Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Health Tips for September 11

Health Tip: When Your Taste Buds Sour

Taste impairments can be caused by anything that affects the way the brain processes your sense of taste, including smoking, a vitamin deficiency, a drug, or even the common cold.

Here are other common causes of taste problems, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Aging.
* Strep throat or flu.
* An injury to the mouth, nose, or head.
* Gingivitis (gum disease).
* Conditions such as Bell's Palsy, Sjogren Syndrome, or pharyngitis.
* Dryness of the mouth.
* An infection in the nasal passages, sinusitis or nasal polyps.

Health Tip: Dealing With Dandruff

Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, occurs when flakes of skin develop on the scalp or inside the ear.

The skin condition, which can run in families, may be triggered by stress, fatigue, oily skin, acne or using hair or skin products that contain alcohol, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Infrequent showering or shampooing may also trigger dandruff.

To treat the condition, over-the-counter dandruff or medicated shampoos should be used daily. Active ingredients in these shampoos include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole or selenium.

The hair and other affected areas should be washed for about five minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

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