Taoyuan Flower Festival's Daxi event blossoms in N. Taiwan

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  Itchy Skin at Night? Experts Reveal 8 Main Causes and How to Improve It!

  Have you ever felt an unbearable itch on your skin in the dead of night, keeping you from falling asleep? This frustrating condition not only disrupts your rest but can also significantly affect your sleep quality. Why does this itchiness seem to appear at night? Experts have identified eight possible reasons. Let’s explore these causes and learn how to tackle this nuisance effectively!Why Does It Itch More at Night?Impact of the Body's Circadian Rhythm Our body has an internal biological clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles. At night, core body temperature rises, increasing blood flow to the skin, which can intensify the sensation of itchiness.Compromised Skin Barrier The rise in body temperature at night can cause moisture loss, weakening the integrity of the skin barrier. This makes it easier for external irritants to penetrate, triggering itchiness.Hidden Crawlers While it sounds unsettling, dust mites and other insects that are more active at night could be culprits. Their droppings or skin contact may lead to discomfort and itching.Psychological Factors Research shows that psychological stress and anxiety can exacerbate itching, particularly at night, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep.Hormonal Changes Women undergoing pregnancy or menopause often experience skin itching due to hormonal fluctuations, though this typically improves over time.Polycythemia Vera This blood disorder, which causes the blood to thicken, may lead to itching after showers and can be accompanied by symptoms like headaches and fatigue.Indicators of Certain Cancers Although it sounds alarming, studies suggest that skin itching can sometimes be associated with certain cancers, particularly those affecting the liver or skin. Seek medical evaluation if concerned.Liver Issues Liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis often present early symptoms of skin itching, along with joint pain and fatigue.Why do you feel itchier at night? (Image/Source: Women's Health)How to Relieve Nighttime ItchingTake Antihistamines: These medications can effectively relieve itching. First-generation antihistamines, which cause drowsiness, are especially suitable for nighttime use.Keep Skin Moisturized: Use hydrating body washes and fragrance-free moisturizers to protect the skin barrier and reduce itching.Use a Humidifier: Running a humidifier while sleeping helps maintain air moisture and prevents skin dryness.Avoid Over-Exfoliation: Excessive exfoliation can damage the skin barrier. Moderate exfoliation is key.Seek Professional Medical Advice: If the itching persists, consult a doctor for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.How to relieve nighttime skin itchiness? (Image/Source: Women's Health)Nighttime skin itching is common, but understanding its underlying causes and solutions can help you manage it better. By adopting good habits and proper care, you can sleep peacefully and enjoy a restful night!Source: Women's Health

  2024-12-21 09:05
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  Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Therapy for Improving Dry Eye Issues

  Dry eye syndrome affects patients with symptoms such as dryness, fatigue, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision, significantly impacting their quality of life. If left untreated, it can lead to corneal damage and even vision problems. This issue is particularly severe for patients with Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the lacrimal and salivary glands, causing symptoms like dry eyes and dry mouth. Statistics show that over 80% of patients experience these symptoms, with women aged 45 to 55 being the most affected.Dr. Zhang Qingmao, director of the Chinese Medicine Department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and his research team have been actively exploring integrated treatments combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine to help patients. Their clinical studies on dry eye syndrome and Sjögren's syndrome have yielded promising results. A randomized double-blind trial of a traditional Chinese medicine formula called "SS-1" demonstrated significant improvement in tear secretion. Additionally, a clinical trial using the herbal tea blend "Chun Yu Qing Hua Yin" showed that the formula reduced patients' dependency on artificial tears, alleviated dry eye symptoms, and improved sleep quality.Use Artificial Tears to Relieve Discomfort (Image Courtesy of Heho Health)In October 2024, the team's research was published in the official journal of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology, the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, affirming the potential of traditional Chinese medicine in treating dry eye syndrome and Sjögren's syndrome. The team further conducted an acupuncture therapy trial on 100 patients with dry eye syndrome and Sjögren's syndrome, targeting Fengchi (GB20) and Zanzhu (BL2) acupoints. Results showed that tear secretion significantly increased after each 15-minute session, with symptoms effectively relieved. After eight weeks of treatment, the effects stabilized, and patients almost stopped relying on artificial tears, with daily usage dropping from 9.36 times to 0.37 times. This greatly improved their quality of life.Dr. Zhang emphasized that integrating Chinese and Western medicine has achieved groundbreaking progress in the treatment of chronic diseases. He encouraged patients not to give up on treatment, highlighting the complementary strengths of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Under rigorous scientific frameworks, combining these approaches can bring enhanced therapeutic effects and improved quality of life for patients with dry eye syndrome and Sjögren's syndrome. Dr. Zhang stated that the team will continue to conduct related research to bring new hope for dry eye syndrome treatments.Dry Eye Syndrome May Also Be Due to 'Oil Deficiency'! Overusing Artificial Tears Can Lead to Dependency (Image Courtesy of Heho Health)This article is authorized for use by Heho Health.

  2024-12-22 09:05
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  Dreams Take Flight! Hualien New Resident Tao Shi Gui Establishes the "Vietnam Story House"

  The Yilan County Service Center of the National Immigration Agency held a family education course, inviting Tao Shi Gui, a new resident from Vietnam now living in Hualien, to share the story behind establishing the "Vietnam Story House" in Hualien and express her gratitude to Taiwanese education. During the course, participants also made Vietnamese bamboo dragonflies, symbolizing freedom and openness. Tao Shi Gui encouraged new residents to actively share their diverse cultures while learning Chinese.Tao Shi Gui recalled that 16 years ago, when she first came to Taiwan, she didn’t speak any Chinese, and her initial motivation for founding the Story House was to thank the teachers who helped her. Through picture books and games, she hopes to create a fun and relaxed environment for children to learn languages and cultures.Tao Shi Gui taught new residents in Yilan to make Vietnamese bamboo dragonflies, evoking childhood memories and encouraging the sharing of diverse cultures. (Photo/Source: Yilan County Immigration Service Station)She pointed out that around 20 second-generation children participate in the free Vietnamese language classes each week, and about 10 new residents join in learning Chinese. She hopes that by sharing stories and languages, cultural diversity in Taiwan will be promoted.During the course, Tao guided the participants in making bamboo dragonflies and shared stories from her childhood. She mentioned that due to her family's financial difficulties, her parents couldn’t provide extra resources, so she made her own toys out of bamboo, decorating them to bring the dragonflies to life. This handmade process not only brought back childhood memories for her but also allowed the participants to experience the joy of crafting and cultural connection.Yilan County Service Center expressed their gratitude for Tao’s inspiring sharing and hoped more new residents would join in promoting multiculturalism. Additionally, to help new residents and their children become more familiar with digital networks and computer applications, the center provides free borrowing of laptops and mobile internet services. For more information, visit the "New Immigrant Digital Information e-Net" (https://nit.immigration.gov.tw) or call the free service hotline 0800-005-788, assisting more new immigrant families in enhancing their digital literacy and moving towards a happy "new" life.

  2024-10-26 09:05