7 Things Away Of Pregnant Women

Now you are confirmed that you are pregnant, right! You must be very happy and excited about it along with your partner, friends, and family members. At the same time you should also keep in mind to protect yourself and your baby from anything harmful. Because growing baby is depended on you to be healthy. So first and foremost step you should take is to keep both of you safe by staying away from things that can be harmful during pregnancy. Here are some tips you can follow.

(A) Food and Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings lots of changes to a woman’s immune system. Due to these changes you are more vulnerable to the illness which comes from food. Before pregnancy stomach upset was a very common illness but during pregnancy it could mean serious complications like dehydration to miscarriage. So to be safe, avoid the common culprits of food borne illness by staying away from the food items like: raw eggs, sushi, unpasteurized juice, some varieties of fish like (Sword fish, Shark, and Tile fish), high levels of caffeine, nitrate-rich foods, and soft cheeses.

(B) Stress and Pregnancy

Stress can affect you and your baby’s health during pregnancy. Because it’s only natural to feel stressed at this stage where you are expecting a baby in your life. Now it is your responsibility to bring a healthy baby into the world. Apart from this responsibility you are worried about your baby’s health and birth itself along with the costs and finances involved with it. Try to stay away from stress by avoiding it whenever possible. So, talk to your friends and family members. Share with them any concerns or worries you have at this stage. In this way you have someone to talk to and it is helpful all by itself.

(C) Environment and Pregnancy

A healthy pregnancy is not just eating healthy and getting good prenatal care. At the same time it is also important to keep your environment (home and work place) safe from things that can harm you and your baby. Things like radiation, chemicals and some metal from which you should keep yourself at distance. These harmful substances can get into your body through skin, breathing process and when you eat and drink. Some can be immediately dangerous to you and your baby. If you come in contact with large amounts of radiation early in your pregnancy, your baby may be at risk for birth defects. During pregnancy contacts with the metals like lead, mercury and arsenic can put you at risk for miscarriages. At the same time your baby may be at risk for pre term birth, low weight and developmental delays. Pesticides are chemicals used to kill or keep away insects and rodents. Being in contact with large amounts of pesticides may be harmful during pregnancy. It may lead to miscarriages, pre term birth, low birth weight, birth defects and learning problems.

(D) Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs during Pregnancy

Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs during pregnancy. These can cause health problems for your baby for life time. When you smoke during pregnancy your baby is exposed to dangerous chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. These chemical can lessen the amount of oxygen supply according to your baby’s need. Oxygen is very important in your baby’s growth. Similarly alcohol and drug also damage your baby’s growth

(E) Pets and Pregnancy
You need to be careful about the kinds of animals you keep in your home. You should also be careful in handling them in particular. Pets like cats and dogs could jump on your belly while you are sitting or lying down. So just be careful towards them.

(F) Seat Belts during Pregnancy

Driving can be tiring for anyone. Try to limit driving to 5-6 hours per day when you are pregnant. You should never forget to wear a seat belt when driving. A pregnant woman could be at risk for miscarriage, pre term labour and other complications depending on the severity of the accident. If a pregnant woman is wearing her seat belt properly at the time of the accident then she and her baby will face fewer injuries.

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Keep Clean Your Kitchen, Healthy, and Safe

How clean is your kitchen?

Most at-home cooks probably feel pretty confident that they know how to handle raw foods, avoid germs and bacteria, and generally keep their kitchen spick-and-span. But a closer look at their cutting boards—and hands—might suggest otherwise.

As a Health.com poll of some 400 readers and 100 professional chefs reveals, our counter intelligence is still somewhat...medieval. Here's how to make sure the only thing you spread—and get!—in the kitchen is good cheer.

Wash rinds

Though 68 percent of you (and 71 percent of chefs) think poultry is the riskiest food, raw produce actually causes more cases of food-sickness outbreaks.

Scrub and rinse melons, squash, and other foods with inedible rinds to remove bacteria that can transfer to the flesh when you cut into it.

Take temps

Only 29 percent of Americans have ever used a food thermometer, but it's the best way to tell if you cooked your meal enough to kill bacteria. Pork, ham, steak, roast, and lamb chops need to reach 145 degrees F, ground beef isn't safe to eat until it's 160 degrees F, and poultry requires 165 degrees F.
Pick up a food thermometer (digital works best) in any housewares store.

Clean sponges

Three out of four kitchen sponges and rags tested positive for potentially dangerous bacteria, per a recent study.
Nuke sponges on medium for a minute or run them through the dishwasher, including a dry cycle.

Use two cutting boards

Designate one for meat and the other for veggies, so that bacteria from uncooked beef and poultry don't stray into your salad.
For the same reason, use separate knives for slicing meat and veggies.

Sterilize the fridge

And not just the outside. Every couple of weeks, wipe down refrigerator drawers using hot water and soap. Rinse with warm water and dry with a dishcloth.
Another safety tip? Drawers—the coolest areas of the fridge—should hold meats, cheeses, vegetables, and anything else that will go bad 

Wash up

It's an essential way to prevent the spread of germs—but only half of people do it, says our poll.
Here's how to wash your hands thoroughly: For at least 20 seconds (roughly the amount of time it takes to whistle "Happy Birthday" twice), scrub all the surfaces on your hands and between your fingers. And be sure to dry your hands completely afterward.

6 Ways Changes Your Body When You Fall in Love

How your body responds to love

 

Butterflies in your stomach, a racing heartbeat—you probably remember those symptoms well from your first middle school crush. As an adult, they're actually your body's subtle clues that you're falling in love (or lust, at least). At the start of a relationship, a series of truly fascinating chemical reactions occur throughout your nervous system and hormones. From the first time you meet to climbing under the sheets, here's what's happening to your body as you fall in love

Being in love is like a drug addiction

Kesha wasn't too far off when she described love as a drug, according to a 2010 study conducted at Rutgers University. Researchers concluded that falling in love is much like the sensation of feeling addicted to drugs with the release of euphoria, including brain chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline, and vasopressin. Kat Van Kirk, PhD, a clinical sexologist and licensed marriage and family therapist, says these chemicals are released throughout different points of attraction, and help bond you with your partner. Like drugs, the more time you spend with this person, the more addicted you become, she says.

It's also like being drunk

Having a few too many glasses of wine makes you less inhibited, fearful, and anxious, and more aggressive and boastful—and so does oxytocin, the "love hormone," according to a University of Birmingham study. Researchers pooled existing research into the effects of both oxytocin and alcoholand although they impact different parts of the brain, they have similar outcomes.

Your cheeks flush, palms sweat, and heart races

Before a big date, you might notice your heart rate tick up and your hands get sweatier. It's not just a nervous tick that causes your anxiety to rise; it's actually the stimulation of adrenaline and norepinephrine, says Dr. Kirk. "This can lead to having a physical sensation of craving and the desire to focus your attention on that specific person," she says. 

Your pupils dilate

When you're attracted to someone—sitting across from you at the bar, on the street, laying in bed together—there is a stimulation in your nervous system's sympathetic branch, which causes your eyes to dilate, says Dr. Kirk. (Go ahead, you can test it with your partner—it's fun!)

You may feel a little sick

It's normal to lose your appetite or feel uneasy when you've just started seeing someone new. That's your body's way of telling you that you really like that person. "Lovesickness may actually be the stress hormone cortisol contracting the blood vessels in your stomach, making you feel sick," Dr. Kirk says. This usually fades over time as you become more comfortable with your boyfriend or girlfriend—but could also partially explain why many brides and grooms feel like they can't eat at their wedding. 

The Day The Best Time To have Sex

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Alright everyone Zone in Health will give you tips the best time to have sex, get out your planners.

According to hormone expert Alisa Vitti, the best time for a man and woman to have sex is 3pm. Which may require some organisation, given that most of us are at work around that time.

Alisa explained to the Daily Mail that a bit of afternoon delight works best for men and women, as in the afternoon women feel at their most alert and energetic – thanks to increase levels of cortisol – while men reach their peak levels of estrogen, which makes them more emotionally present during sex.

So, 3 pm is the ideal time for maximum mutual enjoyment of heterosexual sex.

Men actually have the best sex in the morning, when their testosterone levels are at their peak. But women feel more aroused and alert in the afternoon – so it’s best to wait for that rise of estrogen, instead, for a more connected experienceThere’s just one issue. Most of us are at work during that time, and can’t exactly sneak off for a quickie.

So maybe try planning in sexy times for 3 pm on the weekends, and then, you know, just do it whenever you fancy during the week.Let’s be honest: if you’re with the right person, it’s going to be good either way.

And if you’re in a same-sex relationship, have at it whenever. Men will be ready to go in the morning, women do it better in the afternoon. Enjoy the fact that your sex drives line up, you lucky people.

Top 10 Wedding Trends cake 2016

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You would think choosing your wedding cake would be simple.
But there are so many choices out there.
Should you go for a ‘naked’ wedding cake (one without icing) or perhaps a macaroon tower?
If you like keeping up with the latest bridal trends, read the top 12 wedding cake trends for 2016.
Read on to discover what’s in vogue when it comes to crumbs.

1. Cakes that reflect the bride’s personality

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According to Jessica Lauren Cakes, more and more brides are wanting this.
If you and your groom have a particularly romantic engagement story, this can be reflected on your wedding cake too

2. A visual feast

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Macaroon or macarons as they are known in the industry, have been around for a while, but they are gaining popularity with brides who want to do something different

3. Decadent dessert table

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Rather than opting for one cake, Peggy Porschen has noticed a trend for brides wanting a dessert table.
‘There is also a trend towards indulgent treats, non traditional flavoured sponges and scrumptious fillings,’ says Porschen.
‘I am increasingly asked for fresh buttercream designs and cakes decorated with fruit or luxury truffles for example – rather than Royal Icing.

4. A return to the 1950s

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Although there are plenty of modern brides out there, many brides-to-be like the idea of having a wedding that is timelessly elegant.

5. Floral creations

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Florals couldn’t be more fashionable when it comes to the world of weddings right now, and this goes for floral wedding cakes too.

6. A break from tradition

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Forget traditional looking wedding cakes in pastel colours.
Bold tones are set to be a key trend in wedding cakes for 2016.
‘Fruit cake, white icing and subtle sugar flowers are all on the list of things to avoid, while colour, strong silhouettes and lots detailing are in demand.

7. The ‘naked cake’ phenomenon

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What is a naked cake? Basically a wedding cake without frosting or icing.
With so many rustic weddings at the moment, it is a popular choice for many brides. It is set to continue to be a big trend for 2016.

8. Flowers with a difference

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Wedding cakes with sugared flowers will continue to be popular in 2016.

9. Magical metallics

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Black and gold are not normally colours you would associate with a wedding, but they are very fashionable choices for wedding cakes in 2016.

10. Pretty in pink

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Pink continues to be on trend for 2016 and is perfect for girly brides who are looking for a romantic wedding cake.

4 Ways To Keep Your Blood Sugar Steady

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You’re having a hot or cold sweat, losing your concentration, and you feel shaky. Maybe you’re a little nauseated or even faint.

Most of us know the feeling. Most of us have been there at one time or another, especially women. The blood sugar crash, or what my colleague at The UltraWellness Center, Dr. Mark Hyman, calls “The Food Emergency,” is super common.

It’s an awful feeling that can interfere with work, productivity, and even our safety if it happens while we’re driving!

As a young mom, keeping up with a breastfeeding baby and toddlers, then again later as a medical resident working insanely long hours, I often skipped meals, or at least skimped on them, only to find myself at the bottom of the blood sugar barrel. And what happens when you land there? You’re body goes into survival mode – literally – and you will eat ANYTHING in front of you.

Since most Americans live in a sea of quick carbohydrate and sugar “fixes,” we grab what is quick and right in front of us. Most often that is bread, chips, a cookie or brownie, a soda, juice, a candy bar, or other quick acting sugary food.

And hey, in a pinch, it really does feel life saving.

But in the long run, this is not a fix at all. In fact, the cycles of low and high blood sugar, and the reliance on sweets and carbs to rescue us from our blood sugar crashes are a key cause of our national diabetes and obesity epidemics. And did you know that Alzheimers disease is now considered a form of diabetes? YIKES!

Over time I learned how to keep my blood sugar steady, completely prevent blood sugar crashes, and always have access to good quality foods.

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Here are my 4 key tips so you can do the same!

1. Eat a quality breakfast. 

What you eat for breakfast sets the barometer for your day’s blood sugar. Eat a sweet breakfast and you’re practically bound for a blood sugar train wreck. But eat a high quality protein and you can hum along at a steady pace! Good choices include: eggs, a protein shake, or oatmeal. If you opt for oatmeal or another grain, make sure to add some nuts and good quality fat such as coconut oil or almond butter for more sustainable energy.

2. Plan your meals ahead of time. 

If you work outside of the home, you need to not only have a good breakfast, but also plan your lunches ahead of time so that you can eat an optimally healthy meal. I loosely scope out my week of meals and snacks on Sunday, and make a run to the grocery store to stock up before the week begins.

Lunch should include a good quality protein and vegetables, and perhaps a small portion of a healthy grain such as quinoa or brown rice. You can plan healthy dinners so that you can take some leftovers lunch or you can scope out the restaurants and groceries close to your work so you know which places have healthy menu or salad bar choices. It takes some forethought and discipline, but healthy options are not too hard to find on most places these days.

3. Graze. 

If you tend to have blood sugar swings and drops, grazing is your new best friend! Keep healthy snacks stashed in a desk drawer, in a small cooler pack, in your bag or backpack, or even the glove compartment of your car. If you start to feel hungry, eat a small portion of something healthy to tide you over to the next meal. 

Grazing on healthy foods will keep you blood sugar steady, and will actually help you control your weight much more effectively than skipping meals or snacks only to binge when your blood sugar crashes!

4. Keep an emergency food stash on hand

I always travel with a small emergency food stash, even if it's just to work. In my bag (which is on the larger size, but not over-sized) I keep:

1. A small bag of raw almonds. (For a treat, I like dry roasted unsalted almonds.) Walnuts, cashews, and other nuts or a nuts and seed combination are also great choices. Avoid oil roasted and salted nuts. A serving size is a small handful.
2. For variety and flavor you can mix the nuts and seeds with some crumbled toasted nori or dulse – both are super nutritious and tasty seaweeds.
3. An apple or an organic orange
4. A small container of almond butter to eat on a sliced apple
5. A small bar of 70% dark chocolate; a serving is 1-2 squares

Other excellent snack choices include a small container of sliced vegetables and hummus, a hard-boiled egg, and healthy trail mix (i.e., raw almonds, walnuts, goji berries, shredded dried unsweetened coconut, dark chocolate chips).

9 Tips For Moms Got Energy

Why is it that the kids have all the energy, but they’re the ones who get to nap?

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Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it’s also exhausting. You are on duty 24-7, no weekends off or sick days. It’s easy to focus on your kids and neglect yourself, but that’s not good for you or them.

Ideally, all moms would get eight hours of sleep and rise refreshed. But most of us know that’s not realistic. Instead, here are some quick and realistic tips from parenting experts on how you can recharge your own energy tank.

1. Guzzle a Bottle of Water.

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Mild dehydration can affect your body even before you know you’re thirsty, and may leave you with headaches, fatigue, and lack of energy. "When I want a quick pick-me-up, I stop and drink a full bottle of water," says Tammy Gold, a psychotherapist and parenting coach, and the mother of three girls ages 6 and under.

2. Take a Bath or Shower.

"There’s nothing like taking all your clothes off and taking a bath or shower in the middle of the day to make you feel like a totally new person," Gold says.

3. Be a "Bad Mom."

To get even five minutes for an energy boost, you may need a quick break from the kids. If they’re not in school or day care, that may mean relying on the dreaded TV for at least a short time. "I tell moms that it’s OK to put kids in front of the TV or put the baby in her crib or play yard for 15- 20 minutes to recharge yourself," Gold says. "Turn on Sesame Street or an educational DVD. They’ll get a much more present, happier you if you occasionally allow yourself a break like that than if you’re watching them like a hawk every second.

4. Get Moving.

Studies have found regular exercise is better than a nap for boosting your energy levels. But constant reminders to fit an hour’s worth of exercise into every day can be daunting. Forget the perfect and go for what you can do instead. Take a quick walk around the block with your child in the stroller, or just stand up from your desk to do some stretches. (You can set your computer alarm to remind you.) Or take advantage of playtime with your kids: have a race in the park or roller skate. Too cold? Try a physically active video game like Wii tennis or put on some music and dance.

5. Don’t Skip Breakfast!

You’re vigilant about making sure your kids get a healthy breakfast before they head out the door. But what about you? A cup of coffee does not equal a healthy start to the day (and no, two cups don’t make it better). Studies have found that people feel more satisfied by food eaten in the morning, a feeling that can translate into better energy for your day.

6. Keep Your Blood Sugar Steady.

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You feel drained. You grab a candy bar or a soda for a quick sugar rush. The energy burst lasts for a short time and then you crash, feeling more tired than before. Sound familiar? Wild fluctuations in your blood sugar can be rough on your energy level. Instead, eat regular small snacks to keep on an even keel. "Two hours after breakfast, I’ll have a banana with peanut butter," says Gold. "Two hours after that, I’ll have Greek yogurt with honey." Keep snacks in your purse that combine carbs with protein for a slow release of energy -- like trail mix, peanut butter crackers, protein bars, and small containers of veggies and hummus.

7. Change Your Clothes.

No, really. If you’re sitting around in baggy sweats or your pajamas, it can actually make you feel more tired and rundown, Gold says. You don’t have to put on a skirt or suit, but a switch from sweats to slacks and a cute top can make you feel like a new person.

8. Give Yourself a Bedtime.

Maybe eight hours’ sleep isn’t realistic for a mom of young kids, but you can’t survive on five. "There’s no quick cure for a lack of sleep, no matter how much caffeine you ingest," says Debi Silber, MS, RD, a personal trainer and lifestyle coach and the author of A Pocket Full of Mojo: 365 Proven Strategies To Create Your Ultimate Body, Mind, Image and Lifestyle. "Seeking energy through caffeine or sugar just leaves you tired and wired and prone to weight gain." Try this experiment: for one week, go to bed one hour earlier than you usually do, every night. Don’t veg out in front of the TV or the iPad. See how much more energy you have by the beginning of the next week.

9. Spend Real Time with Your Child.

Sometimes taking a break from parenting can give you the energy you need -- but the right kind of mommy-child time can refill your tank. "Take 15 minutes and just play with them. Abandon yourself completely to the play without a deadline or timeline or goal," says Stephanie Somanchi, PhD, an executive life coach who has worked with Nike and U.S. Bank. "You’ll find yourself empty and dry at the end of the day if all your interactions with your kids are about getting dressed, eating meals, and getting in and out of the house."

How a healthy sex life can improve your career

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Research has confirmed over and over again that stress affects your sex life tremendously. Stress stemming from things like commuting to work, working long hours, intense work projects and job security has an impact on the quality and quantity of sex for both men and women. Conversely, high levels of job satisfaction and job security are known to improve one’s sex life.

What about the opposite? Can what happens at home, specifically in the bedroom, have an impact on one’s work? Recent research seems to suggest it can. When one’s home and sex life are good, he or she will do better on the job in terms of performance and promotions.

Here are some ways in which a satisfying sex life positively impacts your career.

Larger paychecks

What? Can this be true? Well, according to a study conducted by the Institute for the Study of Labor, individuals who had sex a minimum of 4 times per week earned more than those who did not. This particular study was conducted in Greece with more than 7,500 households reporting. Questions included how many hours an individual worked, how much the individual earned and how often that individual had sex. The study pointed to a direct correlation between amount of sex in a week’s period and higher income.

The study’s reporter, Nick Drydakis, is quick to point out, however, that while there is a correlation, two factors must be considered. First, those who have more frequent sex tend to be happier individuals; and, in general, happier individuals are more enthusiastic, tend to perform better on the job and have lower absenteeism. So, perhaps those factors are why they get more raises and promotions. Secondly, it is also possible that individuals seem more attractive if they make more money; thus, they may have more opportunity for sex than those with lower-paying professions.

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Less stress, better health and greater on-the-job positivity

The correlation between stress and health has long been established. People with high levels of stress tend to have higher blood pressure, greater risk of heart disease and lowered immune systems. So, if an active sex life can reduce stress, then people with active sex lives will be healthier. And healthier people perform better at work and are less absent.

Sharon Norling, M.D. and author of Your Doctor is Wrong, states that more frequent orgasms increase life expectancy by 3-8 years and foster much more positivity in one’s outlook on life. Positivity translates into the workplace as an individual who is willing to take on challenging projects with enthusiasm.

Stronger immune systems

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone released during sex. This hormone boosts the immune system and makes us feel younger. A study conducted at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital surveyed both men and women about their sex lives. Those who looked younger than their age on average claimed to have sex 50 percent more often than their counterparts.

So, interestingly enough, sex helps us literally feel younger and be healthier. This will of course again decrease our sick-days, allowing us to spend more time at work with strength and energy. And, looking younger gives us inner-satisfaction and confidence, which in turn helps us perform better on the job.

Less physical pain

During sex, a chemical called Oxytocin is released. This is one of the body’s natural pain relievers. In fact, it is also released during labor preceding childbirth. Frequent sex keeps this hormone pumping, reducing physical pain. And people who are in less pain from headaches and muscle and joint issues perform better at work.

More entrepreneurship and competitiveness

Leaving a traditional work life and striking out one’s own is a big step, but more and more men and women have been taking this plunge in recent years. With a more flexible schedule, it appears these entrepreneurs are finding more time for sex at various times throughout the day and evening. One recent survey of successful entrepreneurs indicates they do have more frequent sex than when traditionally employed and this increased sexual activity may be a factor in their entrepreneurial success.

Additionally, if an active sex life can help an individual with everything discussed above, then that person will be far more competitive in the job market itself. Employers and/or potential customers are looking for people who are healthy, happy and motivated—all byproducts of a healthy sex life.

We tend to compartmentalize our lives: we have a work life, a home life, a social life and a private, personal life. All of these parts of our lives are connected, however, and each part impacts the others in big ways. So, the next time you are wondering how your work life can improve, ask yourself if your sex life needs improving too.

The Minnesota Vikings Are Building Breastfeeding 'Pods' in Their Stadium

Because you shouldn't be forced to pump in a dirty restroom.

Between random gunk on the ground and dribble on the seats, public restrooms can get a little…interesting, hygienically speaking. That, along with the often freakishly long lines to get in, make them hardly an ideal place to nurse your baby. But a mama’s got to do what she’s got to do.

“While we certainly encourage breastfeeding mothers to nurse where they feel comfortable, we have become increasingly aware of the need many moms have for the privacy and comfort that these Mamava lactation suites provide,” Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren said in a press release.

The Minnesota Vikings have recognized that fact: The football team announced this week that they’re installing breastfeeding “pods” where moms can nurse comfortably when they’re at the Viking’s stadium.
The Vikings will reportedly be the first NFL franchise to install lactation suites, which are created by Mamava.

This is a smart move by the team, especially since the NFL recently revealed that half of its fans are women.

The four-by-eight-foot pods, which look like super-swanky port-a-potties from the outside, include two seats, a fold-down table, and a plug for a breast pump.

That beats a smelly, dirty public bathroom any day. Of course, that got us thinking—there are a ton of other places that could benefit from breastfeeding pods, including:

• Public park
• Restaurant
• Coffee Shop
• Every other sports stadium everywhere (seriously, all other sports teams: The Vikings are making you look bad)

Two pods will be installed at the Vikings’ TCF Bank Stadium by October 18, and the team is exploring plans for a nursing area in a new stadium they’re building that will actually allow moms to keep watching the game while they nurse.

8 Reasons Why You Should Have Sex with the Lights on Tonight

Having sex in the dark can be hot, mysterious, and physically flattering for everyone involved. But, shying away from the light can mean cheating yourself (and your partner) out of a mind-blowing sack session. 

"It's a myth that only men are visually oriented during sex," New York City sex therapist Ian Kerner, Ph.D., author of She Comes First. If you can't see your partner, you're missing out on a huge aspect of sensory stimulation, he says.

"With lights on you expose yourself more to your partner and create the opportunity to generate even greater trust and get to know one another even better," says Dana Weiser, Ph.D., an assistant professor of human development and family studies at Texas Tech University. It can be incredibly sexy, she adds, because you get to make eye contact and see your partner's reactions to the pleasure you're giving them.

If you're still a little hesitant about lighting it up in the bedroom, try easing into it by flipping the switch after foreplay, says Kerner. "As you get more aroused, your inhibitions are lower and you might be more open to letting in some light," he says.

Not convinced yet? Here are seven more reasons to consider coming out of the dark.

You Can Do It Any Time

The tough thing about only doing it in the dark is that it’s incredibly limiting, and we know it's fun to get busy any moment you feel is right. (Hello, morning sex!) Leaving the lights on or doing it in daylight opens up a world of new sexy times—and locations—to explore.

He Can't "Accidently" Put It In Your Butt

There's nothing wrong with a little booty action, but that's not our idea of a fun "surprise."

You Reap the Fruits of Your Gym Labor

Trust us, as good as your butt looks in those yoga pants, it looks even better out of them. Go ahead, put your hard work on display.

It's Basically Free Porn

Lights off sex is nice, but you can’t watch yourself do it in pitch black. Position yourselves right in front of the bedroom mirror, fix your stares, and press the record button on your video camera if you're feeling particularly daring. Cue the house music.

You Get to Know His O

Whether he's a squinter or a jaw-dropper, you've got to admit you like to witness the very moment when he reaches the point of no return. We're 1000 percent sure he likes seeing your grand finale, too.

You Avoid Sex Injuries

This is especially helpful after a night of drinking. No one wants to make a post-coital trip to the E.R.

He Can See What He's Doing Down There

Verbal guidance is great for foreplay. What's even better is some visual coaching. Don't be afraid to show him around your lady garden.

You’ll feel like a total badass.

When you take control by putting the spotlight on your sex life, you'll feel empowered, turned on, and eager to take yourself to O-town.

Healthy Lifestyle Management

If you’re interested in learning to work one-on-one with people of all ages for the purpose of fostering the creation of health, you will enjoy the health lifestyle management bachelor’s degree program.

The Healthy Lifestyle Management major offers a degree program focused on whole person health. Learn to help others thrive in the community in which they live, work and spend their time. You’ll gain the knowledge, skill and attitude to work with people on an individual level to improve their personal health and well-being and prevent chronic diseases.

One unique aspect of this program is the interdisciplinary approach to teaching, research and practice that carries out the Ignatian “charism” of cura personalis, care for the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Students in this program will also be prepared to sit for various health and wellness coaching certification exams.

This program is offered to adult students in the College of Professional Studies in 8-week online courses.
Outcomes

Careers in the field of health and wellness have grown in recent years.  In particular, Community Health Workers are classified as a “Bright Outlook” occupation according to the Occupational Information Network. This means that the position is likely to grow much faster than average rates, at an employment increase of 22 percent or more.

Employee wellness positions are also growing.  A 2013 survey from the Society of Human Resource Management found 64 percent of employers nationwide had a wellness program.  The 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey reports the average annual salary of a wellness professional to be $55,000.

Graduates of this program can move into the workforce in the health and wellness industry, continue their education in a graduate level program, or matriculate into a health professions program.  Graduates can work for employer wellness programs, community health programs, private health and wellness programs, and in traditional health care settings.

Health and wellness coaching is a rapidly developing profession within the health and wellness industry.  Health and wellness coaches are being hired to work in employee health and wellness settings, traditional health care settings, fitness facilities and as independent consultants.

2 Type of the Diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that's characterized by high blood sugar, which doctors refer to as hyperglycemia.

What makes type 2 diabetes different from type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and other types of diabetes is the underlying cause of high blood sugar.

In type 2 diabetes, the two main contributors to high blood sugar are insulin resistance and reduced production of insulin by the pancreas.
Prevalence of Diabetes

Prevalence of Diabetes

• More than 29 million people in the United States - almost 10 percent of the total population - have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The vast majority of those people (90 to 95 percent) have type 2 diabetes.
• About 8.1 million people with diabetes are undiagnosed.
• Diabetes is now the seventh leading cause of death among Americans, according to the CDC.
• If current trends continue, one of every three adults in the United States will have some form of diabetes by 2050.
• The CDC also estimates there were 1.7 million newly diagnosed cases of diabetes among people aged 20 and older in the United States in 2012 (the most recent year for which statistics are available).
• Worldwide, about 347 million people currently have diabetes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). And children, who were rarely diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the past, now account for a growing proportion of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance

 

Insulin resistance develops over time, and as the body becomes more and more insulin resistant, the pancreas responds by releasing more and more insulin. This higher-than-normal level of insulin in the bloodstream is called hyperinsulinemia.
For a while, the pancreas may be able to keep up with the body’s increased need for insulin, and blood sugar levels may stay within the normal range — about 70 to 100 mg/dl before meals and lower than 140 mg/dl after meals. Eventually, however, the pancreas can no longer keep up, and blood sugar levels begin to rise.

It’s not entirely clear why some people develop insulin resistance and others don’t. Obesity, which is the main risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, is known to increase insulin resistance.

But not all people with type 2 diabetes are obese — and not all obese people develop the condition — so other issues such as genetics are contributing factors as well.
Reduced Insulin Production

Insulin resistance is a state in which the body’s cells do not use insulin efficiently. As a result, it takes more insulin than normal to transport glucose (the main type of sugar found in the bloodstream) into cells, where it can be used for fuel or stored for later use.

In the early stages, higher-than-normal blood sugar may cause no symptoms. But catching it early is important, because over time, high blood sugar can have negative effects on just about every part of the body.
Type 2 Diabetes Screening

Currently, the American Diabetes Association recommends that everyone get screened for diabetes beginning at age 45. People who have risk factors besides age (the risk of type 2 diabetes rises with age) should get screened earlier.

The two types of blood tests most commonly used to screen for type 2 diabetes: fasting plasma glucose test and the HbA1c test (also called the A1C test or the hemoglobin A1c test).

The fasting plasma glucose test requires fasting for 8 to 10 hours before blood is drawn. The test result shows the blood sugar level at the time the test was done. A result of 126 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes. In a person with no other signs or symptoms of hyperglycemia, the test should be repeated on another day to confirm the diagnosis.

The HbA1c test does not require fasting before the test. The test result reflects the average blood sugar level in the blood over the previous two to three months. A test result of 6.5 percent or higher indicates diabetes.

Like the fasting plasma glucose test, in a person with no other signs or symptoms of hyperglycemia, the test should be repeated on another day to confirm the diagnosis.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes dietary changes, regular physical activity, and usually one or more blood-sugar-lowering drugs. Most people start with the oral diabetes drug metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza), then increase the dose of metformin or add other oral drugs as needed to maintain blood sugar control.

Several new injected drugs can also be effective at helping to control blood sugar.

Although type 2 diabetes used to be called non-insulin-dependent diabetes, many people with type 2 diabetes eventually need to use insulin for optimal blood sugar control. This occurs because the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to keep up, not because you don’t try hard enough to control your blood sugar.
Everyone’s type 2 diabetes treatment is different — and will likely change over time due to age and lifestyle choices.

5 Reasons Why Skin Cancer Surgery Isn’t So Scary

Veva Vesper has dealt with more than her fair share of skin cancer in the last 25 years. The 69-year-old Ohio resident has had more than 500 squamous cell carcinomas removed since the late 1980s, when the immunosuppressant medication she was taking for a kidney transplant caused her to develop them all over her body — everywhere from the corner of her eye to her legs.

While Vesper’s story is unusual, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In fact, it’s currently estimated that one in five Americans will get skin cancer in his or her lifetime. 

Mike Davis, a 65-year-old retired cop, and like Vesper, a patient at The Skin Cancer Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, has a more familiar story. Earlier this year, he had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his left ear — the side of his face most exposed to UV damage when driving on patrol.

The buildup of sun exposure over your lifetime puts you at greater risk for developing basal and squamous cell skin carcinomas as you age. Both Vesper and Davis had Mohs surgery, the most effective and precise way to remove the two most common types of skin cancer.
“The benefits of Mohs surgery are twofold: One, you’re going to remove just the cells you need to without having to take a lot of unnecessary tissue, and two, Mohs surgery can tout cure rates of 99 percent,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City and the director of dermatologic surgery at New York Medical College.


1. What exactly is it?

Mohs surgery is named after Frederic Mohs, a professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin, who developed the treatment in the 1930s. “It’s a very tissue-sparing technique, where we go layer by layer, examining 100 percent of the margin in order to trace out the cancer using a microscope,” says Engelman.

You’ll be awake for the procedure, which is done under local anesthesia. The surgeon starts by cutting out a small piece of the tumor with a scalpel. A lab technician then freezes and stains the tissues for the surgeon to look at under a microscope.

“Cancer grows like roots of a tree,” explains Brett Coldiron, MD, the founder of The Skin Cancer Center in Cincinnati and an assistant clinical professor at the University of Cincinnati. “What we do [during Mohs surgery] is cut out a disc of skin and check for roots poking through. It’s very obvious under the microscope.”
If a root is visible, the surgeon will go back and remove another layer of the tumor, repeating the same process until the entire cancer is gone.  “Very rarely do we go past three passes,” says Coldiron.

2. Who should get it?

“Moh’s surgery is very useful around the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears,” says Coldiron. “It’s also useful around the cheek if it’s a larger tumor.” Additionally, Mohs surgery can be performed on the hands, feet, and neck — areas where you’d want to preserve as much tissue as possible, says Engelman.
While Mohs surgery is generally used on basal and squamous cell cancers, in some cases it can be used to treat melanoma, especially if the cancer is thin or confined to the outer layer of skin. “Patients should ask their Mohs surgeon if this a procedure they offer, as not all Mohs specialists treat melanoma with Mohs,” says Engelman. Visit the American College of Mohs Surgery web site to find out if your dermatologist is a Mohs specialist.

3. How long does it take?

Expect to be at the doctor’s office for approximately one to three hours. After your surgeon removes the first layer of tissue, which takes about 10 minutes, you’ll be sent to the waiting room for about a half hour while the surgeon examines the tumor.

Then, you’ll be brought back to the exam room to either get stitched up, which takes another 20 minutes, or have another piece of the tumor removed.

4. Will it hurt?

No more than a biopsy, says Engelman. The area is numbed with enough lidocaine, a local anesthetic that reduces pain, to last for about two and a half to three hours. “The discomfort is minimal — there’s just that initial stick [of the needle],” says Engelman. “You may feel a little bit of pressure [during the procedure], but you don’t feel pain.”

Afterwards, most patients only experience minimal pain. “Certain areas like the scalp, legs, or areas under tension (like skin over joints) may be more sensitive and may require prescription strength pain medication for one to three days post-surgery, but the vast majority of surgeries do not require prescription analgesics,” says Engelman.

If you do experience pain, take extra-strength Tylenol — but avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen in the first few days after surgery because they can increase your risk of bleeding.

5. Will there be a scar?

Yes — but it’ll become less noticeable over time. “It may take six months for the redness to fade and for the scar to settle down, but six months down the road, most patients are happy with the final result,” says Coldiron.

To ensure the wound heals nicely, follow the post-operative care instructions given to you by your doctor, says Engelman. “Moist wounds have been found in studies to heal faster than those left exposed to air,” she says. “The scar formed tends to have a better aesthetic appearance when kept moist and covered with a bandage.”