Everyone loses hair every day. Doctors even say that it is normal to lose 100 strands daily. Still, many worry when it comes to hair loss. There are reasons why some should worry especially if a person has a hair disease. Common hair diseases that are related to scalp infections are either caused by fungus, virus or bacteria.
Infections
Tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp is one of the most common diseases that affect the hair. It is a ring-shaped patch that is red on the sides and the center is usually light in color. This spot is scaly and inflamed. It may even have blisters filled with liquid or pus which may ooze.
The fungus spreads to the hair follicle which causes the hair to be brittle and fall out. Some of them are the Microsporum audouinii fungus which is the most common cause of ringworm, Microsporum gypseum which is carried by pets (mostly cats), Trichophyton tonsurans which can be found in US and Latin American Countries, Trichophyton schoenleinii in Southern Europe, Trichophyton megninii in Africa, and Trichophyton violaceum in the Middle East.
This infection goes away without treatment if the fungus is mild. To totally eliminate the chances of this infection to recur, it is best to take medication prescribed by a physician. You can take Griseofulvin or other anti-fungal drugs like Terbinafine, Itraconazole, and Fluconazole that treat ringworm.
Alopecia Areata
This is a hair disease that can be diagnosed with a gentle tug on a lump of hair near the infected area. This condition makes an affected person lose hair in patches and of different sizes. The person´s immune system attacks the hair follicles causing the patches. Around 0.1 - 0.2% individuals all over the world has this case. It is not contagious and is more common in females.
Some types of alopecia areata are: areata totalis, alopecia areata universalis, alopecia areata monocularis and alopecia areata multilocularis. These types vary by number and areas of spots affected.
Some patients prefer to grow hair naturally and without treatment if the affected area is small. Some take medications like corticosteroids which can be injected or applied to the affected areas. Topical drugs like rogaine or minoxidil are topical sensitizers that are used to treat the condition and cause hair growth.
Scarring Alopecia
This disease is one of the major causes of hair loss around the world. Also known as cicatricial alopecia, this condition affects men and women from all age group. This is a medical condition where the hair follicles are inflamed due to infection.
It starts in small patches which gradually expand. Most cases go unnoticed but there are few instances when the patches hurt, itch or have a burning sensation. It appears red in color which may be lighter or darker than the normal skin.
This condition should be studied carefully by getting a sample tissue or biopsy since this condition presents itself under the skin. Through biopsy, the severity and the cause of scarring alopecia will be determined.
Immediate treatment is needed to prevent irreversible damage to the hair follicle. Treatment is extensive and should be maintained by an individual affected with this condition. Usually, doctors prescribe antibiotics or topical creams. Injections can be used to treat the affected skin for faster results.
Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=482076&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
Friday, March 5, 2010
Weight Loss Reviews - Know the Key Secret of the Best Slimming Program
Out of the hundreds of weight loss programs out there, you can be sure that there’s one that will suit you best. However, finding the right one can be downright confusing and frustrating. Is it any wonder that time and again, diet programs fail and you’re in a much terrible condition than when you first started?
Every new diet program on the block claim they are better than the rest yet fail to emphasize where and how they should be used.
The question most asked by failed weight losers is: why is it so tiresome and frustrating to find the best weight loss regimen THAT WILL WORK?
The answer is surprisingly simple: diets don’t work because they are too restricting. They limit your food intake. Man needs to feed on a variety of food in order to function normally and survive. When you go on a strict diet, your body sends out a lot of warning signals that says it’s not getting enough!
No To starvation Diets
Look for a weight loss program that doesn’t advocate a crash diet. Avoid those revolutionary diets where you have to divest yourself of your favorite food and have to go hungry throughout the program.
The best slimming programs will allow you to eat the right amount of food, enough to make you function and exercise normally without feeling weak and famished. The best program is one that will make you lose weight safely.
That’s the bottom line. The best weight loss program should promote healthy weight loss. It will not allow you to lose weight too fast and it will let the body get the essential nutrients it requires to function normally. This program won’t allow you to go hungry, you’ll swear you're not on a diet at all.
Lose Weight Gradually
Now you might be wondering where on earth can you find such a program where you lose weight safely without starving yourself. Is there really such a program?
Of course, there is. Its rules are really simple. It has no fancy gimmicks, no fad diets and no long hours in the gym. If you want to shed those pounds safely, and keep it off, you need a well-balanced program that includes eating a proper diet and the right exercises.
The safest way to lose weight is to lose it safely and at a moderate pace. Rapid weight loss produces undesirable effects on the body. If you shed weight too fast, you have the tendency to gain it back sooner or later.
If you are still allowed to eat your favorite foods, this means your body is not deprived of its essential building blocks. On the other hand, starvation diets lets you eat only the foods they allow and lets you go famished all the time. Starving yourself can make you slip and send you on an eating binge.
The Big Secret
The secret of the best weight loss program lies in burning off what you have consumed. If you ate a lot of fried chicken, then the best way to compensate for it is to burn off the excess calories through exercise. That’s it. That’s the big secret.
Don’t be lazy to exercise so there won’t be an accumulation of fat in your body. This is the best weight loss formula. Eat well and exercise. Avoid exercise and you will remain overweight for the rest of your life.
Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=490573&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
Every new diet program on the block claim they are better than the rest yet fail to emphasize where and how they should be used.
The question most asked by failed weight losers is: why is it so tiresome and frustrating to find the best weight loss regimen THAT WILL WORK?
The answer is surprisingly simple: diets don’t work because they are too restricting. They limit your food intake. Man needs to feed on a variety of food in order to function normally and survive. When you go on a strict diet, your body sends out a lot of warning signals that says it’s not getting enough!
No To starvation Diets
Look for a weight loss program that doesn’t advocate a crash diet. Avoid those revolutionary diets where you have to divest yourself of your favorite food and have to go hungry throughout the program.
The best slimming programs will allow you to eat the right amount of food, enough to make you function and exercise normally without feeling weak and famished. The best program is one that will make you lose weight safely.
That’s the bottom line. The best weight loss program should promote healthy weight loss. It will not allow you to lose weight too fast and it will let the body get the essential nutrients it requires to function normally. This program won’t allow you to go hungry, you’ll swear you're not on a diet at all.
Lose Weight Gradually
Now you might be wondering where on earth can you find such a program where you lose weight safely without starving yourself. Is there really such a program?
Of course, there is. Its rules are really simple. It has no fancy gimmicks, no fad diets and no long hours in the gym. If you want to shed those pounds safely, and keep it off, you need a well-balanced program that includes eating a proper diet and the right exercises.
The safest way to lose weight is to lose it safely and at a moderate pace. Rapid weight loss produces undesirable effects on the body. If you shed weight too fast, you have the tendency to gain it back sooner or later.
If you are still allowed to eat your favorite foods, this means your body is not deprived of its essential building blocks. On the other hand, starvation diets lets you eat only the foods they allow and lets you go famished all the time. Starving yourself can make you slip and send you on an eating binge.
The Big Secret
The secret of the best weight loss program lies in burning off what you have consumed. If you ate a lot of fried chicken, then the best way to compensate for it is to burn off the excess calories through exercise. That’s it. That’s the big secret.
Don’t be lazy to exercise so there won’t be an accumulation of fat in your body. This is the best weight loss formula. Eat well and exercise. Avoid exercise and you will remain overweight for the rest of your life.
Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=490573&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Workstation Health And Fitness For RSI
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is now a major industrial disease affecting millions of people around the world. RSI includes conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis and tendinitis - often collectively referred to as upper limb disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational overuse syndrome (OOS), computer related injuries or cumulative trauma disorders, or CTD. Often the posotion of workstations and the design of the pc and accessories can affect how our health and safety.
1. Workstation Ergonomics
A well designed workstation is essential to maintaining good posture and reducing the risk of lower back pain and other computer related injuries.
2. Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice
There are quite a few ergonomically designed keyboards and mice available. The Microsoft Natural Keyboard is one example. This keyboard splits the keys into two panels - one for each hand, and angles each panel so that the hands sit naturally on the keyboard, rather than requiring them to be twisted into an unnatural position which is the case with normal keyboards. Many mice are now designed to fit neatly into either hand, and can often have a scrolling wheel, which can make scrolling through documents easier and less stressful than using scroll bars.
These ergonomic devices are generally more expensive than standard designs, but can be well worth the investment.
3. Ergonomic Use of Keyboards and Mice
The computer mouse was originally designed to make using a computer easier - it is much easier to point at a picture and click than to learn a relatively complicated series of keystrokes. However, research has shown that using a mouse is a significant cause of repetitive strain injury. Especially if the mouse is located at the same level and to the side of the keyboard - it's usual location. This requires extending your arm which introduces significant tensions and stresses in your arm, shoulder and neck.
The best position for your mouse is on a raised platform slightly above the numeric keypad on your computer. Also, if you reduce the speed of the mouse and the number of clicks you have to make you can greatly reduce the muscle tension in your arm and hand. Additionally, you can swap the primary and secondary mouse buttons (the left and right buttons), to change the mouse from being right handed to left handed. Using your left hand - or right hand if you are left handed - can take some getting used to, but can be very helpful if you are suffering from any aches and pains in one hand. Regularly alternating between left and right hands can also give your arms and hands a rest, thus minimizing the risk of developing any RSI condition. You can swap the mouse buttons using the Mouse applet in the Windows Control Panel - or directly from the Stress Buster context menu - with fewer mouse clicks and/or key strokes.
To reduce the mouse speed, open the Mouse applet in the Windows Control Panel, select the tab Pointer Options and move the pointer speed slider to the left to slow. Click OK.
To reduce the number of clicks you have to make, open the My Computer icon, then select Tools, Folder Options, and then under Click Items As Follows, choose Single-click to open an item.
If you can you should avoid using the mouse as much as possible. Most actions and commands can be carried out using keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse. For example, to reduce the number of clicks you have to make with your mouse - as described above, you could use the following keyboard shortcuts:
1. Press the button on your keyboard to open the Windows Start Menu.
2. Use the arrow keys to select My Computer (or the alternative name you may have given to your computer), and then press Enter or Return. This will open an explorer window for your computer.
3. Hold down the Alt key and press "T" to open the Tools menu, then press "O" to open Folder Options.
4. In Folder Options, hold down the Alt key, and press "S". This will select the option Single-click to open an item.
5. Press Enter or Return to close the Folder Options dialog.
Windows Help provides extensive help on using keyboard shortcuts with Windows. Individual applications such as Microsoft Office also have their own keyboard shortcuts - with the appropriate help. Learning keyboard shortcuts can take some time, but once learnt, using them tends to be faster than using the mouse, and avoids much of the discomfort associated with the mouse.
4. Rest Breaks
All ergonomic experts agree that taking frequent rest breaks is essential to avoid the risk of computer related injuries.
You should take frequent "eye breaks" - staring at a computer monitor for long periods causes you to blink less often - resulting in dryer eyes. Every 10 to 15 minutes you should look away from your monitor and blink your eyes rapidly for a few seconds. This will refresh the tear film and clear any dust from the surface of the eyes. Additionally you should focus on something at a distance - preferably 20 feet or more away - look out of the window if you can - this will relax the muscles inside the eye.
You should take frequent short pauses or "micro pauses" - for 10 seconds or so up to a minute - every 10 minutes or thereabouts. You should take regular short breaks - for 5 minutes or more - every hour or so - maybe go for a coffee or a short walk around the office, and you should take a long break every two or three hours - for at least 15 minutes, or preferably 30 minutes to an hour. Exactly how long and how frequent your breaks are depends on your own personal preferences and working environment.
5. Stretching Exercises
Regular stretching is an essential part of RSI prevention and recovery, remember that your body is not designed to be sat at a desk for 8 hours a day clicking a mouse. Respect your body and give it the movement and range of motion it normally expects.
6. Posture
Good posture is essential to avoid repetitive strain injury and other computer related injuries. Well designed workstation ergonomics can help in maintaining a good posture.
* Make sure that you can reach the keyboard with your wrists as flat as possible (not twisted up or down) and straight (not twisted left or right). An ergonomic keyboard can help to keep your wrists straight.
* Make sure that your elbow angle is 90 degrees or more to avoid nerve compression at the elbow.
* Make sure that your upper arm and elbow are as close to the body and as relaxed as possible for mouse use - avoid overreaching. Also make sure that your wrist is as straight as possible when the mouse is being used.
* Make sure that you sit back in the chair and that you have good back support - especially lumber support.
* Make sure that your feet are flat on the floor. Use a foot rest if necessary.
* Make sure that your head and neck are as straight as possible .
* Make sure that you are relaxed. Forcing yourself to sit up straight can sometimes introduce unhealthy tensions in the back muscles.
7. Alternative Input Devices
There are a number of alternative input devices you can use, instead of the mouse and keyboard, which you might find helpful. Examples are the trackball, a graphics table and pen, a touchpad, and even voice control.
RSI is a very serious health risk, especially with the young people who are coming to any industry sector that has continuous use of a PC. You need to take all the actions and preventions necessary to help minimize that risk.
Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1870&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
1. Workstation Ergonomics
A well designed workstation is essential to maintaining good posture and reducing the risk of lower back pain and other computer related injuries.
2. Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice
There are quite a few ergonomically designed keyboards and mice available. The Microsoft Natural Keyboard is one example. This keyboard splits the keys into two panels - one for each hand, and angles each panel so that the hands sit naturally on the keyboard, rather than requiring them to be twisted into an unnatural position which is the case with normal keyboards. Many mice are now designed to fit neatly into either hand, and can often have a scrolling wheel, which can make scrolling through documents easier and less stressful than using scroll bars.
These ergonomic devices are generally more expensive than standard designs, but can be well worth the investment.
3. Ergonomic Use of Keyboards and Mice
The computer mouse was originally designed to make using a computer easier - it is much easier to point at a picture and click than to learn a relatively complicated series of keystrokes. However, research has shown that using a mouse is a significant cause of repetitive strain injury. Especially if the mouse is located at the same level and to the side of the keyboard - it's usual location. This requires extending your arm which introduces significant tensions and stresses in your arm, shoulder and neck.
The best position for your mouse is on a raised platform slightly above the numeric keypad on your computer. Also, if you reduce the speed of the mouse and the number of clicks you have to make you can greatly reduce the muscle tension in your arm and hand. Additionally, you can swap the primary and secondary mouse buttons (the left and right buttons), to change the mouse from being right handed to left handed. Using your left hand - or right hand if you are left handed - can take some getting used to, but can be very helpful if you are suffering from any aches and pains in one hand. Regularly alternating between left and right hands can also give your arms and hands a rest, thus minimizing the risk of developing any RSI condition. You can swap the mouse buttons using the Mouse applet in the Windows Control Panel - or directly from the Stress Buster context menu - with fewer mouse clicks and/or key strokes.
To reduce the mouse speed, open the Mouse applet in the Windows Control Panel, select the tab Pointer Options and move the pointer speed slider to the left to slow. Click OK.
To reduce the number of clicks you have to make, open the My Computer icon, then select Tools, Folder Options, and then under Click Items As Follows, choose Single-click to open an item.
If you can you should avoid using the mouse as much as possible. Most actions and commands can be carried out using keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse. For example, to reduce the number of clicks you have to make with your mouse - as described above, you could use the following keyboard shortcuts:
1. Press the button on your keyboard to open the Windows Start Menu.
2. Use the arrow keys to select My Computer (or the alternative name you may have given to your computer), and then press Enter or Return. This will open an explorer window for your computer.
3. Hold down the Alt key and press "T" to open the Tools menu, then press "O" to open Folder Options.
4. In Folder Options, hold down the Alt key, and press "S". This will select the option Single-click to open an item.
5. Press Enter or Return to close the Folder Options dialog.
Windows Help provides extensive help on using keyboard shortcuts with Windows. Individual applications such as Microsoft Office also have their own keyboard shortcuts - with the appropriate help. Learning keyboard shortcuts can take some time, but once learnt, using them tends to be faster than using the mouse, and avoids much of the discomfort associated with the mouse.
4. Rest Breaks
All ergonomic experts agree that taking frequent rest breaks is essential to avoid the risk of computer related injuries.
You should take frequent "eye breaks" - staring at a computer monitor for long periods causes you to blink less often - resulting in dryer eyes. Every 10 to 15 minutes you should look away from your monitor and blink your eyes rapidly for a few seconds. This will refresh the tear film and clear any dust from the surface of the eyes. Additionally you should focus on something at a distance - preferably 20 feet or more away - look out of the window if you can - this will relax the muscles inside the eye.
You should take frequent short pauses or "micro pauses" - for 10 seconds or so up to a minute - every 10 minutes or thereabouts. You should take regular short breaks - for 5 minutes or more - every hour or so - maybe go for a coffee or a short walk around the office, and you should take a long break every two or three hours - for at least 15 minutes, or preferably 30 minutes to an hour. Exactly how long and how frequent your breaks are depends on your own personal preferences and working environment.
5. Stretching Exercises
Regular stretching is an essential part of RSI prevention and recovery, remember that your body is not designed to be sat at a desk for 8 hours a day clicking a mouse. Respect your body and give it the movement and range of motion it normally expects.
6. Posture
Good posture is essential to avoid repetitive strain injury and other computer related injuries. Well designed workstation ergonomics can help in maintaining a good posture.
* Make sure that you can reach the keyboard with your wrists as flat as possible (not twisted up or down) and straight (not twisted left or right). An ergonomic keyboard can help to keep your wrists straight.
* Make sure that your elbow angle is 90 degrees or more to avoid nerve compression at the elbow.
* Make sure that your upper arm and elbow are as close to the body and as relaxed as possible for mouse use - avoid overreaching. Also make sure that your wrist is as straight as possible when the mouse is being used.
* Make sure that you sit back in the chair and that you have good back support - especially lumber support.
* Make sure that your feet are flat on the floor. Use a foot rest if necessary.
* Make sure that your head and neck are as straight as possible .
* Make sure that you are relaxed. Forcing yourself to sit up straight can sometimes introduce unhealthy tensions in the back muscles.
7. Alternative Input Devices
There are a number of alternative input devices you can use, instead of the mouse and keyboard, which you might find helpful. Examples are the trackball, a graphics table and pen, a touchpad, and even voice control.
RSI is a very serious health risk, especially with the young people who are coming to any industry sector that has continuous use of a PC. You need to take all the actions and preventions necessary to help minimize that risk.
Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1870&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
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