The action of testosterone can be in ways both beneficial and detrimental to the body. On the plus side, this hormone has a direct impact on the growth of muscle tissues, the production of red blood cells and overall well being of the organism. But it may also negatively effect the production of skin oils, growth of body, facial and scalp hair, and the level of both “good” and “bad” cholesterol in the body [among other things]. In fact, men have a shorter average life span than women, which is believed to be largely due to the cardiovascular defects that this hormone may help bring about. Testosterone will also naturally convert to estrogen in the male body, a hormone with its own unique set of effects. As we have discussed earlier, raising the level of estrogen in men can increase the tendency to notice water retention, fat accumulation, and will often cause the development of female tissues in the breast [gynecomastia]. Clearly we see that most of the “bad” side effects from steroids are simply those actions of testosterone that we are not looking for when taking a steroid. Raising the level of testosterone in the body will simply enhance both its good and bad properties, but for the most part we are not having “toxic° reactions to these drugs. A notable exception to this is the possibility of liver damage, which is a worry isolated to the use of c17-alpha alkylated oral steroids. Unless the athlete is taking anabolic/androgenic steroids abusively for a very long duration, side effects rarely amount to little more than a nuisance. One could actually make a case that periodic steroid use might even be a healthy practice. Clearly a person physical shape can relate closely to one overall health and well being. Provided some common sense is paid to health checkups, drug choice, dosage and off-time, how can we say for certain that the user is worse off for doing so? This position is of course very difficult to publicly justify with steroid use being so deeply stigmatized. Since this can be a very lengthy discussion, we will save the full health, moral and legal arguments for another time. For now I would like to run down the list of popularly discussed side effects, and include any current treatment/avoidance advice where possible.

Anabolic Steroids in the future Introduction The use of anabolic steroids has been often cited as one of the slippery moral issues associated with sports. These drugs that are used by sportsmen to increase their muscular strength have been found to have harmful side effects as well as condemned as medications that can give some sportsmen an unfair advantage over others. At the same time, these drugs can be effective in helping athletes bring out their potential, especially if their downside is brought down by further research. Thus, sportsmen can have access to these drugs if efforts are taken to test sportsmen for steroids and thus neutralize their harmful potential. This paper will attempt to prove that steroids do have a place in the future of sports medicine and sports as such. Arguments against Steroids Most arguments against the use of steroids boil down to the fact that, if abused, steroids can have a harmful effect on human bodies, leading to dangerous effects. Thus, steroids have been found to affect the brain as “high doses can make people feel happy, euphoric, hyped-up, with disturbance of sleep and even serious psychiatric illness such as mania, very aggressive behavior and psychosis (delusions, pananoia, loss of touch with reality)” (Dixon). Thus, the person who abuses steroids can really end up with a mental problem, something that can really disrupt one’s life and is a serious question for someone who is engaged in sports. Sport is meant to heal, not harm the human body. The harmful effect of steroids is not limited to mental problems. Thus, steroids can adversely affect a person’s skin, causing its thinning and weakening. Bones of the people who use a lot of steroids lose calcium, which makes them weaker and can easily lead to fractures. Weight problem can arise as people begin to eat a lot and experience a rise in appetite, which alone can cause them serious problems. The rise in blood sugar that accompanies the use of steroids can cause diabetes. Perhaps the most serious downside of steroids is the harmful effect associated with disruptions of the immune system that will not function properly in someone overusing steroids. Steroids “knock out” immune systems so that “people on high doses of steroids for medical reasons can die from chest infections and cancers of many kinds” (Dixon). People who use steroids open their bodies to the impact of many bacteria and viruses that their immune systems would otherwise ward off, such as candida yeast – the fungus that can cause inflammation of the skin, vagina, and other organs. For women, androgynous effects associated with steroids can be a serious problem. These effects stem from the application of testosterone that is in fact male hormone. In women it triggers the development of qualities that make a woman look like a man. These include but are not limited to “irreversible enlargement of the clitoris, irreversible hoarsening and deepening of the voice, irreversible increase in facial and body hair, decreased breast size” (Anabolic Steroids). Certainly, given the public opinion of female athletes as often deficient in femininity, these effects are less than welcome. Besides, female athletes using steroids face a greater risk of developing cervical and endometrial cancer as well as osteoporosis (Anabolic Steroids). Men, on their part, are also negatively affecting by the use of anabolic steroids. Their reproductive function is often hurt to the degree when they suffer from infertility. Besides, many men using steroids report a decrease in potency and lower sex drive (Anabolic Steroids). What Are Anabolic Steroids? Anabolic steroids are part of performance-enhancing drugs along with psychomotor stimulants. Anabolic steroids “are used to increase muscle bulk and strength (and therefore, to some extent, speed), and to enhance recovery from heavy workouts or certain kinds of muscular injuries” (Coombs, West 1991:117). The correct term is actually “anabolic-androgenic” steroids, but “anabolic steroids” has become a conventional term that is more widely used. They are used in some sports such as track and field and football where muscular strength of the athletes matters and helps them to win. They stay in the body for prolonged time periods, making it relatively easy to identify them in the body, as they are detectable not only directly after use, but also for prolonged periods after the use. The use of steroids dates back to the isolation of testosterone, a naturally occurring hormone, in 1935. This hormone has “both androgenic (masculinization) and anabolic (tissue-building) properties” (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 237). The same properties have been replicated in synthetic steroids, although scientists attempted to bring down the androgenic properties. They were successful to some extent, although steroids still retain their androgenic properties to a great degree. The first use of anabolic steroids was to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which male testes do not produce enough hormones and thus have to receive outside help. The athletes began to use these drugs in the 1950s, as they spread from the Soviet Union to the US and other nations that wanted in this way stimulate the sports performance of their athletes. The wide spread of steroid use as well as their harmful effect finally led the International Olympic Committee to forbid participants to use anabolic steroids at the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 238). At the moment, there are over 100 anabolic steroids. In the US, an individual has to have a medical prescription to purchase these drugs (Anabolic Steroids).

The Benefits of Steroids Despite the numerous cons, steroids do have their bright side – otherwise people would not use them. Thus, they have been reported to help athletes build their muscular strength and improve their performance in this way. This is explained by the role of the steroids in the generation of protein and growth hormone that are both stimulated by steroid use. This is described as anabolic effect. Steroids also have been described as having an anticatabolic effect. This effect appears “due to interaction with cortisol released in response to physical and psychological stress, causing protein degradation and muscle atrophy” (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 238). In addition, this effect is linked to the effect of corticosteroid testosterone by from other receptor sites. Steroids are believed to increase aggression – the reason for which they were probably used by Nazi soldiers in World War II. These drugs can therefore stimulate the performance of the sportsmen, especially in group games where aggression can motivate them for achievement. The use of steroids can also have a mental effect since sportsmen believe in steroids that can allegedly give them greater power. This is the ground for which a group of researchers found that athletes “showed significant gains in strength, even though the athletes received a placebo” (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 239). Sport is only one use of steroids that were originally invented as anti-inflammatory drugs. They are very powerful substances that produce a variety of effects on the human body. Thus, steroids can be used for treating infectious diseases when it is necessary to bring down the inflammation. Steroids can help bring down death rate caused by asthma as well as applied to painful joints and ligaments. Talking of skin diseases, Eczema and a number of other skin problems can be treated using steroids. Other uses of anabolic steroids are “to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV infection or other diseases” (Anabolic Steroids). The first two effects stem from the inclusion of testosterone in synthetic steroids. Besides, “steroids make the whole immune system less active, which can be very useful in illnesses where there is an immune component – a huge number” (Dixon). The latter is especially important as this shows that the negative side of steroids can simultaneously be the benefit as these drugs can be used to reduce the response of the immune system to the stimulant, making them effective treatment for a range of diseases. Indeed, what is a poison in some cases is a cure in others. The opportunities for the use of steroids are not limited to applying them where it is necessary to reduce the response of the immune system, in particular when it comes to brain tumors. They are also useful in cancer treatment. True, they do not treat cancer as they only prolong the patient’s life. However, in many cases it is necessary to help the patient survive the last few weeks. Steroids in this case act as follows: they reduce the swelling around the brain tumor, relieving the patient’s condition. Anabolic steroids have also been described as having a positive influence on the patients recovering after a fracture. Due to their powerful action on muscle growth and weight gain, they can speed up the healing of the fracture and help quickly revive the function of the corresponding organ. A study conducted by M. Hedstrom, K. Sjoberg, E. Brosjo, A. Astrom, A, and others researched the effects of steroids on 63 female patients who had undergone surgery because of fractures. The women were divided into two groups. One group received only calcium for treatment, while others also received steroids and vitamin D. In their article published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (May 2002), the researchers state that the study demonstrated that “the anabolic group did not lose muscle volume during the first 12 months whereas the control group did”. They found that the intake of anabolic steroids had positive impact on the growth of tissue, bone mineral density, and clinical function. The scientists note that functional recovery often takes a lot of time, especially in elderly patients after a hip fracture. The function is often restored incompletely and can be bone mineral density drops after the fracture and the surgery. Therefore, steroids help to solve important problems for patients. The study confirms that “that a low dose of nandrolone decanoate in combination with a low dose of alphacalcidol and calcium has a positive effect on body composition, BMD and the clinical function in elderly women after fracture of the hip” (Hedstrom et al. 2002). Thus, steroids can be of great value in treating patients with fractures.

How and where to buy Anabolic Steroids online? ortpharmacy.com – is the fastest way to buy Dianabol and other anabolic steroids online. Steroid products profiles, steroids experience and many other useful information for bodybuilders.

Mark Henry
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/anabolic-steroids-in-the-coming-future-94405.html

Shampoo
At the advice of my dermatologist, I rotate among 5 shampoos daily. Head & Shoulder intensive, T-Gel, T-Sal, Selsun Blue, and Nizerol. I always use T-Gel conditioner afterwards, which can be hard to find in stores but is available at CVS.com.

Medication
I sympathize with your wanting to avoid steroids. One thing worth a try is Tacrolimus, sold under the names ProTopic and Elidel. Those are anti-inflammatories. The thing about them is you apply them differently. Steroids are applied as needed. Anti-inflammatories have to applied regularly, even when you’re good.

The other medication I’m surprised you didn’t bring up is Olux or its generic equivalent. Olux is a mousse with clobetasol, a strong and very effective steroid against eczema / dermatitis. I find the mousse much easier to apply to the scalp through hair than creams or ointments. When I have to use it, it stings for a few seconds. I know things are improving when the intensity and duration of sting reduce.

The last thing is you may have to come to grips with having Eczema / dermatitis for the rest of your life. I know, it sucks. But you may be able to control it, instead of it controlling you like mine did for years. I discovered mine got worse with certain foods, so I had a scratch test done by an immunologist, and now I have far fewer and less intense flares. See what other treatments may work for you. Maybe herbal remedies will work. Maybe accupuncture. I tried both but the best for me was phototherapy, which I get weekly at a university hospital. Long term, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, just to never quit trying to control it.

Best of luck.

Tinea corporis is a fugal infection caused by microorganisms called dermatophytes. Popular known as ringworm, tinea corporis refers to a fungal infection of the body or face. It was noticed that tinea corporis does not affect the beard area on men. This is a common infection believed to affect equally both men and women of any age. Most of the cases are seen in warm, tropical environments.

It is believed that ringworm is a superficial fungus infection. As it was written before ringworm is caused by dermatophytes which are a group of fungi who live in dead tissues of the skin. Trichophyton rubrum, microsporum canis and trichophyton mentagrophytes are the most common fungi responsible for ringworm.

Ringworm appears as a flat, scaly spot that looks like a pimple. The infection increases and a round and enlarged patch can be seen. Usually after its enlargement the center of the flat and round patch clears. The infection looks like a ring therefore the name. Though, this infection has nothing to do with no worms. In some infections such as those treated with a steroid like hydrocortisone the advancing borders or even the center of the infection can have vesicles or pustules.

Because the symptoms or the appearance of ringworm are similar to other skin conditions such as granuloma annulare, nummular Eczema or tinea versicolor a KOH test is recommended. In most of the cases the diagnosis is set based on the appearance of the rash. More complex cases require this test that consists of an exam of the fungal cultures.

There are two possible ways of treating ringworm. Topical and oral treatments are the available solutions. As we know topical treatment has a benefic effect over this type of infections. Topical treatment consists of antifungal medicines that are applied on the infected areas. This treatment should last at least 3 weeks for the infection to disappear totally. It is recommended to use antifungal medicines twice a day. Even if the infection disappears after two weeks another week of treatment is necessary in order to completely eradicate the fungus. The most common lotions used in treating ringworm are miconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine.

Oral treatment of ringworm is recommended only if the lesion is spread over a large area. Oral treatment has to be taken once a day for 7 days in order to have the awaited result. In these cases oral antifungal medicines such as terbinafine and itraconazole are recommended.

So, if you want to find out more about ringworm or even about ringworm of the scalp, please click this website http://www.ringworm-center.com

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/ringworm-and-the-ways-of-treatment-136084.html

Amla is a prestigious herb finds it mention in charak samhita as a rasayan. Rasayan is a thing that prevent aging and promote longevity. Extensively used herb in making ayurvedic medicines because of its miraculous actions. According to ayurvedic doctors regular usage of Amla will make you live more then 100 years like a youth. Amla is supposed to rejuvenate all the organ systems of the body, provide strength and wellness. It keeps us away from all the diseases by boosting our immune system.

Known as Emblica officinalis in biological terms and amlaki in Sanskrit language, is richest natural source of vitamin C. Amla possess five out of six rasa. Only lavan rasa is not present. It is sheet virya (cold potency) in nature. It also possesses guru (heavy), ruksh (dry) and sheet (cold) properties, which make it, work best on pitta disorders, although it helps in suppressing all the three aggravated doshas.

Amla has a medium sized tree, which ranges from 20 25 foot. It possesses yellow-colored flowers that blossom from February to May. Its fruit is greenish yellow in appearance, which is available from October to April. It generally occurs in the area 4500 ft. above sea level. Plant part used is fruit.

Amla is a wonder herb with numerous indications. Due to its sheet virya potency it is widely used in diseases caused by pitta disorders. It has found an esteemed place in ayurvedic preparations. Chawanprash, triphala and amlaki rasayan possess dominance of Amla. It is used to substitute vitamin C in disease like scurvy. It has actions on all the systems of the body

Following are the indications:

· Digestive system- due to presence of five rasa it finds it s application in decreased appetite, indigestion, acidity, constipation, gastric troubles, and flatulence. It also helps in restoring mouth taste and promotes salivation. It also strengthens the teeth. It is helpful in improving liver function. Good results have also been seen in gastric ulcers, as it is sheet virya in potency. It is also beneficial in piles.

· Circulatory system- it has a good effect on circulatory system and is of great importance to heart. It keeps check on all the toxins in the body circulating in blood; moreover it also checks the plaque formation in arteries, as it possesses tickt rasa. It helps in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar level. It helps in producing good quality red blood cells.

· Respiratory system- It is very helpful in countering kapha, hence very helpful in throwing out sputum from the respiratory tract. It gives very good results in chronic cough, child hood and allergic asthma and tuberculosis.

· Nervous system- As it also helps in suppressing vata dosha therefore, it is extremely helpful in providing nourishment to the nerves and is helpful in paralytic conditions. It also works as brain tonic and helps to grasp thing easily. It makes our sense organs work well and makes our reflexes sharp It is also helpful in marinating calmness in mind and suppresses mental tensions and stress. It also improves general intelligence level of a person.

· Reproductive system- It helps in improving quality of sperms due to its madhur (sweet) vipaka property. It is also helpful in curbing discharges from vagina and is responsible for toning and providing strength to the female genital tract.

· Excretory system- it is helpful in condition s like Dysurea (painful urination).

· Skin- it is very helpful in skin diseases as it has sheet virya in potency. It inhibits pitta and thus helps in getting relief from it. All the skin disorders are caused by pitta dominance. Regular use of Amla promotes glow on skin and delays wrinkles or loosening of skin. Good results have been found in Eczema.

· Hairs- its internal use as well as its local application on scalp gives good results in hair loss. It stimulates hair follicles thus promoting hair growth and also improves texture of the hair. It also prevents premature graying of hairs and dandruff. Indian women generally use Amla to wash their hairs, which act as natural hair conditioner.

· It acts as anti pyretic agent due to sheet virya potency. It also acts as anti-inflammatory agent thereby suppresses pain and swelling.

· Eyes- It finds great application in improving eyesight. It also counters diseases like reddening, itching and watering of eyes. Good results have also been seen in cataracts.

· General As it comes under the category of rasayan, hence works as anti aging agent. It also improves general health weakness. It keeps tridoshas i.e. vata pitta and kapha in balance there by marinating equilibrium in body. It also makes our body’s immune system strong therefore help to fight diseases.

Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/amla-uses-and-benefits-75190.html

In this modern and amazingly advanced time of human development and as civilization peeks in many parts of the world,we have come to contaminate our genetic making with a massive amount of chemical exposure that not all of us really care to know about.

Chemical over exposure has resulted in the rates of childhood asthma and respiratory problems as well as ADD and ADHD to be on the rise, other problems like autoimmune disorders, childhood cancer, birth defects continue to be mysterious but have been associated with chemicals and as many people have their children on multiple medications to control a variety of these ailments,they overlook the fact that common triggers lie within their homes, infact most of us have been fooled to believe that these triggers and disease causing agents are safe to use.

In this day and age of chemicalization, natural products have simply become too boring and not all that interesting to the more advanced generations, including my own. Having said that, a while ago I found out through research that melaleuca oil has been shown to have many health benifits,especially to those who suffer allergies and other indistict, vague symptoms like fatigue, headaches,nausea…etc.

It amazed me that I, a sufferer of terrible allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities and a doctor, had surprisingly never come across the name Melaleuca before which stands for “tea tree oil” that is mainly obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of the tree Melaleuca Alternifolia, that is mainly found in Australia.

Further more and through research I have come to find that Melaleuca is used in many conditions including:

Treatment of Acne Vulgaris,athletes foot,fungal nail Infections, oral thrush,treatment and prevention of plaque and gingivitis, it’s been used to treat MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), genital Herpes, dandruf, allergic skin reactions as well as vaginal Yeast and Bacterial infections such as Trichomonus vaginalis.

The target of this topic, and many to follow, is to explain the evidence behind rediscovering Melaleuca tea tree oil and how it ties in to health & wellness. Knowing how to use it and in what form and dosage is critical to understand as tea tree oil cannot be ingested but, can be used in a variety of other ways to benefit health. Some forms that are common include applying the oil in vaporizers and inhaling the mist to help clear up congestion, and sore throats.

Melaleuca is also incorporated into shampoos to help with itchy flacky scalp problems like psoriasis and dandruff and its also used in skin lotions/creams to help with Eczema and dry cracked skin conditions and toothpaste to help with gingivitis & bleeding gums. Many newer, safer and more natural cleaning as well as cleansing home care products have different concentrations of melaleuca oil in them as well.

Overall, the uses are many and are worth a try if you or a loved one suffer from any of the listed medical conditions.

Iman Ashour
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/incorporate-melaleuca-to-achieve-your-health-wellness-138032.html

Thanks for any suggestions.

Try the baby shampoo. Next time you wash you hair, don’t apply shampoo directly on your hair and scalp. Pour some shampoo on your hand, add a bit of water and work up the foam before you apply it to your hair. Wash your hair only with the foam and you don’t need to use it on the scalp. Do not use overly hot water to wash your hair. Rinse with colder water if you can

its mainly on his arms and legs and a little on his back,, but he mainly scratches at his face and scalp

the dr put him on aquaphor w/ hydrocordisone but i need something that i can put on his face and head for itching

he has a hard time getting to sleep because of the itching

ive already tried :

aveeno baby wash and lotion

eucerine lotion

johnson’s baby wash and thick creme lotion

vasaline

olive oil

also the dr told me that i could use selsun blue (sp?) for the scalp but i think that it might be a bit strong for a 3 month old because its medicated

the doctor would not have recommended selsun blue if it was too strong for the child.

You might disagree, but hear me out on this. My readers often have questions about the recommended vitamins for healthy hair and skin. Here’s what I tell them. To have the best looking hair and the healthiest skin, you need all of the basic, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, protein and carbohydrates. And, when it comes to the skin’s health, you need a good skincare routine.

When a person is deficient in any nutrient, it shows. The symptoms may be dark circles under the eyes, blemishes, uneven pigmentation, paleness or a specific skin condition like Eczema or psoriasis. The hair may look dull and lifeless, instead of shiny and richly colored.

The cosmetic companies have allowed us to cover up these signs of nutritional deficiencies with makeup and hair coloring. Those things should only be necessary to highlight our features, emphasize the color of the eyes or the fullness of the lips. We should need them to conceal an underlying health problem.

Are there specific vitamins for healthy hair and skin? An excellent daily nutritional supplement provides everything that you need. The average ones that you see on store shelves are not of the highest quality. Most of them contain synthetic vitamin E, which regardless of what the manufacturer’s say, I cannot believe that a compound derived from crude oil is actually beneficial for a person’s health.

Once you find the best nutritional supplement, you should focus on getting rid of the toxic personal care products that you are using every day. Your shampoo and body wash, as well as the cosmetics that you use should be as natural as possible. Ingredients like petrolatum and mineral oil are also derived from crude oil. These substances clog your pores and are often contaminated with hazardous compounds, many of which cause cancer.

A mild all-natural cleanser is just as important as vitamins for healthy hair and skin. And, after cleansing your face, you should be using a nourishing moisturizer, both day and night.

Many people feel that their skin is too oily and that there is no need to use a moisturizer, but when you clean your face, the solution removes natural oils. If you don’t use a balancing moisturizer, the sebaceous glands will secrete even more oils to try to compensate. The moisturizer that I recommend contains grape seed oil, passion fruit extract, coenzyme Q10, natural vitamin E, kelp extracts and protein.

These ingredients contain many of the nutrients and vitamins for healthy hair and skin. Maracuja passion fruit extract helps to regulate sebum production, so that your skin will not be too oily or too dry. Coenzyme Q10 and natural vitamin E must be properly prepared or they cannot be used by the skin’s cells to protect them from free radicals and oxidation.

Do yourself a favor, to help maintain the health of the hair, scalp and the body, I recommend a showerhead filter for those people that have chlorine in their water supply. There are many other things that you can do, as well. These are just the basics of vitamins for healthy hair and skin. There’s always more to learn.

To learn more about vitamins for beautiful skin, and other incredible natural substances for natural healthy skin care, visit my website today.

Laurel Levine
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/a-guide-to-vitamins-for-healthy-hair-and-skin-738733.html