Bone fractures

A broken bone or bone fracture occurs when a force exerted against a bone is stronger than it can structurally withstand.

Bones are a form of connective tissue, reinforced with calcium and bone cells. Bones have a softer centre, called marrow, where blood cells are made. The main functions of the skeleton include support, movement and protection of vulnerable internal organs.

Symptoms
The symptoms of a bone fracture depend on the particular bone and the severity of the injury, but may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Deformity
• Inability to use the limb.

Different types of fracture
The different types of bone fracture include:

• Greenstick fracture – the bone sustains a small, slender crack. This type of fracture is more common in children, due to the comparative flexibility of their bones.
• Comminuted fracture – the bone is shattered into small pieces. This type of complicated fracture tends to heal at a slower rate.
• Simple fracture – or ‘closed’ fracture. The broken bone hasn’t pierced the skin.
• Compound fracture – or ‘open’ fracture. The broken bone juts through the skin, or a wound leads to the fracture site. The risk of infection is higher with this type of fracture.
• Pathological fracture – bones weakened by various diseases (such as osteoporosis or cancer) tend to break with very little force.
• Avulsion fracture – muscles are anchored to bone with tendons, a type of connective tissue. Powerful muscle contractions can wrench the tendon free and pull out pieces of bone. This type of fracture is more common in the knee and shoulder joints.
• Compression fracture – occurs when two bones are forced against each other. The bones of the spine, called vertebrae, are prone to this type of fracture. Elderly people, particularly those with osteoporosis, are at increased risk.

Back pain - schoolbags

Around 70 per cent of Australian schoolchildren may be damaging their spines by carrying schoolbags. For example, a heavy bag that’s slung over one shoulder can, over the 12 years of schooling, cause chronic back problems that linger into adulthood. Risks include muscle strain, distortion of the natural ‘S’ curve of the spine and rounding of the shoulders. Parents can reduce the risk in many ways, such as buying the child an appropriately sized backpack and making sure the load isn’t too heavy.

Schoolbag risk factors
Risk factors for spinal damage include:

• A schoolbag that weighs more than 10 per cent of the child’s weight
• Holding the bag in one hand by its straps
• Carrying the bag over one shoulder
• An incorrectly packed backpack
• An incorrectly fitted backpack.

Australian study into backpacks
A recent study published in the Australian Spine journal investigated the link between backpacks and back pain in schoolchildren. Selected statistics include:

• The weight of the average backpack is heavier, proportionally, than the legal load-bearing limit for adults.
• 79.1 per cent of children say their backpacks feel heavy.
• 65.7 per cent report feeling fatigued by the weight of their backpack.
• 46.1 per cent report back pain caused by their backpack.

Ways to reduce the risk
Risk reduction strategies include:

• Buy the right kind of backpack.
• Make sure it is packed correctly.
• Show your child correct lifting and carrying techniques.

Buy the right kind of backpack
Your child should have a backpack, rather than a traditional schoolbag with handles. Suggestions include:

• Look for a backpack endorsed by an Australian professional organisation, such as the Australian Physiotherapy Association or the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia.
• Don’t try to save money by buying the biggest backpack you can find – make sure the backpack is appropriate to your child’s size.
• Choose a backpack with a moulded frame and/or adjustable hip strap, so that the weight of the filled backpack will rest on your child’s pelvis instead of their shoulders and spine.
• The shoulder straps should be adjustable, and the rear of the backpack padded for comfort.
• To help with packing, the backpack should have a few separate compartments.
• Canvas backpacks are lighter than leather varieties.
• Consider buying a backpack with built-in wheels.
• Children are fashion conscious and vulnerable to peer pressure, so make sure you take your child with you when buying their backpack. If the style you choose is ‘uncool’, your child may compensate by carrying the backpack in a ‘cool’ way, such as over one shoulder.

Common causes of back pain

Most people with back pain do not have any significant damage to their spine. The pain comes from the muscles, ligaments and joints. Some common causes of back pain include:

• Arthritis – osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are two forms of arthritis linked to back pain.
• Muscle and ligament strains – weak muscles and ligaments are unprepared for sudden or heavy loads and are easily injured. Lifting a heavy load the wrong way, an unusual bout of exercise or even bad posture over a period of time can hurt soft tissue.
• Osteoporosis – fracture of the vertebrae due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by thinning of the bones. The vertebrae can become so porous and brittle that they break easily. Pain is due to the fracture.
• Sciatica – the nerve that runs from the lower back into the leg is compressed by a bulging intervertebral disc, causing pain.
• Stress – one of the side effects of stress is increased muscle tension. This can lead to fatigue, stiffness and localised pain. Constantly tight muscles can create imbalances in a person’s posture that may cause misalignment of the spine.

More persistent back pain may be associated with arthritis of the facet joints and degeneration of the discs. However, people with this condition may not experience any pain.

Lifestyle factors contribute to back pain

Most cases of back pain are exacerbated by lifestyle factors, including:

• Lack of exercise
• Being overweight or obese
• Leading a sedentary life
• Poor posture
• Stress
• Bad work practices.

Preventing back pain

In most cases, back pain can be prevented by making a few lifestyle changes. Some suggestions include:

• Exercise regularly – this is important to improve posture and increase muscle support of the spine. Try walking instead of using the car. Work towards doing 30 minutes of gentle exercise each day. This can be broken into shorter periods for equal benefit.
• Lift and carry safely – if you are picking up a heavy load: squat down, hold the object as close to your body as practical and lift by using your legs, keeping your back straight. Get some help from another person or use equipment (such as a trolley) if the load is too heavy to manage comfortably on your own.
• Maintain a healthy body weight – being overweight or obese puts extra strain on your back.
• Be aware of your posture – consider your posture, particularly in seated positions such as when driving or sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Don’t slump, keep your back upright and use support where necessary (such as a lumbar support cushion or footstool).
• Take regular breaks – when driving, standing or sitting for long periods of time, take a break at least every hour. This will help change the position of your joints and loosen your muscles. Include a short walk and a few stretches as part of your break.
• Relax and manage your pain – learn some relaxation techniques to reduce stress levels and related muscle tension. Try massage, heat or cold packs and gentle exercise. Seek advice from a physiotherapist.
• Change your mattress – surfaces that are too soft or too hard can aggravate a sore back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.

Bairnsdale ulcer

The Bairns dale ulcer is a skin disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans. The toxins made by the bacteria destroy skin cells, small blood vessels (capillaries) and subcutaneous fat, which leads to ulceration and skin loss. These bacteria are found naturally in the environment, but the mode of infection to humans is unknown. Native and domestic animals can also be at risk.

The Bairns dale ulcer is not thought to be contagious. It gets its name from the local area in which an outbreak among farmers was documented in 1948. Since this type of ulcer is found in other parts of Australia and around the world, it has many names including Daintree ulcer and Buruli ulcer. Its medical name is Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) infection. MU is a rare infection, although the number of cases in Victoria varies widely from year to year.

Symptoms
The progression of symptoms can include:

• A spot that looks like a mosquito bite forms on the skin.
• The spot grows bigger over days or weeks.
• The spot may form a crusty, non-healing scab.
• The scab then disintegrates into an ulcer.
• The ulcer continues to enlarge.
• Unlike other ulcers, this ulcer is usually painless and there is generally no fever or other signs of infection.
• The limbs are more commonly affected.
• The infection may sometimes present as localised pain and swelling with fever but no ulceration.

The effect of toxins
Myobacterium ulcerans is related to the same family of bacteria responsible for leprosy and tuberculosis but, unlike them, is not contagious. The toxins made by the bacteria destroy the skin and the fat layer beneath it, and block the small blood vessels that service the infected areas.

These toxins are also thought to have a dampening effect on the person’s immune system, which means the body has less chance of fighting the infection. In severe cases, the infection can destroy bone and cause lifelong deformity and disability. In developing countries, common complications for people who are unable to get adequate medical care can include amputation and the loss of affected organs, such as the eyes.

Locations of recent outbreaks
Myobacterium ulcerans infection has been reported in at least 32 countries around the world. Affected areas include rural West Africa, Central Africa, New Guinea, Latin America and tropical regions of Asia.

In Australia, MU most commonly occurs in localised coastal areas of Victoria, where cases have been reported from East Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula area, Western Port and Phillip Island, and the Bellarine Peninsula. Most recently there has been a large outbreak associated with the small township of Point Lonsdale. It also occurs less commonly in the Daintree region of Far North Queensland.

Diagnosis methods
Bairnsdale ulcer is diagnosed using a number of tests including:

• Medical history – to identify a slowly enlarging, painless ulcer
• Physical examination – the ulcer is not tender
• Swabs taken from the ulcer, which are then tested in a laboratory
• Biopsy of the ulcer.

Treatment options
Since the ulcer gets bigger with time, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can keep the amount of skin loss to a minimum. The first line of treatment is generally surgery to cut away the dead skin. A surrounding portion of healthy tissue is also cut out to make sure the infection is completely removed. Depending on the extent of surgery, skin grafts may be needed to close the wound.

Sometimes the ulceration can return after surgery, which means another operation is required. More recently there has been a trend to combine surgery with the use of oral and/or intravenous antibiotics. Heat therapy regularly applied to the graft area can help prevent relapses – it seems that, while the bacteria thrive at skin temperature, they can’t survive above 39 degrees Celsius.

Prevention strategies
The cause of infection in humans is not known. As the bacterium is environmental (requires particular conditions outside the body to exist), it makes sense to protect yourself from potential sources of infection such as soil and insect bites. A recent study on mosquitoes trapped in the Point Lonsdale area has shown them to be contaminated with the same bacteria that causes Bairnsdale ulcer.

It is important to remember that the risk of infection is very low, even in those areas where the ulcer is endemic (constantly present in the community). Suggestions to reduce the risk of infection while working outdoors or gardening include:

• Protect cuts or abrasions with sticking plasters.
• Promptly wash and cover any scratches or cuts you receive while working outdoors.
• Wear gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
• Avoid insect bites by using suitable insect repellents.
• See your doctor if you have a slow-healing skin lesion.

Types of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is divided into two main subtypes:

• Bipolar I disorder. You've had at least one manic episode, with or without previous episodes of depression.


• Bipolar II disorder. You've had at least one episode of depression and at least one hypomanic episode. A hypomanic episode is similar to a manic episode but much briefer, lasting only a few days, and not as severe. With hypomania, you may have an elevated mood, irritability and some changes in your functioning, but generally you can carry on with your normal daily routine and functioning, and you don't require hospitalization. In bipolar II disorder, the periods of depression are typically much longer than the periods of hypomania.


• Cyclothymia. Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder. Cyclothymia includes mood swings but the highs and lows are not as severe as those of full-blown bipolar disorder.
  

Other bipolar disorder symptoms

In addition, some people with bipolar disorder have rapid cycling bipolar disorder. This is the occurrence of four or more mood swings within 12 months. These moods shifts can occur rapidly, sometimes within just hours. In mixed state bipolar disorder, symptoms of both mania and depression occur at the same time.

Severe episodes of either mania or depression may result in psychosis, or a detachment from reality. Symptoms of psychosis may include hearing or seeing things that aren't there (hallucinations) and false but strongly held beliefs (delusions).

Bipolar disorder symptoms

Bipolar disorder symptoms are characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of signs and symptoms can vary from mild to severe. There may even be periods when your life doesn't seem affected at all.

Manic phase of bipolar disorder
Signs and symptoms of the manic phase of bipolar disorder may include:

* Euphoria
* Extreme optimism
* Inflated self-esteem
* Poor judgment
* Rapid speech
* Racing thoughts
* Aggressive behavior
* Agitation
* Increased physical activity
* Risky behavior
* Spending sprees
* Increased drive to perform or achieve goals
* Increased sexual drive
* Decreased need for sleep
* Tendency to be easily distracted
* Inability to concentrate
* Drug abuse

Bipolar disorder

Definition

Since High to low. Mania to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the edges associated with bipolar disorder, a mental illness characterized by mood instability that can be serious and disable. Bipolar disorder is also recognized as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness — manic activities are one extreme of this disorder, and depression is the other.

The deep mood swings of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, and those of family and friends, too. Today, a growing volume of research suggests that bipolar disorder occurs across a spectrum of symptoms, and that many people aren't correctly diagnosed. Left untreated, bipolar disorder generally worsens, and the suicide rate is high among those with bipolar disorder. But with effective treatment, you can live an enjoyable and productive life despite bipolar disorder.

Food facts

A balanced diet provides the right quantities of food from the five main food groups:

* Carbohydrates (e.g. bread, rice, pasta, cereal)
* Dairy products (e.g. milk, cheese, yoghurt)
* Fruit and vegetables
* Protein (e.g. meat, fish, eggs, beans and nuts)
* Fats (e.g. animal products like meat and oily fish, and foods such as nuts and avocados)

You need more of some food groups than others and you should eat less salt, sugars and fats, although some fats are actually good for you! Your body also needs vitamins and minerals to function properly and a balanced diet should give you enough of these.

Shuffle board

Shuffleboard more precisely deck shuffleboard, and also known as shuffle-board, shovelboard, shovel-board and shove-board archaic]is a sport in which players use broom-shaped paddles to push weighted pucks, sending them gliding down a narrow and elongated court, with the purpose of having them come to rest within a marked scoring area. As a more generic term, it refers to the family of shuffleboard-variant games as a whole.

The full history of shuffleboard is not known. Though we have some knowledge of its development, its actual origins, the place and date where it was first played, remain a mystery. Inevitably, this uncertainty gives rise to some debate, even disagreement, about which country can claim to have invented it. However there is no dispute concerning its age as a form of popular amusement, and in Europe has a history that goes back over 500 years.

The earliest known name given to it is the Middle English shovillaborde; it was played and gambled at by King Henry VIII, who prohibited commoners from playing, and who evidently did not always win because the record of royal expenses for 1632 show a payment from the Privy Purse of GB£9, 'Paied to my lord Wylliam for that he wanne of the kinges grace at shovillaborde' (Modern English: 'Paid to Lord William, for he won, by the king's grace, at shovelboard').

In its goals, form and equipment, shuffleboard shares various features with (and perhaps influences by or upon) many other games, including air hockey, bowls, bocce, curling, croquet, carrom and billiards. Historically, shovelboard appears to have diverged into modern shuffleboard and sjoelbak, and with the former leading to the development of both table shuffleboard and shove ha'penny.

Today, due to its popularity on cruise ships and in retirement homes because of its low physical fitness requirements, the deck game is often associated with the elderly, though its miniaturized tabletop variant is increasingly popular in bars and pubs among younger generations.

Food Contamination and Poisoning

Each year, 76 million people in the U.S. get sick from contaminated food. Common culprits include bacteria, parasites and viruses. Symptoms range from mild to serious. They include

* Upset stomach
* Abdominal cramps
* Nausea and vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Fever
* Dehydration

Harmful bacteria are the most common cause of foodborne illness. Foods may have some bacteria on them when you buy them. Raw meat may become contaminated during slaughter. Fruits and vegetables may become contaminated when they are growing or when they are processed. But it can also happen in your kitchen if you leave food out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.

The treatment in most cases is increasing your fluid intake. For more serious illness, you may need treatment at a hospital.

Breathing Problems

When you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes mild breathing problems are from a stuffy nose or hard exercise. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease.

Many conditions can make you feel short of breath. Lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema or pneumonia cause breathing difficulties. Heart disease can make you feel breathless if your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body. Stress caused by anxiety can also make it hard for you to breathe. If you often have trouble breathing, it is important to find out the cause.

Kallmann syndrome

Kallmann syndrome is an example of hypogonadism (decreased functioning of the sex hormone-producing glands) caused by a deficiency of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is created by the hypothalamus. Kallmann syndrome is also known as hypothalamic hypogonadism, familial hypogonadism with anosmia, or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, reflecting its disease mechanism.

Kallmann syndrome is a form of secondary hypogonadism reflecting the fact the primary cause of the defect in sex hormone production lies within the pituitary and hypothalamus rather than a physical defect of the testes or ovaries themselves.

Malaria

Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Each year, there are approximately 515 million cases of malaria, killing between one and three million people, the majority of whom are young children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ninety percent of malaria-related deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is commonly associated with poverty, but is also a cause of poverty and a major hindrance to economic development.

Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and an enormous public health problem. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Only four types of the plasmodium parasite can infect humans; the most serious forms of the disease are caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae causes milder disease in humans that is not generally fatal. This group of human-pathogenic Plasmodium species is usually referred to as malaria parasites.

Leukodystrophy

Leukodystrophy refers to a group of disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the white matter of the brain. The leukodystrophies are caused by imperfect growth or development of the myelin sheath, the fatty covering that acts as an insulator around nerve fibers. Myelin, which the white matter of the brain takes its colour from, is a complex substance made up of at least ten different chemicals. Each of the leukodystrophies is the result of a defect in the gene that controls the production or metabolism of one of the component molecules of myelin.

The word leukodystrophy comes from the Greek roots leuko, white, dys, lack of, and troph, growth. Thus leukodystrophy describes a set of diseases that affect the growth or maintenance of the white matter.

Wolff-Parkinson-White

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is a syndrome of pre-excitation of the ventricles of the heart due to an accessory pathway known as the bundle of Kent. This accessory pathway is an abnormal electrical communication from the atria to the ventricles.

The incidence of WPW syndrome is between 0.9 and 3% of the general population.

While the vast majority of individuals with a bundle of Kent remain asymptomatic throughout their entire lives, there is a risk of sudden death associated with the syndrome. Sudden death due to WPW syndrome is rare (incidence of less than 0.6%), and is due to the effect of the accessory pathway on tachyarrhythmias in these individuals.

Coping with Disasters

After any type of disaster, people feel relieved to be alive. But then they often feel stress, fear and anger. Most people will also find that they can't stop thinking about what happened. These feelings and memories aren't a sign of personal weakness. Most trauma survivors have stress reactions for days or weeks. But some people have long-term problems, including

* Post-traumatic stress disorder
* Depression
* Self-blame
* Suicidal thoughts
* Alcohol or drug abuse

If you've survived a disaster, talk to your family and friends when you are ready. Most people recover from trauma naturally over time. If your emotional reactions are getting in the way of your relationships, work, or other important activities, you might want to talk to a counselor or your doctor. Treatments are available.

Influenza Diseases

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

here are two main types of influenza virus: Types A and B. Influenza A and B viruses are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year. Influenza A viruses can be broken down into sub-types. Over the course of a flu season, different types (A & B) and subtypes of influenza A viruses can circulate and cause illness. In addition, influenza viruses are constantly changing through a process called "antigenic drift."

Malrotation and Volvulus

Malrotation is usually identified in infants. About 60 percent of these cases are found in the first month of life. Malrotation affects both boys and girls, although boys are more often diagnosed in infancy.

Various imaging studies are used to diagnose malrotation:

* x rays to determine whether there is a blockage. In malrotation, abdominal x rays commonly show that air, which normally passes through the entire digestive tract, has become trapped. The trapped air creates an enlarged, air-filled stomach and upper small bowel, with little or no air in the rest of the small bowel or the colon.


* upper GI series to locate the point of intestinal obstruction. With this test, the patient swallows barium to coat the stomach and small bowel before x rays are taken. Barium makes the organs visible on x ray and indicates the point of the obstruction. This test cannot be done if the patient is vomiting.


* lower GI series to determine the position of the colon. For this test, a barium enema is given while x rays are taken. The barium makes the colon visible so the position of the cecum can be determined.


* computed tomography (CT) scan to help determine and locate the intestinal obstruction.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious behavior problems. They include

* Anorexia nervosa, in which you become too thin, but you don't eat enough because you think you are fat

* Bulimia nervosa, involving periods of overeating followed by purging, sometimes through self-induced vomiting or using laxatives

* Binge-eating, which is out-of-control eating

Women are more likely than men to have eating disorders. They usually start in the teenage years and often occur along with depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse.

Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Getting help early is important. Treatment involves monitoring, mental health therapy, nutritional counseling and sometimes medicines.

Gallbladder Diseases

Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine.

Your gallbladder is most likely to give you trouble if something blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts. That is usually a gallstone. Gallstone attacks usually happen after you eat. Signs of a gallstone attack may include nausea, vomiting, or pain in the abdomen, back, or just under the right arm.

Many gallbladder problems get better with removal of the gallbladder. Fortunately, the gallbladder is an organ that you can live without. Bile has other ways of reaching your small intestine.

Bile Duct Diseases

Your liver makes a substance called bile that helps with digestion. Your gallbladder stores it until you need it to digest fat. Then your gallbladder pushes the bile into tubes called bile ducts. They carry the bile to your small intestine.

Different diseases can block the bile ducts and cause a problem with the flow of bile. Gallstones are one of the most common causes of blocked bile ducts. Blocked bile ducts may also result from infection, cancer or to internal scar tissue. Scarring can block the bile ducts, which can lead to liver failure.

A rare form of bile duct disease called biliary atresia occurs in infants. It is the most common reason for liver transplants in children in the United States.

Sports Safety

Playing sports can be fun, but they can also be dangerous if you are not careful. You can help prevent injuries by

* Getting a physical to make sure you are healthy before you start playing your sport
* Wearing the right shoes, gear and equipment
* Drinking lots of water
* Warming up and stretching

If you have already hurt yourself playing a sport, make sure you recover completely before you start up again. If possible, protect the injured part of your body with padding, a brace or special equipment. When you do start playing again, start slowly.

Benign Tumors

Tumors are abnormal growths in your body. They are made up of extra cells. Normally, old cells die, and new ones take their place. Sometimes, however, this process goes wrong. New cells form even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should. When these extra cells form a mass, it is called a tumor.

Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer. Malignant ones are. Benign tumors grow only in one place. They cannot spread or invade other parts of your body. Even so, they can be dangerous if they press on vital organs, such your brain. Most bone tumors are non cancerous (benign). Some are cancerous (malignant). Occasionally, infection, stress fractures, and other non-tumor conditions can closely resemble tumors.

Thyroid Diseases

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands, which make hormones. The thyroid helps set your metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat.

Millions of people in the U.S. have thyroid diseases. Most of them are women. If you have a thyroid disease, your body uses energy more slowly or quickly than it should. A thyroid gland that is not active enough, called hypothyroidism, is far more common. It can make you gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. If your thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. That condition is hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid hormone can make you lose weight, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat.

There are many causes for both conditions. Treatment involves trying to reset your body's metabolism to a normal rate.

Toybot studios

This Blog is all about Japanese toys and toy culture. I am first and foremost a collector of what I consider little pieces of art. Toy photography is my 2nd related passion as I believe the toy's real beauty can be surfaced in a different manner via this medium. Lastly, I love custom toys which allows an artist to add their own unique perspective to an existing toy transforming a boring colorway into something one of a kind. toybot studios strives to showcase and promote Japanese toy designers, producers, manufacturers, collectors and artists in a pictorial format that includes news, toy photography and customs. I hope you find this blog interesting and visually appealing.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who

* Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned
* Have light-colored skin, hair and eyes
* Have a family member with skin cancer
* Are over age 50

You should have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs.