<body>

Cosmetic Dermitology A La Carte

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Even the Hollywood A-listers are moving away from invasive cosmetic surgery and turning to cosmetic dermatology for a less invasive skin rejuvenation alternative. By combining various treatment that would otherwise have been administered on their own, called "Comprehensive Therapy" or "Polytherapy," patients can get the look they want for less money, less pain, less planning and less downtime.

While the list of options isnt as complicated as a fruit juice bar, it does take a knowledgeable, experienced and skilled dermatologist to know the right combination of treatments for a patients condition and desired results.

Everyone wants to look younger, but let's face it, the stretched look is out. Too often, facelifts may not even get rid of the folds that the patient sought to correct in the first place. On top of that, most people can't afford to set aside the necessary downtime, and certainly don't want to risk a less than perfect outcome that would be permanent.

Thanks to the incredible advancement in lasers and other treatment options, medical dermatologists are able to combine methods to create the look that patients are seeking. Additionally, since polytherapy may give longer lasting effects, patients may not need to come in to the office as frequently as before. These procedures have very few associated risks, so making the decision to go ahead requires a minimal amount of deliberation.

For example, without pulling or cutting, the skin can be tightened and markedly rejuvenated using Genesis Plus, a combination of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and the Nd:YAG laser. The IPL treats the surface of the skin correcting pigmentation and tone, and the YAG stimulates the collagen for new growth, eliminating wrinkles and scars and making the skin more taut. Add to this some Restylane for fine lines around the eyes and perhaps some Botox, and you will look marvelous, young, and, most importantly, natural.

Advances in Polytherapy have opened up endless possibilities for cosmetic dermatologists. The newest and most exciting rejuvenation technique is known as PDT (photodynamic therapy). PDT is designed to achieve similar results to laser resurfacing but without the associated risks. a light sensitizing substance is applied to the skin, and then a laser or light source is passed over the areas to be treated.

Comprehensive therapy not only produces superior results, but the effects last much longer. For example, using Botox or a similar filler substance on it own will produce results that last about three months. However, combining Botox treatment with Restylane, in an area like the frown lines can sustain the look for over six months.

To that point, it's actually pretty rare that one type of tretament on its own will produce the desired effect, which is why there is a trend towards Polytherapy. Still, only an experienced physician truly understands how best to combine the different treatment options, and understands the importance of keeping up with the latest technology.

Bioidentical progesterone for Premenstrual Syndrome

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Premenstrual syndrome is real and can affect a woman's life in very negative ways. Some women spend 20 years or more looking for something that will cure their PMS. Traditional doctors and PMS clinics don't seem to suggest solutions that really work. But there are things that work, even though they are difficult to find.

Sometimes a major traumatic event in a woman's life can cause PMS to rear it's ugly head. PMS clinics can offer solutions, but often suggest the Pill (which they did to me), which can make a woman worse. Traditional doctors, also, offer the pill, which didn't work for me either. Instead, I had to search on my own to find something that would decrease my premenstrual symptoms. Traditional hormone replacement therapy didn't work either, as HRT is often found in sources that are not identical to that which our bodies use.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is the most extreme type of PMS. I was diagnosed with PMDD early in my search for relief from my premenstrual tension. I found, also, there is a huge taboo about PMS in our society, and this put a burden on me that made finding help even worse. PMS is real and the symptoms can be severe.

There is a simple herb available at local health food stores, and online, that can help relieve symptoms of PMS. It helped me more than anything else I'd tried. It's Chaste Tree Extract and has been helping women for thousands of years! Here in the USA it's mostly known as Vitex, but in other parts of the world it's called Agnus Castus. More women need to know about this herb, it really makes a wonderful difference!

Agnus Castus actually helps a woman's body produce more progesterone. It helps women who are estrogen dominant. I am estrogen dominant. And that is why taking the pill, which has estrogen in it, makes me worse. I feel like I have been hit by a truck!

Doctors will often tell you that there is progesterone in the Pill and other forms of HRT. However, these forms of progesterone are not bioidentical and so might make your PMS symptoms worse, not better. Finding a balance in your hormones is the only way to effectively treat and find relief from PMS and PMDD. If you use progesterone cream, which can also help regulate and even out your body's progesterone supply, is a great way to combat PMS. However, make sure it's bioidentical progesterone!

There are hundreds of different symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. All women are different. You may find you are irritable, have tender breasts, or just want to sleep all day and hide in your bedroom. These are common feelings of women who suffer PMS and their hormones need to be balanced!

Women can feel better if they find what works for them. PMS is not something you have to suffer with for your entire life. If you find the right tools that work for you, you will find relief to your premenstrual syndrome. Sometimes the pill, with it's estrogen and non-bioidentical progesterone, can make you worse. Premenstrual Syndrome is a condition that is serious, real, and effects many women around the world. But there is hope, you don't have to suffer!

Why Huperzine A increases brain function

Thursday, July 16, 2009
In China, the uses of Huperzine A emerged as cures for inflammation and fever. Over the years, numerous research studies have helped in understanding this medicine better and subsequently improved uses of this wonder drug have come about. Huperzine A is a medicine that originates from a plant alkaloid which is extracted from the club moss that can be found in China usually. When this alkaloid was separated, it was found that it was very helpful in improving memory, particularly among those who have faced memory losses or are suffering from dementia because of Alzheimer's.

Scientific studies also indicated that alkaloid prevents acetylcholine breakdown and inhibits the responsible enzymes. It is stated that Huperzine A is the most beneficial and safest memory booster for memory insufficiency.

Other Proficiencies:

Numerous experiments have shown that Huperzine A is very good for taking care of dementia or even just bettering normal memory. Huperzine A also has the capability to push up memory considerably. It obstructs acetylcholinesterase for a short time. This enzyme is typically found in the brain, RBC and the spinal cord.

It is also supports the body's vital neurotransmitters, which are required for effective brain functioning. These neurotransmitters are responsible for carrying messages from nerve cells to other cells. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in learning, memorizing, thinking, remembering and reducing the amount of low memory function.

Huperzine A has a two level approach where it stops acetylcholine from breaking down too much while at the same time reduces the different acetylcholinesterase functions and ensures that the brain receives a proper supply of blood. By doing this, it aids acetylcholine to save and energize memory power. Various amounts of research has been conducted on people who suffer from some form of memory impairment and it has been found that using Huperzine A has led to various benefits such as lowering the effects of dementia. It has also markedly helped those who suffer from Alzheimer's by building up their memory power.

Furthermore, under controlled conditions some people suffering from brain related disorders were given Huperzine A, around 200 micrograms two times a day, every day. When these people were tested after a few days, it was found that these people were now much more fitter physically and they had become mentally agile too. The physiological and psychological tests revealed a marked improvement of 43 to 70%.

One myth about Huperzine A is that it is only beneficial for old aged people, which is false, as Huperzine A also benefits youngsters. It is proved that Huperzine A increases memory power of people falling in any age group.

Also, Huperzine A can help in bettering the remembering abilities of young people considerably. As part of an experiment, some young pupils who faced problems in remembering things and did not have very good memory were given a double dose of 150 mg of Huperzine A. It was found that the students had improved considerably in the areas mentioned above.

For those who have problems in remembering things in the short-term, the answer lies with Huperzine A which has turned out to be quite a life saver for them. Of course, experts say that it should be consumed with the approval of a doctor because if the dosage goes up unknowingly also, it can have some pretty bad side effects.

Hence, doctors always recommend to avoid taking Huperzine A more frequently in a week. Many people have acknowledged Huperzine A as a safer drug for special situations such as Alzheimer's disease or extremely low memory power difficulties. For age related memory power loss, doctors recommend dosage of 100 to 200 micrograms, which needs to be taken twice a day by patients.

Overview:

As a result of all these benefits, Huperzine A has soon ended up as a renowned herbal medicine which helps in increasing memory levels in countries like America, Europe and even Asian countries.

Wu-Yi Tea Health Benefits

Thursday, July 9, 2009
For nearly five centuries, countless Asian individuals have relied upon the numerous health benefits and medicinal qualities of wu-yi tea. Named for the mountainous region of China where it is harvested, Mt. Wuyi Shan, this type of tea is more familiarly noted as oolong or wu long, and today, it is gaining more and more attention as a natural way to effectively lose weight.

In producing wu-yi tea a very intricate fermenting procedure is required. Due to this detailed process, the tea becomes very similar to a fine wine in that it has a distinctive flavor, and will also vary in aroma and fullness. Described as robust, and not much unlike coffee with its rich, roasted flavor, this type of tea has of late been touted by many as a natural, safe solution to weight loss.

Natural Fat Burning Qualities Found Within Wu-Yi Tea

A substance found in wu-yi known as polyphenol is also found in green and black teas, but in a lower concentration. Polyphenol stimulates a biological process called lipolysis, which simply means the break down of fat cells. The polyphenol causes this by activating certain enzymes that work to dissolve triglycerides (fats) in the body, which in turn, raises the resting metabolic rate actually making it easier to lose weight and control excess pounds.

According to case studies regarding the tea and its fat burning properties, participants were able to lose an average of 10 to 15 pounds of weight by drinking three to four cups of wu-yi per day. Of course, the actual amount of weight lost will also depend on the types of food you eat and how much, as well as your level of physical activity. However, when wu-yi tea is incorporated on a daily basis results continue to show the tea seems to speed up weight loss.

In one particular study conducted over six weeks, three groups of 120 Japanese women drank either water, green tea, or wu-yi tea with their meals. At the end of the study, the women who drank wu-yi reportedly increased their energy expenditure, or raised their metabolism, by as much as 10%, whereas the green tea group increased their expenditure by only 4%. The group who drank water experienced no increase at all.

As the natural components of the tea itself are all that's needed to reap the benefits, wu-yi tea is most effective for burning fat in it's natural form, without any unnecessary ingredients or additives.

Some Other Health Benefits

Wu-yi tea offers many valuable health benefits that have been clinically researched and documented such as naturally burning fat, accelerating metabolism and aiding with weight loss. While protecting the body's cells from certain types of cancer, the tea has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, protect the teeth from plaque and decay, and strengthen bones.

With several hundred years of use dating back through many ancient Chinese cultures, the positive health benefits are hard to dispute as more and more people discover the association between weight loss, good health, and drinking wu-yi tea.

What Your Healthy Whole Body & a Well-Tuned Vehicle Have in Common

Thursday, July 2, 2009
It's a common occurrence for us to use our body in order to identify ourselves. We use labels such as tall, short, thin, muscular, curvy, healthy, and unhealthy and so on. There are very few people who are able to take that step outside of a particular definition and consider our body as what it is in reality - a blessed vehicle carrying us through times of joy, troubles, victory and challenges.

Instead of defining it and thus letting the definition rule the way you treat your body, because there really is more to a body than size or shape, why not seize the opportunity to take ultimate care of it? Treat it as the beautiful vehicle it actually is.

There is a common metaphor often used when discussing the human body and it just happens to be a car. Both being vehicles we depend on to get us where we need to go, properly taken care of they can both be counted on and reliable in their own way.

How Do You Treat Your Car And How Do You Treat Your Body?

More often than not, many of us tend to treat our cars better than our own bodies. Our cars get the best gas in the tank, even if it's more expensive that regular gas. Following this act of generosity towards our car, we proceed to fueling our bodies with food void of any nutritional value. We begin a ritual of washing our cars every week, with the metaphor being a car spa but yet we rarely spend time or money on any ritual of basic self care.

We ignore the knocks and pings the very loud signals our body gives us when it needs something and yet the slightest shimmy or gurgle from under the hood of our car sends us to the auto mechanic for a diagnostic.

"But it's dangerous to ignore these sounds from your car." This is in fact true, squealing brakes and grinding noises from the rear end of your car could cause an accident. The sounds and signals from your body are just as important to pay attention to.

Rather than continue on this path, appreciate your body in whatever shape, form, and situation it is in. It has carried you this far in life. It has taken you wherever you need to go and it hasn't let you down. Start taking excellent care of it today. Embrace your healthy whole body because while you are much more than your body, you cannot exist physically and experience life without it.

Consider The Following Questions:

If you don't take care of your car, it will be of no help to you when you need it. This includes putting in the proper fuel. If you are not, start making small changes beginning today. Drink enough water; replace junk food or fast food with food high in nutrients. Your body will take you far if you feed it well.

Are you paying attention to the check engine light blinking on your dashboard? We're talking about self care here, are you setting time aside for yourself, getting regular checkups, and striving for some kind of balance. You don't have to schedule a weekly massage or a thousand dollar spa spending spree, if you can of course go for it. However, you can take a walk, take a candle lit bubble bath, spend time playing board games with your friends and family - there are a lot of ways to step back and enjoy your life, find balance, and take care of the signals your body is sending you.

It makes sense to take care of yourself in all the ways that you know how and are able to. You can wait until your car breaks down to get it repaired or you can choose regular maintenance, following up right away when you notice a rattle, a chug in the engine, wiper blades that don't clear the windshield, any malfunction.

Finally, when the tread gets thin on your tires, you replace them right? What about when your tread gets thin? We all need to take time to evaluate our lives, where we are and where we're going. Our needs change over time and if we ignore these changing needs we ignore who we are - not a good thing for our health or our happiness.

The next time you're at the gas pumps or washing the car, take a step back and remember if it wasn't for the divine vehicle you take residence in - your own body, you wouldn't be able to do any of these things. Make sure you take care of it; it's the only one you'll ever get.