Acne - Overview

Here's how pimples generally develop:

• Your skin has millions of tiny hair follicles (also called pores), which are tiny holes in your skin.
• These pores are attached to oil glands under your skin, which make sebum - an oily, somewhat sticky substance that helps bring dead skin cells to the surface.
• Sometimes, these tiny hairs, sebum and dead skin cells clump together, forming a plug.
• The plug prevents the sebum from reaching the skin surface, causing further build-up of sebum.
• Sebum and dead skin cells create the perfect mix for a certain bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) to grow.
• In response, your body's natural defenses send bacteria-fighting white blood cells to try to destroy the bacteria; this produces redness, swelling, heat and/or pain.
• Now, once the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, the sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria spill into the nearby skin.
• And that's what leads to acne lesions.

Fighting Back Against Acne

Just about everyone has had a pimple at some point in life. Usually, acne starts between the ages of 10 and 13 and can last for five to 10 years. Adult women with acne tend to see it worsen around the time of their periods, during pregnancy, when they stop birth control pills or if they wear greasy cosmetics.

The exact cause is not clear. It is believed that acne is linked to androgens (male sex hormones). These androgens stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles, causing acne flare-ups.

Acne can be passed down from your mother or father. Some medications can also cause acne, including lithium (for bipolar disorder) and barbiturates (used for seizures). Also, rubbing the face, scrubbing too hard or picking at lesions can make acne worse. Acne is not caused by greasy foods, chocolate or dirt.

If you have acne with too much facial hair and thinning hair on your scalp, it could mean you have a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome, in which cysts form in the ovaries. If you suspect you might have this, see a doctor.

The good news is that acne can be treated. You can try over-the-counter medications, such as products containing:

• Benzoyl peroxide.
• Salicylic acid.
• Sulfur.
• Sulfur and resorcinol.

If over-the-counter medications don't help, check in with your primary care doctor or with a dermatologist. Most cases of acne can be treated successfully with pills or with creams or ointments applied to the skin. Have patience. Acne is not a quick fix. It may take six to eight weeks before you see any improvement. If not, you may need a new medication. Bear in mind that what works for one person may not necessarily work for you.

For women with acne, your dermatologist may try:

• Topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials (such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics) or oral antibiotics that are prescribed for more severe inflammation. For acne that is resistant to all other approaches, your doctor may proscribe oral retinoids; these, however, can cause severe birth defects if you get pregnant while taking them. Women must use at least 2 forms of birth control while on these drugs.
• Birth control pills. These may decrease androgen activity in women who have flare-ups around the time of their periods.
• Spironolactone, which prevents oil production by androgen and decreases androgen production, causing fewer acne flares.

To clean your face, gently wash with mild facial cleansers and don't scrub - this can make your acne worse. Toners that have glycolic acid or salicylic acid may help remove surface oils that can lead to flare-ups. You may need a moisturizer if your acne medication is making your skin dry.

Talk to your doctor about getting treatment.

Nicotine-Reduced Cigarettes Could Boost Quitting

A gradual lessening of the drug may ease addiction, research suggests

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Providing smokers with cigarettes of gradually decreasing levels of nicotine over a number of weeks can help cut their nicotine addiction, a U.S. study finds.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center, included 20 adult smokers. They puffed on their usual brand for the first week of the study and then began a six-week program where they smoked cigarettes with steadily decreasing amounts of nicotine.

At the end of the six weeks, the smokers were free to start using their regular cigarette brands again, which most did. However, when checked a month later, they were smoking about 40 percent fewer cigarettes a day compared to when the study began.

The researchers also noted that about 25 percent of the smokers quit smoking entirely during the study.

The findings are published in the Nov. 14 issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

"This study supports the idea that if tobacco companies were required to reduce the levels of nicotine in cigarette tobacco, young people who start smoking could avoid becoming addicted, and long-time smokers could reduce or end their smoking. This could spare millions of people from the severe health effects of long-term smoking," study team leader Dr. Neal Benowitz, professor of medicine, psychiatry and biopharmaceutical sciences, and chief, division of clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at SFGH, said in a prepared statement.

Currently, the U.S. Congress is considering proposals to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products, including the reduction of nicotine levels in cigarettes.

Sources: HealthDay

Yoga Styles or Yoga Paths orTypes Of Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga

The basis of ashtanga yoga is the Yoga sutras (Sanskrit Verses) of Patanjali. We will consider the different aspects of yoga while remaining under the guiding principles of Patanjali's Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga). The Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyan & Samadhi or the Yama and Niyama are systematically described by Patanjali in his Sanskrit Sutras (verses).

1. yama (Principles)
2. Niyama (Personal Disciplines)
3. Asana (Yoga Positions or Yogic Postures)
4. Pranayama (Yogic Breathing)
5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)
6. Dharana (Concentration on Object)
7. Dhyan (Meditation)
8. Samadhi (Salvation)

Hatha Yoga

The term Hatha Yoga has been commonly used to describe the practice of asana (postures). The syllable 'ha' denotes the pranic (vital) force governing the physical body and 'tha' denotes the chitta (mental) force thus making Hatha Yoga a catalyst to an awakening of the two energies that govern our lives. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices.

The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and Pranayama (pranic awakening practices). Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.

1. Yogasana (Yoga Positions)
2. Six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques)
3. Mudras and Bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques)
4. Pranayama (pranic awakening practices)

Mantra Yoga

Japa Yoga, Requirements, State of Consciousness in Matra Yoga, Methods of Chanting, Effects of Mantra, How to Practice & Rules of Mantra Chanting)
Mantra Yoga -
Mantra Yoga has its origin in Vedic Sciences and also in Tantra, infact all the verses in Vedas are called mantras, it is said that any person who can chant or sing Vedas can achieve the ultimate salvation or union with supreme consciousness only by chanting the mantras, which is the aim Mantra Yoga

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti is a Yoga of devotion or complete faith. This faith is generally in the God or supreme consciousness in any of the forms. It may be Lord Rama, Krishna, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha etc. It may be a Guru for his disciples.Important thing is the person interested in following this path should have very strong emotional bond with the object of faith. The flow of emotional energy is directed to this object. Mostly people suppress their emotions and that often reflects in the form of physical and mental disorders. This Bhakti Yoga releases those suppressed emotions and brings the purification of inner self .

Continuous meditation of God or object of faith gradually decrease the ego of the practitioner, which further prevents new distractions, fickleness or even pain and induces strong bonds of love. Slowly the practitioner looses the self identity and becomes one with the object of faith, this is a state of self realization.

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is a path of devotion to the work. One looses his identity while working, only selfless work remains. This state is very difficult to achieve. Generally some rewards or incentives or outcome follows the work and one is attached to this reward or incentive. This is not the Karma Yoga. Non-attachment with the work and becoming the perfect instrument of the super consciousness in this manifested universe is the ultimate aim of Karma Yoga.

In the initial stages of Karma Yoga, individual possesses strong sense of ego and consciously or unconsciously he is attached to the fruits of his efforts or at least praise or recognition but by continuous involvement in the work and change in mental attitude, one can surely disassociate himself from the ego and his own personality.

In this state the work becomes worship to the God, it becomes spiritual, also the individual becomes expert, skilled and Yogi. He achieves stability of mind in all conditions, he is not disturbed or excited or happy in any of the situations. He becomes divine & his actions represent God's will.

The essence of Karma Yoga as extracted from 'Bhagvad Gita' says: The world confined in its own activity except when actions are performed as worship of God. Therefore one must perform every action sacramentally and be free of your attachments to the results.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is the process of converting intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom. It is a discovery of human dharma in relation to nature and the universe. Jnana Yoga is described by tradition as a means to obtain the highest meditative state and inner knowledge.

Jnana literally means 'knowledge', but in the context of yoga it means the process of meditative awareness which leads to illuminative wisdom. It is not a method by which we try to find rational answers to eternal questions, rather it is a part of meditation leading to self-enquiry and self-realisation.

Some of the components of Jnana Yoga are:

1. Not believing but realising
2. Self-awareness leading to self-analysis
3. Experiencing knowledge
4. Realising the personal nature
5. Developing intuitive wisdom
6. Experiencing inner unity

Kundalini Yoga (From the Tantras)

This system of Yoga is concerned with awakening of the psychic centers or chakras, which exists in every individual. (Please refer to the figure) There are six main chakras in the human beings.The mind is made up of different subtle layers. Each of these layers progressively are associated with the higher levels of consciousness. Each of these levels are related to the different chakra or psychic center located throughout the psychic body. There are no of other chakras apart from the six main, which are associated with planes below the human level. In all we have chakras that connect us to animal levels of mind, to the instinctive realms of being or to the sublime heights of consciousness.In Kundalini Yoga, higher-level chakras are awakened and also the activities associated with these higher psychic centers.The basic method of awakening involves deep concentration on these chakras and forcing their arousal. Asanas, pranayama, mudra and bandha and other forms of Yoga such as Mantra Yoga are also used to stimulate the awakening.


Kriya Yoga

The word kriya means 'activity' or 'movement' and refers to the activity or movement of consciousness. Kriya also refers to a type of practical or preliminary practice leading to total union, the final result of practice. Kriya Yoga does not curb mental fluctuations but purposely creates activity and awakening in consciousness. In this way all faculties are harmonised and flower into their fullest potential.

Kriya Yoga originated in antiquity and evolved over time through practise and experience. The full form of Kriya Yoga consists of over 70 kriyas out of which only 20 or so are commonly known.

The kriya practices are inscribed in numerous tantric texts written in Sanskrit. To date only a few of these have been translated into other languages. The most authoritative magna opus on the subject of Kriya.

The practices of Kriya Yoga were propagated by Swami Satyananda Saraswati from secret teachings described in the Yoga and Tantra Shastras. The kriyas, as taught by Satyananda Yoga™, are one of only two systems of Kriya Yoga recognized the world over, the other being that of Paramahamsa Yogananda.

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga usually refers to the system of yoga that is described in the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali. In this ancient text Sage Patanjali describes eight stages of yoga which are known collectively as Raja Yoga.

Raja Yoga is a comprehensive yoga system which deals with the refinement of human behaviour and personality through the practice of the yamas (restraint) and niyamas (disciplines); attainment of physical health and vitality through asanas (postures) and pranayamas (pranic breathing techniques); management of mental and emotional conflicts and development of awareness and concentration through pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and dharana (concentration); and developing the creative aspect of consciousness for transcendental awareness through dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption in the universal identity).

Swara Yoga

Swara is Sanskrit word, meaning sound or note. It is also a continuous flow of air through one nostril. Yoga means union, so Swara yoga is a science which is realization of cosmic consciousness through control and manipulation of breath.

Swara Yoga is science which is a complete study, observations, control and manipulation of breath or Swara. Pranayama is only related to control of breath in various ways. In swara yoga, you will find association of breath in relation to activities of sun, moon, various seasons, physical and mental conditions of individuals etc. So Swara Yoga is more comprehensive in theory and practices related to breath.

Pranayama - A Science of Breathing

Breath and Prana

Breathing is a vital process which starts at the time of birth and stops at the death. The important Oxygen is provided to all the parts, organs and cells of the body. The maximum time a person can survive without oxygen is about 4 minutes. All the metabolic processes require oxygen. Oxygen is life, a vital force. This vital energy is called Prana.

What is Pranayama?

The process of controlling the Prana is called Pranayama. So pranayama is the science related to vital force supplying energy and controlling the body mind complex.

Breathing is the process of taking in this vital energy and removing the waste products out of our body and mind. Generally breathing includes inhalation and exhalation but pranayama includes retention of breath (known as “Kumbhaka” in Sanskrit) as well. This is a very important process. The air can be retained in the lungs or out of the lungs. The ancient texts say that retention of air, increases the level of prana (energy) in the body, also it regulates the flow of pranic energy through out the body. So pranayama helps remove all the ailments and also can stop the aging process of the body.

Mind and breath

The mind, consisting of thoughts and emotions is closely related to the breath. When the mind is calm and relaxed, the breathing is smooth and slow. If you are stressed breathing is fast & shallow but mostly through chest. When one gets angry, the breathing becomes fast and forceful, in depressed states sighing, when in pain gasping, in anxiety shallow and rapid. In this way, the mental and emotional states affect breathing.

Rhythmic Breathing is Pranayama –

All the processes and organs like heart, brain, digestive organs, endocrine glands in the body have rhythms. Also the breathing has specific rhythms. Pranayama is Rhythmic breathing, bringing the breath in natural rhythm by controlling the process of inhalation, exhalation and retention.

Physiology of Yogic breathing –

In process of breathing, one uses diaphragm, intercostals muscles in the chest. The diaphragmatic breathing is called vertical breathing and is considered a more efficient way to inhale air than inhaling while expanding the chest which is called horizontal breathing. .In pranayama, one should utilize the diaphragm efficiently to get more oxygen without making more efforts. The diaphragm is attached to the organs like heart and lings, also the liver, spleen, pancreas and stomach from the bottom side. Efficient movement of the diaphragm makes the functioning of these organs more efficient.

We will see Deep breathing & Fast breathing from Pranayama Perspective in next article.

YOGA ( pranayam )

With the ever-increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases like cardio-vascular and nervous system disorders, the time has come for us to address this ourselves, fair and square WITHOUT external dependence.

Did you know that reprogramming your natural breathing technique would not only help in preventing these problems but also help in the “reversal” of several such harmful conditions? Yes, it’s not only possible but proven too. In fact leading cardiac experts are advocating the benefits of “correct” breathing to their patients.

Surprising as it is, almost none of us use the full capacity of our respiratory organs. This is aggravated by our sedentary lifestyles and leads to several complications popularly called - lifestyle disorders.

The first question that comes to mind is – “How can I alter my natural breathing process?” Well, astonishing as it may seem, it’s true. By training our body to breathe in a particular fashion, we re-program our involuntary system to adopt this new way of breathing.

This breathing technique is called the “Full Yogic breath” or simply Yoga breathing.

Without wasting time, I’ll plunge right away into the technique followed by its overwhelming benefits.

First, lie down on your back, relaxed, with hands and legs outstretched and eyes looking up at the roof. Gently close your eyes and relax.

Step 1: Abdominal breathing

Observe your natural breath. You will notice that as you inhale the abdomen rises and then falls with exhalation. Watch this for a few moments to check this flow. Now begin to deepen, lengthen and extend that movement. That is, while inhaling, let the abdomen rise to its limit and at exhalation let it fall completely. Keep the chest still during this entire process – only move the abdomen. Continue this for 20 breaths and then rest.

Step 2: Thoracic (chest) breathing

Again observe your normal breath, this time focusing your attention on the chest. You will notice the chest moving slightly up at inhalation and down with exhalation. Again observe this pattern for a few moments. Now again, begin to deepen, lengthen and extend that movement. This time, on inhalation expand and lift the rib cage, filling the lungs completely. Then on exhalation, let the lungs collapse fully, sinking to the limits. In this step, keep the abdomen still, moving only the chest. Do this for 20 breath cycles and then stop.

Step 3: Full Yogic breathing

This combines the above 2 steps in the following way:
First inhale by filling the abdomen and then CONTINUE inhaling as you expand and fill the chest. Then exhale first from the chest as it empties and falls and then CONTINUE exhaling from the abdomen as it draws inwards completely. This is one round of the full yogic breath. Repeat this for 20 rounds.

Remember the pattern… Inhaling - abdomen then chest; Exhaling – chest then abdomen.

GOLDEN RULE: All of the above steps should be done WITHOUT strain. The natural tendency is to heave with effort. The right way is to make it smooth and effortless. Go slow and easy.

Initially you will experience unevenness or bumps in this breathing process – as if there are 4 separate parts to the full yogic breath. This is natural considering the years we have spent breathing improperly.

Instead, try to picture this breath as a continuous wave like pattern – as if the breath moves up from the navel to the throat with every inhalation and then, down from the throat to the navel with each exhalation. It may take a few weeks of practice to perfect a “SMOOTH flowing pattern with MINIMUM effort and with MAXIMUM capacity.”

This is the desired effect!! Over time, the yoga way of breathing will come naturally to you.

And now for the all-important benefits…

The full yogic breath is the basic building block of the powerful yoga breathing techniques, also called ‘Pranayama’ in Sanskrit, which are known for their multifarious benefits.

But the tangible benefits of the full yogic breath are that it:

• Releases acute and chronic muscular tensions around the heart and digestive organs.
• Helps sufferers of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and emphysema to overcome the fear of shortness of breath. It actually increases lung capacity.
• Encourages proper nervous stimulus to the cardio-vascular system
• Dramatically reduces emotional and nervous anxiety
• Improves detoxification through increased exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen
• Amplifies the auto immune system by increased distribution of energy to the endocrine system
• Calms the mind and integrates the mental / physical balance.

And the real icing is that it contributes to both vitality and relaxation through this single practice.

With such powerful all-round benefits, do you really need to be “motivated” to get going?

Go ahead, and take charge of your life like never before.

All the best,

Ghanshyam Kukra

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects cells (called mesothelium) that line the pleura (chest cavity) or the peritoneum (abdominal cavity). Most people with mesothelioma have worked in jobs where they breathed in fibers of asbestos. Others have been exposed to asbestosis fibers in their homes, often without knowing it.

The disease process

Irritant dust particles present in some work environments or homes can cause chronic lung disease, generally called pneumoconiosis. The type of pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos fibers is called asbestosis. Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was commonly added to many products in the past to strengthen them, as well as to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos in a home or building is not hazardous until it becomes damaged over time, releasing asbestos fibers into the air. Breathing in these fibers can cause scarring in the lungs and gradual destruction of the lung tissue. Over time, asbestos may trigger the development of mesothelioma.

Because of the long delay between exposure to asbestos and the onset of mesothelioma, exposure that occurred even decades ago (for example, among shipyard workers during World War II), may place a person at risk for developing this type of cancer. An exposure lasting only one or two months can result in mesothelioma developing 30 or 40 years later. People diagnosed with mesothelioma today were usually exposed in the 1940s through the 1970s.

Survival rates

Like most cancers, the outlook for recovery (prognosis) often depends on how early the disease is diagnosed and how aggressively it acts and is treated. Patients are often told that the expected survival time is only 12 to 18 months. However, specialists at leading cancer centers often have better statistics. For example, the five-year survival rate has approached 40 percent for selected patients at Brigham and Women's Center in Boston.

How Is Mesothelioma Treated?

Like most cancers, the outlook for recovery (prognosis) for people with mesothelioma depends on when the disease is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated. The treatment plan depends on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the age and desires of the patient. Treatment generally involves some combination of:

• Surgery (to remove the cancer or buildup of fluid)
• Radiation (the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells)
• Chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer cells)

Surgery

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest (pleurectomy) or abdomen, and some of the surrounding tissue to get out all of the cancer. Depending on how far the tumor has spread, a lung may also be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm is also removed.

If fluid has collected in your chest or abdomen, your doctor may drain the fluid out by putting a needle into the area and using gentle suction to remove the fluid. Removal of chest fluid for diagnosis or for therapy is called thoracentesis; removal of abdominal fluid is called paracentesis.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells or reduce the size of the tumor. Radiation may be administered from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or by inserting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes into the cancer area (internal radiation therapy).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs may be taken as pills or they may be put into your body by a needle into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the blood, travels through the body (that is, through your entire system), potentially killing cancer cells anywhere in the body. For mesothelioma, chemotherapy may also be put directly into your chest (intrapleural chemotherapy). Recent approval of a new program using pemetrexed (Alimta®) and gemcitabine (Gemzar®) have shown beneficial results and good tolerability.

Treatment by stage

Therapies will vary according to the stage of disease, which is determined at the time of diagnosis. If the cancer is localized (found in only one place in the chest), treatment probably will consist of surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. If the cancer is present in a larger area, treatment may involve more extensive surgery, external radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Treatment for advanced disease may include thoracentesis or paracentesis to reduce discomfort, as well as drugs placed directly into the chest to prevent further fluid buildup. Surgery and radiation may relieve symptoms, and various types of chemotherapy may be used.

Other treatments

Not all patients respond to standard therapy, and some standard treatments have undesirable side effects. For these reasons, new approaches to therapy are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. These new therapies often combine traditional treatments with something entirely new.

Recent studies reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology showing that combining a new drug called Alimta® (pemetrexed) with cisplatin have shown good results.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are currently underway to test new drugs and procedures to fight mesothelioma.

Treating a Sinus Infection

Dear visitiors,
I am posting some tips for curing sinus,because i am also suffering from sinus and i know how painful it is and how it give us a headache for many days ,the days that never ends.I will be thankful if someone give these advise to those people's who are suffering from SINUS.

Follow these suggestions to ease pain and congestion

(HealthDay News) -- Sinus infections can be caused by either a virus or a bacterium. While bacterial infections respond to antibiotics, viral infections -- usually stemming from a common cold -- just need to run their course.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases offers these suggestions to help reduce symptoms of a sinus infection:

• Take a decongestant to help a runny or stuffy nose.
• Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays can help with nasal congestion, but should only be used for a few days.
• Take a pain reliever to soothe pain associated with sinus infection.
• Apply gentle heat to the sinuses to ease discomfort.
• Breathe steam from a vaporizer or hot cup of water to help soothe inflamed sinuses.

I hope this tips can be helpful for all those people who are suffering from SINUS.