Wrinkle Fillers - Who to Believe?

The long term effects of a new wrinkle filler is being challenged.  Dr. Arnold W. Klein, a dermatologist, is launching a campaign to have ArteFill banned.  Artefill is a permanent dermal filler used to decrease lines and add volume to the areas where it is injected.  It appears that the number of people running to get injected is increasing rapidly.  It's a huge business that's growing right along with our aging population. We are eager to rejuvenate our faces and any other parts of our anatomy that need a little plumping action.  Most of the existing fillers are temporary fixes, but if they're not used properly can cause permanent damage.

Anyway, Dr. Klein is saying there haven't been enough tests done to determine the long term effects on the underlying tissue after using ArteFil.  Now, I could buy into that argument, if I felt it was legit. But, I'm having a problem with Dr. Klein's credibility.

Tara Parker Pope - On the Death of Her Mom

In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, Tara Parker Pope let us know two things that have recently impacted her life.  The first was the death of her mother and the second leaving the Journal.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Tara she has been writing the"Health Journal" every Friday, for the past eight years.  She wanted to arm consumers with information that will help them make informed choices about health and medicine. I didn't always agree with what she said, but always fully believed in what she was trying to achieve.

In her farewell column, she talked about the death of her mother.  It was caused by a deadly cancer fueled by years of acid reflux.  When she was first diagnosed they knew her mom's best hope was to find a doctor they trusted.  Unfortunately, the oncologist other doctor's recommended wasn't taking any new patients, so they ended up with one of his colleagues.

 

Black Baby Boomers - What is the American Dream?

Beverly Mahoney wrote this article and I wanted to post it here.  Beverly in busy on her book tour this summer but to read more abourt her visit her blog.

As an black baby boomer, I have memories of my parents encouraging me to go out and pursue the American dream.  Their idea of this fantasy was to go out, get a good job, find a nice husband, raise a family and live happily every after.  Well, so far, two out of five isn't bad I guess.

 

But what really is the American Dream for black baby boomers?  If there are more than nine million of us according to the 2004 US Census, why are there only a little more than two hundred thousand of us making $100,000 or more?  Maybe it’s because we were never meant to live the American Dream.

To read more click here.

Female Sexual Dysfunction: You're Not Alone

A  significant portion of the female population will have some sort of sexually-related health difficulty or dysfunction in their lifetime. But, findings from an international survey conducted by The Women's Sexual Health Foundation found that less than 9% of women ages 21 to 80 are asked by their healthcare provider if they are having difficulties with sex.  I'm not surprised, are you?  We are so rushed during an appointment with our doctors, it's a wonder they have time to take our blood pressure.

As you can see from the stats below, most women on the planet will fall into one or more of the categories that contribute to Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD).

Wiley Protocol - One Woman's Experience

I know how many women desperately want to maintain a healthy body after a hysterectomy and/or menopause. I also know how many have shown an interest in learning more about the Wiley Protocol.  To say it's a controversial topic, is an understatement.  There are those who think the Wiley Protocol is the greatest thing since sliced bread, while others think it's a major catalyst responsible for other medical problems.

There is no treatment available to to us today that is ever 100% effective. Even aspirin isn't for everybody. That's why you and your doctor have to decide what is best for you.

What you will now read is one women's dairy entry describing how she is doing after six months on the Wiley Protocol.  She had a Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) to remove ovarian ovarian cysts in 2004. 

Reclast Once-A-Year Osteoporosis Drug Gets FDA Approval

Today Novartis announced that Reclast (zoledronic acid) has received approval from the FDA as a once a year treatment for women with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is caused by a combination of genetic, dietary, lifestyle, hormonal, and age-related factors. It occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women and can be very serious if not treated.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 34 million Americans are at risk of osteoporosis, mostly older women, but older men can get it as well. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men over 50 will suffer a verterbral fracture, with this figure rising as the population ages.

Lauren Hutton Does It Better

Lauren Hutton, one of the first "supermodels," returned to modeling at age 46. When she was unable to find cosmetics formulated for the needs of women in her age group, she decided to create her own with the help of top makeup professionals. The result is a collection of makeup that really works well on women over 40.

I like her face disc, shown here, for two reasons.  The first - it provides you with most everything you need in one convenient, thin, mirrored compact. So, for smoothing lips, accenting cheekbones, hiding a double chin, outlining your eyes, covering discolorations, concealing dark circles, fine lines and flaws you're good to go. All the little makeup holders contained in the compact are replaceable when you run out.  Because you don't have to buy a whole new face disc every time, it saves you money.

Prenuptials for Non-Marrieds?

This is a mind blowing statistic - 5.5 million women in the United States live with - but are not married to - a significant other.  I guess I'm surprised at the huge number because when I lived my boyfriend way back in the middle 70s, it was not considered proper or acceptable. Things have certainly changed, and in my opinion, changed for the better. I never believed you needed a piece of paper to prove your love.  But, the years have taught me, a piece of paper sure helps when love flies out the door.

Way back in the day, my thoughts weren't focused on would happen financially if we broke up. I was young and in love and it didn't seem to matter, who would get what.  But, that all changes as we get older and start to earn real money. When we start to appreciate a certain lifestyle, we want to protect it.  So, the question becomes, is there anything you can do to protect yourself if you are in a non-marriage relationship?

Boomers: Getting Back the VaVaBoom!

What's going on?  We boomers started the sexual revolution but these days too many of us have dropped the ball. According to surveys more than a quarter of all baby boomers have stopped having sex and less than half hug and kiss daily.  Why has sex stopped being fun?

David Schnarch, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist believes that couples are emotionally alienated from each other.  People only have sex up to the level of their sexual development.  Foreplay isn't about sexual arousal, it's a negotiation  for the level of intimacy and eroticism that will follow. 

When you are emotionally alienated from each other sex becomes boring.  Schnarch says, "when two people get together, they have a negotiation.  You get to decide what you don't want to do, I get what to decide what I don't want to do, and we do whatever is left. Normal sexual relationships consist of leftovers. No wonder we get bored.  It stopped being fun.

First Ladies And First Gentleman Battling It Out

The Boomer Spouses of the presidential candidates have taken center stage as we move toward this presidential election. As if, there wasn't mud slinging already. But, we never seem to get enough dirt, so everybody involved in the various campaigns are under the microscope.  I guess it's the "you can run but you can't hide" scenario.  It will be interesting to see how these spouses handle themselves on this very long road to the White House. Paul Harris of the Observer UK wrote this article on his observations. 

It is a brutal battle of whispering campaigns, gossip-laced leaks and highly disciplined PR machines. It is a world where image outweighs reality and where any sign of weakness or an unscripted gaffe could derail a bid for the White House.

The presidential nomination process? Not exactly. Instead it is the battle royal being waged between the candidate's spouses. As the Republican and Democratic parties are both choosing presidential candidates for 2008, never before have so many potential First Ladies -- and one First Gentleman -- battled it out so publicly.