Under all that copious fur there is skin. Skin that is susceptible to a myriad of diseases and afflictions just as we humans are. The difference being that in humans we can readily see a health problem. In a dog, skin health problems are not readily apparent until the dog gives us an indication. Usually, the indications are excessive licking and scratching. In general we humans tend to take our skin for granted. If we go out into the sun, we use sun screen. If we have dry skin, we use a lotion. And occasionally we notice irregularities and then we go to the doctor. We’re pretty complacent and tend to think of skin as the wrap that molds our body. With dogs, the skin goes beyond being a mold. It is an organ in itself. This organ regulates the heat in a dogs body and works in conjunction with the foot pads which allow the dog to perspire.

As with humans the skin communicates sensations such as pain, heat, cold, touch, etc. to the brain. An animals skin also processes vitamin D just as we do. When we take our pet to the veterinarian, one of the usual examinations done is one of the skin. When the veterinarian back brushes the fur he/she is not only looking for parasites such as fleas and mites, but they are also looking at the skin. Dry skin and fur can indicate illness. Yellow skin can indicate jaundice and blue skin can indicate heart problems. Rashes can mean allergies.

Dogs can have seasonal and environmental allergies as well as food allergies. Food allergies may not always be associated with new foods but can also come from foods they have eaten for years and have become sensitive to due to many reasons. So called “hot-spots”, for example may be a result of a dog no longer being able to digest a certain food. Your veterinarian will recommend ways to test your dogs diet and recommend a course of treatment. Many dogs such as spaniels have seasonal and environmental allergies which can manifest themselves not only with sneezing and watery eyes, but also with skin rashes.

Allergies to fleas and medicines can also cause skin rashes. There are now veterinarians who are specializing in animal allergies and dermatology. Should your veterinarian find it necessary a referral could be made for diagnosis and treatment.

There are also genetic skin disorders and glandular skin disorders. There are several diseases associated with ovarian and testicular problems. Diagnosis and treatment can be made by your veterinarian. Dogs are also susceptible to various types of skin fungus. They are highly contagious to humans and other animals. Mange is another skin disease that is contagious. Quick diagnosis and treatment is essential.

In addition to the previously mentioned skin problems, there are also seborreic (seborrhea) skin diseases, tumors, melanomas, infected sores, mites, etc., that can be diagnosed by your veterinarian.

The purpose of this article is to make owners aware that the care and regular examination of your dogs skin is essential. Before buying a dog, consult with the breeder and a veterinarian. Know the diseases which are specific to the breed you desire. Know your dogs body as you should know your own. Check for skin problems during regular grooming.

If you find an area of concern, consult your veterinarian immediately. Do not make a self diagnosis and start a course of treatment. Only a veterinarian can make a proper diagnosis and recommend oral and/or topical treatments. Delay in proper diagnosis and treatment can cause delay in recovery and possible spread of the ailment and unnecessary prolonged discomfort for your beloved pet.

Terrie Simpson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-health-care-article-what-to-do-if-your-dog-has-skin-problems-748783.html

Antioxidant is a popular term in all health care articles. We always encounter such a term whenever we read or browse health articles in the papers, books or magazines. Moreover, almost all advertisements and commercials of beauty and health products always mention antioxidants.

The most important thing to be able to understand about the sudden hype surrounding antioxidants is to know what they are and what they can do to our body.

Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent the oxidation of other chemicals. In biological systems, the normal processes of oxidation produce highly reactive free radicals that can readily react with and damage other molecules which may continue to damage even the body’s own cells. Antioxidants play the housekeeper’s role, “mopping up” free radicals before they get a chance to do harm in your body.

Although all the hype about antioxidants slowing down the signs of aging and promoting skin rejuvenation does not have a solid scientific basis, most skin experts are claiming that antioxidant vitamins and minerals can help in our overall well being by combating the free radicals in our body.

Here are several antioxidant nutrients that appear to be the most likely to help your skin:

Vitamin A or Beta Carotene. It has been discovered that beta-carotene protects dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits from solar radiation damage and it is thought that it plays a similar role in human body. Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots are particularly rich sources of beta-carotene.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a water-soluble compound that fulfills an antioxidant role, among others, in living systems. Important sources include citrus fruits (like oranges, sweet lime etc.), green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is a principal fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin in the body. It protects cellular membranes, lipoproteins and other “oily” structures. Skin is high in unsaturated fatty acids (“oily” molecules especially susceptible to free radical damage), and can benefit from vitamin E protection (both oral and topical). Sources include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant pigments with antioxidant properties that contain proanthocyanins and polyphenols that are good for the skin. These substances are responsible for color in many fruits, vegetables and flowers. In addition to providing color that attracts insects or animals, these pigments protect plants from environmental stress. In addition to being potent antioxidants, some flavonoids have anti-allergic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been characterized and classified, but only a few have been researched.

Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, cysteine and methionine are potent antioxidants.

Visit – - >  Skin Products Review

Franklin Banker
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/skin-care-and-antioxidants-671538.html

Im just asking if the handle of the electric toot brush is waterproof and if it can be submerged in water.
Another question is, if the handle can be washed with water and soap. Can I give it a soapy wash?

No, do not submerge the handle in a liquid solution even if it says it is waterproof.

You can use a wet cloth with alcohol to wipe dirt off.

I recently read that licorice is great for Oral Care due to the antibacterial affects it has. It contains glycyrrhizin which is 50 times sweeter than sugar.

My point is, the reason teeth decay is due to bacteria that thrive in an acidic environment. Regular sugar causes an acidic environment for them to thrive and destroy teeth.

My question is, how is the sugar contained in licorice different from the sugar in our cupboards?
Also Licorice has natural acidic effects for garden soil, so if it is acidic, then wouldn’t it promote an acidic environment for your mouth?

Thank you!
There are also different types of acids though, some are harmful and others aren’t.

If we’re supposed to use toothpaste, then how come for thousands of years people in India have never had a cavity? They chew on neem bark which is a natural way to fight bacteria

Glycyrrhizin is sweet but it is not a carbohydrate, which is why it does not contribute to tooth decay.

Don’t confuse garden soil with your mouth or single molecules of a plant

And if you look around in the health food store, its used as a sweetener in many toothpastes – that or sorbitol, which is a naturally occuring alcohol. Not to be confused with booze – not that kind of alcohol….

Kidney problems impair the ability of the body to clean the blood and therefore needs a machine to help the body accomplish this task. This procedure is called dialysis. People with renal problem are often experiencing unpleasant taste on their mouth. They are suffering from bad breath which is called halitosis. Halitosis is the result when the body cannot remove the toxin called urea in the blood. The urea is transformed into ammonia, which give it the stinking smell.

There will always be bone changes such as the lose bones in the jaws that gives the person loose teeth and this is real painful. Dental treatment is affected when a person has a kidney disease. Symptoms and complication include eating disorders (anorexia), low red blood cell count (anemia), heart disease, high blood pressure, dry mouth or xerostomia, periodontal disease, teeth loss and loose and mouth and salivary glands inflammation.

A person with renal problems should undergo dental treatment after the dialysis. If there is the presence of shunt, blood thinner should be taken. However, blood thinner will only increase the chance of hemorrhage and bleeding and therefore increase the risk of infection. It is therefore very important for a person with kidney disease to take antibiotics before undergoing any dental or oral treatment. It is equally important that the tooth expert is aware where the shunt is because when blood pressure is taken, the shunt can be damaged by the blood pressure cuff. The blood pressure count should be taken on the other limbs. 

Before the treatment will be given, it is important that the dentist knows the medicines that the patient is taking. The dentist will make a thorough selection of the medicine that he or she would administer with due respect with what the kidney patient is currently taking. This is due to the fact some medicines may make the condition even worse. To cap it up, the dentist should be given the complete medical record of the patient before asking for drugs or treatment.

At the first look, not all dental problems are caused by the build-up of calculus or plaque in our teeth. Often times, people will immediately resort to dental treatments and mouth washes to eliminate the problem. Sometimes, these dental problems have a deeper cause and such cause is found deep inside our body. It is therefore a requirement for every dental patient to inform the dentist about his or her health conditions. Otherwise, the proper drug and treatment will be impossible to give. Sometimes wrong medication is administered because kidney problems are concealed by the patient. As mentioned earlier, this will only make the condition worse.

It should be a prerogative for any dental staff to inquire about the other health problems of the patient. Oral health care for kidney patients is very necessary because these mouth problems are the indicators of how the body is doing its task. A simple mouth wash and brushing will not do any good if there is ammonia in the blood which gives the person a naturally stinking breath because of this.

Robert
http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/kidney-disease-and-its-repercussions-in-oral-health-671540.html

ive also bleached my teeth for a long time. Did i destroy enamel? How can i help this, at home. I dont have insurance and enough money for a root canal. How to deal with the pain.

Pain when biting down doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to need a root canal. It can possibly mean that there’s an infection at the root of the tooth, and usually that can be fixed with antibiotics. If it’s sensitive to hot and cold and air then you may need a root canal. Take 600mg of Tylenol every four to six hours for about two days even if you’re not in pain.
I know these are tough times but I really recommend seeing a Dentist just to really see whats going on. It could be a simple infection that could be fixed, and if not may turn into root canal which would cost way more. Hope this helps ;}

People with HIV and AIDS have several oral problems because their immune system is weakened. Their body is not capable of fighting off infection and any changes in the status of the immunity are reflected in their oral health. The mouth experiences dryness, enlargement of the lymph nodes which is referred as lymphadenopathy, thrush or oral candiasis, hairy leukoplakia coupled with viral infection or Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma, periodontal disease, swelling of the salivary glands, viral sores and warts and canker sores.

Occurrence of these dental problems signifies a change in the strength of immune system. So, it is important to watch out for these oral problems and consult your dentist or physician immediately. Oral health care such as regular dental visits, frequent brushing and flossing and mouth wash with fluoride are very necessary for HIV-infected persons because the dental problems they are having is most likely associated with HIV and also signify any changes in the level of strength of their immune system.

Dryness of the mouth is brought about by medicines taken by the HIV patient. With dry mouth the patient becomes more prone to gingivitis, oral yeast infection, tooth decay and gum disease. These oral problems occur when the mouth has less saliva to cleanse sugar, bacteria, food and toxins that the bacteria produced. Acids caused by bacteria in the mouth cause tooth decay. A gel or saliva substitute will be prescribed by the doctor to fight thrush and tooth decay.

For children infected with HIV and AIDS, the dentist will treat this with medicated mouth wash. These thick and medicated mouth rinses contain sugar to make them sweet and taste good for children. If your child takes these kinds of mouth rinses, you should always make sure that their mouths are rinsed with water to avoid tooth problems. For children with HIV and tooth decay, this situation will give them pain, chewing difficulty, pain, infection, underweight and undernourishment. If tooth decay is present, the children will have a hard time chewing their food because if the pain and may affect his mood to eat and be able to obtain the proper nutrition his or her body needs.  

Some oral problems are associated with the presence of HIV and therefore, when visiting your dentist, you should tell them your medical condition, the status of your immunity and the drugs that you are currently taking so that they can give the proper medication. Without this information, the teeth expert may administer dental drugs and medication which may not be effective to combat these mouth problems.

HIV or AIDS patients do not see the need for antibiotics before any main dental treatment. Antibiotics will only be used if there is the presence of neutropenia, which means low blood count. An antibiotic mouth wash may be prescribed before and after surgical treatment. Low red blood cell count is common to people with HIV because of the antiretroviral drug therapy. The dentist should be aware of these health conditions and the patient must inform them of the result of their blood test to ensure that the proper medication is given to them.           

Robert
http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/the-repercussions-of-hiv-in-oral-health-671517.html

I have metal braces. How much of each item(i.e 3 waxes, 7 toothbrushes, ect)

Back when I had braces I only used a normal toothbrush…

An oral yeast infection in the mouth of infants and adults is called “thrush.” It is usually caused by the tiny yeast called Candida albicans. It appears as thick white lacy patches that can form anywhere inside the mouth, including the tongue or palate.

If the white patches are scraped away, the area underneath will be red and may bleed. Occasionally, an oral yeast infection can cause the tongue to be red without a white coating.

Newborn babies, adult denture users, and people with endocrine disorders such as diabetes or hypothyroidism are the most at risk for oral yeast infections. Older adults often experience thrush under their dentures.

In AIDS patients, an infection called esophagitis may form in the upper digestive tract, and can be a serious health threat for these patients. This is an infection very similar to thrush, but it extends down from the mouth into the esophagus and stomach.

Thrush can be very painful and this can make it difficult to eat and drink, which can lead to dehydration. Any child that goes without drinking liquids for more than 12 hours should be taken to the doctor. The same care should be taken for elderly adults. Anyone with a compromised immune system must see a doctor immediately if they see the symptoms of an oral yeast infection.

Treating Oral Yeast Infections

Oral yeast infections are usually treated with antibiotics that require a prescription. Most symptoms go away soon after beginning an antifungal medication, and if the infection is mild enough, it may even go away on its own.

Your doctor may be able to diagnose thrush by taking a look, but if in doubt she’ll take a scrape from the infected area in the mouth and send it to the lab.

Oral infections that look a lot like thrush can be caused by other things – including the early stages of cancer. That makes a qualified diagnosis that much more important.

The first step in treatment will be to get rid of the yeast, and this is usually done with prescription antifungal medication in a form that can be sucked or as a liquid that is held in the mouth before swallowing. Medications that may be prescribed include nystatin (Mycostatin) and fluconazole (Diflucan).

If the infection spreads because your immune system has been compromised, your doctor will use a systemic treatment that is taken orally or intravenously, and treat the infection very aggressively.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some oral yeast infections require no medical treatment at all because they go away on their own. For instance, healthy toddlers may get thrush after being treated with antibiotics. Your child’s doctor may suggest that you add unsweetened yogurt to your child’s diet because yogurt contains beneficial bacteria. If this doesn’t help, your child’s doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication.

Healthy adults can also try eating yogurt, or take a dietary supplement that includes the good bacteria called acidophilus. This may restore the microbial balance, but if it doesn’t work a prescription will be needed.

The second step in treating oral yeast infections is to correct any condition that may have caused it. Dentures will need to be treated to destroy the fungus and ill-fitting dentures may need to be repaired or replaced. If the patient is diabetic, an adjustment may be needed in the diabetic medications that are being taken.

Since a high-sugar diet is known to cause oral yeast infections, a change in diet should always be considered in addition to any other treatment for thrush.

If an infant who is breast feeding gets thrush, the mother will also be treated to keep the infection from being passed back and forth between mother and child.

Jonni Good
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/oral-yeast-infection-thrush-95222.html

hi im 15 years old in high school. all my freinds are starting to lose there virginity and i probably am 2. i am small for my age i am 4 foot 9. my penis size is 4.1 long and 1.6 wide when hard. i posted other questions about my penis size and sex and people said that oral usually comes first. do girls care if it is to small for oral. will they laugh at me? and what is a good width size? is my size to skinny?

Relax, no amount of stressing over your size is going to make you any bigger. Your size is fine. And when they say oral, I think they mean that you perform oral sex on the girl. In that case size doesn’t matter at all because you are using your mouth/hands. If they are performing oral on you, then smaller may actually be an advantage. It is hard for girls to put huge things in their mouths without gagging. Some girls may really prefer a smaller size. Before you do anything though, you should learn as much as you can about birth control techniques and stds. 15 is a little young and is ILLEGAL in many states.