8 Signs of Disease That Are Written All Over Your Face

This article originally appeared on Reader’s digest 

When doctors chat with patients eye to eye, it’s not just about creating rapport. Certain facial traits may reveal vital clues to underlying health conditions. We asked doctors around the country to share what they look for while examining patients. The most important tip we took away: You should worry most about a change in appearance. If symptoms are new, tell your physician.

Dry, flaky skin or lips
This is a common warning sign of dehydration. It may also indicate a more serious problem that affects sweat gland function, such as hypothyroidism (marked by insufficient levels of thyroid hormone) or diabetes, says Roshini Raj, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine and author of What the Yuck?! Other signs of hypothyroidism include feeling cold, weight gain, and fatigue. Diabetes symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, and blurry vision.

Excess facial hair
Unwanted hair, particularly along the jawline, chin, and upper lip, could be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormone imbalance in which male hormone levels are elevated. (The condition may affect five million U.S. women of childbearing age.)

Soft, yellow spots on eyelids
Patients with these cholesterol-filled lesions, called xanthelasmata, may have a higher risk of heart disease. A 2011 Danish study of nearly 13,000 patients found that about 4 percent had the spots and that those patients were nearly 70 percent more likely to develop hardening of the arteries and almost 50 percent more likely to have a heart attack over the next few decades than patients without them.

Eye bags and puffiness
Tired-looking eyes could be a red flag for chronic allergies, which dilate blood vessels and cause them to leak. In the sensitive skin under your eyes, this creates […]

7 Ways You Should Tweak Your Diet As You Age

This article originally appeared on CNN
As you get older, it’s important to make small changes to your diet to protect your long-term health. Here are seven nutrients to zero in on after turning 50.

Vitamin D
Why you need it: Scientific journals have been bursting at the seams in recent years with new research about the importance of vitamin D, and according the data, the vast majority of women aren’t getting enough. One recent study found that adults with the lowest blood vitamin D levels were about twice as likely to die from any cause compared to those with the highest levels. Other studies have linked adequate intakes to lower rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, certain cancers, and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. This key nutrient is also tied to enhanced immunity, muscle functioning, and injury prevention (pretty impressive, huh?). Vitamin D’s nickname is the “sunshine vitamin” because exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays triggers its production in the body, but you can’t rely on the sun as your sole source. Your location, cloud cover, smog, time of day and year, and sunscreen use all affect your UV exposure and vitamin D production.
How to get it: Some of the best natural food sources include wild salmon, whole eggs (the D is in the yolk), and mushrooms, and it’s in fortified foods like dairy, but it can be difficult to eat enough of these foods to meet your needs, so a supplement may be your best bet.
How much is safe: To identify the right amount to take, get your blood level tested. Based on the results, your doctor can recommend the proper daily dose.
Calcium
Why you need it: Bone […]

In-Office Solutions to Clear and Prevent Breakouts

Trapped dirt, oil and dead skin all lead to breakouts. An anti-acne facial can prevent breakouts, the deep pore-cleansing facial makes use of extractions and sometimes a light chemical peel to clear skin. “While there are other factors to pimples, eliminating one part of the problem with a pore-cleansing facial can help,” says Josanna Gaither, director of education and aesthetics for Natura Bissé.

Before any large breakout arises, it starts its life out as a small (sometimes microscopic) whitehead or blackhead. “If it’s not tackled early enough, it develops into something larger and can become a cyst or nodule,” explains Studio City, CA, dermatologist Gene Rubinstein, MD. And that’s where a deep pore-cleansing facial comes in. “The goal is to prevent breakouts before they start by keeping skin healthy.”
Antibacterials and anti-inflammatories like salicylic and lactic acids, benzoyl peroxide (in low doses), zinc and even probiotics are on deck since they break up acne-causing bacteria. Extractions are usually a big part of anti-acne facials too since debris living inside the pore is physically removed. (That, plus a mild glycolic or salicylic acid peel, literally wipes the pores clean to remove dead skin.) But when it comes to extractions, Dr. Rubinstein says if the skin needs to be broken to expel what’s in the pore, it has to be done precisely and properly by a licensed professional. “Otherwise, infection can occur as well as potential skin damage,” he says. Besides peels, microdermabrasion can be used as part of an acne-fighting facial since it works to remove the outermost layer of skin, allowing skin to breathe and function properly. A series of treatments is almost always needed to make a difference.
One reason why women shy away from facials is the fear of breaking out […]

How Soon Can Couples Have Post-Pregnancy Sex?

Dr. Raj joins Bethenny to talk about the most embarrassing health questions people may have, including how soon couples can have post-pregnancy sex.

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    L’oreal and Nestle Scientists: Probiotics May Improve Sensitive Skin From Within

L’oreal and Nestle Scientists: Probiotics May Improve Sensitive Skin From Within

Daily supplements containing the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei NCC 2461 (ST11) may reduce skin sensitivity, according to results of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study.

Read more: Natural Ingredients USA

CDC Reports Largest Rise in Measles in 2 Decades

Dr. Roshini Raj joins TODAY to discuss new concerns over outbreaks of the disease, which is rapidly on the rise.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

5 Habits Hurting Your Immune System

This article originally appeared on Bustle.com

The occasional winter cold is to be expected. The air is dry, the weather sucks and everyone else is sniffling, so at least we’re not alone. But now that spring is here (it is, right?!) the last thing we want is to be stuck inside, slurping chicken soup, eating raw garlic and dozing off in between reruns of Melrose Place. So if you’re plowing through sick days and a regular at your local pharmacy, Old Man Winter is no longer a viable excuse — your personal habits may be to blame.

To get the scoop on surprising immunity-busters, we turned to Roshini Raj, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at New York University and author of What the Yuck?: The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body. Avoid these lifestyle mishaps, and that cold/flu/cough won’t stand a chance.
YOU MISS WORKOUTS
Skipping SoulCycle once in a while isn’t the worst thing in the world, but regular workouts should be a top priority. “Exercise slows down the release of stress-related hormones, like cortisol, which can weaken your immunity and make you less able to fight off viruses and bacteria once they get hold of your body.” Aim to get the CDC-recommended 150 minutes per week and don’t forget that little things like walking and ditching the elevator for the stairs count too.

 
YOUR WINE GLASS IS ALWAYS FULL
Besides speeding up skin aging and screwing with memory (even when you’re sober), sipping on too many cocktails could be the reason you’re constantly sniffling. “Drinking too much alcohol can weaken the linings of your mouth and esophagus, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to attack your body. Alcohol also weakens the protective functions of cells and molecules,” Raj says. This impairment taxes cells and makes it hard for them […]

Cellphones and Cancer: Hot-Button Medical Issues

Dr. Roshini Raj and Dr. Tasneem Bhatia join TODAY to talk about various medical controversies and share their views on them.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

When Is It Time to Throw Away Makeup?

This article originally appeared on Beautysha.com 

Time to De-Germ Your Makeup Bag: When its time to toss your makeup
Do you have that lipstick that has just been sitting in your vanity or makeup bag for months or even years? Do you know when is the proper time frame to toss that lipstick or foundation? I know you might have that favorite eyeshadow that you just can’t throw away but think about it… that product is growing some bacteria that you are eventually putting on your face! Here are some useful information on de-germing your makeup bag. Source: information and life span averages from the book What the Yuck?! by Dr. Roshini Raj.

Time to throw away  different cosmetic products:
Mascara
Life Span: 4-6 months
Mascara should be swapped with a new one every 4-6 months or when it starts to smell funny or you are noticing an increase in clumps. Not changing your mascara can increase your chance of eye infections or sties.
Exceptions: Toss right away if you have any type of eye infection and you use the product. What will happen is once the infection clears and you use that same mascara, you end up getting the eye infection again. Yicks!

Foundation
Life Span: 1 year
Powder and liquid foundations can last up to a year. Just make sure you keep them away from direct sunlight and heaters.
Exceptions: If you notice the liquid separating or thickening, or the foundation has a rubbery smell, toss it.

Concealer
Life Span: 1 year
Most concealers last about a year whether its liquid, pan, or stick formula.
Exceptions: Liquid concealers should be tossed if you notice separation, appears oily and/or it smells bad. Pan or stick formula should be thrown away if they become elastic-like and tough in texture or if it cracks.
 
Eyeshadow
Life Span: 1-2 years
Cream eyeshadow last 1 year while powder […]

The Diseases Doctors Miss Most

This post originally appeared on Shape.com

In a perfect world, you’d walk into the doctor’s office with a medical question and walk out with a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and a ride home from Channing Tatum.

In real life, things don’t always work out that way—and having Magic Mike in the driver’s seat may not be the only far-fetched part of that scenario. Primary care docs may miss or misidentify a wide range of common conditions. In a study last year in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers looked at 200,000 appointments and found 190 diagnostic errors. Of those, one-third could have caused serious harm. In fact, researchers at Johns Hopkins estimate that more than one million Americans each year get hurt because their doctors came to the wrong conclusion. And while docs get it right more than they get it wrong, certain conditions are more likely to slip through the cracks than others.

What Doctors Miss Most
1. Depression. As many as one in four patients with depression leaves the doctor’s office without having their condition recognized, research shows.
2. Celiac disease. Many people have this severe reaction to gluten for a decade or more before receiving an accurate diagnosis, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
3. Thyroid conditions. With subtle signs like fatigue, problems with this gland often masquerade as the effects of stress and sleep deprivation, says New York University gastroenterologist Roshini Raj, M.D.
4. Appendicitis. The main symptom—abdominal pain—can signal many different problems. So about one-third of young women with appendicitis are told they have something else, including gastroenteritis (better known as stomach flu) or a urinary tract infection.
5. Stroke. A recent study in the journal Diagnosis found more than one in 10 people who had strokes went to the hospital with headaches and dizziness […]