Japan's concept of free love lost in translation

Ryann Connell

One of the more preferred adoptions of Western culture among Japanese men, Weekly Playboy opines, has been sexual liberation, which the men's weekly notes started flourishing around 1966, the year it began publishing.

Porn Site Reviews and Previews

Nonetheless, in an article marking its 40th anniversary, it seems Japanese guys' ideas of "Free sex" may have been a little, well, lost in translation as a look at the Foreign Ministry's advisory on Sweden shows.

"There may have been travelers prompted by the misunderstanding that it was a country that advocates 'free sex,' but sexual attitudes in Sweden emphasize fundamental gender equality, and basic wholesomeness and what may be termed the 'sex business' is virtually unseen in Sweden," the magazine quotes the government's website as saying.

"Free Sex" is, according to Weekly Playboy, the idea that people can partake in sexual liaisons outside of a marital relationship provided there is no love involved, a state the magazine argues already exists in Japan.

Over the past four decades, Japan has witnessed the destruction of sexual taboos and a libertine attitude to the pleasures of the flesh that has led to the flourishing or such practices as enjo kosai, the euphemism to describe mostly schoolgirl prostitution but which literally translates as "compensated dating."

More recently, though, Japan has also been swept up in the whirlwind of a "pure," or true love boom, the weekly says, adding that it's probably the result of more guys obeying whatever women tell them to do.

"Recently, there have been more guys who make masochistic statements. Actions that would once have been regarded as girly are common and men find life easier if they do what women want," columnist Asato Izumi tells Weekly Playboy. "We're living in an age where it's better off for men if they choose to live like masochists."

The weakening of Japanese males has been accompanied by women becoming increasingly assertive to create something of a balance."Nowadays, it's impossible to get married unless you're rich. A guy with no money has no hope of marrying. Look at marriage statistics by income and what I'm saying becomes crystal clear. We have a reality where a part-time worker making 1 million yen a year simply can't afford to get married," economic journalist Takuro Morinaga tells Weekly Playboy. "The upshot of all this is that there's been a dramatic increase in the number of people who've simply given up on women, which is mainly the result of the huge increase in otaku-type nerds."

Sphere: Related Content

The Pleasures of Medicine

DR. SCOTT HAIG

Whether chatting with grateful patients late at night or witnessing the mysterious healing powers of the human body, a physician's job can be a real high

The whole world was green. My driver's-side window let in the 3 a.m. buzz and click of a traffic signal and the surprisingly sweet smell of upper Manhattan drenched clean by the rain. Everything was so shiny and wet I had to stop a minute and just admire the green. Bone-tired but high as a kite, I still love that minute. I have never dropped acid but what drug could make that light more beautiful? I was high on 48-hours, 20 admissions, eight cases, four sets of rounds and going home. This was my training. I feel bad for the residents now — what the new restrictions on residents' hours stole they don't even know.

Sure, some of this is a glass of dirty water after a long, hard thirst, but the pleasures in medicine are intense. Never sought in themselves, the occasional delights of our field just suddenly surround us, like that green traffic light. And more than a fair share are a little lonely, happen at night and involve reflection.

If I go in for an emergency after midnight I will make a few rounds. This is often a pleasure. Patients never mind it — I hardly ever find them asleep — and they are more people, less fractures and "post-ops" in the quiet than during the bustle and noise of the day. People to visit, not patients to round — they tell jokes, show you pictures, give you cookies and gum. They'll talk about important things, hopes and repentances, their great ideas. Some will hear yours. Want to be appreciated and feel good? Visit folks in the hospital — at night.

Bodies are a source of much happiness in a medical life, particularly if you happen to be a surgeon. Much as light and gravitation are governed by consistent and perfect laws, so are the animate machines we spend our days probing and pondering. We learn this again and again as we look and poke. During carpal tunnel surgeries most of my patients are wide awake, with a local anesthetic keeping the two-inch-long opening in their palm comfortably numb while I work. Every once in a while one asks to "look inside." Not always, but when it seems safe, I tell the circulator to put a mask on the patient and pull down the drapes. And I have the pleasure of showing them around their hand.

There's quite a lot to see in a carpal tunnel. The nerve we're there to decompress is somewhat impressive — a yellow white ribbon of a thing, about the width of the rubber bands on broccoli. They can tell it's alive from the flood of sensation it brings as I touch it, ever so gently, with a smooth, blunt probe. But the glistening white tendons that lie alongside — the life in them fascinates. "Watch this thing — now slowly bend your finger — do you see how it works?" The tendon moves, rather like a pushrod in a steam engine, frictionlessly, efficiently, straight in its track. And the finger rises to the mind's command. The patient usually gets the idea, but whose idea can it be? Fear and wonder beat Charles Darwin every time at this game. An unforgettable catechism — each one who does this reminds me of it every time they see me, for years. It's a fun job.

Bodies do amazing things — bent bones straighten out (sometimes), and I have the old, crooked x-rays in the folder to prove it. Good tissues grow; I measure the circumference of a thigh and send the patient away with a physical therapy prescription. When he actually does the exercises, I measure again three months later and voila! there's more muscle there — I can prove it. The hand wouldn't close, the arm wouldn't rise, the fingers (those carpal tunnel folks again) couldn't feel — but then they work. The big secret? We physicians treat. But we all know it's someone else who actually makes the new bone, muscle, blood vessels and collagen — who heals. If you don't get a kick out of touching off what amounts to a small creative explosion, there's no hope for you in medicine. But if you do it's a kick in the pants.

Minds overcoming matter seem to make us happy. From "The Little Engine That Could" to Lance Armstrong, when we shoot straight, run fast, dance expressively, fish, sail, hunt, sing, paint or ski we impress our minds on the matter of the physical world. In these happy activities our choice, our will, changes the physical world. Though the changes might be temporary, and though nobody except the changer might notice them, the pleasant activities all produce changes that are unnatural — they would not have happened by themselves. Your timed mile won't get any faster, the ball will not go in the basket, the fish will not jump into the bucket on its own.

And every one of these unnaturally pleasant changes start with a message from your weightless, invisible mind to that most accessible part of physical reality, your body. Every doc knows the patient who seems to get better by sheer toughness, naked will, unbending before injury or disease. That patient is a lot like an athlete up against an adversary or an artist wrestling a great idea onto canvas or paper. If you like rooting for your football team or watching the inner mental war they call golf, just imagine our 50-yard-line seats at the game our patients play against Pain and Death. And they pay us to come!

There is, finally, the fun of being on the team yourself, of surrounding the woolly mammoth along with the rest of your tribe — melding minds and straining backs toward an enormous, shared goal. And despite his often saturnine tone, this writer is happy to note there remain some truly great people in America's mixed-up world of medicine. Nurses and doctors and secretaries who can make my day when the patients and the bodies (even the stop lights) still can't get me past the lawyers and the HMOs. I hope they're getting a little fun out of it too.

Sphere: Related Content

Tips for discussing school safety with students

For parents hoping to shield children from news of the recent school shootings across the country, the task is nearly impossible.

Today's adolescents and teens happen upon an endless amount of news while researching homework on the Internet or talking with friends through instant messaging systems, chat rooms and blogs. Some even receive news updates on their cell phones.

So while parents' instincts might be to shy away from talking about frightening real-life stories of harm to children, chances are they will need to confront the news instead.

"Open up the conversation. If the child is saying they're not upset, you can drop the conversation," says Melissa Brymer, director of the terrorism and disaster programs at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress at UCLA. "Some kids do need the parent or adult to take that first step."

She suggests talking at a time when you can focus on your child's verbal and nonverbal responses, perhaps after dinner. Bedtime isn't a good choice, since the child's anxiety could spiral late at night. "Explain that emergencies can happen in many different ways," says Brymer, "and that schools have crisis plans to make sure kids are safe so they can learn."

If you haven't done so already, get details on the disaster plan for your school district, including specifics on evacuation and how you can get accurate information during a crisis. Then reassure your child that you'll know how to reach him or her in an emergency.

Help children form their own plans. Brymer advises making a list of two or three trusted adults that your children can go to at school if they see a suspicious stranger or overhear students talking about committing violence. Ask if any new terms (such as "lockdown") confuse them, then discuss how you can contact each other if cell phone service is jammed.

Do they know where the nearest pay phones are, and have they ever used one? Do they know how much change is needed to make a local call? They may never need this information, but having it can be emotionally empowering.

Discuss how the people who have carried out these attacks should have dealt with their anger. "This is a prime time, what we call a teachable moment, where you can discuss how to solve problems and ways to show anger that don't involve verbally or physically hurting someone," says Marilyn Tolbert, director of laboratory schools for Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

Tolbert also recommends reminding children that they can always talk with you or others about their anger or fear.

Remind children how rare school shootings are. "If you figure how many schools there are in the country," says Brymer, "we realize it feels more commonplace than it is. It's important to be putting it into context."

It is also useful to point out to smaller children that the images they see on television are the same shootings being repeated, not new violence. "We saw after 9/11 that very young kids who kept seeing the images of buildings crashing thought there were buildings crashing every day," says Brymer. It can also help to let them know just how far away these recent events took place from their own community.

You can express confidence in school safety, without promising that violence won't happen. "We don't want to lie to them," Tolbert says. "I would err toward the side of saying, 'I feel very comfortable at your school and you feel safe there. They're taking every precaution."' Remind your child that safety rules, such as requiring visitors to wear badges, are in place at their school to protect them.

If older children are watching a lot of news coverage of recent violence, says Brymer, you may want to limit their intake or ask again how they're feeling. Watching some coverage can be helpful to clarify misinformation they may have gotten from their peers, but consuming too much violent imagery can intensify their anxiety.

Sphere: Related Content

HERBAL FAT BURNER AND APPETITE SUPPRESSOR

The most potent natural Appetite Suppressor available is specially formulated to suppress your appetite naturally and safely. No dangerous drugs, just wholesome herbs, vitamins, and nutrients. The product of years of research, and extensive testing, it contains a blend of nutrients and herbs including Citrin K (HCA), chromium picolinate, B complex vitamins that aid in the breakdown of fats, and the powerful antioxidant vitamin C and pregnenolone, the most powerful memory enhancer yet discovered.

This product is comparable to and more effective in long-term use than the heavily promoted METABOLIFE, except it does NOT contain controversial ephedrine, which has been linked to possibly lead to serious problems for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, especially if consumed in amounts necessary to suppress a healthy appetite. Moreover, our Herbal Fat Burner and Appetite Suppressor is less than 1/2 the price of Metabolife.

Citrin K (HCA) is a patented extract of the Indian Brindall Berry (garcina cambogia) that has been found to dramatically increase the body's ability to convert food into glycogen. Glycogen is the body's fuel for energy consuming activities. When you have lots of glycogen in your body it triggers a signal to the brain telling it to suppress your appetite. The result is a marked decrease in the craving for fattening foods. In addition, Citrin K's active ingredient slows the production of fat. This results in your cells burning it for energy at a faster rate. Not only do you eat less fat, but you also burn it faster. This has been proven by scientific double-blind studies conducted by Anthony Conte, M.D. Those participating in the study took 500 mg of Citrin K a day. After 60 days the average weight loss was 11 pounds. We recommend that you take 1500 mg per day of this very safe product to lose weight even faster. Citron K is also known as HCA.

By reducing fat intake and burning off the fat already on the body, our Appetite Suppressor will significantly reduce LDL type cholesterol.
In addition to 120 mg of Citrin K, each capsule of Appetite Suppressor contains the following nutrients and herbs:

* Chromium Pincolinate, 75 mcg, is an essential cofactor for the hormone insulin, which regulates the metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

* Pantothenic Acid, 10 mg, is a B vitamin that is an important catalyst in the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins for energy.

* Biotin, 150 mcg, is absolutely essential in several body processes that breakdown body fats, amino acids, and carbohydrates.

* Vitamin B12, 6 mcg, is necessary for the processing of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the body. It also is essential in the formation of neurotransmitters, chemicals that facilitate communication between nerve cells.

* Vitamin B6, 2 mg, is also required in the building and breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins; it is essential for good health.

* Vitamin B1, 1.5 mg, also known as Thiamine HCI, is required for the functioning of all body cells, especially nerves. Besides being essential to the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, taking Vitamin B1 increases reaction time and eye-hand coordination.

* Vitamin B2, 1.7 mg, Riboflavin, is essential for the release of energy from body cells and is known as an anti-depressant.

* Niacinamide, 20 mg, functions in more than 50 body processes and is primarily involved in the release of energy from carbohydrates. It also is known to aid information of red blood cells and to help in the detoxification of dangerous drugs and chemicals.

* Folic Acid, 400 mcg, is a vitamin that helps regulate the cell's genetic code. It is essential for the normal growth and maintenance of all cells.

* Vitamin A, 10,000 I.U., known as beta-carotene, stimulates the immune system and is a powerful antioxidant.

* Vitamin C, 500 mg, has long been known as the vitamin that aids in the treatment and prevention of colds. It is a potent antioxidant that is essential in the prevention of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.

* White Willow Bark, 100 mg, relieves pain and reduces fever. It aids in the reduction of "hunger pains" and cravings for fattening foods.

* Pregnenolone, 10 mg, is a hormone produced by the body that decline with age. It is a potent memory enhancer and provides a feeling of well being that greatly assists in the loss of excess body weight.

Appetite Suppressor can be purchased separately, or as Weight Loss Weapon Number 2 in our Super Weight Loss Plan.

Sphere: Related Content

Synchronizing sex: Time to harmonize your hormones

Afi-Odelia E. Scruggs

How many nights have you spent on your side of the bed awake with passion, while your partner is curled up next to you deep in sleep? Or maybe you're the one who's OK with having sex every week or so, while he's looking for it every other day.

You used to do it all the time. What happened? Has the thrill packed up and gone? Not necessarily. The problem is that you've got what therapists call desire discrepancy -- you're out of sync sexually with your better half.

If you're worried that you and your partner have fallen out of lust, consider this: You may never have been in sync at all. It just seemed that way because the novelty and excitement of having a new lover boosts the hormones that inspire desire. As a relationship continues, though, the initial infatuation disappears and each partner returns to his or her "normal" level of sexual desire- - which may be high, moderate, or low. And libido may wax and wane at different times in a person's life.

The upshot is that desire discrepancy is part of a committed, long-term relationship. "I call it normal," says Austin, Texas--based marriage and family therapist Pat Love, Ed.D., co-author of "Hot Monogamy."

Still, experts agree that desire discrepancy is nothing to shrug at. If it's not acknowledged, it can lead to feelings of rejection (if one partner begins to take the other's lack of interest personally), guilt (if the less-interested partner begins to see intimacy as an obligation or a chore), and frustration all around.

First, ditch the idea that both of you should always be passionate for each other at the same time. "In the movies, the couples are turned on before they begin touching," says couples therapist Barry McCarthy, a psychology professor at American University in Washington, D.C. "In reality, among happily married couples, only 50 percent of sexual experiences occur when both partners are desirous, aroused, and orgasmic." The rest of the time, it may take effort to get in the mood at the same time.

Also, understand that "in the mood" may mean something different for him than it does for you, says Sheryl Kingsberg, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. If a man is physically aroused, it doesn't much matter what else is going on -- he's ready. But a woman's sexual interest is more complicated.

For women, emotion and motivation play as large a role in sexual interest as physical desire does, explains Kingsberg, who researches female sexual function. A woman may need to make an emotional or intellectual connection before her body responds. Once her body and mind have caught up with each other, she'll enjoy it as much as he does.

Stress also causes different sexual reactions in men and women. "For men, sex tends to be a stress reliever," Kingsberg says. Women, however, often have to de-stress before they can get in the mood.

Say you and your partner agree that sex is good -- when you have it, that is -- but one of you would just like to have it more often. Here are some ways to build bridges to intimacy that can increase desire, passion, and, yes, even your chances of making a connection.

Confess your distress. One of the most difficult steps is simply admitting that the two of you have different levels of desire. Don't point fingers, Kingsberg says. Instead, acknowledge the discrepancy and view it as a chance to work together to solve a problem.

Try something new. It doesn't have to be anything sexual or even romantic, just something different and fun. "Passion is fueled by dopamine, and dopamine is fueled by novelty," Love says. So take up rock-climbing or sign up for a cooking class. The goal is to find an activity that the two of you can enjoy together.

Get in touch. Experts suggest that you expand your view of intimacy. Whole-body massage or cuddling on the couch can be just as sensual and pleasurable as actual intercourse. (And who knows? That closeness may even lead to sex.)

Sphere: Related Content

Get on the scale daily to keep lost pounds off

Reuters Health

Losing excess weight is often easier than keeping it off. A new study shows that stepping on a scale every day, and adjusting eating and exercise habits accordingly, can go a long way in helping dieters maintain a weight loss.

"If you want to keep lost pounds off, daily weighing is critical," said Dr. Rena R. Wing in a statement accompanying the study appearing in The New England Journal of Medicine this week.

"But stepping on a scale isn't enough. You have to use that information to change your behavior, whether than means eating less or walking more. Paying attention to weight -- and taking quick action if it creeps up -- seems to be the secret to success," noted Wing, who is director of the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center at The Miriam Hospital and professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island.

The finding comes from a study in which Wing and colleagues split 314 successful dieters who'd lost at least 10 percent of their body weight -- averaging nearly 20 percent of their body weight or 42 pounds -- within the last two years, into a control group and two intervention groups.

Women in the control group received newsletters in the mail four times per year on the importance of eating right and exercising.

Women in the intervention groups were taught -- either in face-to-face group meetings or via an online program -- techniques known to prevent weight regain such as advice to eat breakfast, get an hour of physical activity each day and weigh themselves daily.

The women reported their weight weekly and were given a goal of maintaining their weight to within five pounds. Women in the intervention groups were also introduced to a color-based weight-monitoring system. Women who remained within three pounds of their starting weight after the weekly check-in fell into the "green zone," and received encouraging phone messages and green rewards, such as mint gum.

Gaining between three and four pounds landed women in the "yellow zone" and prompted advice to tweak their eating and exercise habits, while gaining five pounds or more landed one in the "red zone," prompting advice and encouragement to restart active weight-loss efforts.

The investigators report that significantly fewer women in the intervention groups regained five or more pounds during the 18-month long study; 72 percent of women in the control group regained five or more pounds, compared with 46 percent in the face-to-face intervention group and 55 percent in the Internet group.

"The Internet intervention worked, but the face-to-face format produced the best outcomes," Wing said.

Daily weighing was key to keeping the weight off, the authors say, noting that women in the intervention groups who stepped on the scale each day were 82 percent less likely to regain lost weight compared to those who did not weigh themselves daily.

However, in the control group, daily weighing had little impact on the amount of weight regained. This suggests, Wing said, that women in the intervention groups used the information from the scale to make constructive changes in their eating and exercise habits.

Sphere: Related Content

High blood pressure and sex - Overcome the challenges

MayoClinic.com

High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms. But the impact on your sex life may be unmistakable. Although sexual activity seldom poses cardiovascular risks — such as causing a heart attack — high blood pressure can affect your overall satisfaction with sex. Both men and women face specific challenges.
Challenges for men

Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of your blood vessels and promotes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). This means less blood flows to your penis. For some men, the decreased blood flow makes it difficult to achieve and maintain erections.

Even a single episode of erectile dysfunction can be a source of anxiety. Fears that it will happen again might lead you to avoid sex — and erode your relationship with your sexual partner.

High blood pressure can also interfere with ejaculation and reduce sexual desire. Sometimes the medications used to treat high blood pressure have similar effects.
Challenges for women

Sexual dysfunction in women hasn't been well researched. However, current studies indicate that sexual dysfunction could be even more common in women than in men. And high blood pressure — or the medications to treat it — may only increase the risk.

High blood pressure can reduce blood flow to your vagina. For some women, this leads to a decrease in sexual desire or arousal, vaginal dryness or difficulty achieving orgasm. Like men, women can experience anxiety and relationship issues due to sexual dysfunction.
Be honest with your doctor

If you have high blood pressure, you don't have to resign yourself to loss of sexual satisfaction. Start by talking with your doctor. The more your doctor knows about you, the better he or she can treat your high blood pressure — and help you maintain a satisfying sex life. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

* What medications are you taking?
* Has your relationship with your sexual partner changed recently?
* Do you have more than one sexual partner?
* Have you been feeling depressed?
* Are you facing more stress than usual?

Consider your medications

Sexual dysfunction is a side effect of some high blood pressure medications, including diuretics and beta blockers. To reduce the risk of side effects, including sexual problems, take your medication exactly as prescribed.

If that doesn't help, ask your doctor about other options. Some high blood pressure medications — such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers — are less likely to cause sexual side effects. To help your doctor select the most appropriate medication for you, list all the other medications you're taking now — including herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Sometimes a particular combination of medications contributes to sexual problems.

If your doctor approves, you may be able to stop taking blood pressure medication temporarily to see if your sex life improves. To make sure your blood pressure remains within a safe range, you may need frequent blood pressure readings while you're not taking medication. Sometimes this can be done with a home blood pressure monitoring device.

If you're considering medication for erectile dysfunction, check with your doctor first. It's usually safe to combine the erectile dysfunction drugs sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) or tadalafil (Cialis) with high blood pressure medications. But taking these drugs with nitrates for chest pain can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Promote overall health

Staying tobacco-free, eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can reduce your blood pressure — and improve your sex life. In fact, in one study, about one-third of obese men with erectile dysfunction improved their sexual function by losing weight. Of course, a leaner body can boost your confidence and help you feel more attractive, which also bodes well for your sex life.
Set the stage for satisfying sex

Your sexual response may vary with feelings about your partner and the setting in which sex occurs. To encourage satisfying sex, initiate sex when you and your partner are feeling relaxed. Explore various ways to be physically intimate, such as massage or warm soaks in the tub. Share with each other the types of sexual activity you enjoy most. You may find that open communication is the best way to achieve sexual satisfaction.

Sphere: Related Content

Revive Your Sex Drive: How to Handle 10 Top Libido Killers

Rachel Grumman

Is sex the last thing on your mind these days? Does it take you forever to get aroused? Or has reaching orgasm become a herculean task? If so, you may have female sexual dysfunction - and you're not alone. An estimated 43 percent of women reported experiencing sexual dysfunction, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, with problems ranging from not being able to have orgasms to having zero sexual desire.

Many things can interfere with sexual pleasure and function, from medical causes, such as certain medications, to psychological issues, such as relationship strife. Most often, sexual dysfunction is born out of a combination of the two. To help you pinpoint what's taken the sizzle out of your sex drive, we've pulled together 10 top libido killers and what your next steps should be to get your sex life back on track.

1. Oral contraceptives: The trouble with the Pill is that what keeps you from getting pregnant - stopping ovulation - is also what can sap your sex drive. "The medication puts your ovaries to rest for three out of four weeks each month, but there other functions of ovaries beside making eggs - and that is making hormones," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, coeditor of the textbook Women's Sexual Function and Dysfunction: Study, Diagnosis and Treatment. The second problem is that the Pill causes the body to produce a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which binds itself to sex hormones, in particular testosterone, essentially sucking them up. Testosterone plays a role in vaginal blood flow and sensitivity in the opening of the vagina, so lower levels of the hormone can lead to sexual problems. What's more, the thinking was that once you stopped the Pill your body returned to its original settings, but Dr. Goldstein's research shows the Pill's effect and the SHBG protein production can continue to be higher in former Pill users than in non-Pill users.

What you can do: If you've noticed your sex drive isn't what it used to be and suspect it may be because of your birth control pill, talk to your gynecologist. He or she may switch you to another type of Pill (especially if you're on an ultra low dose, or 20 microgram, pill, which is one of the biggest offenders) or a different birth control method, such as the Mirena IUD or condoms.

2. Medications:Antidepressants - in particular, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac or Paxil - are one of the best-known offenders for low libido and impaired orgasm. "Certain chemicals in the brain stimulate sexual activity, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and oxycontin, while other chemicals are inhibitory, such as serotonin," says Dr. Goldstein. SSRIs raise serotonin in the blood, which can affect libido. (Case in point: SSRIs are used "off-label" to treat men with premature ejaculation since it slows down their sexual excitement, according to Dr. Goldstein.) Other culprits include prescription blood-pressure-lowering drugs, which can interfere with nerve signals, and antihistamines, which dry up not only a runny nose but your vaginal lubrication as well, making sex uncomfortable.

What you can do: Talk to your doctor about your sex drive. He or she may be able to adjust your medication regimen, for example, keeping you on the antidepressant while adding Zestra (zestraforwomen.com), an over-the-counter topical botanical oil that, when massaged into the clitoris, labia and vaginal opening during foreplay, enhances arousal and orgasm, suggests Susan Kellogg-Spadt, PhD, CRNP, director of sexual medicine at the Pelvic Floor Institute at the Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia. The oil has been tested and found to be effective on SSRI patients. Your physician may also be able to switch you to a different antidepressant medication, such as Wellbutrin, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which often improves sexual function. However, Wellbutrin can have its own side effects, including insomnia, changes in appetite, heart palpitations and dry mouth. If your antihistamine is to blame, try using a water-based lubricant during sex.

3. Depression: This mood disorder is characterized by feelings of sadness, emptiness, worthlessness and fatigue that interfere with everyday life, as well as changes in sleep and eating habits. One of the hallmarks of depression is a lack of interest in sex. Although it's not fully understood why depression affects sex drive, part of the reason may be that not feeling good about yourself and your worth, in addition to having low energy levels, dampens the desire for pleasure.

What you can do: Seek help right away, especially if you have thoughts of death or suicide. Exercise can help with mild to moderate depression by boosting mood, self-esteem and energy levels while improving blood flow, including to the genitals. For moderate to severe depression, professional counseling and prescription antidepressants can help, says Dr. Kellogg-Spadt. The irony is that some of the same medications used to treat depression can reduce your sex drive (see "Medications" above). Let your physician know if your lack of sex drive doesn't change (or worsens) with treatment.

4. Poor body image:Feeling self-conscious about your curvy hips or less-than-ample breasts can diminish your sexual drive. "It doesn't matter if your guy is telling you you're the hottest thing," says Dr. Kellogg-Spadt. "Oftentimes the partner is raring to go and completely attracted. But if you don't feel beautiful, you're not going to be into it."

What you can do: Do a cuing analysis. Think of a time in your life when you felt sexually at the top of your game. What did you wear (for instance, your favorite little black dress or low-rise jeans), what was your workout routine, how did you eat, what perfume did you wear, what shoes did you slide on - and when was the last time you wore that, did that, ate that, etc.? These cues can help you get back into the mindset and habits of your sexy self. And if the little black dress doesn't fit anymore? It might be time to buy another dress you feel good in at your present weight or get back into an exercise routine. "Exercise has a direct effect on the chemicals in your brain that affect mood," says Jennifer Berman, MD, director of the Berman Women's Wellness Center in Los Angeles and coauthor of For Women Only: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. In addition, working out will shape up your physique and give you more energy. If these changes don't help improve your body image, it's time to consider professional counseling to get at the root of the problem.

5. Menopause:Menopause is marked by a whole host of changes in your body. There's a decline in ovarian function that leads to an abrupt drop in estrogen levels, which play a role in vaginal lubrication. What's more, testosterone production drops by up to half, which can trigger a sudden dip in your sex drive as well as diminished sensitivity in the clitoris and a weakened ability to climax, according to Dr. Berman. Growth hormone levels, which are associated with sexual function, energy, memory and mood, also decrease. "Touch perception changes and alters as we age," adds Dr. Berman. "It takes a little more touch to feel the same amount of erotic arousal." Add to that weight gain, fatigue and difficulty sleeping, and sex can become the last thing on a menopausal woman's mind.

What you can do: First and foremost, speak with your doctor to check for a medical cause, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. If that's been ruled out, there are many options, including starting a doctor-approved exercise regimen to improve blood flow, using the botanical oil Zestra during foreplay, self-pleasuring to promote genital blood flow and incorporating fantasy work, such as doing some erotic reading or watching erotic videos 20 to 30 minutes three times a week. "This doesn't have to be done in the presence of your partner - sometimes it's better not to - but it's to put erotic thoughts back into your daily thoughts," says Dr. Kellogg-Spadt. To combat vaginal dryness, start exercising to improve blood flow and use a water-based lubricant that feels natural to you. Your doctor may prescribe a topical estrogen therapy, which increases vaginal lubrication and elasticity. Have open communication with your partner and explain to him that your body is changing. "Let him know that it doesn't mean you're not turned on by your partner just because you have to use a lubricant," she says. Using a vibrator, which is more intense than the human hand, can also help with dulled arousal. In some cases, physicians may prescribe testosterone (in pill, cream, suppository or lozenge form) to older women with low levels of the hormone who experience a loss of well-being. Oral and topical testosterone may help increase sexual urges, although no preparations are FDA-approved yet.

6. Medical conditions: Health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid disorders and autoimmune disorders like lupus can all change a woman's sexual desire by affecting blood flow, nerve signals and hormone levels. A recent study of 417 sexually active women ages 31 to 60 found that women with high blood pressure were twice as likely to have sexual dysfunction than women with normal blood pressure. What's more, the older the women were and the longer they had had high blood pressure, the greater the chance of sexual dysfunction.

What you can do: Let your doctor know that you are feeling a change in libido. He or she may prescribe medication to treat the health condition, which generally limits sexual side effects. In the aforementioned study, women who took drugs to treat their high blood pressure but did not reach their target goal were more likely to experience sexual dysfunction compared with women who were not taking medication. However, women who had good control of their blood pressure through medication were much less likely to have libido problems. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and eating healthfully, which may allow you to cut back on medication. To counter vaginal dryness, use a water-based lubricant or talk to your doctor about using a topical estrogen.

7. Relationship problems: Resentment is the number one relationship issue that affects arousal and orgasm, according to Dr. Kellogg-Spadt. "It's the unspoken unhappiness and anger that lead to resentment," she says. "Men may get upset about their wives' spending habits or having to alter the amount of nights they go out with their friends or play sports, while women may resent having to move because of their man's job." All of that buried anger toward your partner can throw a wet blanket on passion.

What you can do: First speak with your health-care provider to find out if there's a physical cause behind your lagging libido. Whatever the cause, deal with the problem before there's an emotional crisis from the lack of sex and intimacy. "Don't wait until you're pressured or your partner is threatening for divorce, because then medical intervention may not be as effective under stress," says Dr. Berman. "You need to feel safe, comfortable and happy." Even if it's an old argument or slight that's cooling your passion, you and your partner need to open up the lines of communication and discuss it so you can put the grudges - and yourselves - to bed. Pick a time to talk in a quiet place where you can both air your complaints and listen to each other. If you're both too resentful to make your talks worthwhile, consider seeking professional counseling to overcome your issues.

8. Stress: When you're stressed about paying bills and meeting a deadline at work while trying to juggle your role as wife and mother, feeling sexual often falls by the wayside. Part of that is because stress is a distraction - it's hard to focus or enjoy sex when you're mentally still at work. In addition, when stress strikes, the hormone cortisol goes up, which alters the hormones (testosterone and estrogen) that influence your sex drive.

What you can do: The irony is that having sex - in particular, orgasms - is a known stress reliever. "Chemicals, such as oxycontin, are released during sex, which combat those high cortisol levels," says Dr. Kellogg-Spadt. But if you're too wound up to hit the sheets, find another way to calm anxiety, such as by exercising, which increases blood flow all over your body, including your genitals, and gives you a mental boost. Yoga and meditation are also great stress relievers. Also, make time to transition from work mode into intimacy mode with your partner by giving each other a massage, chatting after dinner, having a glass of wine or holding hands, suggests Sandra Leiblum, PhD, director of the Center for Sexual and Relationship Health at the UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ, and coauthor of Getting the Sex You Want: A Woman's Guide to Becoming Proud, Passionate, and Pleased in Bed. In addition, "recognize what your conditions need to be in order to relax and enjoy sex," says Dr. Leiblum. "If at 11pm you're exhausted and worried about catching a 6am train to work the next day, that's not conducive to sex. Maybe it's better for you in the morning or the afternoon on a Saturday."

9. Childbirth and breastfeeding: Pelvic nerves and muscles may become damaged during delivery, reducing genital sensitivity, while breastfeeding lowers levels of estrogen, which keeps the vagina lubricated and flexible, making penetration painful. Breastfeeding also increases the hormone prolactin, which curbs sexual desire and lowers testosterone. Some women may have postpartum depression, which also lowers libido. What's more, having a baby is an exercise in sleep deprivation, which can leave you too exhausted just for motherly duties, never mind sex.

What you can do: Talk to your physician about your change in libido and have him or her rule out a physical cause as well as postpartum depression. If breastfeeding is to blame, know this is a temporary situation. Give yourself time to adjust to the new schedule and lack of sleep that come with a new baby and find ways to stay connected to your partner, such as by communicating and cuddling.

10. Routine in the bedroom: There's a reason people say that variety is the spice of life. Without it, anything, even sex, can get monotonous. "The novelty of a new relationship and the thrill that comes with infatuation cannot be sustained," says Dr. Berman. "All relationships go through ebbs and flows and ups and downs, so it's important to make the relationship a priority since often other things - work, the house, the kids, the in-laws - come first."

What you can do: Explore new positions through the use of erotic books or videos. "You don't have to be swinging from the chandeliers and doing Kama Sutra every night, but just be aware of not falling into a routine," says Dr. Berman. Try changing the time of day you have sex: Instead of being intimate before bed like clockwork, have a quickie before work in the morning or in the afternoon on the weekend. Even if you're not exactly in the mood, sometimes having sex can turn you on since sex itself increases blood flow as well as the emotional connection between you and your partner. Always make time to reconnect with your partner, even if it means hiring a babysitter and having a date night once a week.

Sphere: Related Content

Sex during pregnancy: An unnecessary taboo?

Mayo Clinic

If you want to get pregnant, you have sex. No surprises there. But what about sex while you're pregnant? The answers aren't always as clear. Here's what you need to know about sex during pregnancy.

Is it OK to have sex during pregnancy?

As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can have sex as often as you like. But you may not always want to. At first, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue and nausea may sap your sexual desire. During the second trimester, increased blood flow to your sexual organs and breasts may rekindle your desire for sex. But by the third trimester, weight gain, back pain and other symptoms may once again dampen your enthusiasm for sex.

Can sex cause a miscarriage?

Many couples worry that sex during pregnancy will cause a miscarriage, especially in the first trimester. But sex isn't a concern. Early miscarriages are usually related to chromosomal abnormalities or other problems in the developing baby — not to anything you do or don't do.

Does sex harm the baby?

The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in your uterus, as well as the mucous plug that blocks the cervix throughout most of your pregnancy. Your partner's penis won't touch the baby.

Are any sexual positions off-limits during pregnancy?

As your pregnancy progresses, experiment to find the most comfortable positions. There's just one caveat. Avoid lying flat on your back during sex. If your uterus compresses the veins in the back of your abdomen, you may feel lightheaded or nauseous.

What about oral sex?

If you have oral sex, make sure your partner does not blow air into your vagina. Rarely, a burst of air may block a blood vessel (air embolism) — which could be a life-threatening condition for you and the baby.

Can orgasms trigger premature labor?

Orgasms can cause uterine contractions. But these contractions are different from the contractions you'll feel during labor. Research indicates that if you have a normal pregnancy, orgasms — with or without intercourse — don't lead to premature labor or premature birth.

Are there times when sex should be avoided?

Although most women can safely have sex throughout pregnancy, sometimes it's best to be cautious.

* Preterm labor. Exposure to the prostaglandins in semen may cause contractions — which could be worrisome if you're at risk of preterm labor.
* Vaginal bleeding. Sex is not recommended if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
* Problems with the cervix. If your cervix begins to open prematurely (cervical incompetence), sex may pose a risk of infection.
* Problems with the placenta. If your placenta partly or completely covers your cervical opening (placenta previa), sex could lead to bleeding and preterm labor.
* Multiple babies. If you're carrying two or more babies, your doctor may advise you not to have sex late in pregnancy — although researchers have not identified any relationship between sex and preterm labor in twins.

Should my partner use a condom?

Exposure to sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy increases the risk of infections that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health. If you have a new sexual partner during pregnancy, use a condom when you have sex.

What if I don't want to have sex?

That's OK. There's more to a sexual relationship than intercourse. Share your needs and concerns with your partner in an open and loving way. If sex is difficult, unappealing or off-limits, try cuddling, kissing or massage.

After the baby is born, how soon can I have sex?

Whether you give birth vaginally or by C-section, your body will need time to heal. Many doctors recommend waiting six weeks before resuming intercourse. This allows time for your cervix to close and any tears or a repaired episiotomy to heal.

If you're too sore or exhausted to even think about sex, maintain intimacy in other ways. Share short phone calls throughout the day or occasional soaks in the tub. When you're ready to have sex, take it slow — and use a reliable method of contraception.

Sphere: Related Content

Key data 'missing' in drug trial

Key information was absent from a research file prior to a London drug trial that left six men seriously ill, investigators have concluded.

Drug research experts from the Netherlands say UK regulators did not receive findings that might have warned them of damage TGN1412 could do.

The worst affected of the six men, Ryan Wilson, had fingers and toes amputated, and his future health is uncertain.

In The Lancet, the authors propose a system of extra checks for trial drugs.

Omissions

An expert group set up by the UK's Health Secretary is looking at how to safeguard against such adverse events when experimental drugs are tested.

A preliminary report by the group recommends the initial drug dose should be given to just one person - which was not the case in the London trial.

And it recommends drugs which affect the immune system, like the monoclonal antibody TGN1412, may be best given to people who are already ill.

The Lancet paper authors tested their own proposed list of safety checks using the case of TGN1412.

The checks include factors such as how much is known about how the experimental drug works in the lab, in animals and in humans and how predictable these effects are.

In the case of TGN1412, the scientists from the German company TeGenero reported that the site in the body where the drug binds was identical in humans beings and monkeys.

However, no detailed data on such a comparison was included.

When the Dutch researchers explored this they found clear differences between humans and monkeys.

The research file on TGN1412 also lacked information about how the drug affects certain human immune cells compared to monkey immune cells.

Dr Adam Cohen, from the Centre for Human Drug Research in Leiden, the Netherlands, said: "Essential information was absent.

"The assessors did not receive all relevant findings."

Dr Cohen and his team say drug developers need to ensure they provide all essential information, and trial assessors need to use internationally consistent ways to evaluate which human experiments should go ahead.

A spokesman for the UK's drug trial assessor, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said: "We conducted a rigorous assessment of the application by experienced assessors who concluded it was reasonable to proceed with the trial."

He said the MHRA had implemented recommendations since made by the UK's independent expert group on the way such trials are reviewed in the future.

"Clinical trials in general have an excellent safety record but it is important that we learn the lessons from the TGN 1412 incident," he added.

Sphere: Related Content

Pregnant women 'oily fish alert'

Eating too much oily fish during pregnancy may increase the risk of delivering the baby too early, scientists believe.

The researchers told New Scientist magazine the harm is probably caused by high mercury levels in oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines.

But experts warn it is important for pregnant women, and indeed everyone, to eat enough fish to keep healthy.

Pregnant women should eat fish twice a week, says the Food Standards Agency.

Advice

But they should avoid shark, marlin and swordfish because these fish are particularly high in mercury and other pollutants, it recommends.

Girls, women who are breastfeeding and those trying for a baby should also eat two portions of oily fish per week.

Other women, and men and boys, can eat up to four portions per week. One portion is about 140g of fish - one tuna steak, for example.

FISH
- OILY

• Salmon

• Trout

• Fresh tuna

- NON-OILY

• Haddock

• Cod

• Tinned tuna

Source: Food Standards Agency

Oily fish are high in beneficial fats such as omega 3.

Studies show eating enough fish can boost the birth weight and brain power of babies and help prevent premature labour in pregnant women.

The latest work in New Scientist, also published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, looked at 1,024 pregnant women living in Michigan, the US.

Dr Fei Xue and colleagues measured the amount of mercury these women had in their hair and compared this with the date that the women delivered their babies.

The women who gave birth more than two weeks early were three times as likely to have double the average mercury level in their hair samples.

On the whole, these women also tended to eat more oily fish, and particularly canned fish.

Caution

Only 44 of the women gave birth prematurely, however, and the researchers said more work was needed to corroborate their findings.

They also pointed out that the women were asked to recall how much fish they had eaten, which might be inaccurate. It is also possible that the women could have been exposed to mercury from other sources too, they said.

Dr Xue said until the risks become clearer, women could take fish oil supplements instead.

A spokeswoman from the British Nutrition Foundation said: "If pregnant women do decide to take supplements, it is important to read the label and check that the supplement does not contain high amounts of vitamin A (retinol). Too much retinol can be toxic to the developing baby."

Sphere: Related Content

Lung Cancer Can Run in the Family

Serena Gordon
HealthDay Reporter

While smoking is far and away the biggest risk factor for lung cancer, having a close relative who has been diagnosed with the disease nearly doubles your risk of developing the deadly disease.

A new study in the October issue of Chest found that people with a first-degree relative -- that means mother, father or sibling -- who had lung cancer had a 95 percent higher risk of developing the disease themselves.

"Our long-term follow-up of a large-scale, population-based cohort identified a significant increase in the risk of lung cancer associated with a family history of lung cancer in a first-degree relative in a Japanese population," the study authors wrote.

Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology and oncology at the Ochsner Clinic Health System in Baton Rouge, La., said this study confirms what's already known about family history and the risk of lung cancer, and that "it's an important thing for physicians to realize."

"As a clinician, when I have someone with lung cancer, I ask the family members, 'Who smokes cigarettes?' Then I explain that they have a two- to three-fold higher risk of lung cancer because of their family history, and this is just another reason to quit smoking because they have a genetic susceptibility to the carcinogens in tobacco," explained Brooks.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 180,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, and nearly 170,000 Americans die from the disease annually. It's the second leading cause of death for men and the third leading cause of death for women, according to the CDC. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of the disease, according to the National Institutes of Health, though not everyone who gets lung cancer is a smoker or former smoker.

The current study followed more than 102,000 middle-aged and older Japanese adults for as long as 13 years; there were more women (53,421) than men (48,834). During the study period, 791 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed.

The researchers found that having a first-degree relative with lung cancer nearly doubled the odds of developing lung cancer. The association was even stronger for women. Women who had a first-degree relative with lung cancer almost had triple the risk of lung cancer, while men with a first-degree relative with lung cancer had about a 70 percent higher risk.

Additionally, people who had never smoked had a higher risk of developing lung cancer themselves if they had a first-degree relative with the disease than did smokers with close family members with lung cancer.

Family history was also more strongly associated with a particular type of lung cancer -- squamous cell carcinoma.

Brooks and Dr. Ann G. Schwartz, who wrote an accompanying editorial in the same issue of the journal, both said it wasn't clear why family history would confer a greater risk for women than for men. Schwartz said one possibility is that women are more familiar with their family histories and may just be reporting family history more accurately. Brooks also pointed out that this finding might only apply to Japanese women and not other populations.

It's also not clear exactly why family history is associated with a greater risk for those who never smoked, though Schwartz said it may have something to do with different lung cancer types. It's possible that the type of lung cancer nonsmokers often get may also be one where the genetic susceptibility is passed from generation to generation.

While there aren't clear-cut screening guidelines in place for someone with a family history of lung cancer, Schwartz said, "You need to make your physician aware of your family history; don't discount it."

She added that she'd like to see people with a family history of the disease identified as high-risk for lung cancer and included in screening studies.

"If you have a family history of lung cancer, you have a genetic susceptibility to the carcinogens in directly inhaled and in secondhand tobacco smoke. Avoid all exposure to tobacco, quit smoking if you're a smoker," and don't let your children be exposed to tobacco smoke, Brooks said.

Sphere: Related Content

Acne drug linked to depression in animal tests

Amy Norton

The active ingredient in the acne drug Accutane seems to cause depression-related behavior in mice, a study has found.

Accutane, also sold generically as isotretinoin, has been linked to reports of depression and suicidal behavior among users. However, human studies have yielded conflicting results as to whether the drug itself contributes to these problems.

Depression is a complex disorder and, therefore, difficult to pin down to a single cause. For example, Accutane users often have severe acne, which itself may lead to depression.

Because the new study was conducted in mice, researchers were able to examine the direct effects of Accutane's active ingredient on signs of depression -- which, in mice, manifests as listless, sedentary behavior.

They found that mice given the drug every day for six weeks began to show such lethargy during tests that gauged their stress responses. In contrast, the animals showed no movement problems in other situations, including tests of physical coordination.

This suggests the drug's effects were depression-related, according to the researchers, led by Dr. Kally C. O'Reilly of the University of Texas at Austin.

They report the findings in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

For now, it's unclear whether the results might also apply to humans, study co-author Dr. Michelle A. Lane, also of UT Austin, told Reuters Health.

These findings are "just the beginning," she explained, and more work needs to be done before a conclusive link can be made between Accutane use and depression.

The acne drug belongs to a family of compounds called retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A. It's known that retinoids can damage the developing fetal nervous system, which is why Accutane cannot be given to pregnant women.

In addition, there is growing interest in how retinoids might affect the adult brain, according to O'Reilly's team.

Based on evidence from previous research, they note, Accutane might alter the regulation of brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which are implicated in depression. Another possibility is that the drug might affect the production or survival of cells in brain regions linked to depression.

This is, however, still speculation. Little is known about how Accutane may work in the human brain. One brain-scan study of acne patients found that those treated with Accutane showed lesser activity in an area of the brain related to depression, but they weren't more likely than other patients to suffer depression.

Between 1982 and 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received 431 reports of depression, suicide or suicidal behavior among Accutane users.

Sphere: Related Content

India encephalitis toll hits 222

Encephalitis is killing 20 children a week on average in India's most populous state where the death toll has reached 222, health officials said.

The outbreak of "brain fever" began in June and the death toll passed 150 in mid-September in northern Uttar Pradesh.

"Three more children died of encephalitis overnight taking the toll to 222. The majority of the dead were children under 10 years of age," senior health official Umakant Prasad told AFP in the state capital Lucknow.

At least 78 children were being treated for the disease in government hospitals, he added.

"The condition of 24 children is serious," added Prasad.

Indian authorities launched a massive drive to inoculate millions of children against Japanese encephalitis, which is endemic in parts of the state, after 1,400 people -- most of them children -- died in Uttar Pradesh last year.

Prasad said the children who were now dying were not among the more than six million who had been given the vaccine.

Like last year, most of the cases have been reported from impoverished Gorakhpur district, 250 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of Lucknow.

The outbreaks usually begin with the onset of the monsoon rains during June. Mosquitoes carry the disease from pigs to humans.

Sphere: Related Content

Madonna gains custody of Malawi boy

RAPHAEL TENTHANI,
Associated Press Writer

Madonna and her husband left Malawi Friday after gaining custody of a 1-year-old boy they adopted during a weeklong tour of orphanages in this impoverished southern African nation.

The private plane departed for an undisclosed destination just before 2 a.m. after a three-hour wait on the tarmac at Lilongwe airport. No reason was given for the delay.

Earlier a judge gave an interim order allowing Madonna to take the boy home with her.

The boy's father said he was happy for his son, named David, and pleased with the celebrity couple who want to be his parents.

"They are a lovely couple," said Yohame Banda, who met Madonna and her filmmaker husband in court as part of the formalities.

""She asked me many questions. She and her husband seem happy with David. I am happy for him. Madonna promised me that as the child grows she will bring him back to visit."

Madonna has yet to comment publicly since her arrival in Malawi on Oct. 4, though she has made several public appearances in support of projects she supports here to care for AIDS orphans.

Malawi law does not allow for inter-country adoptions, and generally requires people who want to adopt to spend 18 months being evaluated by Malawian child welfare workers. Malawian officials had indicated earlier such restrictions would be waived for Madonna and Ritchie, but refused to elaborate Thursday.

Madonna and her filmmaker-husband have a son, Rocco, 5, and the singer also has a daughter, Lourdes, 9.

Sphere: Related Content

New HIV infections in Australia surge

MERAIAH FOLEY,
Associated Press Writer

New HIV cases in Australia surged more than 40 percent from 2000 to 2005, according to study results released Thursday, prompting fears that drug treatment advances are making people lax about practicing safe sex.

The annual survey report, issued by the National Center in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, found that new HIV infections reported in Australia rose from 656 in 2000 to 930 in 2005 — a 41 percent leap. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

Gay men accounted for about 70 percent of the new cases. Heterosexuals made up 19 percent, while intravenous drug users and unknown transmission paths accounted for the rest.

According to the report, new infections hit an all-time high of about 1,700 in 1984, then declined steadily through the late 1990s. But in 2000, the trend apparently reversed.

It's not just HIV that is on the rise in Australia.

Around 41,300 new cases of the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia were reported in 2005, a fourfold increase over 1995.

New gonorrhea cases have almost doubled in the past decade, the study said.

"It's very possible that people are just not prioritizing safe sex as they maybe used to in the very serious HIV/AIDS era" of the late 1980s and early 90s, said the center's deputy director, John Kaldor.

"It might be here that improvements in HIV treatments have lessened the motivation for people to protect themselves sexually," Kaldor said.

Australia has about 15,000 people living with HIV, and around 70 percent are being treated with life-prolonging anti-retroviral drugs, the study found.

Don Baxter, executive director of the Australia Federation of AIDS Organizations, said widespread use of the drugs — which have been found to slow the progression of HIV to AIDS — could be a factor behind the recent rise, especially among gay men.

"The place of HIV in gay men's lives has receded enormously from where it was, because they and their friends have stopped dying," he said "So the level of attention to it is much reduced."

He said so-called "treatment optimism" could make some people more likely to take risks, or "at least rationalize having unprotected sex."

Australia had 22,361 reported cases of HIV as of the end of 2005. A further 9,872 people have been diagnosed with full-blown AIDS, and around 6,700 have died from AIDS, the report said.

The National Center in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, an independent medical research institution, collaborates with the government on setting strategy to combat the spread of AIDS.

Sphere: Related Content

Soccer Players at Risk for Mouth, Face Injuries

Robert Preidt

HealthDay

Amateur soccer players suffer a surprisingly high number of face and mouth injuries, a new report finds.

Oral surgeons at Ataturk University in Erzurum, Turkey, reviewed 53 cases of mouth, jaw, and facial injuries they treated over the course of a year.

Of those 53 cases, 11 (20 percent) involved amateur soccer players.

The most common soccer-related injuries were dental fractures, followed by fractures of the lower jaw, and problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which moves the jaws. One player had a broken nose.

About two-thirds of the injuries were caused when soccer players ran into one another, while the other injuries were the result of impact with equipment or the ground, the study said.

While this study found that soccer accounted for 20 percent of serious oral and craniofacial injuries in Turkey (where soccer is enormously popular), the true rate of injury in that country is probably much higher, the researchers said. They noted that soccer players who suffer eye and nose injuries would likely be seen by other medical specialists.

Mouthguards and faceguards could prevent many soccer-related mouth and facial injuries, but few soccer players use these protective devices, the researchers noted. Amateur soccer coaches and officials must do more to increase players' use of this kind of safety gear, and manufacturers need to improve the fit and comfort of the devices, the authors said.

The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.

Sphere: Related Content

Spinach Contamination Linked to Cattle Ranch

Amanda Gardner,
HealthDay Reporter

Three samples of cattle fecal matter from one ranch in California's Salinas Valley have tested positive for the same strain of E. coli bacteria that sickened 199 people in 26 states and left three dead after they ate contaminated spinach.

It's not certain that the ranch was the source of the outbreak, but it's an important lead in the continuing investigation, U.S. and California health officials said during a Thursday evening teleconference.

"We do not have a 'smoking cow' at this point," said Dr. Kevin Reilly, deputy director of the prevention services division for the California Department of Health Services. "We do not have a definitive cause-and-effect, but we do have an important finding."

This is the first time that a strain of E. coli implicated in an outbreak in California's produce-growing region has been linked to a likely source, Reilly said. An additional 650 other specimens are being tested for the bacteria, he said.

The ranch in question is one of four still under scrutiny in San Benito and Monterey counties. Five other ranches have been cleared, but the investigation is ongoing.

"The investigation is not concluded in any way, shape or form," Reilly said.

"It is our expectation that no farm should feel like they are off the hook," said Robert Brackett, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "These are ready-to-eat products that are consumed without any cooking, and it is absolutely essential that all farms in the country are doing absolutely everything they can to make sure this never happens again."

The ranch that yielded the positive specimens included both a beef cattle operation as well as fields where spinach and other ready-to-eat produce were grown. The fecal-matter specimens were found half a mile to a mile from the produce fields themselves. The produce fields themselves abutted the livestock pastures, Reilly said.

It's unclear how the contaminated fecal matter could have been transported to the field, but investigators are not ruling anything out. It could have been wandering livestock, substandard worker hygiene, irrigation practices or even wild boar, officials said.

"We don't know if wild swine are playing a role or not, but we do know that on this particular ranch, there is a very large population of wild boar, and we have witnessed on this site that they have torn through fencing and under fencing and have the ability to access the field," Reilly said. "We don't know if that is the source of contamination. It is a potential source, most definitely," he added.

The proximity of fresh produce fields to farm animals has long been a concern to agricultural and health authorities, Brackett said, and is a matter that officials will continue to scrutinize. "One thing we may learn is perhaps what the minimum distance might be, but there are a lot of other considerations," he said.

The ranch in question had apparently been lacking in some so-called "good agricultural practices," including some related to the proximity issue, Reilly said. "We did find some areas of concern, the potential for problems," he confirmed.

Health officials initially narrowed the source of the E. coli outbreak to one processor, Natural Selection Foods, in San Juan Bautista, Calif.

On Sept. 15, Natural Selection Foods recalled all of its spinach products with use-by dates of Aug. 17 to Oct. 1. Four other distributors, all of whom got spinach from Natural Selection, also recalled their products.

Natural Selection processes fresh spinach for more than two dozen brands, including Earthbound Farm, Dole and Ready Pac.

The company said Thursday's announcement that the search for the source of the deadly E. coli outbreak had been linked to a cattle ranch was vindication of its operations, after repeatedly asserting its factories are clean, the Associated Press reported.

"This definitely reinforces our belief that the source was environmental," said Samantha Cabaluna, a spokeswoman for Natural Selection Foods.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said consumers could resume eating fresh spinach.

Sphere: Related Content

Six Ways To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Ben Kim, D.C.

Although we don't know and may never know the exact causes of Alzheimer's disease, we do know that several food and lifestyle choices are strongly linked to a decrease in one's risk for developing Alzheimer's.

What follows are six important food and lifestyle factors that can dramatically reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

1. Drink Vegetable Juices

A study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Medicine indicates that people who drink three or more servings of fruit and vegetable juices per week have a 76 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to people who drink less than one serving per week. Because some people develop a high blood sugar level and associated health challenges when they drink fruit juices on a regular basis, it is best for the masses to stick to vegetable juices. If you don't have a juicer, then eat plenty of raw vegetables.

2. Ensure Regular Intake Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience indicates that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can dramatically slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice. The consensus among neuroscientists worldwide is that consumption of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids is essential to building and maintaining a healthy nervous system, the system that becomes dysfunctional in cases of Alzheimer's disease.

Some healthy foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids are:

* Cod liver oil
* Raw walnuts that have been soaked in water for a few hours
* Seaweed
* Purslane
* Freshly ground flax seeds
* Cold-water fish like wild salmon
* Organic eggs from free range birds

3. Strive To Reach and Maintain A Healthy Body Weight For Your Height

According to research that was presented at the 58th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April of 2006, people who are overweight when they are in their 40s have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life than those who are not overweight when they are in their 40s.

4. Enjoy Activities That Mentally Stimulate You

The cells that make up your brain are similar to those that make up your muscles; they need to be exercised to stay healthy and strong. If your daily work doesn't require you to solve problems and be creative, consider adopting hobbies that do. Not only will you decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's, you're bound to feel more alive!

5. Avoid Aluminum

According to the National Institutes of Health, "certain aluminum compounds have been found to be an important component of the neurological damage characteristics of Alzheimer's disease."

The most common sources of aluminum exposure are:

* Processed cheese and cornbread
* Some over-the-counter drugs such as antacids and buffered aspirin
* Aluminum cookware, especially when alkaline foods (like green vegetables) or acidic foods (like tomatoes) are cooked in them
* Antiperspirants

While it is impossible to completely avoid exposure to aluminum through contaminated food, air, and water, taking heed of the sources listed above can significant reduce your long term exposure.

6. Avoid Vaccines And Other Potential Sources of Mercury

While mainstream medicine and science has yet to acknowledge a link between mercury exposure and one's risk for Alzheimer's disease, a study published in a 2001 edition of the journal NeuroReport indicates that inhalation of mercury vapor can cause neurological damage that is strikingly similar to the damage that is found in people with Alzheimer's disease.

The most common sources of mercury exposure are:

* Thimerosal, a preservative that is found in many vaccines
* Amalgam dental fillings
* Seafood, particularly large fish that are high in the food chain
* Broken compact fluorescent light bulbs

Please use the link just below this article to forward this article to family and friends who may be interested in preventing Alzheimer's disease by following these recommendations. Thank you.

Sphere: Related Content

Arthritis Drugs Linked To Cancer

Ben Kim

A recent study led by the Mayo Clinic and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that people with rheumatoid arthritis who take Humira or Remicade have three times the risk of developing several types of cancer and two times the risk of developing serious infections compared to people who don't take these drugs.

The Mayo Clinic study links the use of Humira or Remicade to the following types of cancer: lymphoma, skin, gastrointestinal, breast, and lung. It also suggests that higher doses of these drugs correlate to greater risk of developing cancer.

The manufacturers of Humira and Remicade mention these risks on their labels, but they have officially stated that this most recent study led by the Mayo Clinic is flawed, and that it does not prove that Humira or Remicade causes cancer or infections.

To be fair, the study also found that Humira and Remicade do appear to improve flexibility and range of movement, providing significant relief from pain and possibly increasing life expectancy.

The researchers who headed this study stress that people who take Humira or Remicade should seek medical attention right away if they experience fevers, coughing, or other symptoms that indicate the development of an infection.

Here are the key guidelines that I use to help people address rheumatoid arthritis with their food and lifestyle choices:

* Stop eating pasteurized dairy products and cooked flesh meats like beef, poultry, and pork. These foods are extremely dense in protein that is often damaged by heat and has a good chance of entering the blood stream before being broken down into amino acids. Incompletely digested protein in the blood stream can trigger an autoimmune response that is closely associated with the inflammation that accompanies rheumatoid arthritis.

* Eat mainly vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. To improve breakdown and assimilation of protein found in whole grains, it is best to soak them in water for a few hours before cooking them. Soaking whole grains in water also decreases the risk of developing mineral deficiencies that can occur due to the presence of phytic acid in unsoaked whole grains.

* Eat healthy foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Through its effect on the endocrine system, EPA, one of three omega-3 fatty acids, can decrease inflammation throughout the body. Dark green, leafy vegetables, raw walnuts, and small portions of wild, cold water fish and organic, free range eggs are healthy sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil and cod liver oil are also excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

* Ensure adequate vitamin D status through sun exposure and/or healthy food sources. Vitamin D can enhance the strength and efficiency of the immune system, making it a vital nutrient when looking to prevent or treat autoimmune disorders.

* Perhaps most importantly, be sure to address emotional stressors that may be contributing to rheumatoid arthritis. Other than recreational and prescription drugs, no other factors that I know of have more impact on overall health and joint health than unaddressed chronic emotional stress.

Sphere: Related Content