SHOCK !!! Earthquake hits stricken Sumatra The Second Time

Second earthquake hits stricken Sumatra

529 confirmed dead and thousands feared trapped in rubble in western Indonesia as second quake strikes 180 miles from first

A second powerful earthquake has hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a day after the first devastating quake left more than 500 dead, thousands of people buried in rubble and a major city cut off from the outside world.

Today's quake, of magnitude 6.9, struck in the early hours about 180 miles from the epicentre of yesterday's more powerful tremor out at sea.

There were 529 confirmed deaths from the first quake, said relief officials, although the figure was likely to rise.



Indonesia's government dispatched rescue workers to the stricken region, while international aid agencies prepared to launch a major relief effort as tens of thousands of people spent a night in the rain after their homes were damaged.

The country's health minister, Siti Fadilah Supari, said: "I think it's more than thousands, if we look at how widespread the damage is. This is a high-scale disaster."

He said yesterday's quakes may have been more powerful than the Yogyakarta earthquake in Java in 2006, which killed 3,000 people.



In Padang, a city of 900,000, it was clear the authorities scarcely knew where to begin the recovery. There was no heavy lifting equipment to move the rubble under which hundreds more may be buried and soldiers were only just beginning to arrive in significant numbers.

"Help from the government is too slow," said Dodi, a resident who was queuing with thousands of others for petrol. "With gas, with medicines, with doctors, with the army. Many, many people are gone. They are dead. We need help."

People were sleeping on the street outside shattered homes or camping out at the airport. Even families whose homes stayed resolute in the face of the 7.6 magnitude quake were staying out of doors, fearful of aftershocks.

Many houses, though ramshackle, still stand. It is the large, public buildings, mostly those in the centre of town, that have been worst hit by the quake.

The rubble at the Dr M Djamil Hospital has not even begun to be sifted. Scores of bodies will emerge from it. Nasjid has waited at the hospital's ruins since early morning.

"I don't want to be here. I know my son is dead. But I cannot go home. I don't want to. So I just wait. But they tell me nothing. It is only bad news."

The Best Western hotel, the newest in the city, has lost its back half entirely and all its windows are blown out. A string of car showrooms along the main street – two and three storeys high, grand by Padang standards – are nothing more than rubble.

Yesterday's quake struck at 5.16pm, less than 24 hours after another deadly quake off the South Pacific island of Samoa. Its epicentre was reported to be about 30 miles offshore from Padang, at a depth of about 53 miles.

At least 500 buildings in the city collapsed in the quake. At least 80 people were missing at the city's five-storey Ambacang hotel, which also fell. Rescuers, working in heavy rain, found two survivors and nine bodies in the hotel's rubble.

The first emergency medical relief – a team of 40 doctors from Jakarta – was expected to reach the area today.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by the disruption of electricity and telecommunication lines, which have thrown Padang into darkness. Reports claimed all roads into the city were blocked by landslides.

Padang's airport was described as "inaccessible" by a pilot from the state airline who was forced to turn back. According to one report, the airport terminal roof had collapsed.

While most of the early attention has focused on Padang, concern was rising over the fate of towns and villages in the surrounding countryside. In the town of Maninjau, further inland, a resident, Hafiz, told local media he had watched houses being buried in a landslide when a hill collapsed.

The earthquake in Sumatra came 24 hours after a huge tsunami struck Samoa at dawn on Tuesday – triggered by an earthquake measuring between 8.0 and 8.3 – which also flattened villages and swept cars and people out to sea, killing at least 100 and leaving dozens missing. Survivors fled the churning water for higher ground on the South Pacific island.

Padang lies on one of the world's most active faultlines, which was responsible for the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people on Boxing Day 2004.

From:.guardian.co.uk

Powerful quake rocks , Earthquake hits northwest Pakistan , Afghanistan

Islamabad, Oct 30 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Punjab and North West Frontier Province in Pakistan Thursday night, a TV report said.

The quake occurred at 11.45 p.m.

The tremor was felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad, Swat and Dera Ghazi Khan, among others areas, Geo TV reported.

No further details were immediately available.

AND ISLAMABAD: A 5.0 magnitude shallow earthquake jolted northern Pakistani cities Friday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, officials said.



The tremors were felt in several northwestern Pakistani cities, including Peshawar, and the capital Islamabad, at 12:46 pm, chief of Pakistan's meteorological department, Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, told AFP.

The quake's epicentre was located near the northwestern town of Parachinar, some 160 kilometres west of Islamabad at a depth of 10 kilometres, he said.

A tribal administration official in Parachinar said residents rushed out of their homes but there were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties.

The US Geological Survey registered the quake at 5.1, and said it was centred 87 kilometres southeast of the Afghan capital Kabul.

It was the second earthquake to jolt Pakistan in less than 24 hours. Late Thursday a 6.1 magnitude earthquake was felt in several Pakistani cities, but caused no casualties.

Northern Afghanistan and Pakistan are frequently hit by earthquakes, especially around the Hindu Kush range near the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake in northwest Pakistan and Kashmir in October 2005 killed 74,000 people and displaced 3.5 million.

From: dawn.com

Back Problems and Back Muscle Spasm

Most people will have a minor back problem at one time or another. Our body movements usually do not cause problems, but it's not surprising that symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or injury. Back problems and injuries often occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or home projects.

Back pain can cause problems anywhere from the neck to the tailbone (coccyx). The back includes:

- The bones and joints of the spine (vertebrae).
- The discs that separate the vertebrae and absorb shock as you move.
- The muscles and ligaments that hold the spine together.

Back injuries are the most common cause of back pain. Injuries frequently occur when you use your back muscles in activities that you do not do very often, such as lifting a heavy object or doing yard work. Minor injuries also may occur from tripping, falling a short distance, or excessive twisting of the spine. Severe back injuries may result from car accidents, falls from significant heights, direct blows to the back or the top of the head, a high-energy fall onto the buttocks, or a penetrating injury such as a stab wound.

Although back pain is often caused by an injury to one or more of the structures of the back, it may have another cause. Some people are more likely to develop back pain than others. Factors that increase your risk for back pain and injury include getting older, having a family history of back pain, sitting for long periods, lifting or pulling heavy objects, or having a degenerative disease such as osteoporosis.

Low back pain may occur in children and teenagers, but children and teens are less likely to see a doctor for low back pain. Although most back problems occur in adults who are between the ages of 20 and 50, back problems in children who are younger than 20 and adults who are older than 50 are more likely to have a serious cause.



Back problems may not be related to an injury.

- Conditions that weaken the spine, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, or Paget's disease, can cause back pain. These conditions are most common in older adults. In rare cases, tumours or infections can develop in or around the spine.
- Some medical conditions can cause pain to spread to the back from other parts of the body (referred pain). Many health problems that can cause back pain have nothing to do with the bones, joints, muscles, or ligaments of the back.
- Spinal deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis (Scheuermann's disease), and spondylolisthesis can cause back pain.
- Chronic pain syndrome caused by a previous injury or degenerative disease with aging can cause back pain.

Back Muscle Spasm

Back muscle spasm is always terribly painful. The muscles contract violently and uncontrollably. Every movement might set off a new series of horrible muscular contractions. This experience is often described as the most painful experience of a person’s life. (I can personally agree with that statement 100%!!!)

Immediate First Aid for Back Muscle Spasm

The best idea for a new injury is rest and ice. Try to relax and find a comfortable position. Avoid any movement that will set off a new series of spasms. Apply ice to the area 10- 20 minutes at a time, every 1 to 2 hours. Do not apply ice for longer than 20 minutes. OTC drugs might be needed for symptomatic relief of severe pain.

From: cure-back-pain.org , health.yahoo.com

The cause of seborrhoeic dermatitis?

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is believed to be an inflammatory reaction related to a proliferation of a normal skin inhabitant, a yeast called Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum ovale). The main species found in the scalp is M. globosa. It produces toxic substances that irritate the skin. Patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis appear to have a reduced resistance to the yeast.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not contagious or related to diet, but it may be aggravated by illness, psychological stress, fatigue, change of season and reduced general health. Those with immunodeficiency (especially infection with HIV) and with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and stroke are particularly prone to it.



From : pharmacy-and-drugs.com , pgbeautygroomingscience.com

What is seborrhoeic dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common, harmless, scaling rash affecting the face, scalp and other areas. It is most likely to occur where the skin is oily. The American spelling is ‘seborrheic’, and ‘dermatitis’ is sometimes called ‘eczema’.

Dandruff (also called ‘pityriasis capitis’) is an uninflamed form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Dandruff presents as scaly patches scattered within hair-bearing areas of the scalp.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis may appear at any age after puberty. It fluctuates in severity and may persist for years. It may predispose to psoriasis. However, the plaques of psoriasis are more persistent, thicker, and a deeper red colour, with large flakes of white scale. Psoriasis is very likely to affect elbows and knees as well as the scalp. However, sometimes it is difficult to tell psoriasis from seborrhoeic dermatitis on the face, scalp and chest and your doctor may diagnose an overlap condition, known as ‘sebopsoriasis’.

Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis



Related :

• How to get rid of dermatitis,
• The cause of seborrhoeic dermatitis?
• Perioral dermatitis,common facial skin problem in women

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting areas of the head and trunk where sebaceous glands are most prominent. Lipophilic yeasts of the Malassezia genus, as well as genetic, environmental and general health factors, contribute to this disorder. Scalp seborrhea varies from mild dandruff to dense, diffuse, adherent scale. Facial and trunk seborrhea is characterized by powdery or greasy scale in skin folds and along hair margins. Treatment options include application of selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc or ketoconazole-containing shampoos, topical ketoconazole cream or terbinafine solution, topical sodium sulfacetamide and topical corticosteroids.

From : aafp.org , dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/

Perioral dermatitis,common facial skin problem in adult women

Perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis is a common facial skin problem in adult women. It rarely occurs in men. It may occasionally affect children. Groups of itchy or tender small red papules (bumps) appear most often around the mouth. They spare the skin bordering the lips (which then appears pale) but develop on the sides of the chin, then spreading to include upper lip and cheeks. The surrounding skin may be pink, and the skin surface often becomes dry and flaky.

Often the skin around the nose is affected too, and sometimes that around the eyes (when it should more correctly be called ‘periocular’, or better still, ‘periorificial’ dermatitis.) Rarely, periorificial dermatitis may affect genital skin or the skin surrounding the anus.

The cause of perioral or periorificial dermatitis?

The exact cause of perioral dermatitis and/or periorificial dermatitis is not understood. Patients who are susceptible to perioral dermatitis tend to have an oily face, at least in the affected areas. The rash is probably induced by:

- Neglecting to wash the face with water, using soap or a soap-free cleanser.

- Face creams applied to the area bounded by the cheek folds and chin, or around the eyes in the case of periocular dermatitis. Moisturisers, cream cleansers, make-up foundation and sunscreens may all provoke perioral dermatitis.

-Topical steroid creams or ointments, which appear to be the most frequent cause. They are sometimes applied quite inadvertently, touched by the fingers that are treating another part of the body. The more potent the steroid cream, the more rapid and severe the perioral dermatitis which may result.

Recent research suggests perioral dermatitis may be related to proliferating bacteria and/or yeasts in the hair follicles.

Treatment

Luckily perioral dermatitis responds well to treatment.

- Discontinue applying all face creams including topical steroids, cosmetics and sunscreens.

Note: when a steroid cream is discontinued, the rash gets worse for a few days before it starts to improve. Do not apply face creams in the affected areas in the future, as the rash is very likely to reappear.

If you have to be outdoors during the summer months, choose a liquid, gel or light milk sunscreen.

- Wash the face with warm water alone while the rash is present. When it has cleared up, use a non-soap bar or liquid cleanser.

- Your doctor or dermatologist may also prescribe a course of oral antibiotics for six to twelve weeks. Normally tetracycline or one of its derivatives is recommended. Topical antibiotics such as erythromycin, clindamycin or metronidazole tend to be less effective. Azelaic acid may be of benefit, and can be used during pregnancy.

Perioral dermatitis sometimes recurs when the antibiotics are discontinued, or at a later date. The same treatment can be used again.
 

Related :

- Perioral dermatitis: it's not every rash that occurs around the mouth.

- California Baby Calendula Cream, 2 oz

From : dermnetnz.org/acne/perioral-dermatitis.html

The New methode That Will Change The Way You Eat

The Conscious Cook
Delicious Meatless Recipes That Will Change the Way You Eat

Revolutionary chef Tal Ronnen arrives with The Conscious Cook—his first full-color cookbook, a satisfying solution to every omnivore’s dilemma. A former meat-eater who found himself unfulfilled by standard vegan fare, Ronnen set out to create his own diverse menu of hardy, delicious vegetarian dishes that the finest restaurants would be honored to serve…and any food lover would love to eat! As a result, The Conscious Cook is loaded with healthy, delicious, and supremely gratifying meatless recipes that even carnivores will want to sink their teeth into—a treasure trove of fine, healthy dining from the master chef who has reinvented vegan cooking.

Book Description



A former steak lover himself, Chef Tal struggled for years on a vegan diet that left him hungry and filled with cravings for butter and meat. By applying traditional French culinary techniques to meatless cuisine, he found that he could gratify his cravings for rich flavor and fat.

The Conscious Cook shows readers that avoiding the health risks and ethical dilemmas of eating meat and dairy does not mean sacrificing taste and appetite. This is not a cookbook of sprouts and tofu burgers, but of mouth-watering, hearty meals that keep the protein at the center of your plate. Featuring 75 original recipes that will satisfy the fussiest foodies and the most dedicated of carnivores, The Conscious Cook is a breakthrough in meatless cuisine that will revolutionize the way readers experience food.


More, Compare Price & Info

From: harpercollins.com

Methode to Wear UGG Boots - Ugg Boots are both warm and comfortable.

when heard of winter, cold may come in your mind at once. if you are ready for the coming of winter, you should never be afraid of it. it is not difficult for us that if you protect your feet well, you will fell warm and comfortable. so you should get several shoes help you spend the cold winter.ugg boots can be done.for many individuals,?ugg boots provide the perfect insulation and comfort for the winter months. ugg boots are both warm and comfortable.

UGG boots are the latest in fashion accessories. Not only do they help keep your feet warm or cool according to the weather outside, they make a huge fashion statement too. UGG boots are cool, cute, cozy and relaxed. They are actually Australian Sheep skin boots made from double faced sheep skin. They are functional cute foot wear and are available in a variety of shades for you to choose from. Girly boots come in vibrant shades like pink and purple while guys seem to prefer neutral shades. They also come in a many styles such as heels, flats, chunky; with or without laces etc. These boots also have an advantage of being worn with or without socks as they have an inner fleece lining and aid in keeping your feet warm. UGG boots can be worn in cold weather and keep your feet safe up to a temperature as low as -30°F.



CHEAP UGG Boots>>Compare Price & Info

For women and young girls, the boots look great with tight, skinny jeans tucked well into them, short skirts, opaque tights or even bare legs. For guys, UGG boots look wonderful with jeans and they can give a rUGGed or casual look, which depends on the type of shirts or jeans you wear with the shoes.

UGG boots can be worn with leggings. This gives you a trendy and chic look and can be worn almost everywhere. UGGs of every color looks good with black leggings. You can also wear the boots tucked into your jeans. This works best with skinny jeans and looks cool while helping to keep your feet dry and warm at the same time. The jeans can also be rolled up and worn with a cuff along the UGGs. This gives a casual rUGGed look and is easy and versatile.

The comfy UGG boots are best paired with your sweats. You can wear them over your sweats or wear your sweats over them. You will be amazed to find that the snug boots go well with your soft sweat pants. They also can be used while wearing snow clothes as they are roomy and large. It is however advisable not to wear UGG boots in warm weather. You might end up sweating profusely and leave stains on the boots.

It is good to get a suede protector which will protect your sheepskin boots from water. It should be sprayed on your boots once every week. This will prevent the color from fading.



CHEAP UGG Boots>>Compare Price & Info


From : ezinearticles.com, andddyoqa.mydomeblog.com

What the Right Bra Size Shouldnt Do

With so many ladies wearing the wrong bra size, I thought I would take a moment to discuss the signs that you might be wearing the wrong size bra. Below is a list of no-nos when it comes to bra fit.

Breasts should not fall out below the bra when raising your hands above your head. If they do try, going down a band size

The middle part of your bra that sits between your breasts should sit flat on your rib cage. If it doesnt try, going up a cup size.

The band of your bra should stay level around the circumference of your body. A band that rides up in the back means your band size is too big.

The bra straps should only be 10% of the support your bra gives. If your bras straps are doing all the work, consider going down a band size.

Breasts should fit comfortably into the bra cup with no overflow, double-bubble, or wrinkles in the bra fabric.

Your bra band should not be giving you the illusion of back fat. If this is happening try a larger band size or a difference style bra.

KEELEY HAZEL POSTER BRA HOT SEXY GIRL 24X36 NEW PP30805

Have a Professional Measure Your Correct Bra Size

Completely frustrated at the department store trying on the wrong size bras, I had to call in the little old woman sales assistant in the bra department to measure my size in the dressing room. I will admit I was a bit shy, but at least I would have a solid answer from a real bra professional. With the tape measure she too, measured the same measurements as I had myself. But when looking at me in the 32A, she saw the problem. She sweetly went out and searched for a 32B bra size for me to try. After trying on this new size it fit absolutely perfect! I was ecstatic and quite happy with the shape result and added perkiness.

The moral of the story is have a bra professional fit you with the proper bra size. Measuring with a tape measure may not be enough to get the perfect fit bra. And trust me, a correct size bra makes for a shapely, perky bosom with comfort. If your measured bra size is not translating well to the bra size try going up or down a cup or band size for the perfect fit.

Tip to Finding Your Bra Size, Even if Your Department Store Doesnt Carry It.

Bra Stores I really believe that one reason why so many women are wearing the wrong bras size is because local department stores only carry a very limited, standard size selection. We all think that we are suppose to fit in that limited size assortment, which is just not realistic. If you dont perfectly fit in the standard bras size, most women settle for mediocre fit of what is available, on sale and in the prettiest color.

I too, find myself in a rather hard to find size. I am also someone who prefers to stock up on everyday clothing items when they are on sale, which has been harder after learning my proper size. My new strategy is to buy the proper size, on sale and online. If I can find one at the store, I try it on and then stock up on that style through an online retailer. They are well stocked on unusual sizes and have sales all the time. Many offer free shipping deals, as well. Below are a few of my favorite online bra stores that carry a large variety of sizes brands.

• Bare Necessities
  
• Fig Leaves
  
• Essential Apparel
  
• Big Girls Bras (my bustier friends favorite)

Bra Size Guide-Find Your Bra Size

Did you know that 7 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra size. Popular shows like Oprah and TLCs What Not to Wear have dedicated entire shows to the subject since the problem is so rampant amount women. With such large number wearing the wrong bra size, I began to wonder if perhaps I was wearing the bra size.

Since I, Girl Friday, am the editor of this free beauty tips website, I decided to do a little bit of research on behalf of all women on measuring a bra size. Many websites explained how to find your correct bra size and had a size chart to find your resulting cup size. I will paraphrase the important parts about determining your bra size using this method.

How to find Bra size? cup size bra - bar necessities bras - bra fitting - bra cup size

Are you wearing the right size?

Almost 8 in 10 women are wearing the wrong size- you may be one of them. Why? Your body changes over time, and your fit will change year to year as you lose or gain weight, exercise more or less, and so on. If you are experiencing discomfort, spillage over your cups or back strap, tight straps, or a gap between your cups, you are most likely wearing the wrong size.

Measuring yourself for a bra is an art, not a science

Our fit guide can provide you with a good starting point. If you're not sure what size you wear, or fall between two sizes, you may want to try several sizes and styles as a starting point.

Getting Started

It's best to measure when you are wearing your most comfortable bra - one that has no padding and is not a minimizer.

STEP 1: BAND SIZE

Measure under your arms, high on your back, across the top of your chest. If this measurement is an even number, this is your band size. If an odd number, add 1" to determine your band size.

STEP 2: CUP SIZE

Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Next, subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement; each inch represents a cup size. For example: if your band measurement is 34" and your bust measurement is 36", the difference between these measurements is two inches, and you'd wear a B-cup.

Bra Size Chart

1 larger than measurement 1--------------------A
2 larger than measurement 1--------------------B
3 larger than measurement 1--------------------C
4 larger than measurement 1--------------------D
5 larger than measurement 1--------------------E
6 larger than measurement 1--------------------F


After all the research about finding the right bra size, my measurements put me in the somewhat embarrassing category of 32A. I did indeed fall in the 7 out of 10 women who are wearing the wrong bra size. I figured models have smaller breasts right? It cant be that bad. So I was off to the store to try on what I thought to be my measured bra size. The only problem was a 32A was giving me four breasts (you know the double-bubble affect) instead of two! I was back to square one asking myself whats my bra size?


Related :
Bra Size Guide-Find Your Bra Size.
What the Right Bra Size Should Do.
Have a Professional Measure Your Correct Bra Size.
How to Beautiful Breast - Breast Enlargement without Surgery.


From : freebeautytips.org,barenecessities.com

Treatments for Optic Neuritis

A healthy optic nerve is essential for good eyesight. Right: Optic neuritis damages the optic nerve.

Treatment of optic neuritis has changed in recent years, due to a landmark series of studies known as the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trials (ONTT).

In these studies, people with optic neuritis were randomized for treatment with intravenous (IV) steroids, oral steroids or placebo. Afterward they were evaluated for several years.

From these studies, researchers learned that treatment with steroids had little effect on the final visual outcome in patients with optic neuritis.

However, patients treated with IV steroids had fewer repeat attacks of optic neuritis than patients treated with oral steroids alone. In fact, those treated with oral steroids alone had a higher risk of repeat attacks of optic neuritis than those treated with placebo.

Even more importantly, patients treated initially with IV steroids had about half the risk of developing MS in two years as patients treated with oral steroids only, or placebo. Of those treated with IV (followed by oral) steroids, 7.5 percent developed MS in the following two years, versus about 16 percent in the other groups.

As a result of the ONTT, eye doctors now treat patients with optic neuritis with either IV — followed by oral steroids — or no treatment at all. No patients are treated with oral steroids alone. For those who are treated, the regimen typically includes three days of IV steroids, followed by about 11 days of oral steroids.

Prognosis for Those Who Have Optic Neuritis

Visual deficits caused by optic neuritis may worsen over a period of about seven days before vision typically stabilizes at that level for three to eight weeks. Gradual vision improvement then may occur.

About 95 percent of people with optic neuritis will recover much of their vision within six months of onset. However, about 19 percent will have a recurrence of optic neuritis in the affected eye, and 17 percent will develop optic neuritis in the other eye within 10 years.

As mentioned above, sometimes optic neuritis is a precursor to development of MS, so if you have optic neuritis, your doctor may recommend an MRI. If imaging shows "white matter" lesions indicating damage to myelin in nerve fibers, there is a 56 percent chance of developing MS within 10 years. But even with normal results, a person with optic neuritis has a 22 percent chance of developing MS.

Optic Neuritis and Neuropathy

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, caused by damage to and loss of the protective sheath (myelin) surrounding this nerve that is so vital for good vision. Demyelinating optic neuritis is another term for this eye condition.

Vision symptoms from optic neuritis can include blurring and blind spots. You also may notice distorted vision, reduced color vision and pain when you move your eyes. These types of symptoms may precede vision loss due to optic neuritis.

Optic neuropathy more generally describes optic nerve abnormalities or damage, including from causes such as blocked blood flow or toxic exposure.

What Causes Optic Neuritis?

Optic neuritis usually occurs in adults younger than 45 and affects more women than men. The condition is common in people who have multiple sclerosis (MS), which occurs when the body's own immune system attacks and destroys protective nerve coverings. Besides affecting eyesight, related nerve damage in MS can lead to loss of mobility and sensory functions, along with other debilitating conditions.

Other causes of optic neuritis and neuropathy include:

• Infections such as toxoplasmosis
• Ocular herpes
• Other viral infections
• Sinusitis
• Neurological disorders
• Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, an inherited form of vision loss that affects mostly males in their 20s or 30s
• Nutritional deficiency
• Toxins, including alcohol and tobacco

During an eye exam, your eye doctor will look for signs of optic neuritis by conducting tests to evaluate whether you have reduced vision.

Your eye pressure will be measured, and your pupils will be dilated to provide a better view of the eye's interior structures, including the optic nerve and retina.

When optic neuritis is present, the pupil always appears abnormal (afferent pupillary defect). This means the pupil actually dilates instead of constricting in the presence of bright light. The optic nerve in this disorder may appear normal or swollen. A visual field test also may be needed to determine if you have peripheral vision problems.

A person with optic neuritis usually undergoes an MRI of the brain, to look for central nervous system lesions.

By Chris A. Knobbe, MD

Eye Allergies and Contact Lenses

Even if you are generally a successful contact lens wearer, allergy season can make your contacts uncomfortable. Airborne allergens can get on your lenses, causing discomfort. Allergens also can stimulate the excessive production of natural substances in your tears, which bind to your contacts and also become uncomfortable. Pollen maps can help you determine when allergens are present.

Ask your eye doctor about eye drops that can help relieve your symptoms and keep your contact lenses clean. Certain drops can discolor or damage certain lenses, so it makes sense to ask first before trying out a new brand.

Another alternative is daily disposable contact lenses, which are discarded nightly. Because you replace them so frequently, these types of lenses are unlikely to develop irritating deposits that can build up over time and cause or heighten allergy-related discomfort.

Eye Allergies

Eye allergies often are hereditary, and occur due to processes associated with other types of allergic responses.

When an allergic reaction takes place, your eyes may be overreacting to a substance perceived as harmful, even though it may not be. For example, dust that is harmless to most people can cause excessive production of tears and mucus in eyes of overly sensitive, allergic individuals.

Allergies can trigger other problems, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and asthma. Combined nasal and eye allergies create a condition known as rhinoconjunctivitis.

About 30 percent to 50 percent of U.S. residents have allergy symptoms. And about 75 percent of those symptoms affect the eyes.

Allergy Symptoms and Signs

Common signs of allergies include:

• Red, swollen or itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Sneezing and coughing
• Itchy nose, mouth or throat
• Headache from sinus congestion

Beyond more obvious symptoms, you also may feel fatigued and could suffer from lack of sleep.

What Causes Eye Allergies?

Many allergens are in the air, where they come in contact with your eyes and nose. Airborne allergens include pollen, mold, dust and pet dander.

Other causes of allergies, such as certain foods or bee stings, do not typically affect the eyes the way airborne allergens do. Adverse reactions to certain cosmetics or drugs such as antibiotic eye drops also may cause eye allergies.

Some people actually are allergic to the preservatives in eye drops such as those used to lubricate dry eyes. In this case, you may need to use a preservative-free brand.

General Eye Allergy Treatment

Avoidance. The most common "treatment" is to avoid what's causing your eye allergy. Itchy eyes? Keep your home free of pet dander and dust and keep pets off the furniture. Stay inside with the air conditioner on when a lot of pollen is in the air. Air conditioners filter out allergens, though you must clean the filters from time to time.

Make sure you wear wraparound sunglasses to help shield your eyes from allergens, and drive with the windows closed.

Medications. If you're not sure what's causing your eye allergies, or you're not having any luck avoiding them, your next step probably will be medication to alleviate the symptoms.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications each have their advantages; for example, over-the-counter products are often less expensive, while prescription ones are often stronger.

Eye drops are available as simple eye washes, or they may have one or more active ingredients such as antihistamines, decongestants or mast cell stabilizers that inhibit inflammation. Antihistamines relieve many symptoms caused by airborne allergens, such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Decongestants help shrink swollen nasal passages for easier breathing.

Relief for Watery, Itchy Eyes

Common causes of excessively watery eyes are allergies and dry eye syndrome — two very different problems.

With allergies, your body's release of histamine causes your eyes to water, just as it may cause your nose to run. It may seem illogical that watery eyes would result from dry eye syndrome. But this is sometimes true, because the excessive dryness works to overstimulate production of the watery component of your eye's tears.

Decongestants clear up redness. They contain vasoconstrictors, which simply make the blood vessels in your eyes smaller, lessening the apparent redness. They treat the symptom, not the cause.

In fact, with extended use, the blood vessels can become dependent on the vasoconstrictor to stay small. When you discontinue the eye drops, the vessels actually get bigger than they were in the beginning. This process is called rebound hyperemia, and the result is that your red eyes worsen over time.

Some products have ingredients that act as mast cell stabilizers, which alleviate redness and swelling. Mast cell stabilizers are similar to antihistamines. But while antihistamines are known for their immediate relief, mast cell stabilizers are known for their long-lasting relief.

Antihistamines, decongestants and mast cell stabilizers are available in pill form, but pills don't work as quickly as eye drops or gels to bring eye relief.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops may be prescribed to decrease swelling, inflammation and other symptoms associated with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, also called hay fever.

Prescription corticosteroid eye drops also may provide similar, quick relief. However, steroids have been associated with side effects such as increased inner eye pressure (intraocular pressure) leading to glaucoma and damage to optic nerve. Steroids also have been known to cause the eye's natural lens to become cloudy, producing cataracts.

By Gina White, with updates by Marilyn Haddrill; reviewed by Vance Thompson, MD

Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the mouth. It occurs most often inside the cheeks, but it can affect the gums, tongue, lips and other parts of the mouth. Occasionally it is found in the throat.

OLP commonly causes lacy white patches or raised red mouth sores or ulcers. Some patients have no symptoms, while others experience:

• Painful burning sensations
• Dry mouth
• A metallic taste in the mouth
• Painful, open sores

An initial episode of OLP may last for weeks or months and recurrences may continue over many years. OLP affects approximately 1 percent to 2 percent of the population. It usually appears between age 45 and 60, but can occur at any age. Women are twice as likely to get it than men. OLP rarely affects children.

The cause of OLP isn't certain. It is not an infectious disease and it is not contagious. It can be triggered by an allergic reaction to drugs or to chemicals or dental materials touching the mucosal lining of the mouth. Often the source of symptoms can't be determined.

Plaquelike oral lichen planus on the buccal mucosa on the left side.

Reticular oral lichen planus on the buccal mucosa on the left side

Ulcerative oral lichen planus on the dorsum of the tongue.

Braun Clean and Renew

Men and shaver, both of them closely relate to each other. Men cannot live without a shaver, unless that you don’t mind to keep your face full of beard. Since shaver is so important to a man life, I believe that all men do own more than one razor.

Among all the shaver models in the market, there is one model that you should pay attention to, which is the braun clean and renew shaver. It is voted as the best electric shaver in the Men’s Health Magazine this year. Why is it so popular? Let’s go through one by one its features and advantages, then you will realize how well is it.

Braun clean and renew shaver is always well known for its brilliant aesthetic design and breakthrough technology. It not only provides excellent shaving sensation, meanwhile, it is user friendly and convenience. That’s no doubt that Braun’s products always have a superb outlook.

What makes it more ideal is a feature called Sensoflex. This feature allows the shaver head to easily move with every contour of our face. Moreover, the foil between our skin and the blade is as thin as a paper. Hence, the shaving effect is perfect with maximum closeness. However, you don’t have to worry about being too close to the razor blade and you might get hurt by it because it has been covered by this feature.

Meanwhile, we should look deeply into the Braun technology of cutting, which result in smooth finish to our skin. It is called 3-stage cutting system. This system consists of two foils and integrated cutters shave that act progressively closer.

The whole process is less irritation, no more pulling and tugging. After that, it is time to do cleaning - the clean and renew system. This is another special feature that makes braun clean and renew shaver so unique.

It is a charging stand that integrated with Braun’s special cleaning solution. This is for you to clean the shaver in addition to charging it. Braun’s special cleaning solution is a liquid comprises alcohol and lubricant.

Both are well mixed with secret proportion to achieve effective cleaning. However, the con is both evaporate quickly and the effectiveness goes down along with it. When the solution finishes, you can always replace it with a new cartridge just like a printer.

In conclusion, there is no reason for you to hold back on this braun clean and renew shaver. This is another ideal product as compared to braun clean and charge products. It is suitable for all levels of consumers, including women. Women nowadays need a shaver too. Excellent comfort with perfect result, what are you waiting for? Stop all your hesitations and grab one for yourself as soon as possible.