What are symptoms of brain tumors?

The symptoms of brain tumors depend on tumor size, type, and location. Symptoms may be caused when a tumor presses on a nerve or damages a certain area of the brain. They also may be caused when the brain swells or fluid builds up within the skull.

Symptoms of a brain tumor can be many things including headaches. Headaches are the most common symptom of those facing this condition. The headache is the result of the pressure being placed on the area of the brain that is infected. The pressure is often placed on nerve endings found here as well as on the brain and the skull wall as well. When headaches change in their pattern, their intensity and come on gradually, then it could be a sign of a brain tumor.

These are the most common symptoms of brain tumors:

• Headaches (usually worse in the morning)
  
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
  
• Changes in speech, vision, or hearing
  
  
• Problems balancing or walking
  
  
• Changes in mood, personality, or ability to concentrate
  
  
• Problems with memory
  
  
• Muscle jerking or twitching (seizures or convulsions)
  
  
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

These symptoms are not sure signs of a brain tumor. Other conditions also could cause these problems. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.

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Posted in: Brain Tumor

Risk of brain tumor

The following risk factors are associated with an increased chance of developing a primary brain tumor:

• Being male - In general, brain tumors are more common in males than females. However, meningiomas are more common in females.
  
  
• Race - Brain tumors occur more often among white people than among people of other races.
  
  
• Age - Most brain tumors are detected in people who are 70 years old or older. However, brain tumors are the second most common cancer in children. (Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer.) Brain tumors are more common in children younger than 8 years old than in older children.
  
  
• Family history - People with family members who have gliomas may be more likely to develop this disease.
  
  
• Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals at work:
  
  • Radiation - Workers in the nuclear industry have an increased risk of developing a brain tumor.
    
    
  • Formaldehyde - Pathologists and embalmers who work with formaldehyde have an increased risk of developing brain cancer. Scientists have not found an increased risk of brain cancer among other types of workers exposed to formaldehyde.
    
    
  • Vinyl chloride - Workers who make plastics may be exposed to vinyl chloride. This chemical may increase the risk of brain tumors.

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causes of brain tumor

No one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors can seldom explain why one person develops a brain tumor and another does not. However, it is clear that brain tumors are not contagious. No one can "catch" the disease from another person.

Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop a brain tumor. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.




Most brain tumors in children originate when a normal cell begins to grow abnormally and reproduce too rapidly. Eventually these cells develop into a mass called a tumor. The exact cause of this abnormal growth is unknown, though research continues on possible genetic and environmental causes.
Some kids are more susceptible to developing brain tumors due to certain genetic conditions. Diseases such as neurofibromatosis, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and retinoblastoma are all associated with a higher risk of brain tumors.

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What Is a Brain Tumor

A tumor is any mass caused by abnormal or uncontrolled growth of cells. Tumors in the brain are categorized according to several factors, including where they're located, the type of cells involved, and how quickly they're growing.

Medical terms doctors may use to describe brain tumors include:
Primary vs. secondary: Primary brain tumors originate in the brain. Secondary brain tumors are made up of cells that have spread (metastasized) to the brain from somewhere else in the body. In children, most brain tumors are primary. The opposite is true in adults.

Benign vs. malignant: Benign tumors are slow-growing, noncancerous, and do not spread to surrounding tissue. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous. Fast-growing and aggressive, they can invade nearby tissue and also are more likely to recur after treatment. Though malignancies are generally associated with a worse outlook, in the brain, benign tumors can be just as serious, especially if they're in a critical location (such as the brain stem, which controls breathing) or grow large enough to press on vital brain structures.

• Localized vs. invasive: A localized tumor is confined to one area and is generally easier to remove, as long as it's in an accessible part of the brain. An invasive tumor has spread to surrounding areas and is more difficult to remove completely.

• Grade: The grade of a tumor indicates how aggressive it is. Today, most medical experts use a system designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify brain tumors and help make a prognosis. The lower the grade, the less aggressive the tumor and the greater the chance for a cure. The higher the grade, the more aggressive the tumor and the harder it may be to cure.

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What is the brain?

Brain is a soft, spongy mass of tissue. It is protected by the bones of the skull and three thin membranes called meninges. Watery fluid called cerebrospinal fluid cushions the brain. This fluid flows through spaces between the meninges and through spaces within the brain called ventricles. A network of nerves carries messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. Some nerves go directly from the brain to the eyes, ears, and other parts of the head. Other nerves run through the spinal cord to connect the brain with the other parts of the body. Within the brain and spinal cord, glial cells surround nerve cells and hold them in place.

The brain and nearby structures
The brain directs the things we choose to do (like walking and talking) and the things our body does without thinking (like breathing). The brain is also in charge of our senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), memory, emotions, and personality.
The three major parts of the brain control different activities:

• Cerebrum - The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is at the top of the brain. It uses information from our senses to tell us what is going on around us and tells our body how to respond. It controls reading, thinking, learning, speech, and emotions.

The cerebrum is divided into the left and right cerebral hemispheres, which control separate activities. The right hemisphere controls the muscles on the left side of the body. The left hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of the body.

• Cerebellum - The cerebellum is under the cerebrum at the back of the brain. The cerebellum controls balance and complex actions like walking and talking.
  
  
• Brain Stem - The brain stem connects the brain with the spinal cord. It controls hunger and thirst. It also controls breathing, body temperature, blood pressure, and other basic body functions.

Major parts of the brain

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Cancer Factors

Octors often cannot explain why one person develops cancer and another does not. But research shows that certain risk factors increase the chance that a person will develop cancer. These are the most common risk factors for cancer:

• Growing older
• Tobacco
• Sunlight
• Ionizing radiation
• Certain chemicals and other substances
• Some viruses and bacteria
• Certain hormones
• Family history of cancer
• Alcohol
• Poor diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight

Many of these risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as family history, cannot be avoided. People can help protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors whenever possible.
If you think you may be at risk for cancer, you should discuss this concern with your doctor. You may want to ask about reducing your risk and about a schedule for checkups.
Over time, several factors may act together to cause normal cells to become cancerous. When thinking about your risk of getting cancer, these are some things to keep in mind:

• Not everything causes cancer.
• Cancer is not caused by an injury, such as a bump or bruise.
• Cancer is not contagious. Although being infected with certain viruses or bacteria may increase the risk of some types of cancer, no one can "catch" cancer from another person.
• Having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will get cancer. Most people who have risk factors never develop cancer.
• Some people are more sensitive than others to the known risk factors.

The sections below have more detailed information about the most common risk factors for cancer. You also may want to read the NCI booklet Cancer and the Environment.

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Top 3 Acne Treatments

90% of teenagers have acne. If acne is left untreated, many of these teenagers have acne even into adulthood. And, with so many junk acne products out there, it's often difficult to find acne treatments that work. This website analyzes the best acne treatments for both adults and teenagers currently on the market. Each acne treatment was reviewed based on three standards:

1. Exposed
2. ClearPores
3. Zenmed

What is Exposed?
Exposed is a 3-step acne battling kit that utilizes the best of science and nature to bring you an effective acne treating cream. This three-step system consists of a facial cleanser, clearing tonic, and acne treatment serum. Developed through research by dermatologists, cosmetologists, naturopaths and chemists, the Exposed acne treatment is a unique and revolutionary approach to battling acne from its roots. Exposed also proactively seeks out new pimples and eliminates them before they ever have the chance to form.
The Exposed acne system specifically helps to clear existing acne, prevent new acne formation, even skin tone, and reduce the appearance of existing scars (also prevents future scarring).

What We Liked About Exposed
The Exposed acne system combines all the top ingredients from the best sources to create an acne treatment that effectively combats and eliminates acne before it ever forms. What distinguishes Exposed from other brands is its use of both scientific and natural additives that work concurrently to unclog pores and fight acne bacteria. This kit also fights to restore skin tone and reduce redness from left over acne.
We also liked the excellent customer service Exposed acne provided. Their website is very easy to use and you can track all your orders on their website. Also, they have a 1-year guarantee for their product. This really shows that the company cares about treating your acne.

Success Rates
The Exposed acne system has a good success rate with many success stories and testimonials, outside of the testimonials on the Exposed website. The reason Exposed has high success rates is because of its attack on all the causes of acne: overproduction of sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Each one of the steps in the exposed skin care kit specifically attacks each one of these factors, quickly reducing and elminating acne within a months time.
Conclusion about Exposed
The Exposed acne system is definitely a good one to try out. Unlike Proactiv and other popular acne treatments, Exposed doesn't rely solely on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid working. Exposed acne introduces many other effective acne fighting ingredients that work very well to quickly treat and prevent any further inflammation from occuring. There are no pills you have to intake, so you shouldn't have to worry about potential side-effects. Compared to other acne treatments currently on the market, Exposed acne comes in as our #1 for 2008.

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Best Herbal Medicine For Acne Removal

ACNE-R

Acne-R is a guaranteed treatment for all forms of acne. It removes pimples and blackheads from any part of body. Acne-R also cures all kinds of boils, by drying extra serums produced in the blood. It also helps to remove ir-regularities of menstrual cycle in females (specially when taken with Leauchoren). Acne-R can be used by men and females of all ages and it has no side effects at all. It is an all natural and herbal product.


Around three-quarters of all teenagers and young adults suffer from acne. However, men and women in their 30s and 40s can also suffer.The exact cause of acne remains unclear but more is known about how the spots that are part of acne form. And there are more and more treatments to help deal with this distressing condition.


About Acne-R:

Acne-R is a herbal medicine, formulated to cure all forms of acne. All ingredients are extracted from 100% naturally occurring herbs, without any chemical alterations. Each tablet contains the following ingredients, processed and blended a palatable base:

Tukham-Jaman
Dried Karaila
Mundi Booty
Swertia Chirata
FumariaOfficinalis
Lycopodium, Clavatum
Berberis Aristata DC. Ext.
Terminalia Chebula
Zizyphus Vulgaris
Terminalia Chebula

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What is Medifast

Medifast is more than a diet plan. Medifast is a way to reclaim your health through clinically formulated meal replacement foods that have been developed, improved and proven for over 20 years. Through the take shape for life program, Medifast offers you complete support with your own personal health advisor. As nationally certified Presidential health advisors, here at MakeMeThinner we also offer a forum, newsletter, a toll free hotline you can call whenever you need an encouraging word or help of any kind with the Medifast line of products.

Our goal is to bring you the safest, easiest, and most important, the most successful experience using Medifast products. We are constantly adding to, changing and improving our method for introducing and educating people about the Medifast products and Medifast health plans. If you think of any way we can improve our services for you while on the plan, please email or call us with your ideas.

It's probably so well known, if not fully understood, because of the celebrities that endorse it. Genie Francis of General Hospital fame and Kristie Swanson (who starred in Buffy The Vampire Slayer) have both been endorsing this program for years. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about it. Many people think that this is a diet that consists of just shakes and maybe some bars. There are many more than these two foods on the menu. There are well over 70, and since you need to eat six times per day, you will likely eventually come to appreciate this.
If you were to just limit yourself to liquids and an occasional bar, you would likely become bored and this would not be so healthy any way. Although five of your six meals are provided for you by the company, they do want for you to prepare one fresh meal each day to ensure that you are getting the nutrients that come from fresh foods. Of the six meals, only one each day should consists of the bars since they contain higher amounts of calories and carbohydrates. They really try to limit each meal to around 100 calories each and under 12 grams of carbs.

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Medifast weight lose for women

The Medifast 5 & 1 Plan helps women lose weight quickly, leading to tremendous improvements in overall health. Medifast is much more than the traditional, fad diets that may have failed you in the past. Medifast helps you lose the weight – and teaches you how to keep it off! The Medifast program is convenient, portion-controlled, and simple to follow. You’ll see and feel results in the first week!

Most women start by ordering the Medifast for Women 4-Week Package. With this package you receive the most popular Medifast Meals – and save over $30!

Medifast also has a unique line of shakes, specially formulated to meet the specific health needs of women. Medifast Plus for Women’s Health Shakes contain black cohosh, echinacea, and chaste tree berry – these ingredients may help reduce symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes or night sweats. If you are already on a Hormone Replacement Therapy, consult with your doctor prior to using these shakes.

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Top 10 weight lose exercise

Just as eating healthy, it’s important to do some exercise as well. The best exercises will contain a cardio aspect and a toning aspect, as this will allow you to see the results fastest.
Here are my top 10 weight loss exercises, and how many calories they burn!

1. step aerobics:

Calories Burnt: 800 cal/hr

This mainly targets your legs, hips and bum, which are often the areas that women most want to tone. Doing an hour a day, split into two half an hour sessions, will ensure that you see results within 2 weeks.
Another very similar exercise is bench presses, which go very well in sets with step aerobics. I found it really hard to do them to start with, so make sure you’re doing them right or you’ll see no results!

2. Bicycling: 

Calories Burnt: 500 – 1000 cal/hr

Depending on how fast you go, this can be a real calorie burner. Riding outside is always enjoyable, but if you’re a little more time restricted, invest in a good quality exercise bike.
This is my favorite calorie burner, because it’s so easy to do. How about riding while watching the TV? I find that cycling through Eastenders keeps me distracted, but working hard.

3. Swimmin:

Calories Burnt: 800 cals/hr
Doing lengths up and down the pool for an hour will burn off 800 calories, and also tone almost all of your body. Stay motivated by giving yourself half an hour extra to make use of the Jacuzzi when you’ve finished!

4. Racquetball:

Calories Burnt: 800 cals/hr
The side to side running involved in this is a great cardio workout, and will also help to tone your thighs and legs. I also find this to be much more sociable, which keeps me working out for longer and stops me skiving my gym sessions!

5. Elliptical Burner:

Calories Burnt: 600 cals/hr
This is brilliant cardio, and also helps to build strong muscles, as well as toning the stomach. I personally find Elliptical Burner really boring, so I split my session into ten minute bursts and do them throughout the day, and I find that listening to some upbeat music really helps as well.

6. Rowing :

Calories Burnt: 500 – 600 cals/hr
Rowing is a brilliant way to tone your arms, and is also very good fun. Get involved with the local rowing club and you’ll get to try it for free, or simply use the rowing machine at the gym. As well as building arm muscle, you’ll also burn calories and get an incredible workout.

7. Walking :

Calories Burnt: 360 cals/hr
The easiest exercise, brisk walking is a great cardio workout and will also help to tone legs, stomach and hips. Sprinting, walking across hills or walking uphill will add to the amount of calories burnt, and walking tends to be very easy to fit into daily life. Just walking to the train station has made me so much fitter, and it really wakes me up going for a brisk walk in the morning.

8. Dancing …

Calories Burnt: 600/800 cal/hr
This targets all over your body, and is an excellent work out. I frequently put a music channel on and dance around, as well as burning calories I also find that it’s a great stress reliever! Just make sure you stay active, and try and keep going for at least an hour!

9. Exercise DVDs:

Calories Burnt: 300/500 cals/hr
While these come under a lot of different headings, some exercise DVDs do actually help you to lose weight and tone up. Find a high energy one, and try and do it once a day. As well as burning calories and toning up, you’ll also feel much fitter. My personal favourite is “Pump It Up”, because the music keeps me motivated!

10. Horse Riding:

Calories Burnt: 200-600 cal/hr
This one may be slightly harder to arrange, but going horse riding once a week is one of the best ways to stay fit, healthy and enjoy nature. The view from up there is so amazing, you won’t notice that your toning your bum, abs and thighs, and burning calories while your at it! You’d be surprised at how cheap it can be to arrange a session once a weekend, and if your feeling extra fit you could even cycle to the stables.

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Weight Loss Exercise Programs

Exercising for weight loss doesn't have to be hard, just consistent. If you can get some form of exercise most days of the week, you will not only lose weight, you'll also be fitter. More importantly though, you'll live longer! Just a small amount of exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease significantly.

I have provided some exercise programs here for beginners. Choose one to start with then as you get used to that walking program, pick another and mix them up. Remember, start out at a low intensity and build it up as your body adapts. Any exercise is good so have a think about what you enjoy doing. Have a look at our Goal Setting, and our Motivation sections. Incorporate those with the following programs and you will achieve your weight loss goals in no time!

Program 1

• Start by exercising for 10 minutes, 6 days per week, or 20 minutes, 3 days per week. If you can do 60 minutes then even better.
• Always start with a light walk to warm up, and then increase the pace of your walk.
   
   Program 2

• Warm up and stretch for 5-10 minutes.
• Power walk for 5 minutes, slow walk for 2 minutes.
• Repeat for duration of your walk.
• Always complete a warm down before finishing the session.

Program 3

• Warm up and stretch for 5-10 minutes.
• Power walk for 500m, slow walk for 100m.
• Repeat for the duration of your walk.
• Always complete a warm down before finishing the session.

Program 4

• Warm up and stretch for 5-10 minutes.
• Jog for 50m, walk for 500m.
• Repeat 5 times.
• Always complete a warm down before finishing the session.

Program 5

• Warm up and stretch for 5-10 minutes.
• Walk up 20 steps (not floors), and then complete a 2 minute recovery walk on level ground.
• Repeat 5 times.
• Always complete a warm down before finishing the session.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they start an exercise program is they reduce the amount of activity they do for the rest of the day. They think "I've already done my exercise for the day" and they sit on the lounge. To really lose that weight you need to make sure that you remain active for the rest of the day. Don't spend the rest of the day in bed or on the couch!

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How to lose weight

The most effective method for weight loss is reducing the number of calories you consume while increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity. To lose 1 pound, you need an expenditure of approximately 3,500 calories. You can achieve this either by cutting back on your food intake, by increasing physical activity, or ideally, by doing both.

For example, if you consume 500 extra calories per day for one week without changing your activity level, you will gain 1 pound in weight (seven days multiplied by 500 calories equals 3,500 calories, or the number of calories resulting in a 1-pound weight gain). Likewise, if you eat 500 fewer calories each day for a week or burn 500 calories per day through exercise for one week, you will lose 1 pound.

Examples of calorie content of some popular foods and beverages include:

• one slice original-style crust pepperoni pizza - 230 calories
• one glass dry white wine - 160 calories
• one can cola - 150 calories
• one quarter-pound hamburger with cheese - 500 calories
• one jumbo banana nut muffin - 580 calories

Any activities you do throughout the day are added to your BMR (basal metabolic rate) to determine the total number of calories you burn each day. For example, a 170-pound person who spends 45 minutes walking briskly will burn about 300 calories. The same time spent on housecleaning burns about 200 calories, and mowing the lawn for 45 minutes consumes around 275 calories. For more, please read the Calories Burned During Fitness Activities article.

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Finding a Healthy Weight

Weight loss is a tricky topic. Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it — and many would be better off staying where they are. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic for you. Besides, no magical diet or pill will make you look like someone else.

So what should you do about weight control?

Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian, who can compare your weight with healthy norms to help you set realistic goals. If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss, then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.
Weight management is about long-term success. People who lose weight quickly by crash dieting or other extreme measures usually gain back all (and often more) of the pounds they lost because they haven't permanently changed their habits.

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Complications of acne

There are a number of things that can make your acne worse. These include the following.

• If you pick and squeeze the spots, it may cause further inflammation and scarring.
• Excessive production of male hormones may cause acne. For example, testosterone from conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Some contraceptive pills may make acne worse. This is due to the type of progestogen hormone in some pills. However, some other types of contraceptive pills can improve acne (see Treatments). Ask your GP for advice about which contraceptive pill to take.
• Some cosmetic products such as moisturisers can make acne worse if they are greasy.

• There are a number of things that can make your acne worse. These include the following.
• If you pick and squeeze the spots, it may cause further inflammation and scarring.
• Excessive production of male hormones may cause acne. For example, testosterone from conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Some contraceptive pills may make acne worse. This is due to the type of progestogen hormone in some pills. However, some other types of contraceptive pills can improve acne (see Treatments). Ask your GP for advice about which contraceptive pill to take.
• Some cosmetic products such as moisturisers can make acne worse if they are greasy.

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Posted in: acne,Skin Care tips,weight lose

Types of acne

Acne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne which includes several types of pimples. These acne lesions include blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the surface. These types of acne lesions sometimes seem to be begging to be popped.

Make sure you read about how to pop a pimple before you attempt this. Whiteheads are normally quicker in life cycle than blackheads.
Blackheads
Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is not caused by dirt. Rather, it is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air.



A blackhead tends to be a stable structure, and can often take a long time to clear.
Papules
A papule is defined as a small (5 millimeters or less), solid lesion slightly elevated above the surface of the skin. A group of very small papules and microcomedones may be almost invisible but have a "sandpaper" feel to the touch. A papule is caused by localized cellular reaction to the process of acne. This photo shows papules and comedones on the face of an acne patien

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Posted in: acne,Skin Care tips

What is acne

 Localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of the oil glands at the base of hair follicles.Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, when these glands are stimulated by male hormones that are produced in the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. The oil glands, which are located just beneath the skin, continuously produce and secrete oil through openings in the skin. The oil lubricates and protects the skin. Under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the openings of the oil glands block the openings. This causes a buildup of oil underneath the skin.
Bacteria, which live in everyone's skin but generally mind their own business, feast on this oil, multiply, and cause the surrounding tissues to become inflamed.



If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get a pustule; if it's deeper, a papule (pimple); deeper still and it's a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a " whitehead." If the oil becomes oxidized (that is, acted on by oxygen in the air), the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a "blackhead.

Acne (acne vulgaris, common acne) is not just a problem for teenagers; it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid- to late-20s, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). On the positive side, those few individuals who have acne into their 40s may well grow out of it. Acne can appear on the skin as any of the following:

• congested pores ("comedones"),
• whiteheads,
• blackheads,
• pimples ("zits"),
• pustules, or
• cysts (deep pimples,boils). The pus in pustules and cysts is sterile and does not actually contain infectious bacteria.

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Posted in: acne,Skin Care tips

Herbs

Herbs for Oily Skin

Aloe vera has excellent healing properties. Apply aloe vera gel topically, as needed.

Burdock root, chamomile, horsetail, oat straw, and thyme nourish the skin.

Lavender is very good for oily skin. Mist your skin with lavender water several times daily.

A facial sauna using lemongrass, licorice root, and rosebuds is good for oily skin. Two or three times a week, simmer a total of 2 to 4 tablespoons of dried or fresh herbs in 2 quarts of water. When the pot is steaming, place it on top of a trivet or thick potholder on a table, and sit with your face at a comfortable distance over the steam for fifteen minutes. You can use a towel to trap the steam if you wish. After fifteen minutes, splash your face with cold water and allow your skin to air dry or pat it dry with a towel. After the sauna, you can allow the herbal water to cool and save it for use as a toning lotion to be dabbed on your face with a cot- ton ball after cleansing.

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Posted in: Skin Care tips

skin care

Natural Skincare

Half an hour before taking your bath apply on your face half teaspoon each of lime and cucumber juice mixed together.

If your skin is excessively oily, mix in a few drops of eau de cologne. This not only helps keep oiliness away but also helps in refining the pores of the skin by acting as astringent, thereby preventing acne.

To prevent the problem of your makeup becoming patchy either on the forehead, chin or nose due to excessive oiliness in these areas, apply a little cucumber juice on the excessively oily parts of your face, dry thoroughly and then apply your makeup.

If your whole face turns patchy after makeup is applied on it, then apply equal parts of lime juice and witch-hazel. Dry well before putting on your makeup.

Choose an astringent that contains acetone, which is known for dissolving oil. Strong astringents will do more harm than good, stimulating an overproduction of oil.

To clear away excess oil, use a clay or mud mask. Blend together well 1 teaspoon green clay powder and 1 teaspoon raw honey. Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for fifteen minutes, then rinse well with lukewarm water. Do this at least three times a week--or more.

Once or twice daily, mix equal parts of lemon juice and water together. Pat mixture on your face and allow it to dry, then rinse with warm water. Follow with a cool-water rinse.

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Posted in: Skin Care tips

oily skin

Oily skin
Oily skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. Often a chronically oily skin has coarse pores and pimples and other embarrassing blemishes. It is prone to blackheads. In this type of skin, the oil producing sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. The oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look.

Causes of Oily Skin

• Heredity

• Diet
• Hormone levels
• Pregnancy
• Birth control pills
• Cosmetics you use
• Humidity and hot weather

Because of the hormonal shifts of adolescence, oily skin is common in teenagers, but it can occur at any age. In general, skin tends to become dryer with age. The flow of sebum or oil increases during adolescence and starts decreasing with age. During pregnancy and menopause, hormonal imbalances can also upset the oil balance and increase the activity of sebaceous glands.

Many people have skin that is oily only in certain areas and dry or normal in others, a condition known as combination skin.

Skin Care for Oily Skin

The great advantage of oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate than other skin types.

Oily skin needs special cleansing with plenty of hot water and soap to prevent the pores from being clogged. Avoid harsh products that strip your skin of oil and encourage flakiness. They can cause a reaction known as reactive seborrhoea, where the oil glands work overtime to compensate for the loss of natural oils.

Avoid skincare products that leave your skin feeling taut and dehydrated. They cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink. This restricts oil flow through the pores leading to blockages and breakouts.

To cleanse oily skin, use oil-based products as they dissolve sebum effectively. Opt for oil-free moisturizers to maintain a shine-free complexion.

Keep your skin very clean. Limit washing your face to two or three times a day. Too much washing will stimulate your skin to produce more oil.

Choose your cleanser with care. Avoid heavy cleansing creams. Avoid the use of harsh soaps or cleansers. Use a pure soap with no artificial additives. Try an antibacterial cleansing lotion or a lightly medicated soap, and use it in combination with a water rich in minerals, not tap water. Do not use cleansers or lotions that contain alcohol. After cleansing, apply a natural oil-free moisturizer to keep the skin supple.

Use hot water when washing your face. Hot water dissolves skin oil better than lukewarm or cold water.

If your skin is extremely oily, three or four daily cleansings may be in order and little or no moisturizing necessary before you are 30 years old. After that point, the skin around your eyes and mouth and on your throat may benefit from a nightly moisturizing, plus a mere touch of moisturizer in the morning.

When cleansing, massage your face well with your fingertips, using an upward and outward motion. Be careful not to rub soap into the skin; it can clog pores.

If your oily skin is scaly, you can often correct the problem by using a deep-cleaning exfoliant on alternate nights, and following the treatment with a light coating of moisturizer.

Try using a clay or mud mask. If you have sensitive skin, use white or rose-colored clays.

Use a light antiseptic night cream from time to time if you wish, and apply a clarifying mask one or two times a week.

Choose cosmetic and facial care products specifically designed for oily skin.

Before applying makeup, use an antiseptic day cream with active ingredients that diminish sebaceous secretions. Look for benzyl peroxide in the list of active ingredients.

Use a light antiseptic night cream from time to time if you wish, and apply a clarifying mask one or two times a week.

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Normal skin

Normal skin is completely healthy. In youth it is smooth, fine pores, and soft, but with age it becomes dry, wrinkled, and marked with the so-called "age spots." Between these two normal conditions there are short periods of change and irritations of the normal skin caused by hormonal changes, illness, and lifestyles.

Normal skin needs no extensive special care now, but one should think of tomorrow. Normal skin can be treated simply with a mild cleansing lotion, toner and a alpha hydroxy acid cream in remove dead skin and an facial scrub to reduce the effects of a bad environment. Suitable aromapathic essential oils for normal skin care are:chamomile, comfrey, rose hips, and sage.

Oily skin

Oily skin is thick and tends to develop pimples and blackheads. The sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, and the fatty tissue under the epidermis is very thick. Too much oil can indicate a high estrogen level in women (or high testosterone in men), due to menopause, monthly periods, and adolescence. The pores of the skin are often clogged, making it necessary to clean the skin thoroughly on a regular basis. Apply a daily light and natural facial scrub using essential oils such as walnut husks, or almond seed, comfrey, golden seal, witch hazel and peppermint follow by a rejuvenating facial mask with bentonite clay Fruit acids-lemon and orange peel extract, peppermint extract, Witch hazel, and Hydrogen peroxide Using a toner twice a day can be very helpful with excess oil on the skin. Toners should be applied after washing and before bed. Witch hazel, aloe vera, comfry, Na-PCA, lemon oil and chamomile penetrate deeply into the skin, soak up excess oils, stimulate the skin functions, and have an antiseptic effect. Tea tree oil, lemon oil, aloe vera are particularly useful for inflamed and infected areas. Your diet is also very impotent.

Dry skin

Dry skin is characterized by a lack of good fat or moisture caused by inadequate production of the sebaceous glands. In such cases the acid equilibrium is out of balance and cannot be restored by the external application of water. Water cannot penetrate the skin, and, in fact, even more moisture is taken from the surface of the skin through evaporation when water is applied.

People with dry skin should avoid skin care products with cologne, perfumes and alcohol. Moisturizing creams and lotions containing natural oils and essential oils and body brushing are the best methods to prevent moisture loss and add softness, especially after bathing or showering. Avoid hot dry facial steam baths and or drying facial masks, If a facial steam baths and/or drying facial masks. If a facial steamer is used, one or more of the following essential oils should be added to the steamer: joboba, lavender, rose, and/or rosemary. Use only a natural facial mask that contains essential oils and mineral clay. Avoid washing the skin with soap, since soaps strips the skin of it's natural oils. Use cleansing lotions or bath gels.

Dry skin is more prone to forming wrinkles (especially the upper eye area) than any other skin type. The appropriate spots therefore have to be intensively treated with natural oils and micellized skin vitamins to help prevent wrinkles and excess dryness. Moisturizer with essential oils

can be applied directly on dry skin areas. For the eye areas I recommend a moisturizer designed especially for the eye area.

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Treatments

Treatment of skin cancer
Specific treatment for skin cancer will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

There are several kinds of treatments for skin cancer, including the following:

• surgery
  Surgery is a common treatment for skin cancer -- used about 90 percent of the time, and often includes the following procedures:
  
  
  • cryosurgery - freezing the tumor, which kills cancer cells.
    
    
  • electrodesiccation and curettage - burning the lesion and removing it with a sharp instrument.
    
    
  • grafting - uses a skin graft to replace skin that is damaged when cancer is removed.
    
    
  • laser therapy - using a narrow beam of light to remove cancer cells.
    
    
  • Mohs micrographic surgery - removing the cancer and as little normal tissue as possible. During this surgery, the physician removes the cancer and then uses a microscope to look at the cancerous area to make sure no cancer cells remain.
    
    
  • simple excision - cutting the cancer from the skin along with some of the healthy tissue around it.

• radiation therapy
  Radiation therapy uses a radiation machine that emits x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

• electrochemotherapy
  Electrochemotherapy uses a combination of chemotherapy and electrical pulses to treat cancer.

• Other types of treatment include:
  
  
  • chemotherapy - treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells.
    

• topical chemotherapy - chemotherapy given as a cream or lotion placed on the skin to kill cancer cells.

• systemic chemotherapy - chemotherapy taken by pill, or needle injection into a vein or muscle.

• biological therapy (sometimes called biological response modifier (BRM) therapy, or immunotherapy)
  Biological therapy tries to get your own body to fight cancer by using materials made by your own body, or made in a laboratory, to boost, direct, or restore your body's natural defenses against disease.

• photodynamic therapy
  Photodynamic therapy uses a certain type of light and a special chemical to kill cancer cells.

• immunotherapy
  Immunotherapy of melanoma involves injecting a medication (called interferon) to boost the body's own immune system, helping it to slow the growth of the cancer.

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Posted in: Skin Care tips

Risk

Risk of skin cancer

These factors may increase your risk of skin cancer:

• Fair skin. Having less pigment (melanin) in your skin provides less protection from damaging UV radiation. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily, you're much more likely to develop skin cancer than is a person with darker features.
• A history of sunburns. Every time you get sunburned, you damage your skin cells and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. After a sunburn, your body works to repair the damage. Having multiple blistering sunburns as a child or teenager increases your risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. Sunburns in adulthood also are a risk factor.
• Excessive sun exposure. Anyone who spends considerable time in the sun may develop skin cancer, especially if your skin isn't protected by sunscreen or clothing. Tanning also puts you at risk. A tan is your skin's injury response to excessive UV radiation.
• Sunny or high-altitude climates. People who live in sunny, warm climates are exposed to more sunlight than are people who live in colder climates. Living at higher elevations, where the sunlight is strongest, also exposes you to more radiation.
• Moles. People who have many moles or abnormal moles called dysplastic nevi are at increased risk of skin cancer. These abnormal moles — which look irregular and are generally larger than normal moles — are more likely than others to become cancerous. If you have a history of abnormal moles, watch them regularly for changes.
• Precancerous skin lesions. Having skin lesions known as actinic keratoses can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. These precancerous skin growths typically appear as rough, scaly patches that range in color from brown to dark pink. They're most common on the face, lower arms and hands of fair-skinned people whose skin has been sun damaged.
• A family history of skin cancer. If one of your parents or a sibling has had skin cancer, you may be at increased risk of the disease. Some families are affected by a condition called familial atypical mole-malignant melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. The hallmarks of FAMMM include a history of melanoma in one or more close relatives and having more than 50 moles — some of which are atypical. Because people with this syndrome have an extremely high risk of developing melanoma, frequent screening for signs of skin cancer is crucial.
• A personal history of skin cancer. If you developed skin cancer once, you're at risk of developing it again. Even basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas that have been successfully removed can recur in the same spot, often within two to three years.
• A weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing skin cancer. This includes people living with HIV/AIDS or leukemia and those taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
• Fragile skin. Skin that has been burned, injured or weakened by treatments for other skin conditions is more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer. Certain psoriasis treatments and eczema creams might increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Exposure to environmental hazards. Exposure to environmental chemicals, including some herbicides, increases your risk of skin cancer.
• Age. The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age, primarily because many skin cancers develop slowly. The damage that occurs during childhood or adolescence may not become apparent until middle age. Still, skin cancer isn't limited to older people. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are increasing fastest among women younger than 40.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of skin cancer

Different types of skin cancer can look different:

Non-melanomas such as a BCC, for example, can start as a small red, pink or shiny lump. SCCs often appear as small scaly or hard areas of skin with a red or pink base.

Melanoma usually starts as a dark spot or mole on your skin. If a melanoma spreads to other parts of your body, you can develop other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes (glands throughout your body that are part of your immune system).

Symptoms that may indicate skin cancer include any mole or lesion that:

• gets bigger - especially over 7mm (a quarter of an inch) in diameter
• changes shape - look for an irregular edge
• changes colour - if it darkens, becomes patchy or multishaded
• becomes inflamed
• is itchy or painful
• bleeds or is crusty

These symptoms don't necessarily mean you have skin cancer, but if you have any of them you should visit your GP for advice.

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causes

Causes of skin cancer

Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, most commonly from sunlight, is overwhelmingly the most frequent cause of skin cancer.

Other important causes of skin cancer include the following:

• Use of tanning booths
  
  
• Immunosuppression-impairment of the immune system, which protects the body from foreign entities, such as germs or substances that cause an allergic reaction. This may occur as a consequence of some diseases or can be due to medications prescribed to combat autoimmune diseases or prevent organ transplant rejection.
  
  
• Exposure to unusually high levels of x rays
  
  
• Contact with certain chemicals-arsenic (miners, sheep shearers, and farmers), hydrocarbons in tar, oils, and soot (may cause squamous cell carcinoma)

The following people are at the greatest risk:

• People with fair skin, especially types that freckle, sunburn easily, or become painful in the sun
  
  
• People with light (blond or red) hair and blue or green eyes
• People who have already been treated for skin cancer
  
  
• People with numerous moles, unusual moles, or large moles that were present at birth
  
  
• People with close family members who have developed skin cancer
  
  
• People who had at least one severe sunburn early in life

Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are more common in older people. Melanomas are more common in younger people. For example, melanoma is the most common cancer in people 25-29 years of age.

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Types

Types of skin cancer
Types of Skin Cancer
Three types of skin cancer account for nearly 100% of all diagnosed cases. Each of these three cancers begins in a different type of cell within the skin, and each cancer is named for the type of cell in which it begins. Skin cancers are divided into one of two classes - nonmelanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The different types of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common cancer in humans, BCC develops in more than 1 million people every year in the United States alone. About 80% of all skin cancers are BCC, a cancer that develops in the basal cells - skin cells located in the lowest layer of the epidermis. BCC can take several forms. It can appear as a shiny translucent or pearly nodule, a sore that continuously heals and then re-opens, a pink slightly elevated growth, reddish irritated patches of skin, or a waxy scar. Most BCCs appear on skin with a history of exposure to the sun, such as the face, ears, scalp, and upper trunk. These tumors tend to grow slowly and can take years to reach ½ inch in size. While these tumors very rarely metastasize (cancer spreads to other parts of the body), dermatologists encourage early diagnosis and treatment to prevent extensive damage to surrounding tissue.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): About 16% of diagnosed skin cancers are SCC. This cancer begins in the squamous cells, which are found in the upper layer of the epidermis. About 200,000 cases are diagnosed ever year. SCC tends to develop in fair-skinned middle-aged and elderly people who have had long-term sun exposure. It most often appears as a crusted or scaly area of skin with a red inflamed base that resembles a growing tumor, non-healing ulcer, or crusted-over patch of skin. While most commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, it can develop anywhere, including the inside of the mouth and the genitalia. SCC may arise from actinic keratoses, which are dry, scaly lesions that may be skin-colored, reddish-brown or yellowish-black. SCC requires early treatment to prevent metastasis (spreading).

Melanoma: Accounting for about 4% of all diagnosed skin cancers, melanoma begins in the melanocytes, cells within the epidermis that give skin its color. Melanoma has been coined “the most lethal form of skin cancer” because it can rapidly spread to the lymph system and internal organs. In the United States alone, approximately one person dies from melanoma every hour. Older Caucasian men have the highest mortality rate. Dermatologists believe this is due to the fact that they are less likely to heed the early warning signs. With early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for melanoma is about 95%. Once its spreads, the prognosis is poor. Melanoma most often develops in a pre-existing mole or looks like a new mole, which is why it is important for people to know what their moles look like and be able to detect changes to existing moles and spot new moles.

Other nonmelanoma skin cancers: All other skin cancers combined account for less than 1% of diagnosed cases. These are classified as nonmelanoma skin cancers and include Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibromasarcoma protuberans, Paget’s disease and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

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skin cancer

What is skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer,melanoma , is more dangerous but less common.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who

• Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned
• Have light-colored skin, hair and eyes
• Have a family member with skin cancer
• Are over age 50

You should have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs.

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Treatment

Treatment of gall stones

Surgery

Surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most common way to treat symptomatic gallstones. (Asymptomatic gallstones usually do not need treatment.) Each year more than 500,000 Americans have gallbladder surgery. The surgery is called cholecystectomy.

The standard surgery is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy. For this operation, the surgeon makes several tiny incisions in the abdomen and inserts surgical instruments and a miniature video camera into the abdomen. The camera sends a magnified image from inside the body to a video monitor, giving the surgeon a closeup view of the organs and tissues. While watching the monitor, the surgeon uses the instruments to carefully separate the gallbladder from the liver, ducts, and other structures. Then the cystic duct is cut and the gallbladder removed through one of the small incisions.

Because the abdominal muscles are not cut during laparoscopic surgery, patients have less pain and fewer complications than they would have had after surgery using a large incision across the abdomen. Recovery usually involves only one night in the hospital, followed by several days of restricted activity at home.

If the surgeon discovers any obstacles to the laparoscopic procedure, such as infection or scarring from other operations, the operating team may have to switch to open surgery. In some cases the obstacles are known before surgery, and an open surgery is planned. It is called "open" surgery because the surgeon has to make a 5- to 8-inch incision in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. This is a major surgery and may require about a 2- to 7-day stay in the hospital and several more weeks at home to recover. Open surgery is required in about 5 percent of gallbladder operations.

The most common complication in gallbladder surgery is injury to the bile ducts. An injured common bile duct can leak bile and cause a painful and potentially dangerous infection. Mild injuries can sometimes be treated nonsurgically. Major injury, however, is more serious and requires additional surgery.

If gallstones are in the bile ducts, the surgeon may use ERCP in removing them before or during the gallbladder surgery. Once the endoscope is in the small intestine, the surgeon locates the affected bile duct. An instrument on the endoscope is used to cut the duct, and the stone is captured in a tiny basket and removed with the endoscope. This two-step procedure is called ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Occasionally, a person who has had a cholecystectomy is diagnosed with a gallstone in the bile ducts weeks, months, or even years after the surgery. The two-step ERCP procedure is usually successful in removing the stone.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Nonsurgical approaches are used only in special situations such as when a patient's condition prevents using an anesthetic and only for cholesterol stones. Stones recur after nonsurgical treatment about half the time.

• Oral dissolution therapy. Drugs made from bile acid are used to dissolve the stones. The drugs, ursodiol (Actigall) and chenodiol (Chenix), work best for small cholesterol stones. Months or years of treatment may be necessary before all the stones dissolve. Both drugs cause mild diarrhea, and chenodiol may temporarily raise levels of blood cholesterol and the liver enzyme transaminase.
• Contact dissolution therapy. This experimental procedure involves injecting a drug directly into the gallbladder to dissolve stones. The drug methyl tert butyl can dissolve some stones in 1 to 3 days, but it must be used very carefully because it is a flammable anesthetic that can be toxic. The procedure is being tested in patients with symptomatic, noncalcified cholesterol stones.
• Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). This treatment uses shock waves to break up stones into tiny pieces that can pass through the bile ducts without causing blockages. Attacks of biliary colic (intense pain) are common after treatment, and ESWL's success rate is not very high. Remaining stones can sometimes be dissolved with medication.

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Risk

Riskof gall stones

People at risk for gallstones include

• women—especially women who are pregnant, use hormone replacement therapy, or take birth control pills
• people over age 60
• American Indians
• Mexican Americans
• overweight or obese men and women
• people who fast or lose a lot of weight quickly
• people with a family history of gallstones
• people with diabetes
• people who take cholesterol-lowering drugs.

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symptoms

Symptoms of gallstones

As gallstones move into the bile ducts and create blockage, pressure increases in the gallbladder and one or more symptoms may occur. Symptoms of blocked bile ducts are often called a gallbladder “attack” because they occur suddenly. Gallbladder attacks often follow fatty meals, and they may occur during the night. A typical attack can cause

• steady pain in the right upper abdomen that increases rapidly and lasts from 30 minutes to several hours
• pain in the back between the shoulder blades
• pain under the right shoulder

Notify your doctor if you think you have experienced a gallbladder attack. Although these attacks often pass as gallstones move, your gallbladder can become infected and rupture if a blockage remains.

People with any of the following symptoms should see a doctor immediately:

• prolonged pain—more than 5 hours
• nausea and vomiting
• fever—even low-grade—or chills
• yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes
• clay-colored stools

Many people with gallstones have no symptoms; these gallstones are called “silent stones.” They do not interfere with gallbladder, liver, or pancreas function and do not need treatment.

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causes

causes of gall bladder stones

Scientists believe cholesterol stones form when bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or not enough bile salts, or when the gallbladder does not empty completely or often enough. The reason these imbalances occur is not known.

The cause of pigment stones is not fully understood. The stones tend to develop in people who have liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, or hereditary blood disorders—such as sickle cell anemia—in which the liver makes too much bilirubin.

The mere presence of gallstones may cause more gallstones to develop. Other factors that contribute to the formation of gallstones, particularly cholesterol stones, include

• Sex. Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones. Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, and birth control pills appears to increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder movement, which can lead to gallstones.

• Family history. Gallstones often run in families, pointing to a possible genetic link.

• Weight. A large clinical study showed that being even moderately overweight increases the risk for developing gallstones. The most likely reason is that the amount of bile salts in bile is reduced, resulting in more cholesterol. Increased cholesterol reduces gallbladder emptying. Obesity is a major risk factor for gallstones, especially in women.

• Diet. Diets high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber increase the risk of gallstones due to increased cholesterol in the bile and reduced gallbladder emptying.

• Rapid weight loss. As the body metabolizes fat during prolonged fasting and rapid weight loss—such as “crash diets”—the liver secretes extra cholesterol into bile, which can cause gallstones. In addition, the gallbladder does not empty properly.

• Age. People older than age 60 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger people. As people age, the body tends to secrete more cholesterol into bile.

• Ethnicity. American Indians have a genetic predisposition to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile. In fact, they have the highest rate of gallstones in the United States. The majority of American Indian men have gallstones by age 60. Among the Pima Indians of Arizona, 70 percent of women have gallstones by age 30. Mexican American men and women of all ages also have high rates of gallstones.

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs. Drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood actually increase the amount of cholesterol secreted into bile. In turn, the risk of gallstones increases.

• Diabetes. People with diabetes generally have high levels of fatty acids called triglycerides. These fatty acids may increase the risk of gallstones.

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gallstones

What is gallstones

Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances that develop in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped sac located below your liver in the right upper abdomen. Gallstones form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material. The liquid—called bile—helps the body digest fats. Bile is made in the liver, then stored in the gallbladder until the body needs it. The gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile into a tube—called the common bile duct—that carries it to the small intestine, where it helps with digestion.

Bile contains water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, proteins, and bilirubin—a waste product. Bile salts break up fat, and bilirubin gives bile and stool a yellowish-brown color. If the liquid bile contains too much cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin, it can harden into gallstones.

The two types of gallstones are cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are usually yellow-green and are made primarily of hardened cholesterol. They account for about 80 percent of gallstones. Pigment stones are small, dark stones made of bilirubin. Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. The gallbladder can develop just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or a combination of the two.
The two types of gallstones are cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are usually yellow-green and are made primarily of hardened cholesterol. They account for about 80 percent of gallstones. Pigment stones are small, dark stones made of bilirubin. Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. The gallbladder can develop just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or a combination of the two.

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Treatment

Treatment of kidney stones

Self-Care at Home:

• Prevention is always the preferable way to treat kidney stones. Remaining well hydrated and keeping the urine dilute will help prevent kidney stones from forming.
  
  
• Those who have never passed a kidney stone may not appreciate the severity of the symptoms. There is little a person can do with debilitating pain and vomiting other than seek emergency care. If this is the first episode and no previous diagnosis has been established, it is important to be seen by a physician as well. For those who have a history of stones, then home therapy may be appropriate. Most kidney stones, given time, will pass on their own, and treatment is directed towards symptom control. The patient should be instructed to consume oral fluids. Ibuprofen can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent, and if further pain medication is needed, contacting the primary care provider may allow stronger narcotic pain medication to be prescribed.
  
  
• Please note, if there is fever associated with the symptoms of a kidney stone, this becomes a more urgent problem, and medical care should be accessed immediately.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of kidney stones

Many kidney stones don't move and are too small to cause any symptoms. However, if a kidney stone causes a blockage, or moves into your ureter, you may:

• have severe pain or ache on one or both sides of your back
• get sudden spasms of excruciating pain - this usually starts in the back below your ribs, before radiating around your abdomen, and sometimes to your groin and genitals
• have bloody or cloudy urine
• feel sick or vomit
• feel a frequent urge to urinate, or a burning sensation during urination
• get fever and chills

You can also have these symptoms if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or cystitis. If you have one or more of these symptoms, you should ask your GP for advice.

The pain of kidney stones - referred to as 'renal colic' - can be very severe. It begins as soon as the stone becomes stuck in the ureter and tends to come in waves. It's not usually associated with the size of the kidney stone - sometimes small stones can cause more pain than very large ones.

Small kidney stones are usually passed out of the body within a day or so and mostly within four weeks of the onset of symptoms. The bigger the stone the less likely it is to pass out of the body spontaneously. Stones greater than 5mm (a quarter of an inch) in diameter are the least likely to pass without medical help.

If you're pregnant and have any symptoms of kidney stones, see your GP straight away.

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