Creatine is probably the most well-known supplement associated with bodybuilders, it enables athletes to train harder and lift heavier weights. Creatine is widely regarded as a safe supplement but it can cause allergies and side-effects in some people so it is important to read the labels carefully before you take it.

Are health supplements safe?

In many cases, athletes and body builders can benefit from taking health supplements. Increasing the amount of antioxidants and vitamins and minerals you take in will make a significant difference to your general health, especially if you are training for many hours a day and your diet is not providing your body with all the nutrients it needs. Intensive training increases the amount of free radicals produced by the body and taking anti-oxidants can help to negate the activity of these free radicals.

Some supplements are not safe, often supplements that are designed to build muscle mass, therefore you should make sure you choose products that have been approved and regulated. Always read the labels and stick to the recommended guidelines for dosages, always choose products which have information about the quantity of different ingredients and talk to your GP about taking supplements before you start taking pills or using powders.

Beware of bogus supplements, which claim to improve performance and often say that they are the best or only way of building muscle, talk to other bodybuilders about supplements and seek medical advice before you start taking supplements.

Dangers of anabolic steroids

Sometimes, when an athlete wants to bulk up and build muscle as quickly as possible they start taking anabolic steroids; anabolic steroids can have very serious health implications and side-effects, including:

●     Hair loss

●     Decreased sperm count

●     Liver damage

●     Shrinking testicles

●     Increase the size of the heart muscle (hypertrophy)

●     Increased facial hair in women

●     Mood swings

As technology is evolving so fast, it is important that dentists keep up to date with treatments and techniques so that they are able to offer their patients the best possible range of treatments. Cosmetic dentistry is really booming and research and development in this area is producing incredible new treatments year on year. As a result of this, dentists offering cosmetic services are required to attend frequent courses to enable them to learn about new treatments and master the skills they need to offer these treatments to clients.

Advances are also being made in all other areas of dentistry and dentists can now treat extremely complex conditions, dental training for specialists and general dentists is ongoing, as the nature of the profession changes and evolves.

Advantages of technology

Technology plays an extremely important role in modern medicine and dentistry, helping to save millions of lives around the world each year and saving medical and dental professionals a great deal of time and effort. In the world of dentistry, advances in technology have helped to develop new treatments, which are used both to treat health conditions and to improve the aesthetic of the smile.

Cerec is one of the most popular examples of advanced technology being used in dentistry. Cerec allows dentists to design and manufacture new restorations on site in the space of a day, this means the patient is involved in the design process and can have their new restoration fitted on the same day.

This gave some women a higher rate of risk cancer and caused many women to turn away from the breast enlargement business. Breast implants are considered a Class III medical device. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Class III devices are a limited product-life. This means that the design of the product is not for life and should be expected to break or fail. Now, this does not mean that a breast implant is expected to break or fail but it could. If a woman expects that one of her implants has broken or is leaking, she needs to go to the doctor and have an MRI to see if there is any leakage or damage. It is possible that a car accident or a hard fall can displace or rupture a breast implant. Once broken, a breast implant must be replaced and quickly.

The surrounding tissue must be cleaned up and a new implant put back in. Also, there is no correlation between implants and sickness. In the most recent survey of women who had received a breast implant, it found that these women tended to be more successful, wealthier and healthier. One other thing to consider if you are considering breast enlargement surgery: If you do not feel that you have the money available do not forget that there is financing available. If you are having the surgery because of a mastectomy or other disease then it is quite possible that your insurance will pay for the surgery, or a good portion.

The labia minora is composed of folds of mucosal tissue that have the ability to expand when it is forced to. This may be caused when the woman is giving birth or may be due to inflammation or infection of the genitalia. Expanding of the skin may also be due to genetic conditions. When the skin becomes too enlarged or increased in size, the labia minora hangs underneath the labia majora or the large labia. This puts the woman in risk of cosmetic complications, both in an intimate situation and when you’re wearing swimsuits or tight outfits. Moreover, the complication may induce a feeling of vexation during sexual intercourse.

For these reasons, the demands for labia reduction surgeries have been staggeringly increasing over the years. The expenses one should expect when it comes to undergoing this type of procedure can range from as low as $3000 to as high as $5000 depending on your physician as well as your individual needs or preferences. The cost includes the surgeon’s talent fee, operating room rent, and the anesthesia to be used, which in this case is general or sedation. The length of a labiaplasty surgery doesn’t take up to an hour and is typically finished within 30 minutes after the start of the procedure. The length of stay is normally the same day you are admitted depending on how well the treatment goes.

Labiaplasty may be done in an office or clinical setting or at a medical hospital. Patients who undergo labiaplasty are restricted by their doctors to engage in any sexual activity as well as exercise until around 2 to 6 weeks have passed and the wounds are fully recovered. Similar with many surgical operations, undergoing labiaplasty surgery also have its potential risks. This includes dyspareunia as a result of over constricting of the vaginal opening, change in asymmetry, failure to resolve the issue of excess skin, and incurring of visible scars. The outcome of the procedure will usually be assessed after the wound swellings have been resolved, which is usually about 2 weeks to 8 weeks.

Symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy

During pregnancy a woman’s body prepares itself for child birth with not only the presence of the unborn baby, but also the build-up of fluids and weight to feed and nurture the unborn child. As a result, pregnant women may start to experience symptoms such as swelling in the legs with spider veins and skin bruising causing throbbing, cramping, swelling and a burning sore sensation. The varicose veins may become visible through the skin as the pregnancy develops and some may also experience pain in the labia and vaginal area.

Causes of varicose veins during pregnancy

In pregnancy, the body’s sex hormones change. Progesterone levels increase and affect pressure in the veins and how blood flows or is restricted by the vein valves and wall. As blood pressure during pregnancy increases, so does the potential to develop symptoms of or varicose veins. Genetics and weight gain can play a role too.

Diagnosing varicose veins in pregnancy

Usually the health of a pregnant mother is regularly monitored for appropriate care and changes in wellbeing, such as varicose veins. Some are visible on the skin by clinical examination and others may be detected through ultrasound scanning and diagnosis. Early detection of varicose veins during pregnancy is essential to identify the right varicose vein treatment and to prevent conditions such as eczema, phlebitis and ulceration from developing.

Varicose vein treatment in pregnancy

A clinical decision must be made on when and how to treat varicose veins during or after pregnancy. However, treatments that exist include inverted stripping surgery, VNUS Closure, Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy and ELVeS™ and EVLT™ Laser Procedure.

Are health supplements essential?

For some people, health supplements are beneficial, particularly if you have an underlying health condition, a deficiency in a certain mineral or vitamin or your diet is poor, health supplements can be very helpful and will contribute to better general health. However, in many cases, taking supplements is unnecessary because your diet should provide all the key nutrients you need.

What is detox?

Detox programmes and supplements are becoming increasingly popular and have become something of a trend in modern society; detoxing the body helps to remove toxins and promote optimal body function. There are various ways of detoxing the body, including adopting special diets, drinking lots of water, taking specialist health supplements, doing specific exercise programmes and having special detox treatments.

Is detox for everyone?

Some people swear by detox, while others never give it a second thought. If you eat well, drink plenty of water, avoid drinking a lot of alcohol, avoid smoking and exercise on a regular basis, the chances are that your body is in good shape and your diet is providing all the key nutrients it needs to function effectively. If you have an unhealthy lifestyle or you just feel like you need a bit of a boost, detox may be beneficial.

What is continuing professional development?

Continuing professional development is now essential in many areas of medicine, as well as dentistry. It is further training, which allows dentists to develop new skills, learn about new treatments and technology and ensure that they are up to date with procedures and protocol.

Continuing professional development involves a series of short courses which cover a range of different topics and subjects. Many of the sessions and workshops are practical, others take the form of talks or lectures and some are delivered online via computer aided learning (CAL). CPD can also take the form of private study.

CPD requirements

According to the General Dental Council (the GDC), dentists must complete and keep record of at least 250 hours of continuing professional development over a five year period. At least 75 hours of this total must be verifiable CPD, which means that the activity must have:

●      Clear objectives and aims

●      Clear educational aim

●      Documentary proof

●      Quality regulations

The remainder can be general CPD, which may include:

●      Distance learning

●      Courses

●      Lectures

●      Background research

●      Reading journals

●      Multimedia learning

●      Vocational learning

●      Clinical audit

●      Peer review

What subjects should CPD cover?

CPD can cover a range of different subjects, however, the GDC recommends spending a minimum of 10 hours on medical emergencies and a minimum of 5 hours on disinfection and decontamination and radiography and radiation protection. Other key areas include handling complaints, infection control and legal and ethical issues.

When does CPD start?

A dentist should start undertaking CPD on the 1^st January in the year after they registered, from this date there is a 5 year cycle, within which they must complete their 250 hours.

Supplements for general well-being

You should get all the vitamins and minerals you need from your diet but if this is not the case, you may experience unpleasant symptoms, such as irritability, tiredness and weakness, which may impact on your social life and your physical relationship with your partner. If you are not getting all the nutrients you need from your diet, you may wish to take health supplements but you should consult your doctor first and try to make changes to your diet to ensure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs.

Supplements for sexual performance

Supplements for sexual performance have become increasingly popular over the course of recent years, most products are aimed at men but there are also supplements available for women. Most of the supplements are designed to increase sexual libido, heighten arousal and improve performance. It is important to read labels carefully, stick to recommended dosages and use products that have been approved.

Are there any risks associated with health supplements?

Many health supplements are safe and taking them can be very beneficial in some circumstances, however, in recent years, there has been concern over the availability of health supplements and the safety of some pills which are not approved or regulated by health authorities. Most supplements are safe but buying over the Internet has become an increasingly popular trend and often this means that the drugs are not regulated and the individual has not sought medical help or advice before taking the supplements. Some pills may have harmful side-effects.

In order to avoid side-effects or health risks, it is always advisable to talk to your GP or a pharmacist before taking health supplements, make sure you read labels carefully and stick to the recommended dose. Avoid buying supplements over the Internet.

Minerals, like vitamins, are essential for effective bodily function. Minerals have a variety of roles and functions, from helping to build bone tissue and transmitting nerve signals, to making hormones and regulating heart rate. If you have a mineral deficiency, you may experience symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, weak bones, muscle spasms and poor concentration.

In order to ensure that you get all the minerals you need, it is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables and healthy foods, such as fish, nuts, poultry, dairy foods and wholegrain carbohydrates. If you do not eat healthily, you may not be getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals you need and your body may not function as effectively as it should as a result.

Important minerals

Minerals have a variety of important roles and functions; important minerals include:

●     Calcium: calcium is important for the development and growth of strong bone tissue. Calcium is particularly important for young children, as it helps to create strong bones, teeth and nails and will reduce the risk of conditions such as brittle bones and osteoporosis in later life. Symptoms of calcium deficiency include brittle and weak bones and weak teeth and nails. Good sources of calcium include milk, cheese, yoghurt and leafy green vegetables.

●     Iron: iron is a very important mineral; it is important for good red and white blood cell function, muscle function and the immune system. A deficiency of iron may cause tiredness, weakness, a lack of concentration and irritability. Good sources of iron include leafy green vegetables, red meat, egg yolks, oily fish, nuts and wholegrain foods.

●     Magnesium: magnesium has a variety of important roles, including cell repair, converting food into energy, controlling body temperature and helping to build strong bones. A deficiency of magnesium may cause muscle spasms and weakness. Good sources of magnesium include leafy green vegetables, nuts and wholegrain foods.

●     Zinc: zinc is important for the function of the immune system and is also involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. A zinc deficiency may cause lesions on the skin, diarrhoea, loss of taste and smell and slow healing. Good sources of zinc include meat, milk, shellfish, wholegrain foods and brown rice.

Who can benefit from mineral supplements?

If you are a healthy individual and you eat a balanced diet, you should not need to take health supplements; your diet should provide you with all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. However, not everyone has a healthy diet and some people have conditions, which affect their ability to eat. If this is the case, it may be beneficial to take health supplements, but you should contact your doctor or speak to a pharmacist before you start taking vitamin or mineral supplements.

If you have a mineral deficiency, for example if you have anaemia as a result of an iron deficiency, you may be advised to take supplements to increase the amount of iron in your body. You should always seek medical advice before starting to take health supplements.

Are vitamin supplements necessary?

Vitamins are essential for good health as most vitamins cannot be made by the body and therefore eating certain foods is the only means of taking in the vitamins the body needs.

For some people, taking vitamin supplements is beneficial but for most people, taking additional supplements is unnecessary. For most of us, a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables will provide all the vitamins we need, however in some cases, if an individual is not getting all the vitamins they need from their diet, vitamin supplements may be recommended.

Many experts are worried that people are becoming reliant on vitamin supplements, rather than taking the time to think about their diet. Some people assume that they are healthy because they take a variety of supplements but it is actually much healthier to eat a balanced, healthy diet because many foods, such as fruits and vegetables, contain other ingredients, including anti-oxidants, that are beneficial for the body.

Who can benefit from vitamin supplements?

Generally, vitamin supplements are not recommended for everyone because you should be able to get all the vitamins you need from your diet; however, in some circumstances, taking vitamin supplements can be beneficial:

●     If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should take folic acid (vitamin B9) supplements to help to reduce the risk of the baby being born with birth defects, such as Spina Bifida. Vitamin D supplements are also recommended for pregnant woman and mothers who are breastfeeding

●     If you are aged 65 or over you may wish to consider taking vitamin D supplements

●     Young children (aged between 6 months and 5 years old) should be given vitamin A, C and D supplements to help their growth and development, this is particularly important if the child is a fussy eater.

●     If you have problems that affect your appetite or health conditions that affect your ability to eat for example, of you have dental issues which mean you cannot eat certain foods for a period of time.

Advice for taking vitamin supplements

If you do decide to start taking vitamin supplements, ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice before you start the course, always read the labels and stick to the guidelines and recommended dosage.

Is taking too much of a vitamin harmful?

Taking excessive doses of vitamins can be harmful so it is advisable to stick to recommended doses and always read the labels on bottles and containers. In most cases, taking in too much of a vitamin will not be serious but it may contribute to unpleasant symptoms such as stomach upset.