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Dermatitis Vs Eczema
Natural Vs. Synthetic: A Matter of Safety and Effectiveness
On The Trail To Better Eczema and Psoriasis Management
Many people today are looking for “natural substances” as alternative remedies instead of synthetic prescription medicines for the treatment and management of eczema and psoriasis. The term “natural substance” is used very loosely in the world of alternative medicine but probably could be defined as any substance who’s basic structure found in nature and observed activity or reactivity has not been adulterated by chemical or process means.
Some natural substances like carrot oil, evening primrose oil, hemp oil, and Shea Butter have all been used in recent years to relieve the cracking and itching experienced by eczema suffers. Companies that market these products present many testimonials of success with these oils. Yet there exist very little scientific data available on any of these natural substances that suggest that eczema or psoriasis can be effectively managed on a long-term basis by the use of these oils. The positive claim for the use of such substances is that they exhibit none of the negative side effects observed with the prolong use of synthetic steroids and other drugs. Although the use of natural oils as moisturizers appear to exhibit no known side effects to man, the use of these substances for the long-term management of eczema or psoriasis appears to be at best marginal.
The fact that an alternative remedy is classified as a “natural substance” does not imply that the remedy can be considered safe. There are many natural substances that are known to be dangerous and too toxic for human consumption or exposure. The well-known substance “strychnine” taken in its natural state as found in the Nux Vomica trees of southeast Asia has been used in the past as a medicinal treatment. However, excessive human exposure to strychnine in most cases will be fatal. Humans are also known to exhibit very strong allergenic reactions when exposed to the natural oils found in the plant poison ivy. For obvious reasons it should be clear that “natural substances” safety should be investigated before proceeding to develop such materials into products for health related purposes.
However, this by no means makes “synthetic products” any more safe for human use than natural products and this is would be true in spite of FDA approval. Synthetic steroids such as Mometasome furoate, Methylprednisolone aceponate, and Tiamcinolone acetonide all FDA approved drugs are used by many eczema and psoriasis sufferers. We now know that prolong use of these drugs have serious side effects such as are adrenal gland suppression, Cushing Syndrome, and skin thinning (atrophy). The use of Pimecrolimus (1%), with the trade name ElidelTM another FDA approved drug, has shown some success in the management of eczema but the use of this product also carries the risk of unwanted side-effects like herpes and viral infection. Recently, new long-term studies suggest this product may be linked to some forms of cancers and the FDA has issued a warning about this product limiting its use. Although many synthetic drugs have shown significant success for the management of eczema and psoriasis the long –term health risk associated with these drugs appear to out weigh their short-term effectiveness. Thus, for many obvious health reasons people continue to seek other alternative and safer solutions for the management of eczema and psoriasis.
Thus, in order to better manage eczema and psoriasis sporadic flare-ups a clearer scientific understanding must be first acquired. Such as commonly believed itching and dry cracking skin are not the cause of eczema but are merely symptoms of a much bigger problem. Eczema associated inflammation (an autoimmune response) is the result of prostaglandin signal malfunction which is regulated by the bodies production of cytokines released by circulating leukocytes during microbiological or toxin intrusions. Chronic inflammation is the result of this prostaglandin malfunction resulting in damage to surrounding skin tissue and eventual scarring. Further damage to skin tissue is the result of a continuing build up of neutrophils (phagocytes) at the site of infection or intrusion (toxins) which release proteases and oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical anion, and super oxygen radical anion that kill not only bacteria and other toxins but surrounding tissue as well. Thus, only using so-called natural oils, moisturizers, natural and synthetic cortisones to relive the type of itching and cracking skin observed in eczema and psoriasis suffers can only have a mediocre and temporary effect.
At Xcel Nutraceuticals we have recently developed what we believe is a one of a kind natural-based product that will help people better manage their eczema and psoriasis conditions. Xcel Nutraceuticals Skin Ointment (SO) has been scientifically developed to reduce itching, swelling, and to heal damaged skin caused by skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. Xcel Nutraceuticals SO is a non-drug composition of plant, flower, and fruit extracts, natural acids, amino acids, natural hydrocarbon substances, and vitamins. All of the constituents of Xcel SO have no known toxicity in man. Xcel SO is a safe and effective alternative for the management of eczema and psoriasis and does not have the unwanted side effects seen with the use of steroids or drugs derived from bacteria or fungal cultures.
About the Author
MD Shahid is a senior research scientist with a MS in Physical Chemistry. Mr. Shahid has almost 30 years of career experience in oxygen-free radical reactions and antioxidant development. Mr. Shahid is a recipient of the NTAA “Scientist of the Year “ award, has authored or co-authored almost 50 U.S. patents, his work has been cited by Chemical Abstract, the worlds largest and most referenced chemical index provider on numerous occasions, and in the middle 90's by personal invitation was ask to review scientific reliability of earlier HIV/AIDS hypothesis by a distinguished panel of cancer and virologist scientist. In the late 1990's MD Shahid begin research in the area of the use of natural non-toxic substance for the prevent of hair loss and hair re-growth. It was during this research that MD Shahid discovered that certain plant, flower, and fruit extracts when combined with selected organic oils and amino acids was a effective combination that could be used to help control and manage eczema and psoriasis skin disorders. In 2004 MD Shahid founded the company Xcel Nutraceuticals that produces and manufactures all natural based and organic products for the control of eczema, psoriasis, and hair loss. For more information visit http://www.xcel-n.com
Don't Write Short Texts. Write Concise Ones
by Philip Yaffe
"Don't write short texts. Write concise ones."
If you are puzzled by this admonition, it is probably because you have been led to believe that "short" and "concise" are synonyms. They aren’t.
My dictionary shows two definitions for "concise":
1. Brief and to the point
2. Short and clear.
If "short" is already part of the definition of concise, they cannot be synonyms. There must be a difference. So what is it, and how does it affect your writing?
Over my 40 years as a professional writer, I have developed my own definition of "concise", which makes the difference explicit. Moreover, it is functional. It not only tells you what you are seeking to do, but also how to go about doing it.
Before examining this functional definition, let's agree on what we are trying to achieve by being concise.
It is commonly claimed that people today have shorter spans than in the past, so text must also be shorter. I am unaware of any scientific evidence that supports this contention. However, I am aware of considerable historical and psychological evidence that disputes it.
People pay attention to texts that catch and hold their interest. Once that interest wanes, they stop reading. It's as simple as that. Whatever effect radio, television, films, the Web, etc. may have had on average attention span, individual attention span is governed by self-interest. This has always been true, and remains so.
The objective, therefore, is not to constrain a text to fit some artificial limit, but to be certain that everything it says has purpose and meaning for the reader. This is what makes a text concise, whatever its length.
So back to the functional definition. For a text to be truly concise, it must be:
1. As long as necessary
2. As short as possible
As with the dictionary, "short" is only part of the definition -- the second part. Before you set about making your text "as short as possible", you must first make it "as long as necessary". In practical terms, this means that before you do anything else, you must first determine the key ideas you want your text to convey. Then identify all the supporting information needed to make them clear and credible.
Whatever minimum text length is required to adequately cover this vital information, this is how long it must be. It makes no sense to look at your text and then start cutting out important information because it seems to be "too long".
Now, what is meant by "as short as possible"?
Keep in mind that nothing in a text is neutral. Anything beyond the minimum length required to be "as long as necessary" will not simply add a few unnecessary words. Ultimately, it will affect reader comprehension.
Unconsciously, the reader will continually be asking himself why those additional words are there; however, since they are unnecessary, he will never get an answer. The more often these unconscious questions are raised, the more often there will be no answer. The reader will become less and less confident that he understands what he is reading. When he concludes that he doesn't understand it (or considers it boring, which is the same thing in disguise), he will stop reading. And your effort will have been wasted
Remember: The length of a text and how well the reader understands it are intimately linked. The purpose of writing "as short as possible" is not to avoid too many words (whatever that means) -- but to ensure clarity.
I have yet to see any list of writing tips that explicitly states this fundamental principle. So let's state it again. Conciseness means saying everything that needs to be said in as few words as possible in order to ensure clarity.
Now that you understand the true purpose of all the various writing tips and suggestions on offer, you are more likely to value them and apply them the rigor they deserve. However, don't be overly concerned about applying them when writing your first draft. Every well-written text must go through at least two distinct drafts.
A. First Draft
This should be dedicated to inputting all the key ideas and supporting information required to make the text "as long as necessary". Write this first draft with minimal concern about style, grammar, conciseness, etc. Concentrate on content.
B. Second Draft
This should be dedicated to applying all the writing tips you know to make the text "as short as possible" to ensure that all the key ideas and supporting information are presented clearly and persuasively.
In short: Write fast, edit slow.
Here are a few examples that show the significance difference that understanding and applying these tips can truly make. This is only a sampling. After reading these examples, go back the various lists to look for other writing tips, which you will read and appreciate more acutely than ever.
Bullet Points and Numbered Lists
Bullet points and numbered lists are excellent ways of shortening a text while making it easier to understand. You may have noticed that I have used this technique several times in this article.
Use bullet points or numbered lists to highlight and explain general statements. Bullet points or numbers that relate to nothing have no value.
These are the four factors that led us to this decision:
-- Economic conditions are . . . .
-- Technical developments have. . . .
-- Government policy will. . . .
-- Social conditions are . . . .
Displaying Data
Display data directly next to their reference. Data displayed “respectively” requires the reader to stop and confirm the correct order. This can cause confusion.
Poor
The CAC, DAX and AEX all fell during past three months: -1.76%, -0.98% and -2.26% respectively
Better
The three indices that fell during the past three months were: CAC (-1.76%), DAX (-0.98%), and AEX (-2.26%)
The word “respectively” almost always causes confusion. Delete it from your vocabulary!
Shifting Terminology
If you wish to use more than one term to mean the same thing, be certain that you clearly inform your readers.
Poor
Atopic dermatitis is a common disease of infants aged 0-2 years. About half of all infants with infantile eczema will develop asthma before their fourth birthday.
Better
Atopic dermatitis (infantile eczema) is a common disease of infants aged 0-2 years. About half of all infants with infantile eczema will develop asthma before their fourth birthday.
Active vs. Passive Voice
Generally prefer the active voice because it gives a clearer picture of what is being described and is usually shorter. However, don't be afraid to use the passive voice when need. After all, if there were no real need for the passive voice in the language, it wouldn't exist.
Active voice: Management approved the new product
Passive voice: The new product was approved by Management
Placement for Emphasis
Words at the beginning and at the end of a sentence have stronger emphasis than those in the middle. Therefore, put important information in these key locations to aid reader understanding.
Poor
Astronomers hunting for evidence of life outside of our solar system announced the discovery of a new class of planets yesterday.
Better
Yesterday, astronomers hunting for evidence of life outside of our solar system announced discovery of a new class of planets.
Best
Astronomers hunting for evidence of life outside of our solar system yesterday announced the discovery of a new class of planets.
Poor
The national leaders met to discuss new trade relations between their two countries in the Royal Palace.
Better
In the Royal Palace, the national leaders met to discuss new trade relations between their two countries.
Best
The national leaders met In the Royal Palace to discuss new trade relations between their two countries.
Philip Yaffe is a former reporter/feature writer with The Wall Street Journal and a marketing communication consultant. He currently teaches a course in good writing and good speaking in Brussels, Belgium. His recently published book In the “I” of the Storm: the Simple Secrets of Writing & Speaking (Almost) like a Professional is available from Story Publishers in Ghent, Belgium (storypublishers.be) and Amazon (amazon.com).
For further information, contact:
Philip Yaffe
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 660 0405
phil.yaffe@yahoo.com, phil.yaffe@gmail.com
About the Author
Philip Yaffe is a former writer with The Wall Street Journal and international marketing communication consultant. Now semi-retired, he teaches courses in persuasive communication in Brussels, Belgium. Because his clients use English as a second or third language, his approach to writing and public speaking is somewhat different from other communication coaches. He is the author of In the “I” of the Storm: the Simple Secrets of Writing & Speaking (Almost) like a Professional. Contact: phil.yaffe@yahoo.com.
