What Causes Green Nails and How to Treat Them

Having green nails may seem like a weird phenomenon from out of a science fiction movie. However, a case of green nails is very common, especially for women who wear artificial nails. You don’t have to worry yourself crazy. There are many effective ways to treat green nails.

  • Why Are My Nails Green?

If your nails are green, you may think you have a mold or fungus. Firstly, mold is not a human pathogen, which means it doesn’t grow on the human body. Secondly, nail fungus is usually white or yellowish in color. Green nails are caused by the pseudomonas bacteria that grows underneath the nail. Once the bacteria starts to grow, it leaves a pigment that can be light or dark green. A darker green means a more progressive infection.

  • What if I Wear Artificial Nails?

If you frequently wear artificial nails, you are more at risk for getting a pseudomonas bacterial infection. This happens because the moisture from the nail glue produces an environment where this bacteria can thrive. This infection usually occurs when the artificial nail begins to lift, allowing water to seep in. The pseudomonas bacteria can also be contracted from contaminated nail care products used in a nail salon.

  • How Can I Treat Green Nails?

Some effective home remedies in treating green nails are vinegar and tea tree oil. You can soak your nails in apple cider or white vinegar mixed with water for 30 minutes twice a day; or apply tea tree oil twice daily. Tea tree oil has natural medicinal properties that can fight against nail infections. If home remedies are not effective, your physician can prescribe you with a topical antibiotic treatment.

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Top 5 Preventive Screenings for Women

A woman’s health is important in the menstrual, menopausal and post menopausal years. Getting preventive screenings is essential to rule common diseases and staying healthy. Here are the top exam screenings that every woman should get.

1. Blood Pressure Exam

According to the American Heart Association, the leading cause of death for women is heart disease. Beginning at age 19, women should get a blood pressure test at least every two years. Those with high blood pressure or at risk for heart disease should get examined more frequently.

2. Cervical Exam

A cervical exam is performed using a pap smear to screen for abnormal cervical cells and cervical cancer. Women between ages 19-29 should get a pap every two years; and every three years for women 30 to 64. Women 64 years or older should consult an OBGYN to determine if a pap is necessary.

3. Pelvic Exam

A pelvic exam is performed to check for abnormalities in the shape and size of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Beginning at age 21 or at the age of sexual activity, an annual pelvic screening is recommended.

4. Breast Exam

Beginning at age 40 or those younger than 40 with a family history of breast cancer, should get a mammogram every one to two years. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast and is used to detect lumps. A non-cancerous lump can be a cyst filled with fluid, while a cancerous lump is a hard mass.

5. Bone Density Exam

As women age, they are more at risk of losing bone. Women over age 50 are encouraged to get a bone mineral density exam to screen for diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.

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Effective Ways to Prevent Facial Acne

Acne occurs when there is an overproduction of oil in the skin that gets trapped in oil ducts. Facial acne is the most noticeable and often the most severe. This acne can be in the form of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Here are some ways you can prevent and help control your acne.

  • Mild Acne

Mild acne can be prevented and controlled with the use of over-the-counter treatments like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. A good practice to get in the habit of doing is using a salicylic acid treatment such as Sea Breeze at least twice a day. You can use it in the mornings to remove excess oil that occurred while you were sleeping, and before bedtime to remove excess oil that accumulated during the day. For women who wear makeup, applying a salicylic acid treatment is especially essential since the buildup of makeup and oil can cause an increase in clogged pores.

  • Moderate Acne

Moderate acne can involve the use of over-the counter treatments in addition to antibiotics and contraceptives. The most common types of oral antibiotics prescribed to treat acne are tetracycline and erythromycin. These antibiotics reduce inflammation, which helps to shrink pimples. Females 15 years or older can take a low dose contraceptive like OrthoTri-Cyclen to reduce hormone activity; which can reduce or eliminate the occurrence of acne.

  • Severe Acne

If acne persist and antibiotics, topical creams or contraceptives are non effective, the strongest acne treatment legally available is isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is sold under the brand name Accutane. Accutane treatment usually last for four to six months, and has been proven to eradicate pimples in over 90 percent of people treated. Accutane can have side effects like headaches and nose bleeds, plus it’s expensive. It is recommended that Accutane only be used in the most severe acne cases.

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Dieting while Pregnant

Nutrition in pregnancy. Pregnant woman eating ...

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Pregnancy is not an excuse to go on a fast food eating binge. Even though pregnant women are eating for two it does not mean a free pass to consume calories without any concern for the consequences. Weight put on during a pregnancy can be difficult to take off after birth, which can lead to other health problems for the mother later in life. Mothers do need to increase in their intake of certain nutrients during a pregnancy, but carrying a child is more like being on a diet than going on a binge.

The health of two people is at stake during a pregnancy. So it is important for expecting mothers to not only make informed decisions about their diets but also to keep track of the types of foods they are eating. Avoiding alcohol is an important and well known restriction to the diets of pregnant women. While staying away from cocktails might be a fairly obvious sacrifice that mothers must make, knowing to increase the amount of zinc in a diet might not be as widely known. Zinc helps to boost the mother’s immune system and prevent a disease from complicating the pregnancy. Part of dieting during a pregnancy should come down to common sense. A diet of fast food or other junk is not recommended.

Feeding a baby a proper diet is the first and one of the most vital steps that a mother must take on the way to raising a healthy and happy child. Mothers need to increase the amount of nutrients, including folic acid and vitamin B-12. Regular vitamin D intake can prevent the child from having a deficiency later in life. Rather than worrying about a diet, parents should consult a doctor and monitor the health of both the mother and child. By keeping track of the pregnancy week by week, parents can be sure that their baby will be healthy.

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Types of Hospice Healthcare

Hospice healthcare is an end-of-life service available to persons of any age diagnosed with six months or less to live. The purpose of hospice care is not to shorten or lengthen life, but to make the transition from life to death as comfortable as possible. Care is provided through pain management, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their family members. Knowing which type of hospice care to choose is important for patients to receive the best care possible; and for family members to not become overwhelmed with the dying process.

  • In-Home Care

In-home care provides a more relaxing, comforting and familiar environment. Most hospice care is performed at home by a family member. A patient or family member can choose to have a trained professional administer care at home. Licensed hospice practitioners can perform some of the same services an inpatient or hospital facility would offer. These include setup for IV’s, blood-work and dispensing medications. In addition to licensed practitioners, home health aide and homemaker services are available to help with activities like bathing, shaving, cleaning and meal preparation.

  • Inpatient Facility

Inpatient care can be performed at a facility exclusive to hospice services or at a hospital. Inpatient hospice care is necessary when advanced pain management is needed, or when home care is no longer suitable for the patient or family member. In-patient facilities perform round-the-clock care to monitor patients closely. Admittance into an inpatient facility is dependent upon beds being available. Most patients are admitted when life expectancy is approximately two weeks. In an inpatient facility, physicians, nurses, aides, social workers and clergy members usually work together to administer the most suitable care to the patient.

Losing a loved-one is a difficult process, but with hospice care you can rely on trained compassionate health professionals to support you along the way.

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Weight Loss Drug Related to Depression and Suicide

Acomplia was introduced to the world market by a French prescription manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an approval letter for its use in the U.S. for obesity, and a non-approval letter for its use as a smoking cessation drug. However, it never made it to the U.S. market.

The European Commission approved Accomplia for sale in the UK as a non prescription drug, but it was not a blanket approval. Many other countries didn’t accept the drug at all, or only under limited circumstances. Some countries allowed its use only for obese patients with additional health factors, such as diabetes. In 2008, the European Medicines Agency warned that serious psychological problems made the benefits of Acomplia not worth the risks involved.

Acomplia acted as an appetite suppressant. The target group for the drug included people who were obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over, and for overweight patients (with a BMI of 27 or over) who had other weight-related health factors, such as diabetes or abnormal body lipids. Many patients experienced severe depression and suicidal thoughts while taking the drug.

Doctors in areas where the drug was legally sold said these side effects were worse than reported by the manufacturer and far more common than thought. The conclusion of medical experts was that the drug was far more dangerous than the benefits of losing weight. It was also concluded that off label use of Acomplia was more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. The drug was also supposed to be a treatment for some addictions and short term memory problems.

If you are still interested in Acomplia or an alternative, consult with your doctor. Discuss the possible benefits when weighed with the possible side effects. There are alternative drugs for appetite suppression, weight loss and quitting smoking that do not have the associated risks of Acomplia.

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Top 3 Headache PreventionTips

A headache is defined as pain in the head or upper neck. The most common forms of headaches are tension and migraine headaches. According to a 2011 report from WrongDiagnosis.com, one out of six people suffer from headaches. Headaches can go from mild to severe. Severe headaches can greatly interrupt your life. Here are three headache prevention tips that can help you take your life back.

1. Avoid or Reduce Diary Intake

Studies have shown that diary products like milk and cheese can trigger headaches. Milk and cheese contains a sugar called lactose. People deficient in the lactase enzyme cannot break down lactose and are categorized as being lactose intolerant. About 75 percent of people from African, Hispanic and Native American descent, and 90 percent from Asian descent are lactose intolerant. If you consume milk and cheese regularly and suffer from chronic headaches, start keeping a journal to identity if these foods are triggers. Some alternatives to milk are lactose-free, soy and almond milk

2. Get Enough Sleep

Getting the required 8 to 9 hours of sleep for adults, is vital for your health. If you wake up in the mornings with headaches and get frequent headaches throughout the day, a lack of sleep may be the culprit. If you have trouble sleeping, you can try taking melatonin. Melatonin is a natural sleep inducing chemical in your brain; and is available in pill form over the counter. For any concerns, check with your doctor to see if melatonin would be right for you.

3. Practice Stress Management

Having some stress at times in your life is unavoidable. The key factor in stress is how you deal with it. If you allow a stressful situation to internalize, then it can cause headaches. Some ways to deal with stress are writing your thoughts in a journal, delegating work and chores to others and getting counseling if necessary.

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Tips to Prevent Getting the Flu

Influenza, most commonly called the flu, is a viral infection. The three most common types of flu viruses are influenza A or H3N2, influenza B and the 2009 H1N1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading organization in the U.S. that oversees statistical research on flu activity. Here are some tips that can prevent you from getting the flu.

  • Get Flu Shot

The CDC recommends getting the flu shot each year; as the most effective way to prevent getting the flu. People who are at a high risk of developing complications from the flu are stongly encouraged to get the flu shot. High risk persons include the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.

  • Get Sufficient Sleep

Getting sufficient sleep is important for our body’s to function properly and be healthy. A healthy body means a strong immune system, which is necessary to fight-off infections like the flu. The recommended hours of sleep according to the CDC is as follows: 8 to 9 hours for adults, 8.5 to 9.5 hours for those between ages 10 to 17, 10 to 14 hours for toddlers and children, and 12 to 18 hours for infants.

  • Eat Balanced Meals

Consuming a balanced diet that contains lean meats, frutis and vegetables provides increased minerals and vitamins to the body. Vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C, E, magnesium and potassium are vital in building a strong immune system. A great way to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet is to consume 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices.

  • Take Vitamins Daily

When taking vitamins, it is important to realize that they are a supplement to your diet and not a replacement. Vitamins can provide your body with increased levels of nutrients that can aid in strenghtening your immune system; thus making you more resistant to catching the flu.

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Prescription Discount Programs vs. Health Insurance

With prescriptions drugs prices sky rocketing, most individuals will find that they are unable to purchase the drugs prescribed to them. Most believe that joining a prescription discount program will be more beneficial than that of health insurance. However, it is recommended that one consider the following before proceeding.

Firstly, it should be pointed out that prescription discount programs are not insurance. Instead, what this program offers to their customers is the facility of obtaining prescription drugs at a discount for a monthly or annual fee. Customers who partake in this program are provided with a prescription drug card. This card can be obtained from drug companies, discount card companies, non profit organizations and others.

Keep in mind that all types of drugs cannot be purchased with this card. There are certain selected drugs made available to you through this program. Mostly, general medicines are included in the scheme. Therefore, before applying to this program one should find out what type of medicines are given at reduced prices. If they are not useful and do not serve the purpose, one should avoid this program.

Health insurance on the other hand is for everyone. By paying a premium, one can be assured that any type of illness will be attended to in a timely manner. The type of health insurance one needs can be ascertained by speaking with the relevant representative. He or she will be able to guide them on the right path, which will enable them to receive good medical care as well as prescriptions drugs in future.

Health insurance is compulsory in many countries. One will not be able to get adequate health care if they do not have health insurance. In fact, even if it is a matter of life and death patients will not be able to receive the proper medical care without the insurance. Therefore, every person is recommended to get health insurance without fail.

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The Challenge of Being a Traveling Nurse

Czech nursing students.

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When it comes to health and healing, the aid of a nurse is sometimes even more helpful than the hand of a doctor. Despite popular opinion, becoming a qualified nurse is an extremely difficult and time-consuming process. This helps ensure that nurses produce the best practice possible, and as a result of the work, seasoned nurses can make in the high five-figure range. The best paid nurses, however, fall under the title of ‘traveling nurses.’

Traveling nurses are nurses who go wherever they are needed the most. Some may even travel with certain patients in order to continue to provide them with they care they need.

In the nursing field, traveling nurses are often the most dedicated to the cause of health and healing. Some follow their job and leave husbands, wives and children behind. Others live an almost military-style house regime, often moving to different states with their entire family whenever the job demands it.

While the constant moving may be tolling for some, many nurses are willing to waylay their own complaints in order to help other heal. This doesn’t mean that moving isn’t without it’s own difficulties, however. Everyone, even nurses have to box everything, move everything, change addresses, stay in touch with old friends and get connected with new ones. Traveling nurses and other people whose jobs demand constant relocation learn how to make the process of moving efficient and affordable, often relying on getting the best moving quotes for wherever they may be living at the time.

Even if a nurse has a permanent home, the job of a nurse is never easy. Many nurses are attracted to the challenge (and the higher paycheck) of being a traveling nurse, and are willing to endure the rigors of moving for the sake of their profession. Next time you are served by a nurse, make sure to thank them and wish them well!

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