Archive for December, 2010
Putting Together Pieces Of The Heart Disease Puzzle
Despite many advances in heart disease, it continues to be a large public health threat in the United States.
More than 70 million Americans have heart disease. One American dies from heart disease every 34 seconds. Nearly half of the population will suffer a heart attack or stroke in his or her lifetime. As the American population ages, the number of people with heart disease will likely increase.
But, there is good news in all of these numbers. The way doctors treat heart disease is starting to change. For example, we now know that heart disease most often occurs because of a number of risk factors. Doctors are starting to look at the cardiovascular system as a whole, in an effort to prevent heart disease, rather than treating one risk factor at a time.
And patients can play a big role, too. You have to ask the right questions, provide the correct information and work with your health care professional to make sure that you understand what the information means to you personally.
Think of risk factors as pieces of a puzzle. When put together, the pieces can help show you your chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke in the future. Each person’s risk factor puzzle fits together differently.
In addition to the factors related to family history and behavior, recent research suggests there may be other risk factors to consider, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP, a protein made by the liver, is a marker of inflammation in the body. Though the role of CRP in heart disease is still unclear, recent data suggest levels of CRP may predict risk for heart attack. If you have several risk factors for heart disease, your doctor may recommend a test to check your CRP level.
It’s important to keep track of your risk factors and know what they might mean for you. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Take control of your own unique health puzzle. Ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk, making lifestyle changes and taking medication if needed-particularly if you have one or more risk factors. You may be able to prevent heart disease before it strikes.
Acne And The Changes In Girls During Puberty
During puberty, girls go through many changes some physical and some psychological. These changes include fat distribution, menstruation, body composition, body and facial hair growth, growth spurts, skin changes and body odor. During puberty the body physically changes as the fat tissue increases in the breasts, hips, and thighs, producing the typical female shape. With all these changes in girls during puberty, what effect does acne have on girls during this difficult and emotional time?
Acne can increase the physical and emotional stress that girls experience during puberty. The severity and likelihood of acne is one of the many changes in girls during puberty due to the increased oil secretions in the skin. Mood swings, increased irritability and feelings of low self esteem can also be experienced by girls during puberty. Even girls who have been self confident can suffer from low self esteem when puberty starts.
These changes in girls during puberty can be more severe if she also suffers from acne. There are steps you can take to help lessen the problems of acne, which may help girls during this difficult time.
Practical Acne Treatments For Girls…
Proper skin care is the first step in dealing with acne. There are many skin care products on the market that may help with acne. Gently washing the face twice a day is the first place to start. Be sure to select a cleanser that contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur, as they kill the bacteria that cause acne. Gentle cleansing is important so don’t wash too often or scrub the face with harsh cleansers.
It is also important to use non-comedogenic products when trying to control acne. Non-comedogenic products are less likely to cause acne, blackheads or block the pores of the skin. There are many non-comedogenic products available, such as makeup, moisturizers, lip stick, and even acne medicated makeup.
It is a good idea to visit a dermatologist if acne can not be controlled with over-the-counter medications as he can prescribe the best solution.
Acne in addition to all the changes in girls during puberty can take a physical and mental toll. There are many acne treatments available today so one should not despair. The onset of acne during puberty represents another challenge for young women to overcome.