Improving Skin with Medication There are many prescription products available to help improve the look of your skin. Many of the prescription products contain the same ingredients as those available over-the-counter, but are in higher dosage strengths. Examples of such products include: Products to slow the growth of, remove or lighten unwanted facial hairProducts to grow hair in scalp areas lacking hairExfoliant products including certain alpha-hydroxy acid products If you’ve already tried…

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins commonly develop as we grow older, but can be treated with exercise, support hose, or surgery. Varicose veins are large, raised, swollen blood vessels. They usually develop in the legs. Spider veins are smaller, red to purple and blue dilated vessels. Spider veins are easily visible and are found just under the skin. They are also most often seen on the legs and thighs. What causes varicose veins and spider…

Uncover the truth behind the top five menopause myths. Dr. Holly L. Thacker says the answers just might surprise you!

I am 59 years old. I noticed a wart growth almost at the entrance of my vagina. It has been there for more than five months. Recently I applied garlic overnight to the site and after two days it was gone. I am still worried. Do you think the wart is a sign of some disease? What do you recommend that I do to avoid a reoccurence?

In 1989 I had breast cancer, my hair came out and never fully came back to it’s original fullness. As of now I wear wigs. Is there anything else that I could do as far as vitamins or diet are concerned? I had chemo, went through a period of menopause for a year, but, I had no other problems. I am healthy.

I am losing hair. Do I need to start using Rograine or is it a temporary result of:

• A new diet started in last month eating 2/3 fruits and vegetables for every 1/3 protein and grain
• Dental work in last month - crown followed by root canal - many x-rays
• Menopause - I stopped over 10 years ago.

What should I do?

I am 40 and have shaved my pubic hair completely off for at least 10 years. Some people tell me it is fine, some say it is better than long hair and some people tell me it is bad for me. I like it because it feels better and cleaner. Can you please tell me if there is a problem with me doing this?

Your skin is how you present yourself to the world. It is important to keep this first impression healthy not only to look at, but for our long-term well being. The skin on our face can be challenged throughout our lives, from the first acne of our teenage years to the wrinkling of our later years. Facial Skin Care for Acne-Prone Skin If you are prone to acne, choose a cleanser specially formulated for acne. These products often contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which help to clear…

The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is genetic. In fact, heredity accounts for 95 percent of all the cases of alopecia (baldness) in this country. The remaining five percent of the cases can be due to a number of things including diet, stress, illness, and/or medications. Specific factors that can cause hair loss: Medications, vitamins, or minerals: medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems, depression or gout; chemotherapy or radiation treatment…

Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Margaret McKenzie shares her recommendations for easing hemorrhoids during pregnancy on The Stir.Pregnancy brings pretty glowing skin, shiny hair, and strong fingernails. Unfortunately it also may bring hemorrhoids. Three main culprits contribute to this painful annoyance:1. Your uterus: It's growing to accommodate the fetus and this puts pressure on the pelvic veins. This increased weight can slow the flow of blood from the lower half of the body, thus amping up the…

How is arthritis treated? "Arthriti" means inflammation of the joints, and it might cause pain, swelling, and limited motion of one or many joints in the body. More than 100 different illnesses can cause arthritis. Treatment begins after diagnosis by a doctor, who might prescribe medicine to reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, and loss of motion. As part of a comprehensive plan for arthritis treatment, your doctor might also prescribe occupational and physical therapy, which can provide…

What is asthma? Asthma is a disorder of the lungs that causes the airways to: Swell (or become inflamed), specifically in the airway linings Produce large amounts of mucus that is thicker than normal Become more narrow due to muscle contractions surrounding the airways The symptoms of asthma are: Feeling short of breath Frequent coughing, especially at night Wheezing (a whistling noise during breathing) Difficulty breathing Asthma is very common; it affects about 5 to…

What is occupational asthma? Occupational asthma is asthma caused by or worsened by exposure to substances in the workplace. These substances may cause asthma in one of three ways: An allergic reaction. An irritant reaction. A reaction in which chemicals that occur naturally in the body build up in the lung, resulting in asthma. For example, health care workers can develop an allergy to latex gloves by breathing in the powdered proteins from the inner lining of the gloves. Workers…

The airways in a person with asthma are very sensitive and react to a variety of external factors, or "triggers." These triggers cause the airways to tighten and become inflamed and blocked with mucus, resulting in difficulty breathing. An acute asthma attack can begin immediately after exposure to a trigger or several hours or days later. There are many kinds of triggers, and responses to them vary from person to person. A trigger may be harmless to some asthmatics but contribute to an…

Q. My mother-in-law has fallen several times in her home, and we’d like to make her home safer. What are some ways we can make her home more "fall-proof?" A. If your mother-in-law is living alone, then you and she may wish to speak your local office of the aging, or a social worker, to determine if she needs more assistance to live more safely at home for as long as possible. A home evaluation can also be conducted to determine what special needs your mother-in-law may have. Some communities…

When appropriately applied, stress management training can reduce the degree and intensity of your current stress reactions and help you develop skills for preventing additional, harmful stress reactions. Concepts of stress management training Stress reactions take five general forms: Subjective experience of distress, as in feeling tense, anxious, worried, harassed Physical symptoms in response to stress, such as raised blood pressure, tension headaches, upset stomach Responding to…

Bathing Necessities Give your baby a sponge bath every one to two days until the umbilical cord falls off. Choose a place that is safe, warm and free from drafts. Before starting, make sure you have the following supplies at hand: Baby shampoo Clean clothes Cotton balls Diaper Mild soap Soft washcloths Two towels Always hold or support your baby while bathing. Have your fingers under your baby’s armpit, with your thumb around your baby’s shoulder. Your other hand should…

Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments. Proper posture: Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly. Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis. Decreases the stress on the…

Menopause is the beginning of a woman's second adulthood. Freed from childbearing and child rearing responsibilities, this should be a great time in a woman's life. It is a normal part of the female life cycle, but just like other normal events like menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation there may be issues that need medical assessment and intervention. For many women, menopause is a time to reinvent themselves and seek new opportunities and creative outlets. Many women, like Margaret Mead,…

Q: My grandson went through two operations as a baby for a congenital heart problem. He is now 15 and having palpitations. Should we be concerned? A: Your grandson has reached the age when heart rhythm abnormalities begin to appear in young people who had congenital heart surgery as infants. He should be seen by a congenital heart specialist because "arrhythmias" can be dangerous. Congenital heart disease – abnormal formation of the heart or major blood vessels – interferes with the…