Life With AIDS, At Years End

I am, once again, reminded that HIV/AIDS is still a very real, and deadly disease, in that I get the news that it has claimed another life of someone I have known for a number of years. Even after all these years, as I hear of another passing, it cause me to be ever mindful, of how far we have yet to go, in order to bring the disease under control, so, that others do not become infected, or, die, due to the virus, that scientists are working hard to eradicate. It is easy I suppose , to sometimes allow myself to think of the possibility of an AIDS free world, in that are so many hopeful advances being made in the fight against the epidemic. With that however, it does not take away the sadness of the news that another is lost to the disease. That, along with newly diagnosed people, who contact me, seeking advice on how to learn to accept and live with their new normal.  http://www.ez9articles.appspot.com/article/hiv-can-be-transmitted-through-blood

Afraid of others learning about their new diagnosis, trying to grasp the idea of what lies ahead for them, regarding treatment, and, of whether the can muster enough strength to make it through the next day, much less being able to see themselves decades down the road, and wanting to know how I have done it all these years, and especially to be able to talk openly about HIV/AIDS, like I do. Having recently marked another World AIDS Day, as a long term survivor, I, like so many others, think back on those we have lost. Many who lived and died, under the stress of never revealing their "secret", amid the ever changing landscape of HIV/AIDS, and the news story headlines, using words like "cure", and "manageable". To the newly diagnosed, at least the ones I have encountered, it is hard to embrace these headlines. And honestly, even for a long term dinosaur like me, when news of an AIDS related death comes my way. I fully understand there has to be hope for a better day, in any situation that causes us to question. With HIV/AIDS, even when the viral load is non detectable, and, when our overall health seems stable, the reality of of all that changing quickly, can, at times be a bit overwhelming. I am reminded of a letter I received nearly twenty years ago, from a friend, who was nearing the end of his earthly journey, after having lived with AIDS for a number of years, and the advice he offered to me. He wrote.. there will always be survivors, you must fight, and never give up hope.... http://www.myhotarticles.us/article/hepatitis-a-is-transmitted-from-the-feces-to-water-and-food

 Perhaps, I am allowing the news of my friends recent passing, to cause me to be a bit sentimental, and, as this year is nearing the end, I am being too reflective of the past months, of which I am still mourning the loss of my own Dad earlier this year, who lost his battle with Alzheimer's. This causes me a certain sadness during the holiday season, and therefore, I think about my own journey with AIDS. Hopefully, as a new year begins, I will "bounce back", to my cheery, positive self, and will have a renewed spirit of hope. I just need to remind myself of the advice I give to the newly diagnosed, and that is to hang in there, allow yourself the time you need to process, take care of yourself, and know you have strength to endure this time, and that is done by taking it a day at a time.http://www.euarticles.net/article/hepatitis-a-is-transmitted-from-the-feces-to-water-and-food

Should I Get Double Eyelid Surgery or Not?

As part of The Talk’s weeklong series on ‘secrets,’ Chen revealed that she underwent the procedure, also known as blepharoplasty, at age 25 under pressure from a media industry agent. "He said, 'I cannot represent you unless you get plastic surgery to make your eyes look bigger,'" she recalled. She also remembered her superior at an Ohio news station had commented that her “Asian eyes” made her “look disinterested and bored." Chen is not alone in this. More than 150,000 blepharoplasty procedures were performed in the US in 2012, making it the fourth most in-demand cosmetic procedure that year. It stands to reason then that blepharoplasty is the most sought-after aesthetic plastic surgery in Asia. But blepharoplasty is a polarising issue in its home turf or anywhere there are people of Mongolian lineage. Is it really a tacit rejection of ethnicity, a form of racial reassignment surgery? Or is it not any more contentious than Caucasians undergoing a breast augmentation or nose job? What is blepharoplasty? http://www.yooarticles.net/article/clean-skin-abscess-in-and-around-it-with-gauze

To understand double eyelid surgery, one needs to know the anatomy of the Asian eyelid. Around half of all Asians are born with a single eyelid, i.e. with minimal to no crease on the upper eyelid. A blepharoplasty is designed to accentuate this crease to give an impression of a rounder eye. An operation typically entails the incision of excess skin, the scar concealed in the newfangled crease. Other surgeons do not require a scalpel at all and can produce the coveted crease in under an hour, with no scars to boot. Pros of getting blepharoplasty One of the most immediate benefits of getting a more prominent eyelid fold is the relative ease with which women can apply eye makeup. Despite having such modest goals, individuals who undergo blepharoplasty are up against a tide of public opinion. Opponents of the procedure cry that it is an out-and-out way of denying one’s racial heritage. Proponents are quick to rebut that blepharoplasty patients only expect the procedure to make them look like their best Asian selves, not Caucasians. Many Asians are born with a double eyelid, after all. They also argue that blepharoplasty’s effect on single-lidded patients is too subtle as to raise debate on race relations, compared with skin lightening among African-Americans. Responding to the furore caused by her confession, Chen reiterated that her goal was never to look less Asian. "Guess what? I don't look less Chinese! I'm not fooling anybody here," she said. If Asians really desired Westernised features, blepharoplasty would not be enough, according to proponents. Moreover, they contend that Asians have esteemed rounder eyes since the dawn of history. Many South Korean surgeons can attest to patients bringing pictures of K-pop stars instead of white celebrities. Cons of getting blepharoplasty Then again, those Asian celebs may be looking up to people outside of their race. The Daily Mail has quoted one K-pop band member as saying that her ideal appearance is “that of westerners...big round eyes, straight nose, round face.” Obsession with double eyelids has in fact made South Korea the plastic surgery capital of the world. In 2000, Monolid Magazine was launched as a mouthpiece for Asian-Americans repulsed by the idea of cutting their skin to mimic a Caucasian visage. “Beauty has been warped to fit into a Caucasian person’s ideal, making Asians slaves to an aesthetic ultimately not of their making,” editor Carrie Chang ranted in an article titled “Why Asian Women Need to Say No to Eyelid Surgery.” Critics of blepharoplasty point out that double eyelid surgery can be taken to such extremes that the signature bagginess of the Asian eyelid is lost, giving way to a ‘semi-lunar’ crease and hollowness indigenous to Caucasian eyelids. http://www.sarticles.net/article/hiv-can-be-transmitted-through-blood

Otherwise, blepharoplasty is merely a matter of vanity and thereby a question of confronting medical risks. With blepharoplasty, there is the very real risk of getting ptosis or a droopy eyelid after the operation. This occurs when the surgeon injures the levator aponeurosis. Ptosis may also happen another way, in which an overly high crease causes the eyebrow to droop. Such concerns may be the ultimate deterrent against getting this kind of surgery. Conclusion But of course patients can circumvent these risks by referring to a surgeon who simply knows what he or she is doing. Even then, you must understand that healthy expectations are demanded of you in any surgical procedure. As a minimum, you should expect some reasonable degree of asymmetry between the eyelids after an operation. As for the prospect of being shunned by an entire community because of one procedure, fret not. If you are honest to yourself about your motivations, then you only have yourself to answer to. Everything else is inconsequential. http://www.ezine9.us/article/hiv-can-be-transmitted-through-blood

Are We Losing (Brain Cells)?

With every result of MRI discussions that I have with my physician, I continue to hear the term “Brain Atrophy.” But, I've never really discussed what this meant, in part, due to us speaking about the new or enlargement of lesions present since the previous test occurred. Being a nurse, I knew what the term meant which is: the decreasing size of the brain or wasting away of brain cells, or the connection between brain cells have been damaged. It is also known as Cerebral Atrophy. It is normally seen with aging, but it is seen is greater amounts in people with different disease/disorders such stroke, neurological diseases such as MS , people who have seizures, dementia, Alzheimer’s, brain infections and injuries, Diabetes 2, Cachexia, to name a few. Brain Atrophy can be seen on one or both sides of the brain or can be localized. http://www.ez9articles.appspot.com/article/the-erysipelas-is-a-skin-infection

There is no known cure but treatment is given by what symptoms that are present; such if it is caused by an infection then an antibiotic is given. Symptoms vary with location and degree of the atrophy; memory loss, visual disturbances, speech difficulties, learning impairments, writing difficulties, personality changes, mood disorders, generalized weakness and balance issues, eye pain, seizures, reading and comprehension disorders. Symptoms can lead to life threatening issues which would require emergency care. What Is Interesting to me. What I found interesting, a study has shown that many people who have shown Brain or Cerebral Atrophy present on a film have gone on to be diagnosed with RRMS later on; meaning it is almost a precursor of MS. Having said that doesn’t mean everyone has been diagnosed with it, but several were. It is responsible and seen with increased symptoms of MS though. It could be the cause for the worsening problems experienced in place of new lesions being formed. Tips to ask your physician? http://www.myhotarticles.us/article/clean-skin-abscess-in-and-around-it-with-gauze
So with the next MRI that you have, ask your physician about how much atrophy is showing on your films and how much it has progressed since the beginning of your diagnosis. It may surprise you just how many of your symptoms come from this condition. And you will feel empowered by having done a bit more homework on Multiple Sclerosis.http://www.euarticles.net/article/clean-skin-abscess-in-and-around-it-with-gauze

Gift Guide for the Fitness Enthusiast

Finding a gift for your favorite fitness fanatic may seem easy enough given the ever-increasing amount of goodies and gadgets related to fitness on the market, but to help you get them the ultimate gift, we have compiled the Gift Guide for the Fitness Enthusiast. From underwater headphones for the swimmer in your life to cool gadgets to track fitness progress 24-7; this guide has got something for everyone. Backbeat Go 2 Wireless Earbuds by Plantronics backbeat go 2 Whether they’re working up a sweat on the treadmill or hitting the trails, these earbuds are a godsend for anyone who works out. Every last detail has been seen to in the design of these wireless earbuds that can connect to your smartphone or tablet for music, taking calls, or watching movies, using Bluetooth® technology. Military-grade coating protects them from sweat and moisture and the cable is tangle-free so there’s no need to fiddle and fight with it even during the most intense workout. You can monitor how much battery power is left right on your device’s screen and the three sizes of cushioned ear stabilizers give a great fit that’s comfortable and stays put in even the most active ears. Bike Trainers bike trainer Help any cyclist beat the bad weather blues by giving them a bike trainer. Costing anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars, a bike trainer is a stand that can make just about any road bike into a stationary bike. It’s perfect for those wanting to keep up their training when the weather is anything but cycle-friendly and great for getting in a quick workout on the bike when short on time and unable to get out for a ride. Throw in a cycling or spin workout video and your favorite cyclist will be all set! Lotus Folding Yoga Mat lotus yoga mat You can’t go wrong with the Lotus Folding Yoga Mat when looking for a gift for someone who loves this ancient form of exercise.  https://secure.web.emory.edu/forums/read.php?9,2091,2091#msg-2091

This double-sided yoga mat is textured for extra support and stability and only 3mm thick. It’s easily folded into a compact square that’s bag or even purse-friendly. It comes in a wide array of stylish colors and best of all—it’s well under $20! Don’t let the budget-friendly price fool you as this is one durable and high quality mat that any yogi or yogini is sure to love. Body Glide body glide It may look like a stick of deodorant, but Body Glide is actually an athlete’s dream come true. Body Glide is a lubricant in stick form that helps runners and active people of all kinds prevent chafing, blisters, and other skin irritations that can result from physical activity. It goes on clear and doesn’t stain clothes. It is also gentle enough to use on any part of the body that may chafe or blister, such as the inner thighs and groin (often referred to as “chub rub” even by those with little chub to speak of), and even the nipples which is a problem area for men and women who run long distances or perspire a lot during exercise. It’s also great for rubbing on feet to prevent blisters and saddle sores when running or cycling. There are different formulations available to address specific needs and it costs well under $10. UP24 by JAWBONE jawbone up 24 Anyone into fitness is going to be in awe of the UP24 by JAWBONE. This flexible bracelet uses Bluetooth® Smart to track progress and help you achieve your fitness goals, 24-7. Connected to your smartphone, this offers wireless syncing so you can enjoy real-time support no matter what you’re doing, be it exercise or rest. The Insight Engine helps you discover patterns in your activities and day-to-day activities so you can make the necessary changes to reach your fitness goals. It also lets you log all your workouts and meals, and even keep track of your sleep. http://www.sarticles.net/article/the-erysipelas-is-a-skin-infection

The customizable Idle Alert lets you know when you’ve been inactive too long to help you get up and moving making this little device like your own personal trainer and motivator! Other features include the Mood Tracker, Smart Alarm and Power Nap, and more. It’s the ideal gift for any fitness enthusiast regardless of their skill level or activity of choice. FX-Sport VR1 Underwater Headphones Fx vr1 Though perfect for your favorite swimmer when you add the silicone skin accessory, these headphones with built-in MP3 player make a great gift for anyone who enjoys working up a sweat or exercising on rainy days. They offer a comfortable fit and high-quality sound as well as the ability to read your playlists and album names to you using an integrated text-to-speech MP3 player. The same technology also allows you to control your music settings, like play, forward, and stop. And, they are adjustable to ensure a perfect fit through any workout. http://www.ezine9.us/article/the-erysipelas-is-a-skin-infection

Resources for Young Women with Breast Cancer

Young women can and do get breast cancer. I know this because I am one of them. Diagnosed at age 30, I was completely dumbfounded to learn that I had breast cancer. While breast cancer in young women accounts for only a small percentage of breast cancer cases, the impact of the disease is significant and real. More than 250,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger are living in the U.S. today, according to the Young Survival Coalition. And more than 13,000 young women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. According to research released this year, the incidence of metastatic breast cancer - the most advanced stage of breast cancer - is on the rise in younger women under 40. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, I found it somewhat difficult to find online information and research specific to my age group. However, I have since discovered and compiled several resources for young women with breast cancer. I often share these resources with other young women faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, in hope that they will find them useful as they navigate through their journey. http://www.clevelandstatecc.edu/green/forum/viewthread/10636/

 Please share the following resources with any young women you know fighting breast cancer. Resources for Young Women with Breast Cancer: Bright Pink Bright Pink is the only national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, while providing support for high-risk individuals. Keep A Breast Foundation The Keep A Breast Foundation is the leading youth-focused, global, nonprofit breast cancer organization. The organization provides support programs for young people impacted by cancer and educates people about prevention, early detection, and cancer-causing toxins in our everyday environment. Living Beyond Breast Cancer LBBC’s Young Women’s Initiative offers tailored programs for women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45. This initiative is funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Susan G. Komen Recognizing that young women with breast cancer may have special concerns that are different from those of older women, Susan G. Komen offers educational materials and information targeted specifically at young women. Tigerlily Foundation. http://uchem.berkeley.edu/forum/read.php?26,465436
 The Tigerlily Foundation’s mission is to educate, advocate for, empower and provide hands-on services and support to young women (15-40), before, during and after breast cancer. Young Survival Coalition Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. YSC offers resources, connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful. https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/forums/range/read.php?9,26782

The High Price of ADHD

Tention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder can be costly, as anyone who has it knows. Consider all those lost earrings, car accidents, and the more than occasional job-threatening mishaps. If you're the parent of a child with ADHD, which if you're a parent at all, you probably are, considering the strong hereditary nature of the condition, there'll be additional huge expense for therapists, educational counselling, and the eventual teenage fender-benders, if not more. Alas, ADHD is often accompanied by so-called co-morbidities, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and a higher rate of suicide: misery that saps your bank account as well as your soul. All this helps explain why estimates of the national cost of ADHD go into the tens of billions, considering everything from lost productivity at work, to repairs after accidents, to all that extra health care. https://secure.web.emory.edu/forums/read.php?9,2090,2090#msg-2090

One study calculated the average expense as $42.5 billion a year, in extra health care costs alone. This came to mind this week when I happened to come across the latest figures for what we spend on various health issues, per a report by the National Institutes of Health. Total government spending per year on research pertaining to ADHD is $60 million. Seem like a lot? Then compare it to what we spend on cancer -- $5.6 billion -- or heart disease -- $1.2 billion -- or even autism, at $192 million (which is apart from hefty donations from foundations). Even given the fact that annual costs of treating cancer are estimated at more than $124 billion, there's quite a discrepancy. It's something to think about, while we're hunting for all those lost earrings.... http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/09/leo/intlblogday/forum/read.php?1,2218

Relieve Stress by Drinking Black Tea

Tea is the world’s second most loved drink, that is, after water. To most people in fact, tea isn’t merely just about drinking up – it’s a culture transcending generations to generations. But most importantly, tea is known worldwide for its diverse health benefits. Numerous benefits, which medical professionals and researchers venture on in-depth research to prove these health claims. Through the years, people have been drinking tea in the belief that it helps relieve stress. In fact, it has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine where it originated in the 16th century. Today, some research studies have already backed up claims of tea’s ability to help reduce stress. Black Tea One particular study has established evidence that supports black tea’s ability to reduce stress. This study was conducted by the researchers from the University College London (UCL) and is published in the medical journal Psychopharmacology. http://customizedfatlossreview.creativist.me/

The subjects involved regular tea drinkers. 75 young men were divided into two groups, one group taking a caffeinated tea containing components of an average black tea. The other group was under a placebo set-up, consuming a caffeinated drink identical to that of the first group, only devoid of black tea’s active components. The drinks given to both groups were prepared in a way that hide distinct sensory cues pointing to that of black tea such as smell and taste. Participants from both groups gave up their normal tea and other caffeinated drinks. They underwent a six-week observation period, where they experienced tasks mimicking stress-inducing situations such as threats of unemployment and shoplifting accusations. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones, and subjective stress ratings were monitored. 50 minutes after the tasks, results suggest that tea drinkers, specifically loose leaf tea, get lower cortisol levels (an average of 47% in the tea drinking group against the 27% in the placebo group). Cortisol is a hormone released by the body in response to stress. Another finding is that blood platelets of the black tea drinkers were lower as opposed to their placebo counterparts. http://kyleleonreview.snack.ws/

Levels of blood platelets relate to blood clotting and consequently linked to risks of heart attack. Extremely high platelet count induces abnormal blood clotting that may result in heart attacks and stroke. But perhaps the most significant finding is that participants from the black tea drinking group have experienced greater grade of relaxation and have reported lesser feel of stress during their recovery period. Further research is yet required to pinpoint which of black tea’s components is responsible for this calming effect, but this however, is a huge milestone for the benefit of human health.http://kyleleonreview.blooming.me/

Truth About The Acai Berry

The açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berry has been promoted as one of the healthiest foods in the world. Until 2001 though, most Americans hadn’t heard of it. The Wall Street Journal reports that billion-dollar beverage companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are now adding it to their drinks. Even Haagen-Dazs products include açaí berry as an ingredient and Proctor & Gamble recently infused the berry in its Herbal Essence shampoos and conditioner. So, what exactly is the açaí berry? And what contributed to the surge in its popularity? Native to Central and South America, açaí berries are inch-long, reddish-purple fruits that are rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids. Both of these compounds are powerful antioxidants. Research has shown that a diet rich in berries and other antioxidants lessens the damage caused by stressors or free radicals during aging and disease processes. In their natural state, the total antioxidant content of açaí berries has been found to be higher than blueberries and strawberries, which are most commonly consumed in the U.S. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicates that, in freeze-dried or pulp form, the açaí berry has more antioxidant content than any other food reported to date. And, according to David Grotto, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, açaí is one of a handful of fruits, besides avocados, that contains monounsaturated fats, which can help you feel more satisfied when you’re cutting back on calories. Açaí splashed onto the American scene when Dr. Oz promoted it on the Oprah Winfrey Show as an anti-aging food in 2008. Shortly thereafter, products featuring the fruit burst into the market, television ads, and health and nutrition websites. Consumers have flocked to purchase these products because of their supposed health benefits. http://customizedfatlossreview.thefanbase.net/

 Many companies have even claimed that drinks and dietary supplements with açaí can help with weight loss and sexual dysfunction. But are these claims valid, or have consumers been duped? There’s some truth to the claims – but there’s also plenty of unfounded hype. The reality is that açaí isn’t a miracle fruit that prevents diseases or promotes weight loss. In its purest form – freeze-dried or pulp – it really does have more antioxidants than any other berry. But what happens once it’s made into a juice and processed to create a diet or beauty product? One scientific study looked at exactly that, by analyzing samples of commonly consumed beverages made of fruits or plants with high antioxidant content, like blueberry juice, cranberry juice, teas, and açaí berry juice. In their natural states, research has confirmed that these fruits have strong antioxidant activity and related health benefits, as proven by clinical studies. In juice or dietary supplement form, however, antioxidant potency changes. Beverages with the highest antioxidant content included red wine, Concord grape juice, and blueberry juice, followed by a tie between black cherry juice, açaí juice, and cranberry juice. Unfortunately, when it comes to liquid dietary supplements - including so-called “super food” beverages containing açaí - companies haven’t just misled consumers, but they’ve also lied about the ingredients in the products that they’re marketing. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, there’s absolutely no scientific evidence that acai actually helps you lose weight. What’s worse is that the manufacturers of these products promote their beverages based on low-quality published research, much of which wouldn’t be considered reputable by scientists or public health professionals. In fact, public health investigators at Dartmouth found that marketing claims grossly overstate the significance of study findings and fail to disclose major weaknesses of the research that they cite. http://customizedfatlossreview.photofolio.org/

 And, unlike drugs, over-the-counter dietary supplements aren’t closely regulated by the FDA. As a result, manufacturers can oversell the benefits of these popular products or sell completely fake products that don’t even contain acai, without legal repercussions. The take-away? Açaí juice is still near the top of the list for beverages that are high in antioxidant content, so drinking it may have some health benefits. And because the amount of monounsaturated fats in açaí is very small, you’d have to consume huge quantities to get any benefit, which wouldn’t just be expensive, but would also add extra calories to your diet. Like any other fruit, açaí can be part of a healthy lifestyle that, when combined with calorie control and physical activity, can eventually lead to weight loss. As a bonus, if you want an alternative to other tropical oils used in beauty creams, shampoos, and conditioners, studies show that processed açaí oil actually does have high levels of antioxidants when stored long-term. It might not make you look a decade younger, but it might add a little extra shine to your skin and hair.http://customizedfatlossreview.thepopular.me/

Improving Body Strength without Weights

Improving body strength without a gym membership and access to bodybuilding machines is possible. The human body is like any structure that requires a solid foundation before it is able to efficiently deal with any external resistance. As such, it is always a good idea to build a strong body weight workout before you start throwing around heavyweights. Every day, gym rats who have been constantly banged up from lifting heavyweights are keen on shifting into a more calisthenics-based strength training. Despite its obvious advantages, which include improved joint health, increased mobility, and greater proprioception, these people are unable to fully commit to body weight training without hesitation. For most people, the thought of strength training without external resistance is unfathomable. This, of course is a misnomer. http://customizedfatlossreview.ismykitty.com/

When done right, bodyweight exercises can in fact be just as efficient in building muscles, burning fat, and improving overall athletic performance. Here are a number of body weight exercises that are efficient alternatives to weights-based strength training workouts. Push-Ups Instead of Bench Press Over the years, push ups have earned a reputation of being too easy as far as strength training exercises are concerned. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Push ups is efficient not only in building the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It is also great in stabilizing the torso and the lower back. Trainers understand that enough resistance is needed to induce fatigue within 5-15 reps, and develop significant strength and muscle gains. The trick is not to forgo of push-ups entirely but to explore its many variations. If you can complete a set of 50-rep push-ups without breaking a sweat, then it is time you try other push-up variations, such as close-grip push-up, the clapping push-ups, and the classic one-arm push-ups. And if that is still too easy for you, feel free to try the one-hand clapping push-ups. Handstand Push-Ups Instead of Military Press The military press is among the most fundamental strength training workout for a good reason. Military press efficiently builds not only upper body strength but a strong core as well. The handstand push-ups basically gets you the same workout and helps you achieve the same result. This workout is basically military press turned up-side-down. Unlike the traditional push-ups, hand-stand push-ups require substantial amounts of strength, and balance. If you are still unable to properly execute a hand-stand push-up, you can instead try doing a pike press. http://customizedfatlossreview.singerprofile.net/

A pike-press is a hand-stand push-up, only with your body bent in half while your hips and feet rest on a bench. Pull-Ups Instead of Pull-Downs Regarded as the king of upper-body pulling, even lifters who are so used to throwing around heavyweights acknowledge the inherent intensity and difficulty of pull-ups. Everyone should do, or at least try to do pull-ups. If you are unable to properly execute pull-ups just yet, then a good alternative would be to do flex hangs, or negatives. For most people, completing a set of 15-rep pull-ups is difficult enough. But if regular pull-ups become too easy, then it is about time you explore its many variations which include the clapping pull-ups, muscle-ups, and one hand pull-ups where your opposite arm grips and assists your forearm. And if these still prove to be too easy, there is always the one-arm pull-ups.
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Advancing MS: Coping with Depression, Stress, and Anger

While MS can profoundly affect your physical health, it can also take a serious toll on your mental health. Although depression, stress, anxiety, and frustration are all common in people dealing with advancing MS, you don’t have to suffer silently. Here are some ways to reduce stress, create a healthier mindset, and maintain a better quality of life. Emotional and mental health issues are not uncommon in people with advancing MS. Each day brings with it new challenges and new questions. The constant unknowing and worrying can drive even the most grounded person to become anxious, stressed, even fearful. Some of the emotional changes you may experience include: Advertisement depressive symptoms and episodes grieving for the loss of a “normal” life stress and anxiety cognition changes anger Coping with Depression People with MS are highly susceptible to clinical depression—research shows that the occurrence of clinical depression is higher in people with MS than the general population. Depression is not a sign of weakness, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. http://customizedfatlossreview.snack.ws/

 You cannot prevent depression, and no amount of willpower can control it. However, depression can be treated. Most often, doctors prescribe a combination of therapy and antidepressant medication. This therapy may be one-on-one with a licensed professional, or, because of the specifics related to MS, your doctor may suggest you meet with other patients who are dealing with advancing MS and depression.
 Grieving A diagnosis of MS comes with a lot of loss—it can, eventually, mean the loss of job, physical capabilities, friendships, and enjoyment of activities. It’s not uncommon for people with MS to mourn for these “losses.” Grief and depression are very similar, but in an emotionally healthy person, grief has an end. However, people experiencing severe grief may have a difficult time releasing themselves from the sadness. One-on-one counseling, support groups, as well as acceptance of the disease in a supportive environment can help you deal with the grief you may experience before it becomes a larger problem.
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The Importance of Support Networks for Multiple Sclerosis

Treatment and care for multiple sclerosis (MS) doesn’t end when you walk out of your doctor’s office. While having a great team of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare provides is important, it’s equally important to have network of support from friends, family, mentors, neighbors, and people who can help you understand and deal with the symptoms, setbacks, and progression of MS. Advertisement Change is Constant MS is unpredictable. Each week brings new ups and down, new challenges and victories, and new questions and concerns for people living with and helping people who are living with MS. A group of people who can come together to face a challenge is stronger and better than a single person alone. http://kyleleonscam.doesphotography.com/

Help Your Caregiver Assess the Situation Being cared for and caring for someone with MS can be deeply satisfying—it’s a chance for partners, family members, and friends to be drawn together as they face the challenges of the disease head-on. However, providing emotional and physical care for someone can become stressful and, at times, overwhelming. Balancing one’s own personal life and responsibilities with the care and concern of an ailing loved one can be difficult. Many caregivers will face periods of feeling guilty, angry, and alone. You and your caregiver do not have to face this disease alone. Support from other family or professionals can help relieve stress, reevaluate approaches to treatment, and offer new perspectives on the caregiving relationship. http://kyleleonscam.isthephotographer.com/

Managing Relapses

he unpredictability of multiple sclerosis makes it a difficult disease to manage. However, for many, it is possible to develop a treatment regimen that keeps the condition in check and slows or prevents relapses. Doctors treat MS by focusing on three specific areas: symptoms, acute flare-ups, and slowing the progression of MS with medication. Advertisement Take the MS Assessment now to prepare for your next visit with your neurologist and discuss therapy options. Depending on the type of MS you have you may experience gradually worsening symptoms or acute attacks followed by remissions. Here are some frequently asked questions: How do I know when I’m experiencing a relapse? In some instances, you may feel a bit more tired or wobbly. Other times, you may notice a sudden onset of more severe symptoms, including vision or speech problems, tingling, shakiness, or an inability to use a limb normally. A doctor will conduct a neurological exam or order an MRI with gadolinium to detect active lesions. http://kyleleonscam.isteaching.com/

He or she may may conduct a Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) assessment to quantitatively assess disability. A relapse episode must last at least 24 hours and most last days to weeks. Some may last months. How are steroids typically used? For years, doctors used steroids to treat MS relapses. However, there is no evidence that steroids slow the progression of the disease or prevent relapses. These drugs are still widely used to reduce inflammation. They include orally administered prednisone and intravenously (IV) administered methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) and dexamethasone (Decadron). Another drug that is sometimes used is ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which is administered by injection. In most cases, doctors use a three to five day course of high dosage treatments. This approach produces maximum results with minimal side effects. Some doctors also use pulse steroids, which typically use a one-day-a-month dose of intravenous methylprednisolone. Among the side effects from steroids: stomach irritation, elevated blood sugar, water retention, restlessness, insomnia, and mood swings. How should I determine whether to take a disease-modifying MS drug? http://kyleleonscam.isinthehouse.com/
 It’s critical to understand the benefits and risks associated with any medication. It’s important to spend adequate time with a doctor, discussing the type of MS you have, the course of the disease, how you’re affected by it, your lifestyle, possible risks and side effects, and which, if any, drugs are suitable. These FDA-approved drugs—Avonex , Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif, Gilenya, Tysabri, Novantrone and Extavia —have been proven to slow the progression of MS and minimize relapses.http://kyleleonscam.makesnoise.com/

Enhancing Your Independence With Multiple Sclerosis

As the signs and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) take their toll, maintaining quality of life may become more challenging. It’s not uncommon for such changes to threaten your self-confidence and even your feelings of self-worth. Despite your condition, you can manage your stress and using mobility aids, to stay mobile, active, and regain some of your independence. Advertisement Assistive Technologies A range of tools and devices may help you stay active and productive as you begin to cope with the symptoms of MS. These devices include: Bathing and Showering Devices People with MS may find using tub and wall bars helpful as a way of getting into and out of showers while maintaining your balance. Cooking Devices Tools that help minimize muscle and limb movement are very helpful when dealing with symptoms of MS.
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 For example, an electric can opener will prevent the need for twisting the knob of a manual can opener. Mixers make stirring food easier than using a spoon on your own. Large-handled utensils are easier to grip than thin ones. Driving At least once a year after you’ve been diagnosed with MS, ask your occupational therapist to clear you for driving. Some people with MS may be advised not to drive because of a lack of coordination or an inability to safely manage a car. If you are cleared to drive, there are devices that can help you drive more safely. These include hand controls and low-energy steering wheels. Grooming Buttons, zippers, and hooks may be difficult to manage if you have MS. Try to use Velcro or large snaps when possible. Housekeeping Cleaning your house may involve lifting heavy vacuum cleaners, bending down to scrub floors, or holding thin wands to dust or wash surfaces. Putting heavy equipment on wheels may cut down on some of the problems, and handle extenders can make handles longer and bigger so they’re easier to grip.http://kyleleonscam.likes2ride.com/