December 2010

Everybody is asking . . . Are the new airport body scanners safe? I guess the answer is yes and no depending on which expert you ask. According to Kimberly Appelgate, MD, Vice Chair for Quality and Safety in the Department of Radiology at Emory University School of Medicine, backscatter body scanner machines use low-level X-rays. Levels so low you would have to take 1000 trips through the backscatter to be exposed to the same amount of radiation found in one chest X-ray. But even though radiation levels are low there are still risks according to John Sedat, PHD a Professor Emeritus of Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Sedat believes that since exposure is limited to the body’s surface you may actually be exposed to radiation levels 10 to 20 times higher than we are being told. If you are a frequent flyer, you travel with small children or you are uncomfortable with the detailed images obtained by the backscatter body scanner give the TSA Agent a thrill -- ask for a pat-down. Otherwise, wear your best bra and panties and leave your potentially dangerous items at home.

Tis the season for Good Health! gift ideas . . .

• Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way -- According to author and explorer Dan Buettner the average person can control about 55% of his or her individual happiness by optimizing life choices. You won’t find happiness in wealth, youth, beauty or intelligence. Instead, Buettner says the happiest people do things like socialize up to 7 hours a day, have a good friend at work and invest in their future and memories not stuff. http://www.bluezones.com/explore/books/thrive

• Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System -- With the Clarisonic you give the gift of radiant skin. After using the Clarisonic customers report fewer dry patches, softer, smoother skin and even firmer skin with improved texture. And it is a great skin prep before applying self tanner. Clarisonic is almost like having a spa in your own home. http://www.clarisonic.com

• Lululemon Athletica Women’s Relaxed Fit Pant -- I own a pair of these pants and I love them! They are one of Oprah’s Favorite Things this holiday season because “they cut your butt in half.” I am not sure about that claim but, they are really comfy and I love the zippered back pocket feature. http://shop.lululemon.com/Relaxed_Fit_Pant/pd/c/560/np/560/p/1588.html

This holiday season remember to make the time to be good to you. It is okay to drink wine and eat dessert while you celebrate with family and friends – just do it in moderation. And spread the news about Good Health! by sharing this blog with female friends and relatives.

Hope you have a Very Merry Christmas & Good Health! in the New Year.

Terry

“The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything they have.”
~ Author Unknown

November 2010

Bioidentical hormones have received a lot of attention in the past few years due in large part to influential celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Suzanne Somers who have been vocal supporters of this alternative treatment for nasty menopause symptoms. Today nearly 1 million woman are using compounded hormone creams and in doing so they may be putting their pets at risk. It turns out that veterinarians around the country are noticing an increased number of spayed dogs and cats that are exhibiting symptoms of heat. Pet owners who use hormone cream can inadvertently expose their pet to hormones when they cuddle their pet or allow their pet to lick an area of their body to which they applied hormone cream. If you have made the decision to use hormone cream make sure you are doing so without risking the safety of your pet. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying hormone cream and before handling food, pets and children.

It’s flu season and if you haven’t done so already, it is time to get your flu shot. A yearly flu shot is generally a covered expense on most health insurance policies. And, it has become really easy to find a location that offers them. You can even get a flu shot at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport and many other airports across the country including O’Hare and Orlando. Now there really is no excuse for not getting a flu shot. I had my flu shot at the Target Clinic in my neighborhood last month – no appointment necessary. It didn’t hurt – well, maybe just a tiny bit.

Men look in the mirror and flex their muscles – Women look in the mirror and see imperfections. I believe that every woman is beautiful in her own way. So, in this season of Thanksgiving, be thankful for the things that make you who you are and make the time to be good to you.

Happy Thanksgiving and Good Health!

Terry

“Imagine a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.”
~Dove Movement for Self Esteem

October 2010

Pink, it’s the color of hope, strength and solidarity for a cause. Each October the proliferation of pink products draws our attention to the need for more research and better detection methods to help fight a disease that takes the life of nearly 40,000 women annually. Over the past 25 years there has been an increase in awareness but sadly we still don’t know exactly what causes breast cancer. We do know that all women are at risk for breast cancer. In fact, most women who get breast cancer have no known risk factors other than being a woman and getting older. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Hispanic women in the United States and the second most common cause of cancer death among white, black, Asian and Native American women.

It is easy to see why monthly breast self exams are a MUST for women of any age or ethnicity. Know what your normal feels like and see a physician as soon as possible if you feel a lump or notice any changes in your breast. It is also very important to have a clinical breast exam as part of your annual physical and a mammogram/ultrasound as suggested by your physician. Don’t let the fear of breast cancer keep you from taking charge of your health. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer will go on to live a full life without reoccurrence. Early detection significantly increases the chances of survival and is the key to the best outcome.

Last year, 192,370 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer -- I was one of them. I was incredibly lucky that my doctor ordered the breast ultrasound that detected a teeny, tiny tumor before cancer cells had the chance to spread all over my body. Ten months after diagnosis my scars are beautiful proof that I did all I could to insure my long-term survival. I feel great! My breasts have never looked better and I have early detection to thank for my good health.

I strongly encourage you to have a plan regarding your breast health. The National Breast Cancer Organization has developed the Early Detection Plan – an interactive tool to help remind you to take charge of your breast health. Just go to: www.earlydetectionplan.org for all the details. While on the site you can also use the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool to calculate your personalized, potential risk of developing breast cancer based on your answers to seven questions.

Make the time to be good to you. Reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, incorporating exercise/activity into your daily routine and limiting alcohol intake. You have one body . . . one life. It is your most important responsibility to take care of it. Give yourself every opportunity to grow old gracefully.

Good Health!

Terry

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”
~Christopher Reeve