GERD Cures - What Doctors Do Not Want You to Know about Acid Reflux

By: Joe Barton

GERD cures have been around for centuries and have worked for centuries. However, these gastro esophageal reflux disease remedies seemed to take a back seat after the release of antacids. Because people naturally love convenience, antacids seemed to be the obvious choice for treating acid reflux.

Unfortunately, most GERD sufferers discovered that it was only a matter of time before antacids started to lose their effectiveness. Therefore, stronger and harsher medications were prescribed which often had the same results as antacids.

Tips on Aging Skin Moisturizers

By: Laurel Levine

Did you know that the best aging skin moisturizers are free of petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin? Actually, no one, regardless of their age, should use lotions or creams containing those ingredients. They are not actually moisturizing. Manufacturers know that, but they continue to use them, because they are cheap. Here?s a look at some of the most moisturizing ingredients available.

Glycerin

Glycerin is used in more expensive lotions and creams, because it is an effective moisturizer. It can improve the skin?s moisture content by about 5%. It can be derived from synthetic or vegetable sources. Either source seems to be effective, but most of us prefer the natural vegetable form, rather than the synthetic.

Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil is an excellent moisturizer, because it is very similar, on a molecular basis, to the skin?s own sebum. Sebum is the natural lubricant produced by the sebaceous glands within the skin?s layers.

Research has shown that avocado oil contains compounds called sterolins that can help reduce age spots. It has also been shown to stimulate the production of collagen, something that normally slows down with age.

Avocado oil is typically found in nighttime aging skin moisturizers for the face. Most people feel that it is a little too heavy for used during the daytime, although it does not cause greasiness or clog the pores.

Coenzyme Q10

Several studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 is effective for reversing wrinkles and roughness caused by sun damage. It is becoming a more common ingredient for anti-aging products of all kinds, but most companies don?t include enough of it. So, they aren?t always effective.

As far as aging skin moisturizers go, coenzyme Q10 has been shown to improve moisture by about 30% over the course of six weeks. It is assumed that all of these benefits are due to the antioxidant activity of COQ10. It is known to repair damage done to cellular DNA by free radical molecules. Dermatologists have said that the molecular damage done by free radicals over the course of a person?s life are the causes of wrinkling, sagging and all of the signs of age.

Shea Butter

Shea butter?s molecular composition is nearly identical to that of the skin?s own sebum, which makes it one of the most effective moisturizing ingredients in the world. The only problem is that many companies use lower grades or add other ingredients that interfere with its beneficial effects.

Aging skin moisturizers that contain a high grade of Shea butter are proven to soften and smooth over the course of four to six weeks. The ingredient is most often found in nighttime creams.

Functional Keratin

Keratin is a protein found in all of the skin?s outer cells. Functional keratin is a form that can be used by our cells. Most forms are denaturalized. So, they cannot be absorbed into the cells.

In conclusion, one of the functions the keratin performs is to absorb water or moisture. Aging skin moisturizers containing function keratin have been shown to improve the skin?s moisture content by over 20% after the very first use. So, now you know about the effective ingredients that are available. Say good bye to dryness forever.

If you

Do You Know How Your Body Mass Index (BMI) Controls Weight Loss?

By: Dr. Steven Vaughn

Do You Know How Your Body Mass Index (BMI) Controls Weight Loss?

Ask Dr. Steve-

Dr. Steve, A friend of mine told me that they had their BMI measured by their doctor to see how much body fat they had. What is BMI?



Robert S. Bakersfield, CA

Robert,

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person?s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such a underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorpitiometry (DXA).

BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

How is BMI used in Weight Loss?

BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI.

However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.

Why do Healthcare Professionals use BMI to measure overweight and obesity?

Calculating BMI is one of the best methods for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to that of the general population

Pounds and inches Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703

Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.

Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5?5? (65″) Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96

There are three critical building blocks that must be stacked together to achieve weight loss: eating healthier and smaller portions (consuming fewer calories), increasing expenditure of energy through simple exercise (using up more calories) and having the mind set (mental discipline) to change your habits into a positive life program of health and vitality.

Article Source:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_8196.shtml

Plastic Surgery after Weight Loss

By: Dr. Tom Pousti

With massive weight loss, in a short period of time, patients are often left with a significant amount of excess skin. Because of the rapid weight loss, the patient?s skin doesn?t ?bounce back? adequately, resulting in a multitude of problems including problems with moisture, skin break down, hygiene and body image problems (aesthetic concerns). This excess skin remains a reminder of the person?s past problem with obesity and limits the patient?s satisfaction with the weight loss he/she has achieved. Although patients are often very pleased with the improvement in their medical issues (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) achieved after weight loss, they are still not happy when they look in the mirror. Plastic surgical procedures after weight loss may help the patient achieve their goals and significantly improve their self-image. It is important to work with a plastic surgeon with extensive experience due to the fact that treatment of the post-bariatric surgery patient is unique in that the patient?s skin elasticity has been permanently decreased, potentially resulting in faster recurrence of some of the patient?s presenting complaints. Dr. Pousti has helped many patient?s in this situation.

As patients lose weight, their face and neck skin often show signs of weight loss often associated with aging. They may notice loose skin of the eyelids, lower face (jowl) or neck area. Face and neck lifting surgery help eliminate loose skin and the underlying muscle and fatty tissue. The re-suspension of the tissues helps rejuvenate the face and neck area.

Many patients complain of ?empty, droopy, saggy? breasts after weight loss ? in fact, patients often say that they were happier with their breasts before weight loss than after (just like some patients are happier with their breast during pregnancy than after). Most patients after massive weight loss, benefit from breast augmentation (saline or silicone gel breast implants) along with breast lifting (mastopexy) surgery. The mastopexy operation serves to raise the nipple-areola complexes higher on the chest wall (by removing redundant or loose skin) while the breast augmentation serves to increase fullness of the breasts especially along the superior pole of the breasts. Usually, after significant weight loss, both breast implants and breast lifting are required for optimal results.

Saline Implants

Saline implants have a silicone rubber shell that is inflated to the desired size with sterile saline. The implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle deflated and therefore, the incision used for this type of implant is minimal. These implants can be overfilled to achieve a more rounded appearance.

Saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference. Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture. Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants have a silicone rubber shell that is filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. Most silicone gel-filled implants are not adjustable and therefore, the incision used to place the silicone gel implant is larger than the incision needed for saline implants. The silicone gel implant cannot be overfilled ? it comes in an exact size that cannot be manipulated.

Silicone implants vary in shell surface (smooth/textured), shape, profile, volume, shell thickness, and number of shell lumens.

Some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have. If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants. If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more natural result.

As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery.

Plastic Surgery Societies Applaud the FDA?s Decision to Approve Silicone Breast Implants

For Immediate Release: November 17, 2006

Arlington Heights, Ill. (November 17, 2006) ? The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the two largest plastic surgery membership organizations, applaud the FDA?s decision today to approve (manufacturer?s) silicone breast implants and return these devices to the U.S. market. This decision comes 14 years after the FDA restricted access to the silicone implants because of safety concerns. ?This is a great day for American women and the plastic surgeons who care for them,? said Roxanne Guy, MD, ASPS president. ?Silicone breast implants have been scrutinized more than any medical device, and we applaud the FDA for making its well thought-out decision and allowing American women to make informed choices about their health care.?

Patients will also often complain of loose skin of the abdomen and/or back areas. The redundant folds of skin may be ?depressing? to patients who have worked hard to drop their weight (and maintain it) only to be left with even looser skin. Unfortunately, like the issues described above, these areas of excess skin do not improve despite the most rigorous diet and exercise schedule. Ironically, the redundancy of skin may worsen despite patients? best efforts. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery serve to remove the excess skin of the abdomen while tightening up the abdominal wall muscles. This operation serves to improve the contour of the abdominal wall while the patient is standing, leaning over and sitting down. At the same time, the pubic area (which is often of concern to patients after weight loss) may be reduced and ?lifted?. If the pubic area is not addressed during the abdominoplasty procedure, the patient often will be dissatisfied with the end result of surgery.

Often patients will complain of excess skin circumferentially at the level of the abdomen and lower back. Lower body lifting and belt lipectomy procedures serve to remove redundant skin of the abdomen and back circumferentially ? this operation serves to improve the contour of the buttocks, hips, thighs and abdomen.

Weight loss can leave loose or ?hanging? skin of the upper arm, between the elbow and shoulder. This area is addressed using the brachioplasty or arm lifting surgery. One of the keys of this operation is to plan the resulting scar to fall at the lower edge of the arm so that the scar is not visible from the front or back view. This operation may be extended to address the excess skin of the upper chest as well (upper body lift).

Patient often complain of extra skin of the thighs as well. This area can be treated using the thigh lifting techniques. A medial thigh lift will address the inner thighs while the lower body lift addresses the outer part of the thighs.

When considering any type of plastic surgery, choosing your surgeon is one the most important decisions a patient makes. An astute patient will evaluate the doctor?s credentials, training, specific board certification and experience. Before and after procedures, meeting with previous patients and reading patient testimonials may be useful. Connection with the plastic surgeon is critical to individualize each patient?s case. Safety is of primary concern and factors such as medical problems, age, exercise tolerance and length of surgery are some of the factors considered during the consultation. Care must be taken not to attempt too much surgery simultaneously as this may result in complications. During the office visits, the surgeon will get to know more about the patient?s health history as well as expectations and goals. Patients are educated regarding the procedure, post-operative care and especially potential limitations and/or possible risks and complications of any planned procedure.

Dr. Pousti is well qualified to assist patients after massive weight loss. He is board certified in General Surgery as well as Plastic Surgery and has been trained at some of the finest institutions in the United States. He has been in private practice for over 12 years and has had the privilege of helping thousands of patients reaching their goals after significant weight loss.

Article Source:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_8180.shtml

Stop Signs of Aging Skin Now!

By: Laurel Levine

Let?s face it. No one wants to see the signs of aging skin, but we often think of them as inevitable. But, the latest information indicates that preventing aging skin is possible, if we are consistent and follow a healthy skincare routine. The factors that are most important include striving for good nutrition and using only the best skincare products.

When it comes to good nutrition, a number of studies have been conducted recently concerning how different foods may contribute to, prevent or even reverse the signs of aging skin. Let?s start with fish.

Fish, particularly salmon, is recommended by popular anti-aging doctors and nutritionists, alike. Fish provides the protein necessary for building new skin cells and fibers. What many people don?t realize is that the skin?s epidermis is continuously regenerating throughout our lives. The process just gets a little slower as we get older.

Eating fish is also recommended for preventing aging skin, because it contains omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Those nutrients fight free radical damage and chronic inflammation, which are two of the causes of cellular aging. One study showed that taking a daily fish oil supplement improved the skin?s firmness by 10% after three months.

Another showed that taking a soy-based supplement, which included fish protein and antioxidants from tea, grape seed and tomato, improved the skin?s structure and firmness after six months. Yet another indicates that the antioxidants found in green tea and some kinds of chocolate improved circulation and hydration, making the skin look smoother.

Eating more fruits and vegetables is recommended for preventing aging skin, because of all of the different antioxidants they provide. Research has shown that the skin?s level of naturally occurring antioxidants gets lower and lower as time goes by. We need to give it all of the help that we can.

Many of the creams and lotions that reduce the signs of aging skin contain antioxidants and other nutrients found in the foods mentioned above. When you apply these nourishing lotions, you are feeding your skin?s cells directly.

The antioxidant coenzyme Q10 has proven benefits for reversing wrinkles and should be helpful for preventing aging skin, as well. Certain proteins, like keratin, but not collagen or elastin, are known to improve the skin?s moisture content and firmness, while reducing inflammation and stimulating the production of antioxidants within the skin?s cells.

Moisturizing oils like avocado and grape seed provide the essential fatty acids necessary for lubrication and protection. Extracts from plants like kelp and algae have been shown to help reduce the signs of aging skin, as well.

Many experts say that avoiding overexposure to the sun is a big part of preventing aging skin, but the use of sunscreen is not that helpful. It really depends on how much time you spend out of doors and how many antioxidants are present in the skin?s layers to counter free radical damage.

So there you have it. If you do spend a great deal of time outside, use a broad-spectrum sun-block that contains zinc oxide. Other sun-screening compounds are simply not that effective. Sunscreen won?t do anything to counter the signs of aging skin, but that?s okay. Other ingredients will.

If you