeopath.

In conclusion, after considering what you have just read, you are now in a good position to make an informed decision regarding treatment for attention deficit hyper activity disorder.

Acne Scarring by Len Cecchetto

Posted by on January 30, 2012 No comments

The news is, acne scarring is permanent but can be treated. A final solution for your acne scarring is to have major plastic surgery. Most sever acne is NOT controlled by food, cleanliness, or OTC meds.

However, acne scarring is commonly more significant than this. Acne Scarring is visible markings, lumps or indentations on the skin’s surface resulting from scar tissue which has formed as part of the healing proc. The only way to completely prevent acne scarring is by properly treating acne lesions as soon as they form.

The most effective way to prevent acne scarring is to leave the acne alone, however this doesn’t mean you can’t seek expert advice on how best to treat your acne. Acne scarring is most often the result of self-excoriate behavior such as the tendency to pick or squeeze the pimples.

Moderate to sever acne include: nodules, cysts, rosacea and conglobata. For moderate to sever acne, it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist.

Oral Antibiotics:

These are available by prescription for moderate to sever acne. A new topical treatment of moderate to sever acne can help and it’s best to ask your dermatologist first.

Physicians say that the scarring itself represents only a small part of the actual damage.

Acne suffers are aware that where there is acne there will be scarring as well. Many people have the common pimple or breakout, but for a few of the unlucky acne sufferers, acne can cause scarring. Any scarring will improve with time.

Doctors advise people not to squeeze acne themselves, because scarring can result.

Adjacent, no overlapping laser pulses are delivered over the scars. The ultra pulsed carbon dioxide laser, the erbium YAG laser and the pulsed dye yellow light laser are most commonly used for treating acne scarring.

For the improvement of facial acne scarring: a systematic review of the evidence check out Laser resurfacing of the skin The Harmony Pixel Laser is proving to be highly effective in the treatment of acne scarring.

Numerous medical studies have documented the effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser treatments for acne scarring. Acne scar laser treatment is administered by experienced medical staff who have been properly trained in this area. Laser therapy for acne and acne scarring works by targeting the sebaceous, oily glands that cause bacterial entrapment.

Scar reduction is one of the most common uses of laser skin resurfacing. Recent research shows Acne Rosacea can be successfully treated with yellow laser with no side effects. The erbium laser typically is used to produce superficial resurfacing.

Laser skin resurfacing has added to the numerous treatment options available for acne scarring. The latest treatment options for acne scarring are lasers, such as the pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the Erbium:YAG laser. There are many treatment options for those who suffer from chronic consistent acne.

The good news is that there are numerous treatment options now available to treat acne scarring. Fortunately there are topical treatment options, depending on the kind of scarring. The first thing to do is to get good advice about the options.

Laser treatment is one of the newer options for getting rid of acne. As with any surgery, it is important to understand the options and procedures. Laser resurfacing is a recent addition to the armamentarium of options for acne scarring. Electrolysis and laser are the best options. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.

However, acne scarring is commonly more significant than this. One more cause of acne scarring is the pinching and squeezing of acne. A final solution for your acne scarring is to have major plastic surgery. Acne scarring is one of the most embarrassing skin problems faced by many, but help is out there, so make the most of it.

Acne scarring is permanent but can be treated. The only way to completely prevent acne scarring is by properly treating acne lesions as soon as they form. Acne scarring is almost as embarrassing as actual pimples.

Acne scarring is one of the great misfortunes of many people, young and old. For the lucky majority, acne scarring is a minor annoyance, difficult for others to visualize. Acne scarring is what most teenagers and adults fear. Acne scarring is the end result of the body’s healing process.

At Home Microdermabrasion 4 Tips to Make This Acne Scar Removal Treatment More Effective by Naweko

Posted by on January 29, 2012 No comments

Over the counter microdermabrasion kits serve as an ideal way to approach do it yourself acne scar correction. And with four scientifically sound tweaks to your current dermabrasion regime, you can transform this skin treatment into a world-class spa experience with striking results.

1. Prep the skin with proper cleansers

Effective dermabrasion treatments remove the upper layers of the damaged and dead skin cells. However, after a normal day, dead skin cells, oils, and cellular waste create a sticky, protective barrier called “stratum corneum” on the upper layers of the skin. This dermal shield can downgrade the actions of a derma-scrub.

Before applying a dermabrasion treatment, use witch hazel to safely and effectively remove this collective debris from the skin. Cleanse your face with a warm wash cloth and pat dry. Next saturate a cotton ball with witch hazel and smooth the cotton ball over the face for at least 60 seconds.

Alternately, Daniel M. Siegel, M.D.of State University of New York Downstate Medical Center suggests prepping the skin with a soap containing lava ash such as Lava (available for under $5US in most drug stores). Dr. Siegel explained to Skin and Allergy News that Lava soap removes part of the stratum corneum.

2.Use the correct pressure and pull the skin taut

How you apply a microdermabrasion treatment to the skin readily determines how spectacular your results will look. For example, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that applying negative pressure to the skin activated key genes that help grow new, blemish free skin.

Similarly, delicately pulling the skin taut when applying a microdermabrasion application increases the amount of skin surface area treated, while allowing you to more deeply penetrate the skin and thereby remove more damaged layers.

3.Use smooth circular motions

As you tenderly pull your skin taut and apply the right amount of pressure to your skin, smooth on the dermabrasion product in circular motions with a diameter of about an inch and a half or the size of a strawberry. These small motions will help you more evenly apply the dermabrasion treatment so that the therapy is uniform, and creates an even skin tone and texture.

4. Apply a deep penetrating moisturizer that contains aloe vera or hyaluronic acid

After rinsing off the microdermabrasion treatment, you have removed part of your guardian stratum corneum, exposed young skin cells and essentially created a mini-wound on the skin. Now time it’s to help your skin protect itself again by applying a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or hyaluronic acid.

Aloe vera cools the skin and helps calm inflammation so that you can enjoy skin renewal faster. Likewise, hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) comprises the skin and facilitates the wound healing process. In the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, researchers reported that applying a moisturizer containing hyaluronan after dermabrasion helped improve skin healing.

There you have it, four ways to make the most of your time and money while applying an at home dermabrasion treatment.

Sources:

Karimipour, Darius J et al. Microdermabrasion with and without aluminum oxide crystal abrasion: A comparative molecular analysis of dermal remodeling. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; March 2006, vol 54, no 3, pp 405-410.

Kirn, Timothy. Dermatologic Supplies Abound on Hardware Store Shelves. Skin and Allergy News; August 2005, vol 36, no 8, p 20.

Voinchet, Véroniqu; Pascal Vasseur & Jérôme Kern. Efficacy and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid in the Management of Acute Wounds. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology; 2006, vol 7, no 6, pp 353-357.

Basic Knowledge on Acne Scarring by James Vond

Posted by on January 29, 2012 No comments

A detailed and comprehensive discussion of acne scars starts with causes of scarring, prevention of scarring, types of scars, and treatments for scars.

Before talking about scars, a word about spots that may look like scars but are not scars in the sense that a permanent change has occurred. Even though they are not true scars and disappear in time, they are visible and can cause embarrassment.

Macules or “pseudo-scars” are flat, red or reddish spots that are the final stage of most inflamed acne lesions. After an inflamed acne lesion flattens, a macule may remain to “mark the spot” for up to 6 months. When the macule eventually disappears, no trace of it will remain—unlike a scar.

Post-inflammatory pigmentation is discoloration of the skin at the site of a healed or healing inflamed acne lesion. It occurs more frequently in darker-skinned people, but occasionally is seen in people with white skin. Early treatment by a dermatologist may minimize the development of post-inflammatory pigmentation. Some post-inflammatory pigmentation may persist for up to 18 months, especially with excessive sun exposure. Chemical peeling may hasten the disappearance of post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Causes of Acne Scars

In the simplest terms, scars form at the site of an injury to tissue. They are the visible reminders of injury and tissue repair. In the case of acne, the injury is caused by the body’s inflammatory response to sebum, bacteria and dead cells in the plugged sebaceous follicle. Two types of true scars exist, as discussed later: (1) depressed areas such as ice-pick scars, and (2) raised thickened tissue such as keloids.

When tissue suffers an injury, the body rushes its repair kit to the injury site. Among the elements of the repair kit are white blood cells and an array of inflammatory molecules that have the task of repairing tissue and fighting infection. However, when their job is done they may leave a somewhat messy repair site in the form of fibrous scar tissue, or eroded tissue.

White blood cells and inflammatory molecules may remain at the site of an active acne lesion for days or even weeks. In people who are susceptible to scarring, the result may be an acne scar. The occurrence and incidence of scarring is still not well understood, however. There is considerable variation in scarring between one person and another, indicating that some people are more prone to scarring than others. Scarring frequently results from severe inflammatory nodulocystic acne that occurs deep in the skin. But, scarring also may arise from more superficial inflamed lesions. Nodulocystic acne that is most likely to result in scars is seen in these photos:

National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

The life history of scars also is not well understood. Some people bear their acne scars for a lifetime with little change in the scars, but in other people the skin undergoes some degree of remodeling and acne scars diminish in size.

People also have differing feelings about acne scars. Scars of more or less the same size that may be psychologically distressing to one person may be accepted by another person as “not too bad.” The person who is distressed by scars is more likely to seek treatment to moderate or remove the scars.

Prevention of Acne Scars

As discussed in the previous section on Causes of Acne Scars, the occurrence of scarring is different in different people. It is difficult to predict who will scar, how extensive or deep scars will be, and how long scars will persist. It is also difficult to predict how successfully scars can be prevented by effective acne treatment.

Nevertheless, the only sure method of preventing or limiting the extent of scars is to treat acne early in its course, and as long as necessary. The more that inflammation can be prevented or moderated, the more likely it is that scars can be prevented. (Click on Acne Treatments for more information about treatment of mild, moderate and severe acne). Any person with acne who has a known tendency to scar should be under the care of a dermatologist. (Click on Find a Dermatologist to locate a dermatologist in your geographic area).

Types of Acne Scars

There are two general types of acne scars, defined by tissue response to inflammation: (1) scars caused by increased tissue formation, and (2) scars caused by loss of tissue.

Scars Caused by Increased Tissue Formation

The scars caused by increased tissue formation are called keloids or hypertrophic scars. The word hypertrophy means “enlargement” or “overgrowth.” Both hypertrophic and keloid scars are associated with excessive amounts of the cell substance 19f1b87a4a76481ed8f500a3e3169d5b. Overproduction of collagen is a response of skin cells to injury. The excess collagen becomes piled up in fibrous masses, resulting in a characteristic firm, smooth, usually irregularly-shaped scar. The photo shows a typical severe acne keloid:

National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

The typical keloid or hypertrophic scar is 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, but some may be 1 centimeter or larger. Keloid scars tend to “run in families”—that is, abnormal growth of scar tissue is more likely to occur in susceptible people, who often are people with relatives who have similar types of scars.

Hypertrophic and keloid scars persist for years, but may diminish in size over time.

Scars Caused by Loss of Tissue

Acne scars associated with loss of tissue—similar to scars that result from chicken pox—are more common than keloids and hypertrophic scars. Scars associated with loss of tissue are:

Ice-pick scars usually occur on the cheek. They are usually small, with a somewhat jagged edge and steep sides—like wounds from an ice pick. Ice-pick scars may be shallow or deep, and may be hard or soft to the touch. Soft scars can be improved by stretching the skin; hard ice-pick scars cannot be stretched out.

Depressed fibrotic scars are usually quite large, with sharp edges and steep sides. The base of these scars is firm to the touch. Ice-pick scars may evolve into depressed fibrotic scars over time.

Soft scars, superficial or deep are soft to the touch. They have gently sloping rolled edges that merge with normal skin. They are usually small, and either circular or linear in shape.

Atrophic macules are usually fairly small when they occur on the face, but may be a centimeter or larger on the body. They are soft, often with a slightly wrinkled base, and may be bluish in appearance due to blood vessels lying just under the scar. Over time, these scars change from bluish to ivory white in color in white-skinned people, and become much less obvious.

Follicular macular atrophy is more likely to occur on the chest or back of a person with acne. These are small, white, soft lesions, often barely raised above the surface of the skin—somewhat like whiteheads that didn’t fully develop. This condition is sometimes also called “perifollicular elastolysis.” The lesions may persist for months to years.

Treatments for Acne Scars

A number of treatments are available for acne scars through dermatologic surgery. The type of treatment selected should be the one that is best for you in terms of your type of skin, the cost, what you want the treatment to accomplish, and the possibility that some types of treatment may result in more scarring if you are very susceptible to scar formation.

A decision to seek dermatologic surgical treatment for acne scars also depends on:

* The way you feel about scars. Do acne scars psychologically or emotionally affect your life? Are you willing to “live with your scars” and wait for them to fade over time? These are personal decisions only you can make.

* The severity of your scars. Is scarring substantially disfiguring, even by objective assessment?

* A dermatologist’s expert opinion as to whether scar treatment is justified in your particular case, and what scar treatment will be most effective for you.

Before committing to treatment of acne scars, you should have a frank discussion with your dermatologist regarding those questions, and any others you feel are important. You need to tell the dermatologist how you feel about your scars. The dermatologist needs to conduct a full examination and determine whether treatment can, or should, be undertaken.

The objective of scar treatment is to give the skin a more acceptable physical appearance. Total restoration of the skin, to the way it looked before you had acne, is often not possible, but scar treatment does usually improve the appearance of your skin.

The scar treatments that are currently available include:

Collagen injection. Collagen, a normal substance of the body, is injected under the skin to “stretch” and “fill out” certain types of superficial and deep soft scars. Collagen treatment usually does not work as well for ice-pick scars and keloids. Collagen derived from cows or other non-human sources cannot be used in people with autoimmune diseases. Human collagen or fascia is helpful for those allergic to cow-derived collagen. Cosmetic benefit from collagen injection usually lasts 3 to 6 months. Additional collagen injections to maintain the cosmetic benefit are done at additional cost.

Autologous fat transfer. Fat is taken from another site on your own body and prepared for injection into your skin. The fat is injected beneath the surface of the skin to elevate depressed scars. This method of autologous (from your own body) fat transfer is usually used to correct deep contour defects caused by scarring from nodulocystic acne. Because the fat is reabsorbed into the skin over a period of 6 to 18 months, the procedure usually must be repeated. Longer lasting results may be achieved with multiple fat-transfer procedures.

Dermabrasion. This is thought to be the most effective treatment for acne scars. Under local anesthetic, a high-speed brush or fraise used to remove surface skin and alter the contour of scars. Superficial scars may be removed altogether, and deeper scars may be reduced in depth. Dermabrasion does not work for all kinds of scars; for example, it may make ice-pick scars more noticeable if the scars are wider under the skin than at the surface. In darker-skinned people, dermabrasion may cause changes in pigmentation that require additional treatment.

Microdermabrasion. This new technique is a surface form of dermabrasion. Rather than a high-speed brush, microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide crystals passing through a vacuum tube to remove surface skin. Only the very surface cells of the skin are removed, so no additional wound is created. Multiple procedures are often required but scars may not be significantly improved.

Laser Treatment. Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used to recontour scar tissue and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne lesions. The type of laser used is determined by the results that the laser treatment aims to accomplish. Tissue may actually be removed with more powerful instruments such as the carbon dioxide laser. In some cases, a single treatment is all that will be necessary to achieve permanent results. Because the skin absorbs powerful bursts of energy from the laser, there may be post-treatment redness for several months.

Skin Surgery. Some ice-pick scars may be removed by “punch” excision of each individual scar. In this procedure each scar is excised down to the layer of subcutaneous fat; the resulting hole in the skin may be repaired with sutures or with a small skin graft. Subcision is a technique in which a surgical probe is used to lift the scar tissue away from unscarred skin, thus elevating a depressed scar.

Skin grafting may be necessary under certain conditions—for example, sometimes dermabrasion unroofs massive and extensive tunnels (also called sinus tracts) caused by inflammatory reaction to sebum and bacteria in sebaceous follicles. Skin grafting may be needed to close the defect of the unroofed sinus tracts.

Treatment of keloids. Surgical removal is seldom if ever used to treat keloids. A person whose skin has a tendency to form keloids from acne damage may also form keloids in response to skin surgery. Sometimes keloids are treated by injecting steroid drugs into the skin around the keloid. Topical retinoic acid may be applied directly on the keloid. In some cases the best treatment for keloids in a highly susceptible person is no treatment at all.

In summary, acne scars are caused by the body’s inflammatory response to acne lesions. The best way to prevent scars is to treat acne early, and as long as necessary. If scars form, a number of effective treatments are available. Dermatologic surgery treatments should be discussed with a dermatologist.

Chiropractics for Health by Henry Watts

Posted by on January 27, 2012 No comments

Chiropractics these days has been developing into one of the alternative approaches to health. The study is under the notion that the nervous system has a general impact on one’s physical condition. Different techniques are done to align the spinal joints to improve the overall wellness of the body. There are a few chiropractors who incorporates spiritual dimension in their treatment while majority sticks to the science.

For those who want a fresh technique towards wellness, finding a good chiropractor will be a great idea. In Missouri, a chiropractic in St Louis can be your partner towards overall wellness and health. A lot of people sometimes find it difficult to actually locate a genuine chiropractor and, unless one is a pro himself, it may be nearly impossible to tell by observation alone. Checking for the qualification of a practitioner will be a good move and you can do this by asking around the community where he or she is practicing.

Not just because a chiropractor underwent all that training and certification means he’s the exact one you’re looking for. Different people have different needs and there is simply no formula that works for everyone. To be safe, one can ask around the community about a clinic which you are planning to visit. Find out about its service, particularly on quality issues, and have a look into the possibility that you will, indeed, end up healed if you actually went in started receiving the treatment.

Part of knowing whether or not chiropractic medicine will be good for you is to know what your own medical doctor thinks about your plan to see a chiropractor. There are certain conditions that make spinal stimulation dangerous so if you don’t want your session ending up with you getting even more ill instead of healed, then don’t go without your physician’s approval.

And just before you actually go, it’s a good idea to check your own beliefs about chiropractic medicine so you don’t end up being disappointed when your expectations aren’t met. Remember that there quite a lot of misconceptions floating around regarding the subject and misconceptions, especially about health, can be quite critical. Therefore, doing a research about chiropractics won’t hurt especially if this can measure whether this kind of treatment is or isn’t good for you.
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Are You Suffering From Body Acne by Sarah Rhodes

Posted by on January 27, 2012 No comments

Dermatologists normally treat acne but often you can use some homemade recipes to prevent severe acne. You should wash your face at least thrice a day with cold water and a mild cleanser. Using essential oils like lavender, chamomile, calendula, juniper and mint with almond oil on your skin will give effective results. You should also start adding zinc supplements to your diet and avoid caffeine, junk food and salty foods. Other than these homemade recipes, you can also take prescribed medicines that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicyclic acid, sulfur, Azelaic acid, vitamin A, and OTC topical medicines to recover fast from acne.

Individuals that are prone to acne and are being treated for it should use oil free cosmetic products. Benzoyl peroxide and other acne skin care treatment can redden the skin so applying regular cosmetics products might be difficult. Regular cosmetic products usually contain more fatty acids that are harmful to acne prone individuals. Looking for organic and acne skin care products that will match your skin tone can help avoid more infections.

Makeup conceals acne, it doesn’t cure it! But you already knew that, right? Using makeup to conceal acne isn’t difficult, but there are some basic rules that you should always follow. Your three acne hiding weapons will be a concealer, a foundation and a finishing powder. Stay away from the dollar store and use only brand names that you can trust. Choose only oil-free makeup products that match your skin tone. Oil-free is the key to success here so read the labels carefully. You don’t want to aggravate your existing acne problem by layering a fresh coat of oil on skin that already has too much to begin with. Choose a hypoallergenic brand while you’re at it.

With the advanced acne treatments and acne products available today, acne need no longer have such a crippling impact on the sufferers’ life. Once the outward symptom of acne first becomes apparent, that is, inflammation and lesion on the skin, it is important that you treat it right away so as to slow down or stop further inflammation.

There are many moisturizers available that are specifically designed to help with acne such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena. Severe acne, or acne that has not responded well to over the counter products, can be successfully treated with the knowledge and expertise of a dermatologist. A dermatologist will consider many things before suggesting treatment. He will perform a thorough evaluation of the patient, considering things such as severity of acne, patient age, lifestyle, and co-existing conditions. The dermatologist then may suggest a combination of two or three different therapies for best treatment.

In general, over-the-counter acne treatments and traditional prescription medications have not proven effective in the reduction and elimination of acne. There are other less traditional ways to approach the treatment of acne. When delving into non-traditional medicine most are dealing with approaches such as acupuncture, herbal medicines, homeopathic medicine, mind/body medicine, Ayurveda and Kampo as well as dietary and nutritional considerations.

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    Fooding Group Limited is a global provider of food ingredient specializing in serving the demand for raw materials needed for finished food products. Our clients trust us to provide quality ingredients every single time.