Losing Hair After Surgery

Everyone experiences hair loss on a daily basis. Normal hair loss is barely noticeable, amounting to less than 100 hairs per day. However, the stress of a major surgery can cause hair loss to accelerate up to three times as much in both men and women. It's the body's way of reacting to the trauma of the operation.

The Facts

During a normal hair growth cycle, hair grows, then enters into a resting or "telogen" period and eventually sheds. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, "telogen effluvium" is a term used to describe hair that has been rushed into the resting state after the body suffers a shock due to major surgery. As resources are redirected to help heal the affected surgical area, the body temporarily shuts down hair production because it is not necessary for survival.

Identification

Telogen effluvium related to surgery can be distinguished from other forms of hair loss in several ways. Individuals typically begin to notice the increasing hair loss two to three months after the surgery. Hair loss after surgery is uniform, noticeable on the scalp but never excessive enough to cause a patchy appearance or complete baldness. In addition, the shed hairs all exhibit a specific pattern at the root, which resembles a white bulb.

Time Frame

Hair usually resides in the telogen phase for a period of two to four months before growth resumes. Individuals don't begin to notice the increase in hair loss when showering or brushing the hair until about three months post-surgery. Although the resting hair is being pushed out of the scalp by new hair that is already growing, it can take anywhere from about six months to a year for the hair to return to its normal fullness.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass or other operations of the digestive tract designed to reduce obesity are more prone to hair loss post-surgery. This is due to the reduced intake of food in the weeks and months immediately following these procedures. The body needs an adequate amount of proteins and vitamins to maintain hair production. Protein-enhanced shakes are often recommended for these patients as a substitute until solid food can be better tolerated.

Proper Diet

Hair loss related to surgery typically reverses itself without any medicinal intervention or the need for over-the-counter hair loss tonics or treatments. However, maintaining a diet rich in protein and iron is believed to help promote and speed up healthy hair growth. Suggested foods include salmon, beans, eggs, spinach, broccoli, nuts and whole-grain cereals. Avoid foods that can inhibit hair growth, such as those that contain high levels of caffeine and fat.

Long Term Effects Of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is performed to help a patient lose weight, usually after other options such as diet and exercise have failed. There are a few different types of bariatric procedures, including adjustable lap-band surgery and gastric bypass surgery. Obesity can have dangerous health consequences like high blood pressure, an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery can be lifesaving, but there are possible long term effects to be aware of.

Facts

Although the procedures differ, both adjustable lap-band surgery and gastric bypass surgery are performed to create a smaller stomach pouch. This prevents the stomach from holding as much food at one time. Less food is eaten and weight loss occurs. Because the weight loss can be rapid and part of the stomach and small intestines are bypassed, side effects can occur. Certain side effects may be temporary. However other effects may be long term.

Types

Not all patients recover from bariatric surgery the same and not all people will experience the same long term effects. However, there are a few common side effects which may occur, such as nutritional deficiencies. For example, some patients develop low iron levels, which can lead to anemia, or insufficient calcium absorption which can lead to osteoporosis. Dumping syndrome, which can cause a variety of problems can occur after eating foods high in fat or sugar. Another long term effect may be large amounts of sagging skin due to rapid weight loss.

Symptoms

Some of the long term effects from weight loss surgery can cause a variety of symptoms. For instance, patients who develop an iron deficiency and anemia may have frequent headaches, fast heart rate, dizziness and fatigue easy. Symptoms of dumping syndrome may include nausea, stomach pain, sweating and fatigue. The severity of symptoms varies greatly among patients. Certain long term effects may start shortly after surgery and others may develop after several weeks.

Treatments

Certain long term effects of bariatric surgery, such as dumping syndrome, don't have many treatment options once the condition occurs. Other long term effects may be treatable. For example, excess sagging skin may be treated through addition surgery to remove the skin and procedures such as a tummy tuck. Regular exercise, including strength training may also help tone muscles and tighten skin. Conditions which may occur from vitamin deficiencies may be treated by taking daily supplements.

Prevention

Certain long term effects of surgery may be prevented by following a doctor's recommendations. For example, dumping syndrome may be prevented by eating small portions, drinking plenty of water and limiting foods high in sugar and fat. Conditions such as anemia, may be preventable by taking iron supplements shortly after surgery to stop a deficiency from occurring.

The Drawbacks Of Excessive Conflict

Conflict may cause stress, high blood pressure and depression.

Whether it is a simple dispute with a co-worker over using the office microwave or a full-scale war between two countries, modern scholars say human conflict is inevitable. Sociologist Lewis Coser even argued that conflict was "essential" to society's proper functioning. Coser went on to say, however, that an "inability or unwillingness" to deal with conflict can create problems.

Damaged Relationships

A common byproduct of long-running conflicts is irreparable damage to interpersonal relationships. BeyondIntractability.org states that once conflict goes too far, feelings of "distrust, fear and anger become the norm." Opponents in the conflict "tend to be watchful of each other" and "do not share information," which can lead to miscommunication that causes further conflicts. Damaged relationships, the report concludes, "are like one-way streets with no streets to go back."

Reduced Productivity

For a business, excessive conflict's most visible consequence can be to the bottom line. Researchers at Cramby River Consultants list several results of a highly conflicted office: high employee turnover, low morale, increased pressure to perform, reduced collaboration and high absenteeism. All these can lead to poorer performance on the job. Time and money is spent trying to manage conflicts and less attention is paid to actual productivity.

A Negative Spiral

An excessively conflict-ridden environment, once established, is hard to fix. The Communication Institute for Online Scholarship's report on "Conflict Management" states that in "destructive conflicts, no one is satisfied with the outcomes." In essence, conflict begets conflict and a negative downward spiral ensues. The parties in conflict cannot come to an agreement or cooperate on substantive issues. The point of conflict, then, is about "getting even, retaliating or hurting the other person." This mindset leads to no productive gains. Rather, it produces more emotional hurt and hard feelings.

Health Issues

Real mental and even physical health problems can result from excessive conflict. The Centre for Conflict Resolution International says that health care costs for employees who "felt they were under a lot of stress" were 46 percent higher than other employees. High-stress jobs defined by conflict can lead to depression and have also been shown to have a connection to obesity, high blood pressure and smoking rates.

Longterm Effects Of Lasik Surgery

LASIK is a laser eye surgery that is performed to correct refractive errors. With LASIK eye surgery, the cornea is reshaped to make the vision clear. Astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia can be corrected by LASIK eye surgery. Cornea reshaping makes the eyes focus significantly better, and patients' visual acuity is drastically improved by this process. As with any type of surgery, there are potential long term effects associated with LASIK eye surgery.

Considerations

LASIK eye surgery's modern techniques have only been practiced since the 1990s, so any possible long term effects are still not widely understood. Researchers and scientists who study the surgery believe that there are probably no serious, permanent long term effects from LASIK eye surgery, although some people have reported otherwise. The excimer is the name of the laser used for LASIK, and has been used since the 1980s. The excimer has shown no signs of long term effects.

Reduced Night Vision

Reduced night vision or seeing "halos" around objects in dim lighting are two possible long-term effects of LASIK eye surgery. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warns about these possible effects. The FDA also states that some patients might not be able to drive at night after having LASIK eye surgery.

Temporary Improvement

LASIK eye surgery's vision improvements are reported to be permanent, but the FDA states that the improved vision might not last forever. The vision improvement could just be temporary, and the LASIK effects could wear off as soon as three years after the surgery. It is very common for people who underwent LASIK to still need glasses to read.

Prevention/Solution

It is very important to make sure you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure before you decide to get LASIK eye surgery. LASIK complications generally occur to people who have not been properly educated about the process and any potential outcomes or have not been properly screened.

Warning

Certain types of people should avoid LASIK eye surgery. Some examples include people who suffer from immune system diseases, individuals under eighteen years of age, people with specific types of eye diseases and women who are either nursing or pregnant.

What Is The Proper Way To Fast

To fast is to cease eating solid foods for a specific length of time. Fasting is not starvation; it is a short-term process meant to detoxify the body, rejuvenate the spirit or pay homage to a religious deity. The purpose of fasting is personal and can be highly ritualized or simply incorporated into your everyday life. Whatever your reasons, you should follow certain guidelines to ensure your fast results in good health, renewed energy and spiritual peace. Pregnant woman, children, those with heart disease, diabetes or are underweight should not fast. If you take any medication or have any chronic condition, check with your physician before fasting.

Instructions

1. Begin by teaching your body fast. Your first time fasting should be no longer than one or two days. Schedule your fast for a time when your obligations are minimal and you won't be putting undue stress on your body.

2. One week before your fast, reduce your intake of sugar, meat, eggs and wheat. Eliminate alcohol and nicotine intake. Eat small meals three times a day. Your meals should be made up of organic fruits and vegetables, beans and a minimum of bread. Drink only water and fruit juice throughout the day.

3. The day before you begin your fast, eat one meal late in the afternoon. In preparation for your fast, be sure to have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable juice and water available. You do not want to have to go to the grocery store during your fast. Get a full eight hours of sleep.

4. Throughout your fast, you can drink water and juice. This is referred to as juice fasting. Your body then is able to retain electrolytes and receive essential vitamins and minerals. As you fast, your stomach continues to process; that is, the enzymes continue to break down stomach contents. Without solid foods, these enzymes could damage the stomach lining. Drinking juice and water throughout your fast helps eliminate this problem.

5. Spend your day as you normally would, but do try to avoid situations that are food-focused, such as lunch at a restaurant with colleagues. During those times you would usually eat a meal, try meditating, taking a walk or reading a book.

6. During your fast, you need to brush your skin. Toxins leave your body in a number of ways and one of those ways is through the pores of your skin. With a small soft-bristle brush, use upward strokes to brush your body. Begin with the feet and legs, then the arms, followed by the torso up to the neck. Afterwards, take a shower. Do this once in the morning and again in the evening.

7. While fasting, your body is releasing toxins. To further aid in eliminating these toxins from your body, include herbal teas that include senna or buckthorn. These act as mild laxatives, allowing your body to process waste and eliminate toxins. Limit yourself to one cup a day.

8. A few hours into your fast, you may experience some physical discomfort, such as headache or mild nausea. This should pass. You may also experience a kind of euphoria during your fast; this happens on longer fasts and usually after 24 hours. These are normal reactions. However, should you become physically ill or sense that you are not in control of your emotions, break your fast.

9. When you end your fast, do not eat a large meal or binge for a day. Break your fast by eating a small amount of fruit along with water. Slowly introduce solids back into your diet, but continue to keep sugar and meat to a minimum.

10. Keep your first two or three fasts simple. Go no more than one or two days and consume around 400 calories from the juices. Allow yourself one fast per month.

11. If you haven't experienced any negative effects from fasting, such as sudden drops in blood pressure, fainting or severe nausea you can lengthen the time of your fasting. A three-day fast once a month is a sensible goal for those wishing to incorporate fasting into their lifestyle.

Lollipop Favor Ideas

Lollipops are a sugary treat that both children and adults love.

Lollipops are a fun addition to any party theme. Make fun and tasty lollipop favors for guests to take home as a reminder of the party. A simple lollipop with a note of thanks attached makes a suitable favor. But if you want something even more special, use simple craft materials and you can create some memorable favors out of simple lollipops. Does this Spark an idea?

Lollipop Flowers

Create flowers out of lollipops and use a bouquet as a centerpiece at a party. Cut a simple five-petal flower shape out of construction paper or fun foam. Poke the stick of a lollipop through the center of the flower. You can add fun foam leaves to the stem (stick of the lollipop). Keep the lollipop flowers in a short vase or terra cotta pot for a fun and colorful party table centerpiece. Allow each guest to take a flower home as a favor or make a small bouquet for each guest and tie a ribbon around the stems.

Lollipop Friends

Make lollipop friends to give as party favors. Cover the top of a ball-shaped lollipop with fabric and tie a ribbon or piece of thread around the base of the lollipop. This forms the head and neck of a lollipop friend. Use markers to add eyes, mouth and other facial details. Add yarn hair to the top of the lollipop. Use the party theme or season to dictate the type of creatures you create. Make a Santa by adding a red felt hat to the top. Create a friendly ghost by using white sheer fabric. Create a clown for a circus-themed party by adding a red pom pom nose and a silly felt hat.

Lollipop Funny Faces

Make lollipops even more fun by making lollipop funny faces favors. Cut a mustache shape out of brown craft foam. Poke a hole in the fun foam with the stick of the lollipop. When the guest sucks on the lollipop it will appear that he has a brown mustache. Use red fun foam to create red lips and poke the stick of a lollipop through the foam so that when the guest sucks on the treat it will appear that she has large red lips.

Wands and Scepters

If you are having a fairy-themed event, use a lollipop to create a fairy wand. Use a large disk-shaped lollipop to make a fairy wand. Cut two stars out of silver metallic paper. The stars should be slightly larger than the lollipop. Tape the two stars onto the lollipop (one on each side). Add a ribbon bow just below the lollipop on the neck. Add sparkle to the star or metallic ribbon or star garland to add to the fairy look. For a princess or royal-themed event, use a similar process to make a scepter. Use gold foiled paper and wrap the lollipop stick in burgundy or purple colored velvet ribbon for a royal appearance.

Local Car Shows In Dallas Texas

Classic cars parked outside a restaurant.

If you live in the Dallas area and consider yourself a car enthusiast then you will be delighted to know that there are several automobile shows held locally. Whether you are a fan of classic cars from the '50s or more interested in the muscle cars of today, there is a show dedicated to your interests.

Dallas Auto Show

Located at the Dallas Convention Center, the annual Dallas Auto Show is an opportunity for car enthusiasts to see the latest designs and ideas from their favorite automobile manufacturers. The show provides both traders and the general public with access to a variety of vehicles and with the chance to meet the people behind the cars. As well as vehicle exhibits, there are also stands where consumers can buy models of their favorite cars, automobile accessories and even environmentally friendly products. The eco-friendly vendors are a new addition to the show and have been added as the Dallas Auto Show organizers look at ways they can offset their carbon footprint and help the environment. The convention runs for four days in April each year and has an average of 30 car manufacturers exhibiting.

Dallas Auto Show

2777 Stemmons Fwy

Suite 935

Dallas TX 75207

(214) 637 0531

dallasautoshow.org

Motorama

The Motorama is a show dedicated to exhibiting the finest collection of North Texas car association vehicles. Everything from classic '50s Chevy convertibles to Ford cars from the '30s are on display here and the show is a real treat for classic car enthusiasts of all ages. Many of the vehicles are exhibited by regional auto clubs such as the Dallas Area Classic Chevys Club and all of the vehicles have been restored to their original showroom condition. The event takes place over the course of three days every February and is held at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall in the Fort Worth area. Organized by the Texas Show Car Association the show is a must for anyone who longs for the golden era of the automobile.

Motorama

Amon Carter Exhibit Hall

Will Rogers Memorial Center

Fort Worth TX 76107

(972) 226 1315

txshowcar.com

97.9 The Beat Custom Car Show

This show began six years ago and is still going strong. An annual one-day event held in August at the Dallas Convention Center, the show is part car show, part concert with a line-up of rap stars taking to the stage. In the exhibition hall there is a range of customized cars on display, featuring everything from outlandish graphics to hydraulic lifts. Corporations get in on the act with recognized logos decorating a number of the cars. In the evening the crowds flock to watch some of today's biggest rap stars perform. This is a great show for anyone interested in custom cars or who is fan of hip-hop music. Organized by the radio station, The Beat, this is a great community show that attracts thousands of people every summer.

97.9 The Beat Custom Car Show

13331 Preston Road

Dallas TX 75240

(972) 331 5400

thebeatdfw.com

Local Bars With Bands In Kennesaw Georgia

Kennesaw has access to metro Atlanta's deep pool of talented bands.

As a north Atlanta suburb, Kennesaw, Georgia, has all the charm of a small town, but still brings in plenty of local musical talent from Atlanta to perform in a variety of bars and pubs. Whether your taste is country or hard rock or blues, there are plenty of bars that host live bands in and around this Cobb County town. One of them hosts live music six times per week.

The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery

The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is a Scottish pub that doubles as a restaurant. It has a large menu offering traditional Scottish pub fare and is known for its friendly service provided by beautiful servers. In addition to live bands performing throughout its online event calendar, there are large screen TVs to take in a game between bands. The Tilted Kilt is open daily at 11:00am.

Darwin's

If jazz and blues are more to your liking, Darwin's may be your best bet in Kennesaw. In 2008, Darwin's took the number five spot in Atlanta's Hot List for best musical venue. In fact, Darwin's has more awards for music than any other music venue in the history of Cobb County. It draws great talent from Atlanta and even from other countries. If you get hungry between performances, Darwin's bar menu includes muffuletta and reuben sandwiches, burgers, wraps and cheese toast.

Smith's Olde Bar

Though technically in Atlanta and not in Kennesaw, Smith's Olde Bar is still worth the short drive because it is an Atlanta institution that provides live music almost every night of the week. A glance at its online events calendar can make you crossed-eyed from all the choices. In addition to live bands, Smith's Olde Bar has a full service restaurant with a large menu featuring Smitty's Famous Burger.

Bullfrogz

Bullfrogz is part restaurant/bar, part music venue and part gambling parlor. Live bands and DJs perform in the Red Room Lounge where you can take advantage of many $2 beer specials being offered every night of the week. If you get too tipsy after the show, Bullfrogz responsibly offers a ride home with it's free shuttle service.

Cowboys Atlanta

Even though the name says "Cowboys Atlanta," this lively music venue is directly in Kennesaw on North Roberts Road. After 16 years of providing entertainment to the people of Kennesaw, this bar has become a staple for those seeking live country music. They even have a house band named "151" led by Tim Hamilton who was named musician of the year by the Atlanta Society of Entertainers.

Liver Transplant Facts

A liver transplant is a procedure to remove a diseased liver and replace it with a donor's healthy liver. Roughly 6,000 of these transplants are performed in the United States each year, according to MayoClinic.com.

Reasons

Liver transplants are used to treat end-stage liver failure. This can be caused by cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis, liver cancer or Wilson's disease.

Risks

Liver transplants can have serious side effects, including bile duct complications, bleeding, memory problems, infections or the body's rejection of the donor liver. The medications given during and after the procedure have side effects such as headache and nausea.

Eligibility

There is a shortage of donor livers in the U.S. Patients needing a liver transplant go on a waiting list, with the sickest people moved to the top of the list, according to the American Liver Foundation.

Donors

Livers for transplant may come from deceased or living donors. Body size and blood type are the most important factors in matching a liver with a donor.

Outlook

Liver transplant patients have a 75 percent five-year survival rate, according to the American Liver Foundation. The survival rate is slightly higher for those who receive tissue from a living donor, according to the foundation.

Morbid Obesity Treatment

Morbid obesity is defined by having a body mass index of 40 or higher. The body mass index chart is a formula that compares body fat and height of an individual. When a person weighs more than 100 pounds over what is considered normal for he height, he qualifies as morbidly obese. The non-profit think tank, Rand Corporation, reports that in America more than one in five adults are obese. Further, carrying around all of those extra pounds is an incredible liability to health. Morbid obesity can cause diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers and much more.

Diet

The first thing morbidly obese people can do to shed some pounds is begin looking at how many calories they take in on a daily basis, and what kind of foods and beverages they are consuming. Generally speaking, people with weight problems this severe can easily eat thousands of calories a day. Healthy people should consume between approximately 1300 and 2000 calories daily depending on height, weight and activity level. Minimizing portions and cutting fats and sugar from the diet can help speed much needed weight loss. Because obese people have so much added stress on their heart, unless a person drops a certain amount of weight, exercise could actually exacerbate a heart condition and result in a heart attack.

Exercise

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that obese people should exercise at least 150 minutes a week. This only translates to about 22 minutes a day. Aerobic exercise like walking, biking, and swimming is the best way to burn calories and drop pounds. Since obese people are at higher risk for heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, it's important for these individuals to consult with their physician, and even a weight loss specialist, before engaging in any kind of physical weight loss regimen.

Surgery

To qualify for bariatric surgery, patients must have a BMI of 40 or more. Individuals with a BMI of at least 35, coupled with weight-related health disorders, can also qualify. An obese individual must also commit to making lifestyle changes before many bariatric surgeons will consider gastric bypass. For some, this treatment offers people their best chance to lose weight and regain quality of life. During the procedure, the surgeon will reduce the size of the stomach pouch to roughly the size of a grape. The American Diabetes Association reports that one year after weight-loss surgery, diabetes can be reversed in some patients.

Literacy Display Ideas

Encourage students to read with a creative literacy display.

Teachers or reading specialists may set up special displays at school or even in the classroom that encourage students to read. A literacy exhibit showcases classic books or promotes authors, advertising the benefits of being a voracious reader. Make reading fun with creative displays, and you will instill a love of reading in young people.

Superstar Reading Club

Assemble a literacy display in the lobby of your school that promotes a "Superstar Reading Club." The club can be open to all students and involves a contest to see who can read the most books by the end of the school year. The display can feature a sign-up sheet organized by grade level, information on prizes, and a "scoreboard" for the top readers. You can change the scoreboard, which you make out of art paper, as students beat each other in the race throughout the year. Feature the top five readers every month. Interview them about the books they are reading and their favorite book of the month. Attach these interviews and a photo of the students on a board. This will motivate other students, who will want to be featured on the "Superstar Reading Club" board.

Literacy Center

Set up a corner of your classroom as a literacy center. This can be a special area that includes different stations. Ideas include an Alphabet Center, which helps young students learn upper- and lower-case letters, or a Word Study Center that assists students in developing vocabulary, or a Listening Station for students to hear words as they read them, according to Teaching Resource Center.

Great Authors' Display

Set up a "Great Authors" display that features a rotating survey of three or four classic writers who fit the reading level of your students. Include a few authors with writing levels more advanced than your students can understand fully. This challenges and motivates students. Include photos and biographies of the authors. Also, put their books on display on a table near their photo and biographies. If possible, set up a listening station, where students put on headphones and listen to someone reading as they follow along in the book.

List & Explain Types Of Looms In Weaving

A Peruvian back strap weaving loom.

Weaving is one of the oldest crafts known to mankind, with a history dating back to around 10,000 B.C. While woven fiber baskets and bowls aren't produced with a loom, most other types of weaving require a loom to hold vertical 'warp' threads through which horizontal 'weft' threads are woven. Many different types of weaving looms have been used throughout history, and most types are still in use today.

Lap Looms

Lap looms are small looms that are held in the lap of the weaver. The simplest lap loom consists of a wooden frame over which warp threads are strung. Other types of lap looms include hexagonal or round lap looms, which have pegs to hold the threads, and knitting looms, used to weave knitting in place of conventional knitting needles. Lap looms are used most often by hobbyists to make small rugs, wall hangings and other decoration pieces.

Floor Looms

Floor looms are traditionally used to create finer fabrics or larger rugs and carpets. Floor looms are frame-based. A frame is set up parallel to the ground, out in front of the weaver. According to Susan Wylly, a loom expert from Georgia College and State University, complex Egyptian floor looms were in use as early as 5,000 B.C. Floor looms can be semi-industrial looms, with shed sticks, heddles and foot-treadles incorporated into the design to make weaving much faster.

Traditional Looms

Traditional weaving looms are those developed and still used by traditional cultures, such as Navajo Indians and Peruvian Indians. Back strap looms are favored in South America, and are portable looms which can be rolled up when not in use. One end of the warp threads are tied to a stationary object, usually a tree trunk, and the other is tied around the back of the weaver, who controls the tension of the loom by moving farther away from the stationary point. Navajo looms are frame-based. The frame is suspended vertically in front of the weaver, who sits at the base of the frame and works upward.

Industrial Looms

Industrial looms are based on the complex floor loom design, but have been mechanized so as to weave larger bolts of fabric at faster paces. The modern industrial weaving loom developed during the Industrial Revolution, at which time looms were only partially mechanized and very dangerous. Many weaving workers, typically young children, lost fingers, arms or their lives while using industrial weaving looms. Industrial looms incorporate a mechanized heddle and shed stick, which keeps the weft threads open. A shuttle, which passes the weft threads quickly through the warp, makes weaving fast and efficient.

List Of Soft Foods To Eat After A Tooth Extraction

After having a tooth pulled, you can still enjoy ice cream.

After a tooth extraction, you will have to stick to a diet of liquids and soft foods for the next day or two, leaving alone spicy foods, hot foods and carbonated drinks to avoid irritation and further pain. Fortunately, you have plenty of food options open to you after a tooth extraction, and you need not starve.

Meat, Seafood, and Meat Alternatives

You have plenty of protein options open to you after a tooth extraction. Tofu, cooked in any way, is a soft food that you can eat with little difficulty. Likewise, many kinds of white fish, as well as fish soups, fish loaves and fish sticks, are relatively easy to chew. Certain kinds of meat will be possible to eat. Meatballs are relatively soft and can be cut into small pieces, as can chicken nuggets and meatloaf.

Dairy

After your tooth extraction, you will be able to eat most kinds of cheese, especially the soft ones such as blue cheese and brie. Yogurt, milkshakes and yogurt-based drinks such as kefir, will be relatively simple. Yogurt in a tube makes for a good snack and can be frozen, providing the additional benefit of numbing any pain in your gums. Ice cream, too, is easy to eat and numbs your mouth.

Breads and Grains

Soft breads without chunks of grains or seeds are your best bet after a tooth extraction. If necessary, remove the crusts and tear your bread into small pieces. Pancakes, soft muffins and tortillas are easiest. Numerous grains, for their small size and relative softness, are a good source of nutrition after a tooth extraction. They include rice, pasta, kasha, grits, risotto and polenta. A meal of pasta with pasta sauce on top will be relatively easy to eat and will provide you with vitamin C, lycopene, some fiber and carbohydrates.

Vegetables and Fruits

Vegetables and fruits, perhaps, for their relative resilience, may be the most difficult foods to eat after a tooth extraction. However, you can steam vegetables until they are soft and cut them into little pieces. This approach works for most kinds of vegetables, especially carrots and other root vegetables. You can mash potatoes; eat avocados, which are soft anyway; and eat hummus on small pieces of bread. For fruit, applesauce or mashed bananas are your best bet; fruit juice is a quick source of energy, but lacks the fiber that makes fruits so important. Because it will be more difficult to eat fruit after a tooth extraction, consider supplementing your diet with extra vitamin C.

List Of Operating Room Instruments

A general tray includes many categories of surgical instruments.

Hundreds of different types of instruments are used in the surgical operating room. Some standard instruments are used for most surgeries; others are specialized for specific surgery types. Each instrument is assigned a name by the manufacturer so that it can be easily distinguished. A general instrument tray contains all of the following categories.

Clamps

A hemostat clamp is used to stop a vessel from bleeding.

A clamp is used on vessels to stop bleeding. Many sizes and types are available. In a general surgical tray, the clamps are used for small vessels. Larger vessels require specialized clamps that will not crush the artery or vein. Clamps are also known as hemostats.

Retractors

Retractors hold organs and tissue away from the surgical site so that the surgeon can see clearly and have room to operate. A general surgical tray will have about seven different sizes and types of retractors. Some retractors are self-retaining, or hands-free. These retractors can lock into position so that the surgeon and assistant have their hands free to work.

Forceps

Forceps come in many styles and sizes.

This instrument looks like tweezers, and is used to grasp tissue for suturing or to hold it out of the way. There are many versions and sizes used in all types of surgery. Some of the "holding" forceps look more like a clamp, but have a shape at the end that can grasp tissue or small vessels.

Sharps

Scalpels are often used to make the initial incision.

Scissors are used to cut delicate tissue, muscle, vessels, wire and suture. Knife handles fitted with differently sized razors for incisions are called scalpels. Other instruments may be used to cut bone, including hand saws and power tools.

Needle Holders

These instruments are used to hold the needles to which sutures are attached. They range from 24 inches to just a couple of inches in length, depending on the type of surgery for which they're needed.

Suction

A sponge is folded and clamped to the end of this sponge stick.

Suction tips are fitted on a rubber hose that suctions fluids out of the wound. They look similar to a suction device that a dentist might use. Sponge sticks hold sponges for prepping the patient and reaching deep areas to collect fluids.

Specialized Instruments

Each surgical specialty has instruments that are made specifically for their type of service. Orthopedic or bone surgery requires hand tools like saws, screwdrivers, chisels, mallets and gouges. Micro-surgical instruments are used in eye, ear, nose and throat, neurosurgery, and vascular surgery. Fiberoptic instruments (for example, scopes used in the body) are found in some specialized trays. Dilating instruments, used to enlarge openings of the body, are found in gynecology and urology services.

Each service has its own surgery tray that in some cases mixes with general instruments. Instruments not used as often are sterilized separately from those frequently used. Special equipment such as air compressors for running power tools and microscopes are not sterilized; these are kept in a surgical suite used for that service.

List Of Ohio'S Colleges

List of Ohio's Colleges

Ohio is home to a wide variety of colleges and universities (both public and private), each of which has something special and unique to offer its students. There are many different higher-education schools from which students can choose - renowned research universities, schools specializing in the arts, D1 sports programs, public and private. Ohio's impressive range of schools make it a state you do not want to pass over in your college search.

Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University, home to approximately 4,000 undergraduate students (as of 2009), continually ranks high in comparison to other well-respected colleges and universities across the country. The university prides itself on impressive research programs, and receives nearly $400 million a year to use for research purposes. In 2009, approximately 5,599 of the 7,998 students who applied to Case were accepted. Of these applicants, the median SAT range was from 1830 to 2130. The 2009 cost of tuition for a full-time undergraduate student, taking 12 or more credit hours, was $34,450 not including room and board.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University, home of the Buckeyes, is located in Columbus, Ohio. Approximately 55,014 undergraduate students attend school at the main university campus with approximately another 8,000 undergraduate students on other regional campuses. Of the accepted applicants to the school year beginning in 2009, 32 percent scored a 1300 or higher on the SAT. For residents of Ohio, the 2009 to 2010 tuition for a full-time undergraduate student was $8,706. For non-Ohio residents, tuition costs were significantly higher, at $22,278. Room and board cost the same for both Ohio residents and out-of-state students - $8,409 (on average).

Xavier University

Xavier University is a private Jesuit Catholic school with approximately 3,900 undergraduate students (as of 2009). One of only 28 Jesuit universities in the United States, Xavier has been ranked as one of the top 10 Midwestern universities for the past 15 years by US News & World Report. For the most recent freshman class, those starting in the fall of 2009, the tuition for a full-time undergraduate student (taking 12 to 18 credits) was $13,950. This does not include room and board.

University of Cincinnatti

The University of Cincinnati, founded in 1819, is located in the heart of it all in Cincinnati, Ohio. Because the university is a public school, tuition rates for in-state students are significantly lower than those for out-of-state students. Ohio residents pay (as recorded for the 2009 to 2010 year) $9,399 for a full undergraduate yearly tuition, while out-of-state residents pay $23,922. The University of Cincinnati is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the nation, with several of its specific programs and courses of study ranking in the top five in the nation for their category. As of the school year starting in 2009, a total of 23,337 undergraduate students were enrolled.

List Of Medicare Replacement Plans

List of Medicare Replacement Plans

Medicare is a federally administered program, with most of its beneficiaries receiving benefits directly from the federal government. However, with the introduction of Medicare replacement plans (better known as Medicare Part C, Medicare+Choice or Medicare Advantage plans) in 1997, more people are deciding to receive their Medicare benefits through private health plans.

AARP MedicareComplete

AARP is an advocacy group for the senior adult population and is one of the most easily recognized and most respected names in eldercare. They teamed up with SecureHorizons and UnitedHealthcare to offer Medicare Advantage plans nationwide. MedicareComplete is available in five different packages: Essential, Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 3 and Value. Each plan is an HMO.

BlueCross BlueShield

BlueCross BlueShield is one of the largest insurance companies in the nation and its Medicare Advantage coverage does not operate in the rest of the company's shadow. BlueCross BlueShield provides coverage to 38 states, offering PPOs, HMOs, private fee-for-service plans, special needs plans, and cost contract plans through dozens of affiliate companies.

Bravo Health Medicare Advantage Plans

Bravo Health offers Medicare Advantage plans to those residing in the District of Columbia and most counties of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. Bravo Health has a wide range of plans available including HMOs such as Bravo Classic and Bravo Gold, PPOs like Bravo Freedom, private fee-for-service plans like Bravo Liberty and HMO-POS plans like Bravo Premier Plus.

Humana Medicare Advantage Plans

Humana offers four different types of Medicare Advantage plans in several areas around the country including Human Gold Choice (a private fee-for-service plan), Human Gold Plus (an HMO), Humana Choice (a PPO) and Medicare Advantage special needs plans for those on both Medicare and Medicaid or those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Plans

The Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Plan is an HMO available in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia. "U.S News & World Report" has said that Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plans are among the highest rated according the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, with an average rating of 4.07 out of 5 stars.

WellCare Medicare Advantage

WellCare offers several HMO plans and private fee-for-service plans. Most of their plans are designed for those who are dual eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare and works well with Medicare Savings Programs (a low-income subsidy program).

Liquid Homeopathic Remedy For Motion Sickness

Any type of continuous movement, especially transportation, may cause motion sickness, which can start as a general uneasiness and may progress to cold sweats, dizziness and vomiting. Try to help alleviate the condition by looking at the horizon, keeping your head still or eating crackers. You can also take helpful medications such as over-the-counter antihistamines or prescription scopolamine patches, as advised by the Mayo Clinic. Homeopathy also offers motion sickness remedies.

Remedies

Homeopathy treats illnesses by administering diluted substances that would, in a large dose, mimic the symptoms of the disease. To find the proper homeopathic remedy, target the exact symptoms you experience. Take separate substances to treat each symptom such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting and cold sweats, or use ready-made formulations for motion sickness, which include a variety of substances such as argentum nitricum, arsenicum album, borax, bryonia, cocculus, kali bichromicum, petroleum, sepia or tabacum.

Liquid Forms

The most common form of homeopathic remedy for motion sickness is the sugar tablet. Do not dilute these tablets in water for normal use, but consider diluting the tablets for children, who may take the medicine more easily in liquid form. Look for homeopathic liquid remedies as well; water dilution of active substances makes up one of the main principles of the homeopathic system. Liquid remedies come in drops or in spray form.

One example of spray remedy, Lidell Laboratories Motion Sickness, aims to relieve symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. It contains cocculus indicus, nux vomica, tabacum, petroleum, liver and phosphoricum acidum. Newton Homeopatics makes another motion sickness liquid remedy that you can take orally as drops. It contains, among other substances, antimonium tartaricum, argentum nitricum, bryonia, cinchona officinalis, digitalis purpurea, nux vomica and tabacum.

Dosage

Most homeopathic remedies have no side effects, so even children can take them safely. IIn the case of infants and pregnant women, ask for the doctor's advice before undergoing any treatment. Give children between two and 12 years three drops or three sprays in a day; for adults and children over 12, six drops or six sprays make up the recommended dosage. Alternately, take these remedies preventively, in smaller doses.

Liquid Diet Weight Loss Tips

One of the quickest tracks to weight loss is a liquid diet. While results may be rapid, improper ingredients or infrequent intake can ruin your efforts. Getting information on what works well for your goals and maximize efforts is always a smart choice. You can lose weight and get great results on a liquid diet with a few tips.

Choose a Self-Sustaining Liquid Solution

An incorrect assumption about liquid diets is that they must be low-calorie. This is unhealthy and will not sustain the body. Often low-calorie liquid diets lead to fatigue, collapse and unhealthy eating in the future. Choose meal-replacement liquids with the antioxidants and nutrients needed, the ones found in vegetables and fruits.

Do Not Combine With Exercise

Once your diet consists of liquids, your body if fueled correctly will sustain itself through everyday activity. But the energy exerted during exercise is exhausting on a liquid diet. Exercise periods of over 30 minutes are ill advised for those on meal replacement shakes. During liquid dieting, weight loss is rapid and unless you are dangerously overweight exercise isn't always necessary. A doctor should monitor progress if you are exercising on a low-calorie liquid diet.

Keep Up a Decent Caloric Intake

Calories are the last thing a dieter wants to ingest, but the body needs a sensible amount to function properly. Juice fasting is not recommended for long-term dieting as it has few of the calories the human body needs to live. Liquid diet solutions should carry 500 or more calories to sustain the body. Liquid diet meals under 420 calories each are dangerous and can lead to anemia, fatigue and muscle loss. The average human being needs at least 1200 calories daily to function and still be able to lose weight. Therefore, if you have three liquid meals a day, each meal should add up to be at least 400 calories.

Take a Break and Eat Solids

Liquid diets are not designed for long-term use. You should never plan a staple diet around liquid meals. There are nutrients your body needs from solid foods that don't transfer well into liquid. Liquid diets should not be followed longer than three months. Lean meats and vegetables are good break foods to add energy and strength.

Liquid Diets For Rapid Weight Loss

Liquid diets usually involve replacing meals with liquid that might include shakes, fruit drinks or soups in order to experience rapid weight loss. Liquid diets are often used after gastric surgery due to the inability of the stomach to absorb the nutrients from solid foods. They are usually used for short-term weight loss, and can result in rapid weight loss that may or may not be sustainable over the long term.

Slim-Fast

The Slim-Fast diet has been around for about 25 years and uses shakes to encourage weight loss among dieters. It purports to help dieters lose up to 2 pounds per week using its product line, which includes shakes, meals, snacks and meal bars. Slim-Fast recommends replacing two meals and one snack with shakes, and eating a dinner that is low in fat, to reduce and control calorie consumption. The products can be purchased at grocery stores for $12 to $15 for a 12-pack of pre-mixed diet drinks. It is also available in powder form that should be mixed with milk for best results.

Optifast

Optifast says that its shakes help dieters maintain nutritional levels while dropping excess pounds by consuming its drinks and shakes as a meal replacement. The drinks use calorie and portion control to encourage weight loss. The Optifast company offers support and counseling at clinics and on its website to clients as well. It offers pre-mixed and powder drinks, shakes, soups and nutrition bars. The company recommends replacing up to two meals per day using its products in order to lose weight. Optifast can also be used after bariatric surgery as a meal replacement. According to tristarmedical.com, the website of a medical clinic in Los Angeles, drinking five servings of the Optifast drink provides 100 percent of recommended daily nutrients. Optifast can be purchased at clinical centers or from medical providers. The Optifast program can run anywhere from $8 to $12 per day, or up to $400 per month.

Medifast

Medifast liquid diets consist of shakes that contain protein, vitamins and minerals in order to meet overall nutritional needs. The products are low in lactose and soy-based, and purport that they are heart-healthy. There are different packages for different weight-loss goals, and products can be purchased online through the Medifast website, doctors' offices and other online sources. The Medifast liquid diet includes soups, shakes and fruit drinks to help you to lose weight fast. The diet induces weight loss through calorie restriction. The Medifast website also has food that can be purchased, including vegetarian fare. Medifast claims that program participants can lose up to 5 pounds per week on its programs. The program has different requirements for men and women, with men's shakes generally having a higher protein content. The Medifast program costs about $11 per day or $300 per month.

Advantages

Liquid diets have some advantages when you are trying to lose weight rapidly. In order to lose 1 pound of fat, you have to eliminate or burn 3,500 calories. Liquid diets work by restricting calorie intake and will generally cause you to lose weight faster than a normal, nutritionally balanced diet. For instance, on the Slim-Fast diet plan, you might average 1,200 calories per day, which is 800 to 1,800 less than the recommended daily calorie intake for moderately active to active women and men according to the Food and Drug Administration. A diet this restrictive might help you to lose up to 5 pounds per week.

Disadvantages

Losing weight too quickly might result in the loss of muscle as well as fat. Calorie-restrictive and liquid diets might also result in nutritional imbalances and illness. According to dietspotlight.com, a website that reviews different diets, liquid diets can also cause dizziness, anemia, constipation, cramps, and in more severe cases, cardiac arrhythmia. Hanging, loose skin is also a side effect of losing weight too quickly. In addition, calorie restriction is hard to maintain and weight might be regained quickly when regular eating resumes.

What Is The Success Rate Of Gastric Bypass Surgery

What Is the Success Rate of Gastric Bypass Surgery?

During gastric bypass surgery, surgeons staple the stomach to create a small pouch and bypass part of the small intestine. As a result, the patient cannot eat as much and some of the fat and calories that are consumed are not absorbed.

How is Success Defined?

Various studies on gastric bypass define success differently. One study published in the April 2000 issue of "Annals of Surgery" defined success as reaching and maintaining a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) for at least 5.5 years.

Success Rate for Morbidly Obese Patients

Morbid obesity definitions range the BMI index from 30 to 49. The study in the "Annals of Surgery" found a success rate of 93 percent for morbidly obese patients.

Success Rate for Super Obese Patients

Doctors define super obesity as BMI of 50 or above. The study in the "Annals of Surgery" found a success rate of 57 percent for super obese patients.

Factors Influencing Success Rates

A patient's starting BMI influences his success. The above-mentioned study suggests that genetics presents another factor. The patient's compliance with post-operative diet recommendations also affects his success.

Success Rate of Reversing Co-morbidities

Co-morbidities include weight-related illnesses like diabetes and sleep apnea. On October 30, 2009, CNN reported that more than 70 percent of diabetics who have gastric bypass surgery experience remission. A study published in the October 2003 issue of "Chest" found significant improvement in gastric bypass patients with sleep apnea.

Life Insurance Underwriting Questions & Tips

The first time that you buy life insurance can be an overwhelming experience (see Reference 1). Deciding which company to buy from, and the amount of insurance you need, takes some dedicated research. By taking your time, and not being afraid to ask questions, you can find a life insurance policy to fit your needs.

What Is The Difference Between Term and Whole Life Policies?

If you want affordable coverage, choose term life insurance. Policy periods can vary from 1 to 30 years, and if the insured dies, the face value of the policy is paid to the beneficiary.

Whole life insurance policies are permanent and build cash value.

What Is Involved In An Insurance Exam?

Before issuing your policy, your life insurance company requires you to have a brief physical examination. The physical examination is performed by another company, and your life insurance company will pay the cost.

A urine sample will be collected; blood will be drawn for testing, and the results will be sent to your insurance company. Some companies may require an EKG test to measure cardiac contractions.

Tips

Unless you're a diabetic, or have another medical condition, fast for at least eight hours before your exam.

Make your appointment for a morning time. Blood pressure and lab results tend to be lower in the morning.

Don't drink alcohol within 24 hours of your appointment, because your blood pressure may be higher, and liver enzymes may be elevated.

Don't smoke before your appointment, as nicotine can raise your blood pressure.

Check your weight as your appointment date draws closer. When you report for your appointment, wear light clothes, remove your shoes, and take your keys out of your pockets.

If you can't see the scale, ask the examiner what you weighed. If the number doesn't sound right, have him weigh you again.

Stand up straight when your height measurement is taken, so the results will be accurate.

Is Life Insurance Coverage Available for Diabetics?

If you don't have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you're not overweight, and you're taking medication to control your diabetes according to your doctor's orders, you have a better chance of being approved for life insurance.

Before you have your appointment for your physical exam, continue to eat healthy and exercise to control your weight, and keep your prescriptions filled.

After I Purchase My Policy, Can I Still Cancel?

Once you receive your life insurance policy, you have a period ranging from 10 to 30 days to examine your policy, and if you're not satisfied, you may return the policy, and your premium will be refunded.

Look on the front of your policy to see the exact amount of time that you have to make a decision, and if you have any questions, call your life insurance company.

Life Expectancy & Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity means a person has an excessive amount of body fat.

Morbid obesity means a person has an extremely excessive amount of body fat. The body mass index (BMI) for morbid obesity is higher than it is for obesity. Obesity affects many Americans and is steadily on the rise.

Definition

Morbid obesity is described as a person who is more than 100 pounds over his ideal body weight. A person with a BMI of more than 40 is considered to be morbidly obese.

Life Expectancy

Men between 20 and 30 who are morbidly obese and have a BMI of more than 45 can shorten their life expectancy by 13 to 20 years. Women of the same age and BMI can shorten theirs by 5 to 8 years.

Causes

Overeating and eating fattening foods combined with lack of regular exercise can result in morbid obesity. Other causes include psychological, genetic and environmental factors.

Complications

Complications of morbid obesity include trouble sleeping because of snoring, sleep apnea, always feeling hot, depression, back pain, joint pain, feeling out of breath and rashes or infections under the folds of the skin.

Treatment

Treatment for people with morbid obesity aims to reduce and maintain a healthy weight. Specific treatments include exercise and activity, behavior change, medications and dietary changes.

Life After Weight Loss Surgery

People who drastically need to lose weight for their health can have an operation called bariatric sugery. Bariatric surgery decreases the size of the stomach. The four types of bariatric surgery are vertical banded gastroplasty, laparoscopic gastric banding, roux-en-Y gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion. Surgery alone is not enough to cause automatic weight loss. The person will have some very important life changes in their diet as well.

Nutritionist

Following bariatric surgery, the surgeon gives the patient guidelines concerning new diet restrictions that they must now follow closely. Advice from medical professionals can differ depending on the type of surgery performed. Consulting a nutritionist to help develop a permanent meal plan is a good idea.

Medicine Changes

Besides a diet, a person receiving bariatric surgery will also face new medical restrictions. For instance, whole pills will now need to be converted into a powder form, making them easier to digest. Also, the patient must find alternative forms of medicine for pills that take 24 hours to release their ingredients. Bariatric surgery hinders such medicine's absorption into the body.

Preventing Ulcers

Using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug after having bariatric surgery may cause an ulcer where the surgical staples were placed. Surgical changes to the stomach now increase the area's acidic buildup. These same changes also make finding and treating ulcers more challenging. A person who has had bariatric surgery should avoid using such over the counter drugs as Motrin, aspirin, Advil and Celebrex.

Meals

For those who have undertaken the life-changing step of bariatric surgery, eating habits must undergo big changes. Meals must be consumed slowly, and bites of foods chewed completely. A bariatric patient needs let a minimum of three minutes pass before taking the next bite. Also, sipping at a drink now must wait until after a meal is finished or vomiting may occur.

Snacks and Desserts

Bariatric surgery limits a person's ability to snack between meals. Constant overeating can stretch the stomach and cause the surgical staples to pop. The changed stomach is only capable of holding a small amount of food at a time, thus making it vital to make those small portions nutritious ones.

Careful Drinking

People who have bariatric surgery can develop stomach pains if they drink beverages too fast or take gulps instead of sips. Also, air that enters into the stomach, by way of drinking with a straw or having a carbonated beverage, can cause stomach pains.

Pregnancy

A woman's body undergoes a tremendous amount of stress during the nine months of pregnancy. Because of this stress, surgeons who perform bariatric surgeries always appeal to their female patients who are in their childbearing years to use good birth control at least for the next two years following their surgery.

Life After Ileostomy

During an ileostomy, the surgeon disconnects the small intestine from the large intestine. The surgeon then makes an incision in the abdomen and pulls the small intestine through this incision to the outside of the body where waste is collected in a pouch.

Work

An ileostomy will not interfere with your ability to work unless your job requires very heavy lifting.

Attire

Most people find that they have no trouble wearing their old clothes after having an ileostomy. Some people do need to make minor wardrobe changes depending where, exactly, their stoma is located..

Water

After an ileostomy, it is important to drink lots of water and monitor yourself for signs of dehydration.

Sports

Although you will need to be careful when playing contact sports, your ileostomy will not interfere with your ability to enjoy sports and other physical activities.

Sexual Function

Ileostomy does not interfere with sexual function or the ability to have children.

Pills

It is best to take medication in liquid form after an ileostmy so that pills do not find their way into your waste pouch undigested. Remember to discuss this with your doctor if you currently take birth control pills or other oral medications.

Vegetarian Diets For Infants & Toddlers

A vegetarian does not eat meat for ethical, medical or other reasons.

A vegetarian diet is an eating plan where you omit meat for ethical, medical or other reasons. Some vegetarians might include dairy and eggs in their diets, and some vegetarians, called vegans, adhere to foods only from the plant kingdom. Though it can be challenging at times, choosing a vegetarian diet for an infant or toddler can be harmonious with healthy nutrition.

Nutritional Importance

Children need good nutrition for the important infant and toddler growing years. Nutrients such as calcium, iron and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a growing child. Supplements like vitamins can be given, and foods high in vitamins and minerals should offered. Parents should plan highly nutritious plant-based meals for their growing vegetarian child. Parents should also limit treats, such as sugar desserts, like non-vegetarians. Cow's milk can be given to vegetarian children for calcium, and flaxseed oil has omega-3 fatty acids like fish.

Infants

Infant nutrition comes primarily from breast milk or formula for the first year of life. Around 6 months, solids can be introduced. A baby's first foods are easy to digest and pureed with breast milk or formula. Sweet potatoes, carrots, peas and other well-cooked vegetables are examples of first foods or solids for all infants, vegetarian or not. Once an infant can sit up properly and hold food with her fingers, finger foods such as cut up bananas and cooked beans can be offered. The first foods for infants are similar for vegetarians and meat eaters, and most infant nutrition still comes from breast milk or formula.

Toddlers

Toddlers, which are children ages 1 to 3, are transitioning from breast milk or formula to family foods and exploring different textures and tastes. Family who choose vegetarian diets offer breads, cereals, vegetables, fruits, beans and meat alternatives. Meat alternatives can include tofu, soy meat or nut butters. Like non-vegetarian children, foods should be well-cooked and pureed until the toddler can chew and swallow well. Homemade food is preferable to commercially made food.

MIsconceptions

A vegetarian diet is not just about the moral implications of food; it is a health decision. With concerns about outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, vegetarianism for toddler and infants can be the right decision. Children from infancy to age 3 can receive all their nutrients from plants, even protein and iron. Parents can offer many vegetarian, protein-rich foods such as lentils and peanut butter, and plant-based proteins are cholesterol-free and high in fiber. Even the American Dietetic Association agrees that well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for children.

Investigative Specialist Job Description

An investigative specialist monitors activities recorded by hidden cameras.

Operations at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) partly concentrate on physical surveillance. The person in charge of this surveillance is an investigative specialist. According to information provided by the federal job portal USAJobs, an investigative specialist in the United States earns between $33,477 and $53,234 a year as of 2009.

Job Duties

According to the FBI, an investigative specialist researches the best physical surveillance systems for the job and arranges for their strategic placement at the appropriate locations. She monitors the activities recorded by the systems and prepares detailed reports of her findings. As the surveillance operations proceed, she confers with her superiors on the effectiveness of the projects and decides if additional or improved observation approaches are appropriate.

Skill Requirements

An investigative specialist must have acute vision to observe every detail caught on tape. Mechanical skills are necessary to effectively operate the playback equipment. Good oral and written communication skills to communicate with superiors and compile detailed reports on observations are also essential.

Preferred Background

Investigative specialists are subject to extensive background checks before hire. Previous experience in law enforcement or security operations is preferred, and entry-level FBI experience may be a prerequisite. A valid driver's license is also a job requirement.

Leg Weakness & Nerves

Leg weakness is often caused by nerve damage in the spinal cord.

Leg weakness indicates serious medical conditions, yet many people ignore it. It is more than just being tired or overworked. Leg weakness refers to someone's inability to move the leg muscles in certain ways that are normal. It can inhibit a person's ability to work and lead to other problems, such as paralysis and foot drop, which is the inability to lift the foot up to walk. Nerve damage plays a large role in leg weakness.

Function of Nerves

The nerves along the spinal cord and the lower back supply the legs with sensations and movement. Without these nerves, it would be impossible for a person to walk or do other activities involving the legs and feet. There are diseases, however, which can negatively affect these nerves, such as slip disc (cartilage inter-vertebral disc compresses nerves of spinal cord), sciatica (compression of nerve bundle in hip joint), and leprosy (damage to nerves near the skin). Any of these diseases can cause nerve damage which leads to leg weakness.

Significance

Any type of nerve damage is a medical emergency because nerve tissue does not normally grow back. Therefore, when someone loses nerve tissue, it is permanent. Permanent loss of nerves in the spine can result in a person not being able to properly use her legs. The first sign of leg weakness should be taken seriously and treated right away to avoid any type of permanent nerve damage. The window of opportunity to get tested and treated for nerve damage is small, perhaps only a few days.

Identification

Nerve compression in the lower back is the most common cause of leg weakness. This condition is called sciatica, and a person will most likely feel shooting pains from the lower back to the knee or ankle. A doctor will identify this nerve disruption by having a patient perform several movements to test the strength of the leg muscles and testing sensory loss with a cotton wisp or pin. X-rays, MRIs and nerve conduction studies are also performed to investigate the causes of leg weakness.

Diagnosis

Following a doctor's tests, the cause of leg weakness can be determined as spinal cord compression, spinal nerve compression or a local nerve disease. Spinal cord compression and spinal nerve compression are usually related to an inter-vertebral disc protrusion; however, they can also be caused by a tumor, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, a fractured vertebra or spinal stenosis. Leprosy, syphilis, a nerve cut injury and neurofibroma are examples of local nerve diseases that can cause leg weakness.

Treatment

If leg weakness is due to a local nerve disease, it is treated based on that disease. For example, if a person has syphilis that causes leg weakness, the doctor will treat the syphilis, and in turn treat the leg weakness. Spinal cord and nerve compression require surgery for treatment. Surgery is then followed by months of bed rest, painkillers and physical therapy. Muscle relaxants and neurovitamins are also prescribed to reduce pain after surgery.

Leg Exercises With An Exercise Band

Exercise bands (also called resistance bands) provide assistance with strength training exercises. These bands are convenient because they can easily fold up for storage in small spaces and portability. The resistance they provide can bring an added edge to your at-home workout routine without a lot of extra expense or effort on your part. If you want to tone your legs, using an exercise band is a good place to start.

Leg Abductions

Stand next to a chair, resting one hand on the back of the chair with legs a comfortable distance apart. Place the exercise band around your ankles (if it is a straight strip you may have to tie it), and stand on the leg closest to the chair while stretching the other leg out to the side (making an "A" shape with your legs). Hold the stretch for two seconds and return to start; repeat for 15 repetitions.

For an alternate to this activity, stand on the leg farthest from the chair and bring the other leg to a stretch across and in front of your body, moving the leg away from the chair (making an "X" shape with your legs). Hold and repeat as above.

Lunges

This exercise works with a long strip of an exercise band, rather than a circular one. Hold the center of the elastic band under one foot, placing that foot one step-distance in front of your body, foot flat on the floor. Hold the ends of the elastic band in either hand, pulling it up behind your body and over your shoulders like backpack straps. Keep your hands in front of your shoulders as you complete this activity.

Place your other leg behind your body, and squat down without letting your front knee extend beyond your toes and without letting your back knee touch the floor. Hold for two to three seconds and then lift back up, allowing the exercise band to give you resistance as you stand. Repeat for 10 to 12 reps.

Hamstring Curl

This activity works with a circular exercise band or a straight one that has been tied into a circle. Place the band around both ankles and stand facing the back of a chair. Hold on to the back of the chair with both hands and stand on one foot, raising the other foot up behind your body by bending at the knee. Hold for two to three seconds and return to starting position. Repeat this process 10 to 15 times on each leg to work your hamstrings.

Learning Cb Radio Repair

CB radios are used by hundreds of people, from ham radio operators to semi truck drivers, for communication and even entertainment. If you want to learn repair a CB radio then your best bet is to find some official training to help you get on the right track. Once you've learned the basics for electronics and radio repair, you can then enhance your understanding through further courses, reading materials and Internet discussion on the subject.

Instructions

1. Check your local options for education. Technical colleges offer certificates in radio repair and associate degrees in the more general field of electronics repair. Earning the appropriate degree so that you can gain a firm basis for understanding radios and how they work is a good first step.

2. Read books on CB radio construction, repair and troubleshooting. Once you understand the basics about how these radios work and the components they're made out of, you can then follow up by going in your own direction. Whether the books you read are textbooks or just the do-it-yourself manuals you can find in any bookstore, the more you know, the better your knowledge base for CB radio repair will be.

3. Converse with other CB radio enthusiasts. The Internet is filled with forums and websites dedicated to CB radios, their building and their repair. If you can read through these areas and communicate with other enthusiasts, you can exchange knowledge and grow your own base even larger.

Laxatives For Stomach Weight Loss

Every year, millions of people are diagnosed with an eating disorder. Those with eating disorders generally become so consumed with weight loss that they will do anything or try anything to make themselves skinnier. Laxatives are one of the many methods that people will try to use to lose weight.

What Do Laxatives Do?

Laxatives are used for the medical purpose of relieving constipation. Constipation can be caused by a number of things, but most often it is caused by diet. Laxatives work in the colon to make stools softer and easier to pass without straining. After taking a laxative, it is not uncommon to spend much of the day on the toilet. Many people believe that by doing so they are losing weight, because they are passing the food that they ate. However, this isn't true, and it can be dangerous over time. The stools that you pass when you use laxatives do not make you lose weight, because they are nothing but water weight. By the time food hits your colon, where the laxatives do their job, the calories from what you have consumed have already been absorbed into the body. While you feel you are losing weight, you are actually losing water from the body, which can cause dehydration if too much water is lost. The water weight that is lost will be regained the next day.

Continuous Laxative Abuse

Laxative abuse to lose weight that continues over time can be fatal if not treated. Quite often, even after knowing the truth, patients with eating disorders will continue to abuse laxatives because of how it makes them feel mentally, regardless of the effects that it has physically. Over time, laxative abuse can damage many systems within the body. Signs of laxative abuse include dehydration, bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. The person abusing laxatives for weight loss may also experience excessive diarrhea or constipation, neither of which is beneficial to the body. Excessive diarrhea will cause dehydration, and excessive constipation will allow poisons to build up in the body. Probably the most dangerous effect of all is what laxative abuse does to the balance of electrolytes in the body. Abuse of laxatives throws electrolytes off balance to a point that a person may develop an arrhythmia. Sometimes this can even lead to a heart attack.

Why Do You Appear to Lose Weight?

Those using laxatives to lose weight generally do appear to lose weight. While most people believe that it is from taking the laxatives, this is not true. The reality is that laxative use, as mentioned above, makes the patient lose water weight and not actual weight. This will cause the body to bloat and then cause the patient to want to lose even more weight. Generally, patients will begin to use other means in addition to the laxatives, such as reducing the number of calories they eat per day, making themselves vomit or beginning a grueling exercise routine. While these may methods may seem to have a positive effect initially in regards to weight loss, the rest of the body will begin to break down and suffer. Laxatives are most definitely not the magic element to use to lose weight. If you desire to lose weight effectively, you should do so with the help of a physician.

Lasik Requirements

Lasik is a surgical procedure that corrects vision and reduces or eliminates the need for corrective lenses.

LASIK is a surgical procedure that uses a laser to treat refractive errors in the eye and correct vision. While a surgical procedure that eliminates the need for glasses or contacts appeals to many people, you must meet many requirements before being considered for the surgery.

What is LASIK?

During LASIK, a specially trained eye surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea, which is the transparent covering located at the front of the eye. In a healthy human eye, the cornea and lens work together to focus the light that enters the eye. In many eyes the cornea and lens fail to work right and do not focus the light properly. This problem, called a refractive error, causes blurred vision and can be treated by wearing glasses or contacts. Fixing the shape of the cornea allows the eye to once again focus properly; vision is clearer, without the use of glasses or contacts.

Basic Physical Requirements

Patients must be at least 18 years old to have LASIK surgery. Candidates for the procedure should have vision that remains constant for at least a year. Refractive instability, which results in vision change, is more common in people who are under 25, have fluctuating hormones, are pregnant or breast-feeding or are on certain medications. Individuals with scarred or abnormal corneas, frequently caused by disease, trauma or aging, are not generally eligible for LASIK surgery. Pupils need to be a correct size (not too large) and the cornea must be of the proper thickness for the procedure. Finally, LASIK surgery may prove futile for patients with severe vision problems or who have had LASIK or other refractive surgery before.

Disease and Condition Requirements

Medications may affect the condition of the eye as well as the body's ability to heal.

A variety of diseases and conditions make LASIK surgery far more dangerous. Patients considering LASIK cannot have had eye infections, diseased corneas, retinal diseases, herpes of the eye, eye inflammation, dry eyes or other eye injuries during the past year. Candidates for the surgery must also not have any autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Some medications, such as immunosuppressants or steroids, impact the body's ability to heal properly. Other medications may affect the eye as well. Discuss all pre-existing conditions and medications with your surgeon before having the procedure.

Lifestyle Requirements

Before having LASIK, patients must consider if their lifestyle is well suited for laser eye surgery. Some professions do not permit refractive procedures such as LASIK surgery. Candidates should consult their employers, professional society or military service to ensure there are no restrictions on the procedure. People who play contact sports, such as boxing, where facial or ocular contact is not uncommon, should also not have LASIK. Having the surgery requires post-operative visits, behavioral restrictions and special eye care. Having realistic expectations about how your vision will be affected, healing time, necessary post-operative care and the (low) risk of complications is also important for all people considering LASIK surgery.

Lap Band Vs Sleeve

There are several types of weight loss surgery, including adjustable gastric banding, or lap band, and vertical sleeve gastrectomy, sometimes referred to as a "sleeve." Both types of surgery have advantages and disadvantages.

Lap Band

In lap band surgery, the surgeon places an adjustable band around the patient's stomach. This restricts the amount of food the patient can eat.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

In a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon removes about 85 percent of the stomach, leaving behind a narrow "sleeve." This restricts the amount of food the patient can eat. The surgeon removes the part of the stomach that produces the hormone ghrelin, which simulates hunger, thereby reducing the appetite.

Expected Weight Loss

Patients can expect to lose about 55 percent of their excess body weight with the lap band. Patients can expect to lose 70 to 80 percent of their excess weight with the sleeve.

Risks

Risks associated with the lap band include erosion of the stomach, slipping of the band, infection, mechanical failure of the band (such as a leak, causing the band to deflate) and failure to lose the desired amount of weight. Risks associated with the sleeve include a leak at the staple line, postoperative nausea and regaining weight.

Payment Issues

According to the Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery in 2010, lap band surgery costs $12,000 to $25,000, depending on where the procedure is performed. Most insurance companies cover the lap band. The sleeve also costs more than $10,000 but many insurance companies do not cover it because it is still considered experimental.

The Negative Health Effects Of Drinking Coffee

Coffee

Coffee is a popular breakfast beverage. People also drink coffee at work and at night to try and stay awake. Having a few cups of coffee a day is not detrimental to your health. If, however, you drink a pot of coffee every day, then you should consider the negative health effects coffee has on your body. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Addictive Nature of Caffeine

The main ingredient in coffee is caffeine. Caffeine is mildly addictive. The addictive nature of caffeine is a negative health effect because once you are addicted, your body will not properly function without the addictive agent. For example, if you start drinking large amounts of coffee everyday, soon you will not function without coffee. You will feel drowsy and groggy until you drink coffee. You may also be cranky or jittery when the level of caffeine in your body decreases prompting you to drink more coffee to increase the caffeine levels in your body. Caffeine is a drug that is also a diuretic. A diuretic is something that causes you to go to the bathroom more often. Since caffeine is addictive by nature, by drinking too much coffee your body will grow accustomed to going to the bathroom often. Since your body will grow accustomed to having caffeine, if you stop drinking coffee or limit your daily coffee intake, your body will react negatively. Your body will not function as it should without the caffeine because your body is not used to working without caffeine. You will go through a period of withdrawal during which you will have to readjust your body to function as it normally should without caffeine.

Increases Stress

Coffee exaggerates your body's response to stress. The caffeine in your coffee increases your blood pressure. When you are naturally stressed, your blood pressure goes up. If you drink coffee every day, when you are naturally stressed your blood pressure will increase more than usual due to the caffeine. Elevated blood pressure is a serious health risk and can lead to heart problems. The caffeine in your coffee also causes you to become stressed more easily. The caffeine heightens your response to a stressful situation and causes you to be more stressed than you normally would be if you did not drink coffee.

Discolors teeth

Teeth

Drinking a pot of coffee every day effects your teeth. Coffee stains your teeth and gives them a yellowish tint. This creates an unappealing smile and can be embarrassing. Stained teeth also indicate a breakdown of tooth enamel. Your teeth will start to decay and will become sensitive. Your teeth will eventually begin to breakdown and turn brown. Tannic acid creates the dark brown coloring of coffee. This acid settles into the grooves in your teeth which causes your teeth to turn brown. Brown teeth not only look bad cosmetically, but they also indicate severely damaged teeth and loss of tooth enamel. Once tooth enamel is damaged or lost, it can never be replaced.

Lap Band & Abdominal Pain

Shed pounds and gain peace of mind.

According to Allergan, makers of the Lap-Band system, mild abdominal pain is among the non-serious side effects experienced by less than 1 percent of patients. While usually harmless, it can be a sign of complications with the procedure.

Features

Side effects such as gastritis, gas bloat and constipation can manifest as abdominal pain. More serious complications include incorrect band placement, band slippage, ulceration or obstruction of the stomach.

Treatment

Your surgeon can identify the source of your pain and begin treatment such as diet modification or Lap-Band adjustment. In extreme circumstances, Lap-Band removal may be necessary. Patients who can't reach their surgeon for diagnosis should call their primary care physician or visit the emergency room.

Considerations

Because Lap-Band surgery is a long-term solution to obesity, committing to the diet, exercise and lifestyle guidelines provided by your doctor is a key component to successful recovery and effective weight management. Monitoring progress and adjusting the band accordingly are a regular part of post-operation care and minimize complications.

Famous Ties

Sharon Osbourne, Brian Dennehy, Khaliah Ali and Ann Wilson all underwent Lap-Band surgery.

Warning

After surgery, patients should use aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications with caution, advises Allergan, as they can weaken and irritate the stomach lining.

Safest Asthma Medicines

Inhalers are commonly prescribed for asthma sufferers.

According to the Mayo Clinic, asthma is a chronic illness that causes airway inflammation that constricts breathing. Although asthma is an incurable condition, its symptoms can be safely controlled and managed with anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatories are used to prevent asthma symptoms. Bronchodilators are used for quick relief during asthma attacks.

Triggers

Allergies such as pollen, dust mites, foods and occupational chemicals, gases and fumes are common asthma attack triggers. Non-allergen triggers include exercise, tobacco smoke, respiratory infections and some medications, as well as emotional factors that include laughing, crying and stress.

Anti-Inflammatories

Long-term medications and inhalers are prescribed to prevent airway inflammation caused by your asthma triggers. Inhaled/oral corticosteroids, cromolyn, nedocromil, anti-leukotriene modifiers, theophylline and serevent are common controller medications. Such medicines are not addictive and are safe for daily use. Your doctor might prescribe controller medicines if you experience asthma symptoms more than once a week, have sleep interrupted by asthma complications, experience many asthma episodes, or need to use quick-relief inhalers daily.

Bronchodilators

For quick relief during an asthma episode, use rescue inhalers that contain atrovent, albuterol, levalbuterol, pirbuterol or ipratropium. If you need to use your rescue inhaler every day, you might require controller medications to prevent asthma symptoms. Call the emergency room or your doctor if you are still breathing fast and hard after using your quick-relief inhaler. Other signs that could indicate a more severe attack include extremely fast pulse or heartbeat, graying of fingers and lips, and difficulty walking or talking.

Over-the-Counter Drugs

The safest asthma medicines are those prescribed by your doctor. Avoid using over-the-counter inhalers if your doctor has diagnosed asthma. They are not as effective and might not stop asthma attacks.

Side Effects

Anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators come in sprays, pills, liquids, shots and powders. According to the American Lung Association, some asthma medicines can cause sore throat, nausea, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite and increased heart rate. Common oral corticosteroid side effects include increased appetite, weight gain, stomachache, headache, mood swings and difficulty sleeping. Long-term use of this prescription could also weaken your immune system, increase cholesterol levels, and result in brittle bones and cataracts. Consult your doctor if you experience rare side effects such as blurred vision, skin rash, muscle fatigue or cramps.

Lap Band Tightness & Menstruating

Many female Lap-Band patients experience tightness in their bands before or during their periods. This tightness is due to water retention, which is caused by hormonal changes in the body.

Onset

Some women may experience tightness a week before their period begins; others may not notice any tightness until the day their period starts.

Duration

After one or two days of tightness, many women experience increased hunger and cravings. The duration of the tightness can vary from month to month.

Diuretics

Taking diuretics, or water pills, may help relieve water retention. Talk to your doctor before taking diuretics or any other medication if you have a Lap-Band.

Diet

Pay attention to the way your band feels when you are expecting your period and adjust your diet accordingly. Many women are able to consume only liquids and soups during periods of tightness.

Warnings

Attempting to consume solid foods when you are feeling tight could result in vomiting or productive burping, where small amounts of digested food are regurgitated.

Lap Band Surgery Requirements

Lap band surgery may be a good option for people desperate to lose weight to spare their health. This weight-loss procedure places a band around the top part of the stomach, severely restricting how much food a person is physically able to eat. The procedure is effective for weight loss because you simply can't put as much food into your body as is needed to gain or maintain weight -- it just won't fit in the stomach without making you feel very sick. The lap band also makes the stomach empty food more slowly, making the "full" feeling last longer to prevent more eating. But not everyone makes a good candidate for lap band surgery.

Being Overweight Enough

To qualify for lap band surgery, you must be significantly overweight for at least five years. Typically, you need a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher to be considered for lap band surgery. A BMI of 30 indicates obesity.

Not Being Able to Lose Weight

Trying unsuccessfully to lose weight is another criteria for lap band surgery. This means that you have truly tried to lose weight several times with no or only temporary weight loss.

No Health Problems Causing Obesity

People who have another health problem that is the root cause of their obesity are not typically appropriate for lap band surgery, and should focus on treating the underlying problem rather than the symptom. Those who are obese because of overeating, lack of exercise and poor dietary habits make better candidates for the procedure.

Willingness to Do the Work

Lap band surgery isn't an easy way out. It takes real commitment to making serious lifestyle changes -- just like losing weight the old-fashioned way. You have to commit to eating healthy foods in only small portions, and start exercising to truly get healthy. Other lifestyle changes include a pre-surgery diet, limiting alcohol consumption and working closely with doctors to manage progress.

Being Generally Healthy

Chances are that anyone considering this surgery probably has some chronic health conditions as a result of obesity. But people who have serious conditions such as advanced lung or heart disease, an infection, chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, abnormalities of the digestive tract, and other problems may not be good candidates for lap band surgery. Pregnant women, as well as substance abusers, also typically can't have the procedure.

Weigh the Options

Lap band surgery can be more than helpful -- it can be lifesaving for the right candidates. But it still requires hard work and dedication to truly becoming healthy, and is not for someone who is looking for a quick-fix weight loss opportunity. The only way to know if you're an appropriate candidate is to meet with a physician to talk about your health and the surgery, which is a serious medical procedure with both risks and benefits that need to be considered.

Lap Band Recovery Period

The lap band is a gastric band that can be placed around the top of the stomach to assist in weight loss for obese individuals. The band is made of silicone and may be adjusted easily and non-invasively through a port that reaches the surface of the skin. Lap band treatment is FDA approved and considered a healthy and safe alternative to the invasive gastric bypass procedure. However, like gastric bypass, the lap band system is only available to individuals whose life is compromised or threatened by their weight.

Procedure Time

The lap band procedure may be completed within one hour and does not require inpatient recovery care. The insertion incision is small and can be covered with a basic band-aid.

Return to Work

An individual who has had a lap band placed may return to work within two days of the procedure. However, it is common to wait around five days to completely adjust.

Exercise Recovery Period

After the lap band has been placed, an individual should be able to perform vigorous physical activities within two days.

Eating Recovery Period

Individuals who have undergone the lap band procedure will not be able to eat solid food for several weeks afterward, and when they do they will start with soft foods like yogurt. It generally takes one month before they can return to eating normal foods.

Follow-Up Appointments

The most time-consuming aspect of the lap band recovery process is attending the frequent medical appointments to adjust the band and monitor progress. In the first few months, it is necessary to attend an appointment every week.