Saturday, December 26, 2015
21 New Year's Resolutions You'll Actually Keep
Science is shedding new light on how to turn a goal into action—and then lasting success.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
DIY-Basic Sewing Tutorial: The Basic Top
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The post DIY-Basic Sewing Tutorial: The Basic Top appeared first on Teespring T-Shirts.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
How to Make Money Online | Selling Tshirts Online
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The post How to Make Money Online | Selling Tshirts Online appeared first on Teespring T-Shirts.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Dr. Timothy Wasmund Chiropractic Physician in Clinton Township
Clinton township Chiropractors Dr. Timothy Wasmund
Dr.Timothy Wasmund is the Premiere Chiropractic Physician at Michigan Head and Spine Institute. He specializes in complicated issues such as:
-Low back pain including Disc Hernaitons and Bulging Discs
-Sciatica with pain down the leg and muscle weakness
-Sacroiliac pain including dysfunction and Piriformis syndrome
-Neck pain including disc herniations and bulging discs
-Shoulder-arm-hand pain
-Headaches including Tension and Migraines
-Sports injury Care
He is entrusted with care of those that are surgical candidates helping many to avoid surgery.
On a daily basis he also deals with complicated automobile accident victims. If you are looking for a doctor that is excels in dealing with the worst back issues, why not contact Dr. Wasmund to help you out of your pain?
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Thursday, December 3, 2015
7 Ways to Prevent Colds & Flu
Don't get sidelined by sickness. Watch this video to see the smart steps you can take to avoid seasonal colds and the flu.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
19 Ways Your Body Changes When You Fall in Love
Those butterflies in your stomach aren't just in your head. Here are some of the ways falling in love can affect your body.
How to Buy the Best Blender for Your Kitchen
Whether you need a basic blender for morning smoothies or a high-powered model that whips up soups and nut butters with ease, we've got you covered. Here are our top picks for the very best blenders on the market right now.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
After Recovering From Leukemia, She's Racing Marathons for a Cure
Heather Krasnov, 54, was always active, but she didn't make the jump from 5K to marathon until she faced a major life event: recovering from leukemia. In August 2001, at age 40, she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, and doctors estimated that she had less than a 2 percent chance of surviving. Miraculously, after a month of treatment, she went into remission. "I've always been a glass-half-full kind of person," says Heather, "so when doctors gave me the worst-case scenario, I looked on the bright side. And I think that's what helped me survive."
RELATED: 5 Everyday Foods That Fight Cancer
Wanting to give back, Heather signed up with Team In Training, the fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to walk the 2004 Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. "Having gone through treatment, all I could think about was children with leukemia," explains Heather. "As an adult, you have an awareness of what's happening to your body that kids don't. We have to find a cure for them."
After months of training, Heather was packed and ready to fly out for the marathon, but she stopped at the doctor's office for a blood test. Then, in San Francisco, she completed a joyous first marathon. "It was really exciting! Once you get to mile 21, you're like, 'I've got this.'"
RELATED: 5 Tourist-Friendly Marathons Worth Traveling To
But she and her husband returned home to six messages on her answering machine informing her that the leukemia was back. She needed immediate treatment. "I just said, 'OK. I've got to do it. Here we go again,'" recalls Heather. "I'm not one to break down."
With each relapse, Heather's chances of reaching remission shrank dramatically. Fortunately, in November 2005, she had a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from her cousin Lynn; she's been cancer-free since.
RELATED: A Running Vacation Rebooted My Spirit
After her recovery, Heather spent six years coaching for her local Team In Training chapter in Wilmington, N.C., and raised more than $26,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In November, she ran her 11th half marathon to celebrate 10 years of remission. "It's a high, the entire race, every race," she says. "When you start to hit the wall, you just think of the people lying in bed, going through treatment. It brings you back to why you're doing it, and you just go." The Canyon Ranch 35th Annual Inspiration Awards went to 70 people recognized for the inspiration they provide to others.
RELATED: 5 Everyday Foods That Fight Cancer
Wanting to give back, Heather signed up with Team In Training, the fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to walk the 2004 Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. "Having gone through treatment, all I could think about was children with leukemia," explains Heather. "As an adult, you have an awareness of what's happening to your body that kids don't. We have to find a cure for them."
After months of training, Heather was packed and ready to fly out for the marathon, but she stopped at the doctor's office for a blood test. Then, in San Francisco, she completed a joyous first marathon. "It was really exciting! Once you get to mile 21, you're like, 'I've got this.'"
RELATED: 5 Tourist-Friendly Marathons Worth Traveling To
But she and her husband returned home to six messages on her answering machine informing her that the leukemia was back. She needed immediate treatment. "I just said, 'OK. I've got to do it. Here we go again,'" recalls Heather. "I'm not one to break down."
With each relapse, Heather's chances of reaching remission shrank dramatically. Fortunately, in November 2005, she had a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from her cousin Lynn; she's been cancer-free since.
RELATED: A Running Vacation Rebooted My Spirit
After her recovery, Heather spent six years coaching for her local Team In Training chapter in Wilmington, N.C., and raised more than $26,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In November, she ran her 11th half marathon to celebrate 10 years of remission. "It's a high, the entire race, every race," she says. "When you start to hit the wall, you just think of the people lying in bed, going through treatment. It brings you back to why you're doing it, and you just go." The Canyon Ranch 35th Annual Inspiration Awards went to 70 people recognized for the inspiration they provide to others.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
20 Habits That Make Holiday Stress Worse
Avoid these common anxieties to stay merry all season long.
Friday, November 13, 2015
A Smart Guide To Scary Chemicals
"Scientists issue warning over chemicals in carpets, coats, cookware." "chemicals in pizza boxes may be health risk."
Headlines like these make you want to curl up on the sofa and never leave the house—except that couch! Chances are it's loaded with toxic chemicals, too. As a savvy, health-conscious (and, OK, slightly worry-prone) woman, how are you supposed to function in a world where everything from the dust bunnies in your home to your ATM receipt could be poisoning you?
First, some perspective: Yes, chemicals are everywhere, and some are undoubtedly harmful. But linking a health issue, whether it's breast cancer or premature births, to specific substances is difficult. "We're exposed to so many chemicals—some potentially hazardous, some not—and often health problems take months or years to develop. That makes it tricky to identify the culprit," explains Tracey Woodruff, PhD, director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Moreover, the average person's exposure to any one toxin is relatively low, as is her individual health risk. The potential peril of, say, eating microwave popcorn pales in comparison to smoking, which is directly responsible for 30 percent of cancer deaths, says Margaret Kripke, PhD, professor emerita at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and co-author of the President's Cancer Panel report on environmental cancer risk.
RELATED: 9 Ways to Detox Your Home
That said, developing fetuses, infants and children are more vulnerable to chemicals' effects. In fact, this fall, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics issued a report sounding an alarm about the serious health effects of exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Whether you have little ones or not, it's smart to understand the science behind the most buzzed-about chemicals. We talked to top scientists and analyzed the research to find out what you should really be concerned about and how you can protect yourself and the planet.
Flame retardants (including polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PDBEs)
What are they?
In the 1970s, California instituted strict flammability standards for upholstered furniture sold in the state, leading manufacturers to add flame-retardant chemicals to the foam used in furniture sold throughout the U.S. Today these chemicals—designed to inhibit the spread of fire—are in chairs, sofas, cars, commercial airplanes and infant car seats. A typical sofa contains three or more pounds of treated foam.
What's the worry?
Because the flame retardants are sprayed on rather than chemically bonded to the product, the molecules migrate out of the products and collect in household dust, where they get on our hands and, inevitably, into our mouths and bodies, says Philip Landrigan, MD, a pediatrician and dean for global health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Studies have linked different formulations to a variety of health problems, but the most worrisome issue is the effects on infants' brain development. "PBDEs are fat-soluble and can easily enter the brain," says Dr. Landrigan. "When that happens to babies in the womb and during infancy, it can result in reduced IQ and a shorter attention span."
RELATED: 10 Products You Think Are Healthy, But Aren't
Flame-retardant chemicals build up in body fat and, as a result, have been found in breast milk, infant cord blood and children's blood. Children are also more exposed than adults because they crawl or play on the floor, where they come into contact with chemical-laden dust, says Ted Schettler, MD, science director of the Science and Environmental Health Network.
Several types of flame retardants have already been phased out due to safety concerns, but other (and possibly dangerous) ones have taken their place—and the old versions will likely remain in the environment for years, since they're designed to be durable.
Reduce your risk
It's not realistic to buy all new furniture, but old sofas with crumbling foam should be a priority because they release the most chemicals, says Marya G. Zlatnik, MD, professor of maternal-fetal medicine at UCSF.
The great news: In early 2014, California revised its flammability regulations, enabling furniture makers to meet the standards without flame-retardant chemicals. Many companies, including Ashley Furniture, Crate & Barrel, Ikea, La-Z-Boy and Walmart, now sell upholstered products without the chemicals. (Go to health.com/non-toxic-couch for more details on how to find furniture without flame retardants.)
RELATED: How to Clean Everything Better
New couch not in the budget? You may be able to update just the cushions with flame retardant--free foam at a local upholstery shop. In the meantime, dust and vacuum (vacuums with HEPA filters are best at removing small particles) several times a week to rid your home of dust that contains the chemicals, advises Dr. Zlatnik, and wash your hands (and your kids') before eating.
Formaldehyde
What is it?
This pungent, flammable chemical is found in the wood glue used in furniture and flooring (especially laminate) and many manufactured wood products, like particle board, medium-density fiberboard and hardwood plywood. The chemical grabbed national attention after Hurricane Katrina, when people who were put up in trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency started suffering from respiratory problems, headaches and nosebleeds linked to high concentrations of formaldehyde in the air. It made headlines again this year when 60 Minutes reported that Chinese-made laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators emitted formaldehyde at levels exceeding California standards. (The company has stopped selling the product, though its own testing program showed that the vast majority of customers' homes were within safe levels.)
RELATED: 10 Ways to Keep Air Clean at Home
What's the worry?
Inhaling formaldehyde can cause nose, throat and eye irritation and trigger asthma attacks—probably the biggest risk for most people, says David Krause, PhD, a toxicologist in Tallahassee, Fla. Although the National Toxicology Program said formaldehyde is "known to be a human carcinogen" in 2011, after studies linked it to cancers of the nose and myeloid leukemia, that research looked at manufacturing and funeral industry workers, who are exposed to higher levels of the substance than the general population, explains Laura Beane Freeman, PhD, an epidemiologist at the National Cancer Institute. However, the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned enough about the chemical that it is finalizing new national rules that will set limits on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.
Other formaldehyde-related concerns, like getting Brazilian blowouts, are likely overhyped, says Krause. "I'd be more worried about hairdressers who are exposed to those chemicals routinely than a woman who gets the treatment a few times a year," he says.
Reduce your risk
If solid wood isn't an option, the next best thing is to buy wood products that comply with the formaldehyde regulations set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)—they're the most stringent to date. (Look for a label indicating CARB phase 2 compliance, or ask the manufacturer directly if the product meets those standards.) Put products in the garage or a spare bedroom to allow the chemical to off-gas for a few days to a few weeks—or until they don't smell, which is a good sign that a large portion has off-gassed, says Krause. If you don't have that kind of time, keep your windows open as much as you can for the first few months after a new wood product is in your home.
RELATED: 8 Ways to Protect Your Health (And the Planet)
PFASs (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances; also known as perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs)
What are they?
These compounds make products more resistant to stains, grease and water; they're found in such items as sofas, carpets, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags and waterproof clothing. They're also in some nonstick cookware.
What's the worry?
PFASs can accumulate in the body (including the brain, liver, lungs, bones and kidneys) and remain for as long as a decade. Studies have shown links to kidney cancer, high cholesterol, obesity, abnormal thyroid function, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and low-birth-weight infants. Most of the research has been done on folks with very high exposures, including those who lived near chemical plants in West Virginia and Ohio, where drinking water had become contaminated. But even low levels are a concern, says Simona Balan, PhD, senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute in Berkeley, Calif.
And almost everyone has traces of PFASs in their blood, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Released from factories and consumer products, they accumulate in the environment (some versions won't degrade for thousands of years), ending up in water, fish and livestock. In May, a group of more than 200 researchers and scientists from all over the world signed the Madrid Statement, asking for a limit to production and use of these chemicals.
Reduce your risk
You probably can't completely avoid eating and drinking PFASs, but you can wash your hands often to remove those you pick up around the house (they may collect in household dust), and replace your nonstick cookware with ceramic-coated pans, advises Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program. Make popcorn on the stove instead of in the microwave, and don't get stain-resistant finishes on new cars or furniture.
RELATED: 50 Gifts Under $50
You can also help reduce the amount of these chemicals that get into the environment by opting for clothing that hasn't been treated with PFASs. Brands that have committed to phasing out the substances include Adidas, Puma and Zara. (Scientists don't know enough about whether PFASs are absorbed through the skin, so it's unclear if clothing treated with them poses a direct health risk, says Birnbaum.)
BPA (bisphenol A)
What is it?
BPA is used to make hard polycarbonate plastics (like those used for water bottles and food-storage containers) and epoxy resins, found in the lining of many food cans. There was a big news splash about the fact that it's in the thermal receipt paper you might get at the ATM and grocery store—but food and drink are the primary way most of us are exposed, according to the National Institutes of Health.
What's the worry?
BPA is considered an endocrine-disrupting chemical, which means it may act like a hormone in the body and affect the functioning of natural hormones, like estrogen. "It can potentially have a negative impact on fetal development, including brain development," says Dr. Schettler. In 2014, researchers from nine institutions, including the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Michigan, concluded that BPA is a "reproductive toxicant," based on studies showing that it reduced egg quality in women undergoing in vitro fertilization—and said there's strong evidence that it's toxic to the uterus as well. "It could disrupt women's ability to get pregnant," says Woodruff.
There's also preliminary evidence that it may be linked to obesity. Several years ago, Harvard researchers reported that people who had higher BPA concentrations in their urine were more likely to be obese; in May, Canadian researchers reported that the body seems to break down BPA into a compound that might spur the growth of fat cells.
RELATED: 6 Eco-Friendly and Socially Conscious Gifts
Reduce your risk Eat fresh or frozen food instead of canned, or choose brands sold in BPA-free cans. Researchers from Harvard and the CDC found that people who consumed a 12-ounce serving of canned soup every day for five days had a twelvefold increase in BPA levels in their urine compared with those who ate fresh soup—a temporary blip, since the body gets rid of BPA quickly, but potentially worrisome if you eat canned food regularly or have other exposures. Store food in glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers. And avoid microwaving in plastic, because heating the containers allows the chemicals they contain (whether BPA or other compounds) to leach into food, says Birnbaum.
Pesticides (including organophosphates)
What are they?
Poisons formulated to kill, harm or repel pests. Farmers may apply them on fields, and they're in many lawn, garden and home products.
What's the worry?
They can damage your nervous system, irritate your skin or eyes, affect your hormones or even cause cancer. The biggest risk by far is to farm workers and those who live near farms, who are exposed to higher levels than the rest of us, says Irva Hertz-Picciotto, PhD, a pesticide researcher at the UC Davis MIND Institute.
For starters, farmers and other agricultural workers appear to have higher rates of certain cancers. In March, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, raised new concerns about a link between glyphosate, the active ingredient in weed killers such as Roundup, and cancer risk. (Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, disputes the IARC's findings.) But pesticides in the home also pose a potential danger. A new review published in Pediatrics connected indoor pesticide exposure to a significantly higher risk of childhood leukemia and lymphoma.
Researchers are also studying the relationship between pesticides and neurodevelopmental disorders. A study of an agricultural region of California found that evidence of pesticide exposure in pregnant women was linked to a higher risk of attention problems in their young children. And last year, researchers at the MIND Institute reported that pregnant women who lived near fields where chemical pesticides were used had a roughly two-thirds higher risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder, and an even higher risk of having one with other developmental delays.
What about pesticide residues in nonorganic food? The American Cancer Society says there's no evidence at present that they increase the risk of cancer. However, research by Hertz-Picciotto and her colleagues has shown that there may be a risk to kids' neurological health.
Reduce your risk Go organic. "That alone can reduce exposure to pesticides by 90 percent," says Dr. Landrigan. When researchers at Emory University and the University of Washington substituted organic food for children's conventional diets for five days, the metabolites for two types of organophosphate pesticides all but disappeared from the kids' urine. Can't afford all-organic? Choose fruits and veggies with lower pesticide residues (see the Environmental Working Group's guide at ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php) and scrub them with water to reduce surface chemicals further.
And, of course, minimize or eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides in and around your home—and remove shoes at the door to prevent tracking in chemicals, says Dr. Zlatnik.
RELATED: 10 Dirty (Plus 5 Clean) Fruits and Veggies
Phthalates
What are they?
These chemicals make plastic flexible (think vinyl shower curtains, food packaging and soft plastic food containers, garden hoses, medical tubing, kids' toys). They're also in products like shampoo, hairspray and nail polish; if you see "parfum" or "fragrance" on a label, it could contain phthalates.
What's the worry?
Phthalates, which decrease testosterone and may also mimic estrogen, have been linked to increased breast cancer risk. "I'm particularly concerned about the effects during pregnancy," says Shanna Swan, PhD, professor of preventive medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She and her colleagues have found that exposure to phthalates in the womb might affect baby boys' sexual development. "Fetal development is to a large extent determined by hormones, so phthalates may be having other subtle effects as well," she says.
Those at elevated risk include women exposed to high levels through jobs in the automotive industry, rubber hose manufacturing facilities and nail salons, but as with other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, scientists are concerned that low doses might be harmful, too.
Reduce your risk The main source of exposure to one of the most concerning phthalates, DEHP, is food, says Swan, so avoid microwaving in plastic, and if you eat, drink or store food in plastic, steer clear of those labeled #3. Also, buy low-fat dairy products and eat leaner cuts of meat, says Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, associate professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Washington. In 2014, she and colleagues reported that dairy (particularly cream) and meat can contain high levels of a certain type of phthalate, possibly from animal feed or because the chemicals leach into the food from plastics used in processing and packaging.
Congress has already banned several phthalates in toys and in teething and feeding products, but since plastics contain a concoction of chemicals, it's best to avoid plastic toys until your child outgrows the tendency to mouth them, advises Woodruff.
Phthalates can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin as well, which means personal-care products may pose a slight risk. "Choose products that contain few ingredients and are unscented—which means they probably don't contain phthalates," says Woodruff.
As scientists continue to sift through the concerns over chemicals, new scares are likely to keep making headlines. But instead of fretting, let Congress know where you stand. And try to put the risks in perspective, suggests Woodruff: "The sanest approach is to make a few changes to the food and products you buy and adopt some simple habits that reduce your exposure—then enjoy your life.
What about parabens?
These preservatives (found in products like makeup, moisturizers and hair care) have been in use since the 1930s and have long been deemed safe. Parabens are considered to be weak estrogen mimics—10,000 to 100,000 times less active than the estrogen in your body, according to one 1998 study. While they could theoretically increase breast cancer risk, at this point the risk is just that—theoretical—"and based on animal and other lab studies," says Janet Gray, PhD, director of science, technology and society at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who researches environmental impacts on breast cancer. Bottom line: There's no need to panic about parabens, but it's always wise to limit your exposure to any chemicals that may act like hormones—in this case, by opting for paraben-free personal-care products.
RELATED: 3 Beauty Products You Need to Ditch, Stat
Additives that only sound dangerous
Just because these ingredients have hard-to-pronounce names doesn't make them evil. Don't freak if you see them on the side of a package; they're safe.
Azodicarbonamide is added to flour as a whitening agent and to help bread dough rise. It caused an uproar when it was revealed that it's also used to make yoga mats and a variety of other products you wouldn't want to eat. The World Health Organization has said it can be potentially dangerous when inhaled, possibly triggering asthma in workers who are heavily exposed during the manufacturing process. But as a food additive, it is used in tiny amounts—a maximum of 0.0045 percent of the treated flour, points out Alissa Rumsey, RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Xanthan gum is a sugarlike substance made from fermentation, feeding cornstarch to bacteria. It's used as a thickener and emulsifier—it helps keep oil and water from separating in products—and increases shelf life. It's in salad dressings and sauces and is what gives most gluten-free breads and baked goods a texture similar to that of wheat-based breads. Some people are allergic to xanthan gum, but if you don't have an allergy, it's harmless, says Rumsey.
RELATED: Which Internet Food Rumors Are True?
Ascorbyl palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C. It helps increase the shelf life of foods and makes food color last longer. When you consume it, it breaks down into vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and palmitate, a kind of fat, explains Rumsey. "Vitamins often have worrisome-sounding names, but this one is actually an antioxidant, so it's good for you," says Robert Gravani, PhD, professor of food science at Cornell University.
Lecithin is a type of fat usually derived from egg yolks or soybeans. It's used as an emulsifier in salad dressing and as a stabilizer in bread. "It's a fat that's essential to most cells in our bodies," notes Gravani. Unless you have a soy or egg allergy, lecithin is safe to consume, says Rumsey.
Calcium propionate is added to breads and bakery products to prevent mold and bacteria growth. It has been studied extensively for toxicity, and findings were negative, says Rumsey. "Some people may get migraines triggered by foods with this preservative," she notes, "but there hasn't been much research to back this up."
Take action
It's natural to assume that the government has safety checks in place for environmental chemicals, but that's not the case. In 1976, when Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), there were roughly 62,000 substances already in use in the U.S.—all of which were grandfathered in by Congress and presumed to be safe, without testing. Since then, another 20,000 chemicals have come on the market, and very few have been tested, thanks to weak regulation, says Philip Landrigan, MD, dean for global health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
You can help make a difference in the fight to keep toxic chemicals out of our bodies and our environment. Voice your support for chemical safety reform, which Congress is currently debating: Write your members of Congress to say you're in favor of reforming the TSCA; learn more and join the movement at health.com/chemical-safety.
RELATED: 15 Ways to Be a Natural Beauty
3 things you don't have to worry about
Dyeing your hair.
Though ingredients in older (pre-1980) hair- dye formulas were shown to cause cancer in lab animals, those ingredients are no longer in use; newer studies haven't found a cancer link. Hairdressers exposed to dyes at work may have a slightly higher risk of bladder cancer, but the IARC says there's not enough evidence to link personal hair-dye use and cancer.
Keeping your mercury fillings
"I have no qualms about using them to treat my patients," says Hadie Rifai, DDS, a dentist with the Cleveland Clinic, and everyone from the Mayo Clinic to the FDA and American Dental Association agrees they're safe.
Eating sushi once a week.
"It's safe to eat two servings of fish a week. Just go for a variety of types," says Emily Oken, MD, associate professor in the department of population medicine at the Harvard School of Public Health. "That way, you get the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and, as long as you're not pregnant, you don't need to worry about mercury exposure."
Headlines like these make you want to curl up on the sofa and never leave the house—except that couch! Chances are it's loaded with toxic chemicals, too. As a savvy, health-conscious (and, OK, slightly worry-prone) woman, how are you supposed to function in a world where everything from the dust bunnies in your home to your ATM receipt could be poisoning you?
First, some perspective: Yes, chemicals are everywhere, and some are undoubtedly harmful. But linking a health issue, whether it's breast cancer or premature births, to specific substances is difficult. "We're exposed to so many chemicals—some potentially hazardous, some not—and often health problems take months or years to develop. That makes it tricky to identify the culprit," explains Tracey Woodruff, PhD, director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Moreover, the average person's exposure to any one toxin is relatively low, as is her individual health risk. The potential peril of, say, eating microwave popcorn pales in comparison to smoking, which is directly responsible for 30 percent of cancer deaths, says Margaret Kripke, PhD, professor emerita at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and co-author of the President's Cancer Panel report on environmental cancer risk.
RELATED: 9 Ways to Detox Your Home
That said, developing fetuses, infants and children are more vulnerable to chemicals' effects. In fact, this fall, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics issued a report sounding an alarm about the serious health effects of exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Whether you have little ones or not, it's smart to understand the science behind the most buzzed-about chemicals. We talked to top scientists and analyzed the research to find out what you should really be concerned about and how you can protect yourself and the planet.
Flame retardants (including polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PDBEs)
What are they?
In the 1970s, California instituted strict flammability standards for upholstered furniture sold in the state, leading manufacturers to add flame-retardant chemicals to the foam used in furniture sold throughout the U.S. Today these chemicals—designed to inhibit the spread of fire—are in chairs, sofas, cars, commercial airplanes and infant car seats. A typical sofa contains three or more pounds of treated foam.
What's the worry?
Because the flame retardants are sprayed on rather than chemically bonded to the product, the molecules migrate out of the products and collect in household dust, where they get on our hands and, inevitably, into our mouths and bodies, says Philip Landrigan, MD, a pediatrician and dean for global health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Studies have linked different formulations to a variety of health problems, but the most worrisome issue is the effects on infants' brain development. "PBDEs are fat-soluble and can easily enter the brain," says Dr. Landrigan. "When that happens to babies in the womb and during infancy, it can result in reduced IQ and a shorter attention span."
RELATED: 10 Products You Think Are Healthy, But Aren't
Flame-retardant chemicals build up in body fat and, as a result, have been found in breast milk, infant cord blood and children's blood. Children are also more exposed than adults because they crawl or play on the floor, where they come into contact with chemical-laden dust, says Ted Schettler, MD, science director of the Science and Environmental Health Network.
Several types of flame retardants have already been phased out due to safety concerns, but other (and possibly dangerous) ones have taken their place—and the old versions will likely remain in the environment for years, since they're designed to be durable.
Reduce your risk
It's not realistic to buy all new furniture, but old sofas with crumbling foam should be a priority because they release the most chemicals, says Marya G. Zlatnik, MD, professor of maternal-fetal medicine at UCSF.
The great news: In early 2014, California revised its flammability regulations, enabling furniture makers to meet the standards without flame-retardant chemicals. Many companies, including Ashley Furniture, Crate & Barrel, Ikea, La-Z-Boy and Walmart, now sell upholstered products without the chemicals. (Go to health.com/non-toxic-couch for more details on how to find furniture without flame retardants.)
RELATED: How to Clean Everything Better
New couch not in the budget? You may be able to update just the cushions with flame retardant--free foam at a local upholstery shop. In the meantime, dust and vacuum (vacuums with HEPA filters are best at removing small particles) several times a week to rid your home of dust that contains the chemicals, advises Dr. Zlatnik, and wash your hands (and your kids') before eating.
Formaldehyde
What is it?
This pungent, flammable chemical is found in the wood glue used in furniture and flooring (especially laminate) and many manufactured wood products, like particle board, medium-density fiberboard and hardwood plywood. The chemical grabbed national attention after Hurricane Katrina, when people who were put up in trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency started suffering from respiratory problems, headaches and nosebleeds linked to high concentrations of formaldehyde in the air. It made headlines again this year when 60 Minutes reported that Chinese-made laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators emitted formaldehyde at levels exceeding California standards. (The company has stopped selling the product, though its own testing program showed that the vast majority of customers' homes were within safe levels.)
RELATED: 10 Ways to Keep Air Clean at Home
What's the worry?
Inhaling formaldehyde can cause nose, throat and eye irritation and trigger asthma attacks—probably the biggest risk for most people, says David Krause, PhD, a toxicologist in Tallahassee, Fla. Although the National Toxicology Program said formaldehyde is "known to be a human carcinogen" in 2011, after studies linked it to cancers of the nose and myeloid leukemia, that research looked at manufacturing and funeral industry workers, who are exposed to higher levels of the substance than the general population, explains Laura Beane Freeman, PhD, an epidemiologist at the National Cancer Institute. However, the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned enough about the chemical that it is finalizing new national rules that will set limits on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.
Other formaldehyde-related concerns, like getting Brazilian blowouts, are likely overhyped, says Krause. "I'd be more worried about hairdressers who are exposed to those chemicals routinely than a woman who gets the treatment a few times a year," he says.
Reduce your risk
If solid wood isn't an option, the next best thing is to buy wood products that comply with the formaldehyde regulations set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)—they're the most stringent to date. (Look for a label indicating CARB phase 2 compliance, or ask the manufacturer directly if the product meets those standards.) Put products in the garage or a spare bedroom to allow the chemical to off-gas for a few days to a few weeks—or until they don't smell, which is a good sign that a large portion has off-gassed, says Krause. If you don't have that kind of time, keep your windows open as much as you can for the first few months after a new wood product is in your home.
RELATED: 8 Ways to Protect Your Health (And the Planet)
PFASs (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances; also known as perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs)
What are they?
These compounds make products more resistant to stains, grease and water; they're found in such items as sofas, carpets, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags and waterproof clothing. They're also in some nonstick cookware.
What's the worry?
PFASs can accumulate in the body (including the brain, liver, lungs, bones and kidneys) and remain for as long as a decade. Studies have shown links to kidney cancer, high cholesterol, obesity, abnormal thyroid function, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and low-birth-weight infants. Most of the research has been done on folks with very high exposures, including those who lived near chemical plants in West Virginia and Ohio, where drinking water had become contaminated. But even low levels are a concern, says Simona Balan, PhD, senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute in Berkeley, Calif.
And almost everyone has traces of PFASs in their blood, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Released from factories and consumer products, they accumulate in the environment (some versions won't degrade for thousands of years), ending up in water, fish and livestock. In May, a group of more than 200 researchers and scientists from all over the world signed the Madrid Statement, asking for a limit to production and use of these chemicals.
Reduce your risk
You probably can't completely avoid eating and drinking PFASs, but you can wash your hands often to remove those you pick up around the house (they may collect in household dust), and replace your nonstick cookware with ceramic-coated pans, advises Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program. Make popcorn on the stove instead of in the microwave, and don't get stain-resistant finishes on new cars or furniture.
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You can also help reduce the amount of these chemicals that get into the environment by opting for clothing that hasn't been treated with PFASs. Brands that have committed to phasing out the substances include Adidas, Puma and Zara. (Scientists don't know enough about whether PFASs are absorbed through the skin, so it's unclear if clothing treated with them poses a direct health risk, says Birnbaum.)
BPA (bisphenol A)
What is it?
BPA is used to make hard polycarbonate plastics (like those used for water bottles and food-storage containers) and epoxy resins, found in the lining of many food cans. There was a big news splash about the fact that it's in the thermal receipt paper you might get at the ATM and grocery store—but food and drink are the primary way most of us are exposed, according to the National Institutes of Health.
What's the worry?
BPA is considered an endocrine-disrupting chemical, which means it may act like a hormone in the body and affect the functioning of natural hormones, like estrogen. "It can potentially have a negative impact on fetal development, including brain development," says Dr. Schettler. In 2014, researchers from nine institutions, including the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Michigan, concluded that BPA is a "reproductive toxicant," based on studies showing that it reduced egg quality in women undergoing in vitro fertilization—and said there's strong evidence that it's toxic to the uterus as well. "It could disrupt women's ability to get pregnant," says Woodruff.
There's also preliminary evidence that it may be linked to obesity. Several years ago, Harvard researchers reported that people who had higher BPA concentrations in their urine were more likely to be obese; in May, Canadian researchers reported that the body seems to break down BPA into a compound that might spur the growth of fat cells.
RELATED: 6 Eco-Friendly and Socially Conscious Gifts
Reduce your risk Eat fresh or frozen food instead of canned, or choose brands sold in BPA-free cans. Researchers from Harvard and the CDC found that people who consumed a 12-ounce serving of canned soup every day for five days had a twelvefold increase in BPA levels in their urine compared with those who ate fresh soup—a temporary blip, since the body gets rid of BPA quickly, but potentially worrisome if you eat canned food regularly or have other exposures. Store food in glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers. And avoid microwaving in plastic, because heating the containers allows the chemicals they contain (whether BPA or other compounds) to leach into food, says Birnbaum.
Pesticides (including organophosphates)
What are they?
Poisons formulated to kill, harm or repel pests. Farmers may apply them on fields, and they're in many lawn, garden and home products.
What's the worry?
They can damage your nervous system, irritate your skin or eyes, affect your hormones or even cause cancer. The biggest risk by far is to farm workers and those who live near farms, who are exposed to higher levels than the rest of us, says Irva Hertz-Picciotto, PhD, a pesticide researcher at the UC Davis MIND Institute.
For starters, farmers and other agricultural workers appear to have higher rates of certain cancers. In March, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, raised new concerns about a link between glyphosate, the active ingredient in weed killers such as Roundup, and cancer risk. (Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, disputes the IARC's findings.) But pesticides in the home also pose a potential danger. A new review published in Pediatrics connected indoor pesticide exposure to a significantly higher risk of childhood leukemia and lymphoma.
Researchers are also studying the relationship between pesticides and neurodevelopmental disorders. A study of an agricultural region of California found that evidence of pesticide exposure in pregnant women was linked to a higher risk of attention problems in their young children. And last year, researchers at the MIND Institute reported that pregnant women who lived near fields where chemical pesticides were used had a roughly two-thirds higher risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder, and an even higher risk of having one with other developmental delays.
What about pesticide residues in nonorganic food? The American Cancer Society says there's no evidence at present that they increase the risk of cancer. However, research by Hertz-Picciotto and her colleagues has shown that there may be a risk to kids' neurological health.
Reduce your risk Go organic. "That alone can reduce exposure to pesticides by 90 percent," says Dr. Landrigan. When researchers at Emory University and the University of Washington substituted organic food for children's conventional diets for five days, the metabolites for two types of organophosphate pesticides all but disappeared from the kids' urine. Can't afford all-organic? Choose fruits and veggies with lower pesticide residues (see the Environmental Working Group's guide at ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php) and scrub them with water to reduce surface chemicals further.
And, of course, minimize or eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides in and around your home—and remove shoes at the door to prevent tracking in chemicals, says Dr. Zlatnik.
RELATED: 10 Dirty (Plus 5 Clean) Fruits and Veggies
Phthalates
What are they?
These chemicals make plastic flexible (think vinyl shower curtains, food packaging and soft plastic food containers, garden hoses, medical tubing, kids' toys). They're also in products like shampoo, hairspray and nail polish; if you see "parfum" or "fragrance" on a label, it could contain phthalates.
What's the worry?
Phthalates, which decrease testosterone and may also mimic estrogen, have been linked to increased breast cancer risk. "I'm particularly concerned about the effects during pregnancy," says Shanna Swan, PhD, professor of preventive medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She and her colleagues have found that exposure to phthalates in the womb might affect baby boys' sexual development. "Fetal development is to a large extent determined by hormones, so phthalates may be having other subtle effects as well," she says.
Those at elevated risk include women exposed to high levels through jobs in the automotive industry, rubber hose manufacturing facilities and nail salons, but as with other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, scientists are concerned that low doses might be harmful, too.
Reduce your risk The main source of exposure to one of the most concerning phthalates, DEHP, is food, says Swan, so avoid microwaving in plastic, and if you eat, drink or store food in plastic, steer clear of those labeled #3. Also, buy low-fat dairy products and eat leaner cuts of meat, says Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, associate professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Washington. In 2014, she and colleagues reported that dairy (particularly cream) and meat can contain high levels of a certain type of phthalate, possibly from animal feed or because the chemicals leach into the food from plastics used in processing and packaging.
Congress has already banned several phthalates in toys and in teething and feeding products, but since plastics contain a concoction of chemicals, it's best to avoid plastic toys until your child outgrows the tendency to mouth them, advises Woodruff.
Phthalates can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin as well, which means personal-care products may pose a slight risk. "Choose products that contain few ingredients and are unscented—which means they probably don't contain phthalates," says Woodruff.
As scientists continue to sift through the concerns over chemicals, new scares are likely to keep making headlines. But instead of fretting, let Congress know where you stand. And try to put the risks in perspective, suggests Woodruff: "The sanest approach is to make a few changes to the food and products you buy and adopt some simple habits that reduce your exposure—then enjoy your life.
What about parabens?
These preservatives (found in products like makeup, moisturizers and hair care) have been in use since the 1930s and have long been deemed safe. Parabens are considered to be weak estrogen mimics—10,000 to 100,000 times less active than the estrogen in your body, according to one 1998 study. While they could theoretically increase breast cancer risk, at this point the risk is just that—theoretical—"and based on animal and other lab studies," says Janet Gray, PhD, director of science, technology and society at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who researches environmental impacts on breast cancer. Bottom line: There's no need to panic about parabens, but it's always wise to limit your exposure to any chemicals that may act like hormones—in this case, by opting for paraben-free personal-care products.
RELATED: 3 Beauty Products You Need to Ditch, Stat
Additives that only sound dangerous
Just because these ingredients have hard-to-pronounce names doesn't make them evil. Don't freak if you see them on the side of a package; they're safe.
Azodicarbonamide is added to flour as a whitening agent and to help bread dough rise. It caused an uproar when it was revealed that it's also used to make yoga mats and a variety of other products you wouldn't want to eat. The World Health Organization has said it can be potentially dangerous when inhaled, possibly triggering asthma in workers who are heavily exposed during the manufacturing process. But as a food additive, it is used in tiny amounts—a maximum of 0.0045 percent of the treated flour, points out Alissa Rumsey, RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Xanthan gum is a sugarlike substance made from fermentation, feeding cornstarch to bacteria. It's used as a thickener and emulsifier—it helps keep oil and water from separating in products—and increases shelf life. It's in salad dressings and sauces and is what gives most gluten-free breads and baked goods a texture similar to that of wheat-based breads. Some people are allergic to xanthan gum, but if you don't have an allergy, it's harmless, says Rumsey.
RELATED: Which Internet Food Rumors Are True?
Ascorbyl palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C. It helps increase the shelf life of foods and makes food color last longer. When you consume it, it breaks down into vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and palmitate, a kind of fat, explains Rumsey. "Vitamins often have worrisome-sounding names, but this one is actually an antioxidant, so it's good for you," says Robert Gravani, PhD, professor of food science at Cornell University.
Lecithin is a type of fat usually derived from egg yolks or soybeans. It's used as an emulsifier in salad dressing and as a stabilizer in bread. "It's a fat that's essential to most cells in our bodies," notes Gravani. Unless you have a soy or egg allergy, lecithin is safe to consume, says Rumsey.
Calcium propionate is added to breads and bakery products to prevent mold and bacteria growth. It has been studied extensively for toxicity, and findings were negative, says Rumsey. "Some people may get migraines triggered by foods with this preservative," she notes, "but there hasn't been much research to back this up."
Take action
It's natural to assume that the government has safety checks in place for environmental chemicals, but that's not the case. In 1976, when Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), there were roughly 62,000 substances already in use in the U.S.—all of which were grandfathered in by Congress and presumed to be safe, without testing. Since then, another 20,000 chemicals have come on the market, and very few have been tested, thanks to weak regulation, says Philip Landrigan, MD, dean for global health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
You can help make a difference in the fight to keep toxic chemicals out of our bodies and our environment. Voice your support for chemical safety reform, which Congress is currently debating: Write your members of Congress to say you're in favor of reforming the TSCA; learn more and join the movement at health.com/chemical-safety.
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3 things you don't have to worry about
Dyeing your hair.
Though ingredients in older (pre-1980) hair- dye formulas were shown to cause cancer in lab animals, those ingredients are no longer in use; newer studies haven't found a cancer link. Hairdressers exposed to dyes at work may have a slightly higher risk of bladder cancer, but the IARC says there's not enough evidence to link personal hair-dye use and cancer.
Keeping your mercury fillings
"I have no qualms about using them to treat my patients," says Hadie Rifai, DDS, a dentist with the Cleveland Clinic, and everyone from the Mayo Clinic to the FDA and American Dental Association agrees they're safe.
Eating sushi once a week.
"It's safe to eat two servings of fish a week. Just go for a variety of types," says Emily Oken, MD, associate professor in the department of population medicine at the Harvard School of Public Health. "That way, you get the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and, as long as you're not pregnant, you don't need to worry about mercury exposure."
Thursday, November 12, 2015
29 Gifts For People Who Can't Live Without Coffee
Buzzworthy coffee gifts for the budding barista in your life.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
9 Pampering Gifts For a Friend Who Needs To Chill
We all need to unwind, and these gifts make it that much easier to do so. Give one—or more—to a friend who wants some relaxation in her life (which really is just about everyone!).
Monday, November 9, 2015
Hoda Kotb: "Suddenly Life's Not So Scary"
Her first name means "guidance" in Arabic, but Hoda Kotb's most defining quality might just be resilience. At 51, the Egyptian-American journalist has survived divorce and breast cancer, not to mention reporting on war zones and natural disasters. While millions tune in to watch her on TV (NBC, 10 a.m. EST), Hoda often looks to others for inspiration. Now she's collected powerful stories about people (some famous, some not) who've found their true callings—and true selves—in a new book, Where We Belong: Journeys That Show Us the Way (out Jan. 5). "I think we've all felt at some point—you don't know if you're on the right path," says Hoda. "It's nice to read about people who changed direction not because of circumstance but because they decided, 'This is the way I'm going to go.'"
RELATED: Worst Things to Say to a Breast Cancer Patient
One key lesson from the book: If you realize you're not in the right place, that doesn't mean you should quit your job and choose a wildly different track. Here's the thing: We need insurance. You can take baby steps toward that thing you're really meant to do, all the while living in a way that's still smart and practical.
You wrote about your dream to open a camp for underprivileged kids. Are you pursuing that?
Yes. I've met so many kids who are right on the bubble. They can be so much, but they live in difficult circumstances. You feel like if they just had a little more attention, love—something—they could be great.
Do you have other dreams you've yet to accomplish?
When I'm walking down the street with my boyfriend [New York City financier Joel Schiffman], I stop every baby. Seriously. It's totally crazy. He'll just walk slowly next to me. I think that, because I didn't have my own kids, the summer camp will fulfill me in that way.
RELATED: 10 Tips for Getting Pregnant
Were there times in your life when you felt you weren't in the place you belonged?
I worked in accounts payable at USAir. Look, numbers are not my thing. My checkbook is on the floor in my dressing room somewhere. That was not a fit. I covered hard news for a long time. I'm sure I was fine at it, but it doesn't feel as right as this job does.
What is it about this job that feels so right?
When I'm sitting with Kathie Lee, it's like breathing. It doesn't feel like work. I was very buttoned-up at first, so it took a while. But when you're with someone who will catch you and support you, you feel safe.
You're very fit. How do you take care of yourself?
First of all, I think I'm sort of fit. I do a little, a lot. This morning I ran in Central Park. I bet if you took my blood pressure while I'm running down Sixth Avenue toward the park versus the minute I step into the park, something happens. It just feels peaceful, especially when it's predawn.
RELATED: 15 Running Tips You Need to Know
You started walking, then running again after having a mastectomy and reconstruction in 2007. What did you learn about yourself during recovery?
Before getting sick, I always felt very lucky to have my career. I couldn't believe I got hired at Dateline. I felt kind of like I didn't deserve it. My illness empowered me in a way I didn't expect. Before, I never would've asked for my current job. I would've thought, Why would they pick me? But it gave me courage, knowing you get one ride around the sun. And then, suddenly, it isn't so scary.
You wrote last year that your body confidence was at about 90 percent. What got you there?
I think that when someone loves you, you get a kind of confidence. When you look into someone's eyes and they see beauty, it really does change how you see yourself. I guess I feel freer now than I ever did before. I don't think I ever wore a bikini before I got sick. But now I feel like "OK, this is my body," you know? "Have at it."
RELATED: Instantly Improve Your Relationship
Lessons Learned
A few epiphanies from the pages of Where We Belong.
"You're the only one who can decide...what you're going to do with your day. You can sit around thinking, I have no choice, but there's always another choice."
—Chef and internist Michelle Hauser, MD, whose high school guidance counselor in Mason City, Iowa, suggested she aspire to factory work
"Everybody's going to have an opinion, but you have to do what's in your heart."
—Laila Ali, on her decision to box and step into the spotlight
"When you look back at your life, it's really who you loved and who loved you, and how you spent your time with those you're close with."
—Neshama Abraham, who grew up in a mansion in the lap of luxury, then helped found a cohousing community in Boulder, Colo.
RELATED: Worst Things to Say to a Breast Cancer Patient
One key lesson from the book: If you realize you're not in the right place, that doesn't mean you should quit your job and choose a wildly different track. Here's the thing: We need insurance. You can take baby steps toward that thing you're really meant to do, all the while living in a way that's still smart and practical.
You wrote about your dream to open a camp for underprivileged kids. Are you pursuing that?
Yes. I've met so many kids who are right on the bubble. They can be so much, but they live in difficult circumstances. You feel like if they just had a little more attention, love—something—they could be great.
Do you have other dreams you've yet to accomplish?
When I'm walking down the street with my boyfriend [New York City financier Joel Schiffman], I stop every baby. Seriously. It's totally crazy. He'll just walk slowly next to me. I think that, because I didn't have my own kids, the summer camp will fulfill me in that way.
RELATED: 10 Tips for Getting Pregnant
Were there times in your life when you felt you weren't in the place you belonged?
I worked in accounts payable at USAir. Look, numbers are not my thing. My checkbook is on the floor in my dressing room somewhere. That was not a fit. I covered hard news for a long time. I'm sure I was fine at it, but it doesn't feel as right as this job does.
What is it about this job that feels so right?
When I'm sitting with Kathie Lee, it's like breathing. It doesn't feel like work. I was very buttoned-up at first, so it took a while. But when you're with someone who will catch you and support you, you feel safe.
You're very fit. How do you take care of yourself?
First of all, I think I'm sort of fit. I do a little, a lot. This morning I ran in Central Park. I bet if you took my blood pressure while I'm running down Sixth Avenue toward the park versus the minute I step into the park, something happens. It just feels peaceful, especially when it's predawn.
RELATED: 15 Running Tips You Need to Know
You started walking, then running again after having a mastectomy and reconstruction in 2007. What did you learn about yourself during recovery?
Before getting sick, I always felt very lucky to have my career. I couldn't believe I got hired at Dateline. I felt kind of like I didn't deserve it. My illness empowered me in a way I didn't expect. Before, I never would've asked for my current job. I would've thought, Why would they pick me? But it gave me courage, knowing you get one ride around the sun. And then, suddenly, it isn't so scary.
You wrote last year that your body confidence was at about 90 percent. What got you there?
I think that when someone loves you, you get a kind of confidence. When you look into someone's eyes and they see beauty, it really does change how you see yourself. I guess I feel freer now than I ever did before. I don't think I ever wore a bikini before I got sick. But now I feel like "OK, this is my body," you know? "Have at it."
RELATED: Instantly Improve Your Relationship
Lessons Learned
A few epiphanies from the pages of Where We Belong.
"You're the only one who can decide...what you're going to do with your day. You can sit around thinking, I have no choice, but there's always another choice."
—Chef and internist Michelle Hauser, MD, whose high school guidance counselor in Mason City, Iowa, suggested she aspire to factory work
"Everybody's going to have an opinion, but you have to do what's in your heart."
—Laila Ali, on her decision to box and step into the spotlight
"When you look back at your life, it's really who you loved and who loved you, and how you spent your time with those you're close with."
—Neshama Abraham, who grew up in a mansion in the lap of luxury, then helped found a cohousing community in Boulder, Colo.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
How To: Cut a T-Shirt into a Tank Top
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The post How To: Cut a T-Shirt into a Tank Top appeared first on Teespring T-Shirts.
T-Shirt Quilting! – How to make an heirloom quilt!
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The post T-Shirt Quilting! – How to make an heirloom quilt! appeared first on Teespring T-Shirts.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Thursday, November 5, 2015
10 Must-Have Gifts for Anyone Who Loves Tea
Brew up a special gift with these tea infusers, blends, kettles, and other tea products
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Monday, November 2, 2015
6 Eco-Friendly and Socially Conscious Gifts
Be kind to mother earth (as well as the people who inhabit it!) with these perfect presents.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
12 Facts You Should Know About Ovarian Cysts
What are ovarian cysts? Experts explain this common (and usually harmless) condition.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Who's Taking Care Of You?
I do so much for my family that I have almost no time and energy left for me. How can I add myself to the list?
Everyone knows that old saying about putting on your own oxygen mask before you help others, but guilt and worry can hold you back. Yet chances are you're shouldering responsibilities you don't need to, so you're more in control of having a break than you think.
Your first order is to off-load a bit. Go through your day, considering your typical to-dos. Perhaps your oldest child can help the younger one get ready for bed, say, or your husband can handle laundry duty once a week. If it's hard to let go, reality-check yourself: So what if someone doesn't do it exactly like I do? Will that really matter? You'll likely realize the answer is no. Being a do-it-all martyr does nobody in your family any favors—the stress inevitably seeps out.
Once you've delegated, at the beginning of the week (when you're strong), slate in the yoga class and meet-up with friends to make sure you get "me" time.
RELATED: 5 Reasons You Always Feel Guilty (and How to Stop Being So Hard On Yourself)
My sister and I both look after our mother, who has Alzheimer's. But I handle most of it, and I'm becoming resentful. When I bring this up with my sister, she gets defensive. Ideas?
Caring for a gravely ill parent is exhausting and painful—sometimes so much so that family members go into denial and turn away. If your sister doesn't live nearby, you could say, "I know it's not easy for you to be here. Could you contribute money toward care?"
Otherwise, have a face-to-face and make the conversation more about you. Let her know that regularly tending to your mother is a strain. Ask her to brainstorm solutions; perhaps she could bring meals on weekends. Discussing ideas may have the added benefit of getting her to open up. She might say that she finds it hard to visit your mother because Mom doesn't always recognize her and it's upsetting—leading to a discussion that can be cathartic for both of you.
RELATED: Tips for Caregivers
Is there anything I can say to a 40-something man to get him to start picking up after himself?
It's hard to change old habits, but not impossible—even the socks-on-the-floor one. The key is to avoid confronting your partner on the spot; it's tricky to not sound frustrated or mad, and if you do, he won't hear you because he'll be busy defending himself. Instead, choose a calm moment and explain how you feel: "When you leave clothes/crumbs/whatever lying around and figure that I'll pick up after you, it makes me feel taken advantage of." Be specific about what you'd like him to do. You might say, "Can you just toss your clothes into the laundry basket?" When he does it, give him a big "Thanks, I appreciate that!" or a gratitude kiss for reinforcement. If he needs reminders, humor always helps. You: "That's some obstacle course on the floor—could you grab that stuff?" Him (hopefully): "Sure, no problem!"
Everyone knows that old saying about putting on your own oxygen mask before you help others, but guilt and worry can hold you back. Yet chances are you're shouldering responsibilities you don't need to, so you're more in control of having a break than you think.
Your first order is to off-load a bit. Go through your day, considering your typical to-dos. Perhaps your oldest child can help the younger one get ready for bed, say, or your husband can handle laundry duty once a week. If it's hard to let go, reality-check yourself: So what if someone doesn't do it exactly like I do? Will that really matter? You'll likely realize the answer is no. Being a do-it-all martyr does nobody in your family any favors—the stress inevitably seeps out.
Once you've delegated, at the beginning of the week (when you're strong), slate in the yoga class and meet-up with friends to make sure you get "me" time.
RELATED: 5 Reasons You Always Feel Guilty (and How to Stop Being So Hard On Yourself)
My sister and I both look after our mother, who has Alzheimer's. But I handle most of it, and I'm becoming resentful. When I bring this up with my sister, she gets defensive. Ideas?
Caring for a gravely ill parent is exhausting and painful—sometimes so much so that family members go into denial and turn away. If your sister doesn't live nearby, you could say, "I know it's not easy for you to be here. Could you contribute money toward care?"
Otherwise, have a face-to-face and make the conversation more about you. Let her know that regularly tending to your mother is a strain. Ask her to brainstorm solutions; perhaps she could bring meals on weekends. Discussing ideas may have the added benefit of getting her to open up. She might say that she finds it hard to visit your mother because Mom doesn't always recognize her and it's upsetting—leading to a discussion that can be cathartic for both of you.
RELATED: Tips for Caregivers
Is there anything I can say to a 40-something man to get him to start picking up after himself?
It's hard to change old habits, but not impossible—even the socks-on-the-floor one. The key is to avoid confronting your partner on the spot; it's tricky to not sound frustrated or mad, and if you do, he won't hear you because he'll be busy defending himself. Instead, choose a calm moment and explain how you feel: "When you leave clothes/crumbs/whatever lying around and figure that I'll pick up after you, it makes me feel taken advantage of." Be specific about what you'd like him to do. You might say, "Can you just toss your clothes into the laundry basket?" When he does it, give him a big "Thanks, I appreciate that!" or a gratitude kiss for reinforcement. If he needs reminders, humor always helps. You: "That's some obstacle course on the floor—could you grab that stuff?" Him (hopefully): "Sure, no problem!"
7 White Noise Machines That Could Help You (Finally) Get a Good Night's Sleep
These soothing, noise-masking gadgets are designed to help you drift off to the land of nod, and stay there all night long.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
5 Myths Even Doctors Believe
When you ask a doctor a question, you expect an answer backed by the latest science. But the reality is, the field of medicine is always advancing, and “there's too much knowledge for any one physician to master,” says Renée Fox, PhD, professor emerita at the University of Pennsylvania, who studies the sociology of medical research, education and ethics. As a result, certain popular beliefs that seem to make sense persist long after they've been challenged by studies. So we asked a range of experts, “What health myths drive you nuts?” Here, they bust five vexing misconceptions.
RELATED: 15 Diseases Doctors Often Get Wrong
MYTH: “Rest is best for back pain.”
THE ORIGINS
In years past, doctors tended to assume the worst—that back pain was a sign of a serious injury—and thought the way to heal was to stay off your feet. Today we know that most soreness stems from the muscles, ligaments and joints. Yet “many ER and primary care doctors still default to 'rest' out of uncertainty or a fear of liability,” says Robert Eastlack, MD, codirector of the San Diego Spine Fellowship at the Scripps Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery.
SCIENCE SAYS
The vast majority of back problems— from lumbar sprains to slipped disks—benefit from activity, according to 2007 guidelines from the American College of Physicians. Studies have shown that bed rest actually makes pain worse and last longer. “The key is to keep moving,” says Dr. Eastlack—to stretch out tight muscle fibers and prevent your joints from stiffening. He suggests starting with gentle daily exercise, like walking or swimming. Then gradually work your way up to more vigorous activities, like running, yoga or spin, as you become able to tolerate them. If the pain worsens or hasn't improved significantly in four to six weeks, get it checked out by your doctor.
RELATED: 15 Natural Back Pain Remedies
MYTH: “Hormone replacement therapy causes cancer.”
THE ORIGINS
Docs can be skittish about prescribing estrogen to ease symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. But they're probably clinging to outdated findings from a 2002 NIH Womens Health Initiative study that linked hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to a slightly elevated risk of breast cancer—even though more recent research has demonstrated that that risk is not associated with how HRT is formulated and prescribed today.
SCIENCE SAYS
Several large studies have shown that taking estrogen is safe, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine: “It really makes me crazy when doctors tell patients they'll suffer terrible consequences from hormone therapy.” Typically it's needed for only two to three years to treat menopausal symptoms, she adds. There are women who cant take estrogen (say, because of a history of breast cancer or blood clots). For them there's another option to ease hot flashes: Brisdelle, a very low-dose antidepressant.
MYTH: “If medical tests come back negative, painful sex is probably in your head.”
THE ORIGINS
When a patient says she has discomfort during intercourse, doctors typically consider a host of diagnoses—from dryness and infections to endometriosis, polyps and fibroids. But when they get to the end of their list, they're often stumped, says Libby Edwards, MD, a dermatologist in Charlotte, N.C., who specializes in genital skin conditions: “Our residency programs generally aren't teaching about other causes of painful sex.”
SCIENCE SAYS
There's a little-known syndrome called vestibulodynia, which cant be tested for and is far more common than previously thought— affecting an estimated 12 percent of women at some point in their lives. The elusive disorder causes tenderness in the vaginal opening upon penetration, even by a tampon. Symptoms may come on slowly or suddenly; they can last for a few months or go on for years. Gynecology journals and textbooks include hardly anything about it, says Dr. Minkin. And the majority of women have to see at least three practitioners before they get a diagnosis, according to a Harvard Medical School study. But once you know you have it, there are a variety of ways to treat the pain, says Dr. Minkin, including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.
RELATED: 10 Ways to Deal With Painful Sex
MYTH: “A history of breast cancer only matters if it's on your mother's side.”
THE ORIGINS
Doctors who finished their training before the discovery of the BRCA genes in the mid- 1990s were taught to assess a woman's inherited risk by asking about her female first-degree relatives (mother and sisters). Faulty logic has helped that outdated approach persist, says Louise Morrell, MD, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and genetics in Boca Raton, Fla. “We intuitively associate a female disease with the female side of the family,” she explains. Indeed, a recent study by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found that women with a paternal history of the disease were less likely to get a referral for genetic counseling than women with a maternal history.
SCIENCE SAYS
“For every single gene you have, you get one copy from your mom and one copy from your dad,” explains Dr. Morrell. That means the mutations associated with breast cancer are just as likely to come from Dad's DNA. “Knowing you are at a higher risk for the disease could save your life,” she adds. Make sure your provider takes a thorough family history. If you're still concerned, consider making an appointment with a genetic counselor (find one at nsgc.org). You might be a candidate for earlier mammograms or more frequent screenings, additional screening tests such as MRIs or other preventive strategies, like taking the drug tamoxifen.
RELATED: 12 Things That Probably Don't Increase Breast Cancer Risk
MYTH: “Younger women aren't at risk of stroke.”
THE ORIGINS
The prominent signs of stroke in a woman under 45—dizziness or a headache—are not the same symptoms doctors look for in older patients (including weakness on one side and trouble talking), explains David Newman-Toker, MD, associate professor in the department of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In a recent study, he found that stroke victims under 45 are nearly seven times as likely to be diagnosed incorrectly (with, for example, an inner ear infection or a migraine). And female stroke victims in general are 30 percent more likely to be mistakenly sent home from the hospital. “If you're a young woman, its a double whammy,” says Dr. Newman-Toker.
SCIENCE SAYS
Strokes are on the rise in younger women, according to the American Heart Association, largely due to health factors like obesity. But another common cause is injury to blood vessels in the neck. It could happen from a major trauma like a car accident, or even from a more minor incident, such as tweaking your neck on a roller coaster. Hormonal birth control can also increase the risk of stroke in women who get migraines or who have an undiagnosed bloodclotting disorder. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia are in danger as well. To make up for what physicians miss, know the signs, urges Dr. Newman- Toker. If you ever get a sudden onset of dizziness or a severe headache— and possibly hiccups or nausea—that sends you to the ER, ask the doc this question: “Why do you think it's not a stroke?” Says Dr. Newman-Toker, “If he can't answer in a way that sounds halfway intelligible, speak to another doctor.”
RELATED: 15 Diseases Doctors Often Get Wrong
WOULD YOU BELIEVE?!
Docs dispel these common myths they keep hearing from patients.
“Wiping back to front leads to a UTI.”
The warnings you heard growing up? Flush 'em. “Clearly, if you take stool and put it on your urethra, you're going to get an infection,” says Lauren Streicher, MD, associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. But that's not the same as wiping back to front. (Just wipe your behind separately!)
“Drinking more water can clear up my skin.”
If only. “One of the main causes of acne is an accumulation of dead skin cells and oil—which has nothing to do with how hydrated you are,” says Amy Ross, MD, a dermatologist in Palm Harbor, Fla.
“My fillings will give me mercury poisoning.”
The amount of mercury in silver fillings is nowhere near enough to cause problems. “As long as a filling is intact, I recommend leaving it alone,” says Matthew Nejad, DDS, a dentist in Beverly Hills. “Removing it could lead to complications.”
“You'll get a yeast infection from sitting in a wet bathing suit.”
“It's true that yeast like to grow in warm, moist places. But a vagina is a warm, moist place all the time—whether you have a bathing suit on or not,” says Dr. Streicher.
RELATED: 15 Diseases Doctors Often Get Wrong
MYTH: “Rest is best for back pain.”
THE ORIGINS
In years past, doctors tended to assume the worst—that back pain was a sign of a serious injury—and thought the way to heal was to stay off your feet. Today we know that most soreness stems from the muscles, ligaments and joints. Yet “many ER and primary care doctors still default to 'rest' out of uncertainty or a fear of liability,” says Robert Eastlack, MD, codirector of the San Diego Spine Fellowship at the Scripps Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery.
SCIENCE SAYS
The vast majority of back problems— from lumbar sprains to slipped disks—benefit from activity, according to 2007 guidelines from the American College of Physicians. Studies have shown that bed rest actually makes pain worse and last longer. “The key is to keep moving,” says Dr. Eastlack—to stretch out tight muscle fibers and prevent your joints from stiffening. He suggests starting with gentle daily exercise, like walking or swimming. Then gradually work your way up to more vigorous activities, like running, yoga or spin, as you become able to tolerate them. If the pain worsens or hasn't improved significantly in four to six weeks, get it checked out by your doctor.
RELATED: 15 Natural Back Pain Remedies
MYTH: “Hormone replacement therapy causes cancer.”
THE ORIGINS
Docs can be skittish about prescribing estrogen to ease symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. But they're probably clinging to outdated findings from a 2002 NIH Womens Health Initiative study that linked hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to a slightly elevated risk of breast cancer—even though more recent research has demonstrated that that risk is not associated with how HRT is formulated and prescribed today.
SCIENCE SAYS
Several large studies have shown that taking estrogen is safe, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine: “It really makes me crazy when doctors tell patients they'll suffer terrible consequences from hormone therapy.” Typically it's needed for only two to three years to treat menopausal symptoms, she adds. There are women who cant take estrogen (say, because of a history of breast cancer or blood clots). For them there's another option to ease hot flashes: Brisdelle, a very low-dose antidepressant.
MYTH: “If medical tests come back negative, painful sex is probably in your head.”
THE ORIGINS
When a patient says she has discomfort during intercourse, doctors typically consider a host of diagnoses—from dryness and infections to endometriosis, polyps and fibroids. But when they get to the end of their list, they're often stumped, says Libby Edwards, MD, a dermatologist in Charlotte, N.C., who specializes in genital skin conditions: “Our residency programs generally aren't teaching about other causes of painful sex.”
SCIENCE SAYS
There's a little-known syndrome called vestibulodynia, which cant be tested for and is far more common than previously thought— affecting an estimated 12 percent of women at some point in their lives. The elusive disorder causes tenderness in the vaginal opening upon penetration, even by a tampon. Symptoms may come on slowly or suddenly; they can last for a few months or go on for years. Gynecology journals and textbooks include hardly anything about it, says Dr. Minkin. And the majority of women have to see at least three practitioners before they get a diagnosis, according to a Harvard Medical School study. But once you know you have it, there are a variety of ways to treat the pain, says Dr. Minkin, including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.
RELATED: 10 Ways to Deal With Painful Sex
MYTH: “A history of breast cancer only matters if it's on your mother's side.”
THE ORIGINS
Doctors who finished their training before the discovery of the BRCA genes in the mid- 1990s were taught to assess a woman's inherited risk by asking about her female first-degree relatives (mother and sisters). Faulty logic has helped that outdated approach persist, says Louise Morrell, MD, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and genetics in Boca Raton, Fla. “We intuitively associate a female disease with the female side of the family,” she explains. Indeed, a recent study by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found that women with a paternal history of the disease were less likely to get a referral for genetic counseling than women with a maternal history.
SCIENCE SAYS
“For every single gene you have, you get one copy from your mom and one copy from your dad,” explains Dr. Morrell. That means the mutations associated with breast cancer are just as likely to come from Dad's DNA. “Knowing you are at a higher risk for the disease could save your life,” she adds. Make sure your provider takes a thorough family history. If you're still concerned, consider making an appointment with a genetic counselor (find one at nsgc.org). You might be a candidate for earlier mammograms or more frequent screenings, additional screening tests such as MRIs or other preventive strategies, like taking the drug tamoxifen.
RELATED: 12 Things That Probably Don't Increase Breast Cancer Risk
MYTH: “Younger women aren't at risk of stroke.”
THE ORIGINS
The prominent signs of stroke in a woman under 45—dizziness or a headache—are not the same symptoms doctors look for in older patients (including weakness on one side and trouble talking), explains David Newman-Toker, MD, associate professor in the department of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In a recent study, he found that stroke victims under 45 are nearly seven times as likely to be diagnosed incorrectly (with, for example, an inner ear infection or a migraine). And female stroke victims in general are 30 percent more likely to be mistakenly sent home from the hospital. “If you're a young woman, its a double whammy,” says Dr. Newman-Toker.
SCIENCE SAYS
Strokes are on the rise in younger women, according to the American Heart Association, largely due to health factors like obesity. But another common cause is injury to blood vessels in the neck. It could happen from a major trauma like a car accident, or even from a more minor incident, such as tweaking your neck on a roller coaster. Hormonal birth control can also increase the risk of stroke in women who get migraines or who have an undiagnosed bloodclotting disorder. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia are in danger as well. To make up for what physicians miss, know the signs, urges Dr. Newman- Toker. If you ever get a sudden onset of dizziness or a severe headache— and possibly hiccups or nausea—that sends you to the ER, ask the doc this question: “Why do you think it's not a stroke?” Says Dr. Newman-Toker, “If he can't answer in a way that sounds halfway intelligible, speak to another doctor.”
RELATED: 15 Diseases Doctors Often Get Wrong
WOULD YOU BELIEVE?!
Docs dispel these common myths they keep hearing from patients.
“Wiping back to front leads to a UTI.”
The warnings you heard growing up? Flush 'em. “Clearly, if you take stool and put it on your urethra, you're going to get an infection,” says Lauren Streicher, MD, associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. But that's not the same as wiping back to front. (Just wipe your behind separately!)
“Drinking more water can clear up my skin.”
If only. “One of the main causes of acne is an accumulation of dead skin cells and oil—which has nothing to do with how hydrated you are,” says Amy Ross, MD, a dermatologist in Palm Harbor, Fla.
“My fillings will give me mercury poisoning.”
The amount of mercury in silver fillings is nowhere near enough to cause problems. “As long as a filling is intact, I recommend leaving it alone,” says Matthew Nejad, DDS, a dentist in Beverly Hills. “Removing it could lead to complications.”
“You'll get a yeast infection from sitting in a wet bathing suit.”
“It's true that yeast like to grow in warm, moist places. But a vagina is a warm, moist place all the time—whether you have a bathing suit on or not,” says Dr. Streicher.
Is Your Pet Wrecking Your Sleep?
We hate to break it to you, but Spot may be depriving you of shut-eye, big-time. According to a recent Mayo Clinic study, 18 percent of pet owners felt that their animal disturbed their slumber. But the actual numbers are likely higher.
"I think many people don't want to admit that their cat or dog interrupts their sleep, because they're intensely loyal to their animals," says study co-author Lois Krahn, MD, professor of psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorder Center. "But putting up with poor sleep just because you love your pet can negatively affect things like your mood, memory and, in extreme cases, even your heart."
RELATED: 11 Signs You're Sleep Deprived
Fidgety, noisy pets—who toss, turn, lick and scratch in bed—can keep you from falling or staying asleep, the same way a snoring husband can. Even if you're not consciously waking up, your dog or cat could be causing "microarousals," or mini wake-ups, throughout the night, which also disrupt your sleep cycle, notes Dr. Krahn. And that can leave you constantly tired (and confused as to why).
Sound familiar? Then it's time for tough love. "People ask me what to do about a cat or dog who hurts their sleep, but when I tell them to kick him out of their bedroom, they'll say, 'Oh, I can't do that—it will traumatize my pet,'" says Meir Kryger, MD, professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine.
Good news: "If you go about it the right way, your pet probably won't mind," says Ellen Lindell, VMD, a veterinary behaviorist in New York City. Use these pointers to relocate your pet and get a doggone good night's sleep.
RELATED: How to Reduce Pet Allergens at Home
Retrain your pet
Keep your dog from curling up by buying him his own plush bed and rewarding him with treats and scratches when he rests there at any time of the day, says Dr. Lindell. Then, at night, move his bed next to yours, and reach down and pet him so he knows he's being a good pup. If your dog is too loud to be so nearby, get a gate you can put in your door that allows him to see in but blocks him from entering the room.
As for cats, they love having lots of warm, soft sleeping options, so you may simply need to provide yours with more.
RELATED: 14 Surprising Pet Poisoning Dangers
Teach a new family member good habits
"It's easier to create and enforce rules early on than after bad habits develop," says Dr. Lindell. For dogs, consider crate training from the start—many pups see their crate as a safe den for sleep. Place the crate outside your room so his scratching and licking won't wake you.
New cat owners should create lots of comfortable sleeping spaces—and get your kitty to use them by keeping the bedroom door closed at night.
"I think many people don't want to admit that their cat or dog interrupts their sleep, because they're intensely loyal to their animals," says study co-author Lois Krahn, MD, professor of psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorder Center. "But putting up with poor sleep just because you love your pet can negatively affect things like your mood, memory and, in extreme cases, even your heart."
RELATED: 11 Signs You're Sleep Deprived
Fidgety, noisy pets—who toss, turn, lick and scratch in bed—can keep you from falling or staying asleep, the same way a snoring husband can. Even if you're not consciously waking up, your dog or cat could be causing "microarousals," or mini wake-ups, throughout the night, which also disrupt your sleep cycle, notes Dr. Krahn. And that can leave you constantly tired (and confused as to why).
Sound familiar? Then it's time for tough love. "People ask me what to do about a cat or dog who hurts their sleep, but when I tell them to kick him out of their bedroom, they'll say, 'Oh, I can't do that—it will traumatize my pet,'" says Meir Kryger, MD, professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine.
Good news: "If you go about it the right way, your pet probably won't mind," says Ellen Lindell, VMD, a veterinary behaviorist in New York City. Use these pointers to relocate your pet and get a doggone good night's sleep.
RELATED: How to Reduce Pet Allergens at Home
Retrain your pet
Keep your dog from curling up by buying him his own plush bed and rewarding him with treats and scratches when he rests there at any time of the day, says Dr. Lindell. Then, at night, move his bed next to yours, and reach down and pet him so he knows he's being a good pup. If your dog is too loud to be so nearby, get a gate you can put in your door that allows him to see in but blocks him from entering the room.
As for cats, they love having lots of warm, soft sleeping options, so you may simply need to provide yours with more.
RELATED: 14 Surprising Pet Poisoning Dangers
Teach a new family member good habits
"It's easier to create and enforce rules early on than after bad habits develop," says Dr. Lindell. For dogs, consider crate training from the start—many pups see their crate as a safe den for sleep. Place the crate outside your room so his scratching and licking won't wake you.
New cat owners should create lots of comfortable sleeping spaces—and get your kitty to use them by keeping the bedroom door closed at night.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
22 Strange Ways the Sun May Affect Your Body
Skin cancer isn't the only health consequence of sun exposure—and in fact, in some ways, soaking up some rays may actually improve your wellbeing.
Monday, October 19, 2015
20 Weird Ways Breathing Right Can Improve Your Life
Focusing on your breath can reduce stress, spice up your sex life, help you burn more calories, and more.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
What is in an Essentia Mattress?
The base ingredient the Essentia mattress uses is natural latex from Indonesia. This is harvested sustainably in the rubber tree, or the Hevea brasiliensis. The latex sap is collected without killing the tree.
How the Essentia mattress is in fact made is unknown because the approach is under patent. However we do know the ingredients that they add to the latex to create the finished product:
All-Natural grapefruit seed oil
Organic coneflower essence
Organic jasmine essence
GMO free plant extracts
Water
Memory foam is unsuitable as a mattress substance on its own. It desires a more solid layer to sit down underneath it. So these mattresses possess a bottom layer of natural dunlop latex with the layer of natural memory foam going on top.
Every mattress requires a cover. They wrap their products in certified unbleached organic cotton material.
The Essentia Mattress Range
essentia mattress
image by PhylG
7 different mattresses are offered by essentia mattress range to cater for people's varied needs.
They're created using a supporting layer of latex with their unique natural memory foam on the top.
The major differences among Essentia mattresses are the foam's density and the depth of the layers. The density that is higher and the thicker the foam it's the better the quality.
The Grateful Bed is the fundamental model. It includes a 4 inch layer of cotton with a 3 inch layer of latex on the top, with 1 inch of 5.25lb density memory foam along with that.
The Tatami is also a simple model but a little step up.
At 8 inches it's just like the previous two but it has a greater proportion of memory foam that is natural.
The Energie Opus is the next thing upward. It has a thicker layer of memory foam than the Classic 8, with 3 inches of 5.25lb density foam, staying at the top of a 5 inch layer of latex. This is softer compared to the Classic 8.
The Beausommet steps it up again. This has 2 inches of higher density 6.25lb memory foam and 1 inch of 5.25lb memory foam on top of 5 inches of latex. That is moderate firm.
This stays on top of 4 inches. That is softer compared to the Beausommet and offers maximum contouring support.
The Dormeuse Fior mattress is the best end. The base is 3 inches of latex. The first is 2 inches of 5.25lb density and the second is 1 inch of 5.25lb. The concluding layer is named the "Fior" layer, which is a really soft form of memory foam designed for a more plush feel.
How the Essentia mattress is in fact made is unknown because the approach is under patent. However we do know the ingredients that they add to the latex to create the finished product:
All-Natural grapefruit seed oil
Organic coneflower essence
Organic jasmine essence
GMO free plant extracts
Water
Memory foam is unsuitable as a mattress substance on its own. It desires a more solid layer to sit down underneath it. So these mattresses possess a bottom layer of natural dunlop latex with the layer of natural memory foam going on top.
Every mattress requires a cover. They wrap their products in certified unbleached organic cotton material.
The Essentia Mattress Range
essentia mattress
image by PhylG
7 different mattresses are offered by essentia mattress range to cater for people's varied needs.
They're created using a supporting layer of latex with their unique natural memory foam on the top.
The major differences among Essentia mattresses are the foam's density and the depth of the layers. The density that is higher and the thicker the foam it's the better the quality.
The Grateful Bed is the fundamental model. It includes a 4 inch layer of cotton with a 3 inch layer of latex on the top, with 1 inch of 5.25lb density memory foam along with that.
The Tatami is also a simple model but a little step up.
At 8 inches it's just like the previous two but it has a greater proportion of memory foam that is natural.
The Energie Opus is the next thing upward. It has a thicker layer of memory foam than the Classic 8, with 3 inches of 5.25lb density foam, staying at the top of a 5 inch layer of latex. This is softer compared to the Classic 8.
The Beausommet steps it up again. This has 2 inches of higher density 6.25lb memory foam and 1 inch of 5.25lb memory foam on top of 5 inches of latex. That is moderate firm.
This stays on top of 4 inches. That is softer compared to the Beausommet and offers maximum contouring support.
The Dormeuse Fior mattress is the best end. The base is 3 inches of latex. The first is 2 inches of 5.25lb density and the second is 1 inch of 5.25lb. The concluding layer is named the "Fior" layer, which is a really soft form of memory foam designed for a more plush feel.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Why Thousands of Women Are Having Their Breast Implants Removed
A few months ago, Christie, 42, walked into a plastic surgeon's office in Seattle with overflowing E-cup implants. After getting general anesthesia, she left about three hours later with Bs.
The information technology specialist had started to feel like the boob job she'd gotten four years ago at the urging of her then boyfriend had become an obstacle, in her career and otherwise. "I've made a lot of transformations with my health in the last few years, eating well and exercising with a trainer, and the inflated boobs didn't fit in—I could barely run because they were so damn heavy," says Christie, who would rather not share her surname. Her last straw: "I was at the gym when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror in my tight workout clothes, and I saw how fake my breasts looked. Suddenly, I felt completely self-conscious."
After decades of steady growth, the breast implant trend appears to be deflating. What experts refer to as "explant" procedures like Christie's jumped by nearly 10 percent from 2010 to 2014 as augmentations fell by about 3 percent, per data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Last year, nearly 24,000 women—most between 30 and 54—kissed their fake breasts good-bye.
Over on the popular cosmetic-surgery forum realself.com, women happily share before and after photos of their diminished busts. As one commenter announced, "I am proud of me for doing something healthy for me instead of worrying about how sexy I'll look."
Plastic surgeons around the country are removing or shrinking implants for the very same women they once augmented. Celebs leading the less-is-more charge include Sharon Osbourne, Melissa Gilbert and Victoria Beckham, who've been open about having their implants taken out, along with Heidi Montag, who downsized her famously huge F-cup implants to Cs.
RELATED: 7 Celebs Who've Said Goodbye to Breast Implants
Fueling the trend: our culture's focus on fitness. Many women are surprised by the maintenance implants require and are no longer willing to shoulder the resulting health issues, inconveniences and costs. Changing body ideals play a big part as well. "Surgeons are seeing a definite shift in the look many women are asking for, away from the very round, prominent 'stripper boob' toward something more in keeping with their natural shape," says Daniel Mills, MD, president-elect of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). "It's early in the trend, and not every woman is on board—I had a 50-year-old patient just yesterday who wanted to be a G-cup!—but we seem to be moving away from the 'bigger is better' attitude."
The Boob Job Bubble Bursts
Between 2000 and 2006, a record number of women flocked to get implants; procedures rose by 55 percent. A good many were no doubt inspired by Baywatch's Pamela Anderson and her XXL implants, as well as Carmen "32DD" Electra, ranked by multiple men's magazines as one of the sexiest women in the world. Meanwhile, the proliferation of porn on cable television and the mainstreaming of surgically enhanced stars like Jenna Jameson heightened our national obsession with not-found-in-nature knockers. Once the FDA approved a new kind of silicone implant in 2006, juicing an already booming market, augmentation soon surpassed liposuction as the top cosmetic procedure in the country.
Fast-forward to 2015, with a whole lot of implants starting to degenerate, and more and more women in their 30s, 40s and 50s weary of the upkeep. "Implants are not lifetime devices—the longer a woman has them, the more likely it is that she will need additional surgery, which could include replacement or removal," explains Janette Alexander, MD, a plastic surgery medical officer in the FDA's division of surgical devices. That's not exactly a fact you'll find splashed on the plastic surgery billboards around the country. Adds Michele Manahan, MD, assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins University, "I see a significant number of women who've gone through one or two surgeries and just get tired of having to deal with implants."
Disproportionately large fake breasts can cause neck, shoulder and back problems (challenges that naturally large-breasted women often have to contend with, too). "The bigger the breast implants are and the more they protrude from the body, the more they change the center of gravity, and the more force they exert on the spine," explains Theodore Shybut, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. That's an issue facing many augmented women in cities like Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas, where epic implants still reign. Pendulous breasts can become even more problematic after menopause, as many women gain weight in their breasts (and elsewhere) on account of hormonal changes.
No matter what size a woman gets, rupture or deflation occurs in roughly 10 to 25 percent of silicone gel and saline implants over 10 years, manufacturer studies reveal. (Saline implants consist of a silicone shell filled with sterilized salt water; they're less commonly used these days than those containing silicone gel.) Capsular contracture—stiffening of scar tissue that can lead to pain and rock-hard, misshapen breasts—happens in 18 to 19 percent of both types of implants over 10 years. "Placing implants beneath the chest muscle, as most surgeons do today, versus on top—more common in past years—greatly lowers the risk of contracture," says Dr. Mills. That doesn't help women who got their breasts done years ago, many of whom are now suffering the consequences.
RELATED: 12 Things That Probably Don't Increase Your Risk for Breast Cancer
Some insurance policies pay for revision or reduction surgeries for women who develop serious complications that limit their ability to work or simply move around. But others deem cosmetic breast implants elective and won't cover fixes—or screenings for ruptures. (Insurance companies and HMOs that cover mastectomies for breast cancer must, by law, also pay for reconstruction.) That out-of-pocket cost is motivating many women to ditch their implants. As Aimee, a 32-year-old mom and accounts payable clerk in New Orleans (who also asked that her last name not be used), says of her recent removal, "I just couldn't see myself spending a few thousand dollars to update my implants each time. I didn't want to deny my son and any future children summer vacation because Mommy had to get her boobs done."
Size Really Does Matter
For many of us, fitness is everything. But excessively large implants can make jogging uncomfortable and upper body toning moves difficult, notes Dr. Manahan. Fed up with being weighed down by her falsies—and needing to replace them anyway—Dana McCoy, a 31-year-old fitness instructor in Newport Beach, Calif., went under the knife earlier this year to trade her D cups for As. "I was unable to do an unmodified push-up without feeling like my boobs were about to explode," she says.
Women may also be responding to a new cultural norm. Being super fit is now considered the epitome of beauty, just as being waifish or having a pear shape once was, notes sociologist Victoria Pitts-Taylor, PhD, chair of the feminist, gender and sexuality studies program at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. "Cultural preferences for body shapes move in and out of vogue," she says. "Renaissance painters showed women with the plump, round bodies and small breasts that were 'in' then. Pop art and fashion in the 1960s were all about thin, flat-chested Twiggy types." Then came the porn-influenced emphasis on big boobs and a tiny waist in the 1990s and early 2000s, "a tough look to achieve without plastic surgery," adds Pitts-Taylor.
While nobody is ready to declare victory in the body-acceptance battle, there's been a cultural shift toward celebrating a wider diversity of bodies, continues Pitts-Taylor, who is also the author of Surgery Junkies: "The idea of what 'beautiful' means has grown." Earlier this year, Us Weekly magazine included the relatively flat-chested Keri Russell and Zoë Kravitz in its "Hottest Bikini Bodies of 2015" list. Tellingly, Anderson and Jameson eventually had their implants removed.
Even more influential than pop culture trends are the forces within women themselves to redefine what's attractive—and appropriate—as they age. Nearly every woman Health spoke with expressed, in various words, that the overtly sexy, oversize implants they once prized in their younger years "no longer felt like me." Says Aimee, "When I went from a B to 30DD at 19, I actually wore padded push-up bras to make my boobs look even bigger. I was so wrapped up with physical beauty; I didn't have much else to put my self-worth in. Life experience has shown me that being yourself and confident in what is yours naturally can be very sexy, too."
The Health Issues with Implants
For the record: Neither silicone nor saline implants cause breast cancer, studies have shown. Women with both kinds appear to have a very small increased risk of developing a different, extremely rare kind of cancer—anaplastic large cell lymphoma—in scar tissue around the implant, according to the FDA. The FDA also says that studies to date do not show a link between silicone gel implants and connective tissue diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
RELATED: 11 Symptoms Used to Diagnose Lupus
However, there is a small but very real concern about implants and mammography: "Implants make it slightly more difficult to image 100 percent of a woman's breast tissue, especially if the implants were placed on top of the chest muscle," says Therese Bevers, MD, medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. As a result, women with implants will likely need additional films. If you have implants, Dr. Bevers recommends asking your ob-gyn for a referral to a high-volume breast center, with dedicated breast imaging specialists (rather than general radiologists) reading the films.
Some women find that the mere chance of a compromised mammogram is a health risk they're not willing to take. Reports Stuart A. Linder, MD, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, "I've had patients with the breast cancer gene mutation tell me, 'My mother had a bilateral mastectomy, my sister's been diagnosed with breast cancer, I don't want anything prohibiting a mammogram from finding even the tiniest change.' They choose to explant because they want to do everything possible to catch breast changes early."
Experts are now worried about the relatively new trend of women with implants skipping mammograms, and not because they fear the results. "It's kind of lunatic—some women with implants don't get mammograms because they're worried about rupture," says Lavinia Chong, MD, a plastic surgeon in Orange County, Calif., echoing what Health heard from surgeons around the country. Imaging machines rarely ever press hard enough on breasts to damage implants, experts say, but the fear is there, despite the proven benefits of mammography.
A New Normal
Women who get their implants removed don't always look fabulous right away. Breasts can appear deflated and wrinkled for weeks—even if there's an accompanying breast lift, which 50 to 70 percent of women may require for optimal results. (Some breasts will eventually rebound on their own.) Not all women are good candidates for explantation procedures, says Las Vegas plastic surgeon Michael Edwards, MD, immediate past president of the ASAPS: "A naturally small-breasted woman who's had a big boob job for years may have such thinning of her tissue that her nipples could appear to collapse in on themselves without the implant to give them structure."
Then there are the emotional side effects of downsizing. Though there's surprisingly little research on the psychological impact of implant removal, one study published in 1997 found that women had increased distress after the procedure. "I felt a little sad—even though implants are foreign objects, they were a piece of my body for 10 years," recalls Dana. "I remember waking up the day after surgery, moving my arm and thinking, 'Where did my body go?!' It was bizarre. Not recognizing yourself in the mirror is an odd feeling."
RELATED: 15 Things That Happen After a Breast Reduction
Women also report having awkward conversations about where their chests went, and experiencing challenges simply shopping for clothes. "For 12 years, I tried to find loose tops that wouldn't bring attention to my huge boobs," says Aimee. "Now I have to find clothes that accent that area because I'm flat again."
Still, all women interviewed by Health noted a surge in self-confidence after the removal. "I feel more in shape without my implants and more confident in a bikini," says Dana. "Before, I felt like all that people saw was the girl with the big, fake boobs. Now they see me."
While many women get implants to please a partner, removal is something they're likely to do for themselves. An added incentive: serving as a role model for the next generation. That's in part what led Jennifer O'Callaghan, 41, a health care worker and mother of two in Port Jefferson, N.Y., to reverse her 36C boob job. "When my daughter hit 6 years old and was full of questions about her body, I started seriously thinking about getting rid of my implants," she says. "I would never want her to feel that she had to change her body with surgery to live up to some ideal, as I did."
Many women ultimately find comfort in their reduced chests; it's like meeting up with an old friend. "The first time I showered post-surgery, my natural breasts felt so soft, wonderful and so familiar," says Suzanne Magdalena Rolph-McFalls, 51, a writer and owner of a home renovation company in Hebron, Ky., who had her 38DDs removed a few months ago. "I took a picture of myself naked right afterward, and I'm smiling so big. I felt like myself for the first time in 20 years."
Reversing a boob job turned out to be the right decision for these women, but it's not for everyone. Plenty of women appreciate and adore their implants, and lots more continue to get them. It's simply important, going in, to understand the upkeep and not delay mammograms.
Ultimately, it's all about what makes you content. As Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh put it, "To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself."
The True Cost of Augmentation
Health crunched numbers from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and patient surveys on realself.com. Here's what you might end up shelling out, given that insurance typically covers only severe complications.
Silicone breast augmentation, age 22: $6,000
MRIs (at up to $2,000 a pop) to screen for rupture at ages 25, 27, 29 and 31, as recommended by the FDA: $8,000
Revision surgery to replace aging implants, age 32: $8,000
MRI screenings at ages 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and 45: $12,000
Explant procedure at age 47: $4,000
Breast lift accompanying explant (optional): $8,000
GRAND TOTAL: $46,000
RELATED: The Perfect Breast Shape, According to Science 4 Steps to Finding a Top Plastic Surgeon
Whether you're considering implants, an explant or anything in between, this is exactly what you need to know about selecting an excellent doctor.
1. See a doctor board-certified in plastic surgery
It's the only way to make sure a surgeon has extensive training, meets stringent continuing education requirements and specializes in his field. "When a revision patient of mine had gone for [her original] consultation, she asked a staffer if the doctor was board-certified," recounts Daniel Mills, MD. "The staffer said yes but didn't bother to add that the doctor was board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, not plastic surgery. When she came to see me, her implants had dropped like they were in tube socks, down to her belly button." If you had a good experience with your augmentation, though, consider that surgeon first if you want a removal, as she'll already have your records and be familiar with your body. Otherwise check a doc's credentials on the American Board of Plastic Surgery's site.
2. Don't try to get a good deal
"I'm seeing a lot more botched surgeries lately in women who wanted to save money," says Dr. Mills. "Do you really want to get the cheapest bid for your body?" Yes, price matters, but unusually low ones may be a sign of a desperate doctor. Be wary of billboard specials or Groupons offering steep discounts on augmentation surgery. To look up the average cost of procedures in your area as reported by users on realself.com, click on "treatments," pick your procedure, then hit "cost."
3. Watch out for the smooth talker
"If you're not at least a little nervous about going through with a procedure after a plastic surgeon lays out the complications and considerations in your preoperative visits, either he wasn't very thorough or you weren't listening!" warns Michael Edwards, MD. "A consultation shouldn't be a sales pitch—it's a chance to educate." It helps to come prepared with a list of questions, and to take notes you can refer to.
4. Perform a background check
Many plastic surgeons have patient-referral lists for various procedures, so you can ask other women about their experiences. Be sure to contact your state's medical board to look for disciplinary actions against a physician you're considering; you can also check into medical malpractice claims on healthgrades.com (and read doctor reviews).
How to Get the Right Size for Your Body
Some plastic surgeons are more likely to go for larger implants. "It often depends on where you live and what the majority of patients there are asking for," notes Michael Edwards, MD. You can assess a surgeon's style by flipping through the look book in his office or browsing his online gallery. A good consult should include trying on "sizers" in a sports bra to find the best size for your body type. Some doctors offer 3-D imaging, so patients can envision a new shape and size from all angles.
The information technology specialist had started to feel like the boob job she'd gotten four years ago at the urging of her then boyfriend had become an obstacle, in her career and otherwise. "I've made a lot of transformations with my health in the last few years, eating well and exercising with a trainer, and the inflated boobs didn't fit in—I could barely run because they were so damn heavy," says Christie, who would rather not share her surname. Her last straw: "I was at the gym when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror in my tight workout clothes, and I saw how fake my breasts looked. Suddenly, I felt completely self-conscious."
After decades of steady growth, the breast implant trend appears to be deflating. What experts refer to as "explant" procedures like Christie's jumped by nearly 10 percent from 2010 to 2014 as augmentations fell by about 3 percent, per data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Last year, nearly 24,000 women—most between 30 and 54—kissed their fake breasts good-bye.
Over on the popular cosmetic-surgery forum realself.com, women happily share before and after photos of their diminished busts. As one commenter announced, "I am proud of me for doing something healthy for me instead of worrying about how sexy I'll look."
Plastic surgeons around the country are removing or shrinking implants for the very same women they once augmented. Celebs leading the less-is-more charge include Sharon Osbourne, Melissa Gilbert and Victoria Beckham, who've been open about having their implants taken out, along with Heidi Montag, who downsized her famously huge F-cup implants to Cs.
RELATED: 7 Celebs Who've Said Goodbye to Breast Implants
Fueling the trend: our culture's focus on fitness. Many women are surprised by the maintenance implants require and are no longer willing to shoulder the resulting health issues, inconveniences and costs. Changing body ideals play a big part as well. "Surgeons are seeing a definite shift in the look many women are asking for, away from the very round, prominent 'stripper boob' toward something more in keeping with their natural shape," says Daniel Mills, MD, president-elect of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). "It's early in the trend, and not every woman is on board—I had a 50-year-old patient just yesterday who wanted to be a G-cup!—but we seem to be moving away from the 'bigger is better' attitude."
The Boob Job Bubble Bursts
Between 2000 and 2006, a record number of women flocked to get implants; procedures rose by 55 percent. A good many were no doubt inspired by Baywatch's Pamela Anderson and her XXL implants, as well as Carmen "32DD" Electra, ranked by multiple men's magazines as one of the sexiest women in the world. Meanwhile, the proliferation of porn on cable television and the mainstreaming of surgically enhanced stars like Jenna Jameson heightened our national obsession with not-found-in-nature knockers. Once the FDA approved a new kind of silicone implant in 2006, juicing an already booming market, augmentation soon surpassed liposuction as the top cosmetic procedure in the country.
Fast-forward to 2015, with a whole lot of implants starting to degenerate, and more and more women in their 30s, 40s and 50s weary of the upkeep. "Implants are not lifetime devices—the longer a woman has them, the more likely it is that she will need additional surgery, which could include replacement or removal," explains Janette Alexander, MD, a plastic surgery medical officer in the FDA's division of surgical devices. That's not exactly a fact you'll find splashed on the plastic surgery billboards around the country. Adds Michele Manahan, MD, assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins University, "I see a significant number of women who've gone through one or two surgeries and just get tired of having to deal with implants."
Disproportionately large fake breasts can cause neck, shoulder and back problems (challenges that naturally large-breasted women often have to contend with, too). "The bigger the breast implants are and the more they protrude from the body, the more they change the center of gravity, and the more force they exert on the spine," explains Theodore Shybut, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. That's an issue facing many augmented women in cities like Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas, where epic implants still reign. Pendulous breasts can become even more problematic after menopause, as many women gain weight in their breasts (and elsewhere) on account of hormonal changes.
No matter what size a woman gets, rupture or deflation occurs in roughly 10 to 25 percent of silicone gel and saline implants over 10 years, manufacturer studies reveal. (Saline implants consist of a silicone shell filled with sterilized salt water; they're less commonly used these days than those containing silicone gel.) Capsular contracture—stiffening of scar tissue that can lead to pain and rock-hard, misshapen breasts—happens in 18 to 19 percent of both types of implants over 10 years. "Placing implants beneath the chest muscle, as most surgeons do today, versus on top—more common in past years—greatly lowers the risk of contracture," says Dr. Mills. That doesn't help women who got their breasts done years ago, many of whom are now suffering the consequences.
RELATED: 12 Things That Probably Don't Increase Your Risk for Breast Cancer
Some insurance policies pay for revision or reduction surgeries for women who develop serious complications that limit their ability to work or simply move around. But others deem cosmetic breast implants elective and won't cover fixes—or screenings for ruptures. (Insurance companies and HMOs that cover mastectomies for breast cancer must, by law, also pay for reconstruction.) That out-of-pocket cost is motivating many women to ditch their implants. As Aimee, a 32-year-old mom and accounts payable clerk in New Orleans (who also asked that her last name not be used), says of her recent removal, "I just couldn't see myself spending a few thousand dollars to update my implants each time. I didn't want to deny my son and any future children summer vacation because Mommy had to get her boobs done."
Size Really Does Matter
For many of us, fitness is everything. But excessively large implants can make jogging uncomfortable and upper body toning moves difficult, notes Dr. Manahan. Fed up with being weighed down by her falsies—and needing to replace them anyway—Dana McCoy, a 31-year-old fitness instructor in Newport Beach, Calif., went under the knife earlier this year to trade her D cups for As. "I was unable to do an unmodified push-up without feeling like my boobs were about to explode," she says.
Women may also be responding to a new cultural norm. Being super fit is now considered the epitome of beauty, just as being waifish or having a pear shape once was, notes sociologist Victoria Pitts-Taylor, PhD, chair of the feminist, gender and sexuality studies program at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. "Cultural preferences for body shapes move in and out of vogue," she says. "Renaissance painters showed women with the plump, round bodies and small breasts that were 'in' then. Pop art and fashion in the 1960s were all about thin, flat-chested Twiggy types." Then came the porn-influenced emphasis on big boobs and a tiny waist in the 1990s and early 2000s, "a tough look to achieve without plastic surgery," adds Pitts-Taylor.
While nobody is ready to declare victory in the body-acceptance battle, there's been a cultural shift toward celebrating a wider diversity of bodies, continues Pitts-Taylor, who is also the author of Surgery Junkies: "The idea of what 'beautiful' means has grown." Earlier this year, Us Weekly magazine included the relatively flat-chested Keri Russell and Zoë Kravitz in its "Hottest Bikini Bodies of 2015" list. Tellingly, Anderson and Jameson eventually had their implants removed.
Even more influential than pop culture trends are the forces within women themselves to redefine what's attractive—and appropriate—as they age. Nearly every woman Health spoke with expressed, in various words, that the overtly sexy, oversize implants they once prized in their younger years "no longer felt like me." Says Aimee, "When I went from a B to 30DD at 19, I actually wore padded push-up bras to make my boobs look even bigger. I was so wrapped up with physical beauty; I didn't have much else to put my self-worth in. Life experience has shown me that being yourself and confident in what is yours naturally can be very sexy, too."
The Health Issues with Implants
For the record: Neither silicone nor saline implants cause breast cancer, studies have shown. Women with both kinds appear to have a very small increased risk of developing a different, extremely rare kind of cancer—anaplastic large cell lymphoma—in scar tissue around the implant, according to the FDA. The FDA also says that studies to date do not show a link between silicone gel implants and connective tissue diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
RELATED: 11 Symptoms Used to Diagnose Lupus
However, there is a small but very real concern about implants and mammography: "Implants make it slightly more difficult to image 100 percent of a woman's breast tissue, especially if the implants were placed on top of the chest muscle," says Therese Bevers, MD, medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. As a result, women with implants will likely need additional films. If you have implants, Dr. Bevers recommends asking your ob-gyn for a referral to a high-volume breast center, with dedicated breast imaging specialists (rather than general radiologists) reading the films.
Some women find that the mere chance of a compromised mammogram is a health risk they're not willing to take. Reports Stuart A. Linder, MD, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, "I've had patients with the breast cancer gene mutation tell me, 'My mother had a bilateral mastectomy, my sister's been diagnosed with breast cancer, I don't want anything prohibiting a mammogram from finding even the tiniest change.' They choose to explant because they want to do everything possible to catch breast changes early."
Experts are now worried about the relatively new trend of women with implants skipping mammograms, and not because they fear the results. "It's kind of lunatic—some women with implants don't get mammograms because they're worried about rupture," says Lavinia Chong, MD, a plastic surgeon in Orange County, Calif., echoing what Health heard from surgeons around the country. Imaging machines rarely ever press hard enough on breasts to damage implants, experts say, but the fear is there, despite the proven benefits of mammography.
A New Normal
Women who get their implants removed don't always look fabulous right away. Breasts can appear deflated and wrinkled for weeks—even if there's an accompanying breast lift, which 50 to 70 percent of women may require for optimal results. (Some breasts will eventually rebound on their own.) Not all women are good candidates for explantation procedures, says Las Vegas plastic surgeon Michael Edwards, MD, immediate past president of the ASAPS: "A naturally small-breasted woman who's had a big boob job for years may have such thinning of her tissue that her nipples could appear to collapse in on themselves without the implant to give them structure."
Then there are the emotional side effects of downsizing. Though there's surprisingly little research on the psychological impact of implant removal, one study published in 1997 found that women had increased distress after the procedure. "I felt a little sad—even though implants are foreign objects, they were a piece of my body for 10 years," recalls Dana. "I remember waking up the day after surgery, moving my arm and thinking, 'Where did my body go?!' It was bizarre. Not recognizing yourself in the mirror is an odd feeling."
RELATED: 15 Things That Happen After a Breast Reduction
Women also report having awkward conversations about where their chests went, and experiencing challenges simply shopping for clothes. "For 12 years, I tried to find loose tops that wouldn't bring attention to my huge boobs," says Aimee. "Now I have to find clothes that accent that area because I'm flat again."
Still, all women interviewed by Health noted a surge in self-confidence after the removal. "I feel more in shape without my implants and more confident in a bikini," says Dana. "Before, I felt like all that people saw was the girl with the big, fake boobs. Now they see me."
While many women get implants to please a partner, removal is something they're likely to do for themselves. An added incentive: serving as a role model for the next generation. That's in part what led Jennifer O'Callaghan, 41, a health care worker and mother of two in Port Jefferson, N.Y., to reverse her 36C boob job. "When my daughter hit 6 years old and was full of questions about her body, I started seriously thinking about getting rid of my implants," she says. "I would never want her to feel that she had to change her body with surgery to live up to some ideal, as I did."
Many women ultimately find comfort in their reduced chests; it's like meeting up with an old friend. "The first time I showered post-surgery, my natural breasts felt so soft, wonderful and so familiar," says Suzanne Magdalena Rolph-McFalls, 51, a writer and owner of a home renovation company in Hebron, Ky., who had her 38DDs removed a few months ago. "I took a picture of myself naked right afterward, and I'm smiling so big. I felt like myself for the first time in 20 years."
Reversing a boob job turned out to be the right decision for these women, but it's not for everyone. Plenty of women appreciate and adore their implants, and lots more continue to get them. It's simply important, going in, to understand the upkeep and not delay mammograms.
Ultimately, it's all about what makes you content. As Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh put it, "To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself."
The True Cost of Augmentation
Health crunched numbers from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and patient surveys on realself.com. Here's what you might end up shelling out, given that insurance typically covers only severe complications.
Silicone breast augmentation, age 22: $6,000
MRIs (at up to $2,000 a pop) to screen for rupture at ages 25, 27, 29 and 31, as recommended by the FDA: $8,000
Revision surgery to replace aging implants, age 32: $8,000
MRI screenings at ages 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and 45: $12,000
Explant procedure at age 47: $4,000
Breast lift accompanying explant (optional): $8,000
GRAND TOTAL: $46,000
RELATED: The Perfect Breast Shape, According to Science 4 Steps to Finding a Top Plastic Surgeon
Whether you're considering implants, an explant or anything in between, this is exactly what you need to know about selecting an excellent doctor.
1. See a doctor board-certified in plastic surgery
It's the only way to make sure a surgeon has extensive training, meets stringent continuing education requirements and specializes in his field. "When a revision patient of mine had gone for [her original] consultation, she asked a staffer if the doctor was board-certified," recounts Daniel Mills, MD. "The staffer said yes but didn't bother to add that the doctor was board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, not plastic surgery. When she came to see me, her implants had dropped like they were in tube socks, down to her belly button." If you had a good experience with your augmentation, though, consider that surgeon first if you want a removal, as she'll already have your records and be familiar with your body. Otherwise check a doc's credentials on the American Board of Plastic Surgery's site.
2. Don't try to get a good deal
"I'm seeing a lot more botched surgeries lately in women who wanted to save money," says Dr. Mills. "Do you really want to get the cheapest bid for your body?" Yes, price matters, but unusually low ones may be a sign of a desperate doctor. Be wary of billboard specials or Groupons offering steep discounts on augmentation surgery. To look up the average cost of procedures in your area as reported by users on realself.com, click on "treatments," pick your procedure, then hit "cost."
3. Watch out for the smooth talker
"If you're not at least a little nervous about going through with a procedure after a plastic surgeon lays out the complications and considerations in your preoperative visits, either he wasn't very thorough or you weren't listening!" warns Michael Edwards, MD. "A consultation shouldn't be a sales pitch—it's a chance to educate." It helps to come prepared with a list of questions, and to take notes you can refer to.
4. Perform a background check
Many plastic surgeons have patient-referral lists for various procedures, so you can ask other women about their experiences. Be sure to contact your state's medical board to look for disciplinary actions against a physician you're considering; you can also check into medical malpractice claims on healthgrades.com (and read doctor reviews).
How to Get the Right Size for Your Body
Some plastic surgeons are more likely to go for larger implants. "It often depends on where you live and what the majority of patients there are asking for," notes Michael Edwards, MD. You can assess a surgeon's style by flipping through the look book in his office or browsing his online gallery. A good consult should include trying on "sizers" in a sports bra to find the best size for your body type. Some doctors offer 3-D imaging, so patients can envision a new shape and size from all angles.
Monday, October 12, 2015
The Best Energy Bars for a Quick Snack
Energy bars are a convenient snack option to bring along while you work out or while you're on-the-go. Watch this Cooking Light video to learn which energy bars are low in sugar or high in protein and fiber.
7 Celebs Who've Said Goodbye to Breast Implants
These famous women went back under the knife to return to their natural shape.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Best and Worst Foods for Sex
Here are a variety of foods that can put some sizzle—or fizzle—in your sex life.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Social Kickstart Review and Playlist - webinar by Matt Callen and Mark Thompson
Social Kickstart is a Facebook Interface from Matt Callen and Mark Thompson.
Here is a review of Social Kickstart Webinar
It is an All in one solution for the use of your multiple facebook fanpages, groups, ads, etc. Here is some of the features:
1. Manage All Fan Page Posts/Updates
2. Discover Engaging Content
3. Gain Rich Insights
4. Schedule Posts
5. Manage Content Queue
6. User Management for staff or virtual team
7. TeeSpring Research
8. Facebook Ad Maker
9. Reply to Comments outside of the Facebook interface
There is going to be so much more like:
- Drag & Drop Ad Builder with Pre-Loaded Templates
and Graphics
- Retargeting & Audience Management
Take a look:
http://tinyurl.com/15ecefc6784cd0901869d9e78a078dda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zWjamFmwhY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGdSWkkIo_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mnkJ6MhD8k
Here is a review of Social Kickstart Webinar
It is an All in one solution for the use of your multiple facebook fanpages, groups, ads, etc. Here is some of the features:
1. Manage All Fan Page Posts/Updates
2. Discover Engaging Content
3. Gain Rich Insights
4. Schedule Posts
5. Manage Content Queue
6. User Management for staff or virtual team
7. TeeSpring Research
8. Facebook Ad Maker
9. Reply to Comments outside of the Facebook interface
There is going to be so much more like:
- Drag & Drop Ad Builder with Pre-Loaded Templates
and Graphics
- Retargeting & Audience Management
Take a look:
http://tinyurl.com/15ecefc6784cd0901869d9e78a078dda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zWjamFmwhY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGdSWkkIo_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mnkJ6MhD8k
Saturday, September 19, 2015
The Best Credit Repair Specialists in Ann Arbor Michigan
If you are Looking for the Best Credit Repair Ann Arbor, Michigan come to my website . We deal with Bad Credit Repair in 2015. There are many ways in which we can help you with your problems so you can get that car loan or home mortgage. Ann Arbor Credit Repair specialists will help you get your life back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2HpvdGG2h4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2HpvdGG2h4
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
13 'Healthy' Swaps That Can Backfire
You may think you are being healthier, but not all swaps are good for you.
Monday, September 7, 2015
13 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Caregiver
Taking care of someone you love is challenging. Here are some tips to make it a little easier.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Hоw to Inсrеаѕе Breast Mіlk Flow
Breastfeeding hаѕ mаnу аdvаntаgеѕ fоr bоth mother аnd bаbу. It іѕ thе mоѕt nаturаl, perfect fооd fоr a newborn baby. Brеаѕt mіlk іѕ lоаdеd wіth аntіbоdіеѕ аnd nutrіеntѕ thаt are еѕѕеntіаl fоr the immune ѕуѕtеm, аnd for proper growth аnd dеvеlорmеnt. The mother wіll аlѕо fіnd аdvаntаgеѕ to brеаѕtfееdіng, such аѕ ԛuісkеr wеіght lоѕѕ, rеduсеd risk оf саnсеr, аnd ԛuісkеr ѕhrіnkіng of the utеruѕ back tо іtѕ nоrmаl ѕіzе. Here are ѕоmе tірѕ on еnѕurіng that уоu hаvе a proper аmоunt оf breast mіlk.
Fееd Often
Thе mоrе оftеn уоu breastfeed уоur bаbу, the more your milk wіll come in. Whеn your baby suckles оn уоur breasts, іt ѕtіmulаtеѕ thе рrоduсtіоn оf breast milk. Your bоdу hаѕ an аmаzіng wау оf knоwіng when it needs tо рrоduсе breast milk. If уоur brеаѕtѕ аrе bеіng nursed оftеn, уоur body wіll rеѕроnd tо that accordingly by ѕuррlуіng more mіlk. Most lіkеlу, уоur newborn wіll wаnt to fееd оftеn anyway іn thе fіrѕt few wееkѕ.
Nurѕе Bоth Brеаѕtѕ аt Eасh Fееdіng
Nurѕіng bоth breasts at еасh fееdіng will ensure that уоu dо nоt еnd up lорѕіdеd. In addition, it wіll іnduсе milk flоw to еасh breast more еvеnlу. Lеt your bаbу fееd оff your brеаѕt untіl thе mіlk ѕееmѕ to have run оut - thіѕ wіll еnѕurе that thе bаbу rесеіvеѕ thе nutrіеnt-rісh hіndmіlk. Thеn ѕwіtсh brеаѕtѕ аnd do thе ѕаmе.
Kеер Well-Hydrated
Yоu wіll fіnd іt dіffісult tо рrоduсе enough milk іf уоu dоn't drіnk еnоugh water. Hаvіng enough fluіdѕ іn your bоdу will hеlр keep thе breast mіlk flоwіng. Ideally уоu ѕhоuld drink bеtwееn 8 tо 10 glаѕѕеѕ оf wаtеr реr dау, but juісеѕ аnd milk should аlѕо help.
Mаѕѕаgе Yоur Breasts
Mаѕѕаgіng your breasts саn stimulate thе рrоduсtіоn оf brеаѕt mіlk. Thе action оf brеаѕtfееdіng іtѕеlf is a great mаѕѕаgе оn thе brеаѕtѕ, whісh gеtѕ the mіlk flоwіng. In between fееdіngѕ, knеаd уоur breasts in a ѕіmіlаr fаѕhіоn to brеаѕtfееdіng іtѕеlf - рrеfеrаblу іn thе ѕhоwеr оr bаth whеn wаrm wаtеr іѕ on уоur brеаѕtѕ. Thіѕ massage wіll stimulate your bоdу tо іnсrеаѕе thе flоw оf brеаѕt mіlk.
Prеѕсrірtіоn Mеdісаtіоn
If уоu'vе trіеd еvеrуthіng, and ѕtіll fееl thаt уоu аrе nоt рrоduсіng еnоugh brеаѕt mіlk, thеrе аrе prescription drugѕ thаt уоur dосtоr саn рrеѕсrіbе for уоu that wіll ѕtіmulаtе thе рrоduсtіоn of breast mіlk. Onе drug іn раrtісulаr that іѕ gеnеrаllу рrеѕсrіbеd fоr thіѕ rеаѕоn is Domperidone. Aѕk уоur dосtоr about іt if you fееl you nееd extra hеlр in thе brеаѕtfееdіng dераrtmеnt.
Brеаѕtfееdіng іѕ a wоndеrful орроrtunіtу for a nеw mоthеr tо provide аmаzіng nutrients tо her new bаbу, and tо bоnd with the nеwbоrn. In оrdеr tо gеt the milk flоwіng, thеrе are numerous things you саn dо to іnсrеаѕе іtѕ production.
Fееd Often
Thе mоrе оftеn уоu breastfeed уоur bаbу, the more your milk wіll come in. Whеn your baby suckles оn уоur breasts, іt ѕtіmulаtеѕ thе рrоduсtіоn оf breast milk. Your bоdу hаѕ an аmаzіng wау оf knоwіng when it needs tо рrоduсе breast milk. If уоur brеаѕtѕ аrе bеіng nursed оftеn, уоur body wіll rеѕроnd tо that accordingly by ѕuррlуіng more mіlk. Most lіkеlу, уоur newborn wіll wаnt to fееd оftеn anyway іn thе fіrѕt few wееkѕ.
Nurѕе Bоth Brеаѕtѕ аt Eасh Fееdіng
Nurѕіng bоth breasts at еасh fееdіng will ensure that уоu dо nоt еnd up lорѕіdеd. In addition, it wіll іnduсе milk flоw to еасh breast more еvеnlу. Lеt your bаbу fееd оff your brеаѕt untіl thе mіlk ѕееmѕ to have run оut - thіѕ wіll еnѕurе that thе bаbу rесеіvеѕ thе nutrіеnt-rісh hіndmіlk. Thеn ѕwіtсh brеаѕtѕ аnd do thе ѕаmе.
Kеер Well-Hydrated
Yоu wіll fіnd іt dіffісult tо рrоduсе enough milk іf уоu dоn't drіnk еnоugh water. Hаvіng enough fluіdѕ іn your bоdу will hеlр keep thе breast mіlk flоwіng. Ideally уоu ѕhоuld drink bеtwееn 8 tо 10 glаѕѕеѕ оf wаtеr реr dау, but juісеѕ аnd milk should аlѕо help.
Mаѕѕаgе Yоur Breasts
Mаѕѕаgіng your breasts саn stimulate thе рrоduсtіоn оf brеаѕt mіlk. Thе action оf brеаѕtfееdіng іtѕеlf is a great mаѕѕаgе оn thе brеаѕtѕ, whісh gеtѕ the mіlk flоwіng. In between fееdіngѕ, knеаd уоur breasts in a ѕіmіlаr fаѕhіоn to brеаѕtfееdіng іtѕеlf - рrеfеrаblу іn thе ѕhоwеr оr bаth whеn wаrm wаtеr іѕ on уоur brеаѕtѕ. Thіѕ massage wіll stimulate your bоdу tо іnсrеаѕе thе flоw оf brеаѕt mіlk.
Prеѕсrірtіоn Mеdісаtіоn
If уоu'vе trіеd еvеrуthіng, and ѕtіll fееl thаt уоu аrе nоt рrоduсіng еnоugh brеаѕt mіlk, thеrе аrе prescription drugѕ thаt уоur dосtоr саn рrеѕсrіbе for уоu that wіll ѕtіmulаtе thе рrоduсtіоn of breast mіlk. Onе drug іn раrtісulаr that іѕ gеnеrаllу рrеѕсrіbеd fоr thіѕ rеаѕоn is Domperidone. Aѕk уоur dосtоr about іt if you fееl you nееd extra hеlр in thе brеаѕtfееdіng dераrtmеnt.
Brеаѕtfееdіng іѕ a wоndеrful орроrtunіtу for a nеw mоthеr tо provide аmаzіng nutrients tо her new bаbу, and tо bоnd with the nеwbоrn. In оrdеr tо gеt the milk flоwіng, thеrе are numerous things you саn dо to іnсrеаѕе іtѕ production.
How to Increase Breast Milk Supply
Whеn Pumping
It's common knowledge that "brеаѕt mіlk іѕ best" and ѕо mаnу wоmеn trу thеіr hardest tо brеаѕtfееd оr at least рrоvіdе brеаѕt mіlk fоr thеіr bаbіеѕ. Nо breast рumр іѕ as good as a baby's ѕuсklе whеn it соmеѕ to ѕtіmulаtіng and evoking the рrоduсtіоn of mіlk, ѕо it іѕ an uрhіll bаttlе іf thе bаbу or mоthеr іѕ unаblе to brеаѕtfееd directly. Even ѕо, there are mаnу wоmеn сhооѕіng to exclusively рumр thеіr breast milk. I аm оnе of thоѕе women, and hаvе рumреd fоr my twо сhіldrеn after brеаѕtfееdіng fаіlеd.
Whеn my first wаѕ bоrn, I wаѕ рrоmрtеd bу thе NICU nurѕеѕ tо рumр еvеrу 2-3 hоurѕ; when mу milk came іn, I hаd more milk than I knеw whаt to dо with. Aftеr thаt, I gоt lаzу and dесіdеd tо рumр every 4 hоurѕ. Inеvіtаblу, mу milk supply dесrеаѕеd. It decreased еvеn mоrе whеn I became рrеgnаnt wіth mу ѕесоnd (5 mоnthѕ аftеr the first was bоrn!); when thе second was bоrn аnd he fаіlеd to latch оn tо my іnvеrtеd nipples, I turned tо рumріng. My ѕuррlу went up аnd down, and аftеr fіgurіng оut hоw tо keep mу breast mіlk ѕuррlу uр wіthоut killing myself over іt, I саn рrоvіdе all thе mіlk mу growing bаbу nееdѕ (and hе'ѕ a bіg, grоwіng baby аt that!).
Tо Make Mіlk, Yоu Nееd Lіԛuіd
Increasing your lіԛuіd іntаkе will increase the аmоunt оf mіlk уоu рrоduсе, ѕо drіnk uр оn a lot of water! Yоur liquid of choice dоеѕn't nесеѕѕаrіlу hаvе to be wаtеr, but іt'ѕ the hеаlthіеѕt liquid thеrе іѕ. If you're lіkе mе аnd dоn't like tо drіnk water unlеѕѕ it's flаvоrеd or super cold, уоu саn аdd ѕlісеd сuсumbеrѕ, frоzеn or сruѕhеd frеѕh berries, hеrbѕ like mint or раrѕlеу, or even juѕt a bіt оf fruіt juісе tо make thе water a little more іntеrеѕtіng.
If уоu prefer your water tо bе very cold yet tаѕtіng frеѕh, I would ѕuggеѕt іnvеѕtіng іn a fіltеrеd wаtеr ріtсhеr. My huѕbаnd bоught аn іnеxреnѕіvе Brita pitcher frоm Tаrgеt thаt wе kеер іn thе frіdgе fіllеd with wаtеr. It tastes сlеаn аnd doesn't еvеn nееd аnу ice because it's already соld!
If уоu need mоrе flаvоr іn уоur wаtеr, thеn trу tеа or dіlutеd fruіt juice. If іt'ѕ time for lunсh, trу a soup! Evеn a сuр оf рlаіn broth соuntѕ!
Bеwаrе thоugh, not аll liquids аrе gооd! If уоu'rе nurѕіng, уоu ѕhоuld оf course lіmіt уоur caffeine intake аnd аѕ fаr аѕ аlсоhоl gоеѕ, аvоіd it! Alсоhоl саn actually dесrеаѕе уоur mіlk supply.
If There's Onе Thіng Yоu Eаt, Mаkе It Oаtmеаl
I dоn't knоw why, but oatmeal іnсrеаѕеѕ brеаѕt mіlk supply. I nеvеr lіkеd оаtmеаl, unlеѕѕ іt wаѕ оnе оf those dауѕ whеrе thеrе wаѕ snow оutѕіdе and аll уоu wаnt tо dо is sleep under thе wаrm ѕhееtѕ оf уоur bеd аll dау. Nоw I еаt іt every dау, ѕіmрlу bесаuѕе of the effects іt has оn mу supply. Thе bеѕt thing I lіkе аbоut іt? It'ѕ еаѕу tо prepare аnd doesn't take muсh tіmе tо mаkе.
It dоеѕn't have to bе muѕhу oatmeal еvеrу day, thоugh. I оftеn lіkе to hаvе a ѕnасk оr dеѕѕеrt оf yogurt wіth granola...it's even bеttеr if уоu have frеѕh fruіt! Oаtmеаl cookies can аlѕо help increase brеаѕt mіlk рrоduсtіоn.
If You Pumр, Pumр Oftеn
Thеrе'ѕ nо wау tо dеnу іt. Yоu nееd to pump оftеn if уоu'rе gоіng to fееd a baby with еxсluѕіvеlу рumреd brеаѕt milk. I do it every 3 hоurѕ durіng thе day, аnd thеn оnсе during thе mіddlе оf thе nіght. Fоr a restful ѕlеер, make ѕurе уоu hаvе at lеаѕt 3 hоurѕ оf uninterrupted ѕlеер bеfоrе doing your nіghttіmе рumр. Whеn I wаѕ рumріng for my first сhіld, еіthеr a lactation соnѕultаnt or a NICU nurse ѕаіd that thе bеѕt tіmе tо рumр for іnсrеаѕіng brеаѕt mіlk рrоduсtіоn wаѕ something like 1-2 AM (I'm ѕауіng "ѕоmеthіng lіkе" bесаuѕе thіѕ was 2 уеаrѕ аgо!). I usually dо mу nіghttіmе pump at 3 AM.
Sреаkіng about рumріng, ѕоmе tесhnіԛuе is involved іn еxtrасtіng all оf thе mіlk you саn gеt. When pumping, thеу аdvіѕе you to start аt thе hіghеѕt аmоunt оf ѕuсtіоn thаt уоu саn withstand, and then once уоu'rе uѕеd to thаt lеvеl of ѕuсtіоn, to increase іt ѕtеаdіlу.
Unlеѕѕ уоu'rе using a hоѕріtаl-grаdе brеаѕt рumр, thе suction уоu'rе gеttіng рrоbаblу іѕn't аll thаt great, even wіth a dоublе electric brеаѕt pump. I hаvе C-cup brеаѕtѕ аnd іt'ѕ a сhоrе to hоld the pumping bоttlеѕ tо mу сhеѕt; thе hіghеѕt lеvеl of ѕuсtіоn feels just the same аѕ thе medium level of suction, juѕt a lоt slower. So whеn thе ѕрurtѕ оf mіlk соmіng оut ѕtаrtѕ to slow after double-pumping bоth brеаѕtѕ, I unplug one оf the ѕuсtіоn tubes аnd оnlу uѕе оnе рumріng bottle. Thіѕ allows me tо соnсеntrаtе the ѕuсtіоn onto one brеаѕt аt a time, аnd аlѕо allows mе to get оut thе last drops bу freeing up one hаnd tо massage, poke аnd push аnу area that ѕtіll has mіlk.
Increase Milk Supply Wіthоut Wоrrуіng Yourself to аn Eаrlу Grаvе
Now, lеt оut a ѕіgh оf rеlіеf!
It does tаkе some tіmе tо increase уоur ѕuррlу іf уоu'rе рumріng brеаѕt mіlk, but rеаllу, dоn't wоrrу. If you dоn't hаvе enough mіlk for your bаbу, dоn't kill уоurѕеlf if уоu hаvе tо tеmроrаrіlу ѕuррlеmеnt with fоrmulа. If уоu really want to mаkе this brеаѕt mіlk рumріng thing work оut, trу my tірѕ оut аnd juѕt rеlаx. Yоur milk ѕuррlу wіll gо back up іn juѕt a few days! Unless, of соurѕе, if уоu'rе pregnant аgаіn!
It's common knowledge that "brеаѕt mіlk іѕ best" and ѕо mаnу wоmеn trу thеіr hardest tо brеаѕtfееd оr at least рrоvіdе brеаѕt mіlk fоr thеіr bаbіеѕ. Nо breast рumр іѕ as good as a baby's ѕuсklе whеn it соmеѕ to ѕtіmulаtіng and evoking the рrоduсtіоn of mіlk, ѕо it іѕ an uрhіll bаttlе іf thе bаbу or mоthеr іѕ unаblе to brеаѕtfееd directly. Even ѕо, there are mаnу wоmеn сhооѕіng to exclusively рumр thеіr breast milk. I аm оnе of thоѕе women, and hаvе рumреd fоr my twо сhіldrеn after brеаѕtfееdіng fаіlеd.
Whеn my first wаѕ bоrn, I wаѕ рrоmрtеd bу thе NICU nurѕеѕ tо рumр еvеrу 2-3 hоurѕ; when mу milk came іn, I hаd more milk than I knеw whаt to dо with. Aftеr thаt, I gоt lаzу and dесіdеd tо рumр every 4 hоurѕ. Inеvіtаblу, mу milk supply dесrеаѕеd. It decreased еvеn mоrе whеn I became рrеgnаnt wіth mу ѕесоnd (5 mоnthѕ аftеr the first was bоrn!); when thе second was bоrn аnd he fаіlеd to latch оn tо my іnvеrtеd nipples, I turned tо рumріng. My ѕuррlу went up аnd down, and аftеr fіgurіng оut hоw tо keep mу breast mіlk ѕuррlу uр wіthоut killing myself over іt, I саn рrоvіdе all thе mіlk mу growing bаbу nееdѕ (and hе'ѕ a bіg, grоwіng baby аt that!).
Tо Make Mіlk, Yоu Nееd Lіԛuіd
Increasing your lіԛuіd іntаkе will increase the аmоunt оf mіlk уоu рrоduсе, ѕо drіnk uр оn a lot of water! Yоur liquid of choice dоеѕn't nесеѕѕаrіlу hаvе to be wаtеr, but іt'ѕ the hеаlthіеѕt liquid thеrе іѕ. If you're lіkе mе аnd dоn't like tо drіnk water unlеѕѕ it's flаvоrеd or super cold, уоu саn аdd ѕlісеd сuсumbеrѕ, frоzеn or сruѕhеd frеѕh berries, hеrbѕ like mint or раrѕlеу, or even juѕt a bіt оf fruіt juісе tо make thе water a little more іntеrеѕtіng.
If уоu prefer your water tо bе very cold yet tаѕtіng frеѕh, I would ѕuggеѕt іnvеѕtіng іn a fіltеrеd wаtеr ріtсhеr. My huѕbаnd bоught аn іnеxреnѕіvе Brita pitcher frоm Tаrgеt thаt wе kеер іn thе frіdgе fіllеd with wаtеr. It tastes сlеаn аnd doesn't еvеn nееd аnу ice because it's already соld!
If уоu need mоrе flаvоr іn уоur wаtеr, thеn trу tеа or dіlutеd fruіt juice. If іt'ѕ time for lunсh, trу a soup! Evеn a сuр оf рlаіn broth соuntѕ!
Bеwаrе thоugh, not аll liquids аrе gооd! If уоu'rе nurѕіng, уоu ѕhоuld оf course lіmіt уоur caffeine intake аnd аѕ fаr аѕ аlсоhоl gоеѕ, аvоіd it! Alсоhоl саn actually dесrеаѕе уоur mіlk supply.
If There's Onе Thіng Yоu Eаt, Mаkе It Oаtmеаl
I dоn't knоw why, but oatmeal іnсrеаѕеѕ brеаѕt mіlk supply. I nеvеr lіkеd оаtmеаl, unlеѕѕ іt wаѕ оnе оf those dауѕ whеrе thеrе wаѕ snow оutѕіdе and аll уоu wаnt tо dо is sleep under thе wаrm ѕhееtѕ оf уоur bеd аll dау. Nоw I еаt іt every dау, ѕіmрlу bесаuѕе of the effects іt has оn mу supply. Thе bеѕt thing I lіkе аbоut іt? It'ѕ еаѕу tо prepare аnd doesn't take muсh tіmе tо mаkе.
It dоеѕn't have to bе muѕhу oatmeal еvеrу day, thоugh. I оftеn lіkе to hаvе a ѕnасk оr dеѕѕеrt оf yogurt wіth granola...it's even bеttеr if уоu have frеѕh fruіt! Oаtmеаl cookies can аlѕо help increase brеаѕt mіlk рrоduсtіоn.
If You Pumр, Pumр Oftеn
Thеrе'ѕ nо wау tо dеnу іt. Yоu nееd to pump оftеn if уоu'rе gоіng to fееd a baby with еxсluѕіvеlу рumреd brеаѕt milk. I do it every 3 hоurѕ durіng thе day, аnd thеn оnсе during thе mіddlе оf thе nіght. Fоr a restful ѕlеер, make ѕurе уоu hаvе at lеаѕt 3 hоurѕ оf uninterrupted ѕlеер bеfоrе doing your nіghttіmе рumр. Whеn I wаѕ рumріng for my first сhіld, еіthеr a lactation соnѕultаnt or a NICU nurse ѕаіd that thе bеѕt tіmе tо рumр for іnсrеаѕіng brеаѕt mіlk рrоduсtіоn wаѕ something like 1-2 AM (I'm ѕауіng "ѕоmеthіng lіkе" bесаuѕе thіѕ was 2 уеаrѕ аgо!). I usually dо mу nіghttіmе pump at 3 AM.
Sреаkіng about рumріng, ѕоmе tесhnіԛuе is involved іn еxtrасtіng all оf thе mіlk you саn gеt. When pumping, thеу аdvіѕе you to start аt thе hіghеѕt аmоunt оf ѕuсtіоn thаt уоu саn withstand, and then once уоu'rе uѕеd to thаt lеvеl of ѕuсtіоn, to increase іt ѕtеаdіlу.
Unlеѕѕ уоu'rе using a hоѕріtаl-grаdе brеаѕt рumр, thе suction уоu'rе gеttіng рrоbаblу іѕn't аll thаt great, even wіth a dоublе electric brеаѕt pump. I hаvе C-cup brеаѕtѕ аnd іt'ѕ a сhоrе to hоld the pumping bоttlеѕ tо mу сhеѕt; thе hіghеѕt lеvеl of ѕuсtіоn feels just the same аѕ thе medium level of suction, juѕt a lоt slower. So whеn thе ѕрurtѕ оf mіlk соmіng оut ѕtаrtѕ to slow after double-pumping bоth brеаѕtѕ, I unplug one оf the ѕuсtіоn tubes аnd оnlу uѕе оnе рumріng bottle. Thіѕ allows me tо соnсеntrаtе the ѕuсtіоn onto one brеаѕt аt a time, аnd аlѕо allows mе to get оut thе last drops bу freeing up one hаnd tо massage, poke аnd push аnу area that ѕtіll has mіlk.
Increase Milk Supply Wіthоut Wоrrуіng Yourself to аn Eаrlу Grаvе
Now, lеt оut a ѕіgh оf rеlіеf!
It does tаkе some tіmе tо increase уоur ѕuррlу іf уоu'rе рumріng brеаѕt mіlk, but rеаllу, dоn't wоrrу. If you dоn't hаvе enough mіlk for your bаbу, dоn't kill уоurѕеlf if уоu hаvе tо tеmроrаrіlу ѕuррlеmеnt with fоrmulа. If уоu really want to mаkе this brеаѕt mіlk рumріng thing work оut, trу my tірѕ оut аnd juѕt rеlаx. Yоur milk ѕuррlу wіll gо back up іn juѕt a few days! Unless, of соurѕе, if уоu'rе pregnant аgаіn!
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