The Link Between Alcohol and Breast Cancer Is Stronger

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The scientific link between alcohol and breast cancer is strong, but most of the research backing it has been done in white women, not diverse groups of women.

Now, in a new analysis published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, scientists find the same risk among black women. They studied more than 22,000 women in the African-American Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk Consortium, in which the women answered questionnaires about their alcohol habits. Their answers were correlated with records of breast cancer diagnoses. Women who reported drinking more than seven drinks a week had a higher risk of breast cancer of nearly all types compared to women who drank less. Women who drank 14 or more alcohol beverages weekly had a 33% higher chance of developing breast cancer than women who drank four or fewer beverages a week.

The findings strengthen what’s already known about alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer. Researchers believe alcohol can boost estrogen levels, which then feed certain types of breast cancer. In some cases, alcohol may also damage DNA in breast cells, causing them to grow abnormally.

SOURCE: TIME

How to Check Yourself for Breast Cancer?

This Is How Many Women Actually Like Rough Sex

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Here’s your excuse to try something kinky tonight: After polling more than 400,000 OkCupid members, the dating website found that 62 percent of women enjoy rough sex.

Why? Being bitten, scratched, or spanked increases your blood pressure and heart rate in response to the pain, explains sex researcher Nicole Prause, Ph.D. When that happens during sex, some people interpret it as sexual excitement.

Plus, there are areas of your brain where pain responses and sexual arousal overlap, she says.

We asked people what they really think of dirty talk. Here's what they had to say:

So what actually turns women on when they’re feeling a little adventurous? Sixty-two percent of them said having their hair pulled gets them going, while about 60 percent liked it when their partner took control, the poll found. (Dare to explore your ultimate fantasies with the Dare Me Pleasure Set from the Women's Health Boutique.)

Other things that topped their list of kinky behaviors? Being bitten, hearing derogatory terms, and being tied up.

In fact, the survey found that OkCupid members are 23 percent more likely to say they’re into BDSM than they were in 2013. Coincidentally, a big spike occurred around Valentine’s Day, when Fifty Shades Darker made its debut in theaters.

Just keep in mind that this isn’t something you surprise your partner with during sex. If you both want to get a little adventurous, talk about things beforehand to make sure you both feel safe.

If you're ready to green light some hair pulling, biting, and taking control—here are four ways to try rough sex tonight.

Additional reporting by Carrie Borzillo

The article 62% Of Women Like Rough Sex—and These Are Their Favorite Kinks​ originally appeared on Men’s Health.

SOURCE: Womenshealthmag

Common Kids' Eye Problems

As our children grow from newborns to crawlers to walkers and beyond, it's easy to take for granted the important role their eyes play in all they do. "Vision is fundamental for so many aspects of learning, from recognizing faces and shapes to reading, and from birth until 7 to 10 years old is a critical time for developing vision," says Laura K. Green, M.D., a cornea specialist and comprehensive ophthalmologist at the Krieger Eye Institute and director of the ophthalmology residency program at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. "Just like children have to learn to pick up a spoon and get it to their mouth, through early childhood they are building connections between the eyes and the brain and the brain is learning how to see." For that reason, recognizing and treating eye problems promptly is a key part of keeping your child thriving. Read on to learn about some common eye problems in children and what you can do to keep your little one's baby blues--or browns, hazels, or greens--in top shape.
Refractive Error

"The most common reason to go to the eye doctor is the need for glasses," says David L. Rogers, M.D., clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology at The Ohio State University, director of research in the department of ophthalmology at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and a member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Glasses help to correct refractive errors, which are vision problems that occur when the shape of the eye prevents you from focusing well, according to the National Institutes of Health's National Eye Institute (NEI). Refractive errors in children include myopia (also called nearsightedness), which is difficulty seeing things that are far away, hyperopia (farsightedness), or trouble seeing things close by, and astigmatism, distorted vision caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. The most common symptom of these conditions is blurred vision, says the NEI. Other red flags: double vision, haziness, glare or halos around bright lights, squinting, headaches, or eye strain. Talk to your child's pediatrician if you have any concerns.

Amblyopia

Amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye," is a condition in which the vision in one eye is compromised because the eye and the brain are not working together properly. The brain doesn't want to see double, explains Dr. Green, so if one eye doesn't see well, the brain will block the blurrier image. "Over time, if not treated before the age of 7 to 10 years, one eye's images will be blocked out permanently," she says. Amblyopia can be caused by strabismus (misaligned eyes), different prescriptions in each eye (for example, one eye might be more nearsighted than the other), or issues such as cataracts or a droopy eyelid. Some of the causes of amblyopia are visible--misaligned eyes, for example--but others aren't, which means you might not realize anything is wrong with your child's eyes. Routine vision screenings at your child's well visits can pick up problems. Treatment for amblyopia typically involves addressing the issue that's causing poor vision in one eye as well as forcing your child to use that weaker eye. This is often done by patching or blurring the stronger eye with eye drops or the prescription in glasses. The earlier treatment begins, the better.

Strabismus

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are misaligned--one may turn in, out, up or down--and therefore don't focus on the same point at the same time. You may hear the terms "crossed eyes" or "wandering eye" used to describe this condition. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), strabismus affects approximately 4 percent of children in this country. Strabismus can be a precursor to amblyopia because when the eyes are focused in different directions, the brain may "turn off" the misaligned eye. Over time, the ignored eye can lose vision. The treatment for strabismus can include glasses, eye exercises, and/or eye surgery.

Conjunctivitis

Commonly referred to as "pinkeye," conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the thin lining of tissue inside the eyelid and over the white part of the eye. It is caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens (say, mold or pet dander), or irritants such as swimming pool chlorine or smog, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Symptoms include redness or swelling of the white part of the eye or inside the eyelid, tearing, eye discharge (which can be white, yellow, or green), itchy or burning sensations, increased sensitivity to light, a gritty feeling in the eye, and crust on the eyelids or lashes. Pinkeye caused by bacteria is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops or eye ointment. If the pinkeye is viral, it just has to run its course, which typically takes seven to 14 days. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious so make sure your child doesn't share towels, sheets or pillows with anyone else in the family, and encourage everyone to be extra careful about hand washing.

Styes

A stye is a tender, red bump that pops up when an oil gland on the eyelid becomes blocked. While the bump is usually the most obvious symptom, your child may also feel that his eye is more sensitive to light than normal, tears more than usual, is sore, or feels like there's something in it. Styes can usually be treated at home by applying a warm, wet compress to the area for ten minutes several times a day. This can help coax the gland to open and release the fluid (usually excess oil) that's clogging it. Never try to pop or burst a stye. You should call the doctor if the stye gets progressively larger or doesn't show signs of improvement within a few days, says Dr. Rogers.

Blocked Tear Duct

One in ten babies is born with a blocked tear duct, according to the AAP. "We commonly see blocked tear ducts in children under 1 year old. Often, a parent will notice that one eye is always tearing and so she'll bring the child in," says Lauren S. Blieden, M.D., an ophthalmologist at the Robert Cizik Eye Clinic and assistant clinical professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. "We usually just watch it, because the vast majority of times a blocked tear duct opens on its own as the child's face grows and his anatomy matures." In the meantime, your child's doctor may recommend that you gently massage the inner corner of the eye twice a day to encourage the duct to open if a mild infection occurs. If the blocked duct doesn't resolve itself by the time your child is 12 months old, an ophthalmologist can perform a relatively simple procedure to unblock it.

Spotting Eye Problems in Kids

"Parents are the first line of defense against developmental eye issues," says Dr. Green. "If you notice something unusual, bring your child in for an eye exam, ideally with a pediatric ophthalmologist." Some red flags to look out for include:

-An eye (or eyes) that turns in or out. (The exception: If a child is under 4 months old it's normal for the eyes to sometimes turn in or out, says Dr. Blieden.) You might notice this in person or only in pictures. "A mild crossing of the eyes might only be apparent in photos and not when your child is in front of you moving and looking around," says Dr. Green.

-Pupils that appear different from each other. Both pupils should be the same size.

-A child who always holds her head in a certain position so she can see better.

-Uneven red reflex. When looking at the latest photos of your kids, check out their eyes. "The red eyes that you see in photos should both look the same," says Dr. Blieden. "If one eye looks different in more than just one photo then that's a reason to see an ophthalmologist more urgently."

While it's important to be alert to any abnormalities, not all eye problems are visible to parents. For that reason, regular vision screenings are essential. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eye exams for newborns, infants between six months and one year, preschoolers and school age children. "Your child's pediatrician can do the exam and if she finds something worrisome then your child should see an ophthalmologist," says Dr. Blieden.

A final word of eye advice: Have your child wear safety glasses when participating in sports like baseball and basketball, says Dr. Blieden. It's an underused but important way to protect your child's precious peepers.

Copyright © 2013 Meredith Corporation.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Image: jeniffertn-243408/Pixabay
SOURCE: Parents.com

4 Times Your Vagina Needs to See a Doctor ASAP

Photo: Getty Images

Luckily for us, many below-the-belt issues aren’t super serious. That sour-y smell? Meh, vaginas can smell like that. Some pain during sex? Don’t panic—it’s pretty common, and may be only temporary. 


But there are certain gynecological symptoms that require attention ASAP. Wondering if your issue falls into the take-care-of-this-stat category? There are two major things to consider, says Michael Krychman, MD, director of The Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship in Newport Beach, California: The severity of the pain, and how quickly it developed.

Below are four symptoms you should get checked out sooner rather than later.

It “burns” when you pee, and your discharge looks ... different

Some vaginal discharge is totally normal—but if you notice a significant difference in its color, odor, or consistency, that could be a red flag. “Women are used to their own cycle,” Dr. Krychman says, “so when that starts changing, it’s an indication that something could be wrong.”

Dr. Krychman also points out that it’s hard to self-diagnose what’s causing abnormal discharge: “More often than not, [people make the wrong] assessment,” he says. “They try and treat it themselves, and wind up with an infection.” A few possible culprits include a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis (an overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria), or chlamydia—a sexually-transmitted bacterial infection, and the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States. Chlamydia should be treated right away because the infection can spread to your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes within a few days or weeks, causing pelvic inflammatory disease and possibly infertility.

Your vagina is swollen and really itchy

These symptoms could be triggered by anything from a bubble bath, to menopause, to a yeast infection. And often times, it’s no big deal. On the other hand, you might have trichomoniasis, an STD that’s caused by a parasite. That sounds scary, but according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s “the most common curable STD.” Only about 30% of people will have any symptoms, but the most common ones in women are irritation, burning, redness, and soreness.

Trichomoniasis is diagnosed with a lab test, and treated with a single dose of a prescription antibiotic. Make sure your partner gets checked out too, so you avoid re-infecting each other. Not only can trichomoniasis make sex more painful, but it can also trigger problems during pregnancy and make you more susceptible to other STDs.

You bleed after sex

Up to 9% of premenopausal women may experience post-coital bleeding (which is bleeding after sex that’s not related to their period) according to a 2014 review in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology International. The good news is that for most women, the problem will go away within 6 months. But since post-coital bleeding is also a common symptom of both cervical cancer and vaginal cancer, your doctor might want to rule out the big C with a biopsy. Other culprits include endometriosis and benign cervical polyps.

There’s a bump down there that hurts


As a general rule, you should call your ob-gyn if you can feel a lump inside (or sticking out of) your vagina. Fortunately most cysts (if that's what it is) are pretty harmless, and probably won’t even need treatment. But if you have what’s called a Bartholin cyst or abscess—a buildup of pus in the glands that flank the vaginal opening—you may develop a painful infection that could make it hard to walk or sit. Soaking in a warm bath might help you feel better, but you may also need to get the cyst drained via an in-office surgical procedure.

SOURCE: Health.com

Homemade Face and Body Scrubs Recipes with the Use of Coffee

Coffee is not only one of our favorite energy drinks, but it also can become one of the amazing natural ingredients, that we can include in our beauty routine. Today, let me share with you some great homemade facial and body scrubs recipes with the use of coffee:

Coffee and sugar body scrub:

Mix 4 table spoons of coffee grounds (from freshly brewed coffee or collected from the previous one) with 2 table spoons of brown sugar, add 6 table spoons of olive oil (you can also use liquid coconut oil) and 1 table spoon of row honey.

The caffeine can be very helpful in diminishing cellulite and softening the skin, sugar will work as a gentle exfoliator, honey will nourish the skin and the oil will help hydrate and moisturise. Massage your wet skin (while in the shower) with this scrub in circular motions for couple of minutes, paying special attention to cellulite areas and places, where you have dry skin, then, rinse with water. Your skin will feel very soft, moisturized and smooth; dull skin will come alive and your body will acquire natural glow of smooth perfection.

Simple coffee body scrub:

Mix 4 table spoons of coffee grounds with 5 table spoons of olive oil (if you don’t have the oil, you can use liquid row honey instead), (if the scrub is too thick and difficult to work with – add a little bit of water) massage your skin with this scrub for couple of minutes while in the shower, concentrating on the areas with cellulite and dull skin, then, rinse with water and enjoy baby soft, beautiful and nourished body!

Note: When you massage your skin with a scrub, you help unclog pores and stimulate circulation, thus, allowing your skin to take all the benefits from your hydrating lotion. If you use a body scrub regularly, you can forget about unpleasant alligator skin on your legs forever!

Homemade facial coffee scrub for oily skin (with an option for dry skin):

Mix 1 table spoon of coffee grounds (from freshly brewed coffee) with 1 table spoon of plain yogurt. Gently massage your face with it (for one minute or two), then, rinse with lukewarm water.

If you have dry skin, you can make similar face scrub, but only, use a plain cream instead of yogurt.

Another variation of homemade facial coffee scrub for all skin types:

Mix 1 table spoon of oatmeal with warm water (couple of table spoons of warm water will do) and wait for 5-10 minutes, till oats turn into a soft paste; then, add 1 table spoon of coffee grounds (from freshly brewed coffee). Now, if your skin is dry, add 1 table spoon of cream, if your skin is oily or normal, add 1 table spoon of plain yogurt. Gently massage your face with this scrub for couple of minutes, then, rinse with lukewarm water. Your skin will feel nourished and soft, it will look healthy and glowing.

Coffee ice cubes:

If you want to give your skin a healthy glow, then, make some ice cubes from your freshly made morning coffee and wipe your face with it every morning. Applying ice cubes on your face will improve blood circulation, give your skin a fresh glow, shrink pores, prevent aging and appearance of wrinkles.

Note: Applying ice cubes directly on the skin might be harsh for certain skin types and can cause stress on delicate capillaries under the skin (especially, if your skin is sensitive), therefore, you can wrap an ice cube in a wash cloth before wiping your face with it. Avoid applying ice cubes on your face, if your skin is sensitive and is prone to various irritations and redress.

Regular use of facial and body scrubs can make your skin look/feel healthier and softer, because this treatment can help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, thus, improving natural cells’ renewal process. Of course, you can buy a ready made scrub in the shop, but why not to use great ingredients straight from our kitchen?

SOURCE: Beautyandtips

6 Meditations to Get You Through the Most Annoying Parts of Your Day

You’re on your way to work, minding your own business, when someone sneezes all over you on the train or a minivan comes flying into your lane. Accordingly, you almost lose your sh*t, before reminding yourself that you’re a civilized human being.

The average day is full of mini-moments that can be stressful AF if we let them psych us out. And since we know stress can seriously mess with our health, we understand we need to handle these moments with something other than an internal “f*&k!”

Lucky for our blood pressure, three meditation experts—who all contributed to a new app called Meditation Studio—are offering their best advice for surviving the day, sanity intact.

WHEN YOUR MORNING COMMUTE SUCKS

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Whether you’re mentally planning out your day's to-do list or in full zombie-mode during your morning drive, try to instead focus on every action you take while commuting, suggests Jules Williams-Key, Yoga Studio by Gaiam's co-founder and instructor. “Hone in on switching on your blinker or hitting the accelerator,” she says. This practice of mindfulness helps you avoid distractions.

If you commute via public transportation, you’ve probably been squished up against a smelly person and felt a little claustrophobic at some point. “When you feel tense, close your eyes and visualize yourself gazing at a blue sky or out at the ocean,” says Chrissy Carter, yoga instructor at Yoga Works. You’ll feel more relaxed almost instantly.

WHEN YOU’RE WAITING IN LINE

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We get it: You’ve got places to be, and this guy in front of you is taking forever. Instead of getting frustrated, though, focus on your posture. “Stand with equal weight on both feet: Feel yourself grounded,” says Carter. “As you inhale, imagine your breath dropping to your feet. As you exhale, imagine it rising up to your head.”

Or, repeat the following mantra to yourself: Be here now. “It keeps me from thinking about everything I need to do once I’m done waiting,” says Williams-Key. “Worrying about that call you need to make won’t serve you,” she says.

To turn to supermarket line into a warm-and-fuzzy experience, try a “loving kindness” mindfulness practice. “Try to fill yourself with kindness and love, and pick someone in line to send it to,” says Emily Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation. When you send feel-good vibes someone else’s way, you’ll leave line feeling better yourself.

WHEN YOU GET A RUDE EMAIL

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Stressful emails are a fact of life. Before you respond a little too colorfully, take 10 minutes to do something more positive. “Meditation isn’t turning off all thoughts,” says Carter, “but turning our attention to something else.” Take a walk, watch a funny video on your phone, or think of something that makes you feel light, like your dog or a vacation. You’ll return to that email with clearer perspective.

“Once you’ve written your response, take a lap around the office before sending it,” says Fletcher. Ask yourself if your response offers the best possible solution for you and the sender.

WHEN THAT 3 P.M. SUGAR CRAVING HITS

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Chocolate, we love you, but we’re not interested in being your slave. We’re probably bored or lonely when cravings hit—not hungry. “Sometimes cravings are a disconnect between what your mind wants and your body needs,” says Carter. Try this reconnecting flow: Inhale and lift your arms above your head. Exhale and lower them. Inhale and lengthen your spine. Exhale and twist in your chair.

“I remind myself to ‘treat my body with kindness,’” says Williams-Key. Repeating this phrase may help you find the balance between completely denying yourself something yummy and bingeing on a whole sleeve of cookies.

WHEN YOU JUST CAN’T WITH YOUR PARTNER

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If you just walked in the door and you’re already annoyed, spend a minute or two in a forward fold or child’s pose. “In a forward fold, let your head hang down toward your feet,” says Carter. “If you’ve had an overwhelming day, the fetal-like position of child’s pose reinforces that it’s okay.” You’ll feel calmer and more able to tell your partner you need space.

When you’re already in the thick of an argument, take a break (a la your stressful email strategy). Come back to the conversation 10 minutes later instead of spinning your wheels about who needs to do the dishes.

WHEN FALLING ASLEEP SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE

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Fact: The longer you think about falling asleep, the more stressed you feel, and longer you stay awake.

Try this quick practice instead: Lie on your back with both hands on your stomach. Feel it rise as you inhale, and fall as you exhale. Feel your body lying between breaths. Repeat “rising, falling, lying” in your head with each motion. “If you start to think about tomorrow or tense up about being awake, add the word ‘relax’ to your sequence,” says Williams-Key. “When you think ‘relax,’ let go of every muscle in your body.”

Counting sheep is also pretty damn close to a meditative practice. Try counting to 10, in time with your breath. Inhale, 1. Exhale, 2. Inhale, 3. “When you notice your mind wandering to things you have to do tomorrow, simply start back at one,” says Fletcher. “You might never make it up to 10, but you’ll fall asleep.”

SOURCE: Womenshealthmag

The Simple Reason Exercise Enhances Your Brain

Evidence keeps mounting that exercise is good for the brain. It can lower a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease and may even slow brain aging by about 10 years. Now, new research helps illuminate how, exactly, working out improves brain health.

In one research review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers examined 39 studies that looked at the link between exercise and cognitive abilities among people over age 50. They found that aerobic exercise appears to improve a person’s cognitive function and resistance training can enhance a person’s executive function and memory. Other exercises like tai chi were also linked to improvements in cognition, though there wasn't as much available evidence. Ultimately, the researchers concluded that 45 minutes to an hour of moderate-to-vigorous exercise was good for the brain."

There is now a wide body of research showing that the benefits to the body with exercise also exist for the brain," says study author Joe Northey, a PhD candidate at the University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise in Australia. " When older adults undertake aerobic or resistance exercise, we see changes to the structure and function of areas of the brain responsible for complex mental tasks and memory function."

But how does exercise have these effects? Another new study presented at the American Physiological Society's annual meeting in Chicago explored one possible way. In the study, researchers from New Mexico Highlands University found that when people walk, the pressure of making impact with the ground sends waves through the arteries, which increase blood flow to the brain (also called cerebral blood flow). Getting enough blood to the brain is important for healthy brain function, since blood flow brings the brain oxygen and nutrients.

In the small study—which has not yet been published—researchers used ultrasounds to assess arteries and changes in cerebral blood flow in 12 healthy young adults while they were standing, walking and running. The increases in blood flow were greater when the men and women ran, but walking was enough to spur the effect. "[Increased cerebral blood flow] gives the brain more to work with," says study author Ernest R. Greene, a professor of engineering and biology at New Mexico Highlands University. “It’s another positive aspect of exercise.”

Scientists are still exploring multiple ways by which fitness improves the brain. But blood flow is a promising path, since it can also help create new brain cells. The protein BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) also seems to play a role because it helps repair and protect brain cells from degeneration. Exercise can also boost mood by triggering the release of feel-good hormones and chemicals, like endorphins, which can improve brain health. A 2015 study found that exercise may be able to prevent the onset of depressive symptoms."Each type of exercise seems to have different effects on the growth factors responsible for the growth of new neurons and blood vessels in the brain," says Northey. "That may indicate why doing both aerobic and resistance training is of benefit to cognitive function."

SOURCE: TIME