November 27, 2007

What are the Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss is an affliction commonly associated with males. However, millions of women suffer from the condition as well. The causes of hair loss in women differ from the causes of the male form of the problem. Women as young as fifteen years old have developed the problem of thinning hair. Finding the causes of hair loss in women is the first step to treating it.

Fifteen years of age is much younger than the average women who experience thinning hairlines. It is quite rare for the condition to occur before the lady enters her twenties. There are enough cases, though, to make finding the causes for hair loss in women a priority for many women of all ages.

What are some causes of hair loss in women? Some experts contend that the source for the condition is associated with the growth cycle. When the growth cycle is interrupted the ladies' tresses begin to thin out.

Our locks normally grow about one inch in the timeframe of two months. Each hair has a growth phase that lasts from two to six years. After the individual hair has spent its two to six year stay on the head it rests for awhile then falls out. A new one peeks out of the follicle in its place. The interruption of this cycle is linked as one of the causes for hair loss in women.

In some cases the cycle is interrupted. These individuals commonly have a genetic predisposition to losing locks. The causes for hair loss in women include a group of hormones. These hormones are called androgens and they interfere with the cycle of hair growth, rest and rebirth. The group of hormones is commonly found in males in large amounts and in females they are found in small amounts.

Even though the male hormones are part of the causes of hair loss in women the condition of female balding does not follow the same pattern of male baldness. There is some evidence that makes researchers conclude that there are other things at play as well. Other types of enzymes may also be part of the causes of hair loss in women.

Other possible causes for hair loss in women include medical conditions. Problems with thyroid disease and anemia can lead to a thinning scalp. Some medications can cause thinning hair as well. Until the causes for hair loss in women are found, a cure will remain elusive, too.

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August 29, 2007

Cervical Cancer Vaccination

Recently I have heard a great deal about a new vaccine for cervical cancer. Like many, I was shocked to hear that cervical cancer can be caused by a virus just like the common cold. I thought that like many other kinds of cancer, cervical cancer was most likely a result of some sort of genetic mutation. Apparently, this mutation is caused by a virus that is more easily spread than we would like to believe.  But now we have a cervical cancer vaccination that has been released with much controversy.

During my sophomore year in college, my roommate came to me with a health concern. She was experiencing something strange and was frightened by it. After listening to her describe her symptoms, it did not take long before I knew that whatever this was went far beyond a typical yeast infection or similar issue. I recommended that she see a doctor and when she did, she was told that she had contracted HPV.

Human Papilloma Virus was not something I had ever heard of. When I did some research on sexually transmitted diseases, I found mentions of HPV. These mentions generally came at the end of the lists, which to me implied that HPV was not nearly as serious as other sexually transmitted diseases that we all know of. This was six years ago.

Perhaps even six months ago most people who came across mentions of HPV in their research would have discounted the severity of the virus. They certainly did not associate this virus or any virus with something as serious as cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can go undetected without a gynecological exam and Pap test. It is recommended that all women undergo such an exam every year. With the media coverage we have been blessed to witness recently on the topic, women everywhere are more informed about sexual health.

My friend has since had to undergo gynecological exams twice a year to monitor the HPV situation. She was told early on that the virus could render her sterile if not kept in check. Now she is more concerned about the possibility of developing cervical cancer than anything else. If she does not live, her worries about possibly being unable to create and give life are meaningless.

Hopefully, more and more women in the future will be able to avoid such worries with the introduction of the HPV vaccine. Although cervical cancer was not a subject you heard about often, it has been covered a lot in the news recently and will hopefully lead to fewer cases as more education about cervical cancer and its causes becomes available. 

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December 11, 2007

New Vaccine for Cervical Cancer

Recently I have heard a great deal about a new vaccine for cervical cancer. Like many, I was shocked to hear that cervical cancer can be caused by a virus just like the common cold. I thought that like many other kinds of cancer, cervical cancer was most likely a result of some sort of genetic mutation. Apparently, this mutation is caused by a virus that is more easily spread than we would like to believe.

During my sophomore year in college, my roommate came to me with a health concern. She was experiencing something strange and was frightened by it. After listening to her describe her symptoms, it did not take long before I knew that whatever this was went far beyond a typical yeast infection or similar issue. I recommended that she see a doctor and when she did, she was told that she had contracted HPV.

Human Papilloma Virus was not something I had ever heard of. When I did some research on sexually transmitted diseases, I found mentions of HPV. These mentions generally came at the end of the lists, which to me implied that HPV was not nearly as serious as other sexually transmitted diseases that we all know of. This was six years ago.

Perhaps even six months ago most people who came across mentions of HPV in their research would have discounted the severity of the virus. They certainly did not associate this virus or any virus with something as serious as cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can go undetected without a gynecological exam and Pap test. It is recommended that all women undergo such an exam every year. With the media coverage we have been blessed to witness recently on the topic, women everywhere are more informed about sexual health.

My friend has since had to undergo gynecological exams twice a year to monitor the HPV situation. She was told early on that the virus could render her sterile if not kept in check. Now she is more concerned about the possibility of developing cervical cancer than anything else. If she does not live, her worries about possibly being unable to create and give life are meaningless.

Hopefully, more and more women in the future will be able to avoid such worries with the introduction of the HPV vaccine. Although cervical cancer was not a subject you heard about often, it has been covered a lot in the news recently and will hopefully lead to fewer cases as more education about cervical cancer and its causes becomes available.

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December 20, 2007

Autism Research Studies

Pervasive developmental disorders like autism are relatively new on the diagnostic scene. The DSM IV is the primary diagnostic tool used to help professionals classify a disorder. Pervasive developmental disorders first appear in the document in 1980. There is little wonder that autism research is still in its early stages.

One of the biggest problems with the disorder is its mystery. Autism research has done little to uncover the causes of the condition. This is not due to lack of effort. Many professionals have dedicated countless hours, weeks and even years to autism research with little progress.

Right now, one in every 175 children is diagnosed with autism or related pervasive developmental disorder. This number has changed slightly in recent months. Previously there was one in 166 diagnosed.

The drop in the number of children diagnosed has dropped but the drop is not significant especially when we consider that only one in 10,000 was diagnosed with the disorder about a decade ago. The staggering increase in the number of children who have a diagnosis has led many to invest in autism research.

This autism research has uncovered some valuable information about the disorder and it can be organized into three major categories: causes, treatment and cure. The professionals who study pervasive developmental disorders are driven to find answers.

The causes of the disorder are still unknown but some autism research suggests that there may be a genetic link. However, the information is still being gathered and it is still inconclusive.

Some argue that the cause of the disorder lies in vaccination shots, specifically MMR vaccines that are given around eighteen month of age. No autism research has concluded that there is a connection and the debate still rages.

Autism research has helped us determine what treatments work best for this population. Many programs like Applied Behavior Analysis have proven to be successful in the treatment of autism. Many agencies across the United States use a combination of strategies and interventions to help children and adults function to their greatest capacity.

However, there is still no cure. Autism research has been unable to find a cure for the disorder. The baffling problem remains a mystery that continues to frustrate many parents, caregivers and professionals who are eager to put the disorder to rest.

We have come a long way in the treatment for autistic disorders. Our understanding of the problem has grown almost as quickly as the rate of diagnosis. Hopefully, autism research will come up with more answers just as fast.

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October 9, 2007

Age Related Macular Degeneration

As we grow older we begin to feel the effects of aging. Sometimes we can see the effects as well. Age related macular degeneration is a condition that causes dark spots in your immediate vision. The result of the blind spots is kind of like the opposite of tunnel vision.

When you have tunnel vision you can only see what is directly in front of you. When you have age related macular degeneration you have a dark hole in the area immediately before you. Your peripheral vision is in tact but you have a significant area of empty dark space in your field of sight.

Age is not the only factor in developing this condition. Individuals who have age related macular degeneration have certain common traits in habits and lifestyles that can contribute to the development and progression of the sight disorder. Of course, the leading factor in age related macular degeneration is aging. The older you are the more likely you are to develop the eye problem.

The condition may also have some genetic components as well. Age related macular degeneration is more common in individuals who have relatives who developed the condition as well. Studies are still being conducted on the possibility of the condition being a hereditary trait.

Most people who suffer from the disorder have light eye color leading some researcher to believe that eye color is a contributing factor in the disease. It is important to note that the jury is still out on the connection between light eye color and age related macular degeneration.

Right now you might be thinking that if you are destined to get age related macular degeneration then there is just no stopping it. However, there are some other factors that seem to significantly contribute to you chances of developing the sight disorder. One of those is a lifestyle choice that wreaks havoc on our health.

Individuals who smoke are at greater risk for age related macular degeneration than their non-smoking counterparts. Smoking is an extremely addictive habit that is so very hard to quit. However, it is related to many health problems including this seemingly unrelated eyesight disease.

Other lifestyle habits can contribute to the condition as well. Inactivity and obesity are thought to be contributing factors to age related macular degeneration. Individuals who are inactive, who smoke and who do not follow a healthy diet commonly find themselves subject to illness. If you have a relative who has age related macular degeneration your eyes will thank you for taking care of your overall health.

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December 29, 2007

Do You have Alopecia?

Loss of hair is very upsetting when it's an extreme case. Both men and women can fall victim to Alopecia. It's very difficult for sufferers to keep their self confidence. There are four main categories of Alopecia with their individual degree of severity. Broadly speaking, the more hair loss there is, the less effect any treatment will have. The categories are Androgenetic Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis.

The category most people will be familiar with is the Androgenetic Alopecia. The first signs in men are the receding hairline and the thinning at the crown. The result will be either partial or complete baldness. Women's hairlines are not affected but there is a general thinning of hair all over the head. Women do not suffer total baldness except in rare instances. The cause is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and may be affected by hormones. A healthy low fat diet and aerobic exercise could help prevent it.

The second category involves loss of hair from certain areas of the body but most commonly the scalp. Alopecia Areata results in bald spots. It's caused by the body not recognizing the hair follicles and reacting to them as alien tissue. It might be hereditary and some researchers think that stress could be another reason. Sometimes, the hair will grow back but once the condition is well advanced, treatment will have little benefit.

The third category is somewhat more severe, resulting in total loss of head hair. The causes of Alopecia Totalis are less conclusive but may be the same as the causes associated with Areata. Again, stress may be a contributing factor.

Finally, there is the most severe condition of all, when all hair from the entire body is the result. Alopecia Universalis . The cause is thought to be the same as Areata and Totalis. This condition can strike at any age.

Quite a few celebrities have been sufferers over the years. John D. Rockefeller was one and used to wear a toupee. The basketball player Charlie Villanueva also has the condition. Duncan Goodhew, the British Olympic swimmer, thought that his hair free head gave him an aerodynamic edge. Recently, the British TV presenter Gail Porter has bravely come to terms with her condition. She has taken the decision to continue her career in the spotlight without recourse to wigs. It seems to cause less of a stir when it happens to a man, and Yul Brynner, Vin Diesal and Telly Savalas are bald men who are considered sexy.

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October 25, 2007

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Do you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)? Unfortunately, CTS has become fairly common in people who have jobs requiring repetitive hand-wrist movement, such as typists, programmers and data entry clerks, musicians and certain athletes.

Conventional carpal tunnel treatment may include cortisone, expensive and with significant side effects you may wish to avoid. Try a natural approach to carpal tunnel treatment. There are many foods, supplements and herbs with demonstrated and substantial pain-relieving and healing effects. Let's take a closer look at some of these natural healers.

Here are some foods to include in your diet: Bananas, pineapple, dark-green vegetables, potatoes, the white meat of chicken, curry dishes, and brown rice. These foods all contain nutrients and enzymes beneficial to a carpal tunnel treatment program. They help with inflammation and nerve health.

Include minimal amounts of saturated fats and fried foods to reduce inflammation. If it suits you, eliminate them completely from your diet. It's sometimes difficult to get remedial amounts of nutrients in your diet, and supplements of the following are recommended. You can purchase these at your pharmacy or health food store.

Bioflavonoids: In a carpal tunnel treatment program, nutritionists suggest 1000 mg, three times daily. In addition to boosting your resistance to illness, these help relieve pain and promote healing of damaged nerves.
Vitamins B2 (Riboflavin) and B6: These work together, so don't take one without the other. Hospital and medical university studies concur on the benefit of these B vitamins in carpal tunnel treatment.

As yet unproven, there are strong suggestions that a deficiency of these two B vitamins may be a cause of CTS. Stress can deplete your available supply of B6 in particular. Genetic factors may play a part, as individual requirements vary. Some people need more of the entire group of B vitamins than others.Nutritionists suggest 10 mg of B2, and 50-200 mg of B6 per day for increased mobility and relief from pain. One three-month study showed improvement in 85% of the patients.

Some other natural treatment are Curcumin: Take 250 to 500 mg a day, between meals. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory contained in the herb turmeric. Bromelain: The recommended dose, in a carpal tunnel treatment strategy, is 250 to 500 mg per day, between meals. Bromelain is an enzyme with powerful anti-inflammatory effects, found in pineapple.

Try some of these herbs, all having significant anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving properties: Cumin, Mexican Wild Yam, Chamomile and Cayenne. Cumin is a common spice in Chili and Mexican dishes, and is beneficial in recipe amounts. The same goes for Chamomile. Drink a few cups of the tea each day.

A final alternative you might explore is acupuncture. Some clinical studies showed that acupuncture may be a promising carpel tunnel treatment strategy. A number of patients found normal function of nerves and long lasting pain relief with acupuncture treatment. These are some of the most researched natural remedies for carpal tunnel treatment. Try some or all, and see which works best for you.

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