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Nine
(9) Latest Bionic Technologies
1. Portable Pancreas
An artificial pancreas, capable of monitoring a person's blood sugar and
adjusting the level of insulin to meet their body's needs, will likely be on the
market within a few short years, said Aaron Kowalski, director of strategic
research projects at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Kowalski said
the device would initially be a combination of two existing technologies: an
insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor. The contraption could help
insulin-dependent diabetics lead more normal lives and make it easier for them
to avoid the disfiguring and life-threatening side effects of having too little
or too much blood sugar.
2. Re-Grown
Bone
Since the 1960s, researchers have known about proteins that can prompt bone
tissue to grow its own patches for missing or damaged parts. Unfortunately, that
technology never worked perfectly, often growing the wrong type of tissue or
growing bone where bone shouldn't be. In 2005, researchers at UCLA solved the
problem, using a specially designed protein capable only of triggering growth in
specific types of cells. Called UCB-1, the protein is now used to grow new bone
that can fuse and immobilize sections of vertebrae, relieving severe back pain
in some patients.
3. Bionic Eyes
When you're blind, being able to see even the basics of light, movement and
shape can make a big difference. Both the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis, currently
in FDA trials, and a system being developed by Harvard Research Fellow Dr. John
Pezaris record basic visual information via camera, process it into electronic
signals and send it wirelessly to implanted electrodes. The Argus II uses
electrodes implanted in the eye, which could help people who've lost some of
their retinal function. Dr. Pezaris' system, still in the early stages of
research, would bypass the eyes entirely, sending visual data straight to the
brain. Both systems will work best with people who could once see because their
brains will already know how to process the information. "The visual brain
depends on visual experience to develop normally," Pezaris explained.
4. Prosthetics for Your Brain
Replacing a part of your brain isn't as simple as replacing a limb, but in the
future it could be. Theodore Berger, a professor at the University of Southern
California, created a computer chip that could take the place of the
hippocampus, a part of the brain which controls short-term memory and spatial
understanding. Frequently damaged by things like Alzheimer's and strokes, a
hippocampus implant could help maintain normal function in people who'd
otherwise be severely disabled. Berger is still testing this implant, but he'd
like to see more. He even wrote a book, "Toward Replacement Parts for the
Brain," in 2005.
5. Old Man, New Penis
Erectile dysfunction can take the fun out of a man's life, but Anthony Atala and
his team at Wake Forest University have come up with a method that could put the
spring back in many a guy's, uh, step. In 2006, Atala succeeded in growing new
corpora cavernosa, the spongy tissue that fills with blood during an erection,
for male rabbits who'd had theirs removed. The new tissue was grown from the
rabbits' own cells and, after a month, the bunnies were back to doing what they
do best.
6. Artificial Cells
Sometimes, when you need to deliver drugs to just the right spot in the body, a
pill or an injection won't cut the mustard. Daniel Hammer, professor of
bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, has a better method:
artificial cells, made from polymers, which can mimic the ease with which white
blood cells travel through the body. Called c, these fake cells could deliver
drugs directly where they're needed, making it easier and safer to fight off
certain diseases, including cancer.
7. Wearable Kidney
For people with failing kidneys, basic necessities of life like removing toxins
from the blood and keeping fluid levels balanced requires hours hooked up to a
dialysis machine the size of a clothes dryer. But a new, portable artificial
kidney, small and light enough to fit on a belt system, could change that.
Despite its small size, the automated, wearable artificial kidney (AWAK),
designed by Martin Roberts and David B.N. Lee of UCLA, actually works better
than traditional dialysis because it can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, just like a real kidney.
8. Smart Knee
The knee isn't a part of the body you'd expect to think for itself, but the RHEO,
a prosthetic knee developed by MIT artificial intelligence researchers Hugh Herr
and Ari Wilkenfeld, really does have a mind of its own. Earlier electronic knee
systems usually had to be programmed by a technician when the patient first put
them on. The RHEO knee, on the other hand, creates realistic, comfortable motion
on its own, by learning the way the user walks and by using sensors to figure
out what kind of terrain they're walking on. The system makes walking with a
prosthetic leg easier and less exhausting.
9. New Limbs
Amputees can now use a prosthetic arm the same way they'd use a real one: By the
power of thought. Developed by Dr. Todd Kuiken of the Rehabilitation Institute
of Chicago, the "bionic arm" is connected to the brain by healthy motor nerves
that used to run into the patient's missing limb. These nerves are re-routed to
another area of the body, such as the chest, where the nerve impulses they carry
can be picked up by electrodes in the bionic arm. When the patient decides to
move her hand, the nerves that would have sent the signal to real hand send it
to the prosthetic one instead. Now, Dr. Kuiken's team is working on improving
the arm, using surviving sensory nerves to communicate the feeling of
temperature, vibration and pressure from the bionic arm to the patient's brain.
Ten (10) Rules to a
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is essential to good health, but
diet rules and the information they tout are sometimes complicated.
Paring rules to a few simple, easy-to-remember guidelines can help
transform your diet — and your health.
Follow these easy-to-remember rules:
1. Skip white bread.
You've
heard this bit of advice before, but do you understand why white bread
is bad for you? In addition to being low in nutrients, once in the body,
it acts much the same as sugar. Eat bread made from whole grains
instead, because whole grains have vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and
they lower your risk of many diseases.
2. Avoid white sugar.
Avoiding white sugar and high fructose corn syrup
(HFCS). A recent study conducted by the University of California found
that HFCS causes our bodies to grow fat cells. Avoid HFCS by eating less
fast food, drinking less soda, and reading food labels.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast.
When
choosing cereal, avoid those that change the color of milk. According to
the United Kingdom's Mail Online, any cereal that changes the color of
milk is highly processed and full of chemicals. Opt for whole-grain,
high-fiber cereals and fruit.
4. Choose
foods with dark colors.
Fruits and
vegetables with deep, vivid colors, such as blueberries and spinach, are
rich in nutrients. Since different fruits and vegetables contain
different phytochemicals that fight disease, choose a wide variety.
5. AvoidPackaged Foods.
Avoiding long lists of ingredients in packaged
foods. The shorter the list, the better, and avoid processed foods
containing ingredients you can't pronounce.
6. Avoid Center Aisles
Avoid the center aisles of supermarkets. Shop the
walls of supermarkets where fresh produce and dairy products are
shelved.
7. Don't eat alone.
Eating with
others encourages good eating habits. Studies have shown that people eat
more when they eat alone.
8. Be wary of low-fat foods.
Many
low-fat foods aren't lower in calories than regular foods because sugar
is added to make up for the loss of flavor.
9. Include fish in your diet.
Oily fish,
such as mackerel and sardines are good choices.
10.Don't eat foods that won't rot.
Foods that
have a long shelf life are usually less nutritious and are loaded with
preservatives and other additives. Think fresh.
Facts About STDs
STDs
Sexually
transmitted diseases, commonly called STDs, are diseases that are spread
by having sex with someone who has an STD. You can get a sexually
transmitted disease from sexual activity that involves the mouth, anus,
vagina, or penis.
According to the American Social Health Organization, one out of four
teens in the United States becomes infected with an STD each year and by
the age of 25, half of all sexually active young adults will get an STD.
Sexual
conditions, such as STDs and sexual problems, need a medical evaluation
and treatment. Frequently, there are no STD symptoms, although there’s
sometimes a discharge from the vagina or the penis and burning or pain
during urination.
Doctors use
STD tests to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia,
gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Whereas STD treatment can help
resolve these sexual conditions, practicing safe sex can prevent STDs.
What Are
the Symptoms of STDs?
Sometimes, there are no symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may
include one or more of the following:
Bumps, sores or warts near the mouth, anus, penis or vagina.
Swelling or redness near the penis or vagina.
Skin rash.
Painful urination.
Weight loss, loose stools, night sweats.
Aches, pains, fever, and chills.
Yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
Discharge from the penis or vagina (Vaginal discharge may have an odor.)
Bleeding from the vagina other than during a monthly period.
Painful sex.
Severe itching near the penis or vagina.
How Are
STDs Treated?
Many STDs are treated with antibiotics.
If you are given an antibiotic to treat an STD, it's important that you
take all of your medicine, even if the symptoms go away. Also, never
take someone else's medicine to treat your illness. By doing so, you may
make it more difficult to treat the infection. Likewise, you should not
share your medicine with others.
Welcome to XLPharmacy Health Blog,
Monthly Newsletter and Health
Videos, a collection of up-to-date Monthly Health Articles, News, and
Health Videos. In each current months issue XLPharmacy Health
Blog / health news provides a wealth of up-to-date medical news and videos we hope
you find helpful and informational. At XLPharmacy we care about you
and your family and we believe that everyone should have fast and
reliable access to affordable high quality medications in order to
maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staying in touch with the latest in
health news is only part of what we do. Be sure to stay
up-to-date by reading and watching XLPharmacy's health blog, news,
and health videos so you don't miss a single issue, video or health news
story in today's ever-changing world of health care. XLPharmacy
Health Blog and Health Articles will discuss everything from
Medicare to Social Security, Weight loss, Cancer to New Cancer
tests, Erectile Dysfunction and Medications like Viagra for Sexual
Health, Herpes, HIV, AIDS, Smoking, Women's Health, Mental Health
and so much more...
Ten (10) Interesting
Sex Statistics
10 Interesting Sex Statistics
10. Why do we do it?
Sure, there's the obvious. But there's also an argument for men's
biological drive to perpetuate their genes:
An 18th-century Russian woman holds the world record
for having birthed the most children: 69, which she had over the
course of 27 pregnancies that included sixteen pairs of twins, seven
sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets. But she's outdone by
the male record-holder for most kids, a Moroccan emperor who,
according to the Guinness Book of World Records, sired "at least 342
daughters and 525 sons, and by 1721, he was reputed to have 700 male
descendants."
Source: "Why Evolution Is True" (Viking, 2009), by Jerry Coyne
9. Does size matter?
Relax, guys. No matter what those, ahem, movies might suggest, in
the United States, the average erect penis is five to seven inches
long, and four to six inches in circumference.
Source: Kinsey Institute
8. Do you need assistance?
Approximately 5 percent of 40-year-old men and between 15 to 25
percent of 65-year-old men experience erectile dysfunction.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases
7. When did you lose your virginity?
The average male loses his virginity at age 16.9; females average
slightly older, at 17.4. And a new study shows that genetics may be
a factor: inherited traits, such as impulsivity, can make a person
more or less willing to have sex at an earlier age.
Sources: Kinsey Institute; California State University
6. Do you have a comfortable couch?
About one out of 10 married adults -- 12 percent -- say that they
typically sleep alone.
Source: National Sleep Foundation
5. Do you reach orgasm every time?
While 75 percent of men always reach orgasm during sex, only 29
percent of women report the same. In addition, most women are unable
to climax through vaginal intercourse, instead needing clitoral
stimulation.
Source: National Health and Social Life Survey
4. Do you get fringe benefits?
Two-thirds of college students have been in a "friends with
benefits" relationship, citing the lack of commitment required as
the main advantage to such an arrangement. More than half of those
who had sex with a friend said they had engaged in all forms of sex;
22.7 percent said they had intercourse only, while 8 percent said
they did everything but have intercourse.
Source: Wayne State University and Michigan State University
3. How many sex partners have you
had?
What's your number? According to a survey of adults aged 20 to 59,
women have an average of four sex partners during their lifetime;
men have an average of seven.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics
2. Did you take maternity leave?
Two-thirds of women who had their first baby between 2001 and 2003
worked during their pregnancy, and 80 percent of those women worked
within one month or less of giving birth. Compare this to the period
between 1961 and 1965, when 44 percent of women worked during their
pregnancy (35 percent worked one month or less before delivering).
Source: U.S. Census
1. Are you infected?
At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women will have a
genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. HPV, or human
papillomavirus, comes in both low- and high-risk forms; low-risk HPV
can cause genital warts, and high-risk can cause cervical and other
cancers. In 90 percent of cases, the body's immune system will fight
off the disease within two years.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
5
Interesting Myths Abouth Women
Five (5)Interesting Myths About Women
Myth 5: A women can't get pregnant
during her period.
While a woman is unlikely to conceive during menstruation,
"nothing, when it comes to pregnancy, is impossible," said Aaron
Carroll of Indiana University and co-author of "Don't Swallow
Your Gum: Myths, Half-truths and Outright Lies About Your Body
and Health" (St. Martin's Griffin, 2009).
Once inside a woman, sperm can wait for an egg for up to a week.
Ovulation can occur soon after, or even during, the bleeding
phase of a woman's menstrual cycle, giving patient sperm the
chance to get lucky. The timing method of birth control doesn't
work well, Carroll said, agreeing that couples who practice it
are often called: parents.
Myth 4: Menopause causes sex
drive to nosedive.
The Change is not necessarily one that happens in the bedroom. A
comprehensive survey of sexual habits in the United States,
completed by Edward Laumann and colleagues in 1994, found that
roughly half of women in their fifties have sex several times a
month.
While hot flashes and other discomforts may make a women
temporarily not in the mood, there is not a direct link between
menopause and sexual desire, Vreeman said. So if you are
entering the Big M, there is no reason to say good-bye to the
Big O.
Myth 3: Antibiotics make birth
control pills unreliable.
"Many physicians even believe this," Carroll said. Alone, birth
control pills fail about one percent of the time. And that
failure rate is unchanged when taken with the vast majority of
antibiotics, Carroll said.
A possible exception is rifampin, the antibiotic prescribed for
tuberculosis. Rifampin does lower pregnancy-protecting hormone
levels induced by birth control pills, but whether the effect is
large enough to increase pregnancy risk is unclear. Carroll
thinks rifampin research spurred the antibiotic/birth control
rumor. "Sometimes people say things and they just take off," he
said.
Myth 2: Women and men need equal
sleep.
Tossing and turning not only causes women more psychological
distress, it also raises their insulin and inflammation levels
-- risk factors for compromised health, found a 2008 study of
210 people led by Edward Suarez at Duke University.
A study of more than 6,000 participants, led by researchers at
the University of Warwick in 2007, found that women who slept
five or less hours a night were twice as likely to suffer from
hypertension than women who slept for seven or more hours. Among
men, there was no such relationship. Sleeping Beauty may be
better off waking up on her own watch.
Myth 1: A doctor can tell if a
woman is a virgin.
Even when using 10-fold magnification, doctors can not
accurately sort virgins from the sexually-active, several
studies have reported. It is not as simple as looking for a hole
in the hymen because, well, there is always a hole in the hymen.
"Some people think the hymen seals off the vagina [until
virginity is lost], but that is just not true," said Dr. Rachel
Vreeman of Indiana University and Carroll's co-author of "Don't
Swallow Your Gum." In the rare cases when it is sealed, period
blood builds in the uterus and causes severe medical problems,
she said.
5 Interesting Myths
Abouth Men
Five (5)Interesting Myths About Men
From rumors about feet size to sex life,
there's a lot of cultural misinformation circulating about men
and their physiques. And men themselves offer precious little
clarification what with their tendencies toward joshing around
and playing things close to the chest. So for the record, here
are five classic assumptions about men's bodies that are totally
false.
Myth 1: Men with big feet also have
big...
It is true that the development of penises and toes (as well as
clitorises and fingers) are influenced by the same gene. But the
length of one does not predict the length of the other.
In a study of more than 3,000 men, no correlation was found
between the self-reported size of feet and that of the crown
jewels. Skeptical of a man's ability to size himself up, some
researchers have, well, taken things into their own hands.
For example, a 2002 study, headed by Jyoti Shah at St. Mary's
Hospital in London, compared foot size to carefully measured
privates (all 104 penises were stretched to their longest length
for consistency.) No correlation was found. (Jyoti)
Myth 2: If you shave your beard
or head, the hair comes back faster, thicker, and coarser.
"If that were true, we'd have a cure for male pattern baldness,"
said Dr. Aaron Carroll of Indiana University and co-author of
"Don't Swallow your Gum: Myths, Half-truths and Outright Lies
About Your Body and Health" (St. Martin's Griffin. 2009)
Stubble may look darker and coarser because it has not yet been
exposed to sun and other wearing elements. Once it grows in, it
looks identical to the hair that was shaved away, Caroll said.
Myth 3: Semen is loaded with
calories.
Seminal fluid is made up of water and nutrients such as vitamin
C, calcium and magnesium. It also contains the sugar fructose
but only 5 to 7 calories worth per, ah, serving, according to
Dr. Rachel Vreeman, also of Indiana University and Carroll's
co-author. (Vreeman)
"It is unlikely to create a diet issue, but this should not be
used in an argument for whatever," Vreeman said.
Myth 4: Single guys have better
sex lives than married guys.
Conventional wisdom says married men get
nothing but slumber in their bedrooms, while single studs are
"closing the deal." But it is actually those with the vows that
are getting it on.
A 2006 study by the National Opinion Research Center found that
husbands get lucky between 28 percent to more than 400 percent
more often than bachelors, depending on their age. And it is not
a ho-hum roll in the matrimonial bed; not only are married women
more likely to be orgasmic, married men also give and get more
oral sex. (NORC. 2006)
Kind of gives a new twist to the phrase, "I do."
Myth 5: Men think about sex every
7 seconds.
"That is as many times as we breathe everyday," Caroll said.
"Nobody has that type of mental stamina."
In one of the nation's most comprehensive surveys about sexual
habits in the United states, completed by Edward Laumann and
colleagues in 1994, 43 percent of men reported thinking about
sex not even once a day, but rather somewhere between a couple
times a week to a couple times a month. (Laumann. 1994)
Can I Get STDs
Having Oral Sex?
Myth: I can't get a STD through Oral
Sex?
Teens believe oral sex is
less risky to their health and emotions than regular sex, and they think
it is more acceptable among their peers.
Not surprisingly, they also are more likely to try oral sex.
This view comes from a new survey of 580 ethnically diverse Northern
California ninth-graders reported in the April issue of the journal
Pediatrics.
The students in general thought oral sex was less likely to have
negative social and emotional consequences, such as creating bad
reputation or feelings of guilt. Oral sex is also seen as less
threatening to their values and beliefs.
Among the findings:
• 19.5 percent of the ninth-graders surveyed said they had tried
oral sex
• 13.5 percent have had vaginal sex
• 31.5 percent intend to have oral sex within the next six months
• 26.2 percent intend to have vaginal sex in the next six months
It makes sense then to discuss more then one kind of sexual practice
with teens today. Instead of just telling them that they should
wait to have intercourse, it stands to reason that we should also remind
them of the dangers of contracting disease with oral sex.
Most of the participants recognized that there is some risk of infection
with sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and HIV, and
accurately ranked this risk less than with vaginal sex.
Yet one in seven incorrectly thought that the risk of STDs from oral sex
would be zero. It is NOT zero.
There may not be a large amount of data about the chances of sexually
transmitted infections due to oral sex, but there it IS still a real
risk, when teens are engaging in or considering oral sex, they need to
know about methods to keep themselves safe from physical as well as
emotional risks.
In summary, “oral sex” is
sexual activity, and can serve as the route of transmission for a
variety of sexually transmitted diseases. As such, it should not be
considered or recommended as a substitute for penile-vaginal or
penile-anal penetrative intercourse. A large proportion of adolescents
and young adults who practice oral sex are also engaged in other sexual
activities. Individuals, parents, educators, and policymakers need to be
aware that any sexual activity with more than one monogamous, faithful,
lifelong partner is associated with significant health risks.
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Five (5)
Myths About Breast Cancer
Five (5) Myths
About Breast Cancer
While pink ribbons are
everywhere as a means to raise awareness and show support to
cancer patients, a survey commissioned by the National
Breast Cancer Coalition reveals that most women know only
half-truths about breast cancer, which will claim more than
40,000 lives in 2007.
Among the most worrisome misconceptions are that breast
cancer is largely hereditary and that it can be prevented.
Myth 1: Risk factors are
mostly to blame
The majority of the 1,000-plus women surveyed thought that
heredity is the cause of most breast cancers. In reality,
only 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with breast cancers
have a family history. More than two-thirds of women with
breast cancer have no known risk factors.
There is a strong genetic component. Women with certain
mutations within the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a 60- to
80-percent chance of developing breast cancer. Fortunately,
this mutation is rare.
Obesity and alcohol are two other known risk factors, behind
about 20 percent of breast cancers. Obesity nearly triples
the risk of breast cancer, according to the Women's Health
Initiative study of 85,917 postmenopausal women. And
consuming four alcoholic drinks a day raises the risk by 1.5
times, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Yet, tragically, most women are developing breast cancer
while leading relatively healthy lives.
Myth 2: One in eight women
will get it this year
Most women in the survey thought that one in eight women
will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Fortunately, no.
That "one in eight" number tossed around refers to the
lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Fewer than
200,000 women will be diagnosed this year. With
approximately 150 million females in America, that
translates to about one in 750 women.
Survival rates are quite good these days, too. The lifetime
risk of dying from breast cancer for women is about one in
35, or 3 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
Not to minimize breast cancer, but the greater cancer
scourge—and utterly preventable—is lung cancer from
cigarette smoking, constituting about a quarter of all
cancer deaths and nearly 70,000 U.S. female deaths yearly.
[Men can get breast cancer , too.]
Myth 3: Breast cancer is
preventable
Most women surveyed thought that breast cancer can be
prevented, particularly by eating fruits and vegetables. But
when the biggest risk factors are being female and getting
older, there's not much a woman can do. You can reduce but
not eliminate the risk.
Studies have not shown convincingly that fruits and
vegetables ward off breast cancer. However, the Women's
Intervention Nutrition Study and other studies have revealed
that lowering dietary animal fat lowers the risk of breast
cancer, consistent with the notion that breast cancer rates
are highest in regions with meat-heavy "Western" diets.
Myth 4: Self-examination is
the solution
Early detection and treatment is key for breast cancer
survival. Yet most survey respondents placed too much faith
in self-examinations and mammograms . Mammograms are among
the best diagnostic tools we have, but they are imperfect,
revealing too many false positives and thus leading to worry
and to unnecessary procedures. Mammograms also miss a
surprising number of real, malignant cancers.
Similarly, self-examinations can be useful if done properly,
but they do not reduce deaths due to breast cancer and they
greatly increase the number of benign lumps detected,
resulting in increased anxiety and unnecessary biopsies.
Myth 5: Abortions cause
breast cancer
A persistent myth that the survey did not address is that
abortions can cause breast cancer. This is based on real
science—studies of rats in the 1980s indicating a possible
correlation between hormones and breast tissue growth. But
the issue was thoroughly resolved by the 1990s.
Nevertheless, the Bush Administration revisited the issue in
2002, gave equal weight to the earlier, smaller studies
showing a correlation, and told the National Cancer
Institute to state the possible abortion-cancer connection
in its fact sheets and Web site. It took Congressional
action and a three-day conference on the topic to remove
this erroneous information by 2003.
Ten (10) Myths
About AIDS
Ten (10) Myths and
Misconceptions About AIDS
There are many
HIV and AIDS myths out there. Sadly, HIV and AIDS myths prey
on the weak and vulnerable. HIV and AIDS myths are dangerous
and contribute to prejudice and stigma. Let's dispel the HIV
and AIDS myths out there with this list of the top ten HIV
and AIDS related myths.
1. I
have just been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS...I am going to
die.
This is the biggest myth of all. In fact people are living
with HIV and AIDS longer today than ever before.
Medications, treatment programs, and a better understanding
of HIV and AIDS allows those infected to live normal,
healthy, productive lives.
2.
Why don't we have an HIV and AIDS vaccine? It should be
easy!
While progress is being made, HIV and AIDS vaccine
development is not without its challenges and difficulties.
Many experts feel we are still many many years from an
affective HIV and AIDS vaccine.
3.
HIV and AIDS can be cured.
While many make claims of miraculous cures, the sad truth is
there is no cure for HIV and AIDS "yet". Be careful of
claims or cures and miracles. If it sounds too good to be
true it probably is.
4.
My family doctor can treat my HIV and AIDS.
The fact is, experts believe that given the complexities of
HIV and AIDS care, only HIV specialists should manage your
care. Be sure to choose a doctor who cares for HIV and AIDS
patients regularly.
5.
We don't need a condom for oral sex.
Again, untrue and a very dangerous myth. Condoms must be
used each and every sexual encounter; vaginal, anal and
oral.
6. I
have HIV and AIDS...I can't have children.
This used to be true but not anymore. Women living with HIV
and AIDS can and do have families. While certain steps and
precautions have to be taken, women can now have the
families they always dreamed about.
7.
People over 50 don't get HIV and AIDS.
Don't bet on it. In fact, people over 50 make up a rapidly
growing segment of the HIV and AIDS population.
8.
We both have HIV and AIDS...we don't need a condom.
Not true. Experts are seeing more an more incidences of
re-infection, making HIV and AIDS treatment even more
difficult.
9.
HIV and AIDS only affects gay men and drug users
In fact, HIV and AIDS can infect anyone. Babies, women,
seniors over 50, teens, blacks, whites and Hispanics. At
risk behavior can lead to infection in anyone.
10.
HIV and AIDS are the Same Thing
In fact this couldn't be further from the truth. HIV is a
virus and AIDS is a collection of illnesses. Knowing the
difference between the two is a very important part of
understanding both. Simply put HIV and AIDS are not the same
thing.
Top Ten
(10) Birth Control Myths
Birth Control Myths
During the last hundred
years, women were led to believe much about reproductive health
that was simply untrue. Young girls were taught that
menstruation was unmentionable -- a curse. Pregnant women in
labor were often told to put a knife under their bed to "cut the
pain." In the early 1900s, birth control was illegal. Great
controversy and debate over contraceptive use, even in marriage,
existed. Learn about these 10 contraceptive myths.
1. I Won't Get Pregnant Having
Sex On My Period
Many women believe that having unprotected sex during
menstruation or during the first or last part of their menstrual
cycle will keep them from becoming pregnant. While many women
may be more likely to become pregnant mid-cycle, the chance of
conceiving may be higher than previously thought at any time of
the month. Another fact to know: Sperm can live up to 5 days in
a woman's body.
2. Breastfeeding My Baby
Protects Me From Pregnancy
While ovulation and menstruation are not likely to happen while
you are regularly breastfeeding your baby, eventually
menstruation will return and you may ovulate without knowing it.
So, yes it is possible to become pregnant while still
breastfeeding your child.
3. He Always Pulls Out Before He
Ejaculates, So I Won't Get Pregnant
This is one of the biggest falsehoods that women believe. Yes,
you can get pregnant even if your boyfriend or husband pulls out
before ejaculation. Before ejaculation occurs, a small amount of
lubricating fluid, which contains sperm, is released. Any
vaginal penetration by the penis can result in pregnancy, even
if he always pulls out before ejaculation.
4. Using Vaginal Douches After
Sex Can Prevent Pregnancy
Vaginal douching, or taking baths or showers after sexual
intercourse, will do nothing to help prevent pregnancy. That's
because the sperm has already traveled up towards the egg.
5. I Won't Get Pregnant The
First Time I Have Sex
If you have started your period, you can get pregnant.
Generally, younger girls are more fertile than older women and
can get pregnant very easily. Don't believe anyone who tells you
that you won't get pregnant "just this one time." Insist on
protection!
6. I Won't Get Pregnant or Get
STDs, I'm On The Pill
Yes, it's true that the Pill is an effective method of birth
control when used properly; however, the Pill does not protect
against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. The only 100
percent foolproof method of preventing an unwanted pregnancy or
STDs is abstinence.
7. I Had Unprotected Sex Only
One Time
One time is all it takes to get pregnant or to get a STD. Don't
let anyone talk you into having unprotected sex even once, or
you may pay for a lifetime through an unplanned pregnancy and
the resulting consequences. Take care of yourself and your body
and refuse unprotected sex.
8. I'm Too Old To Get Pregnant
As long as you are having periods, you can become pregnant.
While it is true that the older you get the less fertile you
are, you must consider yourself fertile and able to get pregnant
until you have been without periods for at least one full year.
After one year without periods, you can forget about birth
control and enjoy unprotected sex as long as you are in a
monogamous relationship.
9. I Don't Have Sex Often Enough
To Use The Pill
If it is hard to know when you are going to need to use birth
control, try using condoms or the Today Sponge. Both can be
saved for use when needed. The Sponge offers the benefit of
24-hour protection, so you can insert it in the morning and be
protected all day.
If you use condoms, do not carry them around in your pocket or
purse. In addition, using a spermicide with condoms increases
their effectiveness.
10. I've Had Lots Of Female
Problems, So I Don't Think I Can Get Pregnant
Unless your doctor has told you that you cannot get pregnant,
you need protection. Even if your doctor has told you that you
"probably won't get pregnant" without surgery or treatment, use
birth control -- my only grandchild was conceived under such
circumstances.
This Month's Healthy
Recipe - Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops with Spinach
What do you cook for your loved one on
Valentines Day this year?
Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops with Spinach
Ingredients 12 large dry sea scallops (about 1
pound; see Note)
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 1/4 ounces very thinly sliced prosciutto (about 3 slices), cut
into 12 long strips
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
12 ounces baby spinach
Directions
Place rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Coat a large
baking sheet with cooking spray.
Pat scallops dry and sprinkle both sides with lemon pepper. Wrap 1
piece of prosciutto around each scallop. Thread 3 scallops crosswise
onto each skewer (securing the prosciutto to the scallop) and place
on the prepared baking sheet. Broil until just cooked through, about
6 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a
medium bowl. Reserve 1 tablespoon vinaigrette in a small bowl.
Place spinach in a colander and rinse under cold water. Heat a large
skillet over medium heat. When hot, add handfuls of spinach (with
water still clinging to it) to the pan and cook, stirring, until
just wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the spinach and add to the medium
bowl; toss to coat with the vinaigrette. Divide the spinach among 4
plates and top each portion with 3 scallops. Drizzle the scallops
with the reserved vinaigrette.
Note:
Be sure to buy “dry” sea scallops (scallops that have not been
treated with sodium tripolyphosphate, or STP). Scallops that have
been treated with STP (“wet” scallops) have been subjected to a
chemical bath and are not only mushy and less flavorful, but will
not brown properly.
Be sure to visit
Dating
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When you have Herpes, HPV, HIV/AIDS, or any other STD, it can
feel like you are all alone in the world. Do you wish there was a
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Five (5)Interesting Myths About Women
Myth 5: A women can't get pregnant during her period.
While a woman is unlikely to conceive during menstruation, "nothing, when it comes to pregnancy, is impossible," said Aaron Carroll of Indiana University and co-author of "Don't Swallow Your Gum: Myths, Half-truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health" (St. Martin's Griffin, 2009).
Once inside a woman, sperm can wait for an egg for up to a week. Ovulation can occur soon after, or even during, the bleeding phase of a woman's menstrual cycle, giving patient sperm the chance to get lucky. The timing method of birth control doesn't work well, Carroll said, agreeing that couples who practice it are often called: parents.
Myth 4: Menopause causes sex drive to nosedive.
The Change is not necessarily one that happens in the bedroom. A comprehensive survey of sexual habits in the United States, completed by Edward Laumann and colleagues in 1994, found that roughly half of women in their fifties have sex several times a month.
While hot flashes and other discomforts may make a women temporarily not in the mood, there is not a direct link between menopause and sexual desire, Vreeman said. So if you are entering the Big M, there is no reason to say good-bye to the Big O.
Myth 3: Antibiotics make birth control pills unreliable.
"Many physicians even believe this," Carroll said. Alone, birth control pills fail about one percent of the time. And that failure rate is unchanged when taken with the vast majority of antibiotics, Carroll said.
A possible exception is rifampin, the antibiotic prescribed for tuberculosis. Rifampin does lower pregnancy-protecting hormone levels induced by birth control pills, but whether the effect is large enough to increase pregnancy risk is unclear. Carroll thinks rifampin research spurred the antibiotic/birth control rumor. "Sometimes people say things and they just take off," he said.
Myth 2: Women and men need equal sleep.
Tossing and turning not only causes women more psychological distress, it also raises their insulin and inflammation levels -- risk factors for compromised health, found a 2008 study of 210 people led by Edward Suarez at Duke University.
A study of more than 6,000 participants, led by researchers at the University of Warwick in 2007, found that women who slept five or less hours a night were twice as likely to suffer from hypertension than women who slept for seven or more hours. Among men, there was no such relationship. Sleeping Beauty may be better off waking up on her own watch.
Myth 1: A doctor can tell if a woman is a virgin.
Even when using 10-fold magnification, doctors can not accurately sort virgins from the sexually-active, several studies have reported. It is not as simple as looking for a hole in the hymen because, well, there is always a hole in the hymen.
"Some people think the hymen seals off the vagina [until virginity is lost], but that is just not true," said Dr. Rachel Vreeman of Indiana University and Carroll's co-author of "Don't Swallow Your Gum." In the rare cases when it is sealed, period blood builds in the uterus and causes severe medical problems, she said.
5 Interesting Myths Abouth Men
Five (5)Interesting Myths About Men
From rumors about feet size to sex life, there's a lot of cultural misinformation circulating about men and their physiques. And men themselves offer precious little clarification what with their tendencies toward joshing around and playing things close to the chest. So for the record, here are five classic assumptions about men's bodies that are totally false.
Myth 1: Men with big feet also have big...
It is true that the development of penises and toes (as well as clitorises and fingers) are influenced by the same gene. But the length of one does not predict the length of the other.
In a study of more than 3,000 men, no correlation was found between the self-reported size of feet and that of the crown jewels. Skeptical of a man's ability to size himself up, some researchers have, well, taken things into their own hands.
For example, a 2002 study, headed by Jyoti Shah at St. Mary's Hospital in London, compared foot size to carefully measured privates (all 104 penises were stretched to their longest length for consistency.) No correlation was found. (Jyoti)
Myth 2: If you shave your beard or head, the hair comes back faster, thicker, and coarser.
"If that were true, we'd have a cure for male pattern baldness," said Dr. Aaron Carroll of Indiana University and co-author of "Don't Swallow your Gum: Myths, Half-truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health" (St. Martin's Griffin. 2009)
Stubble may look darker and coarser because it has not yet been exposed to sun and other wearing elements. Once it grows in, it looks identical to the hair that was shaved away, Caroll said.
Myth 3: Semen is loaded with calories.
Seminal fluid is made up of water and nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. It also contains the sugar fructose but only 5 to 7 calories worth per, ah, serving, according to Dr. Rachel Vreeman, also of Indiana University and Carroll's co-author. (Vreeman)
"It is unlikely to create a diet issue, but this should not be used in an argument for whatever," Vreeman said.
Myth 4: Single guys have better sex lives than married guys.
Conventional wisdom says married men get nothing but slumber in their bedrooms, while single studs are "closing the deal." But it is actually those with the vows that are getting it on.
A 2006 study by the National Opinion Research Center found that husbands get lucky between 28 percent to more than 400 percent more often than bachelors, depending on their age. And it is not a ho-hum roll in the matrimonial bed; not only are married women more likely to be orgasmic, married men also give and get more oral sex. (NORC. 2006)
Kind of gives a new twist to the phrase, "I do."
Myth 5: Men think about sex every 7 seconds.
"That is as many times as we breathe everyday," Caroll said. "Nobody has that type of mental stamina."
In one of the nation's most comprehensive surveys about sexual habits in the United states, completed by Edward Laumann and colleagues in 1994, 43 percent of men reported thinking about sex not even once a day, but rather somewhere between a couple times a week to a couple times a month. (Laumann. 1994)
Can I Get STDs Having Oral Sex?
Myth: I can't get a STD through Oral Sex?
Teens believe oral sex is less risky to their health and emotions than regular sex, and they think it is more acceptable among their peers.
Not surprisingly, they also are more likely to try oral sex.
This view comes from a new survey of 580 ethnically diverse Northern California ninth-graders reported in the April issue of the journal Pediatrics.
The students in general thought oral sex was less likely to have negative social and emotional consequences, such as creating bad reputation or feelings of guilt. Oral sex is also seen as less threatening to their values and beliefs.
Among the findings:
• 19.5 percent of the ninth-graders surveyed said they had tried oral sex
• 13.5 percent have had vaginal sex
• 31.5 percent intend to have oral sex within the next six months
• 26.2 percent intend to have vaginal sex in the next six months
It makes sense then to discuss more then one kind of sexual practice with teens today. Instead of just telling them that they should wait to have intercourse, it stands to reason that we should also remind them of the dangers of contracting disease with oral sex.
Most of the participants recognized that there is some risk of infection with sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and HIV, and accurately ranked this risk less than with vaginal sex.
Yet one in seven incorrectly thought that the risk of STDs from oral sex would be zero. It is NOT zero.
There may not be a large amount of data about the chances of sexually transmitted infections due to oral sex, but there it IS still a real risk, when teens are engaging in or considering oral sex, they need to know about methods to keep themselves safe from physical as well as emotional risks.
In summary, “oral sex” is sexual activity, and can serve as the route of transmission for a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. As such, it should not be considered or recommended as a substitute for penile-vaginal or penile-anal penetrative intercourse. A large proportion of adolescents and young adults who practice oral sex are also engaged in other sexual activities. Individuals, parents, educators, and policymakers need to be aware that any sexual activity with more than one monogamous, faithful, lifelong partner is associated with significant health risks.
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