Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
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*** Pure water (H2O) does not conduct electricity on its own. ***
*** Daizi Zheng, a Chinese designer, made a Coca-Cola powered cell phone. She designed a battery that uses enzymes to generate electricity from the carbs. ***
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Knee Replacements and Weight Gain How to Take off Extra Pounds After Joint Replacement Surgery
Your knee replacement’s complete. Now it’s time to work off the excess pounds you gained when post-surgical pain derailed your diet and exercise program. But resuming healthy weight habits after joint replacement surgery isn’t as easy as you might think. Here’s how to do it...
For many knee replacement patients, surgery seems to be the key to resuming an active, vibrant life and a fitter body.
The truth? Most patients actually gain weight following joint replacement surgery.
Of 106 adults who had knee replacements, two-thirds gained an average 14 pounds within two years after the operation, according to a 2010 study at the University of Delaware.
Post-surgery weight gain means trouble on several fronts. For example, it increases the risk of osteoarthritis in the non-operated knee.
“For every pound gained, there’s 3 to 4 pounds of increased force on the knee joint,” which wears cartilage away faster, says study author Joseph Zeni, Jr., Ph.D., an assistant professor in the physical therapy department at the University of Delaware in Newark.
Obese patients face other risks before and after joint replacement surgery. This includes “a higher risk of infection, blood clots and cardiovascular [problems] like heart attack and stroke,” says orthopedic surgeon Thomas Schmalzried, M.D., medical director of the Joint Replacement Institute at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles.
But avoiding weight gain can be difficult, because successful knee replacements can take six months of rest and recovery. And restoring an exercise habit requires a new set of muscles, both physical and psychological.
“Patients always say, ‘Now that my pain is gone, I’ll be able to return to walking and lose this weight,’” Zeni says. But a pain-free life doesn’t mean they’ll change their sedentary habits, he says.
So how do you maintain a healthy weight after joint replacement surgery? Here are expert tips to keep pounds off and stay fit.
1. Track your activity. “Monitor what you do for a week and build your fitness goals from there,” Zeni advises. Create small, achievable goals, such as walking 100 extra steps daily.
Track your progress with a pedometer (available online or in sporting-goods stores for as little as $15), daily journal or phone app.
Phone apps Walkmeter (available for iPhone) and WalkMeter (for Android devices) use your smart phone’s GPS to record time location, distance, elevation, speed and calories burned.
More expensive devices (starting around $100), wireless activity trackers that you wear, record your movements online; they include Fitbit, BodyBugg and BodyMedia.
2. Focus on your upper body. Upper-body exercises will keep your metabolism (the rate at which your body burns calories) up, even if recovery from joint replacement surgery makes it hard to walk, says Timothy J. Clark, a physical therapist and director of inpatient therapy at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia.
Try this exercise with a resistance band (available online from about $10):
1. Wrap the band around a stable object, such as a sturdy porch, stair railing or secure structural column.
2. Sit facing the object, holding the band’s handles with your hands, arms out, palms down.
3. Pull your elbows back until they’re level with your body (as if you’re rowing), squeezing shoulder blades together and keeping your arms parallel to the ground.
4. Start with one set of 16 repetitions.
Another simple exercise: Sit in a chair with arms, and push down on the arms with your hands, lifting up your torso.
“That’s a demanding exercise that uses your shoulder muscles and those that extend to the elbow,” says Stanley F. Wainapel, M.D., a physiatrist (doctor of rehabilitation medicine) and clinical director of the rehabilitation medicine department at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
He also recommends an exercise bike for your arms. For about $50 online you can buy a Stamina InStride Cycle XL, which is worked by hand on a tabletop or on the floor by the feet.
3. Tuck exercise into every activity. You don’t need a gym or a trainer to work out, Wainapel says. Lift small weights while on the phone, walk around the room during TV commercials, and get up to chat with co-workers rather than sending an email.
“I walk up the stairs and around my department all the time,” Wainapel says. “If you live in an apartment, walk your hallway several times a day.”
Done often enough, small improvements are effective, Zeni notes. “Incremental changes add up; before you know it, you have a different lifestyle.”
4. Chill out. Ice your knees for 15-20 minutes after a workout to prevent pain and swelling, Clark advises.
5. Don’t go it alone. It’s much easier to stick with exercise and diets if you have support. “Ask your doctor for referrals to a nutritional counselor or behavioral therapist,” Zeni says.
Or turn to a support group. “There were 600,000 knee replacements last year; there are a ton of people in the same situation as you who can share tips and strategies,” he says.
You can find support groups through a local Arthritis Foundation chapter, YMCA or senior center.
6. Do workouts that you enjoy. Just because your best friend likes biking doesn’t mean it’s best for you.
“Work with a physical therapist to develop an exercise plan you like and will be invested in,” Zeni advises.
7. Try thigh cuff weights. Your knees may not be ready for ankle weights following joint replacement surgery, but your thighs may be. (Ask your doctor to be sure.)
Thigh cuff weights are available online starting at about $15.
Strap the weights onto your thighs, “then flex your thighs up off the ground,” Wainapel says. “That’s a significant amount of exercise.”
Start with 2 pounds on each thigh and try for 10 repetitions, he says.
Check with your doctor before beginning a workout program and to find out when you can increase resistance levels in weight-training.
8. Take smart breaks. Rest while exercising can help build stamina. “Walk, rest and, in time, you’ll walk three blocks,” Wainapel says.
9. Get a nutrient bang for your calorie buck. Ditch muffins, pasta and other high-calorie foods that have little nutrition and won’t keep you feeling full for long, says Jason Machowsky, R.D., CSCS, a nutritionist and exercise physiologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Instead, eat lower-calorie fruits, vegetables and beans, which have more nutrients.
The increased fluid and fiber help you stay full on fewer calories, and “your body needs the increased nutrients to meet the demands placed upon it by the surgery recovery process,” says Machowsky.
10. Switch to smaller plates. “Eating out of smaller bowls and plates naturally reduces the amount of food and calories we consume,” Machowsky says.
In fact, when people were given a larger bowl, they served themselves 31% more ice cream than those who were given a smaller bowl, according to a 2006 Cornell University study.
11. Go slow. It takes 15 to 20 minutes for a person to feel full while eating, Machowsky says. So eat more slowly; it will prevent you from overeating, he says.
12. Chew more, eat less. When people chew 40 times instead of 15, they eat almost 12% less food, according to a 2011 study at Harbin Medical University in China, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Obese patients tended to chew less often than thinner patients, the study also found.
13. Love water. Your body needs more fluids when recovering from joint replacement surgery, Machowsky says.
So drink more water, seltzer water or unsweetened tea. If plain water’s not appealing, add a few slices of orange, lemon or lime.
Water will also cut down on the amount you eat.
“Sometimes we eat when we’re thirsty because our bodies [need] fluid,” Machowsky says.
His pre-meal tip: Drink a glass of water and then eat 80% of your meal.
Then consume another glass of water and wait 15 minutes. “If you’re still hungry, finish the meal,” he says.
Drinking liquids with your meal also can aid digestion: “Water and other liquids help break down food so that your body can absorb the nutrients,” says Michael F. Picco, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic.
14. Reduce stress. Some knee replacement patients turn to food for solace when recovering from joint replacement surgery.
“Instead, do stress-relieving activities like singing, playing the guitar or meditating,” Machowsky says.
15. Chew on gum, not food. You know those times when you just want to chew on something? Don’t reach for an oatmeal cookie. Instead, chew sugarless gum, which satisfies the need without adding calories, Wainapel says.
16. Eat early, not late. It’s better for your waistline to eat a big breakfast and small dinner. That’s because you’re more likely to include high-calorie foods (like dessert), according to 2012 research at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Calif.
17. Eat more often. Eat five small meals, not three larger ones, Wainapel advises.
Eating more frequently keeps your blood sugar levels even and prevents you from getting so hungry that you eat consume more than you should.
18. Fill up on protein. Eat protein at every meal to stay full longer.
“Carbohydrates [alone] won’t keep you full for long,” Wainapel says.
Top 10 Women’s Skin Problems – Solved!
Chances are, you have a complaint or two about your skin – whether it’s age spots on your cheeks or varicose veins on your calves. But you don’t have to grimace and bear it. Here’s expert advice on how to handle these and other top skin conditions…
All women want to put their best skin forward, but it’s hard when you’re coping with acne, varicose veins, age spots, moles and more.
Yet having healthy, naturally glowing skin from head to toe isn't out of reach.
We asked top dermatologists about the 10 most common skin problems women face.
Find out what causes them and the best ways that you and your dermatologist can fix these trouble spots.
1. Acne
How it happens: You thought you left breakouts behind when you graduated high school, but now acne is popping up all over.
It’s a common problem, affecting about 20% of people, says New York City dermatologist Howard Sobel.
Adult acne on your face, back and other embarrassing places is brought on by several factors:
Bacteria called P.acnes, which cause redness and inflammation
Sticky skin cells that clog up pores
Excessive oil production
Too much of the hormone androgen in your body
Compression from pressing the phone against your chin, for example, or wearing tight clothes (often the culprit behind tush acne)
Skin solution: Banish blemishes with a multi-step approach, says Leslie Baumann, a Miami Beach dermatologist and author of The Skin Type Solution (Bantam):
1. In the morning, use a facial wash with salicylic acid to unclog pores, followed by benzoyl peroxide topical (over-the-counter solutions are 2.5%-10%) to fight bacteria. If you have moderate to severe or resistant acne, use a prescription topical (or, in some cases, oral) antibiotic.
2. At night, use the same salicylic acid face wash or a gentle cleanser if the twice-daily dose is too drying. Follow that with a pea-size amount of a prescription retinoid, such as Differin or Tazorac, applied over the affected area to exfoliate dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.
For mild to moderate acne, a new step-saving option is available: Epiduo Gel, which combines two prescription medications (benzoyl peroxide and adapalene, the generic version of Differin), needs to be applied only once a day.
Oral contraceptives and prescription anti-androgen medications, such as spironolactone (Aldactone), can help control hormone-fueled acne, says dermatologist Ava Shamban, owner of the Laser Institute For Dermatology and European Skin Care in Los Angeles.
What about body acne or "bacne"? It’s caused by the same bacteria as facial acne, “but can be aggravated by sweat during exercise,” Sobel says.
To prevent acne in hard-to-reach places, use a body wash with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid daily, along with a back brush or loofah to exfoliate dead skin cells, he advises.
2. Age or liver spots
How they happen: Those annoying flat brown blotches have nothing to do with your age or liver. They’re really sun spots caused by ultraviolet damage.
“Melanocytes – the cells that produce melanin, which gives skin its color – get damaged over time and produce more and uneven [pigment],” Sobel says.
The result? Spots that crop up on sun-exposed parts of your body.
Skin solution: Try a one-two punch: one product to lighten the skin and another to exfoliate (which helps the ingredients sink in).
Hydroquinone, such as prescription Tri-Luma, is a topical bleaching cream that inhibits melanin production, so age spots fade.
“But skin can get used to hydroquinone, so I have my patients take a holiday,” Baumann says. Her patients start on a series of one to two tubes of Tri-Luma and then switch to Retin-A. Retinoids like Retin-A act as an exfoliant by speeding cell turnover.
Other good skin-sloughing options include chemical peels and microdermabrasion, which uses tiny rough grains to buff the skin.
For stubborn, dark age spots, try intense pulsed light (IPL) laser treatments to lighten them. You’ll need 3-4 sessions with an experienced dermatologist.
After treatments, use sunscreen religiously; it’s the best way to prevent age spots in the first place.
3. Scars
How they happen: Can you still see the scars from a childhood bike accident that gouged your knees? Here’s why: Scars are the result of damage to the skin’s collagen and elastin, Sobel says. The trauma can be caused by surgery, injury, even severe acne.
Skin solution: If the scars are old, you’ll have to just live with them. But you can diminish them when they’re new – less than a year old, Baumann says.
Scars that are thin, flat, white and tissue paper-like can sometimes be treated with a Fraxel laser, which pokes small holes in the skin.
“When it heals, the skin pulls together and is tighter,” Baumann explains.
Steroid injections can soften and improve the appearance of new, thin keloid scars, which are raised, bumpy and flesh-colored; older ones may have to be surgically removed.
Red scars can be treated with a vascular laser, which targets blood vessels, to tone down the color.
And the pockmarks left by a bad bout of acne? Try Fraxel lasers and injectible fillers, such as Restylane, which stimulate collagen production to help fill in depressed areas. In some cases, they can be surgically removed by a plastic surgeon.
4. Birthmarks
How they happen: Birthmarks are an overgrowth of pigment cells, although some fade and disappear over time. Most are harmless and don’t require treatment, although you may wish to remove them.
But if your birthmark is dark brown, it'll need to be evaluated by a dermatologist, Baumann says. Those can turn into melanoma, a dangerous and potentially deadly form of skin cancer.
Skin solution: A variety of lasers can target and remove the pigment. For example, a vascular laser, such as the V-Beam, can get rid of purplish port-wine stains, she says.
A plastic surgeon can remove dark, brown birthmarks by shaving them off with a blade or cutting them off surgically using a local anesthesia. There's a risk of scarring when birthmarks are excised.
Want a less drastic approach? Try camouflaging cream, such as Dermablend Corrective Cosmetics, which has waterproof formulations.
5. Spider and varicose veins
How they happen: Veins have valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When the valves weaken, they allow blood to flow backward and pool, causing the bulges.
Varicose veins are often blue, appear twisted and stick out from the skin’s surface. Spider veins are often red or blue, small and look like branches right under the skin. Both tend to crop up in the legs; spider veins sometimes appear on the face.
They’re caused by heredity, sun damage, hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy) or adult rosacea [see below], Sobel says.
Skin solution: A pulse dye laser can zap away facial spider veins, which are dilated blood vessels. The treatment requires about three visits to a dermatologist’s office, spaced a month apart. It will cause redness for a few days.
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard for treating varicose veins. After assessing the vein through an ultrasound, a physician injects an agent, such as glycerin, into the varicose vein.
“This causes the vein to immediately shrink and dissolve over a period of weeks,” Sobel says. A series of three injections are needed. You’ll also have to wear support stockings for a week after each treatment.
Any way to prevent varicose veins in the first place?
“Regular exercise, such as walking or running, improves leg strength and circulation,” Sobel says.
Also, keep off the extra pounds, don’t cross your legs while sitting and don't stand in one place for long periods.
6. White spots
How they happen: Blame the sun here, too, for those uncolored spots that crop up on your legs, arms and hands.
“White spots are a sign of sun damage that has killed the cells that produce color [melanocytes],” Baumann explains.
White spots may also signal a more serious skin disorder called vitiligo, which is marked by white patches that slowly grow larger. With vitiligo, experts believe the body produces antibodies that attack and kill pigment cells, causing the gradual sapping of color.
Skin solution: See your dermatologist immediately for a skin assessment to determine if you have vitiligo.
There’s no cure for the disorder, but treatments can restore some of the pigmentation. Topical or oral psoralen, for example, reacts with UV light to darken the skin, Sobel explains.
Another option: Protopic, an anti-inflammatory ointment that suppresses the immune response, preventing antibodies from attacking pigment cells. It needs to applied twice daily.
While you can’t make white spots disappear, you can conceal their appearance with a camouflaging cream (such as by Dermablend Corrective Cosmetics) to even out your skin tone.
7. Stretch marks
How they happen: Rapid weight gain – for example, during pregnancy − or weight loss stretches the skin to the point of breaking, just like a rubber band that loses its elasticity. The result? Pinkish, reddish or purplish grooves that appear on breasts, hips, stomach and rear.
Skin solution: “Stretch marks are best treated when they’re fresh and still red,” Shamban says.
Moisturizing makes the skin more pliable and helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Prescription retinoid cream, such as Retin-A, is effective too.
“Retin-A helps speed up cell turnover and [stimulates] collagen to help repair the damage,” Baumann says.
A more expensive option: Fraxel laser treatments, which create small dots of damage along the affected area, stimulating collagen and elastin production to help fill in stretch marks.
8. Rosacea
How it happens: The cause of this annoying skin condition isn’t known, but it can show itself in several ways: facial flushing (including redness on the cheeks and nose), acne-like bumps, small, dilated blood vessels near the skin’s surface, and swollen bumps along the nose and eyes.
“There’s no cure for rosacea, but you can get it under control and prevent it from getting worse,” Baumann says.
Skin solutions: Use cleansers and moisturizers with anti-inflammatory properties (such as Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer and Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion) to help quell redness.
And here’s an excuse to drink coffee: Caffeine helps to close dilated blood vessels that bring on flushing.
Also steer clear of rosacea triggers: Avoid the sun (and always apply sun block), hot and cold temperatures, spicy foods and alcoholic drinks.
For moderate to severe cases of rosacea, try daily topical treatments, such as microbe-fighting Finacia and Metrogel, or oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation and pimple-like bumps, Sobel says.
IPL laser treatments can zap visible blood vessels and facial redness in one to five sessions, depending on the condition’s severity, Baumann says.
9. Ingrown hairs
How they happen: The culprit is shaving and waxing. Shaving cuts hairs to a sharp point. When it starts to grow in, the hair shaft pierces the skin surrounding the follicle, Baumann explains. In other cases, it curls and grows back into the skin rather than breaking through it.
As with acne, bacteria can infect it, causing soreness, redness and pus.
Skin solutions: Put down the tweezers.
“You don’t want to go digging around – you can get scars,” Baumann says. Instead, slough off the top layer of skin to free trapped hair. Here’s how:
First, wet a washcloth in hot water, wring it out and apply the warm compress to the ingrown hair. This softens the skin so the hair can work its way through it.
If that doesn’t work, gently exfoliate the area with a soft loofah while showering or apply a chemical exfoliator, such as alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid, twice a day, Shamban suggests.
If the area is inflamed and has pus, dab on benzoyl peroxide to kill the bacteria, just as you would with a pimple.
In the future, nix the razor and get laser hair removal treatments, such as with the Alexandrite laser, which removes unwanted hair in about two to three sessions and is less likely to cause ingrown hairs.
However, not everyone is a candidate for laser hair removal, so consult with a qualified doctor before you do it.
10. Moles
How they happen: Moles occur when skin grows in a cluster, rather than spreading out. They tend to be more common in people with light skin. Although most moles aren’t dangerous, some can develop into melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.
Alert your dermatologist if a mole is asymmetrical (half of the mole is unlike the other half); has an uneven or scalloped border; is two-tone (such as tan and black); is larger than the size of a pencil eraser; or has changed in size, shape or color.
Skin solution: Not all moles are precursors to skin cancer and may not need to be removed.
Get yearly mole checks by a dermatologist (twice a year if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer).
“But if you notice any mole that suddenly grows, changes color or bleeds, make an appointment right away,” Baumann says. “Those changes could indicate melanoma.”
If skin cancer is suspected, a dermatologist may shave off or cut out the mole (using a local anesthetic) to get a tissue sample. A biopsy helps determine if it’s cancerous or harmless.
Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers: How to Improve Communication 9 Tips for Talking to a Loved One Dealing with Dementia
Caring for elderly loved ones can be challenging. And when Alzheimer’s robs them of the ability to talk, you both may feel lost. Read on for tips to communicate better and ease their frustration – and yours...
You notice your father missed a doctor’s appointment or is forgetting common words. Soon, he repeats the same simple question or struggles to retrieve family members’ names. When advanced symptoms of dementia set in, he may speak less to avoid making mistakes or get angry when you try to help him.
When you’re caring for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s disease, communicating can become one of your biggest challenges. But it’s critical to his well being.
“People with Alzheimer’s want to maintain social relationships,” says Richard Caselli, M.D., professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic Arizona and clinical core director for the Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Communication also keeps them occupied when the disease limits their independence.
“It prevents them from getting bored and looking for things to do,” Caselli says. “[Without it,] they may start wandering or get into some other trouble.”
As a caregiver, you may be struggling with the best ways to offer support and keep your loved one from harm. Here are 9 tips that can help:
1. Speak gently and make eye contact.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease has trouble processing the world around him, says Barbara Moscowitz, M.S.W., Li.C.S.W., of the Departments of Social Services and Geriatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital. “To him, it feels like he’s standing in the middle of chaos. Nothing makes sense.”
Maintain a sense of calm by speaking in a normal voice and looking him in the eye so he stays focused on you.
Resist the urge to speak loudly, which many of us do when we don’t think we’re being understood, says Laurie Spresser, a licensed therapist who works with Alzheimer’s patients and their families at Mayo Clinic Arizona.
You want him to focus on your words, rather than your tone, which can prevent him from processing what you’re saying.
2. Keep it simple.
Short, basic requests are most effective for getting your point across. As your loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease progresses, so will his ability to follow multi-step directions, says Beth Kallmyer, M.S.W., senior director of constituent services for the Alzheimer’s Association.
For example, if you’d like laundry help, hand him a basket of clothes and ask him to fold them. A series of requests (take the clothes out of the washer, put them in the dryer, and fold them once they’re done) will frustrate him because he can’t remember all those steps.
Eventually, you’ll need to break down even the simplest requests and pose yes-or-no questions, says Spresser.
Instead of offering a choice like “Do you want coffee or tea?” ask him if he wants coffee and wait for an answer, she suggests. If he says no, ask him if he’d like tea.
Although you’re simplifying your speech, don’t be condescending. Alzheimer’s patients have trouble communicating, but they are – in the early and middle stages – still able to recognize when they’re being talked down to, Kallmyer says.
3. Talk about feelings.
Your loved one may have trouble expressing the frustration of living with Alzheimer’s disease. Offer comfort by identifying those feelings for him.
When you see your loved one getting upset, “acknowledge the emotion – whether it’s anger, frustration or sadness – and offer to talk about it,” Kallmyer says.
To open the conversation, you could say: “I know this is frustrating for you,” “You look sad” or “I know you like to be independent.”
Even if he can’t respond, acknowledging his feelings can calm him down, Kallmyer says.
4. Ask how you can help.
When you notice your loved one struggling with a simple task, like retrieving the right word, you might wonder whether to chime in or let him figure it out himself.
“Some people with Alzheimer’s don’t want you to fill in the word,” Kallmyer says. “They feel patronized, which disrupts their thought process.”
To find how to respond, wait a minute or two, and then say, “You just had trouble remembering a word. If that happens again, how do you want me to handle it?”
If he doesn’t have an answer, suggest a secret signal, like pointing at you or patting your arm when he wants you to help.
“It helps when family members talk about these things and agree on a strategy,” Kallmyer says.
5. Create a reminder system.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, your loved one may be able to live on his own – with a little help. Keeping to a schedule can be one of the most challenging tasks, so work out a system of reminders. Mark a calendar with tasks and events, such as doctor’s appointments.
If he’s not able to follow the calendar, call every morning and review the day’s schedule. Offer to drive him to his appointments to ensure he makes them.
A trusted friend or neighbor can also help with reminders or trips to important appointments, if you’re unable to do so.
6. Add labels to common objects.
Notes and signs can help Alzheimer’s patients get through the day more independently.
Use a label maker or post sticky notes on the TV remote, for example, to identify what it is and the right button to push to turn it on. Labels on dresser drawers can make it easier for him to dress himself, and signs on doors will help him locate the bedroom or bathroom.
Labels don’t have to be limited to written notes, says Kallmyer. You can use them in conversation as well. If your loved one is having trouble recognizing people, for example, identify them as they approach.
Use short, specific sentences, such as, “Dad, Bobby’s here. He’s my son, your oldest grandson.” At mealtime, you could say, “I have your lunch. It’s tomato soup. Here’s the spoon. It’s time to eat.”
Visual cues help too. As you name objects, point to them to jump-start recognition, suggests Spresser. Your loved one may even learn to mimic this behavior and point to an object when he can’t recall its name, she adds.
7. Use the power of touch.
As your loved one’s symptoms of dementia increase and his ability to express himself decreases, he’ll appreciate a hug or a hand to hold. In fact, touch can become the most important form of communication you have.
If he seems frustrated or anxious, rest your hand on his to calm him down. Touch can also help you guide his actions. At bedtime, take his hand, help him up from his chair, and guide him toward the bedroom. At mealtime, direct his hand to the fork or spoon.
Touch also helps you stay connected, especially in later stages of the disease. “Talk about memories of things you did together, and hold or rub his hand,” Kallmyer suggests. “You might get a smile.”
8. Don’t argue about facts.
Your loved one will have trouble understanding why he’s misplacing things. As a result, he can become suspicious or accuse you of moving, or stealing, his belongings.
Try not to argue or reason with him. It will only make things worse, says Spresser. “You can’t use logic; your loved one may not be able to understand it.”
Instead, acknowledge the emotions: “I see you’re angry. I know it’s frustrating when you lose something.” Then offer to help him.
When all else fails, change the topic. Ask him if he’d like to take a walk or wants a snack.
9. Go with the flow.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, communication problems will change, so solutions must too.
“The progression of the disease isn’t necessarily linear,” Kallmyer says. “Your loved one can appear to have a symptom one day, and then be better the next. It goes back and forth.”
Often, you’ll have to be flexible and try new approaches to find what works. If a tactic fails once, try it again another time. You might have better luck later.
Learn more in our new Alzheimer’s Disease Health Center .
To find a caregiver’s support group in your area, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website or call their 24-hour caregiver’s hotline: 1-800-272-3900.
How Much Do You Know About Alzheimer’s Disease?
More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and that number could climb to 16 million by 2050. Women face a higher risk of developing it than men, and are also more likely to become caregivers.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY...
People can be more forgiving than you can imagine.
But you have to forgive yourself.
Let go of what's bitter and move on.
FUN FACTS AND A GREAT WAY TO MAKE EXTRA INCOME WITH MJ-HLC, - AND - CHECK OUT " WWW.MELODYSHAPPYWORLD.COM" FOR A FREE WAY TO BRING HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD AND LOTS OF IT TO THE WORLD WE LIVE IN!! - YOU CAN REACH MELODY AT; - 949 -706- 0887 -
*** Some asteroids have other asteroids orbiting them. ***
*** Astronauts get taller when they are in space. ***
*** Your brain is 80% water. ***
*** Sound travels about 4 times faster in water than in air. ***
*** Scientists aren't sure what color dinosaurs were. ***
*** 0.3% of solar all energy from the Sahara is enough to power the whole of Europe. ***
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Skin-Care Advice from Top Dermatologists Get Your Skin-Care Facts Right
Skin-care advice like “wash oily skin frequently to stop the shine” or “a base tan protects against sunburn” may be well-meaning. But some tips can be downright deadly. Read on for the top 12 skin-care myths and what our dermatologists say is the real truth behind them...
“Try toothpaste on that zit,” your friend says. “It’ll dry it up in a flash.”
If you believe that, you’re putting your skin at risk.
That’s because ingredients that are good for your teeth are bad for your skin.
Skin myths passed along by your BFFs “can be harmful – even fatal, like misconceptions about the sun," warns Francesca Fusco, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
“They can also keep you from looking your best,” she says.
Separating skin facts from fiction isn’t easy. And sorting through the dizzying array of information from books, magazines, ads and Web sites is enough to give you frown lines!
What’s a woman to do?
We talked to top dermatologists about the 12 most common skin-care myths – and the facts behind them:
Myth #1: Always use makeup remover and facial cleanser.
You need both makeup remover and facial cleanser only if you wear waterproof makeup.
The average cleanser can’t break down the waxy ingredients in waterproof products – the makeup remover really helps.
If your cosmetics aren’t waterproof, you can nix makeup remover. Use only facial cleanser and save room on your bathroom shelf.
But beware: Don’t use facial cleanser to wash off eye makeup if the cleanser has exfoliating particles or active acne- or wrinkle-fighting ingredients (such as glycolic acid or retinol).
“These may irritate your eyes and the fragile skin around them,” Fusco explains.
Myth #2: Everyone needs toner.
Only women with very oily skin may want to add toner to their skin-care routine, says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a Boston-based dermatologist.
“A toner can reduce some oil, but you can get even better results from a mattifying cleanser" – which absorbs oil and reduces shine – "or mineral makeup, which also sops up oil,” Hirsch says.
If you have a normal or dry complexion, skip toner and use a cleanser made for your skin type.
You may think toner’s doing something because astringent ingredients, like alcohol and witch hazel, make skin feel tight, says Fusco.
“But it actually has no benefit if you wash your face and rinse skin thoroughly,” she says.
Besides, toners with alcohol strip the skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated.
Myth #3: You can’t use moisturizer if you have acne-prone or oily skin.
"Most moisturizers today are non-comedogenic,” says Fusco – meaning they don’t clog pores and cause acne.
“So unless you’re plastering Vaseline all over your face several times a day, moisturizer won’t make you break out,” she says.
In fact, moisturizer can decrease breakouts, since dry skin flakes clog pores and trigger acne.
"Oily-skinned women may also want to use a moisturizer with anti-aging ingredients or sun protection – or to moisturize parts of the face that aren’t oily,” Fusco says.
Just look for an oil-free product.
Myth #4: Pricey skin-care products are best.
Many inexpensive drugstore brands are similar to high-quality products, and manufacturers do scientific research and test them on thousands of women, says Hirsch.
Plus, effective active ingredients such as wrinkle-fighting retinol peptides (small proteins that stimulate the collagen production) or antioxidant vitamin C are easy to find in inexpensive skin-care lines.
Myth #5: Acne is the result of dirty, oily skin.
Washing your face too often can make acne worse.
That’s because you can irritate skin and create new problems, such as small cysts, says West Palm Beach-based dermatologist Kenneth Beer, M.D., assistant professor at the University of Miami and director of The Cosmetic Bootcamp, a dermatology training program for physicians.
A lot of acne-prone women also over-cleanse their skin, thinking it will sop up excess oil.
It doesn’t. In fact, it dries skin and sends oil-producing sebaceous glands into overdrive. That makes your complexion even greasier, Beer says.
“Acne means your skin is inhabited by bacteria, oil or clogged pores, so you need to use a pad or facial cleanser that contains salicylic acid, an ingredient that exfoliates skin and cleans out pores,” Beer says.
Do this twice a day, morning and night as part of your skin care routine, and skin will clear up in no time.
Myth #6: Popping pimples will make them disappear.
When a big whitehead is staring back at you in the mirror, it’s tempting to start popping. Don’t.
“Squeezing pimples leads to infections – because you push bacteria into the skin – and scarring,” Beer says.
Plus, the resulting red, bleeding blemish usually looks worse than the original pimple anyway.
Instead, apply a warm compress to the whitehead for five minutes 2-3 times per day. This will soften the skin so it pops on its own.
“Then apply something drying, like an acne product with colloidal sulfur or salicylic acid,” Beer says.
At night, wash the blemish with a facial cleanser containing 2% salicylic acid, leaving it on the spot like a mask for 2-4 minutes rather than the normal 10-20 seconds, says Hirsch. Or use a spot-treatment with salicylic acid.
Your zit will be gone in a few days and it won’t leave a throbbing red mark or scar.
Myth #7: Toothpaste will dry out a pimple.
“Toothpaste irritates, burns, causes more breakouts and scars skin,” Fusco says.
That’s especially true of today’s toothpastes, “which have a lot of whitening and bleaching ingredients that are extremely irritating,” she says.
So save it for your teeth and use a facial cleanser for acne to keep skin clear.
Myth #8: Cocoa butter prevents stretch marks.
Many women swear cocoa butter on pregnant bellies keeps stretch marks at bay, but it’s probably their DNA that stops the white, raised skin scars from forming, says Fusco.
“Though cocoa butter moisturizes, it can't prevent stretch marks,” Fusco says.
Stretch marks usually crop up when the skin’s elastic fibers are forced to expand because of the growing uterus. They can also appear after growth spurts or extreme weight gain or loss.
Many products may claim to make stretch marks vanish, but so far no cream has been proven to do the trick, Fusco says.
Myth #9: Sweets and fried foods cause breakouts.
These foods may pack pounds on your belly, thighs and hips, but they won’t hurt your complexion.
“There’s no evidence that diet influences acne production,” Beer says. “Pimples are caused by bacteria and abnormal cell division within pores.”
Myth #10: Getting a base tan is a healthy way to get that sun-kissed glow.
There’s no such thing as a “healthy” tan: Any time the sun’s rays touch your skin, they increase the chances of sunburn, skin cancer and signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging and brown spots.
“Even when you have that base tan, it’s only equivalent to an SPF of 3,” says Jeannine Downie, M.D., director of Image Dermatology in Montclair, N.J., and co-author of Beautiful Skin of Color (William Morrow). “You’d get much more protection without additional risk simply by wearing sunblock.”
Myth #11: Women of color don’t get sunburn or skin cancer.
This myth can be deadly.
“While people of color are less likely to get skin cancer, they’re much more likely to die from it, due to a delay in detection,” says Perry Robins, M.D., president of the Skin Cancer Foundation. In fact, that’s what happened to reggae legend Bob Marley, who died from melanoma at age 36.
According to the latest available statistics (from 2005), the overall survival rate for African Americans with melanoma is only 77% compared to 91% in Caucasians. By the time Hispanics are treated for melanoma, their cancer is more advanced and the prognosis is worse than a prognosis for Caucasians with the same disease, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
The bottom line? No matter what your ethnic background:
Wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15 daily
Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (when it’s strongest)
Cover up with clothing, a hat and sunglasses as part of your skin care routine
Examine your skin each month
See a dermatologist for an annual skin exam
Myth #12: Self-tanners offer protection from the sun.
Another deadly myth, says Hirsch.
Though self-tanning products from a can or bottle are the safest way to get that golden glow, they don’t provide any protection from the sun, since they’re… well… fake.
Exceptions are self-tanners with sunscreen. Even their protection, however, lasts only for the few hours after you apply them, even if your faux glow sticks longer, Hirsch says. Instead, apply sunscreen on dry skin after you’ve slathered on the self-tanner.
For more information, visit our Skin Health Center.
Are You Skin-Care Savvy?
The skin is a living, breathing organ, and what you don't know about taking care of it could keep your complexion from looking fantastic. If your skin-care knowledge could barely fill a pillbox, you need a refresher course.
How to Combat Compulsive Hoarding Tips for Clutter Control and More
Do you know someone who blames a messy home on being too busy or sentimental? She could have a more serious condition. Experts from A&E’s “Hoarders” offer tips to spot the warning signs of compulsive hoarding. Plus, get their clutter control tips for pack rats…
Teri, a busy 47-year-old registered nurse, doesn’t fit the stereotype of a hoarder. She’s not a loner, adores her two children (ages 12 and 8) and doesn’t have a yard full of clutter.
But inside Teri’s home, it’s a different story.
Piles of children’s clothing, toys and books stretch to the ceiling. The kitchen lies buried under boxes and used cat litter. And cartons of 3-year-old milk curdle in the refrigerator.
“We’re just messy,” she says.
Many people are too busy to clean, and we all squirrel away items in closets and rooms we hope our friends and relatives won’t see. Even when we have everything we need, our consumer-driven culture rewards us for shopping with coupons and discounts – so we buy even more.
What makes Teri different is that she’s a secret hoarder, just like 1 in 20 Americans, according to the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF). Her compulsion is to shop and collect items, leaving her family in danger of being buried by her belongings.
People with the disorder “acquire [so much], they can’t use things as they’re intended,” explains Robin Zasio, Psy. D., LCSW, who counsels Teri and others like her on the A&E documentary series “Hoarders."
Besides helping hoarders understand their need for possessions, treatment often involves purging their homes of belongings that are creating a health hazard.
Professional organizer Geralin Thomas also appears on “Hoarders” and works with clients in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area. She helps both hoarders and busy moms decide which items to keep and which to toss.
“I’m a mom of two, so I know how that feels,” Thomas says. “You’re attaching symbolism and meaning to these things. When you still have your son’s smocked baby clothes and he’s now 6'4", you just need permission to let things go.”
So how do you know the difference between sentimentality and dysfunction? Here are 6 telltale signs:
1. Hoarders have difficulty or are unable to get rid of furniture, clothing, toys or other items.
“They're scared,” Zasio explains. “They think, What if I give this up and can't get it back? What if I need this? What if I can't tolerate the anxiety?”
2. Large amounts of clutter in the office or at home make it difficult to use furniture or appliances, or move around easily.
Hoarders often can’t get to their kitchen counters or beds because of overflowing piles of stuff, and will even choose an extreme alternative – sleeping in a recliner because the bed is covered with papers.
3. Hoarders consistently lose important items like money, school permission slips or medical forms.
“Papers don’t get signed and go back to school,” Thomas says. “Kids’ vaccinations don’t get done. There’s no grocery list, and coupons are expired.”
4. They feel overwhelmed by possessions that have “taken over” the house or workspace.
“They might have 16 bottles of ketchup and all of them are rotten or expired,” Thomas says. Or they drop items wherever it’s most convenient, leaving food on the coffee table or in the bathroom.
5. Hoarders excuse their purchases by saying they’re buying things because they’re a bargain or to stock up.
There’s a difference between getting a good deal at a two-for-one sale and hoarding items you don’t need.
A hoarder might think, Oh my gosh, I only need one pair of gloves, but four for $10 is a better deal, according to Zasio.
"The reality is you're buying four pairs of gloves. Are you really going to use them all? Most people aren’t.”
6. They avoid inviting family or friends home due to shame or embarrassment.
Hoarders don’t believe they can get their belongings under control but are aware enough of their problem not to let others into their homes, Zasio says.
Profile of a Hoarder
It might be easy to label a hoarder as lazy or sloppy, but Thomas and Zasio stress that the condition isn’t an indication of how caring, clean or attentive a person is.
“Compulsive hoarding doesn't discriminate,” Zasio says. “You've got people who are doing fine in their work and can have relationships. I went to a client’s home two days ago and she looks great, does well in her job, but [her house stank of cat feces].”
A lot of them, in fact, are perfectionists, Zasio says.
“They think of themselves as collectors and want to have every piece.”
And they not only focus on their own wants, Thomas adds.
“They buy gifts but never give them away,” she says.
Objects they find attractive hold a particular appeal, according to Thomas. She had a client who collected Tiffany shopping bags with the goal of creating a Tiffany-themed guest bedroom. Instead, the bags languished in a pile and were soiled by the family’s cat.
What You Can Do
If someone you know has a hoarding problem, encourage them to seek treatment from a licensed therapist.
If you need help persuading them, suggest they visit the IOCDF’s hoarding website and fill out the online questionnaires.
In treatment, which can take anywhere from six months to a year, hoarders are taught techniques to manage their impulses.
They’re also given homework assignments to learn how to clear out their homes, “such as removing six items out of the fridge every day until I see them next,” Zasio says.
The IOCDF also offers ways friends and family can help:
Show respect. Acknowledge that the person has a right to make decisions at his or her own pace.
Have sympathy. Understand that everyone has some attachment to things they own. Try to understand the importance of the items.
Encourage. Come up with ideas to make the home safer, such as moving clutter from doorways and halls.
Team-build. Don’t argue about whether to keep or discard an item; instead, find out what will help motivate the person to discard or organize.
Reflect. Help the person recognize that hoarding interferes with goals or values they might hold. For example, by de-cluttering a home, the person may host social gatherings and have a richer personal life.
Ask. To develop trust, never throw anything away without asking permission.
Organizing Techniques
Without proper therapy, it’s hard for hoarders to establish a cleaning routine. But whether you’re a hoarder in treatment or just overwhelmed by your belongings, here are techniques Thomas recommends to control clutter:
The 30-day rule: Make an agreement with your family that over the next 30 days, you won't bring anything new into the house except food.
Clean in sections: When straightening up, imagine the room divided by the numbers on a clock. Start at the top, and clear each section in 5- or 15-minute increments, then move on to the next.
Pick a theme: Each day, select something you have strewn around the house – such as clothes hangers or coffee mugs – and collect as many of those items as you can in a container. When you’re done, clean them and either put them away or box them for donation.
The timeliness test: When cleaning out a closet, ask yourself: If I were going shopping today, would I put this on my shopping list? If the answer is no, get rid of it.
Stick to your current style: When going through old clothes, ask yourself, Does this represent the person I am today? Or invite a friend over and ask, “If I walked in wearing this, what would you say?” If the answer is negative, get rid of the item.
For more on Geralin Thomas, visit her website, Metropolitan Organizing.
For more on A&E’s “Hoarders,” visit www.aetv.com/hoarders.
Are You a Pack Rat?
Collecting things can be a harmless habit, but compulsive hoarding is a serious disorder.
Depressed on the Job?
When you’re depressed, it’s hard just getting out of bed. Keeping up with your boss’s demands? Almost impossible. But there are ways to stay sharp at work. Check out our experts’ smart strategies…
Like most women, you’re usually an ace at juggling demands of work, hubby, kids and home. But not when depression sets in.
“Depression often brings an overwhelming, I-can’t-handle-anything feeling,” says psychologist Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D., author of Pregnant on Prozac (GPP Life) and survivor of two postpartum depressions.
“Tasks that seemed easy before can suddenly feel like too much,” she says.
Depressed workers forget projects, are too tired to finish them or can’t get motivated to even make a phone call.
And having to leave the office for therapy or other treatment will eat into work hours too.
All in all, depression costs U.S. employers more than $51 billion annually in missed workdays and lost productivity, according to a 2003 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Here are 9 common work problems, plus tips to get back to business.
1. You aren’t motivated.
Losing interest in things you once cared about is a typical depression symptom.
Once-enjoyable activities don’t bring pleasure anymore and it’s hard to get yourself to do them. Even the simplest task seems overwhelming.
Depression Rx: Jumpstart your day with a walk. You’ll get two mood-lifters at once: exercise and sunlight.
“Sunlight first thing in the morning [raises] serotonin,” a brain chemical that helps regulate mood, Bennett says.
The walk itself can also fight depression, according to a recent 2009 University of Edinburgh meta-analysis of 25 studies.
If motivation lags during the workday, take another quick stroll.
2. You have no energy.
“Depression typically leads to overwhelming fatigue,” says Stephen Ilardi, Ph.D., associate professor of clinical psychology at the University of Kansas and author of The Depression Cure (Da Capo Publishing).
It’s the same way you feel with a bad case of flu, he adds. “There’s a sense that you can’t even come close to doing what you could before.”
One reason for fatigue: You aren’t getting enough snooze time, which can exacerbate the blues.
Sleep-deprived teens were three times more likely to be depressed than their well-rested classmates, according to a 2010 Robert Wood Johnson Medical School study.
Depression Rx: Simple changes in your daily routine may improve slumber and boost energy levels:
Go to bed and get up at the same time each day. That strengthens your urge to sleep, says Ilardi.
Expose yourself to sunlight within an hour of waking.
Bright light resets your body clock, switching off production of melatonin, a hormone that induces drowsiness, according to Ilardi.
About 15 hours later, your brain turns it back on and you get drowsy.
Dim lights about 45 minutes before bedtime to prepare your brain for sleep.
Turn off overhead lights, bright big-screen TVs and computer monitors.
3. You can’t finish tasks.
Depression slows the brain’s processing speed – your ability to quickly understand information and act on it, according to a 2010 University of Texas Southwestern University study.
“At the end of the day, you may feel as if you didn’t get [anything] done,” Bennett says.
Depression Rx: Forget about multi-tasking. Instead, focus on one task at a time, and try to tune out everything else.
That’s harder than it sounds, but Bennett says you can talk yourself into concentrating on the task at hand, even while co-workers are making demands and emails interrupt.
“When an email pops up as you’re doing paperwork, say to yourself: ‘I’m filling out this form right now. I will complete it, press send, and put it in its file.' And then I will focus on the next task,’” she advises.
More refocusing techniques:
“Bring a natural object, such as a flower, to the office,” suggests sleep expert Matthew Edlund, M.D., author of The Power of Rest (HarperOne). When concentration flags, “take 30 seconds to focus on that object,” he says.
Can’t sit still? Play a favorite upbeat song in your head or iPod and then take a walk outside, moving to the beat. Not only are you meditating on the tune, you’re also relieving stress with the movement.
4. You put off important tasks.
Depressed people are champion procrastinators.
One reason is “you may think [the result] won’t be good enough, so you put it off,” says psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of A Happy You (Morgan James Publishing).
Depression Rx: To overcome procrastination, set a schedule, Lombardo says.
For example, if you have a project due in three months, break it into smaller, short-term tasks. Then assign due dates for each, so that the last is finished just before the deadline.
To keep yourself on track, find an “accountability partner” – a trusted co-worker or confidante. Have them check in by email or phone every Friday to assess your progress, Lombardo suggests.
5. You have little self-confidence.
At work, “you need to feel confident to be your best,” Ilardi says. But when you’re depressed, self-esteem plummets and you’re more likely to second-guess yourself.
Because confidence is low, your work suffers, which makes self-esteem plummet. “It can become a self-fulfilling prophesy,” he says.
Depressed thinking tends to be exaggerated or just false, says Lombardo. For example, you might see a minor mistake as a fireable offense.
Depression Rx: When you notice negative thoughts, substitute positive ones, says Lombardo.
For example, you might think, This customer won’t buy from me anyway. Why bother with a pitch?
A positive message would be: I have a strong track record, and the customer is interested. I have a good shot at this sale.
6. You can’t relate to co-workers.
Depression often makes you withdraw from other people, which can sabotage relationships with co-workers, bosses and customers.
They may see your behavior as rude or antagonistic.
Depression Rx: You may want to hide in your office, but push yourself to make a social effort.
“Fake it till you make it,” Edlund says. “If you keep doing a behavior long enough and actively enough, it will feel more normal and natural again.”
Set small goals, such as chatting briefly with three co-workers a day or calling three clients.
Remember to make eye contact with co-workers and greet them. And don’t forget to smile.
“Turning up the corners of your mouth – even a little Mona Lisa smile – will start endorphins flowing,” Bennett says.
These feel-good brain chemicals give a physiological lift.
Plus, other people will probably smile back and that too can brighten your day.
7. You don’t want to tell your boss that you’re depressed.
People in some jobs – airline pilots, for example – must report depression treatment to a supervisor.
For many workers, though, what to share and with whom is a personal decision. Even though there’s much less stigma attached to mental health treatment today than in the past, it still exists in some workplaces.
You may have a practical reason to tell your boss, for example, if you want a temporary adjustment in responsibilities or time off.
But before you tell your supervisor, learn how much you must legally share and your employer’s confidentiality policy. Resources include: your employee assistance program (EAP), human resources (HR) department, state licensing board or the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Accommodation Network. Learn more at the JAN website.
Depression Rx: If you’re unsure of your supervisor’s reaction, test it with a general comment, suggests psychiatrist Michael Banov, M.D., author of Taking Antidepressants (Sunrise River Press).
For example, say “I read an interesting article that said up to a quarter of women will suffer from depression at some point.” Then gauge your boss’s response.
“If you get a negative reaction – such as ‘those women are so weak’ or ‘they’re just making excuses’” – this person may not be supportive, says Banov.
8. Your treatment creates problems.
Some antidepressants have side effects that affect job performance. For example, tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil, may cause drowsiness, says Banov. Other medications – such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) – can increase alertness and hinder sleep.
Plus, therapy appointments eat into work time.
Depression Rx: If you’re on an antidepressant, ask your doctor about when to take it. Tricyclics are best after work and bupropion early in the day, says Banov.
Also, look for a therapist who schedules appointments before or after work hours and on weekends.
If depression substantially limits your ability to function at work, you may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against workplace discrimination, says Cathleen Bolek, an attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, who focuses on employment law. But for that protection to kick in, you have to be able to show that your employer knew about your depression.
“If you’re concerned that your employer or supervisor may be treating you differently because of depression, the best thing to do is notify them of the depression so that you can show they were aware of it,” Bolek says.
Under the ADA, you may also be entitled to request reasonable adjustments at work that allow you to perform essential job tasks.
For example, “if depression makes you a slow starter in the morning, you might request an adjusted work schedule that starts later in the day,” Bolek says.
These strategies, along with professional treatment, can help you handle your illness and job demands more effectively. In the long run, you – and your career – “may come out of a depression better than you went into it,” Bennett says.
Consult your doctor if you think you’re experiencing depression.
Linda Wasmer Andrews is a freelance writer who specializes in health and psychology. She’s author or coauthor of four books about depression, including Encyclopedia of Depression (Greenwood) and Monochrome Days (Oxford University Press).
How Much Do You Know About Depression?
Depression is an extremely disabling disorder. Despite all the progress in diagnosing and treating this disease, many people still are in the dark when it comes to understanding depression.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY...
Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not envy,
to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter,
and to lead but not manipulate.
FUN FACTS AND A GREAT WAY TO MAKE EXTRA INCOME WITH MJ-HLC, - AND - CHECK OUT " WWW.MELODYSHAPPYWORLD.COM" FOR A FREE WAY TO BRING HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD AND LOTS OF IT TO THE WORLD WE LIVE IN!! - YOU CAN REACH MELODY AT; - 949 -706- 0887 -
*** A lightning bolt generates temperatures five times hotter than those found at the sun's surface! ***
*** A comet's tail always points away from the sun. ***
*** A car traveling 100 mph would take more than 29 million years to reach the nearest star (to our solar system) ***
*** A car traveling 100 mph would take more than 29 million years to reach the nearest star (to our solar system) ***
*** A 100-pound person on Earth would weigh 38 pounds on Mars. ***
*** 41% of the moon is not visible from earth at any time. ***
______________________________________________________________________________________
WWW.MELODYSHAPPYWORLD.COM - "True happiness is not looking back with regret, but looking forward to the future and creating your own exciting, magnificent destiny and masterpiece, YOUR LIFE!" MELODY JENSEN IS THE MOST WONDERFUL PERSON AND THE GREATEST HUMANITARIAN I KNOW. CHECK OUT MELODY'S HAPPY WORLD, IT'S FREE!! ASSOCIATIONS: WWW.MELODYSSECRET.COM - YOU CAN REACH MELODY AT; 949 -706- 0887 -
8 Things You Don’t Tell Your Doctor – But Should! Talk to Your Doctor Honestly for Your Best Health
You have no problem telling your physician about the pain in your right arm. But the pain down there? Forget it – it’ll probably go away. But choosing not to tell your doctor the whole truth can hurt you. Find out the top 8 health-related secrets you shouldn't keep...
You’re in for your annual physical and the doctor asks, “How often do you eat red meat? Exercise?”
Do you confess to weekly cheeseburgers or bi-monthly gym visits?
“So often, patients don’t talk to their doctors because they’re afraid of the answer or what the physician will think of them,” says was Carolyn Clancy, M.D., a general internist, researcher and director of the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in Rockville, Md.
What are you keeping from your doctor? And why is it important to mention?
We asked physicians what they need to know about their patients.
Here are 8 things you should always bring up.
1. You’re taking vitamins, herbs or supplements.
You pop a daily multivitamin, an herbal supplement for sleep and a powder to improve memory.
They’re harmless, right?
Not always.
“Supplements [can] cause symptoms and interfere with some medications,” says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health (Ballantine Books) and medical director of New York University’s Women’s Heart Center.
Gingko, for example, can cause [heart] palpitations, she says.
The herb, which many people take to enhance memory, also interacts with blood-pressure medications, dangerously lowering levels.
Calcium, which many women take for bone health, can reduce absorption of antibiotics.
2. There's blood in your stool.
Most of us steer clear of potty talk – even with our doctors.
But at every visit, Clancy asks patients if they’ve ever seen blood in their stool.
The response is often the same.
"'Why would I look?’” is the response Clancy usually gets.
But the answer is that it could save your life.
Blood in the stool is a symptom of colorectal cancer, which is curable when caught early.
“People [can] live for years,” Clancy says.
So mention any change in bathroom habits to your doctor, says Renee Scola, M.D., an internist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
“If you’ve always been regular and suddenly you’re constipated for several weeks, tell your doctor,” she says.
3. You’re depressed.
So you’ve been feeling a little down; it’ll pass, you think. Besides, why bother your doctor with it?
“Some women are embarrassed,” says Ellen L. Poleshuck, Ph.D., a family therapist at the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center.
Emotions can affect your physical health, and depressed people often feel fatigued, lose their appetite or have stomach aches.
If your doctor doesn’t know you’re depressed, you may have to undergo unnecessary tests or medications.
“Primary-care physicians and ob-gyns are trained to assess and treat depression” and prescribe treatment if necessary, Poleshuck says.
If you’re not comfortable mentioning it at the appointment, bring a friend or family member for support.
4. You’re worried about something you read on the Web.
Many women go online first to diagnose health problems. Would your doctor be offended?
Not at all! Most doctors say they like well-informed patients.
“Don’t stop looking for information,” Goldberg advises.
Just say, ‘I saw something on the Internet. Do I need to be concerned?’
Also, remember much of what you read online is general.
“Information on the Internet isn't specific to the people reading it” and may not apply to your case, says Goldberg.
5. You don’t eat right and exercise regularly.
That morning donut and coffee ritual? Those couch potato nights? Admit them your doc.
People often lie or omit information because they don't realize how harmful those habits really are, says Clancy.
“That’s why we recommend that overweight people keep a food diary, so they can get a more realistic picture of what they eat in a day,” Clancy says.
Even if weight isn’t an issue, talk to your doctor about your diet. You may not need a major meal overhaul – just a little tweaking.
“Weight is only one aspect of it,” says Lisa Norsen, a Rochester nurse practitioner.
Unhealthy eating habits are linked to chronic diseases, such as heart attacks, diabetes and more.
6. You stopped taking your medication.
One of Goldberg’s patients stopped taking her cholesterol medication when a friend on the same drug developed muscle aches.
Unfortunately, the patient didn’t tell Goldberg. So when tests showed higher cholesterol levels, Goldberg called to increase her dosage.
That’s when the woman confessed that she had stopped taking the medication.
“Instead of telling the doctor, some patients [act] on their own,” Goldberg says. “That’s one of the most dangerous things you can do.”
The medicine your doctor prescribes is designed to keep you healthy — and the side effects you’ve heard about might be rare or insignificant.
If you’re having problems with medication, ask to be switched to another that won’t affect you the same way.
7. You're not interested in sex lately.
“People are pretty open about their physical complaints, but they’re not so open about sexual issues,” says Judie Brock, certified nurse-midwife at Cooley Dickinson Center for Midwifery Care, in Northampton, Mass.
But women need to talk about emotional and sexual health with their doctor, because it can be a symptom of a physical problem.
Loss of desire can signal health issues, such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression or even anorexia.
Some pre-menopausal symptoms can also cause sexual problems, such as vaginal dryness.
8. That surgery years ago doesn’t matter.
When you see your doctor, especially for the first time, share the details of your medical history – including the tonsillectomy you had at age 4.
Your physician needs background information to diagnose and prescribe the best treatment for you.
Write down your history beforehand, so you don’t forget to mention something important.
How detailed should you be?
Tell the doctor about any major illnesses in your immediate family and your previous major illnesses, past surgeries and current conditions.
List all medications you’re taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements, along with any adverse reactions you’ve had.
Had any recent X-rays or medical tests? Bring the films or results, if possible.
Besides medical history, jot notes about current symptoms.
If you’re having headaches, for example, how often do they occur and at what time of day? How painful are they? What type of pain do they cause – sharp or dull throbbing?
There’s an advantage to being well prepared: You’ll get better treatment.
“If you walk in with a record – even just some notes – and can say ‘I’ve given this some thought,’ you’ll be taken a lot more seriously by the doctor,” Clancy says.
Are You a Hypochondriac?
Do you run to the doctor every time you have a runny nose? Do you pack your medicine cabinet with so many bottles that you put the pharmacy to shame? While some may find a hypochondriac's behavior humorous, those who are hypochondriacs have very real fears when it comes to their health.
Most Common Thyroid Problems In Women A Woman’s Guide to Thyroid Health
The thyroid can cause a lot of problems for women, including weight changes and depression. In recognition of Thyroid Awareness Month, Elizabeth Pearce, M.D., answers questions about risk, diet, pregnancy, testing and more...
Ever wonder why you don’t hear much about guys and thyroid problems?
Although men have the gland, they’re less likely to develop problems with it. In fact, about 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid problem in their lifetime.
So what issues should women watch out for? Lifescript asked Elizabeth Pearce, M.D., a clinical endocrinologist and associate professor at Boston University School of Medicine, for answers.
Read on to find out how diet, pregnancy and smoking can all affect your risk of thyroid disease.
What’s the biggest thyroid problem women face?
The most common is hypothyroidism, when the thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone.
Without this hormone, your metabolism slows and you may gain weight, feel sluggish and tired, and get depressed.
Your periods may become irregular and you may have dry skin and nails.
About 10% of all women have an underactive thyroid; the condition affects about only 3% of men.
What increases the risk of thyroid disease?
The types and frequency of thyroid disease's forms vary around the world, based on the amount of iodine in the diet.
Smoking also increases risk.
Don’t we get enough iodine in our diets from iodized salt?
Overall, Americans have been getting enough iodine since salt iodization was started in the 1920s.
But the amount in the American diet has decreased by about half since the 1970s.
That’s partially due to a decline in the amount of [iodized] salt we eat.
But there’s also less iodine in certain foods than before, particularly cow’s milk and bread.
That’s because iodate dough conditioners are used less often by many bread manufacturers.
Also, federal legislation in the 1980s limited the amount of iodine in cattle feed, which may be one reason why milk has less iodine.
In fact, 30% of the salt we purchase for household use in this country isn’t iodized.
Most sea salt, for example, doesn't contain iodine.
In addition, most of the salt we eat is in commercially processed foods and many commercial food processors use non-iodized salt.
Why is iodine deficiency a concern?
Iodine deficiency is a huge problem in some countries, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Because iodine is needed to make thyroid hormone, which is needed for brain development, iodine deficiency can cause brain damage in unborn babies.
In the U.S., the American Thyroid Association has recommended that all pregnant or breastfeeding women take a prenatal vitamin that contains 150 mcg of iodine daily.
Why do some women have thyroid problems after pregnancy too?
As many as 1 in 10 women develop postpartum thyroiditis – inflammation of the thyroid within several months after giving birth.
When the thyroid gets inflamed, it can leak out hormone, so you become a little hyperthyroid [when the gland overproduces thyroid hormone].
Then, when you run out of thyroid hormone, you may become hypothyroid until your gland heals.
Symptoms can be very subtle. Some women lose weight; others feel anxious.
You might blame these things on being a new mom. But if the diagnosis is missed, it’s not usually critical. If it’s really mild, you just watch it. The whole thing resolves within several months in most women.
If it’s severe, you may need treatment for the symptoms.
In most women, the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid phases last several weeks.
But not all women experience both phases. About 5% of women will be left with permanent hypothyroidism.
It tends to recur in subsequent pregnancies and it’s also more common in women with autoimmune diseases.
So should all pregnant women get a thyroid test?
The concern is that low thyroid hormone in pregnant women may be associated with lower IQ in their children.
Universal thyroid screening in expectant women has been controversial.
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists suggests that all pregnant women should be tested.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that asymptomatic women should not be tested. The Endocrine Society recommends testing if a woman has symptoms of hypothyroidism or if she has anti-thyroid antibodies, a family history of autoimmune disease or other risk factors for hypothyroidism.
Why the controversy?
There are three reasons: One, getting your thyroid tested is costly.
Two, healthy pregnant women often have thyroid blood test results outside what’s considered normal (due to physiologic changes during pregnancy). Most labs can’t provide normal, trimester-specific reference ranges, so inappropriate interpretation and treatments are possible.
And three, we don’t know if hypothyroidism treatment improves outcomes in babies; that’s being studied.
The American Thyroid Association and Endocrine Society have convened task forces that will update their testing and treatment guidelines pregnancy within the next 1-2 years.
How do you know if you have hypothyroidism?
It’s tricky, because many of the symptoms are vague and can be easily blamed on lifestyle.
Fatigue, for instance, may be the result of being busy, not just an underactive thyroid.
Weight gain may come from eating too much or not getting enough exercise.
You need to get a TSH test – a blood test that measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in your blood.
If your thyroid isn’t making enough thyroid hormone, your pituitary will make more TSH, which tells the thyroid to make more of its hormone.
How is hypothyroidism treated?
You take a synthetic version of thyroid hormone in a pill to replace what your body isn’t making.
Can your thyroid go in the other direction, becoming too active?
Hyperthyroidism is much less common than hypothyroidism, affecting just 1% of the U.S. population. It’s also more complex and difficult to diagnose and treat.
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone, which can cause shakiness, heart palpitations, insomnia and weight loss.
How do you treat hyperthyroidism?
Depending on the cause, it can be treated with anti-thyroid medications, radioactive iodine or surgery to remove the thyroid. There are two anti-thyroid drugs that can be used to treat hyperthyroidism: PTU (propylthiouracil) and methimazole.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that, of the two medicines, methamizole should be the first treatment in almost all cases, because PTU has been implicated in rare cases of liver failure.
Whatever you do, if you have hyperthyroidism, make sure you have an experienced [doctor] taking care of it.
Why are we hearing a lot about thyroid cancer lately?
The U.S. incidence of thyroid cancer rose from 3.6 per 100,000 people in 1973 to 8.7 in 2002.
In 2009, estimates show about 37,000 new cases diagnosed and 1,630 thyroid cancer deaths.
A lot more people are getting CT scans and ultrasounds, so maybe we’re catching more thyroid cancer. But the true incidence may be growing. There might be environmental reasons, such as changes in radiation exposure or diet.
Though it’s a common cancer, it tends to be very treatable. Exact treatment depends on your age, the size and type of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to other organs.
Thyroid cancer tends to be more common [as women] age. If you have thyroid cancer, you may have the thyroid surgically removed and there may or may not be additional treatment with radioactive iodine.
What can women do to keep their thyroids healthy?
Not much, other than not smoke.
If you live in the U.S., you can assume you’re getting enough iodine in your diet. Unless you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, you shouldn’t have to do anything.
You should be aware of what the front of your neck feels like.
If you feel any new lumps, which could be thyroid nodules, tell your doctor.
Most thyroid nodules aren’t cancerous, but they still need to be checked out. They also don’t always cause symptoms. Many people really have no idea they have one until a doctor feels it or it gets picked up on imaging.
So when you have a check-up, should you ask for a TSH test?
If you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, you should definitely have a TSH test.
However, experts disagree about routine testing in people without symptoms.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says there’s no evidence for routine screening. The American Thyroid Association, on the other hand, says every adult should start routine TSH screenings every 5 years starting at age 35.
Expert Advice on Osteoarthritis Relief
Could you be at risk for osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis? To find out, you’ll want to check your parents’ medical histories and consider your weight. Patience White, M.D., explains the latest symptoms and treatments, including alternative therapies, for this chronic condition...
You don’t have to be old to be affected by osteoarthritis symptoms. The disease can show up even in your early 20s.
So how can you stay active and pain-free? Is there new osteoarthritis treatment on the horizon?
In an edited conversation with Patience White, M.D., vice president of public health for the Arthritis Foundation and a rheumatologist at the George Washington University School of Medicine, in Washington, D.C., we get answers to these and other questions.
What is osteoarthritis — and how is it different from rheumatoid arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million Americans.
It occurs when joint cartilage loses its elasticity and breaks down, causing the connecting bones to rub against each other.
The joints most affected include the hips, knees, hands, lower back and neck.
The number of diagnosed cases of osteoarthritis is estimated to reach 67 million by 2030.
Statistics show that about half of all adults develop knee osteoarthritis at some point in their lives.
The condition is common because the joint carries our weight, is put under stress as it moves with every step and is prone to injury in sports and other activities.
Rheumatoid arthritis, in contrast, is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. This causes fluid build-up, inflammation and pain in the joints.
It’s a systemic disease, meaning the pain can occur anywhere.
What causes osteoarthritis?
There are many risk factors for osteoarthritis, but genetics may play the largest role.
Inherited knee and hip osteoarthritis can originate from either side of your family, but osteoarthritis of the hand generally comes from the mother’s side.
Since many people with osteoarthritis are undiagnosed, you may need to delve into your parents’ history.
Knee or hip problems could mean knee or hip osteoarthritis.
Does Mom have knobby fingers? It’s probably due to osteoarthritis of the hands.
What are the other major risk factors?
Injuries also cause osteoarthritis, especially if they are severe enough to require surgery.
The next most common risk factor is weight. About 66% of adults diagnosed with arthritis are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.
Is there anything you can do to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis?
Absolutely. Most important: lose weight.
More than 65% of people in the U.S. are overweight, according to the CDC, and at great risk for knee osteoarthritis.
Every pound you gain puts four pounds more pressure across your knees. Losing 10 pounds takes 40 pounds of pressure off your knees.
There is evidence that obese people have greater levels of inflammatory hormones, which can irritate joints and make them more vulnerable to injury.
Stay active. It improves the strength and balance of the muscles and ligaments that help the knee work.
Moderate activity three times a week can reduce the risk of disability from knee osteoarthritis by 47%, according to the CDC.
Can medications control osteoarthritic pain?
Yes, but none will work as well as losing weight.
In 2004, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore found that a 15-pound weight loss reduced osteoarthritis pain by 40%, improved function by 50% and reduced stiffness by 50%.
In contrast, medication caused only a 28% improvement in these factors.
Taking any pain medication over time leads to a [higher] risk of side effects.
Long-time use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause bleeding in the stomach, and acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
Anti-inflammatory creams and lotions can be effective, but even these can be absorbed through the skin and cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Taking medication initially will reduce pain levels so you can be more active.
More physical activity and weight loss will decrease pain and require less medication. That will slow the progression of the disease and prevent you from becoming disabled.
What’s the best way to lose weight? Can a certain diet or foods reduce your osteoarthritis symptoms?
There’s no evidence that a specific diet can affect osteoarthritis. But it is critical to keep your bones strong — and that means getting enough calcium and vitamin D.
For adults, the current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium is 1,000 milligrams (mg) daily; for vitamin D, 600 IU daily.
It’s also important to lose weight in a lasting way.
Avoid crash diets and make a commitment to change what you eat. Try to eat less meat and more fruits and vegetables. Fill two-thirds of your plate with fruits and vegetables.
What’s the best way to start an exercise program?
First, stick to low-impact activities, like walking and bicycling. These won’t pound on those lower-extremity joints.
If you need help starting a new activity, check with the Arthritis Foundation, which offers exercise programs through state health departments and local YMCAs. The foundation’s website also has information about stretching, walking and various exercises.
Why does tai chi help in the treatment of osteoarthritis?
Several studies show that tai chi, a traditional Eastern series of slow, controlled movements, can improve strength, flexibility and balance, including one 2009 study at Tufts Medical Center of 40 adults with knee osteoarthritis.
One group attended a tai chi class; the other group did stretching exercises.
Following a 12-week program, participants were instructed to continue at home. The tai chi group reported greater improvement in pain, physical function and quality of life and less depression than the stretchers.
Can mechanical devices — orthotics, braces and canes — help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis?
With knee osteoarthritis, supportive, flexible footwear is critical. Orthotics may help by providing arch support. This will keep your legs more stable as you walk, reducing strain on the knee.
Braces can help stabilize a joint after an injury, but reliance on them should be limited. You lose strength and range of motion when you don’t use the knee for long periods.
Do alternative treatments, such as massage, meditation and acupuncture, help?
There’s evidence that acupuncture can help knee and hip osteoarthritis. A 2006 German study followed 3,633 patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis. One group received 15 sessions of acupuncture and regular medical treatment; the control group only received medical treatment. In three months, the acupuncture group showed “marked clinical improvement” compared with the control group.
Licensed acupuncture practitioners are listed at the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, or the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Meditation and guided imagery techniques can also help you cope with pain, while massage may relax your muscles.
You can find more information about managing your osteoarthritis symptoms through meditation here.
Do supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, help prevent osteoarthritis pain?
Research shows they don’t prevent joint degeneration.
A recent study indicated that patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis had similar results whether they took these two supplements, the NSAID celecoxib or a placebo for pain.
Glucosamine and chondroitin may be helpful for moderately severe pain, but they are expensive, and their benefit is still unclear.
What other issues can affect people with osteoarthritis?
They’re at risk for obesity-related conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
Half of all people with diabetes also have osteoarthritis.
This is why it’s especially important for people with osteoarthritis to eat a balanced diet, stay active and lose weight: It helps lessen pain and reduces the risk of developing one of these conditions.
Are there new developments in surgical treatments for osteoarthritis?
Joint replacement is one option for severe, long-term osteoarthritis. Knee and hip joints are commonly replaced with metal or plastic parts, most of which last about 20 years.
In 2003, the last year for which figures are available, there were approximately 418,000 total knee replacements and more than 220,000 hip replacements in the U.S., according to the American College of Rheumatology.
There are efforts to develop artificial cartilage that would replace diseased tissue, the fundamental defect that leads to osteoarthritis.
Check out The New Knee Replacement for more information.
Animal Fighting Progress in the Senate, and More News on the Legislative Front
Two days ago, I wrote―with barely contained indignation―about members of the Senate declining to take up two key animal welfare amendments during floor consideration of the farm bill. One amendment, from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., mirrored the language of S. 3239/H.R. 3798, the vitally important legislation to phase out confinement of more than 250 million laying hens in barren battery cages. The second came from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and it was nearly identical to S. 1947/H.R. 2492, a measure to strengthen the existing federal anti-animal fighting law by making it a crime to attend or to bring children to an animal fighting spectacle, closing loopholes in a strong statute that we’ve fortified several times through the years.
I am pleased to report that the animal-fighting amendment, through a series of deft maneuvers by lawmakers committed to cracking down on this particular scourge, did get a vote last night. The amendment was folded into another amendment by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., with strong involvement from Sens. Blumenthal, Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Agriculture Committee chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. The Vitter amendment, also backed by Sens. Kirk, R-Ill., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., passed by a commanding vote of 88 to 11. You can find out how your senators voted here.
“Raising dogs and other animals to fight, maim, and kill each other is reprehensible,” said Chairwoman Stabenow, who helped engineer the new pathway for the amendment. “It is already illegal for animal owners to force their animals to fight, and it only makes sense that those who financially support animal fighting should also be held accountable. I’d like to thank all of those who helped me pass this important amendment as a part of my 2012 farm bill.”
This is a very good development, and it puts us in a great position to get this legislation enacted―since the House is expected to approve that same language, given that the House companion bill, H.R. 2492, already has almost 200 cosponsors.
We would have worked with our allies in the Senate on another amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, dealing with Internet sales of dogs from puppy mills, but the Obama administration announced a rule that mirrors some core provisions of H.R. 835 and S. 727, which together have more than 230 bipartisan cosponsors. We hope that the administration takes final action on that issue after the comment period closes on July 16.
While we celebrate progress on animal fighting and puppy mills, we remain deeply disappointed that the egg industry reform bill did not get a vote in the Senate. It’s time to concentrate our energy on the House and to make the case that extreme cage confinement systems for laying hens have no future in this country. The question before the nation should be, how does that transition occur? State by state, or company by company, with all of the clumsiness of that piecemeal approach? Or with a national standard that the egg industry can get behind, allowing producers to have regulatory certainty and to make the necessary investments in new housing systems to improve the lives of these animals?
That legislation also has a provision establishing a national labeling standard that will give consumers more information about animal welfare conditions in making choices in the marketplace, and that provision is particularly exciting to us. Who can argue against that kind of transparency and informed decision-making?
The House is expected to take up the farm bill sometime in July. To succeed, though, we’ll need your help.
P.S. On the subject of farm animal protection, I am so pleased to announce that Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee last night signed two bills to ban gestation and veal crates and the practice of tail docking. Rhode Island becomes the ninth state to ban gestation crates, the seventh to ban veal crates, and the third to ban tail docking of cattle.
P.P.S. This week, there were also two important wins on animal protection issues in key committees. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Captive Primate Safety Act (S. 1324)―sponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Vitter, and Blumenthal―which would ban the interstate trade in primates as pets. We hope the full Senate takes it up soon. And the House Appropriations Committee took up an amendment by Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., and voted to bar USDA from inspecting any horse slaughter plants in the U.S., which should give pause to the foreign-owned companies who want to re-open slaughter plants on American soil and stain it with the blood of the noble animals who helped settle this country.
Oppose Any Effort to Allow Horse Slaughter in the U.S.!
Dear Animal Advocates,
Great news! Congress is busy setting the federal budget for fiscal year 2013, and on June 19, Rep. Jim Moran’s amendment to block use of taxpayer dollars for horse slaughter inspections was approved by the House Appropriations Committee! This is a great victory for horses, but unless we fight to keep this prohibition in the Agriculture Appropriations bill, horse slaughter plants may return to the U.S.
The next step is for the entire U.S. House of Representatives to vote on the Agriculture Appropriations bill. The vote will happen this coming Tuesday (June 26). You can help us change the course of history by contacting your federal representative TODAY and urging him or her to oppose any new amendment that would allow horse slaughter in the U.S.
The Agriculture Appropriations bill has included a prohibition on federal funding for horse slaughter inspections every year since 2005—until last year, when Congress failed to include language banning inspections. As a result, precious tax dollars are now at risk of supporting the return of this barbaric practice. The pro-slaughter industry is hard at work looking for locations around the country to set up shop and lobbying intensely against efforts to defund horse slaughter. We must stay committed to this fight and ensure that Capitol Hill continues to hear our message to protect horses!
_____________________________________________________________________________
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to oppose any amendment to the FY13 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would allow taxpayer dollars to be spent on horse slaughter inspections.
It is important to me that Congress prohibits the funding of horse slaughter inspections. Horse slaughter is cruelty; it is not humane euthanasia. Horses are not bred or raised as food animals, and putting them through a slaughter process intended for other species leads to serious injuries. In years past, USDA inspectors documented rampant violations and terrible cruelties at U.S. horse slaughterhouses.
U.S. horse meat is also unfit for human consumption because of the uncontrolled administration of hundreds of dangerous drugs to horses before slaughter. The FDA expressly prohibits the administration of many of these drugs to animals intended for human consumption because of their potentially fatal effects in humans.
Furthermore, horse slaughter plants pollute ground water, lower property values, foul the air, drain local economies, and damage the environment.
A 2012 national poll found that 80% of Americans oppose horse slaughter. At a time when tax dollars are being stretched and funding for vital programs is being cut, spending money to inspect horse meat for foreign markets is a terrible idea. Our horses should not be abused to profit foreign industry--and we certainly should not have to foot the bill.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Diabetes Drug Might Fight Cancer
A cheap and relatively safe diabetes drug, metformin, might have cancer-fighting properties, according to an international study — but findings fall short of proving it actually can stave off cancer.
Researchers, whose findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that women with diabetes who took the medication had a 25 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer over more than a decade of follow-up.
"Metformin use in postmenopausal women with diabetes was associated with lower incidence of invasive breast cancer," wrote lead researcher Rowan Chlebowski, at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
"These results can inform future studies evaluating metformin use in breast cancer management and prevention."
Metformin, also sold under the brand name Glucophage, has been on the market for many years and is generally considered safe, although 5 to 10 percent of patients experience side effects like nausea and bloating.
It is used by millions of Type 2 diabetics every day to help control their blood sugar, and studies have shown it also shrinks lung and breast tumors in mice. Several reports show people taking it for diabetes appear to develop cancer less often.
The new study used data from about 68,000 postmenopausal women who took part in the U.S. government-funded Women's Health Initiative clinical trials.
Over nearly 12 years of observation, there were more than 3,200 new cases of breast cancer among the women.
Every year, 0.42 percent of women without diabetes developed breast cancer, compared to 0.40 percent of diabetics on metformin and 0.47 percent of diabetics taking other drugs.
After taking into account risk factors for breast cancer, the gap between women without diabetes and diabetics on drugs other than metformin vanished. But diabetics on metformin turned out to have a 25 percent lower cancer risk than their diabetes-free peers.
"This is an area of great excitement," said Pamela Goodwin, a breast cancer expert at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada, who wrote an editorial that appeared with the study.
"The evidence is coming together that metformin may actually have a clinically-relevant effect, but none of this is good enough to chance clinical practice just yet."
But she added that while the study is the best of its kind so far, it relies on observations instead of an actual experiment in which women are randomly selected to take metformin or not.
Goodwin and her colleagues are currently running a trial to test whether metformin can help ward off new tumors in women getting breast cancer treatment. Results are expected in three to four years.
Senate Farm Bill Throws Animal Welfare Under the Bus
It’s emotionally difficult to deal with the reality of animals being harmed, especially for those acutely alert to their plight. In my capacity as president of The HSUS, I get a front-row seat for it all. It’s my job to learn about cruelty to animals in its many forms, and to work with my colleagues to try to figure out a way to turn around these problems.
I cope with it by knowing that we are doing something about it. Indeed, that’s the reason groups like The HSUS exist. We are here to organize people of conscience and to encourage them to exert their collective influence.
There’s proof of progress all around us. Look at the raft of bills made into laws at the state level, corporate progress, and public awareness in recent years. We are a strong, vibrant, and ascendant movement.
One particular cause for hope is that opposition to cruelty is not a strange or alien value. It’s at the core of our humanity. While we humans have the capacity to be selfish, we also have the capacity for empathy and other-centeredness. When it comes to institutionalized cruelty, the hope is that empathy can triumph over greed and selfishness. With the creativity of the human mind, we can figure out ways to conduct our business in society and not leave behind a trail of animal suffering in the process.
That’s why it’s so distressing when a small number of people―in this case, a handful of members of the U.S. Senate―band together to retard progress.
Since last July, I’ve written many times on this blog about the landmark agreement forged between The HSUS and the United Egg Producers to phase out the barren battery cage and to create a labeling program that would give consumers more information about how laying hens are treated. In the scheme of things for our nation, it may seem like a small matter. But there are 285 million laying hens in America, and the vast majority of them live in privation, in small wire cages that don’t even allow them to stretch their wings. Eggs are a staple in the American diet, and it’s nearly a $15 billion industry when you add up sales and all of the related activity. For those reasons, it’s a subject that should warrant the serious attention of lawmakers, especially when the farm bill rolls around for consideration.
The HSUS and UEP agreed that it would be unworkable for this pact to be voluntary, because there would be outliers within the egg industry who would not make investments in improved housing systems and would then try to undercut producers doing the right thing, and because it wouldn't prevent the patchwork of conflicting state laws on the subject. The Congress would have to codify the agreement to set a uniform, national standard.
I knew enactment of this measure in the Congress would be no slam dunk. But I did believe that a majority of lawmakers would embrace this good faith process of collaboration and problem-solving between traditional adversaries. I thought they’d be eager to ratify an agreement that showed such demonstrable progress on animal welfare, yet also provided certainty and security for American egg producers.
Last night, much to my chagrin, the Senate approved an agreement to allow a finite number of amendments to the farm bill (73 in total), and the major measures related to animal welfare were excluded from consideration. Among the provisions omitted were Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s amendment to codify the egg industry accord, as well as an amendment from Sen. Richard Blumenthal to build on the existing federal law against animal fighting by making it a crime to attend or to bring a minor to a dogfight or cockfight.
The long and the short is, key lawmakers bowed to pressure from the meat industry, specifically the pork and cattle industries. Now mind you, these industries have zero stake in the egg industry, and no economic interest in animal fighting, either. They simply want to obstruct any and all progress for animal welfare, believing that any Congressional action on animal welfare will eventually reflect poorly on their practices and put more pressure on them to change.
With respect to the 200 major egg producers in the United States, we could say that they were outmuscled by the cattle and pork lobbies. In American politics, we now have a new truism: meat breaks eggs, just like rocks breaks scissors.
So there’ll be no debate in the Senate on the egg industry and its future during consideration of the farm bill. And that’s simply because some senators just won’t act in the national interest. Their fealty to the pork and cattle industries led them to throw the egg industry and animal welfare interests under the bus.
Now, we’ll see how the same issues play out in the House, and we will be working hard to get consideration of legislation on animal fighting and egg-laying hens on the House floor. It’s our hope that they let the debate proceed. If we win there, we still have a chance on a long-awaited reform that can help hundreds of millions of animals.
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