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Showing posts from January, 2016

Hair Loss

Hair Loss in Men Male hair loss is otherwise known as androgenic alopecia . Common causes are male hormones, called androgens, on hair follicles that are genetically predisposed, meaning they are passed down in families. In men who have these genetically programmed hair follicles, their testosterone is converted into the androgen Dihydrotestosterone or DHT . This is caused by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. The impact of this DHT leads to hair loss and in most cases, baldness. Men commonly lose hair on the top of the head. Therefore, balding men are usually left with hair on the sides and back of the head. Why only the hair follicles on the top of the hair are sensitive to DHT continues to baffle scientists. Hair Loss in Women Loss of hair in women is commonly caused by telogen effluvium . This is when a sudden event or severe stress can cause certain hair follicles to prematurely stop growing and enter the telogen or “resting” stage. After three months of remaining in this sta

Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide is a very simple molecule consisting of one atom each of oxygen and nitrogen. It should not be confused with nitrous oxide which is made up of two nitrogen atoms and is commonly known as laughing gas – once a common anaesthetic . Outside of the body it often occurs as a pollutant with the potential for causing illness. Much of this pollution comes from car exhaust. Chemical Nature of Nitric Oxide Because it is a small and simple molecule, nitric oxide is particularly suited to its function as a chemical messenger both between cells and within cells, easily passing through cell membranes. Its chemical structure also includes a double bond, this makes it a reactive compound, which means it reacts with other chemicals easily and breaks down quickly. This is a further attribute of a good chemical messenger in that it can quickly be got rid of. However, it is this reactivity that makes nitric oxide a pollutant in the environment. Biological Role of Nitric Oxide

Blood Type

There are four major blood groups ( A , B , AB , and O ), which were discovered by Austrian scientist Karl Landsteiner in 1901. From those groups, the eight most common blood types are derived (A+/A-/B+/B-/AB+/AB-/O+/O-). Although there are rare exceptions to these categories that affect certain individuals with blood disorders, the vast majority of people fall into one of these eight types. The blood type that a person has is inherited from his/her parents, and a person who is in need of a blood transfusion must be given blood from someone with a compatible blood type. How Is Blood Type Determined? Determining one’s blood type can be done with a simple blood test in the doctor’s office. The physician would then inform the patient of his/her blood type once the results are received. Should an Individual Be Responsible for Knowing His/Her Blood Type? While there is no law or regulation that requires each person to know his/her blood type (as this would be ridiculously imp

Avoiding H1N1 Influenza

There are many things that can be done to avoid contracting the Swine flu virus. Some of them are common sense and some of them are absurd and bred out of fear. What needs to be remembered is that this is a flu virus much the same as flu viruses that circulate yearly. And much the same, life must continue and people must utilize strategic and thoughtful ways to avoid, combat, and carry on. Listed below are signs and symptoms of normal life amidst a global flu pandemic . Symptom #1 Rational Thinking and Absence of Panic Turning off the television is an integral step in escaping the fear propagated by hourly updates of Swine flu statistics and potential lack of vaccinations available. There is simply too much information coming in and it is difficult to filter out what is pertinent and what is being used to increase viewership, and what is just plain sensationalistic. So, if turning off the TV and considering that this is a flu virus like any other without succumbing to a panic at

Better Sleep

Achieve better sleep , improve moods and health . Lack of sleep results in an irritable mood and affects behavior. Depression is also more likely with a lack of sleep. Most adults need around eight hours of sleep a night, children need more. Deep sleep is when hormones are released in the body. These hormones fuel growth in children and repair cells and build muscle mass in adults and children. Wake up refreshed by evaluating sleep conditions. Many people are not getting the quality and quantity of sleep they need. Take a look at a few better sleeping tips to make improvements: Don't drink a lot of fluid right before bed. Too much fluid before bed will result in trips to the bathroom during the night. Don't eat a large amount of food right before bed. Digestion problems can interfere with deep sleep. Exercise regularly, but not right before bed. The body takes a while to slow down and relax. Darken the room. Sometimes even a tiny light on an electronic device c

Augmentin

Augmentin is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic from the penicillin group. It works by fighting bacteria in the body. Clavulanate potassium is similar to penicillin. Clavulanate potassium helps fight bacteria that is resistant to other antibiotics and to penicillin. Combined, these drugs form the antibiotic Augmentin, which can be used to treat a wide array of bacterial infections. Contraindication Information About Augmentin Patients with a known history of allergic reactions to any form of penicillin should not take any form of Augmentin. Augmentin is contraindicated in patients with a history of hepatic dysfunction or cholestatic jaundice that is associated with amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium. How to Take Augmentin Augmentin in should be taken exactly as prescribed. Follow the instructions on the prescription label. Augmentin XR (extended release) should never be crushed or chewed. The pill can be broken in half and bo

Appropriately Planned Vegetarian Diet

Studies have confirmed that vegetarian diets do not pose health risks as long as they are "appropriately planned" and in accordance with the dietary guidelines outlined by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Therefore, any potential risks of a vegetarian diet are caused by unhealthy dietary choices that do not meet the ADA nutrient and caloric guidelines. A vegetarian diet that does not meet basic nutrient needs is at risk of protein and vitamin deficiencies. Additionally, a vegetarian diet that does not meet basic caloric requirements poses a risk; recent studies have linked disordered eating, such as anorexia and bulimia, to some individuals who identify themselves as vegetarians. Protein Deficiencies only a Risk for Unhealthy Vegetarian Diets According to the Livestrong.com article "Protein Deficiency Risk with Vegetarian Diet," vegetarians need to include a combination of plant-based protein sources in their diet to ensure that they meet essenti

Avoid Winter Health Hazards

Children and adults play in it while they snowboard , ski , build make-shift igloos and lie on the ground and create angels . Yet, being outdoors in snow, particularly when removing the cold, white stuff from around vehicles, driveways and sidewalks, can pose health risks if people do not use snow removal equipment properly. Safe Removal Health Hazards Medical News Today reports in their January 23, 2009 “Smart and Safe Snow Shoveling” article that annually over 100,000 people in North America alone are injured removing snow using a shovel or snow blower. The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that following a December 1982 blizzard in Denver, Colorado where 24-36 inches of heavy snow covered the area, 26 people visited hospitals due to injuries related to using a snow blower. Fourteen of these 26 injured persons had a limb amputated while using a snow blower. Shoveling snow can also present its own set of health hazards. Each year people run the risk

Swine Flu Vaccine

The swine flu vaccine is being ushered out five months after H1N1 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Health care workers and emergency responders will be among the first to receive the vaccine. The government is expected to give out 25 million doses by the end of 2009. Swine Flu Vaccine Safety Since the swine flu vaccine was rushed out in record time, people have concerns over the safety of the product. Health officials have stated, though, that testing was thorough and corners were not cut to get the vaccine out in time. Concerns over rare side effects, such as Guillian-Barre syndrome, that occurred from the 1976 swine flu vaccine, are legitimate because it is impossible to know in advance what rare side effects may occur from a vaccine. However, officials have stressed that the 1976 vaccine was a less purified version and Guillian-Barre paralysis affected 2 out of every 100,000 people. The swine flu vaccine will be monitored closely for side effects