A mole, sometimes known as a birthmark, is a non-cancerous disorder of pigmented skin cells. They can vary in color and shade and by and large, can be medium to dark brown, sometimes they can be skin-colored or black too. Most of them are regular in shape, flat to moderately even as well. Sometimes, they appear to be slightly raised above the skin, are delicate to touch and lighter in shade. Also, they may or may not cause any kind of pain.

You need to get your moles checked at least once in every three months, because of the following reasons:

In case you have noticed the growth of new moles or have a family history with medical background marked by melanoma.

You need to watch out for moles that do not look like your other moles specifically. Dysplastic moles are the ones that look different from the normal ones and may lead to melanoma. In case you have different dysplastic moles, you are in serious danger of getting melanoma.

In case you have any moles that are bigger than the others and are smudgy or have unpredictable edges, which are uneven in shading or have some pinkness, you need to see a specialist and get them checked. Also, if you notice a change in the color or shade or it gets itchy, agonizingly painful or begins to bleed, it can be a sign of something serious. Thus you must visit a specialist immediately. 

Although, most of them are non-cancerous and not that dangerous. However, there are some types that can convert into lumps and can be cancerous in nature. Although the chance of something like that happening is very rare, still it is a possibility.

In case you notice a liquid discharge or pus formation in the mole, you must consult a doctor immediately. 

Being proactive about your well-being is the best way to avoid serious health conditions and you must look out for moles that can be risky as they are connected to skin cancer. Self-diagnose and examine your skin in front of a mirror. Give careful consideration to the zones of your skin that are frequently exposed to the sun, for example, the hands, arms, abdomen, face and head. Along with limiting your exposure to sunlight and utilizing sunscreens, inspecting yourself for moles can help with early detection of melanoma (the deadliest kind of skin tumor) and hence, get treated for the same. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Important Reasons Why Should You Get Your Moles Checked!

The fever itself isn t a disease but a symptom of a disease. It is generally caused when the immune system heats itself to fight the infections that enter our body. One of the most common reasons a person catches a fever is due to Influenza or the common cold.

Though fever is a common symptom, it can aggravate very quickly if not taken care of properly. This article will educate patients how to take care of themselves if they have a fever. The first and foremost step of taking care is to go to a doctor and get a proper diagnosis.

Upon a proper diagnosis, one can determine the kind of fever they are having. If someone has a fever due to diseases like Malaria then the course of action will be quite different. However, following are the common steps for most of the fevers:

Do s: While Having a Fever

  The first step is to keep a proper check of the temperature every 2 hours. For that, it is advisable to keep a thermometer handy. For better accuracy, it is better to carry a digital one.
  The next step is to keep the patient hydrated as fever usually leads to loss of appetite. This can cause dehydration and loss of nutrients.
  Drinking water isn t enough to battle dehydration, which is why the patient will need to take the ORS solution every 15 minutes.
  If the temperature rises, one should soak a cloth in cool water and put it on the forehead for a few minutes.
  If the temperature keeps rising, the patient should take Paracetamol only.
  Get a blood check by calling a local pathology technician and subsequently send the report to the doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

Don'ts: While Having a Fever

  Don t take an Antibiotic unless the doctor prescribes it.
  The fever may cause temporary body pain and stiffness; don t take Ibuprofen and other painkillers to get rid of it.
  Don t take any kind of NSAIDS without doctor s supervision.
  Don t take any kind of dairy products or junk food.
  Don t starve because of the loss of appetite.
  Don t agitate by doing any kind of household work or exercise.
  Don t sleep with the air conditioning on.
  Avoid drinking and smoking while having a fever.
  If the doctor prescribed antibiotics, don t quit halfway. It is important that one must complete the course of antibiotics.
  Don t take a bath while having a fever; it is better to clean the body with a soaked cloth or sponge.

Conclusion:

Though fever is a fairly common disease, the treatment can go haywire if the usage of certain medicines isn t done properly. Following the above instructions will help to take care of when someone has a fever and will help to get better. However, if the fever isn t going down after 2-3 days, one should see a doctor immediately.

What To Do When You Get A Fever?


Foods that help High Blood Pressure

Our lifestyles are such that low and high blood pressures are common phenomena, people in their 20s and 30s are also diagnosed with unstable blood pressure. While lifestyle could be changed to a certain extent, there are adjustments which can be done to maintain good health. 
Foods that help cure high blood pressure problems are. 

1. Beans - White beans have calcium, magnesium and potassium in large quantities. These are important for someone with high blood pressure. This superfood can be included in side dishes, soups as well as entrées. Ensure that there is minimal salt added.

2. Yogurt - Fat free yogurt contains calcium in extremely high quantity along with magnesium and potassium. Making this the main-ingredient of breakfast, salad dressings, entrées and sauces is an excellent idea.

3. Fish - Tilapia fish is easily available all year-round and provides a good 8% of your daily potassium and magnesium needs.

4. Potassium And Magnesium Foods - Peaches, red bell pepper, broccoli, sweet potato and bananas contain calcium, magnesium and potassium which is needed by those suffering from high blood pressure.

5. Quinoa Seeds - The newest diet sensation food, quinoa contains 4.5% of potassium, 1.5% of calcium and 15% of magnesium from your daily need.
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 Got High Blood Pressure? Eat These 5 Foods!

Headache is one of the most common maladies which refers to a pain sensation in the head. It may itself be an ailment or may be the symptom of any other illness. Headaches can last for a short time or may persist up to several weeks depending on its cause or type. Many reasons can trigger headache. 

The following are eight reasons why you might get that headache

Stress: Physical stress or emotional stress can be identified as one of the most common causes for your headache. Tension, anxiety and depression may trigger a headache. This is also known as tension headache. In this condition, the muscles of your scalp, neck, face and jaw tighten, thus causing pain. Fatigue may also lead to this type of headache.
Eye problems: Sometimes eye problems may be the cause of your headache. Diseases such as glaucoma can cause headache. Straining your eyes for seeing distant objects or glaring at your computer screen for long can also result in headache.
Eating and sleeping pattern: Change in eating and sleeping pattern can also cause headache. Inadequate sleep or caffeine withdrawal can give you terrible headache sometimes.
Ear, nose or throat disorders: Ear, nose or throat problems can also give rise to headache. Sinus caused by cold or infection, tonsillitis or throat infections can also prompt a headache.
Medication: Excessive use of medication can be a factor responsible for your headache. This is also known as rebound headache.
Dental problems: Jaw or dental problems sometimes may trigger a mild headache which can turn severe also. The alignment of lower and upper jaw, tooth decay may be some of the causes for headache.
Hormonal problems: Sometimes a decline of your estrogen levels can also be a reason for your headache.
Bad posture: Sometimes, poor posture may strain the muscles of your back and neck, triggering a headache.
Headache can be very annoying. Sometimes pain relief medicines help in controlling headache, but consuming them regularly may affect your health. You must consult a doctor in order to get your headache treated in a proper manner.

8 Reasons Why You Might Get that Headache

Cirrhosis is a severe problem of the liver, wherein the liver stops functioning properly due to long-term damage caused by its exposure to toxic substances like alcohol or viral infections. Every time the liver gets affected, it tries to repair itself through the body s natural healing process. Now, due to this continuous healing process, scar tissue gets formed. With the progress of cirrhosis, resulting in the formation of more and more scar tissue, the liver becomes unable to function properly. 

What are the symptoms of Cirrhosis?
Usually, cirrhosis doesn t have signs or symptoms till the time when extensive liver damage has occurred. In those cases, the signs and symptoms which occur include:

One could sense discolouration in the eyes and skin, giving a clear indication of jaundice.
Excess fluid might get accumulated in your abdomen, resulting in utter discomfort.
One may not feel like having any food due to loss of appetite.
You might have uneasiness and discomfort in your upper stomach, provoking you to vomit.
There can be noticeable swelling in your legs, which make it difficult for you to walk properly.
Drowsiness and slurred speech could also be associated as symptoms of cirrhosis.
There might be redness in the palms of one s hands.
So we see that there are numerous signs and symptoms which you could come across, giving a clear indication of the problem of cirrhosis.

Causes which lead to cirrhosis
There are various kinds of diseases and conditions, which can damage the liver and lead to cirrhosis. Some of the most common causes are:

Chronic alcohol abuse over a long period of time can cause severe damage to the liver, hence resulting in cirrhosis.
The virus out of chronic hepatitis B and C attacks the liver and gradually lead to the formation of scar tissue, thereby resulting in Cirrhosis.
Accumulated fat in the liver due to the intake of an unhealthy diet.
Other possible causes can include:

The genetic digestive disorder is another serious cause behind the occurrence of cirrhosis.
Autoimmune hepatitis, where liver disease is caused by one s body s immune system.
Iron is an important part of haemoglobin as it carries oxygen from our lungs to other parts of our body. The problem arises when too much iron gets accumulated in the system, which can poison organs like liver, heart and pancreas. Presence of too much iron in the liver cause cirrhosis.
Poor formation of bile ducts.
Treatment
Treatment mainly depends on the underlying cause and extent of your liver damage. Some of the treatment options which doctors would adopt are:

People should stop drinking immediately if the cirrhosis has been caused due to alcohol consumption.
As one of the reasons for cirrhosis in non-alcoholic persons is obesity, so making a conscious attempt to lose weight is must if they want to get rid of this problem. Loss of weight and keeping blood sugar under check would gradually make the liver healthy.
Damage to liver cells caused by hepatitis B or C can be healed through the specific treatment of these viruses.

Liver Cirrhosis - Possible Factors That Can Lead To It!

Have you tried one product after another during the dry weather and are still left with dry and itchy skin. Then your skin care product is to be blamed. Creams, lotions and oils all essentially perform the same job of moisturizing your skin. The difference lies in just how they do it. There is a wide range of choices available in the market for all three products with individual variants in ingredients, including types of oils like coconut, lavender, jojoba etc., types of value proposition like 24-hour moisture lock, or intense hydrating care and flavours like rose, strawberry and even chocolate that leave you smelling great.

The main difference between cream and lotion: 

The main difference between the two, besides additives, is their oil to liquid ratio. Lotions and creams both contain oils and water. In lotions the proportion of water is more compared to oil. So it is more liquid in nature and easier to spread on the skin. Creams on the other hand are thicker because of their higher oil content. They can typically be lot greasy in nature because of their consistency.

Choosing between the two: 

Lotions and creams will both do the trick, but it will depend on what you need and when you use it. Give a good thought to your skin. Is it always dry or only during certain times of the year? If you skin dries easily and you can see a white line if you scratch the skin with your nail, you'll need a cream that absorbs more slowly and the benefits stay longer. Applying cream then creates a layer of oil that locks the moisture in your skin. The water does not evaporate, and your skin stays hydrated. Lotions are easy to spread on skin. If your skin is already soft and supple and you simply need a layer to keep the dryness at bay, a lotion is a good choice for you.

Use both lotion and cream:
 
Morning, before bed, after baths or repeatedly throughout the day? The time you plan on using a moisturizing product will play an important part in determining which type you choose. Creams are great to use right after a bath when the skin is soft after absorbing moisture. The cream then creates a protective layer of oil which allows the skin to stay hydrated for longer. Creams are also great to use during bed time when you don't have to worry about getting an oily look on your face or body. Lotions are best if you need to reapply during the day after, say, you wash your hands and face and need to dab on some quick moisturizer.

Should I Use a Lotion or a Cream for Dry Skin?

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