HEALTHY LIVING TIPS

The chatter was noisy around the table this past Friday as we were eating out weekly ration of donuts. Trying to focus on one conversation was difficult but when someone brought up the subject of Oregon’s unemployment it was like being in outer space, it got so quiet. We’re experiencing over twelve percent joblessness in Oregon overall with outlying counties well over that number. I can’t figure out why this state is always one of the first to get hit the hardest and one of the last to recover.

Our donut crew consists entirely of seniors who in case you didnt know it are also affected by the socialistic policies (thats my opinion) of this administration that are resulting in the meltdown of our U.S. economy. Who we voted for at this juncture really doesnt matter, even if we cant recognize what the real reasons are for the job losses and high prices or who is behind it all. What is important is were all Americans and we all feel the results.

Sitting on my right was Maria. She is 85 and is considered to be the matriarch of our group. She’s got a good retirement income from the Fed. and lives worry free. She has a yard man mow her lawn, she travels a lot and sure doesn’t do without. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a deep concern for her adult kids who all live in the chaotic state of California.

Pete was parked to my left, in his seventies and always shaking with his affliction. He’s a funny guy, always making wise cracks and doesn’t offer much on the subject of the economy. Guess he figures he won’t be around too much longer so why worry about it. His wife Doris is sitting across from him speaking her mind and must be pretty concerned. They had to sell their home not too long ago because it was just costing them too much money each month and now they live in a much smaller apartment. She’s got to be worried what will happen to her when Pete dies.

Then there was Bob and his wife Paula at the table. Bob is a diabetic who recently had stomach surgery. He’s in his mid-sixties and officially retired, as is his wife, also in her sixties. But Bob still does accounting and taxes for small companies and organizations to bring in extra money. They’re not immune to the economic pinch, either..

As for myself, I’m sixty-six and supposedly retired, too. Funny how people automatically think when you look a certain age or they know you’ve actually reached that age you can kick back and enjoy your silver years. Well, stop the presses! Here’s a news flash! Not all of us can. Quite candidly, I predict that not many people will be able to from here on out if things continue as they are.

Back to me for a moment. I write and submit articles online. This is an example of just one of many that are published all over the Internet. It’s how I continue to make a living . Social Security doesn’t pay me enough to live on and I don’t enjoy any kind of pension. It’s just the way it is and as long as I can write and maintain my websites I’ll do it as long as I’m able.

In any case, next Friday the donut crew will gather around the table again, I suppose. The talk will be about the news or whatever and life will continue. At least until the day comes when one of us eats their final donut. Until then, our gathering represents a microcosm of seniors who are pretty much ignored in this country including how our sabotaged economy is affecting us.

The politicians all want our valuable votes and promise us the world, which is not theirs to give away. And when many of us are swayed by their sweet talk and vote them into office, they promptly dismiss us knowing that we’ll probably die off pretty soon anyway and besides, there will be a new crop of seniors coming down the pike to bamboozle come the next election cycle.

Crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles have plagued women throughout the years of humanity. And in as many ways as women have been plagued by the effects of aging, scientists, doctors and even spiritual leaders have been willing to relieve their pocketbooks of a few dollars in exchange for a magic serum that promised to restore youth and beauty.

Throughout time, women and men alike have used natural treatments to fight the effects of aging. In ancient Egyptian times, the queen Cleopatra used natural remedies to stay young, plants which include aloe and cucumbers, healing ginger root, and the common skin treatment jojoba oil. Ancient rituals to reduce the effects of aging used plants to try to heal and stimulate the skin.

Facial creams of today have kept the ideal of natural beauty while incorporating modern science. The options available today include creams that have dust of diamonds to create light bouncing effects,keeping your appearance smooth. There is a cream that offers chemicals that trigger your body to produce more collagen,filling in those forehead valleys. Botox,once only injectable,is available in creams as well…for a price.

In America alone,we spend over $1 billion a year on our products. At any given time,in any given store there are thousands of wrinkle creams to wipe away years from your face. With such expectations to live up to and desperation for a body of flawlessness, women are not the only ones seeking a fountain of youth. Men account for nearly 30% of that figure.

Spiritual remedies have even been suggested to try to reverse aging, such as some Monks in Massachussetts who offer a spiritual healing product for $65. Since technology hasn’t figured out a way yet, it’s possible that divine intervention will promise a way to reduce the effects of aging on your skin.

Even though science still hasn’t supplied us with a way to fully reverse the process of aging, some people will still go to no end to find the proverbial fountain of youth. Strange and exotic ingredients and crazy concoctions are constantly being released on the market, but most of these products don’t do much but lighten your wallet load.

In modern times, it’s a good idea to watch what your wrinkle cream has in it, because some cultures use crazy ingredients such as viper venom, bird poo and the slime from snails to try to stay the effects of aging on the skin. Other cultures use fruits such as orange, pomegranate, cherry and banana to treat skin damage as a result of aging. There is no end to the ingredients that might be present in your little vat of wrinkle cream.

In today’s cosmetic market, it still stands that the true biggest beauty secret is to stop worrying about how you look. Just get a good moisturizer and a quality sunscreen. Keep the amount of makeup you wear to a minimum of toxins, and wash it off as soon as you don’t need it. Don’t spend too much time tanning in the sun, and use natural ingredients such as a skin-friendly mask of oatmeal, honey and olive oil. Your body doesn’t need any foreign ingredients to keep your skin healthy; it just needs simple care and moisturization, along with a vacation. Save yourself hundreds on spa treatments; it’s likely all your skin needs is a relaxing evening at home with a couple cucumber slices.

Biologic treatments are best for knee disease or injury. Biologic treatment restores the knee to a near-normal state. Meniscal repair, reconstruction of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), and anatomic knee fracture repair are 3 of the types of biological surgical repairs that work well for knee injuries.

A symptomatic full-thickness chondral lesion of the knee presents a problematic management issue for patients and orthopedists.

Injury that leads to articular cartilage cell death is well treated by restoration of the surface cells of the joint. The shiny white surface that composes all the joints in the body is the articular cartilage or surface cell layer of the joint.

There are 4 ways to treat damage to this tissue. They are: Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), Osteochondral Allograft, Osteoarticular transfer system (OATS), and Microfracture.

Click here for more on Arthroscopy of the Knee.

If the patient is young, a small lesion can be repaired with Microfracture surgery. When using this method, a pick-like tool will be used to enter the marrow of the knee multiple times under the chondral defect. These entries will stimulate the bone marrow. This causes repair tissue to be created. The repair tissue fills the chondral defect with fibrous cartilage tissue.

In this scenario, the patient will be on crutches for a month to eight weeks. The patient must not participate in sports for a six months to year. Additionally, the patient must realize that it may take up to eighteen months to be completely pain free.

It is possible to restore the knee surface to a near-normal condition with a procedure called autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). This procedure is used if the knee defect is large.

Articular cartilage cells can be harvested from the healthy part of the injured knee for utilization in ACI. There are very specific criteria that must be met for this surgery to be used.

The patient must have a full-thickness, weight-bearing, symptomatic chondral injury to the femoral articular surface. Additionally, the patient must be physiologically young. Furthermore, the patient must agree to an 18 month rehabilitation process.

There is no guarantee of successful surgery to the tibia and patella. In fact, insurance companies will often refuse to pay for this type of surgery. It is important to note that ACI is not a workable procedure for the treatment of osteoarthritis. In this condition, two reciprocal joint surfaces experience damage. X-rays will reveal narrowing of the joint space. Additionally, bone spurs will be in evidence. 3T MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be used to assess for ACI. By using this procedure, the proper treatment can be determined.

Click here for more on Dr. Stefan Tarlow, an expert Phoenix surgeon of the knee.

How do you prevent wrinkles? For years women have been trying to answer that very question. Is it really possible to look younger and keep your skin wrinkle-free?

The first thing you need to know about reducing wrinkles is that it’s a timeless and genderless problem. Even though they don’t often care to admit it, men are upset about showing premature signs of age, too. Not only that, but it’s a problem that has been faced by people for as far back as anyone can remember. It’s not new.

These days, more and more people want ways to reduce the signs of aging. Part of that stems from the fact that people are living longer, thanks to medical science. Since there are more older people around, there is more need for anti aging products, which are everywhere it seems.

The first step to choosing which of those anti wrinkle products you should be using is to understand the problem. Unfortunately, the problem is a bit different for everyone. If you can find out what is causing your wrinkles and age signs, you can find out how to fix them.

Reversing the signs of aging is, often times, as simple as gaining an understanding of how your skin works. You may not understand what causes your skin to age and, if so, you aren’t alone. Many people are in the same boat. So, learn that and you can learn to combat those ugly signs of aging.

The first of two major causes of aged skin is intrinsic (internal) influences. In other words, your skin reacts to the condition of your inner body. If you are out of shape, genetically predisposed to unhealthy skin or have some sort of illness, you are at high risk for wrinkles and other aging signs.

External (extrinsic) factors, such as cigarette smoking, are another major source of premature aging problems. In other words, if you have a poor diet or make poor lifestyle choices, you’re probably going to have unhealthy skin.

So, preventing signs of premature aging, like wrinkles, isn’t entirely out of your hands. You do have some control over the lifestyle choices you make. Making the right ones can help you to give your skin a healthier, younger look.

Crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles have plagued women throughout the years of humanity. And in as many ways as women have been plagued by the effects of aging, scientists, doctors and even spiritual leaders have been willing to relieve their pocketbooks of a few dollars in exchange for a magic serum that promised to restore youth and beauty.

Natural remedies such as rosewater, jojoba oil, and other widely-used forms of natural remedies have been used by women throughout time in an attempt to fight the aging effects on their skin. Even the incredible queen Cleopatra, who is an absolute a symbol of femininity in Egypt, used natural remedies to try to keep her skin young looking.

Facial cream today is more effective than ever, incorporating modern science into the already-existing anti-aging secrets that women have used throughout time. For instance, diamond dust is now used as an exfoliant, and Botox is used in cream and injection form to slow the development of skin wrinkles.

In America alone,we spend over $1 billion a year on our products. At any given time,in any given store there are thousands of wrinkle creams to wipe away years from your face. With such expectations to live up to and desperation for a body of flawlessness, women are not the only ones seeking a fountain of youth. Men account for nearly 30% of that figure.

Spiritual remedies have even been suggested to try to reverse aging, such as some Monks in Massachussetts who offer a spiritual healing product for $65. Since technology hasn’t figured out a way yet, it’s possible that divine intervention will promise a way to reduce the effects of aging on your skin.

Technology does not yet exist to reverse time, but there is still no limit to what people will do to try to stop the clock and reverse the process of aging. Some companies and cultures use extreme ingredients to try to reverse the process of aging, but in many cases, these exotic ingredients do little more than justify the impressive price tag.

In foreign countries, a few of the most sought after wrinkle creams include oddities such as nightingale bird poo, viper venom and snail slime. It seems any and all fruits applied to the face in the form of a cream work as well…papaya,bananas, pomegranite, cherries and oranges are the preferred. There is no end to what your next vat of cream will have in it.

The most efficient, time witshtanding anti-wrinkle cream that works? Smile,laugh and stop adding more stress (leading contributor to wrinkles) by worrying which cream will keep those lines at bay. If you are not already, use a good moisturizer and sunscreen. Wash off make-up as soon as possible and dare to go without on weekends. Keep your tanning inside a spray can. Use some feel good, relaxing and most importantly inexpensive ingredients in your pantry…oatmeal,honey and olive oil(Mix together and apply,allowing to become firm-add water and scrub off). Cucumber slices over your eyes will complete a 10 minute facial that costs over $500 in a Beverly Hills salon. Leave the bird poo and snail slime on the shelf and keep your money in your wallet as you realize you have found the fountain of youth-common sense and head turning to eye catching advertisement. Embrace your natural beauty that sits on your shelf next to your anti-stress $450 an hour therapy session substitute chocolate bar.

The lower back has five vertebrae that make up the lumbar bones. These vertebrae are separated by spinal discs that are made of a gel-like substance. These discs are coated with cartilage.

The spinal canal surrounds the spinal cord and the nerves that branch away from it. It runs the length of the spinal column. It is common to experience pain in the lower back because the lower back bears most of the weight of the torso. For this reason the muscles, nerves and spine are under a great deal of stress and subject to pain.

Actually, after the flu, low back pain is the most common complaint doctors are presented with. There are a number of causes for back pain. Often, one patient’s problems are caused by multiple reasons. However, the most common reasons are injury and trauma. Here is a list of the types of low back pain and their causes:

Strain: Injury to a muscle.

A ligament injury is a sprain.

A pinched nerve is called sciatica.

Sacroiliitis: Inflamed hip joint.

Arthritis and other bone diseases can cause disc degeneration.

Herniated disc.

Sprains and strains may be caused by single or multiple events. Improper lifting may causes a sprain or strain as a single event or cumulatively over a period of time. Obesity and poor posture can cause back pain due to constant pressure and stress.

Click here for more on reconstruction of torn ACL.

There are a number of ways to treat a sprain or strain. They include: hot and/or cold packs, ultrasound, massage therapy, electrical stimulation, traction and reduction in which the bones are maneuvered physically, and/or anesthetic or corticosteroid injections. It is very important to gently resume normal activity after a couple of days rest to avoid stiffness.

Anytime you have back pain, one of the best ways to alleviate it is through conditioning and strengthening the muscles of the lower back. This can be done by using specific exercises recommended by your health care professional and by adding aerobic conditioning to your daily activities.

Spinal fusion is a back surgery that is used when all non-surgical options have been tried without success. Spinal fusion limits movement in the most painful area of the back.

It is important to note that recovery can be a lengthy and uncertain process. It often takes over a year to know whether or not the surgery has been successful. This is simply determined by whether or not the pain has abated. Complete relief from pain is unusual. Still, this is an option worth discussing with your doctor; although, you may well find that it is not the best option for you.

Click here for more on knee surgeons and surgeries.

Crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles have plagued women throughout the years of humanity. And in as many ways as women have been plagued by the effects of aging, scientists, doctors and even spiritual leaders have been willing to relieve their pocketbooks of a few dollars in exchange for a magic serum that promised to restore youth and beauty.

Natural remedies such as rosewater, jojoba oil, and other widely-used forms of natural remedies have been used by women throughout time in an attempt to fight the aging effects on their skin. Even the incredible queen Cleopatra, who is an absolute a symbol of femininity in Egypt, used natural remedies to try to keep her skin young looking.

Facial creams of today have kept the ideal of natural beauty while incorporating modern science. The options available today include creams that have dust of diamonds to create light bouncing effects,keeping your appearance smooth. There is a cream that offers chemicals that trigger your body to produce more collagen,filling in those forehead valleys. Botox,once only injectable,is available in creams as well…for a price.

The American anti-aging cosmetic industry is a 1 billion dollar a year industry, and men spend thirty percent of that pie. If you walk into any grocery store, you will see a crazy number of cosmetic products available to treat your any skin complaint or wrinkle. The success of each products is another nail in the coffin for modesty and rationality.

Monks in Massachussetts have come aboard,offering $65 worth of divine intervention in a tube. Why not? In the age of economic downturn, yet with desperation to hold an angelic profile still prevailing, it seems a sure bet. These products are the mainstay of baby boomers, elderly and young still alike. You never have a second chance at making a first impression-worry lines and unkept wrinkles are not the appearance you would like to have when interviewing for a new high stress position.

Technology does not yet exist to reverse time, but there is still no limit to what people will do to try to stop the clock and reverse the process of aging. Some companies and cultures use extreme ingredients to try to reverse the process of aging, but in many cases, these exotic ingredients do little more than justify the impressive price tag.

Some exotic ingredients for anti-wrinkle creams can include such surprising components such as nightingale bird poo, viper venom and even yucky snail slime. Some cultures apply fruits to their skin, such as the tropical fruits like papaya and bananas, and pomegranates and cherries for their antioxidant effects. There are a wide array of varying ingredients in cosmetic creams.

Forget expensive spa treatments; all your skin really needs to stay young looking is a good moisturizer, a good sunscreen and some basic care. If you have puffy eyes, throw a cucumber on your eyes and relax for a moment. Sip chamomile tea while you enjoy a mask of blended natural olive oil and granola. Stay out of the sun and make sure you wash your makeup off as soon as you’re finished wearing it, and you will find yourself enjoying years of youthful, supple and healthy skin.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Total Knee Replacement

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Total Knee Replacement (MIS TKR) provides patients with a better postoperative experience. A patient who is operated on using this technique can expect less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a speedy recovery.

MIS TKR is accomplished via a very small incision that does not involve the quadriceps tendon. This tendon runs along the anterior of the thigh. Without affecting this tendon, soft muscle trauma is kept at a minimum, and the patient can enjoy a quick and relatively easy recovery time.

Dr. Tarlow has been using a combination of Computer Navigation and MIS TKR techniques since August 2004. This produces the most precise knee placement possible.

Patients are often concerned that they may not be good candidates for MIS TKR. A simple in-office examination and evaluation are all it takes for an experienced MIS TKR surgeon to let you know whether or not this would be the right procedure for you. At times the evaluation and the decision to use this technique are actually made during the course of knee surgery.

Click here for more on Knee Arthroscopy.

Women may to better with MIS TKR than men. For one thing, they tend to have a BMI (body mass index) less than 35. Additionally, they may have greater preoperative flexibility of the knee tissues combined with good ROM (range-of-motion). Furthermore, women tend to have bowed or knocked knees. This mild deformity is actually an advantage to the surgery.

Men may not make good candidates for this procedure due to generally having a BMI of greater than 35 coupled with more muscle tissue and stiffness of the knee tissue. Multiple past knee surgeries often complicate the procedure for men as well as large knee deformities.

For error reduction, greater accuracy, and improved surgical outcomes, Computer assisted surgery is a boon. Additionally, computer assisted surgery helps to identify surgical anatomy during surgery.

Surgical procedures may be more reliably repeated and quality control more accurately monitored thanks to the use of computer based tools. Regardless of this, computer assisted techniques have not yet caught on in the US. This may be because of surgeon preferences, cost, efficacy and/or variations in technology. Whatever the reason, only about 3% of knee surgeries are done using this method in the US. This is a sharp contrast with Germany, where these tools are used 40% of the time.

Society will benefit from this technology when industry, surgeons and the government combine forces to create standards for computer assisted imaging and surgery.

Click here for more on Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix knee doctor.

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It is also a highly preventable and very treatable skin cancer. If you do all you can to reduce your risk of skin cancer and monitor your skin frequently you should have no trouble from the effects of skin cancer.

First and foremost, try to avoid the sun as much as you can. Seek the shade provided by trees, beach umbrellas or buildings wherever possible. Wear hats and lightweight clothing to cover your skin, protecting it from the sun’s rays that could cause lesions leading to skin cancer.

Be aware that even when the sky is cloudy that you can still suffer from the effects of the sun. It is possible to burn your skin when it is cloudy outside. The same is true with swimming pools. Even if you are in the water, you can easily be sunburned.

One of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer is to apply sunscreen. You should make sure to be wearing at least SPF 15 when in the sun, or stronger sunscreen depending on how easily you burn. Also, be sure to reapply after swimming, or if you are sweating heavily.

Children’s skin is even more delicate than your own and therefore must be looked after carefully. However, it is important to remember that children who have not reached 6 months of age cannot wear sunscreen on their skin yet. With that in mind be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight at all times and remember to always keep their skin covered. Warn older children that prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can eventually lead to skin cancer and that they would be safer in the shade.

There are several ways that you can detect the possibility of skin cancer on your own time. Keep an eye out for any changes on your skin or growth in moles or the sudden appearance of new ones. Be careful of those that seem to have increased in size or are shaped irregularly. In addition, watch out for transparent or multicolored growths. Lastly, it’s helpful to have your doctor check out any wounds or cuts that seem to take longer than usual to heal.

Make a routine check of your skin a regular part of your doctor’s visit. You should make sure you examine your skin every month. This is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. You are your own best advocate for your health. Make sure you keep an eye on your skin and your health and get treatment immediately if you develop a problem.