Life Cycles: Middle Aged Blues are a Universal Experience

Researchers in Britain and the US have learned that happiness follows a U curve - peaking in our 20's and reaching a low point for women in their 40's, men in their 50's. Then our overall outlook and sense of contentment rises again as we age.

Knowing that alone ought to make us feel better - because the "...analysis of well-being among approximately 2 million people in 80 nations. With few exceptions, the observation appears to apply across the board, regardless of gender, culture, geography, wealth, job history, education, and marriage or parental status..."

Age 44 is the bottom of the pit of depression for most people around the world. So the good news is that when you celebrate your 45th birthday - really celebrate. You're going to be happy again, no matter what your life circumstances are.

P.S. Cheerful people live longer.

Thank you ecstaticist for use of photo Portrait of Photographer as a Middle-Aged Man.

Labels: life cycle, mood

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Tourette Syndrome: It's Not all Swearing

Tourette Syndrome has become popularized in the media - characterized by people blurting out obscenities at inopportune moments. But the truth of Tourette Syndrome is that it is a complex and sometimes subtle neurological disorder. There is a genetic component to it and onset is before age 18 years. Tourette Syndrome is more common in males than females and involves involuntary body movements - called tics - as well as involuntary vocal outbursts.

• Coprolalia is the involuntary utterance of obscenities
• Palilalia, of the last word the person said, is also common
• Touching, licking, facial grimaces, shoulder shrugging and blinking are all common motor tics

There is no cure for Tourette Syndrome, but it can be managed successfully and people with Tourette Syndrome lead normal, healthy lives. It often occurs with other disorders - autism, Asperger's syndrome, depression, OCD, conduct disorder. Public schools are obligated to help your child who is diagnosed with this syndrome. The incidence is on the rise - so if you have any concerns about seemingly odd behaviors - make sure to discuss them with your doctor.

Resources for more information:

• Jim Eisenreich Foundation for Children with Tourette Syndrome
• Tourette Syndrome Association

Specialists who treat Tourette Syndrome are available all over the world. Medications used to control tics are widely available.

Thank you Vedia for use of photo of NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

Labels: tics, Tourette Syndrome

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January 20-36 is National CRNA Week: We Salute The CRNAS Serving in Iraq

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAS) are an important part of the health care team - you just may forget that they cared for you. CRNA's are the primary anesthesia providers in rural America, where many anesthesiologists do not want to practice. Their presence enables hospitals in medically underserved areas to provided trauma stabilization, obstetrical and surgical services.

Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who have always been on the front lines, providing anesthesia to wounded soldiers since WWI. Today, CRNA's are serving in Iraq and around the world, caring for the wounded with severe multiple trauma. Like Bill Giles, CRNA, from North Carolina. And Billie Hoyle, CRNA, of Virginia.

CRNA's are not only called upon to care for wounded US soldiers. Take Lt. Colonel Charles M. McDannald - in the field in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, he and his team have helped resuscitate innocent Iraqi people, insurgents and other coalition fighters wounded in the fighting.

If you want to read an amazing account of life as a medic in Iraq, break out the box of tissues and read: The Grimmest Call to Action published in Lakeland, Florida's The Ledger.com January 10, 2007. The Boston Globe ran a series of articles about the same Massachusetts based medical unit - the 399th Combat Support Hospital operating in Mosul. They aren't just coming home, returning to work and forgetting about the troops. Many CRNAS are concerned about the medical and substance abuse problems of returning veterans and actively seeking ways to help them.

CRNAS are the health care providers you won't recognize and won't remember, but they are they watching over you, making sure you are breathing and feeling no pain during procedures.

Thank you lafrancevi for use of photo of Kandahar Air Field Hospital.

Labels: Afghanistan, CRNAS, Iraq, wounded soldiers

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How are we doing on resolutions 2008? It's Healthy Weight Week

How are you doing with your resolutions for a healthier you this year? We are three weeks into this new year and I hope you are eating more fruits and vegetables and walking more. That's all for this month of January. Just eat more produce and get up and move. That's all you have to do. And take the kids with you!

Because this week is Healthy Weight Week. And today, January 22 - is Rid the World of Fad Diets and Gimmicks Day. The message is - don't obsess about your weight - obsess about living! Laugh, make friends, get out, enjoy life, feel good about yourself and you will be healthy.

For those who are truly morbidly obese, keep in mind that gastric bypass surgery has been proven to add years to lives. Complications of obesity - such as hypertension and diabetes can be prevented with a successful gastric bypass surgery. If you fall into this category, do not let fear of surgery prevent you from having a conversation with your doctor that may save your life.

Thought for today:

If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, There will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
- Chinese proverb

Thank you Silly Jilly for use of photo Happy Family.

Labels: gastric bypass, healthy weitght

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Ortho Evra Users - The Verdict Is In!

Labels: birth control, birth control patch, birth control pill, fda, ortho evra, ortho mcneil, the patch, the pill

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Thank You Nursing Standard - Clowns Scare Kids

I am so glad someone finally did a study on this important topic: kids are afraid of clowns. I know I am. I hate clowns. I always have. They freak me out. Coulrophobia, or the fear of clowns, is more common in children than the fear of hospitals. Creepy clown decorations are a turn-off to recovering teenagers who just want a quiet space to chill out when they are sick. I agree. The last thing I want to look at when I am feeling sick is someone in loud makeup and a big red nose with a painted on smile and baggy pants trying to cheer me up.

Maybe images like these would be more helpful...

Thought for today: "The heart that loves is always young...never feel ashamed of loving someone..."


Thank you jamelah for use of photo fractals & polka dots
Thank you cammi angel for use of experiment 23_fractals

Labels: clown phobia, clowns, fractals, hospitals, love

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National Folic Acid Awareness Week: Yo Tomo Acido Folico. Y Tu?

The National Council on Folic Acid celebrates National Folic Acid Awareness Week from January 7-13. One thing they stress this year is that Latina women are consuming the least amount of folic acid and, as a result, more latino babies are being born with neural tube defects like spina bifida.

What is folic acid and how can you take more? Folic acid is Vitamin B-9 and green, leafy vegetables, asparagus, lentils and kidney beans are all high in this mighty nutrient. It is a cofactor in cell division - which is why it is so vital during pregnancy when the baby is forming. Most enriched grain and flour products in this country are supplemented with B vitamins. Women of child-bearing age should take a multi-vitamin with folate to prevent birth defects should they become pregnant. Just think about eating a low nutrient diet of junk food or fast food when a baby is forming inside of you. If you want to give that baby every chance to be the strongest, healthiest, most beautiful and intelligent baby it can be - eat healthy and take your vitamins.

Despite the fact that folic acid is widely available and easy to consume, it is estimated that only one third of women of child bearing age in the US are actually taking the recommended daily dose of 400 mcg a day. So do yourself and your loved ones a favor - take folic acid!

Folic acid also plays a role in: preventing cancer, protecting against dementia and stroke.

Thank you chuki for use of photo Mis amores 14.

Labels: b vitamins, folic acid, healthy diet, prevention

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January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month: How to Access Care

Prevent Blindness America has a vision for January - preventing glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease affecting the optic nerve, resulting in a loss of vision. Glaucoma is a silent thief of vision, and many people don't realize the damage is done until it's too late. Sadly, once it's gone, it can't be restored. Over 2 million Americans over age 40 have glaucoma, but many don't know they have it.

For a free, on-site Adult Vision Assessment, click here. Then what? These days, a lot of people are struggling with not having insurance, especially vision insurance. Or perhaps you are underinsured, or unemployed. How do you go about getting an eye exam paid for if you can't pay out of pocket and you don't have insurance?

Access to preventive eye services is an increasing public health concern as the population ages. 60 million Americans may be at risk for vision loss yet do not have access to vision care. This is a serious concern for employers from a productivity and safety standpoint. It behooves all of us to support vision care for everyone. One in 12 cannot afford eyeglasses when they need them. Half do not receive glaucoma screening exams annually. The Prevent Blindness America website provides information about screening tests available in each state. Our good friends at Eye Care America offer free eye exams and care. Call 1-800-222-3937 to find out if you qualify.

The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a comprehensive list of resources for financial help with eye care and eye exams. So don't put it off because of finances - make an appointment today for your annual eye exam and preserve your vision!


Thank you benchilada for use of funny photo...

Labels: Glaucoma, vision care

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Cervical Health Awareness Month

Last year, 24 of 50 US states rushed to mandate that all girls (age 11-12) be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer. HPV is highly communicative via sexual contact and all sexually active females are encouraged to have annual PAP tests. The PAP is part of the routine gynecological exam, which can also be done by your primary care provider. Cervical cancer is basically the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells on a woman's (usually over 40 years of age) cervix. The increased use of PAP smears for detection of abnormal cervical cells has had a positive impact resulting in a decrease in cervical cancer cases.

Merck's Gardasil vaccine was approved by the FDA to prevent HPV, a risk factor for cervical cancer. Despite what you may read in many sources, there is not definitive evidence that HPV causes cervical cancer. Other risk factors are smoking, having multiple sex partners and having a weakened immune system. HPV causes genital warts and is a risk factor in anal and penile cancers.

Facts:

1. 10, 000 women in the US are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. 3,700 die
2. Number of women and girls in the US: 144 million
3. Number of people in the US infected with HPV: 20 million with about 6 million new cases each year
   
4. Gardisil costs $360 and most insurers are refusing to pay for it.
5. Studies indicate that HPV incidence is much higher in males than in females.

Given these facts, I personally am opting not to have my teenage daughter vaccinated. She and I have discussed this issue in detail and she is in agreement. When that time comes - condoms and PAP smears will be adequate for preventing cervical disease.


Thank you obo-bobolina for use of photo The Dreaded.

Labels: cervical health, HPV vaccine, pap smear

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Musings on a Stormy Weekend - Plus a Soup Recipe

No matter where you live, if you watch the news or read a newspaper, you have heard about California's awful storms this weekend. Living in the Pacific Northwest taught me to pay attention to weather - not doing so can be deadly - so I elected to work from home Friday and spent the weekend hibernating like a little bear.

You have also no doubt heard of our now infamous human/tiger slaying - no one was a winner, but for some odd reason, record numbers of people went to the San Francisco Zoo after the incident to see the tigers during the worst storm of the season. Of course, the big cats weren't out. As the zookeeper observed, animals are smarter than humans, they just stay inside when it's stormy...

Meanwhile, we kept getting reports of snowmobilers and hikers who were lost and needed to be rescued. OK, people, here's a health and safety tip - if the weather is bad - just stay home. Think about the search and rescue people, the cops and firefighters who will have to put their lives at risk if you get into trouble.

As for me, I just indulged in a good, old-fashioned winter depression. I can't help but think that brief "chill" periods are therapeutic. Our world is pretty crazy - maybe we need to indulge in serious down time to recharge our batteries mentally, physically and spiritually. If our kids see us doing this for ourselves, it gives them permission to do the same. I fulfilled my obligations to society and my family - I went food shopping, cooked, cleaned, did laundry, helped with home work - but the rest of the weekend I curled up in bed. I either stared out the window at the pelting rain, read a good book (The Subtle Knife, Phillip Pullman: Book II of the HDM Trilogy), or slept.

I did make a yummy, healthy soup from scratch. Now that Safeway sells Wolfgang Puck Chicken Stock in a box, making healthy soup couldn't be easier. Just saute some scallions in a pan with butter (I'm French - use oil if you're not). Add the soup stock and a bag of peeled mini-carrots. Cook until soft. Add some curry powder, ginger and salt to taste. Drain the carrots and puree them in a blender. Add the soup stock until the mix is pureed. Add some milk until it's the consistency you like. Reheat if necessary. Serve with a dollop of sour cream (I'm French - use yogurt if you're not). Lovely on a wintry day.

Anyway, my teenager spent the weekend doing her school project on the living room floor. Get your head back in the game and apply yourself, I advised her. This morning she woke up, proud of her work and what she had done. She gave me a kiss. "Thanks, Mom, for a nice, relaxing, stress free holiday."

Thank you aime nielsen for use of photo What else can you do during a storm but sleep...

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National Birth Defects Awareness Month

Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life and the rate of premature births has risen 20% since 1990. The March of Dimes wants us to know this is an infant health crisis.
The US Surgeon General and the March of Dimes are hosting a 2008 Conference to develop a national agenda to prevent preterm labor and delivery. Preterm labor is labor that begins before 37 weeks of gestation.

Preventing birth defects is one of six public health priorities of the US Surgeon General. Babies who leave the safety of their mother's womb too soon are at increased risk for:

• Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
• feeding difficulties
• delayed brain development
• jaundice
• hypothermia

Premature births are expensive. In 2005 they cost the US over $26 billion in health care costs and lost productivity at work. Health care costs for premature infants are 10 times that of term infants.

Babies born even a few weeks early are six times more likely to die during their first week of life than pre-term babies. Consider making a donation to March of Dimes Banding Together Campaign and purchase a virtual band on behalf of a premature infant.

Premature birth is now the #1 cause of infant death.

Thank you Nomadicentrepreuner for use of photo of little Ella.

Labels: birth defects, infant death, prematurity, preterm labor

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