Taking Isotretinoin for Acne?
Produced under the brand name Accutane, isotretinoin is a medication taken orally for 15-20 weeks. Accutane, or isotretinoin, is a Vitamin A derivative that is prescribed to people suffering from severe acne vulgaris, or nodular acne. Results of Accutane treatments have shown total clear-up of severe acne conditions and, in many cases, an extended remission period of the occurrence of acne.
Accutane works by reducing the amount of oil that the skin’s oil glands produce.
While Accutane achieves desired effects in many acne sufferers, it is a powerful drug and one that should be used with caution and consideration. Before deciding to take Accutane, talk with your dermatologist about the uses for this medicine, the precautions one should take while using it, and the health risks and side effects associated with it.
Accutane should be taken exactly as directed. If there is any part of the directions for taking Accutane that you do not understand, talk with your doctor about the questions you have.
You may not notice any improvement in the condition of your acne until you have been taking Accutane for 4-6 weeks. In fact, you acne may actually be aggravated during the first few weeks of Accutane treatment. Your acne should improve drastically, however, within 15-20 weeks of treatment.
There are many common side effects associated with Accutane. If you are experiencing these side effects for a prolonged period of time, tell your dermatologist. You should also talk with your dermatologist if you feel that the side effects are not easing up or if they are particularly severe.
The common side effects associated with Accutane include:
• cracked, red, sore lips
• dry, itchy, red, inflamed eyes
• dry and irritated mouth and nose
• dry and irritated skin
• thinning hair
• fatigue and low energy
There are other less common and more dangerous side effects associated with Accutane treatment. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
• pain in the bones or joints
• pain in the chest
• headache
• stomach pain
• stomachache
• vomiting
• dizziness
• problems with vision
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• difficulty hearing
• ringing in the ears
• difficulty walking
• bleeding from the rectum
• bruising
• red patches on the skin
• peeling skin
• infections in the skin
• severe diarrhea
• aching muscles
• feelings of depression
• suicidal thoughts
• dementia or hallucination
When taking Accutane, you should also exercise extreme caution when operating a vehicle, because the medication can affect night vision. Do not donate blood while taking Accutane.
Women who are pregnant or who might become pregnant should not take Accutane. Accutane is associated with a high risk of deformity in infants developing during the pregnancy of women taking Accutane.
Because Accutane can cause severe sensitivity to sunlight, you should avoid direct sunlight while taking Accutane. If you must be in the sun, cover your skin with clothing and sunscreen. You should also protect your eyes with sunglasses.
Accutane also increases the amount of fats in your blood. While taking Accutane you should avoid eating fatty foods. You should also curb your alcohol consumption while undergoing Accutane treatment.
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Bad Breath - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Bad Breath is an embarrassing problem. Bad Breath is usually caused by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth. Bad breath is not contagious. Bad breath is a problem that is shared by millions of people across the country. Chronic bad breath, known as Halitosis, does not come from the stomach. Although there is no way of knowing for sure, most adults probably suffer from bad breath occasionally, with perhaps a quarter suffering on a regular basis. The only odor that comes from the stomach is when you burp. Food odors are transitory and should not be confused with bad breath. Human's sense of smell has the ability to adjust to odor. Health conditions and habits are among the causes of bad breath. In many cases, you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene.
Food eaten such as garlic and spicy foods once absorbed into the body can release odor through the lungs when you breathe.Therefore, most people with halitosis are not aware of their bad breath.Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor.
Causes of Bad Breath
Bad Breath is usually caused by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Tobacco products also cause bad breath.
Symptoms of Bad Breath
1.Poor dental hygiene.
2.Infections in the mouth.
3.Respiratory tract infections — Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands").
4.External agents Cigarette stains on fingers and teeth.
5.Dry mouth.
6.Systemic (bodywide) illnesses-diabetes, lung disease, kidney failure or liver disease.
Treatment of Bad Breath
1.Use a tongue cleaner and clean right to the back of the tongue.
2.Use a mouthwash is recommended. The best time to use it is just before sleeping.
3.Drink plenty of fluids, avoiding too much coffee and alcohol.
4.Clean your mouth after eating dairy products, fish and meat.
5.Chew sugar-free gum, especially if your mouth feels dry.
5.Eat fresh food and fibrous vegetables.
6.Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic
Juliet writes articles for http://www.health-disease.org/ and http://www.healthatoz.info/
Athlete's Foot - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Athlete's foot a skin disease and it is a fungal infection usually between the toesAthlete foot is also called tinea pedis. The condition easily spreads in public places such as communal showers, locker rooms and fitness centers.Although athlete's foot occurs mostly among teen and young adult guys, kids and women can get it, too. People with sweaty or damp feet are at risk. Walking barefoot where others also walk barefoot is one way the fungus can get on your feet in the first place. Fungus can be spread from person to person by contact with these objects. However, without proper growing conditions (a warm, moist environment), the fungus will not infect the skin. Up to 70% of the population will have athletes foot at some time during their lives. That's why your mom or dad might say to wear your sandals when you're showering in a public shower.
Several fungus varieties cause athlete's foot, and sometimes more than one is present at the same time. The condition may be complicated by a secondary infection with bacteria which take advantage of the damaged skin. Symptoms of Athlete foot include itching and burning feet. The skin frequently peels and, in particularly severe cases, there may be some cracking, pain and bleeding as well.Bacteria fungus can also invade the skin. These bacteria can cause a bad smell. Bacterial infection of the skin and resulting inflammation is known as cellulitis. This is especially likely to occur in the elderly.
Causes of Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a skin fungal infection. The most common fungi causing tinea pedis are Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. Fungal infections of the skin are called dermatophytosis. Dermatophytes may be spread from other humans (anthropophilic), animals (zoophilic) or may come from the soil (geophilic). Anthropophillic dermatophytes are restricted to human hosts and produce a mild, chronic inflammation. Zoophilic organisms are found primarily in animals and cause marked inflammatory reactions in humans.
Symptoms of Athlete's Foot
1.Dry skin.
2.Itching.
3.Scaling.
4.Inflammation.
5.Blisters.
6.Cracking.
Treatment of Athlete's Foot
Fungus thrives in a moist warm environment keeping the feet dry and cool can cure the infection. It is recommended to wear open sandals, or even better barefoot as much as possible. It is important to keep your feet clean and dry. Wear clean absorbent socks made of natural fibers, such as cotton, and change them during the day. Spray your shoes with a disinfectant and set them in out in the sun to help kill germs and Don't share towels or footwear. Many medications are available including miconazole and clotrimazole.
Juliet writes articles for http://www.health-disease.org/ and http://www.healthatoz.info/