Acne starts in the skin's sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance called "sebum." The sebum normally travels from the sebaceous gland to the skin's surface via a tiny hair follicle. But with acne, the sebum becomes trapped, sometimes mixing with dead skin cells and bacteria, causing a clogged pore.

The main causes of acne include:

- Changes in levels of male hormones called androgens

- Increased sebum production

- Changes inside the hair follicle

- Bacteria

The symptoms of acne vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. They include:

- Excess oil in the skin

- Blackheads

- Whiteheads

- Papules - small pink bumps that may be tender to the touch

- Pimples - inflamed, pus-filled bumps that may be red at the base

- Nodules - large, painful, solid lumps that are lodged deep within the skin

- Cysts - deep, inflamed, pus-filled lumps that can cause pain and scarring

There are several over-the-counter and prescription medications for acne. Some are applied directly to the skin (topical medication), others are taken by mouth (oral medication), and others are injected into the acne cysts or

pustules.

It can be difficult to prevent acne from occurring, because it can be difficult to control the factors that cause it.

But there are some things you can do to keep your acne from getting worse:

- Gently wash your face with mild soap and warm water twice a day (no

  more than twice) to remove excess oil.

- Use your hands rather than a washcloth.

- Use mild soap rather than a harsh "acne cleanser."

- Allow your face to thoroughly dry before applying any topical preparations.

- Don't pick at or squeeze blemishes.

- Use lotions, soaps, and cosmetics labeled "noncomedogenic." These won't   clog your pores.

If you have acne and would like to make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Vic Khanna by calling, 815-337-7100.


Dr. Vic Khanna

Chronic back pain affects men and women equally. Because back pain frequently affects people during their working years, it is the largest cause of lost work days and lost income. Low back pain is considered chronic if it lasts more than three months. Its symptoms can range from a simple, dull ache to shooting, stabbing pain when walking, sitting or standing. Depending on the cause and degree of pain, sufferers might also experience depression, fever, weight loss, arthritis or a ‘pinched nerve’ sensation.

The causes of backaches are many:

• Sleeping on a soft mattress;
• Accident or injury;
• Sitting wrong, or on the wrong kind of chair;
• Osteoporosis;
• Poor posture;
• Kidney problems;
• Arthritis;
• Sleeping on your stomach;
• Stress;
• Improper lifting;
• Poor ergonomics at your work station.

To rule out serious problems, chronic back pain must be evaluated by a physician. Your physician will give you a physical examination, do blood tests, take a complete medical history and have you describe the nature of the pain, how long you’ve had it, where it is and how it started. Your physician will also perform special manipulations to help assess and distinguish the causes of your pain. She might also order imaging techniques to evaluate your tissue, bone, muscle and nerve structure; these techniques can include MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) and simple X-rays.

           
Even though chronic back pain is quite common, there are many ways to treat it. If you feel you have chronic back pain, don’t try to tough it out. Depression has been shown to be three to four times more common in patients with chronic back pain than in the general population. Also, it typically doesn’t go away on its own and after awhile, it can really limit your lifestyle. The sooner you seek medical treatment, the better you and your back will be.      

If you suffer from back pain and would like to schedule an appointment with a Mercy Health System chiropractor, please call 888-39-MERCY.

Join us Thursday, September 30, for a great day of golf, food and great raffle prizes. The 2010 Golf Scramble will take place at the Plum Tree National Golf Club, 19551 Lembcke Rd., Harvard. If you can't join us, please consider sponsoring a hole to benefit the Harvard Hospital Foundation.

For more information please contact Tom Jensen at (262) 949-2341. To register securely online visit, www.harvardhospitalfoundation.org. 

 If you go:

What: 2010 Golf Scramble to benefit Harvard Hospital Foundation
When: September 30, 2010
Where: Plum Tree National Golf Club, 19551 Lembcke Rd., Harvard
Time: Shotgun at noon; Dinner at 5:30 pm


About the Harvard Hospital Foundation
 
In 1999, a group of local citizens formed the Harvard Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit organization independent from Harvard Memorial Hospital.
 
The inspiration to form the foundation came from a gift to the hospital of more than $350,000 from the estate of Roland Lemker. Thanks to Rollie's generosity, the foundation was created to manage charitable giving to the hospital through donations, wills and planned giving that expand and enhance local health care services. To this end, the Harvard Hospital Foundation is dedicated to raising funds in a consistent and organized manner. This need becomes more critical every year as the economics of health care rapidly change.
 
Mercy Harvard Hospital, as Harvard Memorial Hospital is now known, has not been a district hospital since 1998 and receives no tax dollars for support. It is governed by a community board of directors. MHH's only income is derived from operations and donations.
 
That is why we are counting on you to help support the 2010 Golf Scramble so that we can continue our mission to provide quality health care services resulting in healing in the broadest sense. Make a difference. Sign up today!

Mercy Health System invites you to the 20th annual Children’s Health and Safety Fair at McHenry County College, Wednesday, August 4, 9 am-4 pm.
 

Mercy is donating two bicycles and helmets that will be given away as a drawing at the conclusion of the fair.  In addition to entertainment and door prizes, the fair will include interactive and educational exhibit booths. Reduced-cost immunizations, school physicals (by appointment only) and dental exams will also be offered.
 
Please note that an updated shot record will be required for any child receiving immunizations. For more information, please call: 815-334-4500.  To schedule an appointment for a school physical, please call: 815-334-8987.
 
Mercy is proud to be a member of the McHenry County Children’s Fair Coalition. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Makin’ A Splash; 20^th Annual Children’s Health and Safety Fair
What: Reduced-cost immunizations, door prizes and entertainment
When: Wednesday, August 4, 9 am-4 pm.
Where: McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake

Something bugging you? You can enjoy outdoor summer activities in spite of all the bees, wasps and other stinging insects. Understanding why the pesky creatures sting may help keep you safe from their attack. Keep in mind that when we’re outdoors, insects consider us invaders of their homes. Bees and wasps will sting to defend themselves and their nests against real or perceived attacks. 

The honeybee is the most common of the stinging insects. Only the females sting. The honeybee is even-tempered, rarely stinging unless provoked in some way. The honeybee stings only once, leaving a barb-shaped stinger and a venom sac embedded in your skin. The bee dies soon after losing her stinger. However, in the few minutes following a sting, the venom sac continues to contract, forcing the stinger and venom even further into the victim. 

Yellow jackets, wasps and hornets can all sting repeatedly. You might say they have a “sweet tooth,” being quite attracted to sugar. They are often found around garbage cans where fruit peelings or pop cans have been discarded or they may decide to join your family picnic.Treatment for stings involves prompt removal of the embedded stinger(s). Picking the stinger out with fingers or tweezers can inadvertently squeeze even more venom into the skin. Instead, the stinger should be lightly flicked off with your finger or gently scraped off horizontally with the edge of a knife or plastic card such as credit card or library card. Apply ice or a cold pack to the site.

To help prevent infection, wash the sting area thoroughly with soap and water. Hydrocortisone cream or a local anesthetic may also help decrease pain and inflammation. Be sure to observe label precautions before using any over-the-counter preparations. If you know you’re allergic to stings, always carry an allergy kit with you, as prescribed by your physician.

The buzz word is prevention. Following these few simple precautions can help keep you safe from the discomfort of stings:

• Avoid wearing bright-colored clothing and floral prints.
• Don’t use perfume, scented soaps, or hair spray, especially floral scents.
• Wear shoes when outdoors. 
• Watch where you walk, as some insects build ground hives or nests. If you come upon a nest, stay calm and move slowly. Rapid movement may be perceived as a threat.
• Keep picnic items and soft drink cans covered tightly.

Keep these guidelines in mind while sharing the great outdoors and don’t let anything bug you this summer!