Author: The Hearth Center Support

When to Seek Internal Hemorrhoid Treatment

If you are seeking an internal hemorrhoid treatment, chances are you have discovered, or suspect, that you have hemorrhoids. Blood, commonly noticed on either clothing or toilet paper, is the numero uno indication that you have internal hemorrhoids because they are not typically felt and generally cause no external discomfort. However, if blood accumulates and the hemorrhoid swells, it can be very painful especially during bowel movements.

If the condition worsens, the hemorrhoid can tear and begin to bleed. It is possible with repeated straining that the hemorrhoid will begin to protrude, becoming an external hemorrhoid. Although the presence of blood may indicate hemorrhoids there are other conditions which may lead to this discovery. It is highly recommended that one must seek medical attention immediately upon the discovery of any type of unexplained or uncontrolled bleeding.

Hemorrhoids develop when swelling occurs in or around the rectum or anus. The swelling, or enlargement of the superficial veins, can become very painful and are typically due to straining but can be caused by a variety of reasons like poor diet, lack of exercise or even sitting and standing for long durations. Pregnancy or childbirth and obesity are also common reasons for hemorrhoids. In any case, if bleeding is present and pain persists it is highly recommended that the sufferer should seek internal hemorrhoid treatment. While external hemorrhoids are obvious and easy to diagnose, internal hemorrhoids are much harder to detect and an internal rectal examination is required. In cases where the hemorrhoid is too soft to detect by physically “feeling” for it, your doctor may do a more thorough examination with the use of a small scope which will allow for a visual examination of the rectum internally. The examination is typically done on an outpatient basis while the patient is under a local anesthesia.

While having hemorrhoids can be an embarrassing experience, under no circumstances should they be taken lightly and immediate medical attention is recommended. The sooner you address the situation, the faster your recovery results will be. Seeking medical attention will provide the sufferer with the most significant opportunity to avoid an aggravated condition. Internal hemorrhoid treatment may consist of some form of anti inflammatory medication either over the counter or prescribed by your doctor. Sitz baths are a common treatment for any type of hemorrhoid along with a healthy, fiber rich diet, consumption of plenty of water and regular exercise.

How To Manage Your Acne

In the last post we looked at some of the ways to prevent acne from developing.  Now, we will look at acne treatment products to handle outbreaks.  I have used and benefited from the two products that I will describe in this article, and will include my schedule for applying them at the end.

The first recommended product is benzyl peroxide, which comes in a tube and is applied as a cream onto the face.   It works by depriving bacteria of oxygen, which in practical terms means that it directly reduces the acne-causing bacteria on your face.

The substance is readily available over the counter, in 2.5% and 10% solutions.   Some people get dry skin and irritation to their face from applying it, and if this affects you then you should use the weaker concentration.   Studies have shown that 2.5% is close in effectiveness to the higher doses.

Over time, most people adapt to benzyl peroxide and will have progressively fewer problems with dry/irritated skin.  Long term studies have shown no adverse affects for continual use, so if this benefits you then continue to use it on a daily basis.

The other useful solution is salicylc acid.  Despite its ominous name, this is a fairly benign acid that has the benefit of de-clogging your pores.  Recall that clogged pores are the breeding ground for the bacteria that cause acne, and you can see why this is beneficial.

It has another cosmetic benefit as wellclearing the pores gives the face a healthier complexion even outside of acne benefits.

Anyway, salicylic acid is typically used through either an applicator sponge or as a cream.  It is most effective when allowed to set overnight.

I spent quite a few years bringing my acne under control, and I have settled on a pattern that has worked consistently for the last couple years.   It does not 100% stop my acne, but on top of both the preventive measures described in my last post, and some of the natural remedies that I will describe later, my acne is barely detectable.

Here is how I use these two products:

1.  Every morning, I apply benzyl peroxide to my face along the T-zone (the nose, forehead, and for me parts of the lip and chin areas that sometimes get acne).  I follow it with a moisterizer to avoid dry skin.  I have had good results using Clearasils 10% solution cream.
2.  Every night I apply salicylic acid through an exfoliation pad. I again put moisterizer on top of it for general skin quality.  Not to sound like a company spokesperson here, but again I have had the best results with Clearasils productlook for their Daily Pore Cleansing Pads.  They have the added benefit of exfoliating your skin, which is good for removing impurities and debris that encourage bacteria.
3.  If I start to get any kind of acne breakout despite this, I will add a second dose of benzyl peroxide after washing my face either at lunchtime or early evening until the breakout has passed.

For anyone dealing with acne, I suggest checking out both of these.   Remember that your skin can get irritated, so try applying just one at a time at first and see how well you can tolerate it before adding more.  Depending on how sensitive you are, you may have to start at half the frequency described here and add more doses over time.

How to Remove Scars with Green Apples

Many people who have scars also suffer from lower self-esteem and self-confidence, especially if those scars are on the face, arms or legs.

Many people, however, don’t like the thought of invasive scar removal treatments and most creams are ineffective, not to mention expensive.

Luckily, there are natural methods of reducing and even eliminating the look of scars, and they are effective no matter what type of scar you have or how long you’ve had it.

Green apples can be extremely effective as a scar removal treatment. They contain malic acid, which is a naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid. This acid provides the sour taste that is associated with green apples, green grapes and cherries.

It is used to enhance the taste of food in the best restaurants, and is used in some cosmetic products, to exfoliate and smooth the skin. It can also be used as a tender exfoliator to reduce the look of scars, if done properly. Use this home-made mask using green apples and honey.

There are 6 steps to creating the perfect mask and scar removal cream. Keep in mind that this method takes time and you’ll have to repeat the process at least 3x per week for a couple of months.

1) Any green apple will do, including Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, and Ginger Gold. Wash and dry the apple thoroughly, then cut into medium-sized portions.

2) Put the apple into a blender and chop or puree for about 30 seconds. The goal here is to puree the apple chunks into smaller portions, but not liquefying it. Once that’s done, place the apple into a mixing bowl.

3) Drizzle about two tablespoons of honey onto the pureed apple, blending together until the mixture becomes thick but not soupy.

4) Clean and dry your face or affected area, leaving it somewhat damp. Apply the apple mask with your fingers. Leave the mask on for 10 to 20 minutes. Wash the mask off with lukewarm water and a damp cloth. Repeat this process once or twice a week, until your scar has diminished.

5) You can also apply the juice from a green apple directly on your skin to help diminish the look of your scar. Simply put the apple in a juicer and apply.

6) If you don’t have a juicer, you can use a blender to get the same effect. Just put some apple chunks into a blender and use the liquefy setting to get the juice from your apple. Use a strainer to separate the juice from the pulp. Use a cotton ball to apply the juice directly to the affected area (don’t forget to clean the area first).

Keep it on for about 15 minutes, and then rinse with lukewarm water. This can be repeated two to three times a week until the look of your scar has diminished.

Excessive Sweating Treatment

Excessive sweating treatment is required for dealing with hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is a common disorder affecting many people. It is often uncontrollable, not anticipated and embarrassing. Though normal sweating is necessary for the thermal regulation, excessive sweating can cause irritation and embarrassment especially, if you are in the midst of a group of people. People who are affected by this condition make several lifestyle changes to accommodate the problem. However, this can cause serious problems and interfere in their daily activities. Most often some of these people are affected mentally too.

There are several excessive sweating treatment options available these days. You have to choose the best option suitable to you. Some of the options are explained below. The most popular type of excessive sweating treatment is the use of antiperspirants. There are two types of antiperspirants. One type is the over-the-counter type and the other is the prescription strength types. People suffering from mild form of hyperhidrosis can use the over-the-counter products. It may be very effective for some people. In that case they can continue using them. If these are not effective then use the prescription strength products for the excessive sweating treatment. Most of the antiperspirants contain the active ingredient known as aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

Other medications for excessive sweating treatment include the use of oral medications. These are known as anticholinergics. They help to reduce the sweating to a great extent. Before using this excessive sweating treatment it is better to consult your doctor and take his opinion. Some of these drugs are known to cause certain side effects like dry mouth and blurred vision in some people. Another treatment option is iontophoresis. This method uses an electrically charged device for treating the condition. Water is used to apply electric current on the skin that targets the sweat glands. The treatment takes several sessions of about 10-20 minutes each. Botox is also used for excessive sweating treatment. It is very popular for treating wrinkles.

Nowadays, it is also being used for treating hyperhidrosis. Botox is nothing but botulinum toxin. About 50 units of the component are injected in about 20 spots in the armpits. This excessive sweating treatment is temporary and can last for about 6 months. Another complicated excessive sweating treatment is surgery. Since sweating is controlled by the nervous system, a process known as thoracic sympathectomy is required. It is a process where the nerve supplying to the sweat glands is destroyed. This surgery is carried out with the help of an endoscopic device that is inserted in between the ribs below the underarms. In order to see the nerves properly the lungs have to be dilated.

Though effective it can be risky at times. There are various types of excessive sweating treatment options to choose from. Do a thorough research about each type and understand the pros and cons. This will help you to choose the best excessive sweating treatment. If you are not able to make a decision you can speak to your doctor and follow his advice. He will make certain analysis and suggest the best treatment suitable for your body.

5 Ways To Get Pregnant Faster

Perhaps you have been dreaming of having a baby since you were a child yourself? Or perhaps you can feel your biological clock ticking away and the need to conceive a baby is becoming increasingly important to you? Starting a family now becomes a top priority in your life and learning ways to get pregnant faster can give you that much needed fertility boost.

1.       Get Off Birth Control

This may seem obvious, but in order to help your body get back into its natural rhythm, it is a good idea to get off birth control at least a few months before you intend to officially start trying to conceive. Most doctors recommend at least a 9 month period between stopping birth control and starting conception efforts.

2.       Start Charting

Your body will need a few cycles to start ovulating again once you have come off of birth control. This is the perfect time to start charting your monthly cycles and taking your daily basal body temperature. By tracking your cycles you will learn how many days your cycle typically has, and learn to distinguish signs and symptoms of impending ovulation and menses. Remember, not every woman has perfect 28 day cycles; charting will help you to determine how many days are normal for you.

3.       Know When You Ovulate

By charting your cycles, you should soon be able to know when you ovulate. However, to clear up any possible confusion you should also use ovulation predictor kits (OPK) or an ovulation monitor. OPK’s look for the surge in LH in a woman’s urine. The luteinizing hormone (LH) level surges right before ovulation. Another way to get pregnant faster is to use a fertility monitor. Although a bit more expensive than ovulation predictor kits, fertility monitors read a multitude of hormone levels, not just LH. By predicting ovulation correctly, you can then time intercourse to improve your chances of conceiving. Once you have a positive result on the OPK or fertility monitor, you should have sex that same day and then again over the course of the following two days.

4.       Perfect Your Timing

One of the easiest ways to get pregnant faster is to time your lovemaking. There are only a handful of days each month in which you are most fertile. Having intercourse prior to ovulation is your best bet as your egg will only survive approximately 24 hours after ovulation has occurred. In order to ‘catch the egg’, your partner’s sperm should already be in your system and moving towards your fallopian tubes. Sperm can generally live two to three days, although some do live for as long as five days. It is a good idea to have sex every two days after cycle day ten.

5.       Lifestyle Enhancement

Of all the different ways to get pregnant faster, improving your current lifestyle is most probably the easiest. Cut back on eating junk food and try to follow a fertility-enhancing diet. Quit smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages too. This goes for both you and your partner.