Causes of Dark Circles & How to Treat Them

Dark under eye circles have been associated with age and improper protection of the delicate skin around the eyes for decades and can become prominent on the lower eyelids.

Through research that has been completed, skin specialists have come to realize that there are a variety of factors which play a part in dark under eye circles and therefore, realizing the cause of the dark under eye circles is an essential part of developing a treatment plan that can be used to lighten the pigment of the skin effectively and create a natural skin tone through the lower eye lid, leading to youthful and healthy appearing skin.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive, permanent neurological disorder caused due to developmental defects in the brain, during infancy or early childhood. The following article touches upon the various causes of cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy affects body movement and muscle coordination due to the damage to the motor and muscle control centers of the brain. It can affect the unborn baby (fetal stage), during childbirth or children in infancy, mostly up to the age of 3. Cerebral palsy does not deteriorate with advancing age, and although its treatment relies more on therapy to improve kinesthetic skills and coordination, it cannot be completely cured. It refers to a group of neurological disorders; however, the exact causes of cerebral palsy are still not known.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by mood swings from manic to depression. Although there is no cure for it, proper treatment can reduce the intensity of the problem.

Bipolar Disorder is a condition wherein a person experiences two opposite moods - an elevated mood, called manic, and a downbeat mood, called depression. There is also a corresponding change in the sleeping pattern, and levels of activity and energy. These changes interfere in the normal functioning of the individual at work, school, home, and can also adversely affect personal relationships. These changes in moods are usually separated by a period of normal mood behavior.

Alright, Enough Picking on Tori Spelling!

Sure, celebs should be able to deal with a fair amount of razzing, name-calling, whatever--it comes with the job of being famous, right? But I draw the line at all-out meanness--especially when it's directed at a person's weight or the way they look, which is something we, for the most part, can't help. Take Tori Spelling, for instance. Time for people to stop picking on her...

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Chelsea Handler reportedly picks on Tori Spelling a lot on her E! show "Chelsea Lately." According to US Weekly: "Handler has long poked fun of Spelling, everything from the actress' obsession with gay men to her thin frame ('I'm a little full right now. I just ate Tori Spelling,' she recently quipped). Spelling even jokingly thanked Handler at Bravo's recent A-List awards 'for finding ways to say I'm ugly and stupid, week after week.'"

Castor Bean

You must have had the unpleasant experience of taking castor oil, at least once in your life. The following article will provide you information about castor bean tree, seed and oil. Read on if you are inquisitive....

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is native to the Ethiopian region of tropical east Africa. Castor bean plant has always been the source of numerous economically important products. Researchers have found castor beans in ancient Egyptian tombs, dating back to 4000 B.C. Castor oil was used thousands of years ago in wick lamps for lighting. Mostly, people consider the castor bean tree as overgrown, undesirable weed though it offers us one of nature's finest natural oils.

Can Your Diet Improve Your Memory?

I am often asked whether or not diet can improve memory. The short answer is a resounding “yes.” It’s really true that “You are what you eat.” Most people recognize that what they eat affects physical health. If they live on a high-fat diet, they’re likely to develop heart disease. Avoiding calcium-rich milk will increase the risk for osteoporosis. But it takes years of eating poorly before these diseases rear their ugly heads. Long before your bones crumble or your arteries clog, your thinking is blurred by the wrong food choices. In fact, the link is so immediate that literally what you eat or don’t eat for breakfast can affect how clearly you think or how well you recall information by mid-afternoon. Some foods also will help you side step memory loss and even Alzheimer’s down the road!

Can a Divorce Negatively Affect Your Pet’s Health?

We often hear how children are negatively affected by their parent’s splitting up… but what happens when these “children” are our pets? In some cases, the effects can be the same—and can develop into stress-related health problems if not addressed and managed.

Unfortunately, since our pets cannot speak to us and express their feelings, we’re left to decipher their emotions through their actions and behaviors. Often, these physical behaviors are accompanied by intense emotions that animal behaviorist and psychologists compare to depression, nervousness, and anxiety in humans.

This destructive and self-mutilating behavior can be attributed to feeling the emotional tension between the human partners splitting up, as animals are very perceptive and sensitive, similar to young children. It may also be attributed to an external factor, such as not being walked as often as before with two partners, or missing the interaction it received from the more attentive owner.

Calorie Count Jolts Java Lovers

One more caramel macchiato for the road? Not so fast, dieter. That special brew cheerfully anticipated each morning at the corner coffee-teria may hold more than you bargained for in the way of calories -- up to 110 in a small cappuccino and 350 in your favorite mocha mix.

For a reliable guide, click to coffee section on the Calorie Counter Web site. You can find your favorite brews there--from your favorite java suppliers--and find out just how much damage those creamy treats are doing to your diet.

Pure coffee, with no additives, sweeteners or foamers, holds only the trace of a calorie -- it's the additives such as milk, artificial or natural sweeteners, rich cream and flavored oils that literally enrich the pot. That Caramel Macchiato? It weighs in at 224 calories.

Bumps, Bruises Sprains… Oh My! Tips to Treat Minor Slip-Ups

Accidents happen. From pulling a muscle or scraping a knee, these little mishaps can put a damper on your day – and while they may seem trivial, minor sprains or wounds could lead to a more serious injury or infection if not given a little TLC.

Note: Always seek professional care for severe injuries to determine if diagnostic tests, sutures, antibiotics, or other treatments are necessary.

Bumps & Bruises

Most bruises are not a cause for concern, and result from tiny blood vessels bursting and collecting near the surface of the skin after impact, causing a ‘black or blue’ mark. Discoloration may be accompanied by a slight bump or minor swelling. Do watch for severe swelling and pain, which indicate a sprain or fracture. However, most bruises heal on their own, but natural remedies can help expedite the process.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Tips for Prevention

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and the organization celebrates it's 25th year of helping  raise awareness. Apart from having  a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages there are a few tips that may lower your chance of developing breast cancer.

Regular exercise and consuming a low-fat diet packed with wholesome fruits and vegetables are a big plus in your battle against avoiding not only breast cancer, but many other types of cancers and diseases. On the contrary, a high-fat diet increases your risk because fat triggers estrogen production that can fuel tumor growth.

Breakfast at Your Desk: Yummy Couscous With Fruit Compote

Hi my dears, good morning! Couscous may not strike you as a typical breakfast fare, but here's how I'm going to change your mind...

A while back I made an amazing breakfast "pudding" of sorts: a simple mixture of whole-wheat couscous (yes, you can find whole wheat varieties, and they taste great!), milk, and some vanilla extract. I drizzled some agave nectar on top. Some people call this semolina porridge--it's creamy and pudding-like. I keep meaning to recreate the recipe so I can share it with you. (P.S. In case you need a refresher: Couscous is not a grain, but instead a teensy semolina pasta.)

Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis - A Guide

Plantar Fasciitis is a disrupting foot ailment. The best way to treat it is through proper footwear. Find out what shoes are best to treat this condition.

A number of people complain about foot aches in the back heel region; normally, this is plantar fasciitis - the highly painful condition in which the foot's muscle undergo tiny rips near to the bone. Lots of things could cause this condition to develop which include obesity, improper jogging methods, too-small shoes, or an excessive amount of foot stress.

To protect yourself from plantar fasciitis, you should wear high quality shoes with good arch and heel support. There are actually special shoes for plantar fasciitis that you can purchase that help address the issue.