Mammograms turn’s on

Question: I do Kegels regularly. Should my husband do them, too?

Answer: Yes. He developed the move for women struggling with urinary incontinence. Though men’s systems are somewhat different, the underlying muscles are similar and when those muscles weaken, men can also suffer leaks. That’s not the only reason to keep these muscles strong, though: a British study of 55 men with erectile dysfunction reported that 75% of them improved or regained normal erectile function by doing Kegels. Of those who suffered urine ‘dribbling,’ 75% were leak-free after 6 months. Here’s the pelvic floor Rx: squeeze and draw in the muscles around the anus and urethra as though you need to use the bathroom and you’re ‘holding it.’ Hold for a few seconds. Release. Do it ten times daily.


Usually, women need to breathe deeply to make it through a mammogram. Some day, a deep breath may allow them to skip the ordeal entirely. Scientists have long known that breast cancer produces specific compounds in women’s exhalations. So far, the technique appears very accurate. Used on women with established breast cancer, it accurately detected the disease 93% of the time. By comparison, mammograms typically find 80 to 90% of tumors. Researchers hope to seek FDA approval for the test within 3 years.
Mammograms
We’re younger than we think
The body’s cells are constantly renewing themselves; recently, researchers have discovered the precise ages of various tissues.

The average age of cells in…

* Your Bones: 10 years

* Your Gut: 15.9 years

* The Lining of Your Gut: 5 days

* Your Skin (outer layer): 2 weeks

* Red Blood Cells: 120 days

* The Cerebral Cortex (outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher functions): Exactly as old as you are

* The Cerebellum (back of the brain, controls motor function): Slightly younger than you are



Startling news: Between ages 45 and 54, a woman’s stroke risk is about 2 1.2 times as high as a man’s, finds a study from UCLA. What’s to blame? Neglected blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, rising faster than our male counterparts? Research shows that less than half of women know their blood pressure and cholesterol readings. Or even what healthy levels are? To protect yourself, get screened annually.

2.5% of midlife women have a stroke

Breast Cancer 1% of midlife men have a stroke

Good news about migraines

Getting extra sleep
Lifestyle changes that help control migraine may protect against age-related mental decline, too. When Johns Hopkins University researchers gave memory and reasoning tests to volunteers twice in 12 years, they found that migraine sufferers showed no decline over time. In contrast, the other participants’ average scores dropped by 17%. Getting extra sleep, avoiding stress, and keeping a careful diet—behaviors often adopted to ward off attacks—could help maintain brain function as well, say researchers.

Walk for life

The breast cancer focus is in view of its increasing incidence in urban world. Free breast cancer screening and detection camps will be organized throughout as part of the awareness campaign. This will be of great relevance, as 80% of cancer patients are diagnosed at a stage when the disease is no longer curable, and need palliative care.