All posts by Jeffrey Sterling, MD

About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: Are there limits to how often I can use the site?

October 26, 2013General Health and WellnessFacebook, Limited liability company, Powered, Sterling, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

You can reach your SMA consultants 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The following interactions are included in your subscription.

	STERLING ADVICE^®		STERLING ADVICE PLUS^®
	Individual	Family	Individual	Family
Real-time consults	3	10	5	15
Email communications	5	15	10	30
Additional contacts	$10 per	$10 per	$10 per	$10 per
Access to online library	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Access to health blog	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What is high cholesterol?

October 26, 2013General Health and Wellness, Health PreventionAtherosclerosis, Cholesterol, Facebook, health, Hypercholesterolemia, Low-density lipoprotein, Sterling Medical Advice, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Hypercholesterolemia (aka high cholesterol), is a condition in which your blood cholesterol level is higher than normal. High cholesterol by itself has no symptoms. Unfortunately, over time, cholesterol may stick to the inside of blood vessels, resulting in clogged arteries, heart disease, and stroke. Many of you are familiar with the many different factors that can lead to high cholesterol, including a high-fat diet, lack of exercise, heredity and excess weight.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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Straight, No Chaser: Heads Up! Concussions – Traumatic Brain Injuries, Part I

October 26, 2013Neurology, TraumaConcussion, Facebook, health, Sterling Medical Advice, TBI, Traumatic brain injury, United States, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

The really interesting thing about concussions these days is many individuals seem to have convinced themselves that the risk of a concussion or even continuing in football, wrestling, boxing, or MMA type activities after having had concussions won’t deter them from pursuing the glory, fame, and fortune to be obtained in putting themselves at risk. That’s a fascinating but very flawed concept, as evidenced by the increasing suicide rate among concussed former athletes.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blunt or penetrating head blow that disrupts some aspect of normal brain function. TBIs may produce changes, ranging from brief alterations in mental status or consciousness to an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia. (It’s important to note that not all blows to the head result in a TBI.) For the purposes of this discussion, the majority of TBIs that occur each year are concussions. In terms of societal impact, TBIs contribute to a remarkable number of deaths and permanent disability. Every year, at least 1.7 million TBIs occur in the US.
Healthcare professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious. Concussive symptoms usually fall in one of four categories:

Thinking/remembering
Physical
Emotional/mood
Sleep

Red Flags
Get to the ER right away if you have any of the following danger signs after any type of head injury, no matter how minor it may seem:

Any difficulty waking
Any loss of consciousness, confusion, or significant agitation
One pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
Loss of ability to identify people, places, the date, or self
Loss of motion or sensation, weakness, numbness or loss of coordination
Persistent, worsening headache
Repeated vomiting
Slurred speech or difficulty with expression
Seizures
Kids will not stop crying and cannot be consoled
Kids will not nurse or eat

Click here for Part II, in which we discuss complications and treatment options.
Click here for Part III, in which a neurologist adds his thoughts.
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Straight, No Chaser: Heads Up! Traumatic Brain Injuries (Concussions), Part I

October 26, 2013Neurology, Trauma, Health PreventionBrain, Concussion, Head injury, Mixed martial arts, TBI, Traumatic brain injury, Unconsciousness, United State, United StatesJeffrey Sterling, MD

Human Shark Week continues with a discussion about concussions. The really interesting thing about concussions these days is many individuals seem to have convinced themselves that the risk of a concussion or even continuing in football, wrestling, boxing or MMA type activities after having had concussions won’t deter them from pursuing the glory, fame and fortune to be obtained in putting themselves at risk. That’s a fascinating but very flawed concept, as evidenced by the increasing suicide rate among concussed former athletes.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blunt or penetrating head blow that disrupts some aspect of normal brain function. TBIs may produce changes ranging from brief alterations in mental status or consciousness to an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia (It’s important to note that not all blows to the head result in a TBI.). For the purposes of this discussion, the majority of TBIs that occur each year are concussions. In terms of societal impact, TBIs contributes to a remarkable number of deaths and permanent disability. Every year, at least 1.7 million TBIs occur in the US.
Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious. Concussive symptoms usually fall in one of four categories:

Thinking/remembering
Physical
Emotional/mood
Sleep

Red Flags:
Get to the ER right away if you have any of the following danger signs after any type of head injury, no matter how minor it may seem:

Any difficulty being awakened
Any loss of consciousness, confusion or significant agitation
Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
Loss of ability to recognize people, places or inability to identify the date or themselves
Loss of motion or sensation, weakness, numbness or loss of coordination
Persistent, worsening headache
Repeated vomiting.
Slurred speech or difficulty with expression
Seizures
Kids will not stop crying and cannot be consoled
Kids will not nurse or eat

This afternoon, in Part II, we will discuss complications and treatment options.

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What steps should I take if there's an outbreak of head lice?

October 25, 2013Head/Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Skin/DermatologyFacebook, Hair, Head louse, Louse, Pediculosis, Shampoo, Sterling Medical Advice, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Check your child’s hair for lice and nits (lice eggs) every three to four days. Nits commonly look like dandruff, but they cannot be easily brushed off the hair. Also check behind the ears.
Be alert to symptoms of infection: intense itching, red bumps on the scalp, or the feeling of something moving on the hair. If your child experiences any of these symptoms and/or if head lice can be seen in the hair, then using a medicated shampoo is recommended. (Follow the directions on the package.)
Note: If your child is under 2 years of age or if you are pregnant, talk with your doctor first before beginning treatment. Notify your child’s school.
In addition to using medicated shampoo, wash all clothing and bed linens in hot water (130° Fahrenheit). Any items that you cannot wash in hot water, place in large, sealed garbage bags for two weeks. Vacuum all carpets and furniture.
Any combs, brushes, and hair accessories used by the infected person should either be left to soak in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for one hour or they should be replaced.
Some people may need to retreat with a medicated shampoo after seven to 10 days. If the infection has not cleared up after two weeks of treatment or if there are sores on the scalp that look infected (yellow pus), stop treatment and see a doctor.
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Straight, No Chaser: The Curse of the Weekend Warrior – Achilles Tendon Rupture

October 25, 2013Orthopedics/Bones, Sports MedicineAchilles, Facebook, Limited liability company, Sterling, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Tendon, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

In high school I led the league in stolen bases, and in college my cohorts and I loved inventing ever more creative ways to dunk a basketball. Apparently, my calf muscles worked well. Somehow at a certain age, I quit those competitive sports cold turkey, partially because I knew an Achilles rupture was lurking out there somewhere.
The Achilles tendon connects the muscles at the back of the calf to the heel. The formula for damage is pretty simple and consistent. As you age your tendons tend to stiffen and shrink. As you age you change from the fine-tuned wannabe athlete most of us were to a recreational player, and we overextend ourselves. Others of us, in making a comeback (or just rushing to train for something like a 5K run), try to go from zero (0) to 60 way too soon. In either scenario, that overextension causes the tendon to tear or snap. You’ll recognize it immediately by the sound (pop) and the inability to walk/stand on your toes, which results from the lack of connection from the calf to the heel. (You need to point your foot downward to walk, which is where the Achilles comes in.) Other common occurrances of Achilles tendon rupture include falling from a height and landing on your feet or stepping into a sizeable hole.
Besides being an older guy (or gal, but it’s about five times more common in men) trying to reclaim past glory, steroids and certain antibiotics (flouroquinolones, examples of which are Levafloxacin, aka Levaquin, and Ciprofloxacin, aka Cipro) weaken the tendons enough to predispose you to this injury.
Depending on your age and preexisting health status, you will have surgical and/or nonsurgical options available to you to repair the tendon. Nonsurgical treatment involves a specific type of walking boot or cast, and surgery is more likely when the tear is complete. You’ll need extensive rehabilitation and strengthening of the muscle around the repaired tendon to avoid reinjury. Don’t expect to return to your previous level of strength and activity for four to six months.
So what’s your take home message? Once again, know where opportunities for prevention are. Given how important it is to maintain physical activity as you age, it’s important to remind you to learn how to stretch and maintain musculature so you don’t injure yourself while trying to exercise. Don’t engage in more strenuous activities until and unless you’ve built up to the level where you’re prepared to do so. Achilles injuries occur most often when you’re trying to do too much too soon. Also, be mindful of slippery surfaces; that slide acts the same as an attempt to accelerate too rapidly.

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About SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "Can I get services for my family?"

October 24, 2013General Health and WellnessFacebook, Limited liability company, Powered, Sterling, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Yes! SMA offers individual and family plans for both STERLING ADVICE^® and STERLING ADVICE PLUS^®.
The STERLING ADVICE^®plan offers you information and advice on all medical disclipines, and the STERLING ADVICE PLUS^®plan adds on ancillary care considerations, including mental health, dentistry, pharmacy, nutrition and personal training. Subscribe to either plan, and cover your whole family, including children up to age 26.
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From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: When should I start birth control?

October 24, 2013Medical Treatment, Obstetrics and GynecologyBirth control, Facebook, Oral contraceptive pill, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Tablet PCs, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

You generally will be given two options of which day to start your first packet of oral contraceptives. Whichever day you choose to start, pick a time of day that will be convenient every day.

There are two types of start days for oral contraceptives.

Day one start:
Take the first active tablet in your packet during the first 24 hours of your period.
Sunday start:
Most women use a Sunday start because it is easiest to remember. Take the first active tablet in your pack on the first Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start that day.
Most oral contraceptive manufacturers recommend using a back-up method of contraception (condoms, etc.) for at least a week, or even up to one month after starting your oral contraceptives.
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, your oral contraceptives should be taken exactly as directed at timeframes not exceeding 24 hours between dose, preferably at the same time each day, including when you’re bleeding. The effectiveness of oral contraceptives depends on strict adherence to the dosage schedule. Missing a pill can cause spotting or light bleeding. Patients may be a little sick to the stomach on the day the make-up tablet is taken with the next regularly scheduled tablet.
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Straight, No Chaser: Heart Attack Recognition – Time is Tissue

October 24, 2013Cardiology/Heart, General Health and Wellness, Health PreventionAcute coronary syndrome, Coronary Artery Disease, Facebook, Hypercholesterolemia, Myocardial infarction, Risk factor, Sterling Medical Advice, Unstable Angina, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Heart Attacks. Myocardial Infarctions. Acute Coronary Syndromes. Coronary Artery Disease. Unstable Angina. There are many names to describe one main phenomenon. Heart attacks are the most common manifestation of heart disease, the #1 cause of death in the U.S. Today’s post is to heighten your sensitivity to risk factors and symptoms of a heart attack, because we’ve gotten very good at treating them—especially if you get to us in time.
Risk Factors
Who’s at risk of having a heart attack? If any of the following considerations look or sound like you, you should be especially sensitive to the symptoms I describe below. Please understand these are the rules. I also see the exceptions nearly every day.

Age: especially men over 45 and women over 55
Cocaine or amphetamine (meth) use
Family history of heart attacks: sibling, parents, or grandparents if their heart attacks occurred by age 65
High blood pressure: higher risk with obesity, smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol[J1]
High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
Obesity/inactivity: especially due to associations with high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol
Smoking: including prolonged exposure to second hand smoke

Again, if you have any of the above risk factors, your symptoms are more likely to be attributable to a heart attack. You may still have a heart attack without any of these risks.
Symptoms
How do you know if you’re having a heart attack? There’s no one-answer-fits-all response (like using FAST for strokes[J2] ). Heart attack pain comes in many varieties and is usually associated with other symptoms. What you should be aware of are the pain patterns that should prompt you to get evaluated. These may include the following:

Chest discomfort like pressure (something sitting on your chest), squeezing, fullness, indigestion, or just pain
Radiation of chest discomfort or just pain in other areas, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
Breaking out in a sweat
Racing, fluttering, or forceful beating of the heart
Lightheadedness up to or including blacking out

Again, you may have all of these symptoms or none of these symptoms in the face of a heart attack. We evaluate you based on the combination of your risk factors and your symptoms.
Bottom Line 1: If you have risks, symptoms and/or concerns, I’d much rather give you good news and education than give your family condolences. Get evaluated.
Bottom Line 2: I’m not discussing specific treatment options today (that’s for a future post), but remember two things:

Time is tissue, so the sooner you get to the Emergency Room, the more treatment options we have and the better your outcome is likely to be. This is not the disease to think, “It’ll just go away.” We can do our absolute best for you if you get to us within three hours of the start of your symptoms.
If and when something like this happens to me, the first thing I’m doing on my way the hospital is taking an aspirin.

As per routine, the combination of adequate prevention and prompt symptom recognition are key. I hope you share this with your families, especially those at immediate risk.
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About www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What if I'm not satisfied with the advice I receive?

October 23, 2013General Health and WellnessFacebook, Limited liability company, Powered, Sterling, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

www.SterlingMedicalAdvice offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee! If your SMA consultant is unclear in addressing your health concern or does not answer your questions adequately, you can talk with another consultant free of charge. We love your feedback. Try us and experience the difference!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
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From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: Are there herbal therapies for anxiety disorder?

October 23, 2013Medical Treatment, Mental HealthFacebook, Food and Drug Administration, Friends, health, Herb, Kava, Sterling Medical Advice, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Yes. Two herbal treatments for anxiety disorders that I’ll mention now include kava kava (also called kava) and valerian.
Kava has been used to relieve anxiety and improve sleep, but it appears to increase the effects of alcohol, so do not drink when taking it. Typical doses of 200 to 250 mg per day are considered safe and effective, but you must follow pharmacist or physician’s directions when considering usage. Kava use has also shown some links to liver toxicity, so the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning regarding its use.
Valerian is a mild sedative with milder side effects than Kava. Valerian’s side effects are reported to be minimal when used at the recommended dose of 300 to 500 mg per day.
Be reminded that the effectiveness of these and most herbs have not been proven by medical research, and benefits have not been directly compared to those of prescription drugs.

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Straight, No Chaser: Keys to Mental (Un)Health and (Un)Happiness

October 23, 2013General Health and Wellness, Mental HealthDepression (mood), Disease, health, Limited liability company, mental-health, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Everyone has thoughts about the keys to happiness, but we can objectify the conversation and identify what’s most likely to make you unhappy and lead to depression. You may find this hard to believe, but outside of medical causes of psychiatric illness and factors outside of your control, there are actually three choices we make that most commonly adversely impact your happiness and good mental health. Take it for what you will, but the data is what it is. Stay away from these circumstances, and you’re less likely to be unhappy. Sometimes it’s about addition by subtraction.
Health Problems: People who are sick or have significant illness in their families generally aren’t happy. Although this may seem obvious and perhaps unfair, given that some illnesses and conditions are inherited or occur haphazardly, be mindful of the things you can control. Of course, this gets to the negative effects of obesity and smoking. More so than any other health-related activities/conditions, these will eventually lead to deteriorating health and subsequent unhappiness.
Job Problems: You don’t have enough to do with your time? Yep, an idle mind is the Devil’s workshop, as the saying goes. It should be pointed out that neither too much work nor the wrong type of work (i.e., low job satisfaction) seems to promote happiness. On average, people change careers seven times during their lifetimes. It’s often due to a search for happiness and actually is a good thing to do to avoid being stuck in a bad situation. Follow the job you love, and you’re more likely to be both happy and successful.
Relationship Problems: You make bad relationship choices? Well there’s one specific choice that is shown to be most likely to reduce your happiness—choosing a neurotic partner. What’s neurotic? For one particularly disruptive example, think about the so-called Drama Queen/King. A neurotic partner responds emotionally to events that wouldn’t affect most people, and their reactions tend to be more intense than normal. They’re more likely to interpret minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions persist for unusually long periods of time. In short, if you want to be really unhappy, become attached to such a person. They will negatively affect your world, keeping you embroiled in drama and unhappiness, no matter how good the financial, physical, or other parts of your relationship.
Now your results may vary but probably won’t. I’m not make judgements, just sharing the data. Life choices have consequences. Choose wisely!
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About www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What If I Need Prescriptions?

October 22, 2013General Health and WellnessDrug interaction, Facebook, Limited liability company, Powered, Sterling, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

SterlingMedicalAdvice.com consultants may advise you on medications you have and are likely to receive based on your condition. They may advise you of important drug side effects, interactions and dosing considerations. However, you will need to obtain prescriptions from your physician when needed. The expert consultants of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com do not prescribe medications, because SMA is a medical information and advice service, not a medical practice.
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From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: “Why is Everyone Taking Chondroitin?"

October 22, 2013General Health and Wellness, Orthopedics/BonesCartilage, Chondroitin, Facebook, Limited liability company, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Chondroitin is a supplement that has become quite popular amongst those suffering from arthritis (specifically osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease). Its natural form is made from cow and shark cartilage. Our bodies use chondroitin to make new bones, cartilage, and tendons while also aiding nutrients to enter existing cartilage. Recall that cartilage is the tough, white fibrous portion of our joints that allows pain-free movement.
Be advised that chondroitin use is not without side effects. Some users of it have reported mild stomach discomfort, nausea and rarely, shortness of breath.
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Straight, No Chaser: Quick Tips for the Diabetic in Your Life

October 22, 2013Endocrine/Metabolic, Skin/Dermatology, Health PreventionBlood sugar, Diabetes mellitus, Facebook, Limited liability company, Sterling Medical Advice, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Per your requests, we occasionally feature quick tips for healthy living. Here’s an important example.

If you have diabetics in your life, here are three things they should do everyday.

1) Check their feet. Diabetics have decreased sensation in their extremities. It is very typical for them to step on nails, glass, or otherwise cause injuries that go unnoticed, because they don’t have sufficient sensitivity. Next thing you know, they have an infection and then a foot ulcer, and that’s a common path to amputated toes or the entire foot.
2) Keep soft candy or juice at all times. If they ever experience mental status changes, feed them. Altered mental status can be due to high or low blood sugars. If you treat a high sugar level with more sugar, it’s not a big deal, relatively speaking; if you treat a blood sugar level that was zero, you just saved a life.
3) Have them touch the water with their hands before they shower or bathe. The hands of diabetics remain sensitive to pain longer than the feet, so touching with the hands first helps avoid injuries. The decreased sensitivity of the feet leads to burns, which leads to infections, which leads to amputations.
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When is SterlingMedicalAdvice.com Available?

October 21, 2013General Health and WellnessFacebook, Limited liability company, Powered, Sterling, Straight No Chaser (composition), Superior mesenteric artery, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

SMA will be available to subscribers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, starting on November 1, 2013. If you have an immediate need or possible emergency, you can receive instant information and advice. If you have a need for general information, you can review our vast Question Bank 24/7. If you have a need for general information from a specialist, we will get you information within minutes!
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From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: "Is It OK to Take Leftover Antibiotics to Treat a Current Infection?"

October 21, 2013General Health and Wellness, Health PreventionAntibacterial, Antibiotic resistance, Facebook, health, Infection, Pharmacy, Sterling Medical Advice, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

You should never use any leftover antibiotics to treat a current infection. The various antibiotics that are available are effective only against specific bacteria, so do not assume that the old medication will take care of your current infection. Your physician should determine the cause of your infection and prescribe appropriate treatment.
It also is important to note that any time your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, you should take all the medicine you are given on the schedule your doctor provides—even when you start to feel better. Unless your doctor tells you to discontinue the antibiotic, you should not have any left over. Not finishing the prescription means some bacteria could survive and possibly come back even stronger. The surviving bacteria can then become resistant to the antibiotic, make the infection worse, and make it harder to treat.
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Straight, No Chaser: Quick Tip – Caring for Your Ankle Sprain

October 21, 2013Orthopedics/Bones, Sports Medicine, TraumaAnkle, Conditions and Diseases, health, RICE, Sprain, Sprained ankle, Sterling Medical Advice, Swelling (medical), United StatesJeffrey Sterling, MD

If you decide not to come to the Emergency Room for your ankle sprain, just think about the mnemonic “RICE.” (This works for any other soft tissue sprain, such as the wrist.)
Rest
The longer you stay off of it, the quicker it will heal. The more you try to use it, the longer your recovery will take and the greater the risk of aggravating the injury.
Ice
Apply ice for 15–20 minutes every hour over the first 24 hours. That will help keep the swelling and pain down. However, please keep a towel between the ice pack and your skin.
Compression/Crutches
Use an ace wrap for comfort and to help with the swelling. Use crutches to help stay off that ankle.
Elevation
This is about the only time I’ll tell you it’s ok to be a couch potato. Keep your leg elevated on the bed or on the couch at or above the level of your chest. That’ll help to keep the swelling down.
If you go to the ER, we’ll do the same for you, unless you have a fracture somewhere, in which case we’ll splint or cast you instead giving you the ace wrap. Stay safe.

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About www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: What's the Cost for the SterlingMedicalAdvice.com subscription?

October 20, 2013General Health and WellnessFacebook, Limited liability company, Nonprofit organization, Sterling, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser (composition), Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

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How Can I Prevent Acne?

October 20, 2013General Health and Wellness, Skin/Dermatology844-SMA-TALK, Acne vulgaris, Behind the Curtain, Benzoyl peroxide, Facebook, health, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Straight No Chaser (composition), There are 72 Hours in a Day, Twitter, WordPressJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser answers the simple question “How can I prevent acne?”

What to Do

You can prevent pimples by keeping your face clean and your hands away from your face. Use any good cleanser or soap to gently wash the affected area two to three times daily. You treat most cases of mild acne with over-the-counter lotions or creams containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. You can also try dietary or herbal products like arnica, zinc, and tea tree oil.

If herbal or over-the-counter products do not work, a doctor may recommend a prescription medicine that can be applied to the skin or taken orally. If you have more than 10 blemishes on one side of your face or they are deep, painful and swollen, you should see a doctor. People over the age of 25 with acne may also need a doctor’s care for acne.

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Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

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