Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Things To Know About Sun Damage

By Bruce Jopples

We all enjoy spending time having fun outdoors. Sadly it can have a negative effect causing sun damage especially if we do it too much and don't use adequate protection. There are many problems that can be caused just by over indulging in sunbathing and these can escalate causing many health issues over time. There are simple steps that can be taken to avoid it happening in the first place.

Ensure that while sunbathing or in the direct path of the sun that a sun lotion with a high protection factor is applied. It is necessary to keep the skin guarded. If you don't there are frightening consequences much worse than sunburn. Most of the harm that is done is long term.

The most noticeable damage that occurs is skin wrinkling. This can make you look much older and severely affect it's appearance. To prevent this happening use a face moisturizer with a Sun Protection factor (SPF). This can help to shield you from these symptoms which can be the cause of physical and psychological distress.

Overexposure can cause damage that means the elasticity of the skin is lost. This is because the production of collagen has been halted and as the youthful bounce departs from the skin creases replace it. Some people respond by resorting to expensive cosmetic procedures which could have been prevented. An excess of ultraviolet light can serve to age the skin quite rapidly.

If there's an over abundance of melanin in the skin it can make you appear tanned, . This may be a look you crave but it can also cause things like sun spots to appear. Once your tan has faded these will still be there. They have a negative impact on skin tone and can make tans seem uneven and can contribute to making you appear older.

The worst side effect of sun damage can be skin cancer. You can get this from both regular sunlight and from using tanning booths. It usually happens when the skin has been damaged at cell level. When this happens your skin can't make up enough melanin to protect itself. Skin cancer can lad to severe discomfort and even death.

It is important to respect the fact that the sun is powerful and can cause your skin problems. Make the right choice and protect yourself at all times so that you can avoid the problems caused by sun damage.

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Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Symptoms of Lymphoma in Women

By Jon Michael David

Lymphoma symptoms in women do not usually differ significantly from the symptoms of lymphoma in men.

Lymphoma typically takes its time developing and very few symptoms may be seen early on.

Here is a list of the common symptoms of lymphoma in women and symptoms of lymphoma in men, as well.

It's important to bear in mind that these lymphoma symptoms might not be lymphoma symptoms at all but symptoms of something else, all together.

That's why it is recommended that you see your physician if you feel any of them.

1. Painless swelling of the Lymph Nodes

This is the symptom most commonly associated with lymphoma and may even be the only one experienced.

It's vital to understand that many various things can trigger enlarged lymph nodes and it does not at all indicate that you have lymphoma!

Usually the lymph nodes in the groin, armpit and neck areas will swell up painlessly.

Humans have 500+ lymph nodes in the body which are basically "forts" of immunity.

When they swell up, this indicates that an immune response has been initiated by the body in reaction to some sort of microscopic invader.

You might find these swollen nodes while taking a shower or performing your daily cleaning routine.

The symptoms outlined most often only indicate a possible lymphoma if they are discovered in addition to swollen lymph nodes.

2. Weight Loss

Typically, sudden weight loss will occur over a period of several months with no good reason.

Weight loss can range from a few pounds to up to 20 or so.

3. Running a Fever

A seemingly causeless fever that keeps returning and is not connected with colds, flus, etc., is a reason to go see your doctor.

Symptoms of lymphoma can be confused with symptoms of other illnesses and, in fact, a lymphoma that causes fever accompanied by lymph node swelling is frequently mistaken for a flu or something similar.

For those individuals affected with a Hodgkins lymphoma, a characteristic kind of fever name Pel-Ebstein fever can occur.

4. Night Sweating

Sweating excessively at night, waking up soaked in sweat, etc.

5. Itchy Skin

Lymphoma cells can secrete certain substance which cause the entire body to be itchy, a condition known as pruritis.

6. Lack of Appetite

People with lymphoma may lose their appetite, which can result in dropping weight.

7. Low Energy

Cancer cells hijack the body's energy resource that would otherwise be utilized by healthy cells, causing a drop in energy levels.

8. Swelling

Lymphoma can afflict any organ and consequently impinge on surrounding veins which limits blood flow and causes swelling and inflammation.

Site-specific lymphomas produce rather widely varying symptoms.

A brain lymphoma, for instance, can produce leg pain whilst a stomach lymphoma may produce stomach aches.

Universal Symptoms of Lymphoma in Women and Universal Symptoms of Lymphoma in Men

The first and most obvious sign of lymphoma is adenopathy, aka lymphadenopathy, which is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes.

This symptom, alone, however, should not be construed as evidence for the presence of a lymphoma.

To make that determination, one needs to undergo a battery of tests.

Lymphoma symptoms can be quite various depending on the kind of lymphoma, its level of progression (metastasis), location, size of tumor, etc.

In the initial stages of a lymphoma, symptoms connected with bone-marrow problems such as anemia (low red blood cell count) are rare, although they often develop later and as a result of the actual treatment.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) type lymphoma affects any mucosal area of the body, the most typical being the stomach. Changes in bowel movements and stomach pains may indicate a problem.

Those patients whose stomach lymphomas are connected with the H. Pylori bacterium can see a regression of lymphoma in up to 70% of instances where the H. Pylori is eliminated with antibiotics.

Describing Symptoms To Your Physician Helpfully:

Describe the severity of your complaint on a scale such as "This bothers me about 8 out of 10".

For visible symptoms, describe how long they've been present and whether or not they've undergone any changes since you first noticed them.

When did you first experience these symptoms?

How much time has elapsed since you began experiencing this symptom?

Do the symptoms persist or do they come and go?

Describe any medications or supplements you have used since first observing the symptoms.

Do the symptoms change depending upon time of day, body position, sleep, etc.

Do certain foods trigger the symptoms?

The more descriptive you are, the more accurate your doctor's information and ability to help you will be. It is your job to give them as much good info as possible so that they can help you figure out your options and decide the best steps to take.

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