An eye stye, or also sty as it is sometimes spelled, is an infection of the glands at the base of the eyelashes. These glands secrete either oil or sweat and can sometimes become inflamed. A stye is also sometimes referred by its medical term: hordeolum. A stye can be external or internal depending on its location on the eye. External styes are found on the outside of the eyelids and often look like a small red bump or pimple usually at the base of the eyelashes. Internal styes are infections of the oil-secreting glands that line the inside of the eyelids. Styes usually have a sudden onset and often last around 7-10 days if not treated right away.

What Causes a Stye?

Styes are commonly caused by bacteria, usually either Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus intermedius, as these are the two most common bacteria found on the skin. Styes can also be caused by the blocking of the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes. Styes are common in people of all ages and are one of the most common eye conditions. They are often triggered by stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, or poor hygiene. Bacteria can also be transferred to the eye from other parts of the body, and usually occurs when frequent rubbing of the eyes occur.

How do I Know if I have an Eye Stye?

When a stye is first developing, the eye or eyelid may be itchy, tender, or uncomfortable. When the stye first begins to appear, there may be a small bump that looks similar to a pimple. As the stye progresses, the bump may enlarge and the eyelid may swell. The eye may become red and uncomfortable as well. In serious cases, vision may become impaired.

Other Stye Symptoms May Include:

•A small bump on the eyelid, usually at the base of the eyelashes

•A localized or general swelling of the eyelid

•Pain and discomfort in the affected eye

•Redness of the eyelid or the eye itself

•Tenderness or discomfort when the eye is touched

•Crusting of the eyelid margins

•Burning in the eye

•Droopiness of the eyelid

•Blurred vision

•Mucous discharge in the eye

•Sensitivity to light or photophobia

•Excessive tearing in the affected eye

•Discomfort when blinking the eye

•Sensation of a foreign body in the eye

What are My Choices for Eye Stye Treatment?

The first step in treating a stye is to apply a warm compress on the affected eye. This should be done four to six times a day for approximately 15 minutes each time. By doing this, you will help open up and drain the stye and will help start the healing process. The stye should then be scrubbed gently with a non-irritating, antibacterial solution. These solutions can be found by going to the Scrubs and Rinses page. It is important to mention that even though the stye may look like a pimple, it should never be squeezed or punctured, as a serious eye infection could result. People with eye styes should also avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses, as this could aggravate the area and even spread the infection.

Other treatments that may be helpful are to use various eye ointments or drops that provide relief. These products can often be applied directly to the stye and help to numb the pain, combat the infection, and encourage healing of the stye site. In some cases, a prescription medication may need to be provided by a doctor and in severe cases, surgery may be needed to drain or remove the stye. Although rare, it is important to seek medical treatment from a doctor if the stye is getting worse or not healing after a week.

How Long will These Eye Styes Last?

Eye styes are harmless in most cases and usually go away within a week. With adequate treatment, styes tend to heal quickly rarely have complications. Again, if the stye is getting worse or any part of the actual eye is affected, seek medical attention immediately.

How Can I Prevent Styes from Occurring?

Stye prevention is closely related to proper hygiene. Proper hand washing is critical. People should also try to avoid rubbing their eyes, as this can easily transmit bacteria to the eyelid. For people prone to getting styes, eyelid scrubs can be used regularly to clean the eyelids and prevent bacterial infections or blockages of the eyelid glands. It is also recommended not to share items used on the eye such as contacts or cosmetics. Women are advised to remove eye makeup at night and to properly clean their cosmetic tools. Unfortunately, eye styes are stubborn and often reoccur. However, proper daily hygiene and eye stye treatment can reduce the severity and frequency that these styes occur.

The iPhone and iPad have undoubtedly changed lives. Apps that find restaurants, identify music and turn your phone into a Light saber are commonplace, but one that changes and even saves lives?

Available from June 5, 2010 on the iPhone, iPod and new iPad platforms, Charles Linden’s World renowned Anxiety Cure program will help tens of millions of anxiety, panic attack, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and agoraphobia sufferers to quickly cure their conditions. Anxiety is pandemic in modern society and this is the first time a truly curative mobile application has been presented to help sufferers whilst carrying on their normal lives, out and about in the community.

Over the last 12 years, Charles’s program has become recognized as a ‘new branch of psychological practice’, receiving medical and psychologist referrals and high praise from leading research academics like Dr Francis Teeney of Queen’s University who says “It appears there are no lengths that The Linden Method will not take to reassure sufferers that there is a cure for anxiety - in my opinion, they are justified. The new Linden Method app is a supportive and curative resource you can take with you wherever you go.’

The new Linden Method Mobile app has been developed by Charles and his team to include the most simple to digest, natural and powerful anxiety elimination technique, plus a group of newly developed anxiety busting devices such as The Panic Eliminator, The Panic Attack Talk Down, Breathe Right and the Anxiety STOP Watch.

Charles Linden said “It’s so exciting for my team and anxiety sufferers everywhere. No other therapy, program or treatment combines this level of experience, curative success, knowledge and high quality media; and we are the first and only program of recovery on these mobile platforms. 135,000 ex clients have benefited from our program, that produces fast and permanent recovery, despite the consensus amongst medics and psychologists being that an anxiety cure is impossible. I want every anxiety sufferer to have access to what we do because I know that what we have cures sufferers and the provision of an affordable solution you can carry in your pocket, will change the lives of millions of people around the world.”

The Linden Method program mimics the body’s own anxiety recovery process, which should happen when a threat retreats, but fails to happen when an anxiety disorder develops. The technique developed by Charles Linden over 12 years ago, makes the anxiety control center in the brain believe that it is ‘safe’, which turns off the flight or fight response. Over 100,000 cured sufferers including celebrities like Jemma Kidd, psychologists, doctors and tens of thousands of ex sufferers are testament to the curative success of the program.

The process can’t fail to work if the sufferer complies. The fact is, that if a sufferer is human and has a high anxiety condition, it can’t fail. The resultant changes whilst doing my program causes the body’s natural anxiety reduction process to fire up; it’s how every ex anxiety sufferer since the dawn of time has recovered; all other treatment options are largely ineffective because psychology and medicine just don’t understand the process or condition well enough.

This new mobile app will enable anxiety sufferers to carry on with their lives whilst having the help they need at their fingertips.

Desperate to Lose Weight

If you have a lot of weight to lose, you may have probably attempted many diets. If losing pounds on your own isn’t working and you are considering weight loss surgery, read this article. If you are having a hard time dropping pounds and the many diets you have tried have not worked, you may be considering weight loss surgery.

Important Weight Loss Surgery Considerations

Obviously, opting for weight loss surgery is a major decision. There are many things you have to consider. Shedding excess weight can be very good, possibly even crucial to your general health. Modifying your diet and lifestyle is your cheapest and best option to lose weight long-term. Weight loss surgery is pricey, it has psychological ramifications, it requires a recovery period, which may put you out of work and normal routine for a while. You also have to think about the side effects, risks and complications associated with weight loss surgery. Some complications are common and fairly minor, others are more significant.

Two Main Categories of Weight Loss Surgeries

Weight loss surgeries can be divided into two categories – restrictive surgery and malabsorptive surgery. Malabsorptive surgery restricts the body’s absorption of what you eat. The absorption is prevented by either removing a portion of your small intestine or by changing where the small intestine connects to your stomach. Restrictive surgery makes it so you are restricted in the amount of food you can eat and how much food it takes to feel full. This surgery entails removing or closing off part of your stomach. Obviously, both are major surgeries and should be chosen thoughtfully by you and your doctor.

Common Surgical Procedures

As more and more people have weight loss surgeries, the various procedures are more known. One of the more popular is lap band surgery or adjustable gastric banding as it is the least invasive procedure. Gastric bypass surgery or Roux en Y is another common surgery for losing pounds. Bileopancreatic Diversion Surgery is a more drastic procedure that is right for certain patients.

Potential Risks and Complications

Make yourself fully aware of potential risks and weight loss surgery complications. As with any major surgical procedure, there are risks. Risk is decreased if a patient is in better health and lower weight group. The risks and complications are based on a number of factors including the patient’s initial weight, existing health problems and on which procedure is being done. Common weight loss surgery complications include infections, vitamin deficiencies, vomiting, and in rare cases, death. There are several other complications and side effects to be aware of that vary from procedure to procedure.

Consult a qualified medical professional to decide which weight loss surgery option, if any is right for you. You can also research the Internet so that you can ask questions and discuss options with your doctor. Existing health concerns and current weight are factors in the decision along with your long-term goals and lifestyle modification plans. If you don’t plan to modify your eating habits in the future, weight loss surgery probably isn’t the best idea for you.