Tattoos and The Skin

For the past several months I have been debating whether or not I should get another tattoo. And after reading the title of the article "The Claim: Tattoos Can Increases the Risk of Skin Cancer", I knew immediately I would, not until I read the article. In the article it was said that tattoos may lead to skin cancer because the ink consists of the metals cobalt, aluminum, and mercury sulfide. However, Dr. Ariel Ostad who specializes in Dermatology says the reports are not true. Because the skin consists of cells called macrophages, whose job is to absorb foreign objects, no harm will take place. Although, these reports are said to be false, I do believe that the topic of tattoos and skin cancer will be brought up again in the near future. Someone is going to want to conduct a study so they can have there own results and it is going to be a forever going cycle until the issue is concluded. But in the mean time I guess I can go get my two last and final tattoos. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/health/05real.html?ref=health

Act of Courage

In the NYT's I read the article about the lady who receieved the first face transplant and found it very inspring. The article is entitled "Recipent of Face Transplant Shares Her Story and Results", and it shows the before and after pictures of Connie Culps face. In 2004, her husband Thomas shot her in the face and caused major damage. Ms. Culps nose, cheeks, roof of mouth, and one eyelid was destroyed. However, there was hope with the help of a donor and Cleveland Clinic; she now has all facial features. This exeperinece shows how much health methods and technology are forever growing. To be able to take and use successfully the face of someones else combined with your own nervous system is remarkable. Now as of a result Ms. Culp can live a happy and hopefully healthy normal life. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/science/06face.html?ref=health

Hydroxycut

Some time last week I saw on the news the concerns and recall of Hydroxycut. It was reported that the use of Hydroxycut caused a young man to die due to liver damage. After that news report I have not heard anymore reports, and as a result I searched the Internet for more information. The young man who died in 2007 was 19 years old after using Hydroxycut. However, it was not reported to the FDA until March of 2009. As many as 23 negative reports have been made due to use of this product. Hydroxycut is said to believe to cause jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure due to muscle damage, and a possible liver transplant just to name a few. 14 products of Hydroxycut have been recalled with the exception of the Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia. These other 14 products contained Ephedra which is illegal in the United States because of the many possible health issues and/damage it can cause. One negative reaction caused by the use of Ephedra is a rapid heart rate which can cause serious damage to anyone if used poorly. Hydroxycut is taken to help loss weight by curbing ones appetite and is said to work if used with consistent exercise and a low calorie diet, however physical fitness doesn't really matter if there is a chance you can have failed health as a result. http://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/hydroxycut

Beauty

The article I read in the NYT was entitled "The Beauty of Chicken Cutlets". In this article it was brought to readers attention that pageant officials paid for Miss California Carrie Prejean, breast implants. I found this information rather odd, because when I think of Miss America or any beauty contestant natural beauty comes to mind. Of course with the exception of makeup I don't think "unnatural" precautions should take place in order to give anyone a chance to win a title. I am all for plastic surgery, however when you hear of people going through procedures to become Miss America then there is a problem. I know people may try to change their bodies to become a model but to me a pageant is something different. That just goes to show you the things people are willing to go through in order to have the "perfect" body and/or image. Also, the title "The Beauty Chicken Cutlets", came from when a pageant contestants would wear silicone bras to enhance their cleavage. And the term chicken cutlet came about because they looked like boneless chicken. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/the-beauty-of-chicken-cutlets/

Puberty

I read an article in the NYT entitled, "Earlier Puberty in European Girls", and found it very interesting. In this particular article, the various ways children are developing as well as the rate in which they are developing are being discussed. It was said, that as time goes on more and more young girls are developing breast at an earlier age. As as result, many are becoming worrisome. Europeans believe that if a young person develop breast at an early age she may be at risk for breast cancer later on in her adult life. They also believe that it may have a negative impact on ones social behavior (alcohol, drug use, and unprotected sex).
When reading this article I found it very interesting because my coworkers and I were discussing early puberty the other day. One of my coworkers was saying that she believes her nine year old daughter menstrual cycle was soon to begin and the various ways she was trying to prepare her. And when reading this article I found that it was asking the question what should they do?, while I was thinking well what could you do?, but teach them the right precautions and ways to care for themselves. I just think Europeans way of thinking is different from ours in a sense. I'm like yes they are starting puberty and it's nothing you can do to prevent it, but teach them the proper way to care for themselves. Also, I found the many comments they received regarding this topic very interesting. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/earlier-puberty-in-european-girls/

Swine Flu

I read various articles in the NYT over the past two days regarding the swine flu. Several States are now suffering from this issue that has originated from Mexico. There are over 1600 cases reported in Mexico and CDC representatives believe those numbers are soon to grow. Texas, California, Europe, Canada, New York, Kansas, Ohio, and four reported cases in New Jersey has been established thus far. The swine flu is a combined strain of the bird flu, human flu, and pig flu and is having a negative effect on many people worldwide. As of today, the first human death in the United States has been reported due to the swine flu. A 23-month old baby girl from Texas has died as a result. I first heard of the swine flu Saturday night when it was brought to my attention by my mother. Of course that entire week I was filling under the weather and my mother believed I should go to the doctors because I too may be suffering from this virus. I assume, like many others, it isn't going to affect me. However, people should still be cautious because you just never know. People worldwide are coming together to try to prevent anymore cases, so much so that they are scanning people when leaving Mexico, and if those who were to fly into Mexico decide against it travel agencies aren't charging any additional fees to do so. Lets just see how long this "scare" is going to continue. http://www.nytimes.com/pages/health/index.html

Drug Enhancers

When looking at the Times website, I found one article very interesting. The article is entitled "Boosting Brain Stamina With Drugs." In this particular article, the drugs Adderall and Ritalin are being discussed because they are now known to be "cognitive enhancers". In this article a young man we will call Alex is taking the drug Adderall to assist him with his studies. Because Alex is a college student, works, and loves to hang out with his friends he thought that this particular drug would help him focus when it came time to write his many college papers. The drug Adderall didn't necessary help him write a better paper, it just allowed him to focus more on the task . If giving the opportunity to take this drug if I felt it was really needed I might do so. Depending of the various side effects of taking this drug I believe it could be very useful.http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/