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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

Plastic Surgery, the Who and What of It

Ever wonder who's getting plastic surgery? For the most part, it's women. Statistics compiled by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that of the 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures done in 2005, over 90% were preformed on women. In fact, surgical procedures for women showed a modest annual increase of 2%, while they were down 8% for men.

People ages 35-50 years are the most likely to have a cosmetic procedure done, accounting for nearly half of procedures, compared with just 4% of people 65 and older. (Read more about Plastic Surgery, the Who and What of It)

Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services

Have you been to a practitioner besides your family physician? Whether chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga or homeopathy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly common in the United States, and 72% of adults use some form of CAM therapies according to the US National Centers for Disease Control and US National Center for Health Statistics.

A recent cover story in The New York Times Magazine highlighted how chronic pain tends to be under treated because doctors worry about over prescribing medications, and being liable for malpractice or even criminal penalties. Many doctors fear entering the field of pain management at all. Many patients are also concerned about becoming dependant on medication or about the invasiveness and dangers of surgery and anesthesia. CAM therapies, which are able to treat pain and help manage diseases without medication or surgery, are rapidly growing services as people search out better, safer approaches.

So how effective are Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies? (Read more about Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services)

Spinal Decompression for Lower Back Pain

Spinal Decompression provides an alternative to surgery in many cases of lower back pain caused by herniated discs.

A herniated disc is a condition of the disc. The disc a jelly-like material between two bones in your spine. There is a middle section called a nucleus and an outer band called an annulus. As we age the outer band, or the annulus, which is a collagen based tissue, begins to break down. The nucleus, which is in the middle, migrates outside and puts pressure on the spinal nerve causing either pain or dysfunction. (Read more about Spinal Decompression for Lower Back Pain)

Teeth Whitening

A lot of people want to have a brighter smile. But laser treatments can be incredibly expensive.

Now, there is a non-laser treatment system that whitens teeth really quickly--in one session--and it will not cost you an arm and a leg. (Read more about Teeth Whitening)

Cosmetic Foot Surgery

Women's obsession with shoes are an enigma. And a foot is hardly an after thought--especially when it comes to high fashion.

And that's why women who aren't happy their pedal appearance, are doing anything to put their best foot forward. A big trend these days is cosmetic foot surgery (Read more about Cosmetic Foot Surgery)

Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery

Severe obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through diet and exercise alone. Bariatric surgery is one of the best options for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from serious obesity-related health problems. The surgery promotes weight loss by restricting food intake and, in some operations, interrupting the digestive process. As in other treatments for obesity, the best results are achieved with healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity. (Read more about Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery)

Your First Visit

By Tauseef Ahmed, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Oncology / Hematology at New York Medical College

Your tests have come back. The news is not good and your doctor refers you to a specialist. Oncologist, Orthopedist, Neurologist, each one trusted by your doctor, each one trained to help you, whatever your problem might be. Each one can and should be helped by you.
Here are a few tips to help your caregiver help you: (Read more about Your First Visit)

In Vitro Fertilization

Today, thanks to the miracle of science, thousands of couples desperately wanting children, who can't conceive naturally, are able to become parents.

"In the in vitro fertilization process women are given hormonal treatments to try to stimulate their ovaries to release eggs, and then we remove those eggs fertilize them outside the body in a laboratory with sperm and place the embryos back into the uterine cavity," says Dr. Daniel Stein of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.

But, one of the greatest challenges with IVF is multiple births.
"We often have to replace more than one embryo back into the uterus, about a third of pregnancies from in vitro fertilization are multiple pregnancies, the majority of those are twin pregnancies, but there is also an increased rate of triplet and quadruple pregnancy rate, we want to try to reduce the multiple pregnancy rate because there are so many problems associated with multiple pregnancy, like cerebral palsy, other types of neurological damage, increase c-section rates for the mom," says Dr. Stein. (Read more about In Vitro Fertilization)

Hair Loss in Women

This article was submitted by Dr. Robert True as seen in News USA

Believe it or not, hair loss is common in women, too.

Some women, like men, lose hair in one area like the crown of their head. Other women tend to lose hair evenly all over the head, resulting in thin hair on the entire scalp. (Read more about Hair Loss in Women)