HANDS OFF YOUR EYES
You are too thin—at least around the eyes. Don't rub, poke, or otherwise fiddle with the skin there. "Every time you do, you risk breaking delicate blood vessels, which leads to darkening, dulling, and thickening of the surrounding skin," says Fusco.When choosing an eye cream, look for gentle anti-aging ingredients like peptides (Olay Professional Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex) or zinc (found in Relastin Eye Silk)—a current favorite of Leslie Baumann, director of the University of Miami Cosmetic and Research Institue. "It's been shown to increase elastin production, which can reduce crepiness," she says.
DON'T DRINK, DON'T SMOKE
What do you do? Take care of your body to take care of your skin, that's what. Smoking is an infamous wrinkle factory that destroys collagen and elastin. (But you knew that.) Less well known is that more than one glass of alcohol increases inflammation in the bloodstream, "which can hasten sagging over time," Brandt says. Eating too much sugar is also a vice for your skin (not to mention your waistline), he says—it may affect the body's ability to repair damaged collagen.
CLEAN UP YOUR ACTIONS
Remember the little things. They can lead to big trouble—like premature aging.• Stop squinting (sunglasses help). And if you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, make sure your prescription is up to date.• Avoid sipping through a straw. It contributes to lines around the mouth.• Break the habit of resting your chin on your hand. (It stretches the skin.)• Switch to a smooth satin pillowcase. The creases in cotton eventually make their mark on your face.
DON'T FORGET YOUR NECK AND HANDS
They're the body parts most likely to betray the age that's on your passport even when your face doesn't. Get them on the same daily maintenance program as your face, with sunscreen every morning and retinol at night. Dab hydroquinone on sunspots, and exfoliate twice a week. (We like the gentle but powerful St. Ives Elements Microdermabrasion scrub).
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Tips for more youthful-looking skin
SHRINK YOUR PORES
Your pores expand as gunk accumulates in them—and the older you get, the more likely they are to stay expanded. Put them on a diet by switching to a cleanser with salicylic acid, which "dissolves the oil in the pores," says New York City and Coral Gables, Florida, dermatologist Fredric Brandt. It also helps slough away dead skin that can lead to clogging. We like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser and Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser.
LET IT RIPD
eflate and clean pores—like the ones on your nose—once a week with pore strips. (Try Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips.) "They really do work," says Francesca Fusco.
SLATHER ON THE SUNSCREEN
By now you probably know that you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30, that the ingredients Mexoryl and Helioplex offer the longest-lasting protection, that you have to slather a tablespoon's worth of the stuff on your face and a shot glass–size dollop on your body...and that it's necessary to reapply every two hours if you're outdoors, including any time spent in your car. Now you just need to do it—every single day. We recommend Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 (with Helioplex) and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 (with Mexoryl), because neither will turn your skin ghost white or greasy.
GET MORE BEAUTY SLEEP
If you go to bed 15 minutes earlier, progressively, for four nights running, you'll establish a routine where you get an extra hour of dark circle-zapping rest. For your best shot at the necessary eight hours, quit the coffee after 3 P.M. and avoid exercising in the three hours before bedtime. Log off in plenty of time, too—your face is more important than Facebook. And stop hitting the snooze button the next morning—fragmented sleeping just makes you groggier.
REMEMBER THE RETINOL
Retinol rules—it's "the only thing that's been proven to reduce fine lines over the long-term," Brandt says. But like even the best long-term relationships, it isn't 100 percent perfect. It can increase sun sensitivity (that's why it's best applied at night) and it makes some women peel, flake, redden, and itch. New York City dermatologist Howard Sobel advises taking things slow: Dab it on every other night, or dilute it with plain moisturizer, until you know your skin can handle it. (Try Dermadoctor Poetry in Lotion 1.0 or RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream.)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Hidden secrets of weight gain
Some people ask why they do not lose weight when they are religiously following "diet". Some said that they also carried out. Well, there are several things that cause lack of weight in the diet. They include:
1. You actually eat more calories than you think.
2. You have the right calories, but food or drinking products that slow down or even stop your weight loss.
3. Did you not enough for weight loss.
4. You reduce your Neat (without the implementation of Thermogenesis), not realizing that this did not happen.
5. You are decreasing your body's energy boost from the decline of hormones, or anemia.
6. Your lack of sleep or poor quality sleep, is the intervention in your weight loss.
7. You were in the same exercise routine for too long.
8. Your subconscious does not want you to lose weight, and draws attention to itself.
9. You are taking drugs that block your weight to stop your weight at all.
10. Some, such as a significant other, to sabotage your diet in calories.
11. You polycystic ovary syndrome.
12. You're a dreamer night, and you do not understand it at the conscious level.
13. You also from Monday to Friday, but when the weekend comes your diet disappears.
1. You actually eat more calories than you think.
2. You have the right calories, but food or drinking products that slow down or even stop your weight loss.
3. Did you not enough for weight loss.
4. You reduce your Neat (without the implementation of Thermogenesis), not realizing that this did not happen.
5. You are decreasing your body's energy boost from the decline of hormones, or anemia.
6. Your lack of sleep or poor quality sleep, is the intervention in your weight loss.
7. You were in the same exercise routine for too long.
8. Your subconscious does not want you to lose weight, and draws attention to itself.
9. You are taking drugs that block your weight to stop your weight at all.
10. Some, such as a significant other, to sabotage your diet in calories.
11. You polycystic ovary syndrome.
12. You're a dreamer night, and you do not understand it at the conscious level.
13. You also from Monday to Friday, but when the weekend comes your diet disappears.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Why does my sweat smell like cheese?
Question: In the last three months, my husband started sweating profusely when he was asleep. His sweat has a strong cheesy smell, and I can no longer tolerate it. His health is perfect. It is in his fifties. I am afraid this may be a sign of something serious. What would it be?
Answer: night sweats are very common and most often the cause is not serious. As cheesy smell as it is not unusual. Some Swiss researchers have studied, in fact, smell the sweat of men and women. Sweaty men tend to like the smell of cheese, while women sweaty smell like onions and grapefruit.
When a patient comes to me with a new night sweats, I will begin with a question about the temperature in the bedroom, and the number and type of blankets. Assuming that this is not an issue, I would next like to know if your spouse has a fever during the day, and if he loses weight, does not try. If he had not yet tested his temperature several times a couple of days, it should be.
If he has fever or weight loss, the cause may be serious. It could be an infection, it is not infectious inflammatory disorder, or cancer.
If he feels good during the day, and no fever or weight loss, the major cause is less likely. But some important opportunities to be considered:
Sleep apnea, especially if he snores is sleepy during the daytime, or both
Anxiety
A side effect of the drug. It should consider any medicines, herbs, or supplements he takes with the pharmacist
Low blood sugar (although this is unlikely if he has diabetes)
In overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Usually there will be additional symptoms such as weight loss despite good appetite, rapid heartbeat, sweating during the day, and feeling nervous.
Other rare hormonal disorders
He should see a health care to discuss it at night sweating. At the same time, there are some things he may try to reduce sweats:
Store in a cool bedroom and open the window
Avoid spicy food, especially at night
Avoid alcohol for a while
Come on, towel off and change the bed sheets, and immediately as necessary
Quite often, no specific causes for night sweats found. In these cases, sweats, usually leave on their own.
Answer: night sweats are very common and most often the cause is not serious. As cheesy smell as it is not unusual. Some Swiss researchers have studied, in fact, smell the sweat of men and women. Sweaty men tend to like the smell of cheese, while women sweaty smell like onions and grapefruit.
When a patient comes to me with a new night sweats, I will begin with a question about the temperature in the bedroom, and the number and type of blankets. Assuming that this is not an issue, I would next like to know if your spouse has a fever during the day, and if he loses weight, does not try. If he had not yet tested his temperature several times a couple of days, it should be.
If he has fever or weight loss, the cause may be serious. It could be an infection, it is not infectious inflammatory disorder, or cancer.
If he feels good during the day, and no fever or weight loss, the major cause is less likely. But some important opportunities to be considered:
Sleep apnea, especially if he snores is sleepy during the daytime, or both
Anxiety
A side effect of the drug. It should consider any medicines, herbs, or supplements he takes with the pharmacist
Low blood sugar (although this is unlikely if he has diabetes)
In overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Usually there will be additional symptoms such as weight loss despite good appetite, rapid heartbeat, sweating during the day, and feeling nervous.
Other rare hormonal disorders
He should see a health care to discuss it at night sweating. At the same time, there are some things he may try to reduce sweats:
Store in a cool bedroom and open the window
Avoid spicy food, especially at night
Avoid alcohol for a while
Come on, towel off and change the bed sheets, and immediately as necessary
Quite often, no specific causes for night sweats found. In these cases, sweats, usually leave on their own.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Stop pain in its tracks with these remedies [5]
Low-back pain
Understand it: "The most common problem is muscle strain," says Dr. Matava. "The muscles are stretched and microscopic tears occur in those fibers, which release chemicals that activate nerve endings throughout the area."
Stop it: Take ibuprofen and heat the area for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day. But don't shut things down completely. "Bed rest leads to stiffness and decreased flexibility, both of which only increase pain," says Dr. Smith. Dial down your activity a bit, and then dial it back up as the pain begins to ease.
Still hurts? If dialing down your activity level doesn't work, the next steps might include physical therapy, deep-tissue injection, or even surgery. So see your doctor.
Prevent it: Stretch your hamstrings once your body is already warmed up, not before. "When the hamstrings are tight, they can pull on the small postural muscles of the low back, causing pain," says Perry Fine, M.D., a professor of anesthesiology at University of Utah school of medicine.
Pain lets you know that health trouble has arrived. But sometimes pain won't go away after delivering the message. Consider the case of Dave Brown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who develops GPS systems for fire departments. He's 27, but when he rolls out of bed he feels like he should be AARP-eligible next June. "My pain is nearly constant," says Brown, who attributes his achy back and neck to 14 years of soccer. "I deal with it, but it makes me less productive." At night he usually winds up on the couch, too drained to move.
"When pain is no longer useful, it becomes detrimental to the body," says Carol A. Warfield, M.D., a professor of anesthesia at Harvard medical school. "It can affect everything from mood to quality of life." But with these tips from top medical experts, you can learn to control pain, not be a slave to it.
Understand it: "The most common problem is muscle strain," says Dr. Matava. "The muscles are stretched and microscopic tears occur in those fibers, which release chemicals that activate nerve endings throughout the area."
Stop it: Take ibuprofen and heat the area for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day. But don't shut things down completely. "Bed rest leads to stiffness and decreased flexibility, both of which only increase pain," says Dr. Smith. Dial down your activity a bit, and then dial it back up as the pain begins to ease.
Still hurts? If dialing down your activity level doesn't work, the next steps might include physical therapy, deep-tissue injection, or even surgery. So see your doctor.
Prevent it: Stretch your hamstrings once your body is already warmed up, not before. "When the hamstrings are tight, they can pull on the small postural muscles of the low back, causing pain," says Perry Fine, M.D., a professor of anesthesiology at University of Utah school of medicine.
Pain lets you know that health trouble has arrived. But sometimes pain won't go away after delivering the message. Consider the case of Dave Brown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who develops GPS systems for fire departments. He's 27, but when he rolls out of bed he feels like he should be AARP-eligible next June. "My pain is nearly constant," says Brown, who attributes his achy back and neck to 14 years of soccer. "I deal with it, but it makes me less productive." At night he usually winds up on the couch, too drained to move.
"When pain is no longer useful, it becomes detrimental to the body," says Carol A. Warfield, M.D., a professor of anesthesia at Harvard medical school. "It can affect everything from mood to quality of life." But with these tips from top medical experts, you can learn to control pain, not be a slave to it.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Stop pain in its tracks with these remedies [4]
Tendinitis
Understand it: The thick cord that attaches muscle to bone becomes worn, irritated, or inflamed, causing pain or range-of-motion limitations at your shoulder, elbow, Achilles tendon, or knee. Blame repetitive use, like swinging a golf club or a tennis racket too often, or using incorrect technique, or both.
Stop it: Take a week off from the activity, during which time you can dull the pain with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as naproxen (e.g., Aleve). Dr. Matava also recommends icing the tendon for 15 to 20 minutes, two or three times a day, until the pain subsides.
Still hurts? See a physical therapist or certified athletic trainer, says Dr. Matava.
Prevent it: "Cross-training helps relieve stress on the muscles and tendons involved," says Dr. Matava, who encourages incorporating swimming, cycling, and weight training into your workout regimen along with regular tendon testers like running or tennis. Just be sure it doesn't involve the affected area.
Toothache
Understand it: Bacteria-filled plaque that settled on your teeth has been feasting away on sugars and other carbohydrates. The acidic by-products ate away at the tooth enamel; the resulting cavity allowed bacteria to invade the tissues and nerves inside, causing a painful infection.
Stop it: Take a few ibuprofen to help with the pain, and ask your dentist to call in an antibiotic before your appointment if you can't come in right away. "Although the antibiotic won't cure the toothache, it can reduce the infection in the gum and jaw around the tooth, easing pain," says Jerry Gordon, D.M.D, owner of the Dental Comfort Zone in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He recommends rinsing with warm salt water four to six times throughout the day to ease any swelling associated with the infected tooth.
Still hurts? "Once a toothache occurs, the only solution is a root canal or having the tooth pulled," says Dr. Gordon. Too late for a mere filling, your cavity has now reached the pulp inside the tooth.
Prevent it: Limit your intake of high-carbohydrate foods like candy and sugar-frosted cereal. "Every exposure to these foods allows an acid attack on the teeth for about 20 minutes," says Dr. Gordon. If you must drink soda or sugar-filled drinks, he says, sip through a straw to bypass your teeth. To rid your mouth of cavity-causing plaque, brush three times a day, floss, and consider using an oral irrigator, such as the Conair Interplak Dental Water Jet.
Understand it: The thick cord that attaches muscle to bone becomes worn, irritated, or inflamed, causing pain or range-of-motion limitations at your shoulder, elbow, Achilles tendon, or knee. Blame repetitive use, like swinging a golf club or a tennis racket too often, or using incorrect technique, or both.
Stop it: Take a week off from the activity, during which time you can dull the pain with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as naproxen (e.g., Aleve). Dr. Matava also recommends icing the tendon for 15 to 20 minutes, two or three times a day, until the pain subsides.
Still hurts? See a physical therapist or certified athletic trainer, says Dr. Matava.
Prevent it: "Cross-training helps relieve stress on the muscles and tendons involved," says Dr. Matava, who encourages incorporating swimming, cycling, and weight training into your workout regimen along with regular tendon testers like running or tennis. Just be sure it doesn't involve the affected area.
Toothache
Understand it: Bacteria-filled plaque that settled on your teeth has been feasting away on sugars and other carbohydrates. The acidic by-products ate away at the tooth enamel; the resulting cavity allowed bacteria to invade the tissues and nerves inside, causing a painful infection.
Stop it: Take a few ibuprofen to help with the pain, and ask your dentist to call in an antibiotic before your appointment if you can't come in right away. "Although the antibiotic won't cure the toothache, it can reduce the infection in the gum and jaw around the tooth, easing pain," says Jerry Gordon, D.M.D, owner of the Dental Comfort Zone in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He recommends rinsing with warm salt water four to six times throughout the day to ease any swelling associated with the infected tooth.
Still hurts? "Once a toothache occurs, the only solution is a root canal or having the tooth pulled," says Dr. Gordon. Too late for a mere filling, your cavity has now reached the pulp inside the tooth.
Prevent it: Limit your intake of high-carbohydrate foods like candy and sugar-frosted cereal. "Every exposure to these foods allows an acid attack on the teeth for about 20 minutes," says Dr. Gordon. If you must drink soda or sugar-filled drinks, he says, sip through a straw to bypass your teeth. To rid your mouth of cavity-causing plaque, brush three times a day, floss, and consider using an oral irrigator, such as the Conair Interplak Dental Water Jet.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stop pain in its tracks with these remedies [3]
Sunburn
Understand it: Ultraviolet rays inflame skin cells and irritate nerves. Reinforcements — bloodborne repair cells and nutrients — arrive on the scene. Skin temperature rises. Friends remind you of this crazy new invention called sunblock.
Stop it: To reduce inflammation, take a few ibuprofen and apply a cool, wet cloth. Next, slather yourself with skin cream. (We like Neutrogena Skin Aid; it contains glycerin, which is used in burn centers.) "Nerves that are exposed to the air hurt," says Adnan Nasir, M.D., an adjunct clinical assistant professor of dermatology at UNC Chapel Hill. "Covering them with a moist ointment can reduce the pain on contact." For extra cooling, pop the lotion into the freezer for 10 minutes or so before application.
Still hurts? Take 900 micrograms of vitamin A and 15 milligrams of vitamin E every day for 2 weeks after a toasting. "Sunburn creates cell-damaging molecules called free radicals," says Dr. Nasir. "Damaged cells increase inflammation, causing even more pain. These two vitamins help by scavenging free radicals."
Prevent it: Read the sun-exposure warnings on your Rx labels. "A whole range of medications, from antibiotics to blood-pressure medications, increase sensitivity to the sun," says Dr. Nasir.
Migraine headache
Understand it: Changes in brain chemicals activate neuropeptides that invade the brain's covering, resulting in increased bloodflow and inflammation. The result is a throbbing, pulsing headache that can last for hours or days.
Stop it: Try Excedrin Migraine for a mild to moderate migraine — it has caffeine, which will help your body absorb the pain-relieving ingredients faster. You, on the other hand, should slow down. "People with migraines have hyperexcitable brains, so they're more prone to headaches after experiencing stressors," says Steven M. Baskin, Ph.D., director of the New England Institute for Behavioral Medicine. Laying a pack of frozen peas across the back of your neck for 10 to 15 minutes can help, too.
Still hurts? If your condition is severe, talk to your doctor about migraine-specific drugs called triptans, which are very effective when taken in moderation, says Baskin.
Prevent it: Decipher your migraine triggers by downloading a headache diary at achenet.org/tools/diaries. Then add 600 milligrams of magnesium (gradually--too much at once can cause diarrhea) and 400 milligrams of riboflavin to your daily vitamin intake. Studies have linked low levels of magnesium to migraine attacks, and in one Neurology study, nearly 60 percent of people who took riboflavin daily for 3 months cut their migraine days by at least half.
Understand it: Ultraviolet rays inflame skin cells and irritate nerves. Reinforcements — bloodborne repair cells and nutrients — arrive on the scene. Skin temperature rises. Friends remind you of this crazy new invention called sunblock.
Stop it: To reduce inflammation, take a few ibuprofen and apply a cool, wet cloth. Next, slather yourself with skin cream. (We like Neutrogena Skin Aid; it contains glycerin, which is used in burn centers.) "Nerves that are exposed to the air hurt," says Adnan Nasir, M.D., an adjunct clinical assistant professor of dermatology at UNC Chapel Hill. "Covering them with a moist ointment can reduce the pain on contact." For extra cooling, pop the lotion into the freezer for 10 minutes or so before application.
Still hurts? Take 900 micrograms of vitamin A and 15 milligrams of vitamin E every day for 2 weeks after a toasting. "Sunburn creates cell-damaging molecules called free radicals," says Dr. Nasir. "Damaged cells increase inflammation, causing even more pain. These two vitamins help by scavenging free radicals."
Prevent it: Read the sun-exposure warnings on your Rx labels. "A whole range of medications, from antibiotics to blood-pressure medications, increase sensitivity to the sun," says Dr. Nasir.
Migraine headache
Understand it: Changes in brain chemicals activate neuropeptides that invade the brain's covering, resulting in increased bloodflow and inflammation. The result is a throbbing, pulsing headache that can last for hours or days.
Stop it: Try Excedrin Migraine for a mild to moderate migraine — it has caffeine, which will help your body absorb the pain-relieving ingredients faster. You, on the other hand, should slow down. "People with migraines have hyperexcitable brains, so they're more prone to headaches after experiencing stressors," says Steven M. Baskin, Ph.D., director of the New England Institute for Behavioral Medicine. Laying a pack of frozen peas across the back of your neck for 10 to 15 minutes can help, too.
Still hurts? If your condition is severe, talk to your doctor about migraine-specific drugs called triptans, which are very effective when taken in moderation, says Baskin.
Prevent it: Decipher your migraine triggers by downloading a headache diary at achenet.org/tools/diaries. Then add 600 milligrams of magnesium (gradually--too much at once can cause diarrhea) and 400 milligrams of riboflavin to your daily vitamin intake. Studies have linked low levels of magnesium to migraine attacks, and in one Neurology study, nearly 60 percent of people who took riboflavin daily for 3 months cut their migraine days by at least half.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Stop pain in its tracks with these remedies [2]
Heartburn
Understand it: Stomach acid spills into your esophagus, burning like a forest fire.
Stop it: Reach for an over-the-counter acid blocker such as Pepcid AC or Zantac 75, or chew sugarless gum. A study in the Journal of Dental Research found that chewing gum for 30 minutes after a high-fat meal lessens acid reflux by generating enough saliva to make you swallow more and push acid back down.
Still hurts? You might have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. See a doctor; GERD can lead to esophageal cancer.
Prevent it: Make stomach acid work against gravity at night by placing 2-inch blocks under the legs at the head of your bed, says Ted Epperly, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Also, if you're a smoker, here's one more reason to quit. "Nicotine relaxes the LES valve, the muscle at the end of the esophagus, which usually opens only to allow food to pass into the stomach," says Dr. Smith. "Once it's loosened, acid can shoot back into the esophagus."
Hemorrhoids
Understand them: The veins in or around your anus are swollen and irritated.
Stop them: Apply a hemorrhoid-shrinking nonprescription ointment (such as Preparation H) in the morning, at night, and after each bowel movement. And soak the offending area in a tub filled with several inches of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day. This can help decrease the painful swelling, Dr. Smith says.
Still hurts? If the pain persists after 2 weeks, you may require surgery.
Prevent them: Consume at least 25 grams of fiber and slug back no fewer than eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Understand it: A nerve running from your forearm to your wrist is squeezed or inflamed within the narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand.
Stop it: Hit the mat. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a twice-weekly yoga regimen practiced for 8 weeks eased symptoms and improved grip strength. You can also wear a wrist splint at night or while typing or driving. "It keeps your wrist neutral, which prevents further compression and irritation of the nerve," says Tanya J. Lehky, M.D., director of the Clinical EMG Lab at the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Still hurts? Ask your doctor for a referral to a hand surgeon, who can either inject corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel to reduce swelling and inflammation, or perform surgery to correct the problem.
Prevent it: "Set your keyboard at a height that allows your hand to work in a straight or neutral position," says Dr. Lehky. "Bending your wrist too far forward or backward pressures the nerve."
Understand it: Stomach acid spills into your esophagus, burning like a forest fire.
Stop it: Reach for an over-the-counter acid blocker such as Pepcid AC or Zantac 75, or chew sugarless gum. A study in the Journal of Dental Research found that chewing gum for 30 minutes after a high-fat meal lessens acid reflux by generating enough saliva to make you swallow more and push acid back down.
Still hurts? You might have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. See a doctor; GERD can lead to esophageal cancer.
Prevent it: Make stomach acid work against gravity at night by placing 2-inch blocks under the legs at the head of your bed, says Ted Epperly, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Also, if you're a smoker, here's one more reason to quit. "Nicotine relaxes the LES valve, the muscle at the end of the esophagus, which usually opens only to allow food to pass into the stomach," says Dr. Smith. "Once it's loosened, acid can shoot back into the esophagus."
Hemorrhoids
Understand them: The veins in or around your anus are swollen and irritated.
Stop them: Apply a hemorrhoid-shrinking nonprescription ointment (such as Preparation H) in the morning, at night, and after each bowel movement. And soak the offending area in a tub filled with several inches of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day. This can help decrease the painful swelling, Dr. Smith says.
Still hurts? If the pain persists after 2 weeks, you may require surgery.
Prevent them: Consume at least 25 grams of fiber and slug back no fewer than eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Understand it: A nerve running from your forearm to your wrist is squeezed or inflamed within the narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand.
Stop it: Hit the mat. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a twice-weekly yoga regimen practiced for 8 weeks eased symptoms and improved grip strength. You can also wear a wrist splint at night or while typing or driving. "It keeps your wrist neutral, which prevents further compression and irritation of the nerve," says Tanya J. Lehky, M.D., director of the Clinical EMG Lab at the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Still hurts? Ask your doctor for a referral to a hand surgeon, who can either inject corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel to reduce swelling and inflammation, or perform surgery to correct the problem.
Prevent it: "Set your keyboard at a height that allows your hand to work in a straight or neutral position," says Dr. Lehky. "Bending your wrist too far forward or backward pressures the nerve."
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