Monthly Archives: July 2014

Recent Study Links Antibiotics To Colon Cancer

A recent study in the field of gastroenterology has revealed that a heavy use of antibiotics is linked with an increased chance of developing colorectal cancer, or colon cancer.

This happened to be one of the first studies that looked at whether or not an association exists from antibiotic usage, a type of medicine that is widely used across the globe. The controlled study sampled roughly 100,000 patients and suggested that long-term exposure to antibiotics increases a patient’s risk of colon cancer.

Antibiotics have the potential to reduce the bacteria that exist within your colon, both good and bad bacteria. If the bacteria are reduced, then it can change the way your colon responds. There are many types of antibiotics, and some of them promote a pro-inflammatory environment within your colon. In short, different antibiotics will behave differently. The study concludes that the recent news provides the groundwork to begin searching for the cause of this effect.

Antibiotics are different from probiotics in the sense that antibiotics essentially flush your system’s bacteria out in an attempt to fight off a bacterial infection that exists within your body. Probiotics promote an atmosphere where bacteria can grow and flourish, both good and bad. It’s important for your colon to contain both good and bacteria for a perfect balance. Having a significant amount of one or the other may result in troublesome stomach problems and changing bowel habits.

The American College of Gastroenterology has recommended that adults who are aged 50 or older undergo colonoscopy every 7-10 years to screen for colon cancer, which happens to be one of the most common cancers in both men and women.

If you are suffering from an unexplained change in bowel function, then a gastroenterologist may be able to help you. Gastroenterologists are doctors who specialize in treating issues that arise in your gastrointestinal tract, which includes a wide variety of organs that are responsible for managing the foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis.

Breast Augmentation Concern: What Size Breast Implants Should I Get?

There are many concerns of breast augmentation, but one concern usually bears the most weight: what size breast implants should I get? Choosing a pair of new breast implants is an exciting, but nervous endeavor for many patients. However, your final choice depends on certain factors that need to be kept in mind.

Anatomy is Key

Implants range from a variety of sizes and they are unique to each person in the sense that there is certainly no one-size-fits-all breast implant.

This is where your anatomy comes into play. Your own, personal anatomy will help you narrow your choices down because a lot of information is taken by your breast augmentation plastic surgeon when selecting a size. Such information includes the width of your chest and the distance between your breasts, and whether or not you have enough breast tissue to support an appropriate size – all variables that are very important in selecting the best fit.

Sizing Up Symmetry

Symmetry is a very important aspect in any breast augmentation – or at least, it should be. Symmetry in your breasts occurs when the breasts fit evenly on each side. What this means is that your left breast will sit in a position that is directly aligned with your right breast. Sometimes, having the same implant size in each breast will not result in symmetry. This means that one of your breasts may contain a different sized implant from the other.

It’s Not Just About Letters

Many patients believe that breast implants are as easy as walking in to your plastic surgeon’s office asking for size C breast implants. This may help to narrow down your choice, but any knowledgeable surgeon knows that letters are merely a ballpark range that is to be taken with a grain of salt. The fact of the matter is that different brands’ sizes do not always fit the same – the same way it goes for other articles of clothing such as jeans, etc.

Patients may also come into the office with pictures of people whose breast they would like to emulate – be it a friend, family, or even celebrity. Again, an appropriate breast implant size takes far more into consideration. Always ask questions in the office.

Experiment In The Office

When you’re consulting with your plastic surgeon, you should make an effort to try on sizes that you believe won’t be a good fit. Knowing what you don’t want is just as helpful as knowing what you want. By eliminating sizes that are simply too big or too small can you begin to narrow down choices.

With this advice in mind, you will have a more comfortable experience in choosing a breast implant size that works for you. It’s worth taking the time to do your research, as you will have your breast implants for a considerable amount of time.

Learn more about the procedure first hand from a professional consultation with a board certified Beverly Hills breast augmentation surgeon.

Adult-Onset Allergies – What Triggers This Sudden Phenomenon?

When your body responds to an allergy, it releases an antibody known as Immunoglobulin E, which is responsible in causing the common symptoms of allergies that are bothersome: sneezing, itchy eyes, hay fever, rash, etc.

Experts are baffled when it comes to finding out why allergies suddenly develop in adults when they haven’t had any problems since birth. It’s a troubling question, but different theories have been proposed over the years.

Theories of Adult-Onset Allergies

The theory that seems to hold the most truth is this idea that a changing environment is a primary reason why an adult would suddenly develop nagging allergies. A great example is when you move to another state, city, or home. When you change climates or areas, you may be introduced to allergens that you haven’t been exposed to before, triggering a response in your body.

Allergies tend to suddenly develop in adults during the ages of 20-30. These are common ages when an adult moves from their parent’s home, an environment they have become accustomed to, into their own home or place that may expose them to allergens that they were not originally exposed to.

A more subtle approach that may hold truth is the “hygiene hypothesis”, which proposes that those whose bodies are too accustomed to environments that are very clean most likely have immune systems that will overreact to certain allergens if exposed to them.

Of course, genetics always play a crucial role in the development of many problems you may develop over the years. In short, if your parents suffered from allergies at some point, then you too will most likely suffer as well.

Our immune systems become weaker and weaker as we age. This could serve as a possible reason why even older adults experience a host of allergy problems in their retirement years.

Viruses could also trigger allergies in certain people. It could be as simple as a common cold virus that sets off an individual’s allergies.

Believe it or not, sometimes it can be mainly in your head – psychological. The physical symptoms are very real, but the way we deal with the situation could make us more or less aware of the symptoms present. Experts have confirmed that the placebo effect is strong in those with allergies. In other words, staying busy or keeping your mind occupied could serve to help you out.

Effective Treatment of Sinus Allergies

If you are suffering from allergies affecting your sinuses that do not respond to a variety of different treatments, then you may want to consider an alternative approach that involves the use of lasers: Sinu-Clear. Talk with our Beverly Hills nasal specialist to learn about this exciting fix.

Does Social Media Impact the Demand for Facial Plastic Surgery?

You bet it does. With the rise in popular social media outlets such as Instagram and Snapchat, people have become more concerned with the way they look. “Selfies” are a popular image in which a user snaps a photo of themselves, sometimes with others in the picture. Typically, a “selfie” highlights our faces where many people begin to self-critique themselves to death, often times finding flaws that may or may not exist. As such, it’s no surprise that certain facial plastic surgery procedures have seen an increase in demand.

What Procedures Are Popular as a Result?

According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the most popular procedure was rhinoplasty, a reconstructive cosmetic procedure that reshapes a patient’s nose. This procedure saw a 10 percent increase from 2012 to 2013. The other top cosmetic procedures were hair transplants and – believe it or not – eyelid surgery.

Facial Injections Are Just As Popular

Many patients are concerned with the pain, scarring, and other similar variables regarding cosmetic procedures. This is why is facial injections remain a popular choice for many – BOTOX, Juvederm, and Radiesse to name a few. Facial injections are minimally invasive and can deliver quick, positive results, making it an easy choice for many women looking to stay young in appearance.

It’s All Online

Information is everywhere and easily accessible. The AAFPRS noted that 60% of patients received their information on plastic surgery online. This makes it excruciatingly competitive amongst plastic and reconstructive surgeons to deliver quality results in patients.

Again, social media plays a huge role here with the rise in “selfies” and an importance on taking the right picture. Some people will take picture after picture in an effort to find the perfect snap.

People want to impress their friends, family, employers, and romantic interests. Impressions matter and people are quick to judge, which is why many women – and men – have resorted to plastic and reconstructive surgeries to positively alter the way they look. Our presence online has never meant more.

The full report by the AAFPRS.