| Introduction Moles, known medically as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that often appear as small, dark brown spots on your torso, face, arms and legs. But moles can come in a range of colors and can develop virtually anywhere, including your scalp, armpits, under your nails, and between your fingers and toes. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles, although the number you have may change throughout life. New moles can appear into mid-adulthood, and because moles last about 50 years, some moles may disappear as you age. The great majority of moles are harmless, but in rare cases, moles may become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Although not all melanomas develop from pre-existing moles, many begin in or near a mole or other dark spot on the skin. Signs and symptoms Although the typical mole is a plain, brown spot, moles come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. They can be flesh-colored, reddish-brown, medium to dark brown, or blue; vary in shape from oval to round, and be as small as a pinhead or large enough to cover an entire limb. Moles that are larger than 8 inches in diameter and present at birth are a special problem. They may need to be removed to avoid the risk of malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. The surface of a mole can be smooth or wrinkled, flat or raised. Sometimes a mole may start out flat and brown and later become slightly raised and lighter in color. Some may become raised enough that they form a small stalk and are eventually rubbed off. Others may simply disappear. Although most moles develop by age 20, they can continue to appear until midlife. There are also certain times in your life when moles are more apt to change; for example, they're likely to become darker, larger and more numerous because of hormonal changes during adolescence and pregnancy and with the use of birth control pills. Moles are usually harmless. They may contain hairs, stay smooth or become raised or wrinkled. Talk to your doctor about any change in the color or size of a mole, or if itching, pain, bleeding or inflammation develops. Causes Melanin is a natural pigment that gives your skin its color. It's produced in cells called melanocytes, either in the top layer of the skin (epidermis) or the outer layers of the skin's second layer (dermis). Melanin is then transported to the surface cells of your skin. Normally, melanin is distributed evenly, but sometimes melanocytes grow together in a cluster, giving rise to moles. Scientists don't know why moles develop or what purpose they serve, if any, although they do appear to be determined before birth. Most moles are harmless and don't require special care, but some people have unusual-looking moles, called dysplastic nevi, which are more likely to turn cancerous than ordinary moles are. Atypical moles occur most often on the back in both men and women, and also on the abdomen, chest and legs in women. Risk factors Several types of moles have a higher than average risk of becoming cancerous. They include:
When to seek medical advice If a new mole appears past age 20, see your doctor. These signs and symptoms may indicate a medical concern:
If you're concerned about any mole, see your doctor or ask for a referral to a dermatologist. Screening and diagnosis You may choose to make a skin examination a regular part of your preventive medical care. Talk to your doctor about a schedule that's appropriate for you. A general guideline is every three years for people ages 20 to 39, and annually for people age 40 or older. Your doctor will examine your skin from head to toe, including your scalp, your palms, the soles of your feet and the skin between your buttocks. If your doctor suspects that a mole may be cancerous, he or she may take a sample of the tissue (biopsy) and submit the biopsy for microscopic examination. Treatment If your doctor takes a tissue sample of the mole and finds it to be cancerous, the entire mole and a margin of normal tissue around it needs to be removed. Usually a mole that has been removed won't reappear. If it does, see your doctor promptly. Treatment of most moles usually isn't necessary. For cosmetic reasons, a mole can be removed in several ways:
These procedures are usually performed in the office of your doctor or dermatologist and take only a short time. Prevention The best way to catch potential problems at an early stage is to become familiar with the location and pattern of your moles. Examine your skin carefully on a regular basis â€" monthly if you have a family history of melanoma, and at least every three months otherwise â€" to detect early skin changes that may signal melanoma. Remember to check areas that aren't exposed to sunlight, including your scalp, armpits, feet (the soles and between the toes), genital area and, if you're a woman, the skin underneath your breasts. If necessary, use a hand-held mirror along with a wall mirror to scan hard-to-see places such as your back. People with dysplastic nevi are at greater risk of developing malignant melanoma and may want to consider having a dermatologist check their moles on a regular basis. To detect melanomas or other skin cancers, use the A-B-C-D skin self-examination guide, adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology:
Self-care In addition to periodically checking your moles, you can take protective measures to protect yourself from cancerous changes:
If you have a mole that's unattractive, you may choose to cover it up using makeup designed to conceal blemishes and moles. If you have a hair growing from a mole, it may be possible to clip it close to the skin's surface. Dermatologists also can permanently remove hair from moles. If you have a mole in a beard, you may want to have it removed by your doctor because shaving over it repeatedly may cause irritation. You may also want to have moles removed from other parts of your body that are vulnerable to trauma and friction. Anytime you cut or irritate a mole, be sure to keep the area clean. See your doctor if the mole doesn't heal. |
| Natural Home remedies for the treatment of stammering (2) Grind finely an almond along with 10 corns of black peeper and sugar candy to taste and lick it. |
| What is Sciatica? Technically speaking, sciatica is a symptom not a diagnosis It is a non-specific term commonly used to describe symptoms of pain radiating downward from the buttock over the posterior or lateral side of the lower limb. It is usually assumed to be caused by compression of a nerve but this is not necessarily so. A common neurolgical cause of this pain is entrapment of the sciatic and/or posterior femoral cutaneous nerves. But the pain may be caused by trigger points in the soft tissue. This latter case is easily overlooked and requires manual palpation of the musculature associated with the hip if the pain is not to be misdiagnosed. Background It is often assumed that there is sciatic nerve root entrapment, resulting in the compression of the nerve. Pain and symptoms being transmitted or referred from the low back to one of the buttocks and down the back of the leg along the pathway of the sciatic nerve. Hence the term sciatica. The exact cause of sciatica is not fully understood but is commonly thought to involve a slipped or herniated disk. This means one of the disks, which lie between each of the vertebra in the lower back (lumbar area), has cracked and allowed some of the inner disk material to protrude out, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve root, which in this case is the sciatic nerve. The term 'lumbago' is often banded about as well which is a general term for low back pain. However, some people have been found to have a slipped disk but have no pain. Sciatica Symptoms Symptoms can vary from extreme pain in the low back radiating into one buttock and down the leg. Pain often increases on exertion or bending forward. Alternatively, there may only be a mild sensation in the leg or buttock. There may be numbness in the area, weakness in the leg and diminution of the reflexes. Pain may be triggered by coughing or straining and can be so severe that the lower back becomes locked in sideways bending position (scoliosis) caused by a strong contraction. Alternatively, it may only come on when sitting or standing in a certain position. Clinical experience indicates that these certain positions are usually associated with continually holding a poor posture either at home or at work. For example, protruding the head forward peering at a computer all day or regularly lifting a baby out of the back of the car. But some or all of these symptoms are also associated with other conditions which is probably why the name is often misused as a catchall word for any pain affecting the buttocks or other parts of the leg. In this case the pain is triggered by a local trapping (trigger point) or straining of the nerve along its pathway. Piraformis Syndrome Symptoms May be a mixture of seemingly unrelated symptoms. Pain and paresthsias (pins and needles) may be apparent in one or more of these areas: the low back, groin, perineum, buttock, hip, back of the thigh, leg and foot or the SI joint. Swelling can occur in the painful leg and sexual dysfunction can occur. The condition can be aggravated by sitting, getting up, or standing. Conversely, activity can worsen the symptoms. It can also cause the buttock muscles to atrophy. Numbness of the foot and loss of position sense (proprioception) can lead to an unstable walk. Activation Piraformis syndrome can be activated in numerous seemingly different ways. For example, long drives in the car result in the accelerator foot being flexed for long periods, resulting in the tightening of the piraformis muscle. Lifting or lowering of a heavy weight, catching oneself from falling, twisting sideways while bending or lifting a weight such as a baby out of the back of the car. Direct trauma such as hitting the muscle itself or impact caused by a car accident particularly when the impact is from the side. Morton's foot (second toe is longer than the big toe) can initiate the syndrome after a long walk. This is because the condition tends to cause medial rotation and adduction (inward movement) of the thigh, which puts a strain on the piraformis. |
| LIQUORICE / Jastimadhu Botanically it is called Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is a tall erect herb that may rise up to 1.5 m high. Leaves are compound containing leaflets in 4 to 7 pairs. The flowers are like lilac, small the fruits are 1.3 cm long, flat, densely covered allover with small spinous outgrowths. The rootstock gives numerous additional roots. The plant is grown in Kashmir, Debra Dun, Delhi etc. The dried roots and underground stems of this plant constitute the drug. Liquorice is a house-hold remedy for coughs and cold, bronchitis, fevers, abdominal pains, consumption and epilepsy. It is also given in urinary and kidney disorders. The powder or small pieces of the drug are commonly taken with betel leaves. Liquorice is largely used in making syrup. It is also useful in gastric or peptic ulcers. Benefit and uses of Liquorice.
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| A Chat with Dr. Devi Shetty (Heart Specialist) - Very Useful!
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misc Health info
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