Genital herpes is a downright scary subject for everyone. A health concern for some, a health issue to others, genital herpes affects everyone, from those still filled with virility to those past their sexual odysseys to those entering puberty. Genital herpes can be that landmine that prevents most people from considering one-night stands and casual flings, while for others it’s the shackles that prevents them from seeking or maintaining a fulfilling, romantic relationship. Many people who have genital herpes don’t even know they have it. There’s never been a sign, an indication.

The scariest truth surrounding genital herpes is that there still is no cure for the disease. The closest the medical world has come to a cure has been medications that can clear up outbreaks and reduce their frequencies.

List of Medications According to MayoClnic.com

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Natural Cures for Outbreaks of Genital Herpes

• Minimalize contact with infected partners
• Avoid sweeteners
• Ice packs
• Pain relievers
• Hydrogen peroxide to keep infections cleaned
• Use fresh linens and clothes
• Drink plenty of fluids – minimalize pain of urination
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

These same medications may reduce the chances of infecting a partner. Here’s where the situation goes from scary to morbid: nowhere has any organization or professional stepped up and said that medications will reduce risk of spreading, so if you are caring, don’t be so selfish as to not tell your partner. No matter what the conditions were that lead to your contraction, the only way to start breaking the horrific cycle of reckless herpes spreading is to stop yourself.

Ways to Reduce the Chances of Spreading Genital Herpes

• Abstinence – Not the most enviable, but the safest way. The issue is your partner’s health, not your pleasure
• Contraceptives – Worst to worst – covering the genital regions help
• Cleanliness – Keep the area fresh and clean

Ways to Reduce the Chances of Outbreaks of Genital Herpes

• Keep Healthy – Keep a steady supply of vitamin C and multiple vitamins to keep your immune system up. Some researchers believe there is a link to outbreaks of genital herpes and weakened immune systems.
• Keep at peace – a relaxed, happy person with less stress is often more likely to have breakouts than a stressed individual. “Don’t Worry. Be Happy,” and whatnot.

If You Think You Are Infected with Genital Herpes

If you think you are infected with genital herpes, go get it checked out at a clinic. There’s a couple reasons for doing so:
1) Knowing leads to easier treatments and reduces the stress from the fear of not knowing. And, stress can lead to more breakouts, so, once again, relax.

2) Other conditions can look like genital herpes and not be genital herpes. No need trying to go blind researching your condition and getting sick loading up on home remedies for what could be papules or chicken pox (ouch).

Be respectful of those around you. The only way we get through this life is together.

- Martin

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Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which can be very painful and quite frustrating. One of the telltale signs of psoriasis is thick, red, silvery, scaled patches of skin that usually flake and itch. With psoriasis, new skin cells reproduce rapidly to the surface of the skin within days, rather than the normal growth period of a few weeks. These skin cells build up and form thick patches (plaques). While a doctor should treat severe psoriasis, many home remedies can be used to treat mild cases of psoriasis.

Psoriasis affects both males and females equally and is more common between the ages of fifteen to thirty, although it may appear at any age. Psoriasis is not contagious and you can’t “catch” psoriasis from touching someone who has it.

Psoriasis Symptoms

The following are common symptoms of psoriasis:

• Patches (or plaques) of red, irritated skin (may be slightly raised) that may be covered with bright silvery scales
• Scaling spots
• Itching, burning or soreness of skin
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
• Change in fingernails and toenails—thickened, pitted or ridged nails that change color and separate from the nail bed
• Swollen, stiff and painful joints—restricted movement of the joints
• Emotional distress

Psoriasis patches can vary. You may experience dandruff-like scaling in a few areas or there could be major eruptions over large areas. Patches usually occur on the scalp, elbows, hands, knees, feet, chest, back, arms, legs, toenails and fingernails. Although psoriasis is more common in adults, teens and children can also develop psoriasis.

Mild cases of psoriasis can be a nuisance and many people who suffer from it may avoid swimming and other situations where patches can be seen. More severe cases of psoriasis can be very painful and even disfiguring.

Most types of psoriasis involve cycles:

1. Flaring for a few weeks or months
2. Flaring subsides or goes into remission
3. Flaring returns (in most instances)

Psoriasis Causes

Researchers believe that psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system which results in the inflammation and flaking of skin. The immune system consists of a type of white blood cell called a T call which aids in protecting the body from infection and disease. Scientists think that psoriasis is related to an overproduction of T cells in the skin. The T cells trigger inflammation and increased reproduction of skin cells, which leads to inflammation, and flaking of skin.

Heredity can also play a role in the development of psoriasis. If you have a family history of psoriasis, you chances of having the disease are increased. Read this article from eMedicine Health to find out about 7 new genetic clues for psoriasis to find out more.

Psoriasis Triggers

Psoriasis may occur or worsen due to various triggers. You may be able to figure out what factors triggers your psoriasis and find ways to try and avoid them.

• Stress
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Hormone changes—disease occurrence may peak during puberty and menopause. Pregnant women with psoriasis may experience an improvement in their symptoms. However, during the postpartum period, psoriasis may flare up.
• Overexposure to sunlight—short periods of sun exposure can help reduce psoriasis in most people, but too much skin can damage the skin and sunburn can cause flare ups.
• Cold weather
• Infections—strep throat, oral thrush
• Skin injuries—cut, scrape, insect bite, sunburn
• Medications—lithium, blood pressure medicines, iodides, antimalarial drugs

Psoriasis Home Remedies

Below are skin care treatments and home remedies to help ease the pain of psoriasis:

• Keep your skin moist by using creams, lotions, pills, baths, or soaks.
• Carefully remove psoriasis crusts by gently putting cream on them and then peeling the loose crusts off. This can help your skin to absorb lotions and creams. Be careful not to irritate the skin.
• Take a bath with hot Epsom salts then apply a little olive oil. Keep your skin clean with dry friction or daily sponging.
• Aloe Vera can help to soothe the skin.
• Cabbage leaves—make sure they are thick and green. Wash the cabbage leaves in warm water, dry with a towel, flatten them (you may want to use a rolling pin), make sure they are warm and apply to the affected area. Put a pad or cloth over them and secure with a bandage.
• Avocado oil has been proven very beneficial in treating psoriasis. Gently rub the oil into the affected areas.
• Buttermilk helps to relieve the pain and itch. You can drink it in liberal quantities or you can use it as a compress over the affected parts.
• Take Vitamin E in doses of 400 mg per day to help reduce itching and scab formation.
• Take 6 to 9 lecithin capsules a day (2 or 3 before or after each meal).

–Nolan

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Shin splints, I hate. Shin splints and I are not friends. Shin splints stick around like that girl who doesn’t want to be with you but doesn’t want you to leave. “Shin splints, I curse you without fear of metaphysical consequences! “ I lied.

Shin splints are those first warning signs for people trying to get back into shape. “Okay, enough for today. Try to develop the will to do it again tomorrow,” they’ll shout at you. Shin splints are typical in how they show up amongst the active and athletic people, as well as those packing a extra few pounds, but are atypical because, like that girl who won’t let you leave, shin splints are symptoms of several possible problems.

Shin Splint Symptoms

• Pain on the shin towards the inner leg
• Tender areas around the shin
• Pain that flares up in the shin during activity
• Throbbing pain when crunching / flexing the foot
• Bumps on inner shin bone
• General pain on shin

Shin Splint Causes

• A worn or overworked muscle
• Improper footwear when exercising (Don’t run in sandals [not that I would know])
• Bad running technique (hint: lift your legs instead of shuffling your feet)
• Compartment syndrome – swelling or irritation that cuts of circulation

Shin Splint Treatments

• Rest
• Use proper footwear (those designed to absorb shock)
• Tape up your shins to balance out the pressure
• Pain relieving medications – Iburprofren and the like
• Ice and heat treatments – 20 minutes ice / 20 mins heat / 20 mins ice…
• Stretching to release tension

Like the girl who won’t let you leave, if your shin splints start to develop a lack of feeling or discoloration, seek medical attention immediately. I’d find it hard to imagine that anyone would want to run the risk of losing the lower leg due to inaction.

For more online information, please consult the following as well.

• Sportsinjurlyclinic.net
• Wikipedia.org
• Medicinenet.com
• About.com

Please take care of yourself,

- Martin

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I had this friend who always flipped out about bees even as an adult. She would scream and flail her arms wildly as she ran around like a maniac. I wasn’t a huge fan of anything that could sting me, but I figured if I left bees alone then they would leave me alone. Plus they are kinda cute…in a way. Who doesn’t love a puffy bumblebee buzzing about the garden?

Apiphobia (also known as melissophobia) is a persistant fear of bees and is prevalent in young children. This can cause avoidance and panic. The fear may stem from a bee sting, so the progression into a fear can be quite natural. However, an excessive and constant fear is considered abnormal.

It’s important to note that bees attack when bothered or squashed and in defense of their hive. Also, if you’re flinging your arms about wildly, the bee sees this as aggressive behavior and may sting you.

Interesting fact: MythBusters co-host, Adam Savage is a well-known apiphobe and his fear has been displayed in many episodes.

Symptoms of Apiphobia

• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Extreme distress—shortness of breath, heavy breathing, sweating
• Avoiding the situation—avoiding bees or avoiding the outdoors

Treatment for Apiphobia

If a bee comes near you, keep calm, take a deep breath and stay still. These tips will decrease your risk of being stung by a bee.

Try reading a book about bees. Then watch a video that shows a colony of bees and think about how their colony works. Once you’re ready, try to go outside and be around bees.

If you’re trying to help your child overcome his fear of bees, show him that you can handle being around bees.

DO NOT try to move or harm bees because you could end up with more problems (plus you should be humane to animals anyway).

–Nolan

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You’ve been there before—tossing and turning in bed and burning up thinking that you could fry an egg on your head. Or hugging tight to the blankets because you’re chilled and shivering. Sweating and achy, you can’t wait for the fever to break.

What is a fever?

A fever (also known as pyrexia or ague) is the body’s response to infection or inflammation. It’s not a disease, but rather a symptom that results from your internal body temperature rising above the normal level (98.6F orally). For an oral temperature, you may be a few degrees lower or higher than 98.6F, but for a rectal temperature, any thing higher than 100.4F is considered a fever. Usually a rectal temperature is 1 degree Fahrenheit higher than an oral temperature. If your temperature under your arm (axillary) is over 99.0F, a fever is present.

Fever Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a fever vary depending on what’s causing the fever. Some symptoms of a common fever include the following:

• Flushed appearance
• Chills, shivering
• Sweating
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Overall weakness or fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Dehydration

High fevers ranging between 103 and 106 F, can cause:

• Irritability
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Convulsions
• Brain damage

Fever Causes

There are many different conditions than can cause a fever such as:

• Types of infectious disease—influenza, common cold, mononucleosis, gastroenteritis, malaria, HIV
• Diseases of the immune system—lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis
• Skin inflammations—pimples, acne, boils, abscess
• Cancers—leukemia, lymphoma
• Other conditions—diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, silicosis, malnutrition

Home Remedies and Tips

Drink your fluids—try to drink as much water as possible to replace fluid loss and to bring down body temperature.

Avoid iron and zinc supplements when you have a fever—zinc won’t be absorbed by the body when you have a fever and iron will create tension.

Rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous activity.

Eat a liquid diet—avoid solid food and any foods that are heavy or fried.

Take a cool bath for 5 to 10 minutes.

If the fever is 102F or under, let it run its course.

If a child has a fever, do not let him have aspirin. Reduce his fever with cold baths.

Fresh pineapple is a natural anti-inflammatory and can not only fight a fever, but can also prevent dehydration.

Make a basil tea—mix 1 teaspoon of basil with ¼ teaspoon black pepper and steep in a hot cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and drink three times a day.

Peel and cut a potatoe into slices and lay them on your forehead and stomach for about half an hour.

–Nolan

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