Acne Blemish Treatment

If you are surrounded by people who have flawless skin, but yours is acne ridden, it can be very tormenting. Have you realized that the worst however, is to find an acne blemish treatment, which works for you? There are a number of acne skin care products available in the market, but it is difficult to choose the right one. These products are no doubt very expensive as well.

Best Treatment to Get Rid of Acne Blemishes

When undergoing treatment for acne blemish, there are four steps which are undertaken. These steps are:

1. The first of the four steps is to control the irritation and swelling of the skin.
2. Acne outbreaks can be due to hormonal surges, therefore, it is important to regulate hormone levels.
3. The third step is to slow the rate at which the dead skin cells in the pores are shed.
4. The last step might seem the most important, but the first three are important to keep acne at bay for a longer period along with the fourth step. After all the required measures have been taken, it's time to attack the bacteria and fungus, which is responsible for the redness and swelling of the blemishes.

The best acne treatments are those which help in disinfecting and restoring the natural pH balance of the skin. Often antibiotics for acne treatment are prescribed along with some over the counter skin creams. Some people have given a thumbs up to skin cream containing benzoyl peroxide to treat acne blemishes. It is also advisable to increase the intake of Vitamin A to cure acne blemishes.

There is no over-the-counter medicine or skin cream, which will suit every one. Hence, you can try one medicine and check if it works well for you. If it does not then you will have to try another one. Before you switch to the next medicine, you should be sure that you have given enough time for the medicine to work on your skin. There are chances that because you might have a severe acne problem, it might take a little longer for the product to work on your skin. However, if you have been using the products for weeks on end without any result, then it is most certainly time for you to change over to another product. Often it is seen that people buy a product to treat acne blemishes, but do not use it, or use it barely a couple of times. If you are not going to use it consistently, then there is no point spending money on these acne scar treatment products.

There are many products available, which come in series. It simply means for different conditions you will have to use a different solution out of the series. If the acne is just showing up, one type of cream is recommended while another form of cream is applicable if the acne has burst out. In simple terms, it's the same as using a shampoo and conditioner of the same brand however, made for a particular hair type only. For example if you use shampoo for dry hair, you use conditioner for dry hair only, you do not use conditioner for oily hair.

There is also acne blemish laser treatment which can also be used to get rid of acne blemishes. It is claimed that laser surgery for acne blemishes has outstanding results. The acne scar laser treatment is painless and effective, but the cost that you will have to shell out for this treatment is exorbitant. There are different kinds of lasers which are used in this treatment. They are erbium lasers, carbon dioxide lasers and non-ablative lasers. There are some side-effects of this laser treatment for acne scars. Some of the side-effects are skin discoloration, skin crusting, swelling in the treated area and high levels of pigmentation.

There are many options which are available for acne blemish treatments. You will have to find out which of the treatments suits your condition better. If you want to get rid of the blemishes faster and are willing to spend money, you can also try acne blemish laser treatments.

Acne Medication List

Acne, a common skin problem in teens, leads to development of pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. Hormonal imbalance and over production of sebum (oil), that blocks the skin pores, are some of the common causes of acne. People with acne should be aware of various treatment methods that are available to cure this skin disorder.

Topical Creams
Topical creams that are specially formulated for acne is the best treatment when the skin problem is not severe. For mild to moderate acne, topical creams containing 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide is usually recommended. If no improvement is seen, acne skin care products that have higher concentration of benzoyl peroxide may be prescribed. Acne medication list also includes topical products that contain salicylic acid. Basically, these products are exfoliants that stimulate growth of new skin cells. Acne creams that have salicylic acid in the range 0.5-2%, are usually applied on the affected area for clearing acne fast

Antibiotics
People with minor to moderate acne are not required to take any antibiotics as use of over the counter topical creams is enough to cure acne. Topical antibiotics available in the form of creams are effective to treat blackheads and whiteheads associated with acne. Erythromycin and clindamycin are the prescribed topical antibiotics that work to kill the bacteria causing acne.

Oral Contraceptives
Birth control pills, have also proven to be a good remedy for acne. Most importantly, oral contraceptive pills have received FDA approval to treat acne. When hormonal imbalance is the reason behind acne, then taking birth control pills can be an option. These pills contain hormones like estrogen and progestin that help to restore normal hormone balance, which in turn reduces acne. However, using oral contraceptives alone is not a recommended strategy to treat acne. One should always use these pills along with other treatment options for clearing up acne.

Isotretinoin
Also known as Accutane, this oral medication is given to people suffering from severe form of acne (cystic acne). When over the counter acne products and antibiotics fail to heal acne, isotretinoin is used. This medication is synthetically prepared from vitamin A and is a popular remedy for severe acne.

Surgery
This is the last treatment option to get rid of acne. In this procedure, incision is made using a sterilized needle to open up the pimples, thereby allowing to drain the pus (bacterial infection). This method has to be done by a professional dermatologist. Nowadays cortisone injections are administered in the affected area to drain the pus and reduce the inflammation.

Diet For Acne

People suffering from acne need to keep a close eye on their diet. There are foods, consumption of which can actually aggravate this skin problem. Exclusion of these foods from the diet is necessary to speed up healing of acne. Being a skin disorder, acne responds quite well to foods that promote a healthy skin. On the whole, people diagnosed with acne should stop eating fried foods as they worsen acne. Be it junk food or fast food, they only make matters worse and in no way help to clear acne. So, what should one eat in a regular diet to tackle acne diet? A list of foods that help treat acne can be really long, hence some of the foods are given below:

Vegetables
Food cooked from fresh vegetables is a pre-requisite to cure acne. Eating the right vegetables everyday can be useful to reduce acne. Vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, celery, radishes, carrots, broccoli and tomatoes are high in vitamins and antioxidants, hence their inclusion in the diet will surely assist to improve acne. A salad of the aforementioned vegetables too can contribute to reduce acne. So make sure to have ample servings of fresh vegetable salad during lunch or dinner.

Fruits
Intake of fruits ensure a healthy bowel movement, which is essential to cure acne. Fruits that can help to reduce acne are given below:

• Grapes
• Apples
• Oranges
• Avocado
• Grapefruit

Water
Even if patients follow their acne treatment religiously, with insufficient water intake, the skin disorder won't get cured for sure. Increasing water consumption is necessary as it helps to flush off the toxins and the bacteria responsible for causing acne. So ensure that in a day, water is consumed in ample amounts (7-8 glasses). Also, beverages like coffee and tea can worsen acne. Therefore, it would be beneficial to minimize intake of these popular beverages.

Caution

Although fruits help to treat acne, one cannot forget that they can be high in sugar. So limiting fruit intake is essential to prevent acne from worsening. It is observed that eating high sugar foods such as pastries and cakes promote growth of acne causing bacteria. Also, as long as acne does not go away, one should stay away from milk products, fish, meat and eggs.

On the whole, acne medication list is long, but in most cases over the counter creams and antibiotics work to cure acne. This skin disorder can be worrisome if a healthy diet for acne is not followed. So, eating the right food and having plenty of water coupled with intake of prescription medicines is the key to overcome acne.

Acne Medication Side Effects

Acne is a blight, which can mar the face of any man or woman. Though, everyone at one point of time suffers from pimples, there are many unfortunate ones who are not able to get rid of these nasty blots from their face. Acne is caused by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes which clogs the pore of the skin causing inflammation and pus formation. Those who have higher level of testosterone or androgen in their body are more prone to have acne, as it increases the sebum secretion in the body, which congests the pores. Numerous medications are available in the market to treat the acne and ward off pimples. Some of them are applied directly on the affected area of the skin, i.e., topical medications, and others are taken in the form of pills or oral medications. Some may take years for the complete treatment of acne. Prolong use of any medication can have an adverse effect on the body, so is the case with medications for acne. Most of the side effects of anti-acne creams are temporary, and get reduced with discontinuation of the medication. But there are fallouts which can do permanent damage to your body.

Adverse Effects of Topical Acne Medicine

Many antibiotics can be bought from the market in the form of creams, gels or lotions and even ointments. Common antibiotics for acne treatment are benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, clindamycin, erythromycin, Metronidazole and many more. Topical antibiotics act on the skin to kill the bacteria and reduce the inflammation. As it is applied locally, it can lead to many skin related complications like:

• Irritation of the skin, swelling and flaking of skin
• Redness and peeling
• Dry and chapped skin
• Darkening of the skin on exposure to sun
• Burning on the medicated area etc.

These side effects might be temporary, but there can be serious complications too, which may develop due to prolong usage of medicines.

• Intestinal problems can occur as the body becomes prone to bacteria called Clostridium difficile, which disrupts the intestinal functions in the body.
• Accumulation of toxins can occur in the body.
• An antibiotic called tetracycline causes dental problems like yellow teeth and discoloration of skin.
• Most antibiotics are known to cause vaginal yeast infection.
• Antibiotics during pregnancy should be avoided, as it might lead to birth defects, etc.
• Such creams should not be applied on the mucous membrane and its nearby areas.

Adverse Effects of Acne Pills

Oral medications for pimples and acne are often used by women and men, but it might be too perilous to use in spite of its effectiveness. The above mentioned antibiotics are prescribed by the doctors in the form of pills. Other than that, isotretinoin is another medicine administered for severe acne. Though isotretinoin is considered as one of the best acne treatments, it might not be the case, as it might pose the risk of side effects like depression, suicidal tendencies, liver and kidney damage and birth defects, if taken during pregnancy. Estrogen is also used to treat hormonal disorder causing acne. Nausea and tenderness in the breast are a few side effects of this treatment. The common side effects of acne medicines when taken orally are:

• Hair falling
• Nausea and dizziness
• Decreased sexual activity
• Depression like symptoms
• Weight problems
• Cramped legs
• Irregularity in menstrual cycles
• Risk of heart diseases
• Tendency of blood clotting
• Pigmentation of the skin

Anti-acne drugs are effective, yet have a downside to it as well. It should be used cautiously and only under the guidance of a dermatologist or a doctor. The side-effects of these medicines can lead to serious damages, if taken without prescription and knowledge. Therefore, consult your doctor in case you see any of the above mentioned symptoms. Inform your doctors about your overall health including pregnancy, and if you are on some other medication too. Following the advise of your doctor can lead to an acne-free life for you.

Rhabdomyolysis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Rhabdomyolysis is a disorder that involves rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle, due to an injury. As a result the components of the skeletal muscle cells are released into the blood stream. These may include phosphate, potassium and myoglobin. The protein myoglobin is found in the urine. However, destruction of skeletal muscle can increase the myoglobin levels in the urine which can damage the kidneys. The skeletal muscle is a type of muscle in our body, and is made up of muscle fibers. It helps to move the skeleton at joints. The muscles of arms and legs contain skeletal muscle cells.

The kidneys, perform the functions of filtering the blood. But as the blood is overloaded with the byproducts (myoglobin, potassium) of skeletal muscle breakdown, the kidneys may find it extremely difficult to perform its daily task. This can result to kidney failure.

Symptoms

People having rhabdomyolysis often experience pain, swelling and weakness in their arms, legs or lower back. Other symptoms associated with this disease are as follows:

• Dark-colored urine (abnormal urine color); blood is found in the urine
• Muscle tenderness; Bruising of muscles
• Joint pain
• Fast heartbeats
• Nausea
• Unintentional weight gain
• Seizures
• Fatigue

Over time, rhabdomyolysis can harm the lungs, leading to breathing problems. Swollen hands and feet is pointing towards fluid retention, which may be due to kidney failure.

Causes

Rhabdomyolysis occurs with muscle injury. There are a number of factors responsible for causing injury to muscles. Metabolic syndrome such as ketoacidosis that are marked by excessive production of ketone bodies can also induce damage to the skeletal muscles. Other causes are given below:

Exercise: Severe exercise or following a rigorous exercise program, can disintegrate the skeletal muscle. Extreme muscle activity may injure the muscles. A prolong strenuous exercise such as running in marathons can be harmful to the skeletal muscles.

Diseases: Medical conditions such as severe asthma, seizures, severe hyperthyroidism or too much diarrhea or vomiting can lead to rhabdomyolysis.

Trauma: Trauma such as a car accident, lightning strike or an electric shock can result into rhabdomyolysis.

Alcoholism: Consuming alcohol increases the urinary rate and dehydrates the body, in turn making the muscles weak. Moreover, it hinders protein production, crucial for muscle growth. If this was not enough, drinking alcohol can also impair synthesis of testosterone, a hormone that assists in building muscles. Thus, binge drinking on a daily basis is likely to severely damage the skeletal muscles and may even destroy the muscle mass. No wonder, alcoholics face an increased risk of suffering from rhabdomyolysis.

Seizures: As we all know, seizures are characterized by repetitive movement of skeletal muscles. In most cases, the duration of seizures vary from a few seconds to a minute or two. However, if seizure activity continues for prolonged periods of time (more than 5 minutes), it can induce breakdown of skeletal muscles, eventually leading to rhabdomyolysis.

Heatstroke: Doing a physically taxing job for a considerable amount of time in the hot sun increases the body temperature above 104 degree Fahrenheit, a condition commonly referred to as heatstroke. Initially, a person affected with heatstroke experiences muscle cramps and headache but with no treatment and continued exposure to the sun the skeletal muscle fiber may rupture, causing rhabdomyolysis

Medicines: Statins given to high cholesterol patients, may damage the muscles. Statin medications often cause muscle aching. Overdose of diuretics (water pills) or aspirin is harmful, as it causes an electrolyte imbalance. Anti-cholesterol medicines, antidepressants or illegal drugs such as opiates, ecstasy and amphetamines may damage the muscles. Scientists believe that certain cholesterol lowering drugs such as crestor, clofibrate and gemfibrozil, may cause rhabdomyolysis. Crestor has also been linked to renal failure.

Treatment

Once the doctor diagnose the condition, rapid treatment is a must to get a positive outcome. An easy way to prevent life-threatening complications from skeletal muscle disintegration, is to practice generous hydration as early as possible.

Patients are treated with intravenous hydration, where fluids are administered directly into the blood vessels via a catheter (tube). This reduces the harmful side effects of myoglobin. The increase in the amount of fluids due to intravenous hydration, helps the kidneys to get rid of myoglobin.

Blood Transfusion: In this procedure, the patient is given fresh blood via an intravenous line. Blood transfusion is done to replace the blood containing high amount of myoglobin and other substances with healthy blood.

Dialysis: This is a technique in which toxic substances are removed from the blood. This method is used only when the kidneys are not able to do their task of cleaning the blood. The dialysis machine is used to filter the blood. Dialysis may be required for a short period or for the rest of the life depending upon the severity of the condition.

Surgery: Surgical procedure involves cutting the tissues that cover the muscles. This reduces the pressures on the nerves and blood vessels caused by the inflammation of the injured muscle.

Proper hydration is essential after conditions that involves injury to the skeletal muscle. Also, after a strenuous exercise, one must not forget to consume plenty of fluids. This is necessary to dilute the urine, and eliminate the myoglobin protein out of the kidneys. With prompt treatment, severe complications can definitely be avoided, thereby increasing the chances of complete recovery.

Gifts for Pregnant Friend

So much excitement! Your friend is pregnant! She told you this morning and since then, all you've been wondering is how awesome will it be with a baby around. The cute little fingers and toes and the baby smell and the baby dresses and the...you can hardly wait for it to get here. But until then, you'll settle for watching your friend go through the pregnancy motions. And being by her side through all that, of course. But before that, a baby shower has to be thrown and you need some gifts for her. Really, really awesome gifts, mind you. Scratching your head and nothing seems to make way, does it? Mind if we fill you in on some of the best gifts that you can give your friend? No? Then that's what we shall be doing in this following section and you can get some of the best ideas that there are to get.

Fun Gifts for Pregnant Friend

Maybe you don't need to stick with the same old gift strategies and ideas that have been used for ages. Maybe you can foray into some of the more unique and fun ideas out there? Sounds good? Sure it does. Let's get you a mix of some of the best that there are in the market for gifts for pregnant moms.

Spas for Hours
That sore back. Those tired feet. That aching neck and more. Take all the pain away by gifting her a day at the spa. You can't even imagine the amount of relief she'll feel with that one. A little pampering will not only help her relax and de-stress, but will also help her to feel good about herself and given the state that she's in, that is something to say. But make sure that you confirm with her doctor whether she can go in for a gift and what precautions to take, if any. Some women can be allergic to the scents and oils used in the aromatherapy sessions.

Gift Baskets
Clich? Not at all! Not for her it isn't. Now you could go any which way with this one. It could be a gift basket with goodies for the baby to be or a gift basket that has something for the mommy. Baby clothes, lotions and powders, toys and more. And for her? Anything from pregnancy books, maternity gowns and more.

Pillows and Comfort Wear
So the normal clothes don't fit and everything seems to be so irritating for her. Help her out by easing her pain and discomfort. What you do is get her everything that will make the condition simpler to live in. What can you give her? Pregnancy pillows that help immensely. Soft billowy clothes that don't take a toll on her, soft slippers for when she is lounging at home and anything else that you can think of to make it all so nice for her. One of the best gifts for pregnant women it sure is.

Gift Certificates
Sometimes you just don't know what to get for her. Let the gift certificates come to your rescue, why not. See that way, you are giving her the choice to get exactly what she wants and enjoy it thus. Of course, the choice of the store or mall to give her a gift certificate from is your prerogative. You could go the tried and tested way and give her a gift certificate from a book store or a clothes store, and then you could go over the slightly untrodden path and give her a gift certificate from a lingerie store. Who says you can't be sexy when you're pregnant? Husbands, this is one of the gifts for a pregnant wife. Are you taking notes?

A Makeover
She's feeling all bloated and fat and not at all attractive. Maybe the pregnancy glow is not all that is enough. Let's get her off the funk and go get a makeover for her. Take her to a salon and let her get the latest styling and make up tips. Huge confidence booster and why wouldn't you want to do that for her?

Movie Marathon
Spend some time with her and just be there for her. Do a movie marathon with her. Get some muffins and gorge on them while you sit and have fun just like old times. She'll be glad to know that there are some things that don't have to change at all.

So then these are the gifts I was talking about. Pregnancy is something that she's feeling all awesome about anyway, but get her even more excited with these gifts! Go ahead, make her day.

How to Use Acupressure Points

In the ancient times, when medicine was only herbal and there were no sophisticated instruments, acupressure was a popularly practiced healing art in Asia. According to acupressure, there are particular healing points which are present all over our body, and when these points are activated with the help of hands or fingertips, they stimulate the body's natural power to cure itself. There are many health benefits of this therapy. It relieves pain in various parts of the body, gives a boost to the immune system, increases the blood circulation throughout the body and helps calm the mind and soul. From the paragraphs below, you will learn how to use acupressure points for all these purposes.

Acupressure Points

• When these points are activated, they provide relief from pain. These points are also known as "acupuncture points", but acupuncture is when, needles or pointed instruments are used to apply pressure other than fingertips.
• The first step to pain relief in this therapy is applying appropriate pressure to these points, so that they start their work immediately. Thus, you need to know, how to apply the pressure on the points perfectly.
• There are four main acupressure massaging techniques which are used to apply pressure on the healing points. The first one is; "firm pressure", where you use thumbs, palms, fingers, knuckles and the side of the hand to apply uniform and gradual pressure. You can also hold the point for several minutes without moving for relief, while applying pressure.
• The second one is the "slow motion kneading", where you use your thumb, fingers and heels of hand to squeeze the muscle like you are kneading the dough. When you do this, the stiff muscles are softened and the blood circulation starts healing the pain.
• Then comes the "brisk rubbing", wherein, you rub the skin with your palm, so that there is some friction that is created and blood circulation is improved. Swelling, numbness and chills are all reduced by this rubbing.
• The next type of application of pressure is through the "quick tapping", where you tap your fingertips on the exposed muscles of the face, back, neck or hands. These acupressure techniques improve the blood circulation and the functioning of the nerves.

Acupressure for Migraine Headaches

There are a number of points for headaches, depending on the type of headache you are suffering from. In case of migraines, the headaches that people suffer from are more severe and painful. At this time, the only pressure point known on the head is actually a line, which is drawn from the center of your ears to the top of your head.

When pressure is applied to this line, by the techniques mentioned above, in a continuous manner for a few minutes, you will receive instant relief from the migraine. Migraines also lead to nausea and dizziness, which too can be reduced with these acupressure techniques. These points are also used for various other abnormalities such as stress, spasms, stiff muscles and nerve disorders.

When you can use your own healing points to relieve your pain, why use harmful medicines that give rise to side effects on your health?

Hollow Viscus Injury

The thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity are the three body cavities that make up the ventral body cavity. Though the term 'viscus' refers to a large interior organ which is enclosed in any of these body cavities, this term is mainly used with reference to an organ located in the abdominal cavity. The abdomen refers to the space that lies between the chest and the pelvis. It houses a variety of organs that aid in breaking down the ingested food in a form that can be easily assimilated by the body. The organs that are enclosed within the abdomen include the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, spleen, small intestine and the large intestine. While some of the visceral organs present in the body cavities are solid, some of them are tube-like. The solid organs of the abdomen include the liver, spleen, pancreas and the kidneys. The tube-like organs of the abdominal cavity include the stomach, small intestine and the large intestine. Such a tube-like organ that is located in the abdomen is medically referred to as a 'hollow viscus'. In this article, we will look into the causes, symptoms and treatment of a hollow viscus injury.

Causes and Symptoms of Hollow Viscus Injuries

More often than not, hollow viscus injuries are caused as a result of penetrating trauma to the abdomen. If one is stabbed in the abdomen with a sharp knife or any pointy weapon, or suffers from a bullet wound in the abdomen, hollow visceral organs such as the stomach or intestines, may become perforated or may even rupture. In rare cases, one could even suffer from penetrating abdominal trauma during an abdominal surgery, owing to the negligence of the surgeon. People suffering from medical conditions such as gastric ulcers, appendicitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer, may also be highly susceptible to developing perforations in the hollow organs that make up the gastrointestinal tract. When any of the hollow visceral organs become perforated, there is a great likelihood of the contents of the organ to spill out into the abdominal cavity. This may give rise to a variety of distressing symptoms such as pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and bloody or tarry stools. If left untreated, one could even suffer from medical conditions such as peritonitis or sepsis. The symptoms that one may experience would depend on the extent of injury. In case of penetrating trauma that causes severe blood loss, the slightest delay in medical treatment could cause a life-threatening situation to arise.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hollow Viscus Injuries

Severe damage to the hollow visceral organs is more likely to be caused by penetrating abdominal trauma than by blunt trauma to the abdomen. Injury to these organs can arise if one suffers from blunt trauma during a motor vehicle collision or when one is physically assaulted. Unlike penetrating trauma, where the clinical signs of an injury are quite evident, the effects of injury may not always be very evident in case of blunt trauma. There is however, a greater risk if damage to these organs by blunt trauma, is not diagnosed soon. A delay in the diagnosis and treatment of a perforated viscus can certainly prove fatal. As mentioned earlier, trauma to any of the hollow organs, can give rise to spillage of the contents of the organ into the abdominal cavity. This may make one susceptible to a blood infection. The patient who has suffered from abdominal trauma must be rushed to a hospital immediately.

The treatment options would be suggested once the doctors have conducted certain diagnostic procedures such as an abdominal ultrasound, peritoneal lavage, or a CT scan so as to evaluate the condition of the patient. Surgery is a necessity in case of penetrating trauma, especially if the patient is losing a lot of blood. Doctors may choose to conduct an open surgery or a minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery. In case of gastrointestinal perforation, wherein the contents of the ruptured viscus have spilled out, the abdominal cavity would have to be cleaned and the perforation would have to be repaired. Antibiotics would also be administered so as to lower the risk of infection in the abdominal cavity. A person who has suffered from blunt abdominal trauma, must also consult a doctor soon. A series of tests would need to be conducted for ascertaining whether one has suffered from damage to any of the hollow visceral organs.

Now that you have some idea about the serious repercussions of a hollow viscus injury, you would have understood the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, the consequences can be fatal. It is therefore, essential that medical assistance be sought immediately for anyone who has suffered from any type of abdominal trauma.

Dark Yellow Urine Causes

Urine is the liquid excretory product that contains water and water-soluble waste compounds, generated in the metabolic processes taking place within the living cells. The water-soluble waste material found in urine are mainly nitrogenous products like urea, uric acid, and creatinine. Some hormones, enzymes, and mineral salts can also be found in the urine. Urine is basically a transparent, colorless or pale yellow colored liquid, and is slightly acidic in nature. It's color may fluctuate a little from time to time, and mostly is not a cause for worry.

The characteristic straw or pale yellow color of urine is imparted by the pigment - urochrome. Any change in the color of the urine from pale yellow to dark yellow can be caused due to several factors. We will now have a look at the various causes and related symptoms for this condition.

Causes of Dark Yellow Urine
The color of urine can sometimes serve as an important health indicator. Changes in urine color can be caused by several conditions, ranging from inadequate fluid intake and consumption of some particular foods, to certain serious diseases.

Dehydration
Urine that is dark yellow in color is often a sign that one is dehydrated, or not drinking enough water. This can also happen when an individual sweats a lot, and does not replenish the lost water. Other important factors that can lead to dehydration are excessive vomiting and diarrhea. Due to dehydration, the urine becomes concentrated with nitrogenous waste material, and transforms from a colorless liquid to a dark yellow colored one. A high concentration of nitrogenous waste can give urine a peculiar odor, along with changing its color.

Medications and Supplements
Taking vitamin B-complex supplements can give the urine a dark or bright yellow color. B-complex vitamins are water-soluble vitamins, and hence, any excess amount that cannot be utilized by the body is excreted in the urine. Medications like quinine and quinine derivatives, rifampin, warfarin, nitrofurantoin, and sulfamethoxazole can impart a dark yellow or orange color to the urine too. One can also pass dark urine if he or she has recently used laxatives.

Consumption of Certain Foods
Another common reason behind temporary changes in urine color is the consumption of certain food items. For example, consumption of asparagus can make the urine dark yellow or greenish. Excessive consumption of foods rich in B vitamins, carotene and vitamin C, can also impart a bright to dark yellow color to the urine. On the other hand, consuming a large amount of beets can make the urine reddish-purple in color, while the consumption of blackberries and rhubarb can give it a red tinge.

Diseases and Disorders
Persistent yellow coloration of the urine can be caused by jaundice. Along with urine, jaundice can impart a yellow color to the skin and the sclera of the eyes as well. This change in color is brought about by the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, which is a waste produced during the breakdown of old red blood cells. Under normal circumstances, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood, where it is combined with bile. This entire process can get disrupted when an infection accelerates the rate at which the red blood cells are broken down, or when the liver itself gets damaged due to an infection or exposure to certain substances.

An obstruction in the bile duct system can also cause jaundice by impairing the movement of bile in the digestive system. Infections of the liver such as hepatitis A, B and C, glandular fever, and leptospirosis, as well as an overdose of paracetamol, liver cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, and liver cancer, can cause jaundice by damaging the liver. Diseases like malaria, sickle cell anemia, thalassaemia, Gilbert's syndrome, etc., can cause jaundice too. Conditions that can obstruct the movement of bile, and thereby cause jaundice include the formation of gallstones, pancreatitis, cholangitis, and cancer of the bile duct and pancreas.

Hemolytic anemia is another condition that can cause the urine to become dark brown or yellow in color. This condition is caused by the premature breakdown of the red blood cells, combined with the inability of the bone marrow cells to speed up their production to compensate this loss. This can result in a decrease of the number of red blood cells in the body. On the other hand, the increased breakdown of the red blood cells can raise the level of bilirubin in the blood, and cause jaundice.
Other Changes in Urine Coloration
Apart from a dark yellow color, the urine can turn orange, brown and greenish, due to several other underlying conditions.

• The urine may turn dark reddish-brown due to liver diseases like hepatitis and melanoma. It can be an indicator of copper poisoning as well.
• Smoky brown, and red or pink coloration of the urine can be caused by the consumption of foods like beet, fava beans, and blackberries.
• Blue or green urine can be associated with certain colors used in food and medicines such as methylene blue. Urinary tract infections and intake of medications like amitriptyline, indomethacin, and doxorubicin, can produce blue- or green-colored urine too.
• Blue urine can be a symptom of a bacterial infection and 'familial hypercalcemia', which is an inherited condition.
• Muddy/cloudy and murky urine, along with a bad smell, typically indicates a urinary tract infection.
• Red or pink urine may indicate the presence of blood in the urine, which commonly occurs due to an infection caused by kidney stones.

Associated Symptoms
Dark yellow urine may not be accompanied by any other symptom, if it is not caused by an underlying disease or disorder.

• If it is caused by an infection of the urinary tract, one can smell a strong and offensive odor.
• One may experience the tendency to urinate frequently, and a burning sensation while urinating.
• An infection can also produce fever and abdominal pain in some individuals.

Before coming to any conclusion regarding the changes in urine color, it is very important to pay attention to the food that has been consumed recently, as well as the amount of fluid intake. This is because, temporary abnormal coloration of urine is commonly caused by the consumption of certain foods, and dehydration. Water plays a key role in draining the impurities out of the body through the urine. But if your urine is dark yellow for a considerable period of time, and there is also a bad odor, then be sure to seek medical attention.

A physician would carry out a proper study about the symptoms, and the medical history of the patient, to diagnose the condition. Several tests and examinations like a blood test, liver function test, examination of urine sample, urinalysis, as well as ultrasound of the kidneys and the urinary bladder, may be required to identify the specific dark yellow urine causes. The results of these diagnostic tests would, in turn, determine the course of treatment.

Disclaimer:This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Vomiting and Diarrhea in Children

When a child passes watery stool for 3 or more number of times in one given day and is accompanied by vomiting, then it becomes a matter of concern for the parents. Vomiting and diarrhea is not a serious issue if it lasts for one or two days. However, if it continues beyond that, then there is a chance of dehydration which can be life-threatening. Basically, vomiting or diarrhea is not a disease in itself. Both of them are symptoms of a number of illnesses that can affect small children. It occurs when the body tries to eliminate some unwanted stuff.

Causes

The most commonly found causes behind vomiting and diarrhea in children is an infection in gastrointestinal tract which triggered by virus. This is also known as gastroenteritis or stomach flu. This virus is highly infectious in nature and it spreads easily from an infected person to others through direct or indirect contact. Other symptoms of this viral infection are abdominal cramps, swollen abdomen, fever, headache and loss of appetite. When bacteria enters the gastrointestinal tract due to consumption of contaminated food or water and causes food poisoning, then also similar kind of symptoms are observed. Eating of wrong kind of foods like uncooked fish or meat or overconsumption of foods can be responsible for such type of stomach problems. Food allergies and food intolerance often causes child vomiting and diarrhea without fever.

Treatment

When your child is suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, you must take some quick simple measures at home. Firstly, do not give the child any solid food to eat for 3-4 hours. This will give the much-needed rest to the stomach. Confine the child in one room and ask them to take rest. Use a disinfectant in the bathroom after the child uses the toilet. Thus you can prevent spread of harmful germs to other members of the family.

The most vital step is to replenish the lost fluids and keep the body hydrated. Oral rehydration solution or ORS is highly beneficial for treating stomach problems in children. It can be safely given to babies and even breastfeeding infants. You can get it from local drug stores and grocery stores. Mix the powder in some water and let your child take it in small sips after frequent interval of time. It contains right amount of sugar, salt, potassium and other valuable nutrient which are essential to keep the child nourished and hydrated. In absence of ORS, you can 8 teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of salt in 4 cups of water and give it to the child as an alternative.

When there is excessive diarrhea, then you must be extra careful and check out for signs of dehydration. Excessive thirst, dry mouth, low or no urine output, no tears while crying are some of the key symptoms of dehydration in children. In such cases, the child should be hospitalized and intravenous fluids are administered for rehydration. Usually, small children do not require any medicines to stop diarrhea. However, chronic vomiting and diarrhea need some medicinal treatment.

As the vomiting and diarrhea subsides, you can increase the quantity of fluid. Now, you can give other clear fluids like plain water, clear soup, apple juice, etc. For the next few days, bland foods are recommended. It includes banana, rice, applesauce and toast. No fatty foods or dairy products for now as they tend to irritate the stomach and induce diarrhea and vomiting all over again.

Vomiting and diarrhea in children tend to make them extremely weak. So, their body must get sufficient rest in order to recover from it. It should be followed by a nutrient rich diet that can improve their digestive health and prevent recurrence of diarrhea and vomiting.

18th Birthday Gifts for Girls

"From birth to age eighteen, a girl needs good parents. From eighteen to thirty-five, she needs good looks. From thirty-five to fifty-five, she needs a good personality. From fifty-five on, she needs good cash." Sophie Tucker

A girl's life is filled with so many roles and stages! When a girl turns 18, she's no more a girl, she is a young woman, ready to step into the real and grown up world, face challenges, explore her inner self, moving forward in the path of what she wishes to be, both in her career and as a person. Considering that she is in such an important yet transitional phase on her 18th birthday, below are some interesting gift ideas that can make her birthday as special as she wished it to be.

List of Some Good 18th Birthday Gifts for Girls

As Sophie Tucker says in the above quote, till 18 a girl needs good parents and then she needs good looks... :)! 18 is the age to experiment and try all the possible beauty and fashion trends. After all, it's experimenting that will help you realize your actual preferences and things that you can call,"Your kinda things"! Just go through the list below and read through the amazing gifts for girls on their 18th birthday!

Re-decorate Her Room: Well, this is something that can be done by parents for their 18-year-old birthday girl! As she is stepping into adulthood, a good makeover of her room in such a way that it reflects her personality and her aspirations, would be a good gift on her birthday! In fact, if you don't get to spend much time with your girl, then this a good way to spend some time with her by discussing what and how she would want the look of her new room to be. This will also give you an insight of how your little girl has grown up to be, her likes and dislikes, what are her aspirations..., in short, it will give you the opportunity to know and understand her in a better way! :)

Enhance Her Beauty: From 18 and beyond she needs good looks and an amazing personality! I believe every women in the world is beautiful! But personality is something that needs to be enhanced. She needs to let go of the teenage personality and groom herself to be a young woman. Gift her a session with her chosen beauty therapist. A spa and rejuvenation voucher would also help her feel like a queen. A voucher to her favorite hair salon would again be an excellent 18th birthday gift idea!

A New Ride...?: Well, if your budget allows you, why not! Gift your girl a brand new ride and let her drive it down with all her friends and enjoy the day with them! As I mentioned earlier, she is stepping out to an independent phase where she has to deal with situations and responsibilities herself! So, among the many possible options, gifting her a new car and giving her chance to explore her independence and freedom, would be worth a remembrance for her!

New Outfits and Accessories!: No matter how many new outfits she has, girls are never satisfied! The trends and fashion keep on changing and we girls like to keep up with it. Gifting her with new outfits and clothes on her 18th birthday becomes all the more special because of the phase she is in right now. Most of the 18-year-old girls pass out of school, may be get a job but at the same time! Her life has the essence of both adulthood along with a pinch of the teenage fun! Go out shopping with her and let her choose her own choice of formal wears, dresses, outfits, handbags, jewelry (may be a ring for her belly piercing), footwear, perfumes..., anything that suits her personality! When will she get a chance to experiment... 40??

Let Her See The World: By this I mean travel or holiday gifts! If she loves traveling, you can gift her the tickets to her favorite holiday destination! Ask her if she wants to be accompanied by her friends or family and plan likewise. If you want her to be in the same place then you can get her vouchers for some of her favorite adventure trips, like a hot air balloon ride, river rafting, scuba diving, anything that you know she would love! :-)

Communication Gadgets: Communication is something which is very important to a girl. We girls just love to express ourselves! Although a little heavy on the pocket, but it's definitely something the birthday girl would love! Gifting her with a new trendy cell phone, blackberry, customized laptops, ipads, tablets, etc., can be sure shot gift she would like. Imagine her smiling face when she opens it and flaunts it to her friends with immense pride and happiness. :-)

Let's Get Some Music Grooving!: Music and entertainment are the gift items that never go out of the 'favorite gift items list'. Everybody likes music. You can gift her with the latest iPod in the market. You can also gift her with a personalized CD/DVD with her favorite music stored into it! A new sound system for her car would also be a good option. Also, if you get a chance to, you can get tickets to her favorite band's concert!

Encouraging Active Lifestyle: If your girl is into an active lifestyle, you can gift her with some sports accessories of her favorite sport, or may be a gym membership. Yoga and meditation classes, aerobics, or similar activities would be an unusual gift for 18th birthday, but again, a good choice that can 'shape' her future in a better way!

A Keepsake?: Well, although I have given you a lot of options of what the ideal 18th birthday gifts would be, the point to be noted is that before the 18th birthday, comes a 16th birthday! Therefore, most of the aforementioned gift options are already considered during that time! Trust me, there are many girls who have everything possible on the list already, and they still wonder what to ask for their 18th birthday. In this case, I think a keepsake would make an excellent choice. You can get a keepsake with lucky charms and her name engraved on it. That would be something that she can keep with her for the rest of her life, and the keepsake will remind her of you and her 18th birthday, forever! :-)

The best 18th birthday gifts for girls would be something which is personalized. Not all girls are the same. In fact, I know many girls who don't like make up, hate to travel... all have different personalities and their unique personalities make them beautiful. Many girls find it difficult to choose what they want for their 18th birthday because they end up taking everything beforehand. One way to avoid such a situation is to NOT shop at all starting from a month or two before your birthday! :) I hope the aforementioned ideas helped you figure out the gift you would want to get for her. In fact, you can also combine many ideas together. Like you can get a spa voucher for her for the early part of the day, then arrange a champagne lunch and then some fun activities, followed by a limo pick-up to dinner, or her favorite concert. Get her some nice outfits and accessories to give her the gorgeous feel! Your gift need not be expensive, if it's well thought of and personalized, even a small thoughtful gift can also make her smile on her birthday, even when she thinks of it over the years to come!