Dermatologists, or skin care doctors, have expertise in the care of normal skin, as well as in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of skin diseases, including skin cancers. Dermatologists can also diagnose and treat patients with disorders affecting the hair and nails. In addition, dermatologists are knowledgeable in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin (such as hair loss and scars). What Do Dermatologists Do? Dermatologists often perform specialized diagnostic…

The Best Ways To Care For Skin As You Age Your skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of sun tanning or being out in the sunlight for a long time can lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots and even cancer. But there are things you can do to help your skin. Wrinkles Over time, skin begins to wrinkle. Things in the…

A comprehensive headache classification guide was established by the International Headache Society and includes more than 150 diagnostic headache categories. However, there are two major types of headaches: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Primary Headaches Primary headaches are not the result of another medical condition. Include tension, migraine, mixed headache syndrome and cluster headaches. Tension headaches: the most common type of primary headaches, accounting for about…

Why is it Important to Diagnose a Headache? The correct diagnosis is needed to begin an effective treatment plan. Early visits to your doctor are made to establish what type or classification of headache you have. Describe your headache symptoms and history as completely as possible. History of Headache Treatments A history of prior headache treatments is also an important part of the headache evaluation. Provide your doctor with a history of prior treatments — both prescribed and…

When you exercise, or exert yourself physically, the muscles of the head, neck and scalp need more blood to circulate. This causes the blood vessels to swell, which can lead to a condition called exertional headaches. Headaches that most frequently occur due to exercise or over-exertion include jogger's headache and orgasmic headache (sex headache). While these may occur in isolation, they are most common in patients who have an inherited susceptibility to migraine (one or both parents have…

Caffeine can be a double-edged sword for those with a headache: it can serve as a treatment or in some cases can cause withdrawal or a phenomenon known as “rebound” headache. The important thing to remember is that with education and moderation, caffeine can be one of the most effective treatments for headache. Caffeine as a Headache Treatment Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter headache medications. Because analgesics work more quickly and more…

With the exception of physical therapy, many of the headache treatment approaches discussed below represent nontraditional therapies being used to manage head pain in the United States. Since most physicians today are open to consideration of alternative treatments, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about referring you to a qualified alternative health practitioner. Alternative Headache Treatments Physical Therapy Physical therapy is a medical discipline that deals with the muscles, joints,…

You have the right and responsibility to know what medications are being prescribed for you. The more you know about your medications and how they work, the easier it will be for you to control your symptoms. You and your doctor are partners in developing, adjusting and following an effective medication plan. Make sure that you understand and share the same treatment goals as your doctor. Talk about what you expect from medications so you can know if your treatment plan is working. Here are…

If you have questions, or need more information about your headaches issues, view the resources below. Note: This is not a complete listing and inclusion does not imply endorsement by Cleveland Clinic. Remember to always follow the advice of your doctor and health care team. Headache Organizations American Headache Society 19 Mantua Road Mt Royal, NJ 08061 856.423.0043 National Headache Foundation 820 North Orleans, Suite 217 Chicago, IL 60610 312.274.2650 or…

This page will examine common misconceptions and provide some tips on how to care for your eyes—from childhood to old age. Below are some common questions people have about their eyes and relevant answers. Can crossed eyes be treated? Strabismus (crossed eyes) does not improve on its own, but it can be more easily corrected in younger children. That’s why it is important for your child to have an eye exam early, first when he or she is an infant, and then again by age…

It is important to maintain good ocular health. Having good ocular health means that vision is at least 20/20 or better with or without correction and that the eyes are disease-free. There are simple corrective and preventive measures to maintain good vision and enjoy lifelong ocular health. Here are some tips to keeping your eyes healthy and preventing problems: Visit Your Doctor for Regular Check-Ups You should visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam once every year. See…

These are some simple guidelines to follow for wearing corrective lenses or taking medicine prescribed by your eye healthcare provider. Eyeglasses Always store in a clean, dry place away from potential impact. Clean your glasses with water and a non-lint cloth, as necessary, to keep them spot-free and prevent distorted vision. See your doctor annually to check your prescription. Contact Lenses Always store your contact lenses in a clean case in fresh solution as recommended by…

Taking a role in maintaining your eyesight includes choosing a healthcare provider best suited for your needs – one that has the right training and experience, can give proper diagnosis and treatment, is informative, promotes the best possible outcome and guides care through genuine concern. Getting Started: How to Choose an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist Qualifications Make sure that the professional has the proper and adequate training to diagnose, treat and prevent…

First aid, no matter how simple, can make the difference in saving your eyesight. When an emergency happens, it is important to seek medical attention for your eyes immediately after injury. A severe injury can lead to infection, vision loss or blindness. Using some of these simple first aid techniques when an accident happens may help save your sight or the sight of someone else: Bleeding from the eye - Trauma to the eye or head may cause bleeding of the eye. If you suspect that the blood…

During an eye appointment several types of eye tests may be performed. In addition to a complete eye examination, your doctor may want to order one of the following special tests. Applanation tonometry: A test that helps doctors diagnose glaucoma by measuring the amount of pressure needed to flatten a portion of the cornea. This is done by taking a thin strip of paper stained with the dye fluorescein. This dye stains the front of the eye and enables a better examination by the doctor. The…

Make sure to maintain the health of your eyes. Visit the listing below for treatment options and answers to your questions. Note: This is not a complete listing and inclusion does not imply endorsement by Cleveland Clinic. Remember to always follow the advice of your doctor and healthcare team. Eye Health Resources National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health 2020 Vision Place Bethesda, MD 20892-3655 301.496.5248 American Foundation for the Blind 2 Penn Plaza,…

Over the first year of life, your baby will sleep and nap a lot – from 12 to as many as 18 hours a day. The amount of sleep an infant gets at any one stretch of time is mostly ruled by hunger. Newborns will wake up and want to be fed about every three to four hours at first. Sleeping Milestones Do not let your newborn sleep longer than five hours at a time in the first five to six weeks. Then, you can keep the following general milestones in mind: 4 months old: Most babies begin to show…

Without adequate sleep, mental and physical health can suffer.There are more than 100 million Americans of all ages who are not getting adequate sleep. Inadequate sleep can have negative consequences on school and work performance, interpersonal relationships, health and safety.How Much Sleep is Necessary?Experts generally recommend that adults sleep at least 7 ½ to 8 hours per night, although some people require more and some less.A National Sleep Foundation poll found that adults (age 18-54)…

Getting a good night’s sleep may seem impossible when you’re tossing and turning. However, you have to remember that your body wants to fall asleep. You only need to give it the proper means to do so. With a little preparation, you can give your body all it needs to get ready for a satisfying sleep. Follow these tips during the day and right before bed so you will surely sleep the night away. 7 Daytime Sleep Tips Follow these 7 tips throughout your daily activities so you can achieve a good…

If you find yourself lying awake at night, there are different lifestyle and behavioral treatments that can help. Visit the listing below and learn more about what adjustments you can make in your life for a better night’s sleep. Relaxation Training. Relaxation training methods such as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), deep breathing techniques, imagery and self-hypnosis might help some people deal with sleep disorders. PMR involves helping the individual to sequentially tense and relax…