Thursday, October 19, 2006

HALF A CENTURY... a woman's view.

In case you have ever wondered - - - - -
What a Hot Flash Looks Like

KEEP LOOKING

THE BIG "M" word for women!

A * MINIPAUZ MOVIE *


35 SYMPTOMS OF (.. also 'peri' ) MENOPAUSE

1. Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
2. Bouts of rapid heart beat
3. Irritability, Mood swings
4. Sudden tears
5. Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
6. Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
7. Loss of libido
8. Dry vagina
9. Crashing fatigue MORE INFO
10. Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
11. Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
12.Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
13. Disturbing memory lapses
14.Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence
15. Itchy, crawly skin
16. Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
17. Increased tension in muscles
18. Breast tenderness
19. Headache change: increase or decrease
20. Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
21. Sudden bouts of bloat
22. Depression
23. Exacerbation of existing conditions
24. Increase in allergies
25. Weight gain
26.Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair
27. Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance
28. Changes in body odor
29. Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head
30. Tingling in the extremities
31. Gum problems, increased bleeding
32. Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor
33. Osteoporosis -- MORE INFO
34. Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier
35. Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing' buzzing etc.



Menopause, Is It Really YOU...?


Why GOD Invented Menopause.


Thursday, August 24, 2006

GOODBYE PLUTO!

For how many years have we, and our children, been taught of the solar system and it's 9 planets?
Well ALL science books will need to be re-written since now we are only recognizing 8 planets.
So our 9th planet has been rejected, and what about Walt Disney's famous dog named Pluto? Will he be taken out of orbit too?(lol) After all, he was named after our "last" planet in our solar system.
If Pluto where to land here, on our planet, it could fit nicely into the USA, since it is smaller. HEY maybe a few hundred years down the road we Amnericans will become PLUTONIANS, (he he he...)
Who knows, we may soon find yet another "unknown" celestial body, bringing it back to 9, and even 10 or 11 or 12..... etc.

ALL ABOUT PLUTO


*Pluto's day:
6.4 Earth days.

*Pluto's year:
248 Earth years.

*Average distance from sun:
3.7 billion miles, or 5.9 billion kilometers.

*What's in a name?
Pluto is also the name of the Roman god of the underworld.
It was suggested by many people, but credit was given to an 11-year-old girl from England.




Giving Pluto The Boot:
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Aug. 24)
Leading astronomers declared Thursday that Pluto is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight.

The decision by the prestigious international group spells out the basic tests that celestial objects will have to meet before they can be considered for admission to the elite cosmic club.


For now, membership will be restricted to the eight "classical" planets in the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Much-maligned Pluto doesn't make the grade under the new rules for a planet: "a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a ... nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit."
Pluto is automatically disqualified because its oblong orbit overlaps with Neptune's.

Instead, it will be reclassified in a new category of "dwarf planets," similar to what long have been termed "minor planets." The definition also lays out a third class of lesser objects that orbit the sun -- "small solar system bodies," a term that will apply to numerous asteroids, comets and other natural satellites.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Say "Yes" to Cilantro

     Adding chopped cilantro to your salsa could help keep illness-causing bacteria to a minimum.
     Cilantro contains antibacterial compounds that may help inhibit Salmonella choleraesuis, a common culprit in food poisoning.
     The best safeguards against food-borne illness are still frequent hand washing and safe food handling practices.
     However, serving meals with a side of cilantro-seasoned salsa may be both a nutritious and protective bonus.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Dissed Soda?

NEWS + TRENDS (health)
Liquid Candy Gets "Dissed"
By Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H.


Soda sales are down for the first time in 20 years in the United States. Given soda's reputation as the Darth Vader of drinks, a sales slump is good news according to American nutritionists.

"Soda, whether regular or diet, offers no health benefit besides the water it contains," says Milton Stokes, M.P.H., R.D., of the American Dietetic Association. In fact, the nation’s leading nutrition researchers recently issued guidelines urging Americans to cut back on soda, while allowing up to 40 ounces of coffee and tea per day -- and a little room for alcohol, too.

So, if you're a die-hard Diet Coke fan, what's the best thirst-quenching alternative? Here's a look at some options:

Alcohol:
That's right. Alcohol may help slow the absorption of food and keep blood sugar levels in check (pasta with Chianti anyone?) And research shows that moderate drinking (one drink per day for women and two for men) may increase circulating leptin, a natural hormone that curbs the appetite for sweets. The drawback: Alcohol can lower inhibitions -- potentially zapping your ability to resist caloric temptations.

Water:
Can’t get jazzed about the plain stuff? Try seltzer. It provides pizzazz without the calories. Or add orange slices or strawberries to a pitcher of water for a fruity, refreshing flavor.

Milk:
Skim or low fat, milk is quite possibly the most nutrient dense beverage available, says Stokes. "With nine essential nutrients, it’s a true powerhouse. And there’s emerging research suggesting that calcium from dairy may promote weight loss."

Coffee:
America’s no. 1 source of antioxidants, coffee is linked with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases. Just be careful not to sabotage your diet by pouring in tons of sugar and cream.

Tea:
Research shows that green tea may promote weight loss. "It's not the answer to obesity, but it’s a healthful addition to your diet," says Stokes. Don't bother with green tea supplements though. Just drink the actual tea. And if you use mint tea to placate your sweet tooth, you may be able to skip dessert.

Some soda substitutes are better left on the shelf altogether:
Vitamin Waters:
"Skip ‘em," says Stokes. "You’re better off buying a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement and drinking plain water."

Energy Drinks:
These concoctions are for endurance athletes, not the average American working out to lose weight.
In fact, some energy drinks have as many calories and sugar grams as soda, and a hefty dose of caffeine, too.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Cup 'O Java, Anyone?

Caffeine May Boost Female Sex Drive
By LiveScience Staff

Caffeine motivates female rats to have more frequent sex, a new study suggests. But don't start guzzling more coffee just yet.

Scientists gave 108 female rats a moderate dose of caffeine. The caffeine shortened the amount of time it took the females to return to males after a first romp, indicating they were more motivated to do it again.

Loading up on more caffeine is not expected to improve human sex drive in most cases, however.

"These rats had never had caffeine before," said study leader Fay Guarraci, an assistant professor of psychology at Southwestern University. "In humans, it might enhance the sexual experience only among people who are not habitual users."

The research could help scientists better understand sexual motivation, however.

"Understanding the circuits that control this behavior will help us understand how the brain works and what part of the brain mediates motivation because sexual behavior is a motivative behavior," Guarraci said.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Senior Citizens - Mortgages - Expense

Is a reverse mortgage something to celebrate?


"The National Council on the Aging wants us to observe this week as "National Aging in Place Week." It's a public relations gimmick, of course, organized by the reverse mortgage lending industry, which provides financial support for the nonpartisan council.

But they raise a legitimate issue, for if you're an older American homeowner of modest means, it's getting tougher to remain in your home. And "aging in place" - staying in the home you've paid for or the retirement condo you've moved into - has become a mantra for older Americans determined to avoid a nursing home.

The squeeze on the middle-class homeowner is getting tighter. Next year's 4.1 percent Social Security cost- of-living raise won't keep up with the soaring costs of home heating fuel, gasoline and health care. And with Medicare charging higher fees and facing competition from private insurance in the new drug bill, our only national health insurance program for the disabled and elderly is becoming unaffordable.

As a result, the council on the aging NCOA is leading a campaign to popularize something I've been pushing for years: using the equity in your home to help keep you in your home with an FHA-guaranteed reverse mortgage. To that end, the council has published a couple of well-written booklets on how to "Use Your Home to Stay at Home." They can be downloaded from http://www., or ordered from NCOA, 300 D St. SW, Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20024.

"Many seniors and their families are looking for creative ways to pay for the assistance they need, so they can stay in their own homes and remain independent for as long as possible," said James Firman, who runs the council. Yet their greatest asset, their home equity, remains idle.

One survey by the council found that more than 13 million older Americans could use a reverse mortgage to help pay for long-term care at home. But few have applied.

Members of Congress and several governors, eager to save Medicaid money, have been considering incentives to encourage the use of reverse mortgages. A crackdown on the use of Medicaid to pay for long-term care is almost inevitable.

For those who don't know, a reverse mortgage is a loan against the equity in your home or condo (no co-ops) for persons 62 and older. The proceeds, which are tax-free, may be taken as a lump-sum, a line of credit or in periodic payments, and may be used for any purpose. The home remains in your name, and the unused portion of the loan will continue to grow with interest.

One type of reverse mortgage, called the "Cash Account," is sold by Financial Freedom, the nation's largest lender of reverse mortgages. The "Homekeeper," is sold by Fannie Mae. But the best and the most popular is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM, sold and guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

How much you'll get depends on where you live and your age. To find out what your home or condo would bring from the various lenders, use the calculator at www.reversemortgage. org, the Web site of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, or www.financialfreedom.com. Or go HUD's site: http://www.hud.gov/groups/seniors.cfm and click on reverse mortgages.

Despite the increase in reverse mortgages (500 percent since 2001), there were only about 43,000 HECM loans throughout the country this fiscal year, including 4,000 in Los Angeles but only 1,400 in New York. Last year, the loan limit for a HECM was raised to $312,896 in metropolitan areas, and $172,632 in rural areas. The loan limit for a Homekeeper is $359,650.

The typical borrower no longer is a 76-year-old widow in need of help with her daily living expenses. While the average borrower is in his/her 70s, increasingly, couples and younger homeowners are making their equity work for them to enhance their retirement years.

The proceeds of a reverse mortgage can be used for a dream trip, or it may be invested or help eliminate payments on existing debts.

While reverse mortgages can be a great help, they have their downside, as NCOA the council points out. Closing costs could amount to more than 5 percent of the value of your home. Although the costs can be financed as part of the loan, you'll lose money unless you remain in the home for at least five years.

Also, even if the interest rates are favorable, interest will add up over the life of the loan.

Although the closing costs and the interest are paid at the end of the loan, the accrued interest plus what equity is used by the borrower means the value of the home to be left to heirs will be sharply reduced. Indeed, the heirs will be left with a heavy debt, should they wish to keep or sell the home.

But, as HUD says on its Web site, the government guarantee of a HECM means "you do not need to repay the loan as long as you or one of the borrowers continues to live in the house and keeps the taxes and insurance current. You can never owe more than your home's value." And the government guarantee protects the lender if the home's value declines below the value of the loan.

A reverse mortgage is a big, complicated step. But as reverse mortgage expert Dennis Haber of Hicksville, N.Y. points out, the HECM requires you to have counseling from a HUD-approved agency, so you know what you're getting into. Also, it's free.

To find the nearest counselor, call 1-800-569-4287."

©2006-Newsday,Inc.- Saul Friedman - Melville, N.Y.