Many people who have seen a woman’s chest after mastectomy have been exposed to the bold horizontal line that marks the spot where the breast existed before it was amputated. The preoperative markings for a traditional mastectomy look like an eye drawn on the breast to indicate the area of skin that will be cut… Continue reading How to Give Yourself the Best Chance for a Normal Breast Shape After Mastectomy
Author: Sondra Forsyth
Sondra Forsyth is Co-Editor-in-Chief of ThirdAge.com. She is a National Magazine Award winner with scores of major magazine bylines and twelve books to her credit. Her most recent book is “Candida Cleanse: The 21-Day Diet to Beat Yeast and Feel Your Best”. Sondra was Executive Editor at “Ladies’ Home Journal,” Features Editor at “Cosmopolitan,” and Articles Editor at “Bride’s”. A former ballerina, she founded Ballet Ambassadors, an arts-in-education company in New York City, and served as Artistic Director for 16 years.
Tattoos May Be Cool, but Could Prove Hazardous to Skin and General Health
Tattoos may seem cool but turning skin into a canvas for artwork, messages and permanent cosmetic designs poses health risks, some of which can prove serious. That’s my word of caution. The tattooing process penetrates the outer and inner layers of skin, paving the way for possible allergic skin reactions, local and systemic infections, rashes,… Continue reading Tattoos May Be Cool, but Could Prove Hazardous to Skin and General Health
Bothered by Chronic Pain? Its Source May Surprise You
Pain that lingers or worsens is usually a signal to see a doctor. Medical professionals, however, don’t always diagnose the problem correctly in the initial visit. Chronic pain sufferers, in particular, may want to get a second opinion. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have reported that 40 to 80 percent of chronic-pain patients are misdiagnosed. Being… Continue reading Bothered by Chronic Pain? Its Source May Surprise You
Winning Tomatoes Add Vibrant Color and Flavor to Gardens and Meals
Impress your guests with a garden, container and dinner table filled with tasty and colorful winning tomato varieties. Small-fruited varieties are perfect for salads and snacking and those with larger fruit ideal for slicing, canning and sauces. These winning tomatoes were tested nationally by All-America Selections (AAS), a non-profit plant trialing organization. Volunteer judges evaluated… Continue reading Winning Tomatoes Add Vibrant Color and Flavor to Gardens and Meals
7 Ways to Dial Back Stress for a Fresh Start in 2019
Stress is linked to disorders and diseases including anxiety, depression, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. A major cause is unresolved “trapped” emotions such as sadness, anger, and grief from difficult and traumatic experiences. Most of the time we don’t recognize the connection that current experiences have with old traumas. But if you’ve ever found yourself emotionally… Continue reading 7 Ways to Dial Back Stress for a Fresh Start in 2019
Houseplants 101
Lift your spirits and improve your indoor environment by taking part in the indoor gardening movement. An apartment or home filled with tropical, succulent and flowering plants can provide beauty, extend your garden season, improve air quality and create a peaceful environment to de-stress. Though some may find indoor gardening a bit intimidating, don’t let… Continue reading Houseplants 101
The Pros and Cons of Using Online Support Groups for Addiction, Grief, PTSD or Eating Disorders
As we enter 2019, the Internet has ushered in a new trend of online support groups. These online communities have been a game changer for some people who struggle with addictions such as alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, PTSD, anxiety, and grief. Can people reap the same benefits from online groups as they can in ‘real… Continue reading The Pros and Cons of Using Online Support Groups for Addiction, Grief, PTSD or Eating Disorders
9 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers
Are you making time for yourself while caregiving? Check out these 9 ways to put your own health and well-being back on the list: Ask for help when you need it. Eat healthy foods. Join a caregiver support group. Take breaks each day. Spend time with friends. Keep up with your hobbies and interests. Get… Continue reading 9 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers
Cut Your Taxes in 2019 and Beyond
January is a good time to reassess your financial situation, including taxes. The first step is to estimate your 2018 federal and state income taxes. Once you understand what’s driving your taxes, you’re in a good position to take action to minimize them so you can save more for retirement. Despite a reduction in overall… Continue reading Cut Your Taxes in 2019 and Beyond
How to Better Reach Men for HIV Testing
Providing pregnant women with HIV self-testing kits to pass along to their male partners can boost the partners’ rate of HIV testing and entry into care, according to a research article published in January 2019 in PLOS Medicine by Augustine Choko of the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Program, Malawi, and London School of Hygiene & Tropical… Continue reading How to Better Reach Men for HIV Testing
The Middle-Aged Health Makeover
If you’re reaching the big 4-0, you just may be your own worst enemy when it comes to your health. Sometimes my clients get so anxious about changes to their bodies and their health that they either take unnecessarily drastic measures or they feel paralyzed and do nothing. The truth is their symptoms can often… Continue reading The Middle-Aged Health Makeover
Rose Hip: Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Profile
The genus Rosa from family Rosaceae is one of the most widespread species from the family. One species, rose hip (rose haw), is known as a good source of different types of micronutrients and phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids. It is known as a traditional treatment in folk medicine. It has been… Continue reading Rose Hip: Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Profile
10 Simple Ways to Avoid the Flu Bug
The holidays of 2018 have come and gone and, as many of us go back to work and are again surrounded by sniffling and coughing people, giving and receiving the ‘gift’ that keeps on giving: The flu. While it’s important to remember that ‘tis still the season for colds and flu, the good news is… Continue reading 10 Simple Ways to Avoid the Flu Bug
Breaking Down AGEs: Insight into How Lifestyle Drives ER-Positive Breast Cancer
Poor diet and lack of exercise are associated with cancer development, but the underlying biology is not well understood. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) could offer a biological link to help us understand how certain lifestyle behaviors increase cancer risk or lessen the likelihood that an anti-cancer therapy will be effective. AGE accumulation is the… Continue reading Breaking Down AGEs: Insight into How Lifestyle Drives ER-Positive Breast Cancer
After Naloxone, When Can Opioid Overdose Patients Be Safely Discharged?
Naloxone has saved thousands of lives. But can patients be safely discharged from the Emergency Department (ED) just an hour after they receive the medication that curtails drug overdoses? According to the St. Paul’s Early Discharge Rule developed in 2000, that’s how long providers should observe patients after naloxone treatment, so long as their vital… Continue reading After Naloxone, When Can Opioid Overdose Patients Be Safely Discharged?
3 Reasons to Consider Reducing the Risk In Your Retirement Portfolio
Disturbed by recent ups and down in the stock market? If you’re an older investor, that may mean it’s time to re-think just how much risk you’re carrying in your retirement portfolio. Otherwise, your tranquil golden years could devolve into a time of overwhelming financial stress. If you’re not unsettled after the stock market action… Continue reading 3 Reasons to Consider Reducing the Risk In Your Retirement Portfolio
Moderate Drinking Not Harmful for Older Patients with Heart Failure
A study published December 28th 2018 in JAMA Network Open suggests that people over age 65 who are newly diagnosed with heart failure can continue to drink moderate amounts of alcohol without worsening their condition. The study, from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, showed a survival benefit for moderate drinkers compared with… Continue reading Moderate Drinking Not Harmful for Older Patients with Heart Failure
How to Get Younger-Looking Eyes
Your eyes are not only the windows to your soul, but your age as well. In fact, studies have shown that when strangers are asked to judge how old a person is, the eye area is one of the biggest influences. The delicate skin around our eyes is usually the first place to get noticeable… Continue reading How to Get Younger-Looking Eyes