Engineering vs Medicine

Students across the world find themselves at the crossroads after completing their high school. For toppers, the decision to opt between engineering and medicine is the most difficult task. Of course, the choice is never entirely yours and is influenced by several external factors. These include your parents, the success of your elder siblings in a particular academic area, your teachers and, for some, even friends. Not to say that you should ignore them but the best bet is to listen to your inner-self and do some search on both these fields before deciding on one. Following are some considerations you should take into account:

Ease of finding a job
How many doctors or nurses have you come across who said they were unemployed? The answer would be less than ten. Yes! If you are the one who wants to land up in a job immediately after completion of your course, medicine is the right specialty for you. There is little doubt that engineering profession has too many opportunities; however, finding a desired job can be a tad difficult.

Leisure time
Are you a kind of a person who prefers to work five days a week and wants to try lots of other things during the weekend? In that case, you may opt for engineering. There are several doctors and nurses who say they have little time for themselves and they have to be ready to work during any time of the day and week.

Income
Engineers can be found at many levels in the organization. You can see some of them running companies as CEOs and you may even see some engineers providing low paying technical support services. Hence, there is no certainty on income levels. On the other hand, people in medicine profession invariably earn decent income.

Sensitivity
Many medicine students leave this field after first three months of study. The probable rationale: I am allergic to smell in operation theater; I couldn't dissect the frog; the sight of dead bodies haunts me in my dreams. If you can set aside all these issues and look at the larger picture of treating the ill, you can take up medical profession.

Creativity
There is no limit to creativity in engineering profession. Some engineering specializations such as automobile and architecture are perfect example of these. Who knows you could be the next Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, and end up constructing the ninth wonder of the world! But medicine is a much strict discipline.

Social Purpose
There is no better way to save human lives than through medicine. There are hundreds of ailments that are yet to be overcome. If you empathize with living beings and want to make a change to lives then go for medicine.

Social status
The doctors are at the top of the social hierarchy in terms of respect and recognition. People treat them gently and always want to make friends with them. If you crave for such attention then becoming a doctor can fulfill your desires; however, there is a caveat to it: You can never take your personal conduct for granted.

The above mentioned considerations are general in nature and are highly debatable. You may find exceptions in both engineering and medicine. Nevertheless, these guidelines may serve you a great deal in knowing some of the basic characteristics in both these professions. The important thing is that you should not decide on a career just because you think it's cool. Your grades in high school, your priorities in life, your finances and several other things will dictate your decision. But doing basic research on both these specializations is utmost important before choosing. Once chosen, the next step will be to secure admission in a good academic institution that will add real value to your knowledge and career. Remember, getting a seat in a reputed college is half the work done. Other rewards will come due to your perseverance, hard work, and passion for the job.

All the best!

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The Human Nervous System - Structure and Function - All Explained

The nervous system is a regulatory system that controls a variety of body functions. The nervous system can detect changes occurring in various organs and take corrective action when needed to maintain the constancy of the internal environment. The nervous system also regulates activities that change almost instantly, such as muscle contractions and perception of danger. The body is made up of many receptors that receive incoming information about what is happening within the body and what is happening in the outside environment. Specifically, these receptors represent our eyes, ears, skin, nose, and stomach. We act on that information via the nervous system.

The basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system is the neuron. These are elongated, highly branched cells. The body contains about 100 billion neurons. Neurons respond to electrical and chemical signals, conduct electrical impulses, and release chemical regulators. Overall, neurons allow us to perceive what is occurring in our environment. They help us engage in learning, store vital information in memory, and control the body's voluntary (and involuntary) actions.

The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS). The brain stores information, reacts to incoming information, solves problems, and generates thoughts. In addition, the brain plans a course of action based on the other sensory inputs. Responses to the stimuli are carried out mostly through the peripheral nervous system (PNS) to accommodate one's will.

Simply put, the nervous system receives information through stimulation of various receptors, processes this information, and sends out signals for an action that needs to be taken through its various branches. Actual transmission of the signal uti­lizes a change in the sodium and potassium concentration in the neuron. There is an influx of sodium and a loss of potassium as the message is sent. Ion concentrations are then restored to normal amounts in the neuron and it is ready to conduct another message.

When the signal must bridge a gap (synapse) between the branches of different neurons, the message is generally converted to a chemical signal called a neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter, itself is then released into the gap, thereby passing the signal from one neuron to another. Another type of cell may also be at the receiving end of the neurotransmitter, such as a muscle cell. If the signal is sent to an­other neuron, this allows it to continue on to its final destination. The neurotransmitters used in this process are often made from common nutrients found in foods, such as amino acids. Examples are the amino acid tryptophan being converted to the neurotransmitter serotonin, and the amino acid tyrosine being converted to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.

Other nutrients also play a role in the nervous system. Calcium is needed for the release of neurotransmitters from neurons. Vitamin B-12 plays a role in the formation of a myelin sheath, which provides a form of insulation around specific parts of most neurons. Finally, a regular supply of carbohydrate in the form of glucose is important for providing for the energy needs of the brain. The brain can use other fuels, but gen­erally relies on glucose.

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Human physiology: from cells to systems - All Explained

The body is composed of many trillions of cells. Each cell is a self-contained, living entity. With the exception of red blood cells, cells of the same type join together, using inter­-cellular substances to form tissues, such as muscle tissue. One, two, or more tissues combine in a particular way to form more complex structures, called organs. All organs contribute to nutritional health, and a person's overall nutritional state deter­mines how well each organ functions. At a still higher level of coordination, several organs can cooperate for a common purpose to form an organ system, such as the digestive system. Overall, the human body is an organism made up of a coordinated unit of many highly structured organ systems.

Chemical processes (reactions) occur constantly in every living cell: The production of new substances is balanced by the breaking down of older ones, as exemplified by the constant formation and degradation of bone. For this turnover of substances to occur, cells require a continuous supply of energy in the form of dietary carbohydrate, protein, and/or fat. Cells also need water and building supplies for the turnover to occur. Amino acids, minerals, chemical regulators, and vitamins are some examples of genetic material that need the materials to break down. All of these substances enable the tissues, constituted from individual cells, to function properly.

Getting an adequate supply of all nutrients to the body's cells begins with a health­ful diet. You must have a daily intake of grain, fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy to keep your organs functioning properly. All of these food groups provide an important vitamin or nutritional benefit for your body. To see how much of each food group your body requires, make sure to check out the latest food pyramid. To assure optimal use of nutrients, the body's tissues, organs, and organ systems also must work efficiently.

This article covers subject material concerned with the anatomy and physiology of the cell and major organ systems, especially as they relate to the study of human nu­trition. After reading this article, you have a brief outline on the information that is most essential about human physiology. However, if you are really interested in learning more about this subject, then you are more than welcome to start looking some other sources of information, including medical journals and other medicine books. Be sure to try to relate the information you read to your daily habits involving nutrition so that you can be healthier.

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Twin Sisters Pay £60,000 on Surgery to Look Completely Identical

While most of us strive to assert our individuality and simply abhor de idea of ever being confused for someone else, a pair of 34-year-old twin sisters from the UK are exactly the opposite of that. Having grown used to do everything together, Jo and Kerry Burton have started even to have plastic surgery at the same time, under the hand of the same doctor to
make sure people continue not to be able to tell them apart, as the Daily Mail can confirm.

Jo and Kerry have always done everything together, from coming down with chickenpox to learning to love the same things and have the same hobbies. When they were 21, Jo decided to have corrective surgery on her nose, so Kerry was left with no other option than to do the same, or risk having a twin that looked different from her. Since then, the pair has undertaken a vast series of procedures, from getting Botox jabs for smooth out wrinkles to having a permanent tattoo eyeliner and implants put in. The total cost rises, according to the Mail, to £60,000 and the sisters don't exclude the possibility of getting more surgery
either.

"It might sound barmy to some to have cosmetic surgery just because your twin is having it. But we would hate to look different, so we had to have the cosmetic surgery together. We both had chickenpox together as children and we had the same hobbies, such as Brownies and dancing - and so our identical cosmetic surgery has followed on from that." Kerry tells the Mail about the one decision that changed their life completely, while also allowing them to grow old together still looking identical.

It started with the nose job Jo wanted to get. A few years later, the sisters started getting Botox for the wrinkles around the eyes and expression lines, claiming they couldn't possibly see themselves living without the jabs now. Later on, they also got implants for & pound;4,500 for each set, and underwent surgery at the same time, in the same operation room, with their initials written on their abdomen so that the doctor would not mistake the one for the other. "We went in on the same day and once again the surgeon performed identical surgery, writing our initials in pen on our tummies so that once under the anesthetic, he didn't muddle us up." Kerry says.

To the cost of surgery, the sisters can also add £20,400 in hair color and extensions so far, £10,000 in Botox, £4,000 in facials, £2,000 in spray tans, and manicures and pedicures for £3,000. With a grand total of £60,000 to continue to look identical despite the passing of the years, the Burton sisters admit they will probably be getting more surgery for the same purpose in the future as well.

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Top 10 Classic TV Doctors – Who´s your favourite doctor on TV?

“I’m not a doctor, but I play on one TV.” Those words from soap actor Peter Bergman in a 1986 ad for Vicks cough syrup are still some of the most memorable in commercial history, but they also emphasize just how big a role these fake doctors have played in our lives over the years. Medical shows, whether drama or comedy, have always been popular, and the doctors at their core have become some of the most-loved and recognized TV characters of all time.

1. Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby, “The Cosby Show”)
Cliff Huxtable was the amiable and bemused center of his household, always ready to deliver advice when he wasn’t at the hospital delivering babies. Bill Cosby’s most indelible character helped the show run for eight seasons from 1984-1992, and it was one of the biggest shows of the 1980s.

2. Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris, “Doogie Howser, M.D.”)
The preternaturally gifted Doogie Howser breezed through school to become a doctor at 16, which meant he had to grapple with the trials of being a teen while also dealing with the adult pressures of the medical world. The show made Neil Patrick Harris a household name, and he’s been in the spotlight ever since.

3. Philip Chandler (Denzel Washington, “St. Elsewhere”)
This NBC drama had its share of young stars on the rise, including Mark Harmon and Howie Mandel, but it was Denzel Washington’s turn as Dr. Chandler that brought an interesting depth to the show and helped catapult Washington to fame.

4. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce (Alan Alda, “M*A*S*H”)
Adapted from Robert Altman’s 1970 film MASH, the long-running TV series was a slightly softened version of the black comedy about doctors in the Korean War (an obvious allegory for the then-current war in Vietnam). Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Pierce acted as the show’s anchor, using humor to deflect the tragedy around him. The series finale was the most-watched program in American history until the 2010 Super Bowl.

5. Doug Ross (George Clooney, “ER”)
“ER” ran for 15 seasons and rotated a huge number of actors through its cast, but initial star George Clooney was the show’s definining presence early on. Doug Ross was a caring pediatrician willing to break the rules to help people. He left the show during its fifth season.

6. Marcus Welby (Robert Young, “Marcus Welby, M.D.”)
Robert Young’s friendly family doctor first appeared in a movie-of-the-week in 1969 before returning as a series later that year and running through 1976. The themes are dated now, but his character remains one of the most indelible TV doctors of the era.

7. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy”)
“Grey’s Anatomy” has been popular since its 2005 debut, and a big part of that is the supporting work of Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey, whose tough persona helps shape the younger doctors.

8. Julius Hibbert (Harry Shearer, “The Simpsons”)
Always chuckling and seemingly indifferent to the ups and downs of life in Springfield, Dr. Hibbert, a spoof of Cosby’s Huxtable, is one of the most enduring and hilarious characters on “The Simpsons,” and a fan favorite. (Plus he’s the long-lost brother of Bleeding Gums Murphy, and how cool is that?)

9. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (DeForrest Kelley, “Star Trek”)
“He’s dead, Jim.” Leonard McCoy was a staple of the original “Star Trek” TV series and later film franchise, known for his dry humor and comic pessimism. He even put in an appearance in the pilot episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

10. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie, “House”)
Hugh Laurie was a well-known comic actor in his native England before his performance as the grizzled Dr. House brought him stateside recognition. House is a tough man, but not without compassion for his fellow doctors and for the sick and suffering. The series has remained popular even after six years on the air.

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How to Keep Yourself Healthy in the Holy Month of RAMADAN

During the holy month of Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadan is an ideal time to normalize one's weight.

In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fiber containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).

Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).

Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, marrow, spinach, and other herbs like the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit, especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.

The foods eaten should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.

AVOID:
* Fried and fatty foods.
* Foods containing too much sugar.
* Over-eating especially in Suhoor (Sahari).
* Too much tea in Suhoor (Sahari). Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.
* Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan.
* Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.
EAT:
* Complex carbohydrates in Suhoor (Sahari) so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.
* Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.
* Dates are excellent source of sugar, fiber, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
* Almonds are rich in protein and fiber with less fat.
* Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.

DRINK:
As much water or fruit juices as possible between Iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.

CONSTIPATION:
Constipation can cause piles (hemorrhoids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.
Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fiber in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking, brown flour when making bread.

INDIGESTION AND WIND:
Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods.

LETHARGY (low blood pressure):
Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". This tends to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.

Caution:
Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. People with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They should consult their doctor.

HEADACHE:
Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day. When associated with "low blood pressure", the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar.
Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganize your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR:
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.

Causes in non-diabetics: Having too much sugar i.e. refined carbohydrates, especially in Suhoor (Sahari). The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy: Eat something in Suhoor (Sahari) and limit sugar-containing foods and drinks.

Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.

MUSCLE CRAMPS:
Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.
Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and dates.

Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.
PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA:
Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadan aggravate the above conditions. It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs and can extend up to the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and cola drinks worsen these conditions.

Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach. People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before Ramadan.

KIDNEY STONES:
Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink. Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.

JOINT PAINS:
Causes: During Ramadan, when extra salah are performed the pressure on the knee joints increases. In the elderly and those with arthritis this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.

Remedy: Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise the lower limbs before Ramadan so that they can be prepared for the additional strain.

Being physically fit allows greater fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform Salah with ease.

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Ultrasound scan is one of the safest and most economical means of monitoring your health

This article will provide you with all the information that you need about this non-invasive procedure so that you can make use of this method in caring for your well being.

In order to complete this method, an instrument called a sonography machine is needed. This medical equipment transmits high frequency waves through the stomach so as to see the organs inside the body. Videos and images can then be recorded so that a more detailed diagnosis can be made to identify the problem that a particular patient has.

If an ultrasound test is being requested by a pregnant woman, then there are 3 options to choose from. The procedure can be 4D, 3D or 2D although the 2D scans are no longer being employed much these days because of its limiting features.

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7 Best steps to protect yourself from Dehydration in Hot weather

The human body is capable of adjusting to the prevailing weather conditions. This is done by retaining or releasing the heat according to the external temperature. Skin, which is the largest organ of the human body, does this job efficiently. When the external temperature is cold, the skin keeps the blood away from it and this prevents loss of heat. On the other hand, when the weather is hot, the skin allows the blood closer to it and due to this, heat is let out.

Perspiration is another factor that can help your body to adjust to the external climate. When the atmosphere is hot, there will be perspiration and when sweat evaporates, heat of your body will get reduced. But, if the external climate is extremely hot, your blood will not be as warm as the atmospheric air and so, heat can not escape from your body. If humidity is also there, your sweat will not evaporate as fast as it should. So, heat will continue to remain in the body and this is an illness. This is known as the heat stroke.

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Goods and Bads of Basking in the Sun

So many people love to bask in the sun and nowadays it would appear that more often than not you hear of people steering clear of the sun due to its harmful UV rays and the effects that they can have on your skin. However, in spite of everything you have heard, sunlight is far from bad. As a matter of fact it is actually something that is significant for human survival.

Men and women who don't spend enough time in the fresh air and outdoors are missing out on the many vitamins they need to survive and people who spend more time away from the sunlight tend to be more depressed too. It just stands to reason that the more time someone spends in the sunshine and fresh air the greater they feel.

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Top Ten migraine pain cures

In the US, 28 million estimated individuals suffer from migraine. According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the most unbearable diseases in the whole world. It can be long term or it can happen within hours only.

Before the onset of puberty, girls and boys may suffer migraine. But the ratio of migraine is 3:1 meaning; the girls have a higher chance of having a migraine against boys. This is due to certain hormonal imbalance in girls.

Migraine pain cure is the only method to treat this. Here are various migraine treatments to relieve your from stress and annoyance because of migraine.

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Yes, it is possible to get drunk by submerging one’s feet in alcohol

A Danish urban myth alleges that it is possible to get drunk by submerging one’s feet in alcohol. Three physicians at Hillerød Hospital in Denmark tested this hypothesis on themselves in their office.

"The primary end point was the concentration of plasma ethanol… measured every 30 minutes for three hours while feet were submerged in a washing-up bowl containing the contents of three 700 mL bottles of vodka. The secondary outcome was self assessment of intoxication related symptoms (self confidence, urge to speak, and number of spontaneous hugs), scored on a scale of 0 to 10."

They concluded that their feet were impermeable to alcohol.

Link.

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Anxiety symptoms, signs, causes and natural Remedies

Anxiety is a condition which is surrounded by unpleasant physical and emotional state. In this condition any person may experience fear, worry or apprehension. Anxiety may be of short period or long period. The problem of short term anxiety is solved as soon as the particular job for which anxiety is caused is finished and the person feels relaxed. Whereas the long term anxiety continue for longer time period. It is caused due to work stress or other reasons like this and may result into other medical problems like high blood pressure, tension and migraine headache.

Some major causes of anxiety are intake of caffeine, diet pills, hypoglycemia, anemia, heart disorders, stress and hyperthyroidism.

Anxiety is a very common problem and it is experienced usually by each and every person in their life. Major symptoms of anxiety are nausea, chest pain, tension, headache, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Some common symptoms of anxiety are given below -

1. Breathing deeper or faster than needed
2. Sweating
3. Dry mouth
4. Stomach churning or a jittery feeling in the pit of stomach
5. Fainting spells
6. Muscle tension
7. Inability to concentrate
8. A feeling of impending doom
9. Dizziness
10. Heart palpitations
11. Unexplained weakness
12. Constant headache

The major cause of anxiety is stress which is caused when a person is incapable of performing any job against its demand. To prevent anxiety you have to improve your coping skills, manage the demands and all the expectations in life. Some people change their life style to keep anxiety at bay. Some natural remedies are there to reduce anxiety from our life.

1. To keep anxiety away from our life you must avoid junk foods and drinks. To get rid from anxiety it is necessary to avoid carbohydrates and refined sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, smoking and the other things similar to these things.

2. Anxiety is also reduced by doing meditation and by deep breathing. You must consult some yoga expert to learn the basic technique of deep breathing. You can also try with yourself by inhaling for longer then hold the breath for few seconds and then exhale it. To soothe nerves meditation is very fruitful.

3. To avoid the attacks of anxiety you must stay active by doing exercise. Extra adrenaline which results into anxiety is burned by doing exercise so you must walk, jog, cycle or by using treadmill for at least half an hour in a day.

4. You must be of positive attitude. To get rid from anxiety you must talk to people with positive attitude, listen to the music and all the other work which relax your mind.

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Five Most common Myths about hair loss

Hair loss can get embarrassing. Most people are also equally embarrassed to go ask a doctor for help; that is why some people resort to sticking to hair loss myths. The problem is that, it is easier to deal with baldness at its earlier stage. And we aren't just talking about how it's going to save you from all the usual teasing at an earlier time.

The thing is, hair loss might be an indication of an underlying medical condition or vitamin deficiency – and we all know how people say its better to take care of health-related issues at its earlier stage. Some of the most common hair loss myths are the following:

Poor Blood Circulation . . .

You might have heard of some people who pour wine on their heads, believing this will dilate the blood vessels on the scalp. The thing is hair loss is not caused by poor blood flow; if it were, transplants wouldn't have worked. Hair loss is about your follicles not receiving nutrients. So don't do that headstand the next time someone tells you to stand on your head because it gets blood to flow to your scalp better.

Only Men Get Pattern Baldness . . .

Well, it does look like men are almost always the ones hit by pattern baldness problems. The thing is, females suffer from pattern baldness too although it doesn't appear in the famous M-shape and that it isn't as extreme. So, it is easier to hide.

Cut Hair to Make it Thicker . . .

Cutting hair will never make your hair grow thicker, although it will certainly make it look thicker. You have probably noticed that hair is thicker near the roots, so if it's really short, it might look thick. Hair density is about hair follicles so no matter how much hair cutting you do, new follicles will not appear. On the other hand, habitual hair pulling, also known as Trichotillosis, not only will cause temporary hair loss; it might also cause scalp trauma resulting to hair not growing for an extended period.

Less Sex Means Hair fall . . .

Contrary to popular belief, you aren't likely to lose hair because of ejaculation. While it is true that the male hormone testosterone is responsible for the by-product called DHT that suppresses hair growth, recent studies haven't established anything that can link sexual intercourse to hair loss, or to getting hair to grow.

Too Much Styling . . .

A perm, or frequent ironing of hair, as well as using hair products aren't likely to cause the hair loss that we have in mind. Well, frequent styling and the use of chemicals will probably cause hair fall due to breakage, but it can be counter-treated with products that can protect your hair. Another thing is that as long as the chemicals do not affect your follicles, which should be the case, your hair should grow back.

Acknowledging that you have a hair loss problem is the first step. The next is finding out about your treatment options – the real ones. You need to be accurately diagnosed for you to know what the right options are, and to find out whether your hair loss is caused by an underlying medical condition. Do not try diagnosing yourself. Consulting a professional might mean more hassle and a little more money, but when your health, physical and mental is the one at stake, you just can't be too careful.

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Signs, Symptoms and common causes of Miscarriage

A miscarriage (also termed spontaneous abortion) is any pregnancy that spontaneously ends before the fetus can survive. Any vaginal bleeding, other than spotting, during early pregnancy is considered a threatened miscarriage. Vaginal bleeding is very common in early pregnancy. About one out of every four pregnant women has some bleeding during the first few months. About half of these women stop bleeding and complete a normal pregnancy.

Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50-75% of all miscarriages. This occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the time of her expected period. The woman may not realize that she conceived when she experiences a chemical pregnancy.

Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the natural or spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or the fetus is incapable of surviving, generally defined in humans at a gestation of prior to 20 weeks. Miscarriage is the most common complication of early pregnancy. The medical term "spontaneous abortion" is used in reference to miscarriages because the medical term "abortion" refers to any terminated pregnancy, deliberately induced or spontaneous, although in common parlance it refers specifically to active termination of pregnancy.

Some miscarriages occur before women recognize that they are pregnant. About 15% of fertilized eggs are lost before the egg even has a chance to implant (embed itself) in the wall of the uterus. A woman would not generally identify this type of miscarriage. Another 15% of conceptions are lost before eight weeks' gestation. Once fetal heart function is detected in a given pregnancy, the chance of miscarriage is less than 5%.

Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage;

The signs of a miscarriage are the onset of bleeding, usually with abdominal cramps (like a period) in a woman who's pregnant - although in early miscarriage she may not yet be aware she's pregnant.

Bleeding may be only slight spotting, or it can be quite severe. Your health care provider will ask about how much you have bled—usually the number of pads you've soaked through. You will also be asked about blood clots or whether you saw any tissue.

Inevitable Miscarriage:

This is the occurrence of severe vaginal bleeding and/or cramps in a pregnant woman, indicating that no medical treatment can avert a miscarriage. At this point, the amniotic membranes have ruptured, the cervix is dilated, and the membranes, fetus and placenta are on their way to being expelled. The woman's clinician should be contacted immediately, and hospitalization may be necessary.

Pain:
You may have pelvic cramps, abdominal pain, or a persistent, dull ache in your lower back. Pain may start a few hours to several days after bleeding has begun.

Abdominal cramping, genitals, thighs, buttocks and lower back pain are the signs of miscarriage that usually occur soon after the vaginal bleeding commences. Unusual pain in the pelvic region is another miscarriage symptom.

Some women experience cramping, spotting, abdominal pain, fever, weakness, vomiting, or back pain. Spotting is not always a sign of a miscarriage; many women normally experience it early on in pregnancy. But just to be safe, if you have spotting or any of these other symptoms anytime during your pregnancy, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor.

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Anatomy of sinuses: What causes sinusitis and possible treatment

It may not seem much like it, but sinus infections are fast becoming one of the medical conditions that consume a lot of financial resources for treatment.

Consider the following information:
In the United States, the incidence of sinus infections has increased 18% over the last decade. This translates to nearly 40 million Americans who have experienced a sinus infection. The cost of sinusitis includes surgery; hospital confinement; antibiotics and other medications; physician visits and of course, the missed days at work because of the physical discomforts and pains associated with it.

The Sinus Profile:
With all the expenses and discomforts a sinus infection can give you, don't you think it makes some sense to get to know these air-filled cavities and what prompts them to go mayhem? So get a dose of this:

The sinuses, or sinus cavities, are air-filled cavities in the skull that surround the eye sockets. Among humans, there are four pairs. Each pair bears a unique name and has a different location. The maxillary sinuses are in the cheek area below the eyes, while the ethmoid sinuses lie between the eyes. The sinuses above the eyes are called frontal sinuses and finally, the sphenoid sinuses are located behind the eyes.

These sinuses communicate with the nose through small openings known as ostia (singular form: ostium) and are ventilated with each breath. The openings from the sinuses into the nose are quite small, ranging in size from one to five millimeters. Everyday, the nose and sinuses produce about two quarts of mucus, which is a clear, slippery liquid that functions to trap debris and bacteria; as well as to prevent the sinus and nasal linings from drying out. Under normal conditions, mucus doesn't remain stagnant within the cavities. It is cleared from the sinuses and moved towards the opening or the back of the nose by the action of cilia, which are fine, hair-like projections found on the surface of the cells that make up the sinus lining.

What Goes Wrong:

Sinus infection usually begins when an inflammatory process happens within the mucous membranes that line the nasal and sinus cavities. The inflammation, which is often coupled with the secretion of copious amounts of mucus, is a reaction to a lot of triggering factors like medications, dust, pollen or viral/bacterial upper respiratory tract infection. Because of the inflammation, the sinus ostia are blocked, making the drainage of mucus difficult. The stagnant mucus quickly becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. When the microbes invade the mucous linings, this is the start of a sinus infection and soon, the person will be experiencing the usual manifestations associated with this condition.

Back to Normal:

Despite the aforementioned information on the progressively rising incidence of sinus infections, the condition is very manageable. It is easy to diagnose using visualization techniques like x-ray, CT scan, endoscopy, etc. Treatments are wide range- from do-it-yourself cures to sinus surgery (but surgeries are done only as last resort). Medications are widely available, ranging from over-the-counter decongestants to especially compounded forms suitable for medicated irrigation or nebulized treatment.

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Yeas - It is possible to have panic attacks during our sleep

So is it really possible to have panic attacks during our sleep?

Yes, it is very possible! You might suddenly wake up with a rapid heartbeat and racing pulse, you may feel confused, disoriented, anxious, and disconnected from reality. Other symptoms are grinding the teeth, head pain and a feeling of pressure in the ears. Read on to find out what you need to know about this kind of attacks.

About half of people who experience panic attacks during the day experience nocturnal panic attacks. A person might suddenly wake up with a rapid heartbeat and racing pulse, the individual may feel confused, disoriented, anxious, and disconnected from reality. Other symptoms are grinding the teeth, head pain and a feeling of pressure in the ears.

Even though these attacks are rare (only about 10% occurrence), people who experience these find it more frightening than those that occur during the day. People who experience nighttime attacks begin to fear going to sleep. They fear that they might become comatose or worse, that they might never wake up again. These may develop into insomnia, and other sleeping problems, thus actually making the person become more susceptible to more panic attacks.

The exact causes for panic or anxiety attacks at night are not known. One cause of these kinds of attacks includes the increase of carbon dioxide in the body during sleep (false suffocation alarm) which may trigger our body's panic response. Another possible cause is that attacks are triggered during changes in the sleep cycle, such as when an individual moves into a deeper stage of sleep.

But one thing the experts agree on is that this kind of attacks is not caused by dreams. Studies have shown that these attacks happen during the early stages of sleep before the person begins to dream. Nightmares, on the other hand, occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) phase or the dream phase. There is another type of disorder, more common among children, which manifests in symptoms very much like panic or anxiety attacks, but this kind of sleeping disorder occurs during deep phases of sleep. Sleep panic attacks are mainly influenced by the events during the daytime. Consumption of alcohol, drugs, depression, and stress, may also influence these.

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How does the media influence Anorexia on teenagers?

When children see these images on television, in magazines, in songs, movies, etc- then it's no wonder that the rate of eating disorders among teenagers is rising rapidly, and now parents are feverishly searching for an answer.

Instead of blaming themselves, the media and others- it's important to remember that some teenagers are more susceptible to eating disorders than others, and some are going to develop Anorexia or another eating disorder with or without outside influences such as media or peers.

• But how does the media influence Anorexia on teenagers?

• And how do we stop the effects of this negative influence?

The media has become firmly focused for years, on a person's outer appearance or outer beauty. In the days of Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth, women in the media were portrayed as beautiful, and they weren't "bone thin." This trend has changed over the last several years, and now unless an actress or model is thin to the point of practically being able to see bones, she is criticized as being "fat."

The latest example of this trend, is the recent come-back of Britney Spears- after she'd given birth to two children, she was ridiculed for wearing a skimpier outfit, due to being "fat." The problem is, although she'd had two children, she was far from fat- yet the media criticized her for daring to show her "less than perfect" body on national television. With issues like this, it's no wonder that children and teenagers are being bombarded with messages of what perfection is and how to "be" perfect.

When does the media influences anorexia on teenagers? If one notices television programming and magazines geared specifically for teenagers, they'll notice that it's extremely unusual- rare even- for an actor, actress, or other star to be "over-weight"- or even of a normal weight. From the pre-teen years to the middle-teen years, teenagers are bombarded with messages, whether direct or indirect, of the need to be "perfect" and what "perfect" is.

If Marilyn Monroe or Rita Hayworth were around today, they'd be labeled as "fat." What a twist, and a shocking example of how our society has misplaced standards of beauty and "perfection!" Two well-known, absolutely gorgeous, healthy-weight, sex-symbols and icons of beauty- now would be considered "flawed."

The media influences teens' self-esteem and self-worth when it constantly bombards them with what society now considers ideal, and a distorted perception of what's "perfect." To stop the negative influence that the media has on children and teenagers, it's a good idea to limit exposure of body-image damaging programs, magazines and it's good to encourage a healthy body image.

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Benefits of eat healthy foods

Most people eat healthy foods when they have to or when told so by their doctor because they are feeling something or already sick. As the saying goes, "Preventive is better that cure." Listed below are the advantages of eating healthy:
1) You will shield yourself from many illnesses and disease that are very common as you get older like high cholesterol level, heart diseases, diabetes, and cancer. You boost your energy, improve the functions of your body and organs, and strengthen your immune system when you eat healthy and combine it with proper exercise.

2) Your nutritional needs will be met. You should have a daily balance amount of fruits, vegetables, beans, grain, meat, poultry products, milk and other dairy products. With the proper consumption of the vitamins and minerals present in these foods, it will protect you and reduce the risks of acquiring serious illnesses and diseases.

3) Eating nutritious foods will make you enjoy your life more, live a vibrant life. Having more energy makes helps you accomplish more tasks. You will have the energy to reduce and manage your stress.

4) You will feel rested and will not have problems in getting to sleep.

5) When you eat the right foods, you will be able to lose weight easily and will be able to maintain it for life. If you just follow a fad diet plan, you will easily gain back the weight easily once you resume to your normal eating consumption.

6) You don't have to stay with a strict diet. Eating healthy will just be a piece of cake.

7) You will not feel guilty of eating and indulging yourself. Once you eat healthy and nutritious foods, you will not experience bad side effects. You will feel satisfied and no longer crave for unhealthy foods.

8) Your sex life will be improved. According to research, women into healthy living have more desire for a lively sex life with their partner.
9) You will have a healthy heart. Everything that you eat goes to the heart. So eating unhealthy foods will lead to heart diseases.
10) You help clean your body. If you take foods not good for your body, health problems will arise. Your body has the capacity to cure and revitalize on its own but if it's being abused, it cannot function well.

11) You will have the glowing skin. Once you eat healthy foods, you help clean the toxins thus result to a glowing skin.

12) You look fresher and younger than your age. A healthy living helps you reduce the wrinkles and signs of aging.

13) Helps remove cellulite. These are usually fat stored in legs and buttocks.

14) For women, it will cure PMS. One of the reasons why you have PMS is because of too much salt and saturated fat intake.

15) You help reduce the load of your digestive system and liver thus results the better function of your organs.

Once you follow and keep with the healthy and nutritious foods intake, everything else will follow. The list of benefits will go on and on. You will reap rewards for the rest of your life.

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Common Signs and Symptoms caused by Kidney stones

If you've ever suffered from kidney stones, you have some idea how painful the symptoms can be. Depending on what kind of kidney stones you have, where in your body they're located and how large they are, your symptoms will vary. This article will explore some of the more common symptoms of kidney stones, and all of these should be taken seriously.

While smaller kidney stones may not produce any symptoms at first, it's still good to know if you have them, as they can worsen if you don't make certain changes. There are various tests, such as an analysis of urine, that can alert your doctor to the presence of kidney stones. Urine tests that you can do on yourself, such as pH tests are not advisable, as kidney stones of different varieties will affect your pH differently, and this isn't the only condition that may alter your pH. Kidney stones can be most easily detected if your doctor does an abdominal radiograph, which produces an x-ray of that part of your body. You're always safer getting a professional diagnosis so that you know for sure you're treating the right condition.

Treating the symptoms and curing kidney stones are not the same issue You should get medical attention fast if you are having severe pain symptoms although some pain can be relieved with over the counter methods.

It's important that you keep yourself well hydrated with plenty of fluids and eat nutritious meals no matter what course of treatment is recommended by your doctor. Although many symptoms are easily controlled with over the counter pain relievers your physician may recommend a prescription pain medication for the more severe symptoms.

You should realize that kidney stones can create symptoms in many areas of the body, depending on where they're located. For example, you may feel the pain mainly in your lower back, in the abdomen or, if the stone is located in a lower region, in the groin area. Your symptoms may be completely different than your neighbors symptoms so don't rely on that information too much. It's important to seek the counsel of your physician if you are having any sort of severe pain related to kidney stones or any other severe pain issue for treatment as soon as you can get it.

In conclusion, kidney stones can have many symptoms, and in some cases there may be no symptoms at all. You have a good idea about how to tell if you might have developed kidney stones, and you realize it needs attention as soon as possible. Since there are different kinds of stones, the symptoms can vary so that is important to keep in mind.

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How Safe Are Nuclear Power Plants and their health Risks - United States and Worldwide

The recent tragedy in Japan has driven home to many in the United States the dangers present in our own backyard. While we are reminded of our vulnerability to natural disaster, a particular emerging concern is over the safety of our own nuclear power plants. As the leading producer of nuclear energy, the U.S. has 104 active nuclear power plants, with more slated to be built. Though the debate has raged for decades over the safety of these plants, recent events and even U.S. history have proven there is a definite risk inherent in producing nuclear power.

After an earthquake and subsequent tsunami critically damaged Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, workers and residents were imperiled by the risk of exposure to radiation. While a full meltdown of the reactor cores has thus far been narrowly avoided, damage to the plant has already begun to show effects in the surrounding area. Tests have shown radiation in the area produce, tap and sea water, as well as readings of dangerous plutonium in the soil. Nearby residents were evacuated when the dangers became known, but workers have risked their lives to remain behind to stabilize the reactors. What can't be fully understood at this point is the ultimate effect of exposure on residents and workers' health both immediately and long-term.

When the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine experienced a complete destruction of its core in 1986, the worst case scenario occurred. The radiation released in the area was estimated to equal that of 400 Hiroshima atomic bombs. With few safety measures in place to prevent the spreading of radiation, a thirty kilometer area surrounding the plant had to be abandoned due to extreme contamination. Twenty-eight people at the site died of Acute Radiation Syndrome, but over 600,000 people were considered "significantly exposed" to radiation.

In 1979, the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania experienced a partial meltdown of one of its nuclear core. Though a full meltdown was avoided and the threat contained, forty thousand gallons of radioactive wastewater was released into a nearby river. Sadly, in the United States, these risks still exist. A report by the Nuclear Safety Project cited fourteen "near misses" ("events that raised the risk to the reactor core") in U.S. nuclear power plants in 2010.

For humans, exposure to radiation can cause anything from no clear effects or a mild burn to the destruction of bone marrow, birth defects, cancers and/or death. Exposure can be immediate or gradual, and damage may not emerge until years later. This is a particular concern for nuclear power workers, as even mild levels of exposure over long periods of time can have a cumulative effect on one's health. With this in mind, more people are looking closely at the nuclear plants in their own states.

Recent events are an important reminder to always be aware of the real risks associated with living near or working at nuclear energy plants or their waste storage sites. Be mindful of evacuation routes and plans, as well as the symptoms of radiation exposure.

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