For many women out there perfecting the ‘Smokey eye’ effect when applying eyeshadow seems to be a struggle.
There’s no need to let this simple procedure get the better of you, follow these simple tips and create the look you’ve been longing for.

The thing you must remember when creating the smoky eye is to cover the whole eye area with a base, (this could be a foundation, concealer or even just a light coloured eyeshadow) the base will help prevent the next layers from creasing.

A smoky eye can be created by using any coloured eyeshadow but blacks, greys and browns do seem to be the most popular and are good for creating that sexy or sophisticated look!

The next step is simply taking a black eyeliner and drawing a soft line across the top of the lashes. Once you’ve done this take a blending brush and slightly smudge the eyeliner.

Now taking a light coloured eyeshadow, highlight under the brow area down to the crease in the eyelid. Next take a medium shade which should be applied from the lash line and end half way between the crease in the eyelid and the eyebrow.

Finally you are ready for the darkest shade to be applied. Starting from the crease at the outer corner of the eye simply apply your darkest shade to the outer half of the eyelid below the crease.

The most important technique when creating the smoky look is blending. Now you have applied the three layers of eyeshadow take a blending brush and starting from the lash line working upwards gently blend the eyeshadows together.

All that’s left to do now is apply eyeliner to the lower lash line and lengthen those lashes with mascara.

Who knew creating the smoky look could be so easy??

Picture courtesy of theinvisiblewombat

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), the enlargement of the prostate gland, affects more than 80% of men over the age of 80 and is becoming more common among younger men in their 40s and 50s. Symptoms of BPH concern the urogenital system, with frequent urination, feelings of urgency, and difficulty in starting urination the most commonly reported. Severity varies from man to man, as does the pattern and specific symptoms.

Causes of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The general consensus among physicians and medical experts is that hormonal changes due to ageing stimulate the man’s prostate to begin to enlarge, and since the prostate encircles the urethra, the tube through which urine exits the bladder, any enlargement of the prostate gland results in a constricting of the urethra. Depending on the severity of the enlargement and its location, the bladder ends up having to work harder to excrete the urine from the body.

Treatments for BPH

A variety of treatment options are available for BPH and your physician will help you to find the solution that is right for you. Mild symptoms may clear up by themselves, but if more treatment is needed, there are medical and surgical options to choose from. There are several surgical procedures that your doctor may consider, or he may recommend medications, such as Propecia, to help relieve the symptoms.

One of the best ways to protect yourself against the harms of cancer is to focus on early detection. Cancer awareness is a very important part of detecting cancer early, and it is the best way to make sure you receive the most effective treatment.

Around 10 per cent of women in the UK will get breast cancer and early detection will dramatically increase their survival rate. At stage I, the five-year survival rate is over 90 per cent, but if detected later, at stage IV, the survival rate is significantly lower.

It is important to make sure that you are aware of how your breasts feel so you can detect any unusual changes. At different points in the menstrual cycle the feel of your breasts change, which is completely normal, but there are certain warning signs you should look for.

You should be aware of changes in the overall shape of yours breasts and feel for lumps and bumps, and any unusual pain should also be reported to your GP. The skin should also be monitored and you should take note of any spots of sensitivity or dimpling. You should also monitor your nipples as redness around them or unusual discharge could be problematic.

While all of these symptoms might not be related to breast cancer, it is always best to be cautious and aware. If you display any of the symptoms, go visit your GP, as they will be able to offer you a thorough medical diagnosis.

Finding a way to alleviate erectile dysfunction is a primary concern for patients whether the causes of the condition are physiological or psychological. Many of these same patients, however, have other illnesses and conditions that make it difficult or even dangerous to medicate their erectile dysfunction. Finding a prescription medication that treats erectile dysfunction and is compatible with cardiac and diabetic medication is the mission of many patients and their doctors.

About Levitra

Levitra, which is also sold under the generic name vardenafil, is a prescription drug that is used to treat erectile dysfunction. The medication works by increasing the blood flow to the penis, allowing the patient to achieve an erection, and by preventing blood from flowing back out until the sexual activity has ceased.

Levitra is unique among the prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction in that it appears to be safe for patients with cardiac and diabetic conditions to take. For people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, whose conditions and subsequent medications frequently interact with erectile dysfunction medications, Levitra is an option that does not appear to impede a patient’s enjoyment of sexual activities after taking it. It is advisable to discuss Levitra with your doctor, as with any new medication. Ask about any possible drug interactions with any medications you are currently taking, and whether Levitra would be safe to use with your current medical condition.

Discuss your medical history with your doctor, and be cautious if you have a history of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, blood pressure problems, kidney or liver disease, or if, for any other reason, you cannot engage in sexual intercourse.

Hyperhidrosis or night sweats as it is more commonly called can affect both men’s and women’s health. It occurs when the body sweats during the night far more than is needed to regulate its temperature. While it is not usually a sign of anything serious, it can be extremely embarrassing and cause a considerable amount of stress.

For many sufferers of hyperhidrosis, a visit to the doctor is out of the question, as they feel nothing can be done to help the condition. However, if you suddenly start getting night sweats, you should check with your GP. He will ensure there is no underlying problem that requires his care.

The first treatment that your GP will recommend will be to use anti-perspirants before bed. If that fails, he may try you on medication that blocks sweat glands and if that fails, surgery may be an option. Two types of night sweats normally affect people:

-Focal Hyperhidrosis – Only affects certain parts of the body e.g. the armpits, hands or feet.
-Generalised Hyperhidrosis – Affects the whole body.

You can do many things to get rid of insomnia. The first steps to take are what GPs call good sleep hygiene. This is just a matter of changing your routine slightly to promote a good sleeping pattern. Here are the top ten tips doctors give for treating insomnia:

-Go to bed and get up at fixed, regular times. Get up at the allotted time even when you have not had enough sleep, your body will coordinate over time.
-Relax before bed. Take a nice hot bath, meditate or read a good book or magazine.
-Make sure as little light is shining in your room as possible. Get thick blinds or curtains to keep any light out.
-Use earplugs to reduce overall noise if necessary, having a quiet environment will help considerably.
-Do not take naps through the day, as it will make you less tired when bedtime comes.
-Be sure your sleeping environment is at a consistent, comfortable temperature, as being too hot or cold may keep you from sleep.
-Avoid heavy food intake late at night, as it will make your body have to work to digest, making relaxation more difficult to come by.
-Avoid caffeine products such as chocolate, cola, tea and coffee and other stimulants like cigarettes or sugary products.
-Take regular exercise but avoid it within four hours of bedtime.
-Use the bedroom only for sleep, so your body gets out of the habit of being awake in that room.

Counting sheep could also help!

Picture courtesy of James Good

Sildenafil is better known by one of its trade names, Viagra which has become world famous since its release for commercial use in 1998. First developed in the UK and then sold on to US company Pfizer, Sildenafil works by increasing blood flow, especially to the penis and lungs, giving it a number of medical uses.

Erectile dysfunction

Viagra is most famous as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to get or maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction can occur as a side effect of other conditions, commonly diabetes and depression. Viagra has been shown to help in most cases, as it acts to inhibit the enzymes that restrict blood flow to the penis.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension or PAH, is a rare disorder that increases blood pressure in the pulmonary capillaries, pulmonary vein or pulmonary artery, otherwise known as the lung vasculature. Sildenafil works to relax the arterial wall, which releases pressure and resistance from the relevant areas.

The treatment was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of America in 2005 under the trade name Revatio. Though it is basically the same as Viagra, the company felt that releasing the drug under a different name would avoid confusion.

Altitude sickness

Sildenafil is now known to help with altitude sickness, especially the kind often suffered by mountain climbers. Altitude sickness is caused by low levels of oxygen, which can occur when a person is higher than 2,400m above sea level. The usual treatment is rapid decent, but when that is not possible, many are turning to Sildenafil based medications.

Dosage

The dosage of Sildenafil depends on the treatment it is being used for. Viagra, which is a blue, diamond shaped pill, is usually between 25mg – 100mg, to be taken once a day. Revatio is a round white pill and is usually taken in 20mg tablets, three times a day.

When you take Levitra, you are actually taking the medicine called Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate – Levitra is a brand name. It is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction as it has the effect of relaxing the muscles of the walls of the blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow and therefore helping a man to achieve an erection.

After your doctor or health official has prescribed Levitra to you, he may vary the dose a little to begin with to find the right dose. It should not be taken more than once a day, and after it is digested you should give it up to an hour to start working.

Although you can take Levitra with food if desired, you should avoid taking it with high fat meals as this can increase the time it takes for the drug to kick in. Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate is not suitable for everyone, so it is important that you only take it after it is advised to you by a relevant healthcare expert, such as your GP. It should especially be avoided if you have heart problems.

Sudan, Greenland and Mongolia have emerged to be the top-voted holiday destinations by travel magazines readers. All three are unlikely locations, but all were voted in the line-up of first, second and third out of a list of ten hotspots voted by the readers of “Wanderlust.”

The destinations were announced as part of 2012’s “Travel Awards,” along with the selection other locations that also appear on the list included: Tajikistan, Pakistan, the Cook Islands, Taiwan, Lebanon and Fiji. Iran was voted in 10th position and is probably the hardly location to imagine being flocked with tourists.

However, it has been noted that adventure tour operators are already adding some of these unlikely countries to their trips!

From this we can definitely see that the travel map is changing fast and unlikely destinations are being to grow in popularity.

‘’I totally agree with Sudan at top place in this category. I was lucky enough to discover this first-hand last year and experience its warm welcome, layers of history and few tourists. With more pyramids than Egypt it is a one to watch for the future especially as South Sudan opens up too.’’
The “Travel Awards” have also indicated in the past, the travellers are not put-off by disaster prone areas. Japan won first place last year despite its recent tsunami and after-radiation scare, winning with a whopping 97% of votes, while earthquake-effected New Zealand made third place and Burma, came fourth. Cambodia and Rwanda, both ruined by horrific genocidal histories, also proved popular and among the top 10, as well as areas such as: Namibia, Laos, Argentina and Madagascar. 

If done responsibly, and with the correct type of tourism, visiting countries after a disaster can widely benefit them.

It was also voted that Luang Prabang in Laos is the top ever city, followed by Japan’s city of Kyoto and Italy’s very famous Siena.

South Sudan independence

Picture courtesy of sidelife

Cold and flu symptoms are commonly confused, but it is important to know the difference between the two in order to properly treat them. A cold is a milder version of flu, and flu can lead to more serious health problems. Information about the symptoms of flu and colds is discussed below.

Cold Symptoms

When a patient is getting a cold, the first symptom they may notice is a sore throat. Congestion, runny nose, and other nasal symptoms may occur. Cold symptoms can be caused by one of several hundred viruses, and symptoms typically last for about a week. Typically patients that are suffering from a cold are contagious to others during the first three days of their cold.
Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms come on quite quickly, and they may include fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, cough and congestion. These symptoms typically get better within two to five days, but some symptoms may continue to linger for a week. Shortness of breath is a common complication of flu, and this can be especially dangerous for children and the elderly.

Picture courtesy of mcfarlandmo