The Medical Health Plus

Makeup For Acne

Make up is such a thing which helps in hiding the acne but there is a fear that wearing make up for prolonged period of time can cause acne. Noncomedogenic type of make up products does not contain components that clog pores. The make up products labeled as noncomedogenic can be used and even individuals having acne can see improvements after using these products.

Acne is caused due to bacteria. These can remain attached to make application tools. These tools should be thoroughly cleaned using antibacterial soaps few times a week. Isopropyl alcohol can be rubbed on the applicators. Disposable applicators can be used for make up and most important is they should be disposed after use. Foundation can be applied with clean fingers also. Use of powder based make up is recommended over liquid type. Excessive oil gets absorbed by using powder make up. If the condition becomes worse after wearing make up for few days consecutively then the brand should be changed. Whenever possible, make up should be avoided. It allows the skin to heal and breath.

Before doing the make up face should be cleaned with mild soap and cold water. Over washing the face is also not good. For normal skin washing once or twice a day is adequate. After drying the face astringent can be applied. In case of blemishes a concealer can be used to hide the pimple. Foundation can be then applied over the concealed pimple. After doing these things normal make up can be worn.

In selecting the make up the brand should be chosen which does not penetrate in the skin but it simply covers the skin. Such make ups also contain anti bacterial agents acting against bacteria causing acne. Some concealers contain salicylic acid which is known to unclog the pores. They cover the skin and fight against acne. Concealer and foundation used should be oil free. It is important that make up should be removed before going to bed. For this purpose a mild cleanser and toner can be used. Using these simple tips acne can be covered and cured also.

Marijuana

One of the most common arguments against legalizing marijuana has always been that it is a “gateway drug,” meaning that using marijuana will eventually lead to using harder and more dangerous drugs. This logic has led to a stigma on the drug, which its users and some experts claim is “safer than alcohol” for decades. The question at hand is whether this argument is valid or if there is truth behind the theory that once you’ve gotten into pot, you’re likely to end up on a lot more.

Marijuana is the most widely used of all illegal drugs in the United States, though not typically believed to be terribly destructive on its own. Most experts agree that the drug does not pose as serious a danger to public health as heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine and is not a drug on which someone can overdose. In more recent years, there has been a renewed interest in legalizing the drug now that is has proven legitimate for medicinal purposes and is now legal with a prescription in 13 states. Marijuana (technically cannabis) is most commonly prescribed to ease nausea, stimulate hunger in chemotherapy and AIDS patients, treat glaucoma by lowering intraocular eye pressure and treat some gastrointestinal illnesses.

Marijuana used today can be up to five times more potent than the pot used in the 1970s, which leads to concerns that modern marijuana may be more addictive than society generally believes. This concern is supported by the fact that the number of individuals seeking treatment for marijuana addiction has gone up by 4 percent over the last ten years while the number seeking treatment for other addictions like alcohol and cocaine has actually declined. There is also fear that marijuana may be causing unknown damage to teenage brains, which are still in a developmental state. Dr. Richard N. Rosenthal, chairman of psychiatry at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan and professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, claims that chronic marijuana users do not have the same lives as non-users or casual users, implying a long-term negative effect on quality of life.

So, is marijuana a gateway drug, or isn’t it? Unfortunately, the answer depends on who you ask, or rather which study sways your opinion the furthest. Those who oppose the use of marijuana tend to point toward studies like the one conducted in Australia in 2010. The study recruited 2,000 school children and tracked them over ten years. The study found that children who used cannabis occasionally at the age of 13 and 14 were more likely to use harder drugs, like ecstasy, cocaine or amphetamines, at the age of 24. Even light users were affected since the study showed that 33 percent of teens who used marijuana lightly were taking harder drugs in their twenties, as opposed to just 11 percent for those who had not used cannabis at all during their teens. The research also showed that 15 percent of the light marijuana-using teens became addicted to alcohol by early adulthood, as compared with 9 percent of those who had not used marijuana in their teenage years.

People in favor of legalizing marijuana (or at least lowering the criminal penalties for its possession and use) point to studies like the 12 year study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. The study intended to determine whether marijuana was truly a gateway drug. The study tracked 214 boys, beginning at the ages of 10 -12, for 12 years, specifically observing the boys’ behavior and drug use (both legal and illegal). The researchers at the University of Pittsburgh reached the conclusion that there was not much evidence to support the idea that marijuana is a gateway drug. The research showed that while some of the boys began using marijuana before tobacco and alcohol, others actually used alcohol and tobacco first, and neither group showed a greater or more reduced likelihood of developing a substance abuse problem or using other illicit drugs. Another piece of data that marijuana supporters believe refutes the “gateway drug” theory comes from actual drug use statistics. In Time, John Cloud asserts that the only significant measured increase in the use of drugs recently ”came from the growing ranks of pot smokers.” He stated that cocaine use had actually gone down, prescription drug abuse ”has been flat since 2007″ and ”the rate at which we use methamphetamine” went “unchanged.” His implication would seem to be that increased marijuana use, if it were a true gateway drug, should lead to increases in other drug use, but apparently it doesn’t.

Whether or not marijuana use is a gateway to the use of other, more damaging drugs is still a subject of much debate and there are plenty of good arguments on both sides. Hopefully, research will give us a more definitive answer in the near future, as this debate continues to intensify.

This post article was written by Gregg Gustafson who is a freelance writer and consultant for Drug-Rehab.org. Gustafson works with many individuals who suffer from both long and short term drug abuse, in turn; those in great need are referred to some of the most prestige residential drug rehab centers active today.

Keeping the body hydrated is the base behind water therapy. Hydration overcomes the blockage of pores and dead cells are shed properly. Drinking 2 liters of water daily is suggested for this purpose. It is also said that application of moisturizer does not actually moisturizes the skin only drinking lots of water can hydrate the skin.

Moisture is very good for good skin. Rinsing the face with water is good. While doing thing splashing lots of water on face is recommended. This is the way to hydrate, oxygenate and detoxify the skin which makes one feel refreshed and stress-free. This also replaces the lost moisture. Moisturizing encourages toning, firming and circulation.

Also the adequately hydrated skin effectively cleans and protects itself and further it becomes soft, healthy and balanced. Water in the skin is also known to regulate and control the natural balance of the skin. Warm water revives and hydrates the skin. It also detoxifies and oxygenates the skin and facilitates transport of nutrients all over the body. the toxins get dissolved in water and thereby help in removing and flushing them out. It also helps in reducing large pores and blackheads and gives the feeling of relaxed and re-energized along with replacement of moisture.

Lack of water hinders lot of body functions like throwing out the toxins and overloads bowels, lungs, kidneys and skin. And this brings about pressure on organs like liver and kidney to work sub optimally and may not be able to do other bodily functions at all.

Now drinking large amounts means how much water is a question. It is said that six to eight glasses but the size of the glasses is not mentioned. Further the amount of water required is different for different individuals. In such cases a normal guideline is the urine should be very near to clear, this much water intake is supposed to be optimal. Drinking water in too large quantities can flush out the electrolytes. Drinking distilled or purified water is better than the plane tap water. But distilled water lacks minerals  so purified water is good. Flavored vitamin tablets can be added to water to adapt to drinking sufficient water. Here one gets the refreshing taste and the required vitamins.

Acne are more inn oily skin and if oily skin is due to less water then drinking more water is the best way to moisturize the skin. Acne treatment is one of the benefits of water therapy.

Some addicts experience withdrawal many times before deciding to end the addiction forever. Because withdrawal from substance abuse can vary in symptoms and intensity, there is no way to predict how easy or difficult it will be. The end result, however, should be complete freedom from drugs. With this in mind, it stands to reason that holistic drug treatment offers a better chance of remaining drug-free than simply replacing one drug with another.

Addiction Recovery Is a Process

Withdrawal tops the list of things that must happen in order to end addiction. Holistic treatment offers alternatives to medications by treating the individual physically, spiritually and mentally. The whole person can be treated without the use of replacement drugs. This offers the individual a better understanding of themselves and their actions. Holistic treatment can include such practices as individual and group therapy, leisure/recreational therapy, and even art therapy. However, there are also other approaches in treatment. These are designed to help addicts express their thoughts and emotions in a way in which they are comfortable. It offers a chance for individuals overcoming addiction to connect with reality while dealing with the thoughts which linger from addiction.

Addictiveness of Replacement Drugs

Replacement drugs, however, such as Methadone, have proven to be almost as addictive as the offending drug, such as Heroin or Opiates. The United States Government is now looking into other alternatives, although Methadone was once thought to be a safe substance abuse treatment aid. The fact is that it affects the same sensors in the brain that Heroin and other Opioids do. Hundreds of thousands of people who were given the replacement drug have since become addicted. This means their addiction never ended, it simply changed drugs.  It has been widely used because it is known to ease the physical discomfort of addiction. Naturally it does, since it is an addictive drug in its own right. It doesn’t end addiction, it simply replaces it.

Holistic Drug Treatment Is Done Without Using Drugs

In order to cleanse the body and physical dependence on harmful drugs, the individual can ease symptoms of withdrawal with completely drug-free methods. Addiction recovery done holistically can heal the entire person, and not simply the physical dependence. The Narconon program, for example, does not use therapy in their program, although there are counselors. It focuses instead on ridding the body of drugs by detoxification using sauna and a natural medicine approach. Individuals also learn how to better communicate and understand how the thought process can be changed in order to facilitate successful holistic drug treatment.

Holistic Rehab Is No Quick Fix But a Permanent One

As many have discovered, using a replacement drug is not the answer. Addiction is often still the result. Addiction recovery in the truest sense is completely putting drug use of any kind in the past. Using a drug such as Methadone to treat drug addiction is like using sleeping pills to stop alcoholism. It is simply not logical. Healing the mind, body and spirit with holistic drug treatment is a safer and more realistic alternative. The goal is to live drug-free. It’s that simple. One can’t live drug-free if they are simply replacing the drug used. A replacement drug also cannot teach behavior techniques and help to understand the thought process – holistic drug treatment can.

Getting the facts is important before starting any drug treatment. All treatment centers are not created equal. Only when all drug use has ended is there freedom from addiction. Replacement drugs are a band-aid remedy to what can be a lifelong problem. Holistic drug treatment offers total freedom from substance abuse and addiction, not a quick fix.

This post was written by Daniel Manson. Daniel is dedicated to helping those with addiction problems recover to live a fulfilling life. Daniel writes for the Narconon Drug Treatment Network.

Cystic acne is the harshest form of acne and they are very painful. This type of infection is very difficult to treat. There are pus filed red pustules which can be seen on the surface of skin. There are cysts. The reason behind the infection is not certain. The infection may be caused due to different reasons in different individuals. Accumulation dirt on the surface of skin and changes or imbalance in hormones may cause cystic acne. There may be hereditary cause behind cystic acne just like for normal acne. Cystic acne may also be due to trapped toxins in the body. Similar to acne cystic acne can develop at any age but it is more prevalent in teenagers. If pus is removed by squeezing the pustule then the skin looks uglier.  There may be bleeding due to repeated squeezing of the pustule. Permanent scar may be formed due to squeezing of the pustule.

There are several treatments for cystic acne. Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derived compound. This can be taken orally once or twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks.  This medication is effective on all causes of acne like excess sebum production, inflammation, bacteria and clogged pores and therefore, it is considered as best treatment for cystic acne. The cystic acne may flare up in the first few weeks of treatment, then the condition subsides. The patient is monitored for side effects. Generally one round of the medication is sufficient and in few patients second round is required. The drug can cause birth defects in fetuses and therefore women in child bearing age are not given Isotretinoin and pregnancy should be strictly avoided during the treatment.  Other side effects are hearing problem, liver problem, pancreatitis, depression and suicidal thoughts. The decision of taking Isotretinoin treatment should be taken only after thorough consultation with the doctor.

Cysts can be removed surgically. A dilute solution of corticosteroid can be injected in the cyst which dissolves the cyst in three to five days.

As the cysts are deep in the skin oral antibiotic treatment is the preferred one. A broad spectrum antibiotic like doxycycline, erythromycin, tetracycline or minocycline can be used to kill the bacteria. Birth control pills may be taken to prevent excess oil production. A synthetic steroid called spironolactone can be given along with birth control pills for best results.

As the cystic acne may be due to toxins in the body intake of plenty of water is recommended along with well balanced diet including lots of fruits and vegetables. Use of oily cosmetics and make ups is also contraindicated in these patients.