She had a rash on her bottom and was unable to see it clearly. To track the progression of the rash, she began taking pictures of it with the camera on her phone.  As her physician I noticed it was much easier for her to discuss her anatomy when looking at a picture rather than pointing directly to her body.  This sparked an idea that I have since shared with some of my female patients, and the response has been so incredible I would like to share it with you, my readers, as well.

Take pictures of yourself naked!  Yes, you, by yourself, without your clothes.  As women we often compare ourselves to photographs in a magazine, yet have you ever seen what you look like lying on a bed?  Unless your ceiling has mirrors, probably not.  To ease into taking photographs first use it as a medical tool to document any moles or lesions on your skin. If you do have a suspicious area on your skin make sure to have something of standard measure in the picture.  If you do not have a ruler or tape measure then use something else of standard size like a paper clip, or even your finger in the photo.  This is to document the size of any moles or suspicious lesions that you will want to have examined during your next appointment.

With that exercise complete, begin taking photographs of your other body parts.  The purpose is to see what your body looks like to others, not just the vision in the mirror.  Be creative and take lots of pictures from many different angles. The more light on you the better to enhance your beautiful body.  Ever wonder how your breasts look from the side?  Hold your camera to the side of your body and click away.  Are you curious to see your vagina from your partners perspective?  Take a picture.  If you are feeling squeamish or nervous, that’s completely normal.  However, do you think it odd that your physician and your lover have seen your body in a way that you have not?  Shouldn’t you know your body and your anatomy better than anyone else in the world?

So after your next bath, plan for some personal time and take lots of photos of your body.  Try to be gentle with your self-critiquing.  Also realize that for a magazine portrait, there are people setting up the perfect lighting, make-up and background.  They also can take hundreds of photographs before finally catching the perfect shot.  Do not be timid about exploring your own beauty.  Take dozens of pictures. In the age of digital photography a hundred photos is equal to the cost of one. Not happy with the lighting or the angles you’ve shot? Simply hit delete, reset and reshoot.

Every woman has a beautiful body if she just takes the time to appreciate it.  Your favorite might be a photograph of your hair when you lie down, or how your nipple looks from below.  Be creative.  As you experiment, immediately delete those of a less than desirable quality so you do not focus your attention on shots you dislike.  When you have a few that you believe are beautiful, give yourself time to really look at your miraculous body and appreciate what you look like, from every angle. The purpose of this exercise is not to circulate nude images of yourself, never advisable, but to use your camera as a tool for exploring your unique and precious body.

The next time you see a model in a magazine and you feel less than ideal, remember the pictures of your body.  You are an amazing creature just as you are.  If you ever doubt this truth, just snap a few photos to remind yourself of how truly beautiful you are.

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A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com.

By now, I have no doubt that you have heard the warnings about over-exposure to the sun and how much you can do to protect yourself by generously slathering on the suntan lotion with an SPF rating of at least 30, 45, or higher. In previous skin care articles we have covered the issue of sun exposure not only as a cancer risk but also as it relates to the damage too much sun does to your skin’s overall health, adding five, ten, or more years to your appearance.

As a matter of health, however, this is a good time of year to recall (or learn for the first time) some interesting facts about skin cancer. These four facts are dramatic and if they don’t get your attention, I’m not sure what will.

Skin Cancer Facts

1. Skin cancer and melanoma account for about 50% of all types of cancers diagnosed combined.
2. Skin cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer, if you follow some simple steps.
3. More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to the sun. And that, in and of itself, tells you how preventable most skin cancers are.
4. Every hour in America a person dies from skin cancer.

That puts Swine Flu hysteria in perspective. This simple fact would get more coverage, but the news media gets excited about the “new new” thing. Old news, like how deadly skin cancer can be just doesn’t have the same glamour, never mind the fact that the threat to your life is infinitely greater.

Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

1. Melanoma is a very dangerous form of skin cancer. The good news there, if there is any, is that melanoma accounts for 4% of all skin cancer cases diagnosed.
2. Non-melanomas, although serious, are much less life threatening and easier to treat.

Two other amazing facts about skin cancer.

One out of every five Americans will be diagnosed in their lifetime with skin cancer. But the risk factor is higher for Caucasians. European-Americans have a one out of three chance of having skin cancer at some time in their lives. This doesn’t mean if you’re risk factor is lower as it is for African-Americans, Asians, and Latinos, that you can ignore the threat because, for these populations, skin cancer can be the most deadly. This could be a lack of vigilance on the part of non-Caucasians when it comes to the dangers of this disease.

But perhaps the most amazing fact of all is this: Just one bad sunburn in childhood doubles the risk factor for melanoma later in life. Protecting children against sun exposure is very important. And remember, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. For you personally, this means if you can remember as a child having one blistering bad sunburn, it’s wise to be extra vigilant when it comes to unprotected sun exposure.

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to know the facts and as you prepare for this season’s fun in the sun grab some UV protection. It might be the smartest thing you do all year. Check out the National Skin Cancer Foundation for lots of helpful resource information about this disease and tips on self-examination.

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1. Lubricate with baby oil after your shower.  Most people apply a lotion rather than an oil based product.  To check, read the ingredients on your lotion and most likely the number one ingredient is water.  This does not help to seal in the moisture of your skin. And while you may think you lack the time to apply it daily, it only takes a moment.  Keep a bottle of baby oil in the shower and squirt it on your skin when you finish. Then as your dry off with your towel the oil will cover your body.  (But do be careful as this can make your shower floor very slippery, best to step onto the bath mat first.)

2. Apply almond oil to your hands, feet and scalp.  At night, wash your hands and feet with an exfoliating scrub (or lather your hands and then add a teaspoon of sugar).  The exfoliation will help to remove those dead skin cells from the surface allowing the oil to penetrate better.  Liberally apply the oil to your hands and feet and wear socks and cotton gloves to bed.  The heat will help the oil to soften your skin even more.  If an itchy flaky scalp is a problem, rub the oil into your scalp at night and sleep in a shower cap.  The next morning shampoo out the oil for an itch-free hair day.

3. Throw out your humidifier.  If you have a portable humidifier you should reconsider before continuing its use.  Most are not cleaned properly with bleach every-other day and thus become a breeding ground for mold and spores.  To add moisture to your home, keep a large pot of water on the stove.  Every time you enter the kitchen, turn the water on to boil allowing the vapors to humidify the house.  It is also a wonderful aromatic therapy adding cinnamon sticks or lemon peel or even rosemary for a pleasant fragrance.

4. Drink more water.  As simple as it sounds, drinking more water each day will help your skin to remain fresh, plump and soft.  It is impossible to have well hydrated skin if your body is dehydrated.  If you feel thirsty you are already low on fluids.  Drink up.

5. Burn, baby burn.  Propane that is.  If you have a natural gas fireplace in your home, you are very fortunate.  The fireplace actually creates water vapor adding moisture to your home as opposed to the furnace which dries out the house with its forced air.  (For you budding chemists; C3H8 + 502 ——-  3CO2 + 4H20).

6. Turn down the thermostat.  If your home is heated with a furnace it would be beneficial to turn back the temperature. All that forced heat is drying your skin and body.  Many of my patients report that if dressed warmly they sleep comfortably with the house kept in the low 60s.  Experiment and see what temperature range works best for you.

7. Avoid alcohol.  Alcohol is a diuretic and will encourage your body to lose even more water during the time you need it most.  Drink water or club soda instead to help build your reserves.

8. Limit your shower time.  Although a long hot bath or shower feels fantastic, to avoid dry skin, shorten the time.  Hot water dries the skin and those long hot showers you like on cold winter days are costing you itchy skin just a few hours later.

9. Should you still need a little help to banish that alligator skin, you can up the ante with applying petroleum jelly to your skin after your bath.  Since it is thicker than baby oil it provides a better barrier and thus more relief.  It melts into the skin quite quickly so it is not as messy and difficult as one might think.

10. If all else fails, take a vacation to the tropics and slather on the sun screen. But a far less expensive solution is to give steps one through nine a try!

_______________________________________

A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com.

Have any of your family, friends or co-workers? Anyone you’ve ever known?

We almost always feel silly about our New Year’s Resolutions soon after we make them, laughing at ourselves for ever imagining we could sustain them.

Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time, by Rick Hanson PhD, offers 52 succinct practices showing how it’s possible to use your mind to change your brain.  The seemingly simple practices may be easy to underestimate, Hanson says, but they will gradually change your brain through what’s called experience-dependent neuroplasticity.

“It’s a two-way street: as your brain changes, your mind changes; and as your mind changes, your brain changes,” Hanson explains.  “This means—remarkably—that what you pay attention to, what you think and feel and want, and how you work with your reactions sculpts your brain in multiple ways.”

According to Hanson, everyone has the capacity to develop a “buddha brain,” supporting the cultivation of virtue, wisdom, mindfulness and other invaluable traits.  You can see mind practices as muscle building for the mind, Hanson suggests.  Any single trip to the gym makes little difference, but over time, making the mental practices a habit will build the “muscle” that is the brain.

Hanson draws on his forty years of spiritual practice, and a dual career as a neuroscientist and Buddhism teacher, to show the value of these practices and then explains how we can perform these brief actions in daily life.  Hanson’s methods for taking in the good with little daily experiences we often look right past encourages readers to cultivate self-compassion in a way that, unfortunately, is rarely taught or practiced in the West.

The 52 practices are divided into five sections: Be Good To Yourself, Enjoy Life, Build Strengths, Engage the World and Be at Peace.  Hanson offers a number of ways to use his book, including taking “a week for each one of the 52 practices,” allowing for “a transformational year of practice.”  Whichever way you decide, he says, the best way to sustain your willingness to practice is to keep the work simple and focus on one thing at a time.

In the “Get More Sleep” practice, Hanson lists the many pitfalls of sleep deprivation and the benefits of getting more sleep.  In busy lives we tend to look past some of the simple truths he points out, like questioning the reasons we don’t get enough sleep—the extra hour of TV or house chores.  The author then outlines many practices which can get us the amount of sleep we need to improve our health and wellbeing.  Many of the practices are little actions we can do to tell the mind it’s time to get some sleep (relaxing your tongue, lips, jaw and eyes; or resting a finger or knuckle against your lip).

“Dream Big Dreams” encourages us to access our inner core by asking “What are the dreams that matter to me most?”  We are guided through a simple mental exercise of imagining ourselves as we were at different life stages, before asking “those individuals,” “What are your dreams?”  This exercise encourages us not to dismiss our dreams as silly or impossible and offers techniques to free us from snap judgments, so we can clearly hear the intentions behind the really big dreams of our past.

Just One Thing teaches us changing the brain is no lightweight activity but is a practice that can transform your life.  Hanson believes ultimately we can’t stop the brain from taking the shape the mind rests upon, but the choice of where to rest the mind is ours.  If it regularly rests on thoughts of worry, self-criticism and anger, we sculpt a very different brain than a mind cultivating traits of relaxation, self-compassion and letting go of clinging.  “You can’t stop the brain from changing,” Hanson says, “The only question is whether you’re getting the changes you want.”

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Austin Harris is a graduate of the San Francisco State University School of Journalism, where he specialized in online multimedia production. He has an active Buddhism-based mindfulness practice and volunteers regularly at Spirit Rock Meditation Center (Woodacre, CA).

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As a health writer and a fitness coach I’ve watched for many years as a tidal wave of people find their way into the gym every January and are long gone by the time Valentine’s Day arrives. Nearly all of those new members are principally there to lose weight. People don’t often like to say that so they’ll say things like “Get into shape.” But the real motivating factor is that their clothing doesn’t fit them the way it did one or more years ago and they’re ready to do something about that.

All those good intentions, unfortunately, get lost in a confusing web of diet and exercise advice that leaves people with a lot more questions than answers.

Just before Christmas I decided to take my most essential diet and exercise advice and put it into a short, easy to follow book I call The Ultimate New Year’s Resolution Diet. This fast read is available as of New Year’s Day at the Amazon Kindle Store and on BN’s Nook.

In five easy steps I explain certain essentials that must be in place for any diet to succeed. Let’s be honest, all of us, including myself, who ever set out to lose ten or more pounds, know the frustration of yo-yo dieting. You reach your weight goal and then in a few short weeks or months your weight starts inching back up. Ten years ago I finally figured out how to beat that old weight devil once and for all and I have stayed within a few pounds of my ideal weight ever since.

Here in summary is the five steps that I share in The Ultimate New Year’s Resolution Diet.

One, you must accept the reality of weight gain and weight loss. We’re all pleased and proud about the weight we lose. But the added pounds we gain are a “mystery” to us. You can’t reach and maintain your ideal weight without taking ownership of both sides of that equation. You lose weight and gain weight for the same essential reasons. Step One is all about accepting the fact that we can’t deal with our weight without first taking control over the issues that cause our weight to increase or decrease.

Two, there are a variety of stumbling blocks that we put in the way of our own diet. Everything from “Now was not the time to go on a diet,” to “Everyone keeps tempting me to eat the foods I should avoid.” Step Two is about resolving that you will no longer allow self-defeating stumbling blocks to sabotage your weight loss hopes.

Three, is about creating a space between your old eating habits and your new eating habits. Diets in nearly all cases, are actually diet detours. You haven’t reformed your eating habits but merely suspended them for the time that you’re on your diet. This is the principle reason why 95% of pounds lost are regained. Step Three gives you the three essentials to reforming your dietary habits for a lifetime. If you can commit to these reforms your weight issues will forever be in the past.

Four, learning to “diet proof” your home is essential to your overall success. The average individual consumes 70  to 80 percent of their calories from food that comes out of their refrigerator and pantry. If you’re attempting to create new dietary habits while there’s sugar, fat, and salt packed treats everywhere you turn, you’re “sleeping with the enemy.” Reforming your habits is all about committing to change. Step Four gives you actionable steps to help you create a diet safe house even if the other people you live with are eating all the “wrong foods.”

Five, deals with exercise. The key is to understand the importance of creating a workout program suited to your specific needs. You’re not joining or going back to the gym to compete with anyone other than yourself. Love yourself. Love and accept your body as it is today and cherish the vision of how your body can look tomorrow. Step Five shows you that through exercise your own fitness dreams can come true provided you follow your own pace and your unique needs!

This entire book is only 40 pages. My goal is to give you actionable information and not load you down with words. I’ve priced the book under three dollars. If it’s not worth what you would pay for a 600-calorie Frappucinno at Starbucks, then don’t waste your time.

I hope you will grab a copy either on your reader or download the free Kindle or Nook apps to your laptop or desktop computer and read it there. This new year can be a time of great change. I hope you will make me part of your 2012 diet success!

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Martin Brown is the Heath Channel Editor for SingleMindedWomen.com, and the author of Fit in 50 Days.

His latest book is The Ultimate New Year’s Resolution Diet.

You should begin your preparation today.  Yes, today.  Many of the side effects from alcohol are due to dehydration.  Any beverage with alcohol, from liquor to beer, has a diuretic effect.  Many physicians advise drinking eight ounces of water in between your alcoholic beverages.  This is definitely good advice, but you can start your preparation earlier.  The winter months bring a chronic state of dehydration to most thanks to the dry air and forced heat that dries the air even more.  So today, right now, begin drinking more water.  If you are feeling thirsty, you are already behind on your water intake.  Increasing your amount of daily water will help correct this chronic dehydration and mitigate some of a hangover’s effects.  Many holiday celebrations are impromptu, thus being well hydrated at all times gives you an advantage.  Additionally, it will diminish your appetite to help ward off some of those unwanted holiday cookie pounds.

Also consider adding a daily multivitamin, especially a formulation with emphasis on the B vitamins.  There is some data that indicates B vitamins help to process some of the byproducts of alcohol, tending to make the hangover shorter in duration.  Either way, maximizing your levels of vitamins and minerals can only improve your overall health and energy.

If you do decide to drink alcohol, of course, limit your intake.  For those who are sensitive to the effects the next day, follow the above regimen of alternating water with an alcoholic beverage.  Another good choice is a club soda with a squeeze of lime, it counts as a water and nobody knows you are abstaining from alcohol.  The clear liquors, like vodka and tequila, have been shown to produce less hangover effects than their darker counterparts like bourbon and rum.  The same also applies to white wine instead of red.  Eating before drinking alcohol, and continuing to snack while drinking will also help alleviate some of your hangover symptoms.

When you arrive home, drink two glasses of water before going to bed.  This serves two purposes.  Most importantly, it helps prevent further dehydration.  Secondly, if you need to wake up early, a full badder is more successful than alarm clocks at coaxing you out of your warm, cozy bed.  If you’re stomach is not overly sensitive, taking two aspirin before bed can often stave off a headache the following morning (read the label and use as directed.)

The following morning, start with a little juice and some strong coffee to help stimulate your senses.  There is literature to suggest both toast with honey, as well as cooked eggs, may be of benefit.  However, these are not complete cures, so if the thought of eggs or honey makes you queasy, they are best to avoid.

Continue drinking lots of fluids throughout the day, alternating water with juice.  Making a hot cup of noodle soup will give you a quick dose of sodium, helping to retain more of those fluids you are partaking.  If you still feel poorly, continue the increased fluids and make sure to get lots of rest over the following night.  Take your picture to remind yourself how lousy it feels to over indulge on alcoholic beverages, and maybe this will be the last time you cause yourself to feel this way.

While these tips will help alleviate the symptoms of a hangover, they do not alter the amount of alcohol you process.  Thus, it is always better to practice moderation than to pay the consequences the next day.  And always, secure a safe ride home.

Of course the very best way to prevent a hangover is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether.  Even though alcohol makes many people feel sleepy, the sleep is actually less restorative and thus they wake up less refreshed. So with all of the shopping, and wrapping, and baking, and traveling, consider how much time a hangover steals from your life.  Time that can never be found.  So while I can give you medical advice to lessen the symptoms, the wise woman will practice prevention.  Stick to club soda, the calorie-free, alcohol-free, alternative.  Only Santa’s elves will know.

_______________________________________

A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com

Fad diets are like most politicians, lots of promises

The latest star on the “Wheel of Diet Fortune,” is the “HCG diet,” which combines supplements, or actual injections, of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin with rather severe calorie restriction. Of course if you’re currently on the diet you’re probably amazed by the results. But as is so often the case with fad diets, the only real trick here is the steep cut in caloric intake causing the diet’s devotees to lose weight. As for the hormone HCG, neither its safety or efficacy as a diet supplement has been tested or proven. HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy, it is typically purchased as a prescription medication for the treatment of fertility issues.

Supporters of HCG for dieting suggest that it burns fat at a faster rate and somehow causes your body to redistribute the fat that it has stored principally in your buttocks and stomach. In other words, a miracle drug that targets the two areas that most women worry about, their butt and gut!

As part of the HCG diet you either receive injections of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone or take it in a supplement form. At the same time the diet recommends that followers cut their food consumption from a low of 500 to a high of 800 calories a day. In most cases, for most women, depending on their size, weight, and age, that number of calories would be equal to about one-half of their standard dietary intake. As a diet and fitness coach and writer I can tell you that any caloric restriction that steep is going to bring about a rather rapid and noticeable weight loss.

Although the idea behind HCG diets have been studied for many years, there are no studies done by recognized and respected research groups, particularly with a university affiliation, that have shown human chorionic gonadotropin hormone as directly influencing weight loss, no less a redistribution of body fat.

Are there dangers in following the HCG diet? Some, yes, but overall, its real potential harm is to your savings as opposed to your health. But if you’re convinced by a gal pal, or perhaps someone interested in selling you on the use of the HCG hormone, to give this diet a try, you should consider these three heath risks:

First, a drastic reduction in your caloric intake can cause unwelcome results including dizziness, fatigue, inability to focus on your tasks either at work or at home. Failing to meet your body’s daily nutritional needs is always putting your well being at risk.

Second, human chorionic gonadotropin hormone can cause some side effects such as frequent headaches, fatigue, and  irritability. If you know a guy who’s interested in taking  HCG he should first know that it can cause male breast enlargement, commonly known as “moobs.”

Third, like all fad products, HCG is available on the Internet. That means it may not be the hormone that it claims to be and even if it is it might be tainted. So if you’re totally into trying HCG at least do your research and know that it’s coming to your from a reputable source.

Most people who have tried an HCG diet, find they rather quickly regain any weight they lost while on the program.

Starting January 1^st I’m going to give a tip a day for 50 days based on my diet and exercise program, Fit in 50 Days. It’s no miracle or fad diet program just lots of ideas and inspirational thoughts on building the body you always wanted to have or would like to bring back.

One of my subjects in the book I call, diets not detours. Real diets are programs that meet all your nutritional needs, leaving you feeling great, and helping you to not just lose weight, but far more importantly, maintain that weight loss. HCG is not really a diet, it’s a detour. And from the research I’ve reviewed, it’s not a detour ever worth the taking.

_________________________________________

Martin Brown is the Heath Channel Editor for SingleMindedWomen.com, and co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Finding Mr. Right.

His latest book is Fit in 50 Days.

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I inquired, “Do either of you know what happened to Wonder Woman’s other leg?”

I held my breath as I waited for the blaming to start.  But instead, my younger daughter responded,

“Mom, her legs don’t bend and it was impossible for her to sit like a lady with her legs together.  So, I just took off her leg so she could sit without them being apart.”

Radical, yes. But it was a good example of thinking outside the box!  She did not just give up or run to me to solve the problem.  The answer might not have been the ideal, but it met her criteria and assuaged her concern.  And that, is what led me to my super stretch mark solution.

I used to be so fat I was just a few pounds shy of morbid obesity.  And while I knew I should  lose weight, I dreaded that my body would always be plagued by ugly stretch marks.  When the Wonder Woman incident occurred, I had lost around thirty pounds (today, more than seventy), and it was disheartening to see the ever present stretch marks.  Short of surgery, there is no cure for these marks, but thanks to inspiration from my daughter, I began to search for new paradigms.  In other words, step outside the box.

I began a daily regimen of easy abdominal exercises that I can do anywhere, and anytime.  I just tense my tummy as tight as I can and hold it for a few seconds.  I also began holding myself in a “plank” position (illustrated here) which helped to firm me up as well and it only takes a minute or two.  Finally, I began a yoga class, just one time per week.  That is all.  Within just two weeks, these small changes dramatically helped my abdomen change appearance thanks to firmer muscles underneath.

As for the skin, it seems that many of us avoid touching those parts of our body we find to be less than ideal.  If stretch marks are plaguing you rub them with lotion, a lot.  Not only will you soften the skin and give it a firmer appearance, but the action of rubbing also brings more blood flow to the area helping deliver oxygen and nutrients.  The best time to do this is just after bathing, and remember, the more the better.  Additionally, about once a week apply a facial scrub to stretch marks to help any dead skin cells to slough leaving behind softer skin.  And of course, drink lots of water to stay well hydrated from the inside as well.  Dehydrated skin appears dull and old.  These easy steps can change the appearance of your body.

And while I still have stretch marks, they are no longer noticeable from across the room.  I am no longer embarrassed if my shirt rises up and my midsection is bare for a few moments.  For me, that is a huge victory.  I had a problem, but was able to improve it so that I no longer expend mental energy thinking about it.

If stretch marks are plaguing you, here is my prescription;

1. See your doctor.
If your stretch marks are new, they could be a sign of an underlying condition.

2.Lose weight.
As the area shrinks, the stretch marks will reduce dramatically.

3. Tone the area.
Firming the underlying muscle will help to give the area a more even appearance.

4. Improve your skin.
Stay hydrated, use a scrub once per week, and apply lotion to the area twice daily.

While there may not be a complete cure for the common stretch mark, there is definitely room for improvement.  With some simple steps, we can all feel like Wonder Woman.  Here is to the superhero within each one of us. . .

_______________________________________

A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com

There is a popular myth in America today that smoking as a health issue is a thing of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth. A couple of simple facts:

First, the famous Surgeon General’s report on the dangers of smoking was released in 1964. At that time, 40 percent of the American population smoked. Forty-seven years later that number has been cut in half to 20 percent. But did you know that 16 years ago, in 1995 the number was reduced to 25 percent. In other words there has been a great slowing in the declining rate of smokers.

Second, smoking is still a leading cause of death in America. An incredible 1,200 people per day die of smoke related illness, principally in the form of heart disease and lung cancer deaths, but cigarettes kill in other ways as well. That’s 400,000 people per year.

Can you imagine what the public outcry would be if 1,334 commercial jets, loaded with 300 passengers each, crashed each and every year. Certainly no one would get anywhere near an airplane. But most smokers slip away quietly in the privacy of their home and family lives. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in America and based on the fact that one out of five continues to smoke it is likely to remain so for many years to come.

In truth, most of us are hooked on smoking long before we have the maturity to realize how dangerous a habit we are falling into. The majority of smokers start the habit by age 14 and by age 19, 90% of smokers are solidly hooked on nicotine. The one silver lining in all this is that more effective products are coming out all the time to divert smokers away from this deadly habit and onto a safer substitute.

Probably the most effective solution has been the new line of electronic cigarettes, metal look-alikes that provide nicotine delivery without the harmful tars and gases inherent to tobacco-based products. Dr. Michael Siegel, a tobacco researcher and professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health explains, “Here we have a product (e-cigarettes) that is much safer than regular cigarettes and, by anecdotal evidence, helping literally thousands of smokers to quit smoking. Another major benefit of e-cigarettes is there’s no secondhand smoke. (Smoker exhale harmless steam.) In some ways, this is the product we’ve been looking for all these years.”

Some anti-smoking groups have come out against these new e-cigarettes, but as Siegel explains, “Anti-smoking groups just have trouble saying something good about anything that looks like and acts like a cigarette. And every one of the groups that has come out against e-cigarettes has taken money from or partnered with pharmaceutical companies. If e-cigarettes are successful, they will take over the smoking cessation market from the pharmaceutical companies.”

So if you’re a smoker and you’ve been thinking about quitting for weeks, months, or even years, you owe it to yourself to look for alternatives to this deadly habit. Celebrate the Great American Smokeout Day by learning more about e-cigarettes and other new approaches to kicking this deadly habit once and for all. Everyone who loves you will be so happy that you did.

_________________________________________

Martin Brown is the Heath Channel Editor for SingleMindedWomen.com, and co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Finding Mr. Right.

His latest book is Fit in 50 Days.

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For two-three days before your next shave. . .

1) Once you are in the shower, apply an anti-acne soap to your groin area.
It is important the soap contain Salicylic acid.  Lather liberally with this soap and allow it to remain on your private area for at least two minutes.  (With all products listed, this is meant for your skin not the mucous membrane area.  In case that is confusing, put the soap only on the outside part that looks like the skin on your legs.)  The salicylic acid helps dissolve the acid mantle and gently break down the plugs in your pores.  After the soap has been on your skin for at least two minutes, rub with a loofah.  The coarseness of the loofah will help to shed some of the dead skin cells and make it less likely nearby pores become inflamed.

2) When you finish your shower, pat the area dry.
NO rubbing.  But do make sure you are completely dry.

3) Consider using an astringent.
If the area is currently inflamed or has a lot of bumps, use a salicylic acid containing astringent for sensitive skin.  Apply lightly to the area with a cotton balls using downward strokes.

4) After the skin has dried apply an oil-free facial moisturizer. 
Again, make sure it stays external.  The longer you can wait to put on panties the better.  If you bathe at night try sleeping without underwear, or wear soft yoga pants.

After following this regimen for two or three days you are ready to shave.  (If you are changing your grooming habits and this is the first time you have shaved some parts, it may be easier if you first use some small grooming scissors to cut the hair first.)  Less hair, down there, is definitely more fashionable these days, but the choice is yours.

1) Begin your shower as above with the acne soap and loofah.

2) When you are thoroughly rinsed, apply a large amount of shaving gel to the area.
And reapply as necessary.

3) Make sure your razor is sharp and take your time.
Note to all women in a hurry – you are not grating parmesan cheese here, please slow down and pay attention.  It is often helpful to pull the skin so it is tight with you other hand to achieve a closer shave.  As you finish shaving, make sure to feel the entire area with your hand to check for any spots you may have missed.  I realize you may be shy about doing this, but it is your body.  It is your only body and there is no shame or guilt in feeling your own body or grooming yourself in a way you like.

4) Rinse thoroughly and gently pat dry.

5) When you are dry, apply Hydrocortisone 1% cream to the area. 
Make sure you rub in a downward motion.  Allow the cream to thoroughly dry before you get dressed.  Only use this cream on the days you shave, no more than three times a week.

You did it! You should notice a dramatic improvement after the first shave.  However, it may take two weeks for all of the scarring to improve, but it definitely will.  Notice how soft your skin feels and how great it is to feel you bare flesh against your lingerie.  This feeling of intimate beauty will give you a confidence boost all throughout your day.

Now, off to the shower. . .

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A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com