Tennis elbow is a condition in which tendon fibers that attach on epicondyle on the elbow’s exterior degenerates. The tendons talked about here anchor the muscles that help wrist and hand to lift. Although tennis elbow occurs mostly in patients of thirty to fifty years of age but it can happen to people of any age. Also tennis elbow affects almost fifty percent of teenagers who are in racquet sports thus the name “tennis elbow”. But still most of the patients who suffer with tennis elbow are people who don’t play racquet sports. Majority if the times there isn’t any specific injury before the symptoms start showing up. Tennis elbow can also happen to people who use their forearm muscles frequently and vigorously for day to day work and recreational activities. Ironically some patients develop the condition without any of the activity related reasons that leads to the symptoms.

The symptoms of tennis elbow include severe burning pain on the elbow’s exterior region. In majority of the cases this starts as a slow and mild pain gradually worsening with the passage of few weeks or sometimes months. The pain worsens when one tries to lift objects. In some cases it may pain even while lifting light objects like a book or full coffee cup. In the severest cases it can pain even at the movement of the elbow.

The diagnosis of the tennis elbow involves physician enquiring about the medical history of the teenager and a physical examination of the elbow by pressing directly on the part where bone is prominent on the elbow’s exterior to check if it causes any pain. The physician may also ask the teenager to lift the fingers or wrist and apply pressure to check if it causes any pain again. X-rays are never opted for diagnosis. However a MRI scan may be done to see changes in tendons at the attachment to the bone.

There are many treatment options available and in majority of the cases non-surgical treatment is given a try. The ultimate goal of the 1st phase of the treatment is pain relief. Be ready to hear from the physician to stop any activity leading to the symptoms. The doctor may also tell the teenager to apply ice to elbow’s exterior and he/she may also tell the teenager to take anti-inflammatory medicines for relief from pain.

The symptoms also diminished with the help of orthotics. The physician may also want to go for counterforce braces and also wrist splints which can greatly cut down symptoms by providing rest to tendons and muscles. The symptoms should show signs of recovery within 4 to 6 weeks otherwise next option would be to go for a injection called corticosteroid in the vicinity of the elbow. This greatly reduces pain and is also very safe to use. There are many side affects involved if it is overused.

Once there is a relief from pain the treatment’s next phase starts which involve modification of activities in order to prevent the symptoms from returning. The doctor may also prescribe the teenager to go for physical therapy which may include stretching exercises to gradually increase the strength of the affected tendons and muscles. Physical therapies have high success rates and return your elbow back to normal working again. Again non-surgical procedures are highly successful in eighty five to ninety percent patients.

Surgical procedure is considered only when patients undergo relentless pain that doesn’t improve even after 6 months of non-surgical treatment. The procedure involves removal of affected tendon tissue and attaching it back to bone. The surgery is done on outpatient basis and does not need stay at the hospital. The surgery is done by making a small incision on elbow’s exterior’s bony prominence. In recent years a surgery known as arthroscopic surgery has also been developed but no major benefits have been seen using it over the traditional method of open incision.

Sprains and strains are among the majority of the injuries caused while playing sports. Sports injuries can be caused by small trauma which involves ligaments, muscles and tendons including bruises, sprains and strains. The body part which is most commonly involved in spraining or straining is the ankle. The 3 ligaments that are involved during ankle sprain or strain include anterior talofubular ligament, posterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament.

An injury caused to the soft tissue as a result of a direct force like fall, kick and blow is called a contusion or a bruise. A sprain is nothing but a ligament injury which is wrenched or twisted. Sprains usually affect knees, wrists and ankles. On the other hand a strain is an injury caused to a tendon or muscle which usually results from force, stretching and overuse.

Sprains/Strains are usually diagnosed by a physician after a physical examination. The physician asks for thorough medical history of the adolescent and asks various questions that lead to the cause of the injury. Various diagnostic procedures are also available which also helps in evaluating the problem. X-ray is one of the oldest and common diagnostic tests done to know the extent and exact location of the injury. An x-ray uses electromagnetic waves to get photos of internal tissues, organs and bones onto a film. MRI scan is one of the recently evolved diagnostic procedures which also help in evaluating a physical injury. This procedure actually called Magnetic Resonance Imaging makes use of bug magnets, computer and radio frequencies to get detailed pictures of structures and organs inside the body. Another diagnostic procedure called Computed Tomography Scan or CT scan is also used to evaluate the extent and location of injury. This procedure uses a blend of computers and x-rays to get cross sectional pictures in horizontal and vertical alignment. It shows thorough pictures of any part of the body like muscles, bones, fat and organs. They provide more information than conventional x-rays.

There are various symptoms of strain and sprain depending on each teen’s physical condition and they may vary accordingly. One of the symptoms includes pain in and around the area injury. There could also be a swelling around the injured area. Some teens also experience difficulty when they use or move the area of the body that is injured. Some teenagers also undergo bruises or redness in the area that is injured. Many times the symptoms of sprains and strains may look similar to other medical conditions and a doctor’s advice is the best option in this scenario.

Depending on various factors the treatment of sprains and strains will be prescribed by the teenager’s physician that include teenager’s age, overall health of the teenager, and medical history of the adolescent. To what extent the teen is injured is also a factor in determining the nature of treatment. A teenager’s level of tolerance to certain medications, therapies and procedures is also taken into consideration before opting for a particular method of treatment. The treatment also depends of what expectations one has and also preference and opinion.

Various options available for treatment include things like restriction of the activity after the injury, application of cast/splint on the injured spot, crutches or wheelchair, physical therapy which involves stretching exercises to give strength to the muscles, tendons and ligaments that are injured and last but not the least is the surgery which is opted for in worst case scenario.

In the long-term scenario bruises, sprains and strains heal pretty quickly in kids and teenagers but it is important that the adolescent sticks to the restrictions imposed during the treatment and healing process like restriction of activity and regularly attending physical therapy sessions if any. It is noted that majority of the sports related injuries results either due to traumatic injury or excessive use of muscles and joints. But, they can be avoided and prevented with right training, by wearing right protective gears and by using right equipment for training.

Smoking is the cause of many diseases and kills about four hundred and forty two thousand people every year in the United States. In spite of anti smoking campaigns and billboard warnings, more and more people are joining the bandwagon of smokers every year. Out of the total number of new smokers, ninety percent are children and adolescents, replacing smokers who have quit or died early due to a disease caused by smoking. Smoking is the top cause of preventable and premature deaths, followed by obesity.

Smoking not only increases the risk of lung disease, but also increases the risk of contracting lung cancer, oral cancer, emphysema, stroke and heart disease.  Certain statistics by the American Lung Associations show alarming results. Over five thousand adolescents smoke their very first cigarette every day, out of which over two thousand turn into regular smokers. Presently there are nearly five million adolescents smokers. Twenty percent of the twelfth graders smoke cigarettes regularly.

Smoking has many harmful affects on the health of a human being. It damages the cardiovascular system, causes high blood pressure, increases heart rate, increases the risk of ischemic stroke, increases the risk of formation of blood clot formation, and decreases the oxygen amount which reaches the tissues in the body, reduces coronary blood flow & cardiac output, and damages the blood vessels. Smoking not only affects physical health, but mental health too. It causes psychological distress and depression.

Smoking not only affects the person who smokes but also other people who surround him/her. According to the American Heart Association, nearly thirty five thousand passive smokers die of smoke inhaled from a lit pipe, cigar or cigarette. People who do not smoke directly and inhale smoke from a cigarette smoke by his/her neighbor is known as passive smoker, secondary smoker or indirect smoker. Among the passive smokers, women, children and infants are at a higher risk. Infants and children who are exposed to smoke develop asthma, frequent ear infections and may even experience infant death syndrome. The symptoms experienced by secondary smokers are coughing, excess mucus formation in the airways, chest discomfort, chest pain, and lung irritation. They even feel irritation of throat, nose and eyes. If the passive smokers experiences chest pain, it can be an indication of a heart disease. Sometimes the symptoms of secondary smoking can coincide with the symptoms of other medical conditions. Hence, it is recommended to contact the doctor immediately after the surfacing of the symptoms.

In active smokers, smoking, apart from building up high cholesterol in blood, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and diabetes. So smoking cessation will not only reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, which is top of the list, but also decreases the risk by fifty percent of heart attacks and deaths caused by it. But quitting smoking undertakes lots of physical and mental efforts. The person should be made mentally relaxed and stress free. In case of adolescents, they can be asked to exercise regularly and sleep adequately. The American Lung Association and The American Academy of Otolaryngology have developed certain tips which can be of great help to the smokers who are thinking of quitting. The smokers must first be made to understand the reason for quitting. Stress only makes even more difficult to quit smoking, so a stress free period should be chosen to quit. Family and friends’ encouragement and support are extremely necessary to persuade the smoker to quit. If the support isn’t sufficient, smokers can join a smoking cessation program or a support group to attain their goals. A balanced diet is a must, along with lots of rest.

Sometimes taking nicotine replacement products, such as nicotine chewing gum, nicotine inhalers, and nicotine patch, are a great help to smokers who want to quit. By using these products the smokers can satisfy their nicotine craving. The good thing is that these nicotine replacement products can deduct the poisonous gases and tars emitted by the cigarettes. But nursing and pregnant women should consult a doctor before trying nicotine replacement products. For such people non-nicotine alternative is available in the market.

Sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and are highly infectious diseases. Unprotected sexual contact risks the lives of the young by afflicting with sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV infection and even unwanted pregnancy. Every year, nearly nineteen million cases of sexually transmitted diseases are reported in the United States alone and out of these, half of the cases involve people from the age group of fifteen years to twenty four years.

The best way to make sure the adolescent doesn’t contract sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from all types of sexual activities. In spite of this, if the adolescent becomes sexually active, he/she must be advised by the parents to take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease. The best precautionary measure is to use a condom every time the adolescent has sexual intercourse. Only when other sexually transmitted diseases are prevented and controlled, HIV infections can be prevented.

It is best when the adolescent delays and abstains from sexual relationships, because the younger the person, the more susceptible he/she is to get a sexually transmitted disease. Having sexual contact during menstruation is also risky. It is good to avoid anal intercourse and if it is performed condom is a must, even when having oral sex. Every person should get STD checkups as frequently as possible, irrespective of being sexually active or not, after they turn into adolescents. Precaution must also be taken when getting injected by an intravenous drug, that the needle used to inject must be sterile. The adolescent must be educated about the symptoms and risks of sexually transmitted diseases.

Adolescents must be thoroughly informed even if they say they know it all. They must be asked to indulge in only safe sex, if doing so. Parents should talk honestly and calmly about safe sex and must answer all their child’s queries. Topics such as STDs, birth control methods, having sex because of peer pressure, and date rape must be discussed in detail. Most people think that kissing is safe, but it can spread the sexually transmitted disease, herpes and many other diseases. Condoms do not provide hundred percent protections for genital warts, AIDs and genital warts. Females shouldn’t douche as it can make the infection go deeper into the reproductive tract and can also wash off spermicidal protection. At a time, sexual intercourse must be provided with only one partner, who isn’t involved with any other sexual partner.

The sexually transmitted diseases are Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS, Human Papillomaviruses or HPVs, chlamydial infections, pelvic inflammatory disease or PID, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, syphilis, and genital warts. The symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases take time to surface. Some of them are also symptom less and even these diseases can be contagious. Especially in the case of female, the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases can be confused with the symptoms of other diseases. But females get severe symptoms and get it more frequently. Sexually transmitted diseases can harm the fallopian tubes and uterus. It can even lead to inflammatory disease, which in turn can cause ectopic pregnancy or infertility.  Cervical cancer, in females, can be associated to sexually transmitted diseases. If a female gets a sexually transmitted disease during her pregnancy, the disease can pass onto her child. Sometimes the newborn’s infections can be treated successfully, but at other times, the child can be disabled for life or die.

If an adolescent is diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases, his or her treatment must start immediately. The early the sexually transmitted diseases are diagnosed, the easier it is to treat them successfully. The other sexual partner must be informed so that they can get themselves diagnosed and can undergo treatment. The adolescent must be instructed to stay away from sexual activity while the treatment is going on. The checkup must be followed after the treatment. Tests such as pelvic examination, Pap test, and test for STDs should be taken periodically.

Sexually transmitted diseases can affect people of all economic levels and backgrounds. Half of the cases of sexually transmitted diseases involve young people below the age of twenty five. The more sexually active the person is the more risk he/she is. And multiple sex partners at a given time are very dangerous too and must be strictly abstained from.

Normally, a spine when viewed from rear should appear straight but if the spine is lateral or curved or sideways or rotated then it is affected by scoliosis. It gives an appearance as if the person has leaned to a side. According to Scoliosis Research Society the definition of scoliosis is the curving of the spine at an angle greater than 10 degrees on an x-ray. Scoliosis is a kind of spinal deformity and shouldn’t be confused to poor posture. Usually there are 4 common kinds of patterns of curves experienced in Scoliosis which are: Thoracic wherein the right side has ninety percent curves, lumbar wherein left side has seventy percent curves, thoracolumbar wherein right side has eighty percent curves and double major where both right and left sides have curves.

In majority of the cases, as high as eight to eighty five percent, the cause of the deformity is unknown, this is also known as idiopathic scoliosis. It is observed that females have scoliosis more commonly than males. According to some established facts 3 to 5 children per 1000 has chances of developing spinal curves which is a number big enough requiring medical treatment. There are three types of scoliosis that can develop in children namely congenital, neuromuscular and idiopathic. Congenital scoliosis is seen in 1 out every 1,000 births which is caused due to vertebrae’s failure in normal formation, vertebrae is absent, vertebrae is formed partially and vertebrae is not separated. Neuromuscular scoliosis is linked with various neurological conditions and particularly in children who don’t walk like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, tumors in spinal cord, paralytic conditions and neurofibromatosis. The cause of third type of scoliosis called Idiopathic scoliosis is still unknown. It is further divided into infantile, juvenile and adolescent scoliosis. Infantile scoliosis occurs up to the age of 3 years from birth wherein the vertebrae curve is towards left and is more frequently observed in boys. The curve takes normal shape with the growth of child. Juvenile scoliosis is common in children of age three to nine. Adolescent scoliosis is common in kids of age ten to eighteen and this is also the most common form of scoliosis occurring more in girls than boys.

The other possible causes of the deformity include hereditary reasons, different lengths of legs, injuries, infections and tumors. There are numerous symptoms attributed to scoliosis which can vary from individual to individual. The symptoms are: Difference in heights of the shoulders, off-centered head, difference in the height or position of the hip, difference in the position or height of shoulder blade, different arm lengths in straight standing position and lastly different height back sides when the body is bent forward. Other symptoms include leg pain, back pain and change in bladder and bowel habits do not belong to the symptoms of idiopathic scoliosis and require medical checkup by a doctor. The symptoms may be similar to other problems related to spinal cord or other deformities or could result from an infection or injury and consulting a doctor is the best bet in this situation who may conduct diagnosis to know what exactly it is.

The diagnosis of scoliosis requires thorough medical history of the teenager, diagnostic tests and also physical examination. The doctor asks for entire prenatal history, birth history and also would want to know if anyone in the family has scoliosis. The doctor may also ask for the milestones related with the development of the teenager since some kinds of scoliosis are known to be related to neuromuscular disorders. The delay in development may need additional medical evaluation. Doctor may also prescribe x-ray, CT scan and MRI scan of the back to measure the degree of curvature in the spinal. There are various treatments available for scoliosis which is decided by the physician depending on teenager’s age, medical history and health in general. The method of treatment also depends on the extent to which disease has reached. The tolerance of the teenager to certain medicines, therapies and procedures are also taken into consideration. Expectations and opinion of the parents or teenager is also the criteria in deciding the type of treatment. The main aim of the treatment is stop the curve from progressing and avert deformity. The treatments include observation and repetitive examinations, bracing and surgery to correct the defect.

The meaning of the word “periodontal” is around the tooth. Also known as gum diseases periodontal diseases are nothing but serious infections caused by bacteria that harm the gums and tissues in the vicinity of the mouth. While dental cavities or caries only affects the tooth Periodontal disease is devastating affecting the bones that surround the tooth, gums, coverings of teeth root and tooth membrane. A physician specializing in the treatment of periodontal disease is known as Periodontist.

The disease should not be taken lightly and if it’s left untreated it can spread and affect the bones under the teeth which would eventually dissolve and would not longer support the teeth in its place. The chronic form of the disease is responsible for tooth loss in seventy percent of the cases affecting seventy five percent of the people at some time in their lives.

The causes of periodontal disease are similar to any other oral disease wherein plaque buildup and bacteria are responsible for the condition. According to statistics plaque buildup is the main cause of gum related diseases. Apart from the causes listed, the other possible causes of periodontal disease include: Genetics, unkempt oral hygiene, food getting stuck to frequently in the gums, mouth breathing, low nutrient diet or vitamin c deficient diet, smoking, diabetes, autoimmune/systemic disease, changes in hormone levels, certain medications and constantly teeth grinding.

According to statistics nearly sixty six percent young adult population suffers from periodontal disease and nearly fifty percent of teenagers suffer from periodontal disease. Also, it is the most widespread tooth loss cause in adults. But, what are the symptoms of periodontal disease? There are various symptoms and it could differ from one adolescent to the other which may include swollen, tender, and red gums; if one gets bleeding during brushing or flossing the teeth it is also one of the symptoms of periodontal disease; receding gums; constant odorous breath; loose teeth; dentures not fitting any longer; change in alignment of jaw and bite. The symptoms of the disease may be similar to other medical conditions and doctor’s consultation is the best in this regard.

Periodontal disease can be diagnosed by a dentist or a periodontist after reviewing the complete medical history and also physical examination of the teenager’s mouth. Usually x-ray of the teeth is taken to evaluate the disease. Periodontal disease is classified into different types based on what stage the disease is in. The mildest form of gum disease is known as “gingivitis” in which gums become swollen, red and tender resulting in bleeding while daily brushing and flossing. Gingivitis is again divided into 4 groups primarily acute, sub-acute, recurrent and chronic. Acute gingivitis is nothing but sudden appearance which lasts for shorter duration and could be painful. Sub-acute gingivitis is less severe type of gingivitis. Recurrent gingivitis is the one that comes back after treatment. Chronic gingivitis is the one that onsets slowly, lasts longer and is generally painless. A dentist’s treatment and proper and continuous care can easily solve the problem of gingivitis but if left untreated could result in periodontitis.

Periodontitis is further classified into mild and moderate to advance. Periodontitis results from untreated gingivitis. In this stage the deterioration of the bone in the vicinity of the tooth becomes evident. The common symptoms include red gums that bleed; mouth tastes bad; loose teeth; tooth loss. Proper treatment is a must to control the disease and prevent further deterioration. Periondontitis which is in moderate to advanced stage shows signs of major loss of tissue and bone loss near the teeth.

There are various treatments available for periodontal disease which is decided by the dentist depending on teenager’s age, medical history and health in general. The method of treatment also depends on the extent to which disease has reached. The tolerance of the teenager to certain medicines, therapies and procedures are also taken into consideration. Expectations and opinion of the parents or teenager is also the criteria in deciding the type of treatment. The treatment usually involves plaque removal, medication and in worse cases a surgery.

Physical health problems encountered during adolescence can affect the development of the body, if not treated. There are few anatomic regions, such as spine, knee and ankle, in adolescents which can get orthopedic problems such as Osgood-Schlatter disease, and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused due to injury or overuse of the knee which causes swelling and pain in the area below the knee, above the shin bone. The patellar tendon and the soft tissues surrounding it gets inflamed, because of the constant pulling of the area where the tendon joins the below knee. Usually, adolescents who participate in sports actively and are athletic, such as football, basketball, soccer, ballet and gymnastics, tend to get the Osgood-Schlatter disease. Boys of age eleven to fifteen and girls of age eight to thirteen are at greater risk. The reason why adolescents get this problem is that their bones grow faster when compared to the tendons and muscles in this age and because of this the muscles and tendons stretch and become tight.

The symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease are swelling of knee, tenderness below knee area and limping. The doctor will check the medical history of the patient and will conduct physical examination and diagnostic procedures such as taking an X-ray. The physician will decide on the treatment to be done by studying the overall health, age, medical history, tolerance for certain medications and extent of the disease. Treatment will include medications, rest, compression, elevation, neoprene knee sleeve and physical therapy. The main aim will be to control and limit the knee pain by cutting down on the adolescent’s physical activities. Usually the Osgood-Schlatter disease gets healed over a period of time and in very rare cases is a surgery required.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a problem which affects the hip joint. The ball or head of the thigh bone, also known as femoral head slips from the thigh bone’s neck. Because of this the hip joint becomes stiff and painful. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is the most common disorder of the hip which can happen in both the hips or one and it is more common in boys when compared to girls. Basically, adolescents of the age ten to eighteen years and who are overweight can be affected by this condition. The condition can arise over a time interval of few weeks or years. The condition, if resulted because of trauma and is also called acute slip and if results after a period of time is called chronic slip. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is caused because of medications, radiation treatment, thyroid problems, and chemotherapy.

There are three degrees of intensity of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, mild, moderate and severe. In mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis, only one third of femoral head slips from the thigh bone. In moderate, one third to half slips and in severe, more than half of the femoral head slips. The symptoms of this condition are pain in hip which increases upon movement, pain in thigh, knee & groin and limpness in the leg. When an adolescent walks there will be a clicking sound in the hip and his/her legs will be turned outwards.

Apart from studying the medical history of the patient, the doctor will recommend diagnostic procedures such as bone scans, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging and blood test. The bone scans will determine the arthritic changes and degenerative changes in the joints, which helps to detect tumors & bone diseases and the cause of pain and inflammation. The X-ray will give the inside picture of the bones, tissues and organs. The magnetic resonance imaging provide detailed image of the structures within the body with the help of large magnets. It is best if slipped capital femoral epiphysis is determined in the early stages, so that the femur bone’s head doesn’t slip off any further. The adolescent may need to undergo a surgery along with physical therapy.

Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD starts from adolescence onwards. OCD is feeling of strong obsessions and compulsions which result in intense discomfort and affects daily functioning. Obsessions are thoughts which are persistent and recurrent. They even include unwanted images and impulses which lead to distress and anxiety. These feelings and thoughts are usually irrational or unrealistic. Compulsions are repetitive rituals or behavior such as checking something again & again, or mental acts such as counting. These obsessions & compulsions cause intense distress and anxiety and can interfere with the daily activities, relationships, social activities and academic functioning. The person with OCD thinks that he has no control over his actions. OCDs are relapsing and chronic illness.

The thoughts change as the adolescent grows. Younger children suffering from OCD often have thoughts of harm befalling on them and their family such as thief getting into the house through an unlocked door.  This will make the children to recheck the door and windows again and again fearing that they might have left the door unlocked accidentally. Teenagers suffering from OCD fear that they might get fall sick due to germs, contaminated food and AIDS. The adolescent develops certain rituals, such as washing hands innumerable times, in order to get over the fear. These rituals help them to think that they have overcome the problem for the time being and give them temporary relief. If they do not perform these rituals, they become more and more anxious.

OCD is a sign of brain circuitry’s unusual functioning and it involves the striatum part of the brain. The brain activity patterns of such people differ from normal people and people with other mental disorders. Researchers have concluded that OCD is usually a family problem and is a disorder of the brain. Streptococcal bacterial infection can create or worsen the condition of OCD. Adolescents with no family history of OCD can also develop it. Most of the adolescents feel embarrassed to talk about their OCDs. They think that people will label them as crazy and this will make them feel ashamed. This will make it difficult for the parents to talk to their children about their OCD, in order to solve them. Parents need to develop good communication skills for this purpose. Parent’s support is also very important to the adolescent. Cooperation is extremely important along with treatment, because if the problem is not treated the adolescent will grow into a disturbed adult.

Most of the adolescents with OCD can receive effective treatment. The treatment can include psychotherapy and intake of medications such as fluoxetine, clomipramine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline and other serotonin reuptake inhibitors. When OCD is caused due to streptococcal infection, the adolescent can be administered with antibiotics to kill the bacterium which is causing it. Exposure and response prevention behavioral therapy is very useful in solving OCD. In this therapy, the adolescent is wontedly exposed to his/her fears which give him/her obsessive thought. After that he/she is trained to avoid these thoughts and the rituals which he/she carries out to tackle the anxiety.

An adolescent having OCD can also have depression, substance abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, and other types of anxiety disorders. When a person with OCD and other mental illness, is treated, OCD becomes more difficult to treat and even diagnose.

Obesity and overweight are the second most major reasons of preventable deaths in America. Stagnant lifestyle and junk food is to be blamed for more than three hundred thousand deaths per annum. The sad thing is that this problem is on the rise. Obesity is a chronic disease which poses serious health risk to the health of an individual. Also, obesity is the easiest recognizable medical problem, but is very difficult to deal with.

People usually confuse obesity with overweight. Overweight is gaining of a few extra pounds. A person is considered obese when the total body weight is minimum ten percent more than the recommended weight for his/her body structure and height. According to an estimate every year hundred billion dollars are spent on the obesity problem. It is very important to treat the problem as early as possible. Obese children between the age of ten and thirteen have eighty percent chances of growing into obese adults, unless they change their ways and adopt a healthier lifestyle. The obesity problem starts from the age of five and continue till adolescence.

Obesity can be caused due to complex reasons including biological, genetic, cultural and behavioral factors. Usually a person gets obese when he/she consumes more calories than the body burns. Also there are fifty percent chances of becoming obese when both one of the parent is obese and when obesity has affected both the parents, the chances increases to eighty percent. One percent of obese people can have that fat because of health reasons, as obesity can be caused due to few medical disorders. The causes of obesity in adolescence are overeating, family history, bad eating habits, little or no exercise, medical illness, low self esteem, medications, depression, emotional problems, stressful life, and family problem.

Obesity can cause many major problems. Some of them are diabetes, sleeping disorders, high blood pressure, breathing problems, emotional problems and increase in heart disease risk.  Teenagers are more prone to get emotional problems. Because of the weight, they develop low self esteem. They get into depression, obsessive compulsion disorder and anxiety.

Adolescents who want to tackle the obesity problem should approach a pediatrician who will thoroughly evaluate the cause. If no physical disorder is to be blamed, the weight is reduced by limiting the calorie intake and increasing physical activity. The doctor can advice a weight management program and change the eating habits of the teenager, slowly. The patient must avoid oily, fatty, fast and junk food. The potions must be reduced in order to decrease the calorie intake. If the adolescent has developed emotional problems because of obesity, an adolescent psychiatrist can collaborate with the pediatrician in order to make a comprehensive plan for treatment. The plan includes reasonable goals, behavior modification, family participation, and management of physical activity.

Self motivation is extremely necessary in loosing weight. Because obesity is more a family problem and not an individual problem, the whole family can switch to eating healthy food and exercising regularly. This can make the weight control program a success. Parents can play a major role by boosting the self esteem of their children by concentrating on their strengths and encouraging them, instead of targeting the weight problem. The whole family should eat meals together, instead of eating individually while watching a movie. This helps all the members to focus on the food and the quantity being eaten. If the teenager isn’t getting support from his family members, he/she can join support groups which can help towards the goals.

After the adolescent has lost weight, it is very important that he/she maintains it. In majority of the cases, people shift back to their old eating habits after loosing weight. That is the reason why obesity is more of a lifetime issue. So the main aim of any weight loss program must be make the adolescent like healthy food. He/she must also be made to exercise regularly, irrespective of the weight.

Adolescence is the time when there is sudden transformation in the body and many questions arises in the minds of the adolescents. Firstly they are not able to cope with the changes and secondly the changes bring along problems with them. The most challenging problems are related to menses, in girls. Menstrual conditions are many that may require physician’s attention or any other healthcare professional’s attention. The most common of the menstrual disorders are premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrheal and amenorrhea.

Before the onset of the menses, females face many uncomfortable symptoms which last for a short period, stretching from few hours to few days. But some of them can be very intense and can disturb the normal functioning of the person. These symptoms are grouped as premenstrual syndrome. In usual cases, the symptoms come to a halt when the menses begin, but for some they may last even after the menstrual periods are over. Eighty five percent of the females experience some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome at one time or the other. Nearly forty percent experience the symptoms so intensely that their daily chores are affected by it and ten percent are disabled by it.

There are many premenstrual syndrome symptoms which can be broadly classified as neurologic & vascular symptoms, psychological symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, fluid retention, eye problems and respiratory problems. The cause of premenstrual syndrome are fluctuations in the levels of progesterone & estrogen, hypoglycemia, hyperprolactinemia, psychogenic factors, changes in carbohydrate metabolism, excessive aldosterone, progesterone allergy and water retention by kidneys. The good thing is that premenstrual syndrome can be prevented by exercising regularly, eating balanced diet and sleeping adequately.

Dysmenorrhea is feeling intense menstrual pain and cramps. Depending on the severity, dysmenorrhea is stated as primary dysmenorrhea or secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea symptoms are felt from the onset of the menstrual periods and are felt life-long. Because of abnormal uterine contractions due to chemical imbalance, severe menstrual cramping is experienced. Secondary dysmenorrhea starts in the later stages. The causes are different for primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Secondary dysmenorrhea can be blamed on medical conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, tumors, infections, and abnormal pregnancy.

Dysmenorrhea symptoms are lower abdomen cramping & pain, lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fainting, weakness and headaches. Females who are overweight, smoke, and have started to menstruate before turning eleven are at a higher risk of developing dysmenorrheal. Females who drink alcohol during menstrual period experience prolonged pain. After studying the health conditions, age, cause of dysmenorrhea, and extent of condition of the individual, corresponding treatment will be recommended. Regular exercise, abdominal massage, hot bath, vitamin supplements, and dietary modifications can help overcome dysmenorrhea.

Amenorrhea is the condition in which the female skips her menses for more than three consecutive menstrual cycles. Amenorrhea is also classified as primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea develops from the onset of menstrual periods. In this condition, the adolescent might not get periods when she enters puberty. Secondary amenorrhea is a condition where periods become irregular after a period of time and not from the start.

There are many causes of amenorrhea such as ovulation abnormality, eating disorders, birth defects, anatomical abnormalities, malnourishment, anorexia, bulimia, pregnancy, over exercising, thyroid disorder, obesity and other medical conditions. Out of these ovulation abnormalities are a common cause for absent or irregular periods. It is a must that an adolescent start getting menses at least by the age of sixteen. If not, anatomical abnormality, birth defect and other medical conditions are the cause. Adolescents who participate in sports actively and are athletic have a lower body fat content because of which they have absent menses. Even because of malnourishment, the body is incapable of sustaining pregnancy. So in turn the body itself shuts down the reproductive system and menses. Extra fat cells in the body interfere with ovulation and that is the reason why obese female have irregular menses. Amenorrhea is treated by dietary modifications, ovulation inhibitors and hormone treatment.

Also known as mononucleosis or mono Pfeiffer’s disease or glandular fever, infectious mononucleosis can be identified by inflamed lymph glands and constant fatigue. The disease is named so as the amount of mononuclear leukocytes which belong to white cells increase in number. The cause of the disease is EBV (Epstein – Barr virus) or in some cases cytomegalovirus. Both these viruses belong to the family of herpes simplex. According to statistic majority of the adults in the United States are exposed to the virus Epstein – Barr, a very widespread virus. Although the virus does not show any visible affects in children but it does in adolescents which can lead to infectious mononucleosis in nearly fifty percent of cases of exposure to the virus.

The other virus called cytomegalovirus which also belongs to the family of herpes simplex causes the cells to become enlarged. According to statistics, about eighty percent of adolescents infected with this virus generally don’t see any further symptoms. Although EBV has potential to develop infectious mononucleosis in adolescents the virus could make throat and blood cells its home for the lifetime. The virus has the capability to bounce back and reactive from time to time but the consolation is that it would reactivate without symptoms.

The condition usually lasts for 1-2 months. The symptoms may vary from one adolescent to other but may include inflamed lymph glands in areas such as groin, neck and armpits, fever, continuous fatigue, enlarged spleen, sore throat as a result of tonsillitis that can make things difficult to swallow and last but not the least minor liver damage that can lead to short-term jaundice. Some adolescents may also experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, petechial hemorrhage, muscle ache, headache, depression, loss of appetite, skin rash, weakness, dizziness, enlarged prostrate, dry cough, swelled genitals and puffy and swollen eyes. Some parents are puzzled by the symptoms of mononucleosis as it may be similar to other medical conditions. It is safe to consult a doctor in such cases.

The viruses are usually transmitted to other people through saliva (the reason why it is also called kissing disease), blood, sharing drinks and sharing utensils. The symptoms usually lasts for 4-6 weeks and do not cross 4 months. The disease is diagnosable but requires a though medical history of the adolescent. The diagnosis also involves physical examination of the adolescent and is based on symptoms reported to the physician. The diagnosis is further supported by laboratory test like blood test, antibody test and test to count white blood cells.

A rest of about a month is generally advised and normal activities can be resumed after acute symptoms disappear. Also care should be taken to avoid physical activities which are heavy in nature and also activities or sports involving physical contacts should also be avoided. Care must also be taken to avoid eating sweet things in excess for few months.

High blood pressure is a condition where the blood pressure is more than normal. It is also known as hypertension. Heart pumps out blood, so that oxygen can reach to different parts of the body via blood. The pressure with which heart pumps blood is known as blood pressure. The blood pressure comprises of two measures, the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the larger figure and represents the pressure within the artery of the heart, when contractions take place which pump blood to different parts of the body. Diastolic pressure is the pressure within the artery of the heart, when the blood is filling in the heart and it is at rest. Both the pressures are measured in millimeters of mercury or mmHg. High blood pressure is abnormal increase in systolic pressure or diastole pressure.

Blood pressure is measured by putting a blood pressure cuff on the arm and placing a stethoscope on the chest. There can be very little variation in blood pressure depending upon the time, emotional moods, age, gender, weight, height, physical activity, stress and other illness such as heart disease and kidney disease.  Children and adolescents become anxious when they visit the doctor. This is also an important factor which affects the blood pressure and the readings taken get tampered because of it. That is the reason why many blood pressure readings are taken in order to determine whether the adolescent has high blood pressure or not. The nurse may even ask the adolescent to calm down while taken the readings. Time gap is given between each reading, so as to give time to the adolescent to calm down. Emotions can also affect the blood pressure reading.

An infant will have a normal blood pressure reading of 80/45, where as an adolescent will have a normal blood pressure reading of 110/70. Therefore, age, gender, and height are important factor when determining the normal blood pressure level. Adults will have a higher blood pressure than the infants and teenagers. Also, boys have a higher blood pressure when compared to girls and tall people have a higher blood pressure than short people. An adolescent is said to have high blood pressure when the blood pressure is more than the blood pressure of ninety percent people of his/her age, gender and height.

There are many risks associated with hypertension or high blood pressure. The risk of developing coronary heart disease increases proportionally. The arteries will develop greater resistance towards the blood flow, because of which the heart will pump blood harder. Stroke is also another risk. Adolescents who have had high blood pressure as a child, develop harmful effects on the blood vessels and heart till the time they turn twenty.

The causes of high blood pressure can be classified as primary and secondary. If the causes are definite, they are primary and if the cause is linked to some illness, it is secondary. Primary causes are high blood cholesterol levels, smoking, stagnant lifestyle and overweight. Secondary causes are obesity, immobility due to chronic illness, prescription drugs, intense pain due to burns or cancer and illegal drugs. High blood pressure can develop due to hereditary reasons.

Hypertension is diagnosed by blood test and urinalysis. The kidney function will also be checked, along with blood cholesterol levels. Family history check is another important factor. Adolescents’ eating habits, exercise levels, activities in school and home will also be studied thoroughly. High blood pressure is dealt with by weight reduction, healthy diet, and increase in physical activity. If hypertension is due to illness, the illness is treated first. These treatment measures will decrease the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. It will also strengthen the heart and decrease the level of cholesterol in blood. This also helps to keep heart diseases at bay.  The good thing is that only one percent of the adolescents, who have high blood pressure, need medication to bring back the blood pressure to normal.

Heat related illnesses are caused due to prolonged exposure to heat and also humidity without any reprieve and due to inadequate intake of fluids. Kids and teens adjust to the variations in heat compared to adults who adapt more quickly. However the heat production is high in them when compared to adults but sweat relatively less. Sweating is the natural action of the body and cooling mechanism to counter heat. Kids and teens often ignore these facts and do not hydrate themselves enough while playing, participating in sports and exercises.

Kids and teens with health problems that are chronic or those who are on certain prescription could be more susceptible to heat related problems. Overweight adolescents or those who wear heavy clothing in times of exertion also suffer heat related illnesses. Heat related illnesses are basically classified into three types. They are: Heat cramps, heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Heat cramps are the mildest of all heat related injuries and constitute aching muscle cramps and also spasms that occur during intense exercising and also after intense exercising and also sweating in high heat.  The symptoms of heat cramps include cramps that are painful in the legs. Flushed and moist skin is also symptoms of heat cramps. The symptoms could also include mild fever generally below 102 degree Fahrenheit. Teens suffering from heat cramps should move to a cool place and take adequate rest. Remove any excessive clothing and wear or put cool clothing on skin or cool skin using air conditioner or fan. Sports drinks which are cool and which contains sugars and salts can also be taken. Stretching out cramped muscles slowly and steadily also helps reduce heat cramps.

On the other hand hear exhaustion is more serious and severe compared to heat cramps and occur due to heavy loss of salt and water from the body. Extreme heat conditions, inadequate fluid intake and excessive sweating results in this conditions. Also, heat exhaustion occurs as a result of inability of the body to maintain the body temperature below the normal which can deteriorate further and also result in a heat stroke which is even worse. The symptoms of heat exhaustion are: muscle cramps, moist skin, pale skin, nausea, fever above 102 degree Fahrenheit, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, weakness, anxiety and faint feeling. Teens suffering from heat exhaustion should stay in cool surrounding and take enough rest. Removing excessive clothing, putting on cool clothes and sitting in fan or air conditioning also helps the situation. Intake of cold sports drinks which contains salts and sugars are also advisable. If a teen doesn’t show any signs of improvement even after taking all these measures a physician should be consulted immediately.

Heat stroke is the severest condition of all heat related illnesses. In this condition the body gets overwhelmed with excessive heat and the efficiency of the system that regulates body heat goes down considerably which can result in a serious emergency requiring immediate medical care. The symptoms of heat stroke include dry and warm skin, very high fever generally above 104 degree Fahrenheit, increased heart rate, appetite loss, nausea, headache, vomiting, fatigue, agitation, confusion, stupor, seizures, coma and possible death. A teenager experiencing symptoms of heat stroke should stay in a cool place and have adequate rest. Heat stroke is a serious condition and emergency attention should be sought by calling 911. In the meanwhile the affected teenager should be made free of excessive clothing and should be worn with cool clothes and also put cool water on the skin to lower the temperature. Placing ice bags in armpits also helps. Make the teenager drink cool drinks if the teenager is alert.

Heat strokes are very much preventable if certain precautions are taken like drinking adequate water during hot days, avoiding alcoholic and caffeine drinks, wearing light clothes, exercising in cooler time of the day, wearing sunglasses and hat, using umbrella on a hot day, applying sun cream with a spf of at least 15 etc.

Every year more than one million people get eye injuries, out of which ninety percent are preventable if safety eye wear is used. One hundred and twenty five thousand eye injury cases are caused by household products.

It is a good habit to wash hands regularly, especially after handling household chemicals. When using detergents and hazardous solvents, the handler must wear chemical safety goggles. Also, no children must be around while handling chemicals. While spraying, the nozzle must be turned away from the face. Fertilizers, pesticides and paints must be stored away from reach. While doing household activities proper protective gears such as goggles, gloves, boots and helmet should be worn, if required. The house must be illuminated adequately to avoid accidents in the dark. Stairs should also be illuminated and the rails must also be installed. The instructions for opening the tops of bottles must be read carefully to avoid them from popping and injuring other people. Children and adolescents should read instructions before handling operating equipment before playing games. All power equipment must be installed with guards. While playing outside, the eyes must be protected by UV protective goggles and it is a bad idea to look at the sun directly.

Precautions should not only be taken indoors, but outdoors too. This is because; more than forty thousand people get eye injuries outdoors. Ninety nine percent of the injuries are caused while playing sports. So it is necessary for the youngsters to wear protective eye wear while playing sports or when involved in outdoor recreational activities. A special helmet is designed with wire shield or polycarbonate face mask which is not only safe, but comfortable, too. Protective eye wear should also be worn while performing experiments in science lab. Fireworks must only be handled by adults.

Because of increasing use of computers, more and more youngsters are getting eye strains. The symptoms of eye strain caused by computer are red & watery eyes, focusing problems, aching & tired eyelids, eye muscle spasm, backache and headache. In such an environment, eye exercise must be done regularly. The eyes must be made to focus on distant objects and should be rotated from side to side. It is extremely important to give ample rest to the eyes. Glasses with UV shield must be worn when looking at the computer screen. Eye strain can be avoided by increasing the distance from the monitor.

Eye hazards are also caused when cosmetics are used improperly by contact lens wearers. Some of the adverse reactions are injury, eye irritation, allergy, dryness, infection, and lens deposition. That is the reason why adolescents must be made aware of the risk they will face when opting for contact lens. Girls should understand that they should buy hypoallergenic cosmetics and especially the non-scented variety, manufactured by big brand names. Cosmetics should not be shared with anything else. The applicator brushes must be washed regularly and old mascara must be disposed and not refilled. Eye shadows which are glittery, pearlized, frosted or iridescent contain ground tinsel or oyster shell, which should be always avoided. Eyeliner should not be applied in the inner lid edge. Loose powder should be avoided. Cream should not be applied near the eyes. The wearer should wash hands while handling contact lens. No crying, washing of face or bathing should be done with the contact lens on.

Since the adolescence is the age where bones are sprout and grow rapidly, well nourished food must be given to the adolescent to facilitate normal growth & development. The nutritional intake must be monitored regularly and modified depending upon the growing needs. Teenagers tend to develop eating disorders which affect their nutritional health. The eating behavior must be corrected as early as possible as it can lead to the development of complex illnesses. Eating disorder is the third common chronic illness, especially in adolescent females and the number has been increasing rapidly from the past thirty years.

There are two subcategories of eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is the restrictive form, where the intake of food is limited severely. In bulimia nervosa is the eating disorder where the adolescent binges on food and then tries to minimize the effects by forcibly vomiting, fasting, and catharsis or over exercising. When handling adolescence eating disorders, they must be handled differently from adult eating disorders. Adolescents face problems such as growth retardation, suppressed height, abnormal weight, pubertal delay, menstrual periods absence, and menses unpredictability. When the adolescent is growing there will be critical tissue components loss like loss of body fat, muscle mass and bone mineral.

Nutritional imbalance is also caused which reflect abnormalities in the levels of vitamins, mineral and other trace elements. The problem is that these abnormalities cannot be recognized clinically. But since protein and calories are essential to the growth of the adolescent, it is important to trace their abnormalities. Because of the problems, healthy adulthood is not a possible thing. Because of all these reasons, it is important to diagnose adolescence eating disorders as early as possible. Eating disorders give rise to peak bone mass impaired acquisition in case of adolescents. When they turn into adults, this problem aggravates to osteoporosis. Even internal organs get affected due to eating disorders.  All this can be prevented by early intervention so as to limit, prevent and ameliorate medical complications, which can turn become life threatening.

Adolescents who practice unhealthy weight control practices and are obsessive about figure, weight, food or exercise should be treated clinically. Not only should the symptoms be checked, but their duration, intensity and frequency should also be checked. Although most of the physical complications caused due to eating disorders get solved with the help of nutritional rehabilitation some of the conditions become irreversible and the long term consequences of this are very dangerous.  It is best if the eating disorders are recognized in the early stages as it won’t result in irreparable damage. The medical monitoring should be pursued till the adolescent returns back to appropriate psychological and medical health.

Eating disorders not only result in physical abnormalities, but also psychological abnormalities. Adolescents with eating disorders take onto social isolation, low self esteem, affective disorders, low self concept, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. Usually adolescents switch to unhealthy eating habits because of depression and lack of knowledge about affective techniques to lose weight. So the patients who are being treated for eating disorders must also be treated for psychiatric illness, if they have any. Even if the habits doesn’t fit the strict criteria, adolescents who limit food intake, binge, vomit or purge accompanied with or without harsh weight loss, should be monitored because of the involvement of risk of even death. Early treatment will have an improved outcome. But the level of intervention in adolescents should be less when compared to adults.

Depression in adolescents is a disorder which occurs due to persistent sadness, loss of interest, loss of self worth and discouragement. Depression is normally a temporary reaction towards situations of stress. Depression is a normal part of the maturation process of adolescents. It is even induced due to production of sex hormones. Adolescent females are depressed twice more than adolescent boys according to a study.

Adolescent behavior is normally marked with good and bad moods. The transition from a good mood to bad mood and vice-versa, can take minutes, hours and even days. That is the reason why true depression is very difficult to find out. Depression in adolescents can be caused due to bad school performance, break up with boyfriend or girlfriend, and failing relations with friends and family. These causes can lead to persistent depression. Other serious causes are chronic illness, obesity, child abuse, stressful lifestyle, poor social skills, unstable care giving and depression in family history.

Symptoms of depression in adolescents are eating disorders, weight change, irritable mood, excessive sleeping in daytime, excessive temper, criminal behavior, memory loss, fatigue, self preoccupation, sadness, difficulty in concentrating, worthlessness feelings, loss of interest, self hatred, obsession with death and thought & attempts of suicides. When these symptoms are being noticed for more than two weeks, it is important to get treatment for the adolescent.  Depression not only affects interpersonal relationships, but school performance as well. Depressed adolescents are more prone to take onto drugs and alcohol as an attempt to overcome their depression. Such problems require intensive treatment.

The doctor will take blood test and perform physical examination to determine the cause of depression. The adolescent can also be tested for substance abuse such as smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, marijuana smoking, and usage of other drugs. After the physical examination, psychiatric evaluation is also done to understand the cause of sadness, loss of interest and irritability. Depression can also lead to the development of other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, mania and anxiety. It is also important to determine whether the adolescent poses a risk for himself/herself and others. Family and school personnel can provide valuable information about the adolescent to the doctor.

Treatment for depression for adolescent is similar to the treatment of depression for adults. Along with the treatment, the adolescent are given antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressant medications include tricyclics, Prozac, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI. Some of the medicines increase the risk, so it is a good idea that parents discuss the possible risks with the doctor. Only some of the antidepressant medications are meant for children and adolescents. Adolescents with severe depression need to be hospitalized as they are more prone to kill themselves.

Family and school support is necessary to tackle the depression of the adolescent. Parents can get their children admitted in emotional growth schools, boot camps or wilderness programs, to solve the behavioral problems. These programs consist of non medical staff and confrontational therapies. But care must be taken as some of the programs can in turn harm children who are depressed and sensitive. Adolescents, who get caught due to criminal offense, should be taken special care of by their parents. It is best that the child face the consequences and learn a lesson from it. Depressed adolescents respond well to treatment if they are treated comprehensively and early. More than half of the adults are known to have depression when they were in their teens.

Adolescents face many oral health problems which may require them to visit a dentist or any other healthcare professional. Irregular teeth growth is a common problem and adolescents with braces are a common sight. Another problem is wisdom teeth extraction or the removal of the third molar. Dental cavities are yet another common problem in adolescents.

Orthodontics is a specialty in dentistry which deals with correction, development and prevention of irregular teeth, jaw and bite. Orthodontics also helps to correct jaw disorders and facial abnormalities. If a general dentist feels abnormalities in the adolescent, he/she will refer the patient to an orthodontist. The American Dental Association suggests that every adolescent above the age of seven should get an orthodontic evaluation done. Problems which require orthodontic treatment are crowded or crooked teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth, under-bite, overbite, jaw joint disorder, and incorrect or misaligned jaw position.

To get braces or any other orthodontic treatments, the appropriate age is ten to fourteen years. But regardless of the age, the same physical and biological process is used in correcting and moving the teeth alignments. Braces are also known as fixed orthodontic appliances. There are three types of braces used to move and reposition the teeth. The first consists of brackets which are made out of plastic or metal. They are either of tooth color or clear and are bonded onto the teeth. The second type is the lingual type of brackets which are attached to the back teeth and cannot be seen while talking. The third type is a band. It is a metal band which covers the teeth and wraps around the last ones.

When adolescents wear braces they have to take certain precautions in order to avoid any more oral health complications. The most important precautionary measure is to brush the teeth regularly after every meal. Since the food can be easily lodged in braces, it is a good idea to brush carefully with soft bristles toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. In the morning, the adolescent must floss between the braces and teeth. Food stuffs which are sticky or hard must be avoided as they are very difficult to remove. Foods like caramel, chew candy, popcorn, and nuts must be avoided. Cleaning must be done by the orthodontist or general dentist, every five to six months.

The wisdom teeth or third molars can grow in people of the age fifteen to twenty five. These teeth cause problem, because most of the mouths are too small to adjust new teeth and hence they need to be removed. If the wisdom tooth has place to grow, without affecting other teeth, they can be left to themselves. But if the adolescent experiences pain, facial swelling, mouth infection and gum-line swelling, then they should be extracted immediately. They can also destroy the second molars and impact other tooth. Various gum and jaw diseases can be caused. There can be a tumor development; cysts development and plaque build up. Hence, a surgery is performed to remove the tooth or teeth. The gum tissue covering the wisdom tooth is removed and the connective tissue connecting the tooth to the bone is detached. The tooth is then removed and the opening is sutured. A general dentist can perform wisdom tooth surgery in the local office using anesthesia.

Five times common than asthma is tooth cavities. The tooth above the gum line is made up of enamel, the hardest tissue within the human body. The tooth below the gum-line comprise of nerves, roots and dentin. Dentin is another type of tissue and isn’t as hard as the enamel. The acid which leads to tooth decay is produced by bacteria. These acids, along with dietary sugar, attach the enamel and eat away the minerals within the enamel, until a cavity is formed. This is known as tooth cavity. The biggest prevention against dental cavities is brushing teeth twice a day and even better, after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and soft bristle toothbrush. Carbonated drinks must be avoided strictly and must be replaced with fruit juices and sugary food must be avoided. Intake of fluoridated water also helps a lot or fluoride supplements can be used as replacement.

Parts of adolescent’s body are filled with a waxy stuff identified as cholesterol. It helps to produce vitamin D, cell membranes and certain hormones. Blood cholesterol comes from two different sources, liver within the body and food. The adolescent’s liver produces enough cholesterol to carry out proper functioning.

The blood acts as the carrier of cholesterol and transports it to different parts of the body. They are transported in round particle form known as lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins called the low density lipoproteins or LDL and high density lipoproteins or HDL. Low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol is commonly known as bad cholesterol. It helps in the building up of plaque in arteries and this condition is known as atherosclerosis. The LDL level must be low in the blood and if it is high it must be decreased. Healthy weight must be maintained and exercise should be done regularly. Food items which have high contents of calories, dietary cholesterol and saturated fat must be avoided.

High density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol. It is actually a kind of fat in blood which helps to remove bad cholesterol from the body and stops the build up of plaque in the arteries. The more the HDL cholesterol in the blood the better it is. The HDL can be raised by at least twenty minutes of exercising daily, decreasing body mass and keeping away from food with saturated fat. Some adolescents need to take medications in order to increase HDL. In such cases, increasing HDL can be a complicated procedure and the physician can make a therapeutic plan to increase HDL in the blood stream.

Cholesterol screening helps to determine the cholesterol and fat levels in the blood. Children and adolescents with normal cholesterol level is a thing of the past. Because of the changing lifestyle and junk food trend, even they have a high risk to develop high levels of cholesterol which also increases the risk of developing heart diseases which can affect the blood vessels and the coronary arteries. The main cause of this change is obesity, junk food high in fat, fast food diets, sedentary lifestyle and high cholesterol level in family history. Keeping the blood cholesterol levels at normal is a good way of avoiding high blood pressure and coronary artery diseases.

The blood cholesterol level can vary from individual to individual. Healthy levels of LDL is less than one hundred and thirty milligrams, HDL is greater than thirty five milligrams. If the HDL is less than thirty five milligrams then the adolescent is at a higher risk of developing heart diseases. And LDL more than one hundred and thirty milligrams is dangerous. But a high level of LDL cholesterol is a problem in many citizens of America. And there is an expected increase in number, the figure is unknown, of adolescents who have a family history of high cholesterol levels.

An adolescent or a child who has a parent having high levels of blood cholesterol and family history of heart diseases at an early age, should take cholesterol test from the age of two. Adolescents who are obese also should have lipid test along with cholesterol test. The lipid test shows levels of kinds of fats in blood such as triglycerides, LDL and HDL.

Adolescent pregnancy in ninety nine percent of the cases is unwanted and is the major consequence of adolescent sexual activity, other than STDs. This issue has affected youth, families, educators, health care professionals, and government official. A study on the high school adolescents has concluded that forty eight percent of the males and forty five percent of the females are sexually active. One fourth of the high school students had sexual contact by fifteen years of age. The average age of boys is sixteen and a girl is seventeen, who have had intercourse. Ninety percent of adolescents, in the age range of fifteen to nineteen, say their pregnancy is unintended.

Seventy four percent of females above fourteen years and sixty percent of females below fifteen years have reported to have involuntary sex. Fifty percent of the adolescent pregnancies are within the time period of six months after the initial sexual intercourse. More than nine hundred thousand teenagers are reported to have become pregnant every year in the United States. Fifty one percent of the adolescent pregnancies result in live birth, thirty five percent result in induced abortion and fourteen percent result in stillbirths or miscarriages. Four out of ten adolescent females get pregnant, before they turn twenty, at least once.  Twenty five percent of adolescent deliveries aren’t the mother’s first child. When a teenager gives birth to her first child, she increases the risk of begetting another child. One third of the adolescent parents are themselves result of adolescent pregnancies.

There are many reasons why adolescents choose to become sexually active at an early stage in life. The reasons can be early pubertal development, poverty, sexual abuse in childhood, lack of parent’s attention, lack of career goals, family and cultural patterns of early sex, substance abuse, dropping out from school and poor school performance. Factors which discourage an adolescent to become sexually active are stable family environment, parental supervision, good family income, regular prayers, connectedness with parents and living with complete family and both the parents. The factors which are responsible for the consistent use of contraceptive among adolescents are academic success, anticipation for successful future, and involvement in a stable relationship.

There are many medical risks associated with adolescent pregnancies. Adolescents who are less than seventeen years are at a greater risk of developing medical complications, when compared to adult females. The risk is even more in teenagers below seventeen. The weight of the child, given birth by an adolescent, is very low in these pregnancies. It is usually below 2.5 kilogram. The rate of neonatal birth is also three times greater in adolescents, when compared to adults. Other problems caused by adolescent pregnancies are prematurity of the child, birth of underweight child, poor maternal weight gain, poor nutritional status, anemia, STDs and hypertension induced due to pregnancy.

Although there is an increase in the use of contraceptive methods by adolescents during their first sexual contact, only sixty three percent of the high school students have said to use condom while having sex previously. Adolescents, who use prescription contraceptives, delay their doctor’s visit until the time they become sexually active for over a year.

According to a research, youngsters who have participated in sex education programs which gave them knowledge about contraception methods, abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases and youngsters who involved in discussions in order to get a clear picture, used contraceptives and condoms effectively without any increase in sexual activity. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention has said that the solution for unwanted adolescent pregnancies and STDs are barrier contraceptive use and abstinence.

Allergies are reactions by immune system that are abnormal in nature to stuff that are usually harmless to majority of the people. When somebody is allergic to something the immune system of that person gets confused and thinks that the substance is detrimental to the body. The substances causing allergic reactions are known as allergens. The examples of allergens are dust, food, plant pollen, medicine etc. The body produces antibodies to protect itself from these allergens. The antibodies make certain cells present in the system to let chemicals to mix with the bloodstream and one of them is histamine. This chemical then acts on nose, eyes, skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and results in allergic reaction symptoms. Exposure to the same chemicals in future triggers same response to the antibodies again meaning every time one comes in contact with the same allergen, allergic reaction is produced in the body.

Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms like runny nose to more severe ones such as difficulty in breathing. Teenagers suffering from asthma often have allergic reaction to cold and get asthma attack is another example of allergies. Some kinds of allergies trigger multiple symptoms. Allergic reactions in very rare cases also produce severe reaction known as “anaphylaxis” for which the signs are difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, swelling in tongue, lips and throat and dizziness. This allergic reaction occurs as soon as the system is exposed to substances that trigger allergic reactions like peanut although some reactions are delayed by as much as four hours.

The reasons why people get allergies can be various and one of the reasons could be hereditary but that that does not necessarily mean that children are bound to get allergies from their parents.  Some of the common allergens include food, airborne particles, insect bite and sting, medicines, chemicals etc. Food allergies typically occur in infants and usually vanish as the child grows. The list of food allergens includes milk & dairy products, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, and seafood. Some people are allergic to stings and bites of certain insects. The venom in the bite is the one which actually causes reaction and can be as serious as anaphylactic in some teens. Some teens are also allergic to airborne particles which are also known as environmental allergens. They are also the commonest of all the allergens. Examples of these allergens include dust mites, animal dander, mold spores, grass pollens, trees and ragweed. Some adolescents are also allergic to certain antibiotic medicines. Another common allergen is chemical, certain chemicals present in laundry detergents or cosmetics can cause rashes that are itchy in nature.

Allergists usually treat allergic problems. They may ask questions like symptoms of the allergy and whether it is hereditary. They may also prescribe certain diagnostic tests like blood or skin test depending on the type of allergy. The best way to treat allergies is to completely avoid the substances that cause allergies. However there are certain medications and injections are also available to treat allergies.

One can follow certain things to avoid allergies like people who have food allergies that contain should peanuts and any food containing smallest amount of peanuts. Also avoid using cosmetic that contain chemicals allergic to the skin. One can also avoid airborne allergies by keeping pets in restricted areas and away from bedroom. Replace carpets and rugs from time to time. Avoid keeping things that accumulate dust. And also clean the room and house frequently.

To understand what is anemia one should begin with breathing. The oxygen that is inhaled simply doesn’t stop in lungs. It circulates though out the body and fuels the brains also. Oxygen travels to all parts of the body though bloodstream and to be precise in the RBCs I.e. red blood cells. Now, these RBCs are produced in the bone marrow of the body and they serve as boats carrying oxygen in the bloodstream. RBCs have something called hemoglobin, a protein which holds oxygen. To make adequate hemoglobin body requires iron in plenty. The iron is supplied by the foods that we take along with other nutrients. When these RBCs are fewer in number than what is needed anemia occurs in the body. There can be 3 primary reasons: RBCs are lost due to some reason, the production of RBCs is slower than what is needed and lastly the body is destroying the RBCs. Different types of anemia are linked to at least one of these causes.

The bone marrow replaces small amounts of blood is lost due to some reason without making a person anemic. But in cases where considerable amount of blood flows in small amount of time as a result of an injury due to a serious example for instance, it may not be possible for bone marrow to replace RBCs so quickly resulting in anemia. Also, losing small amounts of blood over long periods of time may also lead to anemia. Example of this situation can be seen in girls who get heavy periods attributed mainly to deficiency of iron in the diet.

Anemia due to iron deficiency is the most common kind of anemia in the United States. It occurs mainly due to lack of iron in a person’s diet. A teen with iron deficiency would have lower hemoglobin production and consequently lower RBCs. When the production of RBCs is low the person is regarded as anemic. The signs of anemia are paleness and tiredness. There can be other reasons as to why enough RBCs are not produced in the body. Folic acid and Vitamin B-12 are also essential to produce RBCs. Getting these in adequate quantities is this important too. There can be a problem with bone marrow’s working too resulting in anemia.

Hemolytic anemia occurs when a person has RBCs whose lifespan is shorter. The bone marrow may not be able to produce new blood cells if the blood cells die too early. This can result due to many reasons including person having disorders like sphenocytosis or sickle cell anemia. In some cases the immune system of the body may itself destroy the RBCs. In some cases certain antibodies can form in the blood as a result of reaction to certain drugs or infections and may attack the RBCs.

Teens get anemia as they grow rapidly the amount of iron intake may not be enough to keep up with the pace of the growth as it needs more nutrients in this process. In the case of girls they need more iron after puberty and are at risk due to heavy blood loss during menstrual periods. In some cases pregnancies also leads to anemia. Also, teens who diet excessively to lose weight may also be at risk of having iron deficiency. Meat eaters especially red meat eaters are at less risk compared to vegetarians as meat has rich iron in it.

Most of the teenagers who have asthma are also allergic to many things. The asthma can get severe even if the people with asthma are exposed to allergens of low grade. Allergies play an important role in asthma cased which are undiagnosed. Other factors that also trigger childhood asthma include upper respiratory infections like colds, second hand smoke, and certain climate conditions like cold air and due to emotional physical expressions like laughing, crying or yelling. However, it is not the end of the road for asthmatics as they can live active and healthy if they manage asthma properly by avoiding asthma triggers, regular intake of prescribed medications, being alert of the warnings and be aware of the ways to deal with an asthma attack.

There is a great consensus among the parents whether their children would outgrow asthma as they grow up. But the truth is it depends from child to child. While some children experience improvement in their teens others see asthma becoming even more severe. But almost half of the children who have asthma outgrow asthma as they grow although some symptoms may come back later.

Many parents have questions like whether their children can take part in sport activities. The answer is both yes and no. Some kids may get an asthma attack when they participate in exercises like running. But with proper management a teenager suffering from asthma can actively participate in sports. Special aerobic exercises can improve airway function. This strengthens the breathing muscles. Some of the ways that one can participate in sports is to follow the regimen of stretching the muscles prior to and after exercising, nose-breathe instead of breathing through the mouth and make sure that humidified air passes through the airways. Also parents should make sure that the adolescent has taken all prescribed medication supposed to be taken before they begin exercising. Carrying a reliever is a must for asthmatic teens which would come handy if asthma attack occurs. Asthmatic teenagers should make sure that they wear something over their mouth and nose to stop cold air from entering.

It is not easy for adolescent teens to attend school when they have asthma but it is not difficult also at the same time if proper coordination is made among the teenager, doctor, family and school employees. It is a good idea to consult teachers, nurses and other pertaining employees of the school and let them know that the teenager has asthma and may have special requirements. Also, let the school management know on medications the teenager regularly takes and how to help the teenager when an attack occurs. The school staff should be asked to treat the teen normally once the attack subsides. The physical education coach should also be informed about the condition so that he/she can let the kid stretch the muscles before any exercises or to deal with asthma attack induced due to exercises. Also, before admitting the teenager to a new school care must be taken to check the quality of air, irritants and allergens if any present in the school. The school staff should take considerations to avoid symptoms which could hamper the energy level kids. Also asthmatic teens should be assured from time to time that they are no different from others and asthma in any way does not slow them down, They need this emotional confidence otherwise they may have personality problems.

Acne is one of the most common problems in adolescent teens affecting nearly seventeen million people in the United States. Acne is nothing but a disorder involving sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Acne results from the clogging of sebaceous glands leading to the formation of pimples and cysts. The condition usually begins with the onset of puberty. Going by the facts, as teens attain puberty the androgens also called male sex hormones are produced in high number leading to sebaceous glands becoming over active which results in sebum being produced in high proportions.

Sebum, which is nothing but oil is produced by sebaceous glands which travel to the skin surface through hair follicles. But, skin cells block the follicles which results in oil also being blocked. When these hair follicles are blocked it results in the development of skin bacteria known as Propionibacterium Acnes within the follicles which in turn results in swelling of the skin called Acne. If the hair follicles are partially blocked it results in blackheads. If the follicles are completely blocked they result in whiteheads. But if these plugged follicles are not treated they ultimately burst causing the oil, bacteria and skin cells to spill all over the skin resulting in irritation and formation of pimples. Acne can be shallow as well as deep in various individuals depending on the nature of skin and amount of oil produced.

There can be various causes why Acne forms. Apart from rising hormone levels due to puberty it can also be attributed to certain other factors like intake of drugs which contain lithium, barbiturates and corticosteroids. Acne can also be caused due to excess grease and oil in the scalp, due to cooking oil and use of some cosmetics can actually alleviate the acne problem. Acne problem many times is inherited also. Acne problem is worsened if the pimples are squeezed or scrubbed too hard.

Acne can form at any place of the body but they most commonly form in the areas where there sebaceous glands are present in high proportions like face, chest, shoulders, neck and upper back. The symptoms may differ from person to person but commonly seen symptoms are: formation of blackheads, whiteheads, lesions filled with pus and which are very painful and lastly nodules. One may get confused sometimes as symptoms of acne may be like some other skin condition and it is always advised to consult a doctor in this scenario.

There are lots of treatments available today to treat acne. The primary goal of the treatment is to reduce scars and better appearance. There are various treatments and the doctor decides which specific treatment you need based on: the extent of acne problem, age, medical history, overall health, tolerance to specific medications and procedures, expectations and last but not the least what patients prefer.

Treatment of acne is classified into topical and systemic drug therapies which are given based on extent of severity. In some instances the combination of both the methods might be the way to go for acne treatment. Topical medication is nothing but creams, gels, lotions, solutions etc. prescribed to patients for acne treatment. Some of the examples of topical medication are: Benzoyl Peroxide which kills the Propionibacterium Acnes bacteria, antibiotics helps in stopping or slowing down the growth of the bacteria and also reduces inflammation, Tretinoin helps in stopping the formation of new acne lesions and Adapalene reduces formation of comedo.

Systemic drug therapies involve prescription of systemic antibiotics primarily for the treatment of acne problem which is moderate to severe in nature. The examples of antibiotics prescribed are Doxycycline, erythromycin and tetracycline. In some cases an oral drug called Isotretinoin is prescribed for teenagers with severe acne problem which shrinks down the sebaceous glands that produce oil. The results are pretty good and almost ninety percent of the adolescents have success with this oral drug. But the drug has some serious side-affects and thus it is very important that one consults a doctor before use.

Now is the Time to Quit Smoking

We can only hope that the baby boomer generation will be the last one who grew up in a culture where smoking was cool and acceptable.  The health passion of baby boomers that comes out of their dislike of anything that accelerates the aging process is one of the reasons the anti smoking movement has gained strength in the last decade.  The reasons for quitting smoke are well known to anyone who has paid attention to the issue at all.

Smoking reduces the life span.  For the baby boomer generation, living a long and healthy life is a way of staying young.  Smoking not only shortens the life span but it is a plague to your health in every era of life.

Smoking destroys quality of life.  Simple pleasures like breathing and enjoying a fine meal are damaged because smoking dominates the lungs and taste buds.  The pleasures that make life worthwhile are rendered neutral by smoking.

Smoking hurts the innocent.  Secondary smoke hurts the ones you love and it plants in children the desire to smoke in their adult lives.

Smoking brings on dire diseases such as cancer and lung disease.  These diseases are deadly and they can make life in your retirement years miserable.

Smoking makes you ugly.  This may be the worst crime there is to a baby boomer.  Smoking causes wrinkles and dries the skin making you look decades older than you really are.

The good news is that even for baby boomers who may have been smoking for decades, it’s always possible to quit.  Sometimes it’s easy to decide you can never beat this addiction.  You may have tried the patches and pills and even hypnotism and the desire for the nicotine poison lingers on.  But it is possible to do it.  There are some steps to getting it done which will take a while but they are proven to work.

Get plenty of support.  Get your family on your side and educate them on your program.  If you commit to them you are going to do it, they can love that habit out of your system.

Catalog your smoking.  Make a precise journal of exactly how many cigarettes you have every day, when you have them and even who you are with when you have them.

Stabilize your usage.  Now select the 10 or 20 times each day you will have a cigarette and only let yourself have one at those allotted times.  Do this for about 2 weeks.  If you want a cigarette at another time, just promise yourself you will wait for it.

Starting with week one of the quit smoking campaign, eliminate one cigarette from your routine.  Pick the easiest time not to have one.  Pick the time that is least social so you feel less pressure to go ahead and light up.  So where you may have smoked 20 cigarettes a day before, now you smoke 19 a day.  Do that for 2 weeks.  If you want a cigarette during that eliminated time, just promise yourself you can have one at the next allowed smoke break.

Eliminate one cigarette from your schedule every do weeks.  18 cigarettes a day for 2 weeks, then 17, then 16 and on and on.  Keep notes.  Go from easiest time to quit to hardest.

With each successful phase, have a little celebration with your friends and family.

Finally you will down to one a day.  You will have scaled your dependency down to this one tiny smoke break.  You will come to that moment when you say, “Oh what’s the point of having the one?”  Then you can crumple up your last pack and throw it way.

The great thing about this approach is its free and you just slowly reduce your dependence by promising yourself that cigarette at the next allowed smoke time.  Stay with the same brand so your level of nicotine remains constant.  And by staying at each level for a couple of weeks, you give your body a chance to slowly get used to each reduced level until you have weaned yourself off of the dreaded weed entirely.  And when you throw that final pack away, its time for a big party. Congratulate yourself because you have quit smoking and just added years of fun and happiness and joy with your family to your life.

When it comes to getting rid of acne scars, many people find that topical creams or peels don’t seem to make much of a difference. But there are many different options you need to consider and discuss with your doctor before deciding upon acne scar surgery. There are specific procedures that suited well to certain scars and not for others.

So, first of all, it’s important to identify the types of scars that you want to treat. Rolling scars are mildly indented; boxcar scars are indented and have a sharp border; icepick scars are small, narrow and deep; and hypertrophic or keloidal scars are raised and inflammed.

The Candela Smoothbeam laser involves the use of a combination of heating and cooling to selectively heat the middle layer (dermis) of the skin. This FDA-approved laser can treat wrinkles, acne and acne scars. Four treatments is a general recommendation with this type of scar surgery to be effective. Side effects are very minimal, with the most common being a mild redness in certain areas that can last a few hours. Rare side effects include blistering or color changes and scarring is possible but extremely rare.

Non-albative Fractional Resurfacing affects both the epidermis (outer layer) and dermis of the skin with microscopic laser beams. This type of surgery is characterized by extremely quick healing time (1-2 days of swelling, 2-4 days of redness, 4-7 days of peeling) as it is relatively gentle. Repeated sessions are necessary.

PDL laser is a good option for hypertrophic or keloidal scars. This type of laser destroys unwanted blood vessels that produce the pink appearance of these types of scars. PDL laser surgery can create a bruise which can remain for up to ten days. Corticosteroid injections are also only Used only for hypertrophic scars or keloids. It involves a series of injections with medicinal steroids to reduce or  shrink an inflamed raised scar.

Subcision is another type of acne scar surgery which works well on rolling scars. In this procedure, the surgeon first numbs the area with an injection of anesthesa. Then, he/she breaks up the scar tissue underneath with a small needle. There is no recovery time needed after this surgery although bruising can last 1 to 2 weeks.

Punch Excision works effectively on icepick scars. Here a “punch instrument” is used to remove the scar. The wound is then stitched up and the scar that remains is much smaller than the one that it replaces.

Derma filler injections can be done to fill in scar holes as well. These can be done in just a few minutes and there is little or no recovery time necessary. But the results of this procedure are not permanent so it must be repeated regularly. How often you must return to get derma fillers depends on the filler materials uesd and the condition of your skin.

The above information about acne scar surgery does not substitute medical advice given by a health professional.

Sometimes it can be very frustrating trying to figure out how to relieve a headache. If you try painkillers and they don’t work, you may find yourself wondering if you just have to live with the pain. Or you may not want to take painkillers at all. No matter what, you need to gather some natural ways to alleviate your discomfort.

Exercise

Working out may not be the first thing to come to mind when you are in pain, but it can really help. Vigorous exercise may not be the answer, but a brisk walk may be just what you need. 30 minutes of walking will release plenty of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkiller and will help you relieve your headache. Soon you may be rid of your headache, and can go back to your day.

Diet

You should look at your diet if you get headaches regularly. Some people just don’t get enough nutritious foods in their hectic schedule, and this can cause serious headaches. Sometimes migraines are caused by a lack of magnesium.

By adding supplements and good food to your diet, you may be able to eliminate many of the headaches that disrupt your life.

Aromatherapy

Smell has amazing powers, especially when essential oils are used. If you are trying to relieve a headache there are a few different oils that you can try. Lavender is one of the most popular, along with sandalwood, eucalyptus, and peppermint. Using just a few drops in a compress can work wonders, or you can fill a room with relaxing scent with an aromatherapy candle.

This can be especially helpful if you have tension headaches and just need to relax, but it will work for many types of headaches. The biggest thing is just to buy high quality essential oils. Cheap oils are made with poor ingredients, and can actually make your headaches worse.

Massage

Many people use massage to try and relieve a headache. It can be very effective if you know where to press. Tension headaches can be worked out with gentle pressure on tight muscles. Sinus headaches along with other types can be remedied by finding the right pressure points.

Going to a masseuse is a great way to get just the right massage for what you need, but this can get very expensive. You can relieve your own headache with a little direction on where to place pressure. If you have someone to help, this is even better as it gives you the opportunity to relax as much as possible.

Talk to a Doctor

Don’t take any of this advice as a replacement for getting a diagnosis from your doctor. Any kind of chronic condition should be discussed with a medical professional to be sure that it isn’t something serious. But if it is something that your doctor feels you can treat on your own, you know you have plenty of natural remedies that you can use.

When you are trying to relieve a headache, it may be tempting to just reach for painkillers. But there are many other, healthier options. Give these a try before taking pills, and your body will thank you in the long run.

In order to relieve tight neck muscles we must first understand how and why we suffer from it. The following information is a guide only. If any conditions persist then seek medical attention immediately.

There Is a Reason For Everything

Tight neck muscles can be attributed to many things but the most common are stress, wrong type or excessive exercising, uncomfortable positions at a desk or other work area, being in the same position for long periods of time, even in the home tight neck muscles can occur when doing the vacuuming or cooking.

A Pain in the Neck

Usually when you have tight neck muscles the muscles in the neck are sore and tight. This can lead to headaches and other ailments associated with a stiff neck like pain or tingling in your hands. Having tight neck muscles are quite sore and you will want to get rid of it as fast as you can. But how is that possible?

Cure

There are quite a few medications and exercises you can try to relieve tight neck muscles. All will work to some degree, some will even cure the neck pain altogether but which one is right for you?
Well that is totally up to you. Pills like ibuprofen and other anti inflammatory drugs can work but some people are allergic to them so the other option is through exercise and things like yoga.

Release the Grip and Feel Better

Gentle neck exercises and working on the neck and shoulder muscles can work wonders for you and if you practice yoga then there are exercises you can do to alleviate the neck pain you suffer from. Other ways to relieve tight neck muscles include heat treatment and massages which can work wonders for the neck and body.

Prevention is Better Than a Cure

When you have rid yourself of the neck pain there are ways you can apply to stop that from happening again. They include sitting or standing properly when working at a desk or in the kitchen and taking regular breaks if you do have to be in one position for too long, stretching can keep the muscles from tightening up too. If you are a stress sufferer and you have regular problems with pain in the neck then a way to relieve tight neck muscles is to reduce the stress you are under. This will go a long way to reducing drastically the neck pain you constantly suffer when stressed.

Be Aware

Lots of things can relieve tight neck muscles it’s just a matter of being conscious of what you are doing and try to avoid situations where neck pain can be brought on. If you do suffer then simple things like exercise, eating healthily, and being in less stressful situations can help rid your neck of that dreaded pain for good.

This article is not to be a replacement for any kind of medical help, so If you do constantly suffer from neck pain then it is strongly recommended that you seek medical advice.

If you want to know how to how to relieve the pain of a muscle spasm then there are ways you can use which will help you. It might need some small changes to your lifestyle but the end result could be a pain free body.

Painful Areas:

You might have experienced the pain of a muscle spasm as a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle which causes you unexpected pain, you might also suffer from chronic pain as painful muscle spasms are a symptom of a broad variety of either neurological or muscular diseases.

However in both cases the painful area around the muscle feels like a tightening and can cause quite a lot of pain. It can take a while until this unpleasant muscle contraction will relax and for the pain to disappear.

Remedies:

There are a lot of different options you could consider if you want to know how to relieve the pain of a muscle spasm. Everything from tablets, injections to hypnosis will work, it’s a matter of finding the best way for you. Here are some methods you could use in order to relieve the pain of a muscle spasm:

The first and most simple recommendation to relieve the pain is warmth, make sure you keep that area warm. A nice warm shower or bath will work, or maybe a warm towel draped around the area will definitely make things feel better.

Tiger Balm:
One of the things to try is Tiger Balm, a strong , soothing cream which will increase the blood circulation in the actual area. The skin will really feel hot and the warmth will help or at least support the relieve from pain.

Knowing how to relieve the pain of a muscle spasm can sometimes mean relaxing and having a nice, therapeutic massage:

Massage therapy:
It could be helpful to receive a medical massage which will increase your blood circulation and maybe release the spasm.

Biofeedback:
A very good method especially if you suffer from chronic muscle spasms is biofeedback. By monitoring and altering certain body functions you can learn how to control your body and your muscles in order to relax them and that way relax the muscles which cause spasms and tensions. This method won’t work immediately as you will have to learn how to do it, but it certainly is one of the best methods and one to remember if you want to know how to relieve the pain of a muscle spasm.

Music is Good For The Muscles

Music therapy:
As a study from pain clinic in Ohio have shown, music helps to relieve the pain of muscle spasms. Patients were exposed to music on headsets for an hour every day and have shown surprisingly good results concerning the muscle relaxation. So a good recommendation and another one to remember if you want to know how to relieve the pain of a muscle spasm is to listen to any kind of relaxing music.

There are heaps of ways of dealing with and knowing how to relieve the pain of a muscle spasm, and these are just a few. Please note that this article is not a substitution for medical help. If symptoms don’t disappear then please, see a doctor or go to the hospital.

If you’ve ever been diagnosed with sciatica, you know how essential it is to be able to relieve sciatic nerve pain when it flares up. For some sufferers, this is the worst pain they’ve felt in their lives and it requires immediate medical attention. For others, it’s time to try some home remedies.

Note that nothing said here is intended to replace medical advice. If you’re suffering from any sort of pain, let alone that from your sciatic nerve, talk to a medical professional about your treatment options. They will be able to give you the best help, and will diagnose any more serious underlying condition.

Medical Remedies for Sciatica

Depending on the cause of your sciatica, your doctor may want to try one of several different remedies. The first is to put you on an anti-inflammatory medication. These will reduce any swelling in your spine that may be contributing to or causing the pain you’re experiencing.

If the anti-inflammatory medication does not work to relieve sciatic nerve pain, most doctors will try injected anti-inflammatory medication next. This is usually in the form of a corticosteroid that is put directly into the tissue that’s putting pressure on your sciatic nerve. It should reduce swelling and therefore reduce your pain.

More intense medical interventions for sciatica include an epidural injection, similar to what many pregnant women receive while giving birth. A final option would be surgery, in which a doctor would physically move or remove anything putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Home Remedies for Sciatica

If your sciatica is not bad enough for your doctor to intervene in one of the above ways or if you’re trying to keep your pain under control, there are ways to relieve sciatic nerve pain that you can do in the comfort of your own home. These are simple and straightforward things that, over time, should help your discomfort.

When your pain first strikes, try applying alternating heat and cold to the affected area. Use an ice pack for 15-20 minutes, then apply a heating pad. Do this for a couple of hours and see if it makes a difference. Make sure that neither the ice nor the heat are too intense, because you can damage more tissue than you help.

While a day or two of bedrest may be necessary to relieve sciatic nerve pain, it will not do much to help the overall situation if you stay in bed for days on end. Thus, you should be sure to get up and move around, even if it is painful. This will help your spinal tissue stretch and relax, which should relieve some of your pain.

Exercise is a great way to give yourself long-term relief from sciatica pain. While you won’t want to do anything too intense, your doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist can help you find exercises that keep your back loose and, therefore, your pain away.

Becoming Pain Free

While it may seem like a far-off dream when you’re in the middle of an attack, it is possible to use a combination of medical and home treatments to relieve sciatic nerve pain. Follow your doctor’s advice carefully. Add in some of the home treatments mentioned here, and you should find your pain dissipating.

Is your skin dull, dry and unhealthy? Do you want to know how to get beautiful skin? Then, all that you need to do is follow the below mentioned steps to acquire a clean, glowing, healthy and beautiful skin.

Keep the makeup to a minimum and cleanse it thoroughly.

Use a sunscreen and protect you skin when you go out in the skin.

To protect your lips, use a chap-stick or a lip balm with SPF.

Wash your face twice a day. Avoid scrubbing your skin as your pores can over produce oils. Wash your face with warm or hot water to open your pores.

Use an SPF facial moisturizer. Moisturizer is to be used to protect the skin from dryness. People possessing oily skin do not have to moisturize frequently as compared to those people who have dry, normal or combination skin. The perfect time to apply body moisturizer is immediately after a bath as it blocks the moisture of your skin.

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. The skin is to be adequately cleansed, so that it is kept properly toned and clean. Cleansing helps in eliminating the dust and stress from your face by cleaning the pores and circulating the blood supply.

Plenty of water consumption is essential as by just hydrating your body, you will observe immediate improvement in the quality of your skin. Excessive water consumption is helpful in flushing toxins out of the body and in keeping the complexion clear and glowing.

Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep creates disorder in every part of our body.

A healthy and balanced diet should be consumed for attaining beautiful skin. The balanced diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.

Practice a regular exercise regimen as exercise places a healthy glow to your skin and stimulates blood flow to your entire body.

Take a tablespoon of ChickPea flour, a pinch of turmeric, with 2 tablespoons of milk and make a thick paste. Apply it to your face and massage in a circular motion. After 2 minutes, wash your face with water. This makes your face glow and removes all the dead skin cells.

Mix 1/4 cup of milk, 2 table spoons of sugar, then dip a cotton ball and apply the milk all over the face and neck. Leave it for some time; then wash the face. This offers a glow to the face.

Make a paste by mixing a table spoon of Oatmeal with turmeric and sugar. Then gently massage the paste on your face. Leave it for 2 to 3 minutes and wash it off. The skin acquires a smooth and refreshing appearance.

As you can see the above mentioned tips are simple and easy to follow. Frankly, how to get beautiful skin is not difficult, you just need to have the discipline to follow your bauty routine each and every day.

The following information is a guide only. If any conditions persist then seek medical attention immediately.

If you want to relieve knee swelling then the information in this article could help you. Knee swelling is a common injury that most doctors see on a regular basis. It can be caused by a number of things from over exertion to arthritis and usually treated using anti inflammatory tablets. But more and more people are looking at alternative techniques to help relieve knee problems.

Causes

There are many causes of knee swelling but here are a few of the more common causes.

• Ligament or muscle tears
• Arthritis
• Infections
• Excessive exercising

Symptoms

A swollen knee and pain are usually the first symptoms one feels when you injure the knee, bruising is another symptom you should look out for. If there is fluid on or around the knee then it will be red and warm to the touch. Your knee will also be stiff and difficult to bend and generally be painful.

Help is at Hand

Help is available to help relieve knee swelling, and it can take a number of guises but all with the same end result, to alleviate the pain and swelling you have in your knee.

Usually with a swollen knee a course of anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin will help to relieve the knee of the swelling and pain, but nowadays more and more people are turning to natural remedies to aid them in reducing and relieving the pain and swelling.

The first thing you should do to relieve knee swelling is rest the injured knee and to elevate it so that if there is any fluid on the knee it can drain away.

Take an ice pack or ice cubes and put them inside a sealable plastic bag then wrap the ice into a towel and place it onto the knee. Never place ice directly to the skin as this causes burns.

A good anti inflammatory drug is called Bromelain. Made from pineapples and turned into capsules so it can easily be taken, Bromelain is excellent against any type of swelling on the body. It has other benefits too and one is that it is good for the digestive system.

Stay off the injured knee for as long as possible so that you can relieve knee swelling but if you must move about then use crutches to help you.

This advice is just that, advice and should not in any way replace any medical care and attention you should seek If your symptoms persist over a few days.

A Whole New Way

If you want to relieve knee swelling then there are many ways in which that is possible with natural remedies being the number one choice for most people. Many are available from a great many places, you might even have some in the kitchen, try them and see what a difference they can do to help you and your swollen knee.

The topic of whether magnets can be used to relieve pain is controversial. While many chronic pain sufferers and others claim that these do help, sometimes more than any other treatment, scientists have not been able to reproduce these claims consistently in the laboratory. Are the pain sufferers just benefiting from the placebo effect, or are the scientists not testing things correctly?

While it’s difficult to come to any conclusions on this topic given the evidence available, it’s important to do your research if you’re considering using magnetic forces to deal with your pain. If you choose to invest in this method, you want to be sure that you’re making a good decision for your medical treatment.

Note that nothing said here should be taken as medical advice. Before you put anything into practice, talk to your doctor or another medical professional, just to be safe.

Considerations

Magnetic devices have been used to help pain sufferers for ages. They are not a new way of dealing with pain, nor are they a method that comes strictly from Asian cultures, as many westerners believe. Instead, they were used as far back as Ancient Greece and have been used in the United States since before the Civil War.

There are many reasons why people believe magnetic forces can help reduce pain. If you’re interested in more information on these theories as to why and how this sort of treatment might work, a simple internet search can give you more information than you may want to know.

One consideration when it comes to using magnets to relieve pain is whether the items in question are traditional magnets or electromagnets. Some people believe that electromagnets are more effective when used to relieve pain because the provider can do more to control the magnetic field.

In addition, some of the magnets that people use to reduce pain are much more powerful than others. A few pain sufferers claim that its only these more powerful magnetic forces that can do anything to relieve pain, while weaker ones do not help at all.

Make Your Decision

Once you’ve done your research, you’ll need to decide for yourself what you think about using magnetic forces to deal with your pain. Think about the decision carefully, then invest yourself fully in whatever decision you make. Trust your own mind to evaluate the information well and come to the answer you need.

If you choose to use magnets to relieve pain, it might help to do so with the help of a trusted professional. Many acupuncturists and chiropractors are also experienced in this method of pain relief, or they can point you to someone who is. Working with a skilled, educated practitioner might help assuage any lingering doubts. In addition, this person will be able to answer any questions you have.

If you try magnetic pain relief for a period of time and it doesn’t seem to be working for you, feel free to move on and try something else. Nothing works for everyone, and so this might not be a method that will help you. Rest assured, though, that there is something out there that will work for you; all you have to do is find it.

Aging is a natural process in the life of every human being. Every person wishes to slow down the process of aging through any means. The human skin is quite delicate and hence, sensitive to strong chemicals and cosmetics. Therefore, it is always advisable to use natural remedies to slow down the process.

An anti aging product which is comprised of natural ingredients can be a much better option. There are several natural remedies available to slow down the process of aging. These natural remedies for anti aging are less expensive and safer as compared to the surgery, cosmetic procedures or chemical solutions. Natural remedies are a great option to reduce the aging effects.

Generally, the natural remedies for anti aging are composed of various natural ingredients like botanical oils, vitamins and herbal extracts which are essential for restoring the elasticity of the skin and to maintain the softness of the skin which makes you look young. The herbal extracts or the natural ingredients offer moisture and balance to the skin by cleansing it. Natural remedies for anti aging which are used after evaluating the skin type and physical constitution of an individual are the best solution.

Some of the natural remedies for anti aging are discussed as follows:

* Grate a raw coconut, squeeze the coconut shreds, extract milk and apply the milk on the face and let it dry. Rinse it with warm water.

* Apply avocado on your face and wash it after 15-20 minutes.

* Apply castor oil to soften your skin and eliminate wrinkles.

* Blemishes and aging spots can be removed by applying a few drops of lemon juice on the face.

* Excessive intake of water is to be advocated.

* Make a paste of sugar cane juice mixed with turmeric powder which is quite effective in controlling wrinkles and preventing the skin from aging.

* To remove the initial signs of anti aging, the core of a pineapple is to be cut and rubbed on the face. Allow your face to dry for 10-15 minutes.

* Certain essential oils act as effective natural remedies for anti aging. Drops of oils like sandalwood, geranium, rosewood, rose jasmine, neroli, and frankincense are to be taken and mixed with primrose oil or any other oil which can be used as base oil.

* Facial massage is another good natural remedy for anti aging. Blood circulation is increased by massage which results in tightening of the muscles and tissues.

* A Green Thompson seedless grape is to be taken and cut into half and then gently crushed on the skin. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse it with warm water.

* Vitamin E oil or cod liver oil is to be applied daily to the skin. The aging spots shall fade.

* Intake of fruits and vegetables should be increased in your diet. There are some fruits and vegetables which help in preventing aging. Some of them are carrots, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers, oranges, grapes, turnips, etc.

Therefore, one need not worry about aging spots as there are numerous effective natural remedies for anti aging available.

How do I relieve insomnia? That is a question many of us have asked at some stage of our lives. Many attributes like caffeine, alcohol and stress can account for us not being able to sleep, but with the following help and advice you may find yourself finally nodding off to dreamland easily.

The following help and advice should in no way replace any medical advice your doctor or other medical examiner has told you. If the symptoms persist then please see a professional. These are just alternative ways of relieving insomnia.

What is Insomnia?

To put it bluntly insomnia is a condition in which you either cannot fall asleep or, when you are asleep, you may have trouble staying that way. Regardless of whether you have chronic insomnia or acute insomnia, both can be annoying as the body needs a certain amount of sleep to heal and rest itself.

Prevention is Best

So how can you relieve insomnia? Well there are lots of things you can try but first let’s look at the lifestyle you have.

Difficult Conditions

If you drink lots of caffeine or alcohol, or maybe you are stressed and do little or no exercise then these are conditions that could affect the sleep you have at nights so try to reduce the alcohol and caffeine intake, exercise a little and lose any or all of that stress.

Stress, I am NOT Stressed!

Losing stress is a great way not only to help you sleep at night but also reduces the risk of heart attacks, heart disease or strokes. Exercising, yoga or even meditation can help reduce the stress in your body and in turn relieve insomnia.

Natural Remedies

There are many remedies on the market all claiming to help you sleep but trying a natural remedy can save you money and work better than an over the counter product.

Milk and Honey

Drinking warm milk with honey before you go to bed will help you relax and sleep or you could try water and honey, both induce sleep and are brilliant natural remedies.

Lettuce

Yes lettuce! There is something in the lettuce called lectucarium that induces sleep. Either make a sandwich heavily laden with lettuce leaves or boil the seeds in water. Both have the desired effect and that is to relieve insomnia and help you nod off and sleep.

Listen or Read

2 other great ways of helping you to sleep are listening to audio books and reading. Some people say a boring book will work while others say a new and exciting story, whatever you decide it should help you to sleep.

No More Sleepless Nights

If you do suffer from sleepless nights and want to reduce insomnia then the above remedies should be worth a try. It doesn’t cost much and you could find that not only do you sleep you are actually making your body fitter too.

Please note that the above remedies are not a substitute to any medical advice you are given. Plus, if any symptoms do persist please go see your doctor.

Arthritis Pain:  Can Supplements Help?

Do you suffer from arthritis?  Are you tired of suffering?  Do you want it to end and now?  Immediate pain relief is possible with over-the-counter pain medications.  Unfortunately, the pain returns as soon as the medication wears off.  What can you do?  You can try herbal and dietary supplements.  Many have little to no risks.  In fact, most have additional health benefits.

So, what dietary supplements can help you treat, manage, or relieve the pain of arthritis?

Note: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not approve most of these supplements.  We all know that this approval is important, but lack of approval does not mean a thing.  Perform a standard internet search with the supplements highlighted below and you will hear first-hand that they do work.

Ginger.  This supplement comes from the root of a ginger plant.  Depending on the form, it comes from either fresh or dried root.  What is ideal about this supplement is your options.  You can choose from capsules, powder, extract, and oils.  Up to two grams a day are recommended.  The extract can be added to tea for taste.

According the popular Arthritis Today magazine, ginger extract helps with inflammation.  It has the ability to slow down the chemicals that cause inflammation, including COX-2.  In addition to aiding in arthritis pain, this supplement is an ideal cure for motion sickness, as it not only subsides pain, but nausea and vomiting too.

Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables, otherwise known as ASU.  Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) not only provides pain relief, but it lessens joint swelling and inflammation too.  Various studies, since 2002, have shown that ASU did stop inflammation.  Not only that, it slows the break down of cartilage and in some instances worked to repair prior damage.

Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables is available in capsule format.  It can be found for sale at most health and nutrition stores.  Read all labels before taking, but most call for two capsules a day.

Fish Oil.  Fish oil has long been known for its health benefits.  Fish oil comes from cold-water fish.  The Arthritis Today magazine recommends up to two three-ounce servings of fish a week.  For those unable to stomach the taste and smell, capsules and tablets are available.  This supplement is affordable and available for sale at most retail locations, including department stores, nutrition stores, drug stores, and grocery stores.

As previously state, it has long been known that fish oil is a healthy supplement.  It helps to promote healthy blood circulation.  Due to its ability to protect against high blood pressure and heart disease, you cannot go wrong with this supplement.  The reduction of inflammation in your joints and decreased pain are only the beginning.

Devil’s claw.  Although the name sounds frightening, this supplement is an herbal remedy that was and is widely used in South Africa.  It is available in powder, liquid, and capsule formats.  According to the Arthritis Today magazine, the active ingredient in devil’s claw is Harpagoside.  Many claim it reduces both joint pain and inflammation.

Devil’s claw is shown to reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain associated with arthritis.  Unfortunately, there are known risks involved with this supplement.  Those who are pregnant, taking blood thinners, antacids, or diabetes medication should not take the devil’s claw supplement, regardless of the form.

Ginkgo, also known as ginkgo biloba.  Ginkgo has long been touted as a memory-enhancing supplement.  Although medical professionals have yet to agree on this benefit, there is more.  For many, it improves blood flow and circulation.  This improves the overall health and wellbeing of the body.  Some studies have shown that it reduces disease flair ups, including arthritis.

Ginkgo is available for sale in most retail stores.  It is available in liquid, extract, or capsules format.  The Arthritis Today magazine recommends choosing supplements with 24% flavonol glycosides and up to 7% terpene lactones.

As you can see, many herbal and dietary supplements can reduce the pain associated with arthritis.  The good news?  These are just a sample of the supplements available for sale.  Before trying any supplement, including the ones highlighted above, research or speak to your primary care physician.  Some can counteract with common over-the-counter or prescribed medications.

Arthritis Pain Relief and Supplements:  What You Need to Know…

Do you suffer from arthritis or know someone who does?  For arthritis sufferers, pain becomes a fixture in their life.  Over-the-counter medications do provide relief, but it short lived.  As soon as the medication wears off, the pain returns.  There is hope though.  For many, that hope comes in the form of natural and dietary supplements.  Just a sample of the supplements that can provide relieve include devil’s claw, ginger, stinging nettle, flax, and ASU.

You now know that some herbal and dietary supplements can provide arthritis relief.  Your first thought may be to run to the drug store.  Wait!  Before you make your purchase, there a number of things you should know about these supplements.

Some herbal, dietary, and natural supplements counteract with over-the-counter and prescribed medications.  For that reason, medical advice is strongly advised.  Talk to a medical professional.  This should be a primary care physician or at least a pharmacist.  The goal of supplements is to relieve arthritis pain and discomfort, not create other complications.  If you are worried about discouragement, don’t ask if a supplement will work.  Instead, ask if it is safe to take with your medications.

Remember there is no cure.  You can treat arthritis, but it cannot be cured.  For that reason, stay away from any supplements with the claim.  You will waste your money.  These supplements can reduce the pain, inflammations, sleep difficulties, and decreased mobility associated with arthritis, but that is it.  Plenty of products outright state this; do not opt for one that that lies.

These herbal supplements are not worth putting your health at risk.  As previously stated, some supplements counteract with over-the-counter and prescribed medication.  If you are in severe pain, you may be willing to make the switch.  You may stop taking your diabetes medication to take devil’s claw, and so forth.  This is not recommended.  Never stop taking prescribed medication.  Once again, speak to a healthcare professional.  Many supplements provide relief and are safe to take.  Your doctor can advise you on which supplements are best.

A world of information is available online.  Almost fifty herbal, natural, and dietary supplements can aid in arthritis relief.  Some treat joint inflammation and swelling, while others treat sleep difficultly, decreased mobility, cartilage damage, and pain.  Which is right for you?  An online internet search will tell.  Read reviews to see what people have to say.  Look for both positive and negative reviews.  It is rare for a product to receive rave reviews, but be cautious of telltale signs, such as “scam,” “waste of money,” or “too many side effects.”

Speaking of the side effects, know what they are.  Then, make an informed decision.  Arthritis sufferers should examine the risk to determine if they are worth it.  For example, cat’s claw is a supplement used to reduce inflammation.  Possible side effects include headaches, vomiting, and dizziness.  If your job requires you to be on your feet all day, the dizziness may be too much to handle.  Look for an arthritis-helping supplement that has little to no side effects.

You can and should find the best deals.  In terms of supplements, the best deal isn’t always the lowest price.  Aim for the best quality for the lowest price.  This is where the above mentioned research comes in handy.  Look for specific brand names with positive feedback.  When buying online, compare the size with prize and include the cost of shipping.

You must follow all directions.  Herbal supplements are typically safe to use, when taken as directed.  Different brands use similar extracts, but those amounts vary.  Consult with your primary care physician or the bottle to get an exact dosage.  Despite the common belief, more will do no good.  In fact, it may cause complications.

Finally, if you take herbal supplements on a daily basis, write down and tape to your refrigerator.  Also, inform those close to you.  In the event you need medical care and cannot speak for yourself, responding personnel must know all medications you are taking, including supplements.

Arthritis and Driving:  Tips for Ease…

Those suffering from arthritis may find it difficult to walk to the car and back.  However, most do not let arthritis stop them from enjoying their life.  So, you may head out of the house and hop into your car.  This is great, what if you start experiencing pain?  How do you treat it on the road or prevent that pain from coming back the next time?

Keep arthritis pain relievers in the car.  In one of your car’s compartments, have a few pain relief supplies on hand.  This may include over-the-counter pain pills, a tube of arthritis cream, or on-the-go heat patches.  Whether you experience pain as soon as you get in your car, or later down the road, rely on these over-the-counter products to seek relief.  If you live in an area with cold winters, do not keep these items in your car, as they may freeze.  Instead, put them in your purse or fanny pack.

Speaking of over-the-counter products, most retail stores sell on-the-go heating patches.  These patches stick to your body and warm with skin contact.  ThermaCare is a well-known brand.  They are ideal when you can’t use an electric or microwaveable heating pad.  If in pain before you leave the house, but must still leave, like for a holiday party or a doctor’s appointment, apply an on-the-go heated patch.  Relief will last for up to 12 hours.  Since they stick directly to the skin, no adjustments should be needed.

Buy a remote car starter.  If you live in the northern United States, it is important to warm your car first.  Unfortunately, this may mean an extra trip back and forth.  It doesn’t have to.  Instead, purchase a remote car starter.  This device allows you to start and warm your car from inside your home.  They also make it easier to unlock car doors.  Instead of fumbling with the keys, push the button and your car doors unlock!  When buying a remote car starter, look for stores that offer free or discounted installation.

Buy no slip steeling wheel covers.  Those who suffer from arthritis of the fingers, dread driving.  In fact, some may fear the danger they put themselves and others in.  If you find it difficult to grip your car’s steering wheel, make a new purchase.  That purchase should be an easy grip and non-slipable steeling wheel cover.  Ask a store employee, family member, or friend to install the cover for you.

Keep a jar opener in the car.  If you have arthritis of the hands, you likely already utilize rubber jar openers at home.  They make griping, twisting, and turning easier.  Keep one in your car.  Use it to unscrew your car’s gas cap.  You can also find arthritis gas cap wrenches available for sale.  They slip over your gas cap, have an extended and easy grip handle.  These are nice, but they can be hard to find.  For the same price, you could easily buy 20 rubber jar openers, which accomplish the same goal.

Keep your car well gassed.  As previously stated, there are tools available to make opening and losing the gas cap easier.  Even with these tools, it can still be difficult and painful.  To prevent the onset of pain, always have a full tank of gas in your car.  You won’t be forced to put gas in when you are already in pain or more susceptible to it.  If you have a full-service gas station in your area, use it.

As you can see, there are many steps that you can take to ease travel and car use.  Just because you suffer from arthritis and are prone to pain, it does not mean you need to live your life in fear.  Implement the above mentioned steps to reduce pain.  If and when it does arrive, turn to your stash of over-the-counter arthritis care products to seek relief.

Seek Arthritis Relief with Apple Cider Vinegar…

Do suffer from arthritis?  Are you tired of the aches, pains, difficulty moving, and trouble sleeping?  Your physician will recommend pain reliever and exercise.  Yes, these do help, but you may want to try something new.  If and when you reach that point, turn to apple cider vinegar.  For many years, arthritis patients, just like you, have claimed it relieved their pain and discomfort.

As nice as it is to know that apple cider vinegar can give you arthritis relief, you may be looking for more information on this natural remedy.  What type of apple cider vinegar?  How much?  Do I drink it?  Continue reading on to find out.

The following are accounts gathered from the internet.  These remedies have worked for some.  The common ingredient is apple cider vinegar.  Always proceed with caution with natural and home remedies.  Never consume or apply anything to your skin that may cause an allergic reaction.  Know that natural and home remedies vary.  What works for one may not work for another.  You should experiment, through trial and error, to develop the apple cider vinegar remedy that works best for you.

Apple cider vinegar is made from apple must and cider.  The apples are crushed and the liquid is squeezed out.  Yeast and sugar are later added.  This starts the fermentation process. The alcohol is later converted into vinegar.  Your best bet is to purchase from a health and nutrition or organic food store.  With that said, apple cider vinegar is available for sale at many retail stores, both on and offline.

When buying apple cider vinegar to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis, opt for the fresh kind.  It is found in most health and nutrition stores.  When looking at the package, you should see sediments at the bottom.  This is natural apple cider.  Yes, the kind sold at the grocery store does look more enticing, but it has been altered and strained, losing some of its helpful properties.

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy #1

Combine up to three tablespoons of the vinegar in a cup with large water.  If you cannot stomach the taste, as a few drops of honey.  You can do this anytime through the day, but most recommend before bed.  Some recommended drinking the mixture two to three times a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy #2

Combine ¼ cup of apple cider with one to two cups of warm water.  Place the combination in a bowl and soak the achy joints.  For example, if it is your fingers or toes that hurt, soak them.  Do so for at least ten minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy #3

Combine ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with one to two cups of warm water.  This is a continuation of remedy two.  If your achy joints are too large to soak, put a cloth in the bowl.  Let it soak up the mixture, wring to prevent dripping, and apply to the achy area.  Keep the wrap on for at least ten minutes.

Apple cider vinegar is full of acid.  For that reason, never drink straight.  Always mix with water.  This should not be a problem, as most are unable to stomach the sour taste anyways.  As with most natural supplements, it is available in capsules form.  You can take these, but it is best to opt for the real thing.  You receive added health benefits and get a better value for your money.

Now that you have three different apple cider vinegar remedies, you may wonder exactly what they will do for you.  As previously stated, results will vary.  With that said, most noticed a decrease or elimination in pain.  Users also noticed increased mobility.  So, not only was it less painful to move around, but easier too!

Apple cider vinegar is not an immediate pain reliever.  You may notice some improvement right away, but continued use is best.  The longer you drink an apple cider vinegar mixture or soak your joints, the more benefits you feel.  Some arthritis patients commented that they stopped drinking or soaking in the mixture due to improved movement and less pain. Unfortunately, those same individuals saw their pain return.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Early Treatment…

When diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, many patients instinctively prepare for a life filled with pain.  Yes, this may be true in some cases.  But, a growing number of rheumatologists now believe that this form of arthritis can literally be stopped in its tracks.  According to the popular Arthritis Today magazine, this is a growing theory.  So, what does it mean for you?

If you suspect you are suffering from arthritis, it is important to seek immediate medical care.  Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, sleep troubles, and decreased mobility.  Treatment options do vary, but a proper diagnosis is key.  There are over one hundred different types of arthritis.  Although the treatments are similar, a diagnosis is important.  Start with your primary care physician.  He or she may later suggest you visit an arthritis specialist, also commonly known as a rheumatologist.

Treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis typically include over-the-counter pain medication.  This is to lessen the severity of the pain.  Unfortunately, this relief is short lived.  That is why many prescribe medication.  When taken overtime, these medications work to combat arthritis.  As for the importance of early treatment, the Arthritis Today magazine highlighted a study performed on the drug Humira.  It showed that those diagnosed early were more likely to enter into remission in as little as two years!

Another important aspect of treatment is exercise.  Excessive use of the troublesome joints can trigger pain.  For that reason, patients need to start slow.  For example, a patient suffering from arthritis of the fingers should move and stretch their fingers daily.  Pain is likely at first, but the more a joint is safely and slowly worked, the more improvements patients are likely to see.  Low impact exercises relieve joint stiffness and lessen the likelihood of deformities.

In addition to exercise, healthy eating is important.  Combined, the two should result in weight loss.  Not all arthritis sufferers are overweight, but some are.  This increases pain, as the extra body weight applies more pressure to joints.  With some patients, the pain is trigged by certain foods.  Most see success by eliminating or reducing meat and dairy intake.  In terms of natural remedies, nothing is scientifically proven, but many patients report relief after consuming pineapples, cayenne pepper, raw cabbage, and coldwater fish.

As for why early treatment is important, it slows the progression of the disease.  Juveniles are the only individuals likely to outgrow rheumatoid arthritis.  For adults, the disease will only progress and get worse, especially without treatment.  The health complications are far too great to not give treatment a chance.  These health complications may include disability, severe limitations in mobility, and deformities.

Although a growing number of arthritis experts do agree that early treatment can stop or slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, many have cause for concern.  For example, an average window of opportunity is two years.  Many believe that once those two years have passed patients will mistakenly believe they are past the point of no return and that treatment is useless.  It is not.  Treatment will reduce or temporarily eliminate many of the symptoms of arthritis.  So, many will push for treatment regardless.

While there is little scientific proof that early treatment can stop rheumatoid arthritis in its tracks, it is worth the chance.  As previously stated, all patients should undergo treatment.  Whether that treatment comprises of over-the-counter products, prescribed medications, herbal supplements, or exercise, treatment can reduce the symptoms of arthritis.  If you are able to stop the disease in its tracks, just consider that the icing on the cake.

If you suffer from arthritis, your physician has likely already suggested over-the-counter products to relieve the pain, stiffness, and swelling.  You should heed his or her advice.  However, if you are looking to switch brands, examine other products, or lower the cost, it is important to know what your options are.  In terms of over-the-counter arthritis relief, you have many options.  What are they?

Pain relievers.  Good old pain reliever can reduce or temporarily eliminate the joint pain that comes will all types of arthritis.  Well-known brands include Tylenol, Bayer, Advil, and Aleve.  In addition to standard pain relievers, many well-known brands have developed formulas just for arthritis.  For example, Tylenol Arthritis capsules have two pain fighting layers.  The first dissolves quickly for immediate relief and the second dissolves slower, resulting in long lasting relief.

Over-the-counter pain pills all accomplish the same goal, but that goal is reached different ways and with different formulas.  For that reason, never assume you need to take a pill every 4 to 6 hours.  Read the directions and follow them.

Topical pain relief cream.  Topical pain relief cream comes in a small tube.  You rub the cream onto your body once or twice a day.  Pain relief is felt almost immediately and it will last for hours.  Most creams are deep penetrating and odor free.  You can seek relief without smelling like a walking medicine cabinet.

As with over-the-counter pain medications, it is important to read and follow all directions.  Most recommend applying no more than two times a day, but all topical creams are different.  Although not ingested, it is still medicine and caution is advised.

When looking closely at the ingredients for these topical creams, you will find that most have capsaicin as their active ingredient.  This is also found in red cayenne pepper.  For maximum relief, incorporate the spice into your meals.

Heat patches.  It has long been said that warmth lessens the severity of arthritis pain.  It also relieves stiffness and swelling.  If these are symptoms of yours, heated patches can provide you with relief.  These patches are similar to heating pads, but they are ideal for when you are on the go.  They automatically warm with skin contact.

ThermaCare is a well-known brand for heating patches.  Their patches provide relief for all types of aches and pains, including menstrual cramping.  They dedicated a special line of pads for arthritis.  The heat is long lasting, for around 12 hours or more.  Patches are available for the wrist, elbow, knee, neck, and shoulder.

As with a heating pad you warm in the microwave, there are risks associated with these on the go heated patches.  The most common is burning.  As we age, it is easier for the skin to burn.  Those 55 should proceed with caution.  Test the patch during the day before sleeping with it on.

Heating pads.  The above mentioned heating patches do provide warm relief from arthritis pain and joint stiffness, but they are one-time use.  Their costs can easily add up.  Use these patches for when you need to move.  If you have the ability to relax at home, a heating pad is best.

Heating pads come in a number of different formats and sizes.  There are those you warm in the microwave and those you plug in.  For nighttime, use the microwaveable pouches.  They cool overtime, so there is less risk of burns when you are fast asleep.

As you can see, a number of over-the-counter products can allow you to seek relief from the joint pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with arthritis.  These products are available for sale in most retail stores, including drug, grocery, health, and department stores.  Before opting for pain relieving pills or arthritis cream, speak to a medical professional.  Make sure they do not interact with the medications you are already taking.  As for heating patches and pads, they are safe to use, as long as used as directed.

Osteoarthritis in the Knees:  10 Pain Relief Options…

Do you suffer from osteoarthritis in the knees?  If so, you know pain and you know it well.  Luckily, your suffering does not have to be constant or last for long.  There are many ways to seek relief.  In fact, just ten of your options are outlined below.  These particular options were selected due to ease and practicality; just about anyone can seek relief with these methods.

1 – Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

For osteoarthritis, most professionals recommend Tylenol or acetaminophen.  With that said, there are many over-the-counter pain relievers available.  Choose a brand that you can afford and one that provides you with relief.  For example, if Aleve has worked to stop headache pain, try it for arthritis relief.  You already know the formula works.

2 – Topical Arthritis Creams

For instant arthritis pain relief, it is best to go directly to the source.  Topical arthritis creams enable you to do so.  You apply the cream directly to the hurtful joints.  At first, you may notice a slight tingle or sting, but then comes the relief.  This relief usually lasts as long as over-the-counter pain relief pills.

When examining the active ingredients in over-the-counter arthritis creams, you are likely to find capsaicin.  This ingredient is also found in cayenne pepper.  Many not only recommend a capsaicin cream, but adding the pepper spice to foods for flavor and the health benefits.

3 – Prescribed Medication

Many times, physicians only write prescriptions for severe pain.  This is pain that cannot be treated with over-the-counter products.  Opioids are prescription pain relievers, but there is a risk of addiction or problems from improper use.  If your doctor deems you a responsible and low-risk taker, codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone may be prescribed.

4 – Heat

For most, heat provides pain relief.  So, give it a try.  Draw a warm bath, use a warm washcloth, or purchase a heating pad.  As always, caution is advised to prevent burns.  Although most individuals benefit from heat, some do better with cold.  Some medical professionals, according to Arthritis Today, recommended alternating between the two.

5 – Exercise

To reduce joint pain, strong muscle strength is needed.  With strong muscles, you are able to rely on them and use them more.  This puts less pressure on achy knees.  In fact, strong muscles give the joints extra protection and cushion.  Therefore, exercise is advised.  If it is painful to exercise, start out slow with low-impact exercises.  For some, stretching and light walking is enough.  If still too painful, consider low-impact water exercises.

6 – Physical Therapy

As previously stated, some osteoarthritis patients may find it too painful to exercise.  Your goal is to avoid and prevent pain, so why do something that causes it?  Exercise has long-term health benefits.  Not only does it promote an overall healthy body, but it does provide the joints protection through increased muscle strength.  You can exercise at home, but physical therapy is good.  In some cases, this gives you easy access to water exercises.  You can also learn safe low-impact exercises to do at home.

7 – Weight Loss

Not all patients suffering from osteoarthritis are overweight, but those who are increase the risk of pain.  The more weight one carries around, the more pressure there is applied to the knees.  If you can lose weight without compromising your health, do so.  The best way to lose weight is to combine exercise with healthy eating.

8 – Knee Braces

Those who suffer from osteoarthritis in the knees are more likely to experience walking troubles.  It can be painful to walk from one room to another, let alone leave the house.  A knee brace can provide support and stability.  A proper fitting knee brace not only makes it easier to walk, but less painful too!  Knee braces are available for sale at most health and drugstores, but talk to your physician first.

9 – Walking Aids

Those with mild osteoarthritis in the knees can benefit from a cane.  Those with severe osteoarthritis in the knees may need crutches.  As previously stated, walking is difficult with arthritis in the knees.  It is painful and there is an increased risk of falls, due to instability.  Cane or crutches can provide support.

10 – A Strong Support System

Many arthritis patients believe they reach the point of no return.  This is when the pain is so unbearable it seem as if nothing will work.  Those individuals are more likely to suffer in silence than seek treatment.  If you are one of those individuals or if you just need a push to lose weight or exercise, a strong support system is vital.  For many, talking about their pain helps to ease it.  Ensure you have someone at home to discuss your arthritis with or find local support groups.

Natural Remedies for Arthritis Relief…

Do you suffer from arthritis?  Is the pain and discomfort so debilitating that you want it to stop and now?  If so, you may automatically head to your medicine cabinet.  Before doing so, think it through.  As soon as the medication wears off, the pain will return.  Instead, think long-term.  Many natural remedies will provide you with long-term relief, especially with continued use.

Eat fresh cherries.  Various studies have shown that fresh cherries fight and reduce inflammation.  Joint swelling and inflammation are the most common causes of arthritis related pain.  So, if you are looking for a natural way to treat arthritis, look no farther than your local grocery store or farmer’s market.  There is no specific recommended consumption advised, but since cherries are a healthy food, you can and should eat as many as you like.

Eat celery.  Celery is rich in potassium, as well as other minerals.  There are varying causes for arthritis, but many claim potassium has an impact.  Those with potassium deficiencies are at an increased risk for arthritis.  Due the high presence of potassium, celery may assist with arthritis caused symptoms, such as pain, discomfort, inflammation, and joint stiffness.  It is best to mix one teaspoon of celery seeds with warm water, let cool and drink.

Drink a mixture of apple cider vinegar.  Apple cider vinegar is known for its many health benefits.  Although this success is mostly based on opinion, it has been known to reduce the pain associated with arthritis.  Apple cider is safe for most to consume, but there are risk with drinking the cider straight.  For that reasons, a mixture of 2 tablespoons in at least an 8-ounce glass of water is advised.  This mixture can be taken up to 3 times daily.

Soak the painful joints in apple cider.  Most prefer this approach as it targets the painful joints.  Most recommend using ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and one liter of water.  Place is a bowl and warm.  For areas too difficult to soak, such as the hips, soak a cloth in the mixture and apply to the area.

Rub wild oregano oil in the skin.  Those who have tried this natural remedy typically report immediate pain relief, in as little as five minutes!  Most recommend mixing the oregano oil with olive oil.  An ideal mixture is six drops of oil for one tablespoon of olive oil.  Some also report success rubbing coconut oil on the affected area, followed by a few drops of oregano oil.

Black cohosh.  This American Indian treatment has sustained its popularity throughout the years. Black cohosh not only contains anti-inflammatory agents, but it has aspirin like qualities.  Most recommend simmering around 1 teaspoon of black cohosh in a cup of boiling water.  Do so for around twenty minutes, let cool and drink.  The mixture can be divided into two daily doses.

Hop tea.  It has been said that the hop plant has many ingredients that act as an anti-inflammatory agent.  In fact, some are very similar to steroid drugs.  These have long best used to reduce the inflammation, pain, and discomfort of arthritis.  To make your own tea at home, combine three teaspoons of hop leaves into a cup with boiling water.  Let sit until slightly cooled.  Drink before bed.

As with other home remedies, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter pain medications, the relief felt will be short lived.  That is why many opt for continued use.  Luckily, you are safe with most natural remedies.  Due to natural ingredients, prolonged use rarely causes any complications.  However, patients should still speak with a medical professional first.  In fact, you can development a natural treatment plan together.

As you can see, there are many natural ways to seek relief from the joint pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.  Natural remedies are not guaranteed.  In many cases, there is no scientific proof they work.  With that said, the above mentioned natural remedies come highly rated and recommend by those, like you, who have suffered first-hand with arthritis.