PAD | Often misdiagnosed, this illness can be mild or deadly
SEPTEMBER IS PAD AWARENESS MONTH Tell the doctor about your symptoms; it could save your leg
Old woman with a dog in autumn park
CHICAGO, Illinois, September, 2017 – As we age, it is common to be concerned about heart disease or high blood pressure. But many people don’t know that those conditions are also related to another common health issue, peripheral artery disease (PAD). Unfortunately, many patients are not diagnosed until it has progressed.
PAD is caused when hardening of the arteries deprives the legs and feet of oxygen-rich blood. This occurs because the arteries become clogged, much like water pipes in an old house that build up with lime. In the body, clogged arteries don’t bring enough oxygen to the toes, feet and legs. (Less commonly, the same thing can happen to arms and hands.)
Older people are more likely to have some level of PAD. Those over 60 have a 5 percent chance; those over 70, 15 percent; and those over 80, 20 percent. Smokers and diabetics are far more likely to have PAD.
If the disease stays mild, it can cause no symptoms at all, or just a little pain in the legs while walking. But if it progresses, it can lead to gangrene, amputation and sometimes even death.
“A lot of time when patients complain of leg pain, it is misdiagnosed as something else, such as back pain,” said vascular surgeon and researcher Dr. Katherine Gallagher of the University of Michigan. “Then they may be referred to other doctors and occasionally have procedures like back surgery that fails to relieve the pain. Only then they are diagnosed with PAD.”
Patients need to know that even if they have PAD, it can be managed conservatively with medications most of the time, she added. “Surgery or endovascular therapy should be reserved for patients who have lifestyle-limiting pain when walking, rest pain and ulcers that don’t heal.”
When someone is diagnosed with or suspected of having PAD, they are typically referred to a vascular surgeon or vascular specialist. Vascular surgeons will often prescribe medications and lifestyle changes for PAD patients. If this fails or if the cases and symptoms are severe, surgery or a minimally invasive procedure may be necessary.
If the patient follows doctor’s orders, he has a 75 percent change that his PAD will not get worse. Exercise, such as walking on a treadmill, has been found to be an effective way to reduce pain, and in fact, supervised exercise has just officially been approved for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
PAD patients may do better with supervised exercise therapy because left on their own, many don’t follow through with consistent exercise, researchers have found.
Patients frequently want to take a pill to make the disease go away, noted vascular surgeon and researcher Dr. Misty Humphries of the University of California Davis Medical Center.
“They become passive observers of their health,” she said. “While medications are essential, medication alone will never be the answer. Patients need to realize that they can change their lives and be in the driver’s seat of their own health care.”
That means you must:
Tell your primary care doctor if you have fatigue or cramping in the calf, thigh, hip or buttock when walking or at rest.
Tell the doctor if your feet feel numb.
Bring notes to your doctor visit to remind yourself of questions to ask.
Don’t assume the pain is unimportant.
If you don’t tell the doctor, what could happen?
At the least, the pain will continue. Eventually your feet could get sores that don’t heal, or heal very slowly. If the disease progresses, your feet and legs will get so little oxygen that you could develop a severe and painful form of PAD called chronic limb ischemia, which often leads to amputations.
For some patients, open foot sores are painful, but in others, disease has caused their feet to go numb and they may not know they have sores, Dr. Gallagher said.
What can you do to avoid the severe later stages of PAD?
Don’t smoke; if you do smoke, quit. Nicotine inflames the blood vessels and increases the likelihood of PAD. Ask your doctor to help you find assistance with smoking cessation.
See your primary care doctor regularly. Checkups are designed to catch things like PAD.
If you are having pain in your legs, feet or toes, or have sores on your feet that won’t heal, be sure to mention that in your doctor visit.
Be sure to follow doctor’s advice and take prescribed blood pressure and cholesterol medications as directed.
Keep walking. Walking 30 minutes a day, three to five times a week can keep PAD at bay. If your legs hurt just a little, keep walking; if the pain is bad, stop for a few minutes till it goes away, then start walking again. Pushing through mild and moderate pain will increase the distance you can walk without pain over time.
If that’s hard to manage, ask if supervised exercise therapy is covered for you.
The Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) is a 5,800-plus member, not-for-profit professional medical society, composed primarily of specialty-trained vascular surgeons, which seeks to advance excellence and innovation in vascular health through education, advocacy, research and public awareness.
IT’S TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE “TIGHTROPE OF AGING”— A TIME BETWEEN ACTIVE INDEPENDENT LIVING AND END-OF-LIFE
Hospice Expert’s New Memoir Shares Insights for Aging Parents and the Adult Children Who Will Care for Them
“Melanie Merriman’s memoir is a wake-up call,” says Pulitzer-prize winning columnist Ellen Goodman.
As the nearly seventy-five million baby-boomers in our country enter their 60s and 70s, too many remain in denial about the period in between full self-sufficiency and the end of life.
With boomers facing the possibility of caring for aging parents at the same time that they start to worry about being a burden on their own children, it has become critical to acknowledge this period and its unique set of needs and concerns.
Melanie P. Merriman, PhD, a former hospice consultant who has studied illness, aging, and our overly-complex medical system, has dubbed this period “the tightrope of aging”—a time typically characterized by ever-steeper physical and/or mental decline. Smart, capable parents cling to the familiarity of homes that no longer suit them, and refuse the help they need. Adult children try to keep aging parents safe, while respecting their autonomy. Finding balance is a constant challenge and the fear of falling is real.
In her new memoir, Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging, (Green Writers Press, November 1, 2017), Merriman shares what she learned first-hand while caring for her fiercely independent, aging mother. In Holding the Net she candidly describes her efforts to make her mother’s final years the best that they could be.
Holding the Net includes a foreword by acclaimed author Ann Hood. “This is not the story of just one mother and her daughters. It is all of our stories—ones already lived, or ones midstream, or ones about to happen,” Hood says.
Part memoir, part social exploration, Holding the Net brings readers along on Merriman’s journey allowing them to learn from both her successes and her failures. Holding the Net offers practical details about the effects of aging on the body and mind, living arrangements for older people, health care decisions, and surviving a stay in a rehab facility. It also challenges the notion that anyone can achieve perfection when it comes to caring for an aging parent, and encourages us to simply do our best.
Merriman’s ultimate goal is to help readers find more positive moments and better deal with the difficult ones by anticipating and planning for this crucial “tightrope” phase.
Advance Praise for Holding the Net:
"For those of us who are still engaged in wishful thinking about the end of life, Melanie Merriman's memoir is a wake-up call and a gentle guide through the daily, weekly, monthly, yearly journey of helping the people we love through the difficult process of aging to a soft landing. She is honest about how hard this work is for loving caregivers as well as for their parents. Read it and be prepared!"
—Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of The Conversation Project
“Holding the Net is an engrossing, tenderly told story of a daughter’s loving care for her mother. Beyond just a good read, these pages hold pearls of practical wisdom that are gifts to any reader who happens to be a parent who is growing older or the child of one.”
—Dr. Ira Byock, palliative care physician, Chief Medical Officer of the Providence Institute for Human Caring, and author of The Four Things That Matter Most and The Best Care Possible
“A moving, matter-of-fact, deeply eye-opening look at what most of us will eventually face: guiding our parents through old age.”
—Cathi Hanauer, NY Times best-selling novelist and editor of The Bitch in the House and The Bitch is Back
“Holding the Net should prove both a much-needed comfort and a practical guide to anyone faced with the many challenges of caring for an aging parent. Melanie Merriman lays out her own journey through the last years of her mother's life in a no-nonsense but affecting fashion that reminds us of both the bounty of fully lived lives and the sacrifices that love requires. Readers will be touched, reassured, guided, and, most importantly, uplifted.”
—Les Standiford, author of Water to the Angels: William Mulholland, His Monumental Aqueduct & the Rise of Los Angeles
About Melanie Merriman
Melanie Merriman, Ph.D., has spent much of her life as a research scientist, hospice consultant, and foundation grant evaluator—driven by a passion to illuminate, understand, and find meaning. In addition to Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging, she is co-author of Merriman’s Hawai‘i: The Chef, the Farmers, the Food, the Islands, a cookbook with stories about Chef Peter Merriman. Melanie and her husband Klein Merriman split their time between South Florida and Cape Cod, MA.
Title: Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging
Author: Melanie P. Merriman
Paperback: 248 pages; 5 photos (B&W)
Publisher: Green Writers Press/Green Place Books
Publication Date: November 1, 2017
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0-998701226
Price: $19.95
Distribution: Midpoint Trade Books
Want to lose weight? Do some HIIT - Research Says - Guest Post
In a review of some of last month’s (August 2017) clinical studies on weight loss and metabolism, nutritionist Georgios Tzenichristos reports that exercise, especially interval training, is extremely important for weight loss; low carb diets are not necessarily better than low fat; and no, coconut oil does NOT help you lose weight.
Bored at the gym? Just do some interval training
~ Interval training is more fun than continuous training ~
In a study of 31 obese young women who followed either a high intensity interval training (HIIT) regime, or a more typical moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MVCT) it was found that both types of training were effective in improving fitness and losing weight, but HIIT was found to be more enjoyable.
Georgios’ comment: Indeed, interval training, with its alternation between high and low intensity (variety) and the welcome breaks it providers (small but repeated rewards after intense exertion) is much more fun than steady state training, where there is monotony and the reward is only to be received at the end of the session. Of course both types of exercise are necessary and have their own merits, but interval training is simply much more fun.
Do you want to keep your heart healthy? Exercise, even if you cannot lose your stomach fat.
~ Exercise improves your heart and metabolic health, irrespective of stomach fat ~
Another study, which examined 1970 adults for three years, has found that exercise improves heart / metabolic disease risk, even if stomach fat is not reduced due to the exercise. Belly fat is known to be a major risk of such health conditions, yet this study has shown that exercise itself can improve health, even if stomach fat does not end up being reduced.
Georgios’ comment: Normally stomach fat cells produce pro-inflammatory proteins which increase the risk of heart disease. But it seems that exercise can actually switch those stomach fat cells into producing less of those inflammatory proteins and more of the anti-inflammatory ones, which results in improved metabolic health, regardless of belly fat loss.
On a crash diet and worry you might lose your muscle tone? Forget protein powders and start training.
~ Exercise preserves muscle mass and performance during extreme dieting. Protein by itself does not. ~
In a study comparing the effect of exercise vs protein powder supplementation, it was found that exercise was the best way to preserve muscle mass, while whey protein was not of much help.
Georgios’ comment: This makes sense, as exercise provides a stimulus for muscle building, or at least muscle maintenance. On the other hand, protein powder itself, although being an important muscle building block, does not by itself provide any stimulus for muscle building. If it did, everyone would be toned and muscly just by consuming protein powder. So, important as protein may be, for muscle tone during weight loss, exercise is much more important.
Brainwashed into believing that high fat diets are the best? You’d be surprised by the findings of this study.
~ Low fat is a better diet to stick to after weight loss and equally effective as low carb ~
This study followed for 18 months 131 overweight people who initially lost 8% of their body weight through dieting (about 10lbs weight loss for the average person). The dieters were divided into three groups: low carb, low fat and typical western diet. After the end of the study it was found that all participants equally regained most of the weight and that the most dropouts occurred in the low carb diet, which was the least “fun” diet to follow. There is one consolation though: the low carb dieters improved their cholesterol more than the other groups, while the western diet followers predictably had almost no cholesterol status improvement.
Georgios’ comment: Indeed low carb diets are much more difficult to follow, but as the study has found, they are also the healthiest. On the basis of this research, I would go with the flow and follow the diet that best suits my specific needs, likes and hates, so that I could stick to it in the long run. Sticking to a diet is THE most important part when dieting or trying to maintain the weight off.
Did you fall for the “coconut oil makes you feel fuller and helps you lose weight” fad? You’re not alone…
~ Coconut oil is NOT the same as medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, in terms of satiety or weight loss ~
This study examined the satiety effect of coconut oil, versus MCT oil vs normal vegetable oil and showed that coconut oil is not nearly as effective as MCT oil in reducing hunger and food intake. This study resonates with another similar study last year which find that coconut oil does NOT help you burn fat and does NOT help you lose weight, as MCT oil does.
Georgios’ comment: Coconut oil has become the darling fad of celebs, bloggers and instagrammers, with almost magical properties attributed to it. This was based on several studies which have shown that MCT (a constituent of coconut oil) do improve satiety, boost thermogenesis and stimulate weight loss. However, coconut oil only contains 14% MCTs and the studies were conducted with 100% MCT oil, i.e. 7x times more. Coconut oil is NOT the same as MCT oil, in the same way that black cherries are not the same as a black forest gateau. They are two totally different things, and all those studies on coconut oil prove it. Coconut oil may be or may not be a healthy fat (still debatable by scientists) but one thing is for sure: it does not help you lose weight.
About
Georgios Tzenichristos is the director of the LipoTherapeia clinic, which specialises in natural fat/cellulite reduction and skin tightening. Georgios daily follows all research on fat, metabolism, connective tissue and phytochemicals and regularly writes about those topics.
Bibliography
Comparison of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-to-Vigorous Continuous Training for Cardiometabolic Health and Exercise Enjoyment in Obese Young Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial; Physical Activity and Adiposity-related Inflammation: The MESA; Exercise Preserves Lean Mass and Performance during Severe Energy Deficit: The Role of Exercise Volume and Dietary Protein Content; The effect of three different ad libitum diets for weight loss maintenance: a randomized 18-month trial; Coconut oil has less satiating properties than medium chain triglyceride oil
LEADING VETERANS ORGANIZATION LENDS SUPPORT FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO REBUILD HOUSTON
Travis Manion Foundation launches initiative to assist in Houston’s recovery efforts and pledges all proceeds from annual 9/11 Heroes Run 5K to help rebuild city
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one the nation’s leading veterans advocacy organizations, will assist Houston in its recovery efforts, by uniting veterans, first responders, and inspired civilians.
TMF has rescheduled its annual 9/11 Heroes Run in Houston -- originally set to take place on September 9th, but postponed due to Hurricane Harvey -- that will now take place on Veterans Day, November 11, 2017. TMF will dedicate all proceeds from the race to support relief efforts in the city of Houston, which will include funding a TMF Service Expedition. The Expedition will take place in Spring of 2018, and will see veterans and families of the fallen from across the country come together to assist with rebuilding the city of Houston. TMF’s 9/11 Heroes Run 5K race series will be hosted in more than 50 domestic and international locations, and will unite more than 50,000 participants to honor the sacrifices of our veterans, active duty military, first responders, and civilians who were affected by the attacks on 9/11 and in the wars since.
To further highlight the support towards Houston’s recover efforts, donations will be collected and a Texas flag will be carried at every 9/11 Heroes Run across the country this month. Notes of support will then be attached to the flag at the end of each run, before they are shipped to the Houston. Every Texas flag from across the country will then be displayed at the Houston 9/11 Heroes Run, rescheduled for Veterans Day.
Ryan Manion, TMF President, provided this statement:
“I hope and pray that our Houston runners and their families stay safe during efforts to rebuild their communities. We are rescheduling this year’s 9/11 Houston run so that all volunteer efforts are focused on the greater recovery effort immediately at hand. We are grateful to the Houston community for hosting our largest 9/11 Heroes Run in the country the past several years, and we are proud to give back to the city during its greatest time of need.
I am again struck by the audacity of our volunteers to serve and their willingness to help our Houston brothers and sisters, similar to how so many Americans stepped forward following the events of 9/11. These individuals exemplify the strength of America’s national character, by selflessly putting the needs of others before themselves, and representing what it means to live by ‘If Not Me, Then Who…’ “
The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K series was inspired by Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed by a sniper in Iraq in April 2007 as he selflessly protected his battalion. Before his final deployment, Travis visited Rescue One in NYC—famous for losing almost all of their men on 9/11—and returned home with deeper passion about why he was fighting in Iraq. At its heart, the 9/11 Heroes Run is a tribute to a personal commitment to never forget the heroes of that day. Now in its tenth year, the 9/11 Heroes Run national race series is held in more than 50 locations across the country and around the world.
TMF empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans and survivors continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation's heroes live on in the next generation.
PetCure Oncology Treats 1,000th Patient in Battle Against Pet Cancer
Chicago, IL – September 5, 2017 – Since treating their first pet with cancer in 2015, PetCure Oncology has been working tirelessly to care for more pets - and a wider variety of pet cancers - than what was previously possible with traditional cancer care techniques.
Less than 30 months later, PetCure Oncology is proud to announce that its 1,000th patient was treated on Tuesday. Sydney (right), an 8-year-old Boxer mix from Indianapolis, received stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for a tumor affecting her central nervous system. Sydney is receiving care from PetCure Oncology at Care Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the few facilities capable of providing SRS for pets.
“This is really a tremendous milestone, not only for PetCure Oncology, but for anybody that works in veterinary cancer care,” said Dr. Neal Mauldin, PetCure’s chief medical officer and a triple-board certified veterinary specialist. “It has been amazing, gratifying, and humbling all at once to see the pets and families that have benefitted from SRS as PetCure Oncology has expanded its footprint. There is nothing better than talking to a pet owner that has just been given more time - and quality time - with their pet.”
Just over two years ago, PetCure was founded by a frustrated pet parent determined to provide pets with access to the same advanced cancer treatments available to humans. That mission has led to the integration of SRS into veterinary medicine, providing pet owners across the country with access to advanced radiation therapy delivered with sub-millimeter precision unprecedented in veterinary medicine.
Of the first 1,000 patients treated by PetCure, nearly 70 percent have benefitted from SRS. Pet owners are electing this potentially life-saving treatment because of its significant benefits over conventional radiation therapy or surgery. SRS, which can target some tumors previously considered “untreatable” by radiation, typically results in improved quality of life and minimal side effects. It is delivered in just 1-3 treatments, an 80-95 percent reduction in both treatment sessions and anesthetic events, leading to decreased risk for the pet patient and increased convenience for the pet owner.
“I can’t say enough about how proud I am of the entire PetCure team, our partner hospitals, and the pet owners who are out there helping us spread the good word every day,” said Scott Milligan, the CEO who created PetCure after his family’s golden retriever fell victim to a nasal tumor. “Today is about more than just a big number. Cancer’s impact reaches far beyond the patient. Today, I am grateful that we have been able to help 1,000 families turn the devastation of a cancer diagnosis into hope for a better outcome.”
With the most experienced network of board-certified veterinary radiation oncologists in the country utilizing the most advanced technology available, PetCure Oncology is making a meaningful impact on the lives of pet families from coast to coast. PetCure has further bolstered its support of pet owners by forming a Pet Advocate Team that is exclusively dedicated to helping owners of pets with cancer.
Pet Advocates are easily reachable by calling 833-PET-HERO or visiting PetCureOncology.com.
Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board certified in family and anti-aging medicine is sharing his top 10 ways to keep you strong for the transitioning season.
Exercise on a daily basis: The minimum should be a half hour of walking continuously so as to increase oxygenation to tissues as well as deliver vitamins minerals and hormones to these cells.
Be sure to get good deep restorative sleep: This should be at least six hours every night. Sleep deprivation not only makes us tired, but decreases function in almost all organs.
Keep chemicals and preservatives out of the diet: We should eat as organically as possible, with the diet comprised of a variety of vegetables, fruits and good protein sources.
Test your blood for vitamins, minerals, and hormones: Thousands of studies over many years have described that vitamin deficiency is correlated with degenerate disease we can give me in response among many others. This test will guide you as to exactly what nutrients you're deficient in, and what you should take. “There is no better test than this,” says Dr. Calapai.
Do not smoke cigarettes: This is a no brainer for most, as they contain thousands of dangerous chemicals, which can lead to a low immune system.
Be careful with exposure to alcohol: This can have the variety of effects that are hurtful to the body if done in excess
Maintain a clean home environment: In areas where you spend the most time, make sure that surfaces are cleaned with products that can kill germs or viruses. Use HEPA filtration systems to capture particulate matter including dust, allergens or organisms that can make you ill.
Wash your hands thoroughly and a few times during the day and avoid other people that have chronic infection, flu or a virus.
Try to minimize stress, anxiety and irritability: Taking a break for a few minutes during a stressful day can make the stress response much less progressive.
Lastly, be sure to visit your doctor for routine testing and physical exam inform: This ensures you are constantly aware of what is going on with your body.
About the doctor:
Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net
Online course to explore the amazing biological systems that keep us alive
The Physiological Society, in partnership with the University of Liverpool, have designed a free online course: ‘Physiology: the Science of Life’ to explore the amazing biological systems that keep us alive. The course is open for enrolment now and starts on 25 September 2017.
The course is designed for anyone who wants to gain an insight into how our bodies work. It will be of particular relevance to 16-19 year olds studying biology, and considering a subsequent undergraduate degree such as medicine, dentistry or the life sciences. Students will boost their understanding in key areas including cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems and explore career opportunities. It’s also ideal for anyone looking to refresh their knowledge of how the body works and learn about cutting-edge science.
Learners will have the opportunity to discuss the material with fellow participants, giving everyone the chance to become part of a community of thousands and interact with other learners from across the globe.
The course is hosted by online learning platform FutureLearn. It lasts three weeks and material each week takes around four hours to complete, which learners can complete at their own convenience in bite-sized chunks.
Physiologist Dr Terry Gleave, programme director for Human Physiology in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool and lead educator of the course, said:
“I love physiology as it is all about investigating how things in nature work. If we are to design effective new treatments, then we must first understand the detailed workings of the human body all the way down to the cellular and molecular processes. This innovative programme has been built in-house by our Centre for Educational Development and Support Team. We have used state of the art technology to create a fun and engaging programme packed with videos, quizzes and resources including timelines of the histories of each of the systems covered. “
The Physiological Society’s Dr Sarah Hall said:
“This exciting course will enable learners to explore the fascinating physiological systems that keep us alive. It is ideal for young people considering studying physiology, as a resource for teachers, or for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of how the body works.”
Nigel Smith, Head of Content at FutureLearn said:
“At FutureLearn, we want to help everyone fulfil their potential by transforming access to education. We’re thrilled that The Physiological Society and the University of Liverpool are making such an interesting and complex topic accessible to all, whether it’s those looking to enhance their understanding of life sciences in preparation for university, or simply anyone with an interest in life sciences and how the body works.”
As with all FutureLearn courses, learners can study the course for free, or there is the option to upgrade for a fee to get extra benefits including a Certificate of Achievement when you complete the course.
Will cosmetic surgery actually help my confidence?
In Australia plastic surgery has become commonplace over the past several years, and people are turning to plastic surgeons more and more often now in the hopes of solving their self-esteem issues. Unfortunately, many people do not consider the mental and emotional toll that making a significant change to their bodies can have.
There are instances when plastic surgery can have a positive impact on your self-image, but it is important to be objective when you are deciding whether or not plastic surgery is right for you. This post will cover some of the positive and negative outcomes for people who have had procedures done to help you decide if cosmetic surgery will boost your confidence.
What the Research Says
Because of cosmetic surgery's booming popularity, psychologists have taken a more serious interest in the mental and emotional well-being of post-operative patients.
The American Psychological Association, or APA, conducted an analysis of 37 studies done on people who have had cosmetic procedures. These studies focused on how patients felt and functioned both before and after their surgery.
The research showed mixed results. Overall, many of the participants had positive outcomes, which means that they felt better about their appearance, had greater confidence in themselves and got an overall boost in their quality of life. In fact, one study showed that cosmetic surgery can potentially reduce the symptoms of depression in some people.
However, there were quite a few people who experienced problems adjusting to their new look, and this led to worsening depression, anxiety and social isolation. Many patients underestimate the difficulty of having to spend a significant amount of time recovering, so be sure that you fully understand how your recovery will progress before committing to a procedure. It is also very helpful to have a strong support system in place to keep your spirits up and help you through any difficulties you may experience.
How to Get the Most From Your Cosmetic Procedure
Luckily, all of this research has exposed a common thread between patients who experience the best outcomes post-surgery.
The key factor in all of this research is expectations. Psychologists have found that those with realistic expectations are the most likely to receive the confidence boost they are looking for and experience few, if any, negative feelings.
The Clinical Psychological Science journal has published research that shows that people who have realistic expectations when going under the knife have higher self-esteem, feel healthier overall and experience less anxiety than people who have never had plastic surgery.
Every cosmetic surgeon will do his or her best to help you achieve your goals, but it is also the surgeon's job to keep you grounded in reality so that you can be as happy with your new self as possible.
You should also carefully and honestly consider your emotional state when you are making the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery. In Australia plastic surgery consultations and "cooling-off" periods are part of the process, which can help you make sure that you are in a healthy place mentally before you make a drastic change to your appearance.
Whether you want a Brazilian butt lift, a lip injection or fat reduction, it is important to think through the reasons why you want these procedures. Any change to your appearance should be done because it is what you want and not because of someone else's opinion of you.
If you don't think you can be objective, it is perfectly normal to discuss these things with someone you trust or even with your cosmetic surgeon during your initial consultation.
Will Cosmetic Surgery Actually Help My Confidence?
This is something that you and your cosmetic surgeon must decide together. Remember that changing your outward appearance is usually not going to solve emotional problems or change how a person feels about you, so you must carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if changing your appearance is what you want.
If you're hoping that a Brazilian butt lift will help you feel sexier or that getting rid of some stubborn fat will let you fit into the bikini of your dreams, then there is a good chance that those procedures will give you the happiness and confidence boost you are looking for.
Altering your appearance to better fit the mental image you have of yourself can be a rewarding and confidence-boosting experience as long as you are honest with yourself and keep realistic expectations about what a cosmetic procedure can and cannot do for you.
We all love a good quiz! So, in honor of PCOS Awareness Month (September) and to bring attention and answers to the 116 million women living with distressing symptoms of irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, infertility, acne, hair loss, increased facial hair growth--vastly because of hormone imbalances, Dr. Fiona McCulloch has created a quiz that will help pinpoint your symptoms to determine which factors are most important to treat in your presentation of PCOS.
A veteran speaker and easy-to-understand academic, in an educational and eye-opening interview, a PCOS sufferer herself, Dr. McCulloch can also discuss:
What the main signs are of PCOS and how a woman would know if she has it
What the best diet is for a woman with PCOS
How PCOS changes through a woman’s lifespan and it looks like in teenagers, reproductive years or after menopause
What the different types of PCOS are and how to know which one you have
If women with PCOS can get pregnant and what is unique about their reproductive health
If there are any supplements or natural treatments that can work for PCOS
SAMPLE SECTIONS OF THE PCOS QUIZ:
Inflammation Quiz
Inflammation is a key factor. All women with PCOS have it. As you’ll see below, you will either have moderate or severe inflammation.
1. I have pain in my body, such as neck pain, back pain, knee pain, or headaches.
2. I have skin rashes, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or allergic dermatitis.
3. I have chronic digestive problems, such as bloating, diarrhea, ulcers, reflux, or indigestion.
4. I have asthma or allergies.
5. I’m constantly tired and lethargic.
6. I eat a diet that is not based on whole foods and contains many processed foods and sugars.
7. I have a family member with an autoimmune disease.
8. I have been formally diagnosed with PCOS.
If you have answered yes to five to eight of these, it’s likely you have severe inflammation. If you’ve answered yes to one to four of these, it’s likely you have moderate inflammation.
Hormone Balance Quiz
1. My cycles are or have been thirty-five days or longer for significant periods of time in my life.
2. I’ve had polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.
3. I ovulate late in my cycle—around day eighteen or later.
4. I’ve needed to take medications to help me ovulate.
5. The medications intended to help me ovulate didn’t work on at least one occasion.
6. I’ve had a high anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) reading on a blood test.
7. I’ve had a high luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio on a day-three blood test.
8. I have had low progesterone readings on bloodwork.
If you have answered yes to any of these, you have the ovulation factor to a significant
degree.
Thyroid Quiz
1. I feel cold compared to others around me.
2. I feel tired a lot or exhausted without reason.
3. I do not lose weight easily, despite dieting and exercising.
4. I am constipated.
5. I have dry, flaky skin.
6. I’m losing hair: It is brittle, coarse, and dry. Or, I am losing the outer
eyebrow hair.
7. My nails are brittle.
8. I’m depressed or anxious.
9. I have chronic muscle and joint pains.
10. I feel pressure or swelling in my neck, have difficulty swallowing, and my voice has become hoarse.
11. I have a family member with thyroid disease or an autoimmune disease.
12. I have high cholesterol that does not respond to diet changes or medication.
13. I have unexplained changes in my weight, unrelated to my lifestyle.
14. I have changes in my memory and concentration.
15. I have had abnormal thyroid testing results (including autoimmune thyroid antibody testing) or am taking thyroid medication already.
If you have answered yes either to number fifteen alone, or to ten to fifteen of these, you have a significant thyroid factor. If you haven’t been tested, you should be. If you have answered yes to five to nine of these, you have signs of a moderate thyroid factor and lab testing is warranted. If you have answered yes to one to four of these, you have some signs of a thyroid factor and lab testing is warranted.
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