Alcoholic hepatitis Symptoms Causes Diagnosis And Treatment and ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

DEFINITION

Alcoholic hepatitis describes liver inflammation caused by        
drinking alcohol.
Though alcoholic hepatitis is most likely to occur in people who
drink heavily over many years, the relationship between drinking
and alcoholic hepatitis is complex. Not all heavy drinkers develop
alcoholic hepatitis, and the disease can occur in people who drink
only moderately.

SYMPTOMS

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) and
increasing girth (due to fluid accumulation) are the most common
signs of alcoholic hepatitis that lead people to seek medical care.
People may also complain of:
Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Abdominal pain and
tenderness Weight loss

CAUSES

Alcoholic hepatitis occurs when the liver is damaged by the
alcohol you drink. Just how alcohol damages the liver -— and
why it does so only in a minority of heavy drinkers — isn't clear.
What is known is that the process of breaking down ethanol —
the alcohol in beer, wine and liquor — produces highly toxic
chemicals, such as acetaldehyde. These chemicals trigger
inflammation that destroys liver cells. Over time, web-like scars
and small knots of tissue replace healthy liver tissue, interfering
with the liver's ability to function. This irreversible scarring,
called cirrhosis, is the final stage of alcoholic liver disease.
Risk increases with time, amount consumed
Heavy alcohol use can lead to liver disease, and the risk
increases with the length of time and amount of alcohol you drink.
But because many people who drink heavily or binge drink never
develop alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, it's likely that factors other
than alcohol play a role. These include:
Other types of hepatitis. Long-term alcohol abuse worsens the
liver damage caused by other types of hepatitis,
especially hepatitis C. If you have hepatitis C and also drink —
even moderately — you're more likely to develop cirrhosis than if
you don't drink.Malnutrition. Many people who drink heavily are
malnourished, either because they eat poorly or because alcohol
and its toxic byproducts prevent the body from properly absorbing
and breaking down nutrients, especially protein, certain vitamins
and fats. In both cases, the lack of nutrients contributes to liver
cell damage.Obesity.Genetic factors. Having mutations in certain
genes that affect alcohol metabolism may increase your risk of
alcoholic liver disease as well as of alcohol-associated cancers
and other complications of heavy drinking. The exact genetic
associations have not yet been identified.

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS

Identifying alcoholic liver disease depends on two main things:
Evidence of excessive alcohol consumptionEvidence of liver
disease
Alcohol consumption
Your doctor will want to know about your history of alcohol
consumption. It is important to be honest in describing your
drinking habits. Your doctor may ask to interview family members
about your drinking. Many people will have signs of chronic
alcoholism, such as skin lesions known as spider nevi.
Liver disease
Your doctor will likely order the following tests to look for liver
disease:
Liver function tests (including international normalized ratio, total
bilirubin, and albumin)Complete blood cell countAn ultrasound,
CT or MRI scan of the liverBlood tests to exclude other causes
of liver disease

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

Stop drinking alcohol
If you've been diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis, you must stop
drinking alcohol. It's the only way of possibly reversing liver
damage or, in more advanced cases, preventing the disease
from becoming worse. Many people who stop drinking have
dramatic improvement in symptoms in just a few months.
If you continue to drink alcohol, you're likely to experience serious
complications.
If you are dependent on alcohol and want to stop drinking, your
doctor can recommend a therapy that's tailored for your needs.
This might include medications, counseling, Alcoholics
Anonymous, an outpatient treatment program or a residential
inpatient stay.
Treatment for malnutrition
Your doctor may recommend a special diet to reverse nutritional
deficiencies that often occur in people with alcoholic hepatitis.
You may be referred to a dietitian who can help you assess your
current diet and suggest changes to increase the vitamins and
nutrients you are lacking.
If you have trouble eating enough to get the vitamins and
nutrients your body needs, your doctor may recommend tube
feeding. This may involve passing a tube down your throat and
into your stomach. A special nutrient-rich liquid diet is then
passed through the tube.
Medications to reduce liver inflammation
Your doctor may recommend corticosteroids drugs if you have
severe alcoholic hepatitis. These drugs have shown some shortterm
benefit in increasing survival. Steroids have significant side
effects and are not recommended if you have failing
kidneys, gastrointestinal bleeding or an infection. About 40
percent of people do not respond to corticosteroids. Your doctor
may also recommend pentoxifylline, especially if corticosteroids
don't work for you. Some studies of pentoxifylline have shown
some benefit, others have not. You might also ask about clinical
trials of other therapies.
Liver transplant
For many people with severe alcoholic hepatitis, liver transplant
is the only hope to avoid death. Survival rates for liver transplant
for alcoholic hepatitis are similar to those for other forms of
hepatitis, greater than 70 percent five-year survival.
However, most medical centers are reluctant to perform liver
transplants on people with alcoholic liver disease because of the
fear they will resume drinking after surgery. For most people with
alcoholic hepatitis, the disease is considered a contraindication
for liver transplantation in most transplant centers in the U.S.
For transplant to be an option, you would need to find a program
that will consider you.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

No alternative medicine treatments have been found to cure
alcoholic hepatitis. Some herbs and supplements are touted as
treatments for liver diseases. Herbs and supplements can't
replace your doctor's treatments or abstaining from alcohol. If
you'd like to try supplements, talk to your doctor about the risks
and benefits first.
Milk thistle
The leaves and seeds of the milk thistle plant are thought to
control inflammation in the liver. Milk thistle supplements are a
popular alternative treatment among people with liver disease.
But studies haven't found a benefit for people with alcoholic liver
disease who take milk thistle supplements.
Milk thistle is generally safe, but can cause diarrhea and nausea.
Talk to your doctor about milk thistle if you're considering taking
this supplement. Because milk thistle can interfere with
prescription medications, ask your doctor whether it's safe for you
SAMe
SAMe is a supplement that's thought to reduce liver inflammation
and help the liver repair itself. Your body naturally makes SAMe.
Some evidence suggests people with liver disease have a
deficiency of SAMe. In theory, taking a SAMe supplement might
restore levels of the substance in the liver. But there is insufficient
evidence to recommend use of SAMe for alcohol-related liver
disease.
SAMe is generally safe when taken as a supplement. Side effects
may include gas, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Because SAMe
can interfere with prescription medications, ask your doctor about  
whether SAMe is safe for you to take.

health benefits of green tea for human by medicaworld

definition of green tea 

Green tea is a type of tea that is made from Camellia sinensis leaves that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation process used to make oolong and black tea. Green tea originated in
China, but its production has spread to many countries in Asia.

 Health effects

       

Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Glycemic control
Hyperlipidemia
Inflammation
Mortality risk
Weight loss
Toxicity 

health benefits of green tea
benefits for human body
1 fight with cancer cells
2 lower cholesterol level in blood
3 prevents cavities
4 protects against heart disease
5 speed up metabolism like  enzym
6 prevents diabetes
7 antiviral agents
8 prevent bad breath
9 detoxifies
10 prevents food poisoning
11 full of antioxidants
12 prevents dementia
13 use  for weight loss
note:There is no conclusive evidence that green tea aids in weight loss
14 strengthens tooth enamel
15 reduce plaques and bacteria in our mouth

for more information please comment your question thank you

health benefits of bananas apples oranges mango and watermelon by MW

health benefits of banana

1-. reduce depression
2-.regulate the blow system
3-.reduce blood pressure
4-.reduce heart disorders
5-.helpful in bone growth and strongness
6-.reduce the risk of anemia
7-.power our brains
8-.provied us quike engrgy
9-.help to prevent ulcer

health benefits of apple  

                                                         1 bone protection
2 helpful in asthma
3 prevent lungs,breast,colon,liver,from diseases and some types of cancer
4 alzheimer's prevention
5 lower the cholesterol level
6 helpful in diabetes management
7 weight loss

health benefits of mango

1 cancer prevention
2 improves vision
3 high in copper
4 improves sex power
5 alkalizes the body
6 improves digestion
7 lower cholesterol
8 improve memory level

health benefits of watermelon

1 fights cancer
2 highest alkalising fruit
3 reduce high blood pressure
4 reduce heart disease
5 reduce blood sugar level
6 high water content appx 92 %
7 boosts immune system
7 clean kidney
8 give power to bones
9 reduce stomach acidity

health benefits of oranges

1 helpful in heart health
2 digestive health
3 vitamins c helps to prevent ulcer
4 cholesterol lowering agent
5 kidney support
6 filter toxin from the blood
7 use as a anticancer agent
8 used for healthy skin
9 vision protection

for more please  in comment tell your problems thanks from medica world mw

TRIPLE X SYNDROME DEFINITION SYMPTOMS CAUSES DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS

DEFINITION

Triple X syndrome is an abnormality of the chromosomes that
affects about 1 in 1,000 females. Females normally have two X
chromosomes, one from each parent. In triple X syndrome, a
female has three X chromosomes — hence, the name.
Triple X syndrome usually results from an error in the formation
of a mother's egg cell or a father's sperm cell. Sometimes, triple
X syndrome occurs as a result of an error early in the embryo's
development.

SYMPTOMS

Triple X syndrome may not cause any signs or symptoms. If
symptoms do appear, they may include:
Tall stature Vertical skinfolds that may cover the inner corners of
the eyes (epicanthal folds)Delayed development of speech and
language skills Weak muscle tone (hypotonia)Curved pinky
fingers (clinodactyly)Behavior and mental health
problems Premature ovarian failure or ovary
abnormalities Constipation or abdominal pains

CAUSES

Most people have 46 chromosomes occurring in 22 pairs, plus
two sex chromosomes, one maternal and one paternal. These
chromosomes contain genes, which carry instructions that
determine everything from your height to your eye color.
One of these chromosome pairs determines your sex. You
receive one sex chromosome from your mother and another from
your father. Your mother can give you only an X chromosome,
but your father can pass on an X or a Y chromosome. If you
receive an X chromosome from your father, the XX pair makes
you genetically a female. If you receive a Y chromosome from
your father, then your XY pair means you're genetically a male.
Females with triple X syndrome have a third X chromosome.
Although this condition is genetic, it's typically not inherited.
Instead, what usually happens is that either the mother's egg cell
or the father's sperm cell has not formed correctly, resulting in an
extra X chromosome. This random error in egg or sperm cell
division is called nondisjunction.
When the cause is a malformed egg cell or sperm cell, as is
usually the case, all the cells in the offspring's body have the
extra chromosome. Occasionally, the extra chromosome doesn't
appear until early in the development of the embryo. If this is the
case, then the female is said to have a mosaic form of triple X
syndrome.
In the mosaic form, only some of the body's cells have the third X
chromosome. Because only some cells contain the extra X
chromosome, females with the mosaic form of triple X syndrome
may have less severe symptoms.
Triple X syndrome is also called trisomy X, triple X syndrome and
XXX syndrome. It's also referred to as 47,XXX syndrome
because of the existence of a 47th chromosome, which is the
extra X chromosome.

DIAGNOSIS

Because many girls with triple X syndrome are healthy and have
a normal appearance, they may remain undiagnosed all their
lives, or the diagnosis may be discovered while investigating for
other reasons.
Prenatal genetic testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic
villus sampling, can provide a diagnosis of triple X syndrome
before birth.
After birth, triple X syndrome can be diagnosed by performing a
chromosome analysis on a blood sample taken from your
daughter.
Before genetic testing, it's important to receive genetic counseling
to provide you with all the information about triple X syndrome.

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

If your daughter has triple X syndrome, treatment is based on her
symptoms, if any are present. For instance, if she has a learning
disability from the triple X, she would require the same
counseling as anyone else with that learning disability. This
counseling usually involves teaching new techniques and
strategies for learning, as well as providing motivation and help
with using these tips in daily life.
If your daughter has been diagnosed with triple X syndrome, her
doctor may recommend periodic screenings throughout
childhood. This would help ensure that any developmental delays
or learning disabilities that may occur receive prompt treatment.
Because girls with triple X syndrome may be more susceptible to
stress, it's important to make sure your daughter has a supportive
environment as well. Psychological counseling may help, both by
teaching you and your family useful methods of demonstrating
love and encouragement, and by discouraging behaviors that you
might not realize are negative.
The chromosome change that causes triple X syndrome cannot
be repaired, so the syndrome itself has no cure. However, given
the treatable nature of most symptoms and how frequently no
symptoms appear at all, it's quite possible to lead a full and
normal life with this syndrome.

Vitiligo CAUSES SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS TREATMENTS AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

vitiligo

DEFINITION

Vitiligo  is a disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches. The
extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo is unpredictable. It can affect the skin on
any part of body. It may also affect hair, the inside of the mouth and even the
eyes.
Normally, the color of hair, skin and eyes is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs
when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning.
Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with
darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or
make you feel bad about yourself. Treatment for vitiligo may improve the
appearance of the affected skin but does not cure the disease.

SYMPTOMS

The main sign of vitiligo is color (pigment) loss that produces light or white patches
on your skin. Usually, the discoloration first shows on sun-exposed areas, such as
the hands, feet, arms, face and lips.
Vitiligo signs include:
Skin discoloration Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp,
eyelashes, eyebrows or beard (usually before age 35)Loss of color in the tissues
that line the inside of your mouth and nose (mucous membranes)Loss of or change
in color of the inner layer of the eyeball (retina)Discolored patches around the
armpits, navel, genitals and rectum
Vitiligo can start at any age, but most often appears before age 20.
Depending on the type of vitiligo you have, the discolored patches may cover:
Many parts of your body. With this most common type, called generalized vitiligo,
the discolored patches often progress similarly on corresponding body parts
(symmetrically).Only one side or part of your body. This type, called segmental
vitiligo, tends to occur at a younger age, progress for a year or two, then stop.One or
only a few areas of your body. This type is called localized (focal) vitiligo.
It's difficult to predict how your disease will progress. Sometimes the patches stop
forming without treatment. In most cases, pigment loss spreads and eventually
involves most of your skin. Rarely, the skin gets its color back.

CAUSES

Vitiligo occurs when melanin-forming cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing
melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. The involved
patches of skin become lighter or white. Doctors don't know why the cells fail or die.
It may be related to:
A disorder in which your immune system attacks and destroys the melanocytes in
the skin Family history (heredity)A trigger event, such as sunburn, stress or exposure
to industrial chemicals

COMPLICATIONS

People with vitiligo may be at increased risk of:
Social or psychological distress Sunburn and skin cancer Eye problems, such as
inflammation of the iris (iritis)Hearing loss Side effects due to treatment, such as dry
skin and itching

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS

Medical history and exam
If your doctor suspects you have vitiligo, he or she will ask about your medical
history, examine you and try to rule out other medical problems, such
as dermatitis or psoriasis. He or she may use a special lamp to shine ultraviolet light
onto the skin to determine whether you have vitiligo.
Skin biopsy and blood draw
In addition to gathering your personal and family medical history and examining your
skin, your doctor may:
Take a small sample (biopsy) of the affected skin Draw blood for lab tests

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

Many treatments are available to help restore skin color or even out skin tone.
Results vary and are unpredictable. Some treatments have serious side effects. So
your doctor may suggest that you first try improving the appearance of your skin by
applying self-tanning products or makeup.
If you and your doctor decide to treat your condition with a drug or other therapy, the
process may take many months to judge its effectiveness. And you may have to try
more than one approach before you find the treatment that works best for you.

Medications

No drug can stop the process of vitiligo — the loss of pigment cells (melanocytes).
But some drugs, used alone or with light therapy, can help improve your skin's
appearance.
Creams that control inflammation. A topical corticosteroid may help return color to
(repigment) your skin, particularly if you start using it early in the disease. You may
not see a change in your skin's color for several months.
This type of cream is effective and easy to use. But it can cause side effects, such
as skin thinning or the appearance of streaks or lines on your skin.
Milder forms of the drug may be prescribed for children and for people who have
large areas of discolored skin.
A form of vitamin D. Topical calcipotriene (Dovonex) is a cream that can be used
with corticosteroids or ultraviolet light. Possible side effects include dry skin, rash
and itching.Medications that affect the immune system. Ointments containing
tacrolimus or pimecrolimus (calcineurin inhibitors) may be effective for people with
small areas of depigmentation, especially on the face and neck. This treatment may
have fewer side effects than corticosteroids and can be used with ultraviolet B
(UVB) light. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about a possible
link between these drugs and lymphoma and skin cancer.
Combined medication and light therapy. This treatment combines a drug called
psoralen with light therapy (photochemotherapy) to return color to the light patches.
After you take psoralen by mouth or apply it to the affected skin, you're exposed to
ultraviolet A (UVA) or UVB light. Because the drug makes your skin more sensitive
to the light, your skin turns pink. As the skin heals, a more normal skin color
appears. You may need to repeat treatments up to three times a week for six to 12
months.
Possible side effects include severe sunburn, blistering, itching, over darkening of
the skin, and an increased risk of cataracts and skin cancer. It may help if for one to
two days after each treatment you apply sunscreen, wear UV-protective sunglasses
and avoid direct sunlight. Oral psoralen with UVA radiation is not recommended for
children under 12.
Light therapy. This treatment uses narrow band UVB light. You may receive
treatment in a doctor's office up to three times a week. And unlike
photochemotherapy, it doesn't require psoralen, which simplifies the process. The
best results are achieved on the face, trunk and limbs.Laser therapy. This procedure
brings color back to patches of light skin by treating them with an excimer laser,
which uses a specific wavelength of UVB light. It can be used only on small areas,
and it's often used in combination with a drug applied to the skin. Side effects can
include redness and blistering.
Removing the remaining color (depigmentation). This therapy may be an option if
your vitiligo is widespread and other treatments haven't worked. A medication with
monobenzone is applied to unaffected areas of skin. This gradually lightens it so
that it blends with the discolored areas. The therapy is done twice a day for nine
months or longer. You'll need to avoid skin-to-skin contact with other people for at
least two hours after you've applied the drug, so you don't transfer it to them.
Side effects can include redness, swelling, itching and dry skin. Depigmentation is
permanent, and you'll always be extremely sensitive to sunlight.

Surgery

Surgery may be an option for you if light therapy and drugs don't work. Surgery can
also be used with those therapies. The goal of the following techniques is to even
out your skin tone by restoring color.
Skin grafting. In this procedure, your doctor removes very small sections of your
normal, pigmented skin and attaches them to areas that have lost pigment. This
procedure is sometimes used if you have small patches of vitiligo. Possible risks
include infection, scarring, a cobblestone appearance, spotty color and failure of the
area to recolor.Blister grafting. In this procedure, your doctor creates blisters on your
pigmented skin, usually with suction. He or she then removes the tops of the blisters
and transplants them to an area of discolored skin. Possible risks include scarring, a
cobblestone appearance and failure of the area to recolor. The risk of scarring is
less with this procedure than with other types of skin grafting.Tattooing
(micropigmentation). In this technique, your doctor uses a special surgical
instrument to implant pigment into your skin. It's most effective around the lips,
especially in people with darker skin. Drawbacks include difficulty matching the skin
color, the tendency of tattoos to fade and their inability to tan. Also, the skin damage
caused by tattooing may trigger another patch of vitiligo.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Limited studies show that the herb Ginkgo biloba may return skin color in people
with slow-spreading vitiligo. Other studies show that folic acid and vitamin B-12 plus
sunlight may restore skin color for some people.
As with any over-the-counter (nonprescription) treatment, check with your doctor
before trying alternative medicine therapies to be sure they won't interact badly with
other treatments you may be using.

SHINGLES SYMPTOMS CAUSES DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS

shingles

DEFINITION

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Although
shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it most often appears
as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or
the right side of your torso.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus
that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus
lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain.

SYMPTOMS

signs and symptoms may
include:
Pain, burning, numbness or tingling Sensitivity to touch A red rash
that begins a few days after the pain Fluid-filled blisters that break
open and crust over Itching
Some people also experience:
Fever Headache Sensitivity to light and Fatigue
Pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some, it can be
intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes
be mistaken for a symptom of problems affecting the heart, lungs
or kidneys. Some people experience shingles pain without ever
developing the rash.
Most commonly, the shingles rash develops as a stripe of blisters
that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso.
Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one
side of the neck or face.

CAUSES

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus
that causes chickenpox. Anyone who's had chickenpox may
develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus
can enter your nervous system and lie dormant for years.
Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to
skin — producing shingles.
The reason for the encore is unclear. But it may be due to
lowered immunity to infections as you grow older. Shingles is
more common in older adults and in people who have weak
immune systems.
Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes
viruses, which includes the viruses that cause cold sores
and genital herpes. Because of this, shingles is also known as
herpes zoster. But the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles
is not the same virus responsible for cold sores or genital herpes,
a sexually transmitted infection.
Chickenpox can be dangerous for some groups of people. Until
your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious and should
avoid physical contact with:
Anyone who has a weak immune system Newborns Pregnant
women

COMPLICATIONS

Complications from shingles can include:
Postherpetic neuralgia. For some people, shingles pain continues
long after the blisters have cleared. This condition is known as
postherpetic neuralgia, and it occurs when damaged nerve fibers
send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from your skin
to your brain.Vision loss. Shingles in or around an eye
(ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may
result in vision loss.Neurological problems. Depending on which
nerves are affected, shingles can cause an inflammation of the
brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or hearing or balance
problems.Skin infections. If shingles blisters aren't properly
treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.

PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Some people have such mild symptoms of shingles that they
don't seek medical treatment. At the other extreme, severe
symptoms may result in a visit to the emergency room.

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS

Shingles is usually diagnosed based on the history of pain on one
side of your body, along with the telltale rash and blisters. Your
doctor may also take a tissue scraping or culture of the blisters
for examination in the laboratory.

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

There's no cure for shingles, but prompt treatment with
prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your
risk of complications. These medications include:
Acyclovir (Zovirax)Valacyclovir (Valtrex)Famciclovir (Famvir)
Shingles can cause severe pain, so your doctor also may
prescribe:
Capsaicin cream Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin
(Neurontin)Tricyclic antidepressants, such as
amitriptyline Numbing agents, such as lidocaine, delivered via a
cream, gel, spray or skin patch Medications that contain narcotics,
such as codeine injection including corticosteroids and local
anesthetics
Shingles generally lasts between two and six weeks. Most people
get shingles only once, but it is possible to get it two or more
times.

ACNE CAUSES SYMPTOMS TREATMENTS AND ANTIBIOTICS

ACNE DEFINITION

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when  hair follicles
become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne usually
appears on face, neck, chest, back and shoulders.
Effective treatments are available, but acne can be
persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when
one begins to go away, others seem to crop up.

CAUSES MAIN   

Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional
distress and scar the skin. when earlier start treatment,
the lower  risk of lasting physical and emotional
damage.

SYMPTOMS

Acne signs and symptoms vary depending on the severity
Whiteheads
Blackheads —
Small red, tender bumps
Pimples
which are papules with pus at their tips Large, solid, painful
lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules)Painful,
pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin

The Food and Drug Administration warns that some
popular nonprescription acne lotions, cleansers and other
skin products can cause a serious reaction. This type of
reaction is quite rare, so don't confuse it with the redness,
irritation or itchiness where you've applied medications or
or tongueTightness of the throat

CAUSES IN DETAIL 

Four main factors cause acne:
Oil production Dead skin cells Clogged pores Bacteria
Acne typically appears on face, neck, chest, back and
shoulders. These areas of skin have the most oil
 glands. Acne occurs when hair follicles
become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
Hair follicles are connected to oil glands. These glands
secrete an oily substance (sebum) to lubricate your hair
and skin. Sebum normally travels along the hair shafts and
through the openings of the hair follicles onto the surface
of your skin.
When body produces an excess amount of sebum
and dead skin cells, the two can build up in the hair
follicles. They form a soft plug, creating an environment
where bacteria can thrive. If the clogged pore becomes
infected with bacteria, inflammation results.
Pimples are raised red spots with a white center that
develop when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or
infected. Blockages and inflammation that develop deep
inside hair follicles produce cyst-like lumps beneath the
surface of your skin. Other pores in your skin, which are
the openings of the sweat glands, aren't usually involved in
acne.

Factors that may worsen acne

These factors can trigger or aggravate an existing case of
acne:
Hormones. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys
and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands
to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes
related to pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives
also can affect sebum production. And low amounts of
androgens circulate in the blood of women and can worsen
acne.Certain medications. Drugs containing
corticosteroids, androgens or lithium can worsen
acne.Diet. Studies indicate that certain dietary factors,
including dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods —
such as bread, bagels and chips — may trigger acne.
Chocolate has long been suspected of making acne
worse. A recent study of 14 men with acne showed that
eating chocolate was related to an increase in acne.
Further study is needed to examine why this happens or
whether acne patients need to follow specific dietary
restrictions.Stress. Stress can make acne worse.

RISK FACTORS

Risk factors for acne include:
Hormonal changes. Such changes are common in
teenagers,  and people using certain
medications, including those containing corticosteroids,
androgens or lithium.Family history. Genetics plays a role
in acne. If both parents had acne, you're likely to develop
it, too.Greasy or oily substances. You may develop acne
where your skin comes into contact with oily lotions and
creams or with grease in a work area, such as a kitchen
with fry vats.Friction or pressure on your skin. This can be
caused by items such as telephones, cellphones, helmets,
tight collars and backpacks.Stress. This doesn't cause
acne, but if you have acne already, stress may make it
worse.

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

If over-the-counter (nonprescription) products haven't
cleared up your acne, your doctor can prescribe stronger
medications or other therapies.
Control your acne Avoid scarring or other damage to your
skin Make scars less noticeable
Acne medications work by reducing oil production,
speeding up skin cell turnover, fighting bacterial infection
or reducing inflammation — which helps prevent scarring.
With most prescription acne drugs, you may not see
results for four to eight weeks, and your skin may get
worse before it gets better. It can take many months or
years for your acne to clear up completely.
The drug your doctor recommends depends on the type
and severity of your acne. It might be something you apply
to your skin (topical medication) or take by mouth (oral
medication). Often, drugs are used in combination.
Pregnant women will not be able to use oral prescription

medications for acne.

Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of
medications and other treatments you are considering.

Topical medications

These products work best when applied to clean, dry
skin about 15 minutes after washing. You may not see the
benefit of this treatment for a few weeks. And you may
notice skin irritation at first, such as redness, dryness and
peeling.

Retinoids. 

These come as creams, gels and lotions.
Retinoid drugs are derived from vitamin A and include
tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and
tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage). You apply this medication in
the evening, beginning with three times a week, then daily
as your skin becomes used to it. It works by preventing
plugging of the hair follicles.Antibiotics. These work by
killing excess skin bacteria and reducing redness. For the
first few months of treatment, you may use both a retinoid
and an antibiotic, with the antibiotic applied in the morning
and the retinoid in the evening. The antibiotics are often
combined with benzoyl peroxide to reduce the likelihood of
developing antibiotic resistance. Examples include
clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide (Benzaclin, Duac,
Acanya) and erythromycin with benzoyl peroxide
(Benzamycin).Dapsone (Aczone). This gel is most
effective when combined with a topical retinoid. Skin side
effects include redness and dryness.

Oral medications

Antibiotics. 

For moderate to severe acne, you may need
oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria and fight inflammation.
Choices for treating acne include tetracyclines, such as

minocycline and doxycycline.

doctor likely will recommend tapering off these
medications as soon as your symptoms begin to improve
or as soon as it becomes clear the drugs aren't helping —
usually, within three to four months. Tapering helps
prevent antibiotic resistance by minimizing undue
exposure to these medications over a long time.
You will likely use topical medications and oral antibiotics
together. Studies have found that using topical benzoyl
peroxide along with oral antibiotics may reduce the risk of
developing antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics may cause side effects, such as an upset
stomach and dizziness. These drugs also increase your
skin's sun sensitivity. They can cause discoloration of
developing permanent teeth and reduced bone growth in
children born to women who took tetracyclines while
pregnant.
Combined oral contraceptives.

Combined oral

contraceptives are useful in treating acne in women and
adolescent girls. The Food and Drug Administration
approved three products that combine estrogen and
progestin (Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep and Yaz).
The most common side effects of these drugs are
headache, breast tenderness, nausea, weight gain and
breakthrough bleeding. A serious potential complication is
a slightly increased risk of blood clots.
Anti-androgen agent. The drug spironolactone (Aldactone)
may be considered for women and adolescent girls if oral
antibiotics aren't helping. It works by blocking the effect of
androgen hormones on the sebaceous glands. Possible
side effects include breast tenderness, painful periods and
the retention of potassium.

Isotretinoin. 

his medicine is reserved for people with the
most severe acne. Isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis,
Sotret) is a powerful drug for people whose acne doesn't
respond to other treatments.

Oral isotretinoin 

is very effective. But because of its
potential side effects, doctors need to closely monitor
anyone they treat with this drug. The most serious
potential side effects include ulcerative colitis, an
increased risk of depression and suicide, and severe birth
defects.
In fact, isotretinoin carries such serious risk of side effects
that women of reproductive age must participate in a Food
and Drug Administration-approved monitoring program to
receive a prescription for the drug.

Therapies

These therapies may be suggested in select cases, either
alone or in combination with medications.
Light therapy. A variety of light-based therapies have been
tried with success. But further study is needed to
determine the ideal method, light source and dose. Light
therapy targets the bacteria that cause acne inflammation.
Some types of light therapy are done in a doctor's office.
Blue-light therapy can be done at home with a hand-held
device.
Possible side effects of light therapy include pain,
temporary redness and sensitivity to sunlight.
Chemical peel. This procedure uses repeated applications
of a chemical solution, such as salicylic acid. It is most
effective when combined with other acne treatments,
except oral retinoids. Chemical peels aren't recommended
for people taking oral retinoids because together these
treatments can significantly irritate the skin.
Chemicals peels may cause temporary, severe redness,
scaling and blistering, and long-term discoloration of the
skin.
Extraction of whiteheads and blackheads. Your
dermatologist uses special tools to gently remove
whiteheads and blackheads (comedos) that haven't
cleared up with topical medications. This technique may
cause scarring.Steroid injection. Nodular and cystic lesions
can be treated by injecting a steroid drug directly into
them. This improves their appearance without the need for
extraction. The side effects of this technique include
thinning of the skin, lighter skin and the appearance of
small blood vessels on the treated area.

Treating children

Most studies of acne drugs have involved people 12 years
of age or older. Increasingly, younger children are getting
acne as well. In one study of 365 girls ages 9 to 10, 78
percent of them had acne lesions. If your child has acne,
you may want to consult a pediatric dermatologist. Ask
about drugs to avoid in children, appropriate doses, drug
interactions, side effects, and how treatment may affect a

child's growth and development.

Treatment of children with acne is often complicated by
their family situation. For example, if a child moves
between two homes due to divorced parents, it may help to
use two sets of medications, one in each home.