Acne vulgaris, commonly known as acne is a type of chronic skin condition which occurs when the hair follicles of the skin become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Characterized by blackheads, pimples, whiteheads and greasy skin, acne can also cause scarring. Typically, acne which cause pimples tend to develop on the back, chest, shoulders but mostly on the face and neck.

Causes and symptoms of pimple scars

Although the actual cause of acne is uncertain, medical professionals have reason to believe that an increase in the level of androgen triggers pimples. On the other hand, scarring due to pimples are a result of the presence of inflamed lesions. Such inflamed lesions when gorged with surplus oil, bacteria and dead skin cells cause swelling and an eventual rupture in the follicle wall which leads to scarring. The extent of the scar has a direct relationship with the rupture. That is to say, the deeper the rupture, the bigger the scar.

In actuality, the formation of scars is involved in the normal healing process of the skin. The skin cells in order to mend the damage caused by the ruptured pimples, forms fresh collagen fibers which are fibrous proteins that impart flexibility and strength to the skin. The resultant repair which are very rarely smooth and unblemished are referred to as scars.

Treatment of pimple scars

1) fractional radiofrequency treatment is a highly effective method of reducing or removing pimple scars from skin. The radio frequency does not cause much damage to upper layers of skin, but effectively breaks down the scar tissue.

2) lasers are alternative and are little less painful. This treatment involves the use of skin resurfacing lasers.

3) fillers are another form of treatment which fill the indentations left remaining from dense pimple scars. Hardly any down time with this but are expensive in the long run.

4) scar reduction surgery is meant to minimize the scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture.

Procedures for Removal of Pimple Scars

Vitiligo is a condition wherein the affected person starts losing the color of the skin, resulting in white patches. It can affect people of any age, sex, class, race, and ethnicity. Though Vitiligo is a lifelong condition, it can be managed with proper care and treatment.

Understanding the problem 

Vitiligo is a skin disorder where certain areas of the skin start losing its normal pigment. The total area of the skin that can be affected by the disease may vary from one person to another. It may even affect the inner side of the mouth, eyes and in some cases, even the hair.

Vitiligo is a photosensitive skin disorder which means that the affected areas shall be more sensitive to the rays of the sun than the unaffected areas. It is very difficult to determine whether the patches will start spreading or not, and to what extent. It may take weeks to spread, or the patches may remain stable for months or even years together. The lighter patches become more visible in people with dark and sun-tanned skin.

Causes

The destruction of pigment-causing cells called the melanocytes cause Vitiligo. The exact cause of vitiligo remains unknown, some conditions that contribute to vitiligo are mentioned below:

Albinism: It is a rare genetic disorder that lead to loss of color of the skin, hair, and the eyes.
Alopecia Areata: It is an auto-immune disease that leads to hair loss in patches. It can also lead to vitiligo.
Hashimoto s thyroid: It is also an autoimmune disease that leads to discoloration of the skin. This also makes the skin more sensitive.
Symptoms

Patchy loss of skin color
Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard
Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth and nose (mucous membranes)
Loss of or change in color of the inner layer of the eyeball (retina)
These white patches are more common in areas where the skin is exposed to the sun. The patches may be on the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches are:

The armpits and groin (where the leg meets the body)
Around the mouth
Eyes
Nostrils
Navel
Genitals
Rectal areas
Complications

If leaft untreated, patient can have an increased risk of:

Sunburn and skin cancer
Social or psychological distress
Hearing loss
Eye problems, such as inflammation of the iris (iritis)
Treating vitiligo
Vitiligo is described as more than a cosmetic problem; it is rather a health issue requiring clinical attention. Several remedies can aid in making the condition less visible, and some of them include:

Using sunscreen regularly: Using sunscreen protects the lighter areas of the skin which are more sensitive to sun rays. Since there are several types of sunscreen available, consulting with a dermatologist is safe before choosing a sunscreen.
Phototherapy using UVB light: Controlled exposure to UVB light is an effective treatment option for vitiligo. When this treatment is done at a clinic, you will need around 2 to 3 visits in a week, and the time required for the treatment will also be longer. UVB phototherapy can also be used when there are numerous white spots all over the body. Since this is a full-body treatment, it is performed in a hospital. This treatment, together with other treatments can have a substantial effect on vitiligo, but it is always necessary to have realistic expectations about the treatment.
Skin camouflage: Those who are suffering from mild instances of vitiligo can greatly benefit from the camouflage treatment done with cosmetic creams or white patches.
Laser therapy: People suffering from limited, stable patches of vitiligo can immensely benefit from vitiligo. Laser therapy is a safe and effective way to treat this condition. It may not be very cost effective, but the results are totally worth it, a patient may have to be treated twice a week and take 24-48 session to treat the localised lesions of vitiligo.
It is best to start the treatment of vitiligo as soon as possible to manage the condition to a substantial extent. So, visit a dermatologist today and understand which treatment option would work best for you.

Vitiligo - How Can The Condition Be Treated?

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder in recent days, is a major mood disorder characterized by hypomanic or manic episodes (deviation from one's usual mood along with abnormally high energy levels). Mania involves sleeplessness, along with psychosis, hallucinations, rage, grandiose delusions or paranoia. Mania or hypomania isn t usually harmful to the patient and they might exhibit increased capacity for work and creativity. Depressive episodes however, can be debilitating and often life threatening as the person becomes self-destructive and suicidal in many instances. 

The extent of mood swings can vary from extreme to very mild. They can occur progressively or suddenly and might last for few days to weeks. Patients affected by bipolar disorder may experience disturbances in thinking apart from depressive or manic episodes. Distortions of perception and impaired social functioning are also not uncommon. The cause of bipolar disorder is not fully understood like most mental health conditions and is often thought to be hereditary.

The extent of the seriousness of the bipolar symptoms varies from person to person. In some people, the disorder is not full blown and they don t exhibit all the symptoms. Others who aren t that lucky might have to be hospitalized multiple times in their lives as the symptoms creep into their work and personal life and make living a normal life a tough challenge. 

Psychotic symptoms such as disorganized thinking, hallucinations and delusions might make a person do things that demand the urgency of hospitalization to keep them safe from their suicidal impulses. These symptoms might need to be urgently addressed by a psychiatrist and with the help of medications, the person might be able to regain control of their lives.

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are many and can be mainly categorized into two (sometimes overlapping) categories of mania or hypomania and depression:

Manic symptoms include: 

Grandiose delusions (delusion of grandeur) 
Racing thoughts which are often disconnected
Sense of euphoria or false elation
Irritability without cause
Hampered social functioning
Increased sexual inclination and risky sexual behavior
Hyperactivity
Increase in talking volume or speed
Impaired judgment
Reduced sleep requirements owing to extra energy levels
Increased productivity and creativity
Depressive symptoms include:

Abnormal eating patterns like over or under-eating to the extent of severe medical complications accompanied by drastic changes in weight
Difficulty in concentration, making decisions and remembering
Lack of energy or fatigue 
Contemplating about death for prolonged periods of time and suicidal behavior
Oversleeping, insomnia or early awakening
Persistent pessimism 
Irritability and restlessness
Feeling of hopeless and negative attitude
Mood stabilizers, such as lithium are commonly employed to treat bipolar disorder. Anti convulsants, benzodiazepines and anti psychotics can also be used in the treatment. Along with medications, support from family and friends is of the utmost importance as they need to help provide all the support required in making the person functional and healthy.

Manic Depressive Disorder - 11 Signs to Help You Spot it 

When a condition is painful, it is common to hate it. And, when the condition is the piles, you will hate it more, because, along with the pain it might embarrass you as well. Characterized by the enlargement of blood vessels that surround the anus, when the veins tend to swell towards the lower-end of the rectum and anus, it is called piles. Swelling of the veins that are located within the rectum is called internal haemorrhoids. External piles is a condition where the veins towards the external part of the anal verge become swollen.

Symptoms that you may not fail to notice

Red blood spots on toilet paper, stools, or toilet bowl are a few symptoms of piles. This occurs when the pressure within the veins increases and causes them to tear and cause bleeding.
The patient also experiences pain during and after passing stools. This is due to inflammation of the veins that causes their swelling. The swollen veins apply strain on the muscles, cause spasms and is the reason for the discomfort that patients experience.
Persons suffering from piles may also face itching around the anal portion. The inflamed veins ooze mucous that gives rise to inflammation around the anus and causes itching.
Know the causes and how you can prevent it:

The primary cause for the piles is attributed to one factor which is heightened abdominal pressure. 
Consequently, there is a build-up of pressure in the veins around the anus that causes the piles disorder.
The various causes for an increase in abdominal pressure are flatulence, constipation, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diarrhea, pregnancy and sitting for prolonged durations.
What is the approach? 
Homeopathy serves as an effective cure for piles because it adopts a holistic approach. The homeopathic medicines are prescribed after studying the medical history of the patient and present physical condition. The person s predisposition to illnesses is also scrutinized by the homeopaths.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits are recognized to be the reason for bloating of the anal veins and piles symptoms. Hence, homeopathy aims to correct the underlying conditions that are causing the discomfort.

Why homeopathy?
Homeopathy medications are considered effectual for alleviating the discomfort of the hemorrhoids by controlling the bleeding. Additionally, the treatment methods provide a permanent cure for the disorder because they address the underlying cause. The treatment is also focused on treating conditions that give rise to piles. And, there are no worries of side effects.

So, if you have been suffering from piles for a while now and seeking a definitive cure without side effects, you can very well opt for homeopathy under the able guidance of a homeopath practician.


Piles - Treating It The Right Way With Homeopathy!

A kidney stone may not be as big as the stones in your garden, but can be quite a pain. Kidney stones are actually mineral crystals that are usually a combination of calcium and phosphates. The size of a kidney stone ranges from the size of a sugar crystal to a ping pong ball. While some kidney stones pass out of the body along with urine, others can block the urethra and become painful. 

In addition to being painful, a kidney stone can cause permanent damage to your kidneys. Since large kidney stones are usually painful, they rarely go undiagnosed. However, if a kidney stone is left untreated, it could cause the kidney to atrophy and lower the functionality of the kidney. Kidney stones that are related to an infection can also lead to chronic urinary tract infections and damage the kidney through scarring and inflammation. This could eventually lead to kidney failure.
 
Not all kidney stones need to be treated with surgery. If the kidney stone is very small, your doctor may prescribe plenty of water and medication to treat the pain. With plenty of water, you should be able to pass the stone in your urine. Ideally, you should take plenty of rest until the stone is passed. 

Larger kidney stones may need you to be hospitalized for treatment. These are:
- extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (eswl)
To begin this of treatment, a painkiller is administered. Ultrasonic waves are used to determine the location of the kidney stone. Shock waves are then passed through the kidney stone to break it into smaller pieces, which can then pass out of the body through urine.
- ureteroscopy
This is also called retrograde intrarenal surgery and is performed when the kidney stone is stuck in the ureter. A ureteroscope is passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter. Laser energy may then be used to break the stone into smaller pieces to unblock the ureter. 
- percutaneous nephrolithotomy (pcnl)
This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It involves a small incision being made in the back and a nephroscope passed into the kidney through it. Laser or pneumatic energy is then used to break up the stone into smaller pieces and pull them out. 

- open surgery
Open surgery is performed only in the case of an abnormally large stone or abnormal anatomy of the person. An incision is made in the back that allows the doctor to access the kidney and manually remove the stone.

Kidney Stones- Should It Be Removed

If you are having a chronic cough and often pant for breath, it is quite possible that you may be suffering from bronchitis. In addition to this, you may also experience wheezing, fatigue, and pain in the chest. It is triggered when the lining of the airways in the lungs become irritated. To determine, whether or not bronchitis is contagious, it is important to understand what caused the ailment.

Chronic bronchitis: This type of bronchitis happens when the airways get continuously irritated. It may last for months or even years and tend to come back. It is caused by irritants that affect the lungs such as dust, chemicals, smoke, fire, and smoking cigarettes. Even though chronic bronchitis is not considered contagious, it is a serious health issue that requires medical attention.
Acute bronchitis: It generally lasts for about 1 to 3 weeks and stems from cold or flu virus. As these infections are contagious, so is acute bronchitis.
Whether a person having bronchitis can spread the disease depends on the virus that is causing the ailment. In most instances, it is seen that the disease is contagious for a first few weeks of infection. Since there are hundreds of viruses causing bronchitis, it is best to assume that a person is bound to spread the disease when he has symptoms of cold and flu.

What causes transmission of bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis owing to infection is generally transmitted via an airborne droplet containing germs. It is transmitted when someone having infection shakes hand or sneezes or coughs or has any other physical contact. Some virus and bacteria have the power to live outside the body for a prolonged span of time, and therefore, you can get infected by touching any object that is harboring the germs.

It is often seen that acute bronchitis begins as flu and therefore, the best way to prevent it is to get an annual shot of flu. When you come in contact with an infected person, the chances of being affected is high if you have chronic infections or weak immune system. Aged people and young children are most vulnerable to this disease.

How can acute bronchitis be prevented?
Even though acute bronchitis is extremely common and can occur at any time, winter is the most vulnerable season for bronchitis. But there are ways in which you can prevent bronchitis effortlessly. You should avoid close contact and sharing of utensils with an infected person who has flu, cold or bronchitis. You should not touch a used tissue since the virus of bronchitis can easily spread through mucus. Make sure that you get the annual flu shot and wash your hands in warm water.

The disease is very common, and it can make you feel very uncomfortable at times. But there are times when the symptoms subside on their own without any sort of medical attention.

Is Bronchitis Contagious?

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