COMMON MEDICINE

A split end begins as a tiny lengthwise crack in the outer layer of the hair shaft; the crack eventually penetrates deeper into the shaft, splitting it completely.

There are numerous protein conditioners on the market that can provisionally repair hair that can provisionally repair hair that has split or frayed at the ends. These products contain proteins that are sticky, and they act like a temporary adhesive, holding the split ends together for a few hours. In addition, the proteins in these conditioners  help to coat the individual hair shafts and fill in damages areas. The only way to eliminate split ends altogether, however, is to have them cut off. Read the rest of this entry »

Video displays units (VDU’) in work areas should be loacated so that no window or overhead ligh can create glare on the screen. If glare exists, it should if possible be eliminated by adjusting the ligh source, or at least reduced by instlaling a special cover on the screen. The VDU screen should be approximately three times brighter than the general room ligh around; it should be positioned at a comfortable height and the angle of viewing should be adjustable. Keep the screen, as well as any reference material you are using 350 or 500 millimeters away from your eyes. The keyboard and chair should be at comfortable heights; it is the table height, not the chiar height , that should be adjustable. Also, the chair should provide good back support. Lastly, to avoid possible headahces, eyestrain or blurred vision, take a break of up to 15 minutes after two hours of work.

A cold is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a group of common, recognizable symptoms, such as fever, runney eyes, stuffy nose, head congestion and a sore throat. It can be caused by any of hundreds of viruses. These viruses are so small that they slip easily through the network of filters located in the nasal passages, which normally trap larger bacteria. Multiplying rapidly, the viruses create the typical uncomfortable symptoms of a cold while attacking the nose and throat. The battle, which finally ends when the body’s immune system has wiped out the invading viruses, lasts from seven to ten days, unless complications, such as pneumonia or brochitis, set in.
Read the rest of this entry »

Bed-wetting is fairly common up to five years and sometimes beyond. In fact about 10 per cent of boys over five years old suffer from the problem. Bed-wetting (or enuresis) seems to run in the family. It may also be triggered by psychological trauma, such as the arrival of a baby, or by physical ailments, such as a kidney or bladder infection> Read the rest of this entry »

The most common cause of  bad breath is dental plaque or food particles trapped in the cavities or between the teen. Fortunately, this type of bad breath is easily cured by brushing and flossing the teeth. Read the rest of this entry »

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine that can range from a barely perceptible condition to a serious deformity. The curvature may progress with age, and in very severe cases cause heart and lung problems. For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Read the rest of this entry »

Back pain is possibly the price human beings have to pay for being members of the only fully erect species on earth – and one of the most sedentary.

Back pain can come suddenly or course of time; it can be the immediate result of an attempt to lift a large object or the cumulative effect of endless hours camped in front of a television set. In most cases, the actual cause is weak muscle tone in the lower back and abdominal areas, muscles that are critical in the support of the arching spinal column. When they are not doing their job – or are straining to do it under pressure – back problems are all but inevitable. In fact, most people experience back pain at some time int their lives, and millions of dollars are spent every year in search of relief. Read the rest of this entry »

The terms arthritis and rheumatism are both commonly used to describe pain, swelling and stiffness of the joins, but there is a difference between the two. In its strictness sense, arthritis means, literally, inflammation (-itis) of the join (arthro-). Rheumatism, on the other hand, is more general term for pain and stiffness in the muscles, bones, joints and tendons. There are, in fact, many different types of arthritis, all of which are classified, together with connective tissue diseases that can affect not only the joints but the skin and internal organs as well as rheumatic disorders. Doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic disorders – of which there are more than hundred – are called rheumatologists.

The most common type is osteoarthritis, which occurs mainly in people over 40. The next most common, and potentially the most serious, form is rheumatoid arthritis, which affects women more often than men and may strike at any age. Read the rest of this entry »

Acne is one of the most common of all skin disorders, particularly among adolescents. It affects almost everyone, whether in the form of a few pimples and blackheads or whiteheads, or with more severe lesions called cysts. Although most people outgrow the problem by adulthood, acne may appear and continue through the twenties, thirties and forties among otherwise healthy people. Women are more likely to have acne as adults; males tend to have more severe acne the age of 20. Read the rest of this entry »

If your eyes are red and itchy, you should consult an ophthalmologist; what m ay seem like a minor problem can turn out to be the symptom of a serious condition. If you believe that your condition is temporary, there are a variety of ointments or drops that will soothe irritated yes and decrease redness, but you should never use any eye medicatino for longer than three days. Most of these medications produce only a palliative effect; they don’t treat the underlying cause. If your eyes don’t show any improvement, see your doctor.