SURVEY FINDINGS ON HIV

On a recent HIV study presented by Merck Research Laboratories, there were some interesting facts that came out via recent research that focused on Millennials and Gen Z on their lack of knowledge about this disease:

·       Survey findings showed a profound lack of accurate sex and HIV education among all participants, however the trend worsened in Gen Z

o   More than two-thirds of HIV-negative young adults said they were most concerned about getting HIV as compared to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

o   54% of HIV-negative respondents did not report using condoms or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to protect themselves against the HIV virus and other STIs

·       Although millennials and Gen Z did not experience the start of the HIV epidemic firsthand, they still perpetuate the stigma seen in the early days of HIV

o   More than one quarter of HIV-negative millennials said they have avoided hugging, talking to or being friends with someone with HIV, and 30% said they would prefer not to interact socially with someone with HIV

o   People with HIV who take HIV medicine as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load (or stay virally suppressed) have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative sexual partners. The survey found that respondents had varying perceptions about what it means to be undetectable and the risk of transmitting the virus to another person.

o   84% of Gen Z and 65% of millennials living with HIV who are abstaining from sex do so because of their HIV-positive status

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HOW TO CHOOSE A BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

The world of advertising and social media has brought physicians' names to the public continuingly. Years ago, if a doctor called him/herself a cosmetic surgeon, the patient knew precisely what that term meant.  Doctors in various sub-specialties such as dermatologists, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, and even dentists are performing cosmetic surgery procedures.  This can leave prospective patients utterly confused about how to find the best and most qualified surgeons. But how, wonders Dr. Manish Shah who is an Ivy League educated Board-certified Plastic Surgeon in Denver, "is a prospective patient to know who is a diligent, excellent, caring physician and who is a charlatan?" Dr. Shah wants to disseminate information the public can use and heed as caution when selecting a cosmetic surgeon in a country now brimming with doctors who call themselves "cosmetic surgeons."

"Public law and policy do not necessarily protect us from unreasonable and untrue claims," says Dr. Shah.  "A physician needs to be licensed in medicine -- which means earning a recognized medical degree, From that point, he or she can hang out a shingle in any specialty he/she chooses; the state does not control what area of medicine he/she practices or which type of specialist they claim unless there are complaints and they are brought before the Office of Professional Medical Conduct. Often, by then, it is too late." 

What can we look for before placing ourselves under a physician's care to ascertain the qualities and qualifications of that physician?  There are four basic areas that must be investigated to determine the qualifications of physicians. These are: a physician's training; a physician's certification; a physician's associations; and a physician's attitude toward his or her patients and the medical community at large.

"A physician should have and be willing to provide evidence that he or she has trained in the area of their expertise," says Dr. Shah.  "For example, patients want to locate a plastic surgeon who trained in plastic surgery, which means a post-surgical residency fellowship in the sub-specialty.  Each residency or fellowship program gives a certificate certifying the dates of service as well as the hospital and department in which the physician trained."  Physicians are usually quite proud of their achievements and keep these and many other framed diplomas in their offices.  If they are not available, then at least a curriculum vitae or a brochure describing a doctor's training should be available and should be carefully examined by the patient.  "If a physician is either unable or unwilling to disclose this information, it becomes a clear issue of 'medical consumer beware,' says Dr. Shah.

After training in their chosen field, each medical or surgical sub-specialty has a certifying board that is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS).  After spending the requisite number of years training, a physician has to take an examination in order to be certified.  After being certified, a surgeon often applies to the American College of Surgeons for a fellowship.  These credentials can be checked in libraries, hospital libraries, and online.

"For example, The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not approved by the American Board of Medical Specialists and neither are a host of other so-called 'boards,' advises Dr. Shah, who is board-certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery which is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the ABMS.  A gynecologist, ENT or general surgeon may be an exquisitely trained physician--but if they did cosmetic surgery, where did they learn to do it?  Was it on-the-job training, or an online or weekend course? How often do they go for a refresher course?  Are they affiliated with a certified hospital in case of an emergency? "

Dr. Shah advises the would-be medical consumer "not to be impressed by a P.C. after the physician's name--it only means that they are incorporated. Jane Doe, M.D., F.A.C.S.', on the other hand, actually tells one something about the qualifications of the physician." It means, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons) It indicates to the patient that the surgeon has passed a thorough evaluation of both professional competence and ethical fitness.

If patients are still confused, Dr. Shah advises them, "check a third area: A physician's associations and affiliations.  If a physician is on the staff at a well-respected local teaching hospital in the department that is appropriate to their qualifications, then patients at least know that his or her qualifications have been appropriately researched by the hospital's committees and should, therefore, be valid and current.  "Today, however, because of skyrocketing hospital costs, the trend is toward more out-patient surgery and care," says Dr. Shah.  "Because of this, physicians have moved further away from the hospital.  This may be good for the patient from a cost standpoint, but a well-qualified physician--especially a surgeon--should maintain a relationship with a hospital just in case there is a problem with a patient that requires hospitalization."   Dr. Shah further advises patients to remember that, "when a physician is outside of an institutional setting, there is no quality control or peer review other than what the physician sets for himself."

Patients must look into many areas of a physician's training, especially certification, association, and personality prior to allowing a medical professional to manage their health care.  "If you do your homework well," says Dr. Shah, "you should end up with a compassionate well-trained competent physician with whom you feel totally at ease and in whom you have the utmost confidence."

Check if your plastic surgeon is board-certified

Since 1937, the ABPS has issued 9,499 certificates to plastic surgeons who met high standards in training requirements and successfully passed the examinations covering the breadth of Plastic Surgery. Approximately 6,900 are actively practicing.

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PREGOREXIA AND DRUNKOREXIA | FOOD AND WEIGHT OBSESSIONS GO TO DANGEROUS NEW LEVELS

In a society that values thinness, conditions like anorexia and bulimia cut across race, color, gender and socioeconomic constraints. They’re defined by extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, roughly 30 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life. Two new dangerous eating disorders they are mostly being seen with millennials are “pregorexia” and “drunkorexia.” We turned to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, New York City based neuropsychologist and Teaching Faculty Member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College for some insight.

Drunkorexia: “I want to drink but I don’t want to get fat so, I won’t eat.”

While binge-drinking is in no way gender-specific, drunkorexia is a practice more common to females. This term is used to describe the unhealthy combination of extreme food restriction, bulimia and alcoholism; basically, it is a term for a female who starves herself throughout the day, then drinks to excess at night.

Those who engage in this practice rarely suffer from anorexia. This is because a female with anorexia tends to avoid alcohol consumption altogether. Even if she eats nothing during the day, the high caloric content of alcohol is too frightening. “The fear of losing control is enormous. Rigid control is essential to maintaining anorexia. Alcohol may lead to a relaxation of this rigidity and she may fall victim to the allure of food which is why anorexics avoid alcohol,” explains Dr. Hafeez.

For myriad reasons, a female with bulimia is much more likely to fall into the category of drunkorexia. “In the case of the bulimic, alcohol may play a significant role in their binge-purge cycle. In addition to eating huge quantities of food, she drinks excessively. Not only does she experience the mood-altering effects of alcohol, but also the large amount of fluid helps her in the purge process. After purging, she may drink more to sustain the high of intoxication. It’s an incredibly damaging cycle,” adds Dr. Hafeez.

The Dangers of Drunokorexia

Eating on an empty stomach will definitely increase blood alcohol concentration, simply because there is nothing there to absorb the alcohol. This increase is more likely to result in blackouts, injury, and poor decision-making. It also can result in temporary dehydration because of excessive urination and lack of thirst. Also, engaging in this behavior frequently can lead to nutritional deficiencies. These are some of the more immediate effects, but longer-term effects can include increased damage to the liver and kidneys, as well as alcohol addiction.

If you are worried that you or someone you know are suffering from drunkorexia or you know someone that is, it is important that you seek professional treatment. “We would want to work on the needs to control and escape also worthiness issues hence, the focus on thinness,” Hafeez explains.

Pregorexia: “I’m pregnant, don’t want it to show, and I absolutely cannot get fat.”

In the age of social media, it’s not so surprising that this condition exists. Pregnant millennials see celebrities their age pregnant on Instagram with their “bounce back body” in tip-top shape just weeks (or a few posts) after giving birth.  

These women are so afraid of weight gain during pregnancy that they  don't adequately nourish themselves and their developing baby. “While it is not an actual diagnosis, the fear of weight-gain due to pregnancy and worse, the inability to return to the pre-baby weight, makes some expectant mother’s pregorexic and this is when some turn to strict dieting and excessive exercise,” shares Dr. Hafeez. 

Not gaining enough weight when you're pregnant is dangerous. It can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth complications such as prematurity and low birth weight.

The risk of pregorexia might be higher for women who have a history of eating disorders and those who have a weak social support system.

Specific warning signs of pregorexia might include:

·         Talking about the pregnancy as if it weren't real

·         Heavily focusing on calorie counts

·         Eating alone or skipping meals

·         Exercising excessively

What happens when you don't eat enough nutritious food in pregnancy?

When you severely restrict your food intake, or binge and purge while you're pregnant, your baby will not receive the necessary nutrients it needs to develop in the womb.

Your baby may be born underweight and develop other health complications during infancy. You will also likely be fatigued. The lack of nutrients to your baby may hamper their growth and development which may later result in serious health conditions.

For some women, pregorexia may lead to a miscarriage.

Women should not be shamed for this condition; it doesn't make them bad mothers, they are fighting a battle. Instead we should talk about it more, so the disorder can be better understood and destigmatized.

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

Call a 24-hour Alcoholics Anonymous hotline: 510-839-8900

Hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237, This helpline offers support Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. EST, and Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST.

Something Fishy: 1-866-418-1207, This eating disorder helpline offers treatment referrals nationwide.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders:

1-630-577-1330 Currently serving people in the United States, the hotline operates Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. CST

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7 TRICKS IN MAINTAINING A FIRM AND HEALTHY SKIN

Your skin is bound to change as you age; as a result of your skin weakening, and the loss of natural collagen and elastin. Now, while we can’t prevent aging, as it is part of life, what we can do is prevent dermatological issues, skin sagging, and damages caused by sun exposure. So if you’re looking for natural remedies to preserve your skin and maintain its health, firmness, and overall glow, you have come to the right place.

Contrary to popular belief you do not need to have a ton of money to feel youthful, and you certainly do not need to resort to injections. There are natural treatments that can do the job, in fact, some of the most popular skincare products are more affordable and effective than you think. The trick is to know what you can do daily to maintain firm and healthy skin.

And we’ve compiled seven tricks that we swear by to achieve the look you want, and we are letting you in on the secret. 

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

We cannot stress how important moisturizing is! Our skin is exposed to such extreme weather conditions, from sun exposure to wind and dust, that it can greatly affect our skin if we neglect it. The right moisturizer protects our skin and prevents it from sagging. To achieve smooth, glowing skin you must moisturize your face and neck morning and night to maintain its elasticity and firmness. 

2. Be keen on sunscreen 

To this day people overlook the importance of sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied to your skin every day before you leave the house, even if you are just popping out to the store for 20 minutes. While sun exposure is good for your overall health, it also makes your skin susceptible to dark spots and wrinkles. So opt for sunscreens that are waterproof and long-lasting. 

3. Drink plenty of water

Yes, you’ve heard so many skincare gurus mention this, but that’s because water works wonders. One of the best ways to accomplish youthful-looking skin is to stay hydrated; while there are plenty of products you can purchase to hydrate your skin, water is at the top of that list. Water is the most natural road to hydration of the skin. We don’t need to tell you how good water is for your health, but we will remind you that if you feel healthy on the inside, you’ll appear healthy on the outside too. 

4. Exercise

You might be surprised to find exercising on this list, but you need to maintain a healthy weight to protect your skin. You see, if your weight happens to fluctuate a lot, you'll end up stretching your skin which weakens elastin fibers on your face. So, don’t put your skin through a constant fluctuation, and make exercising a part of your beauty plan. 

5. Eat healthily

A balanced diet does more for your skin than you realize. Processed foods can become harmful to your skin and cause your skin to age faster than necessary; avoid eating too much sugar as well. For healthy, glowing skin add fruits and vegetables to your diet, and try to use healthy spices to your cooking as well. 

6. Change your lifestyle

The way you care for your body affects the way your skin appears. It will be hard to revive your skin to its natural glow and condition if you expose yourself to harmful activities, such as excessive drinking and smoking; these activities drain and dry out your skin, causing your skin to sag earlier than it should. A healthy lifestyle will provide your skin with all the benefits it needs to look beautiful and refreshed. 

7. Relieve yourself of stress

Stress is known to age the skin, especially uncontrolled stress. If you do not find ways to relax and unwind, you will be more prone to acne breakouts and will trigger other skin issues, especially if you have sensitive skin. Make sure you always put your well-being first and prevent unnecessary stressful situations, by getting enough sleep every night, organizing your daily plans to avoid feeling overworked and overwhelmed, and most importantly, find time for yourself to relax and do the activities that not only calm your nerves but make you feel good too. Happiness makes you beautiful. 

It’s not really that complicated of a list, and it doesn’t cost you a thing. Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, relax your mind, drink water, avoid sugary drinks and processed foods, moisturize daily and nightly, and of course, do not forget to wear sunscreen before you leave the house. In no time, you’ll have the natural glow and smooth skin you have always wanted indefinitely.  

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

10 QUESTIONS ABOUT COSMETIC SURGERY YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW- ANSWERED BY A BOARD- CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

We sat down with Dr. Manish Shah to find out common questions that we have been asked about cosmetic surgery. From all of the different questions that have been sent to us, we have 10 answers that can come in handy for you or someone that is asking you for your knowledge.

ATHLEISURE MAG: How long do breast implants last until they have to be removed and done again?
DR. MANISH SHAH: Although the implants themselves last forever, their structural integrity does not. Over time, the average wear and tear could cause a rupture or leak. In general, saline or silicone implants should be replaced or removed every 10 to 15 years if you notice any changes. A rupture in a saline implant tends to be more noticeable, as the deflation is visible. While that may sound scary, it’s actually quite harmless, as the saline is just absorbed by the body. However, it is not as easy to notice if a silicone implant has ruptured. For this reason, most doctors will recommend an MRI every 2 years for their patients with silicone implants to check for leaks. Implants may need to be removed or replaced for other reasons too, but in general, should last from 10 to 25 years.
 
AM: If I have fat removed through liposuction, will it reappear elsewhere?
DR. MS: Technically, yes, it is possible for the fat to return, but only if you let it come back. If the patient maintains their weight, the fat will not return or appear somewhere else on your body. A little bit of weight gain is fine, such as 5 to 10 pounds, as long as patients stay close to their “post-lipo weight”. Because fat cells accumulate in an evenly distributed manner, weight gain tends to be more noticeable in areas that are untreated than treated. So, even patients who gained a considerable amount of weight post-lipo look better than they did if they had not undergone surgery.
 
AM: After repeated Botox injections, will facial muscles ever lose the ability to frown?
DR. MS: Even though one of the side effects of Botox is difficulty smiling or frowning, the effects of Botox wear off in 3 to 4 months. Repeated use of Botox causes the muscles treated to atrophy and thin out. When they "wake" back up they tend to be weaker and less likely to make wrinkle. This is why many consider Botox a great anti-aging treatment. Botox can be administered in a way in which it does not freeze the muscle completely. This is something you would discuss with your injector.
 
Discuss with the injector what your goals are. Some people such as actors need to be able to express themselves. In this case, Botox can be administered so as not to freeze the muscle completely. Others want certain muscles not to move at all. An experienced injector has the knowledge to make adjustments. We also have the ability to combine Botox with other treatments to assist your goals.
 
AM: I thought silicone breast implants can rupture, so why are they still used?
DR. MS: Both saline and silicone implants can leak. But, it is much harder to tell when a silicone implant has ruptured over a saline implant. Someone with silicone implants may go months or even years without noticing. This is due to the very thick and viscous silicone filling, moving only at very slow rates. It will generally stay within the capsule of breast tissue surrounding your implant, which makes for a simple replacement. Additionally, silicone is the gold standard against which other implantable materials get compared. It is a safe material when used in the human body.
 
AM: Will liposuction eliminate cellulite?
DR. MS: Although patients used to think liposuction could eliminate cellulite, today doctors are not recommending it for that use. In some cases, liposuction can actually make the cellulite worse by creating more dimples in the skin. While it is true that excess fat can make cellulite worse, it’s not the real cause. Liposuction on the thighs and butt only marginally improve the appearance of cellulite. On the contrary, thin skin in these areas can exacerbate the problem, especially in older women where the skin tends to be less elastic.
 
Doctors have found that ultrasound and laser-assisted liposuction can effectively reduce cellulite because it tightens the skin as it removes fat. But again, these alone will not rid you of cellulite.
 
AM: Will I have to wear my hair over my ears to cover face-lift scars?
DR. MS: On average, face-lift scars around the ears take about six months to fade and become almost invisible. You probably are going to want to wear your hair down for the first month for recovery purposes. It’s best to choose a hairstyle within this time that will not apply added pressure to the area of incision while still helping to cover up the scar at the same time. Ask your doctor how soon it is safe for you to wear makeup over the scar as a cover up option until they fully fade.

AM: Can my breast implants pop?
DR. MS: Unfortunately, yes breast implants can “pop”, but it is rare and easily treatable. Both saline and silicone implants have an outer shell that can potentially develop a tear, called a rupture. The rupture could be caused by a variety of things such as normal aging of the implant, trauma caused by a car accident, a needle insertion during a biopsy, or other factors. If you experience any changes in breast shape and size, and increased pain, firmness, and swelling over a period of weeks, these may be signs that your implant has ruptured. Most corrective surgeries include removing both implants and replacing them in the same surgery. Your surgeon might also recommend that you switch to a different type of implant. In any case, discuss with your doctor in detail the best option to avoid risk of rupture in the future.
 
AM: What happens if I’m not happy with my surgical results?
DR. MS: The first step is to be patient. Some patients look good in as fast as three weeks, others three months, and, for some, the full results aren’t apparent until six months after surgery. You should wait for all the post-surgical swelling and bruising to go away completely before fretting over the end result.
 
With that being said, speak up if you are feeling anxious. At your follow-up appointment, it is perfectly fine to voice to your surgeon that you are feeling disappointed. A good doctor will address your concerns, walk you through the recovery process, and if necessary, talk about the next steps.
 
AM: How soon after my lipo can I have sex?
DR. MS: After having a procedure like liposuction or a tummy tuck, you will definitely feel some moderate soreness and swelling. It’s normal. When it comes to resuming sexual activity, your personal level of comfort plays a large factor as there is no specific body structure you can damage after liposuction. This means your soreness or the healing process of your incisions may be the only thing stopping you from being intimate. As soon as you feel both physically and emotionally ready, you are safe to resume having sex. For most patients, it takes about a week.  But if we removed excess fat on large areas of your thighs, belly, and/or buttocks, you might have to wait a week to ten days. Before then, your body will be tender and that could make the experience painful.

AM: What is the youngest age you would consider performing a facelift?

DR. MS: When evaluating a patient for facelift surgery, age is only a relative consideration. I've performed facelifts on patients under 40 years of age who lost a lot of weight causing their face to deflate and sag. That being said, most facelift or neck lift procedures are performed on patients between 45-70 years old. If the volume loss can be managed by treatments other than facelift surgery, patients will opt for them. However, once those minimally invasive or noninvasive treatments no longer cut it, a patient can choose to have a facelift. For some patients that may be in their early 40's.

AM: Is there a trendy cosmetic procedure that you feel is a waste of money and time?

DR. MS: The procedure that I find a waste of time and money is Kybella. It is so expensive for patients and has significant social downtime. I can get better results, more quickly with neck liposuction. Also, I am still waiting to see if patients can get decent results with Sculptra injections for buttocks augmentation. For doctors that can't perform surgical procedures, or for patients who want to avoid surgery, these may be their only choices.  

 Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

TREATMENTS FOR ACNE THAT WORKS

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles are filled with large amounts of oil and dead skin cells. In fact, suffering from acne does not just affect a person’s self-esteem and self-image, but it can also be an indicator that you need to make certain changes to your lifestyle. It is your body urging you to take better care of your health. There are different acne treatments out there. Some of them you might have tried with little to no results. This is mostly due to the fact that you do not fully understand what type of acne you have and, thus, are unable to identify the best way to deal with it.

Here are some tips, as well as acne treatments, that work wonders.

1. Identify your acne

The very first step to treating acne is identifying what type of acne you have. Different types of acne have different causes and thus need to be treated differently.

a.    Hormonal acne

Hormonal acne comes around at a certain time of the month when your hormones are fluctuating. You can identify hormonal acne by the fact that it is usually a sprinkling of zits around the bottom half of your face seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

b.    Whiteheads and blackheads

Both of these acne types are a result of clogged pores. You might be wondering what exactly clogs your pores and the answer to that is the oil your face secretes. The difference is that whiteheads have thin film covering the oil while blackheads occur in larger pores which allow the trapped oil to oxidize and have that black color

c.    Inflammatory acne

Everyone is familiar with this kind of acne. Whether it is a large pimple with pus trapped inside or smaller pimples that are inflamed and painful, this type of acne is caused by bacteria on the face.

d.    Cystic acne

Cystic acne is mainly caused due to genetic or oil gland issues and cannot be treated with the usual acne treatments such as antibiotics or gels.

2. Medicines used

After understanding the different kinds of acne, you can take the necessary steps to treat your case. Most of these cases of acne can be treated using simple over-the-counter topical creams and lotions that contain certain active ingredients. Usually, an effective treatment will include retinoid, which comes in the form of gels, creams, and lotions. You will also find a range of antibiotics to treat inflammatory acne which is, as mentioned above, the result of bacteria. Salicylic acid, which is found in a range of grains and comes in liquid form that you can apply topically to the area you have acne in one to two times a day for the desired results. In fact, some medicines include a couple of these substances at the same time to rid you of acne as quickly as possible.

3. Alternative methods

After identifying what kind of acne you have, you might be surprised to find out that the medication listed above won’t have satisfactory results. You do not have to lose hope though, because there are some alternative methods to get rid of your acne once and for all.

a.    Supplements

Taking supplements to get rid of acne is one of the most popular alternative methods used by people. This is because taking alternative supplements that contain vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, and D, is quite beneficial for your skin. Not only will they help with any acne on your body, but they will also regulate your body’s functions and give you stronger immunity to help fight off any bacteria and viruses.

b.    Laser therapy

Laser therapy is another method that people use to get rid of both acne and acne scars that are left over from past breakouts. It can be quite expensive, however, to go for sessions regularly so people usually choose to undergo laser therapy as a last resort.

c.    Dieting

Believe it or not, dieting can help you with acne. Acne can sometimes be caused by an excess of oil secretions which is a result of eating junk food regularly. Limiting your intake of unhealthy food and allergens, such as berries and chocolate, will have a serious effect on acne-prone skin

4. Home treatments

If you do not want to use medication, you can also try home treatments that have a noticeable success rate.

a.    Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, like most kinds of vinegar, has antibacterial properties, so applying a generous amount of inflammatory acne will kill bacteria and make the pimples go down at a faster rate.

b.    Natural masks

One of the most popular masks to make at home is a honey and cinnamon mask. Both of these ingredients, which most people readily have at home, are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants. This means that they work wonders on your skin after a couple of applications.

c.    Tea tree oil

Although more on the expensive side, tea tree oil is a natural remedy that works well to give your skin a luminous and smooth look.

d.    Green tea

Green tea can be used on your skin in two ways. You can first brew the tea and leave it to reach room temperature. Then you can apply it onto your skin using a spray bottle. You can use the leaves to make a green tea and honey mask to calm down any inflammation and get rid of acne-causing bacteria.

e.    Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is found in many face creams and lotions already, but you can use its pure form on your skin just like green tea to decrease inflammation.

These are some of the best ways to deal with any type of acne you might have. Do not be afraid to experiment with different natural treatments and supplements at the same time to ensure that you are free from any acne that you might be suffering from. No matter what, rest assured that using these treatments will ensure that your face remains acne-free for a very long time to come if used regularly.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

7 GREAT WAYS TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGht

Maintaining your ideal body weight doesn't only boost your self-confidence, but it also makes you healthier. You don't want to end up suffering from cardiovascular disease and complications caused by diabetes because of obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle. So, it's about time to find helpful ways to help you shed some pounds.

In this post, you'll learn 7 great ways to help you lose weight safely and effectively:

1.         Eat a Balanced Diet

Sometimes, going back to the basics is more effective when it comes to weight loss. While there are a lot of diet fads, like keto or juicing, eating a balanced diet and taking regular meals instead of snacking are highly recommended.

Natural foods contain L glutamine, which is an amino acid that can also be found in supplements that help regulate the number of bacteria in the digestive tract. It also helps burn calories and reduce appetite. Some examples of foods high in L-glutamine include beef, corn, eggs, tofu, white rice, and skim milk.

2.         Never Skip Breakfast

You don't have to go hungry just to lose weight. If you don't want to end up snacking throughout the day, make sure to start your day right by eating breakfast.

Breakfast is essential so you can obtain nutrients from various food sources to empower your cells and provide you the energy you need. It’ll also keep your appetite satisfied, and you'll tend to avoid craving sweets or snacks, which usually cause weight gain.

3.         Invest in a Bicycle

Unlike other forms of exercise, biking is a fun activity that can help you lose weight. Bicycling can help you burn calories, which is a unit of energy. Foods contain varying levels of calories, such as four calories for every gram of carbohydrate and protein, and nine calories for each gram of fat. An average female cyclist usually burns about 2,000 to 2,400 calories a day and an average male burns between 2,200 and 2,700.

Feel the freedom and fresh air brought about by cycling in the park or nearby natural landscapes. You'll enjoy this physical activity because it's enjoyable, taking you from different places.

You can always bring your mountain bike on an out-of-town trip and use it as fantastic tour transportation. Thus, it's not surprising why bicycling has transformed many lives, including favorite celebrities.

4.         Limit Using Gadgets and Computers

With the digital age, it's easy to get hooked on to social media or online surfing all day. Just imagine, you work in the office more than eight hours a day and still come home and sit on the couch to watch TV or check your Facebook or Instagram all night.

That's why you should stick with a schedule and limit using these devices. Essentially, be more physically active. It’ll not only prevent exposure from too much blue light from gadget screens, but it’ll also help you lose weight.

5.         Stop Cravings

Even if you're in a carefully planned diet, it can be wrecked when you give in to sweets or sugar and other food or beverage cravings. When your body lacks leptin, a hormone that signals satiety, your appetite increases. The same is true with the release of ghrelin, which leads to weight gain. That's why you have to learn how to stop your cravings.

Here are some tips to stop cravings:

●      Chew Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum tricks the brain by making you feel satisfied when you're craving sugar. It also helps keep you diverted from vices, such as drinking alcohol or cigarette smoking.

Avoid taking breath mints or peppermints because they have more sugar than gums, which makes your cravings worse.

●      Brush Your Teeth: You probably have realized that the aftertaste of toothpaste is not a perfect pair with food flavors. Hence, brushing your teeth can temporarily stop your craving when you start to feel the urge.

●      Drink Water: Sometimes, hunger cravings is actually a signal that your body needs hydration. When you feel cravings, drink more cold water. This stimulates metabolism as the body warms the water to body temperature.

It's also a good idea to squirt a piece of lemon to the water to add flavor, making you feel you’ve consumed something more filling than plain water.

●      Use Food-scented Beauty Products: The more you keep your sense of smell away from food, the greater are your cravings. Sniffing food-scented candles and beauty products, like green apple, vanilla, or banana, regularly help you avoid the hit of intense cravings.

●      Small Craving Concession: Indulging a little to your favorite foods will help prevent overindulgence later. Combine your favorite sweets to something healthier. For instance, you can dip strawberries to melted favorite chocolate.

6.         Get Enough Sleep

Sleep deprivation leads to obesity. So, if you want to lose weight, you should get adequate rest and sleep. People who have trouble sleeping feel tired the next day, and overeating is one way to replenish energy. Also, people who usually sleep late at night even snack, ruining their healthy diets. 

If you want to lose weight effectively, you should also need to get at least eight hours of sleep at night. Reduce the number of hours watching television or using your smartphone before bedtime. Also, you might need to replace your old mattress for a more comfortable sleep.

7.         Regular Exercise

While you probably have the money to spend on liposuction or tummy tuck, nothing can beat regular exercise when it comes to losing weight or getting rid of unwanted fat. In fact, cosmetic enhancements are not effective weight management techniques, and even experts don’t consider them as such.

So, why not brisk walk, jog, or run the early morning before heading to work? Or, you can exercise in the gym once you’re out in the office. Another way to get regular exercise is by climbing the staircase instead of riding an elevator. For those who are always at home, doing manual chores instead of using the vacuum or cleaning appliances also helps you lose weight.

Conclusion

Losing weight is very challenging for a lot of people. While one can easily kickstart a weight loss plan, it's hard to keep it. That's why it's important to have discipline.

Make sure to eat a balanced diet, reduce your cravings, get some exercise, and get enough sleep. Also, it's important to be mindful of what you're eating, take natural weight loss supplements as needed, and avoid overindulgence by only eating small servings of your favorite foods.

By doing so, you'll lose weight and enjoy a healthier life.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

MANAGING HEALTH AND WELLNESS DURING THE HOLDAYS

We’re still in the midst of the holiday season even though a number of the holiday have passed us. With New Years Eve, New Years Day and additional holidays that incorporate gift exchanges and other festivities, we sat down with Terra Wellington to find out how we can optimize this time so that we can still be good to our physical bodies as well as enjoying being with our friends, family and colleagues!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is it about the holiday season that puts us at risk, in your opinion, from being focused on our health and even over doing things when we’re just trying to have a good time and trying to get into the holiday spirit?

TERRA WELLINGTON: Well yes, I’m here on behalf of iHerb.com and yes we can get stressed, we can lose our energy and also become susceptible to the cold and flu. So I have two prevention tips for that. One is to make sure that you wash your hands on a regular basis and not touch your face. Those two things will really helped with reducing the transmission of germs and also reduce your stress. This will help to boost your immunity and one thing that you can do to make that happen is to make sure that you’re hydrated. If you’re hydrated, that will help you flush those toxins out of your body.

AM: That’s good to know. A lot of our readers debate whether we should wash our hands or is it ok to use the different types of antibacterial products? Are they both ok or is one better than the other?

TW: There is a lot of controversy on those hand sanitizers, let’s say. Just be careful with reading those labels and make sure that you’re teaching your children that they are washing their hands correctly. I’d say that they should be doing it 20 seconds for all surfaces of your hands.

Of course, keeping up your energy is a big thing this time of year and reducing your sugar content is really important. It’s tough as there is a lot of sugar out there this time of year. From the time that you eat that holiday sugar, you will get a tiny spike of energy – but then you get that crash.

So one of the things that you can do according to the studies at the National Institute of Health is that you can look to apple cider vinegar to help you with this. It looks to control that blood sugar and to maintain your energy. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like really drinking apple cider vinegar! But Gummiology has apple cider vinegar gummies and it’s a lot more tasty!

AM: We have to admit that drinking apple cider vinegar straight is not something we enjoy doing so having that as an alternative is good to know. Are there certain nutrients that can assist us in naturally boost our immunity?

TW: According to the Mayo Clinic and other studies, Vitamin D can help to boost our immunity which can be very helpful. You can go outside directly into the sunshine and that can help your body to produce its own Vitamin D. Of course, during the wintertime it may be a bit more difficult because of the shorter days. So Vitamin D supplements can help with that. I suggest Lake Avenue Nutrition Vitamin D3 – it’s available at iHerb.com. I like how this trusted retail site is really great with helping you research the kinds of products that you want, they’re transparent with the products that they have with their labeling and they keep track with the best buy and expiration dates. It’s just like if you went to a traditional store if you were going there to see what the products were about.

AM: That’s good to know. Do you have any tips on how we can make sure that we are not overindulging as it’s so tough with so many events going on!

TW: Yes! There are so many temptations and I feel for everybody on that! Three tips on that:

• When you do go to that holiday party, try to stick to water if you can. The high-calorie drinks and the alcohol will really add to that overindulgence.

• Keep up with your exercise. 15 minutes a day off of your fitness app is a great way to start.

• When you do go to those holiday parties, beforehand try to eat a healthy snack which will take the edge off. You can try carrots and nuts or bananas and yogurt.

For those who are adults, if you have overindulged, you can try probiotics to help you. According to research, at the Medical University of Warsaw that probiotics can help the digestion and can move things along. I suggest the California Gold Nutrition LactoBif 100 Probiotics that has 8 active and clinical probiotic strains. A tip for probiotics is to check the expiration dates which is something that iHerb does really well. They closely monitor those best buy and expiration dates. They also have air-conditioned warehouses to keep the products fresh and to maintain high-quality standards.

AM: This is year-round, but during this time of year with increased activities, how important is it to get good sleep for your health?

TW: It can reduce your stress and increase your energy which are two great benefits to being mindful of this. A quick tip is to wind down each evening which means that you should turn down the lights and turn off all of your electronics. Maybe you should do some yoga and meditation – or you can read a book. There is a wellness trend that you can use essential oils for relaxation. An example of an oil, is NOW Peppermint Essential Oil. You can research which essential oil works best for you and you can search and find which ones are best on iHerb.com. They’re focused on quality and they make it easy to order and find products. They have state of the art distribution facilities that are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified and all of that means that they are going to maintain the product quality!

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LIFE AFTER SPORTS: HOW DO ATHLETES DEAL RETIREMENT

Retirement can leave athletes purposeless. For every Shaquille O’Neal starting a lucrative business, there are 100 athletes who struggle to fill their day. As a professional athlete, the majority of your day is spent in the gym, on the court, or studying game plan. This often leaves players with little time to pursue other avenues in life; making retirement a difficult period for them. This article is going to explore what happens to all the athletes after they retire and how they choose to deal with their retirement.

1.    Coaching

Whenever an athlete retires, the usual go-to line of work is to coaching the sport for young up-and-coming players. The skills and experience learned from years of top tier competition can be very handy for inexperienced players looking to learn from someone who was knee-deep in the game before retiring. Depending on skill level, some of the higher end teams usually keep an eye out for every retired athlete to get them to coach their team for national tournaments. It’s one of the most common career routes athletes take after retirement as it’s still in the same field, using the same knowledge.

2.    Game Analysis

This is one of the more recent job opportunities for retired athletes at the moment as a lot of sports channels on TV, radio, and online look for athletes to give valuable insight to their respective sport. Having played the sport at the highest of levels is something not many can boast, and this leads to appealing perspective for these media outlets’ viewers. You can see a lot of athletes transitioning into game analysis after pursuing a career in any sport. The opportunities are countless as every outlet now provides pre and post-game breakdowns and often want the athletes to provide exclusive analysis.

3.    Retirement Job Opportunities

If you’re an athlete that’s close to retirement and you’re worried about how you’re going to find work after being in one field for so long, then you should probably be looking at some retirement plans. Experienced retirement planners over at My Retirement Rehab provide a constant flow of content regarding what some retired people have done, regardless of their age/career history. This can be a great way to get some idea as to where your life is headed after you make the big leap into retirement. There are also multiple guides on what you can do after retirement scattered all over the internet, so check those out as they can be very helpful in letting you know how to plan your life post-retirement.

4.    Pursue Different Careers

Many athletes were drafted from their college team and were never fully able to pursue the career they studied. Some athletes simply retire from the sport they used to practice and start another career down another path using their college education. It can be pretty surprising to hear that one of your professors or colleagues at work used to be an athlete, but it’s also much more common than you think.

5.    They Go Back to College

Much like the previous point mentioned, a lot of athletes were in college as they pursued their careers in a specific sport, however, not all of them finish college as some drop out midway to better pursue their athletic career. After they’d retired, some of them get the spark to learn reignited and go back to college to finish their degree and eventually go into a different career path that has something to do with their college education.

6.    Traveling to a Country with a Better Retirement Plan

Some countries offer more benefits to retired citizens than others. Some people plan out their retirement by filing the paperwork and traveling to a different country in order to retire there and get the benefits from that country’s retirement system.

Finding guidance after retirement is difficult for most and even more so for athletes. The thrill of the game, the excitement of the crowd, and the glory of the win gives them a high that is unparalleled. Athletes, generally retire a lot younger than people from any other field as they can only achieve their maximum potential up to a certain age. This makes retirement a very trendy topic to talk about if you’re an athlete closing in on the average retirement age of players in your specific sport. Doing the research and understanding what you’re in for after you’ve announced your official retirement from the sport can greatly reduce how scary the entire process can be for a person who has never worked in other fields.

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HOW TO AVOID ILLNESS AND OTHER MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES WHILE TRAVELING THIS CHRISTMAS

A record-breaking 112.5 million people – more than a third of all Americans - are expected to travel this holiday season, including 102 million who will take their trips by car. Nothing ruins a long-awaited vacation faster than getting sick or being in medical distress.  We turned to Dr. Niket Sonpal, an NYC internist and gastroenterologist for some tips on how to avoid health consequences will traveling.

Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but also can occur with no symptoms. For travelers, this can happen on long haul trips where you are not moving. Dr. Sonpal recommends if you are flying or on a train, to move around the cabin to get the blood flowing in your legs. If you are driving, take a break at a rest stop and walk around. Compression socks are also another option to prevent DVT.

Don’t Get Nauseous

People can experience motion sickness on virtually any mode of transportation. To combat this, Dr. Sonpal suggests Dramamine® Non-Drowsy Naturals, Dramamine®'s first non-drowsy formulation. It contains the clinically tested ginger dosage required for preventing and treating motion sickness. Other sources of ginger, including candies, gums, or ginger ale, may not contain a full clinical dose. For someone who is already experiencing nausea while traveling, it is a good idea to keep Emetrol on hand which is an over the counter nausea medication that does not cause drowsiness.

Avoid Bloating on a Plane

If you get gassy on a plane, you’re not alone! Dr. Sonpal explains that, “As the pressure around you decreases, the gas in your belly isn’t constrained as much and it expands. This can make you feel bloated or become distended.” It is essential to avoid foods that cause gas or have salt. Skip the tomato juice in flight and stick with non-carbonated water. Avoid alcohol, cruciferous vegetables, dairy and high sodium snacks such as salted peanuts or pretzels. Foods that are protein packed, magnesium-rich and high in Vitamin C are good options.

Sanitize Your Surfaces

Planes and trains are a breeding ground for illness.  The former are awful due to re-circulated air. Most travelers would be appalled if they really knew how germy their tray tables are! Dr. Sonpal suggests sanitizing wipes for your tray table, seat belt clip and hand rests of your seats on planes and trains. When you exit a restroom on a plane or train and touch the door handles, be sure to use hand sanitizer even if you already washed your hands.

Get Your Shots Before Traveling Abroad!

Before you even book your trip, make sure you’re up to date on your shots. If you’re traveling to an area where you’re at risk for picking up an illness like malaria, you might be prescribed preventative medication. Dr. Sonpal suggests that, “People should use the CDC website for recommended vaccines for travel abroad or see a travel clinic. The health risks posed to Americans vary based on the country they are traveling to.”

Don’t Touch the Ice!

When traveling to a different country, most people are very cautious about only drinking bottled water.  Many folks forget that ice is simply frozen water and put it into their soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. Contrary to what one might think, freezing water does not kill bacteria. The only way to be sure it is safe is if you boiled the water and then froze it.

Avoid Jet Lag

Even a relatively short time change from EST to PST (3 hours) can cause jet lag. With some international travel from the United States, the time difference can be as much as twelve hours. If you're traveling east, try going to bed one hour earlier each night for a few days before your departure. Go to bed one hour later for several nights if you're flying west. If possible, eat meals closer to the time you'll be eating them at your destination. Dr. Sonpal suggests that you set your watch to the new time before you leave. Once you reach your destination, try not to sleep until the local nighttime, no matter how tired you are.

Essential Medicine/Supplies to Travel With

Dr. Sonpal stresses never to check your medication with your baggage, always keep it in your carry on. Have a fresh re-fill on prescription medication with extra doses in case you get stuck at your destination. In addition, here are some essential over the counter meds/supplies to travel with:

Benadryl- For allergic reactions such as insect or bee bites.

Pepto Bismol- For diarrhea

Laxative such as Dulcolax

Anti-biotic ointment such as Neosporin

Common cold/sinus remedies such as Mucinex or Claritin

Pain relievers such as Tylenol or Motrin

Anti- Nausea medication such as Emetrol

Motion Sickness medication such as Dramamine. If you are the driver, be sure to take the non-drowsy version.

Electrolyte tablets for dehydration

Hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching from rashes, bites, poison ivy etc.

Aloe to soothe sunburned skin

Band-Aids

Digital Thermometer

Nasal Spray to prevent clogged ears while flying

Tweezers

Eye Drops

Epi-Pen if you are prone to severe allergic reactions

How to Find a Reliable Physician if you are Traveling Abroad

The US embassy in your destination country (http://www.usembassy.gov/) can help you locate medical services and will notify your family and friends in the event of an emergency. When selecting a doctor, make sure that he or she can speak your language. The following resources provide lists of doctors and clinics that can care of travelers:

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (www.iamat.org; membership required, but it is free)

Joint Commission International (www.jointcommissioninternational.org)

The International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org)

Travel Health Online (www.tripprep.com; gets information from various sources so quality is not guaranteed)

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CBD OILS, TINCTURES AND CREAMS: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT METHOD FOR YOU

There is a high demand for CBD products in the market today, and everyone swears by their efficacy. CBD addresses many ailments, and everyone of any age can benefit from CBD products.

The number of CBD products out there can be vast and, therefore, confusing. There are CBD products that work more than others in addressing specific ailments because of their differences in concentration. But before purchasing one, you should ask yourself some vital questions, such as where you are going to use CBD products, so you will know the right item for you.

Below is a guide to different CBD products and where they are best used for:

1. CBD Tinctures

CBD tinctures are sometimes referred to as CBD Oil. These are quality CBD oils with a CBD extract that you can take sublingually. CBD liquid usually comes with a medicinal dropper and is put inside a bottle. The liquid inside has two properties:

●      CBD Extract

The CBD extract gives the product its therapeutic properties and is the reason behind its medical potency. It provides the phytocannabinoids and terpene components.

●      A Carrier Oil

The carrier oil is the thinning material that helps in delivering the CBD extract to the cells. These oils often include hemp oil or coconut oil, which help in the absorption of CBD into the body.

Effectivity of Oil-Based Tinctures

CBD tinctures are fast-acting and long-lasting. They are more effective when taken sublingually and held under the tongue for several minutes before swallowing. Sublingual application takes 20-40 minutes to take effect, which can last up to 6 hours.

The goal is to get the CBD into the bloodstream where it can then bind with the different endocannabinoid receptors in the body for it to take effect.

2. CBD Topicals and Rubs

Ingesting and inhaling CBD is not the only way possible to have the full effects of CBD. There are endocannabinoids receptors throughout the body, including the skin. With the aid of the receptors on the skin, applying topicals can help ease sore and irritated areas and can provide skin relief.

CBD topicals help with pain relief and are available as balms, creams, and salves. These products are made to help you in specialized ways like:

●      Relieves Muscle Soreness

 CBD is known as a substance that has anti-inflammation properties, and it can help ease muscle soreness as well as muscle pain when applied topically.

●      Acts as a Therapeutic Massage Oil

 CBD can have tremendous therapeutic benefits when applied to the skin as a massage oil. It will help melt away stress and ease muscle tension.

●      Treats Skin Conditions

 CBD is a good treatment against certain skin conditions that cause inflammation, such as acne, and blemishes.

3. Oil-Based Capsules

CBD capsules come in pill form and are swallowed just like any pill or vitamin. These capsules may be soft gels, two-piece capsules, liquid or powder.

Here are the properties of these capsules:

●      CBD Extract or CBD Isolate

There is a high concentration of CBD in the capsule, and it is the key to the overall quality of the pill. High-quality capsules should include an infusion that comes from a high-quality CBD hemp plant source.

●      Oil Carrier

The oil carrier increases the ability of the capsule to be actually absorbed in the body. Carrier oils are needed to help the cannabinoid bind to fat and make the absorption process easier. Common carrier oils are coconut, MCT oil, and hemp.

Benefits of CBD Capsules

CBD capsules offer a variety of benefits. For one thing, the dosage is easy to discern and there is no guesswork. It is also easy to take because you can just swallow the pill. Although it is small, the effects are also long-lasting.

Efficacy of CBD Capsules

When CBD is taken orally, the liver’s enzymes destroy most of the CBD and a little amount of it enters the bloodstream to be actually used. This process is called bioavailability. Despite this downside, there are quite a few benefits that make ingesting capsules highly advantageous.

Capsules are often the quickest way of taking CBD. The effects last longer, and the benefits associated with the pill or capsule forms are high.

Final Thoughts

There are many CBD products in the market today, which means that there are many ways for people to enjoy them. One way of knowing the right CBD product for you is knowing where you are going to use it for.

CBD can be used as a therapy for relaxation as well as a serious medication for ailments. Different CBD products have different concentrations and intensities of CBD, which differentiates them from one another.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW TO GET RID OF HOLIDAY HANGOVER FACE

Tis' the season to be jolly. You partied and drank too much the night before and perhaps the one before that. Today, you have a business meeting or brunch with the inlaws.  Although you might feel like you want to crawl into a hole from your hangover, you can’t afford to look like you have one.  What is your skincare SOS game plane? We turned to Dr. Manish Shah, a Board-Certified Denver, Colorado Plastic Surgeon for some tricks that will have you looking fresh as a daisy even if they don’t cure that queasy feeling and headache. 

Remove your makeup the night before

This is a tough one. If you come home stumbling at 3am, this is probably the last thing on your mind. If you can manage to do it, you’re one step ahead of the game. If going to the sink is too much effort, use cleansing cloths such as  e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Water Cleansing Cloths.  They easily remove makeup and help nourish the skin with purified water. Infused with aloe and Vitamins B & E, the materials cool on contact and soothe and moisturize skin.

Hydrate

The number one thing alcohol does is dehydrate your entire body, including your skin," says Dr. Shah. "When skin is dehydrated it looks sallow, fine lines are more noticeable, and pores become obvious."

Dehydration is the main reason your skin looks terrible when you wake up. While drinking water is wise, the effects of that internal hydration won't immediately show up externally, says Dr. Shah. For a quick fix, he suggests a sheet mask that contains hyaluronic acid, a molecule that draws moisture to the skin. Try: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask

Put your face on ice

Skin redness can be caused by alcohol dilating your blood vessels. One way to reduce this is to put a cold compress on the affected area for a few minutes. But be warned, extended periods of drinking can cause permanent redness and skin damage.

Jade Rollers or Massage

You can use any jade roller (put it in the freezer for a few minutes for a cooling effect) or even just your fingers. Dr. Shah says that the goal is to energize and lift the skin by promoting lymphatic drainage (aka de-puffing).

De-Puff Your Eyes

After a night or two of drinking, the eyes become bloodshot because tiny blood vessels on the eye surface become red and inflamed.” Also, the diuretic effects of alcohol can lead to dehydration, which tells your body to hold onto more water weight. That fluid retention also prompts next-day puffiness.

You can purchase a product such as Skyn Iceland hydro cool firming eye gels.  If you don’t have something like this in the house,  you can substitute chamomile tea. Steep the tea bags in hot water, take them out until they cool, and put one on each eye for 10 minutes.

Exfoliate

Dr. Shah recommends giving your skin a good but gentle scrub. "Exfoliate off sallow, alcohol-damaged skin cells. You do not need to break the bank to do this. Dr. Shah suggests: St. Ives Invigorating Face Scrub – Apricot. This product can be found online and at most drug stores. 

Seal Your Skin With A Spritz- And Not Champagne

After you have done all of the “damage control” you can give you face a final spritz of moisture with a product like Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Glow Water.  This energizing spray is packed with skin-brightening nutrients derived from citrus fruit, plus a blend of magnesium and zinc, to help snap sleep-deprived and hungover skin into shape. 

Dr. Shah cautions that he does not endorse habitual binge drinking or alcohol abuse. These tips are for those who have overindulged on occasion. Aside from the obvious mental and physical effects of alcohol abuse, it can also cause harmful long term consequences to the skin which cannot be “fixed” by the tips given above.

Dr. Shah is not paid or in any manner affiliated with the products he mentions.

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8 AWESOME TECHNOLOGIES REDEFINING HEALTHCARE

BY PAUL FARKAS, TECH DIRECTOR

No double about it, technology-driven healthcare is the future of medicine. Making health-enhancing and life-saving technologies available and accessible to patients has increased wellness and happiness by leaps and bounds. We can only imagine what the next 25 years of medical technology development will bring us.  Here are 8 awesome technologies that are already redefining healthcare as we’ve always known it. From here, the possibilities are endless. 

#1. Wearable Health Devices

Doctors and scientists alike are embracing wearable health devices right along with consumers and fitness experts. Wearable heart monitors, advanced pedometers and other wearable health devices are putting data directly into the patient’s hands. You can lose weight, stay in shape, track medical issues and even detect hidden issues using a clip-on or wristwatch device. If you want some great low-cost pedometer ideas for holiday gifts this year, check out this list of affordable ones by Cool Things Chicago. You can track your daily steps, your heart rate, calorie intake and expenditure, and a whole lot more. Many people even wear their devices 24 hours a day so that they can get valuable information about their sleep habits. 

#2. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is already being used to compile and analyze large amounts of healthcare data and clinical study findings to help doctors make important discoveries, enhance treatment options and avoid mistakes. New AI technology will include medical chatbots that can process patient information and even make general diagnoses. Natural language processing and machine learning make this type of AI possible. 

#3. Blockchain Technology 

Blockchain technology provides a decentralized system for recording, storing and transmitting protected health information. Although many people associate Blockchain with cryptocurrency, the possibilities of its use go far beyond that and could touch almost every industry in the future. According to Healthcare Weekly, blockchain and healthcare are a match made in heaven due to healthcare security. The healthcare industry faces major security breaches on an almost daily basis costing millions of dollars, a loss of trust by the public and other sticky problems. Many healthcare executives see blockchain as a top priority for 2020 and beyond. Developing a national database of healthcare data, on a secure blockchain system, could provide valuable research data for doctors all over the country. 

#4. Genome Sequencing

Individualized care is fast approaching, genome sequencing is already available but very costly. As new technology surfaces, the cost will continue to drop until it becomes more accessible to the majority of patients. This is a huge win for healthcare because people are highly unique and treating people based on generalizations doesn’t always make for the best possible outcome. We can increase the chances of a good outcome when we know the most information possible about a patient. Genome sequencing and DNA testing can tell us what diseases a person is predisposed to. The Human Genome Project had the lofty goal of sequencing all 3 billion nucleotides in the human genome, it was an incredible undertaking that had huge implications for the future of medicine. We have only scratched the surface of everything that could be uncovered by fully understanding our DNA. More research and more advanced technology-driven devices will be needed as this incredible tool is tweaked and perfected. 

#5. 3D Printing

The healthcare 3D printing market will soon be worth well over $2.2 billion. The uses of this technology are expanding quickly with applications from prosthetics to reproducing vital organs. Even drugs can be 3D printed. Surgeons can 3D print a patient’s anatomy to make a detailed surgical plan for the most complex surgeries. You can print human tissue cell by cell, using this extraordinary technology. 

There are also endless uses for medical education as well. You can use it to study anatomy and medical procedures in a classroom setting. Easier manufacturing of medical devices can make things less costly. Over time, 3D printing might end up being a key thing that lowers the cost of healthcare.  

#6. Software As A Medical Device

Orthogonal.io describes software as a medical device (SaMD) as standalone software that serves as a medical product, without any matching hardware. Typically software helps support or operate hardware such as the software the runs an MRI machine. With SaMD the software is used on its own to deliver healthcare that can diagnose, treat, cure, or even prevent medical conditions. Mostly, it involves collecting and distributing health data using sophisticated algorithms and analyzes it using complex machine learning.  Specific examples of SaMD include health screenings, monitoring or alert systems for pre-existing conditions, communication with doctors and medical devices, and personalized plans for the managed care of chronic conditions. 

#7. Robotics

Robotics is being used to assist in complicated surgeries and help doctors make precise serial cuts that reduce risk and make recovery easier on patients. The machines can also administer anesthesia with great accuracy and can reduce medical costs as well as lowering the risk of human error. Companion robots are making a name for themselves, proving therapeutic mental healthcare for people at home or in nursing homes. Doctors won’t be getting replaced by robots anytime soon but robotics can help doctors do their jobs better. 

#8. Nanotechnology 

Take robotics and shrink it down to a microscopic entity and you have nanotechnology. Nanodevices can deliver drugs through the patients’ bloodstream and to targeted areas for more effective treatment than was previously available. This is increasing the usefulness of therapies to treat even the hardest to treat diseases like certain types of cancer. These teeny robots can also help with diagnosis and monitoring vitals. 

With all of the exciting discoveries the last 25 to 50 years of technology has brought us in the medical field, it is most interesting to see what else it can do for us in the future. Healthcare institutions are banking on the huge things to come, spending a considerable about of time, money and resources on developing new technologies every day that will create a healthier and happier population. 

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DON'T LET COLD AND FLU SEASON KNOCK YOU DOWN; TRY THESE 5 NATURAL REMEDIES

Cold and flu season are upon us, that time of year when body aches, fever, chills and nasal congestion combine and can stop you in your tracks, leaving you bedridden for days.

Statistics show that the flu annually sickens millions of Americans, kills tens of thousands, and results in billions of dollars in medical expenses and sick days.

“Complications arising from the flu can become serious,” says Dr. Suhyun An, an expert on regenerative medicine and co-author of Demystifying Stem Cells: A Real-Life Approach To Regenerative Medicine.

“If you still have symptoms after seven to 10 days, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor. If any of your symptoms include difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, or feeling faint, or if you experience other severe symptoms like a high fever, seek immediate medical assistance.”

Dr. An says there are ways to prevent the symptoms from reaching that serious point. To feel better and get back on your feet, she recommends numerous natural cold and flu remedies to alleviate your symptoms:

Vitamin C. Some studies indicate that Vitamin C can shorten the lifespan of a cold and boost your immune system. “The best way to get it is through your diet; the fresher the food, the better,” Dr. An says. “Oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, leafy greens, and bell peppers are all good sources of vitamin C. Be careful with supplements because they can lead to upset stomach and kidney stones.”

Honey. Honey has natural antiviral and antimicrobial properties. “Drinking honey in tea with lemon can ease sore throat pain,” Dr. An says. “Research suggests that honey is an effective cough suppressant, too. Honey often contains Clostridium bacteria, so never give honey to a child younger than 1-year-old because infants’ immune systems aren’t able to fight them off.”

Chicken soup. This popular cold and flu remedy helps because hot liquids reduce mucus buildup and keep you hydrated. “Chicken soup, in particular, has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce a cold’s unpleasant side effects,” Dr. An says. “Keep some in the freezer or even canned for flu season. It’s quick to prepare that way and soothing to eat.”

Aromas. “When you have congestion from the flu, applying camphor or menthol salve around your nose can help break up mucus,” Dr. An says. “Aromatherapy oils, such as peppermint and eucalyptus, can have a similar effect. Also, vapor rub can reduce cold symptoms, especially in children older than 2 years. It helps open air passages to combat congestion, reduce coughing, and improve sleep. It’s a good alternative to over-the-counter cold medicines in young children because of unwanted side effects.”

Probiotics. These are friendly bacteria and yeast found in the body, some foods, and supplements. “They can help keep your gut and immune system healthy, and they may reduce your chance of getting sick with an upper respiratory infection,” Dr. An says. “For a delicious and nutritious source of helpful bacteria, include probiotic yogurt in your diet.”

“Colds and the flu are threats to us every year, but they don’t have to get us down for long,” Dr. An says. “Natural home remedies can reduce symptoms so you can be more comfortable and get the rest you need to get better faster.”

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY HEARTBURN AS EXPLAINED BY AN INTERNIST AND GASTROENTEROLOGIST

Even if you’re not a “foodie” most people look forward to indulging in the culinary delights of holiday time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. This  means that even people who are typically disciplined eat too much in one evening, eat rapidly, imbibe amounts of alcohol they are unaccustomed to, and consume foods that may not be part of their regular diet because “tis the season.”  While nobody likes a medical grinch, there are ways to have gastronomic fun without paying the price with holiday heartburn. Dr. Niket Sonpal is an internist and gastroenterologist at Touro College of Medicine.  He shares his tips for having your holiday cake and eating it too.

Heartburn happens when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. It can also go by two names: GER (gastroesophageal reflux) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GER is also known as acid indigestion, happening only once in a while. GERD is chronic heartburn that can lead to esophageal cancer if left untreated.

Here are some tips for avoiding holiday heartburn

Eat light turkey, not dark

High-fat food can spell trouble if you're prone to heartburn, so do yourself a favor and skip the skin when it comes to turkey time. Your best bet is to eat turkey breast and avoid oilier dark meat. The same goes for gravy. If it's not fat free, it may be smarter to skip this dish.

Choose baked, not mashed

If you have chronic heartburn, you don't have to give up your favorite foods. You just have to choose wisely to save yourself some pain later on. For example, mashed potatoes can trigger heartburn, but baked potatoes may not. When it comes to dairy products, the less fat the better.  Limit butter and avoid sour cream.

Choose multigrain rolls or bread

When choosing grain-based food for the holiday, you can't go wrong with multigrain bread or rolls. Corn bread and white bread are good choices too,if you want to avoid heartburn.

One side dish that should be strictly for the kids, however, is macaroni and cheese. This is one of those dishes known to trigger acid reflux, according to the National Heartburn Alliance.

Selecting a salad

Salads are good news for those with chronic heartburn or GERD—if you have the right salad dressing and ingredients, that is. High-fat foods are a known trigger for acid reflux, so the National Heartburn Alliance recommends avoiding creamy salad dressings, as well as oil and vinegar. Your best bet is a low-fat salad dressing, and avoid tomatoes, raw onions, and other acid-aggravating ingredients. (Want fruit in your salad? Choose apples, not oranges, if you want to avoid heartburn.)

Avoid foods that cause heartburn.

People who suffer from heartburn often know the trigger foods that cause symptoms. Common foods include chocolates, caffeine and greasy foods. These foods relax the lower esophagus sphincter muscle, when this muscle is relaxed, the food will go back up and cause heartburn. Other foods that can trigger heartburn include acidic foods such as citrus fruits or carbonated beverages. This means avoid Champagne!

Skip Mint Desserts

Candy canes and chocolate mint desserts are best left for others. These dangerous holiday delectables are notorious for helping acid reflux on its way.

Eat more ginger

Ginger is one ingredient that can help ease heartburn, if you don't get too much of it. (More than 2 to 4 grams per day can actually cause heartburn.)

Ginger is a natural match for root vegetable dishes commonly served during the holidays. Heartburn-friendly vegetables include carrots, cabbage, peas, broccoli, and green beans

Linger Over Your Food

Take the time to eat slowly and enjoy your food. Rushing through your meal or chewing with your mouth open can increase your chances of indigestion or heartburn. Linger over your food and allow yourself to feel full by giving your food time to digest.

Limit Alcoholic Beverages

Have to have that holiday egg nog? Limit it to one glass. This festive beverage can do double the damage. Not only does it contain alcohol that irritates your stomach but it contains the added dose of diary that can cause bloating and gas.

Cut yourself off.

After-hours holiday parties can keep you snacking all night, but eating too close to bedtime can make acid reflux worse. Stop eating and drinking (water included) three hours before bedtime.

Ditch the post-meal nap:

Sleeping right after eating can increase GERD symptoms. Instead of falling asleep, try going for a walk.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY HEARTBURN AS EXPLAINED BY AN INTERNIST AND GASTROENTEROLOGIST

Even if you’re not a “foodie” most people look forward to indulging in the culinary delights of holiday time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. This  means that even people who are typically disciplined eat too much in one evening, eat rapidly, imbibe amounts of alcohol they are unaccustomed to, and consume foods that may not be part of their regular diet because “tis the season.”  While nobody likes a medical grinch, there are ways to have gastronomic fun without paying the price with holiday heartburn. Dr. Niket Sonpal is an internist and gastroenterologist at Touro College of Medicine.  He shares his tips for having your holiday cake and eating it too.

Heartburn happens when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. It can also go by two names: GER (gastroesophageal reflux) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GER is also known as acid indigestion, happening only once in a while. GERD is chronic heartburn that can lead to esophageal cancer if left untreated.

Here are some tips for avoiding holiday heartburn

Eat light turkey, not dark

High-fat food can spell trouble if you're prone to heartburn, so do yourself a favor and skip the skin when it comes to turkey time. Your best bet is to eat turkey breast and avoid oilier dark meat. The same goes for gravy. If it's not fat free, it may be smarter to skip this dish.

Choose baked, not mashed

If you have chronic heartburn, you don't have to give up your favorite foods. You just have to choose wisely to save yourself some pain later on. For example, mashed potatoes can trigger heartburn, but baked potatoes may not. When it comes to dairy products, the less fat the better.  Limit butter and avoid sour cream.

Choose multigrain rolls or bread

When choosing grain-based food for the holiday, you can't go wrong with multigrain bread or rolls. Corn bread and white bread are good choices too,if you want to avoid heartburn.

One side dish that should be strictly for the kids, however, is macaroni and cheese. This is one of those dishes known to trigger acid reflux, according to the National Heartburn Alliance.

Selecting a salad

Salads are good news for those with chronic heartburn or GERD—if you have the right salad dressing and ingredients, that is. High-fat foods are a known trigger for acid reflux, so the National Heartburn Alliance recommends avoiding creamy salad dressings, as well as oil and vinegar. Your best bet is a low-fat salad dressing, and avoid tomatoes, raw onions, and other acid-aggravating ingredients. (Want fruit in your salad? Choose apples, not oranges, if you want to avoid heartburn.)

Avoid foods that cause heartburn.

People who suffer from heartburn often know the trigger foods that cause symptoms. Common foods include chocolates, caffeine and greasy foods. These foods relax the lower esophagus sphincter muscle, when this muscle is relaxed, the food will go back up and cause heartburn. Other foods that can trigger heartburn include acidic foods such as citrus fruits or carbonated beverages. This means avoid Champagne!

Skip Mint Desserts

Candy canes and chocolate mint desserts are best left for others. These dangerous holiday delectables are notorious for helping acid reflux on its way.

Eat more ginger

Ginger is one ingredient that can help ease heartburn, if you don't get too much of it. (More than 2 to 4 grams per day can actually cause heartburn.)

Ginger is a natural match for root vegetable dishes commonly served during the holidays. Heartburn-friendly vegetables include carrots, cabbage, peas, broccoli, and green beans

Linger Over Your Food

Take the time to eat slowly and enjoy your food. Rushing through your meal or chewing with your mouth open can increase your chances of indigestion or heartburn. Linger over your food and allow yourself to feel full by giving your food time to digest.

Limit Alcoholic Beverages

Have to have that holiday egg nog? Limit it to one glass. This festive beverage can do double the damage. Not only does it contain alcohol that irritates your stomach but it contains the added dose of diary that can cause bloating and gas.

Cut yourself off.

After-hours holiday parties can keep you snacking all night, but eating too close to bedtime can make acid reflux worse. Stop eating and drinking (water included) three hours before bedtime.

Ditch the post-meal nap:

Sleeping right after eating can increase GERD symptoms. Instead of falling asleep, try going for a walk.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

5 WAYS EXERCISE CAN HELP BOOST YOUR LIBIDO

Your libido can be affected by a number of different factors all at one time, but with exercise helping to clear the mind and maintain a healthy diet, there is a way that it can also help you to boost your libido over time. In this article, we will be providing you with 5 ways that exercise can help to boost your libido in the long term.

Helps To Improve Diet And Reduce Cramp

Though exercise is important in the long term it helps to maintain a healthy weight it can also help to reduce cramp and stress in the long term. This is great for your libido as you feel more awake and alert allowing you to feel more active. Though a change in diet can take time to provide the results that you wish to see, this is a lifestyle change that will continue to boost your libido and keep you feeling great at all times.

Improves Blood Circulation

One of the biggest issues when it comes to your libido is blood circulation as this can leads to other issues such as erectile dysfunction. Though this can be resolved by choosing medication such as sildenafil tablets, exercise can help to boost the circulation and help reduce the effects of the issue. Therefore, doing a minimum of 30 mins a day of exercise can help to improve blood flow and boost libido over time making this the perfect option for those dealing with erectile dysfunction and lack of energy. 

Enhances Sexual Performance

When you are in a better physical and mental state, you are scientifically proven to perform better in bed. This is great for those that regularly exercise as they have more energy and can provide an all-round better experience. Therefore, exercising such as cardio or weights can help you to improve physical fitness as well as mental wellbeing can help to enhance the overall experience and make the process more enjoyable for everyone. Whether this is exercising once a week to start off with, or heading to the gym three times a week, this can all help you in the long term.

Reduces Stress

Stress can play a big part in lack of libido and it is also one of the most common causes of discomfort. When exercising frequently, you are likely to experience less stress as a result, therefore, resulting in a much high libido. Though it can take time to feel the stress ease, this will benefit you in the long term as a healthy lifestyle can help to lessen signs of stress and maintain higher energy levels. The more energy that you have throughout the day, the much higher your libido is due to be as you will feel much less lethargic.

Improves Flexibility and Strength

The final way that exercise can help to boost your libido is through the increased flexibility and strength. This not only helps you to explore in the bedroom, but it helps to reduce cramp and maintain a healthy love life over time. Though flexibility comes from repeated exercise and can take a while to achieve, this can benefit you in the long term with strength that can help you in every aspect of life.

With this in mind, there are a number of ways that you can reduce cramp and maintain a healthy lifestyle that can help to boost your libido and improve the way that you feel in the bedroom. Will you be looking to boost your libido in the new year?

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW | MIGRAINE WITH DR. ELIZABETH SENG + LALA ANTHONY

When a headache hits, it makes doing the most rudimentary of tasks so difficult! All you can think about is the pounding in your head. For those that suffer from migraines, the affects are even more apparent and can really alter their day to day lives. Whether you or someone that you know is affected by this, we sat down and talked with Dr. Elizabeth Seng to find out about what migraines are, how they are started and why they are so problematic. In addition, we sat down with STARZ's Power and FOX's BH90210's LaLa Anthony to find out how she works through migraines and how she is able to cope when they take place!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is a headache and what are the symptoms when one is coming up?

DR. ELIZABETH SENG: A headache is a neurological attack characterized by head pain. Depending on the headache type, there may be other neurological symptoms as well. Depending on headache type, the head pain can be caused by pain receptors in head and neck muscles or in the membrane around the brain and blood vessels. There are many different triggers for headaches and symptoms can vary from person to person.

AM: What is the difference between a headache and a migraine?

DR. ES: There are many different types of headache disorders. Tension-type headache, the most common type of headache, is typically a pressing pain on both sides of the head. A migraine attack typically includes a pulsing pain on one side of the head and is accompanied by a variety of additional symptoms from your average headache including pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light, sound, and/or smell. Anyone can suffer from migraine, but they are more likely to occur in women, ages 20 to 45. Three out of every four migraine sufferers are women, and roughly 39 million Americans suffer from migraine.

AM: What are the symptoms of a migraine and how do you know when one is coming on?

DR. ES: A migraine attack typically includes a pulsing pain on one side of the head and is accompanied by a variety of additional symptoms from your average headache including pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light, sound, and/or smell. For both tension-type headache and migraine, the factors that trigger attacks vary widely from person to person. Determining what triggers your migraine attacks can help you better manage them. Regular stress management and keeping a consistent sleep and eating schedule can help sufferers avoid a migraine attack. You should also keep an acute medication on you, such as Excedrin Migraine, to take at the first sign of a migraine attack could do that.

Migraine should always be diagnosed by a doctor, so if you think you are experiencing a migraine, talk to your doctor to get the proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

AM: What is it about a migraine that makes people have to miss events or even to change aspects of their lives?

DR. ES: Most of my professional research has a focus on head pain and specifically, migraines, and most people don’t realize that migraines can disrupt a person’s everyday life and pull them away from important moments. Some days my patients are completely bedridden due to a migraine and other days they’ll power through an event but won’t truly feel present even if they are physically there. That’s because while on the outside they may “look fine,” on the inside they are managing much more which pulls them away from being mentally present in the moment.

While not often discussed, unfortunately, this is very common. A recent survey from Excedrin found that nearly 9 in 10 migraine sufferers have had to miss an important event, like a wedding or graduation, due to a migraine, and 91% of people with migraines would like a second chance at all of the moments they’ve missed.

That’s why I’m excited to partner with Excedrin on Excedrin Take Two (Oct 7th - Oct 18th) to help shine a light on the physical and emotional toll that migraines can take, and to help sufferers relive the moments they’ve missed – this time without the migraine.

AM: In the category of migraines, are their varying levels?

DR. ES: Yes. The biggest category of migraine is different frequencies. About 10% of people have migraine that we consider episodic, which occurs on fewer than half of the days of the month. However, about 2% of people have chronic migraine, or migraine on which headache attacks occur on 15 or more days per month. Chronic migraine is particularly disabling. There are also different symptoms you can get with migraine: some people experience an aura prior to the head pain onset, which often manifests as visual symptoms like geometric patterns, flashing lights or possibly a shimmering effect (sort of like heat waves). If you think you have migraine, be sure to talk to a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

AM: Is there a number of migraines that one may have where a person suffering from them may feel that they need to visit their doctor to ensure that there isn’t something else that is going on?

DR. ES: We consider a person to have the disease of migraine if they have experienced five or more attacks in their lifetime. If you have experienced several headache attacks you think might be migraine, it is a good time to go to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. There are two typed of migraine treatment: acute treatments are used at the moment of the attack to reduce the attack severity. Some people may use over the counter medication, like Excedrin Migraine, whereas others may use prescription medication acutely to treat the attack. All people with migraine, of any frequency, should have an acute migraine treatment plan. Preventive treatments are taken routinely to reduce migraine frequency, such as daily medications, injections every three months, or lifestyle changes. People with migraine who are experiencing 4 or more attacks per month should talk to their doctor about prevention options.

AM: What is it about Excedrin that helps those that suffer from migraines?

DR. ES: Excedrin Migraine is a combination of three components: acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Excedrin Migraine is an FDA-approved over-the-counter medication for migraine.

After chatting with Dr. Seng to find out about the differences between a headache and a migraine, how they start and the need to diagnose this condition, we sat down with LaLa Anthony to give us more information on how she handles this while living a busy life as a mom, actress and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We've enjoyed watching you in Power and I loved that you were in Beverly Hills 90210 Revival and hope that you and the show will be back for another season - what's your process like when you go about selecting shows that you will be apart of?

LALA ANTHONY: I like to pick characters that I’m drawn to and feel like I can bring to life. I try to look for different roles so I’m not always playing the same type of character. 90210 was definitely something that was different for me and I had a great time doing it.

AM: Being a busy mom and always having a number of shows and appearances you're a part of have migraines affected those experiences?

LA: Migraines have definitely affected many experiences and caused me to not feel present for certain moments. I always power through for work or to shoot – you have to because when you’re on set there is a whole production crew relying on you to show up. But there have been other days I can’t function or get out of bed.

I get really upset when a migraine impacts moments with my family. There have been events at my son’s school that I couldn’t go to because of a migraine and I had to rest in bed all day. Kiayn is in middle school now and with school, basketball practice and hanging out with friends, family moments are even more important. It's frustrating that migraines can get in the way.

Luckily, I’ve learned my triggers and to treat my migraine as soon as I feel it coming with Excedrin Migraine. It’s a brand that has really helped me get my life back.

AM: Many battle issues with migraines, what are your triggers when you know that it's coming on and what are you able to do to alleviate it?

LA: I know immediately when a migraine is coming. Changes to my routine including not sleeping, eating certain foods and stress will trigger a migraine and I'll be on edge all day. It starts off feeling like a mild headache but gets rapidly worse. I try to catch it and treat it right away with Excedrin Migraine so it doesn’t disrupt the rest of my day and I can continue to be present.

AM: Do migraines create situations where you're not able to participate in something or be at a 100%?

LA: All the time. I get a migraine about once a week and unfortunately, migraines can really leave me exhausted and with no energy. Even if I’m having a great day, a migraine can come on suddenly and make it difficult to feel in the moment. I was struggling with a migraine at a family reunion once and it was so hard to feel present. It was really disappointing since family reunions only happen once every couple of years and it’s something I was really looking forward to.

AM: What is the Excedrin Take Two program?

LA: This partnership with Excedrin was so authentic for me because, like I’ve said, it’s a brand that really does help me get back to myself when a migraine is trying to sideline me. And I’m not alone at all in that – in fact, almost 9 in 10 migraine sufferers say they have had to miss an important life event due to a migraine and 91% of them would like a second chance at their missed moments. So that’s what Excedrin Take Two is all about! Excedrin is giving migraine sufferers a second chance to relive and enjoy a moment missed by a migraine. All you have to do is share your story at for a chance to win a “Take Two!”

AM: As someone who spends a lot of time traveling, what are 3 things that are in your carryon or maybe a kit that you keep on set that you have at the ready to either make you comfortable or to feel like you have a bit of home with you.

LA: I always like to pack a candle and I always keep my favorite snacks (like trail mix / Crunch bars), and Excedrin Migrane, just in case!

PHOTOS COURTESY | LaLa Collection NY

IG @LaLa

Read the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Something You Should Know | Migraine with Dr. Elizabeth Seng and LaLa Anthony in mag.

TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT: INDICATIONS, PREPARATION, SURGERY AND REHABILITATION

Total knee replacement is a surgical substitution of the diseased knee joint with the artificial one (i.e. implant or endoprosthesis). Results of the multicenter studies have shown that up to 85% of patients are satisfied with the improvement of their life quality after the procedure. Novel equipment in the specialized orthopedic hospitals allows carrying out the knee replacement surgery with minimally invasive techniques. Thus, after undergoing orthopedic rehabilitation a patient can perform all usual activities without any restrictions.

When you should consider the total knee replacement

In Germany, total knee replacement is performed as the last-line therapy, as doctors give preference to medicamentous and physical therapy whenever it possible. Only when medications and conservative measures can not relieve pain, knee replacement is considered.

Total knee replacement in Germany is carried out in the following cases:

• Osteoarthritis stage IV (or stage III with severe disability).

• Severe traumatic damage of the knee.

• Inborn joint deformities, including the complex ones (e.g. dysplasia in combination with arthritis).

• Autoimmune knee lesions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis).

• Infectious knee lesions.

All these pathologies are united by clinical manifestations, i.e. pain syndrome, stiffness and difficulties while walking or bending the knee. The surgery is aimed at relieving the disturbing symptoms regardless of their root cause.

How you prepare for the arthroplasty

Although you will be able to walk on walker or crutches soon after the minimally invasive surgery, help with cooking, bathing, and shopping will be useful during first weeks. Make it sure that a relative or friend will provide you with all the necessary assistance.

During the rehabilitation period it will also be useful to make several modifications for facilitating daily activities, like:

• Constructing the secure handrails along stairways or preparing the temporary living space on one floor in order to avoid walking up or down stairs.

• Constructing the secure handrail in the shower.

• Preparing the chair for bathing or shower bench.

• Preparing the special chair with a firm cushion and back that is equipped with a footstool for leg elevation.

• Removing all not fixed or slippery carpets.

In addition, you should inform surgeon about all medications you are taking currently. Such drugs as warfarin, clopidogrel, ibuprofen, and acetylsalicylic acid must be stopped several days before the intervention.

How the surgery is performed

Total knee replacement is carried out under the epidural or general anesthetic. A doctor moves aside the knee cap and nearby muscles via the few skin incisions. Sparing muscles is essential for the proper functioning of the implant. Reaching the damaged joint, doctor removes the affected parts of the shin and thigh bones. Joint surfaces of both bones are adjusted to the artificial joint implantation.

The endoprosthesis is fixed in the right position with the help of bone “cement”. A surgeon may also use the cementless method, when a bone grows naturally inside the prosthesis and fixes it. This option requires more time for the final healing.

Once the fixation is successfully completed, a doctor repairs muscles and skin with few stitches. A patient is moved to the recovery room. Once the surgical anesthesia is worn off, he is examined by an experienced physical therapist. In case no complications are revealed, patient may leave the healthcare institution the same day. After that a rehabilitation program starts. It may be performed in the specialized center or at home.

Choosing the hospital and arrangement of treatment abroad

Virtually each person can undergo total knee replacement in Germany. Nevertheless, for the foreigners it will be easier to use services of Booking Health. Booking Health is the medical tourism provider that arranges treatment in Germany for over 12 years. Excellent quality of the company’s work is confirmed by the international ISO certificate 9001:2015.

Booking Health offers comprehensive service that includes but not limited to:

• Assistance in the informed choice of the right orthopedic hospital and doctor.

• Elaborating the preliminary medical program without unnecessary tests and interventions.

• Making the appointment without long waiting lists.

• Help in buying and forwarding medical products, if necessary.

• Communication with the physician after treatment completion, distant consultations on the results of control examinations, etc.

• Organization of additional examinations or rehabilitation in Germany.

• Providing reasonable cost of medical services, avoiding overpricing (saving up to 50%).

• All-inclusive financial control.

• Booking accommodation and plane tickets, transfer organization.

• Providing patient and an accompanying person with services of an interpreter.

Send your request via the Booking Health portal, and a medical advisor will contact you the same day for guiding through further steps.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

WHAT TO ADD TO SMOOTHIES: 4 INGREDIENTS FOR EVEN HEALTHIER SMOOTHIES

Starting your day with the breakfast smoothie is a convenient way to get in your five fruit and vegetables per day. Smoothies can be created by a mix of fresh produce like fruit and vegetables, seeds, and milk.

If you add supplements to your smoothies you can add an extra protein, fiber, amino acid‘s, and other essential nutrients. You can make smoothies into a complete meal and get all your nutrients in one simple drink.

Continue reading below to find out what to add to smoothies to make them healthier.

1. What to Add to Smoothies: Oats

Oats are one of the healthiest grains available to buy. They are naturally gluten-free and are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Oats have many health benefits.

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death around the world. One risk factor of developing heart disease is having high blood cholesterol levels. There have been many studies to show that the specific fiber in oats is effective at reducing bad cholesterol levels in the body.

Oats are also a good food to control blood sugar levels. This can really help people with either Type I or Type II diabetes.

If you struggle with overeating or are looking to make smoothies to lose weight, then the oats will help you with this. Oats are very filling whole-grain which can help you stay fuller for longer.

2. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds come from the Salvia Hispanica plant growing in Mexico. Mayan and Aztec cultures used the seeds for energy. Chia seeds can be eaten as seeds or mixed with any type of liquid to create a gel or jelly.

Chia seeds are very high in fiber, calcium, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. The combination of this protein and fiber in the Chia seeds can reduce food cravings.

3. Spinach

Spinach is a very popular superfood. It is a dark, leafy green vegetable that has essential nutrients for skin, hair, and bones. It is also packed full of protein. Health benefits of spinach include improving blood sugar regulation, lowering the cancer risk, and improving the health of bones.

Spinach contains nutrients like iron, calcium, and magnesium. 

4. Kratom Powder

Kratom powder comes from a tropical evergreen tree within the coffee family. It is native to Southeast Asian countries. This powder has been used as both a stimulant and a sedative.

At low doses, Kratom has been reported to work like any other stimulant. It gives a boost of energy. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

It is a great addition to a morning smoothie to boost your energy and work on any information you have in your body. Check out this link for the best place to buy kratom powder. 

Add These Supplements Today!

So now you have the answer to the question “what to add to smoothies?“. Start your morning off with a boost of energy and add the above supplements into your morning smoothly.

For more information on healthy eating, take a look at the other articles on our blog for weight gainer supplements.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.