Heat Stroke Rising pollution levels has resulted in drastic changes in the climatic conditions across the world. The summers have become harsher, creating conditions which were not experienced frequently before. Heat stroke is one such condition, which has proved to be fatal to many an unwary victim. It is not as much the condition which is dangerous as the failure to recognize the early signs and symptoms, which could prove fatal. India faced the worst heat wave of the last century in 1998, when more than 2600 deaths were reported in a span of 10 weeks. Unofficial reports claim that the death statistics is double this figure. In tropical countries, each year, several people die due to heat stroke. With some awareness, these deaths can be prevented. Read More
Ultra-Violet Radiation Increase in Ultra Violet (UV) Radiation can cause premature ageing by damaging the collagen fibres of the skin and thereby reducing its elasticity. UV- A, although the least harmful, can induce the onset of premature wrinkling, also known as 'actinic degeneration', besides causing DNA damages. It oxidizes the melanin granules close to our skin and stimulates the production of new ones. These new granules generate a tan, which is a protective mechanism to prevent further skin damage. Read More
Skin Cancer The body is made up of different types of cells that normally divide and multiply in an orderly way. These new cells replace older Ones. In case of cancer, certain cells in the body, which have changed in appearance and function, divide and grow in an uncontrolled way leading to cancer.In the community of living tissues, the uncontrolled mob of misfits that is cancer behaves like a gang of perpetually wilding adolescents. They are the juvenile delinquents of cellular society.Sherwin B. Nuland, 1994Skin cancer is a disease where malignant cells are found in the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. This cancer can develop due to an overexposure to the sun over a period of several years.Skin is the largest organ of the body and protects it from injury and infection. It also regulates the body temperature and gets rid of waste substances through the sweat glands. Read More
Know Your Skin Skin is a tough resilient cushion that acts as a barrier against germs, protects the tissues underneath, and helps to regulate the body temperature. When it is hot, glands in the skin secrete sweat, the evaporation of which causes cooling. When it is cold, constriction of the blood vessels in the skin cuts down the flow of blood near the bodys surface and helps to reduce heat loss. Just below the surface of the skin are millions of tiny nerve endings. These are the touch receptors which inform us of the outer world through five different kinds of sensations such as pain, cold, heat, pressure and contact. Read More