skin rash

A skin rash is an area of skin that has become swollen or irritated. Skin rashes can include skin bumps or sores, scaly or red skin, and itchy or burning skin. Skin rashes can be caused by many medical conditions. Some skin rashes occur right away, while others take some time to develop. The location, appearance, and color of a skin rash are all important to help your doctor make the right diagnosis and start the right treatment.

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  Chickenpox: A Skin Rash Made Up of Blisters

  The virus known as varicella zoster, more commonly called chickenpox, creates a skin rash of itchy blisters on the face that spreads down to cover the chest and back. It’s typically accompanied by fever and sore throat. Even though a vaccine is available, chickenpox is still common in children under age 12. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms, including fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and the itch with creams and cold compresses. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
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    Rubella: Red Spots All Over the Skin

    Another viral skin rash that affects children and young adults is rubella, or German measles. Rubella causes a rash of red skin spots that spreads like chickenpox from the face down. The skin rash can be itchy. Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands, headache, and runny nose. There is a vaccine for rubella, but about 10 percent of young adults are still susceptible. Rubella can be very dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause birth defects. Treatment is similar to that for chickenpox.
    
    
    
    
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      Hives: Sudden, Itchy Skin Bumps

      Urticaria, also known as hives, is a skin rash that comes on suddenly and causes pale, itchy, or pink swellings on your skin, and burns or stings. This skin condition can occur anywhere on the skin. Up to 20 percent of people may experience hives at least once in their lifetime. Hives may last for a few days or a few weeks and may be caused by an allergic reaction to a food or medication. The most common treatment is to avoid the cause and treat the symptoms with an antihistamine medication.
      
      
      
      
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        Skin Rashes Caused by Medication

        A drug-induced skin rash can be from an allergic reaction to a drug, a side effect of a drug, or from sensitivity to sunlight caused by a drug. A drug rash can occur right away after taking the drug, or up to several hours later. Types of drug rashes include hive or skin bump eruptions, purple or red skin discoloration, or scaly and thickened areas of skin. This skin condition can occur anywhere on the skin or even inside the mouth. Treatment is to stop taking the drug and manage the symptoms with antihistamines or steroids. In rare cases, drug-induced rashes can be serious or even fatal, so check with your doctor.
        
        
        
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          Prickly Heat: A Skin Rash That Stings

          Prickly heat, or heat rash, causes red skin that stings and itches. Small skin bumps may form as well. Heat rash is caused when sweat gets blocked in your pores. This is a common rash in babies, but can occur at any age. This skin condition tends to form where skin rubs against skin, such as in skin folds of the neck, breasts, groin, and underarms. The best treatment is to cool off, dry off, and reduce friction.
          
          
          
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            Prickly Heat: A Skin Rash That Stings

            Prickly heat, or heat rash, causes red skin that stings and itches. Small skin bumps may form as well. Heat rash is caused when sweat gets blocked in your pores. This is a common rash in babies, but can occur at any age. This skin condition tends to form where skin rubs against skin, such as in skin folds of the neck, breasts, groin, and underarms. The best treatment is to cool off, dry off, and reduce friction.
            
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            Intertrigo: A Skin Rash in Body Folds

            Intertrigo is a skin condition that occurs in skin folds, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, under armpits, or under belly folds. Chaffing causes a rash of red skin or brown skin that gets infected with yeast or bacteria and becomes raw. The skin rash may ooze and itch. This rash is more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Treatment involves keeping the areas dry, treating infections, and using steroid creams.
            
            
            
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              Prickly Heat: A Skin Rash That Stings

              Prickly heat, or heat rash, causes red skin that stings and itches. Small skin bumps may form as well. Heat rash is caused when sweat gets blocked in your pores. This is a common rash in babies, but can occur at any age. This skin condition tends to form where skin rubs against skin, such as in skin folds of the neck, breasts, groin, and underarms. The best treatment is to cool off, dry off, and reduce friction.
              
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              Intertrigo: A Skin Rash in Body Folds

              Intertrigo is a skin condition that occurs in skin folds, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, under armpits, or under belly folds. Chaffing causes a rash of red skin or brown skin that gets infected with yeast or bacteria and becomes raw. The skin rash may ooze and itch. This rash is more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Treatment involves keeping the areas dry, treating infections, and using steroid creams.
              
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              Rosacea: A Red Rash on the Face

              Rosacea is a common skin condition that occurs on the face of adults. Symptoms of rosacea include redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Small blood vessels may be seen on the surface of the red skin, along with skin bumps and pimples, though this is not related to acne breakouts. Rosacea only affects the face. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although treatment with antibiotics can minimize symptoms.
              
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              Eczema: Red, Itchy Skin

              Another word for eczema is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. Eczema causes your skin to be dry and itchy. Scratching makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and common causes include detergents, soaps, wool, and synthetic fibers. Eczema is common in babies and children, but can be seen at any age. The best treatment is avoiding substances that your skin is sensitive to.
              
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              Contact Dermatitis: A Skin Rash Caused by Irritation or Allergy

              Contact dermatitis can be caused by any allergy-causing substance or irritating substance that touches your skin. Irritating substances are more common and include solvents, acid, and detergents. Allergic contact dermatitis is commonly seen with poison ivy, cosmetics, and medications that are applied to the skin. The skin rash of contact dermatitis can appear as red skin, skin bumps, blisters, scales, crusts, or sores. Itching is common. Treatment of contact dermatitis includes washing the skin and using anti-itch lotions and steroids.
              
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              Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused by Bacteria

              Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.
              
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            Rosacea: A Red Rash on the Face

            Rosacea is a common skin condition that occurs on the face of adults. Symptoms of rosacea include redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Small blood vessels may be seen on the surface of the red skin, along with skin bumps and pimples, though this is not related to acne breakouts. Rosacea only affects the face. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although treatment with antibiotics can minimize symptoms.
            
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            Eczema: Red, Itchy Skin

            Another word for eczema is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. Eczema causes your skin to be dry and itchy. Scratching makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and common causes include detergents, soaps, wool, and synthetic fibers. Eczema is common in babies and children, but can be seen at any age. The best treatment is avoiding substances that your skin is sensitive to.
            
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            Contact Dermatitis: A Skin Rash Caused by Irritation or Allergy

            Contact dermatitis can be caused by any allergy-causing substance or irritating substance that touches your skin. Irritating substances are more common and include solvents, acid, and detergents. Allergic contact dermatitis is commonly seen with poison ivy, cosmetics, and medications that are applied to the skin. The skin rash of contact dermatitis can appear as red skin, skin bumps, blisters, scales, crusts, or sores. Itching is common. Treatment of contact dermatitis includes washing the skin and using anti-itch lotions and steroids.
            
          • 

            Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused by Bacteria

            Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.
            
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          Intertrigo: A Skin Rash in Body Folds

          Intertrigo is a skin condition that occurs in skin folds, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, under armpits, or under belly folds. Chaffing causes a rash of red skin or brown skin that gets infected with yeast or bacteria and becomes raw. The skin rash may ooze and itch. This rash is more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Treatment involves keeping the areas dry, treating infections, and using steroid creams.
          
        • 

          Rosacea: A Red Rash on the Face

          Rosacea is a common skin condition that occurs on the face of adults. Symptoms of rosacea include redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Small blood vessels may be seen on the surface of the red skin, along with skin bumps and pimples, though this is not related to acne breakouts. Rosacea only affects the face. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although treatment with antibiotics can minimize symptoms.
          
        • 

          Eczema: Red, Itchy Skin

          Another word for eczema is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. Eczema causes your skin to be dry and itchy. Scratching makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and common causes include detergents, soaps, wool, and synthetic fibers. Eczema is common in babies and children, but can be seen at any age. The best treatment is avoiding substances that your skin is sensitive to.
          
        • 

          Contact Dermatitis: A Skin Rash Caused by Irritation or Allergy

          Contact dermatitis can be caused by any allergy-causing substance or irritating substance that touches your skin. Irritating substances are more common and include solvents, acid, and detergents. Allergic contact dermatitis is commonly seen with poison ivy, cosmetics, and medications that are applied to the skin. The skin rash of contact dermatitis can appear as red skin, skin bumps, blisters, scales, crusts, or sores. Itching is common. Treatment of contact dermatitis includes washing the skin and using anti-itch lotions and steroids.
          
        • 

          Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused by Bacteria

          Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.
          
        
         
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Rules for a Healthy Vagina

10 Fascinating Facts About the Male Orgasm

 

rheumatic

The term rheumatic comes from the Greek root “rheuma,” explains Dr. Deane, “which means flux, but it’s come to mean ‘related to the joint.’”
Here are some of the more common rheumatic diseases:

• Ankylosing spondylitis. This is the most common of the spondyloarthropies, rheumatic diseases that specifically affect the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis, most common in young adults, also inflames tendons in the hips, knees, and shoulders, causing pain and stiffness.
• Fibromyalgia. Millions of adults struggle with the chronic fatigue and pain of this rheumatic disease, which attacks the muscles and tendons that support your joints, causing stiffness and pain as well as sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia is nine times more likely to occur in a woman than a man.
• Gout. About 2.1 million adults have this rheumatic disease, which is characterized by uric acid crystals in the joints — most often the big toe — that cause episodes of pain and swelling. Gout is more often a problem for men than women.
• Infectious arthritis. Some forms of arthritis are caused by viral or bacterial infections. For example, Lyme disease, which results from the bite of a tick carrying specific bacteria, may cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness of joints. Other types include parvovirus arthritis and gonococcal arthritis. Identifying these infections early means antibiotics can be used to prevent joint damage.
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The most common arthritis in childhood, this rheumatic disease causes pain, swelling, and loss of joint function and may be accompanied by fevers and rashes.
• Lupus. Technically called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), this rheumatic disease is an autoimmune disease. About 150,000 people are living with lupus, which attacks the body’s own healthy cells and tissues, causing damage to joints and organs throughout the body. Ninety percent of people with lupus are female.
• Osteoarthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis. It affects 27 million adults in the United States. This rheumatic disease destroys cartilage and bone, causing disability and pain.
• Polymyalgia rheumatica. This rheumatic disease is often a red flag of diseased arteries (giant cell arteritis) and can lead to headaches, inflammation, unintended weight loss, and fever. People with this disease have morning stiffness, aches, and pains in the lower back, neck, hips, and shoulders. These symptoms are due to damage to tendons, muscles, ligaments, and joint tissues.
• Psoriatic arthritis. This is a form of arthritis that occurs in people with the skin disorder psoriasis. This painful disease affects joints of fingers and toes and creates visible changes in finger- and toenails.
• Reactive arthritis. Also known as Reiter’s syndrome, this is another spondyloarthropy. This rheumatic disease is often triggered by an infection in the bowels, urinary tract, or other organs. People with reactive arthritis develop skin rashes, sores on the mouth, and eye troubles.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. Nearly 1.3 million people have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This rheumatic disease destroys the synovial tissue — the lining of joints — causing swelling, pain, and stiffness throughout the body. Unlike other rheumatic diseases, RA symptoms tend to occur symmetrically — meaning that if your right hand is affected, your left hand will be also. Women are two to three times more likely than men to have RA.
• Sclerodoma. With this rheumatic disease, the body produces too much collagen, the fibrous material that supports the structure of skin and other organs. Scleroderma literally means “hard skin” but also particularly affects blood vessels and joints.

uric acid, hyperuricemia

What is hyperuricemia?
Hyperuricemia is an excess of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid passes through the liver, and enters your bloodstream. Most of it is excreted (removed from your body) in your urine, or passes through your intestines to regulate "normal" levels.
Normal Uric acid levels are 2.4-6.0 mg/dL (female) and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL (male).  Normal values will vary from laboratory to laboratory.

Also important to blood uric acid levels are purines.  Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds, which are made inside the cells of your body (endogenous), or come from outside of your body, from foods containing purine (exogenous).  Purine breaks down into uric acid. Increased levels of uric acid from excess purines may accumulate in your tissues, and form crystals. This may cause high uric acid levels in the blood.

Uric acid formation may occur when the blood uric acid level rises above 7 mg/dL. Problems, such as kidney stones, and gout (collection of uric acid crystals in the joints, especially in your toes and fingers), may occur.

DIABETES TYPE 1

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. It is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents, or young adults.
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas by special cells called beta cells. The pancreas is behind the stomach. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells. There, it is stored and later used for energy. With type 1 diabetes, beta cells produce little or no insulin.
Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy. This leads to the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Most likely it is an autoimmune disorder. This is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. With type 1 diabetes, an infection or another trigger causes the body to mistakenly attack the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes can be passed down through families.

when you are sick Diabetes

Waiting too long to get medical care when you are sick can lead to getting much sicker. When you have diabetes, a delay in getting care can be life threatening. Even a minor cold can make your diabetes harder to control. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to more serious health problems.
When you are sick, keep a close watch on diabetes warning signs. These are:

• High blood sugar that will not come down with treatment
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low blood sugar that will not rise after you eat

If you have any of these warning signs and cannot treat them yourself, call your doctor right away.

usefulness of exercise for pregnant women

The benefits of moving more during pregnancy begin immediately and last your whole life. Your baby will start reaping the benefits in utero, too. Here’s a laundry list of reasons to start exercising today, along with excuse-busting ways to overcome some common obstacles.

1. You’re likely to gain less weight. Research shows you might put on 7 pounds less than pregnant women who don’t work out, while still staying within the healthy weight-gain range. 

2. Labor and delivery may be easier. No guarantees, of course, but strong abs and a fit cardiovascular system can give you more oomph and stamina for the pushing stage. One study found that prenatal water aerobics regulars were 58 percent less likely to request pain medication during labor than non-exercisers.

3. You lower your gestational diabetes risk by as much as 27 percent. High blood sugar during pregnancy puts you at extremely high risk for developing type II diabetes in the decade after delivering and raises the odds of preterm delivery or having an overweight baby. If you do develop it—and many fit women do because genetics and age play a significant role—exercise may help prevent or delay your need for insulin or other medications.

usefulness of exercise for the body

1: Exercise controls weight

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don't need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can't do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

 2: Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

 

Five Brain Nutrients Found Only in Meat, Fish and Eggs

The human brain is the most complex object in the universe. It is also the organ that consumes by far the most energy, compared to its weight.
The brain is only about 2% of our body weight, but uses 20% of the energy.
This remarkable organ has evolved over millions of years. During this time, humans were omnivores. We ate both meat and plants.
There are many nutrients in these foods that are absolutely critical for the proper function of this very delicate system.
Unless proper care is taken to supplement, going vegan and eschewing animal foods may lead to a deficiency in some of these important substances.
Here are 5 nutrients that are very important for the brain and only found in animal foods.

Health Foods That Can Kill You

Nutrition is full of nonsense. You will find bold health claims for all kinds of foods, most often based on zero evidence.

1. Fruit Juices

The fruit juices you find at the supermarket aren’t always what they seem.
They may have small amounts of real fruit in them, but often they are little more than water, artificial flavor and sugar.
But even if you’re drinking real fruit juice, it is still a bad idea.
Fruit juice is like fruit with most of the good stuff removed.
All that is left is the sugar and a few vitamins. Orange juice, for example, contains the same amount of sugar as Coca Cola.
There’s no fiber in it, no chewing resistance and nothing to stop you from downing massive amounts of sugar in a short amount of time.
Eating too much sugar is associated with all sorts of diseases. These include obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many others.
It is much better to avoid fruit juices and eat real fruits instead.

Bottom Line: Most fruit juices contain the same amount of easily digestible sugar as sugar-sweetened soft drinks. It is best to eat whole fruits instead.

2. Whole Wheat

usefulness coffee for health

1. Coffee Can Improve Energy Levels and Make You Smarter

Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels 

This is because it contains a stimulant called caffeine, which is actually the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world 

After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it travels into the brain 

In the brain, caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine.

When that happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine actually increases, leading to enhanced firing of neurons

Many controlled trials in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function.

Bottom Line: Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which leads to a stimulant effect. This improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function.

prayer movement for health benefits

For Muslims, praying five times is a liability. and turns the prayer movement provides a very remarkable influence to the health of our bodies.
 
 1. TAKBIRATUL IKHRAM
 Giving blood flow from the veins contained dilengan to loaded into the eyes, ears, mouth.
 
2. SEDEKAP (Charging Vein Organs of the Head)
 Pinning vein in the left arm so that the blood vessels in the hands of the right will expand. At the bow lifting tanganmau high-speed sprays of blood vessels in the right hand will fill existing blood vessels in the head.
 
 3. RUKUH (flexing Memory Brain and Kidney)
 Flexibility of the spine that contains bone marrow, is a central nervous system and blood flow. Perfect bow will draw veins waist so as to prevent back pain and kidney pain. The lever system is contained in pinggung sweat, hips, thighs, calves back, preserved by bowing movements, and neck bones, and nerve channels of memory there is also flexibility.
 
 4. I ‘Tidal (for Preventing Headaches and Waist)
 Position I’tidal wake of the bow makes the blood flow down directly from the head, causing the base of the brain that regulate balance decreases blood pressure. So that can prevent nerve balance our body is very useful to relieve headaches and fainting with sudden.
 
 5. SUJUD (Prevention of Coronary and Stroke)
 At the bow of the arteries behind, locked dipangkal thigh, so that blood pressures will be mainly channeled back to the heart and the pump to the head. Prostration is how best to drain the blood and oxygen to the brain and limbs in the head. Dujud position is the best technique to break the blockage of blood vessels thus preventing coronary heart. Also makes small blood vessels in the brain gets more pressure, so that it can prevent stroke.
 
 6. SITTING between two prostrations (Sitting Perkasa)
 Bending the foot and toes can balance the nervous system and the electrical balance of our body. Sitting position 2 bow repair and maintain the flexibility that a lot of nerve might have on the inner thighs, knees basin to the toes. As a result of nerve bending prowess will prevent diabetes, prostate and hernia.
 
 7. SITTING TAHIYYAT EARLY (Sitting Combustion)
 This sitting position if a bit long so that the folds of the thighs and calves met, will activate the sweat glands so as to prevent calcification. Vein above the base of the foot tertakan so the blood will fill the entire sole of the foot causes the blood vessels at the base of the legs swell. This move will menjegah for optimal foot support our bodies.
 
 8. SITTING TASYAHHUD END (The balance nerves and Healing Hemorrhoids)
The sitting position is better than cross-legged. In the science of yoga that the ankle will be held, and press diarea basin would be useful to unload the left foot of calcification. Sitting balance that makes the nerves associated with the optic nerve would be properly maintained.
 
 9. SALAM (Disease Therapy Head)
 Regards movement if done optimally beneficial to maintain the flexibility jugular vein. Thanks to the contraction of muscles in the head and the heat energy produced substances diperlukkan for the rehabilitation of damaged tissue. Hail to the maximum right and left, prevents disease heads and stiff neck.

how to relieve stress at work

Stress on the Job

Job and workplace stress is one of the biggest sources of stress in today’s world. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), about 70 percent of Americans cite workplace stress as causing significant stress in their lives. That stress extends far beyond the office; the stress from a job can affect personal or professional relationships. It can also affect your health. In fact, work-related stresses increase your risk of heart disease.
You don’t have to suffer endlessly because of this stress. Here are a few steps you can take to make work healthier for you.

how to relieve stress

Listen to Music

If you're feeling overwhelmed by a stressful situation, try taking a break and listening to relaxing classical music. Playing calm music has a positive effect on the brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.
We recommend cello master Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach, but if classical really isn’t your thing, try listening to ocean or nature sounds. It may sound cheesy, but they display similar relaxing effects to music.
 

Call a Friend

If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break to call a friend and talk about your problems. Good relationships with friends and loved ones are important to any healthy lifestyle, and there's no time that this is more evident than when you're under a lot of stress. A reassuring voice, even for a minute, can put everything in perspective.

Talk Yourself Through It

Sometimes calling a friend is not an option. If this is the case, talking calmly to yourself can be the next best thing. Don’t worry about seeming crazy—just tell yourself why you're stressed out, what you have to do to complete the task at hand, and most importantly, that everything will be OK (trust us, it will be).

8 Ways to Make Your Diet More Heart-Healthy

Alcohol in moderation - that's one drink a day for women and two for men -- can help increase your HDL "good cholesterol." But beyond these recommended amounts, it can have harmful effects. Researchers agree that people who don't drink should not start. There are many other dietary and lifestyle changes that can give nondrinkers similar heart benefits.

For an easy dietary boost, try enjoying a vegetarian meal a few times a week, suggests researcher Wahida Karmally, RD.

When losing hair becomes a problem

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a phenomenon that occurs after pregnancy, major surgery, drastic weight loss, or extreme stress, in which you shed large amounts of hair every day, usually when shampooing, styling, or brushing. It can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants, beta-blockers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. During telogen effluvium, hair shifts faster than normal from its growing phase into the "resting" phase before moving quickly into the shedding, or telogen, phase.
The symptoms: Women with telogen effluvium typically notice hair loss 6 weeks to 3 months after a stressful event. At its peak, you may lose handfuls of hair.
The tests: There are no tests for telogen effluvium, but your doctor may ask you about recent life events and look for small "club- shaped" bulbs on the fallen hair’s roots. The bulbs mean the hair has gone through a complete cycle of growth, suggesting that the cycle may have sped up due to stress.
What you can do: In some cases, such as pregnancy or major surgery, you may have to bide your time until the hair loss slows. If medication is the culprit, talk to your doctor about lowering your dosage or switching drugs. If it’s stress-related, do your best to reduce anxiety. Try these simple tips for relieving stress and worrying.

Hereditary hair loss

Hair loss that is genetic is known as androgenetic alopecia and, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, is the most common cause of hair loss. The gene can be inherited from either your mother's or father's side of the family, though you're more likely to have it if both of your parents had hair loss.
The symptoms: Women with this trait tend to develop thinning at the hairline behind the bangs, says Pamela Jakubowicz, MD, a dermatologist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. The condition develops slowly and may start as early as your 20s. You may be vulnerable if your mother also has this pattern of thinning. In some cases, the hair loss may be diffuse, meaning it's spread across the entire scalp.
The tests: Your dermatologist will examine the pattern of hair loss to determine if it’s hereditary and may order blood work to rule out other causes, Dr. Jakubowicz says. A biopsy of your scalp is sometimes done to see if the hair follicles have been replaced with miniaturized follicles, a surefire sign of hereditary hair loss.
What you can do: Slow the hair loss by applying minoxidil (Rogaine) to the scalp twice a day. The drug works on both women and men, although women should use a lower-strength formula to prevent unnecessary side effects. Women should not use minoxidil if they are pregnant or nursing. Men may be treated with finasteride (Propecia), an oral medication.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the liver. It can be either acute (lasting less than six months) or chronic (lasting more than six months).

Several viruses are known to cause hepatitis. Common forms of viral hepatitis include Hepatitis A, B, and C:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

SARS is caused by the SARS coronavirus (SARS CoV). There are a large number of coronaviruses linked to infections in humans and animals.
There are two recognised human coronaviruses that cause mild respiratory infections, such as the common cold . This type of virus can also include strains that cause more severe illnesses, such as SARS.
SARS originated in the Guangdong province of southern China in 2002. The infection quickly spread to other countries (a pandemic), and resulted in more than 8,000 cases and 774 deaths before the virus was eventually brought under control.

Symptoms of SARS

SARS has flu-like symptoms that usually begin 2-10 days after infection. They include:

• high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
• fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• headaches
• chills
• muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea

Between 3-7 days after the start of these symptoms, the infection will begin to affect your respiratory system (lungs and airways). This will lead to additional symptoms such as:

• a dry cough
• breathing difficulties
• an increasing lack of oxygen in the blood, which can be fatal in the most severe cases

The SARS pandemic

It is thought a strain of the coronavirus usually only found in small mammals mutated, enabling it to infect humans.
The SARS infection quickly spread from China to other Asian countries. There were also a small number of cases in several other countries, including four in the UK, plus a significant outbreak in Toronto, Canada.
The SARS pandemic was eventually brought under control in July 2003, following a policy of isolating people suspected of having the condition, and screening all passengers travelling by air from affected countries for signs of the infection.
During the period of infection, there were 8,098 reported cases of SARS and 774 deaths. This means that the virus killed about 1 in 10 people who were infected. People over 65 years of age were particularly at risk, with over half dying from the infection in this age group.
In 2004, there was another small SARS outbreak, linked to a medical laboratory in China. It was thought to have been the result of someone coming into direct contact with a sample of the virus, rather than being caused by animal-to-human or human-to-human transmission.

How SARS is spread

SARS is an airborne virus, which means it is spread in a similar way to flu and the common cold
The SARS virus is spread in small droplets of saliva coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. Infection can occur if someone else breathes in the droplets.
SARS can also be spread indirectly if an infected person touches surfaces, such as door handles, with unwashed hands. Someone who touches the surface may also become infected.
The SARS virus may also be spread through an infected person's faeces (stools). For example, if they do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, they may be able to pass the infection on to others.
Evidence from the SARS pandemic in 2002/03 showed that people living with or caring for someone with a known SARS infection were most at risk of developing the infection themselves.

Treatment for SARS

There is currently no cure for SARS, but research to find a vaccine is ongoing.
A person suspected of having SARS should be admitted to hospital immediately and kept in isolation under close observation.
Treatment is mainly supportive and may include:

• assisting with breathing using a ventilator to deliver oxygen
• antibiotics to treat bacteria that cause pneumonia
• antiviral medications
• high doses of steroids to reduce swelling in the lungs

There is little in the way of scientific evidence to show that these treatments are very effective. The antiviral medication, ribavirin, is known to be ineffective at treating SARS.

Prevention advice

You should avoid travelling to areas of the world where there is an uncontrolled SARS outbreak.
To reduce your risk of becoming infected, avoid direct contact with people with SARS (until at least 10 days after their symptoms have gone).
To avoid spreading the infection, it is important to follow the prevention advice outlined below:

• wash your hands thoroughly using an alcohol-based hand detergent
• cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
• avoid sharing food, drink and utensils
• regularly clean surfaces with disinfectant

In some situations, it may be appropriate to wear gloves, masks and goggles to help prevent the spread of SARS.

Future SARS outbreaks

Although the threat of SARS to public health seems to have passed, international health officials continue to remain vigilant. The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors countries throughout the world for any unusual disease activity.
Therefore, if another SARS outbreak were to occur, it should be possible to limit the spread of infection using the same measures implemented during the 2002/03 pandemic (see above).