Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Lupus

Recently I met a friend that I worked with in my earlier days. She works in a small, non busy place. This seemed odd to me because when we worked together, she was a real wild cat. She was always the party sort of girl, drinking and dancing. As we talked about old days and new happenings, she opened up to me that she had Lupus.

What's lupus? This was what I was thinking but I did hear about it before. Now I just found out.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by its effect on various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, blood, and kidneys. It is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues, resulting in pain, inflammation, and often damage to organs. For many people, the disease is mild and affects only a few organs. For others, however, the disease can be severe and even life threatening.

Lupus involves the immune system. The immune system makes antibodies that work to protect the body against foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. Such foreign bodies are called antigens.

When a person has lupus, his or her body is unable to determine the difference between antigens and the individuals cells and body tissues. As such, the immune system creates antibodies against the individuals own tissues. These antibodies are called auto-antibodies.

When a person has lupus, auto-antibodies react with cells and tissues to form immune complexes. These immune complexes become concentrated in the body. It is this concentration or build-up within body tissues that causes pain, inflammation, and damage.

There are three types of lupus. One type called, discoid lupus, affects the skin. It is characterized by a rash that may appear on the face, neck, or scalp. Individuals with this condition may also experience mouth or nose ulcers, as well as photo-sensitivity. Discoed lupus is diagnosed by performing a biopsy on the rash.

I don't really want to go into details about the subject but I suggest that people check for themselves and find out more so they may be able to help themselves.

Bar advice.There is , supposedly, no known cure for Lupus. Lets hope we all never need to hear a doctor tell us that we have it. Anyway my friend is doing well with medication.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Stop taking baggage to bed.

You wash your face and brush your teeth, put on an alluring smile and hop into bed with your sweetie. Then start dragging your body image baggage under the covers with you.

For some people this means bringing a tiny speck of a change purse – for others it’s a designer handbag. For those who are the most consumed with their body image this could mean an entire set of monogrammed leather bags in various sizes or, worse, a giant garbage sack filled to the brim!

Where’s the room for a satisfying sex life with all of that?

The baggage consists of those destructive thoughts you have about the size of your thighs, the tone of your tummy, the amount of hair on your body. You worry that your partner will notice or worse, be completely repulsed by you.

If you drag all of those negative beliefs about your body into bed, they can wreak havoc with your sex life.

Unlike you, your partner is probably not thinking about your alleged “flaws” or 'shortcomings' as they are thinking about how much they want to make love to you, and be made love to in return.

They are turned on by the touch of your skin, your smell, your smile. Most of all they are excited by your confidence and openness and your willingness to be in bed with them in the first place!

If you are obsessed with parts of your body, this can have a negative impact on the quality of your sex life for you and your partner. Love-making is a way to bring a couple closer together but you can’t give yourself to the moment if you are constantly wondering what your partner is thinking about with regards to parts of your body. (It probably isn’t what you think!)

Take a moment before you hop into bed to put those fears and insecurities to rest. Your sweetie is waiting for you – ALL of you – to hop into bed. So look into that bathroom mirror, give yourself a 1000 watt smile and remember that it’s the whole package that’s delivered, not just parts.

Bar advice.Set that baggage outside the door, and hang up the 'Do Not Disturb' sign. You’ve got better things to think about!

How to shower: Women vs Men


Bar advice. Guys stuff here is fairly true but ladies seem to have been softened up a little. I think I've been around long enough to know that a lot of the girls don't really do all this and so nice as well.

Against Breast Cancer



Bar advice. Remember, anyone can get breast cancer.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Learn more about breast cancer.

Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book is an excellent resource for anyone facing the possibility of breast cancer or a loved one's diagnosis. Even if you've read a prior edition, so much has advanced in the field of treatment and options that it is worthwhile to get the newest edition. The book helps the reader to have a better understanding of all different aspects of breast problems, diagnosis, and treatment options. It's a must read before you go to a doctor as well as after to help one better understand it all. It's a book you'll keep picking up again and again.

Bar advice. What have you got to loose. Information is the key to better understanding the problem and the cure.Most people don't want to read or even hear about it because they think that by talking about it they will get it. The 'C' word is not a death sentence.

Fight Cancer-Matcha green tea

This is a good matcha for the price. The best matcha can be much more expensive but well worth it, especially if you happen to study the Japanese tea ceremony or you are a tea connoisseur. If you do get this type of tea, it is wise to buy a proper bamboo whisk and sift it first, otherwise it can get lumpy. Making matcha the traditional way is well worth the effort and there is a lot to learn about it. Some say to master the tea ceremony can take years. Not to worry this is easier.

This tea is premium. Don't accept green tea in bags; it is less tasty and probably less healthy.

Here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

* cancer
* rheumatoid arthritis
* high cholesterol levels
* cardiovascular disease
* infection
* impaired immune function
* acne, omg.
And drink four cups a day for the ultimate tea benefits!

Bar advice. This may not be a cure and it may not even prevent the cancer from starting up but it's always better to do something to prevent it from starting then to wait and get the news suddenly. Better warned is better armed.

Things women should know about breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a reality many women will have to deal with. Statistics show that one woman out of nine will develop breast cancer in her life. Whether it be a dear friend, a close family member or herself, every woman will be touched by breast cancer in one way or the other. Breast cancer accounts for about 30% of all cancers.

Recently my cousin and even a friend got it. My mum also died of it so I thought I'd share some stuff to people that need a plan to help themselves. Here are some tips and knowledge.

Every woman should be aware of the risk factors and change those she can to lower her risk of developing breast cancer in her life.

Women who are not active physically, smoke or consume a lot of alcohol are at higher risk to develop breast cancer.

Women who have their first child at a later age or have never given birth are at higher risk to develop breast cancer.

Women who had their first period at an earlier age (less than 12 years old) are at higher risk for breast cancer.

Woman who have close family members who had develop breast cancer are at higher risk for themselves.

Women who are older. The further a woman advances in life, the higher her probability of developing breast cancer.

Women who experience a late menopause (after 55 years old) have an increase risk of developing breast cancer.

There is hope however and certain measures have proven to help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer for a woman. It is recommended to exercise regularly, lose any excess weight, lower alcohol consumption and stop smoking. It is also proven that women who breastfeed their babies are at lower risks to develop breast cancer.

Certain measures, by finding breast cancer at an earlier stage can lower the complication rate and morbidity associated with this condition. The two most recommended measures are to do a mammogram exam every two years after the age of 50 (or earlier if a woman has risk factors) and doing a breast self-examination. It is also recommended for a woman to visit her doctor regularly. One has to know that about two thirds of breast tumours are found by the woman herself upon doing her self-examination.

Bar advice.Many organizations and industries have joined forces to push back breast cancer and one can only encourage them by donating time or money for this worthy cause. There are many researches on breast cancer conducted worldwide and it is expected that the near future will see the decline of this devastating affliction. This is not to scare you but to empower you with this info.

Seven techniques of presuasive language

No matter what you do and what you want to achieve in your life, there will come a time when you need to persuade someone to see things the way that you do. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they will agree with you, but you will want to understand the basics of persuasive language in order to increase your success in these kinds of situations.

A metaphorical method

Just as in good writing, using other words can help you to persuade someone to your viewpoint. Some of this isn’t meant to be deceptive, but rather it will help to allow the other person to see what you mean if they can not understand it in the way that you are describing it. For example, if you’re trying to explain the benefits of a new water heater, you might want to describe it as the money maker because of its efficiency and better energy consumption.

Change what you mean

Another way to use language to persuade people is to change what you mean what you are talking. This isn’t necessarily about changing what you think, but rather changing what it sounds like by changing the meaning. Better put, when you want to change the way that a romantic or business partner acts, you will try to change your persuasion into seeming to benefit the relationship itself, rather than to change the behavior. You don’t talk about what they’re doing wrong; you talk about what you want them to do so that the relationship can be better.

The words you choose

People can become persuaded by the details rather than the bigger ideas. When you see a commercial for the newest technological advance, don’t you find that you get swept up in the new features rather than the overall use? When you’re trying to persuade someone into seeing something the same way you do, you can try to use more descriptive words in order to make them see the situation the way that you do.

Sales techniques

When sales people want to persuade someone to do something or buy something, they use various forms of persuasive phrases and words. For example, you can say something like, ‘Well, that’s good, but this is better’ or something like, ‘That’s not all.’ Think about your favorite commercials and advertisements and slogans that they might have used. Try to see how you might be able to incorporate their slick moves into your next argument.

Punctuate for them

When you’re writing something down for your partner or in a business situation, using important punctuation can help to signify the parts that are most important to you. However, you can go overboard with this as well. Too many exclamation points can show that you might be a little over-anxious or excited. They can also look like you don’t know what words to emphasize so you just emphasize them all with these pieces of punctuation.

Words that convey emotion

When talking with someone that you know well, you will want to use words and phrases that they already associate with something good. For example, in a romantic or personal relationship, you can allude to inside or private jokes as a way to make your current points or you can use words that have special meanings to you in order to make the rest of your argument seem relevant to their needs.This will take planning on your part to consider what the other person wants to hear from you and where they are coming from in your conversation.

How you put your words together

If you’re trying to make someone feel comfortable, you will want to use more casual language, while if you’re trying to impress someone, a formal kind of syntax will yield the better results for you. Realize who you are addressing and what they will be looking for when you are speaking. This method can also backfire when you aren’t comfortable with the words that you are using. You will need to become comfortable with what you are saying in order to show that you are confident in what you are trying to tell them.

Bar advice.Persuasion is really about what you say and how you say it. Also it involves what you know. If you take the time to fully understand your audience as well as what you want to achieve, you will be successful. Be it a realtionship, work, business or family.