Take care

Teeth

2011-07-31T03:04:00.000-07:00

Importance of teeth

Teeth, you try to preserve them as long as possible by brushing, gargling, flossing etc. But why are they so important? They are obviously needed to chew food and have an invaluable superficial value, but is that it? While most people would say yes, any forensic anthropologist would highly disagree.

Teeth can tell you more information about someone than you would think. For example, to determine the age of a child, an anthropologist looks at the teeth. Since teeth grow and fall out at predictable rate, close approximations are possible. Baby teeth start coming out at seven months and are full grown by two years. At the age of 6-7 years, permanent incisors and first molars begin to erupt. Between the ages of 7 and 8 lateral incisors erupt, canines at 10 and 11, first and second premolars between 9 and 12, and second premolars at 10 at 12. The last teeth to erupt are the third molars, which erupt when someone is between 17-25 years old.

Beside age, anthropologist can also guess someone's race by looking at teeth. To anthropologist, race is broken up to 3 broad racial groups; Caucasoid, Negroid, and Mongoloid. Mongoloids, which also include Asians and Native Americans, have shovel-shaped incisor teeth. Caucasoids have a facial skeleton, which is rough and elongated. Using this knowledge, by looking at the projecting chin around the jaw one can determine someone to be a Caucasoid. In cases of Hawaiian descent, the people have a distinctive-shaped jaw, called a rocker jaw. When the mandible is placed on the table and gently tapped, it will rock because of the rounded jawbone. In the case of Negroids, anthropologist looks not at the teeth themselves but at the bone between the bottom of the nose and the upper teeth to project outward.

Up till now we have been looking at teeth at the physical level, however in certain cases a more detailed analysis of the teeth's components is called for. Teeth are mainly composed of calcium, phosphorus, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. However teeth also contain certain trace elements. These elements can be infused by the body and used to make the human body work properly, but they can also be absorbed. By examining these trace elements invaluable evidence can be discovered.

For example, strontium is an element found in soil that is absorbed particularly into teeth, where thick dental enamel covers and preserves it. Plant-eaters retain more strontium than meat-eaters do and omnivores such as humans who eat both meat and plants have an intermediate level of strontium. Early hominid fossils of Australopithicus robustus were tested for strontium, and the results indicated that these particular ancestors were strictly vegetarians.

By matching the strontium isotopes in teeth with the strontium in soil samples, scientists can locate the source of food. By examining the oxygen isotopes that are absorbed into the human body from the drinking water one can identify an ancient person's origins. For example, a person who spent his or her life drinking rainwater from the South American tropical rain forest will have a different isotope concentration than a person who spent his or her life drinking rainwater that fell on the arctic.

These types of analyses tell us information about history that would previously be unknown. For example, analyzing for lead tells us that lead poisoning was common throughout the ages. Romans had high lead levels from ingesting it from wine vessels and cooking utensils and absorbing it through the skin from women's cosmetics. Lead levels in early American colonists reveal class distinctions. Only the wealthiest people who could afford pewter containers and glazed pottery were poisoning themselves with lead. The poor did not have such high levels in their bones. Who would have thought one could determine this much information just by looking at bones and teeth?

However, in this day and age the most useful and most common use of teeth is identification. Everyone knows that the first thing used in identification is fingerprints. But what if there is no matching fingerprints, or the body was so badly damaged fingerprints couldn't be taken. However, while the body is frail and cannot withstand many mediums, teeth are very strong and can last long after the body does. It is for this reason that teeth are used for identification. Teeth, like fingerprints are very unique in that no two are exactly alike. One can simply look at the teeth indentations and compare them with dental records. Or, teeth x-rays can be compared. Most people have had their teeth x-rayed at the dentist's office and x-rays are very accurate and unique.

So the next time you brush your teeth know that you're saving more than just your smile. You're saving one of the single most important physical things about yourself. Your teeth, if kept well, will last much longer than you will. They will also tell more about you than just about any other single physical thing and all you have to do to keep them is to brush two times a day and floss regularly.

Common Teeth Diseases

Without a doubt, plaque is at the top of the list for teeth diseases. Cavities are close behind and the major reason why people visit a dentist. Halitosis also affects many people. The good news is that they can all be easily treated. The best way to prevent these teeth diseases is to understand what causes them and then provide immediate dental care.

Plaque

Plaque is a soft clear coating that collects on the surface of the teeth. It comes from bacteria that lives in your mouth. Most of the plaque will be scrapped off your teeth by consuming a diet of fibrous and raw foods. Yet, our typical modern day diet contains a lot of processed foods that do not eliminate plaque.

Like many teeth diseases, the most effective method to prevent and stop any plaque is by brushing teeth and flossing on a regular daily basis. Otherwise it builds up to a thick coating known as tartar. Tarter starts an anaerobic respiration on the teeth that creates acids. These acids will eventually cause damage to the tooth's surface and produce cavities.

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Cavities

Cavities are extremely common among tooth diseases and cause damage within the teeth structure. They can be very painful if not treated immediately. You might develop tooth decay and lose teeth. This can happen as food get caught between your teeth and combine with saliva and bacteria in your mouth. This mixture creates plaque and will stick to your teeth. The plaque grows sugar bacterial acids that dissolve the teeth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

New cavities typically do not hurt even as the tooth's surface becomes softener. Treatment involves drilling out the disease and filling it with composite resin, gold or dental amalgam. If this procedure is done when the cavity first develops, it hurts less and is inexpensive to treat.

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Halitosis or Bad Breath

Halitosis is known as bad breath and comes from protein broken down by bacteria inside the mouth. It is caused by pieces of food that are caught between teeth, on the gums and on the tongue. When teeth are not cleaned, this food degrades and creates a bad smell. Foods like cheeses and garlic can produce bad breath.

Other conditions like respiratory infections, gastrointestinal problems, sinusitis and diabetes may create bad breath as well. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily usually stops bad breath and prevents other teeth diseases.

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psoriasis

2011-07-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Psoriasis is a very common condition. The disorder may affect people of any age, but it most commonly begins between ages 15 and 35.

The condition cannot be spread to others.

Psoriasis seems to be passed down through families. Doctors think it probably occurs when the body's immune system mistakes healthy cells for dangerous substances. See also: Inflammatory response

Skin cells grow deep in the skin and normally rise to the surface about once a month. In persons with psoriasis, this process is too fast (about 2 weeks instead of 4 weeks) and dead skin cells build up on the skin's surface.

The following may trigger an attack of psoriasis or make the condition more difficult to treat:

Bacteria or viral infections, including strep throat and upper respiratory infections
Dry air or dry skin
Injury to the skin, including cuts, burns, and insect bites
Some medicines, including antimalaria drugs, beta-blockers, and lithium
Stress
Too little sunlight
Too much sunlight (sunburn)
Too much alcohol

In general, psoriasis may be severe in people who have a weakened immune system. This may include persons who have:

AIDS
Autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
Cancer chemotherapy

Up to one-third of people with psoriasis may also have arthritis, a condition known as psoriatic arthritis.

Symptoms

Psoriasis can appear suddenly or slowly. In many cases, psoriasis goes away and then flares up again repeatedly over time.

People with psoriasis have irritated patches of skin. The redness is most often seen on the elbows, knees, and trunk, but it can appear anywhere on the body. For example, there may be flaky patches on the scalp.

The skin patches or dots may be:

Itchy
Dry and covered with silver, flaky skin (scales)
Pink-red in color (like the color of salmon)
Raised and thick

Other symptoms may include:

Genital lesions in males
Joint pain or aching (psoriatic arthritis)
Nail changes, including nail thickening, yellow-brown spots, dents (pits) on the nail surface, and separation of the nail from the base
Severe dandruff on the scalp

Psoriasis may affect any or all parts of the skin. There are five main types of psoriasis:

Erythrodermic -- The skin redness is very intense and covers a large area.
Guttate -- Small, pink-red spots appear on the skin.
Inverse -- Skin redness and irritation occurs in the armpits, groin, and in between overlapping skin.
Plaque -- Thick, red patches of skin are covered by flaky, silver-white scales. This is the most common type of psoriasis.
Pustular -- White blisters are surrounded by red, irritated skin.

Signs and tests

Your doctor will look at your skin. Diagnosis is usually based on what the skin looks like.

Sometimes, a skin biopsy is done to rule out other possible conditions. If you have joint pain, your doctor may order x-rays.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control your symptoms and prevent infections.

In general, three treatment options are used for patients with psoriasis:

Topical medications such as lotions, ointments, creams, and shampoos
Body-wide (systemic) medications, which are pills or injections that affect the whole body, not just the skin
Phototherapy, which uses light to treat psoriasis

Most cases of psoriasis are treated with medications that are placed directly on the skin or scalp:

Cortisone creams and ointments
Creams or ointments that contain coal tar or anthralin
Creams to remove the scaling (usually salicylic acid or lactic acid)
Dandruff shampoos (over-the-counter or prescription)
Moisturizers
Prescription medicines containing vitamin D or vitamin A (retinoids)

If you have an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

You may try the following self-care at home:

Oatmeal baths may be soothing and may help to loosen scales. You can use over-the-counter oatmeal bath products. Or, you can mix 1 cup of oatmeal into a tub of warm water.
Sunlight may help your symptoms go away. Be careful not to get sunburned.
Relaxation and antistress techniques may be helpful. The link between stress and flares of psoriasis is not well understood, however.

Some people may choose to have phototherapy.

Phototherapy is a medical treatment in which your skin is carefully exposed to ultraviolet light.
Phototherapy may be given alone or after you take a drug that makes the skin sensitive to light.
Phototherapy for psoriasis can be given as ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

Persons with very severe psoriasis may receive medicines to suppress the body's immune response. These medicines includemethotrexate or cyclosporine. (Persons who have psoriatic arthritis may also receive these drugs.) Retinoids such as acitretin can also be used.

Newer drugs called biologics specifically target the body's immune response, which is thought to play a role in psoriasis. These drugs are used when other treatments do not work. Biologics approved for the treatment of psoriasis include:

Adalimumab (Humira)
Alefacept (Amevive)
Etanercept (Enbrel)
Infliximab (Remicade)
Stelara

Dermatitis

2011-07-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin.

Etymology

Dermatitis derives from Greek derma "skin" + -itis "inflammation".

Terminology

There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens. The term may describe eczema, which is also called dermatitis eczema and eczematous dermatitis. An eczema diagnosis often implies atopic dermatitis (which is very common in children and teenagers) but, without proper context, may refer to any kind of skin infection.

In some languages, dermatitis and eczema are synonyms, while in other languages dermatitis implies an acute condition and eczema a chronic one. The two conditions are often classified together.

Classification

Types of dermatitis are classified according to the cause of the condition.

Contact dermatitis is caused by an allergen or an irritating substance. Irritant contact dermatitis accounts for 80% of all cases of contact dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is very common worldwide and increasing in prevalence. It affects males and females equally and accounts for 10%–20% of all referrals to dermatologists. Individuals who live in urban areas with low humidity are more prone to develop this type of dermatitis.

Dermatitis herpetiformis appears as a result of a gastrointestinal condition, known as celiac disease.

Seborrheic dermatitis is more common in infants and in individuals between 30 and 70 years old. It appears to affect primarily men and it occurs in 85% of people suffering from AIDS.

Nummular dermatitis is a less common type of dermatitis, with no known cause and which tends to appear more frequently in middle-age people.

Stasis dermatitis is an inflammation on the lower legs which is caused by buildups of blood and fluid and it is more likely to occur in people with varicose.

Perioral dermatitis is somewhat similar to rosacea; it appears more often in women between 20 and 60 years old.

Signs and symptoms

Dermatitis symptoms vary with all different forms of the condition. They range from skin rashes to bumpy rashes or including blisters. Although every type of dermatitis has different symptoms, there are certain signs that are common for all of them, including redness of the skin, swelling, itching and skin lesions and sometimes oozing and scarring. Also, the area of the skin on which the symptoms appear tends to be different with every type of dermatitis.

The symptoms of contact dermatitis usually appear at the site where the allergen got into contact with the skin. Also, the symptoms of neurodermatitis are limited to a single area, often the neck, wrist, forearm, thigh or ankle. More rarely, the primary symptom of this condition which is itchy skin may appear on the genital area, such as the vulva or scrotum. Symptoms of this type of dermatitis may be very intense and may come and go. Irritant contact dermatitis is usually morepainful than itchy.

Although the symptoms of atopic dermatitis vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are dry, itchy, red skin. Typical affected skin areas include the folds of the arms, the back of the knees, wrists, face and hands. Less commonly there may be cracks behind the ears, and various other rashes on any part of the body. Itching is the primary symptoms of this condition.

Dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms include itching, stinging and a burning sensation. Papules and vesicles are commonly present. The small red bumps experienced in this type of dermatitis are usually about 1 cm in size, red in color and may be found symmetrically grouped or distributed on the upper or lower back, buttocks, elbows, knees, neck, shoulders, and scalp. Less frequently, the rash may appear inside the mouth or near the hairline.

The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the other hand, tend to appear gradually, from dry or greasy scaling of the scalp (dandruff) to hair loss. In severe causes, pimples may appear along the hairline, behind the ears, on the eyebrows, on the bridge of the nose, around the nose, on the chest, and on the upper back. In newborns, the condition causes a thick and yellowish scalp rash, often accompanied by a diaper rash.

Perioral dermatitis refers to a red bumpy rash around the mouth.

Causes

A number of health conditions, allergies, genetic factors and irritants can be responsible for causing dermatitis. There are several types of dermatitis which are distinguished based on the factor that triggers the skin reaction.

Cleaning products like:

skin soaps
detergents
laundry soap or
bleach

may cause contact dermatitis.

This specific type of dermatitis can also be caused by the exposure to allergens such as:

rubber,
metal (nickel),
jewelry,
cosmetics,
fragrances and perfume,
weeds (such as poison ivy) or
a common ingredient found in topical antibiotic creams: neomycin.

Individuals develop this condition due to a brief exposure to the allergen or to a prolonged exposure to an irritant, such as those mentioned above. Generally, people who become sensitive to an allergen will be allergic to it for the rest of their lives.

Dermatitis from exposure to kerosene

Dry skin, chronic irritation, eczema and psoriasis are possible causes of neurodermatitis.

Another type of dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis is usually caused by physical stress, neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or by traveling. Varicose veins and chronic conditions or infections that affect the blood flow in the legs account for potential causes of stasis dermatitis.

The cause of atopic dermatitis is not known, but the disease seems to result from a combination of genetic (hereditary) and environmental factors. Usually, an irritable skin, a poor immune system and a genetic factor are included among the causes of this condition. Although stress does not cause this type of dermatitis, it has been proven to worsen it. Not least, makeup, moisturizers, topical corticosteroids and dental products that contain fluoride may cause perioral dermatitis.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is caused by a gastrointestinal condition called celiac disease. Celiac disease often results after the ingestion of aliments that contain gluten.

Treatment

Treatment of dermatitis is made accordingly with the particular cause of the disease. Creams that contain corticosteroids, wet compresses and avoiding the allergens and irritants are part of most treatment plans. For some types of dermatitis, nonsteroidal medications may help relieve signs and symptoms. And for all types of dermatitis, occasional use of over-the-counter antihistamines can reduce itching.

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Scabies

2011-07-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

Scabies is an easily spread skin disease caused by a very small species of mite.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Scabies is found worldwide among people of all groups and ages. It is spread by direct contact with infected people, and less often by sharing clothing or bedding. Sometimes whole families are affected.

Outbreaks of scabies are more common in nursing homes, nursing facilities, and child care centers.

The mites that cause scabies burrow into the skin and deposit their eggs, forming a burrow that looks like a pencil mark. Eggs mature in 21 days. The itchy rash is an allergic response to the mite.

Scabies is spread by skin-to-skin contact with another person who has scabies.

Pets and animals cannot spread human scabies. It is also not very likely for scabies to be spread by:

A swimming pool
Contact with the towels, bedding, and clothing of someone who has scabies, unless the person has what is called "crusted scabies"

Symptoms

Itching, especially at night
Rashes, especially between the fingers
Sores (abrasions) on the skin from scratching and digging
Thin, pencil-mark lines on the skin

Mites may be more widespread on a baby's skin, causing pimples over the trunk, or small blisters over the palms and soles.

In young children, the head, neck, shoulders, palms, and soles are involved.
In older children and adults, the hands, wrists, genitals, and abdomen are involved.

Signs and tests

Examination of the skin shows signs of scabies. Tests include an examination under the microscope of skin scrapings taken from a burrow to look for the mites. A skin biopsy can also be done.

Treatment

Prescription medicated creams are commonly used to treat scabies infections. The most commonly used cream is permethrin 5%. Other creams include benzyl benzoate, sulfur in petrolatum, and crotamiton. Lindane is rarely used because of its side effects.

Creams are applied all over the body. The whole family or sexual partners of infected people should be treated, even if they do not have symptoms. Creams are applied as a one-time treatment or they may be repeated in 1 week.

Wash underwear, towels, and sleepwear in hot water. Vacuum the carpets and upholstered furniture.

For difficult cases, some health care providers may also prescribe medication taken by mouth to kill the scabies mites. Ivermectin is a pill that may be used.

Itching may continue for 2 weeks or more after treatment begins, but it will disappear if you follow your health care provider's treatment plan. You can reduce itching with cool soaks and calamine lotion. Your doctor may also recommend an oral antihistamine.

Expectations (prognosis)

Most cases of scabies can be cured without any long-term problems. A severe case with a lot of scaling or crusting may be a sign that the person has a disease such as HIV.

Complications

Intense scratching can cause a secondary skin infection, such as impetigo.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

You have symptoms of scabies
A person you have been in close contact with has been diagnosed with scabies

Prevention

Avoid contact with infected persons and use this medicine.

Conjunctivitis ( Pink Eye)

2011-07-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

Conjunctivitis (also called pink eye or madras eye) refers to inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids). It is most commonly due to an infection (usually viral, but sometimes bacterial) or an allergic reaction.

By cause

Allergic conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis
Chemical conjunctivitis
Neonatal conjunctivitis is often defined separately due to different organisms

By extent of involvement

Blepharoconjunctivitis is the dual combination of conjunctivitis with blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).

Keratoconjunctivitis is the combination of conjunctivitis and keratitis (corneal inflammation).

Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition that produces a similar appearance to conjunctivitis, but without discharge or tearing.

Signs and symptoms

Eye with allergic conjunctivitis

Eyes with conjunctivitis

An eye, red due to acute conjunctivitis.

An eye with bacterial conjunctivitis.

Red eye (hyperaemia), irritation (chemosis) and watering (epiphora) of the eyes are symptoms common to all forms of conjunctivitis. However, the pupils should be normally reactive and the visual acuity normal.

Viral

Viral conjunctivitis is often associated with an infection of the upper respiratory tract, a common cold, and/or a sore throat. Its symptoms include watery discharge and variable itch. The infection usually begins with one eye, but may spread easily to the other.

Viral conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye", shows a fine, diffuse pinkness of the conjunctiva, which is easily mistaken for the ciliary injection of iritis, but there are usually corroborative signs on microscopy, particularly numerous lymphoid follicles on the tarsal conjunctiva, and sometimes a punctate keratitis.

Bacterial

Bacterial conjunctivitis due to common pyogenic (pus-producing) bacteria causes marked grittiness/irritation and a stringy, opaque, greyish or yellowish mucopurulent discharge that may cause the lids to stick together, especially after sleep. Another symptom that could be caused by bacterial conjunctivitis is severe crusting of the infected eye and the surrounding skin. However, contrary to popular belief, discharge is not essential to the diagnosis. Bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Moraxella can cause a non-exudative but persistent conjunctivitis without much redness. The gritty and/or scratchy feeling is sometimes localized enough for patients to insist they must have a foreign body in the eye. The more acute pyogenic infections can be painful. Like viral conjunctivitis, it usually affects only one eye but may spread easily to the other eye. However, it is dormant in the eye for three days before the patient shows signs of symptoms.Corynebacterium diphtheriaecauses membrane formation in conjunctiva of non immunized children and very rare disease called Acute membrane conjunctivitis

Chemical

Chemical eye injury is due to either an acidic or alkali substance getting in the eye. Alkalis are typically worse than acidic burns. Mild burns will produce conjunctivitis while more severe burns may cause the cornea to turn white. Litmus paper is an easy way to rule out the diagnosis by verifying that the pH is within the normal range of 7.0—7.2. Large volumes of irrigation is the treatment of choice and should continue until the pH is 6—8. Local anaesthetic eye drops can be used to decrease the pain.

Irritant or toxic conjunctivitis show primarily marked redness. If due to splash injury, it is often present only in the lower conjunctival sac. With some chemicals, above all with caustic alkalis such assodium hydroxide, there may be necrosis of the conjunctiva with a deceptively white eye due to vascular closure, followed by sloughing of the dead epithelium. This is likely to be associated with slit-lamp evidence of anterior uveitis.

Other

Inclusion conjunctivitis of the newborn (ICN) is a conjunctivitis that may be caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, and may lead to acute, purulent conjunctivitis. However, it is usually self-healing.

Conjunctivitis is identified by irritation and redness of the conjunctiva. Except in obvious pyogenic or toxic/chemical conjunctivitis, a slit lamp (biomicroscope) is needed to have any confidence in the diagnosis. Examination of the tarsal conjunctiva is usually more diagnostic than the bulbar conjunctiva.

Causes

Conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by viral infection, but bacterial infections, allergies, other irritants and dryness are also common etiologies for its occurrence. Both bacterial and viral infections are contagious. Commonly, conjunctival infections are passed from person-to-person, but can also spread through contaminated objects or water.

The most common cause of viral conjunctivitis is adenoviruses. Herpetic keratoconjunctivitis (caused by herpes simplex viruses) can be serious and requires treatment with acyclovir. Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is a highly contagious disease caused by one of two enteroviruses, Enterovirus 70 and Coxsackievirus A24. These were first identified in an outbreak in Ghana in 1969, and have spread worldwide since then, causing several epidemics.

Diagnosis

Cultures are done infrequently because most cases of conjunctivitis are treated empirically and (eventually) successfully, but often only after running the gamut of the common possibilities.

Swabs for bacterial culture are necessary if the history and signs suggest bacterial conjunctivitis, but there is no response to topical antibiotics. Research studies indicate many bacteria implicated in low-grade conjunctivitis are not detected by the usual culture methods of medical microbiology labs, so false negative results are common. Viral culture may be appropriate in epidemic case clusters. Conjunctival scrapes for cytology can be useful in detectingchlamydial and fungal infections, allergy and dysplasia, but are rarely done because of the cost and the general lack of laboratory staff experienced in handling ocular specimens. Conjunctival incisional biopsy is occasionally done whengranulomatous diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis) or dysplasia are suspected.

The redness and swelling of viral, environmental, or allergic conjunctivitis can really disrupt your day.

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Skin Disease

2011-07-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological symptoms.

In plaque psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint.

The disorder is a chronic recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated symptom. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Between 10% and 40% of all people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis.

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to have a genetic component and local psoriatic changes can be triggered by an injury to the skin known as the Koebner phenomenon see Koebnerisin. Various environmental factors have been suggested as aggravating to psoriasis, including stress, withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid, as well as other environmental factors, but few have shown statistical significance. There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature, psoriasis is a challenge to treat.

Signs and symptoms

Cause

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. There are two main hypotheses about the process that occurs in the development of the disease. The first considers psoriasis as primarily a disorder of excessive growth and reproduction of skin cells. The problem is simply seen as a fault of the epidermis and its keratinocytes. The second hypothesis sees the disease as being an immune-mediated disorder in which the excessive reproduction of skin cells is secondary to factors produced by the immune system. T cells (which normally help protect the body against infection) become active, migrate to the dermis and trigger the release of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNFα, in particular) which cause inflammation and the rapid production of skin cells. It is not known what initiates the activation of the T cells.

The immune-mediated model of psoriasis has been supported by the observation that immunosuppressant medications can clear psoriasis plaques. However, the role of the immune system is not fully understood, and it has recently been reported that an animal model of psoriasis can be triggered in mice lacking T cells. Animal models, however, reveal only a few aspects resembling human psoriasis.

Compromised skin barrier function has a role in psoriasis susceptibility.

Psoriasis is a fairly idiosyncratic disease. The majority of people's experience of psoriasis is one in which it may worsen or improve for no apparent reason. Studies of the factors associated with psoriasis tend to be based on small (usually hospital based) samples of individuals. These studies tend to suffer from representative issues, and an inability to tease out causal associations in the face of other (possibly unknown) intervening factors. Conflicting findings are often reported. Nevertheless, the first outbreak is sometimes reported following stress (physical and mental), skin injury, and streptococcal infection. Conditions that have been reported as accompanying a worsening of the disease include infections, stress, and changes in season and climate. Certain medicines, including lithium salt, beta blockers and the antimalarial drug chloroquine have been reported to trigger or aggravate the disease. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity may exacerbate psoriasis or make the management of the condition difficult or perhaps these comorbidities are effects rather than causes. Hairspray, some face creams and hand lotions, can also cause an outbreak of psoriasis. In 1975, Stefania Jablonska and collaborators advanced a new theory that special antibodies tend to break through into the lower layers of the skin and set up a complex series of chemical reactions.

Individuals suffering from the advanced effects of the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, often exhibit psoriasis. This presents a paradox to researchers, as traditional therapies that reduce T-cell counts generally cause psoriasis to improve. Yet, as CD4-T-cell counts decrease with the progression of HIV, psoriasis worsens. In addition, HIV is typically characterized by a strong Th2 cytokine profile, whereas psoriasis vulgaris is characterized by a strong Th1 secretion pattern. It is hypothesized that the diminished CD4-T-Cell presence causes an overactivation of CD8-T-cells, which are responsible for the exacerbation of psoriasis in HIV positive patients. It is important to remember that most individuals with psoriasis are otherwise healthy, and the presence of HIV accounts for less than 1% of cases. The prevalence of psoriasis in the HIV positive population ranges from 1 to 6 percent, which is about three times higher than the normal population. Psoriasis in AIDS sufferers is often severe, and untreatable with conventional therapy.

Psoriasis occurs more likely in dry skin than oily or well-moisturized skin, and specifically after an external skin injury such as a scratch or cut (see Koebner phenomenon). This is believed to be caused by an infection, in which the infecting organism thrives under dry skin conditions with minimal skin oil, which otherwise protects skin from infections. The case for psoriasis is opposite to the case of athlete's foot, which occurs because of a fungus infection under wet conditions as opposed to dry in psoriasis. This infection induces inflammation, which causes the symptoms commonly associated with psoriasis, such as itching and rapid skin turnover, and leads to drier skin, as the infecting organism absorbs the moisture that would otherwise go to the skin. To prevent dry skin and reduce psoriasis symptoms, it is advised to not use shower scrubs, as they not only damage skin by leaving tiny scratches, but they also scrape off the naturally occurring skin oil. It is recommended to use talc powder after washing, as that helps absorb excess moisture which would otherwise go to the infecting agent. Additionally, moisturizers can be applied to moisturize the skin, and lotions used to promote skin oil gland functions.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin; there are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures. Sometimes, a skin biopsy, or scraping, may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis. Skin from a biopsy will show clubbed rete pegs if positive for psoriasis.

some suggested product by doctor from Skin Disease.....

Eye

2011-07-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes.

As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth. The human eye can distinguish about 10 million colors.

In common with the eyes of other mammals, the human eye's non-image-forming photosensitive ganglion cells in the retina receive the light signals which affect adjustment of the size of the pupil, regulation and suppression of the hormone melatonin and entrainment of the body clock.

Importance of EYE :

Eyes are really important. It makes us see all things may it ugly or pretty.

Close your eyes and imagine you have not seen ever since the world and yourself. You will not have an idea with what it looks like when you only feel it. Eyes are very important for the human body. It helps the human body to do its tasks with coordination. Without it, a man won't be able to see the beauty of this wonderful world. Eyes are the windows of the soul. Without eyes, the five basic senses would not be complete. So, it should be present.

Eyes are the parts of our body that perceive light. They allow us to see the world and to understand how objects relate to each other. We can distinguish far objects from close ones and determine their color and shape.

How do the eyes interact with other parts of the body? (Interaction with other Body Parts)

The brain processes the raw data from the eyes to make sense of what you see compared to your knowledge of the world around you. The brain interprets what it receives from the eyes. You do not directly "see".

A clear example of this can be seen from experiments where subjects wear glasses that invert the view (turn it upside down). After a while the brain will adjust and turn the scene back up the right way because that agrees with other more reliable information you are receiving.

Similarly the brain adjusts changes in color and light levels to better match how the objects should appear.

It also combines the two slightly different views from your left and right eyes to work out the distance of objects from you. Your right eye will show a little more of an object's right side and the left eye will show more of an objects' left side. This is called stereoscopic vision. The difference between the views from each eye becomes less the further the object is away from you.

Our perceptions are not perfect and can lead to misinterpretations of what we see. These are called optical illusions.However even though the brain's processing can be inaccurate, at most times we perceive a faithful reconstruction of the real world. Only optical illusions remind us that there is at times a difference between perception and the true state of affairs. Without our eyes and the complex processing of visual information by our brains we would not be able to make sense of writing, art or photos, nor understand as much as we do from limited visual information.

"If you care your Eye "

"If you don't care your Eye"

This are some products using that u can care your beautiful Eye...

Dark spot on eye :

The human eyeball contains a clear transparent gel like structure called the "vitreous".

The vitreous consists mainly of water and a few solid elements. The 'solid' portion consists of collagen fibrils and molecules of hyaluronic acid.

As we grow older, there is a chemical change in the vitreous causing it to become "more liquid". This is also associated with 'grouping' or 'aggregation' of the collagen fibrils into small clumps.

These 'clumps' throw a shadow on the retina producing a sensation of 'dots' or 'threads' - this is commonly referred to as a 'Floater'.

Over time you will become less aware of these floaters as the brain learns to ignore these retinal images. Therefore, some floaters may remain in your vision, but many of them will fade over time and become less bothersome.

Floaters, if present since a long time or increasing in number very gradually, are harmless. They may be annoying but do not cause any problems. However, if a new floater comes on abruptly or if there is a sudden increase in the number of floaters, then you must be examined immediately to rule out a retinal tear.

Debris in the tear film can sometimes produce a sensation of 'moving dots' across the line of sight.

The key to differentiating, debris in the tear film from vitreous floaters is that they disappear with blinking only - without eye movement.

Vitreous floaters typically will move more with eye movements rather than with blinking.

In most cases floaters are simply an annoyance. An eye examination will usually reveal if there's something serious that needs medical attention.

Sudden appearance of new floaters, sometimes accompanied by apparent flashes of light in the peripheral (side) vision, should be evaluated by an qualified ophthalmologist.

On rare occasions, these symptoms can be a danger sign that a retinal tear has occurred. The only way to diagnose the actual cause of the problem is by a complete eye examination -- preferably by a vitreoretinal specialist.

REMOVE DARK SPOT FROM YOUR EYE...

Dark circles under Eyes or Dark Circles Beneath eyes :

Dark circles under eyes are very common beauty complaint. Nine out of 10 people have dark circles under their eyes at one time or another. How dark circles under eyes are caused ? The skin under our eyes is very thin. As we get exposed to sun rays, the skin under the eyes gets damaged and becomes more thin and wrinkled. The veins below this thin skin start looking prominent. Thus the wrinkles and prominent veins form dark circles. Some times pigmentation also causes dark circles.

Causes of dark circles under eyes:

Age, Over exposure to sun, Lack of sleep, Lack of nutrients, Allergies, Eczema, Asthma, Hereditary, Fatigue, Chronic diseases, Pregnancy, Menstruation

Solutions for under eye dark circles :

Take care your EYE....

Skin care of body

2011-07-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

BODY

Body exfoliation helps to ease dry skin, prevents ingrown hairs caused by shaving and waxing, and helps the skin on one’s body to absorb moisturizers. It has been recommended by beauty professionals that one should use a body scrub once a week to keep skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Body scrubs are invigorating and very easy to make. They should be applied in the shower. Always apply them before shaving one’s legs, rather than after, to prevent irritation.

Here are some useful body scrubs:

Skin care

2011-07-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

Skin is a part of the body just as the liver, heart and kidneys. When the flow of blood is hindered to the skin for any reason, the skin hardens, thickens and loses its normal appearance. As you grow older in years. the circulation of blood to the skin is lessened and it loses its youthful appearance; its color changes and wrinkles begin to form on its surface. The speed of aging starts at 25. It is slow between 30 to 35, fast between 35 to 50 and very quick between 50 to 65. But you can cheat the calendar and preserve your youth by giving your skin regular care and attention both from within and without.

Lack of proper circulation of blood to the skin is mostly due to the lack of proteins, vitamin B and vitamin C. Protein foods supply all the amino-acids essential for keeping your skin youthfu and prove helpful for skin care. If the proteins and aminoacids are inadequately supplied to the body, the tissues begin to sag causing wrinkles to appear. Like proteins, vitamins are important to the rebuilding of tissues and muscles of the face and body and prevention of wrinkles. Between the cells of the skin is a cementing substance known as collagen which depends upon vitamin C for its elasticity. Always remember that your facial muscles are living elastic tissues and that they can be nourished and built up from inside only with a good and healthy diet. Besides eating a proper beautifying diet there are many other factors which influence the youthful appearance of the face. For instance it is an established fact that the male secretion in the female body makes the skin youthful, brighter, firmer and smoother.

Therefore, many women turn beautiful immediately after marriage and during the time of pregnancy. Another cause which spoils the skin is the removal of uterus. Its removal heralds in a dry and lusterless and blemished skin. Therefore, if it is very important to your health then only have it removed and that too after consulting a number of specialists and not otherwise. Another enemy of youthful skin is menopause. At this time the body goes through severe physical and hormonal imbalance because the walls of the uterus are papering and drying up. All a result the body stops manufacturing estrogen which is very essential for keeping the skin young. The only remedy for this is to keep the skin moist and supple from outside by the regular use of home-made moisturizing creams.

Another main cause of ageing skin is over-exposure of the skin to the sun. This only dries up the skin, accelerates ageing and also darkens it. To slow down this dehydrating process women in tropical countries should drink a lot of water and fruit juices.

Other enemies of youthful skin are regular use of heavy make-up, keeping frequent late nights and consuming too much alcohol. So you see to keep a youthful face you have to take diligent care of your skin. But before you embark upon the programme of looking after your skin you should know the type of skin you have-there are many types of skin. You can broadly classify the types of skin into normal skin, combination skin, greasy skin, dry skin, sallow skin, sensitive skin chapped skin and withered skin.

The importance of human body

2011-07-28T04:13:00.000-07:00

Wealth, friends, property, and even wife if lost, can be acquired again, but the human body is not like that; once it goes, it can never be got back, no matter how hard one may try. Human life is most precious, highly sacred, beautiful and invaluable. It is therefore the prime duty of every individual to take the greatest possible care of the body. The body is an indispensable vehicle for experiences. Without it nothing can be done, not even a simple task. The human body is, therefore, more precious than worldly wealth and such other material acquisitions. Life must be sanctified by making proper use of the body and engaging it in sacred actions. Time gone will never come back. Once the Ganges merges in the ocean, you cannot get back even a drop of its sacred water. Likewise, once life ebbs out and the body is gone, it cannot be recovered.

The human body is also a clock marking time and the passage of life. It ticks away the seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, and years. Man knows that life is ticking away and yet he does not bother to enquire about the real purpose of life. No one can say when the clock will stop. It is, therefore, most essential to make proper use of life while it is still available. The body is the vehicle for the journey of life. If the vehicle is not properly maintained, then one must be prepared to face serious problems on the way.

The body has been gifted in order to serve others. You must firmly resolve not only to take care of yourself but also others. Unfortunately, man today does not know what service means. The essence of all the eighteen Puranas can be summarized in two short sentences: Help Ever. Hurt Never

Though God has given the body for service man does not seem to understand what help means, being ever immersed in selfishness. Every thought, every word, and every action is driven by selfishness. Man has become a puppet in the hands of selfishness and self-interest. How can a puppet ever be called independent? Selfishness must therefore be totally rejected and selflessness must be wholeheartedly embraced. Then alone would the real purpose of the human body and human life be realized.

You must make an effort to realize that the body is just an instrument given to you for a specific purpose, and must further understand that purpose. The body must be used only for performing good deeds. You must lead a virtuous life. In the end, you must give up the body with good thoughts. Do not assume that the body has been given for enjoyment, comfort seeking, beautification, and useless pursuits of that nature. Indulgence in pleasure seeking, comfort and luxury can be dangerous. God has not given this body for indulgence.

Safeguard your body by all means and take full care of your health, but use your body solely to perform good actions.