Greatest Medical Discoveries And Breakthroughs
Medical Miracles
Throughout history, there have been thousands of scientific breakthroughs that have extended the human lifespan and bettered our general health. Here are the five greatest discoveries and breakthroughs of all time to show you just how some medical breakthroughs have revolutionized the world in which we live. These medical discoveries have not only made our lives longer, but they have also helped to make our lives easier, less painful, and disease free.
5) X-ray
The discovery of the X-ray is one of the greatest diagnostic discoveries of all time. It allows us to see inside the human body, without having to perform dangerous surgeries. As well as seeing anomalies in the human body, x-rays have helped hugely in dentistry, allowing a dentist to spot cavities before they turn in to painful abscesses.
With the use of the x-ray in medicine, scientists have been able to find the cause of many diseases, and how to treat them.
4) Anesthetics
Anesthetics are easily one of the most important medical advances in surgical operations. By preventing pain during surgery, surgeons were given the ability to work in completely new ways with the human body, with a lower chance from complications such as shock.
With anesthetics, pain no longer became such a huge factor in operations. Not only did this reduce the risk of shock, but it also allowed for more complex and intricate surgical procedures.
3) Germ Theory
Germ theory allowed our scientist to find the major causes behind disease, and created a whole new understanding on why cleanliness was important, as opposed to the old practice of surrounding oneself with bad smells to ward off bad influences.
The discovery of germ theory helped bring about the knowledge of the importance of sanitation, and is one of the biggest factors in extending human life by prevention of disease.
Germ theory was actually discovered by a haberdasher named Anton Leeuwenhoek, who was also a janitor in his spare time. In the end, the discovery was made his examination of a raindrop under a microscope, in which he could see a myriad of tiny animals swimming around.
2) Penicillin
Germ theory might have been the discovery of bacteria, but the discovery of penicillin was the moment that the medical profession finally had a way to fight back against infections that would have once cost people their lives.
Penicillin became the starting point for a whole string of antibiotics, both broad and narrow spectrum. This new way of treatment meant that amputations were significantly reduced, gum infections could be treated, and infections of the blood were no longer fatal.
1) Vaccination
Edward Jenner faced great adversity when he announced his discovery of vaccination. However, the discovery of vaccination has helped to greatly reduce some of the world’s deadliest epidemics and diseases, from cholera, influenza and measles, to the bubonic plague.
Thanks to vaccination, we no longer have to deal with some of the world’s deadliest and most infectious diseases, which have plagued humankind for millennia.
All these discoveries have made significant progress for humankind, in health and lifespan, but who knows what we will invent in the future!
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Plastic Surgery Addictions
Too Much Of A Good Thing?!
We have been in the digital age for quite some time now. Mostly, its effects have been positive. Instant access to news, the ability to research almost any subject, and easy communications have made life easier. Unfortunately, television, movies, magazines and the Internet have all contributed to a need for perfection. Images of reed thin women and perfectly toned men have changed the way people view beauty.
In a drive towards obtaining that perfect look, many have turned to plastic surgery. Some have taken it too far and have become addicted. Plastic surgery was once considered a way to overcome a difficult condition or unsightly feature. Breast augmentations were mainly performed on women after they lost one or both breasts to a mastectomy. Nose jobs were for people who had suffered a injury which hadn't healed correctly or had a large, ungainly nose. Today, plastic surgery has become a way to loose weight, improve a normal body and to "look beautiful."
While it is true there are people who turn to plastic surgery once or twice to correct a feature they are unhappy with, there is a growing problem. Some people are repeatedly returning to their cosmetic surgeon. People who suffer from plastic surgery addiction sometimes return again and again to have the same feature worked on. Others have one feature after the next augmented. Some of the common procedures requested by plastic surgery addicts include face lifts, tummy tucks, calf implants, butt implants, breast augmentations, nose jobs, lip jobs and even cheek implants. People who suffer from plastic surgery addictions often have all of these procedures done, one after another.
It is often difficult to determine if someone has a plastic surgery addiction. In many cases, people are visiting a cosmetic surgery for legitimate reasons. The first line of defense is the cosmetic surgeon. While they are not trained as psychologists, they are trained to look for the warning signs that a clients body image has become self-destructive. They may refuse to perform more procedures. Those with true addictions will simply turn to other surgeons or travel out of the country to have more work done.
The family and friends of a plastic surgeon addict can often shine a light on the problem and encourage the addict to get the help they so desperately need. This help typically comes in the form of regular visits with a qualified mental health professional. Together, they can work to improve the body image of the patient and help them understand that the perfection they seek is simply unobtainable. In severe cases, a stay at an addiction center may be required. A good option is a center specializing in body image addictions such as eating disorders. Like any addiction, the goal is to uncover the underlying problem and to develop tools with which to deal with it.
Plastic surgery can be an excellent option for people looking to improve a feature, but it can be terribly self-destructive if taken too far. Don't be afraid to confront a loved one you believe has a problem with plastic surgery, there is help available. Read More»
Review: Teeth Whitening Products
What Works & What Doesn't
For many people who want to look more attractive, more confident, or even look younger, teeth whitening has become a very popular cosmetic procedure. Whitening is not recommended for people with cracked teeth or cavities in the area to be whitened. People suffering from gum disease or are pregnant or nursing are not advised to use whitening procedures. Natural teeth get the best results, while veneers, crowns and fillings don't whiten as well.
The undertone shade of teeth determines the degree of improvement. People with yellow undertones on their teeth have the highest degree of success. Brown undertones whiten with less success. Natural gray undertones are the least responsive to bleaching techniques.
If tea, coffee, cola or wine is the cause of stains and discoloration of your teeth, you may be an excellent candidate for whitening techniques. Other causes of discoloration have a less favorable result possibility.
Teeth whitening toothpaste purchased over-the-counter are the most popular. Results vary according to the concentration of the bleaching agent and the amount of time the whitener is in contact with the teeth. Due to the small amount of time people spend brushing their teeth, the visible change is very slow.
Whitening toothpaste works with the use of hydrogen peroxide or other whitening agents in small quantities in order to work gently. Crest Extra Whitening Toothpaste, Colgate Whitening Toothpaste and Rembrandt Whitening Toothpaste are a few available brands. Some people have reported improvement by using whitening toothpastes, but the results are minimal.
Over the counter mouth trays, whitening strips and paint on applications are available to use at home. These items are available nationwide at grocery, discount and drug stores. Typically a low-concentration bleaching gel is used with these techniques suggesting application for thirty to sixty minutes a day for one to two weeks.
Mouth trays, whitening strips and paint on applications are designed to be economical and easy to use at home. Those with simple surface stains find varied degrees of improvement. However, many have found the instructions difficult to follow. Whitening on front teeth is much easier than on back teeth.
Whitening Kiosks are currently available in malls. Claims of professional results at a fraction of dental office costs are the biggest draw. Most of the work is done by the client with guided staff instruction. Often the kiosk operating staff do not have the professional training required in a dentist office, so they are unqualified to determine the best whitening candidates. The kiosk procedures are legal, but some argue they may not be safe for particular clients.
Professional take home trays are available from the dentist office. The dentist will make a mold of your teeth, prepare a tray and send you home with whitening gel and instructions. Trays are worn for thirty to ninety minutes for up to two weeks, while dentists check for sensitivity during this time. Results sometimes last for years with this procedure.
In office, dentist-administered bleaching is the quickest, easiest and least painful method of teeth whitening. While many find dramatic improvement, this method is the most expensive. Read More»
The Best Shampoos for Curly Hair
Shampoo Choice Important For Curly-Haired Women
Women with curly hair have been advised to be more selective with their shampoo products to achieve the best look.
New guidance from leading style firm TONI&GUY, said choosing a product which matches a certain hair type can be particularly important for girls with curly locks.
Indira Schauwecker, TONI&GUY international artistic director, said selecting a special product is "definitely well worth the investment".
"Every hair type needs the right shampoo and this is especially integral for curly hair, which is prone to friziness," she explained.
The hair expert advised those with wispy locks to use a "good nourishing shampoo" and singled out Label.m Intensive Repair as an example of a good choice.
"It will help cleanse the hair and introduce elasticity and protein, which is vital for curly tresses," she added.
TONI&GUY is a market leader in the style world and has 402 salons in 41 countries employing more than 7,000 stylists.
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Scary Surgeries Gone Bad
Surgeries Gone Bad - The Top Cases of when Surgeries Have Gone Bad
We're all familiar with the things that can go wrong in the emergency room. Some surgeries have gone so awry that they're practically in the realm of urban legend. While most of us never even lie on an operating table for anything more serious than gallstones, those who do have plenty to worry about. Of course if you take a look at what has happened to these people during surgery you may never want to go under the knife! Here are some of the top cases of scary mistakes made during surgeries, as well as what you might be able to do to avoid them altogether!
Here are some of the scariest things that have happened during surgeries:
- A teen died after receiving a heart and lungs from a donor with a mismatched blood type
- One man had a healthy testicle removed, without giving consent
- After removing a tumor, doctors left a 13 inch metal re-tractor in one man's abdomen
- Invasive open heart surgery was performed on a woman who was in the hospital for an unrelated condition
- One hospital did brain surgery on the wrong side of the brain THREE TIMES in one year
- One man had the wrong leg removed.
Women Impregnated With the Wrong Embryo
Couples who are unable to have children often use technology to their advantage. Of course, this also means plenty of chances to mix-ups. Take, for instance, the case of the Japanese woman in Kanagawa, who was impregnated with the wrong fertilized egg! This also happened in Toledo, where a woman carried another couple's baby to term after being impregnated with the wrong embryo.
Man Wrongfully Diagnosed With Lung Cancer
Doctors commonly misdiagnose patients and some of them can pay a hefty price for it. A man in the UK reported having chest pains and then went to see his doctor. He was then told he had lung cancer and was referred to a specialist who removed the offending lung. The only issue here was the man never actually had lung cancer in the first place. Now, without a lung, he's leading quite a difficult life. This is quite common, and if you think that you might need a second opinion do not hesitate to ask for one immediately!
Went in for Liver Surgery and Wound up With Burn
Some of the equipment that is used during surgery can also cause serious damage to the body. For example, a man living in Vancouver underwent liver surgery and was surprised to wake up with a huge burn on his chest. When he began to ask questions, he later learned that his heart had stopped, and during the defibrillator charge, the paddles caught fire due to alcohol residue left on him by doctors. Believe it or not, this can happen when the proper precautions are not taken during an emergency.
These are very serious stories that have happened to real people all over the world. While we have a great health care system, there is no way to entirely prevent accidents from happening. If you are conscious and awake, make sure that you are paying attention to everything that is going on. Some patients may be nervous about asking questions, or calling attention to things that look out of place, but making sure you're paying attention could save your life. If negligence or gross error does cause harm to you or your family, make sure you find a good lawyer to represent your case. The last thing that you want to do is end up like one of these patients, without a lung, or the child you've been desperately trying to have.
For more interesting articles on surgeries and much more please visit the Surgery section on GKHealth. Read More»
New Look – Jeggings
Leggings Are 'Great' For the Older Woman
Leggings are the ideal garment for older ladies to ensure they can stay fashionable for longer, according to one style expert.
Lizanne Harris, fashion director at Stylist magazine, said the skin-tight pants are great as an undergarment.
The fashionista's comments follow the recent revelation that 'jeggings' - leggings with a denim appearance - are one of the biggest turn-offs for men.
Ugg boots and neon clothing were also highlighted as fashion faux-pas by the respondents of a For more entertaining articles on celebs and much more please visit the MyCelebrityFashion.co.uk poll.
"Leggings; you can definitely get away with it as an undergarment, so under a skirt," she explained.
"Gladiator sandals and leggings under a full skirt are great," she added.
Ms Harris continued that US fashion house DKNY had recently used knee-length shorts under garments such as shirt dresses.
"They are really for when you can't bear your legs and you don't want to flash anything. I think they are going to be great for that, but I think 'jeggings' are absolutely dire."
For more entertaining articles on celebs and much more please visit the Beauty and Style section on GKHealth. Read More»