Sunday, July 29, 2012

A Great Opportunity to Improve Your Appearance and Relax Your Body

If you have always wanted to visit a spa but never thought you could afford it, with some spas offering discount and reduced prices, you really cannot afford not to visit one. If you or a family member is involved in any type of sport where you have experienced injuries, pains, and chronic aches, a sports/medical massage offered at one of these facilities can help you heal faster and promotes improved sports performance. This type of massage is also a great way to prevent injuries with the use of several types of massage techniques and stretches. This type of massage can also be used by and individual immediately following a strenuous exercise session.
You may also receive a massage designed to relieve you of specific tension points in the lower back, shoulder, and neck regions. A massage therapist performs a deep tissue massage by applying a firm pressure to relieve pain, muscle adhesions, and loosen up tissue in the deep-rooted knots. This procedure will eliminate your body kinks, one by one, at specific trigger points. There are additional massage therapy treatments offered at a day spa where most are beneficial in relieving muscle tension, lowering heart rate, improving mobility, regulating blood pressure, improving blood circulation, and much more.
Not only are there treatments for the body at a day spa, but there are also treatments for the face. The laser acne treatments are FDA approved for the treatment of controlling acne. This procedure uses an intense pulse light that is painless combined with a vacuum for deep pore purification. The acne laser treatment purifies your skin from the inside out by eliminating bacteria, blackheads, oil and dirt from deep beneath your skins' surface. The light on the laser destroys your acne causing bacteria to help reduce your oil production, skin discoloration, and even improves the texture of your skin. You will have no down time with this safe procedure is safe and it is fast enough that it can be performed during your lunchtime break. Additional treatments you may be able to receive at a day spa include:
• Micropeels
• Microdermabrasion treatments
• Specialty facials
• Permanent makeup
• Laser Vascular therapy
• and much more
If you are interested in visiting a spa to get a thorough massage, or you want acne treatments, skin rejuvenation treatment and more, call and schedule a consult with one of the professionals. If you need a skin treatment, the professionals at the spa can start you off with a skin analysis to find out the condition of your skin. Whatever your desires and needs are from a day spa, it is a great place to relieve the stress of the day and enhance your appearance at the same time.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

When to Visit the Medical Clinic Instead of the Hospital

In some situations, a visit to the medical clinic in your community is a faster and easier solution than heading to the hospital for the type of treatment you need. These facilities offer a faster service level to you while still offering the type of care you would expect in most minor situations in a hospital setting. Add to this the fact that you do not need to worry about the higher costs of a hospital and it may seem like heading here makes a better decision than going anywhere else. That's not always the case.
When a Hospital Is Best
There are times when going to the hospital is a good idea. If you have a condition in which you are experiencing life threatening complications or injuries, it is best not to waste time and instead to head right to the hospital for the care you need. Any type of trauma situation in which there is a risk of death is best helped at an emergency room situation. You should not go to your family doctor for these types of urgent needs either. The hospital setting will have the necessary tools and professionals to help to save your life.
When Other Locations Work
In other situations, a medical clinic may be a good idea for you. These facilities can provide you with fast service but they also handle many of the needs you have. Here are some examples of when it is a good idea to go here rather than to any of the area hospitals.
• You have a cold or other illness that is making you feel bad but you do not believe it is life threatening or urgent.
• You need a physical to turn in for sports or for work-related needs and you do not want to wait for your local doctor.
• You need to get a minor injury taken care of and you want to make sure it is done sooner rather than later.
• If you need to have blood work or other lab tests run, some of these facilities can help to make that possible.
• You may be able to have broken bones set in these areas, too.
• If you need medical advice but do not want to wait for a doctor's appointment and it is not urgent for a hospital, these facilities have licensed professionals on staff to help you.
A medical clinic is a good idea in many situations. Do not worry about going to the hospital for non-life threatening conditions when you can get help from a professional at a medical facility instead.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Are You Ready for a Breast Enhancement?

You may not think so, but getting a breast enhancement is a big deal. Not only are you going up a few breast sizes, you are changing the appearance of your body. Since this type of procedure requires that you are in good health and shape, you may want to review a few things that will help make your operation a success. Many people who get breast enhancements seem to think that since it is their breasts that are being operated on, they don't need to do anything to the rest of their body. Since surgery is involved, the condition of your body as a whole can greatly affect the outcome of your breast enhancement. If you don't want to suffer from any complications or have an incredible long recovery, take some time to pamper and care for your body in the weeks leading up to your procedure.
Rest is very important. It is completely different from just going to sleep. During the week or so before your appointment, you want to make sure that you are getting enough rest, so that on the day of your procedure your body is able to withstand your procedure. If getting rest means you have to give up a few leisure extracurricular activities or stop working overtime for a few days, do so. Rest is the only time when your body is able to rejuvenate itself.
Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet. Remember, you want your body to be in good shape for your breast enhancement. If you feed yourself garbage, then you are going to feel like garbage before and after the procedure. This includes giving up alcohol and recreational drugs. You can always resume eating unhealthy things and junk after you have finished healing.
If you were not an avid exerciser before you scheduled your appointment, you may want to wait until after you have completely healed from your procedure before you decide to start any exercising. When you exercise, you are working muscles and causing them to move and stretch in ways that they may not be accustomed to. If you weren't an exerciser before, to start any new routines now will leave you feeling sore and fatigued. You need to be in tiptop shape for your surgery. You are going to be sore after your surgery, and you don't want to add another reason to be even more uncomfortable during your recovery. It is understandable that you want to have a sexy body to show off, but it would be best to lay off the fitness routines until the doctor gives you approval. However, if you were someone who exercised on a regular basis, you can continue to do so. Just don't overdo it. Any strenuous activities should be avoided until after your doctor has given you the go ahead once you have fully recovered.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Pruritus Ani

What is Pruritus Ani?
Pruritus Ani, also known as itchy bottom or anal itching, describes a persistent irritation in the anal region causing a strong urge to scratch the area. The itch can be so severe so as to cause sleep problems. The more the irritated area is scratched, the worse the symptoms get. This condition can occur in anyone, but is most common in people between 40 and 60 years old. Symptoms are strongest after using the toilet and at night.
Causes of Pruritus Ani
Pruritus Ani is not a diagnosis but rather a symptom. Its underlying causes can be many and sometimes no cause is identified - in this case the condition is called idiopathic pruritus ani. Possible causes are:
  • Eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
  • Irritation by soap, detergents, colored toilet paper, etc...
  • Excessive moisture in the area, such as from excessive sweating
  • Dry skin, as tends to happen in older persons
  • Fungal or bacterial infections
  • Laxative abuse - these can irritate the anus
  • Threadworms - these cause itching mostly at night
  • Damage to the area, for example due to excessive cleaning
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Anal fissures and anal abrasions
  • Anal tumors
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Irritants in food and beverages. Common examples are coffee, tea, beer, dairy products, tomato products, chocolate, nuts
Pruritus Ani Treatment
Treatment of itchy bottom will depend on the cause. If the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be used. If the cause is hemorroids, specific creams will be used, and so on. However, some advice is applicable to all cases. In particular, the area needs to be kept clean and dry as much as possible, to prevent further irritation and infection. You should wash your anus after passing faeces and before going to bed. After showering, dry with a hair dryer or a soft towel (pat, don't rub). Avoid scented soaps as these can cause irritation. If you tend to sweat a lot during the day, use a tissue in your underwear. Avoid or limit the foods mentioned above. Try not to scratch but if you find yourself scratching anyway, make sure you cut your nails as much as possible to lessen the damage.
You should always consult with your doctor if itching is persistent. You may be prescribed creams and medications to bring down the inflammation - always use these exactly as recommended by the doctor. Seek urgent medical advice if in addition to itching you also have bleeding or lumps.
Pruritus Ani should not be taken lightly and a visit to the doctor is highly recommended.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

5 Ways To Ease Depression When It Feels Like Nothing Will Help

Anyone who suffers from depression occasionally, or worse, regularly, knows the feeling that nothing will help them feel better. People who live with depressive illness understand how crippling a depressive episode can be, and want to find ways now to get through the next tough period.
Following are five things someone struggling with depressed mood can do now to get through the next depressed mood faster and more easily, or even prevent a depressive episode in the first place.
1. See a Qualified Doctor.
Anti-depressants tend to work very well and prevent crippling depressed moods in people who have a mood disorder which causes depressive episodes. An individual suffering from depressed moods, for the first time or over a long period, should seek medical help as soon as possible.
For those already diagnosed with depressive illness or bipolar disorder who currently take medication, a depressive episode should prompt a visit to the doctor. If the current medication regime is not preventing medication, a physician will typically adjust or change medications.
Most family doctors are conversant with the various anti-depressant medications. Consulting a primary care physician is always a good first step. If this physician feels more care is required, he or she can refer the patient to a psychiatrist for evaluation and medication.
2. Take Prescribed Medications.
Many people take their antidepressants only when they feel depressed. Unfortunately, this leads to far more depressive episodes because antidepressants are not like pain relievers. They cannot be taken as needed and produce results. It is crucial to take antidepressant medication on a daily basis. If the medication is appropriate and prescribed in the correct dosage, daily use should relieve most or even all major depressive episodes once the medication reaches its effective level in the body.
3. Exercise Regularly.
Exercise is the best antidote for depressive moods. Unfortunately, during the middle of a depressive episode, no one wants to get up and go for a jog or even a walk. This is where prevention and habit come in. Creating a regular exercise program and habit makes individuals less likely to become depressed. Having a habit ingrained helps the depressed person take the action to get out and exercise even when they don't feel like it, because that is what they do. They have an exercise habit.
4. Have a Lifeline.
Anyone who struggles with depressed moods should have one person they can call at any time, day or night. This may be a therapist or a friend, but it must be someone completely trusted and someone who understands what depressive illness is and how it works.
The lifeline should agree to listen and encourage without criticizing. A lifeline should understand that suicidal thoughts often accompany major depressive episodes, and handle these thoughts calmly and in a caring manner, without panicking or condemning the thoughts.
Above all, a lifeline should simply allow the depressed person to talk and cry, and perhaps talk and cry along with them.
5. Make a No Suicide Pledge.
In the midst of a serious depressive episode, thoughts of suicide often appear tempting. In fact, these thoughts often crowd out real solutions to getting through the pain. Many people focus on the suicidal thoughts because these thoughts are louder than anything else in their head.
Most people, when not depressed, do not want to die, and in fact want very much to live. Suicidal thoughts are not rational, well-processed thoughts that just happen to be stronger during a depressive episode. They are irrational, depressed thoughts that serve no real purpose.
If a depressed person can acknowledge those suicidal thoughts, but has determined in advance that suicide is not an option, it is easier to set those thoughts aside and consider other options which might help with the depressive episode. For instance, if the depressed mood is related to a certain situation, eliminating the option of suicide might allow room to consider other ways out of the situation. Similarly, ruling out suicide and moving on from those thoughts allows even a very depressed person to be more rational and make the call to the doctor for a medication check or go to the hospital emergency room and ask for help.
When a person feels depressed, none of these solutions make very much sense. However, if they are set up in advance, they will help reduce the severity and frequency of depressive episodes and make getting through the remaining episodes easier.