Solarium Effects

January 3rd, 2012

One may think of a solarium as being a sunspace or greenhouse, or a room in a house where there are many windows with lots of sunlight; this is accurate. However, suntan beds are also considered solariums. There are known risks to using solariums.

  1. Medications

    • If you are taking certain medications that make your skin sensitive to light or photosensitive, this increases the likelihood that you are going to be burnt when in a solarium. Anti-depressants, high blood pressure medication, anti-inflammatory drugs or drugs that suppress the immune system, antibiotics and medicines that are used topically for skin problems can make your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, and result in burning and damage to your skin.

    The Risks

    • If you use a suntan bed or solarium just once, your chances of suffering from the deadliest - albeit rarest - form of cancer called melanoma increases by 22 percent, according to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. UVB, or ultraviolet, rays in solariums are much stronger than the rays that come from the sun. You are exposing yourself to high levels of radiation. In fact, the rays can be five times as strong as the noonday sun.

      Solariums also emit UVA radiation. Both UVA and UVB rays cause skin cancer. Some solariums have been designed to emit more UV. The higher the level of UV radiation in the solarium, the faster the tanning process. Those who use sun beds or solariums increase their risk of getting melanoma significantly. The risk is even higher if you use a solarium before the age of 35. The risk is then increased by 75 percent. The risk of getting squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is also linked to solarium use.

    Eye and Skin Conditions

    • Eye conditions, like cataracts, skin cancers and the suppression of the immune system can be the result of too much exposure to UV radiation, either from the sun or from artificial sources found in solariums. UV rays can also lead to premature aging.

    Age Restrictions

    • When you expose your skin to UV rays early in life, or in the first 18 years, this plays a critical role in whether or not you may eventually get skin cancer, explains Councilcare.nt.com. The 75 percent increase in melanoma among those who began using solariums as teenagers or in their early twenties suggests that age restrictions should be enforced regarding solarium usage.

Signs of a Ruptured Tendon

January 3rd, 2012
    • Tendon ruptures are often associated with weightlifting. Jonathan Kirn/Photodisc/Getty Images

      Tendons attach muscles to bones and can rupture due to a variety of reasons. Steroids injected into tendons can cause a rupture. Conditions such as gout, hyperparathyroidism and having type O blood can all cause tendons to rupture, though the most common cause is physical injury, often due to weightlifting or sports. Symptoms vary depending upon the part of the body injured. The most common tendon ruptures occur in the biceps, quadriceps and Achilles tendon, according to WebMD.

    General Symptoms

    • The sound or sensation of a loud pop is often associated with a tendon rupture. You may experience severe pain and swelling. Rapid bruising may also occur. The afflicted area may become weak or immobile.

    Biceps

    • The biceps proximal tendon is located at the top of the shoulder. An individual suffering from a ruptured proximal tendon may hear or feel a snap at the top of the shoulder and will be unable to raise the affected arm to the side with the palm up. Bruising, pain and tenderness will occur at the site of injury. A bulge may appear above the elbow, as well as a dent near the shoulder, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).

    Quadriceps Tendon

    • Quadriceps tendons connect the quad muscles in the front of the leg with the knee. The patellar tendon is located above the kneecap. An individual suffering from a ruptured quadriceps tendon may hear or feel a snap above the kneecap. An indentation may form above the kneecap. Bruising may develop rapidly, and the area may be tender and painful. You may find it difficult to walk, and your knee may buckle if you place weight on your injured leg, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Your kneecap may sag, and you may find it difficult to straighten your knee.

    Achilles Tendon

    • The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the foot above the heel. The tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel. An individual suffering from a ruptured Achilles tendon may hear or feel a snap or pop in the back of the leg above the heel. Pain, often severe, usually follows. Swelling above the heel will occur, and you may find it difficult to bend your foot downward. You will also be unable to stand on tiptoes with the affected leg.

Side Effects of Canesten

January 1st, 2012

Canesten is a vaginal azole used in the treatment of yeast infections in the vagina. The medication works by killing and preventing the growth of fungus in the vagina, which in turn leads to alleviation of yeast infection symptoms. As with most vaginal medications, there are certain side effects associated with using the drug.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • Some of these side effects include stomach and abdominal cramps, headache, burning and irritation of the genitals and skin rash. While these are considered the most common side effects associated with using the medication, they only affect a small number of users.

    Severe Side Effects

    • Unfortunately, there are also a number of severe side effects associated with using Canesten. Some of these side effects include hives, vaginal burning, vaginal itching and discharge, decreased sex drive, severe irritation around the application site, allergic reaction and swelling of the vaginal lips. These side effects are also very rare and do not affect a large amount of users.

    Important Safety Information

    • If your symptoms have not improved or have worsened after 7 days, contact your doctor for an adjusted treatment method. Vaginal medications sometimes come out of the vagina during the course of treatment, and it is recommended to wear a sanitary pad until the infection has passed from your body. To clear up the infection and ensure that it does not return, it is recommended to wear clean cotton panties at all times.

    Usage

    • Always use this medication exactly as it was prescribed by your doctor and never in dosages that exceed what has been recommended on the label. This medication is administered in cream form and is inserted into the vagina with an applicator. Always use the medication for the full course of treatment to ensure that the infection has completely left the area. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant before beginning to use this drug.

    Warning

    • If you experience any of the above side effects, contact your local physician immediately.

      If an overdose of Canesten is suspected, contact your local poison control center and head directly to the closest emergency room.

      Canesten is meant for the treatment of yeast infections only and should never be used for any other medical condition unless specifically instructed to do so by a doctor.

Relief From Hernia Pain

December 30th, 2011
Relief From Hernia Pain

Hernias occur when tissue is weakened and a piece of an organ protrudes through the hole in the tissue. Most types of hernias have the same signs and symptoms, while others have no symptoms at all. One of the most common symptoms of hernias is pain that accompanies everyday activities, such as coughing, lifting, and bending. There are five types of hernias: hiatal hernias, incisional hernias, epigastric hernias, umbilical hernias, and inguinal hernias (the most common type), according to the Nemours Foundation.

  1. Diagnosis & Treatment

    • A hernia is often diagnosed in a routine examination by your physician. Most hernias cause a lump in the area of the body where they are present. For example, an inguinal hernia can be identified in both males and females by feeling the reproductive organs. A male patient may be asked to cough so that the doctor is better able to identify the presence of a hernia. The only hernia that is not evident on the outside of the body is a hiatal hernia. Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include heartburn and indigestion. Umbilical hernia are more common in babies when they are first born and are the only hernias that typically go away on their own.

    Hernia Pain

    • Hernias are extremely painful and bothersome because the pain coincides with typical everyday activitys. Pain from a hernia or possible hernia should not be ignored, because the pain could be an indication that a hernia has become strangulated. Strangulation of a hernia occurs when the tissue surrounding the exposed organ cuts off blood circulation to the hernia. This can be life threatening, because the tissue will die, which puts you at risk for infection.

    Pain Relief

    • The only way to ease hernia pain is through surgery. This treatment approach is normally recommended for all hernias when they are identified to prevent further involvement of damage to the organs and tissues. Many people fear hernia surgery because they figure that the pain from the hernia itself cannot be nearly as bad as the pain after surgery. However, with modern medicine, hernia surgery is typically done in an outpatient procedure that is not nearly as invasive as it was in the past. Generally, most hernia removals are now performed via a laparoscopic procedure, which allows the hernia to be removed from the body via extremely small incisions. Very little recovery time is required, and the surgery is accompanied by very little pain.

Quick Over-the-Counter Hemorrhoid Relief

December 30th, 2011

Over-the-counter hemorrhoid medications are often prescribed by doctors for mild cases of hemorrhoids that cause only discomfort in a patient. These medications should not be used for more than one week as side effects can occur including skin rash, inflammation and skin thinning.

  1. Hemorrhoids

    • Hemorrhoids are a condition caused by the swelling and inflammation of veins in the anus. Hemorrhoids can lie inside or outside the rectum; those inside rarely cause discomfort, but straining during a bowel movement can cause an internal hemorrhoid to bleed. External hemorrhoids lie under the skin around the anus, and irritated external hemorrhoids can itch, bleed and cause discomfort. By the age of 50 approximately half of the population will have suffered from hemorrhoids.

    Temporary Relief

    • Certain over-the-counter medications for the treatment of hemorrhoids can provide temporary relief from the symptoms. A group of medications called antiprurities provides relief by distracting the mind from the symptoms by using ingredients such as menthol, juniper tar and camphor. Another medication group called catalytic reduces the irritation from hemorrhoids by allowing medication to be absorbed into the skin after dissolving skin tissue and scales around the hemorrhoid; this group of medications includes Resorcinol. Local anesthetics are also available to provide relief from hemorrhoid symptoms; they are used almost exclusively on external hemorrhoids. Local anesthetics block the nerves from conducting messages of the irritating symptoms and include benzocaine, beczyl, alcohol, dibucaine and lidocaine.

    Other Over-the-Counter Medications

    • Other groups of medications are available over the counter that provide long-term relief from hemorrhoid symptoms. One group of medications is called vasoconstrictors, which cause the blood vessels in the anus to constrict in order to reduce the swelling of the hemorrhoids. Astringents reduce the swelling of tissues by decreasing secretions; although they do not reduce pain, astringents do reduce symptoms caused by the inflammation of hemorrhoids. Astringents include calamine, witch hazel and zinc oxide. Protectants provide a protective barrier over the inflamed area around the hemorrhoid to prevent the loss of fluid from the top layer of skin. Protectants in over-the-counter medications include glycerin, cocoa butter, mineral oil and petroleum.