Medical Info Blog

Words Really Do Hurt

2010-04-03T00:22:00.001-07:00

April 2, 2010 -- Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can hurt you too, according to new research. A new study suggests merely saying, "This may hurt a bit," before receiving a shot may be enough to trigger a pain response in the brain long before any actual pain is felt. Researchers found hearing words that describe pain -- such as "excruciating" or "grueling" -- activated the areas of the brain that process the corresponding sensation. "These findings show that words alone are capable of activating our pain matrix," says researcher Thomas Weiss, a professor at the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, in Germany, in a news release. "Even verbal stimuli lead to reactions in certain areas of the brain.�? In the study, published in Pain, researchers used functional magnetic resonance tomography (fMRI) to examine how 16 healthy people processed words associated with experiencing pain. The brain scans revealed which parts of the brain were activated in response to hearing the words. In the first experiment, researchers asked the participants to imagine situations that corresponded with words associated with pain -- such as "excruciating," "paralyzing," and "grueling" -- as well as negative but non-pain associated words such as "dirty" and "disgusting" and neutral and positive words. In the second experiment, the participants read the same words but were distracted by a brainteaser. The results showed that in both cases there was a clear response in the brain's pain-processing centers with the words associated with pain, but there was no such activity pattern in response to the other words. Researchers say preserving painful experiences as memories in the brain may have been an evolutionary response to allow humans to avoid painful situations that might be dangerous. "However, our results suggest as well that verbal stimuli have a more important meaning than we have thought so far," says Weiss. Researchers say the findings may be especially significant for people with chronic pain disorders who tend to speak a lot about their painful experiences with their health care providers. They say those conversations may intensify the activity of the pain matrix in the brain and intensify the pain experience. Dealing With Chronic Pain? Get Your Personalized health Report

California has two basic drunk driving laws

2010-04-02T23:35:00.566-07:00

California has two basic drunk driving laws, found in Vehicle Code section 23152, sections (a) and (b):

* 23152(a) It is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
* 23152(b) It is a misdemeanor to drive with .08% or more of alcohol in your blood.

Note: In most cases, both the 23152(a) and (b) offenses will be charged. Even though there is only one act, the law says that a defendant charged with drinking and driving can be convicted of BOTH offenses — but can only be punished for one (the punishments are identical). Vehicle Code section 23153 sets forth the "felony DUI" provisions where an injury results from the drunk driving, while Penal Code sections 191.5 and 192 describe the crime of "vehicular manslaughter" where there is a death.

Procedurally, you should be aware of certain legal rights you have — rights which are commonly ignored by the police:

* There must be legally sufficient facts to constitute "probable cause" to stop, detain and arrest you.
* You should be advised that submission to field sobriety testing and portable field breath testing is not required by law.
* Once arrested, you must be advised of your constitutional rights — the "Miranda" warning — before any further questioning takes place.
* You must be given a choice of breath or blood testing; if you refuse, you must be advised of the legal consequences (the "implied consent" advisement).
* If a breath test is administered at the police station, since the breath sample is not saved, you must be given a chance to obtain a blood sample for later independent testing by your defense attorney.

Consultant Solutions Architect

2010-04-02T23:35:00.559-07:00

Customer Solutions Architect – Government Programs. This is a sample description:

Up to $110K+ Base + Bonus

The Firm’s digital watermarking technology provides a persistent digital identity for various media content and is used to enhance the security of financial documents, identity documents and digital images, and support other media rights management applications.

The Customer Solution Architect provides consultative support to both Company Sales staff and Company’s customers. This position directs the pre-sales assessment of customer needs resulting in a series of preliminary solution designs. CSA’s must attain expert knowledge of Company’s Solutions for Secure ID architectures, and apply that knowledge along with their personal expertise in IT systems, data center operations, workflow design and systems integration to design effective customer solutions.

Detailed Responsibilities:
- Assessing customer needs across the Identity management and ID issues workflow and articulating those needs as program managed task requirements both internally and in customer sales situations

- Assessing the interaction of the customer’s system with other State or national government IT systems or agencies

- Assessing compliance or requirements for compliance to stated an de facto industry standards

- Functioning in the role of a software/integration engineer in areas of specific expertise

- Mapping customer requirements to the Company architecture to build a customer solution roadmap using the standard framework and product set, clearly identifying non-standard requirements

- Supporting sales meetings, conducting seminars, and aiding the sales executives with sales presentations

- Building strong relationships with the technical decision makers in the sales process

- Reading and assessing RFI’s, RFP’s and other procurement documents and designing responsive solutions

Required Skills and Competencies:

- Direct experience designing and delivering enterprise-class IT solutions

- Demonstrated experience successfully designing solutions in a three tiered client/server architecture

- Experience collecting, synthesizing and clearly communicating customer requirements

- Experience designing solutions using pre-existing modular components, integrated to form a complete hardware / software system

- Expert knowledge of the majority of the following technologies – Windows - .NET - XML and Web Services - Oracle or SQL Server database administration - enterprise directories

- State, Federal or International government project experience

- Willingness to travel approximately up to about 75% of the time

- BS in a technical discipline (Engineering, Math, Computer or Physical Sciences); MBA, MSEE or MSCS preferred (Experience will be considered in lieu of a specific technical degree)

Desired:
- Demonstrated pre-sales experience selling to State, Federal or national agencies

- Experience in modeling and design of queuing and workflow based systems

- Secure ID solution experience, such as ID card design, ID card personalization, biometrics, applicant data processing and verification

- Demonstrated success bidding, winning and delivering systems in a competitive procurement environment (RFP or ITB driven)

- Formal systems analysis, network design or object modeling training desired

Compensation:
Competitive Base Salary - $100K - $110K+ Depending on Experience + Bonus - Comprehensive Benefits Package

Business lawyer

2010-04-02T23:35:00.558-07:00

Business lawyer - corporate attorney for llc filing. For proper c corporation filing, s corporation filing or llc filing you need the knowledge of a business attorney or corporation attorney. Find an experienced business lawyer or attorney to assist you in starting your corporation or llc.

Why do you need a business attorney or corporate lawyer for s corporation filing or llc filing? Forming a corporation or a limited liability company is a highly technical legal process. A business attorney or corporate lawyer for c or s corporation filing or llc filing insures that your corporate structure is protected and not personally liable for their corporation's debts and actions. A business lawyer or corporate attorney will ensure that your s or c corporation or llc is properly structured giving you security and peace of mind with compliance with all s corporation filing and llc filing rules and regulations.

Business lawyer - corporate attorney for llc filing. For proper c corporation filing, s corporation filing or llc filing you need the knowledge of a business attorney or corporation attorney. Find an experienced business lawyer or attorney to assist you in starting your corporation or llc.

EEOC claims discrimination by drug treatment center

2010-04-02T23:35:00.554-07:00

Saturday, June 14, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing a New Kensington drug treatment center for allegedly discriminating against an employee who is a recovering addict.

According to the lawsuit, an official with Greenbriar Treatment Center fired a full-time intensive treatment counselor after she tested positive for methadone in a random drug test.

The woman, who is not identified in the complaint, told her boss that she had a legal prescription for methadone and that she'd been in a methadone maintenance program since she was hired in September 2002.

She was fired anyway, the lawsuit contends.

Later, when she met her boss to turn in her office keys, he berated her, telling her "she should be ashamed of herself," and that he was considering pressing charges.

The lawsuit asserts a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, because the woman's past issues of addiction rendered her substantially impaired, and therefore disabled.

The EEOC is seeking to stop Greenbriar from similar future actions, back pay for the woman and compensatory and punitive damages.

New alcohol addiction treatment

2010-04-02T23:35:00.553-07:00

or years people suffering from alcohol addiction have turned to AA and local support groups. Now a recent UVa study shows there's a pill already on the market that could help reduce alcohol cravings.

Most people are prescribed the drug topiramate for seizures and migraines. Now one UVa professor says that same pill can help people get rid of the bottle.

No matter how long you've been dependent on alcohol, 1 year or 20 years the drug topiramate has been shown to help reduce alcohol cravings, according to UVa professor Bankole Johnson.

Over a 14 week period close to 500 people participated in an alcohol addiction study. Participants were given 300 milligrams of topiramate every day for 14 weeks.

Professor Johnson says by the end of the program most people had a reduced amount of alcohol cravings.

”It has an effect to cut down craving and it has an effect to actually reduce the amount of alcohol consumed. We also believe it reduces the chances that someone will relapse because it decreased withdrawals symptoms," said Bankole Johnson, UVa Professor of Medicine.

Professor Johnson also says patients have better results when paring the medication with alcohol treatment programs.

UVa researchers are now working on the next step of this study which is creating a lower dosage of topiramate and doing more research on genetic treatment.

Before this medicine can be prescribed for alcohol addiction it must be approved by the FDA, which could take five to ten years.

Meeting Needs with Drug Rehab

2010-04-02T23:35:00.552-07:00

Personal Treatment to Address Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Sundance, Utah 6/12/2008 08:06 PM GMT (FINDITT)

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In most cases there is more to addiction than just drugs and alcohol abuse. For many individuals addiction is a culmination of things, personal, psychological, and emotional. The result of which is a compounded problem primarily treated in alcohol and drug rehab programs. Drug rehab will personalize treatment to make it more specific to meet the varying needs of addiction. We will take a look at a few of these needs in this article.

Personal Needs - There are a million things that can qualify as personal needs. More specifically for this article, personal needs are meant to mean the underlying problems that have lead to addictive practices. These are deeply emotional things. Things like traumatic experiences and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. To meet the personal needs, more involved drug rehab therapy is provided. This therapy is one-on-one, private and confidential. The addict can work through these underlying things with a licensed therapist. They can have a better understanding why addiction has come into the picture.

Co-Occurring Needs - A dual diagnosis drug rehab facility will treat co-occurring addiction problems. These are things like a psychiatric mood disorder or eating disorder. A dual diagnosis facility will treat these disorders as it coincides with the addiction. For individuals with an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder this is advantageous. The addiction to drugs or alcohol has masked the disorder. Diagnosing the problem of a disorder can be beneficial as to why the individual has turned to drugs or alcohol.

Spiritual Needs - Not all drug rehabs are spiritually based. But for some, rebuilding a spiritual bankruptcy can be needed in overcoming addiction. Usually a 12-step drug rehab will focus on addressing the spiritual needs of the individual. Treatment can involve a number of things to help them reconnect with a higher power. Finding a vital spiritual experience, with the help of drug rehab, can make a large difference in the success of a sober outcome.

Physical Needs - The affects of addiction are physically damaging as well. More and more drug rehabs are turning to physical exercise as a part of treatment. Exercise actually greatly helps to curb cravings. It also deters the thoughts and impulses of addiction. The body creates natural reward pleasures through exercise. When a person enters drug rehab, they can look a little worse for wear. Proper nutrition and exercise can help to address and meet these physical needs. After rehab, it is not uncommon to notice a drastic physical change from addiction to recovery.

Family Needs - Alcohol and drug addiction can affect more than just the individual. Family members and loved ones can also be affected. Family systems therapy as a part of drug rehab is invaluable to them. A lot of the underlying issues of addiction can have a root in family problems. Family systems therapy can help the family to heal from these things. It is also an education for the family, so that they better understand the nature of addiction. The goal is to vest prepare the family to assist their loved one after rehab, and through recovery.

Addressing these needs with drug rehab treatment could be the key to reaching the addict or alcoholic on their level. It shows a more genuine care from the program, and provides them with specific attention. Meeting the addiction needs in alcohol or drug rehab can be the tool to a lasting recovery. This article was provided by Cirque Lodge in Sundance Utah. We hope that this information will help to educate and inspire individuals to seek drug rehab and alcohol treatment.

Sunset Malibu leading you through your journey to recovery.

2010-04-02T23:35:00.551-07:00

Malibu, CA 6/11/2008 07:57 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Each drug addiction must be treated separately, and no one addict is the same. A drug and alcohol rehab center that pays careful attention to each addiction is a treatment facility dedicated to sobriety and recovery.

Such a rehab center is Sunset Malibu. Starting at step one, detox and staying committed all the way through sober living, Sunset Malibu never stops working with each resident.

By having their own detoxification center, Sunset Malibu knows detox is an essential precursor to drug recovery. Unfortunately, some Los Angeles treatment centers marginalize the detox process, or even ignore it altogether.

After a careful and painless detox process, a resident begins rehab treatment. Sunset Malibu was founded on the principle that drug rehab is and must be a holistic undertaking. As drug addiction is at root a physiological disease, drug treatment should begin with physiological healing. That’s precisely what Sunset Malibu aims to accomplish.

Remember, there are no guarantees in the rehab process. Treatment can only work if it’s done the right way, by people who know exactly what they’re doing. Sunset Malibu’s detox technicians & clinical team are all leading figures in their respective fields. No less importantly, they are deeply passionate about their work. In the end, nothing could ever be more important than that.

There is a reason upscale clients from all over the globe find themselves at Sunset Malibu drug treatment center. For your own sake, for the sake of the people who care about you, let today be the day you start learning the truth for yourself.

Don't hesitate to call the team at Sunset Malibu, 1-800-332-9202.

Scoliosis

2010-04-02T23:35:00.550-07:00

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side, and may also be rotated. It is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. On an x-ray, the spine of an individual with a typical scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. It is typically classified as congenital (caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth), idiopathic (sub-classified as infantile, juvenile, adolescent, or adult according to when onset occurred) or as having developed as a secondary symptom of another condition, such as cerebral palsy or spinal muscular atrophy.

In the case of the most common form of scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, there is a clear Mendelian inheritance but with incomplete penetrance. Various causes have been implicated, but none has consensus among scientists as the cause of scoliosis. Scoliosis is more often diagnosed in females and is often seen in patients with cerebral palsy or spina bifida,[citation needed] although this form of scoliosis is different from that seen in children without these conditions. In some cases, scoliosis exists at birth due to a congenital vertebral anomaly. Occasionally, development of scoliosis during adolescence is due to an underlying anomaly such as a tethered spinal cord, but most often the cause is unknown or idiopathic.[citation needed] Some therapists like the referenced Hanna Somatic therapist believe that trauma to an adult can cause, not just asymmetry but an actual curve to the spine visible on x-ray, although no documentation is offered in her article. [5] Scoliosis often presents itself, or worsens, during the adolescence growth spurt.[6]

In April 2007, researchers at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children identified the first gene associated with idiopathic scoliosis, CHD7. The medical breakthrough was the result of a 10-year study and is outlined in the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.[7]

Surgery is usually indicated for curves that have a high likelihood of progression, curves that cause a significant amount of pain with some regularity, curves that would be cosmetically unacceptable as an adult, curves in patients with spina bifida and cerebral palsy that interfere with sitting and care, and curves that affect physiological functions such as breathing.

Surgery for scoliosis is usually done by an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in spine surgery. For various reasons it is usually impossible to completely straighten a scoliotic spine, but in most cases very good corrections are achieved.

Inpatient rehab recovery centers

2010-04-02T23:35:00.549-07:00

Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab centers are good choices for those with moderate to severe substance abuse issues. This is especially true for those who have a long history of trying to maintain sobriety. Inpatient rehab centers, though one of the most expensive options, afford the rehab client a structured environment with 24 hour, 7 day a week care from medical staff, usually in a hospital setting. The inpatient rehab units in the hospitals have to meet rigorous medical standards in order to achieve licensing that residential treatment facilities or other rehab programs do not have to meet.

Rehab clients are generally treated in an inpatient setting for as little as 28 days or for as long as 12 months. Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab centers usually follow the medical model when treating clients. Supervised detox is usually the first step in treatment at the inpatient centers, followed by other forms of structured treatments.

Some rehab clients have reported that entering an inpatient rehab center is a relief from the normal, everyday pressures from family, friends and the workplace and a chance to singularly focus on the recovery issues. Others report that receiving much structure in the initial parts of the recovery process was very beneficial to long-term success.

Some of the services offered by inpatient alcohol and drug rehab centers may include thorough medical exams, psychological exams, psychiatric consultations, individual sessions with a doctor, individual counseling, group therapy, men's groups, women's groups, medication management, exercise and recreation, back-to-work planning, relapse prevention and sober living skills to name the more common options.

Though most inpatient rehab centers follow the medical model, some may also use a multidisciplinary approach and focus on other areas as well including the 12-step model, holistic approaches or recovery through a religious framework. The rehab center will also likely treat other mental health and physical issues alongside of the substance abuse issues.

When seeking care for yourself or a loved one at an inpatient rehab center, find out if they are currently accepting new clients and what forms of insurance and payment plans they accept. Find out all of the available care options to see if the facility is good at matching individualized needs. Make sure that besides the inpatient treatment, that they also offer follow-up care so that you or a loved one can receive ongoing outpatient support, when the inpatient treatment has ended.

The Concierge Doctor Is Available (at a Price)

2010-04-02T23:35:00.546-07:00

article from nytimes:
LAST October, Barbara L. Allan, 57, received a letter from her family physician, Dr. David Rosenberg, asking her for $1,500 annually to remain a patient. He would be offering longer appointments, with no waiting, and giving out his cellphone number for after-hours calls. Ms. Allan would be one of just 400 patients, the letter said, and she would have his help navigating the local health care system. Dr. Rosenberg said he was switching to a concierge practice to maintain the highest quality of patient care.
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Marc Serota for The New York Times

Barbara L. Allan, president of a research company in Florida, tried using a concierge doctor to save time, but switched because he didn't offer some routine services.

To her, it was an attractive pitch. "I was tired of going in for routine things and waiting an hour and a half," said Ms. Allan, who is president and chief executive of SRA Research Group Inc. in Jupiter, Fla. She recalled walking out of the doctor's office two or three times when he made her late for a meeting.

As the nation's health care debate focuses on the broader picture - rising costs and those without insurance - a small but growing number of doctors are shrinking their practices and asking patients to subsidize their decisions. The annual costs of these "concierge practices" can range from around $1,500, as in Ms. Allan's case, to $20,000 for some practices in places like Seattle and Key Biscayne, Fla.

Health care experts say consumers should consider various factors, as well as the additional costs, in deciding whether to go to a concierge practice. If the patient has a chronic illness, for example, the readily available care from such a practice may be important.

Even as the popularity of concierge practices increases, some are facing regulatory hurdles and skepticism. Insurance companies are reviewing some physician contracts after receiving consumer complaints about charges for services they thought were covered.

The Office of the Inspector General, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, said that it received information about one concierge physician who offered his Medicare patients a comprehensive health assessment, for which they would pay out of pocket; but the government said that this was a reimbursable charge. The physician, whose identity was not disclosed because it would have violated federal privacy law, paid a fine, agreed to a settlement and stopped offering concierge contracts, the Office of the Inspector General said.

The office said that it then issued an alert, in March 2004, to all physicians participating in Medicare, telling them that they were liable if they charged for expenses that were already covered by the federal program.

Critics of concierge medicine call it elitist. Thomas William Mayo, an associate professor of law at Southern Methodist University who writes about legal and ethical issues in medicine, said, "It creates an explicitly tiered medical system based on ability to pay."

Proponents disagree. Michael L. Blau, a partner at McDermott Will & Emery, a law firm in Boston and the co-author of "Developing and Managing Physician Networks" (Thompson Publishing), says the doctors are putting their practices on the line to deliver what they believe to be quality care.

Having a concierge physician generally means entering into a personal contract. Because many such practices are new, health care experts advise consumers to find out what the annual fee covers, what the contractual obligations are and what is covered by insurance. They also recommend learning what hospital the doctor uses and whether insurance covers a stay.

Prospective patients also need to know their alternatives if the physician leaves the practice before the contract expires or if they have a complaint about care or services. In most states, health insurance is regulated by a state insurance agency. But because concierge practices are contractual agreements, a consumer may need to contact the office of the state attorney general in a contract dispute.

Concierge practices are "totally unregulated with no oversight," said David Barton Smith, professor of health care management at Temple University in Philadelphia. "You're putting up a fairly large sum of money," he added, "and there isn't really any assurance you are going to get your money's worth." He said his 90-year-old mother left a concierge physician in Key Biscayne who wanted $20,000 annually to continue to treat her.

Dr. Smith also says that just because a concierge network or doctor offers a certain level of service now, that could change if its business model shifts.

Concierge Doctor Plans - Perhaps Money Well Spent

2010-04-02T23:35:00.542-07:00

A few years ago I started hearing about so-called concierge doctors. These concierge doctors limit the number of patients in their practice and charge membership fees (for goodness sake!) for the privilege of being their patient. The knowledge was floating around the periphery of my brain, but aside from the initial internal outrage at the gall of those concierge doctors I really didn’t give it much thought.

Then, about four years ago, Husband started feeling poorly, and he wasn’t feeling better several months later. He didn’t have his own concierge doctor, having not darkened one’s doorstep in over ten years. Since my own concierge doctor wasn’t nearby I started calling around trying to find a concierge doctor for him; at least once his 40 lb weight loss and debilitating fatigue finally got to him.

It was an exercise in frustration. After at least fifteen calls the only concierge doctor I could find that could see him within two months was in a concierge practice. When the receptionist explained to me that the concierge doctor would be happy to see Husband the next day, but first there would be a $3000 membership fee to join the practice my eyeballs very nearly popped straight out of my head. Three thousand dollars? Before the concierge doctor even saw him? Outrageous! I wound up calling my concierge doctor and making the trek with Husband the next day (we found out he was diabetic, with a blood sugar level of over 400 that day!).

The next few months were spent getting Husband every test imaginable and getting his diabetes under control. We’ve had lots of interesting (read: awful) experiences with concierge doctors along the way, and I’m sure I’ll blog about them at some point.

I honestly had not given the subject of concierge medicine much thought since then. Until last week.

Husband’s grandmother, G-d bless her, turns 95 next week. Mama’s got all her marbles and then some, but has some issues with her sight, blood pressure, hearing… all a pretty normal part of living ninety-five years. She tells me that her parts are wearing out; I tell her they’ve still got a lot of wear. After all, she still regularly beats me at rummy, makes a mean Pasta Fagioli, and can gossip up a storm.

When I heard her concierge doctor was switching over to a concierge set-up my initial reaction was negative. It seems to me to be flirting pretty boldly with double-billing, and on a fixed income the new $1500 a year membership fee seemed ridiculous for her to pay if she didn’t have to. After all, there are plenty of concierge doctors around.

She went to hear about it with her son and daughter-in-law, who practically forced her to sign up. I saw her immediately afterwards, when she was contemplating calling and canceling the transaction. Based on my own preconceptions I was privately hoping she would.

Then I started reading the brochure, and I started thinking about it.

Mama has had a lot of problems with concierge doctors. Well, not really the concierge doctors. The concierge doctors are usually pretty good, or at least have good intentions. But they are hampered by the current state of health insurance in this country, which makes it nearly impossible for concierge doctors to see enough patients to pay their student loans, malpractice insurance and earn a living without having to resort to fast-food-like service. And some of it is because of office personnel who inexplicably think we owe them something because…I don’t know why. Because we pay their salaries? Either way her care has suffered, and she’s been hospitalized unnecessarily more than once and avoided a stroke due to an overdose of medication by the hair on her chinny chin chin.

My mother-in-law found her this new concierge doctor a few years ago and everything has been pretty smooth since. Sure, there are screw-ups with labwork and appointment times occasionally, but much, much better than before.

This concierge doctor has decided to join an already-existing concierge-type network plan. For her $1500 annual fee she’ll get a much more comprehensive than normal yearly physical, a personalized wellness plan, a CD of all her medical records, VIP access at Cleveland Clinic and concierge service at any of their member facilities, travel services and more.

All of which is good, though some of it is simple marketingspeak. The real benefit, the real reason to do it, is the access to the physician.

Appointments will be available either same-day or next-day with no waiting. And they will last, theoretically, as long as Mama needs. The concierge doctor is available 24/7, and if she tells her that she needs to go to the hospital she’ll meet her there (if you’ve ever spent hours waiting in an Emergency Room you may think the $1500 cost is worth it for that alone).

How can she do it? She’ll be limiting herself to 400 patients (200 less than the plan normally requires), down from about (I’m guessing) 2000 now. That means she’ll be able to actually manage all of Mama’s care, be familiar with what’s going on with her, help her make decisions that are right for her. Mama is 95; she just wants help making the little things that keep coming up (like a recent onset of vertigo) and making her chronic ailments more comfortable until The Big Thing comes along.

Why not make it less stressful? Why not spend $125 a month to give her easier access, so that she can get care and answers right away? Why not? As I said to her, “Mama, why not spend your money to make yourself more comfortable? What better thing are you going to spend your money on?” She lives with my mother-in-law and doesn’t have many expenses. And even if she could not afford it we would all chip in to get her this kind of service with a concierge doctor she already trusts. She’ll always have all of the creature comforts she needs. And if she’s not wasting money on prescriptions she shouldn’t be taking and wasting time and money waiting and schlepping and… well, I’m obviously a convert.

Surprised the heck out of me.

I’m not sure I’d feel the same way about some of the other fee-for service or retainer-type concierge set-ups ($15000 a year? Come on!). This plan is much more.

from http:// justshootmenow.wordpress.com/2008/03/02/concierge-doctor-plans-not-frugal-but-perhaps-money-well-spent/

Diet and Weight Loss Tips Weight Loss Information and Tips

2010-04-02T23:35:00.541-07:00

Diet and Weight Loss Tips
Weight Loss Information and Tips for Getting Started

Calories per Hour offers the following tips to help you lose weight to look better, feel better, and live a healthier life. These tips are short and sweet and are intended as a starting point or quick reference for individuals seeking to lose weight by using the resources offered on Calories per Hour. Read the related tutorial topics to learn more about the topics discussed in these weight loss tips

1. How Did I Get Here?

Do you simply need help learning how to eat better? Probably. But if you eat poorly as a result of emotional, mental, or spiritual problems, they may have to be addressed before you can make any real progress with weight loss.

Even people who don't feel they have an eating disorder often turn to food for comfort. To learn to eat well and exercise regularly, you may also have to learn to handle the problems life throws at you without turning away from healthy eating and exercise.

Be particularly careful about all-or-nothing thinking. A common tendency when failing to stay on a diet is to abandon it altogether. Instead, try to learn from your mistakes and do better in the future.

Related Tutorial Topic: Eating Disorders

2. Are You Ready to Diet? Again?

Diets entice us with promises of quick weight loss. But focusing on quick weight loss can lead to unhealthy eating and only short term success.

While most diets produce quick weight loss at the outset, they often cause your metabolism to slow. The result is that you have to eat less and less to keep losing weight. You quickly become discouraged, give up, and start eating like you used to. But now, with a slower metabolism, you regain all the weight you lost, and more.

Focus instead on improving your health, and you will become slim and healthy.

Related Tutorial Topic: Selecting a Diet Plan

3. Take Control of What You Eat

There are few things that we have complete control over, but what we put in our mouths is one of them. We don't have to lose control in a restaurant or a friend's home, and we don't have to eat everything that's put in front of us.

Consider this: We love fat because it carries flavor, and restaurants aren't as interested in whether we'll be around in 30 years as whether we'll be back next week. And what about our friends?

4. Eat Frequently, and Eat Slowly

It is important to understand what happens when you skip a meal or go on a crash diet. When you skip a meal your metabolism slows to conserve your energy. And when you lose weight too quickly for a few days, your body thinks it is threatened with starvation and goes into survival mode. It fights to conserve your fat stores, and any weight loss comes mostly from water and muscle.

Never skip a meal, especially breakfast, and eat healthy snacks between meals. Eating frequently prevents hunger pangs and the binges that follow, provides consistent energy, and may be the single most effective way to maintain metabolism efficiency.

Eating slowly gives our bodies time to tell us they are full before we've eaten more than we need.

Related Tutorial Topic: Raise Your Metabolism and Burn More Calories

5. Eat More Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains

People who eat healthy, mostly unprocessed foods, including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and limited amounts of lean animal protein, often find that they can eat as much as they want without gaining weight. If they are switching from a diet containing lots of processed foods, they find that they can eat more yet consume fewer calories -- and they lose weight.

Historically, the Chinese ate mostly rice and vegetables with a little lean meat for protein and flavor, nothing like the American Chinese restaurant dishes of deep fried sweet and sour pork. A step back to more natural foods would improve our health and waistlines.

Related Tutorial Topic: Why Healthy Food Makes You Slim

6. Eat More Fiber

Fiber makes us feel full sooner and stays in our stomach longer than other substances we eat, slowing down our rate of digestion and keeping us feeling full longer. Due to its greater fiber content, a single serving of whole grain bread can be more filling than two servings of white bread. Fiber also moves fat through our digestive system faster so that less of it is absorbed.

Refined grains like white rice and those used to make white bread and sugary breakfast cereals have had most of their fiber and nutrients stripped away. They turn into blood sugar (glucose) so fast that, like sugar itself, they can cause a spike in our insulin level. This tells our body that plenty of energy is readily available and that it should stop burning fat and start storing it.

Eating foods with plenty of fiber will help keep our blood sugar at a more consistent level.

Related Tutorial Topic: How Fiber Helps You Lose Weight

7. Cut Down on Sugar

Be careful about sugar in coffee and soda pop. It can add up quickly, and these drinks aren't filling.

Watch for "hidden" sugar in processed foods like bread, ketchup, salad dressing, canned fruit, applesauce, peanut butter, and soups. And be careful with "fat-free" products. Sugar is often used to replace the flavor that is lost when the fat is removed. Fat-free does not mean calorie-free.

The greater concern with the insulin spike (above) is not that it tells our body to start storing fat. Whatever we eat and don't burn up eventually gets turned into fat anyway.

The greater concern is that the insulin spike is followed by a drop in insulin level that leaves us feeling tired and hungry and wanting to eat more. The unfortunate result of this scenario is that it makes us want to eat something else with a high sugar content. When we do, we start the cycle all over again.

Regulating your blood sugar level is the most effective way to maintain your fat-burning capacity.

Related Tutorial Topic: How Blood Sugar Levels Affect Weight Loss

8. Too Much of a Bad Thing

Foods like cheese stand out as among the most fat-laden, with a great number of calories coming from fat. But as important as it is to select the healthiest foods, it is also important to consider how they are prepared.

Fried foods, especially deep-fried, contain a great amount of fat. While chicken and fish are usually leaner than beef or pork, they can contain more fat when they are fried. Look at how the number of grams of fat in a chicken breast changes depending on how it is cooked:

Cooking Method Fat
Meat Only, Roasted 3.1
Meat Only, Fried 4.1
Meat and Skin, Batter Fried 18.5

"Fried food? All I eat is salad and I still can't lose weight!"

Be careful with salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other condiments that are high in fat content. They greatly increase the calorie count and can negate the healthy aspects of a meal. Replace mayonnaise-based condiments with fat-free alternatives like fat-free yogurt, mustard, ketchup and barbecue sauce.

And remember, a gram of fat contains more than twice as many calories as a gram of protein or carbohydrate.

Related Tutorial Topic: Calories in Protein, Fat and Carbohydrates

9. Too Little of a Good Thing

But don't try to eliminate fat altogether, as dietary fat is necessary to maintain a healthy body. It is a vital component for building body tissue and cells, and it aids in the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Many people eat too much of the bad fats, but also eat too little of the good fats required for optimal health.

Related Tutorial Topic: Good Fats and Bad Fats

10. Exercise Regularly

People who exercise regularly not only lose weight faster, they are more successful at keeping it off. Exercise makes it possible to create a calorie deficit and lose weight without starving your body and slowing your metabolism.

At home, at the gym, or playing sports, participate in both aerobic and strength building activities on a regular basis. Not only does the exercise itself burn calories, but your body will continue to burn calories at a higher rate even after you're done exercising.

If walking is all you can do, then walk because it's great for you. But muscle burns more calories than fat, so put on a little muscle if you can and you will burn more calories just sitting there... looking good.

But don't sit too long. The human body is good at adapting. If you dig ditches without gloves, you will develop calluses to protect your hands. If you sit too long, you will develop extra padding to keep you comfortable!

Related Tutorial Topic: Why Exercise Is Important for Weight Loss

11. Take It Easy

Unless you are excited to be following a very specific diet and exercise plan, do not try and change too much too fast. If you have been eating poorly and not exercising, both your body and your mind will have a lot of adjusting to do.

All the sugar and fat were actually quite enjoyable, and sitting on the couch didn't feel too bad, either. If you try and change everything too quickly the odds are greater that you will feel bad, get discouraged, and give up. So be patient.

A time will come when a healthy snack will taste as good as the junk food you felt bad about eating, and you will look forward to your regular exercise.

12. Begin Now

You can achieve your goals, but it won't likely happen as a result of the next fad diet. Or the one after that.

Learning to eat well and exercise is the only solution to long term

from:http:// www.caloriesperhour.com/tips.php

Service of Making a Better Personal Physican Doctor

2010-04-02T23:35:00.539-07:00

Stories in the Service of Making a Better Doctor
Aaron Houston for The New York Times

Tia Harmon, a patient at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., listens as Dr. Benjamin Kaplan reads from "Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal," by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen.

The white-coated crowd with stethoscopes slung casually around their necks would have looked familiar to anyone who has attended morning hospital rounds. Resident physicians and medical students milled about, chatting animatedly, and at the appointed hour, the attending physician signaled to begin.
Skip to next paragraph
Well

Aaron Houston for The New York Times

Dr. Richard S. Panush

But instead of filing toward a patient’s room, the group at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., settled into a conference room at the end of the hall, not to recite details of patient cases but to read “Empty Pockets,” a personal essay by Dr. Kevan Pickrel from The Annals of Internal Medicine. In the piece, Dr. Pickrel describes being unable to save a 36-year-old woman, then going to the waiting room to inform the woman’s family of her death:

“The youngest daughter sat on Dad’s lap looking at pictures in an outdoors magazine. The older sat watching her hands rest in her lap. [The] husband’s eyes lifted to me and met mine. I didn’t, couldn’t, say a word.... He turned back toward his daughters, a single father, and they lifted their eyes to his. As he drew a breath to begin, his eldest daughter knew.”

After the reading, the attending physician, Dr. Sunil Sapra, looked up at the group assembled. “Do you identify with any of these situations?” he asked.

“Yes, it happens all the time,” a resident responded immediately. Others nodded in agreement, and one resident flicked a tear away.

The next morning, in a similar room at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in upper Manhattan, a group of obstetrics and gynecology residents gathered to read E.B. White’s short story “The Second Tree From the Corner.” Told from the perspective of an anxiety-ridden patient, the story ends with the main character finding meaning in his life and suddenly feeling liberated:

“He felt content to be sick, unembarrassed at being afraid; and in the jungle of his fear he glimpsed (as he had so often glimpsed them before) the flashy tail feathers of the bird courage.”

As the reading ended, one of the young doctors commented on how personally fulfilling it was to help her patients and how those feelings invigorated her, even after many hours of work. Other doctors in the room nodded in agreement.

While it has long been understood that clinical practice influenced the youthful writing of doctor-authors like Chekhov and William Carlos Williams, there is now emerging evidence that exposure to literature and writing during residency training can influence how young doctors approach their clinical work. By bringing short stories, poems and essays into hospital wards and medical schools, educators hope to encourage fresh thinking and help break down the wall between doctors and patients.

“We’re teaching the humanities to our residents, and it’s making them better doctors,” said Dr. Richard Panush, a rheumatologist and chairman of the department of medicine at Saint Barnabas.

The idea of combining literature and medicine — or narrative medicine as it is sometimes called — has played a part in medical education for over 40 years. Studies have repeatedly shown that such literary training can strengthen and support the compassionate instincts of doctors.

Dr. Rita Charon and her colleagues at the program in narrative medicine at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons found, for example, that narrative medicine training offered doctors opportunities to practice skills in empathy. Doctors exposed to literary works were more willing to adopt another person’s perspective, even after as few as three or four one-hour workshops.

“You want people to be able to leave their own individual place,” Dr. Charon said, “and ask what this might be like for the child dying of leukemia, the mother of that child, the family, the hospital roommate.”

Over the last 15 years, an ever-increasing number of medical schools have begun offering narrative medicine to medical students. These courses often involve writing, reading and discussing works by authors as diverse as Leo Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf, Lori Moore and various doctor-authors. Students then explore the relevance of these texts, and their own writing, to their clinical work.

But until recently, few educators have attempted to bring such literary training into residency programs.

Residency is the most intense period of a young doctor’s life. The years spent squirreled away in hospitals and clinics are rich in clinical learning, but the wealth of that experience comes at the cost of free time.

And with time at a premium, residency program directors and clinical educators have been hesitant to add narrative medicine to their curricula, particularly since it has never been clear that such an addition would have any effect other than further overworking the trainees.

That could be changing.

For over a year now, Dr. Panush, a tall, bespectacled, soft-spoken man with the lean physique of a runner, has been systematically incorporating literature into the daily rounds of every one of the internal medicine residents at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

As part of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Education Innovations Project, Dr. Panush and his faculty colleagues bring poetry, short stories and essays to rounds each day and discuss them in the context of the patients they see. These daily discussions, supplemented by offsite weekly conferences, form the core of the residents’ narrative medicine experience.

One year into the program, Dr. Panush and his colleagues looked at the effect of these daily discussions on the residents and their patients. What they found were significant improvements in patient evaluations of residents and patients’ health and quality of life, from hospital admission to discharge.

Sacramento No. 3 for plastic surgery

2010-04-02T23:35:00.538-07:00

America’s capital of cosmetic surgery is San Francisco — not Los Angeles — and Sacramento ranks No. 3, according to the September issue of Men’s Health Magazine.

Honolulu is second and Los Angeles trails at No. 48, ranked on a per-capita basis by factoring in regional rates for common procedures and culling information from plastic surgeons, cosmetic dentists and people who admitted treatment. Residents of Lincoln, NE. apparently like themselves the way they are; the metro area comes in dead last at No. 100.

Common procedures nationwide include nose jobs, breast implants, liposuction, eyelid surgeries, wrinkle fillers and chemical peels. The most popular nonsurgical procedure among women and men is Botox, according to the magazine.

Top procedures among women in Greater Sacramento include liposuction, breast augmentation and “mommy makeovers” described as breast and abdominal improvement after pregnancy, according to Dr. Debra Johnson, one of six doctors at the Plastic Surgery Center in Sacramento and Roseville.

Men go for eyelid tucks and liposuction, she said in an e-mail.

The 38-year-old company is about to reach a landmark of 100,000 patients treated. The economic downturn has taken a “mild dip” in Sacramento as people hold onto their disposable income more tightly, Johnson said, but the centers are still “pretty busy.”

“Maybe that’s why (Sacramento) is No. 3,” Johnson said.

source http://ww w.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/11/10/daily31.html

Cosmetic surgery addict injected cooking oil into her face

2010-04-02T23:35:00.537-07:00

Cosmetic surgery addict injected cooking oil into her own face
A Korean woman addicted to plastic surgery has been left unrecognisable after her obsession led her to inject cooking oil into her face.

Hang Mioku, now 48, had her first plastic surgery procedure when she was 28; hooked from the beginning she moved to Japan where she had further operations - mostly to her face.

Following operation after operation, her face was eventually left enlarged and disfigured, but she would still look at herself in the mirror and think she was beautiful.

Eventually the surgeons she visited refused to carry out any more work on her and one suggested that her obsession could be a sign of a psychological disorder.

When she returned home to Korea the surgery meant Hang's features had changed so much that her own parents didn't recognise her.

After realising that the girl with the grossly swollen face was indeed their daughter her horrified parents took her to a doctor. Once again the possibility that Hang had a mental disorder was raised and she started treatment.

However, this treatment was too expensive for her to keep up and she soon fell back into old ways.

Amazingly, she found a doctor who was willing to give her silicone injects and, what's more, he then gave her a syringe and silicone of her own so she could self-inject.

When her supply of silicone ran out Hang resorted to injecting cooking oil into her face.

Her face became so grotesquely large that she was called "standing fan" by children in her neighbourhood - due to her large face and small body.

As Hang's notoriety spread she was featured on Korean TV. Viewers seeing the report took mercy on her and sent in enough donations to enable her to have surgery to reduce the size of her face.

During the first procedure surgeons removed 60g of foreign substance from Hang's face and 200g from her neck.

After several other sessions her face was left greatly reduced but still scarred and disfigured.

And it would seem that even Hang can now see the damage she has done; she now says that she would simply like her original face back.

http://w ww.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3439638/Cosmetic-surgery-addict-injected-cooking-oil-into-her-own-face.html

Botox Tops Nip, Tuck in Los Angeles as Anti-Aging

2010-04-02T23:35:00.536-07:00

Botox Tops Nip, Tuck in Los Angeles as Anti-Aging Push Goes On

Nov. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Janiss Garza, a Los Angeles rock and fitness journalist, isn't letting investment losses get between her and her Botox.

``No use in looking haggard while my brokerage account is bumming me out,'' said Garza, who said she's in her 40s and plans to get more Botox injections to smooth lines between her eyebrows no matter what the stock market does.

The sagging economy isn't stopping cosmetic surgery patients in the nip-and-tuck capital of the U.S. If tight finances put a facelift or tummy tuck out of reach, they try wrinkle fillers or other cheaper alternatives. They have treatments less often, or borrow to pay for the work they want.

At Beverly Hills Body, whose front window looks onto Sunset Boulevard and a Jaguar dealership, doctors are doing 50 percent more of the less expensive, less invasive procedures than a year ago, Dr. Richard Ellenbogen said. Surgical procedures such as breast augmentation are down 50 percent.

``A lot of people are doing these Band-Aid touch-up jobs now,'' Ellenbogen said.

Forever Young on Wilshire Boulevard is seeing the same trend away from big-ticket fixes like liposuction and nose jobs, Dr. David Rahimi said. The credit crisis didn't reduce his workload: He still sees 30 to 40 people a day seeking to improve their appearance.

Maintaining the Face

``You're already feeling upset about the state of the economy; you don't also want to feel upset about the state of your face,'' said Rahimi, a dermatologist and plastic surgeon. ``Even during a recession, you still want to look good.''

Instead of paying $4,800 for plastic surgery to shore up drooping eyelids or $15,000 for a facelift, some patients get wrinkle fillers such as $500 injections of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp.'s Restylane or $600 shots of Allergan Inc.'s Juvederm. Those last six months to a year, Rahimi said.

Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the U.S. increased 9 percent last year to 9.96 million, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Botox and wrinkle fillers helped boost cosmetic-enhancement spending 7.8 percent to $12.4 billion, for a total of 11.8 million procedures.

Pacing the Botox

Some with budget constraints are postponing even the less expensive treatments. Madeline Vaccare, a dental hygienist in West Los Angeles, said she waits six months between Botox shots instead of four months. Botox, made from the botulinum toxin, smoothes wrinkles by weakening muscles.

``I am not cutting it out completely -- no way,'' said Vaccare, 47. ``I'll figure out a way. I'll skip dinner.''

Patients who can't pay immediately may borrow from an outside lender or the medical practice itself. Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery advertises Botox financing for as little as $12 a month and liposuction loans as low as $106.

``The economy is bad, money is tight, and people still try to finance things,'' said Marc Morgan, who helps arrange financing between doctors and patients at Surgeryloans.com, a closely held company in Irvine, California. Its Web site advertises rates from 5.9 percent to 19.9 percent to ``help you improve your credit rating while also helping you improve your physique.''

Subprime Facelifts

Loan approvals at Surgeryloans.com are rising, Morgan said. The company offers rates for both prime and subprime borrowers, and the option of using a co-signer who has a better credit rating.

``Vanity is what it is,'' Morgan said. ``They want a new look, or a better look, or a corrective look, and they will find a way to pay.''

Across the U.S., more patients are financing treatments such as laser facial resurfacing and tummy tucks, said Dr. Steven Hopping, a plastic surgeon and president of the Chicago-based American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

``At least if you invest in yourself instead of the stock market, you have something to show for it,'' Hopping said. ``People are realizing they may not be able to retire as early as they hoped. They may have to stay in the workforce longer, so they want to look good longer.''

Best Foot Forward

Appearance is a concern for Jackie Bailey, an unemployed secretary in Westlake Village, on the outskirts of L.A., as she job-hunts at age 54. She said she had to sell her house because she couldn't afford the mortgage payments, but she spent $250 on Botox last month.

``I am pushing off some of the more expensive procedures for a certain period of time, but I am going back for some Botox injections,'' Bailey said. ``It's important to look good as I am going back into the job market.''

Some people are allergic to Botox or to dermal fillers, which are composed of animal collagen or chemicals. One New York woman flies to see Ellenbogen at Beverly Hills Body for a different solution.

The 49-year-old, who asked that her name not be used, said she took out a five-year, $15,000 loan last November for surgery using her own fat to restore facial tissue.

A recession won't stop her from going back for more work on her chin and mouth in January. She said the procedures have shaved 10 years off her appearance and are worth the money she borrowed.

Rock journalist Garza agreed: ``I consider anything I do cosmetically an investment in me.''

source: bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=agFe4JSPhaRU&refer=home

lemon law

2010-04-02T23:35:00.535-07:00

Are you driving a lemon car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, boat or dealing with a lemon consumer product? The state lemon laws and other federal consumer protection laws could help you get rid of that lemon! The lemon laws are different in each state, so please click on the state on the US map where you purchased your defective vehicle or product, for a lemon law case review from one of our lemon law attorneys, or visit lemon law statutes by state for more information. Lemon Law America® affiliates have helped thousands of consumers using state and federal lemon laws. You could qualify for money back, or a replacement for your lemon

Yahoo domains: read this before you register a domain name w

2010-04-02T23:35:00.534-07:00

Yahoo domains: read this before you register a domain name with Yahoo

Yahoo! has a service called Yahoo! Small Business that sells domain names at a very attractive price. If you think of registering a domain through them, read on. And maybe also have a look at what others say.

First Yahoo! is not an accredited domain registrar, but simply a reseller for the Australian domain registrar Melbourne IT. If you ever have a problem with you domain registration however, you'll have to deal with Yahoo!, and their support is appalling to an extent I have never met before. They consistently and repeatedly reply to emails with irrelevant pre-made messages: this did not happen to me once or twice, but about fifteen times.

Losing Hair is Not a Big Deal

2010-04-02T23:35:00.533-07:00

Losing Hair is Not a Big Deal
Submitted by W. Darren on December 3, 2008 - 1:58am.

Most men fear balding for the presumed reason that it will prevent them from finding a partner. The idea of isolation, depression, and reclusion sets in. You kept saying no man is an island. There is someone bound to make you whole. Now, the race is on.

You scour the dating scene in order to find the one before you lose all hair strands or what was left of it. The stigma lies on the fact that male possesses a shred of vanity as well. And some assume that hair loss will render them appalling. In addition, a number of men also perceive balding as a huge roadblock in their career path; a path filled with mockery and discrimination. Then there are a few who think that they were not blessed with the right shape helmet to pull off a shaved head.

For decades, hair loss was an accepted truth. It is a sign of age, of distinction, and of experience. Unfortunately, a shift occurred. Media started to portray alluring men having thick tresses. Incorporating hair caressing in any and every romantic scene is but an added insult to injury. Do you know Fabio? The face plastered in most covers of romantic pocket books? Deny it all you want but his hair triggers envy all over.

As these figures start to embed in people’s awareness, the society began to absorb the opinion that the ideal man has a full head of air. To be fair, this is not something that the media purposely created to inflict self-consciousness among men. It is but a by-product or an offshoot from the image that they thought the public wants to see.

Have you seen a hair growth commercial? In their spiel, they usually depict a bald (or prematurely balding) man as lonely, abandoned, “unliked” and desperate. Then he discovers their product and alas! Chick magnet personified; career on the fast lane; Life is sweet. With this thrown into your face, who wouldn’t fear hair loss?

But as if to rectify the erroneous impression, media is now presenting bald as sexy, as masculine. Vin Diesel, Bruce Willis, and Taye Diggs are a few of the men who exude sexiness in spite of having shinny chrome-domes. Who says bald is not attractive? Next time you enjoy the ball game, look around. And you are certain to see brothers just like you embracing the limelight. Speaking of ball game, do you know that you can advertise using your bald head? Rent it out and rake in cash. It will only take a few spray (or stroke) of water-soluble paint and the distinguishing logo of an advertiser to make money while enjoying the game.

See here, resorting to cover-up is not needed. Why not embrace the inevitable?

It would seem that balding is a life-shattering event that will leave you in shambles (given the quantity of hair loss treatments and whatnot.) In the grand scheme of things, hair loss is not really that big of a deal when compared to losing a loved one or a friend, or your country’s reputation. However, fact remains that we still have to look at ourselves in the mirror to be able to address such issues.

source http://w ww.bestsyndication.com/?q=node/20377

Hair Club Expands its West Palm Beach, FL Location

2010-04-02T23:35:00.531-07:00

If you suffer from hair loss, you're in for terrific news. Hair Club in West Palm Beach will bring additional convenience to its customers by offering hair transplant surgery. Hair Club hair loss treatment center is located at 701 Northpoint Parkway, Ste. 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33407, (561) 478-1613. The center is one of more than 95 Hair Club locations in the U.S.

There's an incredible demand for the surgical solution offered by Hair Club's network of physicians.
"This is something we've been meaning and needing to do for a long time," said Landon Morales, Hair Club's vice president of the Southeast Region, "There's an incredible demand for the surgical solution offered by Hair Club's network of physicians."

The West Palm Beach location is also undergoing an extensive remodeling and expansion, with the center itself increasing 40% in size.

By offering hair transplantation, area customers will save a lot of time. Previously, clients were referred out of state for their hair transplant surgery. The West Palm Beach location will be the first surgical hub in Florida.

The center features all proven hair loss solutions: non-surgical Bio-Matrix Strand-by-Strand® hair replacement; microscopic follicular unit hair transplants; and a hair therapy system that works to stimulate hair growth in thinning areas.

An all-local staff will administer Hair Club's cutting-edge hair loss remedies. Each Hair Club center operates with a customer-oriented team comprised of hair loss experts and Hair Club stylists, who are all licensed cosmetologists and hair replacement professionals. To ensure that every location provides a high level of service, all Hair Club centers coast-to-coast shut down for two hours one day a month for education and training on the latest hair loss treatments and technologies.

"Our new addition is coming at a time when it is critical for people to invest in themselves and in their appearance, with the economic situation being what it is. We're very excited about being able to bring the gold standard in hair transplant surgery to this area," Landon Morales said.

The West Palm Beach center will begin scheduling hair transplant surgical procedures December 2nd.

Hair Club is the largest company in the hair restoration and hair replacement industry, with more than 95 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company was founded in 1976 by Sy Sperling, known by the trademark phrase "I'm not just the president, I'm also a client." For more information visit http://www.hairclub.com.

source http://w ww.emediawire.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1673664.htm

Robotic surgery gains popularity

2010-04-02T23:35:00.529-07:00

Robotic surgery gains popularity
Bob Gilbert — The Capital

Dr. Paula Radon, right, preps a patient at Anne Arundel Medical Center for surgery using the da Vinci robot. AAMC has been using the machine since 2006 and has performed more than 300 surgeries with the robot.
SLIDESHOW
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery quickly is gaining popularity with patients at the county's two hospitals. Anne Arundel Medical Center installed a da Vinci surgical robot in April 2006 and has used it for 342 procedures.

Annapolis
AAMC, BWMC increase use of machine-assisted procedures
By EARL KELLY, Staff Writer
Published January 04, 2009

Robotic surgery quickly is gaining popularity with patients at the county's two hospitals.

Anne Arundel Medical Center installed a da Vinci surgical robot in April 2006 and has used it for 342 procedures, covering the gamut of thoracic, gynecologic, urologic and general surgeries.

"We have one of the East Coast's most advanced robotic programs - truly multidisciplinary," hospital spokesman Justin Paquette said.

Baltimore Washington Medical Center started using a da Vinci robot in late October, and has performed 10 surgeries - all of them urological.

A number of physicians who perform robotic surgery practice at both hospitals.

The da Vinci robot allows doctors to make a few small incisions, depending on the type of operation, instead of having to open the body cavity. Patients experience less bleeding and heal faster, with less likelihood of infection. Also, they don't accumulate massive scar tissue that can complicate future medical procedures.

Some hospitals use the da Vinci S robot for bypass surgery, so that patients will not have to have their sternum, or breastbone, cracked open.

Laparoscopic surgery, another type of minimally invasive surgery, has been around for years and also allows doctors to operate without making large incisions. Only, the tools have limited mobility and doctors describe the procedure as "like operating with chopsticks" when compared to the robot.

The da Vinci's surgical tools have more articulation, or range of movement, than even the human wrist. The result is that doctors can use these tools to work under and around organs, and to suture the patient at the end of the procedure.

The $1.7 million machine consists of the main robot, which stands next to the patient and holds the surgical instruments at the ends of its arms. It is attached by a data cable to the remote console, where the doctor controls the instruments with levers similar to joy sticks.

Baltimore Washington Medical Center held a contest to name its robot in late October, and the winner, Sarah Price, 6, of Glen Burnie, came up with the winning name "Poppy," because the machine's arms "pop out" when unfurled, and help cure sick people. A sign on the operating room door reads "Poppy in progress."

While repairing a man's kidney at BWMC earlier this month, Dr. Alice Tsao said she liked the 3D high-definition field of vision the robot provided.

"You can really see well, and the (roughly 10-power) magnification is so great," she said. "With some types of surgeries (without the robot), you are literally having to look into a hole."

The patient, Glen Burnie resident Corey Snowberger, 29, was born with a defective ureter, or muscular tube leading from the kidney to the bladder. In essence, the tube was nearly closed at the base of the kidney, and stones formed over the years as urine kept backing up. The kidney also became bloated and painful.

Dr. Tsao began the surgery by making four small incisions in Mr. Snowberger's abdomen, through which tubes, or trocars, were pushed into the abdominal cavity.

Slender, robotically controlled surgical tools and a camera were inserted through the tubes, but stayed attached to the robot's arms.

Then, the body cavity was inflated with carbon dioxide like a balloon, increasing the area Dr. Tsao had available.

With her face buried inside the operating console, Dr. Tsao gently cut some of the connective tissue binding the large intestine to the other organs until she could move the bowel aside. Then, she used the small remote tools to slowly tease back more connective tissue, until the kidney and ureter were in full view. When necessary, she would apply heat through the tiny instruments, thereby cauterizing any tiny vessels that were oozing blood.

Any time Dr. Tsao lifted her face from the console, whether to talk with the staff or to stretch her neck and shoulders, a fail-safe device would lock the surgical tools in place, keeping them from moving until the doctor was back in position and activated the controls.

Also, according to surgeons watching the procedure, if a robot ever breaks down, the surgeon would immediately convert the procedure to a laparoscopic procedure and proceed.
A gentle touch

Mr. Snowberger's operation involved removing the defective section of the ureter, a soda-straw sized tube, and splicing the healthy ends together again.

If that task wasn't complicated enough, there were more challenges ahead.

X-rays showed that Mr. Snowberger had about a dozen kidney stones, and Dr. Tsao wanted to remove them, if she could. If not, she said, Mr. Snowberger likely would have to undergo a separate procedure sometime in the future.

Cutting the kidney open to gain access to the stones was not an option, because of bleeding and possible complications.

Dr. Tsao gently inserted a probe through the area where the kidney attached to the tube, at the renal pelvis.

"I am working by touch," she said, even though she was several feet from the patient, and was probing into Mr. Snowberger's kidney with steel tools.

As she gently probed into canyons inside the kidney, the nurses and technicians got to kidding Dr. Tsao about her ability at playing video games.

She translated for a visitor: "I totally suck at video games," she said. "I am the worst ever!"

With that, this woman who can't play video games kept "feeling" her way inside Mr. Snowberger's kidney.

Dr. Tsao, 33, trained in robotic surgery at the prestigious Mayo Clinic, was recruited to come to BWMC because of her proven skills.

She kept gently probing.

"There we go!" she said as she used a small pliers-like robotic instrument to pull two BB-sized stones out of Mr. Snowberger's kidney.

She kept working and said, "There's some more of those suckers," as she removed them from the patient.

When Dr. Tsao was done, she had removed about 12 stones from her patient, then set about stitching the tiny tube back together.
Whole new life

One woman, who asked not to be named, had a hysterectomy performed at AAMC four months ago to remove her tumor-laden uterus. A reporter and photographer from The Capital also observed that procedure.

The benign tumors were so large, they couldn't be removed through a trocar, so the surgeon, Dr. Paula Radon, used a device - called a morcellator - that chomped and chewed on the tissue until it was stringy enough to pass through the trocar.

This device would never be used on cancerous tissue, she said, for fear of releasing harmful cells into the body.

The patient, a then-49-year-old public accountant, said she had gone to a different doctor for years, but that physician would never recommend having a hysterectomy.

"I adore Dr. Radon - I wish I had found her sooner," she said.

In a follow-up interview, the woman said recently, "I haven't felt this great in years. I was at a Christmas party last night talking to a woman about my procedure, and how it was the best thing I have ever done."

In recent years, the woman had been unable to pursue her hobbies, bicycling and crewing on an outrigger canoe, because of pain and inopportune bleeding.

"Sometimes, I was bent over in half from the pain, and I would have to pull myself back up," she said.

The woman said she felt so much better since her operation, she has had to have surgery performed again - to mend a torn ligament in her hand suffered while playing an aggressive game of volleyball.

"That should tell you that the surgery has changed my life!" she said. "At 50, playing like I was 20!"

Surgeons said patients should never take robotic surgery lightly, however.

Dr. Eric J. Schwartz of Anne Arundel Medical Center said the side effects of prostate removal, for example, remain very real.

"There is still the incontinence worry, and the lack of erection worry, as with conventional surgery," Dr. Schwartz said. "It is too early to say it is truly better with robotics ... I believe it is better, but I can't prove that to you."

When surgery is a must, though, doctors say they prefer the da Vinci - an operation takes about the same amount of time as traditional surgery, or perhaps a little longer, but the results are better for the patient.

Some anesthesiologists say they prefer robotic surgery because patients need less medication for pain afterward.

Some general surgeons, too, are big fans.

"I do a lot of gallbladder surgery," said Annapolis general surgeon Dr. Glen Gibson. "Operating on livers, stomachs and colons used to be stem-to-stern incisions; I have had to take out (only) one gallbladder by traditional surgery in the last three years."

For more information about the surgeons trained to use the da Vinci S robot at Anne Arundel Medical Center, call 443-481-4000 or 1-800-MDNURSE, or visi

source http://ww w.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2009/01_04-49/TOP

Mesothelioma Treatment Gets Boost with New Diagnostic Test

2010-04-02T23:35:00.528-07:00

Israeli-based MicroRNA company, Rosetta Genomics, has made a giant leap in cancer diagnosis by announcing the commercial availability of its third diagnostic test, miRview (TM) meso.

This breakthrough marks the first molecularly-based test that can accurately diagnose mesothelioma from other types of cancers found in the lung.

MicroRNAs are recently-discovered RNAs that consist of a chain of nucleotide units, each made of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar and a phosphate. Although similar to DNA, RNA is single-stranded, while DNA is double-stranded. MicroRNAs provide the ability to treat and diagnose a variety of human illnesses and conditions.

One of the most devastating types of asbestos-related disease is known as malignant mesothelioma, a fatal lung ailment that is directly linked to asbestos exposure. One of the most difficult tasks for physicians that treat mesothelioma is diagnosing the illness, making the test especially important to treating the disease at an early stage of development.

Diagnosis of the disease does not typically occur until the later stages of development have been reached, equating to a poor patient prognosis. Symptoms and warning signs of mesothelioma typically include shortness of breath, chest pain and weight loss, resembling symptoms felt by other less serious conditions. Most individuals who develop mesothelioma contract the disease through occupational exposure where they inhaled airborne asbestos fibers were exposed to asbestos dust through other means while on the job.

Rosetta Genomics is one of the world’s leading developers of microRNA-based diagnostic tools that offer patients and physicians an objective method of identifying many types of cancer. The company believes that using microRNAs as biomarkers in the development of diagnostic tools will enable several advantages over other methods.

“Ruling out mesothelioma from lung cancer for individuals that were exposed to asbestos can be difficult and challenging,” noted Harvey Pass, MD, Division Chief for Thoracic Surgery and Oncology at the New York University Langone Medical Center.

The hope of early cancer detection for asbestos victims is to increase survival rates and address significant needs in the medical field for the next century. Rosetta Genomics’ efforts in leading the development of microRNA-based diagnostic tools will hopefully continue to advance future patient care and management.

“I am sure that this test will become an important tool for both oncologists and pathologists in obtaining the right diagnosis in these patients,” Pass said.

source: http://w ww.asbestos.com/news/2008/12/31/mesothelioma-treatment-gets-boost-with-new-diagnostic-test/

Mixing medications can harm your health

2010-04-02T23:35:00.527-07:00

Americans take way too many medications. They mix and match with barely a second thought.

Researchers found that 81 percent of older adults took prescribed drugs. More than half “used five or more prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, or dietary supplements” (Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 24/31, 2008).

Some combinations are potentially dangerous, if not lethal. We often hear from readers who are concerned about their relatives:

“My mother is 85 and under the care of an internist, a cardiologist and a neurologist. She has almost no energy and is quite depressed. She takes Aldactone, atenolol, Crestor, Diovan, hydrochlorothiazide, Lexapro, Miacalcin, Neurontin, Nexium, Nitro-Dur, Norvasc, Plavix, Rhinocort, Synthroid and tramadol. In addition, she takes Aleve for arthritis pain and aspirin twice a day as needed.”

Counting the OTC pain relievers, this woman is taking 17 different drugs. Some combinations could be life-threatening. Taking aspirin, Aleve and Plavix together could increase the risk of hemorrhage, including bleeding ulcers. Perhaps that is why the internist prescribed the acid-suppressing drug Nexium. The trouble is, Nexium and similar medicines may undo the vascular benefits of Plavix.

Aleve can increase drowsiness resulting from Neurontin and reduce the effectiveness of atenolol to lower blood pressure. There are other potential interactions, but the point is that three specialists each prescribed medicines that may not play well together.

This is not an isolated case. Many elderly people have several health conditions and see a range of experts.

Another woman was worried about her sister, who is taking two antidepressants, Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), plus a sleeping pill (Ambien). In addition, she takes Tegretol (carbamazepine), atenolol, Lipitor, Zantac and several more drugs for high blood pressure and diabetes. Is it any wonder that this woman is drowsy, weak, unsteady on her feet and has breathing problems?

One of the findings of the recent study is that older adults often add over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements to their prescription medications. They might not realize that pain relievers like aspirin or Aleve can cause mischief with prescribed medications.

Some years ago, we heard from a retired judge who took enalapril to control his blood pressure. It worked well until he started taking coated aspirin for back pain. Then his blood pressure soared to over 210/90.

Physicians and pharmacists are so busy these days that they may not take time to look up every possible drug interaction. That is why people have to look out for themselves and each other.

We include a Drug Safety Questionnaire in our Guide to Drugs and Older People. This can prompt a conversation about incompatible drug combinations with both the doctor and pharmacist. Anyone who would like a copy may send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (59 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. O-85, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I foolishly picked up a plastic honey bear that was in a pot of boiling water, and the honey squirted out all over the palm of my hand. Immediately, I ran it under cold water, and then I ran to get your book because I knew there was something I could put on burns that was natural: mustard.

I had mustard in the fridge, and I poured it all over the palm of my hand. It still burned like the devil, but I left it on while I read more. I put more mustard on, wrapped gauze bandage around it and left it on for a while until the pain subsided.

I babied the hand and was afraid it would blister. The pain did ease enough for me to go to the mall in the afternoon. The palm was a little mottled pink, and I really didn’t notice for a couple of days that I apparently didn’t get any mustard between the pinky and ring finger over to the first knuckle. That is where a huge blister appeared! To me, that proves the mustard worked; otherwise, the whole palm of my hand would have been blistered. Thank you.

A. We have heard from other readers that cold yellow mustard can soothe a kitchen burn. Soy sauce has a similar reputation, and several people have reported blistering on a burn where they neglected to put soy sauce, although the rest of the burned area recovered well.

Cold water is the first measure to be taken, just as you did. Bad burns always require prompt medical attention.

Q. I loved the recipe you gave for fennel tea to relieve a sore throat and sinus problems. Is there a book that would have similar home remedies, like teas for common symptoms? I have been searching for an easy-to-use natural remedies resource.

A. We recently brought out “Favorite Home Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.” It has dozens of home remedies from readers for health problems ranging from acne and allergies to vertigo and warts (online at www .peoplespharmacy.com). With the cost of medicine so high, home remedies may be an economical solution for common complaints.

Q. You recently had a story in which a person reported that zinc oxide worked for hemorrhoids. This made me laugh and brought back the memory of a dear family friend who has been dead for more than 45 years.

Mrs. H. had a growth removed from her face and was given a prescription for zinc-oxide cream. She found it so helpful that when her hemorrhoids acted up, she applied some to them and got great relief. I was a college girl when I heard her tell my mother about doing this.

A. There is not much scientific evidence that zinc oxide will calm the burning and itching from hemorrhoids. It does seem to be safe for external use, however.

Q. I was on omeprazole for gastroesophageal reflux for several years until I saw a PBS program on heartburn and acid-reflux problems. The expert said the worst culprit for heartburn is refined sugar!

Not one doctor I had ever seen mentioned avoiding refined sugar. I had eliminated all other foods that are supposed to be a problem, such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.

The day after this TV program more than a year ago, I stopped eating refined sugar and stopped taking the medicine. I’m very strict now with my diet and get any sugar I want just from eating fruit. I have not had to take the medicine since then.

A. Avoiding refined carbohydrates does seem to ease reflux (Digestive Diseases and Sciences, August 2006).

Q. Ambien made me sleepwalk, sleep-eat and sleep-drive! I would wake up with food in my bed, not remembering anything that happened.

My mother said I would walk into the living room and start talking to her. I had no recollection this had happened.

A year ago, I woke in the hospital with a broken femur, ankle and patella, a fractured skull and a broken finger. I had been sleep-driving!

I never wear pajamas when I drive, but I had my pj’s on when they found me, so I believe I went sleepwalking to the car, started driving and totaled my car into a tree!

A. We have heard from many others that sleep-driving may be a complication of using Ambien (zolpidem). A police officer shared the following: “I took one Ambien CR after a meal and went to bed. Some time after that I proceeded to get up, get dressed and leave my home in my personal vehicle. I was involved in a crash. As a result of the accident, I was arrested and lost my job.”

Ambien is not the only sleeping pill that may lead to bizarre behavior. According to the ad for Lunesta, “After taking Lunesta, you may get up out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing. The next morning, you may not remember that you did anything during the night. ... Reported activities include: driving a car (‘sleep-driving’), making and eating food, talking on the phone, having sex, sleep-walking.”

We are sending you our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, in which we discuss the pros and cons of sleeping pills and offer several nondrug approaches. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (59 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. I-70, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. When I read in your column that a person was surprised that the blood pressure pill lisinopril caused his constant cough, I just shook my head and wondered why people don’t know the side effects of the drugs they take. I take lisinopril, too, but when my doctor put me on it, I read the paperwork that listed adverse reactions.

I have found that you have to be very proactive with your health. I research what I can or cannot eat with any of my prescribed medicines. I ask my doctor why I am on a medicine, and if I have read something negative about it, I ask if something else would be as good. I also know that questioning a pharmacist is often the best way to get a helpful answer about a medication.

A. We applaud your prudent approach and only wish others were as careful.

Q. The cold weather has exacerbated my Raynaud’s disease. I was told Viagra could help this condition since it opens the blood vessels. Would it help me?

A. Several years ago an article in the journal Circulation (Nov. 8, 2005) suggested Viagra might help victims of Raynaud’s disease when other treatments fail. A more recent review (Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, January 2009) confirms the possibility that drugs for erectile dysfunction (Cialis, Levitra, Viagra) might be beneficial.

These drugs are very expensive, though, and more research is needed before they should be used to treat this painful circulatory condition that makes fingers turn blue or white when cold. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved such medications for Raynaud’s.

source: http://wiki .answers.com/QWhat_are_the_highest_paying_jobs

Judges Need Power To Stem Foreclosure Flood By WILLIAM BREE

2010-04-02T23:35:00.526-07:00

By WILLIAM BREETZ and RONALD VAN WINKLE
January 4, 2009

Washington has worked overtime to rescue Wall Street, but has done little to help homeowners caught in the mortgage mess, the crisis that started our economic crash.

It is likely to get worse. In 2008, a record 1.6 million homeowners lost their homes to foreclosure. In 2009, an estimated 2 million more homeowners will lose their homes. Ten percent of all home borrowers — and fully a third of subprime borrowers — are now at least one month behind in their mortgage payments.

Foreclosures depress the housing market, leading to more foreclosures, and are expensive for everyone, including lenders. The lender in a forced sale commonly nets only 50 to 65 percent of the real value of the property. The costs imposed on the borrower, of course, are ruinous, to say nothing of the costs to local governments and neighboring owners.

Some 12 million homeowners are upside down on their mortgages — they owe more on the mortgage than the home is worth. This, of course, makes it impossible to refinance their mortgage to take advantage of today's lower mortgage rates. Borrowers and lenders could voluntarily work out a compromise, but subprime mortgage holders often insist on foreclosure.

If Congress won't address the foreclosure problem, it should let the states solve it. If Congress gave its consent — a Constitutional requirement when the terms of contracts are altered — state judges could change the terms of a good number of mortgages to keep owners in their homes.

And in states where foreclosures occur without a judge involved, Congress could simply grant every borrower the right to transfer the matter to court, where a judge could supervise it.

Here's what a judge might do after a foreclosure was filed:

First, order an appraisal of the house's worth in today's market — a real appraisal, not an inflated appraisal like the ones that prevailed when subprime mortgages were being written.

Next, require the homeowner to prove that the family has enough income to afford a mortgage. The monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 38 percent of a family's monthly income, because that is what most economists and the federal government suggest is the maximum that should be devoted to housing costs.

Third, do a simple calculation. Ask whether a monthly payment of 38 percent of the homeowner's income would be enough to pay the first lender at least 100 percent of the house's current value, plus interest, if the mortgage ran for 30 years and the borrower was paying the 30-year fixed interest rate offered by, say, Fannie Mae.

If the judge concluded that the borrower couldn't afford to pay the lender at least what the house is worth today, even on these favorable terms, then the foreclosure should go forward.

But if a borrower could afford these terms, this plan would allow the borrower's family to keep their home. The judge could order that the homeowner's first mortgage be changed to reflect these terms, and foreclosure could be avoided, even if the lender objected.

Any second mortgages on the property — common in subprime transactions — need not be wiped out, as they would be when a first mortgage is foreclosed. They could be restructured instead, as happens in bankruptcy court, with payment deferred until the house is sold.

What would happen to the difference between the current market value of the house and the original amount the owner borrowed? That difference could be written into a second note and paid to the lender when the house is eventually sold, if the house's value increases.

Sadly, even with such a plan, history tells us that fewer than half of defaulting homeowners — many beset by job loss, divorce or illness — will avoid foreclosure.

Nonetheless, we believe writing down the mortgage to market value and repaying it on those terms will work for many homeowners and most lenders.

Some other legal issues would have to be resolved, but the main point is this: State judges who hear foreclosure actions every day are in the best position to fix this mortgage mess. Until Congress authorizes them to do it, struggling homeowners will continue to suffer the worst real estate crash since the Depression.

source: http://ww w.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-commentarybreetz0104.artjan04,0,6904555.story

IRS Web site a good place to learn latest tax laws January

2010-04-02T23:35:00.525-07:00

IRS Web site a good place to learn latest tax laws

Q: Dear Rick: I read that you can make Roth IRA contributions up until April 15, 2009 and apply it to the 2008 tax year. At the same time, I heard you say that if you are converting into a Roth IRA your deadline is the end of the year. Which is right?
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A: Both are correct. There is a difference between converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA and making new contributions. The law looks at them totally different.

Unfortunately, our tax laws are not easy and they do have a wide variety of due dates. There are certain transactions like the Roth IRA conversion that must be completed by the end of the year while other transactions such as new contributions into a Roth that do not have to be completed until next year.

One of the things that make tax laws so confusing is that they are constantly changing. The tax law at the beginning of the year may not be the same tax law at the end of the year. Therefore, for specific advice, it pays to sit down with a tax professional to get the latest information. Another good resource for general issues with regard to taxes is the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, which is very user friendly. It contains information on tax laws and all the IRS forms and instructions.

One last note regarding Roth IRAs and even traditional IRAs, the maximum contribution for 2008 is $5,000. However, those age 50 or older can make an additional $1,000 contribution by the end of the year, making the total contribution $6,000.

Q: Dear Rick: I remember reading your column that dealt with trusts for pets. I am a widow with no beneficiaries and I want to make sure my dog is taken care of when I die. My friend says that since dogs are property, you can't set up a trust for them.

A: A little over a year ago I did write an article with regards to pet statutory trusts. Michigan (as well as most states around the country) has enacted laws that make it much easier to leave money for the care and custody of a pet.

There are a couple of different issues that are important. The first is who is going to be in charge of the pet trust upon your death. This should be an individual whom you trust to handle the duties of taking care of your pet. You don't have to name just one person, you can name co-trustees if you choose so there's a natural checks and balance system. In addition, you should decide how much you plan to leave the pet. In your situation, it may be your entire estate or it may be a portion. Of course, it should be enough to take care of the pet in the manner in which you choose.

One last issue to consider is what happens if you over-fund the trust and upon the pet's death, there's money left in the trust. Obviously, you need to name an individual or a charity as to who would receive that money.

Pets are an important part of American society and the laws have changed to reflect that. In today's world, establishing trusts for pets is no longer considered unusual. More and more and more people are doing it.

Yes, you can establish a statutory pet trust on your own. However, I recommend consulting with an estate planning attorney to make sure that you dot your I's and cross your T's.
source: http://ww w.hometownlife.com/article/20090104/NEWS27/901040382

Lawsuit claims excessive force by The Republican Newsroom Sa

2010-04-02T23:35:00.524-07:00

By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

NORTHAMPTON - A Granby couple whose Cold Hill Road house was extensively damaged three years ago when police fired canisters of tear gas into the building to flush out a suicidal house sitter have filed suit in Hampshire Superior Court alleging excessive force by Granby and state police.

Robert L. and Carol Ward, of 75 Cold Hill Road, filed the four-count suit Dec. 22 against the state, the town of Granby, state Trooper Leonard Von Flatern and unnamed members of the state police and the Granby Police Department. They want a jury trial to seek compensation for the damage to their house.

In December 2005 the Wards had left the area for a vacation, using 49-year-old George Murphy, of Easthampton, as their house sitter. On Dec. 28, 2005, Granby police were notified by a friend of Murphy that he was in the Wards' home and threatening to do himself harm. A 9Â½-hour standoff between Murphy and first Granby police and later state police ended about 10:30 a.m. with Murphy wounding himself with a shotgun.

The area near the home was cordoned off while crisis negotiators tried to persuade Murphy to leave the premises. Friends of Murphy offered to speak to him, but they were not given "a reasonable opportunity to try to persuade him to leave on his own," the complaint states.

The complaint also states that at the outset of the siege, Murphy did not threaten harm to any other person and did not present an imminent threat or danger to himself. It alleges police "unreasonably and impermissibly" raised Murphy's anxiety levels and the likelihood he would cause himself harm. Between 9:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., police fired at least 100 projectiles of tear gas into the home, a number the Wards allege was excessive and unreasonably caused permanent damage to the Ward home and the personal belongings within it, the complaint states.

The damage left the house uninhabitable and forced the Wards to find and pay for accommodations elsewhere "at significant expense," the complaint states.

Granby Police Chief Louis M. Barry was not available for comment Friday. Lt. David W. Wilson, a spokesman for the state police, said his legal department had not yet seen a copy of the lawsuit and would have no comment at this time. No trial date has been set.

source: http://w ww.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/lawsuit_claims_excessive_force.html?category=Granby+category=Northampton

Attorney Faces Possible IRS Trouble, Owes 1 Cent In Nov

2010-04-02T23:35:00.523-07:00

In November, defense attorney James Howarth received a letter from the IRS stating that he owes them 5 cents. The letter goes on to say that payment is due immediately, otherwise penalties and interest would accrue.

Shortly after, he received another letter stating that he was owed 4 cents and that, since the owed amount was below one dollar, Mr. Howarth would have to make a request in order to receive his refund.

Howarth gave up on contacting the IRS due to being placed on hold for excessive amounts of time. "When I owe them a nickel, I must pay them. It's not optional," he said. "But when they owe me, I have to ask for it."
IRS officials refuse to comment.

source: http://w ww.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=75973

More Women Combining Breast Lift and Breast Augmentatio

2010-04-02T23:35:00.522-07:00

source http://w ww.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1806494.htm

The surgeons of The Plastic Surgery Center in Sacramento and Roseville have begun to notice that more women are combining breast lift and breast augmentation procedures in Sacramento - an excellent option for women who are looking for a more complete breast makeover.

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) December 31, 2008 -- Over the past decade, breast lift and breast augmentation have consistently been 2 of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed across the country. Recently, the surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Center have noticed an interesting trend among their Sacramento cosmetic surgery patients: women are showing an increased interest in combining breast lift and breast augmentation procedures for a more complete breast makeover. This will also be a major topic of discussion at their upcoming monthly seminars in the Sacramento area (http://w ww.sacplasticsurgery.com/news.cfm).

"Breast lift and breast augmentation are two very different procedures that are performed with different goals in mind," says Dr. John Osborn, who is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing at The Plastic Surgery Center. "However, the benefits of the procedures are complementary, so combining a breast lift with a breast augmentation is often the best way to achieve the complete breast enhancement many women are looking for."

Although a breast lift will eliminate sagging and restore breasts to a more youthful position, many patients notice that the procedure can have a flattening effect, with a loss of volume especially noticeable in the upper part of the breast. One advantage of having both a breast lift and a breast augmentation in Sacramento is that the combination of the procedures tends to produce a more flattering breast shape. Placing implants in the breasts at the same time as the lift will give the breasts a fuller appearance and improve projection. Even women who don't necessarily want larger breasts are opting for implants along with their breast lift because they can help to enhance overall shape and cleavage.

Many women choose cosmetic surgery to correct breast asymmetry. Most young women who have never had children find that breast augmentation is all that's needed to correct a discrepancy in size between their breasts. But women whose breasts have been subjected to the effects of time and pregnancy often notice asymmetry in terms of position and firmness as well as size. "A breast lift and augmentation combination is often the best option for women who have more significant asymmetry problems," says Dr. Scott Green, a board-certified plastic surgeon with the practice.

A major concern for most Sacramento cosmetic surgery patients is the amount of scarring that will result from their procedure. When a breast lift is combined with a breast augmentation, less skin is removed from the breasts in order to accommodate the implants. This may result in less scarring than would result from a breast lift performed on its own. In addition, combining a breast lift with a breast augmentation generally does not result in any more downtime than would result from a single procedure.

"Most women who come to us for consultations about a breast enhancement procedure have really only considered a single procedure - many of our breast lift and breast augmentation patients from Sacramento don't realize that the procedures can be combined," adds Dr. Green. "But many women want a more complete breast makeover than a single procedure can deliver."

Dr. Osborn adds, "Some patients, for example, come in because they are considering a breast lift, but they are also interested in creating more pronounced cleavage, which a lift cannot achieve. After learning about the advantages that combining the procedures can offer, more and more of our patients are choosing to have multiple procedures performed at the same time to maximize their results and enjoy their look for the long term."

The Plastic Surgery Center (http://ww w.sacplasticsurgery.com) offers a complete line of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, including breast lift and breast augmentation, and a number of other body contouring and facial procedures. The practice also offers a variety of medical spa services to help rejuvenate your look. With offices in Sacramento and Roseville, the practice is conveniently located to serve the needs of patients from Folsom, Elk Grove, and El Dorado Hills. The staff at The Plastic Surgery Center is commited to delivering exceptional results while maintaining a high level of patient safety.

Myers ends tenure as top lawyer

2010-04-02T23:35:00.521-07:00

Myers ends tenure as state's top lawyer
He has held attorney general position, with top praise, since 1997

January 3, 2009

Even if Hardy Myers never had been elected attorney general — a position he will leave Monday after 12 years — he would have left his mark on Oregon government.

As speaker of the Oregon House in 1981, he spearheaded the effort for a state takeover of trial-court operations in 36 counties starting in 1983.

As chairman of the Oregon Criminal Justice Council — and out of elected office — in 1989, he led the effort to set state guidelines for felony sentencing. Those guidelines remain in effect, though voters set mandatory minimum prison sentences for some violent crimes through Measure 11 in 1994.

But even before his former neighbor — now-Gov. Ted Kulongoski — persuaded him to run in 1996, Myers had his eye on being the top lawyer for state government. Myers, however, did not want to run against Dave Frohnmayer — the Republican who occupied the office during the 1980s — or against fellow Democrat Kulongoski, elected in 1992.

"That opportunity is special in a democratic society controlled by the rule of law," Myers said in an interview Tuesday. "It helps ensure that the laws passed by the Legislature are constitutional, and that the operations of state government are kept lawful."

When Kulongoski ran in 1996 for the Oregon Supreme Court, Myers said, "I realized I was reaching an age where if I wanted to be the attorney general, it was now or never."

After 31 years with Stoel Rives and its predecessors in Portland — Stoel Rives is Oregon's largest private firm — Myers made the move to become the elected head of Oregon Department of Justice with its 1,300 employees, about 300 of whom are lawyers.

Myers defeated Kevin Mannix of Salem in the 1996 primary, when Mannix was a Democrat, and defeated Mannix, who became a Republican, in the 2000 general election.

He has received the highest honors from his peers at the National Association of Attorneys General and the Oregon State Bar.
Attorney general's role

Unlike counterparts in other states such as California and New York, the attorney general in Oregon can initiate some prosecutions, notably in election-law violations, organized crime and public corruption. But district attorneys in 36 counties prosecute most crimes, although the attorney general provides help — especially in death-penalty cases — and defends convictions in the appellate courts.

Although Myers' successor, John Kroger, is a former federal prosecutor, most recent attorneys general — including Myers — have not been prosecutors. But Myers' chief deputy of eight years, Pete Shepherd of Salem, is an experienced prosecutor.

Myers has been vigorous in efforts against sexual assault — largely by promoting improved training for police, prosecutors and professionals who treat medical and psychological effects — and for improved restitution for crime victims generally.

"The Legislature has made it clear it wants the attorney general to be the leading force in respect to aiding victims of crime," he said.

Also, largely behind the scenes, he and his staffers have been active in negotiations that have resulted in landmark multistate settlements with tobacco companies and drug manufacturers.

Although Myers was not among the half dozen attorneys general negotiating directly with tobacco companies — Washington state's Chris Gregoire, now governor, was one of them — Oregon received a larger share of the 1998 national tobacco settlement than most other states as a result of the amount of legal work it had done to advance the case.

Myers said one of the most important points in the settlement had nothing to do with the $246 billion payout that tobacco companies will make to the states during 25 years. It has to do with new restrictions on the marketing of tobacco to teenagers, who are most likely to continue smoking if they start when they are young.

"From a longterm health perspective, the most important provisions of the settlement were nonfinancial," he said.
Drug settlements

In contrast, Oregon has been a leader — the leader in some instances — in a series of multistate lawsuits against and settlements with big drug manufacturers in the past five years, as recently as Oct. 22.

There are big corporations involved — Eli Lilly, Merck, Pfizer and Purdue Pharma — with brand-name drugs such as Celebrex, OxyContin and Vioxx, and settlements of millions of dollars, some of which came back to Oregon to enable the state Department of Justice to pursue future investigations and enforce consumer-protection laws.

"Important provisions of these settlements bear on reforming future corporate conduct," such as how they promote their drugs, Myers said.

Myers gives credit to David Hart, a senior assistant attorney general who took Oregon's lead.

"To me, it seems an important issue of public health involving large numbers of consumers," Myers said.

source: http://w ww.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090103/STATE/901030320/1042

Consumer groups protest life insurers' plan to lower reserv

2010-04-02T23:35:00.520-07:00

Easing capital requirements would increase the risk that an insurer would fail to pay all its obligations, the groups say. But the industry's proposals have the support of regulators.
Kathy M. Kristof, Personal Finance
January 4, 2009
Two prominent consumer groups are up in arms over proposals that would reduce the amount of money life insurers must set aside to pay future claims.

The Consumer Federation of America and the Center for Economic Justice say the changes would increase the risk that an insurer would fail to pay all its obligations under life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

The revisions would ease capital requirements that the life insurance industry calls inflexible and overly conservative.

Both sides cite the country's current financial crisis in making their arguments.

The industry's effort to modify the rules has the support of regulators, who contend that it won't harm policyholders. "It would be irresponsible for us to suggest something that makes the product riskier," said Roger Sevigny, president of the National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners, which represents state insurance regulators.

Because all states require insurers to adhere to accounting rules set forth by the association, the organization can change the capital requirements without legislation or any action by individual state regulators.

The group is moving practically at the speed of light on the proposals, which emerged less than two months ago and could be enacted in the next few weeks, said Birny Birnbaum, executive director of the Center for Economic Justice and a former Texas Insurance Department chief economist.

The nine proposed changes would reduce the total reserves that life insurance companies need to hold by about $25 billion -- or about 7% of the industry's capital, or net worth, according to the American Council of Life Insurance, which asked for the changes.

Because insurers invest the money they set aside, last year's sharp price declines for stocks and many types of bonds have lowered the industry's capital levels.

The insurance council, in a statement about its proposal, says, "the current inflexible formulas coupled with the nation's financial turmoil may create undue stress on insurance companies' ability to carry on normal business operations."

But lowering reserve requirements could make some troubled insurers appear more solid than they are, said J. Robert Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America.

"What I am afraid of," he said, "is that there are a handful of companies that would be insolvent without these changes, and policyholders won't know."

Joseph Belth, professor emeritus of insurance at Indiana University and editor of the Insurance Forum, a trade publication, said he opposed the rule changes because he and two actuaries he consulted couldn't say how the revisions would affect individual companies or the industry as a whole.

"In the midst of the current financial crisis, it is unseemly even to discuss the idea of weakening the conservative statutory accounting rules that have long been in place for insurance companies," Belth wrote in a letter protesting the change. He said regulators should first assess whether the proposal "is in the long-term best interest of the insurance-buying public."

Capital requirements are important because you want to be confident that a life insurer will be around a long time -- at least as long as you'll be around. That's true whether you own a life insurance policy or an annuity that's supposed to pay you a certain amount each month for the rest of your life.

The issue is especially crucial because the safety net designed to protect you if your insurance company fails is nothing like the federal deposit insurance that protects the money you put in the bank.

Insurance benefits are backed by a patchwork of state-regulated industry guarantee associations. Their coverage limits aren't very high.

In most states, the associations guarantee at least $300,000 of a life insurance policy's death benefit, $100,000 of a whole-life policy's surrender value and $100,000 of the present value of the remaining payments under a fixed annuity.

But California's guarantee association will pay only 80% of your benefits -- and no more than $250,000 of a death benefit.

Moreover, although the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. will pay bank depositors within a day of a bank failure, insurance guarantees are often paid out over time.

That's because state guarantee funds generally hold no assets in reserve. Instead, they assess surviving insurers when a company fails. And they are barred from assessing more than a set amount of the remaining companies' assets. So when a big company fails, as California's Executive Life Insurance Co. did in 1991, it can take years to pay off policyholders.

In addition, most guarantee funds have the right to lower the interest rate paid to a failed company's policyholders. That could reduce the future cash value of a life insurance policy or the amount paid each month to an annuity holder.

source: http://w ww.latimes.com/business/la-fi-perfin4-2009jan04,1,4262075.column

Jury misconduct found in Starr County Vioxx case READ commen

2010-04-02T23:35:00.519-07:00

By Lynn Brezosky - Express-News

BROWNSVILLE — A state appeals court has sent a big-verdict Vioxx lawsuit back for retrial in Starr County, reversing its earlier decision to throw out the case but agreeing with drug maker Merck & Co*. that jury misconduct was at play.

Juror Jose Rios, who voted with the 10-2 majority in the $32 million verdict against Merck, admitted after trial to taking $12,700 in personal loans over six years from Felicia Garza, a widow who is the main plaintiff in the case, and to making cell phone calls to her as late as the day before jury selection.

Asked during jury selection how he knew Garza, Rios said only “from school.” Rios worked as a janitor at a Rio Grande City school where Garza taught.

“This is clearly a relationship that was more than simply ‘from school,’ ” Justice Sandee Bryan Marion wrote in the Dec. 10 opinion. “Litigants are entitled to an unbiased jury.”

Merck said it was weighing an appeal to the state Supreme Court but was pleased the misconduct finding meant plaintiffs were at best at square one.

The Garza case appeared behind the company in May, when the 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio ruled the evidence that Vioxx caused the heart attack was insufficient.

But after a rehearing, the panel changed its mind, saying plaintiffs carried their burden in all but a design defect claim.

“We are disappointed with the courts opinion because we continue to believe that plaintiffs did not meet the legal burden for causation,” Merck said in a statement. “We are pleased that the court correctly ruled that jury misconduct did occur in this case so that a minimum, a new trial will be required.”

The case was brought by Felicia and other family of Leonel Garza, a longtime smoker with a history of heart disease who died at 71 after taking Vioxx for less than a month.

It was the sixth lawsuit involving the painkiller to go to trial and resulted in a $32 million verdict against Merck, an award that was reduced under state caps to $7.75 million.

Plaintiff lawyers touted the verdict as the first to connect even short-term use of the painkiller with heart attack death.

Evidence showed Garza’s veins were clear in the weeks before he died and that two new clots caused his heart attack.

Vioxx was pulled from the market in September 2004 after it was proven to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Merck has since been embroiled in litigation that has cost the company at least $6.38 billion. In July, the company announced a $4.85 billion payoff to settle some 50,000 still-pending lawsuits and move on.

Plaintiff attorney David Hockema said he was ready to try the case again.

“Maybe we’ll get a little more punitive (damages) this time,” he said.

source: http://ww w.mysanantonio.com/news/36070374.html

E-Loan Savings Account Review How the E-Loan Savings Account

2010-04-02T23:35:00.518-07:00

E-Loan Savings Account Review
How the E-Loan Savings Account Works

By Justin Pritchard,
Banking Ads
Best CD Interest Rates Highest Bank CD Internet Banking Local Banks High Yield Investment
E-Loan, part of the Banco Popular North America (BPNA), has an online savings account worthy of review. The E-Loan savings account has moved into the competitive space of banks offering the best interest rates. This page reviews the E-Loan savings account so you can decide if you’ve got any need for the account.

Below you’ll find my understanding of the E-Loan savings account. I won’t quote rates because they constantly change. You should visit the E-Loan savings website and read all the fine print if you’re thinking of using their services.

source: http://banking .about.com/od/savings/a/eloansavings.htm

You really can solve a serious debt problem w debtfreedirect

2010-04-02T23:35:00.517-07:00

You really can solve a serious debt problem

All debts start life under control, but things can change. That’s when you need debt help and the best advice on which debt solution would be right for you. You may also want to know what’s involved in an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement), Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Bankruptcy or other financial advice.

Debt Free Direct is the leading provider of free and impartial debt advice* on serious debt problems. Based on statistics compiled by The Insolvency Service we’re also the UK’s number one provider of IVAs (Individual Voluntary Arrangements). With larger amounts, an IVA can bring down repayments, freeze interest and end the hassle and stress caused by people chasing you for money.

http://ww w.debtfreedirect.co.uk/

Learn About Refinance Mortgage

2010-04-02T23:35:00.516-07:00

There are many benefits of a refinance mortgage. First and foremost you can save your self from a bankruptcy situation. In case your adverse situation is reaching a foreclosure; you can immediately chalk out a solution plan with the help of a calculator. Finance home mortgage, refinance mortgage or any other loans can be applied for to pull you out from this solution. Another advantage of refinance mortgage loan is that you can avail cash out money by using the equity in your home. The amount you can avail will depend upon the value of equity worth in your home. In a mortgage refinance home loan, interest rates of the home loan drops down, but the valuation of the property for the home loan net online course increases. This too, benefits the borrower. Generally a refinancing is done to allow the borrower to obtain additional and fresh finances against the already mortgaged asset.

Negotiating a refinance mortgage for your property is not something you should take lightly—you should avail all the expert advice you can get because a bad decision can cost you dearly. To avoid making costly mistakes, its best to consult the best remortgage broker you can find.

In times of financial crisis, opting for a refinance is a wise decision. Refinance mortgage is nothing but switching over from your current mortgage to a new creditor to lower your costs. It is also advisable to go for refinance to clear old debts. net online course you must be smart and alert enough to get the best refinance mortgage rate and avail of the lowest monthly payments possible. Your lender will perform the necessary credit check and provide various choices from which you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

There are many lenders who can offer you a refinance mortgage. It is always advisable to compare what each and every lender can offer you in terms of loan amount, business online course options and of course, interest rates. It is also important to find out the kind of services that your lender offers. Online services are quite popular simply because of the conveniences that it offers

sources: http://w ww.potterworldonline.com/mortgage/0,9317,447692,00.html

Microsoft MCSA Boot Camp

2010-04-02T23:35:00.515-07:00

Become a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator in only 8 days.

There are many MCSA Boot Camp available online that are intensive test-preparation program designed for experienced Microsoft IT professionals that reinforces all the knowledge you need to earn the MCSA certification. This course will get you up to speed on Windows 2003 and prepare you for multiple Microsoft certification exams. In this Boot Camp, you will practice sample test questions and take simulated exams using Transcender, the industry-leading test-preparation product. Four exams are included in the Boot Camp. If you pass all 4 exams, you'll earn 3 certifications in 8 days: MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator), and MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) Windows Vista, Configuration. One free retake of each exam is included.

This course incorporates material from the following Official Microsoft Learning Product (OMLP):

* Course 5115: Installing and Configuring the Windows Vista Operating System

You Will Take These Exams

* Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional (70-270)
* Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment (70-290)
* Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (70-291)
* TS: Microsoft Windows Vista Client, Configuring (70-620)

source:

adverse credit remortgage

2010-04-02T23:35:00.514-07:00

source http://ww w.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1816254.htm
The Bank of England made a further reduction in Bank Base Rate this week to 2%, its lowest level for 57 years. It is hoped that this further increase coupled with the recent reduction in VAT will stimulate consumer spending.

London, England (PRWEB) January 4, 2009 -- Borrowers who are on tracker deals should see the benefit from January where a £150,000 repayment mortgage over 20 years, tracking the base rate at +0.5% will cost just £794.85, £195.08 less than 2 months ago when the base rate was 4.5%.

Borrowers can see how the change in base rate will impact on their monthly payment by using L&C's rate change calculator (http://www.lcplc.co.uk/calculators/what-will-happen-if-rates-change).

Borrowers on a fixed rate mortgage at present may well be feeling badly done by as they have not benefited from recent cuts in base rate. Depending on the rate of interest they are currently paying and the remaining period left to run on their fixed rate they may also be able to save money by switching to a new deal, despite paying an early repayment charge. By using L&C's early repayment charge calculator (http://www.lcplc.co.uk/calculators/early-repayment-charges), they can quickly find out what rate of interest they would need to pay to achieve this.

For more information and no-fee advice, borrowers should call free on 0800 373300.

Notes to Editor:
London & Country (L&C) is the UK's leading no-fee mortgage broker. Based in Bath, it provides whole of market advice via telephone and post to clients nationwide. As well as residential mortgages, it also specialises in the Buy-to-Let and adverse-credit sectors.

best buy gift cards

2010-04-02T23:35:00.513-07:00

Shoppers spent less on gift cards this holiday season -- $24.9 billion, down from $26.3 billion a year ago -- but there's still a pretty good chance you either gave one or got one.

The National Retail Federation says its research indicated that more than 53 percent of us planned to buy at least one gift card this season and that about 55 percent hoped to get one.

Trouble is, the one you received might not be the one you wanted: Maybe you're a vegetarian who got a gift card for a steakhouse, or a diabetic who got one for a candy store -- or, well, you get the idea.

Don't despair; you have options.

You could try auctioning off your unwanted gift card.

The online marketplace eBay lists more than 6,500 gift cards for sale. Last week, someone paid $89.50 for a $100 Home Depot gift card, while a $50 iTunes card and a $25 Target card went for $41 and $22, respectively.

You also could look for retailers offering incentives to trade in competitors' gift cards.

Brookstone will give you a 15 percent discount if you hand over a valid gift card from any other retailer. That means you could parlay a $5 gift card for the Acme Shoe Store into, say, $45 off an item with a price tag of $300.

You also could turn to one of the many Web sites that will help you exchange an unwanted gift card for one you'd like more.

At one point last week, for example, PlasticJungle.com listed 43 possible swaps for anyone eager to unload a Wal-Mart gift card.

Similar sites include Cardavenue.com, GiftCardRescue.com and Swapagift.com, all of which verify card values to prevent fraud.

How do these online clearinghouses work?

Take Swapagift.com: For $1.99, you can list your unwanted gift card, secured through Visa or MasterCard, for 90 days. If you fail to swap or sell the gift card during that period, you can list it for an additional 60 days at no charge. Swapagift.com doesn't charge a commission on completed transactions, though some other sites take a cut of up to 10 percent.

Most online gift-card exchanges also allow you to surrender your gift card for cash, an option that might be particularly attractive in light of the recession.

Instant gratification, however, comes with a price: Gift cards sold in this manner typically yield just 60 percent to 80 percent of their face value.

If, for instance, you'd prefer grocery money to that $50 gift card your well-intentioned aunt gave you for Abercrombie & Fitch, Best Buy or the Cheesecake Factory, PlasticJungle.com will send you a check for $35.

In another sign of the times, Swapagift.com, which has been around since 2003, now allows people to do something else with their unwanted gift cards: pay bills.

You relinquish the card and instruct the Web site to direct the redemption amount to a utility, a cell-phone provider or even a credit-card company -- in case, perhaps, you want to help pay off that holiday gift card you bought for someone else.

source: http://d ispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/01/04/Consumer10_010409.ART_ART_01-04-09_D5_OGCCPSK.html?sid=101

Survival on Peritoneal Dialysis Varies by Age, Health, Timin

2010-04-02T23:35:00.512-07:00

By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: December 17, 2008
Reviewed by Zalman S. Agus, MD; Emeritus Professor
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec. 17 -- The choice between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis does not have a one-size-fits-all answer, researchers found.
Action Points

* Explain to interested patients that the study did not support peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis as the optimal renal replacement treatment for all patients.

* Note that the potential for bias in the study may have been lower than in prior studies from countries with lower rates of peritoneal dialysis use, such as the U.S.

Which strategy gave the best chance of survival differed by age, health, and duration on therapy, Stephen P. McDonald, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University of Adelaide, and colleagues reported online in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Their large registry study showed lower overall mortality rates with peritoneal dialysis during the first 90 days and from day 90 through one year, but higher mortality thereafter (all P<0.001).

Younger patients without comorbidities had a mortality advantage with peritoneal dialysis compared with hemodialysis during the first few years.

They recommended peritoneal dialysis as reasonable short- and medium-term therapy for these younger, healthier patients.

Other groups, though, had no initial advantage and actually had a survival disadvantage after the first one to two years, suggesting caution, Dr. McDonald's group said.

"There are many reasons behind choice of dialysis modality," they wrote, "including quality of life, patient satisfaction, local practice and expertise, funding, and geography; however, mortality is a key consideration."

But mortality with the respective modalities has been widely debated with no consensus from registry or multicenter studies. (See: Peritoneal Dialysis Death Risk Higher Than Hemodialysis)

These studies were done in the United States and Europe, where peritoneal dialysis is used for a minority of patients.

So, the researchers investigated survival in Australia and New Zealand, where peritoneal dialysis is available at all major treatment centers with higher rates of use -- 20% to 40% -- than elsewhere. "Thus, selection bias toward peritoneal dialysis either at a patient or a unit level is less likely."

Their analysis of the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry included data on 27,015 patients, of whom 25,287 were still receiving dialysis 90 days after entry into the registry.

Overall, the all-cause mortality rate was 16.3 per 100 person-years.

In the univariate analysis, patients on peritoneal dialysis at 90 days were more likely to die during follow-up than those on hemodialysis (P<0.0001).

But this risk varied over time such that the risk was similar between treatments overall in the first 12 months after the start of renal replacement therapy (P=0.85).

In multivariate analyses, mortality risk was actually lower during the first year for peritoneal dialysis patients compared with those on hemodialysis (hazard ratio 0.80, P=0.004) and then higher thereafter (HR 1.32, P<0.001).

Although some prior studies had suggested body mass index was a factor in survival between the two dialysis modalities, Dr. McDonald's study revealed an interaction with mortality beyond one year only (P=0.0018) and without a difference between BMI groups.

The researchers noted a statistically and clinically significant association of peritoneal dialysis with a more than 50% lower mortality risk over the first 12 months for patients who were under age 60 and had no comorbidities and a trend for decreased risk among those under 60 with comorbidities.

From 90 days through one year, the lowest mortality risk was among those who stuck with peritoneal dialysis from database entry. Those who started on peritoneal dialysis and then switched to hemodialysis were at higher risk than those who started on hemodialysis regardless of whether they then switched.

Beyond one year, those who stayed on hemodialysis through 90 days had the lowest mortality whereas there was little difference between the other three peritoneal dialysis and switch groups.

Reasons for the changing risk in this and other studies may be because of better preservation of residual renal function with peritoneal dialysis, catheter use among hemodialysis patients, and other factors, the researchers said.

"Exclusion of patients who did not survive 90 days may exclude patients at risk for early mortality," they wrote. "If this group is more likely to be treated with hemodialysis, then this would tend to advantage hemodialysis."

The potential for such bias emphasizes the need for randomized trials in this area of medicine, they concluded.

source http://ww w.medpagetoday.com/Nephrology/GeneralNephrology/12209

benchmark lending

2010-04-02T23:35:00.511-07:00

Banks started pruning deposit rates within hours of the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to cut repo and reverse repo rates to all-time lows. Lending rates are unlikely to come down immediately.

In addition, the cash reserve ratio, or the proportion of deposits that banks set aside, will cut 50 basis points — the lowest since February 2006 — from the fortnight starting January 17 to inject additional liquidity of Rs 20,000 crore into the system.

The move also helps banks earn income since RBI does not pay interest on funds set aside for CRR requirements.

The reduction in the repo rate, or the rate at which RBI lends money to banks, to 5.5 per cent and the reverse repo rate, the rate at which RBI absorbs liquidity from banks, to 4 per cent are applicable with immediate effect, the central bank said in a statement.

“Banks should price risk appropriately and ensure that quality enterprises continue to get funding. RBI appreciates that risk management is difficult even in normal circumstances; it is more difficult in an environment of uncertainty and downturn,” the statement added.

This is the fourth round of rate cuts announced by the central bank since the global credit crisis intensified in September following the collapse of US financial institutions led by Lehman Brothers. Since October, CRR and the repo rate have been lowered 350 basis points each. In the past four weeks, the reverse repo rate has come down 200 basis points.

Taking a cue from the series of moves by RBI, banks pared rates. Public sector banks cut their benchmark prime lending rates up to 200 basis points, and private banks 50 basis points. The decline in deposit rates has been steeper with some banks lowering rates over 200 basis points for certain maturities.

Those like Union Bank of India decided to lower deposit rates 25 to 135 basis points across maturities from January 5 and said it will decide on reducing its BPLR next week. In Kolkata, Allahabad Bank said it will cut its BPLR 75 basis points to 12.50 per cent with effect with January 5.

O P Bhatt, chairman of State Bank of India, the country’s largest bank, said: “We will definitely review our rates, on both the lending side and the deposit side in our Assets and Liability Committee and, as we have done in the past, we will take a lead position on this also.”

ICICI Bank, India’s second-largest lender, did not indicate whether it will cut rates. However, Joint MD & CFO Chanda Kochhar said: “These measures will accelerate the move to a lower interest rate regime across the system.”

Some lenders such as IndusInd Bank, which have not pared rates so far, are expected to do so now. Others are expected to wait because as the latest reduction in lending and deposit rates by banks was applicable from this week. Banks that have already reduced rates indicated that they will cut deposit rates in the coming weeks and then lower lending rates.

“The banking system is headed towards a cheaper rate regime. We will cut benchmark lending rates in two tranches. We may cut our rates at least 50 basis points in the first tranche in eight to ten days and further cuts will be made in the next tranche with a 15-day lag. But deposit rates will be reduced by a similar scale before we cut lending rates,” said IndusInd Bank MD & CEO Romesh Sobti.

IDBI Bank has not cut lending rates so far and there were no indications whether it will do so now. “The problem is not of availability of credit but demand. Credit is available for viable proposals,” said the bank’s CMD Yogesh Agarwal.

“RBI wants to ensure that there is ample liquidity in the banking system. The CRR cut will help soften the cost of deposits, which would encourage banks to lend with more comfort towards both retail and corporate borrowers,” said HDFC Bank’s Head (Trading), Tarini Vaidya.

“Our asset-liability committee (Alco) will take a decision on further rate cuts only after assessing the impact on our cost of funds due to these liquidity measures. There will definitely be a reduction in cost of funds with these measures, but it is too early to quantify a cut in our lending or deposit rates,” Vaidya added.

The bank’s Alco is expected to meet in the next two weeks.

source: http://ww w.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=345085

Personal Laser Hair Removal System

2010-04-02T23:35:00.510-07:00

WHAT IT DOES: For the past ten years, dermatologists have wielded diode lasers to reduce hair growth. Now, the FDA has cleared the first hair-removal laser for at-home use, designed to reduce hair growth significantly. The Tria, which can only be used below the neck and costs $995, comes with a safety sensor—if it's aimed at dark or tanned skin, the device locks to prevent the risk of burns.

HOW IT WORKS: Like the machine in your doctor's office, it uses a diode laser to target unwanted hair—but at half the strength. Dark pigment in the hair shaft acts like a tiny antenna, taking the laser's energy and shooting the heat down into the follicle, explains Bob Grove, cofounder, president, and CEO of Tria Beauty. All hair has a growth cycle—active, falling out, or dormant—controlled by cells in the follicle. When the follicle is in the growing phase, the sudden increase in temperature disrupts this process, causing a long delay before it grows another hair—which will be thinner and lighter—or shutting it down completely. In a doctor's office, the lasers are strong enough to stop hair growth in active follicles more often. The lower-energy Tria can cause the permanent death of a hair follicle, but thinner, lighter hairs are more likely because the laser uses less energy. Company-sponsored clinical research, published last year in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, reported hair reduction of 70 percent after the second treatment (with each session spaced three weeks apart). After a year of monthly use, overall hair reduction was about 67 percent of what it was at the start. (That compares with about 80 percent with lasers used in the doctor's office.)

A second major player in home hair removal was approved by the FDA this year and launched shortly after the Tria. Silk'n is the first at-home pulsed light, which, like a diode laser, causes heat injury to the hair's root, but it achieves this with several different wavelengths of light. It will be sold only at doctors' offices for $800, and in clinical studies, testers reported an average reduction of 40 to 75 percent in hair growth after three treatments spaced two weeks apart and measured three months after the last treatment.

WHAT AN EXPERT SAYS: "The Tria is a breakthrough, as an introduction to hair-removal technology," says Amy B. Lewis, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. "In the doctor's office, we get very good hair-removal results from several laser sessions, when used on the right candidates—which means they have the right skin tone and hair color, and don't have any disorders that affect the growth cycle of their hair. However, since the Tria isn't as powerful, and will likely result in the thinning and lightening of dark hair rather than the permanent removal of it, women may eventually see the results plateau." As for Silk'n, Lewis says, "The studies suggest that for most people with the appropriate skin tone and hair color, the Silk'n should effectively reduce hair in the treated areas."

WHAT WE SAY: The Tria was labor-intensive at first: The system takes up to three hours to charge, we needed to call customer service and answer a list of questions about our skin color and ethnicity before our laser could be activated, and we had to read a lengthy instruction booklet cover to cover. But we understand why: The company is clearly concerned that the machine be used properly and safely. The device itself is surprisingly simple to use—we just pressed it against our skin and an automatic light pulsed. And although the directions include the word "pain" at least two dozen times, we barely felt the pulses at all. The Silk'n is more uncomfortable—it feels like rubber-band snaps—but Lewis suggested icing the skin first to numb it, which helps.

source: http://w ww.allure.com/magazine/2008/10/breakthroughs

H&R block's Taxcut v.s. Turbotax

2010-04-02T23:35:00.509-07:00

The interview feature is central to both TurboTax and TaxCut, easing income tax preparation by asking simple questions to complete your tax return. Your answers early in the interview save time later when TaxCut and TurboTax avoid presenting tax topics that do not pertain to your income tax return.

Both TurboTax and TaxCut enter tax information from the interview on the correct lines in the tax return and on tax schedules. Automated calculations done throughout the TaxCut or TurboTax interview reveal the amount of tax owed or the refund to expect as you go through the tax preparation process.

The Master Cleanser Diet Lemonade Diet

2010-04-02T23:35:00.508-07:00

The Master Cleanser Diet, or as popularly known; The Lemonade Diet was created by
the late Naturopath Stanley Burroughs. The Diet consists of fasting to rid the body of
toxins, created by improper diet, lack of exercise and negative mental attitudes. The
purpose of the Lemonade Diet is to dissolve and eliminate toxins and congestion; to
cleanse the kidneys and digestive system; to purify glands; to eliminate waste and
hardened materials in the joints and muscles; to build a healthy bloodstream; to
maintain optimal blood pressure; and to what you all are waiting to hear... to lose
weight. As a reducing diet it is superior in every way, reducing fat at a rate of about two
(2) pounds a day for most persons, without harmful side effects.

The popularity of the Master Cleanser
or Lemonade Diet is growing,
especially now that we have
celebrities raving about Mr.
Borrough's diet.

Have you seen Robin Quivers? she
was featured in People's Magazine
(April 5th issue, read about it!) she
looks absolutely gorgeous after
losing 70 pounds following the
Lemonade Diet on 3 occasions.
Quoting from the article, Ms. Quivers
says the regimen is responsible for
erasing the joint pain and fatigue that
had plagued her more than a decade.

In conclusion the Lemonade Diet is a
reducing diet, with the added benefits
that other ailments are also corrected
in the process.

bay area hair loss restoration surgery procedure

2010-04-02T23:35:00.504-07:00

Correct hair loss and create a natural-looking hairline
Most men and women experience some hair loss during their lifetime.

Age Defying Dermatology addresses this problem with comprehensive options that range from medical treatments for minimizing further loss to surgical procedures for filling in bald or thinning areas.

Options for minimal hair loss
For patients with minimal hair loss, there are two medications we recommend: Rogaine® (minoxidil), a topical scalp treatment and Propecia® (finesteride), an oral medication requiring a prescription.

These medications can promote modest hair re-growth and retard subsequent loss.

For those seeking treatment of more substantial hair loss, surgical intervention usually provides a more satisfying result.

Hair Grafting
At Age Defying Dermatology, we have more than 25 years of experience in providing our patients - both men and women - with a permanent, pleasing solution to thinning hair and baldness.

Gone are the days of noticeable "plugs," "corn-rows," or unnatural-looking sprouts of hair. Instead we use the latest transplantation approach, taking some of your own hair follicles from the "fringe area" on the sides and back of your scalp and moving them to the areas of balding.

The ideal candidate for hair transplantation has healthy hair on the sides and back of the head. After determining that hair transplantation would work for you, our physicians pay meticulous attention to fine-tuning the results, so that the best cosmetic result is achieved.

An office procedure
For the hair restoration procedure a local anesthesia and a mild sedative is given. There may be some swelling, tenderness and minor scabbing for 1 to 2 weeks afterwards but most patients can return to their normal activities within 2 days.

Successful hair grafting generally takes two or more sessions. The grafted hairs grow out naturally and are virtually undetectable from normal hair.

Bay Area Drug alcoholism addiction rehab

2010-04-02T23:35:00.501-07:00

Thank you for sharing. [baa60776.gif]

Bay Area Drug alcoholism addiction rehab

2010-04-02T23:35:00.500-07:00

She knows. She’s 24 years old and has been doing methamphetamine for a decade in Lompoc, stopping for a few months each time the police took her to jail, or when the courts sent her to detox, or when she was pregnant with her daughter.

Temptation, and a court order, are what landed her in the Another Road Detox program at the Good Samaritan center, which opened in October in a renovated flower shop at 608 W. Ocean Ave.

She has been in detox for two weeks. In another week, she’ll be back on the street again, eye to eye with temptation. Program Manager Jesse Garcia says it’s best not to publish her name in the newspaper.

Sitting in Garcia’s tiny office, she speaks softly, looking inward for answers. “My goal is to keep my mind focused, avoiding places where I know there’ll be a session. Then I can succeed in staying sober.”

Temptation, yes. But it’s fear that leads addicts down the path of poor choices, said Garcia, 57. Fear that flows from peer pressure and the trauma of neglect or abuse. Drug addicts and alcoholics are products of their environment, he said, and they have learned to expect disappointment and failure—and to cling to it.

They are afraid to live clean and sober; they have learned to survive, but not to live, said Garcia.

“Many of them are afraid of change,” he said. “‘What if I can’t do it? What if I let you guys down again?’”

Another Road Detox is a

21-day, six-bed, around-the-clock program operated by Garcia and a staff of five. It is one of three Good Samaritan programs in Lompoc. Recovery Way Home serves women in recovery who are pregnant or parenting; Turning Point is an outpatient recovery program that serves the women in Recovery Way Home as well as others.

Four women and one man are currently in Another Road Detox. Some come on their own, most are referred by probation officers, mental health agencies, or by the courts after having committed misdemeanor drug crimes or failing to meet their Proposition 36 responsibilities.

Since October, 26 addicts have completed the program; 23 are still clean and sober, Garcia said. Most of the clients are women in their late 20s or early 30s, white, and have children that often are being cared for by family members, and about half of them have jobs, he said.

They all have their own stories, but most arrive without support networks, without knowing how to trust or be trusted, without knowing that help is available or where to find it. They know one way of living and must learn that there are alternative choices.

The addict community is their family; it is Garcia’s job to make the recovery community their family, he said.

“Everyone comes with a different cross,” Garcia said. “What I do, basically, is I give them hope. ‘We’re going to walk through this; we’re going to make it.’”

Once his clients see that help is available and that someone cares about them, they begin to change quickly, shedding the rejection and negativity they have lived with, he said.

“A lot of people just need that little bit of help. A lot of addicts are afraid to ask for help.”

Each morning, Garcia and his clients meet in a group session to read and talk about a lesson from their meditation book, called “Just for Today.” The topics are wide ranging — addiction, recovery, denial, family systems.

The first week of the program is dedicated to detox. Clients go through withdrawals, with the attending headaches and sleeplessness. During the second week they are taught about the local agencies and services that are available to help them.

The third week is dedicated to preparing them to leave Another Road Detox. Their legal and health issues must be addressed before they leave. They must have a sponsor in the “12-step community,” such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

“We want them to develop a clean and sober support system,” Garcia said.

“I grew up without a father. My family had a long line of alcoholism and addiction — anything and everything,” he said.

He also began smoking marijuana, introduced to him by a friend.

When he was 15 years old and a freshman in high school, Garcia was arrested and handcuffed in the principal’s office. He and some friends had stolen beer from a convenience store and fled, chased by a clerk shooting at them.

Although the charges eventually were dropped, Garcia said the experience made an impression on him. He told the judge he would never return to juvenile hall, and he made good on that promise.

But his battle with addiction was only beginning.

In 1982, Garcia’s wife divorced him and he moved to Lompoc.

“I proceeded to get loaded and drunk, for a long time,” he said.

Heroin was his drug of choice for five years.

When he recognized that he had stopped caring and had become unproductive, Garcia stopped using heroin and began drinking heavily.

“She showed me how to trust. She took me in — the dope fiend I was and as wealthy as she was. She gave me the keys to her house, her car. Even in my addiction, she still trusted me.”

By 1989, Garcia was ready to stop drinking. He was hesitant, though, to return to Good Samaritan in Santa Maria, because that was one of the programs where he had failed before.

Garcia said he wasn’t ready for the change that he had decided to make, but the lessons he had learned in detox programs returned to him and he began to learn how to apply them to his life.

But in the end, it’s not up to him or his staff, he said.

“As much as I want them to learn, it’s not up to me, it’s up to them. We’re merely guides,” he said. “We just navigate them in the recovery process.”

To be clean and sober, the addicts, the alcoholics, must shoulder the burden themselves, he said.

“You have to be selfish in recovery because it’s about you,” he said. “It’s not about anybody else.”

source http://ww w.lompocrecord.com/articles/2009/02/23/news/featurednews/news01.txt

Departments of hospitals

2010-04-02T23:35:00.499-07:00

Someone asked me to name departments inside hospitals. I did some research and found that hospitals may have any of the following departments:

* Behavioral Health Services
* Burn unit
* Cancer Center
* Cardiology
* Coronary care unit
* Dentistry
o Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
* Dermatology
* Dispensary
* Emergency department
o Trauma Center
* Gastroenterology
* Intensive Care Unit
* Internal Medicine
o Endocrinology
o Epidemiology
o Immunology
* Laboratory Services
* Neurology
* Nursing unit
* OB/GYN
o Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
* Orthopedic Services
* Outpatient department
* Pathology
* Pediatrics
* Pharmacy
* Plastic Surgery
* Psychiatric ward
* Rehabilitation Services
* Physical Therapy
* Post anesthesia care unit
* Radiology
* Respiratory Therapy
* Surgery
* Urgent care
* Urology

Non-medical departments include:

* Medical records department
* Release of Information department

hope it helps.

East Bay surgeon accused of molesting unconscious patients

2010-04-02T23:35:00.498-07:00

Ten additional women have come forward as possible victims of a Tracy cosmetic surgeon who is being accused of inappropriately touching several of his female patients while they were unconscious, police said Thursday morning.

Peter Chi, 46, of Livermore, medical director of the Beauty Renewed Laser Skin Center, 1770 N. Tracy Blvd., was charged Wednesday afternoon with molesting at least eight patients from September 2007 to December 2008 during cosmetic surgery procedures and postoperative exams at his Tracy clinic, according to a complaint filed in a Stockton court.

Chi was scheduled to appear in court at this afternoon. He was expected to be temporarily banned from practicing medicine and ordered to surrender his passport, officials said.

He is charged with seven counts of sexual battery by fraud, one count of sexual battery and three counts of rape by a foreign object, which, if convicted, would require he register as a sex offender.

In the majority of the cases, the women — who ranged in age from 25 to 39 and hailed from San Joaquin County and the Bay Area — were unconscious while the abuse occurred, and in some cases were told the touching served a professional purpose, according to the complaint.

There is also a petition to the state's Medical Board to revoke Chi's license to practice on another, unrelated matter that was filed in July 2008. In 2003, Chi removed a cyst from a 59-year-old man's neck
at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital and had it sent for analysis, according to that document. Chi met with the patient two times after the surgery, but the patient said the doctor never shared results of the pathology report, which showed the cyst was cancerous and that metastatic cancer cells were found in six lymph nodes. So, the cancer went untreated and was only discovered after another doctor found a malignant growth in the base of the patient's tongue in 2005.

The petition says Chi's actions constitutes gross negligence because he did not review the report nor share the details with his patient; he failed to follow up on obtaining the report when the respondent didn't get it; and relied on others to share the report with him.

Chi has also settled three malpractice lawsuits, since Jan. 1, 2003. According to the Medical Board, 70 doctors in Chi's speciality, Otolaryngology, have entered into settlements as of Feb. 20, 2008. That is about 5 percent of all ear, nose and throat specialists in California.

source: http://ww w.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11637873

Eye Plastic Surgery

2010-04-02T23:35:00.497-07:00

With each passing year we all become older, but we do not have to look correspondingly older. The aging clock can be set back even if it can’t be stopped. Modern cosmetic surgeons offer many choices in facial rejuvenation and continue to come up with new ones.

The eyes are the focus of anyone’s face, as we all look to see the person looking at us through their eyes. And the skin around the eyes is more thin and delicate than skin on the rest of the face. That means it shows aging more quickly. Youthful eyes look bright and alert. But when the eyelids start to droop, form wrinkles, and get puffy, the eyes look sleepy or inattentive. And when you combine that with the use of reading glasses, which we all come to after the age of 40-something, perhaps it’s time to take some action about that ticking clock.

Blepharoplasty For Younger Eyes
Many people choose to have eyelid surgery to restore the refreshed look of youth. Known medically as Blepharoplasty , eyelid surgery can remove the excess skin which causes drooping upper eyelids and the excess fat which causes puffy upper and lower eyelids.

Perhaps you feel disinclined to have somebody cut your eyelids. It’s true that incisions are a necessary part of eyelid surgery, but in these days of sophisticated cosmetic surgery, they are made as small and as discreet as possible. By placing the upper incision in the eyelid’s crease, your cosmetic surgeon will be making the resulting scar virtually invisible.

In the lower eyelid, the tiny incision is placed just inside the lid, which means that there will be no scar visible at all.

BOTOX® to Smooth Wrinkles
BOTOX is the most popular of all the cosmetic non-invasive procedures in the U.S. It’s a quick and easy, go-back-to-work-right-away sort of procedure that uses a very tiny needle. BOTOX creates temporary paralysis of the muscle where it is injected. It blocks the nerve messages coming from the brain to tell that muscle to contract.

BOTOX is most commonly used for frown lines and horizontal forehead lines. When you stop contracting those muscles for several months, you are not strengthening those wrinkles. The skin relaxes and looks smoother. BOTOX also does well with crow’s feet. If you have back-to-back treatments and keep the muscles paralyzed more long-term, BOTOX can actually re-train them not to contract as often.

Injectable Fillers for a Fresher Face
Dermal fillers also smooth out wrinkles but they do it a different way. There are many injectable fillers and they each work somewhat differently. Basically, they put a substance beneath the skin surface to provide skin support and thus smooth out the wrinkles and fine lines.

One of the best and longest-lasting is Restylane. It is made from hyaluronic acid, a substance found throughout the human body. It has a very strong affinity for water. So when Restylane is injected into the skin’s middle layer (the dermis), the hyaluronic acid deposited there pulls water towards it. This restores the moisture our skin tends to lose as we age. The result is more youthful and fresh-looking skin.

Caveat emptor
Buyer Beware! For safest and best results, be sure you choose a fully qualified cosmetic surgeon for your facial rejuvenation. If you want to refresh your eyes, you would be best off choosing a cosmetic surgeon who is also an ophthalmologist. There are not very many such doctors.

But if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, you are in luck. Dr. Robert Filer in San Mateo is both a board-certified ophthalmologist and a cosmetic surgeon. He is an assistant clinical professor at Stanford University. Being so highly trained in eye structures and function, he is able to deliver excellent cosmetic results while also promoting your eye health.

source http://w ww.bestsyndication.com/?q=node/23448

Acupuncture: An effective way to treat arthritis pain and mo

2010-04-02T23:35:00.496-07:00

Acupuncture: An effective way to treat arthritis pain and more PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jim Miller, The Savvy Senior
Wednesday, 18 February 2009 17:56
Dear Savvy Senior
What can you tell me about acupuncture? I have osteoarthritis and am looking for an alternative solution to ease my joint pain.
Aching Annie

Dear Annie,
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, acupuncture is a viable way to fight arthritis pain, and can help with a variety of other health conditions too. Here’s what you should know.

First used in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture was introduced in the United States in the early 1970s and has grown increasingly popular as more and more patients, dissatisfied with traditional medicine, are opting for it.

Who it helps
While acupuncture isn’t a cure-all treatment, it is a safe, drug-free option for relieving many different types of pain including osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, postoperative pain, tennis elbow, carpel tunnel syndrome, dental pain, menstrual cramps and more. Studies also show that it can be helpful in treating asthma, depression, digestive disorders and addictions, and can even alleviate nausea caused by chemotherapy or anesthesia.

How it works
Exactly how or why acupuncture works is still not fully understood, but it’s based on the traditional Eastern theory that vital energy flows through pathways in the body, and when any of these pathways get blocked, pain and illness result. Acupuncture unblocks the pathways to restore health.

However, today most U.S. medical doctors tend to believe that acupuncture works because it stimulates the nerves causing the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkiller hormones. It’s also shown to increase blood circulation, decrease inflammation and stimulate the immune system.

What to know
If the thought of getting needles stuck into your body makes you a little queasy, you’ll be happy to know that an acupuncture treatment is nothing like getting a shot. In fact, it’s quite relaxing. Here are some important points to know.
• The needles: They’re solid, sterile and disposable (used only once), and as thin as a cat’s whisker.
• Does it hurt? You may feel a brief, sharp sensation when the needle is inserted, but generally it’s not painful. Once the needle is in place, however, you may feel a tingling sensation, numbness, mild pressure or warmth.
• Sticking points: The number of needles used for each treatment can vary anywhere from a few, up to a dozen or more. And where the needles are actually stuck depends on the condition being treated, but they are typically inserted about one-quarter to 1-inch deep, and are left in place for about 20 minutes. After placement, the needles are sometimes twirled or manipulated, or stimulated with electricity or heat.
• Treatments: How many treatments you’ll need will depend on the severity of your condition – 12 treatments (done weekly or biweekly) is very common. It’s also important to know that acupuncture can be used in conjunction with other conventional medical treatments, or by itself.
• Cost and coverage: The cost per treatment can run anywhere from $50 to $125. Many private health plans cover acupuncture (be sure you check your plan), unfortunately Medicare does not.

http://w ww.mukilteobeacon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=653:acupuncture-an-effective-way-to-treat-arthritis-pain-and-more-&catid=94&Itemid=182

Erectile dysfunction

2010-04-02T23:35:00.495-07:00

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Erectile dysfunction

2010-04-02T23:35:00.494-07:00

Thank you for sharing. [55318906.gif]

Erectile dysfunction

2010-04-02T23:35:00.493-07:00

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called "impotence," is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word "impotence" may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other problems are not involved.

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. These variations make defining ED and estimating its incidence difficult. Estimates range from 15 million to 30 million, depending on the definition used. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), for every 1,000 men in the United States, 7.7 physician office visits were made for ED in 1985. By 1999, that rate had nearly tripled to 22.3. The increase happened gradually, presumably as treatments such as vacuum devices and injectable drugs became more widely available and discussing erectile function became accepted. Perhaps the most publicized advance was the introduction of the oral drug sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in March 1998. NAMCS data on new drugs show an estimated 2.6 million mentions of Viagra at physician office visits in 1999, and one-third of those mentions occurred during visits for a diagnosis other than ED.

In older men, ED usually has a physical cause, such as disease, injury, or side effects of drugs. Any disorder that causes injury to the nerves or impairs blood flow in the penis has the potential to cause ED. Incidence increases with age: About 5 percent of 40-year-old men and between 15 and 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience ED. But it is not an inevitable part of aging.

ED is treatable at any age, and awareness of this fact has been growing. More men have been seeking help and returning to normal sexual activity because of improved, successful treatments for ED. Urologists, who specialize in problems of the urinary tract, have traditionally treated ED; however, urologists accounted for only 25 percent of Viagra mentions in 1999.

Points to Remember

* Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
* ED affects 15 to 30 million American men.
* ED usually has a physical cause.
* ED is treatable at all ages.
* Treatments include psychotherapy, drug therapy, vacuum devices, and surgery.

Surgery

Surgery usually has one of three goals:

* to implant a device that can cause the penis to become erect
* to reconstruct arteries to increase flow of blood to the penis
* to block off veins that allow blood to leak from the penile tissues

Implanted devices, known as prostheses, can restore erection in many men with ED. Possible problems with implants include mechanical breakdown and infection, although mechanical problems have diminished in recent years because of technological advances.

Malleable implants usually consist of paired rods, which are inserted surgically into the corpora cavernosa. The user manually adjusts the position of the penis and, therefore, the rods. Adjustment does not affect the width or length of the penis.

Inflatable implants consist of paired cylinders, which are surgically inserted inside the penis and can be expanded using pressurized fluid (see figure 3). Tubes connect the cylinders to a fluid reservoir and a pump, which are also surgically implanted. The patient inflates the cylinders by pressing on the small pump, located under the skin in the scrotum. Inflatable implants can expand the length and width of the penis somewhat. They also leave the penis in a more natural state when not inflated.

How is ED treated?

Most physicians suggest that treatments proceed from least to most invasive. For some men, making a few healthy lifestyle changes may solve the problem. Quitting smoking, losing excess weight, and increasing physical activity may help some men regain sexual function.

Cutting back on any drugs with harmful side effects is considered next. For example, drugs for high blood pressure work in different ways. If you think a particular drug is causing problems with erection, tell your doctor and ask whether you can try a different class of blood pressure medicine.

Psychotherapy and behavior modifications in selected patients are considered next if indicated, followed by oral or locally injected drugs, vacuum devices, and surgically implanted devices. In rare cases, surgery involving veins or arteries may be considered.

Psychotherapy

Experts often treat psychologically based ED using techniques that decrease the anxiety associated with intercourse. The patient's partner can help with the techniques, which include gradual development of intimacy and stimulation. Such techniques also can help relieve anxiety when ED from physical causes is being treated.

Drug Therapy

Drugs for treating ED can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. In March 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra, the first pill to treat ED. Since that time, vardenafil hydrochloride (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) have also been approved. Additional oral medicines are being tested for safety and effectiveness.

Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis all belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. Taken an hour before sexual activity, these drugs work by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis during sexual stimulation and allows increased blood flow.

While oral medicines improve the response to sexual stimulation, they do not trigger an automatic erection as injections do. The recommended dose for Viagra is 50 mg, and the physician may adjust this dose to 100 mg or 25 mg, depending on the patient. The recommended dose for either Levitra or Cialis is 10 mg, and the physician may adjust this dose to 20 mg if 10 mg is insufficient. A lower dose of 5 mg is available for patients who take other medicines or have conditions that may decrease the body's ability to use the drug. Levitra is also available in a 2.5 mg dose.

None of these PDE inhibitors should be used more than once a day. Men who take nitrate-based drugs such as nitroglycerin for heart problems should not use either drug because the combination can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Also, tell your doctor if you take any drugs called alpha-blockers, which are used to treat prostate enlargement or high blood pressure. Your doctor may need to adjust your ED prescription. Taking a PDE inhibitor and an alpha-blocker at the same time (within 4 hours) can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Oral testosterone can reduce ED in some men with low levels of natural testosterone, but it is often ineffective and may cause liver damage. Patients also have claimed that other oral drugs—including yohimbine hydrochloride, dopamine and serotonin agonists, and trazodone—are effective, but the results of scientific studies to substantiate these claims have been inconsistent. Improvements observed following use of these drugs may be examples of the placebo effect, that is, a change that results simply from the patient's believing that an improvement will occur.

Many men achieve stronger erections by injecting drugs into the penis, causing it to become engorged with blood. Drugs such as papaverine hydrochloride, phentolamine, and alprostadil (marketed as Caverject) widen blood vessels. These drugs may create unwanted side effects, however, including persistent erection (known as priapism) and scarring. Nitroglycerin, a muscle relaxant, can sometimes enhance erection when rubbed on the penis.

A system for inserting a pellet of alprostadil into the urethra is marketed as Muse. The system uses a prefilled applicator to deliver the pellet about an inch deep into the urethra. An erection will begin within 8 to 10 minutes and may last 30 to 60 minutes. The most common side effects are aching in the penis, testicles, and area between the penis and rectum; warmth or burning sensation in the urethra; redness from increased blood flow to the penis; and minor urethral bleeding or spotting.

Research on drugs for treating ED is expanding rapidly. Patients should ask their doctor about the latest advances.

Vacuum Devices

Mechanical vacuum devices cause erection by creating a partial vacuum, which draws blood into the penis, engorging and expanding it. The devices have three components: a plastic cylinder, into which the penis is placed; a pump, which draws air out of the cylinder; and an elastic band, which is placed around the base of the penis to maintain the erection after the cylinder is removed and during intercourse by preventing blood from flowing back into the body

source http://kidney.nid dk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/impotence/

Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City Gambling Keeps Falling

2010-04-02T23:35:00.492-07:00

By Beth Jinks

March 10 (Bloomberg) -- Casino gambling revenue dropped 15 percent on the Las Vegas Strip in January and tumbled 19 percent in Atlantic City last month as the U.S. recession curbed spending on travel and betting.

Casino proceeds on the Strip, the biggest U.S. gambling center, slumped to $510.4 million in January, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board said today in an e-mailed statement. That extended the worst annual decline on record, as Las Vegas began the year with thousands more hotel rooms and fewer visitors to fill them.

Betting proceeds at Atlantic City, New Jersey, the second- biggest U.S. casino center, fell to $310.3 million. Revenue from tables at the seaside town’s 11 casinos fell 20 percent to $96 million, while slot-machine play contracted 19 percent to $214.3 million, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission said today in an e-mailed statement.

Visits to Las Vegas are expected to decline 3 percent to 4 percent this year, Rossi Ralenkotter, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, said in a Feb. 4 interview. Passenger flight capacity remains almost 15 percent less than a year ago, he said. Meanwhile, developers are preparing to open more than 13,000 new hotel rooms in 2009.

“In Vegas the problem is really not so much in the gambling side of the business, but more so on the hotel side,” Robert LaFleur, an analyst at Susquehanna Financial Group, said today in a Bloomberg Television interview.

“Room rates had gotten exceptionally high,” LaFleur said. “It’s a huge source of profitability, and right now we’re in a very, very damaging rate war on the Las Vegas Strip.”

Steepest on Record

Revenue for all casinos in Nevada retreated 15 percent to $908.6 million in January. Monthly proceeds for Clark County, which includes downtown Las Vegas as well as the Strip, tumbled 16 percent to $777.5 million.

Last year’s 11 percent fall on the Strip was the steepest since record-keeping started in the mid-1980s. Atlantic City’s gambling revenue tumbled 7.6 percent in 2008, its worst annual decline, compounding a 5.7 percent slide in 2007 after nearby Pennsylvania and Yonkers, New York, allowed slot machines.

Casino owners Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., Boyd Gaming Corp. and MGM Mirage began an express weekend train connecting Atlantic City to Manhattan’s Penn Station last month to boost visits. New York is at least two hours away by car.

All 11 casino properties posted gambling revenue declines last month. Slumping play has already persuaded Atlantic City’s council to postpone a casino smoking ban for another year.

‘Screaming Deals’

“There’s been a lot of construction activity in terms of building out new hotels” in Las Vegas, Orbitz Worldwide Inc. Chief Executive Officer Barney Harford said in an interview last month. “That was happening in the run-up to this tough economic environment, so capacity was moving in one direction and then as demand started to go downwards, you really felt a challenge.”

The glut of rooms has led to “some screaming deals out there to go to Vegas,” Harford said. “People are really trading up to four-star and five-star properties, because the folks are going to go down for a long weekend or something, and they can afford to do that at the current rates.”

Total visits to Las Vegas slid 4.4 percent last year to 37.5 million people, according to the visitors authority.

Passenger traffic at Las Vegas’s McCarran International Airport declined 7.7 percent to 44.1 million in 2008 from a year earlier, the second-biggest annual decline since data were first compiled in 1960, Clark County Department of Aviation figures show. The airport recorded its biggest annual passenger slump, 8.1 percent, in 1981. Passengers dropped 16 percent in January.

Las Vegas added about 8,000 hotel rooms last year, bringing the total to 140,000. That will swell again in 2009 as MGM Mirage and Dubai World’s CityCenter and Fontainebleau Resorts LLC’s new casino resort open.

Strip developers have indefinitely suspended construction on four projects that were to have added 6,900 hotel rooms and condominiums, according to the visitors authority.

soruce: http://w ww.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=arxBt1KVFBXU&refer=us

Skin care and Facials

2010-04-02T23:35:00.491-07:00

“I never did a ton of research to figure out what those products were doing, or whether or not I could get results at home, or whether I was better off going to see a dermatologist — this is what single women in the city did,” said Ms. Palmer, 36, who paid anywhere from $100 to $250 per session.

Aestheticians and spas have long promoted such routine facials as required maintenance for radiant skin. But dermatologists don’t necessarily agree. Today’s bloated and breathless spa menus promise more than a mere facial can deliver, dermatologists say, and have people thinking that monthly facials can be their first line of defense against wrinkles.

“People will say, ‘I’ve had facial after facial and I still have wrinkles,’ ” said Dr. Amy Derick, a board-certified dermatologist from Barrington, Ill. “They have unrealistic expectations of what facials can do.”

Meanwhile, aestheticians say that some doctors downplay how effective their treatments are because they don’t want their patients consulting the facialist down the street. “They’re bad-mouthing us because they want our business to go to them,” said Wendei Spale, an aesthetician of 14 years and the owner of Peace of Mind Skin & Body Care in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles. “If my clients go to them, they’re going to talk them into fillers, Botox or a super strong peel they don’t need.”

Facials, a pillar of the $10.9-billion spa industry, are the third most popular service at spas nationwide, after massages and nail care, according to the International Spa Association.

Some facials are marketed as massages for the face, relaxation pure and simple. But most spas and aestheticians also offer a dizzying array of results-oriented facials that claim to do far more.

Aestheticians say that so-called oxygen facials can plump skin, produce collagen and regenerate new cells. A company called Intraceuticals has its technology in 300 spas, resorts and doctors’ offices nationwide. It uses pressurized oxygen to deliver modified hyaluronic acid to the face, but doesn’t have any research to back its machine, said Deirdre Burke, the director of sales and education. Still, the company believes in its efficacy, she said, adding, “If you have had a treatment, you’re a believer.”

But without scientific evidence, many dermatologists remain unconvinced. “Show me the data that oxygen facials make the skin better,” said Dr. Jeffrey Dover, a director of SkinCare Physicians, a comprehensive dermatology practice in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Exhale spa, with outposts in Dallas and in Santa Monica, Calif., promotes a $195 “non-surgical face lift” on their Web site that entails using “sub-sensory microcurrent waves to tone and lift facial muscles.” And the Manhattan flagship store of Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a board-certified dermatologist, offers an electro-stim lifting facial, which his site says is a “non-invasive ‘face lift’ ” that will “stimulate facial muscles to perform more youthfully....”

Dr. Derick, who isn’t familiar with these two particular facials, suggests that massaging of the skin alone can cause temporary swelling, which may be responsible for that lifting effect after a facial.

What then can consumers expect from deep cleansing, microdermabrasion and other staples of today’s facials?

To rid oneself of some of the outermost dead-cell layers, old-fashioned exfoliation, microdermabrasion or a glycolic peel will do the trick, many dermatologists say. A salicylic peel may help diminish sun spots, they say, and acne sufferers may benefit from a meticulous extraction of clogged pores.

More and more dermatologists are hiring aestheticians to perform such services. Ms. Palmer, now married, found her facialist of three years, Rowena Woo, at her dermatologist’s office, Tribeca Skin Center in Manhattan. “If client wants an ‘anti-aging’ facial, we don’t have that,” said Ms. Woo, who sticks to basics like cleaning, extraction and exfoliation.

Dr. Arielle Kauvar, the director of New York Laser & Skin Care in Manhattan, doesn’t offer facials per se, but she does offer microdermabrasion as well as glycolic and salicylic peels. “From a pure budgetary standpoint, facials can add up,” she said. She’ll advise patients who dislike their frown lines or crow’s-feet and spend hundreds of dollars on anti-aging facials to consider Botox. “The same amount of money would at least erase those wrinkles,” she said. (Temporarily, of course.)

Dr. Leslie Baumann, a dermatology professor at University of Miami, ignited a firestorm recently when she wrote on her Skin Guru blog for Yahoo that facials are a waste of money. Outraged aestheticians and their followers made up a lot of the 1,453 commenters. Two criticisms were particularly sharp: that aestheticians “often don’t know which products are right for the skin of each client” and that facials cause breakouts most of the time.

src: http://ww w.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/fashion/19SKIN.html

Orthopedic surgery

2010-04-02T23:35:00.490-07:00

According to applications for board certification from 1999 to 2003, the top 25 most common procedures (in order) performed by orthopedic surgeons are as follows[3]:

* Knee arthroscopy and meniscectomy
* Shoulder arthroscopy and decompression
* Carpal tunnel release
* Knee arthroscopy and chondroplasty
* Removal of support implant
* Knee arthroscopy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
* Knee replacement
* Repair of femoral neck fracture
* Repair of trochanteric fracture
* Debridement of skin/muscle/bone/fracture
* Knee arthroscopy repair of both menisci
* Hip replacement
* Shoulder arthroscopy/distal clavicle excision
* Repair of rotator cuff tendon
* Repair fracture of radius (bone)/ulna
* Laminectomy
* Repair of ankle fracture (bimalleolar type)
* Shoulder arthroscopy and débridement
* Lumbar spinal fusion
* Repair fracture of the distal part of radius
* Low back intervertebral disc surgery
* Incise finger tendon sheath
* Repair of ankle fracture (fibula)
* Repair of femoral shaft fracture
* Repair of trochanteric fracture
* Arthroscopy

from wikipedia

Acai berry

2010-04-02T23:35:00.489-07:00

It seems that every day a new diet comes out. We are constantly being encouraged to stop eating bread, stop eating red meat, or to just start taking "magic pills." A new diet, the Açaí Berry Diet, pronounced (ah-sigh-ee), which has been endorsed by Oprah, NBC, ABC, and CBS has been getting a lot of speculation-could it be the magic diet everyone has been looking for? Furthermore, what exactly is the Açaí berry?
The Açaí Berry has a long history for the civilians of Brazil. It was first said to be used by tribes in the area who discovered the berry in its unique location. It grows on the canopy of the Amazon rainforest, which is located mainly in Brazil. The Açaí berry looks like a grape, and is said to taste like a mix of blueberry and chocolate. Due to the location, the Açaí berry is exposed to an excess amount of ultraviolet light. This allows Açaí to have a high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), which measures the antioxidant capacity in food. According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, it was found that Açaí has an ORAC value that is ten times higher than other antioxidant rich foods.
Along with having the high ORAC value, Açaí also contains many vital ingredients for human health. It contains polyunsaturated fats, dietary fiber, vitamin E, calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium, and anthocyanins (also known as antioxidants). Dr. Nicholas Perricone, who is a board certified clinical and research dermatologist, made a list of 10 super foods that give the body extraordinary health. He listed Açaí as number one on the list.
Oprah Winfrey has supported Açaí since she realized the health benefits. She stated on her show, "It may seem odd to start this list of superfoods with one you've likely never even heard of. But studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Açaí is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree."

Summit Healthcare hosting community health fair

2010-04-02T23:35:00.488-07:00

For children, Summit will have a "casting" clinic, an X-ray station for children to learn how to "read" x-rays (spot broken bones), a scavenger hunt (for children and adults) and a Teddy Bear Clinic.
At the Teddy Bear Clinic, children will have the opportunity to experience first-hand what might happen if they visit their doctor or the hospital emergency department.
With the bear as the primary patient, this clinic can help soften the fear and anxiety young children feel when they visit their doctor or hospital by showing them that the hospital and the doctor's office are caring places. Teddy bears that need extra care can be sutured, bandaged or splinted.
Many free health screenings will be available for adults, including a PSA Clinic (prostrate cancer screening) with Dr. Peter Niemczyk (call [928] 537-6949 for an appointment), diabetic foot exams with Dr. Jared Hall, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing and body fat analysis from Summit Healthcare.
Summit Pain Care Associates will be on site with models of the spine and information on how to help alleviate pain. Internal Medicine Associates will have a table on preventive health care and early detection.
There will be educational booths on back health, diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, patient safety, home health, infection control, health information management, breast health, childhood immunizations, lactation consulting, weight loss and much more.
The Whiteriver Fire and Rescue Safety Trailer will be on site, as will Show Low EMS and the Lakeside, Show Low and Pinetop fire departments, including "Freddy the Fire Truck."
Also on board will be the Arizona Department of Health State Injury Prevention "SAFE Kids." A "Spot the Tot" demonstration and education will be offered, as well as car seat checks on your existing car seats by technicians from the Pinetop, Lakeside, Show Low and Whiteriver fire departments.
There will be a "brown bag medication review" table with pharmacists from Walgreens and Whiteriver. A brown bag medication review is when you gather all of your current medications and over-the-counter products into a "brown-bag" and show them to your doctor or pharmacist so he/she can look for any potential problems.
The Navajo County Drug Project will be conducting a Drug Dump - this gives any persons with prescription drugs the opportunity to eliminate any outdated items from their possession.
Organizers are very excited about this opportunity. Abuse of prescribed drugs is a larger issue than illegal drugs because they are easier to obtain and are often disposed of through plumbing, possibly contaminating the water supply.
The Drug Dump will provide a safe environment to dispose of drugs and help those who wish to receive treatment for drug abuse with no questions asked and no punishment for possession.
Other participants include Bannon Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care, Navajo County Public Health on Tobacco Cessation, North Country Healthcare, Doctors Health Solutions, Donor Network of Arizona, Miracle Ear, First Things First, Beautiful Beginnings, Dr. Edith Bailey with bike helmet fittings, Dr. Findlay on different types of anesthesia, Elizabeth Ellis, DVM, Arizona Dermatology, Native Air, Summit Healthcare Foundation and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

source: http://ww w.wmicentral.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20322472&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_id=506172&rfi=6

Santa Clara Wavefront LASIK

2010-04-02T23:35:00.487-07:00

Wavefront LASIK is the most advanced laser vision correction treatment available. Laser eye surgeon is a leading practitioner of Wavefront LASIK in the San Francisco Bay Area, employing the industry-leading VISX S4 CustomVue system. New LASIK patients at one of his three San Francisco Bay Area locations: our San Francisco LASIK surgery patients, for example, enjoy easy access to Daly City, while our San Jose LASIK patients appreciate the high-tech, high- touch environment of Santa Clara. If youíre a Walnut Creek LASIK patient or living in the broader East Bay, then San Ramon is a great choice for you. Wavefront diagnostic can determine if a wavefront guided ablation is an absolute requirement, conventional ablation would be fine, or the patient should not have surgery at all. This is why we believe wavefront diagnostic is an important evaluation.

Celebrate Juneteenth Today!

2010-04-02T23:35:00.486-07:00

I must admit that I had never heard of Juneteenth until I started working at USA.gov. In researching dates for the federal web portal, I noticed that the commemoration of Juneteenth popped up in a number of Library of Congress and Smithsonian webpages. I became intrigued to learn more, which I did. So I was especially excited to substitute for GovGab today, on the anniversary of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth—which is a combination of the words "June" and "nineteenth"—is a celebration to commemorate June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, to spread the word that President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years before. The Library of Congress says the reason for the delay was the fact that news traveled so slowly in those days.

As the news spread, former slaves celebrated with festive foods, music, dancing, singing, games, and stories. Juneteenth has been celebrated each year since 1865. In 1979, Texas became the first state to proclaim Emancipation Day (Juneteenth) an official state holiday. Today, more than half of the states in the U.S. officially observe Juneteenth each year. People celebrate with parades, festivals, and cookouts.

Would you like to find out where Juneteenth events are in your state? Visit your state on this map for a list of local events.

I'd love to hear from any of you who celebrate Juneteenth! Tell me how you commemorate this special day.

Liposuction procedure made easier

2010-04-02T23:35:00.485-07:00

Liposuction procedure made easier

By: Ivanhoe Broadcast News

Liposuction, or body contouring, is a type of cosmetic surgery performed to remove unwanted deposits of excess fat, improve body appearance and smooth irregular body shapes.

The procedure can be performed under the chin and on the neck, cheeks, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, liposuction surgeries dropped 19 percent in 2008.

Experts attribute the drop mainly to the state of the economy. Still, more than 245,000 Americans had the procedure done. The National Institutes of Health cautions that liposuction is a serious surgical procedure that can involve a painful recovery. It also carries the risk of serious and fatal complications like shock, infection and embolism, which occurs when pieces of fat break loose into the bloodstream and cause blockages.

During a water-jet liposuction, water is injected into the body to dislodge fat cells while the patient is awake.
Many people come to their plastic surgeon hoping to lose weight with liposuction, but surgeons say this is not the purpose of the procedure. "Liposuction is a body sculpting technique," Roger Bassin, M.D., a plastic surgeon at the Bassin Center for Plastic Surgery in Orlando, Fla., said. "It’s not a fat or weight reduction program."

Many people also believe liposuction can eliminate cellulite. This is not true, experts say, because liposuction removes fat, and cellulite is a problem with skin architecture, not fat. In fact, liposuction may in some cases worsen the appearance of cellulite.

Developed in Germany in 2007, water-jet liposuction is the newest liposuction procedure. During the surgery, a plastic surgeon uses high water pressure to dislodge fat cells and remove excess fatty tissue. "We’re really power-washing the fat out of the body," Dr. Bassin, the third doctor in the United States to use water-jet liposuction, said.

New lipsuction procedure

Water-jet liposuction is easier on the body and less expensive then traditional liposuction.

Most of the time, water-jet liposuction doesn't require the patient to undergo general anesthesia. Although conventional liposuction can't get rid of cellulite completely, some surgeons believe the water-jet procedure can. The difference is water-jet liposuction breaks apart cellulite and makes it easier to remove.

Another advantage of the new procedure is the removed fat doesn't have to be processed before being injected into another area of the body. "The fat cells are right there and ready for us to use and inject … right away," Dr. Bassin said.

http://ww w.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=243882&SecID=2

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

2010-04-02T23:35:00.484-07:00

I have always been bothered by the lack of muscle tone around my stomach and no amount of exercise seems to firm this up. I am considering a tummy tuck but would like to know what it entails.

Abdominoplasty, can give you a tighter, flatter stomach and reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your lower abdomen. The operation can remove folds of skin left behind after losing a lot of weight, and tighten stretched skin and muscles after pregnancy in women who don’t plan to have another baby.

Before the operation, your surgeon may ask you to: lose weight, stop taking the contraceptive pill six weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of thrombosis and give up or cut down smoking, as it increases the risk of chest or wound infection, and slows down your recovery. A one or two night stay in hospital is required.
The operation takes two to three hours. Surgical cuts are made into your abdomen and above your bikini line. Your naval is cut from the surrounding skin. Very stretched or torn muscles are pulled together and stitched in place. Excess fat is removed, your skin is pulled down and the excess trimmed off. Your naval is repositioned to fit the new shape. Cuts are closed with stitches and your lower abdomen is firmly strapped with bandages. You will have a scar around your naval and a long curved scar along your bikini line, which is usually hidden inside your underwear.

After the operation, rest is needed until the effects of the general anaesthetic have passed. You will be given painkillers to relieve any discomfort. For the first day, you may have a catheter fitted to drain urine from your bladder and you may have fine plastic tubes running from under the skin on your tummy for up to 48 hours. These allow blood and fluids to drain into a bag. You may have a drip in your arm to keep you hydrated. It’s usually removed when you can drink enough fluid.
You will be wearing an elasticated garment to support your abdomen. Surface stitches are usually removed within seven days. Deeper stitches are taken out two to three weeks post surgery.

You may experience some tightness around the wound, but this is more common in patients who are overweight and who smoke. Most people can return to work after two to four weeks.

http://ww w.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19684&Itemid=38

Local pharmacy promotes Diabetes awareness

2010-04-02T23:35:00.483-07:00

Diabetes affects more than 26 million American adults and children.

A local pharmacy is promoting awareness of the disease by offering a free clinic.

The Rite Aid in Barbourville set up a clinic to help diabetes patients and their caregivers.

They also want to promote awareness to anyone who thinks they may have it.

“It's important to know what the disease looks like and what some of the problems are that there are entailed by the disease,” Tim Lasley said.

One of the first signs of diabetes is a feeling of weakness during the day often around the time you would typically need to eat.

Diabetes is treated with medications taken by mouth, and the most extensive treatment is insulin injections.

“It's a miserable life to have to stick yourself with a needle everyday and all that. Then worrying how long you're going to live,” Leonard Jones said.

Type One Diabetes is something you're born with, where the body simply doesn't produce enough insulin.

Type two develops later on in life as an adult.

Pharmacists remind people to see their physician if they have any concerns.

http://w ww.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/48956981.html

First Typewriter

2010-04-02T23:35:00.482-07:00

June 23, 2009

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format. or as a .wav file

Profile America — Tuesday, June 23rd. The keyboard on your computer owes a lot to a man you probably have never heard of — Luther Sholes of Milwaukee. On this day in 1868, he received a patent for the first practical typewriter. Its acceptance was slow, and for several decades, many people considered receiving a typewritten letter to be slightly insulting. But as machines improved, the time saved over handwriting all correspondence became clear. The need for skilled typists allowed many women to first enter the world of professional business. In the 1950s, about a quarter of all high school students took typing classes. Now, nearly three-quarters of adults use a computer at school, work or at home, where typing is an important skill. Profile America is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau, now preparing for the 2010 Census.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 326
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 377
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1121
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html

Long-term care threatens to sap seniors' savings

2010-04-02T23:35:00.481-07:00

The senior-care coordinator has helped hundreds of Dallas families find long-term care for frail parents. Almost always, they think Medicare will pick up most of the tab, the same as it does for hospital stays and doctor visits."They're shocked when I tell them that Medicare doesn't pay for long nursing home stays," she said. "All of a sudden, they have this look of horror as they realize their parents will have to foot the bill. Those retirement nest eggs go poof."

Over 20 years, Paggi has seen many seniors spend almost their last dollar on personal care at home or an assisted-living community before turning to a nursing home and ultimately relying on Medicaid, the health care program for the poor.

"Our system of paying for long-term care in this country is broken," she said. "Unless you have a big family or thick wallet, you'll run into trouble in old age."

As lawmakers debate how to pay for acute care for 46 million uninsured Americans, advocates for older or disabled adults are urging the Obama administration and Congress to discuss long-term care's financing problems, too.

Possible reforms range from providing more federal money for home care to creating a national insurance pool that would protect people against long-term care expenses.

"It doesn't make sense to figure out how to pay for the hospital care of a heart attack victim but overlook the day-to-day problems of someone living with congestive heart failure," said Howard Gleckman, a senior research associate at the Urban Institute and author of Caring for Our Parents.

Long-term care includes everything from help with bathing, dressing and household tasks to assistance with taking medications. It may be provided by family members or paid caregivers in the home or at a facility like an adult day care center or nursing home.

Ten million Americans require long-term care. But by 2030, 37 million boomers will be living with more than one chronic condition such as arthritis or diabetes, said Larry Minnix, president of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Health care and long-term care go hand in hand, experts say.

"If the chronically ill forget to take their medications or they can't get to their doctors' offices, their health will deteriorate, and they'll wind up back in the hospital," said James Swan, professor of applied gerontology at the University of North Texas.

Lawmakers won't wring savings out of the health care system without managing chronic illnesses effectively, and that will mean making long-term care more accessible and affordable, he said. http://www .dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/061709dnbuslongtermcare.3f7878b.html

Health care

2010-04-02T23:35:00.480-07:00

We've all been hearing a lot of news about health care programs and health care spending from the new administration. As a social worker-community liaison for a local home health agency, I am entrusted with the responsibility of educating physicians and healthcare facilities on current therapies and programs to maintain patients' quality of health.

Physicians are typically dealing with the current situation/complaint when a patient is seen in the office or hospital. Consequently it's my duty to see that the provider has the most current information regarding programs and therapies we offer to maintain patient health.

A recent AARP fact sheet states that poor communication among patients, providers and family caregivers often results in preventable hospital admissions. Twenty percent of older Americans with chronic ailments account for 75 percent of total Medicare spending, mainly due to high rates of hospital admissions and readmissions.

A recent study estimated that Medicare spent $17.4 billion on largely preventable hospitalizations in 2004. Home health and other transitional services can help prevent hospital admissions, improve health outcomes and substantially reduce health care costs. Home visits can be arranged to coordinate complex care, such as medication changes, new diagnosis, multiple therapies and more.

Education and self care management of chronic conditions such as COPD, CHF and diabetes is very important for the patient and caregiver. Several studies have shown that transitional care will reduce re-admissions, save money and result in better health outcomes.

If you or a loved one has a chronic illness or is in need of home health care services, don't hesitate to speak with your physician about services that may be available. Please don't wait until you've had a serious episode or hospital admission that could possible have been prevented. Our mandate as home health practitioners is to prevent hospitalization and to assist the consumer in improving or maintaining their quality of life. http://www2 .highlandstoday.com/content/2009/jun/17/health-care/

Michael Jackson Dead At Age 50

2010-04-02T23:35:00.479-07:00

King of Pop Michael Jackson died Thursday at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center where he was rushed around 1 p.m. PT by paramedics.

Jackson, 50, suffered cardiac arrest.

Capt. Steve Ruda said earlier Thursday that paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home around 12:26 p.m. Ruda said Jackson was not breathing when they arrived.

A law enforcement source told the LA Times that Jackson was declared dead Thursday afternoon after arriving in a deep coma at the hospital.

Jackson had announced months ago that he would be doing a comeback tour, but his representatives announced in May that the the star would postpone several of his London shows scheduled for this summer.

Jackson, who has sold more than 750 million albums and won 13 Grammys, hasn't undertaken a a major tour since 1997 or released an album of new material since 2001.

The 50-year-old singer has been seen in public infrequently since he was acquitted of child molestation in California in 2005. He has struggled to pay his debts, and was forced last year to give up the deed to Neverland, his 2,500-acre ranch and miniature amusement park in California.

On May 20, Jackson's representatives announced several postponments to his London comeback shows scheduled for this summer. The opening night at the 02 Arena had been set for July 8 but was be moved back to July 13, promoters said. In addition, other shows scheduled for July were moved to 2010.

The delays fueled speculation that Jackson was suffering from health ailments.

Also in May, his publicist and general manager filed a $44 million lawsuit against the pop star claiming he has not paid her for deals she's made. Raymone Bain of Washington had been Jackson's spokeswoman for more than five years, speaking on his behalf in all sorts of matters including his child molestation trial. Three years ago, Jackson expanded her role by appointing her the head of the Michael Jackson Co. Inc. and his personal general manager.

In November 2008, Jackson was reportedly too sick to travel to London to testify in a suit claiming he owes an Arab sheikh $7 million. Jackon sought to give his testimony by video link from the United States.

Jackson has often been seen wearing a surgical mask in public. In one infamous 2002 court appearance in California, he appeared to have a bandage hanging from his hollowed-out nose.

Despite much speculation about his radically changed appearance over the years, he has denied having had any alterations to his face other than two operations on his nose to help him breathe better to hit higher notes.

Jackson, a twice-divorced father of three, said during his 50th birthday celebration last year that he aims to provide a a normal life for his children.

"I am letting them enjoy their childhood as much as possible. ... I let them go to the arcade and go to the movies and do things. I think that comes naturally. I want them to get to do things I didn't get to do," he said.

"I get pretty emotional when I see them having a wonderful time," he said.

As for his career, Jackson said he's "looking forward to doing a lot of great things. ... I think the best is yet to come in my true humble opinion."

He said recording the blockbuster albums "Thriller" and "Off the Wall" were the happiest times of his life.

"That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world. You know, I enjoyed it very much," he said.
http://cbs2 .com/entertainment/michael.jackson.hospitalized.2.1059895.html

Your Turn: Reduce and Reuse to Save Money

2010-04-02T23:35:00.478-07:00

Our Monday blogger, Jake, has work duties that will take him away from Gov Gab until September. In his absence, we’re alternating between “Your Turn” weeks, where we’ll ask a question to spotlight your knowledge about government resources, and posts from guest bloggers across the government.

Today's Question: With tight budgets and tough economic times, what little changes have you made to save money? My family is refilling bike water bottles instead of buying bottled water. It saves money and the environment.

Jobs in Public Service

2010-04-02T23:35:00.477-07:00

Do you know a recent graduate who is looking for a job? Or anyone else looking for work in this tough economy? Encourage them to consider public service!

On July 16, if you can make it to Washington, DC, checkout the annual Public Service Career and Internship Fair. Lasting from 3-7 p.m. at the National Building Museum, scope out our career and internship opportunities from 67 federal agencies. Participants can pre-register online to get full details about the event including directions and tips for putting your best foot forward.

Can't get to DC? USAjobs.gov is always available to search for job openings in the government.

First Postage Stamps/ZIP Codes

2010-04-02T23:35:00.476-07:00

July 1, 2009

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format. or as a .wav file

Profile America — Wednesday, July 1st. The first stamps issued by the U.S. Post Office were sold on this date in 1847. A five-cent stamp pictured Ben Franklin, and one costing 10 cents honored George Washington. Before then, there were no uniform stamps — a haphazard system of private postal services around the country had issued their own. And on this date in 1963, the five digit ZIP Code was introduced to help speed mail to its proper destination. That year, Americans sent nearly 68 billion pieces of mail. Today, the postal service handles more than 212 billion pieces of mail annually — which works out to two items for every man, woman and child in the country every day. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureauonline at <www>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 340, 342
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 804
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1085
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html

Your 4th of July Photos

2010-04-02T23:35:00.475-07:00

About two weeks ago, we asked people to share their IndependenceDay photos with us by adding them to our group on Flickr. Since then,people from all over the world have shared over 200 photos!

We've had a lot of fun seeing how people celebrate our favorite dayof the year with BBQs, swimming, fireworks, parades, and time withfamily and friends. Here is a selection of the many beautiful 4th ofJuly photos people shared with us that capture the variety of ways thatpeople celebrate our independence across the country.

Hope you had a great holiday!

Untitled by Shawn Farrington

Untitled by cebasham

Happy 4th of July by John F Hark

, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/guffey_family_christmas_2008/3690064951/">
Red, White, & Blue by <Bobby>

Budweiser Clydesdales by Tim Archibald

Independence Day Parade by oplkids

swirly by jasonsbytes

Waterford VA July 4 2009 by NancyTylerPhotos

In the Spirit by Mr. Saint Spaniel

BamBam on the 4th of July by erniejon

See more beautiful 4th of July photos shared on Flickr.

VTE Travel Risks

2010-04-02T23:35:00.474-07:00

It's summer and everyone is on the move. Except when we are trapped on a long flight or playing "eye spy" in the mini-van en route to Grandma's or the shore.

A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine warns about the risk of a condition called venous thromboembolism or VTE. VTE is the formation of a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg or pelvis, and if the clot breaks loose and travels to the heart or lungs, can be fatal. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the leg.

VTE is very rare, but risk increases considerably during flights or car rides longer than a few hours. Those most at risk are people who are obese, have chronic illness, or take medicines containing estrogen.

To prevent VTE, it's important to remain hydrated by drinking water, flexing your calf muscles, and walking around if possible. Avoid alcohol and coffee because they can dehydrate you.

Time For a Tune Up

2010-04-02T23:35:00.473-07:00

When I lived in Pennsylvania, I never had to worry about scheduling routine maintenance for my car because every year my car was required to be inspected for various safety and performance features.

Maryland doesn't have that same policy, so now it's up to me to remember to take my car in for maintenance, and unfortunately by the end of the month, my car needs to be looked at by a mechanic.

Taking my car for a tune up in a new place has me a little nervous so I've been reading a lot about how to make the trip as simple as possible.

I've pretty much decided I'm going to take it to the dealer because they are trained to work on my specific car. I also picked up a couple of other good tips.

I should:

Make sure I understand pricing. Will there be a diagnostic fee, is there a flat rate for labor or do they charge hourly?
Ask for a signed, written estimate of the cost that states the shop will contact me before doing anything beyond the amount stated.
Document all transactions in case something goes wrong and I need to file a complaint.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I don't need too much work done and that everything goes smoothly, but I'm still a little nervous. Do you all have any other tips or tricks I should know about that will help make the process easier?

Exploring Underwater Treasures

2010-04-02T23:35:00.472-07:00

Our guest blogger today is Caryn Bower, an intern with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As the heat of summer hits, everyone can use an opportunity to cool off and have some fun by the water. In these tough economic times, however, it can be hard for a budget-conscious family to find ways to beat the heat that don’t involve spending lots of cash to wait in lines at a water park.

So, if you’re one of the many Americans searching for inexpensive, entertaining and educational aquatic activities, it’s hard to go wrong with a visit to one of our national marine sanctuaries! From Lake Huron to the Florida Keys, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System manages more than 150,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes waters. If you live near the coast, chances are that you’re close to one of these 14 special places and all of the wallet-friendly fun they have to offer.

There are countless things to do in the marine sanctuaries, like snorkeling, surfing, fishing, kayaking, or just relaxing on the beach. Visitors can explore tide pools along Washington’s shores in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary or see wildlife like sea otters and pelicans as they paddle among the kelp forests of California’s Monterey Bay.

Adventure seekers can plunge into the depths of the sanctuaries and see the underwater world through a wide range of scuba diving experiences. Even without scuba training, many of the historic shipwrecks in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Michigan’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary are accessible within snorkeling depths.

For an unforgettable experience, whale watching tours are a great way to see some of the largest creatures on Earth. Popular whale watching destinations include the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary in Massachusetts, and the Channel Islands Sanctuary off the Southern California coast.

Those who prefer to experience the wonders of the underwater world without getting their feet wet will find free visitor centers in San Francisco, Keys Plants and Animals&id=527&pageNum=2">Key West, and Hilo, Hawaii to be perfect for learning about the sanctuaries from the safety of dry land.

If you’re a history buff, you can learn all about our nation’s maritime past at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (free admission) or check out one of the most famous ships in American history at the USS Monitor Center in Newport News, Virginia. More information about some of the historic shipwrecks and landmarks within the sanctuary system can be found through the Historic Places and Preservation section of USA.gov.

You don’t always have to open your wallet to open your mind. Plan a visit to a national marine sanctuary today, and explore some of America’s underwater treasures!

Supreme Court Nomination

2010-04-02T23:35:00.471-07:00

You’ve probably heard the news that this week the Senate is considering the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the position of Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Did you ever wonder how this appointment process works?

Article III of the Constitution established the judicial branch of government with the creation of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States. One of the Supreme Court’s most important responsibilities is to decide cases that raise questions of constitutional interpretation. The Court decides if a law or government action violates the Constitution. Nominations for the Supreme Court are made by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

On May 26, 2009, President Obama announced the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

This week the Senate Judiciary Committee is considering the nomination of Judge Sotomayor. The Judiciary Committee holds hearings to consider judicial and other nominations. You can watch a webcast of the hearings on the Judiciary Committee website.

During a hearing, members of the Judiciary Committee hold a question and answer session with the nominee. After the hearing, Committee members may send written follow-up questions to the nominee. After the completion of any follow-up questions, the committee will vote to decide if the nominee should be considered by the full Senate. If a majority of the Senate votes in favor of a nomination, the President is notified of the Senate's action, and the nomination is confirmed. Once a person has been approved by the Senate and sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice, he or she remains in the job for life.

Open heart surgery: perfect cardio bypass surgery record

2010-04-02T23:35:00.470-07:00

St. Mary’s Hospital claims perfect cardio-bypass surgery record

PASSAIC (July 16, 2009) — St. Mary’s Hospital is one of only two hospitals in New Jersey that has a perfect record for cardiac-bypass surgery, with no deaths reported in the latest New Jersey cardiac-surgery report card released last month. In the report’s introduction, Health Commissioner Heather Howard stated, “This is a remarkable tribute to the continued commitment of New Jersey hospitals and surgeons to making cardiac surgery safer.” Another significant finding in the report was that St. Mary’s cardiac surgeon Dr. Raj Kaushik was one of only two surgeons in New Jersey to have no bypass-surgery deaths in 2005 and 2006. The report, which was based on 2006 statistics, also noted that St. Mary’s had reported no mortalities within 30 days after surgery for patients undergoing heart-bypass operations.

Bypass surgery, a procedure that moderates angina, dramatically lowers the risk of death from heart disease. Angina, severe chest pain due to a lack of oxygen supply, is a result of a blockage in the heart’s artery or arteries. During bypass surgery, veins from elsewhere in the patient’s body are grafted to the blocked arteries in order to bypass the thickening or narrowing of the tubular organ and improve the blood supply to the heart muscle. Bypass surgery is one of many specialized cardiac procedures performed at St. Mary’s Hospital, which is home to the Eastern Heart Institute, and is the first hospital in New Jersey to perform open-heart surgery

The vice president of medical affairs at St. Mary’s, Dr. Daniel Conroy, acknowledged this, and stated, “A lot of people don’t realize what a pearl we are in the community.”

St. Mary’s Hospital Cardiac Services Program performs more than 2,000 invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures each year.

St. Mary’s Hospital is the primary provider of quality healthcare to the Passaic and Bergen communities, as well as to areas of Essex and Hudson counties. It is a non-profit acute care hospital offering a broad range of health care services and community outreach programs. St. Mary’s Hospital is a Center of Excellence for cardiology, oncology, behavioral health, and women and children services. The hospital has 289 beds, over 550 physicians and employs approximately 1,500 New Jersey residents. St. Mary’s Hospital is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station.

http://leadernewspapers.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10743

Advancd medical procedures

2010-04-02T23:35:00.469-07:00

Experts say the $50,000 or $100,000 medical claim is increasingly common. Some of the most expensive procedures, such as those at right, did not exist or were not as common just a few years ago. Other procedures remain relatively rare, but an individual case can require vast expenditures. Liver transplant ... $175,000 Care for premature newborn with severe problem ... $168,000 For eight-month period. Leukemia care with bone marrow transplant ... $161,000 Over five years. Heart transplant ... $83,000 AIDS care ... $50,000 - $150,000 Coronary bypass ... $33,500 Five-year total, assuming no need for reoperation, which is required in about 20 percent of the cases. Mental health care ... $28,000 Over five years, with one hospitalization and outpatient care.

Expensive Medical Procedures

2010-04-02T23:35:00.468-07:00

Why Are Medical Costs So High?

People who lack insurance coverage are less likely to seek treatment. Those who do seek treatment while uninsured are much more likely to seek care in emergency rooms, thus driving the cost of medicine even higher. A vicious cycle emerges.

Take the case of Titus Simonini, whose case has been brought to national attention by Orange County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. Titus has hydrocephalus and needs a silicon brain implant just to survive.

Each year, over 7.5 million lives are saved or improved by implantable medical devices. Yet, due to the threat of liability, 75 percent of suppliers of biomaterials used to make medical implants banned sales to U.S. manufacturers. Although the Biomaterials Assurance Assistance Act of 2000 attempted to resolve this, many medical device manufacturers have chosen to remain overseas.

Procedure Cost in US dollars
Open heart surgery $324,000
Heart transplant $287,000
Liver transplant $235,000
Heart/Lung transplant $210,000
Tracheostomy $205,000
Bone marrow transplant $186,000
Destruction of lesion of retina $153,000
Pancreas transplant $135,000
Heart valve procedures $133,000
Kidney transplant $130,000
Arterial bypass and shunt $110,000
Coronary artery bypass graft $97,000
Gastrectomy (removal of all or part of the stomach) $93,000
Small bowel resection $81,000

Hemophilia

2010-04-02T23:35:00.467-07:00

Hemophilia is most expensive illness: insurance bureau

Hemophilia is the most costly disease to treat, national health insurance figures show, with an average bill of NT$2.47 million (US$74,600) per patient last year.

Citing Bureau of National Health Insurance statistics released at the end of the year, Lee Li-hua, an official in the medical affairs division, said yesterday that the average amount spent on each hemophilia patient was equivalent to the annual premiums of 148 people.

The average national health insurance premium per person is NT$16,700, she said.

A total of 909 hemophilia patients covered their treatment with national health insurance last year, she said.

Meanwhile, the cost to the national health insurance system last year to treat patients dependent on respirators was equivalent to 44 annual premiums, while the cost per patient for those requiring regular dialysis was equivalent to 36 annual premiums.

For patients who have to be fed intravenously because of intestinal resection, the cost to the national health insurance was equivalent to 32 annual premiums. Treating burn patients cost the equivalent of 27 annual premiums.

These patients were among the 720,000 people categorized as having “catastrophic illnesses” and whose health care costs accounted for 26.2 percent of total expenditures, Lee said. About 3 percent of insured persons are classified as having “catastrophic illnesses,” she said.

Bureau figures showed that 330,000 cancer patients sought treatment last year under national health insurance coverage, which cost NT$44.5 billion, or NT$130,000 per patient.

Cancer patients comprised the largest group within the category of “catastrophic illnesses,” the bureau said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/07/15/2003448702

Chemotherapy Effective for Hodgkin's Lymphoma

2010-04-02T23:35:00.466-07:00

New Dose-Dense Chemotherapy Effective for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Reduces Long-Term Risks

PROVIDENCE, RI -- July 13, 2009 -- Researchers have identified a new chemotherapy regimen for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) aged younger than 22 years. The research is published online first in the journal Blood.

The new treatment enhances efficacy through dose-dense drug delivery while simultaneously reducing the long-term risks presented by high cumulative dose chemotherapy.

"For decades, the chemotherapy regimens known as MOPP [mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone] and ABVD [doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine] had been the standard treatment options for these patients," said lead investigator Cindy Schwartz, MD, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.

"However, while they yielded excellent survival rates, they often resulted in long-term effects from toxicity, including infertility, second malignancy, and cardiopulmonary toxicity. With the new treatment paradigm we've developed, in essence, we've been able to cure the cancer while reducing the risk of long-term effects on our patients."

The group designed a new chemotherapy treatment known as ABVE-PC (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, and cyclophosphamide), which combines 6 drugs into 1 dose-dense regimen that could limit the cumulative doses of each drug below the recognised thresholds known for resulting in long-term toxicity.

Their goal was to reach a rapid early response (RER) in order to further reduce cumulative therapy and to thereby increase event-free survival. They also combined the chemotherapy treatment with low-dose radiation following the completion of the ABVE-PC cycles.

"We have successfully achieved 5-year event free survival in 84% of the patients and overall survival in 95% of our patients with this dose-dense, early-response-based treatment algorithm," said Dr. Schwartz.

"Only 9 weeks of chemotherapy were required in 63% of our patients. This study has shown conclusively that the new chemotherapeutic treatment of ABVE-PC simultaneously provides high efficacy and reduces the cumulative doses of chemotherapy and radiation. We believe this represents a significant advance in the treatment of HL."

The researchers conducted the study between 1997 and 2001 in 216 eligible patients (76 females, 140 males) aged younger than 22 years of age, with intermediate- or high-risk HL. The median time from initial treatment to completion of the third cycle was approximately 8.7 weeks, and completion of the fifth cycle was approximately 16 weeks.

While the dose densities of the chemotherapy agents exceeded those of the most commonly used regimens, cumulative doses of the chemotherapy were significantly lower.

Of the 216 eligible patients, 209 were able to be evaluated for response. Of those patients, 132 patients (63%) showed RER, and only 2 of the patients showed evidence of progressive disease. RER was achieved in 67% of intermediate-risk HL patients and 61% of high-risk HL patients.

The 5-year event-free survival for intermediate-risk HL patients was 84% and 85% for high-risk HL patients. Few relapses occurred beyond 3 years after enrolment.

"The results of the study indicate that through this new chemotherapy treatment we have been able to effectively deliver dose-dense chemotherapy while reducing the cumulative exposure to our patients."

There are other, more immediate outcomes of the new treatment paradigm that are also of note. "Our patients truly appreciate the rapidity of treatment. Regimens traditionally used for intermediate and advanced disease require 6 to 8 months of chemotherapy, instead of 2 to 3 and a half months. A major benefit of this new approach is that children and young adults are able to more quickly return to school and work."

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF6852575F200753F9B

New ZERONA Painless Laser Liposuction

2010-04-02T23:35:00.465-07:00

The ZERONA body-sculpting laser procedure removes fat and contours the body without invasive surgery. According to the manufacturer Erchonia®, ZERONA allows the patient to continue their daily activities without interruptions from surgery, pain, or wounds.

ZERONA is considered a cold laser, designed to emulsify adipose (fat) tissue which then releases into the interstitial space. The excess fat is passed through the body during its normal course of detoxification. The ZERONA procedure is proven through a double blind, randomized, multi-site, and placebo controlled study. Patients lost 3.5 to 9 inches compared to the placebo group that lost only a half an inch. ZERONA body sculpting requires 6 sessions over a 2 week period. Patients are losing an average of 2 to 7 pant or dress sizes.

The Importance of Sleep

2010-04-02T23:35:00.464-07:00

This past weekend my sleep schedule got all messed up. Friday night I was at the beach with friends and got to bed late. Saturday my friend had a potluck and I got to bed late. To make up for it, I napped for a long time on Sunday afternoon and then couldn't fall asleep Sunday night. I've spent the rest of the week trying to get my sleep schedule to look something a little closer to normal.

I'm pretty sure no expert would say my inability to sleep on Sunday night was actually insomnia (or any other sleep disorder for that matter), but I still figured it couldn't hurt to look into ways to get my sleep schedule back on track.

I found some great tips for getting better sleep in this article on sleeping well.

I also learned I violate two of them on a regular basis.

As you can see from my example above, I hardly keep a regular sleep-wake cycle, especially on the weekends. I also routinely go for my runs around 8 p.m., which is about two hours before I hit the hay on a work night.

I can't be the only one who violates the "rules of sleep." If you've got a minute, check out the list and share in the comments which tip you have the hardest time following.

Your Turn: Making the Most of Libraries

2010-04-02T23:35:00.463-07:00

Today's Question: When was the last time you used your local library and what are your favorite library resources and programs? My county is reducing library hours and services even though more and more people are visiting the library - a disappointing reality of the county's tight budget. My last visit was prompted by the Children's Summer Reading Program, where kids can track their reading to earn a coupon book for lots of neat activities.

Alzheimer dementia patients for nursing homes

2010-04-02T23:35:00.462-07:00

Dementia is a characterized by a progressive decline in a person's functional abilities, including the ability to remember, think, and reason. A person who has dementia may also exhibit changes in personality, behavior and mood. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease of the brain that is one type of dementia. Presently there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Nursing homes can provide care for persons affected by dementia.

Some nursing homes have special units for residents with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. If your loved one has Alzheimer's disease or is suffering from dementia, consider a nursing home that has a special care unit for those with dementia.

Summer Reading for Kids

2010-04-02T23:35:00.461-07:00

Even though it's summertime and school is out, that doesn’t mean that all learning has to come to a halt. I’m a believer in summer vacation as a time to have loads of fun, loaf around a bit, and get into some unstructured learning. We grownups tend to overlook it, but all sorts of interesting things are growing and crawling around the yard to explore.

Summer is also a great time to read. I’m not talking about textbooks (unless you’re into that kind of thing). Reading with your little kids and encouraging the big ones to read, opens whole new worlds of imagination and discovery.

We read to our kids every day, and this summer my 8-year-old reads to me every day. We also participate in summer reading activities at our local library – I bet your library has programs too.

Even though she’s a good reader, I still read to my 8-year-old at bed time when she’s sleepy. Now we’re reading Shel Silverstein’s “Falling Up.” Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite authors. I think his books are a fun and imaginative way to introduce kids to poetry…and I love to read them too. What are your favorites? What do your kids love to read?

Maybe your kid is ready to work on writing and illustrating his/her own book. Why not? Maybe you’ve got a great author living under your own roof.

Depression Help Available From The Most Qualified Treatment

2010-04-02T23:35:00.460-07:00

Depression Help

Depression help is vitally important when you are dealing with a depressive disorder. Depressive disorders are capable of making people feel exhausted, helpless, worthless and even hopeless in their lives, requiring depression help as a result. Depression help is the next logical step if you are feeling any of these things in your life, because these negative thoughts and feelings are capable of making you feel as if you should give up. You need to realize that these negative feelings are simply a part of depression, and that they do not in any way accurately reflect the situation that you are in. Negative thinking is capable of fading significantly as depression help becomes available to you. Psychotherapy and other forms of therapy and treatment, like anxiety treatment, are designed specifically to provide this necessary level of depression help, allowing you to change the negative thinking that has become associated with your depression.

In addition to seeking professional types of depression help, the other thing that you need to do is to learn how to eliminate the negative self thinking that you are creating in your mind. You should not allow yourself to become overwhelmed while seeking professional depression help. Instead, you should be relaxing, de-stressing and trying to cope with what currently is going on in your life. The more that you can slow things down and allow yourself to focus, the better off you will be.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=103813&cat=10

40th Anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing

2010-04-02T23:35:00.459-07:00

Yesterday marked the 40-year anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. While I've only seen replays of the famous footage, those who were alive at the time all distinctly remember where they were when President Kennedy's challenge to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade was met.

My Dad is one of those people. Sitting in his parents' tiny rowhome in Reading, PA, he and my Grandmother patiently waited for Neil Armstrong to step out of the lunar module Eagle.

While my Grandmother was too tired to stay up, my Dad remained glued to CBS and was one of the more than half a billion people watching as Neil Armstrong proclaimed, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

In total awe of what he witnessed, my Dad has always tried to share the magic of that moment with my sister and me by doing things like taking us to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida while on vacation.

Do you have memories of the first moon landing? Where were you watching this historical moment? Who were you with?

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and NASA have lots of activities going on to celebrate.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

2010-04-02T23:35:00.458-07:00

What is Follicular Unit Extraction?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a method of obtaining donor hair for Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), where individual follicular units are harvested directly from the donor area, without the need for a linear incision. In this hair restoration procedure, a 1-mm punch is used to make a small circular incision in the skin around the upper part of the follicular unit, which is then extracted directly from the scalp.

Using direct extraction to harvest follicular units was initially introduced by Dr. Woods in Australia as the “Wood’s Technique,” but he did not disclose the details of his technique. The procedure was first described in the medical literature by Rassman and Bernstein in their 2002 publication “Follicular Unit Extraction: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Hair Transplantation.” This paper gave the procedure its current name and described the FOX test used to identify patient variability. The procedure was further refined by Dr. Jim Harris by adding an additional step of blunt dissection to the technique.

Follicular Unit Transplantation and Follicular Unit Extraction are sometimes viewed as being two totally different procedures. FUE, in fact, is a type FUT where the follicular units are extracted directly from the scalp, rather than being microscopically dissected from a strip that has already been removed. To say it another way, in Follicular Unit Transplantation, individual follicular units can be obtained in one of two ways; either through single strip harvesting and stereomicroscopic dissection, or through FUE.

Therefore, when comparisons are made between FUT and FUE, what is really being compared is the way the follicular grafts are obtained (i.e. strip harvesting and dissection vs. direct extraction). The harvesting method does have other implications for the procedure such as the transection (damage) rate, distribution of follicular units, number of grafts per session, post-op care and the total yield.

Because FUE does not leave a linear scar, it is used for patients who want to wear their hair very short. The procedure is also useful for those who have healed poorly from traditional strip harvesting or who have a very tight scalp. Possibly the most important application of this technique is to camouflage a widened linear donor scar from a prior hair transplant procedure.

Patients differ significantly with respect to the ease in which follicular units can be removed from the scalp, with extraction in some patients producing unacceptable levels of transaction (damage due to cut hair follicles). Patients considering FUE should be tested for ease of extraction (the FOX Test) so that those in whom extraction is difficult, or who show significant degrees of transaction, can be identified in advance.

Patients undergoing a Follicular Unit Transplantation procedure can be tested for Follicular Unit Extraction at the time of surgery, in the event FUE may be needed in a future session. One such use might be the camouflage of the linear scar after the patient’s final FUT procedure.

FUE-1 Immediate FUE-2 6 days Post-op FUE-3 13 days Post-op

Post-op 600 grafts

The Pros and Cons of Follicular Unit Extraction

FUE’s main limitation, when compared to FUT, is that it is less efficient in harvesting hair from the mid-portion of the permanent zone. In FUT, the strip is taken from the optimal (central) part of the donor region so all the hair in this area can be removed and transplanted. After the strip is removed, the wound edges are sewn together.

In FUE, hair is extracted, but the intervening bald skin between the follicular units is not removed. Therefore, the surgeon must leave enough hair in the area to cover the remaining donor scalp. Consequently, there is considerably less total donor hair available, perhaps half as much as with FUT. This represents a significant disadvantage, since a limited donor supply is the main factor that prevents a complete hair restoration in many patients. To compensate for the inability to harvest all the hair from the permanent zone, the surgeon may eventually be tempted to harvest hair from the upper and lower margins of the original donor area and risk the hair being of poor quality or being non-permanent.

In Follicular Unit Extraction the wounds, although small, are left open to heal, leaving hundreds to thousands of tiny scars. Although not readily apparent, this scarring distorts adjacent follicular units and makes subsequent sessions more difficult. This is an additional factor that limits the total available donor supply in FUE.

Although new techniques and instrumentation significantly decrease the amount of transection and damage during the extraction, the inability to fully access the mid-portion of the permanent zone in a hair transplant procedure, significantly limits the total amount of hair that can be accessed through FUE, rendering it a far less robust procedure than FUT for moderate to advanced balding.

The table below summarizes the pros and cons of Follicular Unit Extraction.

Advantages

* No linear scar
o Important for those who wear their hair short

* Decreases healing time in the donor area

* Useful for those with a greater risk of donor scarring (Asians)

* Ideal for repairing donor scars that cannot be excised

* No limitations on strenuous exercise after the procedure
o Less post-op discomfort

* Provides an alternative when the scalp is too tight for a strip excision

* Extends the dimensions of the donor area (but not necessarily the total number of grafts)

* Enables one to harvest finer hair from the nape of the neck to be used at the hairline or for eyebrows

* Makes it theoretically possible to harvest non-scalp hair
o ex. beard or body hair

* Most useful when a limited number of grafts are needed

Disadvantages

* Maximum follicular unit graft yield is lower than with FUT
o Due to the inability to harvest all the hair from the mid-permanent zone
o The scarring and distortion of the donor scalp from FUE makes subsequent FUE sessions more difficult
o Greater follicular transection (damage) compared to FUT

* Greater patient variability in who are good candidates compared to FUT

* More difficult to capture the entire follicular unit

* More difficult to obtain a natural distribution of follicular units
o For efficiency, the largest follicular units are targeted, but these may not be ideal for the hairline

* Grafts are more fragile and subject to trauma during placing
o Since they often lack the protective dermis and fat of microscopically dissected grafts

* Microscopic dissection may still be needed
o If the number of single-hair grafts is inadequate
o To remove hair fragments

* Grafts harvested from outside the donor area will not be permanent

* After large numbers of graft are harvested, fine stippled scars may become visible due to thinning of donor area

* Size of session is limited
o Requires multiple sessions to equal the size of a single FUT

* Takes longer to perform
o More expensive than FUT

* Problems of “capping”
o This occurs when the top of the graft pulls off during extraction

* Problems of buried grafts
o This occurs during the blunt phase of the three-step technique when the graft is pushed into to fat and must be removed through a small incision or risked producing a cyst

http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/hair-transplant/follicular-extraction.php

DriveThru Day

2010-04-02T23:35:00.457-07:00

July 24, 2009

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Profile America — Friday, July 24th. This is National Drive-Thru Day — noting the popularity of restaurants that take orders by intercom and then hand them out a window to drivers while they remain behind the wheel. The first such service was the idea of Robert Peterson, at a Jack in the Box restaurant in San Diego in 1951. At the time, drive-in restaurants were very popular, where staff brought food to people who stayed in their parked cars. Some even brought out the food on roller skates, and the order was delivered to a tray attached to the car door. Today, drive-thrus are a feature of many of the nearly 187,000 fast food restaurants in the U.S., which generate $117 billion in sales each year. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureauonline at <www>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 375
www.jackinthebox.com
2002 Economic Census, NAICS 722211
http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/data/industry/E722211.HTM

Weight Loss the Easy Way? No Way!

2010-04-02T23:35:00.456-07:00

Lately I've been wondering if I could fashion my own homemade liposuction device by duct taping my curling iron to my hand vacuum a sort of melting and fat sucking mechanism that would deposit my unwanted blubber into a disposable bag that I could toss in Wednesday's garbage pickup.* My husband even caught me eyeballing my curling iron speculatively the other day. *Note to the humor impaired I am kidding, do not try this at home!

This crazy fantasy thinking has been brought on due to the fact that I have gained a lot of weight in the last year. Could it be all of the bags of potato chips and the fact that my activity level has dropped to zero? Hmm nah! Okay, maybe a little. My relationship with obesitywe go way back.

I have struggled most of my life to adopt a different way of eating and living. I was able to significantly alter my diet to reduce my carbohydrates. I increased the amount of veggies, fruits, fish, and beans in my diet and I got on a regular exercise routine. I was really doing well and feeling pretty good! I thought I had finally gotten my act together, but then a personal loss just completely discombobulated me. Most of my good habits fell by the wayside. I know what I need to do to get myself back on track, but I can't seem to get motivated to do it.

This evening I did something that gave me a glimmer of hope. My mother-in-law took me to the Randolph Air Force Base gym to check out the facility. I felt a stirring of interest in getting my life back on a healthy path. This evening I started typing this blog about weight loss. As usual, I prepared for my blog by doing research and I started reading the weight loss information I was finding:

FDA has a section on Food Labeling and Nutrition for Consumers
MedlinePlus has a great Diets and Exercising and Physical Fitness
USA.gov's page on Food, Nutrition, and Fitness has lots of great resources. The page on and Health and Nutrition: Online Services includes links to a BMI calculator, an online weight assessment tool, and an online meal planner.

I am feeling the tendrils of confidence beginning to take root. I can do this. I can take back control. I know it won't be easy. There is no magical curling iron that will melt my fat away and turn my life around. The only “magic” required is the “magic” of my own perseverance and determination. It will take work to get back to a healthy life. For those of you who may have gotten a little lost like me I believe you can do it too. Let's make the commitment together to live healthier lives, one step at a time!

Americans with Disabilities Act

2010-04-02T23:35:00.455-07:00

July 26, 2009

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Profile America — Sunday, July 26th. On this date 19 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. The goal was to guarantee equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public and commercial facilities, as well as employment, transportation and services at all levels of government. There are just over 41 million people who have at least one disability. Some 11 million need assistance with one or more activities of daily living, such as taking a shower or a bath. There are 1.8 million Americans 15 and older who are unable to see, and 1 million who cannot hear. And there are 2.5 million who have some difficulty in having their speech understood. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureauonline at <www>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 377
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB09-FF.13
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013739.html

Merry-go-round

2010-04-02T23:35:00.454-07:00

July 27, 2009

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Profile America — Monday, July 27th. For generations, one of the thrills of childhood was riding on a merry-go-round, awed by the movement and the music of the band organ. While the exact origins of the merry-go-round — or carousel — are lost, William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa, is credited by some historians with inventing the device in America this month in 1871. By the early 1900s, there were some 4,000 across the U.S. Estimates vary, but most sources say fewer than 400 remain. There are only two steam-powered carousels left in the country — both fired up once a year on Labor Day weekend. Today, there are close to 600 amusement and theme parks in the U.S. — featuring rides much faster and more demanding than the merry-go-round. Profile America is beginning its 13th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: American Speaker Calendar of Events
www.carouselnews.com
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1191
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html

Summer's no vacation for pediatricians

2010-04-02T23:35:00.453-07:00

Pediatricians know it's summer when the health forms start piling up.

For everything from day care and camps to college and driver's license applications, each form asks different questions and often requires handwritten answers.

"It's overwhelming, particularly in the summer" when camps, school, and sports seasons converge, says Jeffrey Bomze, a pediatrician whose Bryn Mawr practice sees around 3,000 patients a year. "It's not just a signature and out the door."

Every year, pediatricians typically see about 95 patients per week, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. At nearly 5,000 patients per year, four health forms per child, and about eight minutes per form, that means one person could spend 333 workdays a year on health forms alone.

And it's getting worse.

"It's been a bane of pediatricians for years," said Bomze. But "nowadays, with liability issues, people can be very paranoid and concerned," leading doctors and nurses, who do most of the form work, to take extra care to protect themselves.

So what can be done to fix the problem?

Online medical records or e-mail communication between pediatrician's offices and schools could help cut postage costs and wait times, suggested Bomze. So would standardized forms like those used by sports leagues.

Pennsylvania does have an immunization registry that physicians and schools can tap into to prove that a child has been vaccinated, said Suzanne Yunghans, executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Pennsylvania chapter. But it's unlikely anything will happen because there's no one "with the authority to pull people together and say 'let's come up with a common form,' " she said.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/health_science/weekly/20090727_Summer_s_no_vacation_for_pediatricians.html

Is Your Pediatrician Green?

2010-04-02T23:35:00.452-07:00

As you did when choosing an ob/gyn, you want to find a pediatrician who is top-notch medically. How much better if he or she is also on the journey to an environmentally sustainable perspective on pediatrics!

This may be the first time you have selected a pediatrician; if you already have children, you may have an established relationship with their pediatrician -- or you may have inherited a treasured family doc from when you were a child. In any case, here are five representative questions you may want to ask politely to gauge physicians' thoughts on things green:
1. What advice do you give to new parents about introducing solid foods?

If their first suggestion is to begin with processed white rice flour cereal or processed conventional jarred foods, they may still be working from a twentieth-century industrial mind-set. To learn more, continue the conversation by asking for their advice about introducing whole grains, fresh tastes, or organic foods. Green pediatricians are often conscious of nutrition and care about establishing the nutritional habits of today's babies in ways that are better than those of previous generations.
2. How do you recommend treating ear infections?

If they say that all ear infections should be treated with antibiotics, they may be behind the times. The Academy of Pediatrics now teaches that, in many situations, ear infections will heal better on their own, without antibiotics (but pain relief should be given for the ear pain). The first steps toward sustainability that pediatricians often make in their practices are to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics.
3. How do you recommend treating eczema in babies?

If their first response is to use steroids or prescription drugs, they may not yet be thinking green. Often, a better first approach is to reduce exposure to eczema triggers or to gently moisturize the skin. Green-oriented physicians are more likely to treat the cause rather than just the symptoms and will opt for the gentlest treatment possible.
4. What kind of baby shampoo do you recommend?

If they mention a conventional brand, they may not yet be thinking about sustainable and pure products. If they mention any of a number of greener options, such as Baby Avalon Organics, Burt's Bees, or Tom's of Maine, that's a good sign that they are at least aware of a variety of greener options for common baby products.
5. Do you buy organic foods for your own family?

The answers to these types of questions will help you get a sense of their own green lifestyle outside the practice of medicine. Often physicians will start thinking about green issues for their own lives before they start integrating them into their practices. If they have made even small steps in this regard, they may be more supportive of your efforts to raise your baby green.

In addition to conversations with prospective pediatricians, you can also get some insight into the green potential of a medical practice by making an office visit simply to observe. What kind of lighting is used? (Incandescent bulbs are very non-green.) What kinds of cleaners are used? (A strong scent of bleach or ammonia is the tip-off that green cleansers are not yet in use.) Are there any babies in the waiting room who are wearing cloth or hybrid diapers? (This is a good sign that other parents with environmental concerns have chosen this doctor.)

And from the comfort of your home, you can learn a lot about some physicians and their practices by looking at their Websites -- many pediatricians have them now, but not all -- and by talking to other parents.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/07/16/hearstmaggreen439778.DTL#ixzz0MWP4a3Ow

Enjoying Cooler Air

2010-04-02T23:35:00.451-07:00

July 28, 2009

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Profile America — Tuesday, July 28th. On these blistering hot summer days when we walk from the heat into a cool office, store or home, we can thank a man many of us never have heard of — Willis Carrier. Carrier patented what he called an “apparatus for treating air” in 1906. His idea has fundamentally changed the way most Americans live, work and play. A good example is the surging population growth in some of the nation’s warmest climates. Air conditioning came into widespread use following WWII. Even by 1960, only 12 percent of homes in the U.S. were equipped. Today, six-out-of-10 houses in the U.S. have central air conditioning, and nearly one- out-of-four have window units. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureauonline at <www>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 343
U.S. Census Bureau, Current Housing Reports, Series H121/94-1, p. 41
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 946
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html

Summer Beach Vacation

2010-04-02T23:35:00.450-07:00

The kids are getting antsy. In a couple weeks we’ll be headed to the Jersey shore for our summer beach vacation. We’ve been doing the same thing for a few years now and we think a week at the beach is a wonderful family vacation. It’s nice to get away and spend a week biking, swimming, and golfing (mini golfing, that it) together.

Since we don’t live close to the coast, it’s a long, long ride to get to the beach. Any time you’re taking a long ride, it’s a good idea to check for road closures and construction. Anything that makes a long ride with little kids smoother is time well spent. We plan to map out a good route and then bring along plenty of snacks and dvd’s to keep the kids happy along the way.

There’s a lot to remember when heading to the beach – like water safety, and sunscreens, and hats, and towels. I start making a list weeks and weeks in advance. We also keep an eye on the beach temperatures just because we’re excited and we can’t wait to get there!

First Asphalt Road

2010-04-02T23:35:00.449-07:00

July 29, 2009

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Profile America — Wednesday, July 29th. Long before there were automobiles in the U.S., good roads were badly needed to get farm produce to market and to allow people to go visiting and shopping without battling mud. An American professor who had immigrated from Belgium — Edward de Smedt — invented an asphalt mix which could be applied in sheets to make a smooth surface. His first trial occurred on this date in 1870 on William Street in Newark, New Jersey. Even though de Smedt’s technique worked well, even by 1904, there were only 154 miles of paved highway in the entire country. Today, there are over a million miles of urban highways, including more than 57,000 miles of interstate roads and other freeways. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureauonline at <www>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 6621
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 710
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1049
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html

Paperback Books

2010-04-02T23:35:00.448-07:00

July 30, 2009

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Profile America — Thursday, July 30th. A revolution in book publishing started on this date 74 years ago. On that date, the Penguin Publishing House brought out the first modern paperback book, a biography of the poet Shelley. The idea behind these editions came from Allen Lane, in reaction to the tough economic situation of the Depression. Publishing paperbacks allowed him to lower his costs, sell more books and save his printing business. The lower cost and convenience of the softcover format caught on and has remained popular. Today, in spite of competition from television and computers, Americans buy more than 3 billion books each year — about half of them softcover. To pursue their reading, they spend close to $60 billion annually. Profile America is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau, now preparing for the 2010 Census.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 382
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1097
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html

Steroid Dangers

2010-04-02T23:35:00.447-07:00

I can remember back in high school talking to one of my friends on the football team about who on the team he suspected was using steroids. He assured me he didn't, but he did say he took some kind of protein-powder, muscle-building supplement. At the time I figured it was a better option than doing the illegal steroids.

However, this week the FDA issued a public warning about products that claim to be to be dietary supplements with steroids or steroid-like substances. Major health problems, such as serious liver damage, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism have been reported in men between the ages of 22 and 55. These products could also cause the masculinization of women, male infertility and stunted growth in children.

Really, a whole bunch of nasty side effects for something that supposedly makes your muscles bigger.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to get into better shape, but there's a healthier way to go about doing it.

If you're not sure where to start check out some of these resources:
Fitness.gov
Be Active Your Way
Exercise and Physical Fitness

Everything Old Is New Again

2010-04-02T23:35:00.446-07:00

When I was growing up in Iowa, my dad was really into gardening. We had a huge garden. Dad viewed gardening as a family adventure and expected everyone to help bring in the harvest. I had a pretty extreme phobia of bees. That is asubject for another blog, but needless to say, I spent those summer gardening sessions in a constant state of fear looking around for bees.

Dad was the boss of the gardening process, but mom was queen of the canning/preserving process. She seemed especially fond of canning pickles. Every summer we would end up with countless jars of pickles prepared in every shape andvariety.

Of course, I thought this whole canning thing was torture. Every summer my sisters and I washed, trimmed, and chopped whatever we were canning that day. The acidic tomato juice ran down our arms, stinging when it ran into cuts. When we didbeets we would look like we were wearing purple gloves for days. We would do multiple batches of whatever veggie or fruit for that day. The pressure cooker would be boiling on the stove, clacking away. With all of that intense cooking, it was a million degrees in the house with no air conditioning.

Ironically, I look back on those memories with fondness now. I can appreciate that canning/preserving food was actually a bonding experience and something special that we did together as a family. Growing and preserving food has given me a deeper appreciation of a process that has been with us throughout thehistory of mankind. These life sustaining techniques have allowed humanity to advance from preparing food on the frontier to finding ways to preserve food for space exploration. Call me a nerd, but I think that is rather cool.

With our troubled economy, there has been a renewed interest in gardening and preserving food to save money. For those of you interested in learning more aboutpreserving your own food, here are some helpful links:

USA.gov canning results page includes links on canning vegetables, canning safety, and even some recipes for salsa and pickles.
Freezing and Food Safety
TheDo's and Don'ts of Freezing Food
Cost of Preserving and Storing Food

My final word on all of this? Several years ago, my parents sold their house to my sister and her family. What do you think my sister found when she was cleaning out the basement? Behind a stack of board games she found jars and jars of pickles, 32 of them, all dated from the 1970s!