Health & Fitness 2011

PAGE 2 | HEALTH & FITNESS | FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011

HEALTH & FITNESS | FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 | PAGE 3


ST. TAMMANY

NEWSHealth &

Fitness 2011Cover design: Sheila Allemand

Make your New Year’s resolution a ‘must’ - Page 5

Timing is everything when itcomes to Breast Cancer

- Page 6

Enhancing yoga with esen-tial oils - Page 7

‘Whey-ing’ the options forprotein powders - Page 8

Foot health tips for diabetics - Page 10

Choosing you benefitseveryone - Page 11

Reduce your waistline andenvironmental impact

- Page 12

How to choose the righthearing aid - Page 13

Fresh, clear skin tips forwinter - Page 14

Advice for productiveconversations with doctors

- Page 15

Courtesy of ARA Content

Afresh cycle starts freshevery year on Jan. 1.We promise ourselves

we’ll start eating better,work out, save more moneyor otherwise improve uponthe way we live our lives.However, statistics showthat by mid-January, mostpeople don’t follow throughon their resolutions and giveup. This happens so often,but it’s not always easy tounderstand why.

Peak performance coachand human behavior expertTony Robbins says thatwhen someone isn’t achiev-ing their goal, it’s oftenbecause they haven’t made ita “must.” “People give up onachieving their goalsbecause they are ‘shoulds’and not ‘musts,’” saysRobbins. “But when some-thing becomes an absolutemust for you, when you cutoff any other possibility inyour mind, then you will dowhatever it takes to achieveyour goal.”

Too often, people setunrealistic ways to reachtheir goals, feel disappoint-ed when they have a setbackand give up too soon. If youneed to lose 50 pounds buthaven’t exercised in threeyears, going out for a 10-milerun isn’t a good way to getstarted - you’ll only be dis-couraged. Instead, start withgoals that are achievable.You’ll enjoy consistent suc-cesses that add up to createthe momentum needed toget you to your goal.

When faced with a set-back, look at it as just a stepalong the way to your goal.When something doesn’t


Make it a ‘must’Want to achieve your New Year’s resolution?

Getting started is the biggest step you’ll take.Having some guidelines can help you beginworking toward your goals. Tony Robbins offersthese tips from his popular personal develop-ment program, Ultimate Edge.

• Raise your standards. To find real personalfulfillment, you must continue to grow by chal-lenging yourself and raising the standards bywhich you live your life.

“Most people fail in life because they major inminor things,” says Robbins.

Start by painting a mental picture: Who do youwant to become as a person? Then, ask yourselfwhat standards you would need to set to be thatperson - what would you have to believe or do;how would you have to dress, talk or walk?

• Drop the story and tell yourself the truth.Honest assessments can be hard to make, but it’san essential step to lasting change. Write down,in detail, what your life is like right now in thearea you want to change. Be specific. For exam-ple: “I can’t fit into any of my clothes and keepbuying bigger sizes pretending I am not gettingheavier.”

• Develop a vision that excites you and thehabits you need to make it real. “Knowing whatyou want is important, but you need to know whyyou want it and to have a clear vision - that iswhat will keep pulling you toward your goal,”says Robbins.

Instead of setting a goal to lose 10 pounds,make it more compelling by concentrating on theeffects of losing weight, like transforming yourbody or feeling younger and stronger. Write itdown, using language that excites you and thehabits you will need to achieve your goal - again,be honest, specific and realistic.

• Find role models. Whether it’s friends,acquaintances or someone in the public eye, findrole models who inspire you and are achievingthe results you want.

Often, by watching and following what theydo, you’ll get the same results.

This can be an intimidating step, but it canmake a real difference - reach out to those peo-ple and tell them what you admire. Ask themabout the steps they took to achieve success -this can provide you with a clearer idea of how toreach your goal.

-ARA ContentSEE MUST, PAGE 6


It only takes a single callto help save a life -maybe yours.

“Don’t wait. Pick up thephone and make anappointment for a breastscreening exam today.”

That’s the advice of Dr.Richard G. Barr, professorof radiology at North-eastern Ohio UniversitiesCollege of Medicine andRadiology Consultants, Inc.in Youngstown, Ohio.

Barr credits new imagingtechnologies with savingthe lives of thousands ofwomen through earlydetection of breast cancer.

According to theAmerican Cancer Society, ifbreast cancer is caughtbefore it reaches the lymphnodes, the five-year sur-

vival rate is well over 90percent - so timing is every-thing.

The American CancerSociety recommends breastself-exams for womenstarting in their 20s, withyearly mammograms afterthe age of 40.

More comprehensiveclinical breast examsshould be part of a breasthealth regimen every threeyears for women in the 20sand 30s and every year forwomen 40 and older. Somewomen may need more fre-quent testing at an earlierage because of genetic orfamily risk factors, so theACS suggests women talkwith their doctors to deter-mine the breast cancerscreening routine that’sright for them.

“The first step is a mam-

mogram,” Dr. Barr says,“but, today, there’s a wholenew world of imagingoptions for each stage of thebreast care cycle - fromdiagnosis and treatment tomanaging and monitoringthe disease.” That’s goodnews for the more than200,000 women who willbe diagnosed with breastcancer each year.

“When doctors are look-ing for answers, it helps tohave more than one way tofind them,” says PamBenkert, vice president andgeneral manager ofWomen’s Health care,

Philips Healthcare, one ofthe global leaders in state-of-the-art imaging systems.

Today, breast cancer spe-cialists have multiple waysof getting the informationthey need to help makeaccurate diagnosis anddetermine appropriatecare. The process beginswith a mammogram, butnow they’ve gone from ana-log to digital, providing sig-nificantly better contrastfor both doctors’ and com-puter-aided diagnoses.

Breast cancer screeningis rapidly moving to amulti-option, solution-

driven approach. Newinnovations in ultrasoundimaging, for example, deliv-er crisp, high-definitionimages that help doctorsmake confident diagnoses.

Results from a 2008study published in TheJournal of AmericanMedical Association testingthe effectiveness of com-bining mammography withultrasound, found the useof both types of screeningincreased diagnostic accu-racy from 78 percent to 91percent.

Major advances in MRItechnology are also produc-ing precise images whichare critically important forhigh risk women or thosewith dense breast tissue.Often a supplemental pro-cedure, MRI’s are used for amyriad of diagnostic assess-

ments such as determiningtumor locations for womenundergoing breast conser-vation surgery and assess-ing whether cancer hasspread.

Today, these new tech-nologies and others on theway, can detect breast can-cer before it reaches a criti-cal stage or pinpoint atumor while it can beremoved.

Benkert says, “Neverbefore has there beengreater hope for womendiagnosed with breast can-cer. Thanks to technology, asingle image can change awoman’s life.”

There are more thantwo-and-a-half millionbreast cancer survivors inthe U.S. Get a mammogram.Do it today. You’ve got tech-nology on your side.


Timing is everything Why it’s important to bechecked for breast cancer now

An army of survivors• There are more than 2.5 million breast cancersurvivors in the United States today.

work, try another approachand always keep your endgoal fresh in mind.

Waiting for the calendarto turn to begin on yourgoals shouldn’t be part ofyour plan, get a head startnow.

If you’re starting outwith questions, don’t worry- you’re not alone.

For more information goto www.QVC.com.

» FROM PAGE 5

MUST: Start with reachable goals



The popularity of yogais exploding in theUnited States. Nearly

15 million people partake ofthe practice, according tothe Yoga Journal. The WallStreet Journal printed thatyoga is the fastest growingsport in America.

Yoga is much more thana form of physical exercise -it is a disciplined practicethat touches upon thehealth and well-being ofthe entire body, mind andspirit. The familiar bendingand stretching exercises (orasanas) are just one of manyinterrelated practices thatconnect and align allaspects of the practitionerinto a state of complete bal-ance. (Yoga is a Sanskritword that means to yoke, orjoin together.) Otheraspects of this yoking

process include breathing,withdrawing the focusfrom the outward to theinward, meditation, purifi-cation and the rejection ofviolence, greed and jeal-ousy, to name just a few.

Like yoga, the practice ofaromatherapy strives tosupport the well-being ofbody, mind and spirit.Aromatherapy achieves itseffects through the applica-tion and diffusion of pure

plant essential oils thatinfluence physical well-ness, a positive emotionalstate and mental clarity.Combining aromatherapywith yoga can powerfullyenhance the yoga journey.

Three key methods ofapplication are:

• Diffusing - aromaticessential oils are evaporat-ed into the yoga practicespace to create an inspir-ing/motivating mood andto enhance breathing.

• Purifying - essentialoils are applied as powerfulcleansing agents to wipedown and deodorize theyoga mat or used to clearthe atmosphere.

• Anointing - essentialoils are used in applicationsof massage to enhance bodystretching and recovery orworn as a scent to supportvisualization, meditationand focus.

How to use oilsin yoga

Tom Havran, product

formulator for Aura Caciagives these tips for enhanc-ing yoga practice with thepower of essential oils.

Diffuse essential oilsduring your yoga sessionwith a candle lamp. Candlelamps consist of a bowl ofwater over a small tea light-style candle. Just add six to10 drops of essential oil to1/4 cup water in the bowl,and then light the candle.The flickering flame, cou-pled with the gentle releaseof aroma, will create apotent ambience duringyour yoga practice.

Consider using theseessential oils:

• tangerine and pepper-mint are inspiring andmotivating;

• eucalyptus and cypressopen the breathing process;

Enhancing yoga with essential oils

SEE YOGA, PAGE 11


Courtesy of Mike Mills

Many doctors arenow suggesting adiet that is higher

in protein to help preventobesity, diabetes, heart dis-ease, and various other seri-ous health issues.

Consuming a high am-ount of protein throughfood alone can be very diffi-cult and quite expensive;however protein is nowavailable in powder form tomix up in a “shake” whichmakes the protein moreenjoyable to consume on adaily basis. These proteinpowders come in variousflavors that can be com-bined with ingredients suchas fresh fruit, fat free milk,and all natural peanut but-ters, to make a great tastinghigh protein smoothie.Many different types ofprotein are available to pur-chase in retail health foodand vitamin stores. Soy, egg,casein, and whey proteinare the most popular kindsof protein being used today,but which one is the best?

Soy protein is widelyused by women wanting toincrease their estrogen pro-duction; however this in-crease in estrogen can alsolead to an increase in bodyfat percentage, so womenwanting to tone up and menthat already have a higherbody fat percentage mightwant to avoid soy. Egg pro-tein powder is highly ab-sorbable and great for peo-ple that have milk, soy, andwheat allergies, althoughthe taste can be quite unde-sirable at times, think backto Sylvester Stallone drink-ing a glass of egg whites inthe movie “Rocky”, whichis a pretty accurate descrip-tion of what the after taste

of egg protein powders arelike. Casein protein, whichis derived from milk pro-tein, is a slow digesting pro-tein that is ideally used inthe evening as a night timeprotein powder. The aver-age person sleeps for aboutsix to eight hours eachnight, and if protein is notavailable during this period,the body will start breakingdown muscle tissue to useas a protein source, whichcan lead to catabolism andloss of lean muscle masswhich results in an increasein body fat percentage. Aslower digesting protein,such as casein, can helpprevent this from occur-ring.

Whey protein is withouta doubt the most popularform of protein being usedin protein powders today.Whey protein is digestedquickly, tastes great, andhelps repair muscle tissueafter exercise. Whey pro-tein increases lean musclemass, which ultimatelylowers overall body fat per-centage. Whey proteinpowder will help keep thesensation of being full toavoid over consumption ofcalories and to curb appe-tite. There are two kinds of

whey protein powdersavailable, whey proteinconcentrate and whey pro-tein isolate. Studies haveshown that 100 percentwhey protein isolate has amuch higher absorptionrate than whey protein con-centrate, so be sure andread the ingredients labelon the back of the bottlewhen choosing the correctprotein powder to be cer-tain that it is 100 percentwhey protein isolate andnot a mixture of whey pro-tein concentrate and iso-late, which cheaper brandstry to pass as whey proteinisolate, by advertising wheyprotein isolate in bold allover the front of the bottle’slabel. Also, which sweeten-er is used in the proteinpowder can directly affectyour health. The all naturalsweetener, Stevia, which isderived from the Steviaplant, has been gaining pop-ularity with diabetics as oflate due to the fact that ithas a much lower glycemicindex than sucralose (Sp-lenda) or aspartame, andhas no effect on blood glu-cose levels, which will helpkeep blood sugar levels bal-anced. A 100 percent wheyprotein isolate powder, thatcontains zero fat, zero su-gar, zero cholesterol, andthat is sweetened with ste-via is currently the bestchoice for losing weightand leading a healthylifestyle.

-Mike Mills has aBachelor of Science degree inhealth and exercise sciencefrom the University ofMississippi, is an ACSM cer-tified personal trainer atSlidell Athletic Club, and hasmore than 10 years experi-ence in the vitamin and sup-plement industry.

‘Whey-ing’ theoptions available

for protein powders“Whey protein iswithout a doubtthe most popularform of proteinbeing used in

protein powderstoday.”

MIKE MILLSpersonal trainer




It makes sense to take care of your feetat any age and any health level - afterall, they’re the foundation on which we

walk through our daily lives. For peoplewith diabetes, however, caring for theirfeet takes on a new importance, as dia-betes-related complications prompt theamputation of more than 1.5 million feetand legs every year.

In fact, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in theU.S. are performed on people with dia-betes, according to the American PodiatricMedical Association. If you or someoneyou love lives with the disease, knowinghow to take care of your feet, and how torecognize signs of diabetes-related compli-cations, is an important element of suc-cessfully managing the disease.

“Research has shown that up to 25 per-cent of people with diabetes will develop afoot ulcer in their lifetime,” says Dr.Kathleen Stone, president of the APMA.“Foot ulcers and infections are the mostcommon reason for hospitalization ofthose with the condition. However, theseproblems are largely preventable.”

Common foot problems related to dia-

betes include neuropathy, skin changes,calluses, foot ulcers, poor circulation andinfections. Because diabetes can causenerve damage in extremities, a person withthe disease may not immediately be awareof, or feel pain from, an injury or ulcer.Small wounds or cuts on the foot that areslow to heal can develop into ulcers,which, if left untreated, can become infect-ed and lead to partial or full amputation ofthe foot or lower leg, according to theAPMA. However, regular care from a podi-atrist can reduce amputation rates 45 to 85percent.

People with diabetes should inspecttheir feet daily and be vigilant for thesewarning signs of ulcers, the most commontype of diabetes-related foot complication:

• Irritation• Redness• Cracked or dry skin (especially around

the heels)• Drainage on socksUlcers can appear anywhere on the foot

or ankle, but are typically found on pres-sure points on the foot, like the ball of thefoot or bottom of the big toe. If you discov-

Good foot health tips for diabeticsIn addition to examining your feet

every day, and keeping your blood glu-cose in your target range, make sure tofollow these foot health tips:

• Trim toenails straight across andfile the edges.

• Never go barefoot. Shoes shouldbe comfortable and fit well (the APMAWeb site, www.apma.org, offers guideson how to choose footwear that fitsproperly). Check the inside of shoesbefore putting them on to be surethere is nothing inside the shoe thatwill irritate or harm your feet.

• Since diabetes risk can be heredi-tary, people with diabetes should talkto their families about monitoring theirown blood sugar and foot health.

• When sitting, elevate your feet.Wiggle toes and move your ankles upand down several times a day for fiveminutes.

• Diabetes is a hereditary disease,and is often passed down from parentto child. Families affected by diabetesshould openly discuss the hereditarynature of diabetes, and its negativephysical effects.

SEE FOOT, PAGE 11

• sandalwood and vetiv-er are grounding andstrengthening.

Create a purifying mistthat doubles as a yoga matcleanser and room deodor-izing spray.

Combine 12 drops ofsweet orange, six drops oftea tree and six drops oflavender with 4 ounces ofwater in a spray bottle.Shake the bottle and mistover your mat and wipe itclean with a soft towelbefore and after each use.Or use the spray to mist theair of your practice space tocreate a clean, motivation-ally aromatic atmosphere.

Blend one or more ver-sions of your own signature

massage/anointing oil for-mulas.

Start with 4 tablespoonsof a light, non-greasy carri-er oil such as jojoba orgrapeseed oil and then add12 drops of essential oils.You can customize theblend of essential oils tocreate several yoga-cen-tered benefits.

Benefits ofessential oilsVetiver, ginger and

patchouli will be groundingand earth-connecting whilesandalwood and cedar-wood are stabilizing,strengthening and center-ing - all of these essentialoils will help with balanceand stability in your yoga

poses.Myrrh, frankincense,

eucalyptus and rosemaryencourage the flow of ener-gy, self-expression and helpyou achieve steady, deepinhalations and exhala-tions. (Mastering yourbreathing process is asimportant to successfulyoga practice as the poses.)

Lavender, geranium andchamomile are calming andrelaxing.

Bergamot, lemon andorange lend a sense of ful-fillment and spiritual nour-ishment to your yoga quest.

Neroli, jasmine, ylangand rose promote transcen-dence and spiritual expres-sion.

Like any system of self-improvement, the success-

ful practice of yoga requiressome motivation and dili-gence. Yoga is not a bootcamp program. Nor is itfocused soullessly on thecreation of a hard and sexybody. Yoga is a journey to a

soulfully balanced bodythat is properly alignedwith mind and spirit.Incorporating the power-fully effective properties ofaromatic essential oils -often described as the souls

of the plant - into yourpractice can help you fulfillyour journey.

For more tips on usingessential oils in your yogapractice, visit www.auraca-cia.com.


YOGA: Essential oils can help overall experience of practicing yoga

er an ulcer or have any symptoms, see a doctorimmediately. In many cases, the foot can besaved with early treatment by a podiatrist work-ing as a member of the health care team caringfor a person with diabetes.

“Podiatrists are an integral part of the dia-betes management team, and are experts inwound care,” says Stone. “They can helppatients with diabetes avoid ulcers and treatfoot problems that arise. To find a podiatrist inyour area, visit www.apma.org. For the latestinformation on diabetes and foot health, followAPMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/APMAtweets.

» FROM PAGE 7

» FROM PAGE 10

FOOT: Healthytips for diabeticsCourtesy of ARA Content

Can putting yourself firstbe considered anunselfish decision?

When it comes to your health,the answer is yes. By puttingyour health first, you’re notonly staying well for you, butalso for your loved ones.

One in three women willdevelop cancer in her lifetime,but about 50 percent of cancerdeaths could be prevented ifwomen maintained a healthyweight through diet and regu-lar exercise, avoided tobaccoproducts and got recommend-

ed cancer screenings, accord-ing to the American CancerSociety. Yet, women are oftenso busy taking care of othersthat they struggle to maketheir own health a priority. Infact, a recent survey by theAmerican Cancer Societyshowed that while 95 percentof women feel the need toimprove their health, approxi-mately three out of five admitthey put others’ health beforetheir own.

In the constant strugglebetween family, work and self,how can you put yourself first?Whether sticking to your New

Year’s resolution, preparingfor swimsuit season or simplywanting to live a healthierlifestyle, here are six tips tohelp reach your wellnessgoals:

• Eat right. Healthy eating isdifficult in today’s busy world.To help you meet your goals,take time to record your intakein a food journal. A diet that islow in fat, high in fiber, withlots of fruits and vegetables,has been shown to help reducethe risk of developing cancer.

How choosing you benefits everyone

SEE YOU, PAGE 12


• Get active. Exerciseoften gets neglected, butjust 30 minutes of moderatephysical activity five days aweek can reduce your riskof cancer, heart disease,even diabetes. If possible,exercise before work orduring lunch, so you canspend time with your fami-ly or indulge in “me-time”once you get home.

• Get recommendedhealth screenings. Pre-vention and early detectionare two of the most power-ful tools you have for yourhealth. Make visiting a doc-tor for preventative care aregular part of your health

regimen, and set remindersto schedule importantappointments and screen-ings.

• Quit smoking. Smokingcauses one in five deaths inthe United States, and amyriad of health problems.There are many tools andresources available onlinethat can help distract youfrom your cravings andshow you just how muchthose packs of cigarettescost you over time.

• Protect your skin. Amajority of skin cancercases diagnosed in the U.S.are considered to be sun-related. When in the sun,wear protective clothing,sunscreen with an SPF rat-

ing of 15 or higher and sun-glasses that block UV rays.

• Choose you. Commit tomaking healthy living andearly detection a priority bymaking a Choose YouCommitment, a movementdeveloped by the AmericanCancer Society to helpwomen put their healthfirst to help reduce cancerrisk.

This online program pro-vides tools and support toenable women to committo, and achieve their per-sonal health and wellnessgoals.

For more information onhow to make your personalhealth a priority, visitwww.chooseyou.com.

» FROM PAGE 11

YOU: Take care of yourself


• Eat local, organic foods.By making sure that you arepurchasing locally grown,organic foods, you are alsoreducing the amount ofenergy it takes to transportthe food to your area. Whenyou eat locally, it means thatthe food has to travel amuch shorter distance tomake it onto your plate,therefore reducing its im-pact on the environment. Italso allows you to knowthat you are eating some ofthe freshest produce avail-able to you, which are pack-ed with vitamins you needto improve your health.

• Drink more water, butditch the disposable plasticbottle. We often mistakethirst for hunger, so grab-bing some water mightquench both a craving andyour thirst. Water is a farbetter choice than calorie-ridden sugary beverages.

• By carrying a reusablecontainer, like a BritaFilterForGood Nalgene bot-tle with you instead of sin-gle-use plastic water bot-tles, you’ll do your part inreducing plastic waste. “If

everyone in the UnitedStates pledged to give upbottled water for just onemonth it could save morethan 5 billion bottles,” saysJosh Dorfman, environ-mental activist, TV host andauthor of “The LazyEnvironmentalist on aBudget: Save Money. SaveTime. Save the Planet.”

• Eat more fruits andvegetables. The health ben-efits of increasing theamount of vegetables inyour diet are well-docu-mented, as vegetables are alow-fat, low-calorie sourceof essential nutrients. Butdid you know that whenyou eat less meat and morevegetables, you’re alsoreducing your carbon foot-print?

According to a 2008Economic InformationBulletin from the USDA,

the food market produceshundreds of pounds of meateach year per American tomeet demand - an amountthat has not been good forour nation’s waistlines. Theproduction of meat usesmany more resources thanfruits and veggies, which iswhy Dorfman recommendsgoing meatless at least oneday a week. For a fun andhealthy way to learn moreabout how your food issourced, ride a bike or jogover to a local farmer mar-ket.

• Power of the pedal, oryour feet. On your way tobecoming healthier, you’resure to include exercise inyour plan. Sometimesthough, exercising can havea greater purpose than justworking your muscles andimproving cardiovascularhealth.

Ways to reduce your waistlineand impact on the environment

Do your part every dayConsider including daily chores into your workout plan, as it will help you fit in your work-out while also leaving your car on the curb. Bikeor walk to the grocery store to do your weeklyshopping.

Family Features

One in every tenAmericans has hear-ing loss. Yet research

indicates that most wait upto ten years before seekinghelp. While 95 percent ofAmericans with hearingloss could be successfullytreated with hearing aids,only 22 percent currentlyuse them.

Often neglected due tothe stigma associated withthe condition, hearing losscan create social and emo-tional barriers for the indi-viduals living with it, or thefamilies of those it affects.When left untreated, hear-ing loss can lead to reducedearning power, disruptionsin family life and can causea wide range of other psy-chological problems.

If you are experiencinghearing loss, speak to alocal hearing health profes-sional who can do a fullhearing screening and walkyou through available solu-tions. Modern hearing aidsare small, comfortable,nearly invisible and workwith digital technology toensure better sound qualityand even wireless connec-tivity. The AudÈo S Smartby Phonak, for example, isthe world’s smallest hear-ing system with full wire-less functionality - allowingyou to connect to tele-phones, TV, MP3 music

players and other audiotransmitters at the push ofa button. Modern hearingdevices improve hearingability, speech recognitionand hearing comfort andhave made it possible forthose who need a hearingaid to wear their deviceswith ease and confidence.

The earlier you recog-nize hearing loss and takeaction, the earlier you areable to recover your hear-ing ability and increaseyour quality of life. Thereare two basic types of hear-ing aids:

• CCuussttoomm models aremade to fit the shape ofyour ear canal for maxi-mum benefit, cosmeticappeal and the best possiblecomfort. These models aresuitable for mild to severehearing loss.

• BBeehhiinndd--tthhee--eeaarr modelsare available for all degreesof hearing loss and can beworn comfortably behindthe ear. Incoming signalsare amplified and transmit-ted into the ear via verysmall, unobtrusive tubes.

If it’s time to improveyour hearing with a hearingaid, or you need to upgradeto a new one, here are threeeasy steps to choosing theone that’s right for you.

• SStteepp 11:: Consult with ahearing health professionalor ENT doctor

When deciding whathearing aid is best for you, it

is important to consider thedegree of hearing loss youhave, the shape of your earcanals, your personalneeds, your taste and yourbudget. Your local hearinghealth professional or ENTdoctor can help you answerthese questions.

• SStteepp 22:: Have your hear-ing aids fitted

Your hearing health pro-fessional will adjust yourhearing aid to your hearingloss and your hearing pref-erences. Over the first fewdays, you should wear it fora few hours per day tofamiliarize yourself with it.Take note on how you feelin different hearing situa-tions. Additional fine-tun-ing might be necessaryafter your initial fitting.

• SStteepp 33:: Using your newhearing aids

Just like glasses or con-tact lenses, a hearing aidcan feel strange at first.This will change. Giveyourself a little time to getused to it.

You will learn how tomake the best use of yourhearing aid and will soon beenjoying all the benefits ithas to offer.

However, if you experi-ence any problems or pain,please contact your localhearing health profession-al. For more about findingthe right hearing solutionfor you, visit www.-phonak.com.


How to choose the right hearing aid

Technological advances have made it possible to house full wireless connectivi-ty in one small hearing aid - at the push of a button, you can connect a hearingdevice to telephones, TV, MP3 music players and other audio transmitters.



Cold temperatures and dry air canmake it difficult to keep your skinclear, hydrated and looking beautiful

during the winter months. After dealing with the pain and embar-

rassment, the last thing you want to do is tohead into spring with dry skin and break-outs.

With these easy winter skin care tips,you’ll feel more confident and proud toshow off your clear, beautiful skin:

• Don’t scrub dry, sensitive skin duringthe winter months. According to theAmerican Academy of Dermatology, skin isdrier than normal during the cold monthsand vigorous washing can irritate skin,making issues like acne even worse.

• For those who suffer from acne, try theMaxClarity Acne Management System tokill acne-causing bacteria beneath the skinand exfoliate dead and damaged skin cells.The system’s combination of benzoyl per-oxide and salicylic acid will promote newskin growth and let your healthy, clear skinshine through.

Made with VersaFoam technology,MaxClarity is a three-step process thatincludes:

- Deep cleanser that cleans and treatsacne on the face, chest and back.

- Advanced acne treatment that driesquickly and fights acne during the day.

- Rejuvenating toner, a leave-on foamthat exfoliates dead skin cells overnight toreveal a healthier, glowing complexion.

• Don’t assume you can trade the swim-ming pool for a tanning bed while it’s coldjust because the sun isn’t shining. Continueto keep your skin healthy by avoiding UVradiation - indoor tanning can lead to pre-mature skin aging according to the AAD.

• Be sure to use moisturizers when treat-ing acne in winter months. In order toeffectively treat your skin, dermatologistsrecommend gently washing your face first,applying acne medication and moisturizerand finally applying makeup.

Approaching your skin with gentle careduring the cold, dry months is sure to helptackle your breakouts and allow you to hap-pily expose your fresh skin just in time forwarmer weather.

Tips for fresh, clear skin even during winter


Family Features

As a cardiac nurse, Carol was devotedto helping patients suffering fromheart disease. But when she began to

experience a subtle pain in her jaw as shewalked from her car to the hospital whereshe worked, she brushed it aside. She knewit was angina, a symptom of a heart prob-lem, but she ignored her symptoms becauseshe didn’t want to face a diagnosis.

Chronic angina affects more than 10 mil-lion Americans and is the most commonsymptom of coronary heart disease. Anginaoccurs as a result of reduced blood flow tothe heart and can be brought on by exer-cise, extreme temperatures, mental or emo-tional stress or walking in cold weather,uphill, or after eating. When the heartdoesn’t get as much oxygen as it needs, itcannot work properly, ultimately leading tothe pain and discomfort of angina.

It started for me as jaw pain, but soon Iwas experiencing pronounced pain whenwalking up hills, recalls Carol, who is fromRedwood City, Calif. I kind of knew what itwas, but didnít want to believe it. As a nurseaccustomed to caring for heart patients,being officially diagnosed was the first timeI felt mortal.

As with confronting any health condi-tion, the first step in managing angina isacknowledging the symptoms. Peopleexperience angina differently. During anangina episode, most people feel uncom-fortable pressure or pain in their chest.Others may feel indigestion, exhaustion orshortness of breath.

Even after she was diagnosed, Carol stilllived in fear. She kept her fears to herselfand quietly structured her life around herangina. She avoided activities which mightprovoke an attack on anything from chang-ing the bed linens to walking briskly acrossa parking lot.

Patients need to speak with their health-care professionals about their symptomsand keep an ongoing dialogue even after adiagnosis, says Kathy Berra, MSN, ANP,FAAN, FPCNA, a board member of thePreventive Cardiovascular NursesAssociation.

There are a number of treatment optionsavailable to help relieve and control anginato minimize its impact on daily life andpatients should be aware of all of theiroptions.

As a nurse, Carol understood the impor-tance of communicating with her cardiolo-gist, but she didnít want to admit howmuch her angina controlled her life.

It was only when her symptoms wors-ened that she realized she needed to tell herdoctor. The key to regaining control, shesays, was learning to recognize the patternof her specific angina symptoms and alert-ing her doctor when that pattern changed.

Communication is a two-way street. Todevelop a proper treatment plan, yourhealthcare professional first has to knowwhat specific symptoms youíre experienc-ing, how often you have them, and are theygetting worse, Berra explains. The sooneryou start having meaningful conversationswith your provider, the sooner you can startliving your life again.î

A new online resource from GileadSciences, www.SpeakFromTheHeart.com,includes tools to help patients have a moreproductive conversation with their cardiol-ogist with a goal of leading to better man-agement of chronic angina.

Having angina doesnít mean you have tolimit your life, Carol advises. With theproper treatment you can control angina,instead of angina controlling you.

Nurse becomes the patient:Advice for productive

conversations with doctors

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)


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Health & Fitness 2011

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