By Danna Schneider

We are a nation obsessed with stalling the aging process, turning back the hands of time, finding the fountain of youth, or whatever other euphemism you can think of for not growing old. It's not that we're totally shallow, superficial wretches either. We want to find ways to feel better longer, to be able to still do the things that we enjoy, to live a fuller, more prosperous and fulfilling and serving life to others.

However, the bulk of the attention always seems to go to the cosmetic aspect of staying young for longer. What this means is we are preoccupied with finding out ways to turn back the hands of time as they apply to those things we call wrinkles on our faces and other parts of our body that are a dead giveaway of our time here on earth, or somewhere thereabouts, depending on how "hard" a life we've lived.

This brings to my mind one word. Character. One thing that bothers me about our obsession with keeping our faces looking smooth and wrinkle free is that we've sort of stripped away this thing called character.

And if we were all to go under the knife and get facelifts or get Botox injections to keep our faces literally frozen in time, would we not be taking away the very thing that makes us unique individuals, with our faces telling a different story about our trials and tribulations, our emotions, and our life's achievements?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm what you call a compulsive maintenance freak with my skin. I'm 34 years old, and I have at least ten anti aging products and skin care treatments that I'm religious about using.

This isn't as much about not showing my age as it is just having nice, luminous skin that I feel more accurately reflects me as a person, and I've always just believed that great skin is an indication of good health. However, since I've started to see the signs of crow's feet and fine lines around my eyes, I must admit that getting those little pin pricks here and there has become somewhat of a temptation.

The thought of Botox injections becomes especially tempting to me when I've had a long night out amongst close friends, laughing all night, expressing my joy and joviality. What always comes with a long night of laughing - for me at least - is much more pronounce lines around my eyes.

I tend to express myself with my eyes quite a bit and I squint a lot when I'm laughing, so when I come home from a night of tons of laughing, although I'm more than grateful for the great time, my lines around the eyes are much more noticeable.

We are our own worst critics, and I could just picture my mom (as well as some of my friends) saying "oh now what are you supposed to do, not smile and laugh and have a good time!? I'm not complaining, or even inferring that I'd be willing to give up my life's enjoyment to simply have less wrinkles.

I'm merely being honest about an observation I've made and the subsequent understanding of why so many women my age choose to start getting Botox injections. It's a great way to prevent wrinkles from happening in the first place, and from making them literally not be able to appear in those areas that they tend to pop up when your face is contorted a certain way.

After all, wrinkles are by their very nature, created by expression. If you had no expressions ever during your lifetime, you would have a virtually line free face. However, you would have also most likely not had very much fun or joy in your life, which is not a fair trade by any stretch of the imagination.

Botox has done for women and men what other invasive procedures could not do, and that is to give a natural, more well rested, less lined look to the face while also providing preventive maintenance against further lines. Some people still are under the impression that Botox will make them look "frozen", and I can definitely cite a few entertainment personalities who have only furthered that perception by going way far off the deep end with Botox injections.

However, there are plenty of doctors out there that are well versed in natural looking techniques where the muscles that create expression are barely relaxed rather than totally paralyzed, which makes for a natural look instead of the appearance of an area of the face being "frozen". The key to getting the natural look is to have your doctor use less of the toxin, and to get it to the right depth in the muscles that create expression.

Now, onto the real problem I still have with Botox, even with all the temptations I've admitted to. I still am uncomfortable with the idea of injecting something into my face that could potentially paralyze local areas around the injection site. I mean, let's face it, botulism is not something we would have voluntarily injected into our bodies just ten years ago, and now we act like it's nothing. I'd like to wait longer and see what the long term effects of Botox may be.

While there have been no adverse long term effects reported that have raised significant alarm, and the side effects reported now are admittedly very rare rendering the product extremely safe for use, I'd be more comfortable as time passes so we could get a real idea on whether this could be doing any unforeseen damage .

After all, since you have to get these injections about every 3-4 months, you are essentially periodically adding more and more to your body. Does it travel to the brain or other vital organs and store itself there? These are questions that we don't have any definitive answers to yet, and I'd feel more comfortable in the future when we do have more definitive answers.

Until then, I think I'll let the new Botox nation of followers leave me behind. Of course, ask me that in five more years when those crow's feet have edged even further down my face!

Danna Schneider is the author of several health and beauty related review sites where you can find information on cosmetic enhancement products and reviews of procedures, treatments and remedies. See GenF20 HGH Release review for information on a great anti aging supplement and Best Rated Anti-Aging Products for reviews of the best anti aging and wrinkle prevention creams and treatments today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danna_Schneider

By Chris Veekay

Are you tired during the day because of insomnia? Have you tried any of the natural sleep remedies? It is often seen that people rush for drugs and medicines when faced with any problem including sleeplessness. However considering the side effects of these drugs, you should use them as a last resort only. Natural sleep remedies may be slightly slow when compared to drugs and medicines in terms of response time. But the effect of a natural remedy is long lasting.

Here are a few natural sleep remedies that you can try:

1) Green tea is extremely beneficial for inducing sleep. Green tea has an ingredient called theanine that helps in raising the level of a chemical in our brain that helps in reducing anxiety level and inducing sleep. Green tea bags are available in most grocery stores and super marts.

2) Another herb that is used in herbal natural sleep remedies is valerian. This herb is also used in several anti-anxiety products. This herb produces a calming effect on the nerves and also helps in relaxing the muscles. You can take valerian capsules for overcoming sleeplessness. Refer to the product label for dosage. In case you are taking any other drugs/ medicines for anxiety, then refer to a doctor before you start valerian.

3) Many people solve insomnia problem using herbal tea mix. The ingredients used in the tea contain chamomile tea, passionflower, milky oat seeds and skullcap tincture. Passionflower and skullcap help in producing the soothing effect on the nerves. Oat seeds help in strengthening the nervous system. Tea is prepared using chamomile tea bags. To this tea few drops of herbal concentrate is added to prepare tea.

These natural sleep remedies will be helpful for sure. However for solving the insomnia problem permanently you should go for a complete natural solution.

Are you looking for a proven natural cure for insomnia? There is a proven solution that helps you get rid of insomnia permanently within a few weeks. If you are serious about solving your insomnia problem, then don't miss looking at this solution - click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Veekay

By Chris Veekay

Are you tired during the day because of insomnia? Have you tried any of the natural sleep remedies? It is often seen that people rush for drugs and medicines when faced with any problem including sleeplessness. However considering the side effects of these drugs, you should use them as a last resort only. Natural sleep remedies may be slightly slow when compared to drugs and medicines in terms of response time. But the effect of a natural remedy is long lasting.

Here are a few natural sleep remedies that you can try:

1) Green tea is extremely beneficial for inducing sleep. Green tea has an ingredient called theanine that helps in raising the level of a chemical in our brain that helps in reducing anxiety level and inducing sleep. Green tea bags are available in most grocery stores and super marts.

2) Another herb that is used in herbal natural sleep remedies is valerian. This herb is also used in several anti-anxiety products. This herb produces a calming effect on the nerves and also helps in relaxing the muscles. You can take valerian capsules for overcoming sleeplessness. Refer to the product label for dosage. In case you are taking any other drugs/ medicines for anxiety, then refer to a doctor before you start valerian.

3) Many people solve insomnia problem using herbal tea mix. The ingredients used in the tea contain chamomile tea, passionflower, milky oat seeds and skullcap tincture. Passionflower and skullcap help in producing the soothing effect on the nerves. Oat seeds help in strengthening the nervous system. Tea is prepared using chamomile tea bags. To this tea few drops of herbal concentrate is added to prepare tea.

These natural sleep remedies will be helpful for sure. However for solving the insomnia problem permanently you should go for a complete natural solution.

Are you looking for a proven natural cure for insomnia? There is a proven solution that helps you get rid of insomnia permanently within a few weeks. If you are serious about solving your insomnia problem, then don't miss looking at this solution - click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Veekay

By मिचेल किर्स्च, म.डी.

Medical quality is like pornography, it's hard to define but we know it when we see it. Every participant in the health care arena - physicians, pharmacists, insurance companies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, our government and the public - all support the mission to enhance medical quality. What paralyzes the effort is that no one agrees how to get there or even how to accurately measure medical quality. You can test this yourself. Ask your friends and relatives about the quality of their physicians. You will likely receive glowing testimonials about their 'excellent' physicians. Yet, if you ask the important follow-up question, How do you know your doctor is so good?, then your smooth talking neighbor may start stuttering. Don't be too hard on him. If quality experts can't figure out how to assess medical quality, then I doubt that your neighbor or your Aunt Mathilda can do better.

Here's a sampling of tips from 'experts' on how to select a high quality physician. After each of their recommended questions to ask, I will comment to provide a tincture of skepticism.

Is your doctor is board certified?

While board certification is of some value, in no way does it guarantee that the physician is a high quality practitioner. In addition, most physicians today are board certified anyway as most hospitals and insurance companies require it. If I am a decent physician, it has nothing to do with my board certification status. Nevertheless, many patients like to see certificates on their doctors' walls. Take a closer look at them. From a distance, you might not realize that they are for bowling tournaments, barbecue contests and dance marathons.

What is your doctor's complication rate for the procedure he is proposing?

First of all, he may have no idea what his complication rate is. I certainly don't. Additionally, operations can have dozens of complications. Which specific complication would you be referring to? Keep in mind that a higher complication may simply mean the doctor treats sicker patients. A superb surgeon, for example, may have more complications because he accepts critically ill patients who other doctors won't operate on. Complication rates, therefore, can be very misleading. I'd be more suspicious of a physician with a 0% complication rate. This doctor must have very little experience.

How many times has the doctor performed the operation or procedure?

This statistic makes some sense. Numerous medical studies demonstrate that physicians who perform procedures and operations regularly have lower complication rates. It is not clear what volume of procedures is necessary. For example, is a gastroenterologist who performs 2000 colonoscopies yearly better than one who does 500? Not necessarily. In addition, a high volume of cases does not mean that the procedures were appropriate or medically necessary. Who wants to have a gallbladder expertly removed if it should be left alone?

What is the doctor's success rate for the treatment proposed?

Good luck defining success in medicine! Doctors and patients often define success differently. A doctor may feel successful because the high blood pressure is well controlled, but the patient is disappointed because he is still fatigued. In addition, physicians' offices are not research institutions that study their patients' clinical data. Most doctors may have a sense that they practice sound medicine and have favorable outcomes, but most have no scientific basis for this assertion. A doctor's comment of "I've had lots of success with this treatment" may reassure you, but I'd be cautious about assigning too much weight to this optimistic statement.

What is your doctor's medical malpractice history?

Now my blood pressure is rising. Excellent physicians are sued everyday who have done nothing wrong. Many of them settle their lawsuits for business reasons, not because they were negligent. We live in a society where many expect and demand compensation and reward for any injury, even if no one is at fault. I may not be able to unravel the medical quality riddle, but I know that a doctor's medical malpractice history won't crack the code.

Which medical societies does the doctor belong to?

Society membership means the doctor has sent in a check and has received a certificate to hang on his wall to impress his mother and his patients. While the societies may disagree, I don't think that membership implies medical quality. I belong to 4 professional societies and I doubt that my medicine is four times better than a doctor who has joined only one.

Is there a fish tank in the waiting room?

Yes, I know this sounds silly, but it may predict quality as accurately as any of the questions above.

Michael Kirsch, MD is a full time practicing physician and freelance author. He writes about the joys and challenges of medical practice including controversies in the doctor-patient relationship, medical ethics and measuring medical quality. When he is not writing, he is performing colonoscopies. For more articles on this subject, visit: http://mdwhistleblower.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Kirsch,_M.D.

By मिचेल किर्स्च, म.डी.

The Swine flu infection which originated in Mexico has caused a worldwide health threat in 2009. The symptoms and treatment associated with this virus are very similar to a typical influenza. However, there is no vaccine currently. Travelers should consult with a travel doctor before departure.

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a viral infection that typically causes illness in pigs. This virus is a close relative of the common influenza virus. Pigs can transmit the virus to humans, but this is an uncommon event. Until the 2009 outbreak developed, this infection occurred in the U.S. only once or twice per year.

How serious is the 2009 swine flu outbreak?

Epidemiologists, who study worldwide disease patterns, do not know yet how much damage this infection will cause. Health experts around the world are concerned and are following the situation hour by hour. The outbreak, which started in Mexico, has migrated to the United States and has also been reported in Europe, South America and Australia. Governments are bracing themselves for a swine flu pandemic, which means a worldwide plague of illness. However, the disease may reverse course and fade, much as happened with other viral threats, such as the SARS virus in 2003.

Why is the infection attacking humans now?

Viruses, like all germs, are constantly under pressure to mutate in order to adapt to new environments. These mutations, which occur by chance, become permanent if they offer an advantage to the virus. The new strain of swine flu can attack humans and easily spreads from person to person. This has been a very favorable development for the virus at the expense of its human hosts.

How is this infection transmitted?

The new influenza strain is highly contagious. It is primarily spread through the air from coughs and sneezing from infected individuals, but it can also be picked up from contaminated surfaces, such as a doorknob. Although some governments have banned pork products from countries with swine flu activity, health experts state that you cannot contract this infection in this manner.

What are the symptoms?

Swine flu symptoms cannot be distinguished from typical influenza or other viral infections. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, body aches and fatigue. These symptoms are termed non-specific by doctors meaning they could be caused by any of a variety of illnesses. While recovery is generally expected, the disease can become more serious. Fatalities have occurred.

How is it diagnosed?

Physicians suspect this infection based on your symptoms and your own particular circumstances. For example, if you just returned from Mexico City and developed flu symptoms, your physician will certainly suspect swine flu. Most of the worldwide swine flu cases that we are reading in the newspapers have not been confirmed with a diagnostic test. Most of these individuals are assumed to be infected with this infection. There are special tests that can be performed to establish the diagnosis, but these are usually only done by health authorities who need to confirm the spread of the virus.

Is treatment available?

The CDC advises that Tamiflu and Relenza are both effective treatments, particularly if administered early in the disease course.

Can swine flu be prevented?

Although there is no human vaccine for this virus, common sense measures can reduce your risk of infection. Avoid contact with ill people who may have the flu. If you must be in close quarters with an infected individual, then the sick individual and all contacts should wash their hands frequently with soap and water, not hand sanitizers. All sneezing and coughing should be covered followed immediately with a vigorous hand washing. Exercise more caution if you are in contact with an individual who was potentially exposed to this virus. This person could be unknowingly infected and could transmit the virus to others.

Do international travelers need to be protected?

Swine flu has cancelled thousands of vacations in April 2009 and list will grow steadily। Travelers are urged to consult with their travel doctors before departure for the latest information on worldwide swine flu trends। Your physician may advise you to modify your itinerary to minimize your risk। For example, if you absolutely must go to Mexico for an important business trip, then you might postpone watching a bullfight until your next excursion south of the border.

Michael Kirsch, MD is a full time practicing physician and freelance author. He writes about the joys and challenges of medical practice including controversies in the doctor-patient relationship, medical ethics and measuring medical quality. When he is not writing, he is performing colonoscopies. For more information on travel vaccinations, immunizations and trip advice, visit: http://travelclinicsofamerica.com and his blog: http://travelvaccineforum।wordpress.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles।com/?expert=Michael_Kirsch,_M।D।