Between Untested Therapies & Intrusive Politics,
RN Says Individuals Must Take Responsibility for Their Health

There's plenty of information about women's physical and health-care needs. Unfortunately, some of it is incomplete, or based on opinion and conjecture, or it's just plain bad information, says registered nurse Iyalode Edwards.

"Women tend to be more vigilant about their bodies than men, and there is a huge marketplace of literature, products, studies, politics and other opinions on women's health," says Edwards, author of "Multiple Orgasms Made Simple: 'How to Do It' Sex Secrets All Women Should Know!" (www.multipleOmadesimple.com).

"Not all of it makes sense."

It's only natural that women are more focused on their bodies than men because women have the more complex anatomy, she says. But old ideas from a society based in patriarchy, along with today's health market issues, can create confusion. Edwards, who has more than 35 years experience as a registered nurse, clarifies three points about which she sees the most misunderstanding among her patients:

• Untested therapies: Several years ago hormone replacement therapy was all the rage, used almost as a cure-all for post-menopausal women suffering a variety of symptoms. After a few decades, however, a large percentage of those women started suffering ovarian and breast cancer, in addition to other complications. More recently, vaccines for the human papillomavirus have been touted to girls and young women as the new preventative measure against cervical cancer. But thousands of girls have experienced a wide range of side effects, including seizures, strokes, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, headaches, vomiting, weakness, joint pain, auto-immune problems, chest pains, hair loss, appetite loss, personality changes, insomnia, tremors and menstrual cycle changes. Be wary of new cure-alls. Adverse effects are sometimes not revealed until they've been in use for a significant amount of time.

• Health through pleasure: A 2011 survey by Jane Magazine found that, while more than 87 percent of men aged 18 to 26 years old experienced orgasm "most or all of the time" during sex, only 46.8 percent of women could say the same thing. Not only could that percentage be much higher for women, it could be more meaningful, too. "The truth is, if you have all your sex organs intact and can achieve the first level of climax, then you can achieve it multiple times during the same encounter," Edwards says. "You just need information, and there has been too much misinformation disseminated." Sexual satisfaction comes with several health benefits, including improved cardiovascular functioning, sounder sleep and a deeper bond with a partner.

• The politics of women's health: As imperative as it is to know more and listen closely to one's body, it is also important to stay connected to current events since women's health care has become a political football, she says. Comments from multiple elected officials seem to be narrowing the definition of rape, and there are many who support limiting women's care in insurance plans, to name a few public debates. "I want women to be more aware of their bodies," Edwards says. "Unfortunately, the rhetoric of many politicians seems to be pointing backward regarding our health."

About Iyalode Edwards, R.N.

Iyalode Edwards is the author of "Multiple Orgasms Made Simple," a straightforward, step-by-step how-to guide that includes physiological explanations for sensations women experience. Edwards is a registered nurse with more than 35 years of experience. She informally interviewed a number of women and physicians as part of her research.

Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to a parent is experiencing the loss of a child. However, as one mother shares, it's possible to turn one's devastation into spiritual enlightenment and to weave the tragedy into the fabric of your life and your family.

"I don't think any parent ever gets over the loss of a child," says Caroline Flohr, whose memoir "Heaven's Child," (www.heavenschild.com), recounts the transformative death of her 16-year-old twin daughter, Sarah.

"Through the web of pain, I have been amazed by the power of family, love and faith in healing. I have learned that death defines not the end of the journey, but a beginning."

Flohr reviews some of the milestones in her journey to inner peace:

• Deeper meaning: Through the death of someone so important, you will be changed. The question is how you will be changed. Will you grow, or become diminished? Flohr grew with the realization that death - so often viewed as an end - is just the beginning of another phase of existence. "One of my favorite quotes is from poet Rabindranath Tagore: "Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because dawn has come."

• Celebrate life: When the bereaved are able to look at the life of a person who has passed and see more beauty than pain, they should rejoice. The reality of a person's absence will always have an element of sadness, but the joy of  wonderful memories is even more powerful. When loved ones leave this Earth, graces are given to those relationships left behind. These are gifts. When we can acknowledge them, our lives can expand in the present.

• Ready for anything: Once you've experienced the worst and pulled through, you know you will be able to weather just about any adversity. Maya Angelou wrote, '"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." Have faith in that inner strength we all harbor, Flohr says.

• Appreciate what you have: Life as we know it will come to an end. This includes everyone we know, love and care about; it's a fact that we often forget, and it's as startling to remember as it is true. Come good or bad, we do not know what the future will bring, which means we should take every opportunity to fully embrace the present, and our loved ones.

About Caroline Flohr

Caroline Flohr was a busy wife and mother to five children when her 16-year-old twin daughter, Sarah, was killed in an accident. She was forced to dig into the deeper meaning of existence and came away with profound edification. Flohr lives with her husband and children on Bainbridge Island, a suburb of Seattle.

Hurricane Sandy continues to bear down on the East Coast of the United States and has now forced the cancellation of approximately 300 Red Cross blood drives resulting in a shortfall of nearly 9,000 units of blood and platelets. That number is expected to grow as Sandy is causing power outages and flooding in many areas along the East Coast.

The Red Cross shipped blood products into the affected areas ahead of the storm and now urges eligible donors in unaffected areas, like ours, to roll up their sleeves and give blood to replenish supplies. Just as Red Cross disaster workers from across the country have mobilized to help, blood donated through the Red Cross can help patients locally as well as patients in areas affected by Sandy.

Attached is a news release with more information about the need for blood and platelets as well as how people can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Please let me know if you have any questions, would like to schedule an interview, or need additional information.

Thank you,

Ben Corey
Communications Program Manager
American Red Cross

Mid-America Blood Services Division
405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave.
Peoria, IL 61605
o. 309-636-4284 | c. 309-634-1385

 

Upcoming Blood Drives

Carroll County
Oct. 31 from 8:30 am- 2:30 pm, West Carroll High School, 500 Cragmoor Drive in Savanna, Ill.

Nov. 15 from 1-6 p.m. at Milledgeville First Brethren Church, 521 N. Main Ave. in Milledgeville,
Ill.

Clinton County
Nov. 8 from 12-6 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Academy, 312 S. Fourth St. in Clinton, Iowa

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

Henry County
Nov. 1 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church South Campus Building, 302 N. State
St. in Geneseo, Ill.

Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodhull Alwood High School, 301 E. Fifth in Woodhull, Ill.

Nov. 8 from 2-6 p.m. at St. John's Vianney Church, 313 S. West St. in Cambridge, Ill.

Nov. 14 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Mercer County
Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sherrard High School, 4701 176th in Sherrard, Ill.

Whiteside County
Oct. 30 from 10 am- 2 pm, Halo Branded Solutions, 1980 Industrial Drive in Sterling, Ill.

Oct. 31 from 2 pm- 6 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St.
in Rock Falls

Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fulton High School, 1207 12th St. in Fulton, Ill.

Nov. 3 from 6:30-11:30 a.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.

Nov. 6 from 8-11 a.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Nov. 7 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Nov. 8 from 3-8 p.m. at Tampico United Methodist Church, 202 Lincoln Ave. in Tampico, Ill.

Nov. 12 from 1-6 p.m. at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD No. 3, 79 Grove St. in
Prophetstown, Ill.

Nov. 13 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock
Falls, Ill.

How to Help
The Red Cross has mobilized disaster volunteers and is providing safe shelter from Hurricane
Sandy to thousands of people in the storm's path. The Red Cross is working closely with federal,
state and local government officials, as well as community partners to coordinate response
efforts.

To help people affected by disasters like this, as well as countless crises at home and around the
world, make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the
Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in
response to disasters. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS
to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to a local American Red Cross
chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Red Cross Apps

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

The free Red Cross Hurricane App for mobile devices provides real-time hurricane safety
information such as weather alerts and where Red Cross shelters are located. The app also
features a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm, and the one-touch "I'm Safe" button
lets someone use social media outlets to tell family and friends they are okay. The Hurricane
App is available in Spanish. Users just need to make sure the language setting on their smart
phone is set to Spanish before downloading. The First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday
emergencies in someone's hand. The apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google
Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;
supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides
international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red
Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the
American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join
our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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?????The Scott County Health Department has partnered with the Iowa Department of Public Health to hold Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) vaccine clinics in area schools for students 6th through 12th grade, regardless of insurance status. This vaccine is designed to protect adolescents and adults from Pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus (lock jaw) and diphtheria (thick covering in the back of the throat that can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death). The Health Department plans to hold the FREE clinics at the schools beginning in December 2012 through March 2013.

Parents are asked to return consent forms with their children to the schools, no later than November 1, 2012.

For more information on Pertussis or the Tdap vaccine, visit the Scott County Health Department's Web site at www.scottcountyiowa.com/health.

Sometimes healthy babies can cry for hours at a time and can't be soothed. It's called the Period of PURPLE Crying and it's common in the first five months of life. The good news is it will end. No matter how long a baby cries, never use shaking to stop crying. This can cause serious and permanent injury. The characteristics of this time of increased crying can be explained by the acronym PURPLE, described below.

 

The Letters in PURPLE stand for:

P- Peak of crying- Your baby may cry more each week, but most in month 2, then less in months 3-5.

U- Unexpected- Crying can come and go and you don't know why

R- Resists Soothing- Your baby may not stop crying no matter what you try

P- Pain-Like Face- A crying baby may look like they are in pain, even when they are not

L- Long Lasting- Crying can last a much as 5 hours a day, or more

E- Evening- Your baby may cry more in the late afternoon and evening

 

The word Period means that they crying has a beginning and an end.

 

Soothing is a way to calm your baby, and soothing techniques should be used even when your baby is not crying. This list is not an all-inclusive list, as there are many other things you can try to calm your baby's crying. While many of these techniques will work most of the time, nothing works all the time and that is okay. This does not mean there is anything wrong with you or your baby.

 

Tips to Soothe Your Crying Infant

 

1. Check to see if your baby is hungry, tired, or needs changing. Hunger is the main reason a baby will cry.

2. Burp your baby. Babies do not have a natural ability to get rid of air built up in their stomach.

3. Give your baby a lukewarm bath.

4. Massage your baby, or hold him close with skin-to-skin contact.

5. Make eye contact with your baby, smile, and kiss your baby.

6. Sing softly, or hum in a low tone against your baby's head.

7. Take your baby on a walk or for a ride in the car.

 

When the crying becomes frustrating and you've tried everything to soothe your baby, it's important to take a break. If a trusted caregiver is not available to help with the baby for a while, put your baby in a safe place and walk away. Take a few minutes to calm yourself down, then go back and check on the baby. When you take a break, do things that will relax you, such as listening to music, reading a book, taking a bubble bath, or having a cup of tea.

 

Be sure to share this information with all caregivers of your baby.

For more information on the Period of PURPLE Crying, visit www.PURPLEcrying.info.

For more information on PURPLE in Georgia, visit www.choa.org/dontshake.

Credit: The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, www.dontshake.org

Message on World Stroke Day, Oct. 29: Stroke is preventable, treatable and beatable

(DES MOINES, October 25, 2012) ? On World Stroke Day, Oct. 29, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is urging people globally to reduce the threat of stroke in their lives and in the lives of loved ones.

Stroke is the second-leading cause of death in the world behind heart disease and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. In the United States, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every three to four minutes.

Knowing the warning signs can help people get to a hospital quickly to be assessed for a clot-busting drug, which may reduce disability or death from stroke.  An easy way to recognize the sudden signs of stroke is to remember F.A.S.T:

·       F - Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

·       A - Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

·       S - Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like: "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

·       T - Time to call 9-1-1 - If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately.

Stroke affects 795,000 Americans annually. Yet in a November 2011survey commissioned by the American Stroke Association, only 63 percent of adults could name one or more stroke warnings signs. Immediately after exposure to the F.A.S.T. acronym, 87 percent of adults could recall at least one correct sign.

To learn more about stroke, the warning signs and to participate in the World Stroke Day Instagram campaign, visit strokeassociation.org/worldstrokeday.

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American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke ? America's No. 4 killer and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent, treat and beat stroke. The Dallas-based association was created in 1997 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org .

October brings to mind the colors of autumn, the black and orange of Halloween, and pink, the color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It is a time to reflect on strides made in breast cancer prevention and chart a course for the future.

The realm of breast cancer is far different from what it was in 1985, when October officially became Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  What once was a silent killer is now a widely talked about, often highly treatable disease.  Breast Cancer Awareness month has helped us overcome much of the stigma once associated with breast cancer, and women are now encouraged and are lauded for sharing their breast cancer stories.  As a result, many more women in America today have heard messages emphasizing the importance of early detection and screening and know they should schedule their first mammogram by age 40.  We know the mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased over the past two decades, and we know there are more treatment options than ever.  What we seem to have forgotten, however, is that breast cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American women.

Today there exists an alarming thought that breast cancer is simply not as big a concern as it once was, but nothing could be further from the truth.  It is estimated 226,870 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012; in Iowa alone, it is estimated 2,350 women will be told they have breast cancer, and 400 women will die from the disease.  These are still huge numbers, so it is critically important the American public does not become complacent about breast health.

There are many proactive measures women can take toward detecting breast cancer, including:

Breast Self-Exam:  Every woman should perform a monthly examination of her breasts to check for physical changes.  If you are unsure of how to perform a breast self-exam, ask your health care provider to demonstrate and explain the ideal time to conduct one.  It is very important for women to become familiar with their breasts and understand what feels normal. Start early, beginning at age 20.

Clinical Breast Exam:  Be sure to ask your health care provider to give you a clinical breast exam each year. The exam consists of checking the breasts for any changes, lumps, or other possible warning signs of breast cancer through physical touch and appearance.  You should begin having clinical breast exams in your 20s and 30s.

Mammography:  By the age of 40, all women should have a mammogram, and it is important to talk to your health care provider about how often the test should be performed.  The mammogram is an "x-ray" of the breast and, at this time, is the most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt.

While every man and woman is at risk for breast cancer, some are at higher risk.  Risk factors include a family history of breast cancer, inherited abnormal genes, a previous diagnosis of cancer in one breast, a sedentary lifestyle, and age - women over 50 are more likely to develop breast cancer.  Like all cancers, risk for breast cancer can be reduced by leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and not smoking.  New drugs have been developed to help prevent breast cancer in high risk patients, so if you believe you are at a higher risk for breast cancer, please talk to your health care provider.

In the paragraph above, you will notice it says, "every man and woman is at risk ...". Yes, men can get breast cancer. too. While breast cancer risk for women is calculated by state, the same information for men is available only for the United States as a whole.  In 2012, the estimate is 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and there will be 410 deaths.

Survival rates for breast cancer are higher now than they were ten years ago in large part because women are getting tested and catching it early.  Please follow the above guidelines and encourage friends and family to do the same.  A cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient and her immediate family, but also their entire community of friends, schoolmates, neighbors, colleagues, and service providers.  Protect your health this and every month, if not for yourself, then for the people who love you.

If you would like additional information on cancer prevention, please visit  www.preventcancer.org.

Barbara Grassley, a breast cancer survivor, is a member of the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation and the spouse of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

Soul Service is very excited to announce the first annual Mind Body Consciousness Expo 2012
Saturday, November 3rd
10am-6pm
Longbranch Hotel & Convention Center
90 Twix Town Road
Cedar Rapids, IA 

We are bringing in vendors, healers, and national speakers in to inspire, amaze, and transform the statewide Iowa community. A few of our transformational speakers this year will include Jai Westgard of Symbolic Stone Healing, Garth Fuerste of the Institute for Life Architecture, Dr. Barb Fox of Beyond Tradition Animal Healing Center, Roger Ringo of Profound Mystical Meditation, and Rachel Gendreau of Soul Service International. This expo will include vendors from businesses in natural health, holistic healing, physical fitness, personal & spiritual growth, physics, metaphysics and much more!! Tickets are $12. Contact info@soulservices.org or (866) 320-0025 with questions.


Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.  When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open. ~B.K.S. Iyengar

By Senator Tom Harkin

Each year, Medicare beneficiaries in Iowa and around the country have a chance to select a new plan or keep their existing plan during Medicare's Open Enrollment period.  This year, the open enrollment begins October 15th and ends on December 7th.  By getting a head start on choosing their plans for 2013, seniors can ensure they will receive the benefits they need.  Any changes made will take effect on January 1, 2013.

The options for choosing a plan can be daunting, but the Medicare website - www.medicare.gov - is a good resource for seniors to select a plan and answer questions about their options.   The site also includes The Medicare Plan Finder, a unique tool that allows seniors to compare numerous drug and health plans simultaneously.  The Plan Finder breaks down monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pay levels, and prescription drug coverage.

The Medicare website also highlights the most popular and highly rated Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans that have been reported by Medicare recipients.  The highest quality plans received an overall rating of five stars with the best performers receiving a "gold star" icon.  This guide can help Iowans analyze others' experiences with Medicare plans and choose the plan that's right for them.

I encourage all beneficiaries in Iowa to take a look at these new resources including http://www.healthcare.gov/, where Iowans can find more information about The Affordable Care Act - the landmark health law - and how it benefits them.

For more information about Medicare and the new changes, please visit the following sites:  www.cms.hhs.gov/center/openenrollment.asp or www.shiip.state.ia.us for information specific to Iowa.  If you do not have access to a computer, feel free to call 1-800-MEDICARE.  And of course, you can find more information on my website at www.harkin.senate.gov.

A PDF version of the column is available by clicking here.

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