Medical definition of Callus

Callous may be defined as a tissue of bone that emerges surrounding the ends of a fractured bone during the healing process. Callus is also known as keratoma or callosity which is usually painless that thickens the stratum corneum at the places of friction or external pressure. Callus is actually a  network that is unorganized and consists of woven bone that forms at the ends of the broken bone as a replacement but ultimately is absorbed when the repair is completed (as in the case of provisional callus) and is usually replaced by the true bone or definitive callus. A callus results in the thickening of the upper layer of the skin due to continuous friction. A callus on the skin of the foot becomes thick and hard from rubbing due to friction. Callus of the feet may result in serious infections. Bony callus is a natural healing process in case of fractured bone in a human body. Bony callus is a bony regeneration that is not yet replaced by a hard bone. Rubbing the callus area frequently relating to that particular area will result in causing blisters rather than helping the calluses to form.

Calluses are most often found on the feet due to frequent walking. Even though calluses are not quiet harmful they at times they may result in infections and other related problems. Callus may form on any part of the skin that is exposed to friction over a long period. Calluses can be seen on the middle finger of the right hand or left hand or of the foot of both sides that too as per the performing occupation or profession of the concerned person.

Causes of Callus of the foot and hands-

The callus formation on the foot is the accumulation of the dead skin cells that indurate and inspissations on the foot. The formation of callus is a mechanism of defense by the human body in order to protect the foot against the excessive pressure or friction. The callus of the foot is usually observed on the ball-of-the foot, the side of the big toe and the heel. The emergence of callus of the foot is a normal process. However, the causes or reasons for callus formation are due to the following below mentioned factors:

• Excessive pressure being put on the foot in a particular area,
• Wearing high heeled footwear,
• The concerned person being obese also results in the formation of callus due to excessive weight pressure on the feet,
• Any irregularity during the walking process,
• Having flat feet by birth may also result in the formation of callus,
• Having high arched feet due to any abnormality or hormonal or genetic factors,
• Bulging of bone at some specific spots of the foot,
• Displaced metatarsals that results in the loss of the feet pads,
• A hammertoe deformity may also leads to the formation of callus of the foot.
• Using hand tools can result in the formation of callus on the hands. In this case, the calluses develop on the hands in order to prevent blisters from forming.
• Wearing ill fitted shoes may result in the formation of callus of the foot due to repeated friction due to the shoes rubbing the skin of the foot repeatedly.

How to get rid of callus on hands and feet and hands-

Calluses as such are not harmful as they are actually a natural defense mechanism against pressure and friction on the skin that is applied in some cases by undergoing certain activities. The calluses of the foot and hand are the natural build up of the dead skin and sometimes any removal of calluses can result in infection as it amounts to removing of the skin’s defense mechanism. If the calluses are not causing any pain then it is better not get rid of them. However by applying the below mentioned techniques, one can reduce the impact of formation of callus of the hands as well as the feet and these are:

• Wearing shoes that fit right as per the size of the feet is an appropriate way to get rid of callus. Wearing shoes that are not comfortable or well adjusted on the feet may put intensive pressure on the feet leading to the development of hammertoe and bunions. Women who wear high heeled, tight fitting shoes or boots are also at the risk of developing callus on their feet. Men who wear work boots that are not comfortable are at a risk of developing structural abnormality in the foot due to excessive pressure.
• Wearing protective gloves and proper padding during the work process can result in getting rid of callus of the hands and the feet. Manual workers and miners who undertake physical work by using hands and feet need to protect the hands and feet by wearing gloves and providing proper padding to the foot while doing the work. For example, it is better to wear gloves for women who do outdoor chores.
• Using moisturizers and other creams that soften the skin tissues may be used to get rid of calluses of hands and feet. Moisturizers when used on regular basis do help in softening the skin thereby preventing the occurrence of callus. Using the moisturizers on a regular basis would help in recession of the callus and prevents in the development of new calluses.
• Scrubbing and soaking treatment is recommended for those who are already having calluses of the feet or hand. The procedure involves soaking the feet or hand in a vinegar and solution of water for about a few minutes and then using pumice stone to scratch away the dead skin. In case of diabetic patients, it is advisable to avoid vinegar and use lukewarm tap water. Diabetics must be careful while removing the calluses of their feet and hands. They should not use medicated pads, or liquid corn removers due to the possibility of complications while removing the calluses. It is better not to remove all the calluses at one time.
• Removal of Calluses caused by plantar keratosis or bone spurs should be done under medical attention or supervision of a physician. The chances of getting infection from these types of calluses due to cracking and bleeding are too high if the concerned person does self-removal or medication.

Thus, getting rid of the calluses on hands and feet can be successful by following the above-mentioned ideas or suggestions but it is better to consult a physician before implementing these suggestions upon you.

Getting conceived is not as simple as it sounds. Some women have the pleasure of being blessed with fertility and get pregnant rapidly. In some other cases, women will have a tough time in getting pregnancy. Delay in getting married and stopping oneself from bearing child are said to be the other reasons for not conceiving the baby. Usually, a woman becomes pregnant within one year of getting wedded with her partner. In case of not getting so, she needs to approach her personal doctor.

Hereunder are varied methods a lady can employ if she is desperate to be pregnant. Besides, these procedures will  enable any woman realize when she is really fertile, how frequently and when one have sex, and when is the apt period to go for infertility.

1)   Take part in active sex for three times per week

The right and the most recommended way to acquire pregnancy would be engaging in sex. It may be true that sexual pleasure that does not culminate in the process of ovulation will not lead to pregnancy. Contrary to their expectations, women fail to ovulate all the time. However, having sex thrice per week will enable a woman to shield her bases. As such, don’t fritter away the advantage of being pregnant.

2)   Have sexual intercourse ahead of ovulation

At times, the duo tends to get confused as to what could be the ideal time to have sex in regard to ovulation. The lady will have a tiny window of time each time to conceive. As soon as the woman ovulates the egg will stay alive nearly for 1 day. Whereas the sperm will last for 3-5 days.

This is the reason why engaging in sexual activity ahead of ovulation will enhance a lady’s chances of becoming pregnant. The lady need not wait until she ovulates to have sex. In comparison to the lady’s egg, her sexual partner’s sperm will last for a fair period of time.

3)   Don’t be dependent on the Calendar mode for anticipating ovulation

A majority of couples engage in sexual pleasure around 14^th day of a lady’s cycle.Solely on the basis of calendar mode, it is assumed that a lady will have a normal 28-day cycle and ovulate mid cycle. It may not be a very reliable method to predict when the lady ovulates. Scores of women fail to ovulate on 14^th day, and guessing the exact date on which a lady ovulates will enable her plan intercourse time.

BBT charts, ovulation forecasting kits, and waiting for signs of ovulation will assist her in guessing when she will be able to ovulate.

4)   Before attempting to get pregnancy consult your doctor

Ensure that you remain in sound health and get checked up by a medical specialist from time to time. Sexually transmitted ailments, untreated infectious diseases, or fragile health could harm a woman’s chances of getting pregnancy. It is always better to consult a doctor and begin taking prenatal vitamins before planning to conceive.

5)   While seeking to become pregnant, avoid smoking, consuming alcohol, or abusing drugs

Many women are in the practice of puffing, drinking, and taking drugs. Such habits could cause harm to a woman’s fertility. Besides, it will impact the unborn kid of a lady. As such, the lady is compelled to quit smoking or taking drugs, and consuming alcohol ahead of getting pregnancy rather than waiting to hear about pregnancy.

6)   If you are desirous to get pregnant in a quicker way, stop relying on fertility charting alone to know about ovulation

Though the Fertility Charting facility helps in ascertaining about ovulation, it has some inherent disadvantages too. By the time the lady begins checking her ovulation on a BBT chart, the process of her ovulation will be over. In case this happens to be the first attempt to get pregnancy, or if you fail to ovulate in time each month, an ovulation indication would be greatly helpful.

7)   Take part in sex in postures that can hold semen inside the vagina for an elongated period of time

The missionary stance is a convenient posture to use when striving to get pregnancy. Don’t take positions where the lady is on top. At the same time, try keeping a pillow beneath your hips to enable incline your pelvis when trying to get pregnant. Avoid postures that keep the woman on top.  Don’t be in a hurry to get up immediately after having sex. Be relaxed and let the semen to remain in the vagina for a fair amount of time.

8)   Do take right food

If you are having a fierce desire to become pregnant quickly then you require having right balanced food. Essentially, a woman should be eating fertility-aided foods like folic acid(Vitamin-B), iron, calcium, Vitamin-A, Vitamin-C, and Vitamin-D tablets, Potassium, and Zinc  as these can greatly enhance fertility in her.

People from the developed countries are more prone to suffer from the  blues of Bed Bugs. These are miniature pests that typicallylurk under the bed. Baseboards, small crevices, and mattresses are the other places bed bugs congregate in large number. In just 10 days, a female bed bug can hatch up to 300 eggs at a time. However neat and tidy one’s house may

The term wrinkle is usually defined as small crease, folds, or ridges on the skin surface due to the aging process of a human body. Glycation process or due to extended immersion in water of the human body may also result in the wrinkles. The wrinkles appearing due to excessive water exposure on the skin is defined as pruney fingers or water aging. However, this type of wrinkles formation is not a permanent issue due to which the palms and the hands or feet turn wrinkly.

The wrinkles are common phenomenon in the evolution of human body and cannot be eliminated but may be reduced to some extent. The wrinkles usually appear all over the body but wrinkles appear the most where the skin is exposed to the sun is greatest. The wrinkles therefore can be observed in an extensive way on the face that includes forehead, neck, back of the hands, tops of the forearms.

The wrinkles come in two categories the deep furrows and the fine surface lines. In case of fine surface lines, the treatment is much more effective than in case of deep furrows where it requires aggressive techniques of wrinkle treatment. Forehead wrinkles appear due to various factors such as aging, due to emotional outbursts, personal habits of the concerned person such as frowning most often, raising the forehead many times during their lifetime etc. The wrinkles on the forehead are deep seated. These wrinkles may appear as vertical or horizontal forehead wrinkles. The vertical forehead wrinkles are usually observed between the eyebrows and the horizontal forehead wrinkles can be seen below the hairlines or sometimes across the forehead.

Causes of forehead wrinkles          

The main factors responsible for forehead wrinkles in the persons of both the sexes are:

• Due to Aging Process:  In reality, the wrinkles begin to appear when a person reaches the age of twenty-one or in his or her mid twenties when the skin has less elastin production capacity and less collagen that gives the skin the elasticity and tone. In some people, fine wrinkles begin to appear on the forehead that is thinner, dryer and transparent as early as in their twenties. While in some people, the wrinkle formation on the forehead appears until they reach the age of forty.
• Facial expressions do result in the formation of forehead wrinkles as it is observed that some emotional outbursts if expressed frequently like in case of anger, sadness, crying, frowning, scowling etc do result in early formation of forehead wrinkles.
• Sleeping positions or the way the person is sleeping in variety of postures do result in causing wrinkles on the forehead. For instance, men are likely to develop forehead wrinkles if they are sleeping on the pillow in a downward face position as compared with women who usually sleeps sideways, and therefore women are prone to develop wrinkles on the cheeks or chin.
• Smoking also results in the development of wrinkles.  It was observed that persons who smoke more than ten cigarettes per day for a period of ten years are prone to develop wrinkles and skin that is leathery than those who are non-smokers.
• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation over a period hastens the development of wrinkles on the forehead.  Overexposure to the sun and photo aging effect do result in the hastening of the wrinkles on the forehead that is faster in case of white skinned people than in dark skinned ones.
• Heredity factors also result in the formation of wrinkles on the forehand quiet early as it is observed that in some families there is a genetic factor responsible for early formation of wrinkles on the forehead.

How to get rid of wrinkles on the forehead

Wrinkles on forehead can be rid off by following the below mentioned treatment or remedial methods or measures:

• Drinking atleast, one and half liters of water every day will help in the reduction of forehead wrinkles. The consumption of water can be increased more in case where there the person consumes beverages of caffeinated origin.
• Application of wrinkle-treatment cream containing the hydroxyl acids does reduce the impact of wrinkles on the forehead if the cream is applied daily on the forehead. Application of Retin-A which is a topical cream used for reversing the sun damage and restoring the skin tone may be applied on the forehead in consultation with the dermatologist. Another topical cream that dermatologists recommend is Matrixyl peptide cream who confirms that this cream has anti-aging qualities. The usage of Botox cream or injections is also being considered at present for the removal of forehead wrinkles.
•  Using chemical peels that are appropriate for the skin in order to remove the top layers of the skin in consultation with the dermatologist can help in getting rid of the wrinkles on the forehead.
• Going in for cosmetic surgery may be considered for removal of wrinkles on the forehead in consultation with the dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. Cosmetic surgery consists of various types of techniques that include microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing in which a beam of monochromatic radiation is used to remove a few layers of forehead skin until it is smooth and soft. There is also a surgical technique using non-ablative NLite lasers that helps in stimulating the collagen of the skin that helps in the growth of the skin to fill the wrinkles.
• Doing Face Exercises daily such as lifting the eyebrows upward as far as possible while opening the eyes and then placing the fingers at the top of the forehead and running or sliding them downwards towards the eyebrows will help in getting rid of the wrinkles on the forehead to some extent.
• Changing dietary habits by avoiding junk foods and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables will help in the reduction of forehead wrinkles. Fruits contain the alpha-hydroxyl acids that help in shedding away the layer of dry and dead skin on the forehead, thereby revealing the smooth, soft skin below these layers.

Dry mouth can be defined as a medical condition in which there is an abnormal dryness of the mouth due to the decrease in the secretion of the saliva. The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia. Dry mouth is a normal phenomenon occasionally when a person is in distress, nervous or upset. However, when the concerned person is having dry mouth most of the time then it can be termed as a serious health problem requiring proper treatment. Dry mouth causes problems pertaining to chewing, swallowing, tasting and speaking and if left untreated may result in the increased levels of tooth decay, mouth infections such as thrush. Dry mouth is a common problem in aged persons due to systemic disease such as Sjogren syndrome, hypothyroidism, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus.

Causes of dry mouth

The causes of dry mouth or xerostomia may be due to the below mentioned factors and these are mentioned as under:

• Insufficient production of saliva or hypo salivation,
• Improper control over diabetes,
• Suffering from severe anxiety pangs,
• Drinking of alcoholic beverages,
• Any physical injury to the salivary glands or their nerves, or ducts,
• Dehydration resulting from the lack of sufficient fluids,
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy,
•  Using certain medications such as antidepressants, antihistamines, amphetamines and some controlled substances like heroine, cannabis etc,
• Age related factors might also result in dry mouth,
• In some persons, xerostomia may be due to Lambert –Eaton Syndrome.

Getting rid of dry mouth

Dry mouth or xerostomia can be rid off by following some simple tips and taking medications. The below mentioned steps if followed properly will result in getting rid of dry mouth and these are as follows:

• Sipping of liquids, especially water frequently to moisten the mouth will result in the reduction of dry mouth. However, other sugar free and non-caffeine beverages will also help in getting rid of the dry mouth.
• Avoid eating food that is spicy or salty and avoiding smoking of cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco related products will result in eradication of dry mouth syndrome. It is also suggested to avoid drinking of alcohol that contributes to the dryness of the mouth.
• Maintaining dental hygiene by brushing the teeth properly after every meal and flossing once a day will help in protecting the teeth, gums, mouth tissue and also relieving off the symptoms of dry mouth.
• Breathing the air through mouth instead of nose will result in aggravating the dry mouth symptoms and as the constant air flow into the mouth causes the tissues of the mouth going dry. Therefore, it is advisable to breathe the air only through the nose and not through the mouth. If still there is a difficulty in breathing the air through the nose then it is better to consult the physician for getting medical advice.
• Climatic conditions such as dry climate resulting in dry mouth can be overcome by using humidifiers in the home or avoiding from going outside if possible in such climatic conditions.
•  Maintaining proper food habits such as cutting down on the intake of carbohydrates such as pastas, bread, junk foods that require more intake of water to swallow and digest. Drinking water while eating and chewing the food thoroughly will help in getting rid of dry mouth.
• Chewing sugar less gums or sucking sugar free candy reduces the impact of dry mouth as the act of sucking and chewing produces more saliva making the mouth less dry.
• Switching of medications on the advice of the physician can help in getting rid of dry mouth as some medications and supplements used in the treatment of certain diseases result in side effects that includes dry mouth. It is estimated, that about five hundred different types of medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect. Switching these medicines may help in getting relief from the side effect of dry mouth.
•  Using artificial saliva as prescribed by the physician can get rid of dry mouth as synthetic saliva protects the teeth and makes the process of eating more comfortable if there is not enough natural production of saliva by the salivary glands of a person.

The above-mentioned steps or tips if followed properly under the supervision of a physician or health expert may help in getting rid of dry mouth.

Definition of Double Chin

The term double chin can described as a fold of fatty tissue under the chin. Double chin is actually a sheet of hypodermic fat that is located towards the front plane of the neck that is veiled by the stretching or droopy skin. The appearance of such person in such a case appears as if he or she has a double or triple chin. The double chin therefore is a fatty deposit that collects under the chin and increases the face size of the concerned person. It is not mandatory that double chin come with obesity. Double chin may appear to normal healthy weight persons also. Double chin makes the individual to lose his or her face profile and it may make him or her ugly in certain cases. Double chin can be removed only by medical intervention or through a surgical operation by a plastic surgeon or by surgeons specialized in the reconstructive or aesthetic plastic surgery.

Causes of double chin

The causes of double chin may be due to the following below mentioned factors-

Obesity is the main reason in majority of cases for those having double chin especially in those people who are under the age of sixty-five or above.

• The other cause of double chin is the way a person’s body posture is. If a person maintains a slump position while sitting or standing then he or she will invariably will create unnecessary lumps and bumps in the body that in turn will cause the fat to settle down in the infirmed areas surrounding the chin.
• Living a sedentary lifestyle with lack of physical exercise may also lead to double chin.
• Hormonal imbalances at the time of puberty, pregnancy, menopause due to estrogen levels is also responsible for having double chin in some persons.
• Development of double chin due to fatty deposits is indirectly linked with the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
•  Hereditary factors also play an important role in causing double chin as in some families there runs some genetic factors that contributes to the emergence of double chin factor.
• Retention of water is more prominent in some people around their chin area resulting in double chin.
• Double chin may also be due to the loosening of the muscles around the chin area especially when the person grows older with age. This type of double chin may remain with that person until his or her last breath. Retention of fat around these loose areas will ultimately result in double chin in case of these persons.

How to get rid of double chin

Double chin is a medical condition that tends to enlarge the face structure making it at times look ugly and deformed. Therefore, it becomes imperative to get rid of the double chin by following the below mentioned suggestions, tips or ideas:

• Doing exercises that target the muscles of the jaw and mouth will help in burning off the extra calories that in turn reduces the amount of the body fat around the chin area. These exercises may relate to aerobic exercises like running, biking, stair climbing etc or may be anaerobic like weight lifting.
• Maintaining good posture will ensure that the jaw is slightly projected during the day will ensure keeping off the double chin away. Sitting in a straight position during the working hours ensures that the jaw muscles do not slack too much thereby creating a space for body fat and loose skin being accumulated there.
• Watching the eating habits will also ensure in getting rid of the double chin as regulating the calorie intake will help in getting rid of the double chin. Few calorie intakes mean less accumulation of fat in the human body.
• Chewing sugar free gum is another way of keeping the facial and jaw muscles moving and working thus causing the accumulation of fat more difficult around the jaw line.
• By exercising the platysma, muscle is most recommended for getting rid of the double chin. This exercise involves the opening up of the mouth widely, pulling over the bottom lip the bottom teeth and working up the jaw down and up as if trying to sweep up something up with the lower jaw.
• Natural remedies for getting rid of double chin are to eat natural food such as fruits, vegetables and avoid junk foods such as hamburgers, pizzas, refined foods etc. Avoid drinking of alcohol and smoking tobacco or cigarettes that are indirectly related with obesity and double chin.
• Liposuction and plastic chin surgery is the surgical option for removal of double chin and only surgeons who are specialized in the aesthetic or reconstructive plastic surgery perform this type of surgery.  This procedure can be adopted as a last option when all the above said options as discussed above do not get any positive results or contribute to the reduction of double chin.