Women And Heart Attacks

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in women.  Women’s symptoms are different than men’s, and therefore, the fact that they are having a heart attack is many times ignored—causing a higher death rate among women.

Until the 1980s, heart disease was largely considered a male problem, and many studies that focused only on men drew a narrow picture of the typical signs of heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath and radiating pain in the neck, back, jaw and arms. But more inclusive research since then has shown that while female heart patients may exhibit these symptoms, they are also more likely to show symptoms that are less typically associated with heart attacks, like sleep disturbances and severe unexplained fatigue in the days and weeks prior, as well as cold sweats, weakness and dizziness during the attack.

No one knows precisely why heart attack symptoms differ between men and women, but Dr. Canto speculated that many factors may be involved, including hormones. Many women who take birth control pills, for example, tend to have “stickier” blood vessels and arteries than men, he said.

“Men are quick to rush to see a physician,” said Dr. Garcia, who was not involved in the study. “Women worry more about their husbands than themselves.”

The Kegel

Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles have major benefits for women.  And the kegel has also been proven helpful to men.  Contract pelvic floor muscles and hold contraction for the count of 10 (start at 5),  release and begin again—repeating 1o times three times a day. Do not hold your breath while doing the kegel, breath normally.  While urinating stop and release the flow, testing the strength of your pelvic floor muscles.

Factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, aging, being overweight, and abdominal surgery such as cesarean section, often result in the weakening of the pelvic muscles. Kegel exercises are useful in regaining pelvic floor muscle strength in such cases. They also help prevent incontinence.

Though most commonly used by women, men can also use Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are employed to strengthen the pubococcygeal muscle and other muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.  The objective of this may be similar to that of the exercise in women with weakened pelvic floor: to increase bladder and bowel control and sexual function. 

Water Water Water

The water supply in many states is being threatened by climate change, over-development in areas with a limited water supply and intense usage.

Striking symbols of American engineering prowess, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam stand in testimony to the U.S. spirit of growth and prosperity. But the 28.5 million acre Lake Mead is shrinking, as an ever-thirsty nation sprawls across the desert and consumes the waters of the Colorado in an increasingly unsustainable way.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, a weekly online report produced by the Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, shows that severe drought still grips much of the American Southeast, is spreading east from California across the Rocky Mountains, and has also settled in the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma and Colorado.

IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH WATER SHORTAGES SOME MUNICIPALITIES ARE TURNING WASTEWATER INTO TAP WATER!

SAN DIEGO:  Almost hidden in the northern hills, the pilot water treatment plant here does not seem a harbinger of revolution. It cost $13 million, uses long-established technologies and produces a million gallons a day.

First, wastewater is filtered through string-like microfibers with holes smaller than bacteria and protozoa. Then it goes through reverse osmosis, an energy-intensive process forcing the water through plastic membranes that remove most molecules that are not water. Finally, it is dosed with hydrogen peroxide and exposed to ultraviolet light, a double-disinfectant process. The result is roughly equivalent to distilled water, Orange County officials say.

Some people are still put off. Virginia Soderberg, 91, president of the Convair Garden Club in San Diego, called reclaimed water “the end of the world. I wouldn’t even want my cat to drink it.”

But a 2011 poll by the utility showed that local opposition to reuse had dropped to 25 percent.  NYT

Let’s Dance!

Michele Obama’s natural and  free spirited personality is very uplifting…she is so real— such a contrast to what we usually expect to see Washington DC.  Her Let’s Move initiative, which shines the light on childhood obesity by focusing on exercise and good food, is a winner.  And much needed.

Let’s Move, She Said—And We Have   Ezekiel Emanuel NYT

One of the most important results has been increasing public awareness of the importance of obesity. In 2008, over two-thirds of adults and a third of adolescents and children in the United States were obese or overweight. Although most Americans already saw obesity as a major problem, a majority opposed increasing federal spending to combat it. This attitude has begun to change. By 2011, a Pew survey found that most Americans believe the government should play a significant role in reducing obesity among children. Today, 80 percent of Americans acknowledge that childhood obesity is a serious problem.

Mrs. Obama’s campaign has also led to improvements in the access to and content of school meals — which are where many children get the bulk of their calories and nutrition. In late 2010, the lame-duck Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act which, for the first time in 30 years, increased funding for school breakfasts and lunches above the inflation rate. The act also gives the Agriculture Department authority to set health standards for all foods sold on school property — including those in vending machines. Best of all, it reduced government paperwork to establish eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, ensuring that tens of thousands more children will get healthy food they need.

Slow Yoga

As with all non aerobic exercise, yoga is most challenging, effective and safe when it is done slowly.  In order to get the full benefit from each posture, your body must be properly aligned  before movement takes place, this takes time, concentration and knowledge.  When performing your yoga postures do not allow your strength or your flexibility to overpower your movement —find a good balance as you elongate your muscles, never forcing your way through a posture.

One of the reasons you feel so good after practicing yoga is that yoga does a wonderful job of moving fluids around in your body. Your blood circulates in your arteries and veins, and your lymph flows through the spaces around all your cells; both fluids can be cleansed of metabolic by-products and your blood replenished with oxygen and nutrients. Yoga also helps circulate the synovial fluid inside your joints, which allows your joints to move freely.

The 21st Century…

The End Of Health Insurance Companies—NYT

Here’s a bold prediction for the new year. By 2020, the American health insurance industry will be extinct. Insurance companies will be replaced by accountable care organizations — groups of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who come together to provide the full range of medical care for patients.

The Mighty Pushup

Works Every Muscle!!

Type II Diabetes Epidemic

While not everyone with type 2 diabetes is overweight, obesity and lack of physical activity are two of the most common causes of this form of diabetes. It is also responsible for nearly 95% of diabetes cases in the United States, according to the Center of Disease Control.

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy food choices, physical activity, and weight loss. It can be controlled with these same activities.  If a person cannot control  their diabetes through diet and exercise, then medication will be necessary. As we know, medication can have unknown side effects and should be a last resort.

Maintaining a healthy weight, the best way to  prevent and also treat type 2 diabetes, boils down to burning more calories than you eat.

Silicone Breast Implants Leak

Breast augmentation is a woman’s choice, but they should be aware that silicone breast implants, introduced in 1981, have never been proven to be safe.  In fact, long term studies regarding their safety have never been done. There are many women who insist that the leaking of  silicone into their bodies from ruptured implants are the cause of autoimmune diseases that they suffer from. In short term studies, toxic amounts of platinum have been found in the breast milk, urine and blood of women with implants.  Platinum is a metal used as a catalyst in the manufacture of the shell and gel components of silicone breast implants.

Unfortunately, it seems as if  women are being used as guinea pigs,  just as they were with hormone replacement therapy.

Our Bodies Our Selves…The Health Resource Center  report pertaining to breast implants is a must read.   It covers the history of silicone implants and the successful efforts by the manufacturers of the implants to have the 1990′s FDA ban lifted over the objections of doctors and scientists..

Isometrics Work…

Isometrics Anywhere Anytime

Isometrics are done in static positions, rather than being dynamic through a range of motion.

In order to strengthen the abdominal muscles isometrically, you must pull the navel in towards the spine and hold the contraction for  a slow count to 10 increasing the intensity on each count… then fully release contraction and begin again.  Repeat the exercise 10 times—it can be done anywhere and at various times during the day.  Breathe normally during the exercise.  As with all abdominal exercises, these will strengthen your core and go a long way to keeping your back strong and healthy.

All plank exercises are isometric, working most muscles in the body, as the position is held for at least 10 slow counts.  The second plank shown can also be done with the bottom arm straight.  Again, do not hold your breath.