- Asymmetry. One half doesn't match the appearance of the other half.
- Border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
- Color. The color (pigmentation) is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to a mottled appearance.
- Diameter. The size of the mole is greater than 1/4 inch (6 mm), about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be evaluated.
- Evolution (not shown in the picture). There is a change in the size, shape, symptoms (such as itching or tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or color of a mole.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Healthy Skin
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Healthy Mouth
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Heathy Esophagus and Stomach
Healthy Esophagus & Stomach
The stomach begins the process of food digestion through the production of acid. The stomach is designed to handle acid but the esophagus is not. There is a sphincter between the esophagus and stomach that usually prevents the acid from backing up into the esophagus. Irritation of the esophagus can be painful. Chronic irritation places a person a risk for developing a condition called Barrett’s Esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer. So what causes excessive sphincter relaxation and acid reflux?
First, abdominal obesity or tight fitting clothing can increase stomach pressure and push acid backward into the esophagus. Weight loss can decrease this problem. Esophageal sphincter relaxation can also be caused by smoking, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, acidic foods, fatty foods, chocolate, and mints. If reflux is a problem you can take the following measures to prevent esophageal irritation: lose weight, avoid tight-fitting clothes or betls, avoid excessive consumption of foods that relax the sphincter or increase acid production, elevated the head of your bed to use gravity from refluxing all the way up, and the Mayo Clinic has found that relaxation techniques can help as well. Those who have had bariatric surgery and have a smaller stomach are at a higher risk for reflux and have to be more careful about these foods that relax the sphincter. Fortunately, as they loose weight the pressure on the stomach will decrease somewhat.
The stomach can also also get irritated by excessive acid production and cause heartburn (gastritis) or even ulcers. Heartburn can be increased by the following: Helicobacter pylori (bacteria in stomach- see last week's blog), overeating, eating in a hurry, fatty foods (they linger in the stomach longer), acidic foods (vinegar in salad dressing, tomatoes, citrus, etc), caffeinated beverages, carbonated drinks (soda pop), Chocolate, spicy foods, and alcohol. Stress and anxiety can also contribute to heartburn and gastric ulcers.
All of the above foods can increase the risk for stomach cancer because they cause irritation. However, smoked foods, salted fish and meat, pickeled vegetables, and smoking have all been found to be even greater risk factors. The reason for this is because they contain nitrates and nitrites that can be converted by bacteria in the stomach into dangerous compounds that increased the risk for cancer. Many believe that the Japanese and Chinese carry a much higher risk for stomach cancer because of their diets.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Healthy Small Intestine
Dairy product Lactose Content Yogurt, plain, low-fat, 240 mL 5 g Milk, reduced fat, 240 mL 11 g Swiss cheese, 28 g 1 g Ice cream, 120 mL 6 g Cottage cheese, 120 mL 2–3 g
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Sunday, March 28, 2010
Healthy Colon
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Healthy Rectum
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Healthy Exercise
Exercise is generally considered an element of a healthy lifestyle. Lately, research has not only confirmed this but it has also revealed a few less known benefits. There are various forms of exercise and all carry with them their own benefits. Each form of exercise can be categorized into one, two, or all of the below categories:
Flexibility/Yoga
Benefits: Improved flexibility, Improved balance, Mental relaxation
Aerobic
Benefits: Heart strengthening, Lung conditioning, Weight loss, Lower Blood Pressure, Lower Cholesterol (increased good cholesterol-HDL)
Strength Training/Resistance
Benefits: Increased strength, Weight loss, Increased bond density
Diseases and their recommended form of exercise:
Heart Disease/HTN/High Cholesterol: Aerobic exercise results in heart conditioning, lower BP, lower cholesterol
Chronic Lung Disease: Aerobic exercise results in improved lung tolerance and conditioning.
Fibromyalgia/Chronic pain: Yoga improves muscle functioning and decreased pain
Mood Disorders: Exercise improves mood
Old Age: Exercise improves balance and reduces the risk of fall, strength training increases bone density decreasing the risk of osteoporotic fractures, exercise decreases the risk of dementia.
Aerobic Exercise: 150-300min/wk moderate exercise or 75-150min/wk vigorous exercise. Vigorous exercise is something you can only maintain for 15-20 minutes.
Muscle Strengthening: Twice a week. Moderate to intense level. All major muscle groups
Tips on how to start and maintain an exercise routine:
Choose something you like to do. Make sure it suits you physically, too. For instance, swimming is easier on arthritic joints.
Get a partner. Exercising with a friend or relative can make it more fun.
Vary your routine. You may be less likely to get bored or injured if you change your exercise routine. Walk one day. Bicycle the next. Consider activities like dancing and racquet sports, and even chores like vacuuming or mowing the lawn.
Choose a comfortable time of day. Don't work out too soon after eating or when it's too hot or cold outside. Wait until later in the day if you're too stiff in the morning.
Don't get discouraged. It can take weeks or months before you notice some of the changes from exercise, such as weight loss.
Forget "no pain, no gain." While a little soreness is normal after you first start exercising, pain isn't. Take a break if you hurt or if you are injured.
Make exercise fun. Read, listen to music or watch TV while riding a stationary bicycle, for example. Find fun things to do, like taking a walk through the zoo. Go dancing. Learn how to play a sport you enjoy, such as tennis.