Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can be harmful to our cell membranes and the cellular damage they can produce puts additional stress on the already dysfunctional immune system found in the fibromyalgia syndrome. Free radicals are produced during the oxidative processes in the production of energy. An excess of harmful free radical production can result from the effects of air pollution, radiation, toxic wastes, food additives and pesticide residues.

Foods rich in vitamin C may help prevent skin aging, according to a new study in the United Britarie. British scientists have investigated the connection between diet and skin damage, examining the 4025 farm aged 40 and 74. The loss in quality was defined by skin wrinkles, low elasticity and atrophy.

Postmenopausal women who have taken long-term estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) have an overall lower risk of death from all causes than women who have not taken ERT, according to a study in the January 1996 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The primary apparent effect of long-term ERT use was a reduction in coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women.

The poor misunderstood skin. Many people don't think of it as a living thing. They just think of it as an external "wrapping layer" for the body that keeps the inner organs from falling out. :) Well, in fact, the skin is very much alive and it's also the largest organ of the body...accounting for a full 12% of your weight. The skin performs several essential functions. "...the three that are by far the most important are the following: Protection of deeper tissues against drying and against invasion by pathogenic organisms or their toxins through a mechanical barrier

In the good old days, nothing came between physicians and their patients. Today, however, telephone-based nurse counseling, a relatively unknown yet booming service, is being positioned as a major point-of-entry to the health care system, according to a report in the American Medical News.

Few years ago the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) as the first and only agent for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). This approval was a beacon of hope for the more than 300,000 Americans who are afflicted with this central nervous system disease which usually first appears in young adulthood and which disables by causing problems with vision, strength, coordination, speech, bladder control, sensation, or other faculties governed by the eyes, brain, or spinal cord.

How many women have made the dreaded trip to the drug store to purchase some personal product like tampons, birth control, a pregnancy test -- only to run into a friend, a co-worker or, worse, a drug store clerk who screams for a price check for the condoms the woman wants to buy? The fact that women's most private of products are sold in the most public of places seems strangely contradictory. Particularly strange when you consider that, very often, retail drug stores stock women's personal products behind the pharmacy counter -- forcing women to ask the pharmacist or clerk for them.

Medical experts continue to track the rise of malignant melanoma -- a type of deadly skin cancer that was once rare but is now increasing faster than any other type of cancer in the United States. Last year alone, more than 600,000 cases of skin cancer were reported. The good news is that death rates from skin cancer, including melanoma, are small -- 9 out of 10 cases are cured.

How much do you know about breast cancer? The answer is probably, "not enough." Because 182,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year in the United States, it's a subject worth learning about. Your health, your life, or the life of a woman close to you may depend on knowing a few simple facts:

No doubt about it: water is the single most important nutrient. None of the vital functions of our bodies - from regulating our temperature to creating new cells - could occur without it. Water lubricates joints, regulates temperature, and provides the body with minerals and essential fluids. Doctors recommend that we drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. You need more if you're physically active, or if it s excessively hot.

Warts are a very common but challenging skin problem. These pesky bumps, known in dermatological circles as "verrucae," have likely been around since the dawn of man, afflicting millions of individuals. They are caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV. There are many subtypes of HPV causing a variety of different warts. They are potentially contagious, spreading to other body areas on one person or to other individuals.

Acne is a problem affecting many millions of individuals from all walks of life. Most commonly, the problem starts in the teen years with a second peak in young woman from the early twenties to the late thirties/early forties. Hormonal factors are a primary contributing factor. Stress often seems a factor in acne, with its impact likely mediated through the body's hormone system. Diet has not been substantiated as a contributing factor despite abundant rumors.

Why do we classify asthma? We classify asthma for the purpose of precise and efficient management. Aim of our management is not merely control of symptoms, but control of inflammation, since more inflammation in the airways is associated with more manifestation of disease, which demands more drugs to be prescribed. How can we classify asthma? A new classification is given by the Expert Panel-2 of National Asthma Education & Prevention Program, 1997, USA for better patient management.

What Causes Asthma Episodes? The exact etiology or causes of asthma is still unknown. The airways of the asthmatics are found to be inflamed, red and hypersensitive. It is known that some triggers induce an asthma attack if exposed to the inflamed airways. Therefore, the management plan for asthma is directed towards prevention of inflammation of the airway and avoidance of triggers for the better control of symptoms. What is a trigger?

Why do we define asthma? We define asthma to identify the disease correctly and to differentiate it from other diseases. To fulfill this goal, definition of asthma has been changing over last 40 years. The clinician, physiologist, immunologist, pathologist or epidemiologist - all have different perspective of asthma. In the year 1997, the following working definition has been formulated by Expert Panel-2 of National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, USA. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways:

Face: 1. It involves cleansing, toning (optional though) & moisturing : Cleansing removes dirt & make-up. Clean by patting gently on the face with your palms. Use a creamy cleansing lotion if you have dry skin or an oil-free lotion if you have oily skin. Toning removes the last traces of dirt. Use a alcohol-free toner for all skin types. Avoid alcohol-based toners. Moisturising puts moisture back on the face that was removed during cleansing. It protects the skin from moisture loss & prevents damage from pollution & wind.

To keep skin clear & free of problems, eating right plays a big part. Certain skin problems like acne & eczema can be seen as an attempt by the body to get rid of toxins through the skin. We can help our body do just that by making sure our kidneys & liver function well, not overburdened with the job to eliminate toxins from the body. Drink lots of water (filtered if possible) throughout the day, at least 8 glasses or 2 litres & eat large portions of fibre daily. Go easy on sugary foods & drinks. Learn to love fruits & vegetables.

Type I - Very fair skin. Burns very easily & doesn't tan. Type II - Fair skin. Burns easily & tans slightly. Type III - Burns occasionally & tans slowly. Type IV - Minimal burning & tans always. Type V - Rarely burns & tans always. Medium to heavy pigmentation. Type VI - Never burns & has a very dark tan. Heavy pigmentation. The lower the skin type, the higher the risk of skin cancer. Some of the drugs & herbs that make skin sun-sensitive

With the ozone depleting & the sun getting hotter these days, it's about time everyone, men & women of all ages & of all skin-types take good care of their skin. Children included too. 1. Avoid the sun from as early as 10am to 4pm, as the ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the strongest (or 10am to 2pm during winter). Sunscreen is needed even during winter & cloudy days.

Acene Acne goes with adolescence, a term derived from the Greek for the "acme" or prime of life. The young girl who is desperately aware of the smallest comedo and the otherwise handsome young man, with his face or back a battle field of acne cysts and scars, are familiar to us all.