Problem: Write an article based on this summary: See a doctor. Try minoxidil. Consider taking finasteride. Look into implants. Find out about laser therapy. Wear a wig or hairpiece while you seek treatment.

Answer: If making changes to your diet and lifestyle or using other remedies does not seem to help, then see your doctor.  It is also a good idea to see your doctor to rule out the chance of a serious medical condition.  Your odds of having a condition like lupus are low, but hair loss can be a symptom of this disease, so it may ease your mind to consult your doctor for possible testing. If the reason for your hair loss is known but it is causing you stress, talking to your doctor can be of benefit as well.  Establishing the specifics of your particular condition can help your doctor to determine the best treatment options available. Minoxidil (known by the brand name Rogaine, but now widely available without prescription) is a topical lotion that can be used by men and women.  It works better on thinning hair than on hairless spots, and must be used continuously in order to keep any beneficial effects going.  Minoxidil has about a 35% success rate at stimulating hair growth. Men and women can use minoxidil. Finasteride (known as Propecia) is a prescription pill that stops the conversion of testosterone into DHT, which is a major cause of male pattern baldness.  It works best on thinning hair, and must be used continuously to keep up any hair regrowth.  Finasteride has about a 66% success rate, but it should only be used by men. Finasteride can cause birth defects, so women who are or may become pregnant should never use or handle the medication. In addition to medications, surgical options have improved as well.  Hair plugs or skin graft surgeries may be an option for you. With this procedure, small portions of skin from the back of your head (with hair still growing on them) will be implanted onto your bald spots. Talk to your doctor if you think that this might be a good option for you. Low-power laser therapy treatments have shown some early promise as well. Low-powered laser therapy has been shown to increase hair thickness and improve the condition of those suffering from hair loss. Ask your doctor if this option might help with your condition. Hair loss can make you feel self-conscious and affect your confidence, so you may want to look into getting a wig or hairpiece while you seek treatment for hair loss. You insurance may even cover the cost of a wig or hairpiece, which will allow you to get a high-quality, realistic looking wig or hairpiece.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Create a soothing lavender spray. Try a spray with rosewater. Use green tea and tea tree oil.

Answer: Use as many drops as you like of lavender essential oil in water. Lavender provides a scent that is very calming to many people, making this spray a great one to use before bed.  Witch hazel or aloe vera are great additions to this spray. Just fill your spray bottle about ¾ of the way with water, then add your lavender essential oil and top off the rest of the bottle with witch hazel or aloe vera.  Both lavender and witch hazel may have slightly astringent properties, making this spray great for those who have very oily skin or acne. Use rosewater as a popular soothing spray with a wonderful scent. Dilute 3 parts rosewater with 1 part water, or use only the rosewater if you like a stronger scent.  Rosewater can be hydrating for the skin, as well as providing anti-inflammatory properties, so this spray could be great for use on redness or other mild skin irritation. Try adding a few drops of essential oil like evening primrose or ylang ylang for some additional moisturizing and scent. Rosewater can be found in health food stores, or in Asian or Middle Eastern sections of grocery stores. You can even make your own by letting the petals of fresh roses simmer in water on low heat for 30 minutes. Create a spray by brewing ½ cup of green tea and adding 4 drops of tea tree oil, or to preference. This makes a great spray that may help with acne, as these ingredients may contribute to clearing and soothing skin.  Let loose leaf green tea or a tea bag steep in boiling water for about 5 minutes. After steeping, let it cool in the refrigerator before use. Green tea may be useful in the treatment of acne. Tea tree oil is a known antibacterial and antifungal, so it may help soothe mild skin irritation and acne.  You can also consider including witch hazel and neroli essential oil, which both have properties that may also help in the treatment of acne.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Pick out supplies.

Answer: A rosary is composed of a crucifix, 53 beads of one color to represent Hail Mary prayers, and 6 beads of another color to represent Our Father prayers. The crucifix and beads are strung in a pattern on sturdy string or thread.  Religious supply stores sell small crucifixes that are suitable for making rosaries. They also commonly sell beads you can use to represent the Hail Mary and Our Father prayers. Waxed nylon cord is commonly used for making rosaries. Be sure to pick out cord that fits through the centers of the beads you have chosen. The beads should fit the cord easily, but they should not be loose. You'll need about 3 feet (1 meter).


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Watch carefully for signs of labor. Watch for contractions. Monitor the birthing. Pay attention to each birth. Monitor each pup after delivery.

Answer:
There will be several signs to help you anticipate when labor is imminent; watch for them so you can be prepared when your dog enters labor.  Her teats will appear enlarged when your dog is close to giving birth because her milk is coming in. This can happen within a few days or as labor begins, so watch closely. The vulva will start to get more relaxed a few days before labor. The dog’s temperature will also drop a degree or so about 24 hours before labor. Take her temperature every morning for the last week or two of pregnancy to get an idea of her normal temperature. To take her temperature, lubricate a rectal thermometer and insert it about half an inch. Leave the thermometer in for about three minutes to get an accurate reading. Her normal temperature will likely range between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. When you notice a drop of a degree or more, it’s a likely sign she’ll go into labor in 24 hours or less. In the early stages of labor, your dog may pant, whimper, move around as though uncomfortable, or hide. She will probably not want to eat, but be sure to offer her water, though she may also not drink. When she has a contraction, it will be easy to identify--it will appear as a sort of wave across her belly. If you see contractions and suspect she is in labor, let her have access to her nesting area and monitor her from afar. Many dogs will give birth during the night to have ultimate privacy. You don’t need to hover, but you should start paying attention to the timing of contractions and the delivery of puppies. Again, observe from a respectful distance and don’t intervene unless necessary. You will notice her contractions become more frequent and/or pronounced as she gets closer to delivery. She may stand up, which is fine--don’t try to force her to lie down. As she begins to deliver the puppies, keep a close eye on each birth and watch for warning signs of problems.  The puppies may be born either tail or head first; both are normal. She may yelp or whimper as the pup comes out, which is to be expected. But if your dog appears to be in extreme or abnormal pain, call your veterinarian immediately. Usually, a pup will appear every thirty minutes or so, after ten to thirty minutes of forceful straining (though she may go as long as four hours between pups). Call your veterinarian If no pup appears within 30-60 minutes of hard contractions. Also call your vet if it’s been over four hours since the last delivery and you know there are still unborn puppies. Keep an eye on each pup after it’s born and watch for signs of problems, though you likely won’t need to intervene.  When the mother delivers, the pup will be in a sac; she should tear it open and then chew off the umbilical cord and lick the pup. It's usually best to let her do this without human assistance because it’s part of her bonding experience with the puppies. If she doesn’t tear open the sac within about two to four minutes, however, you should gently open the sac yourself with a clean hand. Clear all fluid away from the pup’s nose and mouth, then rub the pup vigorously but gently to stimulate breathing. Make sure the puppies are warm, but, again, don’t intervene unless you see a problem. Neonatal death (ie, stillbirths or pups that survive only a few hours or days) is relatively common for most littered mammals, so be prepared for this possibility. If you see a newborn pup that is not breathing, try to clear the mouth and stimulate the puppy by rubbing its body to see if you can get it breathing.