Chocolate Induced Acne

Fallacy that is! There holds no truth in blaming mouth-watering chocolates to have caused unsightly acne. Innocent as it is of the crime, your beloved chocolates have nothing to do with physiologically caused pimples.

Hormonal changes, overly reactive sebaceous glands and accumulation of dead skin cells are some of the reasons why an individual acquires acne. Adding to the insult is the possible accumulation of unfriendly acne-initiating bacteria.

Various researches have proven that there remains to be no direct link between acne and food intake, though eating a considerable amount of healthy food helps you maintain a health, young-looking skin.

A Toothache That Does Not Heal

Persistent, excruciating, thunder-like tooth pain? Think again. You would not want to drink doses of pain medications only to find out that it doesn't provide you an inch of relief.

About 2/3 of patients walking in the dentist's clinic is mistakenly diagnosed to have gingival infections, but the truth is burried deeper than the molars, the painful fact of having TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA.

Your Cranial Nerve V also known as your "trigeminal nerve" is the major pathway between the face and brain. It is a single nerve that splits into 3 major branches to give sensory innervation to one side of your face. Axons extending from the ganglion is attached to its target tooth. Therefore, any compression problems of this nerve would naturally innervate serious sensitivity or phantom tooth pain, of which the etiology might go undetected by the naked dentist's eye.

For this condition, decompression surgery of the affected nerve might be required and long-term pain management is a necessity.

So think again...The next time your tooth aches, your tooth fairy might not save you at all!

HAPPY FEET!

Never sacrifice comfort in the name of fashion!

Do you notice an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of your big toe? That's what you call a BUNION.Though wearing shoes that crowds your toes is not a direct cause for such, certain foot types would predispose to the development and probably worsening of this foot deformity!

A feeling of pain when walking, burning sensation and perhaps numbness accompanied with redness and swelling at your metatarsophalengeal joint might alert you of this structural deformity. Further progression of this condition would lead to shift of your big toe towards other toes.

SO the next time you'd wear high-heeled or a tight-toe boxed shoe, you might want to think again, BUNIONS on the lose..

REMOVING THAT COFFEE GUILT

Now is the high time to let go of any coffee intake guilt you have. Lifestyle wise, both young and adults alike are enjoying the aroma and refreshing taste of a cup of coffee whilst on move or at work. The myth that coffee is to cause dehydration remains to be myth, as a growing number of studies rule out coffee's dehydrating effect.

No need to kick of the habit, I shall say. For what has been said for years that it is so important to drink extra fluids with your coffee intake because coffee has been known to cause dehydration, is no longer true.It is recommended to drink around eight glasses of water a day, and coffee is no longer being seen as an enemy of that, but you are instead able to count your coffee beverages in the total tally. A study, conducted in 2007, looked at fluid balance, hydration and exercise in the heat, came to a conclusion that if you have no more than 300 mg to 400 mg of caffeine, there is no dehydration effect, either with exercise or at rest.

So go ahead, dose off, enjoy that distinct high that coffee gives you. For your cup of heaven would also be your hydration buddy from now on.

BLACKBERRY THUMB

You would never know how much strain your putting on your thumb every time you hit a dial or press a button on your mobile phone! As text messaging becomes more than a fad, a condition known as "blackberry thumb" is also grabbing the limelight in this technology-manned era.The term started to come in to picture to describe a state of repetitive thumb injury brought about by an overuse of miniature gadget keypads- like those of mobile phones. The thumb, originally designed as a pinch-gripping stabilizer for the finger, experiences painful sheath swelling of tendons once overused. Such inflammation predisposes the feeling of aching and throbbing pain of the thumb itself that may also radiate to the fingers, as well as the wrist! Most texters believe that thumb acrobatics would build up speed and efficiency, unaware that aggravation of thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis is taking stride. This degenerative condition might go unnoticed since the syndrome involves a rather slow persistence of symptoms, most of which are noted only on severe cases, when inflammation and pain is at its extreme.

As cases of such syndrome is not strictly tracked, and persistence of such condition remains discrete, experts would rather regard it as a form of social construction not until better science would be made available for further study.

How hard it is to forget

Year 2003 that was, my grandfather found himself in an optical clinic, dumbfounded and unaware of what might have been his purpose in arriving to such destination. Since then, things were never the same. There were countless moments when we would find our gate's locks unleashed; we then rush to the streets, looking for a medium-built man whom on his mid-70's was believed to have Alzheimer's disease.

Ironic as it may seem, he lived a non-sedentary life when he was younger. He was a man raced on hard-earned labor and a man that practiced hard work in his routine. Yes, he had vices, but he wasn’t abusive enough to be called neither a full-pledged smoker nor an irresponsible alcoholic. Vague as it may seem, I would always ponder on what might have been the major contributor for him to attract such neurodegenerative disease?

Alzheimer’s, being the most common form of dementia, accounts for 50-70 percent of worldwide dementia cases. Statistics would prove that this disease is not among the isolated cases of disorders affecting neurological function. Contrary to myths from the past that claimed such disease as a normal occurrence in the aging process, experts argue that severe memory loss results as a symptom of a serious illness. Characterized by erratic behaviors, memory changes, and loss of body functions this disease slowly deprives a person’s identity and ability to interact with others.

Discussions from the earlier studies placed weight on the use of aluminum products to have contributed to the development of the disease, researchers however disregard such notion. A more scientific discussion involving reduced synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is driving most of the focus in understanding the disease process. Furthermore, another study points out that presence of neurofibrillary tangles inside nerve cell bodies collapses the neuron’s transport system. A more in-depth and significant discussion of brain pathophysiology would map out the progress of the disease.

“Every seventy seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s”. Unlucky enough for my grandfather unable to escape the wrath of such condition. In whatever he might perceive his senile condition to be, that we can’t figure out. But for someone like me, who is up and about, able to carry out routine with full discernment and understanding, the perception remains, that indeed…it is definitely hard to totally forget!
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MOONWALKING IN DEBT

Death wasn't enough to excuse the world's most renowned pop star from controversies. As the world mourns for the untimely death of a music legend, issues regarding debts by Michael Jackson remained unburied. As he grabbed the limelight a decade ago, he had a luxury of fortune and lived like a king. His hits continued to dominate the airwaves for almost a decade, and an overflow of income allowed him the opportunity to sustain a lavish lifestyle. But as his life which was founded on popularity came to an end, earnings from over 60 albums does not escape him from monetary issues. Believed to be indebted to nearly $400 million, Jackson failed to achieve a comeback that might have awarded him a million-dollar salvation.

Numerous controversies hit this moonwalk king by storm. Accusations on molestation gradually pulled Jackson spirits away from center stage. This commenced a tragic path shattering his emotional, mental and financial stability. Mortgage problems added up to his cash crisis. Few other lawsuits started a stigma on his royal name.

As he sprawled in a mud of debt, hopeful producers still gambled to Jackson's aid. Scheduled to
regain his fame July of 2009, this highest selling pop star artist fell short of time and died June 25 due to cardiac arrest .

The world would always remember him a massive talent, and to his friends, he would always be a gentle remarkable soul. But the question remains, will the unleveled legend Jackson left behind wash away the long list of debt hooked on his name?

OPPURTUNITIES ARISING FROM ECONOMIC DOWNFALL (US jobs that are still up despite the recession)

As economic detriment has changed the way individuals all over the world strive to survive, there are a number of industries in the US that remained high in spirits as they face a lesser possibility of extinction. Some of them even took advantage of this down-pressing situation, as they grab the limelight and start to build trademarks on their own.

To top the list are cyber geeks that are in demand in keeping up with the fast pace of technological change. As internet security is of concern nowadays, technologically-skilled individuals are secured a place in the employed sector, not only in the US but worldwide.

Health demands concerning US citizens attract opportunities for modern Nightingales. Health consciousness remarks a boom in the health care industries. More "ladies with a lamp" are required to sustain the level of care required by Americans. More focus is geared towards domestic childcare services as more women are devoting much of their time imparting their knowledge and sharing their skills as they join the workforce.

Sales and other related occupations are hitting the checklist in this recent situation as well. Cheaper innovations from entrepreneurs are in high demand as they compete with price-rocketing products available in the US market. Inexpensive options are welcomed and are gaining popularity in this period of economic strife.

Recession affecting the US isn't as cruel as we think it is. It still leaves wide open doors for other industries to propagate. Ill-striken by economic crisis, the other side of the coin still provides an array of opportunities for one of the world's leader in economic development. Years after, when economic concerns are stabilized, a dramatic turnaround while drive the gears for US to continue the topping the global economic race.

Circadian Clock

Human sleep-wake cycle is dictated by an inner time-keeping machinery device, of combination of hormonal activities and enzyme action. As achieved by optimal body rest and minimal arousal to stimuli, sleep, a human physiologic need, is recently taken for granted in recent times. For reasons that may include physical activities, emotional instability or hormonal imbalance, sleep deprivation might cause fatigue, confusion, or mental disturbance at extreme cases.

Lack of a considerable amount of sleep makes the brain unsuitable to respond to emotional events resulting from neuronal activity. Furthermore, extended wakefulness periods, also affects growth, as it impairs hypothalamic-pituitary activity. Regeneration of certain parts of the body is achieved by sleep, making the human body achieve more energy and function optimally. With this physiologic need not attained, weakening of immune responses and metabolic failure might lead to death.

Activities of recent existence have made humans work twice as much as they previously do and more often than not, we fail to respond to our bodily call to rest and recuperate. Symptoms might be negligible as the deterioration moves in a rather slower pace, soon enough, the body will demand a repay for the degree of sleep debt one has.

Its about how you write

As a result of a two way circuit--of brain waves and motor responses, your handwriting might be the closest determinant to mirror your personality. As graphologist (experts in handwriting analysis) would comment, there is something "behind the pen" that would radiate in the curves and slope of every single writing! As the brain directs the hand, expression of suppressed issues involving health, mentality and morality is reflected in an individual's penmanship.

PRESSURE--how dark the writing is. Higher level of success is noted for those who write with heavy pressure. They are more founded on emotional experiences from which they draw strengths from. Those who writes on average pressure are regarded to be energetic and are moderately successful in life. Those with light pressure are more superficial and try to gets rid of energy draining situations.

SIZE. Tiny letters are evident for people who are believed to have a lower level of confidence yet has the capability to demonstrate intelligence and wit in certain situations. Confident and easy going individuals usually write in big letters. Narcissistic and loud beings create huge bold strokes.

THE SLANT OF WRITING. A right slant indicates that the individual is highly capable to respond to highly emotional stress, heart rules the mind for most instances in this group of people. Mind over matter goes for those who keeps their strokes in vertical stance. Left slants writers are generally indifferent, and are mostly withdrawn!

The art of penmanship analysis might be a key to decipher the deepest , most concealed type of personality a person has. However, the nature of this detective work entails detailed understanding and mastery as graphologist would note.

Flu Scare

Known previously as "avian flu", the swine influenza virus has draw global attention on a pandemic level. The 2009 outbreak is noted to be caused by influenza A virus subtype H1N1 a newer strain almost identical with swine influenza. This recently-dreaded disease is characterized by episodes of general discomfort, weakness, myalgia and flu-like symptoms chills, fever and headache.

Zoonotic infection is considered to be the primary mode of transmission, that is placing workers and owners of animal industry at greatest risk. Essential public health measure would include vaccination and careful surveillance of newer strains of the virus.

Contrary to popular belief, swine flu can not be distributed through pork products, since the virus itself is not transmitted in an oral-fecal level. More focus is drawn to droplet infection, as virus is spread from humans through coughing or sneezing. Just like any other contagious disease, experts come to a consensus that hand washing is still the best method in breaking the chain of infection. Social distancing could be another method of prevention.

With the occurence of sporadic human infection, health experts all over the globe are taking careful consideration to every H1N1 situation,closely monitoring and preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely.