Wealthy Healthy Lives

Breastfeeding: Is It All That Great?

2010-04-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked by a male associate about whether I think it is really a good idea for his wife to continue breastfeeding -she had already gone three months. Apart from being able to provide some answers to the question, I was more intrigued by his genuine concern for knowing the right thing to do. I thought it prudent therefore to do this article, after having encouraged him to have his wife continue.

The advantages of breastfeeding are several fold and have significant implications for both the mother and the infant. For the infant, it is absolutely the best option for feeding. The natural formulation of breast milk makes it the ideal food for developing infants, with the perfect balance of nutrients and water necessary for proper nutrition. It has long been shown that breastfed babies have better brain development and usually do better academically. Their immune systems are also more robust, making them more resistant to colds and flus. With breastfeeding, developmental milestones such as crawling, standing, talking, and walking, are usually achieved in a more timely manner(earlier). Breastfeeding for a period of at least six months is recommended.

Another great advantage is the reciprocal bonding that takes place between mother and infant. An infants ability to focus is initially limited to the approximate distance of the mother's face from the infant, while breastfeeding. This face, being the first, regularly recognizable feature in the child's new world helps him to feel comfortable, feel safe, and thus develop a sense of belonging. The process of bonding therefore starts with the act of breastfeeding. For the mother, the bonding process results both from observing and interacting with the child while breastfeeding, and from hormonal changes that result from the suckling of the child. This bonding can be quite profound and is usually evidenced by the increased levels of protectiveness, and caring shown by mothers.

Mothers derive several other significant benefits from breastfeeding. Very often, many mothers get significantly depressed several days after delivery. This depression is usually a response to hormonal changes taking place in the body after delivery. It is however worsened by the fact that family members, friends and spouses usually inadvertently divert their attention from mother to baby, leaving her feeling neglected and unappreciated. It has been shown that breastfeeding lessens the risk of being affected by this type of depression. This condition is usually referred to as Post-Partum Depression and if significant it may lead to a more serious condition, Post-Partum Psychosis.

An additional benefit provided by breastfeeding is that it acts as a contraceptive method. Although not entirely reliable, the hormonal shifts that are associated with the process prevents most mothers from ovulating and may also delay the return of the regular menstrual cycle. This significantly reduces the ability to become pregnant, and this usually holds throughout the period of breastfeeding. The downside to this is that for some women it decreases the libido and therefore delays the return to intimacy with their spouses.

The issue of weight gain is a huge consideration with pregnancies. Most women will gain in excess of thirty five pounds during pregnancy. During the period, after delivery several factors may prevent an adequate and effective exercise routine. Ridding themselves of this excess weight is usually the top concern of most mothers after delivery of their infants. In the end, breastfeeding plays a significant role in getting mothers back in shape and could be regarded as absolutely the number one way for losing weight after a pregnancy. In view of the several advantages identified I do feel that "It Is All That Great" and I highly recommend the practice.

Dr. Shaun A. Jones MD

Dreams

2010-03-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.
Leon J. Suenes

Impulse Spending - How Do You Avoid It?

2010-03-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Now lets take a look at your truthful answers to the following questions:

Do you get complaints from your spouse or partner that you spend too much money?
When you receive your credit card bill each month, are you surprised at how much more you charged than you thought you had?
When you check the shoes and clothes in your closet, do you find that you have more than you could ever possibly wear?
Are you the owner of most new gadgets, and do you usually get them before they get time to collect dust on a retailer’s shelf?
Do you usually buy things because you realized you liked them while browsing in a store or online?

If you have answered “yes” to any two of these questions, then you are an impulse spender and you indulge yourself in retail therapy.

This is not a good trait. Impulse spending will stifle your dreams as it will prevent you from saving for the important things- like a house, a new car, a vacation cruise, or your retirement. While it is understandable how great you feel when making a purchase, you must resist spending money on items that, in the long run, really don’t matter.

You must set some financial goals and stick to those goals. Impulse spending will not only put a strain on your finances but will strain your relationships as well. To overcome the problem of impulse spending, the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants.

Don’t get sucked in by advertising blitz. Always remember that whatever deal you think you got, the advertiser got a better deal! Now, since we are advertised to 24/7, the trick is to give yourself a cooling-off period before you buy anything that you have not planned or budgeted for. Especially in these tough economic times, remember that money saved is money earned.

Going shopping can be tricky so here is how to overcome the impulse spending.

Make a list of what you need to purchase.
Get enough cash just to cover the cost of items on the list.
Set a time by which to return home (this prevents you from browsing too much).
Leave your credit cards at home.
Go do your planned shopping and return home.

If you see something you think you really need, give yourself two weeks(your cooling off period) to decide if it is really something you need or something you can do without. After two weeks, it is likely that you didn’t need it.

By following these simple steps, you will exercise a greater level of control over impulse spending, feel more confident about your finances, strengthen your financial situation, and improve your relationships.

I sincerely hope that this article will have helped you to make some changes. Best regards, I wish you well.

Dr. Shaun A. Jones MD

This Is What Change Looks Like

2010-03-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.

But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.

It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.

It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.

And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.

This is what change looks like.

My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.

This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.

Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.

We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.

Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Health Care Reform

2010-03-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

The Health Care Reform Bill Has Passed At 10:45

BREAKING THE SMOKING SHACKLES

2010-03-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Smoking can be an illness caused by an addiction to nicotine. For those smokers who attempt to quit smoking, only about half of them permanently quit smoking. Smokers therefore need all the help they can get, and must be supported as much as possible by family and friends.

Smoking causes and worsens many medical and social problems. Those who have not yet started smoking are well advised not to do so. For those smokers who are experiencing the problems related to smoking, quit as soon as possible.

Understandably people smoke for different reasons and these reasons must be taken into consideration when any attempt is being made to quit smoking. If you are planning to quit smoking, it is best to get some professional guidance. Set a date, usually about 2 weeks in the future, and use this time to prepare yourself.

The preparation to quit smoking may include the following

Changing the brand of cigarettes that you smoke, preferably to one that you do not like and that has a lower nicotine level than the one you are used to.
Don’t smoke a whole cigarette at once. Just take two puffs then put it out.
Tell your friends and family about your plan to quit smoking so that they can help.
Get rid of smoking paraphernalia from your surroundings e.g. ash trays.
Avoid places that you usually smoke and even friends with whom you used to smoke. Again, this is why it is so important to let your friends know that you want to quit smoking- you don’t want to lose your friends because you want to stop smoking.
As much as possible avoid alcohol use as well, since drinking and smoking usually go hand in hand.
Remind yourself - “IT IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY, BUT THIS IS THE BEST THING FOR ME!!”

If originally you were smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day then you may need to get professional advice as usually above this number, the level of nicotine dependence will require either medication or nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine replacement can be with a patch or with a gum.,with the amount being scaled down over time.

To increase the chance of success plans must be put in place to deal with the stress of quitting and other life stressors. Smoking, for many smokers is a method of stress relief which provides a feeling of calm that helps them to deal with stress and anxiety. Regular exercise and a squeeze ball are particularly helpful during the period of quitting as alternatives to deal with stress.

On the quit day have no more cigarettes. The urges to smoke will come in waves so try to distract yourself with each wave and you will get through. You could walk, jog, drink some water, or talk to someone as a distraction. Keep yourself occupied at all times. There is often an increase in the appetite of those who quit smoking which makes exercise even more important. In addition the diet should be adjusted to include more low carb foods like fresh fruits.

If you are unsuccessful the first time, just make a note of the biggest hindrances, embrace those factors and try again. It is never a failure, instead it is a trial for success. I wish you well.

Dr. Shaun A. Jones MD.

BANISH BAD HABITS AND BREAK FREE NOW!!

Banish Bad Habits.

Add Some Color To Your Health

2010-03-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

Life without color would be quite bland indeed. They brighten our world! We have learned to associate certain colors with certain things, like red signifying danger. We take the ability to see color for granted but many animals cannot see color, such as man’s best friend, the dog, and even the bull (no, they can’t see red). In fact, most of us are attracted by bright colors, a characteristic which is beneficial as colors can improve our health. Plants produce substances called Phytochemicals (Flavonoids and Carotenoids) which not only give fruits and vegetables their colors but also help to protect them from harm both from within and without. These colors in turn make them more attractive to us as food and when eaten give us protection as well. Fruits and vegetables are also often sweet and flavorful which make them even more attractive, in fact, there is hardly anything that is naturally sweet that is poisonous. Fruits and vegetables also contain fibre which cleans our intestines. Insoluble fibre ‘sweeps’ our intestines like a broom (natural colon cleanser) and soluble fibre ‘holds onto’ harmful substances in our foods and limits their absorption into the body. Fruits and vegetables also contain vital vitamins and minerals. As our bodies break down foods to energy, harmful substances are produced. These harmful substances must be neutralized by antioxidants quickly. Phytochemicals function as antioxidants but they are used up quickly and there are many of them that are necessary so we have to eat a wide range of fresh bright-colored fruits and vegetables to get the protection we need. The carotenoids protect the surface of the body’s cells while flavonoids protect the inside. When obtained in adequate amounts they help to preserve our brain and nervous system, heart and circulation, skin and hair, immune system (including our cancer-fighting ability) and retards the aging process. To get the maximum benefit from them we need to limit the use of heat and oil in their preparation. Colors also have a beneficial effect on our mental health. In fact, it has been found that 1) Golden color and mellow-yellow reduce anxiety, 2) Sky-blue ceilings reduce claustrophobia, 3) Purple stimulates creativity, 4) Bright colors help to relieve depression, 5) Dark blue helps us to focus, 6) Light to mid-blue, and blue-green promote good sleep 7) And red, hot pink, and orange improve a lackluster love life!! So there you have it! Add some color to your day, both inside and out, and live a happier, healthier life. Take care.

Lady Gaga And The American Media

2010-02-27T11:00:00.001-08:00

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), is known by her stage name Lady Gaga. An extraordinarily talented and astounding individual, Lady Gaga was born into an Italian American family, and from a very early age she demonstrated great genius and signs that she would be a media buzz.

At age 4 Lady Gaga learned piano by ear, by age 13, she had written her first piano ballad, and at 14, she played open mike nights at clubs such as New York’s the Bitter End. Since then she has played in most of New York's top clubs and has been quoted as saying,“I did this the way you are supposed to. I played every club in New York City and I bombed in every club and then killed it in every club and I found myself as an artist. I learned how to survive as an artist, get real, and how to fail and then figure out who I was as singer and performer. And, I worked hard.”

As an "Artist", Lady Gaga obviously understands the business of being an Artiste to convey the messages of the Artist. Her actions have garnered the attention of the entire world and she never ceases to amaze her supporters and detractors alike.

Her influence on the Fashion World has been phenomenal as she has literally reversed the flow of fashion, from the Street to the Runway, instead of otherwise. The NYTimes.com, Schott Blog which monitors new fashion buzzwords defines her as, Lady Gaga:"Enigmatic performance artist has had outsized impact on the world of fashion.” She is again referenced in another fashion buzzword definition, No Pants:"Hot pants for the 21st Century; not much pant (see Lady GaGa).” Her incontrovertible influence cannot be denied..

In her lastest theatrics, she has successfully beguiled the American Media into "covering" her "nakedness" as a result of the refusal of many magazine retailers to showcase Lady Gaga, who poses with a fake bulge in her pants on the cover of Britain’s Q magazine. That being said, those who might not have seen these magazines were directed by the buzz to search for the cover online. Masterful indeed.

Naturally there are those who are simply not fans of lady Gaga. While that is understandable the reasons proposed by some show a lack of understanding of their own area of expertise. Take for example Kelly Cutrone, fashion publicist, who is quoted as saying “I don’t really care for [Lady Gaga]. I know everybody thinks she’s great, and she’s one of the few girls who will wear a look off the runway. But having grown up with people like Debbie Harry and Alice Cooper and Kiss, I just don’t really see anything original about what she’s doing. I don’t like her style. I find it to be very violent. She looks like Dolly Parton after a murder.”

While understanding her sentiments I would hasten to say that Music the Art, is like Fashion, it is cyclical. Consequently there must always be an ambassador for each genre. Without such champions the musical experience of the current generation would certainly be lacking. In appreciation of Kelly's professional capacity, I would have expected her not necessarily to like Lady Gaga but at least not to be expecting to "really see anything original about what she’s doing.", after all Kelly, by her own admission above, is not 20 years old, she has grown up.

Lady Gaga on the other hand must be credited with a superb understanding of the market to which she caters. Her apt demonstration of her grasp of the wide range of human expressions; from the 2009 VMA's outlandish bleeding Paparazzi set, to the demure sophistication of her Barbara Walters Interview , must engender an appreciation of her depth. Personally I respect her as an Artist of immense talent who has been recognized for her great work in her mastery of imagery in the shaping of pop culture. Lady Gaga is awesome!

Stay Safe In The Storm

2010-02-25T08:15:00.001-08:00

Hey Guys,

Stay safe in this stormy weather.

Social Media Is Here To Stay

2010-02-24T23:46:00.000-08:00

What a joy it is to have a voice, in a world that traditionally caused us to feel so "unconnected". But not anymore....

At the outset, the advent of the internet heralded cries of seclusion and decreased human contact. This certainly was true for the period during which we were ignorant of the methods by which to connect. Certainly that paradigm has now changed and the introduction of Social Media has revolutionized our interaction in this New World. Privacy is no longer regarded as it once was, and Sharing is the new craze.

We share information about what we eat, what we do, when we do it and how we do it. The satisfaction that is derived from getting updates from friends is immeasurable, and more people spend a greater length of time in social media now than they do most other social interactions! So to all the Nay Sayers, we would like to say- Change Has Come to The World. Meet the bold New World of Social Media!