Article: Application of cold causes temporary numbness of the nerve endings, leading to reduced sensation, soothing the skin, and reducing your urge to itch. It also helps in sloughing off dead skin, leading to a smoother appearance and quicker healing. Put cold water in a bowl with some bath oil. If you want it colder, you can add some ice to the water. Soak a paper towel or clean washcloth in the water. Hold it on your face over the affected area for about 5 minutes. A cream or ointment is best, as they have more oil than lotions, which are heavier on water. The oil helps protect and moisturize your skin better. Pick a cream that is fragrance-free, and make sure to keep it out of your eyes when applying it. Apply moisturizers as often as your skin feels dry. Applying it after a shower or washing your face is especially effective. These moisturizers soften skin and help heal and prevent flare-ups. Stress can make your eczema worse, as can exposure to chemical irritants. Because of this, it often helps to use a holistic medicine approach. Aromatherapy, massage, and similar techniques can help reduce stress and potentially bolster your immune system. Many alternative medicine skin preparations are soothing and irritant-free, such as a light layer of unrefined coconut oil. If you are currently taking medication for your eczema, consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements or skin care treatments, including herbal remedies. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should not be used undiluted, especially around sensitive areas such as the eyes. Even when diluted, take care not to let any get in your eyes. Oral antibiotics are sometimes used when you get an infection related to your dermatitis. Because the eye area is more sensitive, your doctor may want to prescribe you an antibiotic if you develop dermatitis around one or both of your eyes.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use an ice pack or cold compress around your eyes. Apply a moisturizer to your face. Stay healthy and comfortable. Ask about oral antibiotics.
Article: It is very challenging for physicians to test for insulin resistance directly; therefore, the most common way in which it is tested for is indirectly, by assessing other quantities that may be indicative of a state of insulin resistance. One key indication that you may be insulin resistant is if your fasting glucose level is elevated. You will need to get a form from your family doctor (or another physician) sending you for a "fasting blood test." A fasting blood test is no different than a regular blood test, other than that it requires that you do not eat or drink (except for water) for eight hours prior to the blood test. Most people find it easiest to fast (i.e. to refrain from eating and drinking) overnight and to have the blood test first thing in the morning. A normal fasting glucose measurement is less than 100mg/dL. If your fasting glucose is between 100125 mg/dL, you have "pre-diabetes" and likely have insulin resistance. If it is above 126 mg/dL on two separate tests, you will be diagnosed with diabetes (and it is key to understand that the diagnosis of diabetes is a more severe form of insulin resistance). In addition to a blood test checking your fasting glucose measurement, your doctor may advise that you receive an oral glucose tolerance test. This test also requires that you fast (do not eat for eight hours prior to the test). The difference is that the oral glucose tolerance test takes between one and three hours. This is a routine test for pregnant women to screen for gestational diabetes. Your glucose level is measured prior to the start of the test. You are then instructed to consume a beverage high in sugar, and your glucose levels will continue to be monitored at set time intervals after that to observe how your body manages the glucose load in your bloodstream. If your body is able to effectively utilize insulin (the hormone that transports glucose from the bloodstream inside cells where it is needed), your results will be normal. On the other hand, if your body has developed insulin resistance, you will not be able to quickly and effectively transport the glucose from your bloodstream into your cells, and this will show up as an elevated glucose level in your test results. A glucose result between 140200 mg/dL on your oral glucose tolerance test is indicative of "pre-diabetes" and likely some degree of insulin resistance. A glucose result over 200 mg/dL on your oral glucose tolerance test is diagnostic of diabetes, which is a more severe form of insulin resistance. One of the newer tests that is now available to evaluate the amount of glucose in your bloodstream is called HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c). It gives doctors a three-month snapshot of how your sugar levels have been (i.e. it reflects the average amount of glucose in your bloodstream over the past three months). Doctors will usually use the A1c blood test or glucose tolerance test, but not both. It is a highly useful test because it is the only one that offers a long-term profile of your body's ability to process glucose, which reflects back to your body's ability to effectively use insulin. If you have insulin resistance, your HbA1c value will be elevated due to your impaired ability to manage the glucose load in your bloodstream. A normal HbA1c is less than 5.6%. An HbA1c value between 5.76.4% is indicative of "pre-diabetes" and suggestive of insulin resistance. An HbA1c value above 6.5% is diagnostic of diabetes, which is a later stage and more severe form of insulin resistance.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Have your fasting glucose measured. Receive an oral glucose tolerance test. Get a simple blood test to have your HbA1c measured.
Article: A conversation about your friends is one that you want your parents to take seriously, so make sure you treat it that way. Don't ask your parents in the middle of cooking dinner or right as you're heading out the door to school. Look for, or help create, a good time to talk. Ask your parents to go for a walk with you. Stay at the table with your parents after dinner to talk. Instead of turning on a movie or TV show, sit with your parents and start a conversation. If your parents are concerned about your friends, then immediately expecting them to let you go on an overnight trip somewhere isn't going to happen. Think about something specific and start by discussing that. Having friends over for a movie night once a month. Going to a friend's birthday party. Grabbing a pizza with friends after soccer practice. Talking with your parents can be stressful, especially when it's about a difficult topic. When emotions take over a conversation we tend to become angry or forget what we wanted to say. Practice the conversation in front of a mirror or write down what you want to say. This will also show your parents you're serious about this conversation. Ask your parents why they don't like your friends. You can't convince your parents you have good friends unless you know what they dislike about them. Once you hear their concerns, you will be able to address the issues. If your parents express concern over a friend's driving, try responding with, "Tommy can get a little distracted when driving, but I don't think he has any tickets. If it makes you uncomfortable than I won't ride in any car he's driving. Jacob is a very responsible driver, I promise to ride with him any time we go someplace." If your parents are worried about the type of language a friend uses, help reassure them that it's not influencing your behavior: "I'm sorry you've heard her using inappropriate language. I don't talk that way and I'll make sure she understands what is and isn't appropriate to say in the house." If your parents know that a friend smokes, you need let them know that it doesn't affect your choices. "I know Sam smokes, and I don't like it either. But he is still a good, trustworthy friend and doesn't smoke around me." If you do have a friend that smokes, try talking to them about quitting!
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find a good time to talk. Set a reasonable goal. Plan what you want to say. Address their concerns.