Health & Nutrition Facts for Bodybuilders

According to the Mayo Clinic , prior to the availability of a chickenpox vaccine , 4 million children in the US contracted chickenpox annually. Chickenpox hospitalized nearly 11,000 people and killed 100 people per year. Since the introduction of a vaccine in 1995, cases of chickenpox have plummeted dramatically. Yet a new study indicates that the chickenpox virus has now been potentially linked as a protector against a particular skin condition and even asthma, calling into question the issue of recommended vaccination. The Varicella Zoster Virus or VZV and Vaccine – The Latest News A recent study published in the August 2010 edition of the The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , claims to have revealed that children exposed to VZV or the varicella vaccine may be less likely to develop or be diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD or eczema) and asthma in later years than children not exposed to the disease. The study, an "Association Between Varicella Zoster V

Bruising , a reddish or purple discoloration under the skin, most often results from trauma to the small blood vessels, called capillaries, but can also occur spontaneously. How and Why Bruises Occur Blood leaks out of the capillaries and accumulates under the skin, gradually absorbing over several days. Bruising most often occurs because people run into objects or experience other trauma. Most bruising is easily explained, but frequent bruising that occurs without obvious cause needs prompt investigation, since several serious diseases can cause bruising. In general, women bruise more easily than men. How Aging Increases the Risk of Easy Bruising Bruising increases as people age for several reasons. Skin thins as people age and the capillaries become more fragile. The layer of fat that cushions blood vessels and protects them from injury becomes thinner as well. Older people often take medications and supplements that thin the blood and contribute to easy bruising. Visi

Crohn’s disease describes an illness where the gastrointestinal tract of humans becomes chronically inflamed and easily irritated. Ulcers commonly develop in the intestines of people with Crohn’s disease, which leads to s sensitivity to certain foods, frequent diarrhea, and bloody stool. The Crohn 's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) estimates that up to 500,000 people in the United States suffer from Crohn's disease. Crohn’s Disease Symptoms and Diagnosis The primary symptoms of Crohn ’s disease are the same symptoms that classify most intestinal diseases—abdominal pain and diarrhea. Because there is no one symptom that clearly indicates the presence of Crohn’s disease, the National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends a detailed personal history, physical examination, and significant laboratory testing. Beyond abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea, victims of Crohn’s may experience blood in stool samples, weight-loss, skin issues, and fevers (NIH). Frequen

Depression is the most common psychological disorder among American adults with over 15 million being affected by the illness in a given year. According to the PBS.org production, "Out of the Shadows," approximately 80% of those suffering from depression are not receiving any treatment. Often a result of a combination of chemical imbalances in the brain and environmental factors, depression is a serious disorder than can affect every aspect of life for those caught in its grasps, from weight gain, to job performance, to relationships with loved ones. There are several emotional and physical symptoms that can accompany depression and signify the need to seek professional help. What Causes Depression? Research has indicated that depression is a disorder of the brain. This research, as outlined in the August 20, 2007 Science Daily article, "Depression: Brain Imaging Reveals Breakdown of Normal Emotional Processing," has shown that the brains of depressed pati

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) estimated in a 2007 report that about 1,100 suicides each year were college related. the 2005 National College Health Assessment found that 25 percent of 17,000 surveyed students admitted to feeling “so depressed it was difficult to function” three to eight times during that surveyed year. Where did the college atmosphere of “Animal House” and “Van Wilder” and “Old School” disappear to? When did it funnel down like copious amounts of alcohol into the deep, dark belly of depression? The Right to the Pursuit of Perfection In the movies, a college student's biggest worry is whether he'll have to ruin his bedsheet for a toga and sleep on the bare mattress all semester. In real life, the world is severely altered. Bedsheets are superfluous when a final project due in December looms heavily even in August. “Many students find college more academically demanding than they anticipated and feel stressed or anxious ab

Refractive clear lens extraction replaces a natural lens with an artificial one to improve vision. Complications are rare and similar to those associated with cataract surgery. Along with the cornea, the lens of the eye focuses light on the retina. If this focusing system doesn’t work well, the result can be nearsightedness ( myopia ) or farsightedness ( hyperopia ). Options for treating these types of poor eyesight include glasses, contact lenses, refractive eye surgery such as LASIK and, particularly for myopia, replacement of the lens with one selected to improve focus. Lens replacement surgery is the same as cataract surgery except the removed lens is clear, its ability to function hindered only by its poor focusing ability. By contrast, a lens affected by a cataract is cloudy. Because glasses and contact lenses can usually provide similar improvements to vision, refractive clear lens extraction is considered a form of cosmetic surgery. It usually is performed to treat people

Medications have been a part of life since time began. There are some safe natural medications to be taken and some not so safe, highly controversial drugs being prescribed. Now, these same health risk drugs are being prescribed to help cure other health problems. Below are some of the top medications, used for double duty, that doctors are giving their patients. Finasteride or Propecia May Cause Cancer Finasteride , also known as Propecia , is a hair-loss drug. The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Urological Association are recommending that the millions of men, age 55 and older, ask their doctor about finasteride . In recent studies, taking this drug has shown that it wards off prostate cancer. In a study of 18,000 men done in 2003, finasteride cut the risk of prostate cancer by 8 percent. The down side to this drug is that it will cost an average of $90 per month. Not only that, the use of this drug may lead to high-grade cancers. While the proponents

It is very important to begin treatment to correct lazy eye in children as early as possible. Doing so can help prevent vision loss. The medical term for lazy eye is amblyopia . According to the National Eye Institute, amblyopia affects nearly 3 out of every 100 children. If left untreated, this condition can lead to blindness in the effected eye. In order for a person to have good vision, the eyes and the brain must work together in synchronization. Sometimes, the brain will only respond to the signals from one eye. When this happens, the vision in other eye tends to become weak, causing it to involuntarily turn in or outward. Baby Eyeglasses In some cases, corrective lenses are prescribed to help correct lazy eye in a baby. Eyeglasses are most often used if the condition is caused by farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, according to Mayo Clinic. For this purpose, the eyeglasses will have a blurry lens for the eye that has the best vision and muscle coordination.

Facial augmentation procedures are growing in commonality and the appearance of ones face can be balanced with a simple day procedure. Two of those procedures growing in popularity are chin and cheek augmentations. Chin Augmentation Ideal chin positions for women are 1 - 2mm behind the furthest projection of the lower lip and for men, meeting the furthest projection or slightly ahead of it. On a case by case basis this rule is adjusted to take into account the nose measurements and cheeks to ensure that the face isn't thrown "off Balance" by a too dramatic alteration. There are a number of ways that Chin augmentations are performed. Most commonly an incision is made on the inside of the mouth inside the bottom lip and a silicone strip is added just above the chin bone. A similar result can be achieved by cutting the chin bone and repositioning the chin. This procedure is considered more invasive and required more time to heal. Cheek Augmentation Cheek au