Happiness is Bliss

Double Happiness

2009-09-24T20:00:00.011+08:00

Do you believe in miracle? I would not believe there is such a thing called miracle in the past. I do not know what is the meaning of life. I do not know why people must come to this earth, grow up and then get sick and die. I have so many questions about life.

My life was not a happy journey all the time. In fact, I do not know what is real happiness. There are simply too much burdens or responsibilities in life; and things often do not work the way we wanted them to be. Everyday, life is monotonous, dull and 'the same day by day'.

However, ever since I had 'seen' the truth -- encountered God, as well as experienced the power of resurrection of Jesus Christ, who had saved me, everyday is a new day to be experienced -- beautiful and refreshing -- birds chirping, birds flying beautifully in the sky and much more.

That is one happiness -- my soul was saved, otherwise I would have perished. I was 'born again' during that time, brand new and refreshing experience -- inspired and happy. After this miracle, came another miracle of life...

Not knowingly, there was another little life growing inside me. It was such a torment for the nine months, and ultimately the labour or birth, and then confinement period. Pains, pains and really pains and suffering... However, today, I am enjoying double happiness...

The first happiness will be for life -- a lifetime of truth and experience that would not be forgotten: My life was saved by Jesus. Next happiness is none other than my little Isaac. Life is such a miracle in itself. From conception to birth, my body changed so much. My baby grew miraculously inside me, without me knowing how it grew, except for the kicks and punching and the size of my tummy growing.

A photograph of Isaac and me, taken one day after my birthday using handphone model Sony Ericsson Walkman W595

Now, Isaac is four months old and he is so fun to 'play' with now. He has added so much joy to the family. It is just not so easy to bring a child to this world. I do not want to forget every part of this new experience that I have. In the past, there are no digital cameras, and we could not afford to capture so many photographs. But now, I do not want to miss out any developmental stages of my new child. Nothing beats savouring all my baby's precious moments over and over again.

My camera(Exilim) was spoilt last month. I have to quickly shop for a camera phone because that is a cheaper alternative. Richard and I went shopping for handphone. He has always like phones like Blackberry that can be put in any blackberry case. He tried holding one of the blackberry in his hands but I do not like it. I love the iphone because it has beautiful iphone dock, but I do not need such an expensive phone now that I am not working. It is out of my budget. In the end, I bought a cheap phone. Richard bought the phone for me as my birthday present. He asked if I needed a Bluetooth Headset also, but I do not need it either. I am just satisfied to have a simple handphone to capture my little Isaac's smile and laughter everyday.

The above photograph is taken using my latest handphone, Sony Ericsson W595. I cannot imagine living one day of my life without a camera. It is just so nice to see all his special facial expression and sound that he(Isaac) made. This is in fact more than double happiness, probably triple happiness!

Hair Care

2009-09-23T10:31:00.011+08:00

Hair is composed of dead cells that grow out of tiny pockets or follicles, of actively dividing cells just under the skin. These follicles are nourished by small blood vessels and fed by sebaceous glands, which give hair its shine. The photo on the left shows me with long hair. That was taken several years back when my children are bigger and I had a maid at home to help me then.

With all the time, effort and money entailed, it would be nice to think that hair care products and treatments have some effect on the appearance and manageability of hair. Some purists argue that these investments cannot possibly affect the health of hair, since hair, after all is dead. Although this is true in a literal sense, there is no question that products and treatments can change the appearance of hair, if only through temporary cosmetic alterations. There is also no question that these products and treatments can damage hair if they are overused. Fortunately, with many professional hair care centres around, even damaged hair is eventually replaced with new, healthy hair nowadays.

Hair needs to be treated gently to prevent damage. This usually means minimizing excess exposure to sun, wind and chlorine (swimming). It also means regular but gentle brushing to rein in stray hairs and eliminate tangles (especially for long and curly hairs). Hair should be brushed from the scalp to the ends so that oil from the scalp can be distributed evenly over the strands. For women with long hair, split ends are very common. Split ends, which often appear at the tips of older hairs, are best eliminated with regular trims.

Daily shampooing with a gentle shampoo does not harm hair, but it is certainly not necessary for all types of hair. To shampoo, the hair should first be wet with warm water and then lathered outward from the scalp with a small amount of a gentle shampoo. Although protein shampoos cannot penetrate the hair shaft or render any permanent changes, they can coat the shaft temporarily and give the hair a fuller, thicker appearance. Massaging with finger tips rather than nails helps prevent dandruff. For women with oily hair, keeping massage to a minimum helps avoid stimulating oil production. Next, the shampoo should be rinsed out thoroughly. After this, conditioner can be used to coat the hair, which would help to minimize damage from brushing, combing and drying.

Wet hair is particularly susceptible to stretching and subsequent damage. For women with long hair, their hair should be towel dried and then gently untangled with fingers or a wide-toothed comb. If blow drying is preferred to air drying, it should be done on low heat and the hair should be left slightly damp for minimum damage. Heated rollers and curling irons if used frequently can cause split ends.

Sprays, mousses and gels can temporarily change the appearance of the hair without causing permanent damage. However, some gels and mousses may dry out the hair ends. It is important not to inhale the hair sprays and to choose products that would not irritate underlying skin or clog pores of the scalp. In addition, hair spray should be avoided near acne-prone skin, especially on the forehead.

As you can see, it is not easy to care for long hair -- it is just so time consuming to maintain long hair. I simply have no time to care for long hair, and it is so much easier to maintain short hair. Caring for short hair is so much easier and it does not add much weight to the head too. You can see my current hair style in my earlier posts -- ever since my pregnancy till now, I have short hair style, simply for easy maintenance purpose. I also feel so much comfortable without having to worry about split ends and dropping hair!

Weight Management

2009-09-22T16:08:00.016+08:00

Weight is a big issue for both men and women, but is of greater concern to women. Most of us want to lose weight to improve the way we look, but of bigger concern are the health problems that excess weight brings.

The above photograph shows a Herbalife Distributor standing at pedestrian pathway, with weighing scale on the floor and a big poster beside it.

Excess weight is not a disease but a symptom, a sign that the body's own homeostatic (self-balancing) mechanisms have failed. Excess weight indicates that the body is no longer able to appropriate its caloric resources wisely: it has lost part of its innate ability to burn excess calories, to maintain appropriate stores of excess energy and 'waste' other calories, and to use hunger solely to satisfy the body's nutrients and energetic needs.

Hunger is likewise a symptom. A normal, healthy body will eat when it is hungry, eat just the type and amount of food needed to meet basic requirements, and stop eaqting when satisfied. Hunger is not an enemy to be vanquished. It is an important biological signal that our bodies need to be fed.

Excess weight is rarely a simple dietary or activity issue; rather it is a complex issue involving the digestive system, endocrine system, nervous system, and more. It may be a genetic or even a childhood issue. Being overweight is a syndrome, a collection of symptoms or conditions, showing that one or several of these organ systems is not functioning correctly and is asking for adjustments to be made! Adjustments may indeed be necessary in the appetite or in the selection of different food, but not so much to correct for caloric intake as to meet the underlying metabolic needs of the body.

Reaching and maintaining a sensible weight is a vital part of optimum health, but something that many women have trouble with. Weight management issues generally come in clusters and people usually struggle with more than one. Unwanted weight gain is often only one coil in the downward health spiral generated by the consumption of processed, nutrient-poor food.

Excess weight can have just one cause, but quite often there are a number, working together to exacerbate and complicate things. The problems too much weight can bring:

increased chances of a heart attack, especially once you reach the menopause
strain on the joints
high blood pressure and clogged arteries
breathing problems, if you are very overweight
fertility problems
increased risk of gall stones
increased risk of osteoarthritis
associated psychological problems if you feel unhappy with your size.

Excess weight has also been associated with certain types of cancer, including breast, colon and endometrial cancers. With so many problems being overweight can bring, and since beauty is of such a great significance to women, Herbal Nutrition Network can be seen at various places nowadays. I had seen Herbalife near my house as well as at other neighbourhood (my mum's place). These Herbalife Independent Distributors wore similar uniform (T-shirts), and have weighing scale and health posters with them. They claimed to help women to control their body weight, improved the health of the women.

Many new mothers worry about all their extra weight that they had put on during their pregnancy. These weight does not miraculously disappear as soon as the baby is born! I was worried about my weight also, but it is always a happy sacrifice to know that my baby is healthy and happy with what I had given him.

Though breastfeeding is not convenient (when outside home -- most places do not have nursing rooms) and it is very hard during the first month, I had managed to bypass that difficult period. Now, breastfeeding is an enjoyable experience for me and Isaac, a wonderful bonding time just for me and him. Breastfeeding have many benefits, and it is a great help here -- as it helps to regain women's figure faster and more easily than if any women would retort early on to bottle-feeding. The photograph on the right shows me in the last month of pregnancy. I was the fattest during that period, weighing as much as 76kg or more.

During my younger days, I am concerned about my weight. I want to look pretty. But I am not so concerned about my weight now -- I am just happy to see my baby being healthy, and that I can have good health too (so that I can have optimal energy to look after him). Losing weight (those extras weight that were put on during pregnancies) are just a matter of time. Those weights that were being put on are just natural body 'defense' to help the body to care for the baby (caring for baby needs lots of energy; and sometimes or rather, most of the time, I have to skip proper meal times -- to care for the baby's needs.). The photo on the left is me and my new baby, Isaac. I have definitely loss some weight -- the natural way of gaining and losing weight!

Stomach Acidity

2009-09-21T14:51:00.001+08:00

Many women experience uncomfortable upper abdominal bloating 30-45 minutes after eating as excess acid reacts with the bile and mucus is secreted by the small intestines, producing a lot of gas. Ingestion, heartburn, stomach ulcers and other digestive complaints are not the only problems caused by acidity!

Why does excess stomach acidity cause so many problems:
The digestive system is a fine balance of acid or alkaline media: the saliva in the mouth is alkaline, the gastric juices in the stomach are acidic and are then neutralized by bile, which is alkaline, in the small intestine. Bile is produced by the liver, but only in a limited amount each day. This is enough to cope with a regular balanced diet, but if what we eat and drink is extra-acidic, or if the stomach secretes excess acid, it will require a greater quantity of bile to neutralize it. This means that partly digested, highly acidic food can slow the digestive process and irritate the stomach walls, while waiting for the liver to produce more bile.

Stomach acid is the main stimulant of appetite, so it can be a contributory factor to weight problems. Acidity affects collagen in the tendons, making them more prone to sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries, as well as making all sorts of everyday physical activities, from lifting babies to running upstairs, and so on.

Chronic acidity can cause discolouration of the lips and mouth area, resulting in over-pink lips and the area around the mouth becoming pale and patchy. Excess acid in the body can have a spermicidal effect, contributing to infertility too.

For centuries, traditional physicians have considered citric and sour products bad for the body as they have been observed to increase the likelihood of

aches and pains around the body (see my photo below)
bruising
skin rashes
hair thinning
teeth and gum problems, sour taste in the mouth, mouth ulcers, and cuts and abrasions on the side of the tongue
a slow-down in the healing process
irritability
bad breath and body odour
stinging urine

Other acid-producing factors include:

eating too fast. Food that is not chewed properly means more work for the stomach, which means it will have to produce more acidic gastric juice.
smoking and recreational drugs
stress, which can lead to stomach ulcers and acidity.
medicinal drugs when used over a prolonged period, for example, anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, steroids.
bacterial infection, in particular Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium thrives in the stomach lining causing inflammation (gastritis) and ulcers.

To prevent stomach acidity, avoid citrus fruit and juices such as orange, lemon and grapefruit. Sour fruits and vegetables, vinegar, white wine and other acidic drinks should be avoided too. Other stomach irritants include chilli, rich curries, nuts and seeds that have not been finely chewed or crushed, and overly hot beverages.

The photo above shows a meal at Kenny Roger. This is a perfect meal for me. I felt so good and satisfied with this meal, including chicken soup and muffin (not shown in the photo).

Nutrition is not simply a matter of following a list of dos and don'ts. Eating should be a positive part of life, not a guilty pleasure or a reluctant adherence to rules you are constantly longing to break either. At restaurants, home or anywhere -- any restaurants london, let all your senses enjoy the food you eat: how it looks, how it smells, how it feels on the tongue. Learn to discern different flavours. Eating slowly will allow you to savour food to the full and also put a natural brake on eating too much -- stop when you think that another mouthful will fill you up.

"London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down, London bridge is falling down, my fair lady!" This is one of the nursery rhyme that I sang to little Isaac everyday. As I sang the song, I have the imagery of Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge is one of London's best-known landmarks. This fanciful feat of Victorian engineering was completed in 1894, and opened with great ceremony. At London, a place I must visit is St Paul's Cathedral, the capital's grandest building. Everyday, I am very busy with my little 4 months old Isaac. I am so busy until I have no time-off, despite having numerous aches and pains.

This is my left hand. I have wrist pain now due to over work.

Ever since Isaac came into our family, I have stomach acidity problem. Having a baby at home, and with no other helpers around, I have to look after Isaac round the clock. At times when I need to go toilet or need 'time-off' for cooking and doing the laundry, I have to ask Richard to 'babysit' for a while. Looking after baby is such a tiring task, requiring lots of energy. Having stomach acidity means that I am 'hungry' all the time -- despite eating a full meal, I would get hungry in half an hour time later. How I wish that I can have a rest at any of the pubs london -- just to take a rest, have someone to serve me a cup of beverage and a nice meal...

Childbirth

2009-07-02T18:31:00.010+08:00

In the beginning, during the first trimester, time seems to pass so slowly. The nauseousness or morning sickness made me felt so terrible. Soon my second trimester was over and the third trimester came. My tummy was big for this pregnancy and I had put on so much weight. At the 8th month of my pregnancy, I was so eager to know how my baby looks like.

On the last week of pregnancy, it was a countdown -- not knowing when 'the show' or the actual contractions are going to begin. The great expectation soon came. First I had bleeding. It was my first time having such experience. My previous pregnancy was water bag burst first. I was rather shocked and scared to see blood early in the morning. I went to my gynae and was told that my cervix was not dilated yet.

The next day, I had bleeding again and there was more contractions than the previous day. Richard and I proceed to the hospital for admission. At the hospital, I stayed at the labour ward, thinking that I might give birth to my baby on that day. However, my gynae came around noon time. He told me that labour would not be so soon. I had to go to the ward then. It was a 'false alarm'.

The whole day and night, I could not have a proper sleep. The contractions were painful. The contractions were more painful and more regular somewhere in the early morning again, around the next day 3-4am. At that time, I would not stand the pain anymore and told the nurse if I can have epidural.

As it was early in the morning, getting an anesthetist was difficult. I was put on nitrous oxide first. It did not help much. I do not like the gas either. Eventually time passed and around 7am, I was put on epidural. It was such a great relief from the contractions pain.

Photograph of my baby just after delivery.

It was moment of great anticipation and endurance. The nurses measured my cervix every now and then. My dilation was so slow but yet the contractions so intensed. Towards the afternoon, I was so tired; and my baby was finally out after all the pushing as well as suction. I can feel the sudden release of tension from my body (the tummy).

Photograph of the hospital bed/ ward I stayed.

The epidural made my lower body numb. After labour and birth, I was extremely tired. When the anesthesia was over, I still had difficulties moving. The nurse asked me to press the Medical Alarm if I needed help. As shown in the photo above, the Medical Alarm is hanging at the side of the bed. The nurse specifically hang it there for me (for easy reach). How thoughtful of her.

The hospital stay was a pleasant one. The nurses were very courteous and helpful (of course not all). The room is clean, neat and tidy. The toilet as well as the bed was equipped with Medical Alarm, so that the patient can seek the help of the nurse at any time. This is simply so wonderful.

Photograph of The toilet at the Hospital Ward I am staying, showing the Medical Alarm at the toilet bowl and at the bathroom.

My overall experience of childbirth is dreadful. But this pregnancy and childbirth is another totally new experience for me this time round. All the pain (pregnancy and childbirth) is now finally over and I got to thank God for giving me a healthy and cute baby boy. It's another brand new life for me again now!

Breastfeeding

2009-06-21T16:21:00.010+08:00

Breastfeed because it is perfect DVD : Guide to Breastfeeding and Baby Care

Recently I went shopping for nursing bra, baby items as well as nipple cream (just in case I need them). I had finally given birth to my baby and I am breastfeeding him. This is my third baby and my third time breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is the feeding of the baby with the mother's breast milk instead of feeding the baby with formula or bottled milk/milk powder. Breast milk is the perfect milk for baby. It is the natural supply of a mother's milk to the baby once after childbirth. Mothers can choose to feed their babies with total breast milk (total breastfeeding) or mixing breast milk with formula milk (partial breastfeeding).

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for all babies for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods thereafter, until two years and beyond. The longest period of breastfeeding I had for my first two kids was nine months. During the teething period, breastfeeding was the most difficult period. The new tooth protruding from the gum was so sharp that it hurt my nipple so much that it bled.

Now I am having another totally new breastfeeding experience with another special kid of mine. The initial stage was very painful and sore (having sensitive nipple). I was advised and given PureLan 100 (100% ultra pure lanolin). There are many brands and types of nursing cream. PureLan is just one among many others. PureLan soothes sensitive nipples and dry skin.

Nipple cream or Nursing Cream for sore nipples

Some advice on Sore Nipples:
Ensure the correct position when breastfeeding baby.
Break suction before taking baby off the breast.
Give shorter, more frequent feedings.
Use only water for washing.
When breasts are sore, offer the least sore breast first.

There are various nipple cream available for sore nipple/cracked nipple and I have to make sure that these cream would not have any effect on the baby. These cream that I had tried, as shown above in the photo, do not need to be washed off before breastfeeding baby. They are safe for the babies.

Infertility

2009-05-07T14:06:00.010+08:00

In up to one third of infertility cases no cause can be identified.

The average couple takes around six months to start a pregnancy. Even two young, healthy and fertile people stand only once chance in four of starting a pregnancy in any cycle. For women over 35, the chances are lower -- Female fertility starts to decline after the age of 35. Most doctors would not consider initiating sub-fertility investigations for a year unless there is already evidence of impaired fertility. However, if you have not conceived after two years of trying, your chances of doing so (without assistance) are substantially reduced. For the average couple, studies show that 8.5 percent fail to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Of these, 3-5% will conceive, some with and some without medical help; and 3-5% will fail to have children even after treatment.

Factors Affecting Fertility
Female factors affecting infertile couples:
1. Age
After the age of 35, female fertility starts to decline.

2. Blocked tubes
Past pelvic infection that was not promptly treated, endometrosis or previous surgery may have blocked or damaged the delicate fallopian tubes.

3. Hormonal problems
An imbalance may prevent ovulation.

Male factors affecting infertile couples:
1. Sperm damage
Sperm can be affected by environmental factors, such as heavy smoking or workplace chemicals.

2. Blockage
Damaged tubes can stop sperm being released when a man ejaculates.

3. Hormonal Problems
These may affect sperm productions.

Joint Factors Affecting Infertile Couples:
1. Infection
Couples re-infecting each other may damage sperm and fallopian tubes.

2. Antibodies
Men and women can create antibodies to sperm.

3. Physical Problems
Sexual difficulties or ignorance of the menstrual cycle may mean that sperm and ovum never meet.

Understanding Conception: When a mature egg is released from the ovaries it is carried along the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Fertilization usually occurs in the fallopian tube, with one of many competing sperm penetrating the egg. At this pint, the nucleus of the sperm fuses with the egg's nucleus. The fertilized egg divides first to become two cells, then four, eight and so on. The fertilized egg embeds in the uterus 5-7 days after fertilization.

Treatments of Infertility
No treatment should be started without proper investigation. Invasive treatments and investigations are very stressful and a self-help group may provide useful support. Remedies might include:

The treatment of joint infections in both partners with appropriate antibiotics. Steroid treatment may be successful when either partner is producing antibodies to sperm, but it must be used only for short periods and be carefully monitored.
In the man, improved diet, general health and a reduction in stress may improve sperm count; blockages can sometimes be surgically repaired; artificial insemination of sperm can ensure that a higher concentration gets to the right place at the right time; artificial insemination by an anonymous donor may also be considered. Drug treatments are only rarely appropriate.
In the woman, improved diet and stress reduction may trigger ovulation without further intervention. Failing that, drugs to induce ovulation may be prescribed. These should not be used without correct diagnosis and careful monitoring because they are associated with a high level of multiple births and there has been no long-term follow-up of their effects on women's health. Surgery may clear blockages. In-vitro fertilization, where an egg is removed from the ovary, mixed with sperm until the egg is fertilized and then replaced in the womb, may achieve pregnancy. So too might gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT), where the egg and sperm are mixed together and placed in the fallopian tube, but this route is stressful, usually expensive and may take many cycles if it is successful at all. Egg donation may be appropriate if the woman fails to produce them herself.

Fit For Life

2009-05-05T18:46:00.007+08:00

Exercise is for everyone. Whether you are young or old, male or female, in good health or suffering from a chronic medical problem, your health would benefit from some form of regular exercise.

Life expectancy is significantly higher for people who are classified as being of medium fitness than for those who are unfit. According to past research, it was shown that the death rate for unfit people was more than double the figure for people of medium fitness.

Many people think they are fit when they are not. Just because you are rarely ill, does not necessarily mean that you are in good shape physically. Fitness is simply the ability to cope with the physical workload of everyday activities, while still having energy in reserve to meet any sudden unexpected demands.

The only way to stay fit is to exercise vigorously, at least three times a week. Do you know that regular exercise aids muscle efficiency by causing the small blood vessels which supply oxygen to the muscles to multiply? Exercise also increases the size and number of mitochondria within the muscle cells. The mitochondria use this extra oxygen to produce more energy.

Exercise will make your heart and lungs more efficient and your muscles stronger, as well as improving your figure and posture and enhancing your sense of well-being. You will also feel more relaxed, sleep better, and be able to deal more effectively with day-to-day stresses. By continuing to stay active throughout your life, you are likely to live longer and stay in good health. The habit of exercising regularly will keep you fit for life.

Parents must take some of the responsibility for making sure their children take enough exercise. If children discover the pleasures of exercise when they are young, they are likely to maintain this healthy habit for the rest of their lives.

Angina Pectoris

2009-04-07T09:26:00.008+08:00

Angina pectoris literally means pain in the chest. It generally occurs in self-limited attacks (10 or 15 minutes at most), which can be triggered by anything that increases the heart's workload and its need for blood and oxygen beyond its capacity. This includes such everyday occurrences as exercise, emotional stress, exposure to cold, or even eating a heavy meal. Pain occurs because of an imbalance between increased demand for blood and oxygen to the heart muscle and inadequate supply, a condition called myocardial ischemia.

Although angina is not always a precursor to a heart attack, even occasional attacks of angina can be a sign of serious coronary artery disease and should be called to the attention of a physician. Any woman who experiences a heavy squeezing pain or pressure across her chest that lasts longer than 20 minutes should seek emergency care immediately. She may be having a life-threatening heart attack.

Symptoms of Angina Pectoris
Angina is itself a symptom rather than a unique disorder. It is often described as a tight, band-like, suffocating, or crushing sensation in the chest, which may radiate to the throat, shoulder, jaw, neck, or either arm. Attacks of typical angina are brought on by exercise or emotional stress, generally last only a few minutes, and are relieved by rest. If pain lasts longer than 20 minutes, a physician should be consulted because of the possibility of long-term damage to the heart. With medications, angina can be controlled and the risk of heart attack diminished.

Women with chest pain far too often fail to be evaluated for angina or for cornoary artery disease in general. Although the likelihood of typical angina is quite low in a premenopausal woman, any woman with symptoms suggesting this problem should at the very least speak to her doctor about her personal risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If the chest pain is suggestive of angina, she should probably have an electrocardiogram done both during rest and after exercise to see if the heart muscle shows signs of damage or diminished blood flow that threatens future damage. If findings are normal, the doctor will look for causes of the pain other than heart disease.

In older women, or in women who have abnormal ECG, further tests may be done, including echocardiography, stress testing with or without nuclear imaging, cardiac catheterization with cornoary arteriography, or pharmacological stress testing.

Treatment of Angina Pectoris
Angina is not likely to work off without rest. If you are walking in the street, stand still, sit down and rest. The pain should be relieved within a few minutes. If you are exercising, stop your activity. Reduce emotional stress if possible. Attacks that are brought on by emotion are sometimes difficult to relieve. Take a sedative if one is available. Consult a doctor if the pain is not relieved within 10-15 minutes or if you have never had angina before.

At the clinic, the doctor will need to find out the cause of the angina and to assess its severity. If it is mild, no treatment will be needed, but if it is serious, then various medical treatments are available. Generally drugs are recommended for the treatment of angina before surgery is considered. The use of drugs include nitroglycerin, beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, aspirin and estrogen therapy. If angina resulting from atherosclerosis does not respond to medications, procedures such as coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary.

The major complication associated with angina pectoris is that it increases risk of heart attacks. Some of the other complications include atrial flutter, chest pain, atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure, hypotension, abdominal pain, dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction.

Angina is a sign that someone is at higher risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. Defibrillation is a process in which an electronic device gives an electric shock to the heart. This is performed to correct life-threatening fibrillations of the heart, which could result in cardiac arrest. Defibrillation should be performed immediately after identifying that the patient is experiencing a cardiac emergency, has no pulse, and is unresponsive. In recent years small portable defibrillators have become available. These are called automated external defibrillators or AEDs.

The defibrillator is an electronic device with electrocardiogram leads and paddles. During defibrillation, the paddles are placed on the patient's chest, caregivers stand back, and the electric shock is delivered.

Defibrillation should not be performed on a patient who has a pulse or is alert, as this could cause a lethal heart rhythm disturbance or cardiac arrest. In addition, the paddles used in the procedure should not be placed on a woman's breasts or over a pacemaker. Other risks that involves the use of the defibrillation includes skin burns from the defibrillator paddles, injury to the heart muscle, abnormal heart rhythms, and blood clots. Moreover, defibrillation leads can cause fracture as well as serious injuries and even death! For more details refer to Medtronic Defibrillator Recall or Defibrillator Lead Recall. If you know of anyone who is a victim of such Defective Defibrillator Leads, you may now have a better understanding of it all by the help of a Medtronic Recall Lawyer!

Nutritional Supplement

2009-02-25T14:39:00.007+08:00

I am pregnant! The photograph on the left was taken at fourth month (towards the fifth) of my pregnancy. I had painfully endured and passed the early first trimester of the pregnancy.

What you eat will, to some extent, determine how well your baby develops during pregnancy. A well-balanced diet will provide the baby with all the nutrients needed for healthy development. During the first trimester, I had very bad nausea. Though it is called morning sickness, I had 'sickness' (nausea) all day long. During this period of time, my gynae gave me folic acid and progesterone(photo below) to take everyday.

Progesterone Pills

Now I am at second trimester, going to third trimester of the pregnancy. I am taking different food supplement now -- the pink one (multivitamins) and the yellow ones (DHA) as shown in the below photograph. These supplements aim to provide the baby with the essential building blocks needed for development.

Dietary Supplements For Baby Growth

Just like that of the man's fertility, there are a number of lifestyle issues which can affect a woman's ability to conceive. For women planning for babies, eating a healthy, balanced diet, in addition to having less stress in the daily life (and drink alcohol in moderation, as well as don't smoke) is some helpful tips for conception.

A woman's fertility is affected by her overall lifestyle and health. To ensure wellness, there are various dietary supplements or natural health products available -- Poly MVA, Intramax, and Lithium Orotate, just to name a few. Each of the health products serve different needs or purposes. Intramax is a 100% organic liquid multi-vitamin and natural mineral supplement. It is a nutrient-rich defense against disease and illness. Poly MVA is a powerful, patented dietary supplement that is the first in a remarkable new category of supplements known as Lipoic Acid Palladium Complexes. People take Poly MVA for optimum health and maximum nutritional support. It is designed to increase energy, reduce fatigue, help to enhance overall health and well-being. Many people have found Poly MVA to be a tonic and helpful in improving quality of life and provide nutritional support -- for example, those who may have nutrients depleted during chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Lastly, Lithium orotate, which is a lithium salt of pyrimidinecarboxylic acid and lithium, can be used to treat conditions including stress, manic depression, alcoholism, ADHD and ADD, aggression, PTSD, Alzheimer's and to improve memory.

Finally, if you are planning a pregnancy, take folic acid tablets to help protect against health problems for the baby such as spina bifida. Take these tablets as soon as you start trying for a baby.

Avoiding Weight Gain

2009-01-21T13:52:00.005+08:00

Everyone should be aware of their body weight best suited to their height, age and physique. By keeping your weight around this level, your body will be healthier, able to work more efficiently and even look better. Obesity can lead to many health problems. People who are overweight are much more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and even cancers.

Like men, women build up fat deposits under the skin all over the body, notably around the top of the arms, the abdomen and the buttocks. Women, however, also accumulate fat deposits under the skin of the breasts and around their hips and thighs. The most common cause of weight gain is simply eating more food than our body needs. Many women end up being overweight. Our body weight can only remain stable if the energy content of the food we eat is in balance with the energy needs of our body. If we take in more calories than we need, or if we start doing less exercise, then we will gain weight. Thus, to maintain a healthy weight, we must learn to eat and exercise wisely.

Positive changes in diet and lifestyle will lead to weight loss for most people. The best way to achieve a safe and permanent reduction in weight is through lifestyle changes that include a regular programme of exercise and a reduction in the number of calories in the diet. One example of a measure to aid weight-loss is Herbalife. Other extreme measures to aid weight-loss include appetite suppressants, stimulant appetite suppressants, diuretics or laxatives and even some medical intervention such as stomach stapling.

It is easy to reduce the number of calories in the diet. There is no need to always cut down on the bulk of hte food you are eating. To achieve a balance of calorie input and energy output and therefore avoid putting on weight, one should learn which food are good for you and which type of food should only be eaten in moderation. Nowadays, there are many types of slimming products. Herbalife International has various products which can help in weight loss. Taking meal replacement shakes is one of the weight management you can learn from Herbal Nutrition Network. Balance is the key to success. Simply choose from a wide variety of natural food. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable is an easy way of improving the diet. They are full of nutrients, low in calories, and are very filling. Avoid food that are high in calories and fats.

What You Need To Know About MODERN Cosmetology

2008-09-13T16:21:00.000+08:00

Photograph Taken on 7th September 2008 At Admiralty Road West

Can you tell me what the Senior Monkey tell the Junior Monkey?

I just wondered how thick is a THICK BUSHY TAIL, and how long do you think is LONG?

If lesson from the monkeys not enough, we have the cat. If the cat is not enough, we can have the dog.

Taming of Polar Cat

Polar Cat

I have not complete my 'story' about Animal Behaviour yet, on the Question set by the school! Will continue on that...

This is getting so EXCITING and CHALLENGING.

I MUST WIN.

I MUST WIN THE BATTLE. MY NATIONAL SERVICE

I CHALLENGE YOU.

First, I want to show you my FACE.

Photograph taken on 7th September 2008, one day before my birthday, the day I was touched, and 'kena provoked' at the church.... OBEY GOD, NOT MAN.

This is my BIG FACE, two photographs, one above, one below.

Photograph taken on 7th September 2008, At Marsiling Estate, the place where Richard loves to eat the Bak Kut Teh.

How MUCH IS YOUR FACE WORTH?

Let's see what is the LATEST ISSUE TODAY (I just discovered):

Modern Cosmetology

DETAILS OF WHAT 'SHE' WROTE:

# BIO FOCUS INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 10:33 pm e

You been criticize people qualification and lawyer qualification is higher than you. Even teacher you also criticize. A road sweeper also gain people respect. First of all, is you want to accept for the invitation which you can reject. Is you want to accept everything in the first place no one force you. We do business not charity like all the businesses. You try the service people promote to client to buy package and is nothing wrong. Which business do not promote and you do insurance do you promote? Think before you comment. If you do not like beauty you can turn off the offer and yet you accept and make noise. Ask those lady go beauty, is there any beauty center in the world go beauty center with free package? Is you said you are poor don’t even earn $800 per month and just want come for free and want to sign up without forcing of $88 treatment. We did nothing wrong. Open up daily strait time even tv advert. How many center invite free trial to let client try out? Do they later promote package to client? You accepted the invitation yourself first of all. If said we are not right and which mean in singapore all the merchants are not right. You are too narrow minded and our clients did say is you want to try free thing and did we go to your house force or pull you to come. Understanding people and those need to do beauty know well. As you have advertsed your picture with heavy makeup and why criticize my poster of celebraties with heavy make up? You ask my qualification? I may not be higher than you and I let lawyer handle you. But, I may be more capable than you since you like comparison. I have been in business for many years and many clients base. You want proof again? Not only your heart have god, everyone does have too.Maybe, you are too jealous other women can make it going to beauty but you keep saying you can’t afford. Then don’t keep insulting us. Go and ask those go beauty how much they pay for treatment other place and is $88 very common. And go to counters selling products in departmental store and how much per bottles of products? I do not need to say people know maybe just you do not know and make a big remarks. And really a laughing story to our clients and saying you are a”weird” woman. You are focing me to comment out. Maybe, you do not know the law and consequences so you like to post libellous allegations of many others in you blog. Even criticize malaysian ,my staff the “Malaysian Style way” of talking. And is against nationalism. Let me tell you since you do not know the law. I can sue you for bankruptcy if you could not afford for my damages if i sucessfuly won the case. We are still calculation the damages amount $200k to $300K

# BIO FOCUS INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 10:54 pm e
Bio Focus can accept feedback from clients but not defamation and insulting. A geniue and sincere client will feedback but not defamation.

Direct Copy and Paste. NO EDITING.

Let's SEE WHAT IS WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION.

Some Reference For Head and Tail

Women’s Business
Facial Company Sue Customer

…Not DEAD yet… don’t know when is the last day yet:
BioFocus International Experience
Modern Cosmetology
BioFocus International
Pay To Suffer

Facial Company Sue Customer Matter:

Singapore I: The Divine Revelation; Moulding Our Nation
NUS REPUTATION:Singapore II: Answer Will Soon Be Out
Developing Courage
Do You Want To Save Your Mother
Unity Is Strength

MONEY OR LIFE

Blessing In Disguise

2008-08-25T10:33:00.001+08:00

I slept at about 2am last night, after I had finished 'pouring my emotions', my thoughts.... everything that just come to the mind.

Bliss I Found
I had so much to write about my trip to my 'mother school', Boon Lay Secondary School(BLiSS), and the whole day, what I had seen and learned.... and yesterday, I managed to write two posts only: Boon Lay Secondary School and Jurong West Secondary School, and that was not all that I wanted to say.

I was devastated by the comments left at my blog:

A picture says a thousand words. I had not been writing for the past few days as I had mentioned in my diary.... and look at this company. Once again, I want to stress that I report what I see, I report what I know and I write about my experience. I even tell you I am a sinner. I commit adultery. I went for abortion. I was a thief. I steal, but I never lie. Why should I make up story here, why should I waste my time writing bad things here, why should I write only about this company and not the others?

Facial Company Sue Customer

…Not DEAD yet… don’t know when is the last day yet:
BioFocus International Experience
Modern Cosmetology
BioFocus International
Pay To Suffer

Who Am I?
The whole night, I closed my eyes, but I did not sleep well... was not able to sleep -- it's 'automatic', just could not sleep. 'Ideas' and 'things' just popped up from my brain. The whole night, so many things I pondered, just like that...... and this morning, I came to a conclusion....

I can 'throw away' my face
In the bible, in history, there are no woman apostle, but I am the first woman apostle of Jesus. I am Apostle Theresa Lim Poh Choo, disciple of Jesus, follower of Jesus, and Jesus is my Master. I am the Servant of God, serving God, fulfilling his command. I will show you my 'evidence'.

Photo taken on 28th June 2008, the day Gregory Yong died...

'Eat' All You Can
This is me, just taken two months back. How far can my face changed and how much difference can I make in just two months? Do you think I need to go for facial treatment? Do you think I need to step into a beauty consultation room?

My Philosophy: True to Myself, God I serve.

I understand what is living with dignity now. Want to die also die with dignity!

Have Fear only For THE LORD

Sexual Intercourse

2008-06-23T15:48:00.000+08:00

In the olden days, woman was always blamed when the couple could not give birth to any babies. The mother-in-law or father-in-law would often blame childlessness on the daughter-in-law. However, times have changed. As people get more knowledgeable, many cases of infertile marriage is due to the man instead. In fact, the most common health disorder inflicting older men is not hypertension, or arthritis, but Erectile Dysfunction as shown in some reports. In the United States alone between 10-20 million males are affected with some form of severe erectile dysfunction.

The penis is made up of 3 chambers, two corpora cavernosa – the erectile tissues and one corpus spongium.

The penis is the organ that fits into the passage of the female body, the vagina. To ease the entry into the vagina, the penis has to be stiffened. The nervous effect of sexual excitement shunts blood into the spongy tissue surrounding the urethra. This lengthens, thickens and straightens the penis in a process called erection. During the embrace of sexual intercourse sperm are squirted into the upper end of the vagina. Once they have reached the egg, and if fertilisation occurs, cells division occurs and the development of baby begin to start in the mother's body. After sexual intercourse, the erection subsides and the urethra is ready to resume its other function of carrying urine from the bladder.

Like the penis, the female clitoris also enlarges during sexual arousal. At the same time, the walls of the vagina are lubricated by a fluid secreted by special glands to reduce friction during intercourse. This secretion mixes with the seminal fluid to create a favourable chemical environment for the newly arrived sperm. However, for this to occur, the penis needs to be erected in order to fulfill its function of penetration into the vagina. Due to many factors, some men might suffer the problem of erection.

Marriage involves two persons and both parties should be open in handling such kind of affair. Looking for a third party to fulfill their function of reproduction is not the right way. In my grandfather's family, one of the married man went over to Indonesia to look for 'woman' who would produce babies for him. This is wrong, as he already break his marriage vow in doing so.

Before you can talk about frequency of sexual intercourse, the man must be able to perform first. If the man cannot 'stand' (erection), sexual intercourse is impossible. Sexual adjustment between two partners take time, depending on their degree of openness towards each other and also their sexual knowledge. For woman who has husband facing penis erectibility problem, you might wish to ask them to look at this -- Recover your virility and manhood with Viagra and only if they can 'stand', sexual intercourse can be enjoyed in a variety of positions.

Mitral Valve Stenosis

2008-06-20T21:10:00.001+08:00

The mitral valve lies between the left atrium and left ventricle. The valve has two flaps or 'cusps'. The valve allows blood to flow into the left ventricle when the left atrium contracts. When the left ventricle contracts, the valve closes and the blood flows out through the aortic valve into the aorta.

Mitral stenosis (mitral valve stenosis) is the narrowing of the mitral valve opening that increases resistance to blood flow from the left atrium(upper chamber of the heart) to the left ventricle(lower chamber of the heart). Patients with mitral stenosis typically have mitral valve leaflets that are thickened, commissures that are fused, and/or chordae tendineae that are thickened and shortened. This prevents proper blood flow from moving between the left atrium and ventricle.

Mitral stenosis usually results from rheumatic fever, but infants can be born with the condition(Congenital heart defect). Babies born with this problem usually require heart surgery to correct the valve. Others are born with a malformed mitral valve that puts them at risk of developing mitral stenosis when they're older. Although the attack rate for rheumatic fever is roughly equal among genders, mitral stenosis is 2-3 times more common in women than in men.

Signs and symptoms often appear between the ages of 20 and 50, but they can occur at any age — even during infancy. Signs and symptoms of mitral valve stenosis depend on how severely and quickly the condition develops. Some people never develop symptoms. However, mild problems can suddenly get worse. Symptoms include:

abnormal breathlessness
frequent attacks of bronchitis
spitting of blood often occurs
heart murmur
lung congestion
chest pain on exertion

Symptoms may begin with an episode of atrial fibrillation or may be triggered by pregnancy or other stress on the body such as infection (in the heart, lungs, etc.) or other cardiac disorders.

Treatment
Mitral valve stenosis is treatable in people of all ages. Treatment depends on the severity and progression of the diseased valve. If the condition is severe enough, heart surgery may be needed to repair or replace the valve. Drug treatment includes the use of diuretics and beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers. Anticoagulants may be needed to prevent clot formation in people with atrial fibrillation. If drug therapy does not reduce the symptoms satisfactorily, the valve may be repaired or replaced -- Mitral Valve Surgery to stretch, repair or replace the valve may be needed. For more details about surgical treatment of valvular disease and Mitral Valve Repair, visit Maryland Heart Center.

The Best Health Insurance

2008-06-17T16:31:00.005+08:00

Repent, stop sinning, and obey God. This is the end of time, men are getting more and more evil. Greed and lust lead to lots of lots of sins in this world. The time is here now for everyone to repent and the door will still be open for you.

This poster is pasted outside my house. I never really noticed the words written on it until recently....

Yes, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

I am a soldier of Christ, leading a new life, learning everything from my master, Jesus, my friend. Jesus said,"No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me." (John 6:44)

Many illness are the result of stress of life. Human greed and lust created many problems in this world. Our world today is getting more evil and selfish. Everybody want power and prestige. Everybody want to be Number One. Competition and competition, who will emerge the winner? To win your colleague, to clinch the project, and so on, many people worked hard, and some neglecting their families, and so on, just to have name and power.

In this busy society, how much you earn, your health has no guarantee that you would survive till your planned retirement age, to enjoy all your savings. You might clinch a one million dollar contract with somebody, but in the next second, you might end up being knock down by a car, or met with an accident which you might not even expect.

You are born naked. Who give you life? Who will take care of burial after you die? So what if you have all the luxuries in the world but you were to lost them the next moment. With medical fees escalating, Affordable Health Insurance is very helpful. E Health Help has been guiding people through the healthcare maze since 1999. Find affordable health insurance and apply online in minutes. Getting a health insurance quote from one of the healthcare industry's leading insurance providers only takes a minute at eHealthHelp.com

Experience fullness of life with our Father. God created this earth. He made the first man and first woman, Adam and Eve respectively. There is only one true God and one true religion in this world, which can forgive sins and give everlasting life. Happiness is Bliss if only you can really be united with your love ones no matter where you are.

Beautiful Nose

2008-04-22T16:26:00.000+08:00

Wallis Simpson, also known as Bessie Wallis Warfield (19 June 1896 - 24 April 1986);
Windsor Castle (Frogmore), Windsor, England.

The nose is an important face feature. Not only is the nose required for breathing, it is also important in relation to the well-being of the person. A person with a well-defined nose can walk around with more confidence. The Chinese fortune teller regards the nose as the 'hill' of the face, generating willpower and representing intellectual capabilities. The nose also depicts the fortune of the ages 41 to 50!

Wallis Warfield Simpson(the Duchess of Windsor)

There are plenty of nose shapes and sizes. When viewed from the front, the profile of the nose can also shows the personality of a person. Generally, the best type of nose is one which is straight and moderately large with a rounded tip. One example of a well-formed nose is that of the Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan. American socialite, Wallis Warfield Simpson(the Duchess of Windsor), the woman for whom Edward VIII gave up the throne in 1936 had a good nose profile too. The nose should be fleshy and not too thin, with nostrils well-concealed, showing the bone structure. It is said that pointed and thin noses indicate poor luck and poverty.

With all the types of nose structures available, there are certain basic defects that are in existence. These are unsightly moles on the nose, depressions on the bridge of the nose, discolouration or freckles that appear on the nose area, wings of the nose which appeared out of shape and imbalanced. All these defects may mean setbacks or poor luck in life.

While many people are born with various shapes and sizes of nose and mouth, there are some people who are born with minor deformities such as this one shown above, the cleft lips. Thanks to cosmetic surgeons, many patients can seek treatment for their facial defects. Many women had undergone Rhinoplasty, even though they have no major defects on their face. They seek revision rhinoplasty in the aim to create a natural and aesthetically pleasing nose to suit the features of the face and the personality of the women. To learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive nasal surgery, such as primary rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty and cleft-lip rhinoplasty, and so on, please visit beverly hills rhinoplasty for more information. Dr Babak Azizzadeh is a certified Plastic Surgeon.

Medical HealthCare

2008-03-25T21:06:00.000+08:00

Inefficient system, long waiting time, patients have no patience, it is suffering!

Look at the clinic, there are more women than men seeking medical help. Women have so much roles and responsibilities to fulfill. At work, they are employees or can be employers, at home, they can be caregivers, teacher, mentor, housewife, playmates, gardener, and many more. I worked in various industries. I had seen various jobs available and people at work.

I had worked in hospital, I had worked as an employee and I had also been self-employed. I had seen how my parents aged and I had experienced how my body can be so fragile too. Everybody needs healthcare the day they are born. Nobody knows when they will need to pay a visit to the doctor.

Nowadays, there are many doctors available. We always have a choice to choose the clinic we would like to visit. Clinics with efficient management system will definitely be a better place to go. Imagine a sick woman who feel so tired, and have 'low fund' available in her bank account. She cannot have much choice but to seek the cheapest medical service available.

When dealing with insurance claim, there is even more hassle to the families and doctors involved. Some claims have to wait for up to a month or more! That was what I experienced when I helped some families to do medical insurance claims during those days when I was working as financial adviser.

Preferred Health Resources is a medical billing company. It help doctors and patients deal with the complexities of having to get paid by insurance companies. PHR does this for companies across the United States. Usage of medical billing companies have helped physicians and patients greatly. For more information about medical billing company, please visit medicalbillingphr.com to learn about their key benefits and services.

Less waiting time, pay more, less patients here, money makes the difference.

Addiction

2008-03-04T00:31:00.000+08:00

Nearly all human beings have a deep desire to feel happy and to find peace of mind and soul. At times in our lives, most of us find this wholeness of peace and beauty, but then it slips away, only to return at another time. When it leaves us, we feel sadness and even a slight sense of mourning. This is one of the natural cycles of life, and it is not a cycle we can control.

To some extent, we can help these cycles along, but for the most part they are uncontrollable -- all of us must go through them. We can either accept these cycles and learn from them or fight them, searching for elusive happiness.

Addiction can be viewed as an attempt to control these uncontrollable cycles. When addicts use a particular object, such as a substance or an event to produce a desire mood change, they believe that they can control these cycles, and at first they can. Addiction, on its most basic level, is an attempt to control and fulfill this desire for happiness.

I have written some facts about addiction at my other blog, Psychology Facts. Addiction must be viewed as a process that is progressive. Addiction must be seen as an illness that undergoes continuous development from a definite, though often unclear, beginning toward an end point. No matter what the addiction is, every addict engages in a relationship with an object or event in order to produce a desired mood change, state of intoxication or tranced state. My mother used to drown her sorrows with alcohol. She ate sleeping pills too. I understand how she had felt during those days now. However, I did not see that her alcoholic consumption had increased her happiness. On the other hand, it made matter worst. I saw many women around me having relationship problems. They turn to alcohol to ease their pain. Soon, they find themselves difficult to withdraw from alcohol. Orchid Recovery Center offers Alcholism Recovery for Women as well as various information or resources about Women and Drug Addiction. Women who find themselves addicted to alcohol should seek treatment. Click here for Alcohol Rehab for Women at Orchid Recovery Center for more information.

Alcohol Treament

2008-02-20T00:39:00.000+08:00

The women most likely to become dependent on alcohol include those who go out to work and then suffer from an identity conflict, in which they are unsure whether they are truly fitted to be career women, or whether they would gain more satisfaction from solely being wives and mothers. Bored, lonely, middle-aged housewives whose children have grown up and left home, whose husbands are preoccupied with their jobs, and who have no careers of their own are equally at hazard.

I mentioned about Women Alcoholics in my earlier posts. My mother drowned herself with alcohol every night. She could not lead a normal and healthy life during those days. We did not come from rich family and my mother would not have money to seek any alcohol treatment or do any dual diagnosis of any sort. I saw her suffered in pain, I saw her problems and how she wanted so much to forget her pain and sorrows. However, the effects of alcohol only adds on to her current problems. It did not help her at all. She even looked worst than before. How can she win her husband over? How can she win back her husband from the hands of the other woman?

The aim of any alcohol treatment is to restore the drinker and his/her family to a healthy, contented and satisfying way of life. Alcoholism is not regarded as a crime or a disgrace. It is a disease that can often be cured and in most cases checked. There is no longer any reason or excuse for people with a drinking problem to suffer in shame and silence. Opiate Rehab Centers is one of your solution to drug addiction.

Types of Alcoholism

2008-02-19T01:04:00.001+08:00

Did he, Edison Chen and all her sex mates took any drugs? Women should say No To drugs. Lessons to be learned from Gillian Chung is "Do not be naive."

Patterns of alcoholism vary widely. The American social scientist Professor E. M. Jellinek, who pioneered the modern scientific approach to the problem, described five types of alcoholism. Two or more of them may be found in the same individual at the same time, and there is no such person as a 'typical' alcoholic.

These are the 5 Types of Alcoholics:
1. Type I (Alpha Alcoholism): The drinker has a deep-seated psychological problem, such as depression or anxiety -- and he drinks excessively to try to overcome it.

2. Type II (Beta Alcholism): The drinker is not necessarily dependent on alcohol, but his continual drinking leads to physical or mental deterioration -- producing, for example, cirrhosis of the liver, polyneuritis, or dementia. Publicans are particularly prone to this type of alcoholism.

3. Type III (Gamma Alcholism): The characteristic feature is that the drinker can go for long periods without touching alcohol. However, once he starts to drink socially, he finds it difficult or impossible to stop, and the 'one or two' he may have set as his limit turn into many. In addition, his periods of abstinence gradually get fewer and shorter.

4. Type IV (Delta Alcoholism): the drinker is never really drunk, but keeps on topping up with alcohol in relatively small quantities throughout the day and cannot break the habit. That pattern is more common in wine-drinking countries such as France.

5. Type V (Epsilon Alcoholism): Fomerly known as diposomania. This type afflicts the drinker who only takes alcohol periodically. His craving is not satisfied until he loses control of himself and he may finally pass out. The Epsilon drinker is sober most of the time, unlike the Gamma drinker who is drunk most of the time.

Problem drinking is not restricted to adults, married or otherwise. The increase in alcoholism among teenagers and schoolchildren, inferred from the rise in convictions for drunkenness and consumption of alcohol, is one of the most alarming social trends. Partly, it may be due to the greater affluence of young people, but some sociologists believe that advertisements in which drinking hard liquor is equated with sophistication or manliness also play a part. Seek early treatment is the answer. Alcohol Rehab is the road to alcohol treatment. With alcohol rehab or drug rehab, problem drinkers can find back their life and their health!

Say NO To Alcohol

2008-02-18T00:04:00.000+08:00

Alcoholism Recovery For Women do not come easy. Women should not drink excessively. When drank excessively, alcohol is bad for health and alcohol can be harmful to the drinker's life. Look at Cecilia Cheung's pictures above. She was wearing Policewoman uniform. That was her sexual fantasy with Edison Chen. Sensitive parts were censored. Her photographs had spread all over the internet. This has caused her marriage with Nicholas Tse to be broken. It was not known if she had been spiked or she had drank too much.

What a waste of her years of fame and her marriage life. Some don't about drinking:

Don't drink at all before driving a car.
Don't drink for 'medicinal reasons' such as anxiety, depression or to combat stress.
Don't drink alone.
Don't drink on an empty stomach.
Don't fall into the havit of taking alcohol as an aid to sleep. This can easily lead to dependence.
Don't mix alcohol with any other drug, especially tranquilisers
Don't gulp alcohol. Sip slowly.
Don't drink to alleviate loneliness.

Women who need help with Drug and Alcohol Recovery can always seek Women and Drug Addiction or click here for Alcohol Rehab For Women.

Alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD)

2008-02-17T11:46:00.000+08:00

Alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of illness and death in the United States. Women are more likely to be affected by alcohol-induced liver disease because women can be affected by smaller amounts of alcohol than men. Research had revealed that the brains of heavy drinkers can be affected at an early stage of their affliction -- and that organic changes such as widening of the brain's ventricles, or cavities, may take place. So far, however, the significance of these changes is not fully understood. The changes in the nervous system are largely caused by vitamin B deficiency, and can to some extent be reversed by taking vitamin pills or by injections.

Liver damage is mostly due to the poisonous action of the alcohol itself. There are three such types of liver disease:
1. Alcoholic fatty liver -- this occurs in most problem drinkers and is reversible if the patient stops drinking and follows a planned diet

2. Alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) -- this may be reversible, or it may worsen and lead to cirrhosis. In the United States, cirrhosis is the seventh leading cause of death among young and middle-age adults. Approximately 10,000 to 24,000 deaths from cirrhosis may be attributable to alcohol consumption each year

3. Alcoholic cirrhosis (replacement of liver cells by fatty tissue) -- this is irreversible, although with abstinence it may not progress

After many years of heavy drinking, most people develop serious complications of alcohol-induced liver disease which can be serious and life-threatening. These complications are

Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
Bleeding from veins in the esophagus
High blood pressure in the liver
Enlarged spleen
Kidney failure
Liver Cancer
Changes in mental function, and coma

It is important to control one's drinking habit. Remember that serious Alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) includes alcoholic hepatitis, characterized by persistent inflammation of the liver, and cirrhosis, characterized by progressive scarring of liver tissue. Approximately 10 to 35 percent of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis, and 10 to 20 percent develop cirrhosis.

Alcohol-related liver damage can cause a variety of life-threatening health problems if the patient cannot stop drinking. For these patients, their health and life expectancy can only improve if they stop drinking. Abstinence is the cornerstone of ALD therapy. In order to stop drinking, patients or drinkers can look for various drug detox and prescription drug treatment. Women or patients with alcohol-induced liver disease and those with cirrhosis from any cause should stop using alcohol completely -- Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous when taken with medications containing acetaminophen, found in many over-the-counter pain relievers. The combination of alcohol and acetaminophen can be very harmful to the liver for anyone who drinks. Never take acetaminophen with alcohol, or immediately after a period of heavy drinking. ChillPharm.com is an online drug resources providing a varieties of useful drug information such as articles on oxycontin withdrawal and also heroin rehab and many more.

Women and Fashion

2008-02-04T09:16:00.000+08:00

Chinese New Year is just another two days away. According to Chinese customs, every New Year, you ought to throw away old things and buy new things. This is especially so for clothing. When I was young, my mother always bought new clothes for me and my brothers and sister. Before Chinese New Year, we would go shopping. At the shopping centre, we would shop for clothes, shoes, handbags and other accessories.

One of the thing which my mother often shop for is ladies' belts. My mother loves to wear belts -- all kinds of belts, as long as it matches well with her clothing. She loves fashion and she used to be very fashionable. At home, she has a variety of crystal belts and trendy belts. She does not like plain belts. My sister resembles my mother a lot. Both of them love fashion. Such as, they often share their accessories and even belts!

Snapshots taken from Western Shirts and More.

Happy women are women who are able to dress themselves with their favourite fashion designs on their body. Happy women are women who are dress up the way they like it to be and the wearing the outfit, they are able to feel proud and confident. They are clothes that tell the enhanced the beauty of the women. The woman who is well-dressed, coupled with the right shoes and accessories and the perfect fragrance, will walk on the street with amazing charm. Every attractive women as such are telling every passers-by that they are not only beauty in their outer appearance, but also possess wisdom!

Women Alcoholics

2008-01-26T12:04:00.000+08:00

Yes, our women are becoming alcoholic... if not alcoholic, depressed. If not depressed, crazy and mad. All thanks to the man behind them. Thanks to the man who support them so much! But blame it on us who wear the wrong set of spectacle. Blame it on us whose eyes paste with stamps!

Regardless of your educational background, and regardless of your financial status and race and anything. As long as you are a woman and you fall into the trap of your man, you will know how powerful that secret weapon is. No woman can tolerate and suffer this kind of deceit and betrayal from the person whom they live everyday and whom she allowed him to enter her body. When he need help, he will come in low profile and seem to repent. When he had better shade and better playground that seem to have more fun, he will not hesitate to buy viagra at all expense. Men are all the same kind of dogs(just like the dog man and dog woman in the post Valentine's Day Best Gift in my previous post). Even priest is no exception. Catholic priest molest woman, the pastor involve in money cheating and even health minister(see my previous post on Valentine's Day Best Gift) cheating on the wife!

Which women can tolerate such kind of injustice brought to them? My mother drank the whole bottle of XO. She drank every night. Her husband had one affair after another. She asked why 'lao tian(old God, 老天) has no eyes'. Yes, she suffered so much hardships, sacrificed so much, spent her time earning money and working, helping her husband in business. But her husband brought woman back home to have sex. Her husband even hope that she could be a chick and so was able to bring more money home.

My mother drank and thinking she could drown all her sorrows. Can she? She was illiterate. She did not know anything about causes of disease nor how her body work. But TV programs always show when you are feeling sad, you drink liquor. She went to the doctor and told him she could not sleep. The doctor gave her sleeping pills. She ate the sleeping pills with liquor. That should not be the case. She did not care. Her husband only care for other woman, some woman who are not even pretty nor capable! But beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and love is blind. Her husband could not succumbed to temptation when being tested. This got to show how much is their love, and how much is really love when being tested -- look around us and see around us.

The percentage of women addicted to alcohol has grown by leaps and bounds since the late 1960s. Today an estimation of about 5 million American women are alcoholics -- dependent on alcohol. The increase in drinking among younger women is growing at a particularly high rate too. One out of three alcoholics are women. Excessive use of alcohol weakened the heart muscle cells and damage the liver. My mother was not able to lead her 'normal' self after drinking. She became 'forgetful' and did not know what she did or what he had said. It was dangerous. I think she knew it and she did not have a good time either. She must be very hurtful in her heart but drinking and eating pills, she suffered chest burns as well as 'memory loss'. She did not visit any psychiatrist or even have opportunity to go Stone Hawk Rehabilitation either. Her final way out was 'hope' and I think she could not leave me behind. She need to look after the children in the family. Soon she was gaining strength again.

Only about a fourth to a fifth of all patients in treatment for drinking problems are female, even though a third of all alcoholics are women. Many women with alcoholism are clearly not getting the treatment they need. The Stone Hawk program is designed to enable graduates the ability to move back into their life on their own. The programs for re-entry focus on teaching students to live ethical lives free of their addiction, standing on their own two feet.

Valentine's Day Best Gift

2008-01-24T12:10:00.000+08:00

This is a snapshot of the video taken from another blogger. The woman had just changed into a sexy lingerie.

Valentine's Day is a few weeks from now. On 14th February 2008, what are you going to DO for your love ones? You may spend $100 on roses and teddy bears, additional few thousands for diamond jeweleries. Roses will wilt and teddy bears turned black and dusty after sometime. They will be left on the shelf for years -- forgotten about its existence. The diamond ring, diamond necklaces, diamond earrings, lucky if she gets to wear them everyday for special function, otherwise, they would be just another junk in the drawer or another piece of collectible in the safe box.

What is the best gift then? Learn from Health Minister! 60-year-old Health Minister! Surely he had lots of experience, and he should be a model example for many people. Lets learn from the Datuk HEALTH minister how to be lead your life with bliss.

First, you must have a "personal friend" at least. Who qualifies for a "personal friend"? Let's see...

What is a wife? Do you treat your wife as a "personal friend" or what exactly is a wife? Everybody knows that Chua Soi Lek is married, but yet he was seen having a great fun time with a very good "personal friend". Why is that so? There must be something which the Minister wants to teach the nation!

Being a Health Minister, hygiene is very important. He was gone and she wore her sexy stocking...

Wife and every woman, learn from this great capable woman, who is able to make the Health Minister stand for her despite his age and despite the fact that he is married. Afterall, no policeman will catch them. It is not a crime! So how to let your man stand up for you? Wear lingerie, sexy lingerie, Plus size lingerie and appear like a whore, "Cheo"(hot seductive) like a hot chick with pussy signaling for it. Man is a animal that SEE with their eyes and auto-roam with their 3-8 inch antenna. Any Health Minister with whatever High Qualification or Doctorate does not matter. When it comes to LIFE, FEELING make this world go round or spin round or upside down.

No need to elaborate more on the acts. Let me tell you what is GOOD SEX or how to SATISFY your man, so that you will not end up like the wife who will 'forgive' such a man. The word is Bare and Dare. Dare to bare. Remember to dress up yourself, changed into lingerie, sexy bikini, panty hose, whatever you dare to bare. That is just the appetizer you would have prepared. The main course would come later, with you dare to taste and dare to praise and dare to shout. If you can do this, that would be a memorable and the best Valentine's Day gift for your lover. Remember, feeling will not be forgotten.

It's over, but not over in the brain. It would be remembered and treasured, and as you see, always waiting for more, if available.

Similarly for the man. Woman has done their part. What about you. If you satisfy your woman, she will long for you, forget about roses and diamond rings! Look at the woman, the Health Minister had practiced very 'safe' method and the very natural and sensational method. The woman, a 'personal friend', always longing for more. He is indeed a successful Health Minister indeed, and no doubt he WAS the HEALTH Minister. I can see the bliss in the posture of the woman, bliss when they were together...

Below is a snapshot of what you should wear, it is taken from Justbare.com. That is what the 'personal friend' wore too, so it could not be wrong to follow GOOD example.

Lingerie is not something which only woman can buy. Man can go shopping for Lingerie too. Shop for a lingerie set for your wife and perhaps this year's Valentine's Day will be the most memorable one, for you and for her!

Infertile Marriage

2008-01-21T22:23:00.000+08:00

Infertility is defined as a failure to conceive within one or more years of regular unprotected coitus. The above picture shows some causes of infertility.

Many couples discovered that no matter how hard they tried, they are not able to have children. To be able to conceive, timing is very important. The only time a woman can be pregnant is during her ovulation period, where an egg is being released from her ovary into the fallopian tubes. During these time, if copulation occur, and sperm is being ejaculated into the woman's womb, there are high chances that the sperm will get to meet the egg in the woman's womb. Out of the millions of sperm which are contained in the semen of your husband, only one sperm will get to fertilize your egg which is being released during the day of ovulation. The egg in the female womb can only get to survive in a day while that of the sperm is known to last up to 3 days.

In some marriage, even though timing is right, the couple was not able to produce any baby too. Some women may menstruate every month, but they do not ovulate regularly. Some women ovulate only quarterly or irregularly, depending on the 'health' of the women. Stress and emotional imbalance can disrupt the normal cycle, while in some cases, it is genetical inheritance at work. Still some other women have tubal damage or some disease which make them unsusceptible to conception. In the case of men, though your men might ejaculate normally and so on, nobody can see if their sperm are healthy a not. Only healthy sperm which are able to swim actively can reach up to the egg. Immobile, defective or inactive sperm would not be effective in fertilizing the egg.

Other possibilities of a marriage that is not able to have babies despite trying actively for a year, could also be due to incorrect sexual position or poor sex education. Many other possiblities such as impotency, psychological problems and physical problems may be involved too. Regardless of which is the case, couples should always remain calm and do not be stressed out. Stress will aggravate the matter. According to an article at gurgle on Relationships, one in seven couples face problems with their fertility. The best treatment for infertility is to consult the doctor if couples have difficulties conceiving after a year of actively trying to have babies. Alternatively, there are some Treatments for infertility suggested at gurgle, which may worth giving it a try; otherwise, you should seek professional help.

Early Signs of Pregnancy

2008-01-19T21:59:00.000+08:00

The first time I discovered that "I am pregnant" was when my menstruation was delayed for more than a week. I felt very tired, lethargic all the time. I slept long hours and took nap. I suspected that I was pregnant after 2 weeks when my menstruation still failed to occur. During this time, I observe that my body was different from any other months. My breasts were painful and they were much 'fuller'. Richard and I went to the pharmacy to buy pregnancy test kit and we were so excited when we saw the 'positive' result. I was indeed pregnant.

These are the Early Signs of Pregnancy:

1. Amenorrhoea
The most obvious sign of pregnancy is amenorrhoea, the menstrual period fails to occur on the expected date. If a woman has regular periods and has had the chance of becoming pregnant, the absence of menstruation suggests that she is pregnant. Amenorrhoea is not a sure sign of pregnancy because most women who suffered emotional stress and severe weight loss will also experience that.

2. Breast Changes
Many women experience breast fullness and discomfort just prior to their menstrual period. If pregnancy occurs, these symptoms persist and are increased. The breasts become fuller, firmer and more tender. As the pregnancy advances the fullness of the breasts increases, and the nipples become larger and darker. The area round the nipple, which is called the areola, also becomes larger, darker and rather swollen. In this area, there are tiny openings to milk ducts and minute glands.

3. Nausea and vomiting
At six weeks of pregnancy, I started my morning sickness, very badly. I could not eat, and felt nauseous everywhere I went and vomitted food I ate. Not all pregnant women will suffer this. It is said that there are more nauseous and vomiting in the morning, but I experienced that 24 hours, especially when I smelled of food! It is also said that nauseous and vomiting will usually goes by the 12th week of pregnancy as the body adjusts to the higher hormone levels. However, as for me, these continue until I was in my seventh months of pregnancy! Some people said that they got better in the fifth month, while some in the sixth months. The cause of the nausea is just not known, but it seems probable that it is due to the increases in the amount of sex hormones; and probably its in the genes too. My mother, sister and me got it. My sister's morning sickness was equally as bad as mine.

4. Bladder 'Irritability'
In early pregnancy, the kidneys work over-efficiently, and the bladder fills with urine more quickly. This leads to frequency of urination, which is an early symptom of pregnancy too. Throughout my pregnancy, my bladder was always 'full'. Towards the late pregnancy, sometimes urine 'incontinence' occurred -- when I cough or exert some energy, urine will leak out involuntarily.

The patient visiting her doctor in early pregnancy will be asked about the symptoms and will then be examined. The doctor will listen to the heart, the abdomen is palpated and a pelvic examination performed. Urine test will be done to confirm pregnancy too.

The Genuine Smile

2008-01-01T15:18:00.000+08:00

Everyday I woke up at 5 am, sometimes 4.30am. I had to take a bus to the interchange and then took the train to Orchard where I worked. Saturday worked half day and Sunday was no working day. I changed into the operating theatre gowns and I was always early at work. Hardly was I ever late for work. I was always the early bird.

The operating theatre was very cold and there were all the medical supplies and equipments all around me. I saw doctors, nurses, medical sales people, technical staff, the cleaners, the kitchen staff and so on. I worked hard. I did not talk much. I was not a sweet talker nor a gossiper. I had to learn my job as I was new to the job. The seniors taught the junior. There were no systems. The Head was a 'Big-Talker'. I supposed he got 'promoted' because he and his friend were the only staff there during those days. His friend left to further study oversea and he got 'promoted' as the Head of department as they need expansion in that area. I had two seniors and one equivalent during those days. All the people have different characters.

For not talking, I was regarded as a cold and arrogant person, as always the case, wherever I go. I seem to be the odd and strange creature who did not like to talk much. I was green to the job. As always the case, if you are a better 'talker', you can win people. You can say nice words and people treat you nicer. My equivalent was good at that. This is just politics of the working place. The smartest people of all will always have to do less, if they know how to talk well. The rich will always be well-respected and highly valued.

Everyday I put on the latex gloves and I worked wholeheartedly. However, I was not happy there. I did not have any satisfaction from the job. It was s 'technical' job which all you need was skill and practice through time and experience. It was boring when there were no work to be done. I hate to idle. I prefer to read book than to talk and chat.

Soon, I left the job, after working there for about two years. I was happier working in sales and teaching. Happiness is getting satisfaction from your job. I was happy when my work produced results. My students were happy with me. They saw me and they called me. They looked for me and they wanted to tell me about them. My clients thanked me. I felt good when I helped my clients to earn money. By recommended them the suitable investment products and advising them on appropriate plans, I felt happy as I was helping them. My heart was very glad and satisfied when one client told me that 'his insurance agent was never like that before'. Remarks and results like that, which are produced for all your hardwork are all worthwhile and meaningful. This is the kind of happiness that I want. Happiness is putting hardwork into what you think is right, in exchange for someone who will appreciate what you do.

Happiness is the genuine smile on your face when your mind and the heart meet as one. You know that you are leading your life the right way and you know that what you have done and sacrifice for all your hardwork in your life is all worthwhile.

Today I am still working, but I am working at home. I may not be paid for looking after my children, I may not be paid according to the amount of effort I put in. However, I am happy that everyday, I am able to use my heart and my soul in exchange for my belief -- my belief that I am going to bring Peace, spread Peace to the World. (I do not want to write this, but I am again 'force' and 'guided' to write this. You may not believe me, but I have no idea too. How many times while I am writing this, I wanted to cancel the words in Pink, but some kind of force keep bringing it back. This is the least I can do now.)

Real Happiness

2007-12-19T12:20:00.000+08:00

When A Smile Does NOT mean happiness, happiness is more than just a smile. Happy or not, only the heart knows.

As I looked back the years, my eyes are filled with tears. My eyes are filled with water. I am trying to withhold my tears. But it is difficult. My nose feels blocked now and my throat hurt. I was looking through my childhood photographs. So many beautiful memories flashes, and so many special moments touch my heart. I missed those days, greatly missed them.

There are photographs of my family, myself, my brothers and me, my cousins and me, my great-grandparents and me, and many more. I had seen my childhood family grown over the years. From a family of six, more people were being added over the years. I had nieces and nephews and I also see my brothers and sisters becoming parents. My parents aged over the years.

My father and mother married very young. My mother was only 19 years old then. I married at the age of 24. Being their children, I had seen how their marriage was like and being a parent myself, I had known how difficult it is for them to be parents of four children. I had seen the ups and downs of my parents' life and I had experienced my own ups and downs. When I was young, I always hope to quickly grow up. But when we are old, we hope we can be young again. Looking at the photograph albums, I had seen my brothers and sister when young and how we had spent our time playing together. Growing up, everybody is busy earning money. It is so sad to see parents aging and brother with diabetes and high blood pressure.

I asked myself, what really is happiness? Am I happy now? My friend said I am not happy. Another friend said I looked tired. My father used to say I sound like 'going to die' since young. Being happy does not mean that I have to keep smiling. Being happy does not mean that everyday is no obstacles. After been through so much, trials and tribulations, I think if I am to leave this world tomorrow, I am satisfied. I have my husband with me now, and I have my two children with me. My parents are working, my brothers have their families and my sister has hers too. Nothing can be more happy than to see your kins and your love safe and sound, continuing with their life. With every of their heart beating, it is a bliss to me. Happiness is the special moment at the death bed when you can close your eyes and see beautiful memories in the darkness. You know that you have really spent your life and you remembered the beautiful moments.

I am very thankful to online-casinos.com for offering The Bubblenator free of use to everybody. I had uploaded two of my childhood photographs as shown above. There are two types of bubbles, the thoughts bubble (like the first picture - the one I was carrying a toy dog) and the speech bubble(the one I was answering the phone). I had told my old children about this and they love it too. Happiness is doing the things you love and fulfilling all your life's commitment. Be responsible for what you do and give out the very best you can ever have. Happiness does not need to be a smile, it is the feeling of contentment.

Ultimate Bliss

2007-12-17T17:45:00.000+08:00

I received a spam email which read:

I am writing to you with the suggestion: let's create family! Don't wonder, I know that it sounds strange and even may scare you, but nevertheless....I dream about family, children and life in harmony and love. What about your dreams?
If you have the same, write me here http://XXXXXXXXXXXX and I will reply you with pleasure. I am not an ideal woman, I am ordinary, but I know that for one man I will be special and the best one. And I want this man to be You! What may be better family life when you have loving and caring relations? But I am not able to create it alone, I need partner, life partner. If you're not scared and want to have family too, I will wait for your letter.

Looking forward to get a letter from you July

A man to rely on
What is happiness? It is every girl's dreams to have a good partner. Bliss to many woman is marrying their Mr Right. Most girls dream of marrying the rich man so that they can have a good life and a happy family. We also watched in movies, women seeking ways to 'secure' their happiness when they found the most desirable partners they had ever met.

Women's Dreams
Young girls with dreams grow up to young women. The young women go for dating and gone through various relationships. If she is lucky, she found the right guy and they get married. If she is not lucky, she suffered pain through numerous breakups. Some women married and have a happy marriage. They have children and their family is happy. Some married couples, on the other hand wanted to have babies, but just could not reproduce any babies at all. There are also some women who married the wrong guy. Their marriage is unhappy and many women had to go through separation or divorce.

No Men No Problem
Still other women had lost faith in love. They had too many breakups and failed relationships. They do not want to get married. They are just happy leading their single life. There are just so many kinds of possibilities in this world.

Women In Control
Can you really rely on Man to care for you 'till death'? Look around you, hear news, what you gather? How can we have hands and legs be totally dependent on our Man? Who can we really trust? I am not saying that we should not trust our Man, but we should always expect the unexpected. We must be in control. We must be prepared for the worst. We need to PLAN for our future. That is the only thing we can be sure of ourselves, and our gift to our children if one day your Spouse left you.

If you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail.
Whether you married a rich man or a poor man, there is no guaranteed bliss. Today your man may be rich, tomorrow he may go bankrupt. Today your man is poor, tomorrow your man can strike lottery. Why must you place your fate in the hands of man? Have proper planning for yourself. Be financially independent! Start planning as soon as possible. It is never too late to start planning for your future. Women married, women gave birth and women get old. Women suffered women illnesses and women face various premature death, critical illness and even disabilities.

When Man Does not turn their heads any more
Beauty is not forever. Old age, sickness and death is a definite. What is unsure is your man's faithfulness and also your financial means when misfortune strikes. It is hard to borrow money from friends and even kins. Medical expenses are high. For these reasons, we woman, must always be financially prepared for the worst. How? Make hay when the sun shines. While you are young and energetic, work hard for your future. Buy an umbrella first before it rains. Similarly, you should invest yourself with Life Insurance and Healthcare Insurance, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Money buy hopes and peace
Life insurers pay death benefits to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured. Death benefits cover funeral expenses and provide regular income to the surviving dependents of the deceased. Life insurers also pay to the insured living benefits such as medical benefits and disability benefits upon the insured falling sick or becoming disabled. Medical benefits help the insured defray medical bills and disability benefits provide income during periods of disability. Further, life insurers also sell annuities aimed at providing regular income to retirees throughout their lives!

Strategic Plans Succeeds
The modern women should take control of their own lives. Be financially prepared for your future. Insured your future with medical care and health benefits from various sources. To get Help with Medicaid and Medicare, Click here for Medicare and Medicaid Information. This is your way to get security to your future. Your ultimate bliss is your life well-planned, financially independent at retirement and financially sound when you are critically ill. You know that you can rest in peace when you are sure that your love ones are taken care, when the ones you have always been paying will be taking over your duty, and their promise to you.

Urinary Tract Infections

2007-11-26T00:52:00.000+08:00

Diabetic women seem to have 2 to 3 times more urinary tract infections (UTI) than do nondiabetic women. This is because women with diabetes are prone to serious kidney infection (pyelonephritis), a woman with diabetes who suspects a UTI should contact her clinician for early evaluation and treatment. If an infection is diagnosed, doctors generally recommend a full 7 days of antibiotics for bladder infections.

A woman with diabetes who develops a kidney infection requires intravenous antibiotics. Symptoms of kidney infection in a woman with a urinary tract infection include fever, chills, and flank pain (pain over the back where the kidneys lie). When a woman with diabetes develops an infection of any sort, she may notice that her blood sugar level is difficult to control. She should consult her physician for help in monitoring it and making any necessary adjustments in her medications.

Other related links:

Recurrent Yeast Infection

2007-11-25T00:40:00.000+08:00

Women with diabetes tend to have a disproportionate number of yeast infections. This is because the microorganism that causes these infections thrives in the presence of glucose, which often appears in the vaginal secretions and urine of women with diabetes.

Before menopause, yeast infections are so common among all women that several yeast infections should not be a cause for panic. Recurrent or chronic yeast infections, however-- especially in women who have other symptoms of diabetes such as frequent thirst and urination, fatigue, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, or weight loss despite increased appetite -- warrant an evaluation, even in premenopausal women. If a yeast infection develops in a postmenopausal woman, the clinician should screen for diabetes.

Symptoms may be relieved with a topical vaginal antifungal treatment or with stronger creams or oral medications(fluconazole). Oral therapy for yeast infections can interfere with oral glycemic medications, so women taking both of these drugs should be monitored closely. Improving control of her blood sugar level can markedly reduce the number of yeast infections a woman gets.

Useful Links

Cardiovascular Disease

2007-11-24T01:12:00.000+08:00

Compared with men of the same age, nondiabetic women seem to have a degree of protection from diseases of the heart and blood vessels until they reach menopause. Women with diabetes seem to lose this relative protection and at all ages are at increased risk of developing or dying from coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease. Cigarette smoking, hypertension, and obesity all magnify these risks.

In some cases women with diabetes are at higher risk than men with diabetes of the same age. The risk of dying from heart disease, for example, is higher for women than for men, though both men and women with the disease have a higher risk of dying from these problems than do people in the general population. This is partly because their blood vessels are often extensively damaged and partly because their heart attacks may involve unusual symptoms that make them harder to detect.

Certain operations commonly performed on patients with heart disease may be especially risky for women with diabetes. For example, coronary artery bypass surgery tends to be less successful in women in general, possibly because they have smaller blood vessels than men or because they tend to be diagnosed later in the course of coronary artery disease. Some studies suggest that bypass surgery may be even less effective and riskier in women with diabetes. IF this turns out to be true, it may have something to do with the nature of the fatty deposits in the arteries of women with diabetes.

Whether diabetic women develop more complications from 'balloon surgery' than do nondiabetic women or diabetic men is not known. This is a procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries by threading a balloon-tipped device through the arteries to the place of blockage and then inflating it.

Estrogen replacement therapy(ERT) in postmenopausal women, especially those with diabetes, may help reduce the risk of some forms of cardiovacular disease. Preliminary evidence suggests that ERT may slightly improve glucose control in women with diabetes, and it has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels, which when elevated in diabetics, compound the risk of heart disease.

Useful Links

All About Colposcopy

2007-10-16T11:36:00.000+08:00

What Is Colposcopy?
Colposcopy is a technique for examining potentially abnormal areas of the cervix and vagina using a mounted, binocular-like instrument called a colposcope. Colposcopies are generally done after an abnormal Pap test has come back from the lab. Occasionally it may also be done to help identify reasons for abnormal bleeding or pain during intercourse, or to examine sores on the vulva. Women whose mothers took the drug DES while pregnant with them should have regular colposcopic examinations.

When cancer is suspected, colposcopy combined with a biopsy(tissue sample) can sometimes be used instead of srikier, more expensive surgical procedures such as cone biopsies. Biopsies done during a colposcopic examination are particularly accurate because the colposcope enlarges tissue by 5-30 times and illuminates the areas most prone to cancerous changes.

How Is The Procedure Performed?
Usually done in a doctor's office, the procedure takes about 20 minutes. The clinician begins by inserting a speculum into the vagina, washing the vagina with acetic acid, and then aiming hte colposcope toward the vagina. Because the colposcope is positioned outside the body, most women feel little if any discomfort, although some find the prolonged speculum exam unpleasant.

Risks and Complications
There are no risks or complications associated with colposcopy itself. If a biopsy is performed, minor bleeding or infection can occur.

Useful Links
Common Female Diseases and Infection
Female Reproductive System Disorders
Female External Reproductive System
Female Internal Reproductive System
Cervical Cancer
Ovarian Caner
Ovarian Cyst
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
All About Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Mass
Menstrual Disorders
Vulvar Health
Vulvar Pain
Vulvar Vestibulitis
Photographs of Vulvar Cancer
Treatment of Vulvar Cancer
Facts About Pelvic Floor Muscles
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Child Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Bladder Cancer

Dance and Dancercise

2007-09-16T02:32:00.000+08:00

Any form of dancing in which you move vigorously for at least 20 minutes at a stretch is aerobic. The controlled forms, such as ballroom, rock and roll, and Latin, Salsa, will also improve muscle tone, balance, co-ordination and reaction time.

Classes or clubs provide opportunities not only for getting fit but also for making friends. If you lack the necessary motivation to run around a park on your own, the company and thought of a get-together afterward might stiffen your resolve.

Exercise classes should be run by a trained fitness instructor who can advise you on suitable classes for your fitness level and ensure that you are doing the exercises correctly. A good class will include a warm-up and cool-down period, which is essential to prevent injury and stiffness.

Dancing is probably the most enjoyable exercise of all and an excellent way of meeting people; even more fun if you enjoy the music. At SalsaBootCamp, a learn-to-dance resource, you can learn Salsa dance at the comfort of your home. Some women feel shy or embarrass to join classes. If you feel self-conscious about your body or ability, you might feel overexposed at a dance class but, if you fancy it, you should still have a go; there will be others in the same position. With internet, anything is possible nowadays. You do not need to travel to attend classes. SalsaBootCamp which specializes in Latin dance, is inviting Salsa lovers and anyone who wish to learn dancing to join them. During their one year anniversary, SalsaBootCamp has special benefits when for new membership now. Attractive benefits include free DVDs and delivery to your home! I have watched their videos. The instructors gave clear instructions and their Dance Videos are interesting.

Salsa dance is a dance that many people like. You can dance it alone, or with your friends, male or female. Make new friends when you dance with someone new. Strengthened your friendship and relationship when you dance it with your friends or lover. Anyone who find their life monotonous and dull should sign up for Salsa Courses. Learn Salsa, it is a good exercise! Learn Salsa Online!

Salsa Dance

This video shows me in Second Life, enjoying myself Salsa Dancing. I dance it with friend and dance it with my love too. I enjoyed watching other people dancing as well. Salsa Dancing is hot and exciting. It is a graceful dance which women should learn. Traveling is tiring and I personally feel that SalsaBootCamp is really a good place to learn Salsa Online.

Candida Albicans

2007-08-30T00:23:00.000+08:00

Candida Albicans is a fungus which is present inside everyone. It normally inhabits the bowel and does no harm, as it is kept in control by the immune system and normal healthy intestinal micro-organisms. However, when the immune system is damaged and the micro-flora wiped out by antibiotics or other drugs, candida is no longer held in check, and so proliferates. The speed at which this happens depends on the health of the person and his or her diet. If the latter contains processed foods, alcohol, sugar and white flour, candida will spread rapidly because it just loves junk food. Organic food could be consumed.

Eventually, the fungus changes shape into a form which puts down roots into the intestinal wall. This makes the intestines too porous, and allows partially digested food, fungus and toxins to readily pass into the bloodstream. The immune system then recognises them as foreign and an allergic reaction occurs. Once the candida has penetrated the colon wall, it can spread to any part of the body via the bloodstream and cause havoc to its human host, with a variety of unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms vary, depending on which area is invaded. For instance, candida is known to interfere with adrenal hormones, leading to stress symptoms, fatigue, blood sugar disturbances and fluid retention. It can also bind the thyroid hormone so that metabolism is slowed and the spirit is depressed. Should toxins reach the brain, all manner of mental powers can be disrupted. Premenstrual problems arise when the fungus interferes with the normal metabolism of polyunsaturated oils and vitamin B6. If the pancreas is affected, blood sugar control is altered, and when the toxic level is high, liver function is inhibited. Should the candida become established in the lymphatic system, fungus can recolonise the bowel at will. This means that treatment of the bowel only can be self-defeating, the whole body must be cleansed.

An added insult is that the body becomes sensitised to all other forms of fungus, and a wide variety of even natural food must be avoided, quite aside from the simple carbohydrate on which candida lives. By this time a person feels exhausted to say the best, if not "sick all over".

Candida of the vagina has increased dramatically in the past decade until it now seems to be one of the most common causes of discharge. A study in the 70s found that all cases also had a proliferation of candida in the intestines. The contraceptive pill, antibiotics, steroids and a junk food diet are all heavily implicated in causing this condition.

Treatment
There is no point in treating candida at local level and ignoring the systemic aspect. Using anti-fungals for a vaginal infestation and not treating the gut just ensures repeated attacks, and in the long run there is a risk of the whole body becoming affected. Some people are very ill with candida, and in fact some have their lives completely disabled by it. The condition is easy to treat, but results take time and even when symptoms disappear, a very long period of dietary restriction is essential while the bowel wall heals, and once again becomes a barrier against fungus and toxins. In serious illness the adrenal glands will be stressed and the immune system severely weakened.

Starve the fungus
Destroy it
Destroy any parasites which are probably also present in the gut and perhaps the lymphatics
Strengthen the immune system and liver function so that they can destroy the candida and detoxify the body. No one develops candida unless the immune system has first been damaged.
Ensure a healthy intestinal environment
Heal the bowel wall.

Diet
Organic food products is preferred to refined, canned, processed and packaged food. Avoid chemicals such as contraceptive pills, antibiotics, cortisone, preservatives, colourings, flavourings, perfumes, MSG and chemical cleaning products. Several organic health products can be purchased from LiveLifeOrganic. Avoid all sugar, yeasts, malted products, syrup, milk, non-organic meat, fermented food and carbonated drinks. Consume high fibre diet, take a varieties of vegetables and wholegrains. Eat organic meat and eat fruits in moderation.

Menopause

2007-08-29T11:10:00.000+08:00

Menopause is the transition in a woman's life when ovulation finally stops completely around the age of 50, though it is possible to reach menopause much earlier. Menstrual activity decreases and eventually ceases too. Inside the body, there is a decrease in the production of female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

The often uncomfortable symptoms and mood swings of this time of change will also stop. Oestrogen levels drop to a lower level, some coming from the ovaries and the rest from the adrenal glands. This may mean that the walls of the vagina become drier. Menopause often coincides with other changes and many women find themselves, for the first time in years, able to concentrate on their own needs. This new-found independence can be frightening, but it can also be exhilarating.

Hot Flushes And Vaginal Dryness
Hot flushes and vaginal dryness are the only symptoms that can be attributed solely to the menopause and lowered oestrogen levels. Flushes(or flashes) are described as a sensation of heat that sweeps over the upper body, sometimes followed by heavy sweating and then chills. For some women they present little or no problem; others find them very disturbing, particularly at night. While the hot flush is the most common presenting problem of menopause, it does not represent an inherent health hazard. It causes sleep disturbances and keeps women awake at night, but other than that it does not appear to be medically harmful. Some women feel upset by flushes because they signal the end of fertility. Others welcome them as a sign of approaching freedom. Vaginal dryness is unlikely to occur for several years after periods cease.

Treatment: Hormone Replacement Therapy
People are most unlikely to spot the change even if you feel that you must be glowing like a beacon. As your system settles down, the flushes will stop without any treatment. If you have no other symptoms of the menopause, vaginal dryness can be alleviated by using water-soluble lubricants and taking time over sexual intercourse.

If flushes are interfering with your life, you might consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace the dwindling level of oestrogen and alleviate sometimes uncomfortable symptoms. It can be administered as pills, patches, creams or implants under the skin and will do the following:

Stop hot flushes and vaginal dryness
Prevent bone loss, which accelerates after the menopause
Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
Replace lost oestrogen, which helps the skin retain moisture, thus slowing down the formation of lines and wrinkles

Unopposed estrogen creates a strong risk for breast cancer and reproductive cancers. Estrogen levels drop at menopause but only 40-60%, which is just enough to stop the menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels may drop to near zero in some women. Progesterone, a naturally occurring steroid hormone, is the precursor to many other steroid hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone. It is used as a part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have passed menopause and have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). Hormone replacement therapy usually includes estrogen. However, estrogen can also cause abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus and increase the risk of developing uterine cancer. The usage of progesterone is available as progesterone cream, pills, injectable and implantable. Progesterone helps to prevent this thickening and decreases the risk of developing uterine cancer. Progesterone also stimulates bone building and thus helps protect against osteoporosis.

“The whole purpose of healthy women taking long-term estrogen/progestin therapy is to preserve health and prevent disease. The results of this study provide strong evidence that the opposite is happening for important aspects of women’s health, even if the absolute risk is low.” -Dr. Fletcher & Dr. Graham, Harvard Medical School

OasisSerene.com sells natural progesterone cream that has many advantages, one of them is to relieve the symptoms of peri-menopause, pre-menopause and post menopause. At Oasis Serene, you can find many useful articles like "Estrogen-Alone Hormone Therapy Could Increase Risk of Dementia in Older Women" as well as many other topics relating to menopause and female health issues. For more information about progesterone cream and how it can benefit you, visit Oasis Serene to find out more.

Food For Women

2007-07-13T12:03:00.000+08:00

Wealth, fame and health are the three major goals sought after by a great majority of people, if not all. Nevertheless, many people spend most of their time in pursuit of fame and wealth at the expense of their health. We cannot maintain an optimal health by relying on physicians or medication alone. We need to supplement our daily diet with food, natural health supplements and a balanced nutrition apart from having sufficient sleep and an adequate amount of exercise.

The modern hectic lifestyle often makes it impossible for people to eat food which are wholesome and balanced in nutrients. About 80% of adult females are victims of frequent period pain or irregular menstruation, which are closely related to hormonal disorder and also due to dietary intake, that may bring about absence of menstruation occasionally. For example, a diet lacking in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B complex and vitamin K can be a contributory factor to osteoporosis.

Below is a list of some special nutrients that is essential to our Women's health. For a natural health we should consume a balanced diet consisting of the below nutrients.

1. Folate (Vitamin B)
You need folate before puberty and throughout your childbearing years. Folate protects against spina bifida, a malformation of the central nervous system in babies; so it is important to eat enough in the months before, as well as during pregnancy.

Folate can be found in beans, peas, parsley, walnuts, wholemeal bread, bananas and green leafy vegetables such as broccoli. Supplements( in synthetic form as folic acid) should not be necessary if you eat green vegetables everyday.

2. Calcium
Calcium is needed in childhood, during pregnancy and in the approach to menopause and after. Calcium builds strong bones and teeth and guards against osteoporosis in later life.

Calcium can be obtained from green vegetables, milk products, nuts, sunflower seeds, beans, dried fruit and tiny fish eaten with the bones. In Western countries, milk products are the major source of calcium. If you cannot tolerate milk, make sure you compensate with other calcium-rich food.

3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential in childhood and then approaching and after the menopause. It helps the body to absorb calcium to make strong bones.

Manufactured in the body from sunshine, vitamin D is also found in eggs and fresh oils and is added to margarine and some milk. Darker-skinned people who live in a cold climate may need supplements or natural health products.

4. Iron
All menstruating women need to be sure that they are getting enough iron since it is lost in blood. In pregnancy, your iron levels should be checked and if necessary, boosted with supplements. Lack of iron in blood leads to anaemia.

Green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, fish, red meat, dreied fruit, cereal, nuts, bread and haricot beans are some examples of food that is rich in iron. Iron is best absorbed if it is eaten a that the same time as vitamin C. Iron supplements should only be necessary if you are anaemic. Cooking in iron pots increases the iron content of food.

5. Vitamin B6
There is some evidence that women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome can benefit from supplements of vitamin B6.

You can get vitamin B6 from wheatgerm, brewer's yeast, peanuts, bananas, soft fruit, mushrooms, fresh fish, poultry and pork. If you take supplements it may be better to take the whole range of B vitamins as they interact with each other in ways that are not yet fully understood.

Being Health

2007-07-12T11:12:00.000+08:00

Do you know how it feels like to be healthy? It is the absence of pains and aches. It is the overall well-being of a person, feeling happy, refresh, no worries, no anger, having a positive mindset. This was what we used to have when we were kids! However, as we grow up, worries, work and stress had made tremendous changes to our health.

From our earliest moments, thoughts of love, security and comfort (as well as defiance, denial and control) have been tied up with food. Sharing food is recognized as a symbol of friendship and in many cultures food rituals and taboos are also a symbol of belonging. There is also the matter of pleasure. Good food appeals to our senses, and the creation of special dishes appeals to our creative instincts. Little wonder then that our feelings about food are so complicated.

Human beings evolved on a diet of fresh, locally grown food, softened through grinding and heating, and combined to improve its flavour. Food was not genetically manipulated to grow faster, nor grown with chemical fertilizers to make it bigger. It was not dusted with pesticides to keep insects and disease at bay, nor was it cut unripe and then stored. It was not refined to remove part of its nutrient qualities, nor mixed with chemicals to preserve it and change its colour. Nor was it combined as today, with animal fat, salt and sugar to alter the flavour and consistency.

Staying healthy is not about abstinence and self-denial. It is about embracing a lifestyle that allow you to feel your best. The feeling of positive health will be different for each one of us. For some, a life without chocolate would be unbearable, for others, an alcohol-free existence would be purgatory. Since health is above all about happiness, we must create our own balance, a balance that will change from time to time as our lives change.

Food was not all perfect either. It rotted, became infested and did not always last. People used to die of food poisoning and suffer deficiency diseases. However, we have swapped those problems for new ones: hear diseases, diabetes, behavioural problems and cancers have all been linked to the way we eat; so it makes sense to eat fresh and well-prepared food. We should be able to acquire all the nutrients we need through a balanced healthy diet; but at certain times in life we may need extra supplements.

Methods Of Abortion

2007-05-28T10:19:00.000+08:00

Some people see pregnancy as a voluntary act; they believe that a woman should decide whether to allow a baby to grow inside her. Others see women as the temporary containers of new human beings whose rights must be preserved above hers. But for each pregnant woman faced with an unexpected pregnancy, the dilemma is a new and deeply personal one, because a woman is not merely giving her body to another, she is considering the whole of her life and the life of her potential child. It is not a decision to be made lightly, nor is there evidence that it is ever taken lightly.

Abortion has been practised everywhere throughout the ages, often as a primary method of birth control. Until very recently, illegal, and often insanitary, methods of abortion were a major cause of deaths, among women of childbearing age. Today, where abortion is practised legally, it can be obtained relatively easily in a medical setting in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Methods of Abortion
1. Mifepristone with Prostaglandin
This method can be used in the first nine weeks of pregnancy. It involves taking two separat doses of the drugs which, after a few hours, induce contractions and empty the uterus. This may cause nausea, vomiting and pain. Some women find this method very unpleasant.

2. Vacuum Aspiration
This method is used during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It involves gently opening the entrance to the uterus and removing the contents, under local or general anaesthetic, through a tube by vacuum suction. Women may experience some of the following side effects:

If the uterus is not opened gently, it can be painful under local anaesthetic.
There is a risk of infection if the womb is not entirely empty, or instruments are not properly sterilized, or there was a pre-existing infection in the vagina that is transferred to the uterus. Signs of infection can include a rise in temperature or an unusual odour and should be reported to a doctor immediately for treatment with antibiotics.

3. Late Abortion
After the first 12 to 14 weeks, abortion can be performed either by dilation and evacuation (D& E), which involves dilation of the uterus under general anaesthetic and surgical removal of the foetus, or by chemically inducing labour using prostaglandin. Late abortions are rarely necessary when early abortion is easily accessible, except in the case of a foetal abnormality. Again, there are some side effects:

D & E involves a risk of infection, of damage to the cervix and of accidental perforation of the uterus. Any of these consequences could affect future pregnancies.

Chemical abortion involves no greater risk than childbirth, but it can be very distressing for the woman involved.

Stages Of Pregnancy

2007-05-27T10:48:00.000+08:00

Human embryonic development from 28 days after ovulation (not conception) through day 50 (approx. 6 weeks)

Pregnancy is timed from the first day of your last menstrual period. In fact, conception occurs halfway through the cycle when sperm and ovum meet in the fallopian tube. Two weeks later you may notice slight spotting as the embryo implants in the womb, but for most women the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period.

Stage of Pregnancy
1. Four weeks to twelve weeks
This is the period of the fastest, most complex development: by 12 weeks there will be a recognizable embryo with a head and spine. It is also, for many women, the worst part of a pregnancy. You may feel nauseous or sick, and you may be very tired and emotional. Have more sleep and eat little and more often. You should feel a great more better in a few weeks.

2. Twelve to Sixteen weeks
You start antenatal visits and will be offered tests to monitor your health (blood tests to check levels, urine tests to look for infection, and blood pressure checks) and others to check your baby's development. The checks on the baby are a fast-developing field aimed at spotting signs of foetal abnormality. Some parents prefer not to know. They have decided to love and care for their child whether or not it has a disability. Others prefer the chance to end a pregnancy if there seems to be a serious problem. The choice should be yours to make with informed support.

3. Sixteen weeks to twenty-eight weeks
If all is well, this is the best time, despite the ever-present minor physical complaints of pregnancy. Your energy should have returned, sickness should be long gone, and your pregnancy is starting to show. By the end of 28th week, your baby is almost fully developed. If you are at work, take advantage of this time to make plans, make sure you know the maternity regulations, and to think about whether, when and how you want to return to work.

4. Twenty-Eight weeks to Term
You will probably start to slow down now. Your baby is gaining weight and your body may feel clumsy and uncomfortable. You may start to have difficulty sleeping as your baby kicks and wriggles. Try to give yourself plenty of opportunities for contemplation and rest; your life is about to change utterly and you need time to charge your batteries ready for that challenge.

5. The Birth Day
You will be alerted by either a rush of amniotic fluid as your waters break, or by early contractions, which are usually light to start with, gathering momentum and coming closer together as labour progresses. The whole process of labour can take many hours with a relatively short, intense period (known as transition) toward the end when your cervix opens to its full extent, followed by the second stage when you push your baby out.

Labor is a series of continuous, progressive contractions of the uterus which help the cervix to open (dilate) and to thin (efface), allowing the fetus to move through the birth canal. Labor usually starts two weeks before or after the estimated date of delivery. However, no one knows exactly what triggers the onset of labor.

Intestinal Bliss

2007-05-17T14:26:00.000+08:00

A good intestinal health is your gateway to a good overall health, feeling naturally 'relax', truly 'cleansed', and naturally beautiful getting rid of pimples, excessive 'winds' and flatulence from your body. For ladies, it decreases your waistline too!

This is a funny world. How things work always depend on similar concepts and logic. Observe things around you. How animals behave and that of plants survival and so on. Sometimes we can learn tremendous lessons from them. One such example is that of water hose which we use for gardening, or washing the car, or those water hose of washing machine even! I have written a post about Intestinal Health at various blogs of mine, such as Health Motivator, What's Wrong with Me and Happiness Is Bliss, and of course Health Is Wealth too. This is another overview of Intestinal Health I just wrote at Helium, the details are below:

Overview: Intestinal health
Food is vital for human survival. Do you live to eat or eat to live? Regardless of which, you need food. Eating and drinking is human needs as well as human satisfaction and enjoyment. However, for true satisfaction and enjoyment of the food we eat and drink, we need good intestinal health. Intestinal health is important as mentioned earlier, consumption of food is vital for human nutritional needs, which in turn affects a person's health. Without food, humans as well as any animal cannot have energy to move and do anything. Thus our intestinal health is very important.

A baby has short intestine. As babies grow to become teenagers and adults, their bodies are constantly growing and so do their intestines. The length of intestines grow longer and more convoluted. This is because our intestine plays important role in absorption of nutrients from the food that we eat. Our body's abdominal 'space' is limited, and for our intestine to increase its absorption rate (thus providing efficiency), it needs to increase its surface area. As such, when a baby is born, they tend to have plenty of bowel activities. They drink lots of milk, every two to three hourly (small stomach), and they defecate almost as often as they drink milk. You will notice that their bowels are not as smelly as adult does too.

Normally children do not have problems with their intestinal health. As mentioned, their intestinal length is shorter than adults and not as convoluted as adults. However that does not mean that children will have good intestinal health. As adults grow, their intestines get more convoluted and the ability to empty bowels also faces more difficulty. To understand how the intestine works, you need to think of intestines as those 'water hose' that we use at home or in the garden. The longer it is, the more you coil it up, the more difficult it is for water to pass through as there is chances of getting kink. Our intestine contains 'food' and not water. Imagine a hose that contains food, the movement is even harder. Thus, to have good intestinal health, the first and most important thing is to drink plenty of water. Having water as a solvent, greatly help in the movement of bowels in the intestine. This would prevent constipation.

What happen if there is not enough water consumption? Constipation is what you get. The effect of constipation is bad breath, bloating, farting of 'bad gas' and as time pass, you do not have appetite even and you have a feeling of 'being full'. This is the body natural response to tell you to empty your bowel. Just like the hose, if you want to fill it up with water, the other end must empty first! Prolonged retention of feces in the intestine is bad for health. These are bad matters that the body do not need. They emit bad gases which are harmful for the body. This is analogous to leaving food in the air. These food when exposed to air turns bad and smells as days pass by. This in turn affects the overall health of the person -- more pimples, more frustration, and so on.

To avoid constipation, drink plenty of water and have a habit of emptying the bowels as frequently as possible. The best is everyday but there are people who empty their bowels once every two days and so on. The main thing is not to let the bad matters stay in the body for too long. Prolonged bad matters in the intestines causes these matters to 'clog' up the intestines, just like what we see in prolonged used water hose, there are black masses of algae and other dirt collect at the sides of the water hose. These will always be there and hard to be dislodged off. In our human intestines, this condition is termed coprostasis (I have written colon health and beauty at http://anthingblissful.blogspot.com/2007/03/colon-health-and-beauty.html). Through time, these have detrimental effects on our intestines, which we cannot see and feel. Although everyday you empty your bowels, there might be traces of such matters in your intestines. Thus it is important to clean our intestines well.

There are many advertisements on colon cleansing. I do believe that good intestinal health is important and is the root to many other problems of our body. Besides products on colon cleansing, there are other products that is useful for intestinal health, such as Vitagens, Yakult which has billions of live probiotic cultures. In addition, consume more fibres which helps to prevent constipation too. Next eat healthy food, balanced diet, 'clean', 'fresh' food. Eating contaminated food can cause stomach upset and this will bring discomfort to your stomach and intestine too. Lastly, exercise will help bowels movement too.

Thus, your intestinal health is determined by what you eat, and how you take care of yourself -- your habits of emptying your bowels, and how often you exercise. There are commercial products in the market that helps colon cleansing and it is all about your choice and decision to look after your health. You are what you eat. Your intestinal health lies in your mouth, your care and habits of life.

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If you do not take care of your intestinal health, prolonged coprostasis is a determinant factor in causing colon cancer. This would definitely affect our spiritual and mental health. A good overall health is only our sure guarantee to good spiritual and mental health.

Enlargement Of The Womb

2007-05-14T23:45:00.000+08:00

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of muscle and connective tissue that develop within or are attached to the uterine wall. Almost always benign, these masses of muscle tissue can quietly grow in your uterus for years without causing any problems.

The most common cause of enlargement of the womb is pregnancy. But sometimes the womb is enlarged by a muscle tumour, or by a tumour called an adenomyoma.

The muscle tumours are called myomata or 'fibroids'(benign enlargements of the smooth muscle wall of the womb). For some unknown reason, one or more of the muscle fibres which make up the uterus start developing, and quite soon a few small pea-sized tumours appear deep in the muscle wall of the uterus. At this stage, no one can detect them, but as the months or years pass -- for they grow very slowly -- the tumours become the size of a golf ball, a tennis ball or even of a grapefruit. By this time, the patient can feel a lump in her abdomen, or if the tumour has grown inwards and distorted the shape of the cavity of the uterus, she may have heavier or irregular menstrual periods. Usually she goes to her doctor, who performs a pelvic examination and can tell from this if there is a single fibroid, or if the womb is misshapen and enlarged by several fibroid tumours.

It is unusual for a woman who has children early in life to develop fibroids, and the tumours are more likely to occur in women who have never had a baby or who have delayed childbirth until after the age of 30. This has led to the saying that 'fibroids develop in a disappointed womb'.

The tumours are very common, and more than 20% of women have fibroids in their womb. Fibroids are usually symptomless. In 20 to 50 percent of cases, women have heavy, prolonged, and painful menstrual bleeding, painful intercourse, intermittent spotting, frequent urination, or constipation. In many cases, no treatment is required, as the tumour is not causing any symptoms, but in the few women who have symptoms, treatment is needed. The treatment chosen depends upon the patient's age and her desire to have further children.

If a young woman, who is anxious to have children, is found to have fibroids which are causing symptoms, the doctor can often operate to remove the fibroids and leave the uterus. It is a bit like a complicated shelling of peas, and although there is a slight chance that the fibroids may grow again, the chances of pregnancy are good.

In an older woman, or a woman who wants no further children, the operation chosen is usually that of hysterectomy, in which the womb is removed.

The second kind of muscle tumour is called an adenomyoma. This leads to a smooth enlargement of the uterus. It is not malignant, and is a form of endometriosis(womb lining tissue in place in the pelvis where it should not normally be).

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition, particularly among women of childbearing age, affecting an estimated 2 to 10 percent of American women in this age group. Endometriosis can be a debilitating disease for some women who experience ongoing pain, while others may be asymptomatic. It is also a factor in infertility, with about 30 to 40 percent of women with endometriosis experiencing difficulty conceiving a child.

In a few women hormone imbalance, leading to an excess production of oestrogen, may cause an enlargement of the uterus over a period of time. The hormone imbalance may be caused by the emotions, but this has never been proved. Often the woman has heavy menstrual periods. Often this leads the doctor to suggest a hysterectomy. Hysterectomy may be the right treatment, but often, although the bleeding ceases, the emotional problems remain. It is important to try hormones first to see if they will relieve the symptoms, before deciding on hysterectomy.

Cervical Erosion

2007-05-13T22:11:00.000+08:00

Cervical erosion occurs when the surface of the cervix is replaced with inflamed tissue from the cervical canal. The condition may be caused by trauma, infection or chemicals.

The lining of the vagina is built up of layers of cells, rather like a wall, is built up of bricks, and the same arrangement of cells covers the cervix where it pokes into the upper part of the vagina. However, a sudden change occurs at the edge of the canal leading through the cervix. The cells which line this are a single layer thick. They are large and very active in secreting mucus so that the woman may complain of a vaginal discharge.

During puberty, and again in a first pregnancy, the exact position of the change from the flat wall-like cells of the vaginal part of the cervix to the tall single mucus-secreting cells of the cervical canal moves, and in many women it moves outward. This means that the tall cells now appear around the entrance to the canal to look like lips. The same effect can be obtained if you close your mouth and draw in your lips. Your mouth now appears as a slit ringed by pink skin. If you now put your lips, your mouth is ringed by red lip mucous membrane.

In the past, the 'pouting' of the cells of the cervical canal was called an 'erosion' or an 'ulcer' because doctors believed it was abnormal. And of course, it is not an ulcer. The treatment of the 'ulcer' was to burn it by applying a cautery stick or by usingu an electric cautery. It is now known that such treatment is usually unnecessary, and indeed is only needed if at childbirth the mouth of the cervical canal is torn or damaged. However, even in these cases, treatment should be withheld for at least six months after childbirth, as the 'pouting' often disappears. Only if it persists beyond this time and leads to a marked vaginal discharge, is cautery needed. The stick cautery is quite useless; today the condition is treated by cauterizing it using an electric current, or by freezing it using cryosurgery. The treatment can be given in the doctor's office, but may be done in hospital under an anaesthetic.

After cautery or cryosurgery of the cervix, the woman will notice that she has an increased quantity of vaginal discharge, often dirty-looking with streaks of blood in the first few days. The discharge is due to the burned area being shed as the cells beneath it make a new lining and push off the old one. The discharge may last for 4 to 6 weeks, but this is normal. At the end of this time, the doctor usually wants to see the patient once again, so that he may inspect the cervix to see how well it has healed.

Cercial erosion occurs when the cervix is scraped, perhaps during intercourse or by an intrauterine device, or IUD. It is common in teenagers and may be seen in pregnancy, and in women on oral contraceptives.

A women with a cervical erosion or eversion may have no symptoms at all, or she may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Bleeding during or after sex;

A whitish or slightly bloody discharge;

A reddish patch on the cervix, seen during a pelvic examination.

To heal the eroded area, healthcare providers sometimes recommend cauterizing the erosion, using either heat or cryosurgery, a technique involving freezing. If you have symptoms of cervical erosion or ectopy, see your healthcare provider for a Pap test and pelvic exam to check for cancerous cells or an infection.

Beautiful Eyes

2007-05-12T16:10:00.001+08:00

To correct vision problems such as short-sightedness, many women wear contact lens as compared to spectacles. There are even 'colourful' contact lens that can make our eyes sparkle!

The eyes are the windows of our souls. However, unlike most windows, they have a remarkably efficient system for cleaning themselves. Our eyes also can tell whether a person is healthy a not. A pair of beautiful eyes can make a person even more attractive.

Even though our eyes have its natural ability to cleanse itself, we also must take good care of our eyes. How does our eyes protect itself? The eyelashes trap dust and dirt, eyelids provide instant protection by closing very fast if something dangerous approaches, and if anything does get in, eyelids and tear ducts provide a gentle wash and wipe.

Our eyes are most beautiful if they have enough sleep and if our body are healthy. For people who have not enough sleep, dark circles, eyes bags etc make our eyes look ugly. In addition, not all eyes are perfect. Some people are born with eyes abnormalities, while others have problems with their eyes through time and developed from bad habits or inheritance. Abnormalities of the can normally be corrected by spectacles, contact lenses or laser surgery (for short-sightedness). Some of the eyes abnormalities are as follows:

1. Short-sightedness (myopia)
The most common form of vision disorder is myopia. This varies in severity from person to person, from those who can see little but blurred shapes, to those who just have difficulty reading numbers on the front of a bus.

2. Long-sightedness (hypermetropia)
Sufferers can see in the distance but have difficulty focusing close-up, for example, when reading. A similar condition(presbyopia) may start to appear in mid-life, causing difficulty in close focusing.

3. Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by irregularity in the shape of the cornea, which creates problems in focusing. It can be completely corrected by lenses tilted at the right angle. An inaccurate prescription can cause headaches and difficulty concentrating on reading or close work.

Whether hard, soft or disposable, the type of contact lens that suits your particular eyes and visual impairment must be recommended by an optician. Many people find disposable lenses easiest to deal with as there is less need for complicated sterilizing. I am one of them. I am wearing monthly disposable lenses. Currently I am wearing Biomedics 55. If you want to buy contacts online, it is essential to have your eyes tested by a qualified optometrist who can find out exactly what is wrong and who may be able to detect other problems, such as glaucoma and cataracts, which are usually associated with aging. I have my eyes checked not long ago. An inaccurate prescription can cause headaches. In addition, always take hygiene instructions very seriously. Eye infections are common and, if left untreated, can do irreparable damage to your eyes.

Wearing spectacles not only is it uncomfortable, it also makes our eyes appear smaller. When it comes to wearing clothes, it is hard to match clothing with spectacles too. Wearing contact lens would help to rectify our problem of short-sightedness. However, it does not solve our eyes abnormalities permanently. Contact lens may even make our eyes appear nicer as we can 'add' different colour to it (when wearing tinted coloured lenses). However, prolonged wearing of contact lens and improper handling of it can cause our eyes to get infected and 'red' as a result. Thus our eyes are very important, we must take care of it.

Sex Problems

2007-05-11T21:07:00.000+08:00

Problems in sex can affect the husband and wife relationship. A good sex life can enhance the husband and wife relationship. A good sexual experience can make women happy and a fulfilling sex lives.

Lack of communication between couples is the root of many sex problems. Countless relationships have collapsed because of those simple failings. Apparently insuperable difficulties can vanish when each partner understands the other's needs and feelings.

A man with erection problems, growing more and more anxious, less and less certain, may react by avoiding love-making, leaving his partner with fears of rejection. Anger and criticism follow until marital disharmony aggravates loss of potency. Communication can solve the problem. The woman should be led to realize that she has not become undesirable to her husband.

A newly wed girl resenting the dramatic changes in early married life and, perhaps, resenting her husband's carefree continuation of his old habits can quickly go off sex. Communication with the husband could clear up the problem and restore a happy relationship.

The same is true of a wife struggling with her natural desires for motherhood against economic necessities. Her needs and disappointments need to be shared, and the husband should try to understand the subconscious drives of his wife.

Still there are some couples who are unable to communicate with each other without outside help. They may need to turn for help to a doctor or a specially trained counsellor. These couples may solve their sex problems through therapy too. Often therapy is needed to remove the anxieties that underlie sexual failure. The cure can involve making more love but having less sex -- less, that is in the sense of striving for more coitus.

Finally another type of treatment of sex problems is using sex aids. There are all manner of sex aids to assist erection and to stimulate the vagina. They produce large profits for the makers and little benefit to the buyers. For example, Kamagra, a Generic Viagra --
the latest erectile dysfunction products. Kamagra is like Viagra. Kamagra is a worldwide product to help treat erectile dysfunction! GenericViagra.me.uk are leading suppliers in the UK for Kamagra and other forms of Generic Viagra such as Apcalis, Lovegra, Levitra and other well known products. Anyone can order Kamgra at the comfort of their home, preventing any embarrassing moments when you want to buy it in the public stores.

In addition, many drugs and extracts of herbs are sold as aphrodisiacs, whether they are effective a not is a question mark. The only drugs useful in restoring sexual drive must be prescribed by a doctor.

Lubricant jelly can partially solve the problem of painful intercourse resulting from difficulties of penetration and lack of lubrication. In making intercourse possible and not painful it can help to remove the anxieties which are a major cause of failure.

Colon Health And Beauty

2007-03-26T00:26:00.000+08:00

True, lasting and abiding health is the result of conscious discipline in cleanliness of body, mind and spirit. Unknown to most people, our intestines are infested with bacteria, both good and bad. In fact, our intestines harbour over 100 types of bacteria or a total of some 100 trillion bacteria. The figure represents 20000 times the human population inhabiting the planet earth. For a healthy intestine, the ideal ratio of friendly to harmful bacteria should be 80:20 but unfortunately, this is hardly ever achieved due to numerous negative environmental factors. So, generally, harmful bacteria far outnumber the good.

Adding to this dismal situation is that our generally high fat or protein rich diet encourages the development of coprostasis, the main cause of chronic illnesses. Coprostasis is the impaction of feces in the intestine.

According to a Japanese medical study on intestines, there is an average of about 6 - 10 lbs (2.7 - 4.5 kg) of coprostasitic stool in an unconstipated healthy person's colon. This points to the fact that a person who does not have constipation could well be suffering from coprostasis. However, when a person experiences frequent constipation, it is a warning sign that he/she is at high risk of coprostasis.

Among the many ailments caused by coprostasis are:

Colon Cancer
Arteriosclerosis
Hypertension
Heart Diseases
Liver Disease
Kidney Disease
Diabetes

In addition, coprostasis also causes other problems such as pimples, freckles, skin problems, menstrual cramps, etc. Therefore, it is clear why it is important to flush out the wastes and keep our intestines and colon clean.

To a large extent the flora in the bowel determines the state of health in an individual. The large bowel is in fact a mobile compost heap, constantly giving up finished compost and taking on new materials for treatment. As everyone knows, a compost heap is a very special thing. Here is where the waste products of living things, both animal and vegetable, are collected for the purpose of promoting a process of decay and breakdown. When the process is completed, we have the finest beginnings for new life to get started. Out of the old and dead, comes the new and alive.

Benefits of Colon Cleansing
Early indications of colon problems include: sallow skin, coated tongue, bad breath, offensive body odor, headaches, bloating, poor appetite, stiff joints (especially knees), lethargy, dizziness, muscle pain, moodiness and irritability, hemorrhoids, skin rash, hypertension, vision problems, palpitations and a feeling of stomach heaviness.

Most illnesses are caused by unhealthy colons. Colds, flu, cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and allergies are all examples of diseases caused by excessive amounts of poor-quality food combined with bad elimination. When you don't eliminate properly, food may stay in the colon for days, weeks, months, even years, putrefying and then poisoning your entire system. In most cases, seriousness of disease corresponds directly to the level of toxicity.

Colon cleanse is the solution to good colon health. Among the many benefits of natural colon cleansing, some of which includes no coprostasis, no colon cancer, no overweight, no constipation and a better complexion. With modern tendency to consume excessive meat/fish and fatty food while leading a sedentary lifestyle, many people are experiencing coprostasis due to congested intestines without them knowing it. Once waste matter is lodged in the intestinal folds, it cannot be eliminated easily. Being overweight is partly caused by coprostasis. The accumulation of harmful by-products and fat leads to the imbalance of the intestinal micorflora or bacteria. Colon Cleanse helps prevent the accumulation of harmful by-products and fat, thereby reducing the possibility of obesity. Toxic by-products that accumulate in our body very often lead to the outbreak of pimples and acne. This brings out the truth in the saying,"Beauty comes from within"!

Understand Male Contraceptives

2007-03-16T20:25:00.000+08:00

The choices available to a man are for him to use a temporary method so that he remains fertile; or a permanent method so that he becomes sterile. Compared with the contraceptives available to women, those available to men are limited. This is due to the fact that sperm production in man is infinitely greater than the production of ova in women, and methods of hormonal or chemical suppression of sperm development are consequently much more difficult to discover.

At present two temporary contraceptive measures are available to men. These are coitus interruptus (withdrawal) and the use of the condom. One excellent permanent method is vasectomy.

1. Coitus Interruptus (Withdrawal)
For many years withdrawal of the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation has been used to avoid pregnancy. It relies on the ability of the man to recognize the sensations which occur in his genitals just before ejaculation, and for him rapidly to withdraw his penis from the vagina and ejaculate outside. This requires great self-control, as the man will often want to keep his penis in the woman's vagina for as long as possible to obtain the greatest amount of pleasure. As the first spurt of semen, which contains the most spermatozoa, may either be ejaculated during withdrawal or may spurt into the vaginal entrance, the risk of pregnancy is high.

Coitus interruptus is said to lead to pelvic discomfort in a woman who is stimulated but not relieved(unless the woman reaches a climax first), and in the man who has to withdraw at a moment when he would penetrate more deeply.

2. The Condom
If the male covers his penis with a sheath, which is so thin that it is not noticed by either sexual partner, but so strong that neither movement of the penis in the vagina, nor the ejaculation of semen tears it, pregnancy will be prevented as no spermatozoa will be deposited near the cervix. The sheath or condom is made of fine latex rubber. It has been used since Roman times. In the past century, its use has been widespread to prevent conception. The condom was issued to soldiers who were going to fornicate with prostitutes as a method of reducing the chances of catching venereal disease. If the penis was "protected" by the condom, the germs which lived in the genital tract of many prostitutes were unable to get into the delicate tissue of the opening of the 'eye' in the glans of the penis, or to invade the glans itself. In this way, the spread of gonorrhoea and syphilis was to some extent prevented.

The disadvantages of the condom as a method of contraception are that the male must put it on, usually waiting until he has an erection of his penis. When he puts it on, he must make sure that no bubble of air remains in the tip and that the condom is fully unrolled, so that it covers the length of his penis. Unless he takes these two actions, the condom may burst when he ejaculates, or it may come off his penis when he loses his erection after orgasm. If his penis is still in the woman's vagina this could let the sperm escape.

3. Vasectomy

Increasing numbers of men are becoming interested in vasectomy as the operation provides an easy, relatively painless method of making a man sterile without interfering with the couple's sexual enjoyment. Vasectomy must be clearly differentiated from castration, in which the man's testicles are removed surgically. Vasectomy prevents the sperm from being ejaculated. The testicles remain and function normally so that a man who has had a vasectomy is no less masculine, nor does he have any fewer sexual desires. He is able to perform and enjoy sex as much as, or more than, a man who has not had the operation.

Women Hair Loss

2007-02-28T11:26:00.000+08:00

The most common form of hair loss in women is Androgenetic Alopecia or what is known as female pattern baldness. It accounts for over ninety-five percent of incidents of hair loss in women. And like male pattern baldness it has a large genetic predisposition, and it involves androgen and DHT. Androgen is a male hormone that all men and women produce. Androgen in turn produces a chemical called dihydrotestosterone, more easily remembered as DHT. DHT in excess causes hair follicles to make thinner and thinner hair until they eventually stop growing hair altogether.

Hair is composed of Keratin, a special protein that also produces our fingernails and toenails the nails and forms the protective outer layer of our skin. The colour of your hair depends on the amount of melanin in your hair. For example, Blonde hair is a result of very low amounts of melanin; Gray hair is a result of a lack of melanin which is often caused by age but can also be caused by stress and illness. It is normal to lose between 50-100 hairs a day. Many people experience excessive hair loss at one time in their life. A significant number of women suffer from forms of hair loss other than female pattern baldness.

Among some of the reasons for hair loss are medication, radiation, chemotherapy, exposure to chemicals, hormonal and nutritional factors, thyroid disease, generalized or local skin disease, and stress. While some causes of hair loss may be temporary, some others are permanent and irreversible.

It's hard enough for a man to lose his hair, but at least it is socially acceptable. For a woman to lose her hair, the experience can be 1 thousand times more difficult. Confusion, fear, and anxiety can set in, and the feeling of helplessness is paramount.

A significant difference between women's and men's hair loss though is that women don't typically get bald spots or receding hairlines, but they more often experience a general thinning of their hair. Women who suffer from Androgenic Alopecia have a pattern of hair loss called Female Pattern Loss. This loss does not occur in the same pattern as men but appears as a diffuse thinning throughout the scalp. There is a chart designed to classify Female Pattern loss called the Ludwig Scale. There are however always exceptions and in some cases men may suffer from a diffuse type thinning and women may experience a similar hair loss pattern to men.

Hair loss is a worry to thousands of males and females the world over. It is emotionally damaging to a women to experience hair loss. Luckily female hair loss can be treated now. Many women have restored their hair with the help of legitimate hair loss treatments and physicians. Feller Medical Hair Transplants provides modern natural hair transplant surgery. Hair transplants can be effective in treating women hair loss and they work for women! Over the years, the technology available for hair transplant surgery has increased significantly.

What is hair transplant? A hair transplant is a surgical procedure intended to restore hair that has been lost. The hair transplant is seen as the only real way to cure baldness. The procedure, sometimes known as hair replacement surgery, should only be undertaken by a qualified, reputable surgeon.

In the process of hair restoration surgery, permanent hair is redistributed to cover the areas of the head where the hair has thinned or has been lost. No new hair is actually created; existing hair is just moved around. Therefore, there is never a "net" increase in total hair volume. In spite of this, a skillfully performed hair transplant procedure can make a person "look" as though he or she has more hair, often considerably more.

Why Women Love Shopping

2007-01-24T07:30:00.000+08:00

Men and women are different. Men and women have evolved differently because they had to. Men hunted, women gathered. Men protected, women nurtured. As a result, their bodies and brains evolved in completely different ways. As their bodies physically changed to adapt to their specific functions, so did their minds. Men grew taller and stronger than most women, while their brains developed to suit their tasks. Women were mostly content for men to work away as they kept the cave fires burning, and their brains evolved to cope with their function in life.

Men live in different worlds, with different values and according to quite different sets of rules. Everyone know this, but very few people, particularly men, are willing to admit it. The truth, however, is most definitely out there. Look at the evidence. Around 50% or more of the marriages end in divorce and most serious relationships stop short of becoming long-term. Men and women of every culture, creed and hue constantly argue over their partners' opinions, behaviour, attitudes and beliefs.

When a man goes to a toilet, he usually goes for one reason only. Women use toilets as social lounges and therapy rooms. Women who go to a toilet as strangers can come out best friends and lifelong buddies. Men dominate TV remote controls and flick through the channels; women don't mind watching the commercials. Under pressure, men drink alcohol and invade other countries; women eat chocolate and go shopping.

Women criticise men for being insensitive, uncaring, not listening, not being warm and compassionate, not talking, not giving enough love, not being committed to relationships, want to have sex rather than make love, turning the temperature down, and leaving the toilet seat up. Men criticise women about their driving, for not being able to read street directories, for turning maps upside down, for their lack of a sense of direction, for talking too much without getting to the point, for not initiating sex often enough, turning the temperature up, and for leaving the toilet seat down. Men can never find a pair of socks but their CDs are in alphabetical order. Women can always find the missing set of car keys, but rarely the most direct route to their destination.

Over millions of years, the brain structures of men and women thus continued to change in different ways. Now, we know the sexes process information differently. They think differently. They believe different things. They have different perceptions, priorities and behaviours.

Women shop for a variety of reasons. First, out of necessities. Women shop for household stuff, for clothes, shoes and so on. Second, they shop for gifts. During special occasions such as birthdays and Valentine's Day, women shop for gifts to give to their special friends and their partners, or their love ones. Sometimes women shop just because they feel like it. They feel bored, especially when their partners are not free to keep them company. Shopping is a hobby to them, companion with their best friends, eating, dining and shopping together. Women buy things which attract to them, even though they might not need it. They can buy things not because they need the things but they want the things. Because of this reason, some women tend to overspend, incurring huge sum of credit card debts, leading to bankruptcy.

Life is full of problems, especially when there are so many differences between men and women. Most of women's problems are troubles and problems with their love lives, relationships and marriages. While some women share their problems with friends, some others hide their feelings, bottled up their emotions. They cried quietly to themselves at times. They are angry with their partners for not understanding them, for not caring enough, for flirting around and so on. Anger built up eventually need to be released in some form. Women spent huge amount of money shopping for both necessary and unnecessary things as such.

There are many places for women to shop. Besides shopping mall, there are many online shopping that women can go to nowadays. Royalty Universe is Your one stop shopping information center. It is a site where you can obtain all your shopping information needs. You can Get a free local self storage quote and get a $10000 in travel and discount vouchers at Royalty Universe.

Treatment For Bladder Cancer

2006-12-21T01:01:00.000+08:00

Nearly all cancers of the bladder begin in the urothelium (lining of the bladder). These are called transitional cell cancers (or urothelial cancers). They come in a wide range of forms and can behave in very different ways.

Transitional cell cancers grow from the inside lining of the bladder. They are either superficial or invasive cancers.

Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer
If bladder cancer is suspected, your doctor will take a medical history and conduct a physical exam. Diagnostic tests will be conducted. Your doctor will discuss with you which tests will be performed.

Cystoscopy – A thin tube is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to check for abnormal areas.

Biopsy – This is often done during a cystoscopy and involves removing cells or tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.

Urinalysis – This is done to check the color and content of the urine.

Urine cytology – Examines the urine under a microscope to check for abnormal cells

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) – An x-ray is taken of the urinary tract, after dye is injected into the bloodstream.

Other Imaging tests – Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, bone scan or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan.

Treatment of Bladder Cancer
The main treatment options for bladder cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Your treatment will depend on factors such as stage of the cancer.
For very superficial cancer, i.e. just the lining of the bladder, biological therapy would be used.

Biological Therapy- is a form of treatment that uses the body's natural ability to fight cancer. Biological therapy may be used alone or after surgery to help prevent the cancer from recurring. This treatment consists of placing a solution into the bladder. The bladder then stimulates the immune system. The medicine stays in the bladder for about 2 hours before the patient is allowed to empty their bladder. The treatment is continued for approximately 6 weeks, once a week.

Surgery- There are basically two types of surgery for bladder cancer. The less extensive, is where the physician will burn away the cancer cells. The patient will be done on an outpatient bases for the most part, with anesthesia.

There is also the surgery to remove the bladder called a Cystectomy. This surgery may be done when the bladder cancer invades the muscle wall.

Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with anti-cancer drugs. The aim is to kill all cancer cells while doing the least possible damage to normal cells. The drugs work by stopping cancer cells from growing and reproducing themselves.

For people with superficial bladder cancer, the drugs can be injected directly into the bladder through a catheter. This is called intravesical chemotherapy. It puts the drugs in direct contact with the cancer and the lining of the bladder. There are fewer side effects compared with having chemotherapy into a vein or by mouth. This is because very little gets out of the bladder and into the blood to affect the rest of the body.

You may have one injection, or weekly injections over about six weeks.

Radiation Therapy - Radiotherapy treats cancer by using radiation to kill cancer cells. The radiation can be targeted to cancer sites in your body. Treatment is carefully planned to do as little harm as possible to your normal body tissues.

Radiotherapy may be used instead of surgery to treat invasive bladder cancer to try to avoid removing the bladder.

Sometimes chemotherapy is given with radiotherapy so the cells are made more sensitive to the radiotherapy.

Prevention Of Bladder Cancer
Although bladder cancer can't always be prevented, you can take these steps to help reduce your risk:

Don't smoke. Not smoking means that cancer-causing chemicals in smoke can't collect in your bladder.

Be careful with chemicals and private water sources. If you work with chemicals, follow all safety instructions to avoid exposure. If you have your own well, you may wish to have it tested to check for high levels of arsenic in the water.

Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking liquids, especially water, dilutes toxic substances that may be concentrated in your urine and flushes them out of your bladder more quickly.

Learn to love broccoli. A 10-year study conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health indicates that a high intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, may cut the risk of bladder cancer in men. Although eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits is important for overall health, only broccoli and cabbage seem to affect bladder cancer risk. The Harvard doctors studied only men, and it's not known if the results apply to women.

Seek medical attention early. If you notice blood in your urine, see your doctor.

Bladder Cancer

2006-12-20T01:00:00.000+08:00

The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ that stores urine. It's made of flexible muscle that expands when it fills and shrinks when it empties. It empties urine through a tube called the urethra. Bladder cancer occurs when cells in the bladder grow out of control. The cells clump together and form a malignant (cancerous) tumor.

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. It is cancer of the bladder. There are three types of bladder cancers. These are transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. These cancers are defined as superficial bladder cancer if they’re confined to the lining of the bladder or invasive bladder cancer if they have spread beyond the lining of the bladder. The most aggressive type of bladder cancer may grow through the bladder wall and spread to nearby organs. Bladder cancer is more common among whites and men and usually occurs among people in their 60's.

Risk factors for Bladder Cancer
There are a number of risk factors that are attributed to bladder cancer. Here are the most common risk factors:

Age – The majority of bladder cancers occur in people over the age of 60

Male – Men are four times as likely to get bladder cancer than women

Race – Whites are twice as likely to get bladder cancer compared to African Americans and Hispanics.

Exposure to environmental substances – such as rubber, certain dyes and textiles, paint and hairdressing supplies

Treatment with certain drugs

Personal history of bladder cancer

Infection with Schistosoma haematobium (parasite found in many developing countries)

Smoking

Industrial chemicals

Chronic bladder inflammation

Signs & symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer often doesn't produce signs or symptoms in its early stages. The first warning sign is usually blood in the urine. However, signs and symptoms of bladder cancer may be:
* Blood in urine
* Pelvic Pain
* Frequent urination
* Sensation for the need to urinate without results
* Slowing of the urinary stream

These signs and symptoms are the same as other diseases, so you should see your physician.

How cancer develops
Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way. This process is controlled by DNA — the genetic material that contains the instructions for every chemical process in your body. When DNA is damaged, changes occur in these instructions. One result is that cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually form a tumor, a mass of malignant cells.

Most bladder cancers begin in the specialized cells that line the walls of your bladder (transitional cells). The same type of cells occurs in your kidneys, ureters and urethra where they may also give rise to malignant tumors.

Some cancers remain confined to the bladder lining (carcinoma in situ). But other cancers are invasive, growing into or through the bladder wall, and eventually into nearby lymph nodes and adjacent organs. In time, cancer may spread (metastasize) to other organs, including your lungs, liver or bones.

How bladder cancer is staged
Bladder cancer is often staged using the numbers 0 to IV. Most newly diagnosed bladder cancers fall into Stage 0 or Stage I.

Stage 0 cancer. Also called superficial or in situ cancer, this occurs only on the surface of the inner lining of the bladder. Finding cancer at this stage offers the best hope for a full recovery. Stage 0 cancer can often be completely removed while sparing the bladder, but the rate of recurrence is high.

Stage I cancer. Cancer at this stage occurs in the bladder's inner lining, but hasn't invaded the muscular bladder wall.

Stage II cancer. At this stage, cancer has invaded the bladder wall.

Stage III cancer. The cancer cells have spread through the bladder wall to surrounding tissue. They may also have spread to the prostate in men or the uterus or vagina in women.

Stage IV cancer. By this stage, cancer cells may have spread to the lymph nodes and other organs, such as your lungs, bones or liver.

Recurrent. This refers to cancer that has returned after having been treated. It may recur in the same place or in another part of your body.

Women's Hair

2006-12-16T12:04:00.000+08:00

Women take good care of hair growing at the appropriate place. For hair growing at the inappropriate places of the face and body, women want to get rid of them. They cause embarrassment, distress and annoyance to women. Hair loss, hair growing at the wrong place in our body and caring for our hair are all concerns of women's hair.

Hair plays important role in women and it can also be a nuisance and causing distress and annoyance for some.

Looking good is of utmost importance to every women. Starting from our head, the most obvious is of course our hair. Depending on the shape of your face, women always want to seek a hairstylist to have their hair done to match their face and personality. Hair can make a women look more feminine or it can make a women "masculine" also (sometimes we cannot even differentiate the sex of a person base on their look especially when the hair is cut too short like that of a guy). Asian women with naturally black hair dye their hair to look fanciful and even to make themselves appear more sexy so as to please their men or to attract more opposite sex.

Hair can be long and can be short. They can make you look prettier, boost your morale, make you feel proud of your beauty. When you have take good care of your hair, you receive compliments, you are even more motivated and satisfied to retain your hair style. However not all hair are wanted by women. Some hair bring anxieties and embarrassment for some women. In the case of the eyebrow, the eyebrow of a woman also plays a part in shaping women's beauty. Some women pluck off excess hair beyond the shape of the eyebrow they desired and some shave it.

Like I said before earlier, hair can make a women feminine, it also can make one appears masculine too. When a women cut the hair very short (mostly until the ear can be seen and those of the guys hair style), and to make it worse, 'moustache' on the face, these women really appear masculine, looking like a man more than a woman. Very often, we can control the length of hair we desire, we can shape the eyebrow we like to match our face, however, the growth of hair above the lips, the women 'moustache' is not one we can control despite the fact that we do not want it to grow. After you shave off, it will grow back again. Then you have a routine of shaving it off, just like what men do.

Unsightly hair , like those above the lip, can also appear elsewhere in the body. For instance, the legs, and the hands. Women want smooth legs. Hairy legs don't make them feminine. There are various ways to remove the hair on the legs such as waxing, shaving and laser treatment. Waxing and shaving of the body hair do not really solve the problem. The hair will grow back again. Lazer Hair Removal is a better option.

A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated light. Different types of lasers produce different colors of light. The color of light produced by a particular laser is one of the keys to its effect on hair follicles. Laser hair removal eliminates hundreds of unwanted hair follicles in seconds. Large regions like the back, abdomen, and legs are treated quickly. Facial areas, bikini lines and underarms are also easily treated. Best of all, you will only need a few laser hair removal treatments to permanently and dramatically reduce all unwanted hair without damaging the skin.

Not all women experience the same problem for hair. Some women have more hair, some have lesser hair. Some women don't have any hair problems at all. Having hair growing at inappropriate places like above the lips and the legs are really a nuisance to women. All women want to look nice. While we want to have nice hair to grow on our head, some hair that we do not want, just grow at the wrong place in our body. These problems faced by women can now be solved with better scientific research and discoveries. Thanks to all these treatments available that 'masculine' women can now be a real feminine women.

How To Lose Weight

2006-12-13T10:21:00.000+08:00

Positive changes in diet and lifestyle will lead to weight loss for most people.

Tackling the problem of eating too much is as difficult for some people as beating an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Obese people seem to have a greater urge to eat and find losing weight harder than those who are less overweight.

The best way to achieve a safe and permanent reduction in weight is through lifestyle changes that include a regular programme of exercise and a reduction in the number of calories in your diet. The diet that you choose should be one that you can continue to follow for life, not just until you have achieved your target weight.

Tips on Losing Weight

Set yourself a realistic target of losing weight
Choose a varied, balanced diet, rich in fibre and low in fat and highly refined carbohydrates. Always opt for low-calorie snacks
Eat three meals of moderate size each day and do not skip meals
Avoid eating late in the evening
Eat slowly, use a smaller plate, and avoid watching TV while you eat
Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks that are high in calories. Choose low-calorie drinks or water instead
Join a slimming organization if you think this will keep you motivated
Exercise
Exercise Is Vital. To reduce your weight, try to exercise vigorously at least three times a week. Physical activity burns up calories and increases your basal metabolic rate (the number of calories used by your body at rest).

Loosening up, stretching, and strengthening exercises will trim off fat and also tone up your muscles.

Calories Burned in Exercise
Exercise that burns about 120 calories in 30 minutes(4 calories per minute) : callisthenics, cycling (slow), gardening (light), golf (social), general housework, line dancing, table-tennis, tennis (doubles) and walking (slow).

Exercise that burns about 210 calories in 30 minutes (7 calories per minute) : aerobics, basketball, baseball, cycling (moderate), dancing (active), football, skiing, swimming, tennis (singles), weight training (moderate) and walking (brisk).

Exercise that burns about 300 calories in 30 minutes ( 10 Calories per Minute ) : basketball (competitive), cycling (fast), dancing (strenuous), football (competitive), jogging, running, skiing(cross country), skipping (with rope), swimming (vigorous), walking (vigorous), weight training (heavy) and kick-boxing. ( BoxingDepot.com sells name brand boxing equipment and punching bags/boxing gloves at excellent prices. $2.95 shipping is available on all orders. There are no surcharges for large/heavy items. All products have a 30 day money back guarantee and knowledgeable staff is available at 1-800-920-7801. )

Extreme Measures To Aid Weight-Loss
1. Slimming tablets
Only take slimming pills under reputable medical supervision

Appetite suppressants : must be combined with a healthy diet, exercise and counselling
Stimulant appetite suppressants : can only be taken for a short time, can cause dependence, and may be dangerous if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, thyroid disease, or kidney problems
Diuretics and laxatives : do not help lose body fat

2. Medical Intervention
Radical procedures are only performed when obesity is life threatening and conventional measures have not worked. They are only used as a last resort by people who are either twice their ideal weight or more than 45kg overweight. Measures include:

Jaw wiring : retricts food intake
Stomach stapling : reduces stomach size
Intestinal bypass : prevents the absorption of food

Weight-Loss Cycle
Long-term weight control is far more important than your initial success in losing weight. Unfortunately, many dieters quickly return to their former eating and exercise habits once they have reached their desired weight. They often end up weighing more than they did before they started their diet.

Some experts now believe that continually repeating this cycle of weight-loss followed by weight-gain may be more damaging to your health than remaining overweight all the time.

Women And Obesity

2006-12-08T09:57:00.000+08:00

Obesity is making the headlines in every state of our country. Current statistics place 64 percent of the adult population within some definition of obesity, from overweight to morbid obesity. Women and men are about equally represented (64.5 million women, 65.1 million men) in the 129.5 million American adults who are overweight. Nearly 62 percent of women and 67 percent of men are overweight.

When it comes to obesity, it seems a woman's body handles it better than a man's. A new study finds obese men are more carbohydrate intolerant than obese women, and obese women are more fit than obese men.

Differences In Men And Women In Storing Fat:
Men and women store deposits of fat under the skin all over the body. Unlike women, men tend to accumulate fat as n abdominal paunch. Like men, women build up fat deposits under the skin all over the body, notably around the top of the arms, the abdomen, and the buttocks. Women, however, also accumulate fat deposits under the skin of the breasts and around their hips and thighs.

Facts About Women And Obesity
According to American Obesity Association(AOA), among women, ages 20 to 74, 62 percent are overweight (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or more) and about half of that population (34 percent) is obese (BMI of 30 or more). They have found that obesity (BMI of 30 or more) has increased among U.S. women of all age groups over the last decade and that women are more likely to become overweight (BMI of 25 or more) as they become older.

Among U.S. adults, black (non-Hispanic) women have the highest prevalence of overweight (78 percent) and obesity (50.8 percent). Besides race, middle-age women are at a particularly high risk of becoming obese. The prevalence of obesity among middle-age women (ages 35 to 64) has increased at a minimum of 2 percentage points per year over a 40-year time period from 1960 to 2000.

In addition, according to AOA, obesity appears to have a strong inverse relationship with Socioeconomic Status (obesity increases as income level decreases) among women in developed societies such as the U.S. Low-income women in minority populations appear most likely to be overweight.

In terms of health, a direct association has been found between body weight and deaths from all-causes in women, ages 30 to 55. When BMI exceeds 30, the relative risk of death related to obesity increases by 50 percent. There are many obesity-related conditions, which uniquely or mostly affect women, including those detailed below.

1. Arthritis
Women with obesity have almost four times the risk of osteoarthritis as non-obese women. Moreover, a stronger association between osteoarthritis and obesity has been observed in women than in men.

2. Birth Defects
Maternal obesity (BMI > 29) has been associated with an increased incidence of neural tube defects (NTD) in several studies, although variable results have been found in this area.
Folate intake, which decreases the risk of NTD’s, was found in one study to have a reduced effect with higher pre-pregnancy weight.

3. Breast Cancer

After menopause, women with obesity have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, weight gain after menopause may also increase breast cancer risk.

Women who gain about 45 pounds or more after age 18 are twice as likely to develop breast cancer after menopause than women with no weight gain.

Before menopause, high BMI has been associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer. However, a recent study found an increased risk of the most lethal form of breast cancer, called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), in women with BMI as low as 26.7 regardless of menopausal status.

Before menopause, women who are overweight and have breast cancer appear to have a shorter life span than women with lower BMI.

4. Endometrial Cancer
Women with obesity have three to four times the risk of endometrial cancer than women with lower BMI. An estimated 34 to 56 percent of endometrial cancer risk can be attributed to overweight. It is found that body size is a risk factor for Endometrial cancer regardless of where fat is distributed in the body. In addition, women with obesity and diabetes have a 3-fold increase in risk for endometrial cancer above the risk of obesity alone.

5. Cardiovascular Disease
In middle and older age groups of women, heavier weight is associated with cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, particularly for women.

6. Gallbladder Disease
Obesity is the best-established predictor of gallbladder disease in women. Women with obesity have at least twice the risk of gallstone disease than women of normal weight.

7. Infertility
Obesity has been found to affect ovulation, response to fertility treatment, pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcome. Infertile women with obesity who lose weight have shown improvement in becoming pregnant and reaching full term.

8. Obstetric & Gynecological Complications
In addition to infertility, excess body fat can lead to complications such as menstrual abnormality, miscarriage and difficulties in performing assisted reproduction. The frequency of menstrual disturbance in women with severe obesity is three times greater than for women of normal weight. High pre-pregnancy weight is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy hypertension, gestational diabetes, urinary infection, Cesarean section delivery and toxemia.

Women with obesity are 13 times more likely to have overdue births, longer labors, induced labor and blood loss. Complications after childbirth, related to obesity, include an increased risk of wound and endometrial infection, endometritis and urinary tract infection.

9. Urinary Stress Incontinence
Obesity is a well-documented risk factor for the involuntary loss of urine as well as urgency.
Obesity has been found to be a strong risk factor for women of several urinary symptoms after childbirth.

10. Stigma & Discrimination
Women with obesity appear to have much more prejudice and discrimination directed against them than men with obesity. Obesity contributes to unemployment for women. After undergoing surgery to reduce obesity, a drop in unemployment rate from 84 to 64 percent was reported for women. Furthermore, women with obesity face significant barriers in establishing and maintaining social relationships in a society that emphasizes thinness as physical attractiveness. Finally, women with obesity have reported attending fewer years of college and receiving less financial support for higher education than women who are non-obese.

Obesity plays a significant role in causing poor health in women, negatively affecting quality of life and shortening quantity of life. More than half of adult U.S. women are overweight, and more than one-third are obese. The life expectancy of women in the U.S. is approaching 80 years of age, and more women than ever are expected to turn 65 in the second decade of the new millennium. Prevention and early treatment of obesity are crucial to ensuring a healthy population of women of all ages.

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Plastic Surgery

2006-12-06T08:18:00.000+08:00

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in 2001, more than 219,000 women had breast augmentation, more than 99,000 women had breast reduction and almost 82,000 women had breast reconstruction.

Plastic surgery is a special type of surgery that can involve both a person's appearance and ability to function. Plastic surgeons strive to improve patients' appearance and self-image through both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.

Reconstructive procedures correct defects on the face or body. These include physical birth defects like cleft lips and palates and ear deformities, traumatic injuries like those from dog bites or burns, or the aftermath of disease treatments like rebuilding a woman's breast after surgery for breast cancer.

Cosmetic (also called aesthetic) procedures alter a part of the body that the person is not satisfied with. Common cosmetic procedures include making the breasts larger (augmentation mammoplasty) or smaller (reduction mammoplasty), reshaping the nose (rhinoplasty), and removing pockets of fat from specific spots on the body (liposuction). Some cosmetic procedures aren't even surgical in the way that most people think of surgery — that is, cutting and stitching. For example, the use of special lasers to remove unwanted hair and sanding skin to improve severe scarring are two such treatments.

Some of the common plastic surgery includes Liposuction, Tummy tuck, Lines around the eyes/shape of the eyes, Breast enlargement, Face-lift, nose reshaping, Botox, Cellulite Treatment, etc.

Why Do Women Get Plastic Surgery?
Throughout the ages, the female breast has been a symbol of sexuality and maternity regardless of culture. Today is no different and women want to feel good about their own body image.

Two thirds of women are so unhappy with their body that they would undergo plastic surgery to achieve the perfect look, a survey suggests.
The survey also found the top five most hated parts of women's bodies were, in order, hips and thighs, bottom, waist, legs and arms.

Almost two-thirds said their sex lives would be better if they achieved their ideal shape.

Three-quarters of women who have had plastic surgery think it has improved their lives, and 71% would do it again - but four out of 10 said the results from operations they had already had were not as good as they expected.

Interlude By Douglas Hofmann

Thus some women turn to plastic surgery to correct a physical defect or to alter a part of the body that makes them feel uncomfortable. Other women decide they want a cosmetic change to feel better about the way they look. People who have cosmetic procedures, such as otoplasty (surgery to pin back ears that stick out) or dermabrasion (a procedure that can help smooth or camouflage severe acne scars), often say that having the surgery gives them greater confidence and boosts their self-esteem.

Here are a few things to think about if you're considering plastic surgery:

Many people are self-conscious about their bodies. Almost everyone wishes there were a thing or two that could be changed. A lot of this self-consciousness goes away with time.

Ask yourself if you're considering plastic surgery for only yourself or whether it's to please someone else.

Getting in good shape through appropriate weight control and exercise can do great things for a person's looks without surgery. In fact, it's never a good idea to choose plastic surgery as a first option for something like weight loss that can be corrected in a nonsurgical manner. Sure, gastric bypass or liposuction may seem like quick and easy fixes compared with sticking with a diet. Both of these procedures, however, carry far greater risks than dieting, and doctors should reserve them for extreme cases when all other options have failed.

Some people's emotions have a really big effect on how they think they look. People who are depressed, extremely self-critical, or have a distorted view of what they really look like sometimes think that changing their looks will solve their problems. In these cases, it won't. Working out the emotional problem with the help of a trained therapist is a better bet. In fact, many doctors won't perform plastic surgery on people who are depressed or have other mental health problems until these problems are treated first.

For almost 40 years, being attractive has been equated with being thin.
Cosmetic surgery skyrocketed 299% from 1997 to 2003. Medical advances, greater public acceptance of cosmetic surgery, and the media probably all contributed to that.
Liposuction, which is also known as "lipoplasty" or "suction lipectomy", is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. It is a technique that involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula (from the Latin word for reed, tube, cane). The cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After liposuction surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse and thus result in an improved body contour.

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Women and Depression

2006-12-05T13:58:00.000+08:00

Women and Depression
Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow. And he answered: Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper the sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is no the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that
which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow" and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater". But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, the other is asleep upon your bed. Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must
your joy or your sorrow rise or fall. ~ Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet

Depression is the most common serious mental illness. Around five per cent of the population suffer from a depressive episode at sometime in their lives that is severe enought to require depression treatment. Although depression can occur at any age, it is most common between the ages of 35 and 55 in women and 10 years later in men. Depression has been called the most significant mental health risk for women, especially younger women of childbearing and childrearing age.

Depression in Women
Women appear to be more prone to depression than men -- Women experience depression about twice as often as men. One in six women seeks help compared to only one in nine men. It is not known if this is due to differences between the sexes. Women may just be more willing to admit their feelings of sadness to a doctor, while men may turn to alcohol, violence or some other means of expressing their feelings of despair.

Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women, particularly such factors as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, postpartum period, pre-menopause, and menopause. Many women also face additional stresses such as responsibilities both at work and home, single parenthood, and caring for children and for aging parents.

A recent NIMH study showed that in the case of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), women with a preexisting vulnerability to PMS experienced relief from mood and physical symptoms when their sex hormones were suppressed. Shortly after the hormones were re-introduced, they again developed symptoms of PMS. Women without a history of PMS reported no effects of the hormonal manipulation.

Many women are also particularly vulnerable after the birth of a baby. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new life, can be factors that lead to postpartum depression in some women. While transient “blues” are common in new mothers, a full-blown depressive episode is not a normal occurrence and requires active intervention. Depression Treatment by a sympathetic physician and the family’s emotional support for the new mother are prime considerations in aiding her to recover her physical and mental well-being and her ability to care for and enjoy the infant.

Married women have higher rates of depression than unmarried women, but the reverse is true for men. Marriage seems to confer a greater protective advantage on men than on women. In unhappy marriages, women are three times as likely as men to be depressed. Women's risk of depressive symptoms and demoralization is higher among mothers of young children and increases with the number of children in the house.

Women's Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Depression
A National Mental Health Association Survey Showed that more than 50% of women:

believe that it is normal for a woman to be depressed during menopause and that treatment is not necessary

believe depression is a "normal parts of aging"

believe it is normal for a mother to feel depressed for at least two weeks after giving birth

cited denial as a barrier to treatment (41% of women surveyed cited embarrassment or shame as barriers to treatment)

think they "know" more about depression than men

Types Of Depression
There are two basic categories of depression.

1. Exogenous or reactive depression is caused by a major upset in your life, such as divorce or bereavement. This form of depression only becomes an illness when the period of grief is excessive or prolonged, making the person disinterested in life and unable to cope with daily activities.

2. Endogenous depression, where the symptoms of misery and feelings of helplessness are not linked to any external event, is more common. There is no ready explanation for the depression, so friends and relatives often find it harder to offer help and sympathy.

3. Winter Depression
Seasonal affective disorder syndrome (SADS) is a type of depression. Sufferers become depressed each winter due to diminished light exposure. Exposure to bright light for two hours each morning during winter may relieve symptoms.

4. Postnatal Depression
Over half of all mothers go through a period of mild depression after their baby is born. Known as 'baby blues', this depression causes women to feel miserable and emotional and have tearful outbursts. Symptoms typically appear between four and five days after the birth and usually only last for a day or two. Hormonal changes may be the cause, but other factors can also be responsible, such as a sense of anticlimax after all the anticipation and apprehension; minor worries, such as early feeding difficulties; and physical exhaustion.

Depression Checklist
If you develop several of the following symptoms you may be suffering from depression:

Early morning wakening

Being tearful

Lack of energy

Bingeing or loss of appetite

Feeling isolated and disconnected from the world

Becoming withdrawn and apathetic

Having a lot of unexplained aches and pains

Feeling worthless

Poor concentration

Difficulty making decisions

Losing interest in sexual activity

Depression Help
Most people who suffer from depression will recover completely if they receive appropriate help.

Plenty of support. Reassurance from friends and family is essential

Drugs For Depression -- Antidepressants. These drugs restore appetite, energy, and sleep patterns. They take over two weeks to start working, however, and can cause dizziness or drowsiness

Psychotherapy. This treatment is most helpful for people whose personality or life expereiences are the main causes of their depression

Cognitive-behavioural therapy. This tehrapy teaches positive thinking to enhance self-esteem

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Sufferers who do no trespond to other treatments may have an electric shock passed throught ht ebrain for a few seconds. Dramatic improvements do occur and side effects are minimal.

How To Stay Fit

2006-12-04T16:39:00.000+08:00

The first and most crucial step to fitness is to make decision to get started. Obviously, it is going to mean extra effort! There is no lazy way to get fit. But that does not mean that you have to loaunch yourself into a rigoruos physical-training programme. The essential thing is to start gently and build up gradually over the weeks.

While deciding which activities to pursue and how much time to devote to them, you can take the first steps to fitness by making a few changes in your lifestyle. Here are some:

1. Use your legs
Walk more each day to work or to the shops. Use the stairs instead of the lift. Get off the bus a stop or two sooner. Take every opportunity to use your legs.

Sustained brisk walks of five or ten minutes are an excellent introduction to fitness. Each day, put a little more effort into your walking. Tackle more stairs and hills. Aim to spend at least five or ten minutes a day performing some activity that makes you moderately breathless -- by putting a little more effort into the housework or do-it-yourself jobs, by playing tag or another active game with the children or by towelling briskly after a bath or shower.

Even standing still is better exercise for your heart and circulation than sitting or lying.

You get the most benefit from exercise if you do it for at least 30 minutes a day for 5-6 days a week. But you do not have to do 30 minutes in a row. Recent studies suggest that you get the same benefits if you work out for 10 minutes 3 times a day that you do during a longer session.

2. Stop Smoking
Cigarette smoking reduces stamina. A few minutes after someone smokes a cigarette, the air-tubes(bronchioles) in the lungs shrink, almost doubling the resistance to airflow. While that makes little difference at rest, it leads rapidly to breathlessness during exercise.

Smoking raises the heart-rate by about 20-30 beats a minute, which reduces stamina. Nicotine in the bloodstream is also associated with the silting up of arteries with fatty deposits, reducing the blood flow to active muscles including the heart, and increasing the risk of thromobosis.

The fewer cigarettes you smoke, the more good exercise will do you. Exercise cannot cancel out the effects of smoking.

3. Shed Excess Weight
Exercise helps you to lose weight, but equally, staying slim helps you to benefit more from your fitness programme. The more surplus fat you lose, the more comfortable you will be when exercising, and the less likely you will be to suffer injury. So combine your fitness programme with sensible eating.

4. Advanced Exercise Programmes
Once you have reached basic fitness, you may want to develop particular muscles to improve your performance in some specific activity. For example, tennis or judo. One of the most efficient ways of doing that is 'weight training' -- exercises using weights, such as barbells or dumb-bells, or even plastic bottles filled with water or sand. The benefit comes from the repetition of exercising your muscles against the resistance of the weights. Different exercises develop different muscles so take advice from a trainer or a training manual.

Components Of Fitness

2006-12-03T15:16:00.000+08:00

The three basic components of physical fitness are suppleness, strength and stamina.

1. Suppleness
Suppleness means flexibity or mobility of the neck, trunk and limbs. The more supple you are, the more easily you can move your joints without discomfort. Suppleness exercises stretch and lossen the various muscles that work the joints. The joints themselves are tightened and toned up, while the ligaments that support them are shortened and strengthened.

Suppleness allows you to twist and turn, bend and stretch without strain or sprain. It is an important component of fitness, especially for elderly people, whose muscles easily stiffen, making it difficult to cope even with ordinary activities such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing and doing housework.

Activities that develop suppleness include dancing, yoga and gymnastics.

2. Strength
Strength is simply muscle power -- the maximum force that a group of muscles can apply to an action. Strength is needed for pulling, pushing, lifting and shifting. Strength of forearm muscles gives a strong hand-grip. Strong shoulder muscles make light work of lifting children or loading shopping into the car. Elderly people need to maintain the strength of their limbs so that they can get in and out of chairs or the bath with ease.

Strength is developed by exercising muscles against resistance -- for example, by weightlifting, press-ups or bicycling. Broadly, the more resistance a muscle meets when it contracts, the more its individual fibres are brought into play. Muscles that are regularly exercised against resistance respond by becoming bulkier and stronger.

3. Stamina
Stamina means endurance or 'staying power', and it is the most fundamental component of fitness. It is the capacity to keep going without gasping for breath or going weak at the knees. Any activity involving the rhythmic contraction of large muscles, such as those of the legs, requires stamina.

Running and swimming are examples. They are sometimes known as 'aerobic' -- from the Greek words for air and life -- because the working muscles need a plentiful supply of oxygen. That puts extra demand, not only on the heart, lungs and circulation, but also on the muscles themselves, which must be able to extract oxygen from the bloodstream rapidly and efficiently. All these functions can be improved by exercising energetically and frequently.

Why Be Fit

2006-12-02T16:22:00.000+08:00

For many people, the words 'fitness' and 'exercise' conjure up visions of agonising physical-training sessions in the school gym or the loneliness of the long-distance runner. In fact, far from being unpleasant, the whole point of exericse and fitness is to increase your enjoyment of life.

There are so many different ways to exercise and keep yourself in good physical shape that it is not difficult to find an activity or mix of activities that you really enjoy. Because keeping fit means taking regular, moderately vigorous exercise, it is important to choose something that gives you an incentive to continue.

Apart from the physcial benefits of exercise, research has shown that exercise can help to relieve anxiety and lift depression. Athletes describe the 'natural high' that they get from vigorous exercise, and that is a very apt description of what happens in their brain. Scientists studying this effect have found that exercise seems to stimulate the release of certain natural hormones within the brain which mimic the action of morphine and have a pleasurable and pain-suppressing effect.

Being fit can also help to combat degenerative diseases. Inactivity can lead to problems ranging from muscle and joint stiffness to obesity, or from palpitations to an increased risk of heart attack. Regular, moderately vigorous activity with at least 20 minutes of stamina-building exercises twice a week, and preferably more often, reduces the likelihood of these conditions.

Aerobic exercise gets the heart working to pump blood through the heart more quickly and with more force than normal. As blood is pumped faster, it must be oxygenated more quickly, which quickens respiration. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and boosts healthy cholestrol levels. Low impact aerobics include walking and swimming. Running, tennis and dance are high impact aerobics.

Keeping Fit

2006-12-01T09:17:00.000+08:00

Man's body is adapted for regular, vigorous exercise, but in today's push-button, microchip, automated world, it all too often does not get it. Exercise helps to keep bones, joints and muscles young. It can reduce the risk of heart attacks, and increase the chances of survival if you suffer one. It helps slimming by burning up the energy in food, and works off the tensions of everyday living. It can help to keep you in a healthy state of mind and cut down anxiety and depression. Above all, it promotes fitness.

What is fitness?
Even though most people know that fitness is important, they may not know what fitness really means. There is no scientific definition of fitness, but, as those who are fit will vouch, it is more than the mere absence of illness or disease, more than simply feeling well. It is a manifestation of positive health, the physical expression of viatlity. It is having the capacity to cope with the physical expression of vitality. It is having the capacity to cope with the physical demands most people face each day... and having a little extra left in reserve.

Fit For Life
Fitness for life is not the same as sporting excellence. Fitness is simply the ability to cope with the physical workload of everyday activities, while still having energy in reserve to meet any sudden unexpected demands. The average adult should be able to carry heavy shopping, dig the garden, or run for the bus, without becoming breathless and exhausted.

The first and most crucial step to fitness is making the decision to get started. Obviously, it is going to mean extra effort -- there is no lazy way to get fit. Unfortunately, many people think they are fit when they are not. Just because you are rarely ill, does not necessarily mean that you are in good shape physically. The essential thing is to start gently and build up gradually over the weeks. The best way to stay fit is to exercise at least three times a week.

Although you probably know that exercise is good for your health, like many people, you may think that exercise is not for you. The list of excuses for not exercising is endless: too busy, too tired, or too out of condition. But the benefits you will get from exercise far outweigh the effort it takes.

Exercise will make your heart and lungs more efficient and your muscles stronger, as well as improving your figure and posture and enhancing your sense of wellbeing. You will also feel more relaxed, sleep better, and be able to deal more effectively with day-to-day stresses. By continuing to stay active throughout your life, you are likely to live longer and stay in good health. The habit of exercising regularly will keep you fit for life.

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Meditation And Yoga

2006-11-30T12:40:00.000+08:00

Meditation has traditionally been a feature of many religions, particulary those based on Eastern philosophies. The goal of meditation is to find tranquillity by emptying the mind of distracting thoughts and worries.

A number of organizations teach meditation techniques. It is not, however, difficult to learn to meditate effectively on your own.

A simple meditation technique
To begin meditating, sit cross-legged(or if that is uncomfortable, in another relaxed position), with your back straight and eyes closed, in a quiet room where you will not be disturbed.

Once your breathing is regular, choose a word that has no emotional significance for you and, without moving your lips, repeat it silently to yourself. Pay full attention to the sound of the word, not to its meaning.

Alternatively, fix your gaze on a stationary object such as a wall pattern. But do not try to analyse its shape or form logically.

If you find that your mind begins to wander, or that distracting thoughts intrude, gently bring yourself back to the word, phrase, or object you have chosen. Do not strain to banish these intrusive thoughts and images. Simply try not to follow them or to worry about how well you are doing. Meditate in this manner for five minutes, twice a day at first. Then, as you become more adept, gradually extend the meditation period until you can do about 20 minutes at each session.

Benefits Of Meditation
Clinical trials have shown that regular meditation can be a useful therapy for reducing stress levels and relieving many stress-related disorders. Although experienced meditators may use these techniques as a pathway towards spiritual experiences, for most people meditation is just a way of releasing inner tension and uneasiness.

During meditation, there may be a marked decrease in the body's oxygen consumption, as cell metabolism slows down. At the same time, measurement of the electrical activity in the brain demonstrates an increase in alpha waves, which are the slow brain waves associated with relaxation.

Both the pulse and the rate of breathing normally slow down. Blood pressure, however, is only lowered in those people who start with a slightly elevated reading.

Regular meditation can also help control alcohol abuse in those individuals who have been drinking to relieve tension and anxiety.

Benefits of yoga
Successful meditation is the final goal of yoga, a system of Indian philosophy and physical discipline which teaches coordinated movements and postures, relaxation and breathing control, and meditation techniques. The individual adopts positions that exercise almost every part of the body, while using controlled breathing techniques.

Correctly practised, yoga is a useful method of relaxation which helps clear the mind and reduce physical tension. It also maintains body flexiblity, promotes suppleness, and can increase both muscle strength and endurance.

Relaxation Exercises

2006-11-29T12:36:00.000+08:00

Relaxation reduces muscular tension caused by stress and improves your health.

Relaxation is a skill that needs to be learned and mastered. When stress makes you tense from time to time, there are a number of techniques that can help you to relax.

Many relaxation exercises can be done anywhere, at any time. They are most successful if done regularly, not just when you feel you are close to breaking point. Acquiring the ability to relax without having to make a special effort will then be particularly helpful when you are under more pressure.

Relaxing To Relieve Pain
As well as making your muscles less tense, daily relaxation has been shown to relieve pain in some types of recurrent headache or backache. It may also lower the blood pressure of some people being treated for hypertension. However, no one should stop taking medication for hypertension without their doctor's acknowlege and agreement.

Ways To Relax

Slow your breathing. Take deep, even breaths for five minutes
Close your eyes and count backwards from 20, saying each number silently as you breathe out
Shut your eyes and imagine a beautiful scene. For five minutes, explore the sights, sounds and smells, savouring every detail of this picture
Take strenous exercise to help reduce muscle tension and anxiety

Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises can be used to help you to relax. The habit of taking deep breaths is an effective weapon against the build-up tension.

Sit in a quiet room with your feet flat on the floor
Become aware of the chair supporting your full weight and let your shoulders relax
Breathe deeply and slowly, breathing out fo rtwice as long as you breathe in (you can judge this by counting silently to yourself)
Continue for five minutes, but stop if you begin to feel dizzy
While you are concentrating on your breathing, try to clear your mind of all other thoughts
Do this breathing exercise twice a day, every day

Controlling Stress

2006-11-28T12:17:00.000+08:00

Although you cannot avoid stress altogether, you can improve your ability to deal with it.

Everyone experiences stress at certain times in their lives, often due to events beyond their control. Whatever the sources of stress in your life, however, you can learn to control its effects on you.

A number of simple measures, such as meditation or confronting the source of your problems, can be used to ease tension. Learning and carrying out these antistress techniques can improve your ability to cope with stressful situations.

Reducing Your Stress Level
Identifying what is causing your stress is the first step to reducing it. Taking almost any action to relieve it will help because this is a sign that you are no longer prepared to endure an unacceptable level of pressure.

Sometimes it is not easy to see just what is putting you under stress. To help pinpoint the problem, every time you find yourself becoming anxious make a note of the circumstances, and then see whether a pattern emerges. As you dig deeper into the nature of your responses to people and situations, you will probably discover what is going wrong.

Make a list of all the things that have been troubling you, putting them in order of priority. Then, beginning with the problem that causes you the greatest irritation, anxiety, or stress, work out a way to solve it or deal with it. As you resolve each problem, move down your list, trakling only one source of stress at a time.

Talking Through Problems
Discussing what is bothering you is oftn a good way to find a solution. Once you have decided who or what is at the root of your anxiety, talk the issue over, either with a friend or with the person who is causing the problem.

Admitting that you cannot handle a problem alone may be an embarrasing or awkward confession to make, but involving another person in your troubles at an early stage can speed up the process of finding a constructive solution.

Ways To Control Stress
Stressful situations may be inevitable and beyond our control, but the anxieties that they arouse can be relieved by using the following antistress techniques. These techniques work by helping you to avoid or reduce the stresses of daily life, to release accumulated stress, and to spot stress warning signs:

1. Take regular breaks
A short rest period during the day will help to relieve pressure and refresh your mind after a session of concenterated mental or physcial effort, or if you have become frustrated with a project.

2. Plan each day
Listing what you need to accomplish in order of priority, setting realistic goals, saying no to unacceptable or impractical deadlines, and finishing one task before you move on to the next can help you feel in control

3. Be realistic
Try not to take on too much. Sometimes, to relieve a tight schedule, you may need to change ideas or arrangements; do not feel guilty about doing so

4. Take care of your social life
It is important to develop interests outside your career or family. Do not always neglect friends in favour of work or family commitments

5. See your doctor
If the stress in your life has become intolerable or is causing physical symptoms or depression, counselling may help make your lifestyle less stressful

6. Exercise regularly
Physical activity reduces tension, helps you sleep better, releases pen-up emotions, and takes your mind off your worries. Choose an activity just for the enjoyment, not to satisfy a competitive desire to win

7. Relax
This will relieve warning signs of stress such as headaches, muscle pains, or difficulty sleeping. Progressivev muscle relaxation, meditation and yoga are all good ways to help you keep these symptoms of stress at bay

8. Talk about your problems
Your partner, a friend, or a family member may be able to help you find a solution, but even if not, just discussing your feelings can often help

9. Take holidays or short breaks to unwind
It is better to get away from home if you would otherwise begin stressful home activities, like spring-cleaning or redecorating

10. Avoid making too many changes at once
Major events that require you to change the way you live are easier to deal with if they do not happen close together

Stress And Illness

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Too much stress increases your risk of suffering from an illness or accidental injury.

It is simply not possible to avoid all stressful situations and events. In fact to do so would not be healthy, for stress is an essential part of life. If it is kept under control, stress is a positive force that can improve your performance and efficiency and help to keep you alert and out of danger.

A prolonged period of severe stress, or several sources of minor stress, however, are not good for your health. Excessive stress puts your body into a state of emotional turmoil. This agitation may affect a variety of organs and systems within the body and eventually produce many different types of disease.

Effect of stress on the body:

Hair : Some forms of baldness have been linked to high levels of stress
Brain : Many mental and emotional problems may be brought on by stress. In extreme cases, long-term stress can cause a so-called nervous breakdown in which the person is no longer able to cope with day-to-day problems
Mouth : Mouth ulcers frequently develop in an individual who has become run down by being under too much stress
Muscles : Minor muscle twitches and nervous tics become more noticeable when an individual is overstressed
Skin : Attacks of eczema or psoriasis may suddenly flare up during periods of abnormal stress
Heart : Stress can increase blood pressure which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack. However, tension is not the only, or even the most important, cause of high blood pressure. Other factors, such as your genes, diet, and level of exercise, play a vital role
Lungs : Some asthmatics find their condition is aggravated by emotional upsets
Immune System : Prolonged stress can weaken the immune system. Sufferers are therefore more susceptible to minor infections, such as colds and boils
Digestive tract : Stress is known to cause or aggravate many diseases of the digestive tract, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and colitis
Reproductive organs : Stress may result in many types of menstrual disorder. For instance, periods may cease (amenorrhoea). In men, stress is the most common cause of impotence and premature ejaculation
Bladder : Many women and some men, develop an irritable bladder as a direct response to stressful events

Interesting Facts

It is thought that as many as 60% of visits to the doctor are directly related to stress. There are many different factors that can cause stress-related symptoms but worries about work or money are the most common. Because the numbers of working women have increased, just as many women as men now suffer from symptoms that have been brought on by stress due to pressures at work.

Stress affects blood pressure, but it is not known whether your ability to cope with stress alters your risk of having a heart attack. It has been argued that aggressive people (Type A personality) are more likely to develop heart disease than those who are relaxed (Type B personality). Smoking and diet, however, are now thought to influence your health more.

A psychosomatic illness is a medical condition that is caused or worsened by psychological factors, such as stress. However, because almost every illness is linked with your mental state, a condition is only regarded as being psychosomatic if emotional problems dominate your life. Psychosomatic illnesses are not just imaginary; they are genuine medical disorders.

Stress Warning Signs

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Recognizing that you are overstressed is the first step to regaining control of your emotional health.

Human bodies are designed to respond physically, rather than mentally, to a stressful situation. This immediate, primitive reaction is known as the 'fight or flight' response. It prepares the body for any vigourous exertion, either in the form of violent conflict or a rapid escape to safety.

How the body reacts to stress?
Even if the threat is emotional, rather than physical, these same physiological reactions occur -- the heart beats faster, the muscles tense, and the skin sweats more. These changes, however, cannot protect the body against psychological pressure, such as frustration.

If an individual is constantly placed in threatening situations, where the body initiates this arousal response but there is no chance to escape from or conquer the source of the threat, he or she will become tense and overstressed.

Anyone can suffer from stress but some types of people are more vulnerable than others to suffering stress-related medical problems, such as peptic ulcers. By learning to recognize the signs of stress, anyone can reduce the day-to-day pressure of life before becoming ill.

Fight Or Flight Response
The release of the hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol from the activated adrenal glands, and the stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, prepare the body to fight or flee. This response occurs in all animals, not just humans, as a reaction to a threat. It can be beneficial; for instance, it may improve sporting performance. Signs of this fight or flight response in the human body include:

Heart begins to pound
Breathing is deeper and faster
Muscles receive greater blood flow
Blood sugar level rises to provide more energy
Eyes focus for distance vision
Pupils widen to let in more light
Sweating increases to cool the body

Stress And Heart Rate
Any stress raises the pulse by activating the body's fight or flight response. When a high pulse rate is linked to exercise this is an appropriate response -- it allows the body to perform efficiently. It is when the body becomes aroused without any accompanying muscular response, such as being stuck on a train, that the stress is likely to be harmful.

Key Stress Symptoms
If you experience any of the following symptoms you may be under too much stress:

Constantly feeling tense or on edge
Finding it difficult to fall asleep or relax
Being indecisive or lacking concentration
Becoming irritable and impatient
Aching limbs or recurrent headaches
Smoking or drinking more

Do not ignore aches and pains -- they may be a warning that you are under too much stress. Take steps to ease the pressure before a crisis occurs.

Children Stress Signs
Children between the age of five and twelve who cling to an adult, so that they are unable to play with other children, cannot sleep alone, or cannot be left in a room on their own, are overanxious. Other signs of stress in children include:

Frequently complaining of headaches or abdominal pains
Jumping or flinching easily when startled
Constantly asking for reassurance
Appearing nervous or frowning a lot
Experiencing difficulty falling asleep, having regular nightmares, or sleepwalking

Managing Stress

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Some people thrive on stress and seek it out; others find it too much to take and avoid it. The way in which each individual is able to handle stress is determined partly by personality and partly by ability to cope under different types of pressure.

Everyone needs a challenge, but if the challenge becomes impossible to meet, it can produce intolerable levels of stress.

Stress stimulates and motivates people. Usually, minor daily stresses are accepted as just part of the day, something that makes life interesting and challenging. But if a great many demands are made on you these minor difficulties can lead to too much stress and damage your health, causing insomnia, tension, back and neck pain, and other stress-related illnesses.

Some people seem to thrive on stress, while others cannot tolerate it. By analysing your emotional habits and behaviour you can find out how stress affects you and learn to recognize the warning signs of excessive stress. With this knowledge you will be able to combat the cause of the stress before it becomes a major problem. There are many different ways of easing this tension. Relaxation exercises, meditation, yoga, or physical exercise can all help.

In today's busy society, people feel depressed or anxious. Surveys have shown that a number of people who suffer symptoms of stress-related illnesses but do not seek medical advice. If you are having emotional difficulties that are interfering with your health or well-being, it is best to discuss them with your doctor. Seeking help is the most important step towards finding a solution to your problems. Counselling, behaviour therapy, a short course of medication, or psychoanalysis can all be beneficial.

Finding your stress balance
Performers and athletes use stress to help them do their best. For them, stress is life-enhancing, exhilarating and necessary for the achievement of their goals.

You can make stress work for you too by using relaxation techniques to combat the stress you cannot control by organizing your life so as not to cause yourself too much stress. If it is kept under control, stress can make life more stimulating and exciting.