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Breast Cancer

by: Laura S. Garrett, RD

Cancer is the number 2 killer in the United States. Is there something you can do to help prevent cancer? You bet there is. It is estimated that 1/3 of cancers are linked to diet. In addition, 3 to 4 MILLION cancer cases could be prevented EACH YEAR simply by making dietary changes!! Now that is wonderful news. The choices you make today can affect your quality of living tomorrow.

It is a known fact that populations with higher rates of cancer have different dietary habits than those with lower rates. This article will cover several different nutrition issues related to breast cancer. For the most part, the same dietary recommendations that help reduce the risk of other cancers, heart disease, and osteoporosis apply to breast cancer risk reduction.

Research has shown that women who eat their fair share of fruits and vegetables have much lower rates of breast cancer. The minimum recommendation is to eat 5 servings per day, aiming for 10 servings. If you need help determining exactly what a serving is, here is a link to NutrActive's free Serving Size Guide, Click Here.

Specific nutrients naturally found in fruits and vegetables seem to play a role in reducing risk. Some of these nutrients include vitamins C and E, and phytochemicals such as pycnogenols and carotenoids. The most popular carotenoid is beta carotene. Word of caution: If you desire to boost your intake of specific nutrients by taking supplements, beta carotene is not one that has not shown favorable results in studies. Taking an isolated amount of any one carotenoid can throw the natural balance that you obtain through your diet out of whack. It is far better to eat a handful of baby carrots to get a boost of carotenoids the way mother nature intended. As far as vitamins C and E, if you wish to supplement your diet, these are both relatively safe and effective supplements. My recommendation for vitamin C is do not take more than 500 mg per day in supplement form. For vitamin E, do not exceed 400 IU per day.

Another nutritional element that may help reduce breast cancer risk is fiber. Some of the fiber in your diet binds to estrogen. High exposure to estrogen throughout one's life is one of the high risk factors for breast cancer. Fiber intake can be increased by eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Carrying around extra baggage is a strong risk factor for developing breast cancer, especially if it is added during your adult years. Some health experts used to think there was no harm in packing on a few extra pounds with each passing year. It is now believed that even a 10 to 20 pound increase in weight over an adult's life span can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Why? Possibly because increased body weight seems to result in increased circulating estrogen levels. For weight loss services and products, Click Here.


Effects of Fat:
Unfortunately, research on the role of total fat consumption is inconsistent. There has not been a lot of good research due to the fact that people who eat high-fat diets are typically overweight. Even if future research were not able to find an association between total fat intake and breast cancer risk, consuming a diet low in fat makes it much easier to maintain a lean body weight.

The standard advice is to consume no more than 30% of your calories from fat. Some health professionals say it is better to limit fat calories to 20% of your food intake. Here is an example to show you how to calculate how many grams of fat you can eat and be following the above guidelines. Let's say you typically eat 1800 calories a day. Multiply 1800 times 30% (or .30). You get 540 which is the total fat calories you can have that day. To calculate grams of fat, divide 540 by 9. You can have 60 grams of fat per day. The number 9 is used because there are 9 calories per every 1 gram of fat. If you are not a math wizard or you have no clue as to how many calories you eat each day, you might like to have your nutritional intake analyzed. This will clue you into just how many calories you consume each day plus how many calories are from fat, Click Here.

There is evidence that saturated fats may increase breast cancer risk. Sources include foods from animal origin, coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, and cocoa butter. Monounsaturated fats may actually help decrease breast cancer risk. Sources include olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil.

Of particular interest is olive oil. Aside from being a monounsaturated fat, olive oil contains important phytochemicals and a significant amount of vitamin E. Phytochemicals and vitamin E possess antioxidant activity meaning they help protect against oxidation, a process by which cancer can develop. Greek women typically consume 42% of their calories from fat versus 35% consumed by American women. Yet, Greek women have substantially lower rates of mortality due to breast cancer when compared to American women. How can that be? Unlike the typical American diet, most all of the fat in the Greek diet comes from olive oil or fish. Fish has promising benefits, too. Studies involving the use of fish oils seem to indicate that fish oils can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Keep in mind that the speculations associated with olive oil are fairly new. There is no reason to start taking olive oil by the spoonfuls. Because it is a beneficial fat, there is absolutely no harm to included it in your diet. Just keep in mind that it is a fat and fats provide a significant amount of calories. The biggest key is to keep your weight under control.

Effects of Alcohol:
Alcohol consumption: Three out of four Americans say there is too much conflicting information when it comes to eating a healthy diet. This can be particularly true when it comes to alcohol. Some say a drink a day can provide health benefits, some say not so. So what are the facts?

Strong evidence suggests that consuming more than 3 to 4 drinks per week increases your risk of breast cancer. One drink is equal to 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine, 1.5 oz liquor. If you have included red wine to your diet to help reduce heart disease risk, why not eat red grapes or drink purple, 100% natural grape juice. The protective phytochemicals are found in the grapes, not the alcohol. Tea and onions are another source of these protective phytochemicals.

However, there is no denying that alcohol in moderation is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. A large body of evidence supports this. But, there is convincing evidence that moderate alcohol consumption may lead to modest increases in breast cancer risk.

In 1994 experts reviewed 38 case-controlled studies involving alcohol and breast cancer. Their findings indicated that 1 drink per day resulted in a 10% increase in breast cancer. More recently, a pooled analysis of data published in 1998 showed that for every 10 grams per day of alcohol consumption, breast cancer risk increased 9%. Did it matter what type of alcoholic beverage was being consumed? No. In addition, this pooled analysis showed that women who drank 2 to 5 drinks per day had a 41% higher risk - OUCH!

What is my advice? If you are a woman who is at high risk for developing cancer, I would advise that you limit your consumption to less than one alcoholic drink per day.

Because heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women, I cannot advise you to eliminate alcohol altogether. There is a greater chance you will develop heart disease than breast cancer. A consistent finding in studies shows the lowest risk of death from heart disease is among moderate drinkers. Weigh your risks. Discuss them with your doctor. Then hopefully you can make an educated decision about whether or not you should include alcohol as part of your "healthy" diet regimen.

Effects of Meat Consumption:
Evidence that meat consumption increases breast cancer risk is growing. Two culprits are speculated to be the saturated fat and the type of animal protein in meat. Red meat consumption has conclusively been linked to colon cancer. The conclusive evidence is not as strong for breast cancer. Nonetheless, I would recommend limiting red meat to no more than two servings per week (2-3 ounces per serving or about the size of a deck of cards).

Third culprit: When meat (such as beef, poultry, or fish) is exposed to high temperatures, harmful substances called heterocyclic amines - HCAs - are formed. HCAs are known to be harmful to the pancreas, colon, and prostate. Recently the Iowa Women's Health Study published a report stating that women who consistently ate their red meat cooked well done had almost FIVE times the risk of breast cancer as those who ate their meats rare or medium. (Note: I am NOT recommending you eat your meat cooked rare. It is well known that undercooked meat carries its own health concerns, namely exposure to harmful bacteria.)

In addition to limiting the amount of red meat you consume,
I recommend the following:
(1) Trim fat from meat BEFORE grilling
(2) Avoid foods that have been charred (black)
(3) Before grilling, marinate meat AND microwave the meat for 3 to 5 minutes to cut down on carcinogens (substances that cause cancer). [This step is important because it limits the meat's exposure to high-temperatures.]

Effects of Soy:
You have probably heard a lot of recent news about soy. You have probably even heard that soy can help reduce your risk of cancer. Interest in soy's role in preventing breast cancer developed after scientists observed that Asian women have significantly lower rates of breast cancer than women in the U.S. Asian women typically consume a diet that is rich in soy products. Women in the U.S. typically do not.

Experts are not ready to make strong claims concerning soy and its ability to prevent cancer. However, there is substantial data that links soy to the prevention of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers. A recent study in England found a strong association between a high intake of soy phytoestrogens (to be discussed in a minute) and a lower risk of breast cancer. Even still, experts will not say with certainty that soy does reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Because there is a large amount of evidence suggesting that soy is beneficial, I recommend incorporating soy into your diet.

So, what are phytoestrogens? Phytoestrogens are plant hormones that are similar to human estrogens. Of importance is the fact that phytoestrogens are weaker than human estrogens. Phytoestrogens are believed to be among the key substances in soy that helps reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers. As weaker versions of estrogen, phytoestrogens seem to play a dual role. When there is too much estrogen, the phytoestrogens actually block estrogen's harmful effects. When there is not enough estrogen, phytoestrogens make up for the difference. In addition, phytoestrogens seem to act as antioxidants, thus further protecting cells.

Other foods besides soy products contain phytoestrogens. The best source without a doubt is soy. Flaxseed is a strong second. Studies are lacking in support for getting your phytoestrogens from a pill. Food sources are absolutely your best bet.

How can you start incorporating soy into your diet? Do not look to soy sauce or soybean oil for the benefits associated with breast cancer risk reduction. These products may be made from soy, but they contain none of the beneficial phytoestrogens and no soy protein. Below is a list of soy products and the amount in milligrams (mg) of the beneficial phytoestrogens contained per each serving size listed. To reap soy's benefits, I recommend that you try to include 30 to 60 mg per day.

1/2 cup fresh or frozen soybeans 70 mg
1 cup soy milk 20 mg
1/4 cup soy nuts, roasted 84 mg
4 ounces tofu 38 mg
1/4 cup soy powder 60 mg

Fresh or frozen soybeans, sometimes called edamame, are mild, sweet-tasting green beans. Boil them for 15 to 20 minutes and get ready for a real treat!

Soy nuts are dried soybeans that have been roasted and usually salted. They make a good alternative to peanuts with half the fat and a lower price tag.

Don't like soy milk straight?

Strawberry-Banana Shake:
In a blender, place 1 ripe banana,
1/2 cup frozen strawberries,
1 cup soy milk,
1/3 cup soy protein powder,
and 1 TBSP honey.
Blend until thick and creamy.
[100 mg phytoestrogens]


Let's put everything into perspective:

Here is a list identifying "cancer protectors":

* Fruits and Vegetables, especially those dark in color, aim for 5-9 servings/day
* Fiber, especially for colon cancer, aim for 25-35 grams per day
* Antioxidants, such as carotenes and vitamins C & E (get carotenes through your diet, not a pill !!)
* Selenium, especially for prostate cancer, do not take more than 800 mcg/day as a supplement
* Calcium, aim for 1200-1500 mg per day
* Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil), try to include fish in your diet at least 1 to 2 times per week
* Soy, aim for 1 to 2 servings of soy products per day
* Tea (black or green), aim for 3 to 5 servings per day
* Exercise, aim for 30 minutes most days of the week

Here is a list identifying cancer promoters:

* Overweight, limit weight gain in adulthood to 10 pounds or less
* Dietary fat, try to use canola and olive oil in cooking
* Red meat, especially colon cancer, limit to 1-2 times per week - 3 oz. serving size
* Burned food, avoid charred foods when possible
* Nitrates and nitrites, avoid cured meats when possible
* Alcohol, MEN: Limit to 2 drinks or less/day, WOMEN: Limit to 1 drink or less/day



"The Best Overall Anticancer Diet"
(Source: Environmental Nutrition/vol.22/no.10):

* Eat a diet that is largely vegetarian (certainly low in red meats), centering on legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

* Eat fish once or twice a week.

* Eat five to nine servings a day of fruits and vegetables. Include citrus fruits or other foods rich in vitamin C, dark leafy greens, high-fiber produce and cruciferous vegetables.

* Limit fat intake to mostly monounsaturated and omega-3 fats (from olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and seeds).

* Choose whole grains (whole wheat, oatmeal, brown rice) over refined grains.

* Include a source of calcium (from diet or supplement).

* Include soy and flaxseed in your diet.

* Relax with a few cups of tea a day.

* Exercise regularly.



Exercise

What role does exercise play in fighting cancer?
Regular exercise (30 minutes or more on most days of the week) helps protect against colon cancer and possibly breast and lung cancers. In addition, exercise helps reduce the cancer risk associated with obesity by helping you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Below is an easy solution for those of you who are too busy to fit in a good workout on most days.

Squeezing in what has been coined as "fit bits" of physical activity (activity for short as a minute or two spread throughout the day) can keep you healthy and fit. The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas demonstrated that subjects who performed lifestyle fitness lost as much weight as a group doing a 20 to 60 minute aerobic session 3 to 5 times per week. They also increased their aerobic endurance, although not as much as the control group.

So, what does that mean? Got a minute, do something physical. Below is a list for you to gauge calories burned per activity. The amount you burn will vary, but this serves as a guide. The calories shown are based on a 140 pound woman.

* Sweep for 5 minutes = 20 calories
* Push a stroller a half-mile in 10 minutes = 50 calories
* Garden for 15 minutes = 55 calories
* Play ACTIVELY with the children for 15 minutes = 60 calories
* Park in far corner of parking lot at work.
Walk 5 minutes briskly to desk = 25 calories
* Walk briskly back to car, when leaving work, 5 min. = 25 calories
* Four flight of stairs both ways = 40 calories
* Walk briskly to store and then back in 8 minutes = 35 calories

* Here is a quick way to rack up calories burned:
Jump rope for 15 minutes = 150 calories!

Written by Laura S. Garrett, RD, LD, Fitness Trainer, & Owner of www.NutrActive.com - Nutrition & Active Lifestyle Center **Weight Loss, Fitness, and Diabetes Programs** Contact via e-mail: Laura.RD@NutrActive.com ( mailto:laura.rd@nutractive.com ) Subscribe to one or ALL of NutrActive's FREE weekly e-zines for tips on how to lose weight, tone muscle, prevent disease, & cook healthy: Click Here to Subscribe Now!

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Insects and HIV Transmission

by: Amy Otis, BSN, RN

HIV and Insect Transmission

There is also no reason to fear that a biting or bloodsucking insect, such as a mosquito, could transmit HIV from one person to another through HIV-infected blood left on its mouth parts. Two factors serve to explain why this is so: first, infected people don't have constant high levels of HIV in their bloodstreams and, second, insect mouth parts do not retain large amounts of blood on their surfaces. In addition, scientists who study insects have determined that biting insects normally do not travel from one person to the next immediately after ingesting blood. Rather, they fly to a resting place to digest this blood meal.
Sex-Ed101.org - Sexual Health Resource

Sex-Ed101.org - Sexual Health Resource

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HIV and Women

by: Amy Otis, BSN, RN

HIV and AIDS and Women.

Today in the United States the HIV/AIDS epidemic represents a growing and persistent health threat to women, especially young women and women of color. Early in the epidemic, HIV infection and AIDS were diagnosed for relatively few women. In 2002, HIV infection was the leading cause of death for African American women aged 25 to 34 years and was among the four leading causes of death for African American women aged 20 to 24 and 35 to 44 years, as well as Hispanic women aged 35 to 44 years. Overall, in the same year, HIV infection was the 6th leading cause of death among all women aged 25 to 34 years and the 4th leading cause of death among all women aged 35 to 44 years.

STATISTICS

Yes, statistics can be very boring. However, if you are a woman or know one, these numbers are very real.
(Statistics are not yet available for 2004). -- (February 2005)


Cumulative Effects of HIV Infection and AIDS (through 2003)

• Through 2003, 170,679 women were given a diagnosis of AIDS, a number that represents about one fifth of the total AIDS diagnoses.


• An estimated 81,864 women with AIDS died. These women account for 16% of the deaths of persons with AIDS.


• Women with AIDS made up an increasing part of the epidemic. In 1992, women accounted for an estimated 14% of adults and adolescents living with AIDS]. By the end of 2003, this percentage had grown to 22%.


• According to a recent CDC study of more than 19,500 patients in 10 US cities, HIV-infected women were 12% less likely than infected men to receive prescriptions for the most effective treatments for HIV infection

AIDS in 2003


• An estimated 11,498 women had a diagnosis of AIDS, a number that represents 27% of the AIDS diagnoses.


• The rate of AIDS diagnoses for African American women was approximately 25 times the rate for white women and 4 times the rate for Hispanic women.


• African American and Hispanic women together represented about 25% of all US women, yet they account for 83% of AIDS diagnoses reported in 2003.


• An estimated 88,815 women were living with AIDS, representing 22% of the estimated people living with AIDS. Diagnoses of AIDS in women, by race/ethnicity, 2003 (Note: excludes women from U.S. dependencies, possessions and associated nations.


HIV/AIDS in 2003

• Heterosexual contact was the source of 80% of these HIV infections.

• Women accounted for 27% of the estimated diagnoses of HIV infection.

• The number of estimated HIV diagnoses for women remained stable during 2000–2003.
Diagnoses of HIV Infection in women, by risk, 2003


RISK FACTORS AND BARRIERS TO PREVENTION
Lack of Recognition of Partners’ Risk

Some women may be unaware of their male partners’ risk for HIV infection (such as unprotected sex with multiple partners, sex with men, or injection drug use). Men who engage in sex both with men and women can acquire HIV from a male partner and can then transmit the virus to female partners.

Sexual Inequality in Relationships with Men
It is speculated that some women may not insist on condom use out of fear that their partners will physically abuse them or leave them. Sexual inequality is a major issue in relationships between teenage girls and older men. In one CDC study of urban high schools, more than one third of African American and Hispanic female teenagers had their first sexual encounter with an older man. These teenagers, compared with teenagers whose partners were also teenagers, were younger at first sexual intercourse, were less likely to have used a condom during first and most recently reported intercourse, or were less likely to have used condoms consistently.

Biologic Vulnerability and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
A woman is approximately twice as likely as a man to contract HIV infection during vaginal intercourse, according to the CDC. Additionally, the presence of a sexually transmitted disease greatly increases the likelihood of acquiring or transmitting HIV infection. The rates of gonorrhea and syphilis are higher among women of color than among white women. These higher rates are especially marked in the younger age groups (15–24 years).

Substance Abuse
An estimated one in five new HIV diagnoses for women is related to injection drug use. Sharing injection equipment contaminated with HIV is not the only risk associated with substance use. Women who smoke or snort crack cocaine or other noninjection drugs may also be at high risk for sexual transmission of HIV if they sell or trade sex for drugs. Also, both casual and chronic substance users are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Understanding HIV and AIDS Data
Understanding AIDS surveillance: Through a uniform system, CDC receives reports of AIDS cases from all US states and territories. Since the beginning of the epidemic, these data have been used to monitor trends because they are representative of all areas. The data are statistically adjusted for reporting delays and for the redistribution of cases initially reported without risk. As treatment has become more available, trends in new AIDS diagnoses no longer accurately represent trends in new HIV infections; these data now represent persons who are tested late in the course of HIV infection, who have limited access to care, or in whom treatment has failed.

HIV/AIDS: This term includes persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection (not AIDS), a diagnosis of HIV infection and a later diagnosis of AIDS, or concurrent diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS.

Other links worth checking out:
What Every Teen Needs To Know About HIV And AIDS.

Cases of AIDS in the USA

HIV Rapid Test


For more information:

CDC National AIDS Hotline
1-800-342-AIDS
Spanish: 1-800-344-SIDA
Deaf: 1-800-243-7889

CDC National Prevention Information Network:
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, Maryland 20849-6003
1-800-458-5231

Internet Resources:
NCHSTP: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/nchstp.html

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Generic way to sexual happiness

Conroy Dunham

Viagra was medical science’s answer to male impotence. This revolutionary drug changed millions of lives across the globe. Men’s sexual health became a household discussion topic and the phenomenon of impotence, which was once discussed under hushed tones, was now a common term.

Pharmaceutical companies that pioneered the manufacturing of Viagra made billions in the process and continue to do so. But one factor that went against Viagra was its cost. If this drug was prescribed for long term use then it tended to become a financial burden that meant that your sexual enjoyment came at a steep price.

The answer to this was the Generic Viagra. As the name suggests this generic variant of Viagra has a similar composition and comes quite cheaper than Viagra. The reason being that it is not sold under popular brand names and its manufacturing is low cost.

This generic variant is safe to use and has shown promising results both in clinical trials and practical use. More and more doctors are prescribing this drug for treatment of impotence. Data collected by various agencies shows that Generic Viagra can be taken along with a number of prescription and non-prescription medicines.

If you decide on the use of Generic Viagra then we recommend that you consult your doctor and discuss your medical details in order to determine the appropriate dose and minimise any side effects. If you are over 65 years of age or are suffering from any engina trouble then you should ask for close monitoring while using this variant.

The Generic Viagra’s mode of action is similar to that of Viagra, i.e. it relaxes the muscles in the penile area thereby facilitating increased blood flow resulting in a full and quality erection. Sexual stimulation is necessary to induce the erection and your partner’s role becomes important in this process. Once you have achieved the erection you can engage in sexual intercourse thus bringing back those pleasant moments which had been missing from your life for sometime.

Generic Viagra is easily available in local medical stores and you can also order it through internet pharmacies. Online purchase combined with cheap prices and discreet home delivery make internet shopping quite unique. Before ordering be sure to verify the details of the pharmacy with your local medical authorities to ensure that you are not duped and sold worthless chalk powder.

Unless you try the generic variant you will never realise its potential or benefit from its low cost. We strongly recommend that you go for it and experience the results first hand.

Always practice safe sex.

Dunham is an associated editor to the website http://www.edgenericpills.com . It is committed to provide visitors with complete information on men's health, sexual health, and online prescription drugs like generic viagra, generic cialis by latest news, personal views, and articles on erectile dysfunction related topics. Your feedback & comments will be highly appreciated at conroydunham@gmail.com

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Female Impotence

by: Kent Pinkerton

Female impotence, or female sexual dysfunction, is a catchall term used to describe difficulties in having sexual desire, enjoying sex, being adequately aroused or having an orgasm. A woman may experience decreased sexual desire for a number of reasons including stress and exhaustion. She may be unable to enjoy sex because she has one of several sex pain disorders, which in turn may be caused by an underlying condition. Women with breast cancer or gynecologic disorders may experience sexual dysfunction.

One type of female impotence is analogous to male impotence and may be caused by decreased blood flow to the clitoris during sexual intercourse. Psychosocial factors such as previous or ongoing sexual or physical abuse or an unresolved conflict over sexual identity may also play a role in female sexual dysfunction.

To provide appropriate treatment to a woman suffering from sexual dysfunction, her physician first has to overcome the challenge of separating intrinsic from extrinsic reasons for such dysfunction. Besides pain during sex or the presence of a clear underlying disorder, it may be difficult to distinguish between a woman�s inability to become aroused and have an orgasm from the technique used by her partner to stimulate her. Many women may only be able to have an orgasm through clitoral stimulation but gender roles and other barriers may get in the way of a woman expressing her needs to her sex partner. Mental stimulation plays a major part, if a woman is dissatisfied with her sex partner for other reasons, this may translate into decreased libido with that partner. This is called situational sexual dysfunction and the woman may experience no problems with a partner she considers more appealing.

Where an underlying reason can be identified, female sexual dysfunction is treatable. In many cases, a doctor may recommend counseling for a woman and possibly her partner.

Male Impotence provides detailed information on Impotence, Male Impotence, Female Impotence, Psychological Impotence and more. Male Impotence is affiliated with Chronic Insomnia.

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Art of Lovemaking and Science of Viagra

by: nayalbugs

Removing her clothes can be a very important part of foreplay. You have two choices: slow or fast. The reason you should try both is because women love variety and to figure out what she really likes can be a fantabulous onset.

It's always good to discuss your feelings while having sex, try to stimulate her imagination; this will help her reach climax. Do not hassle in sharing your likes and dislikes, talk about your problems. If you are facing serious physical disorder like erectile dysfunction.

Keep on experimenting with sex to make it more exciting, try to implement a variety of techniques rather than rather then doing the same thing over and over again. Discuss with your partner whether he or she is enjoying a particular pose or not.

There is no rule and regulation in bed, don't feel embarrassed in trying something new, its all about satisfying yourself and your partner.

If your partner has any problem discuss it, if he is not able to sustain erection console him and suggest him prescription pill Viagra. Viagra helps in maintaining erection and enhancing sexual duration.

Thanks to medical sciences that has provided successful, effectual and easy solution to erectile dysfunction. You don't need to go for the painful as well as embarrassing surgery. The onset of Viagra is amazingly fast and the effect lasts for around 4 hours giving enough time to plan out and enjoy the sexual desires.

nayalbugs - Committed to writing !

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Orgasm Benefits

by: Amy Otis, BSN, RN

An Orgasm is Good For You!

According to JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association), 43% of American women suffer from some form of 'Female Sexual Dysfunction -- often placing the blame on themselves for their inability to reach orgasm. Stop blaming yourself. If you are alone, masturbation will help you find what feels right for you. If you have a partner, talk to them. Often the clitoris is under stimulated during sexual intercourse - which is how many women have an orgasm. If you have orgasms from your cervix being stimulated, tell your partner this. (Or, whatever else does it for you).

Orgasms: Relieve tension! The faster heart beat, the increased blood flow and muscular tautness associated with sexual pleasure all come to a relaxing conclusion with an orgasm, and in the process relieve tensions pent up in your nervous system.

Orgasms: Help you sleep better. While an orgasm is followed in the male by a quick drop in blood pressure and sudden relaxation, the effect on women is more progressive but no less important. Orgasms act as a natural tranquilizer. That wonderful release of endorphins is very calming.

Orgasms: Calm your cravings for junk food and sometimes for cigarettes. Sexual stimulation activates the production of phenetylamine, a kind of natural amphetamine that regulates your appetite. So, before you pig-out, maybe go to your room. :)

Orgasms: Burn calories.

Orgasms: Can work as natural pain management. If you ever noticed forgetting about a headache or menstrual cramps while masturbating or having sex, it is not simply a psychological phenomenon. Endorphins, (natural compounds close to morphine) are released by your body during sex and can increase your tolerance to pain by as much as 70% during orgasm. This will vary from person to person. AND, if you are in the hospital... forget trying this due to the lack of privacy.

Coolnurse.com

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Kegel Exercises

by: Amy Otis, BSN, RN

Kegel Exercises
(Frog not required)

A kegel is the name of a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise in 1948. I call them “the invisible exercise”, since you can do them when no one else can tell. Kegels are a series of exercises which can help tighten up the pubococcygeal muscles (PC muscles). These originate from your pubic bone, go under your genitals and attach to your tailbone. Both men and women have them.

After pelvic surgery, pregnancy, or even as we age, these muscles lose their tone. This can result in a loss of bladder control, also called incontinence, a loose vagina, (especially after having a child), an inability to control ejaculation in guys, and a reduction of sexual pleasure for both men and women.

There are several ways to do kegel exercises. One method requires you to have a full bladder, sit on the toilet and start to urinate, then suddenly clamp down and stop the flow. Start and stop several times in a row. If you can’t cut off the flow of urine, but dribble on, you need to start kegel exercises for sure. From now on, every time you urinate start and stop all the way. This is often called “the faucet” and is a good indicator of your progress.

You can also do kegels right at your desk, even right now. Tighten your PC muscles and hold for a count of eight, then slowly release and repeat eight times. Yes, you can do these sitting at the computer or at your desk at work or school. (But don’t let that distract you from your teacher or boss). If you can’t make it to eight or ten in the beginning, use a lower number and do those until you build up to ten.

Another good time to do kegels, is when you are the passenger in a car. Every time you stop at a red light, do some, who will know but you.

Not only does this improve bladder control, but doing kegels regularly will improve your sex life. After doing kegel exercises, a woman will be able to clamp down and grip her partner’s penis increasing both their sexual pleasures. You men should notice an improvement in the 'intensity' of your erections and ejaculations. These exercises are also recommended for guys who experience premature ejaculation. While the penis is not a muscle, the increased muscle tone will improve blood supply resulting in firmer erections and also help a man to delay ejaculation. Kegels can also help prevent leaking urine when you sneeze or cough!

Like any other muscle group, you either “use it or lose it”. For honest answer about your sexual health see: CoolNurse.com

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by: Stacey M Kerr MD

Here in northern California, allergies are a significant health problem leading to fatigue, sick days from work and school, and secondary infections. Allergic rhinitis is a reaction to seasonal airborne allergens. It affects about 7 percent of the population of North America and is a risk factor for 88 percent of asthma patients. We have some excellent prescription medications for treating this, and there are many over-the-counter medications available also. However, BEWARE of the sedating effects of those nonprescription medications!!! Recent studies have shown that an individual on a therapeutic dose of diphenhydramine (Benedryl) is a more dangerous driver than one who is legally drunk on alcohol.

Fortunately, there are also some effective alternative therapies for allergic rhinitis.

Remember: no matter what method you use to treat your allergies, nasal rinsing to clear the mucus membranes of trapped allergens is essential. It only takes about 30 seconds, doesn't hurt a bit when done correctly, and makes all the difference. I recommend Nasopure®, a product developed by Dr. Hana Solomon, a pediatrician who has put together in one simple kit all you need for successful nasal rinsing. There is an excellent article about this on the Nasopure website (www.nasopure.com). If you are regularly using your Nasopure®, and still having difficulties, you can try some of the following remedies without significant side effects.

Vitamin and mineral supplements:

* Vitamin A - 10,000 IU/day

* Vitamin B6 - 50-100 mg/day

* Vitamin B5 - 50-75 mg/day

* Vitamin C - 1,000 mg/day in 3 divided doses

* Vitamin E - 400 IU/day

* Zinc - 20-30 mg/day

In addition some herbs and nutrients can help:

Quercetin has anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects if you take it 250mg two or three times a day.

Freeze-dried stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) can relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis at a dosage of 300mg twice a day.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also called fish oil, can help asthma patients with allergies by stabilizing the airways. They come in capsules and the total dose of the combination should be 2-4 g/day.

Acupuncture has given many patients significant relief. The Chinese medicine paradigm is very different than Western medicine, so I can not explain the mechanism of action. But I know that it is effective!

See your doctor about allergy symptoms if you are unable to manage them on your own - the nonsedating antihistamines and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays available today are excellent in treating this significant health problem!

Stacey Marie Kerr, M.D. graduated from the University of California Davis Medical School in 1989 and is currently a board certified family physician. Dr. Kerr is a member of the California and American Academy of Family Physicians. She holds a B.S. in Education/Special Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri. She hosts a website the-doctors-inn.comthat provides personalized answers to medical questions.

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