Thursday, October 18, 2007

Further Considerations For Breast Reconstruction Surgery

You may wish to undergo a preoperative mammogram and another one 6 months to one year after implantation to establish a baseline.

Interference with Mammography-
The implant may interfere with finding breast cancer during mammography and also may make it difficult to perform mammography. Therefore, it is essential that you tell your mammography technologist that you have an implant before the procedure. The technologist can use special techniques to minimize the possibility of rupture and to get the best possible views of the breast tissue.

Because the breast is squeezed during mammography, it is possible for an implant to rupture during the procedure. More x-ray views are necessary with these special techniques; therefore, women with breast implants will receive more radiation. However, the benefit of the mammogram in finding cancer outweighs the risk of the additional x-rays.

Distinguishing the Implant from Breast Tissue During Breast Self-Examination-
You should perform breast self-examination monthly on your implanted breast. In order to do this effectively, you should ask your surgeon to help you distinguish the implant from your breast tissue. Any new lumps or suspicious lesions (sores) should be evaluated with a biopsy. If a biopsy is performed, care must be taken to avoid puncturing the implant.

Long Term Effects-
The long term safety and effectiveness of breast implants have not been studied; however, INAMED Aesthetics is monitoring the long term (i.e., 10 year) chance of implant rupture, reoperation, implant removal, and capsular contracture (hardening of the tissues around the implant). INAMED Aesthetics is also conducting mechanical testing to assess the long-term likelihood of implant rupture. We will update this brochure with this information and timeframes later.

Capsule Procedures-
You should be aware that closed capsulotomy, the practice of forcible squeezing or pressing on the fibrous capsule around the implant to break the scar capsule is not recommended as this may result in breakage of the implant.

The breast reconstruction process may begin at the time of your mastectomy (immediate) or weeks to years afterwards (delayed).

Immediate reconstruction means that the procedure begins at the same time as the mastectomy. It is important to know that any type of surgical breast reconstruction may take several steps to complete. Two potential advantages to immediate reconstruction are that your reconstruction process is already underway when you wake up from the mastectomy, and there may be a cost savings in combining the mastectomy procedure with the first stage of the reconstruction.

However, there may be a higher risk of complications with immediate reconstruction, and your initial operative time and recuperative time may be longer. A potential advantage to delayed reconstruction is that you can delay your reconstruction decision and surgery until other treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, are completed.

Delayed reconstruction may be advisable if your surgeon anticipates healing problems with your mastectomy, or if you just need more time to consider your options. There are medical, financial and emotional considerations to choosing immediate versus delayed reconstruction. Talk with your plastic surgeon about the options available in your individual case.

MagnaRX Male Enhancement Review

MagnaRX is one of the options for men looking for male enhancement methods. This review article will discuss how the MagnaRX penis enlargement method actually works and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

I think a man would be lying if they denied ever feeling unhappy with their penis size at some time in their lives. Fortunately most men eventually learn to love their genitals and all the good things that will come about as a result of it.

However, for many men their penis size affects their self-esteem, their self-confidence and their sex life for many years. The key here is to stop it affecting your life forever and either making the most of what God has given you or, alternatively, finding safe alternatives for increasing your penis size.

If you have been looking into enhancement methods for any length of time you may have seen the vast number of products that are available online. This can often lead to a lot of confusion and ultimately inaction. However, this article will focus on just one product known as MagnaRX.

In this day and age many men have medical conditions or cardiovascular problems that limits the kind of medications that they can take. As a result they are turning to herbal supplements which are known for having little or no side effects.

This product contains natural, herbal ingredients such as yohimbe and arginine compounds that are known to increase blood flow to the genital area. Studies have revealed that these two ingredients work extremely well and function perfectly in combination.

This product has been developed by a practitioner called Dr George Aguilar who is a leading, highly regarded urologist and also a member of The College of Urology, the Society of Urology and also a past Presidnet of the State Society of Urologists.

How This Product Works

This penis is comprised of three large chambers known as the Corpora Cavernosa, Central Artery and also Corpus Spongiosum. How these three chambers work is that when a man achieves an erection these chambers open up and let the blood flow through. The penis increases in size as a result of an increase in the size of these arteries inside these three chambers.

Just like with muscles throughout the body the muscles in the penis are extremely flexible. The more often that these muscles are taught to stretch the larger these muscles will become over time.

Studies have revealed that men who suffer from erectile dysfunctions because most of them are not experiencing good blood circulation in the penis. Not only that, many of these men also have underdeveloped or smaller penises than average. MagnaRX is one of many choices for men wishing to improve their sex life in many ways.

How The Vimax Extender Works To Enlarge The Penis

The Vimax Extender is one product that is produced under the brand name Vimax for penis enlargement. Their two other products include a patch and a pill. This article is going to answer the most frequently asked questions about this penis stretching device.

This device was scientifically manufactured by a dr called Jorn Ege Siana who is well-known for his techniques to increase the length of the genitals. This product actually works to lengthen the genitals without the requirement for taking any supplement, patch, cream or lotion.

There are numerous reasons why men would choose one of these devices over any other, but perhaps the most common is the fact that a lot of men actually suffer from a bent or curved penis which can be extremely embarrassing at certain times and this product is marketed especially to this group of men.

Additionally, surgeons actually recommend the use of this product after cosmetic surgery as men have consistently experienced a quicker lengthening of the shaft if the two methods have been combined.

Although these devices are relatively new in the western world African tribes are well-known for using similar more basic instruments for the same purpose. There are many photos available on the web of tribes people lengthening their necks, their lips, their ear lobes and changing the shape of their noses, not to mention their genitals.

How The Vimax Extender Works

There are a number of drawbacks to wearing this product and that is the amount of time that men need to wear it every day for optimal results. It is recommended that it is worn for at least 4-6 hours daily for a minimum of three months.

This can be a little inconvenient and it can also be uncomfortable for longer periods of time. However, it is a highly regarded alternative to having to take either a pill every day or to wear a patch or to apply a topical cream. As I have stated, it is also one of the best ways to fix a curved penis, so the inconvenience can be easily outweighed in that regard.

If your main aim in purchasing such a product like this is to treat penis curvature then it is recommended that you wear the contraption for up to 10 hours daily for approximately half a year.

Of course, one of the other benefits to this product is that there is only one price rather than having to refill your order every few months if you are using pills or patches.

Additionally there are some medical warnings that must be borne in mind if you are considering buying this product.

These include not wearing it during sporting activities, if you are using alcohol, drug or painkillers, if you could be at risk of falling, when cooking, when bike riding, or if you are suffering from certain medical conditions.

Penis lengthening capability depends on how long you use the Vimax extender for and your individual circumstances. For optimal, maximum results the Vimax Extender needs to be used for up to six months for around 4-6 hours every day and for a minimum of three months.

As I have indicated, this product is definitely one of the best ways to effectively treat curvature of the penis and is highly recommended in that regard. However, if you are looking to solely increase your genital side then you may want to consider other methods like tablets, patches and topical creams and lotions.

Quit Smoking Hypnosis - Far Better Than a Patch

The hypnosis treatment for smoking cessation is commonly called the Quit Smoking Hypnosis. This new program is often a self-hypnosis form of treatment mainly for those who intend to avoid nicotine intake. When individuals who opt to quit smoking undergo such therapy, sometimes they experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are largely the result of powerful conditioned response.

In some studies, these conditioned responses must be reinforced by the individual's credence and his self talk. Basically, when you acclimatize your body by telling yourself that quitting is always so hard and that you will never be able to stop, this is just the same as telling your body to crave for a cigarette and smoke one.

The most effective quit smoking hypnosis procedure entails the client's portrayal of a hypnotist's role along with positive self-talk. This way withdrawal symptom is eliminated as you do not fall prey to the negative self-talk that assures failure.

As mentioned earlier, conditioned responses are powerful and are effective for smoking cessation. The individual must learn to create new conditioned responses. Below are a few steps one can do to create new conditioned responses:

- Close your eyes, relax, and imagine your future state when you no longer take in nicotine by cigarette smoking. Make visual experience as real as you can by adding in you other sensory perceptions, which includes the sounds, the smells, the tastes, and the feelings.

- Dwell on this trip to your future time line when you have completely forgotten about smoking. Reflect on the feeling of amazement you experience once you stopped having any desire for tobacco and never gave it another thought.

- Begin to really feel the freedom you have and notice what it is like that your thoughts are your own and no longer owned by cigarettes. Continue to dwell on these and let your mind take these future resources back with you by anchoring these feelings of being a non-smoker.

- To anchor the future resources, press the thumb and finger together on your right hand. Do this for about 30 seconds, as this connects the feelings or the state to your brain.

- After this, bring yourself back to the present moment still holding your thumb and finger together.

As a new conditioned response is created one may use this whenever he thinks of wanting a cigarette. Together with the anchor, begin to be conscious of reminding yourself that the urge will be gone in a moment. Drinking a big glass of water will also help, along with three (3) very deep, slow breaths.

The whole simple procedure described above is a means of breaking the old pattern of a conditioned response of craving. It also tells one's brain to access a new feeling - the image of a non-smoker.

Winsor Pilates Among People

There are so many fitness exercise programs that are available today. Either it is a program fit for people who needs simple workout that is easy to squeeze in despite a busy schedule or, it could be the type which concentrates on developing the body more through intense workout but needs more time to do.

Choosing the Winsor Pilate program is more likely a good decision in terms of getting fit. There is so much about the talks that are circulating lately about this type of fitness exercise just because it is a different approach to cutting down weight and shedding fats. People have always believed and had been used to trimming down their waistline through an intensive workout program. With that in mind, it also requires certain time during the day, week after week to get a desirable result.

You won't be doing any of this when you follow a video and embrace the approach of doing a Winsor Pilate program. At first glance, Winsor Pilate exercises doesn't seem to give off solid basis; especially when you just see it being shown as a commercial on T.V. But, you will never know the surprises you will get, not to mention the benefits and advantages it will contribute to your body. Your core, body muscles, and form are all noticeably changed and formed well. You will also get a slimmer look that you have always wanted.

Easier said than done? Try one Pilates exercise and you will be hooked right away! It isn't like anything at all. There are many people who still, up to now, doubts the main benefits of choosing Pilates but most of the reviews about this exercise continue to impress the current users and attract new ones. You have to know, that taking the Pilates exercises is all in your hands. Discipline and maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle are both the keys to getting the Pilates result that you expect. There is a positive side to everything as well as negative. But it is still a good basis to discover and realize for yourself whether choosing Winsor Pilates is going to suit your lifestyle and your needs or not.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tobacco Control

American Lung Association Report Shows 2007 Shaping Up to be a Banner Year for Tobacco Control Policies.

Mid-Year Update Details Progress to Date in 2007;

7 States Significantly Strengthened Smokefree Air Laws, 8 Raised Tobacco Taxes

New York, NY (July 24, 2007) – In 2007, many states have taken strong action to protect their citizens from tobacco by making public places and workplaces smokefree, raising tobacco taxes, and passing laws to protect citizens from cigarette-caused fires, according to a report released today by the American Lung Association.

In the 2007 Mid-Term Update to its publication State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues or SLATI, the Lung Association summarizes state tobacco control laws enacted in 2007 on smokefree air, tobacco taxes, smoking prevention spending and fire-safety standards for cigarettes among other issues.

“In January 2006, the American Lung Association issued its Smokefree Air 2010 Challenge, urging all states to adopt strong smokefree air laws. The 2007 SLATI Mid-Term Report shows significant progress continues to be made. 22 states and the District of Columbia have laws fully protecting their citizens from secondhand smoke. We challenge policymakers in the remaining states to do the same,” said Bernadette A. Toomey, President and CEO of the American Lung Association.

Also in 2007, eight states have increased their cigarette taxes, already matching the total for all of 2006. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia have increased their cigarette tax at least once since 2002. “We are encouraged that states continue to increase tobacco taxes, which makes cigarettes more costly. Higher cigarette prices deter young people from starting to smoke and help motivate adult smokers to quit,” said Toomey.

An increasing number of states have approved legislation setting fire-safety standards for cigarettes. Twelve states have approved this legislation in 2007, and three more states have legislation awaiting action by the governor. “This legislation is vital in the fight to reduce the 700 to 900 deaths annually from fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials,” she added.A PDF copy of 2007 SLATI Mid-Term Report is available online. This website is also the home of the online version of SLATI, which is updated on a regular basis to reflect changes in state tobacco control laws throughout the year.

Tobacco Control

Friday, September 7, 2007

Fish oil

Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish.





Fish oil is recommended for a healthy diet because it contains the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), precursors to eicosanoids that reduce inflammation throughout the body



However, fish do not actually produce omega-3 fatty acids, but instead accumulate them from either consuming microalgae that produce these fatty acids, as is the case with prey fish like herring and sardines, or, as is the case with fatty predatory fish, by eating prey fish that have accumulated omega-3 fatty acids from microalgae. Such fatty predatory fish like mackerel, lake trout, albacore tuna and salmon may be high in omega-3 fatty acids, but due to their position at the top of the food chain, these species can accumulate toxic substances (See biomagnification). For this reason, the FDA recommends limiting consumption of certain (predatory) fish species (e.g. albacore tuna) due to high levels of toxic contaminants such as mercury, dioxin, PCBs and chlordane. Due to this limitation, many people have turned to fish oil supplements to get adequate omega-3 fatty acids.



Fish oil supplements have sometimes come under scrutiny in recent years. In early 2006, government agencies such as the Food Standards Agency in the UK and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland reported PCB levels that exceeded the strict new European maximum limits in several fish oil brands, which required temporary withdrawal of these brands. To address the growing concern over contaminated fish oil supplements, the International Fish Oil Standards program, a voluntary review process was created at University of Guelph.



Benefits of fish oil






Some experts believe that taking fish oil (in any form) can help regulate cholesterol in the body, because fish oil has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The regulation occurs through effects of the EPA and DHA constituents on Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARĪ±). Besides cholesterol regulation, benefits include anti-inflammatory properties and positive effects on body composition. However, the preferred source of Omega 3 should be from the fish's body, not the liver. The liver and liver products (such as cod liver oil) of fish and many animals (such as seals and whales) contain Omega-3, but also the active form of vitamin A. At high levels, this form of the vitamin can be dangerous. Early explorers to the land of the Inuit were given raw liver by the natives, which contained a toxic overdose of vitamin A for the white explorers; however, the same amount was harmless to the Inuit, who had no other source of Vitamin A except animal livers.



Studies were conducted on prisoners in England where the inmates were fed seafood which contains Omega-3 Fatty acids. The higher consumption of these fatty acids led to a drop in the assault rates. Another Finnish study found that prisoners who were convicted of violence had lower levels of omega–3 fatty acids than prisoners convicted of nonviolent offenses. It was suggested that these kinds of fatty acids are responsible for the neuronal growth of the frontal cortex of the brain which, it is further alleged, is the seat of personal behavior.



The American Heart Association recommends the consumption of 1g of fish oil daily, preferably by eating fish, for patients with coronary heart disease.




The US National Institutes of Health lists three conditions for which fish oil and other omega-3 sources are most highly recommended: hypertriglyceridemia, secondary cardiovascular disease prevention and high blood pressure. It then lists 27 other conditions for which there less evidence. It also lists possible safety concerns: "Intake of 3 grams per day or greater of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding, although there is little evidence of significant bleeding risk at lower doses. Very large intakes of fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids ("Eskimo" amounts) may increase the risk of hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke."



According to a study from Louisiana State University in September 2005, fish oil may help protect the brain from cognitive problems associated with Alzheimer's disease.



Fish oil has also been shown to aid in the treatment of people suffering with depression.



For purchasing fish oil dietary supplements, it is highly recommended to seek a label certifying the product to be "molecularly distilled", USP Certified, and therefore free of mercury and other metal toxins.




fish oil