Acne is a common skin disorder caused by several factors including heredity, an increase in hormones and other hormonal changes. More commonly known as ?zits? or ?pimples?, acne often occurs to an individual during puberty, after which its occurrence decreases and may even disappear completely when a person reaches his twenties. Some individuals, however, continue to suffer from acne well into their thirties and forties. Acne produces immediate physical effects, but often its most damaging effects are psychological, such as low self-esteem and depression.

Acne is known to be partly hereditary, but why some people get it while others don?t is yet to be fully determined. There are, however, some factors that have been found to be commonly related to the occurrence of acne, such as hormonal activity (for instance during the menstrual cycle), bacteria found on the pores, hyperactive sebaceous glands (that is, the glands found in the skin which secrete an oily substance called ?sebum?), the intake of anabolic steroids, and the build up of dead skin cells. Various hormones in the body have been found to be linked to the incidence of acne.

A common misconception about acne is that it is caused by a constant diet of French fries, potato chips, and other greasy food. Such is yet to be proven, however, and most health professionals suggest that people who suffer from acne should vary the types of food they consume and avoid those that appear to affect the severity of their acne.

Another misconception about acne is that it occurs due to excessive dirt brought about by deficient personal hygiene. On the contrary, the bacteria that cause acne are not brought about by dirt that has accumulated on the skin, and instead are the bacteria that have always been present on the skin. As such, regular cleansing of the skin can help reduce the incidence of acne, but not fully prevent it.

There are various ways and numerous products available for treating and preventing acne. A regular intake of generous amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds is an ideal and healthy way to prevent, or at least decrease the incidence of acne. Try including a salad in at least one of your meals everyday, and opt for fruit smoothies and shakes instead of soda and other artificial beverages.

It is also recommended to drink plenty of water, at least two liters a day. Doing so will keep your skin hydrated and allow effective shedding of dead skin cells, which would help prevent blocked pores that lead to further acne.

Skin exfoliation is a particular method that has been proven effective against acne. Exfoliating allows for the peeling of the top layer of the skin, which helps prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells. While preventing pores from being blocked by the build-up of dead skin cells, it can also help unclog already blocked pores.

Products that contain Benzoyl peroxide are also effective in treating acne. Such products, which often come in gel or cream form, are easily available and can be purchased over the counter. The gel or cream should be used in moderation, often applied once to twice daily by rubbing it over the affected region of the skin. Though proven effective, the use of such products may often cause dryness of the skin as a side effect. Moisturizers are thus often used alongside the product.

There are also both topical and oral antibiotics that can be used to treat acne. Topical antibiotics are externally applied, thereby avoiding the risk of such side effects as an upset stomach or inappropriate drug interactions. It is as effective as an oral antibiotic and is best used when treating the face, but can prove to be problematic when one is dealing larger portions of the skin. An oral antibiotic, on the other hand, produces much the same results as the topical kind, but needs to be ingested to work.

Females can also use hormonal treatments to control acne. Contraceptive pills have some effect on treating acne and are sometimes used, but the least risky method with very minimal side effects is the injection of the hormone cortisone directly into a pimple. The procedure is done by a dermatologist, and it reduces the inflammation and redness of the pimple almost instantly after the procedure?s administration.

In treating acne, it is best to seek the advice of your dermatologist to find the most suitable method or product to help treat your acne condition.

Hanif Khaki is the widely respected author of numerous health related articles including many on acne treatment tips He is also the founder of the popular acne resource site http://www.acnecure.expert-health.com

Does just thinking about it make you sweat? I am sure the majority of are nodding your heads in agreement. What I am about to suggest only takes a slight change in your thinking and a bit of planning and you can learn how to lose weight and get in better shape while gardening this year.

For those of you that are already gardeners, you know that gardening is one of the best ways to get exercise because it involves all of the muscle groups in your body.

Like I mentioned earlier, we only need to change the way you think about outside chores. See I am falling into the trap too, I just called them chores. Instead, you should think of them as outdoor exercises that are designed to enhance the condition of your body and help you lose weight.

As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before starting. Make sure you are dressed properly and that you stretch before beginning.

If you aren?t used to exercising in the garden or have been relatively inactive all winter, start slowly. Start with weeding, watering, and planting seeds.

As you feel yourself getting stronger you can increase your gardening repertoire to include: pruning, heavy digging, hoeing, pushing a loaded wheelbarrow, or mowing the lawn. I think you get the idea because the list of outdoor gardening exercise ideas is endless!

Even carrying plants or a bag of potting soil to the car from the store and then out into the yard is exercise! You can potentially burn up to 300-600 calories per hour depending on your intensity and which gardening exercises you engage in.

You CAN lose weight by gardening ~ eat less and move more! The following list shows what a typical man weighing 180 pounds will burn in 30 minutes of activity. If you weigh more you can burn even more calories!

• Watering lawn/garden~ 61
• Raking~ 162
• Bagging leaves~ 162
• Planting seeds/seedlings~ 162
• Planting trees~ 182
• Weeding ~ 182
• Clearing Land ~ 202
• Digging, spading, tilling~ 202
• Laying Sod~202
• General gardening~ 202
• Chopping wood~ 243
• Gardening with heavy power tools~ 243
• Mowing the lawn with a push mower~ 243
• Shoveling snow~ 243
• Shoveling heavy snow~ 364 cals

Tips for your success:

1. Don?t over do it~ one or two hours of gardening is plenty, especially when you are beginning!
2. Don?t lift objects that are too heavy for you. If you injure yourself, chances are that you won?t be able to continue to garden for exercise and weight loss.
3. Stretch before, during and after gardening. Don?t stay down on your knees while weeding or planting for extended periods of time~ get up and move!
4. Get out in your garden and exercise at least 3-4 times a week.
5. Continue your outdoor exercise routine even after you last blooms have faded. Shoveling the snow, raking leaves, and splitting wood are great calorie burners that will lead to weight loss!
6. Don?t forget the added benefit of growing your own healthy fruits and vegetables and your yard will look beautiful from all of your hard work!

7. Have Fun and “Just do it”!

Once you get into the habit of viewing gardening as an excellent way to lose weight and stay in shape, you may never go back to the gym again!

? 2005, Candee Stark and GoingAllTheWeigh.com

This article is provided courtesy of Candee’s Weight Loss Success – You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

The main features of a good yoga mat are: durability, strength, softness, and ability to stay firm without crumpling. It should also grip the floor effectively and not allow the user to slide across the floor on the mat. Yoga mats are very easy to maintain. They just need once-in-a-while washing with a mild detergent, either in a machine or by hand.

A yoga mat is the only investment required for yoga. A good-quality mat can range from $20 to $45 or $50. However, there are cheaper mats available for as low as $10. These are made of regular cotton, without too many frills.

Cheap yoga mats are available in various styles, patterns and colors. Traditional mats were made of cotton or jute, but these days, many other materials are being used for yoga mats. Yoga mats are generally 4-5mm thick, since these mats can be stiff enough not to crease on the floor while being flexible enough to be rolled up, carried and washed. Cheap yoga mats should also handle repeated washing. Some yoga mats these days are also non-toxic and eco-friendly. Other different kinds of cheap yoga mats are: sticky mats, travel mats, foldable mats, lightweight mats and others. These mats are available in plain colors as well as interesting colors and patterns.

Cheap yoga mats can be found at exclusive yoga stores. The best source for finding a good, cheap yoga mat is the internet. There are websites that host the best deals on Yoga Mats, which can be compared as well as ordered online. Some suppliers also give discounts on yoga mats, like 50% off or 30% off. Such deals can be seen on the internet.

Yoga Mats provides detailed information on Yoga Mats, Yoga Mat Bags, Cheap Yoga Mats, Patterned Yoga Mats and more. Yoga Mats is affiliated with Hatha Yoga.

Look here is the deal if you have fat kids, it is because they eat crap, do not exercise and they are modeling themselves off of you. You see you are a fat fart parent. It is your fault. And you are fat because you do not exercise and you eat too much fattening junk food and do not watch your weight, it is your fault.

But you probably want to see an Obesity Study to prove it is your fault? You dumb fatso, look in your mirror and see that unsightly belly buldge, Dah! And since when is diet failure not your fault fatty? You better lose some weight or it is going to start affecting your health and personally you fat so in so, I do not particularly want to have increased health care costs because you will not get off your fat rear end, find a diet which works, eat right and start exercising.

Why should I have to pay for you fat rear end, as I have my own to worry about. Of course I am not as fat as you, you fatso. Sure I could lose a few pounds just as much as the next guy, but you; well you are just fat and you have fat kids and well it is your own fault fatty. Consider this in 2006; you are fat, face it!

Lance Winslow

During the laser EYE operation routine, a laser scans your EYEs to find out and probe as many different points on your cornea as achievable. In order to restore your vision, the EYE doctor will use a computer software programme to determine where the irregularities are and which corrections are necessary. The cornea can then be reshaped in order to restore your vision back to 20/20.

In most of the procedures, there is no further requirement for another operation, since the vision restored after the surgery is then permanent. As for guarantees, many of the laser EYE clinics give a lifetime guarantee which protects you in case of the need for any enhancements or even extra corrective treatment.

Laser EYE treatment is a pain free and permanent procedure to repair your vision and free you from the requirement to wear contact lenses and glasses There are very few side effects. One possibility is the EYE getting infected, but the probability of this happening is 1 out of every 5000. If you adhere to your doctor’s recommendation and you don’t maltreat or directly touch your EYE inside a 24 hour period of the operation, you’ll have nothing to be concerned about. Within even three days of having laser EYE treatment the patient can expect to return to work.

Studies and trials have been run in the US and also abroad to discover if having a laser EYE operation actually produces a permanent outcome. It is quite normal that even though the results of laser EYE treatment are permanent, you may still require additional treatment simply because you and therefore your EYEs are getting older.

1. Flap Procedure treatments- are those where the surgeon removes the flap in the cornea to have an access to the tissue underneath. Some of the well known Flap treatments are as follows-

· LASIK refractive EYE surgery is quite a commendable EYE surgery these days. The term LASIK stands for ‘laser in situ keratomileusis’ surgery. This treatment is basically meant to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism (misshapen cornea). LASIK provides a correct vision through the use of a laser by reshaping the cornea and changing its focusing power. LASIK usually takes less than one minute per EYE. In USA LASIK surgeries have been performed since 1993.

· Contemporary technique of LASEK or Laser Epithelial Keratoileusis surgery is also widely in use nowadays. LASEK is akin to LASIK refractive EYE surgery. But unlike LASIK, in LASEK the surgeon cuts a flap in the epithelium only instead of through the epithelium and part of the stroma. After this the surgeon loosens the edges of the flap with the help of alcohol. The cases that are too sensitive to be treated by LASIK i.e. where people have thin or flat corneas are operated under the LASEK. Though LASEK is quite beneficial it has few shortcomings over LASIK. For instance the after LASEK surgery the patient feels uncomfortable for a long time and in comparison to LASIK, LASEK takes more time to heal.

· Epi-LASIK surgery is also a form of LASEK where the flap is removed only at the epithelium without the use of any blade or alcohol. In Epi-LASIK the surgeon makes use of a separator, epikeratome that creates an epithelial sheet. Since there is no alcohol used in this entire process, the patient feels less pain in this surgery and heals relatively faster.

· ALK or the Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty surgery is meant to treat the problem of nearsightedness and mild farsightedness. In ALK firstly the surgeon cuts a flap in the stroma. Then with the use of a microkeratome he removes the material under the flap. This removal is not done in case ALK is taken up to treat far-sightedness. Usually it takes less than an hour to do the ALK EYE surgery.

2. Photoablation Technique- this requires the use of ultraviolet radiation to remove the EYE tissues. Photoablation is basically the step that follows LASIK and LASEK surgeries.

· PRK or Photorefractive Keratectomy is a surgery that mainly treats nearsightedness, mild farsightedness and astigmatism. Here the surgeon makes the use of an excimer laser to remove the tissue from the surface of the cornea. The tissue ablation is taken up to give a new shape and minimize the vision problem. PRK is not a lengthy procedure. It usually takes less than one minute per EYE.

Think about it. The Lasik surgeon uses the laser to slice a tiny hinged corneal flap on the surface of your EYE. That is to allow the laser to reshape the inner corneal surface of your EYE. After the procedure the flap must heal and re-bonding with the surface of the cornea. During the first day or two the laser surgery leaves the EYE feeling dry and slightly scratchy.

Don’t worry about that flap. It is quickly situated comfortably back against the cornea, where it should be. Your EYEs are able to heal themselves and that is exactly what will be taking place after laser Lasik surgery. Now all you have to do is to protect your EYEs and let the healing take place.

Complete healing of the corneal flap may take up to 24 months. During those months healing should not be a concern and it should not cause a vision problem. Your vision will be corrected far before that, so you only concern will be to stick with you follow up visits to your Lasik surgeon.

Many doctors want your first follow up appointment to be within 24-hours of your surgery. After Lasik vision surgery your healing process must be monitored and any adjustments be made during the post-op period.

EYE drops during your post-op program will avoid the dry EYE after Lasik discomfort that is common. You will be applying the EYE drops for the first two-to-four weeks after your procedure. The drops will help alleviate the “Lasik and dry EYE” discomfort many experience during the initial healing period.

Pain is rare with the procedure. Lasik surgery patients control any slight discomfort with Tylenol or Advil. Anything containing aspirin is not advised.

Many find that an ice pack lightly held to the treated EYE for twenty minutes is very soothing. If you apply the ice for less than 20 minutes you may not feel the beneficial effects. On the other hand if you leave the ice on longer than 20 minutes it can become more irritating than soothing.

The ice pack should be wrapped in a clean towel before you apply it. Applying the ice pack for 20 minutes three or four times a day for the first two days can provide all the relief needed. Consult your doctor before using the ice pack, of course.

If you have used the EYE drops suggested by your doctor and your EYEs still feel dry, try wearing sunglasses. Strange as it sounds, light sensitivity can be confused with dry EYEs – it feels very similar.

Your risk of complications after having Lasik surgery depends upon a number of factors. One is the state of your pre-operative vision. The worse your EYEs were before the surgery the greater chance you may require touch-up surgery.

Touch-up surgery is not highly unusual and is usually included in the cost of the Lasik treatment program. It doesn’t happen often, but you must be prepared if your surgeon says it will be necessary.

In most cases the dramatic vision improvement with Lasik laser surgery is certainly worth any slight discomfort you may experience. Lasik and dry EYEs is the most common complaint and that is short lived. Just be sensible and protect your EYEs after Lasik surgery and enjoy your improved vision.

Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in preserving good EYEsight throughout life. Sometimes, diabetes may be first detected by manifestations in the EYE like infections, boils, styes, recurrent redness, mild haziness of vision, double vision, frequent change of glasses for reading, difficulty in focusing near or distance, difficulty in driving especially at night, glare etc. as these signs also appear in established diabetic patients. In the presence of these suspicious symptoms or when in doubt it’s wise to have detailed EYE testing from a specialist.

The main affect of diabetes on EYEs is a matter of concern since it can cause permanent untreatable blindness – diabetic retinopathy. In simple terms it means diabetic affects or deposition on retina of the EYE. In early stages diabetic retinopathy many not have any symptom to warn you of it happening inside the EYE. This can only be detected by detailed, meticulous examination of the retina. This early detection is only possible by awareness and understanding of the disease, regular EYE examination, minimum once a year, unless told otherwise by the EYE surgeon, early referrals by diabetologists, endocrinologists, treating physicians and general doctors, all of whom need to get their diabetic patients cleared of diabetic retinopathy, off and on, as they do to rule out other complications of the disease.

In fact, in this early stage, when there may be just a thickening of the retina or presence of tiny blood clots due to diabetes, called CSME, even in the presence of normal 6/6 vision, laser treatment benefits the patient the most. If diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed at a later stage, it progresses to severe stage with abundance of hemorrhages, exudates and fluids and formation of new blood vessels, ultimately leading to complete blindness due to total bleeding inside the EYE, which requires major EYE surgery to retrieve a little bit of vision that could have been almost 100 percent in earlier stages.

Uncontrolled diabetes and diet, blood pressure, excess weight and cigarette smoking are not good associations. It is absolutely necessary to get your EYEs tested when your treatment is shifted from oral drugs to insulin because the latter can cause start/worsening of diabetic changes in the retina, and that too at a fast speed. Diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy should be carefully monitored. Cataract surgery can worsen the retinal condition and get it checked immediately after the surgery. Diabetes can also cause fast maturation of cataract.

In visibility tint color contacts, a light blue or green tint is added to the lens, to help see the lens better. The tint is usually too light to change the EYE color.

An enhancement tint is darker than a visibility tint. It is used to enhance the existing color of the EYE, and works best on people who have naturally light-colored EYEs.

Colored tints go further and can altogether change the color of the user’s EYEs. The center of the lens is clear so that vision is not affected, but the rest of the lens has an opaque tint. Color contacts are available in an array of colors including amethyst, blue, gray, green, hazel, and violet.

Some sportspersons use special types of colored contacts known as light-filtering tints. These enhance certain colors, helping the user to, for example, to spot the tennis ball better. Lenses have been developed to help golfers distinguish between different types of greens on the golf course. Other such lenses are being developed for other sports.

Colored contacts have some disadvantages. Occasionally the lens may slip, making the EYE look a little strange, as part of the natural color shows through. Some colored contacts may interfere with proper vision if the transparent area in the center of the lens is not large enough to accommodate the enlarged size of the pupil in low light conditions.

Like all contact lenses, colored contacts are fitted to a specific individual’s EYEs and should not be worn by another person. The swapping of lenses may also aid the transmission of pathogens that cause infections or other harmful conditions.

Color contacts might not always be used for vision correction, but like every type of contact lens, they must be properly cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Heredity

Like many skin conditions, dark circles under the EYEs are often an inherited trait. It is very common for family members to have similar dark circles. The skin that is under your EYEs is very thin. When veins are close to the surface of the skin, it can give the appearance of a blue or dark color. The thinner your skin, which is also inherited, the darker the circles will appear.

Exposure to sunlight

The sun causes pigmentation to be drawn to the surface of the skin. This is true in darker or lighter skinned people. The more you are exposed to sunlight, the more natural pigmentation that is affected. This contributes to the appearance of dark circles. Wearing large sunglasses will help.

Itchy EYEs

Any condition, such as eczema, asthma or allergies that causes the EYEs to itch contributes to dark circles under the EYEs. Excessive rubbing of the skin will cause it to darken. Hay fever sufferers often get circles under the EYEs during hay fever season. Certain food allergies can also contribute to darker skin under the EYEs.

Nutrition

A diet not containing important nutrients, or a diet that is not properly balanced, can contribute to black circles around and under the EYEs.

Medicine

Many medications cause an increase in blood flows. This can cause the blood vessels under the EYEs to dilate, giving the appearance of circles.

Pregnancy and Menstruation

Many women’s skin becomes very pale during menstruation and pregnancy. This allows the veins under the EYEs to be more visible, and darker looking.

Not enough sleep

Not getting enough sleep can cause the skin to become pale. This allows the blood under the skin to be much more visible under the EYEs.

Age

People with a predisposition to have dark circles under you EYEs, will find that as they grow older, the circles will become more evident and permanent. In addition, wrinkles and crows feet under the EYEs will make dark circles more noticeable.