Probably the most widely studied brand of botulinum toxin injections, Botox is used to treat many ailments. Many know it as a cosmetic treatment, but in 2004, the FDA approved Botox to treat hyperhidrosis or heavy sweating of the underarms. The sweating is so much that affected individuals cannot get relief even after using antiperspirants. So how does Botox help control heavy sweating? Are there any side effects? Here are six things to know. 1. How does it work? Since it’s a natural and purified protein, Botox can block the chemical that activates the body’s sweat glands. Usually, the sweat glands are activated only when the body’s temperature rises and needs to cool down. However, in hyperhidrosis, the nerves that activate these glands are sensitive or overreactive. Botox intervenes and deactivates the nerves near the sweat glands to prevent sweating. 2. Can it be used for sweating in other regions? Although research has shown that treating heavy sweating in the arms, neck, head, and face with Botox is safe, it’s approved only for underarm sweating. When used to treat heavy sweating in the underarm region, Botox has proven to be 80-85% effective. Another area where it has had successful results is sweaty palms, where it has been able to treat 80-90% of cases.

Along with the debilitating effects of air pollution on the body, there is also a relationship between skin health and pollution. Many pollutants in the air can penetrate the protective layer of the skin and cause several skin disorders like acne, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and even cancer. Though the skin is meant to serve as a shield against pro-oxidative elements, repeated exposure can significantly negatively affect the skin. Typically, pollutants in the air accumulate on the skin’s surface and are absorbed by the hair follicles through inhalation and ingestion, and are circulated through the plasma into deeper layers of the skin. Five dangerous pollutants affecting your skin 1. Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) Ultraviolet radiation or UVR consists of two types: UVA and UVB. UVA has been found to largely cause skin aging or photoaging; when it is combined with UVB, it can prove to be very lethal. It can lead to skin cancers such as malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). 2. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) PAHs are most commonly found in the air and are another leading contributor to skin cancer. The main sources of PAHs are residual wood burning, diesel engine fumes, and smoke that results from the burning of pretty much any organic material, even cigarettes.

Prostate cancer is a carcinoma that develops in the prostate gland. It is one of the more common forms of cancer affecting only men as the condition develops in the male reproductive organ. Due to a mutation in healthy cells, the cancer can develop in the gland and spread to nearby organs, bone, and lymph nodes also putting distant organs at risk. Here is a brief overview of its known symptoms and stages. 1. Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer The early and advanced indicators of this condition are Early Stages Patients may experience frequent trouble with urination, including pain and difficulty initiating or maintaining a stream. Loss of bladder control may lead to an increased urge to urinate at night and sometimes even result in a decreased rate of flow. At times, blood in the urine caused by a condition called hematuria is also a common symptom. Other symptoms include pain during releasing semen, blood in the semen, and even possible cases of erectile dysfunction. Advanced Stages As the cancer progresses, the symptoms may also intensify and result in other complications around the surrounding organs. This includes pain or swelling in the legs, numbness in the feet, and increased risk of fracture due to bone problems.

Urinary incontinence or UI is a bladder problem where the person primarily experiences the intense urge to urinate. The person may also experience several other symptoms based on how serious their condition is. Some people may only feel an intense urge to urinate frequently in the day, while others may experience some leakage. This disorder is quite common and is classified into four major types. They are described as follows: 1. Stress incontinence In this type of urinary incontinence, the patient may experience the urge to urinate and even leakage whenever they laugh, cough, jump, or even exercise. This condition is not influenced by our emotional stress but is only affected by physical stress. As a result, the sphincter muscles are responsible for holding urine in the bladder. Several factors that could cause stress incontinence are age, pregnancy, lung-related disorders, and prostate surgery or a pelvic fracture. 2. Urge incontinence Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder syndrome, is a condition in which the person feels a strong need to urinate even when their bladder isn’t full. This is because the detrusor muscles present in the urinary bladder begin to contract before the bladder is full, resulting in the sudden urge to urinate.

Hepatitis C is a severe disease that damages the liver, triggering terminal conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is very prevalent in our country, with at least two million cases. There are several treatment options for hepatitis C. But unfortunately, there is also a lot of misinformation about the disease among the general public, making its management more difficult. Here, we have listed some myths and facts about the condition. 1. Myth: There is no effective treatment This is one of the most common myths that people come across about hepatitis C. Yes, the disease was difficult to treat earlier. However, with the advancement in medical science, more than 90 percent of cases can be cured within eight to 12 weeks using antiviral medications. 2. Myth: Hepatitis C is easy to detect Hepatitis C is often called a “silent epidemic.” A person suffering from the disease does not exhibit any symptoms, and hence they might not know that they are ill. Some patients have lived with the disease for more than a decade without ever diagnosing it. However, the signs appear once the problem worsens or develops into severe liver disease. 3. Myth: There is a vaccine to protect from hepatitis C This is yet another common myth.