Getting Rid of Stretch Marks

Some people think there's nothing that can be done about stretch marks. Once you've got them, they arre here to stay. That turns out not to be true.

First off, many stretch marks just fade over time, making them much less noticeable, and some people can live with them this way. You can also cover them up with makeup made especially for that purpose. For those who want to do better than just covering them up, laser therapy is a promising option. The color of the stretch marks that need treatment will determine the type of laser a surgeon uses. One type stimulates production of cells that make pigment, another reduces the color of stretch marks.

Another type of laser treatment actually stimulates collagen production to restore elasticity in the stretch marks themselves. It is the skin's being stretched past its limit that causes stretch marks in the first place. This can happen when a person grows rapidly, such as during puberty. It can also happen when a person gains weight rapidly, such as during a pregnancy. The damage is actually done in the skin's middle layer, the dermis.

The skin has three layers: the other two are the outer layer, called the epidermis, and the innermost layer, called the subcutaneous layer.

Another treatment for stretch marks is blue light therapy, something that can be helpful in treating acne too. It is a combination of gel and light, used to remove stretch marks.

An older, low-tech treatment is to use creams to help moisturize skin, repair collagen, and encourage elastin growth. They commonly contain combinations of cocoa butter, wheat germ oil, lanolin, and vitamin E. But actually, these creams are most effective if used while your skin is being stretched to help keep it soft, supple, smooth, and elastic. So prevention is a good idea for those most susceptible to them. If you haven't applied creams while the skin was being stretched, the sooner you begin afterwards, the better.

Who has to worry most about stretch marks? People who are genetically disposed to them, that's who. And it turns out people with darker skin tend to be less susceptible than those with lighter skin.

There isn't one fail-safe, 100 percent way to prevent or eradicate stretch marks, but a combination of some of these therapies will dramatically reduce their appearance or eliminate them. One thing to keep in mind about stretch marks is that they pose absolutely no health risk. They're more of an imperfection than a threat.

Information on Alzheimer's Disease at http://www.alzheimers-help.info
Information on Dementia at http://www.superior-health.info/Dementia/
Information on reducing a large stomach at http://www.big-belly.info

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About Down's Syndrome

Couples who are thinking of starting a family are curious about Down's Syndrome, which is also called "Down Syndrome". Everyone wants a healthy baby and there is quite a lot of information available to couples on the subject of prenatal health and the prevention of birth defects. Though many types of defects and abnormalities can be prevented, some cannot, such as Down Syndrome. Something about Down's Syndrome that couples may not know, is that it is not preventable and it is not inherited through family genetics. Children born with Down's Syndrome do not have to have a lesser quality of life than children without the disorder, but do require a higher degree of educational intervention, as well as guidance for behavior modification.

Down Syndrome occurs when extra genetic material is present on the 21st chromosome, and is represented through specific characteristics. According to various sources about Down's Syndrome, the chances of having a child born with the disorder increases with maternal age, especially age 35 and older. Screening for Down Syndrome is recommended for all women who have had a previous child born with the disorder, or a variation thereof, and for all women over the age of 35 years. Amniocentesis is the preferred method to sample fetal cells, and is the most definitive way to see if the fetus is affected with any disorder or abnormality.

There are other aspects about Down's Syndrome that can also be detected if the disorder is present. If the fetus is found to have a more severe form, called Trisomy 21, the pregnancy usually will prove to not be viable and will miscarry. If carried to term, the fetus usually does not live, and if it does, it will have an array of debilitating physical and medical issues that will limit the life span of the infant.

We have all seen children with the characteristic features of this disorder. Most children that have Down Syndrome have certain physical features such as: decreased muscle tone; a singular crease on each palm of the hand; flattened bridge of the nose; and epicanthal folds over each eye, giving them a Mongoloid appearance. Developmental delays and varying degrees of mental retardation are also present, requiring these children to have some type of special education, if feasible, and physical therapy, in addition to prescribed medical treatments and intervention. There is much to learn about Down's Syndrome, and couples that are thinking about having children should be aware of all the risk factors, incidence rates, characteristics, and what is entailed in caring for a child with Down Syndrome. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, learn all you can about Down's Syndrome.

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