Dental Insurance For People With Medicare Part A & B

Medicare doesn't cover preventative dental services.

Everyone who has ever had a root canal or a cavity can attest to the fact that even with dental insurance, dental care isn't cheap. As you age, your teeth erode from acidity and may also stain. You may need dentures. Dental insurance can help with the costs of dental care, and Medicare beneficiaries with Parts A and/or B have several dental options.

Medicare Dental Benefits

Medicare Parts A and B provide little to no dental coverage. Medicare doesn't cover preventative dental services, like cleaning and fillings. Medicare also won't cover dentures. Medicare will cover dental services when they are required for a medically necessary procedure, like reconstructing a jaw after an accident. Medicare will also provide coverage if you're hospitalized due to complications after a dental procedure.

Medicare Advantage Plan Dental

Although Medicare doesn't provide dental coverage, some Medicare Advantage plans do. Medicare Advantage plans are health insurance plans that take the place of Medicare for those that have Medicare Parts A and B. You still retain your Medicare rights; Medicare Advantage plans may lower your out of pocket costs compared to original Medicare, and offer additional benefits, like dental coverage. There may be an additional premium for the dental insurance; be sure to carefully read any marketing materials so you know what premium and out-of-pocket costs to expect. You also should find out what kind of provider network, if any, there is, and if your dentist is covered.

Standalone Dental Plans

If you have original Medicare alone or with a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan or if you have health coverage through a retirement plan, you may want to consider purchasing an individual dental policy. One source for dental insurance is AARP. Delta Dental offers two policies through AARP that are geared for seniors, mostly Medicare beneficiaries. Both plans have a maximum benefit amount and cover preventative care as well as fillings, denture repair and oral surgery. There's a one-year waiting period for new dentures and crowns.

Other Options

Dental discount plans are another option worth considering. The plans negotiate discounts with dentists who are part of their network. You pay a premium, typically lower than what dental insurance would cost, and pay a discounted amount for dental services. These plans have fewer restrictions than more traditional insurance, but may also have a more limited network. If you're a veteran, you may be able to obtain dental work through the Veterans Administration or TRICARE (military health insurance).

Build A Race Car Out Of A 1990 Mustang

Build a Race Car Out of a 1990 Mustang

The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular American street cars ever conceived and has been in production since 1964. While the Mustang can make a great street driven muscle car, it is also makes a great race car. This model has seen a variety of competition uses, from road racing to drag racing. Building a Mustang race car, though, can take a significant outlay of money and time if done properly.

Instructions

1. Stiffen the suspension. One of the most important components of a Mustang built for racing is a stiffer suspension that will help it handle better and reduce body roll. Last Call Racing is a great source for a Mustang performance suspension. You can choose from an assortment of lowering springs, stiffer performance shocks and full suspension kits that will provide everything you need to get your Mustang handling at its best.

2. Replace the wheels and tire with lighter racing wheels and race tires. The Tire Rack is a great place to find lighter, high-performance racing wheels as well as a very wide selection of racing tires, from those used on the street and the track or full-blown competition tires. Race tires are made from softer compound rubber that heats up more quickly, while lighter wheels will reduce your Mustang's unsprung weight.

3. Upgrade the brakes. Your Mustang's ability to stop quickly and effectively during repeated aggressive braking in another extremely important aspect of racing. My Hot Mustang offers a very impressive big brake kit from AP Racing, one of the foremost makers of competition spec brakes in the world. This kit includes larger calipers, larger rotors, better brake pads and braided steel brake lines.

4. Modify the engine. Start by installing a more free flow exhaust and tubular headers, which will help your motor run more efficiently and produce more power and torque. Follow up these modifications with a fully built race engine, which can include over bore pistons for an increase in displacement, a more aggressive camshaft, a lighter flywheel and other power bumping additions. Don't neglect the cooling system. A larger radiator, an oil cooler and larger electric fans all ensure that your Mustang stays cool under pressure.

5. Strip the interior. Remove the carpeting, door panels, front and back seats and anything else not needed for racing. Scrape the sound deadening from the floor boards. Once you have the interior stripped, you can paint the interior surfaces white for a clean look or paint the interior to match the exterior. Install a racing seat from a company like Recaro. For full-blown race use, you will also need a full roll cage installed by a roll cage maker and safety components like five-point racing harnesses, a fire suppression system and a kill switch so that the engine's fuel system can be shut off in case of an accident.

Difference Between Lumineers & Veneers

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options to help you improve the look of your smile. Veneers represent one option. One patented type of veneers is known as Lumineers.

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that a dentist can place over a discolored or damaged tooth. Typically, a dentist will need to remove some of your tooth in order to have the veneer fit and look natural beside your other teeth, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Lumineers

Lumineers is the name of one specific type of veneer. Thinner than traditional veneer material, they may be applied without removing part of your tooth, according to Lumineers.com.

Considerations

Veneers often require three visits to the dentist, and the process that removes a portion of the affected teeth is not reversible. The application of Lumineers requires two visits to the dentist and because no portion of the teeth is removed you may have them taken out if necessary or desired.

Bunion Surgery & Complications

A bunion is a painful deformity of the foot that occurs when the big toe moves in towards the second toe, creating a bump of bone and soft tissue at the base of the big toe. Wearing too-small shoes with pointed toes is a common cause of bunions. Although bunions can be treated without surgery, sometimes nonsurgical treatments are not enough to correct the problem. Bunion surgery, called bunionectomy, can help ease the pain and correct the problem but is not without risks.

Procedures

There are several approaches to bunion surgery. A surgeon can remove the damaged parts of the big toe bone, repair the tendons surrounding the big toe and realign the joint. Most bunion surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient is administered an ankle block anesthesia, which numbs the foot but allows the patient to remain conscious. Surgery usually takes about one hour and the patient is ready to go home one to two hours later.

Types of Surgery

There are many types of bunion surgery. Anthrodesis surgery is the removal of the damaged joint surfaces and the insertion of screws, wires and/or plates. Resection arthroplasty surgery is the removal of the damaged part of the joint itself. Exostectomy surgery removes the bump on the toe joint, and osteotomy surgery realigns the joint. Another surgical procedure involves repairing the tendons and ligaments around the big toe, often used in conjunction with osteotomy surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon will select the surgery that's best for you.

Complications

Although fewer than 10 percent of people experience complications with bunion surgery, there are certain risks involved. Infection can occur and require additional treatment. There is also the possibility that the bunion might reappear after surgery. Other bunion surgery risks include nerve damage, scarring, prolonged swelling, prolonged pain, blood clots, stiffness, a shortened toe, undercorrection, overcorrection and the chance that the wound may not heal properly.

Expectations

Have realistic expectations--bunion surgery has limitations and there is no guarantee that it will completely relieve your pain. After surgery there is often a long recovery period and you may need to spend time in physical therapy. You might also have to use crutches and exercise will be limited to short walks in the first few weeks. Stitches will be removed about two weeks after surgery but your foot will remain in dressings or a brace for up to eight weeks.

The bunion(s) can recur if you return to wearing small or slender shoes after surgery.

Candidacy

Is bunion surgery for you? You might want to consider bunion surgery if you are experiencing toe stiffness, toe inflammation, toe deformity or severe foot pain that interferes with your everyday life. Another reason to consider bunion surgery is if non-surgical solutions such as medications, orthotic shoe inserts and shoe changes have little or no effect on your pain or other symptoms. Consult an orthopedic surgeon to see if bunion surgery is the best option.

Distinguish Between Electric Potential & Electric Potential Energy

We commonly experience electric potential in the form of a battery.

Electric potential and electric potential energy are two closely related concepts in the science of electricity and magnetism. At first glance, they seem almost identical, which makes it difficult to clearly understand the distinction between them. The textbook explanation is simply that electric potential is equal to electric potential energy per unit charge. For many people, however, this definition does little to promote a clear, intuitive understanding of the relationship between these two concepts.

Instructions

Terminoloy and Definitions

1. Use the name "voltage" whenever you think of electric potential. This helps to diminish confusion between the two concepts.

2. Focus on the "potential energy" part of "electric potential energy." This reminds you that it operates in much the same way as gravitational potential energy. It is easier to visualize and experience gravitational potential energy, because it is simply the energy an object has when it is located some distance above the ground.

3. Write down the formulas for both concepts, and notice the difference. Electric potential energy equals kQq/r and electric potential equals kQ/r. Electric potential, or voltage, only has one Q in the numerator, meaning that voltage does not depend on the size of the other charge.

Comparisons and Examples

4. Lift a heavy object in one hand and a light object in the other. It takes more effort, or energy, to lift the heavier object. This demonstrates why a heavy object has more gravitational potential energy than a light object at the same height. You can directly compare this activity to a situation involving electric potential energy instead of gravitational potential energy.

5. Imagine that you are moving two glass balls toward a big, positively charged metal plate. One has a strong positive charge and the other has a weak positive charge. It will be more difficult to move the ball with the strong charge, so this ball will gain more electric potential energy. The amount of potential energy depends on the strength of the charge you are moving.

6. Imagine that the charged balls are gone, and all you have now is the electrically charged metal plate. You cannot determine the electric potential energy, because you have no charged ball to move toward the plate.

7. Look again at the formula for voltage and note that the only variables are Q (the charge on the plate) and r (the distance from the plate). The voltage does not depend on the amount of charge on the other object. Voltage only tells you a situation's ability to give electric potential energy to a charged object.

8. Look at a AA battery. It will say "1.5 volts." This can remind you that electric potential, or voltage, does not depend on the size of another charge, because a battery is 1.5 volts no matter where you install it.

Build A Model Styrofoam Airplane

Building model airplanes can be challenging but fun. A Styrofoam model is easy to make with materials found around the house. The model airplane is as much fun to make as it is to play with the finished product.

Instructions

Building the Model

1. Find a pattern for the model. Trace the pattern on the plastic foam (Styrofoam) tray and cut it out using the utility knife.

2. Sand the surfaces of the pieces of fuselage to rough them up slightly so that they adhere to each other easily. Glue the two pieces of fuselage together from end to end.

3. Place the rest of the pattern pieces on the plastic foam (Styrofoam) tray. Trace and cut out each pattern piece. Make sure to mark the forward direction for each piece.

4. Sand the surfaces of the remaining pieces, except the wings, where they will be glued together to ensure adherence. Glue the pieces together where indicated on the pattern.

5. Cut the wings along the line designated in the pattern. Sand both surfaces of the wings along the cutting line. Cut the wings where indicated on the pattern.

6. Place a bead of glue along the top of the fuselage and place the wings one on each side of the fuselage and meeting in the middle of the bead of glue. Using the books or blocks of wood raise the outer wing tips about an inch higher than the fuselage so that they tilt upwards. Spread another bead of glue along the line where the wings join on top of the fuselage.

7. Tape a dime to the side of the fuselage just slightly behind the front edge of the wing, once the glue is dried. Throw the plane and watch how it flies. If it makes a steep climb move the dime forward and fly again. If it does a nose dive, move the dime back slightly and fly it again. Once the plane flies straight, add more tape to the dime to keep in permanently affixed to the plane.

Get Cobra If You Quit Your Job

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, is a government program that was created with the goal of allowing employees to continue their health insurance coverage even after they leave their employers. To qualify for this health insurance coverage, you do not have to be fired, as you can get it even if you quit.

COBRA

COBRA is a program that you can qualify for when your work situation changes. With this program, you can take over the premium payments for your health insurance coverage. Once you do this, you get to continue using the group health insurance plan that you had when you worked full-time for your employer. This kind of coverage is designed to help you keep health insurance while you are looking for another job that has group health insurance or until you get an individual insurance plan.

Eligibility

If you want to use COBRA, you have to meet some eligibility guidelines. Your employer has to offer a group health insurance plan. The employer typically has to have more than 20 employees before COBRA is even an option. If your employer offered the insurance plan, you must have been enrolled in the plan before your work situation changed. If you meet the eligibility guidelines, you can obtain coverage for 18 months, or 29 months if you are disabled.

Qualifying Events

Before you can get on COBRA coverage, you have to go through a qualifying event. This means that you have to either significantly reduce your working hours or leave your job. This does not have to be an involuntary termination of employment and it can be as a result of you quitting your job. Your spouse and other beneficiaries can also elect to get on COBRA coverage if they go through the same qualifying event that makes you eligible.

Getting Coverage

When you quit your job, you do not simply automatically go on COBRA. You have to take action to be included in this program. Your employer will send the plan administrator a qualifying event notice within 30 days of the event taking place. You will then get a notice from your employer within 14 days. At that point, you have 60 days to elect to take COBRA coverage. If you do not elect to get coverage within that time, you lose your right to participate.

Can Gastric Banding Surgery Can Cure Diabetes

Can Gastric Banding Surgery Can Cure Diabetes?

"Cure" is a strong word, and one that few doctors are prepared to use. Because patients still need to be routinely evaluated for diabetes related complications, explains Robert Gabbay, MD, Ph.D, the diagnosis of diabetes is not completely removed. That said there is strong evidence that gastric banding, as well as gastric bypass, sends type 2 diabetes into remission.

American Diabetes Association Lap Band Study

Obesity is the leading cause of type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). If extra weight puts us at risk for diabetes, it stands to reason that decreasing weight would help to mitigate the disease. That theory is born out in a four-year ADA study including 122 obese pre-diabetics. Seventy-three of the participants underwent lap band surgery, and 49 attempted to lose weight through diet and exercise. The surgical group lost substantial weight, maintained the loss and only 1.3 percent of participants developed diabetes. Among the non-surgical group there was no sustained weight loss and 10.2 percent of participants developed diabetes.

Australian Lap Band Study

John Dixon, a researcher at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, followed 60 obese patients with type 2 diabetes for two years. Thirty patients underwent lap band WLS, and 30 went on a diet and exercise program. The WLS patients lost on average 20 percent of their body weight, and diabetes went into remission in 73 percent of the patients. The diet and exercise patients lost an average of 1.7 percent of their body weight, and diabetes went into remission in 13 percent of the patients.

Faster Diabetic Remission with Gastric Bypass?

Dr. Blandine Laferre, an endocrinologist at the Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, noted dramatic---and almost immediate--improvements in diabetes patients after gastric bypass WLS. Diabetes seemed to go into remission before the patients lost weight, and Dr. Laferre wanted to know why. She followed 15 obese women with type 2 diabetes for two years. Seven underwent gastric bypass WLS and eight had no WLS. She tested all the women's levels of incretines, hormones that aid insulin production and are typically low in diabetics, at equal intervals before and after surgery. The women who underwent WLS showed heightened levels of incretines as well as insulin production. This change occurred within 30 days of surgery and was sustained for the two years the women were followed.

Mazatlan Study

The Obesity Clinic of Mazatlan conducted detailed research on 22,000 diabetes patients and later expanded the pool to 135,000. They documented diabetes remission rates of 83 percent, across all bariatric surgery patients. Enthusiastic about their results, the clinic moved on to develop bariatric surgical techniques for non-obese patients.

Warning

Any form of bariatric surgery is a highly serious undertaking. Discuss your situation with your physician and weigh your options carefully.

Bad Side Effects Of Atenolol

Also known as Tenormin, Atenolol is a beta blocker that is used to treat high blood pressure, angina, heart attack,and cases of anxiety. Usually prescribed in 25-, 50- or 100-milligram tablets, Atenolol has fewer side effects than a number of other drugs given to treat these conditions. However, it is not free of side effects.

Common Side Effects

Although there are many different side effects reported when taking Atenolol, some are more common than others. Check with your doctor if you experience cold fingers and toes, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, sleepiness or any other weakness. These symptoms are not usually, but can be, a sign of more serious side effects or interactions with the drug.

Allergic Reactions

As with any medication, serious allergic reactions have occurred in patients taking Atenolol. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any swelling in the mouth, face, lips or tongue as this may constrict the airway. Also watch for hives, severe rash, chest pain or constriction in the chest and any shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Allergic reactions are unusual in Atenolol but have been reported. You should not take Atenolol if you have had an allergic reaction to Atenolol before or have a history of slow heartbeats.

Mental Health Side Effects

Although Atenolol is often given to treat anxiety, it can cause other severe mental health side effects. If you suddenly start experiencing extreme mood swings, depression, difficulty sleeping or insomnia, become overly tired or begin to become even more anxious than before, contact your doctor immediately as these can be side effects of taking Atenolol and may require a re-evaluation of dosage or a change in medication.

Less Common Side Effects

Although these side effects rarely appear, they can be just as serious or more serious than the common ones. Find emergency medical help immediately if you experience fainting, dizziness or lightheadness, shortness of breath, sudden or unusual weight gain, swelling of hands, ankles and feet, unusual bruising or bleeding, unusually slow heartbeat, sudden decreased sexual ability or fingernails, toenails or palms that turn blue. All of these side effects can be signs of more serious side effects and problems and should not be ignored.

Warning

Before taking Atenolol, tell your doctor if you have a history of or have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, low blood pressure, any heart problems, slow heart rate, congestive heart failure, depression, liver disease, kidney disease, a thyroid disorder or problems with circulation. These conditions can cause serious side effects when taking Atenolol, and the drugs that are given for these conditions may interact poorly with the drug.

Gaining Weight After Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is a serious medical procedure that is used to help morbidly obese individuals lose weight. The surgery has a high probability of risks and complications, however it can also yield astounding weight loss results of up to 80 percent of the patient's body weight. Research from the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts has suggested that around 5 percent of patients who undergo gastric bypass will regain all of the weight they have lost and potentially more. To prevent this from happening, it is imperative that patients make severe lifestyle alterations and follow the advice of their medical professionals down to the letter.

Function

Gastric bypass helps obese individuals lose weight by removing a substantial portion of the stomach and upper intestines. The result is a stomach that is about the size of a walnut and a digestive tract that is less able to absorb calories and digest large amounts of food at time. Due to the large incision necessary for this procedure, gastric bypass surgery is extremely high risk and it is estimated by the Mayo Clinic that one in every 300 patients experience fatal complications during the surgical procedure.

Initial Weight Loss

After the procedure, the patient will experience incredibly rapid weight loss which persists throughout the first year after surgery. It is not uncommon for patients to lose over 100 lbs. in the first year, and continue to lose at a slower rate throughout the second year. However, after the second year post operation, the body finally adjusts to the effects of the surgery and it is during this time that weight regain will happen.

Weight Gain

It is not uncommon for gastric bypass patients to gain 5 to 10 lbs. after two years of substantial loss. This is typically due to the body leveling out, learning to absorb more nutrients and calories, and also a slight stretching of the stomach. However, about 5 percent of patients continue to gain beyond these 10 lbs. due to a variety of factors which can result in significant or total weight regain.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The reason patients are susceptible to regaining weight post operation is because the surgery only addresses the biological issues surrounding obesity, and not the mental ones. Most people who reach a morbid level of obesity suffer from binge eating disorders and fundamentally dangerous relationships with food. This is why cognitive behavioral therapy is typically incorporated as a facet to surgical procedure. Counseling can help work through these issues and ensure that the emotional reasons why an individual becomes morbidly obese will not cause them to regain all of the weight.

Nutritional Factors

Another culprit for why an individual can regain weight after gastric bypass surgery is this slow but steady inclusion of high fat and high calorie foods into the diet. Additionally, portion sizes which are larger than necessary slowly extend the size of the stomach, allowing more calories to be ingested over time. It is essential that gastric bypass patients follow not only the specific diet outlined by their nutritionists but also adhere to portion sizes to prevent them from regaining weight after gastric bypass surgery.

Baytown Nightclubs

Enjoy Baytown's nightlife.

Baytown is a city situated about 30 miles outside Houston, in the Gulf Coast region of Texas. Due to its location and its 450-acre nature center, it is a very popular tourist area. The nightlife is plentiful in Baytown, with country-dancing clubs, biker hangouts, old-style saloons and more providing a diverse selection of events and atmospheres for residents and visitors alike.

Cherokee Country Club

The Cherokee Country Club is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. Cherokee is mainly a late-night dance club that plays a selection of popular country music. The club hosts a variety of themed events, such a "pretty in pink" contest on Thursdays and a "powerhouse party" on Saturdays. It offers patrons nightly drink specials and caters mainly to a crowd from age 21 to those in their early 30s.

Cherokee Country Club

1909 N. Pruett

Baytown, TX 77520

(281) 427-5066

klmclubs.com

Rocky's Pelican Junction

With the Harley-Davidson logo displayed on its website, Rocky's is Baytown's biker nightclub, open daily until 2:00 a.m. The club offers live music, dancing, pool and karaoke. Food, including hot wings, crab legs, shrimp and crawfish, is also available at Rocky's. The club offers daily drink specials, with discount pricing on certain cocktails and pitchers. Country and rock are the main music styles featured, and Rocky's also features has an outdoor tiki bar.

Rocky's Pelican Junction

1307 S. Hwy. 146 (bus)

Baytown, TX 77520

(281) 837-7122

rockyspelicanjunction.com

River Queen Saloon

Visitors to the River Queen Saloon will find a laid-back atmosphere. The nightclub is open daily until 2:00 a.m. and offers pool tables, a jukebox and dancing. On Wednesdays, the bar offers beer specials to those wearing a River Queen Saloon t-shirt or hat or using a River Queen Saloon koozie. This biker-friendly establishment welcomes those who want to set up bike runs in conjunction with the bar.

River Queen Saloon

4712 North Highway 146

Baytown, TX 77520

(281) 420-1830

riverqueensaloon.com

DA Pub

DA Pub is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. and offers its guests cocktails, darts, pool tables and dancing. Live bands play at the nightclub every Friday and Saturday, and each day of the week has a special theme or occasion; for example, Wednesdays are karaoke and retro-themed nights while Mondays are dance nights. The club hosts a daily happy hour is from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and offers additional daily drink specials. It attracts mainly a 21- to early-30-year-old crowd.

DA Pub

3918 Fairmont Parkway

Baytown, TX 77520

(281) 487-9902

Easy Ways To Flatten Your Stomach After Giving Birth

Easy Ways to Flatten Your Stomach After Giving Birth

Pregnancy pushes internal organs and abdominal muscles out of place. Once the baby is born, the stomach is left feeling jiggly and strange. Most women want to get their tummies back to normal as quickly as possible. Time, exercise and diet are the best remedies for the postpartum stomach, but there are ways to help the process along.

Breastfeeding

Nurse your baby for at least six months to help flatten your tummy. Breastfeeding is best for baby, but it also holds a lot of advantages. Producing milk requires a lot of energy, which means your body burns up to 500 extra calories per day. As long as you make healthy food choices, this will burn off much of the extra fat the body stored during pregnancy. Since that fat usually is stored around the abdomen, your tummy should flatten from breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding also helps the uterus to shrink back to its normal size. The uterus is only about 3 inches across when you are not pregnant. During pregnancy, it stretches large enough to hold a baby. After birth, the uterus continues to contract as it returns to its original size. Breastfeeding causes the uterus to contract more intensely, which will help it shrink much more rapidly.

Belly Binding

Belly binding has been popular in different cultures around the world for hundreds of years. After pregnancy, you may feel a strange sensation of your internal organs feeling loose. Your abdominal muscles probably will feel very strange as well. Belly binding does the job of holding everything in place while your skin slowly returns to normal.

Bind your belly any way you choose. You can purchase a product specifically designed for postpartum belly wrapping or make your own. Wear a tight-fitting tank top and then wrap a bandage over it, binding your stomach. Whatever way you choose, begin immediately after birth and continue wrapping your tummy each day for at least six weeks. Some midwives recommend taking the binding off only to shower.

Watch out for signs of constipation. Some women who bind their bellies suffer from constipation due to the pressure on the digestive system. If this happens, increase your fiber intake or give yourself a break from the binding for three to four hours.

Exercising

Exercising can help you lose all of the pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding and belly binding will help, but you will have to get active in order to completely flatten your tummy. Your doctor will tell you how long you must wait before beginning to workout. For most women, it will be somewhere between six and 12 weeks postpartum.

Start slowly. As soon as your doctor or midwife says it's safe, take walks with baby around the neighborhood. Begin with short walks, about 10 to 15 minutes, and gradually increase your time. Look for exercise videos designed for postpartum tummies. Yoga is especially effective for getting the abdominal muscles back in place.

About Losing Weight Fast

Anyone who has more than 10 pounds to lose knows how daunting of a task it is to step on the scale day after day to see if any improvements have been made in her weight loss efforts. Deep down, you know you need to drop the excess weight, but looking at the big picture is incredibly overwhelming. Suddenly losing that extra 5, 10, 50 or even 100 pounds seems an impossible feat. However, by changing your focus, you can change your mindset. Focus instead on the health benefits of shedding that excess baggage. Stop making weight loss all about your pants size and make it about healthy, longer living. As you begin to shed the excess weight, you also begin to shed unwanted health risks like high blood pressure and heart disease.

The Facts

Healthy weight loss occurs through a modest calorie restricted-diet, combined with a proper exercise regimen. To increase the speed of weight loss, more drastic measures would need to be taken but be aware of the health risks attributed to quick weight loss.

Ultimately, three factors are primarily responsible for rapid weight loss: calorie restriction, appetite suppressants and raising metabolism (fat burners).

Benefits

By losing just 10 percent of your weight, you make dramatic improvements to your health and attitude. All you have to do is start using up those stores of fat through calorie reduction and increased activities and workout sessions.

Sure, losing weight takes time, dedication and effort but think of all the health benefits you will gain.

For starters, simply by shedding 10 percent of your weight, you will gain:

• increased energy levels

• lowered cholesterol levels

• reduced blood pressure

• reduced aches, pains and inflammation

• improved mobility

• improved breathing

• the ability to sleep better and wake feeling more rested

• the prevention of angina or chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart

• a decreased risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke

• the prevention of type 2 diabetes

• improved blood sugar levels

• the alleviation of having to use some medications

• an increased self-esteem and confidence

Risk Factors

While quick weight loss does provide numerous benefits, losing weight too quickly can prove to be detrimental to your health. In order to get the excess weight to melt off, severe restrictions must be made to your diet. For rapid weight loss, people usually turn to crash diets. Unfortunately these diets wreak havoc upon your body.

While losing weight in a healthy manner provides you with a multitude of health benefits, crash dieting to achieve weight loss can be very dangerous for your body. There are numerous short-term and long-term side effects that accompany unhealthy weight loss such as:

• mental health problems

• nutritional deficiency

• vital organ damage (including heart, kidneys, liver and brain)

• osteoporosis

Time Frame

The amount of time it takes to shed those excess pounds depends wholly on the amount needing to be eliminated and your commitment to the program of your choice. Some programs will enable a person to lose 30 pounds in one month whereas others utilize a more paced method. Healthy weight loss occurs at a pace of 2 to 3 pounds per week but most quick weight loss fixes promote 5 pounds or more jumping ship each week.

Expert Insight

Not all weight loss leads to decreased health risks nor does it always lead to health benefits. When weight is lost through a healthy eating regimen and proper physical activity you will decrease health risks and improve your mental health; but, when weight loss occurs through long-term or frequent crash diets, numerous physical and mental side effects may occur like the ones mentioned above. Just remember to lose the weight through properly reduced calories and increased physical activity, as opposed to the severe caloric and nutritional restrictions of crash dieting.

By continuing to drop the excess weight til you are within your healthy weight range, you will significantly improve your health and your confidence. Plus, think of all the money you will potentially save on unnecessary medications, doctor visits and surgeries; now use it on something special for you. Shedding excess weight the right way leaves you healthier and happier.

Diet For People Who Have Had Stomach Reduction Surgery

Eating right is the key to seeing benefits from bariatric surgery.

If you've had bariatric surgery, or surgery to reduce your stomach size, you've taken a major first step to a healthier weight and lifestyle. But some who have had stomach reduction surgery take this step only to gain the weight back. The key to making the most of reducing your stomach size is to maintain a healthy eating regimen combined with exercise.

Portion Size

From this point forward, portion sizes must be smaller. Even though your stomach size has been reduced, it can still be stretched out again by frequent overeating. Instead, the key is to make each bite count. Because your stomach size is smaller, you should feel full more easily. However, if you still feel hungry, you can eat zero-calorie foods such as vegetables. Carrot or celery sticks are both good options.

Foods to Avoid

One condition that you should be especially wary of is called dumping syndrome, a condition that occurs when you consume foods that are too high in fat or sugar. Symptoms include sleepiness, light-headedness, profuse sweating, rapid heart rate, cramping, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. Danger foods include candy or junk food, fried foods, fruit juices, sodas, fatty meat, processed foods and starches that come from white rice, refined sugar or bleached flour.

Foods to Eat

Because your stomach is no longer able to absorb all of the nutrients in food, you must eat certain foods and supplement your diet. Protein-rich foods must be eaten so that your body can absorb the minimum 60 grams daily to maintain lean muscle mass. In addition, a high-potency multivitamin with iron should be taken to supplement your food intake.

Fat Camps In Tacoma Washington

Several weight loss camps are in and near Tacoma, Washington.

Fat camp, also called weight loss camp or boot camp, is a slang term used to describe a specialized weight-reducing program. Weight loss camps usually happen at a specific place like a park or retreat, last for a specified amount of time, and sometimes target a specific group such as children or women. Tacoma, Washington and its neighboring areas have several weight loss camps to choose from and the specifics of each one vary in regard to time frame, location, eligible participants and weight loss methods.

Elev8 Fitness

Elev8 Fitness is an exercise facility in Tacoma that offers four-week weight loss camps. Its program includes sessions inside and outside of the studio that consist of yoga, cardio exercises and strength training. Participants can attend one of the four daily scheduled class times in the morning or evening. Results vary, but typically participants notice an average loss of three to eight pounds and a 25 to 50 percent increase in cardio endurance levels.

Tacoma Fitness Boot Camp

Tacoma Fitness Boot Camp is an ongoing weight loss program for men and women which helps participants burn fat, as well as learn proper exercise techniques and increase strength and endurance. Participants receive nutritional counseling, close exercise instruction and individual training sessions. Trainers teach exercises such as jack jumping, circular-wall running and rope pulling during the four-week course. Each camp lasts a month with sessions occurring Monday through Saturday at varying morning and evening hours.

Puyallup Adventure Boot Camp

Located about 10 miles from Tacoma, Puyallup Adventure Boot Camp is an outdoor weight loss program designed just for women. Weight training, pilates, yoga and agility drills are some of the exercises included in the four-week, one-hour-per-day program. The camp takes place at several different outdoor areas that are announced before each camp begins. Visual results such as a decrease in dress size usually appear within two to three weeks of the program.

Puget Sound Adventure Boot Camp

Located in Federal Way, WA, a town five miles from Tacoma, Puget Sound Adventure Camp offers a four-week outdoor exercise program consisting of nutritional counseling, fitness instruction and motivational training. The program takes place in several locations including inside Gymnastics Way, a fitness center, and outside at Celebration Park and various other nearby parks. Participants meet for one hour, Monday through Friday, starting at 5:30 each morning and should expect results, such as three to five percent body fat reduction and five to 12 pounds of weight loss after completing the program. The programs runs in consistent four-week intervals from January to November every year.

Facts On Liquid Diets After Surgery

A clear liquid diet is typically ordered post-surgery and often supplemented with an IV for additional fluids. Persistent encouragement increases the speed at which the patient is able to progress to a full liquid diet or even straight to a general or low-residue diet, based on tolerance. Improved surgical recovery and reduced length of stay can lead to greater patient satisfaction with the health care received.

Characteristics of a Clear Liquid Diet

• Short-term

• Highly restrictive

• Composed of clear liquids or foods that become liquid at body temperature

• Requires minimal digestion and leaves little residue in the GI tract

• Inadequate in all nutrients

Characteristics of a Full Liquid Diet

• Short-term

• Highly restrictive

• Composed of foods that are liquid or become liquid at body temperature

• Used as a transition between a clear liquid and a low-residue or general diet

• Lactose-intolerant individuals require significant diet modification

Nursing Support

The nursing staff plays a vital role in making sure patients receive adequate hydration following surgery. Patients are often still very medicated, nauseated, and sometimes depressed, anxious or in pain, resulting in a lack of appetite. Nurses can be a great liaison between the dietary staff and the patient to ensure that the patient's food preferences are taken into account.

Nursing Interventions

The nurse can improve fluid intake by:

• Communicating food and beverage preferences. For example does the patient prefer cranberry, apple or grape juice? Does she drink milk?

• Providing alternative clear or full liquid alternatives from the nursing pantry.

• Being aggressive and positive yet sensitive to patient tolerance

• Making mealtime pleasant by clearing the tray table of urinals, emesis basins, spirometry and other medical equipment.

• Timing treatments, lab draws and restroom breaks well in advance of meal times.

Liquid or Solid

Medical opinion on the need for liquid diets has changed over time. The traditional post-surgical diet advanced from clear liquid to full liquid and finally to low-residue or general depending upon the patient's level of tolerance. Today, patients may progress from clear liquid straight to a general diet. Some physicians may decide to skip liquid diets altogether depending on the nature and length of the surgery. Many patients are able to recover better if they can return quickly to normal--assuming that normal isn't what drove them into surgery in the first place.

Control Flatulence

Flatulence is embarrassing to the issuer and offensive to those in proximity. Everyone releases intestinal gases numerous times throughout the day; however, some people are able to control when they release gas better than others. Flatulence is often accompanied by bloating in addition to the release of malodorous rectum gas, so excess flatulence is painful physically as well as environmentally. You can control flatulence by practicing simple lifestyle changes. Diet is key to reducing and controlling flatulence.

Instructions

Controlling Flatulence

1. Avoid foods most likely to produce gas. Foods that are high in fiber, such as vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, and winter greens like kale and collards, can cause excess gas and odorous flatulence. Starchy carbohydrates like beans or the lactose in milk are not easily broken down in the digestive tract of the lower intestine and end up in the colon. As these foods break down, they ferment, and the process of fermentation releases gas as a byproduct. Lowering your intake of beans, dairy products and other such foods may help reduce excessive gas. Try taking Beano before eating high-fiber vegetables to prevent excess gas.

2. Decrease the amount of meat consumed. The foul odor sometimes associated with flatulence comes from small quantities of sulfur-containing gases in the colon. Meat products, especially pork, can increase the amount of sulfur in the colon, so cutting back on the amount of meat consumed in your diet may improve the smell of gas you pass. Another solution may be to take odor-reducing charcoal tablets available in health food stores.

3. Beer and other carbonated drinks are another culprit in flatulence creation. Beer is made from fermented yeast and grains and ethanol gas is produced. Drinking beer causes an intake of C02 from beer's carbonation. These gases, once in the body, can come out as either a strong malodorous belch, which is the most common reaction, or they can collect in the colon and get released as flatulence. Try sipping carbonated drinks rather than gulping them to help moderate the amount of gas taken in.

4. The "Ask the Doctor" segment on Healthcare South's website suggests trying Pepto-Bismol to help reduce gas odors. They advise taking one to two tables four times a day beginning three days before an important business or social event. This will reduce the odor, but the not the amount of gas. Pepto-Bismol is a temporary solution and should not be taken long term.

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Calcium Citrate & Weight Loss

Calcium citrate is the calcium salt from citric acid. It is a mineral that is present in fortified food and available in supplemental form. It is more easily absorbed in the body that calcium carbonate and helps prevent osteoporosis and promotes healthy bones and teeth. More recently is has been associated with weight loss.

Calcium Citrate Absorption

Calcium citrate is one of only two forms of calcium that is soluble in water (the other one is calcium maleate). The other forms (calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate) need to be dissolved by stomach acid before the body can absorb them. Once it has dissolved in water, calcium citrate produces calcium ions which pass into the small intestine and move into the body through the intestinal wall. Calcium citrate also produces what is known as calcium citrate complex which is able to pass between cells.

Reducing Weight

Calcium citrate has been connected to weight loss due to its ability to promote excretion of dietary fat, which may reduce gradual weight gain. It may also prevent fat storage in the body tissue and raise the rate of metabolism. In a 2003 study conducted by J. P. Heaney, 564 women were evaluated for weight and the effects of calcium in the diet. Of the 15 percent of women who were overweight 11 percent experienced weight loss when their calcium intake was brought up to the daily recommended value. Some nutritionists suggest that calcium citrate supplements may also help to reduce food cravings.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

After gastric bypass surgery, the body does not absorb calcium as readily as it did before the surgery, and a supplement of 500mg of calcium citrate two to three times daily is usually recommended. Calcium citrate is the most beneficial form of calcium for post gastric bypass not only because the body absorbs it more easily in general but also because it does not need a lot of contact with stomach acid to be absorbed and gastric bypass patients have minimal stomach acid contact.

Other Benefits of Calcium Citrate

The body uses calcium for the growth and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones, but its uses do not end there. Calcium is also beneficial for healthy heart muscle function, action of digestive enzymes and communication between nerves and the brain. Calcium can also bind to other minerals and help eliminate them form the body. If the body is deficient in calcium it will draw what calcium it needs from the bones which may result in osteoporosis. The recommended dose of calcium is between 1,000 and 1,500 mg daily.

Warnings

You should not take calcium citrate if you suffer from parathyroid gland disease, kidney stones or if you are taking antacids, other calcium supplements or tetracycline antibiotics. If you experience constipation, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth or decreased appetite you should stop taking calcium citrate immediately and contact your physician.

Hospitals For Liver Problems

A human being's liver is the biggest organ in his anatomy.

Liver problems affect not only adults, but also children. Early diagnosis leads to early treatment, recovery and cure. Liver cancers are more difficult and take longer to cure. In extreme cases of liver diseases, transplants are needed, without assurance of success. Some hospitals specialize in transplants or cancers, while others handle all types of liver problems.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

A non-profit hospital and research center, this hospital is a leader in new liver disease treatments for children. Researchers at this hospital have developed the first gene chip that can be used in the diagnosis of hereditary liver diseases in children. While there are medicines that are effective for treating some liver diseases in children, at times these treatments only delay an ultimate need for a transplant. This hospital helps determine whether children and youth under the age of 18 are in need of a transplant, and helps them go through the system that prioritizes transplant candidates, all the way to helping them with the frequent tests and medication needed for the rest of their lives.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

3333 Burnet Avenue

Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039

513-636-4200

cincinnatichildrens.org

The Institute For Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy

This institute provides patients with comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases by combining the latest technologies and techniques with advanced therapy. These diseases include liver cancers, which are diagnosed and treated in an outpatient hospital-based Center for Liver Diseases. The Institute also has a Liver Transplant Clinic which offers screening and evaluation for liver transplants, and management of all aspects prior to actual operation and transplantation. Assistance in the selection of, and coordination with, a liver transplant center is offered, together with care and treatment of the patient after the transplant. The institute is also an active participant in research projects relevant to liver disease treatment.

The Institute For Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy

301 St. Paul Place

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-332-9356

mdmercy.com

The London Bridge Hospital

With high standards of clinical skills and nursing care, the London Bridge Hospital is internationally known for liver disease treatment and liver transplant. It overlooks the River Thames and Tower Bridge, and its staff is composed of highly-trained, experienced, and updated professionals. The liver, gall bladder, and upper gastrointestinal units of this hospital, with its team of top specialists and staff, provide services that include: abnormal liver function tests, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases, liver cyst excision, liver resections for tumors, and other related services. This hospital has 100 air-conditioned rooms with bathroom, TV with satellite channels, direct-dial phone, radio, and ref. Many other services are available upon request.

The London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street

London SE1 2PR

001-44-20-7407-3100

001-44-20-7234-2009

londonbridgehospital.com

Fistulas In Cats After Surgery

A cat can develop a fistula as a complication of surgery.

Just like humans, cats face the risk of complications when undergoing surgery. One risk is that damage accidentally caused during surgery may result in the cat developing a fistula afterward.

Fistula

A fistula is an abnormal connection between one of a cat's organs and another structure in the body. A cat can develop a fistula in one of its airways after surgery, according to "Feline Internal Medicine Secrets."

Symptoms

The fistula acts as a one-way valve, pushing hair into the cat's chest cavity around the lungs every time it inhales. This causes the cat's lungs to become compressed, resulting in difficulty breathing and lethargy.

Causes

If anesthetic equipment malfunctions while a cat is undergoing surgery, it can cause an imbalance of air pressure within a cat's airways. This can cause a fistula to develop within the airway.

Treatment

To treat a fistula, a veterinarian must remove the excess air from the cat's chest cavity. Then the fistula can be surgically closed.

Considerations

If the lung compression caused by the fistula is not treated, the cat will not receive enough oxygen and will die.

Fda Approved Weight Loss

Obesity is becoming the United States' number one cause of preventable death and can be linked to numerous health risks. Nutritional supplements promise to shed fat and unwanted pounds, but are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This can be a sign that supplements can be ineffective or lack the clinical evidence proving claims. The FDA has approved some medications to combat obesity. Be aware that these medication do come with side effects, but the side effects can be minor in light of the overall health benefits of losing weight.

Meridia

Meridia (sibutramine) is a selective noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which is FDA approved to reduce weight. A study by the German Diabetes Research Institute was conducted using 389 obese patients throughout a 54-week trial, using 15mg of Meridia or a placebo. This trial was double-blind---patients did not know if they were taking the Meridia or placebo. It was confirmed that subjects on Meridia lost more than 5 to 10 percent of the initial weight than the placebo group. The Meridia group also improved its lipid profile with an increase in HDL cholesterol. A 15mg daily dose of sibutramine was considered safe and effective for additional weight loss during a weight reduction program.

Orlistat

Alli (non-prescription) and Xenical (prescription) should be used with a low-calorie, low-fat diet, in conjunction with exercise, to aid in the loss of excess weight. Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor. This is a class of drug that works in the intestine to block the absorption of fat into the system. The prescription orlistat is commonly given to individuals with diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure. However, the fat that is blocked is excreted in the stools. Common side-effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating and oily stools a a result of the discharged fat.

Obesity in Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of childhood obesity is on the increase. Obese and overweight children from 2 to 5 years of age increased 7.4 percent, children 6 to 11 years of age increased 10.5 percent and children aged 12 to 19 years of age increased 12.6 percent. The CDC reports that 80 percent of children overweight at ages 10 to 15 will become obese by age 25. However, there is a lack of safety data supporting the combination of children and weight loss supplements. Children should see a nutritionist to provide the proper foundation of a healthy lifestyle: nutrition and exercise. Children must learn to eat to live and the risks of bad food choices.

Speculation and Side Effects

Weight loss can be increased by prescribed medications in most clinical trials. Patients can expect a 8 to 10 percent weight loss from initial baseline weight---provided they combine nutrition, a weight-loss program and the prescribed medication. Medications have side effects, which should be considered before taking them. Sibutramine can induce increases in blood pressure and heart rate in a small percentage of patients. You may have to stop taking the medication if this is the case. Orlistat's side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort and increased bowel activity.

Warning

Seek the advice of your health care provider before using any medications. Never use medications without a prescription. Consider risks and benefits before using. Be aware, in most cases, weight can be managed with a balanced nutrition and exercise program.

Gastric Cancer Cure

Gastric cancer, also commonly known as stomach cancer, is a cancer form typified by uncontrolled division and maturation of the cells lining the stomach. The mucus-generating cells are the most frequently affected by this cancer form, thus stomach cancer is also sometimes referred to as adenocarcinoma. According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 25,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, but the incidence of gastric cancer is more common in countries like Japan and Korea than the United States.

Cures for Gastric Cancer

Like most other cancer forms, there are no known treatment techniques for gastric cancer which can completely cure the cancer. Thus doctors aim to control the spreading and metastasis of the malignant cells to other body parts. However, radiation method, surgery and chemotherapy are few of the widely administered treatment methods against gastric cancer. Surgery generally involves the removal of the affected cells and tissues of the stomach to prevent their metastasis. However, in severe cases, complete gastrectomy (complete removal of the stomach) is performed, and subsequently the esophagus is directly connected with the small intestine to allow food into the digestive system.

Individuals having a great risk of cancer recurrence are recommended to use methods such as radiation and chemotherapy. Anti-cancer drugs like interleukin-2 (IL-2) are used in chemotherapy to damage the cancer cells and prevent their spreading, while radiation utilizes high energy light radiations (X-rays), to destroy the malignant cells.

Time Frame

Time frame of the treatments used against gastric cancer generally varies from patient to patient depending upon the staging and spreading of the cancer. However, patients are generally subjected to radiation daily for close to a month, while chemotherapy is administered periodically for four to six months.

Survival Rates

The survival rates for gastric cancer often vary, depending upon the growth and proliferation of the cancerous cells. However according to National Cancer Institute, the relative five-year survival rate between the period 1999-2005 was approximately 26%.

Side Effects

Various side effects are frequently experienced by the patients suffering from gastric cancer after undergoing some of the above mentioned treatment methods. According to the Mayo Clinic, common side effects linked with surgery include extreme pain (after the surgical removal of the affected cells from the stomach), bleeding, infection among others. Side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation include nauseated feeling, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and extreme tiredness.

Prevention/Solution

Common preventive measures that one can take against gastric cancer include quitting smoking and limiting the consumption of alcoholic drinks, reducing the salt content in foods, and avoiding exposure towards polluting agents and toxins among others.

Deferment Vs Waiting List Status At Colleges

When applying to college, most students hope to be accepted and then begin school at the start of the next school year. Whether by choice or circumstance, however, some students are placed on waiting lists or they defer enrollment.

Deferment

Deferred enrollment takes place when a student is admitted for a particular term but postpones matriculation until some point in the future. Some students defer enrollment by choice, for example, to serve in the military or to perform missionary service. Others participate in university-sponsored programs such as Princeton University's Bridge Year, where the school selects groups of students to participate in a year-long overseas service program before beginning their freshman year.

Waiting Lists

Many colleges find it necessary to compile waiting lists when the number of eligible accepted applicants exceeds the number of spaces available in the incoming class. As students who were originally offered admission decline the offer, wait-listed students are then contacted and invited to enroll.

Considerations on Deferment

Students considering deferment need to check with their college to find out if it is allowed and under what circumstances. For instance, Brigham Young University only permits freshmen to defer admission for full-time missionary service, and students must begin school within two semesters of their return.

Considerations for Waitlisted Students

Students who are placed on a waiting list should consult with their school to find out what alternatives may exist. The University of Texas, for example, has a program called CAP where wait-listed students can transfer to the main Austin campus after a successful freshman year at another school in the Texas university system.

Cpr Training In Saint Louis

CPR is a critical first aid skill.

In an emergency, every second counts. Taking the time to be prepared can save someone's life when disaster strikes. Would you know what to do for someone who is having cardiac or respiratory arrest? St. Louis residents have a choice among first aid training resources for CPR and related skills.

Definition

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a technique first responders use to treat emergency patients suffering from cardiac or respiratory arrest. It can be performed in a hospital, but is also commonly used in the field by EMTs or others who have been trained in the procedure. CPR was invented in 1960 and has been an instrumental lifesaving tool for decades. Because of its relative simplicity, almost anyone can use it to help save a life.

Function

There are two components of CPR: chest compression and mouth-to-mouth respiration. Together, these circulate oxygenated blood to a victim's vital organs. This can keep the victim alive until medical help arrives to apply more advanced techniques, such as defibrillation. Time is of the essence for patients needing CPR, and layman intervention can be the difference between life and death. According to the University of Washington, a bystander starting CPR doubles the patient's chance of survival.

First Aid Training

Children and adults can learn basic CPR techniques through classes offered in the community. These courses may last only a few hours, but provide instruction and hands-on training using dummy patients. Those administering the courses charge a fee for training. Some companies provide group or corporate training at discounted rates. Other organizations, such as YMCA St. Louis, may provide discounts on CPR training to members. For a selection of St. Louis organizations offering training, see the Resources section. Basic, non-certified informational training is also available through online videos and mobile apps provided by the University of Washington.

Professional Training

CPR training is a basic skill for medical first responders. It is included in training for those in the medical field, including emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, and firefighters. Even 911 operators receive training, which they may provide over the phone in an emergency. Some nursing and medical programs require CPR certification prior to student enrollment; check with your school's admissions office for program-specific guidelines. In addition, professional training encompasses a variety of advanced life support techniques including automated external defibrillation (AED).

Considerations

CPR is not the best course of treatment for every medical emergency. But if someone has stopped breathing, it can help keep them alive until professional assistance arrives. Do not let common misconceptions hinder you from possibly saving a life. There has never been a documented case of AIDS being transmitted to someone performing CPR. Nor has there ever been a successful lawsuit against someone who did CPR unsuccessfully. Good Samaritan laws cover those providing medical assistance in emergencies. And if you perform CPR incorrectly, you cannot kill the victim, because they are already clinically dead.

Fmla & Termination Of Employment

Employers have the right to terminate employees for nondiscriminatory reasons unrelated to the FMLA leave before, during or after the leave period. A thorough investigation into each termination is necessary, because the burden of proving it is not FMLA related is on the employer. If taken to court, employers must demonstrate the employee's termination would have occurred even without the FMLA leave.

Layoffs

When a company is forced to eliminate positions, any employee is susceptible to job cuts, even those who are on FMLA leave. However, it is the employer's burden to prove the employee would have been laid off if FMLA had not been taken. Any decision to terminate employment is legal if the decision is based on the organization's needs, and the skills and performance of the worker.

Misconduct

The key to terminating an employee for misconduct or performance is demonstrating why he was not terminated before taking FMLA leave. This proof, many times, comes when an employee is absent and someone else steps into his role. If another employee who exhibited the same behavior or performance issues would be terminated, it cannot be considered discrimination to terminate an employee before, during or after FMLA leave.

Documentation

If a case goes to court, additional proof will be required to show the employee was terminated for a legitimate reason, one which was unrelated to FMLA leave. This proof includes formal appraisal systems for performance-based terminations, or objective, written guidelines for how layoffs are determined.

Get Pregnant With Endometrosis

You can become pregnant if you have endometriosis.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, endometriosis affects more than 5.5 million women in North America. Not only does the condition cause physical pain in these women, but it may also influence their chances of conceiving children.

Statistics

According to the Mayo Clinic, around 33 percent to 50 percent of women with endometriosis have difficulty conceiving.

Infertility

Some physicians suggest having unprotected intercourse for at least six months before undergoing infertility treatment.

Surgery

Your doctor may suggest surgery to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. One approach, laparoscopy, removes the scar tissue and endometrial growths from your reproductive organs.

Fertilization Treatments

Some women can become pregnant by undergoing in vitro fertilization, a procedure where the embryo is implanted in the uterus.

Warning

If you have endometriosis, discuss your desire to become pregnant with your physician. Certain medications (such as Danocrine) used to treat endometriosis may harm your unborn child.

Dental Lumineers Vs Veeners

Fixing teeth that are crooked, discolored, chipped or have spaces between them can be done with veneers. There are two types of veneers, ceramic and resin-based composite veneers. According to the Lumineers website, the company has created a porcelain veneer that is painless to apply.

Differences

Traditional veneers are a sleeve that fits over a tooth. Lumineers are a thin (0.2 mm), translucent, patented Cerinate porcelain veneer applied directly onto the front of the tooth without the pain and time that can accompany a traditional veneer application.

Application

When veneers are applied, the teeth have to be sanded down before the veneer is placed onto the tooth. Lumineers are thin and require minimal polishing or buffing before application.

Reversible

Lumineers are placed on teeth without grinding down of the teeth, so they can be removed. Because of the preparation that goes into applying veneers, they are permanent.

Maintenance

With traditional veneers, you may have to avoid food or beverages that could stain your veneers. There are no restrictions on foods or drinks with Lumineers.

Life Expectancy

Traditional veneers last anywhere between 10 to 20 years. Lumineers website states that they can last up to 20 years and beyond.

Cost

When looking into traditional veneers or Lumineers, the cost can be anywhere between $500 and $1,300 a tooth. The pricing depends on where you live and who does the application.

Diy Laptop Cooling Pad

People who frequently use their laptops may encounter overheating problems after using their gadget for several straight hours. Of course, you do not want to limit your time on your laptop, especially if you are doing something important. Whether you are writing lengthy documents for work or simply surfing the net till sundown, you have every right to enjoy your laptop to its fullest. To solve this problem, you can create your own laptop cooling pad. This will provide air clearance and a steady support frame for your laptop.

Instructions

1. Cut an acrylic sheet according to the size of your entire laptop's surface using a coping saw. Cut a hole in your acrylic to mark the spot that will be placed directly under your computer fan. The hole must be large enough for the extra fan. Cut more holes if you intend to use multiple fans and see to it that the hole fits your fan's size.

2. Twist the ends of your USB cable's connector and make sure that the end that remains intact holds the standard connector plug which connects your laptop's port. There should be a total of four wires within your cable--black, white, green and red. Disregard the green and white cables.

3. Connect your cable's black and red wires to the fan's wires of the same color. See to it that the wires are touching each other while you secure them together using your electrical tape.

4. Mount your fan inside the hole in your acrylic. Turn the fan in the same direction as the fan within your laptop, and attach it to your acrylic using glue.

5. Glue your felt circles to the acrylic's edges on the underside. This will give your cooling pad extra clearance will keep your acrylic from scuffing.

6. Lay your laptop on your cooling pad and make sure your fans line up on both. Plug your pad into one of the USB ports in your laptop to start up the fan.

Become A Unitedhealthcare Provider

With more than 645,000 doctors and 5,105 hospitals, UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest health care provider networks in the U.S. UHC has a presence in all 50 states, and when you, the provider, join the network, UHC members can easily find you in a provider search. They can then visit your office to receive in-network insurance benefits. UHC features many online services to its network providers, including claims submission and the ability to check member eligibility, view payment statements and receive notification of updates to policies, procedures and protocols.

Instructions

1. Call UnitedHealthcare's provider services department at 877-842-3210 to request an application to join the network. UHC will send you the application with instructions on where to submit it.

2. Complete the hard copy application. If you prefer to apply online, visit UHC's provider portal (see Resources). Select "New User" and enter your tax identification number to access the site.

3. Provide UHC with access to your credentialing information through the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH). If you have not registered with CAQH, visit its website to sign up at no cost (see Resources). Several other insurance carriers use CAQH as the single source of credentialing information, so you will need to complete this information only once for multiple network applications.

4. Submit the application and supporting documentation according to the instructions on the application. UHC will notify you if it is missing any information necessary for its review.

5. Contact UHC at 877-842-3210 to check the status of your network application if you have not heard back within 30 to 45 days of initial submission. UHC will send you a written notification of your acceptance or denial into its network. Sign and send back any related contracts or agreements and other required supporting documentation.

Breast & Areola Reduction

There are many reasons for breast and areola reduction, including age.

There are a number of reasons a woman might consider breast and areola reduction surgery. For some women, the procedure might be purely cosmetic. They simply don't like they way their breasts or areolas look. For others, there might be health issues involved. Whatever the underlying reason might be, before pursuing a surgical solution, a woman should first consult with a qualified physician to determine whether such a procedure can rectify the problem.

Consultation

Breast and areola reduction surgery is a four-part process. The first part of that process is the consultation. A woman should first consult with her personal physician to discuss any underlying health problems that might affect a decision to pursue surgery and to obtain references for qualified reconstructive surgeons. She should then consult with the reconstructive surgeon about the specific results she wishes to obtain. The surgeon should be able to answer all questions about the appropriate procedure, the risks involved and the potential for achieving the desired results.

Examination

Before undergoing any surgical procedure, a woman should have a thorough physical examination to ensure she is healthy enough to undergo the desired procedure. Women who smoke or have diabetes offer special challenges for surgeons and might need to achieve a pre-defined level of good health before undergoing breast and areola reduction surgery. Young women might need to consider whether they should proceed with breast reduction surgery while their breasts still might be developing.

Surgery

Most breast and areola reduction surgeries are done on an outpatient basis. There are numerous different types of procedures that are available. The procedure you undergo should be discussed with and decided upon by you and your surgeon.

Recovery

Recovery is typically a three-stage process. During the first stage, which may last up to a week, you will probably need to wear a special bra that will help to support the breasts and reduce swelling. During the second stage, which will probably last for several weeks, you will need to wear a surgical bra all the time. This will help promote healthy healing of the breasts. The final stage happens after the need for the surgical bra has passed. For the next couple of weeks, you will need to continue to refrain from sports and strenuous activity. Even though complications are always a possibility after surgery, by following all of your surgeon's post-operative instructions, you can help promote a speedy and healthy recovery.

Connection Between Leptin & Insulin

Hormonal balance is key to weight loss.

According to Atlanta endocrinologist Dr. Scott Isaacs, "All your hormones affect one another. It's one big circle. When one hormone is out of balance, it has profound effects on all your hormones." Insulin and leptin are both hormones and your response to this relationship can prompt better health. Attention must be paid to insulin and leptin resistance.

Leptin Defined

Leptin regulates appetite and metabolism.

Leptin is a protein hormone that regulates appetite and metabolism. Discovered as a hormone in 1994 by Jeffrey M. Friedman and others at Rockefeller University, leptin has helped doctors understand obesity and insulin resistance. Leptin is designed to reduce appetite and start the fat-burning process when it is signaling the brain at a high level. Low leptin signaling will cause you to eat more and store more fat; this is called leptin resistance--it is resisting signaling the brain. Dr. Ron Rosendale says, "A leptin-sensitive individual, will reduce hunger, increase fat burning and reduce fat storage."

Insulin Defined

Type 1 diabetes is different from Type 2 diabetes.

Insulin is also a protein hormone. Insulin is secreted within the pancreas in response to increase in carbohydrates within the blood stream and an increase in blood sugar. The body has many cells with insulin receptors designed to absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood. Without insulin you could eat and still starve because our cells cannot get the calories within glucose without insulin. Those with Type I diabetes do not make any insulin and must replace it with shots or pumps. Type 2 diabetes is not from a lack of insulin but insulin resistance. Cells of Type 2 diabetes patients respond poorly to the insulin and their cells cannot absorb glucose efficiently. This poor absorption or insulin resistance spikes blood sugar levels.

Significant Connection

Its in the blood.

In his book, "Hormonal Balance", Dr. Scott Isaacs suggests that we improve our insulin resistance and leptin resistance: "Insulin resistance and leptin resistance go together. Follow insulin reduction strategies. . . . and your leptin action will be improved." Among the causes of insulin resistance are inflammation, aging, menopause, kidney or liver problems, low potassium, low-fat/high-carb diets, smoking, medications and yeast infections.

This is what insulin resistance looks like: body mass index (BMI) of 25-27 kg/m2 or greater, "belly fat", elevated blood pressure, skin tags, acanthosis nigricans (black, velvety skin rash or dark discoloration in skin around neck, under the arms, around belly button or in skin folds--like dirt that will not wash off), and polycystic ovary syndrome.

When you become leptin-resistant, your brain cannot hear leptin's message to stop eating and stop storing fat. The brain thinks you do not have enough fat stores to survive a famine. Leptin resistance causes your brain to forget where to put the fat you are storing. By default it ends up on the abdomen and on abdominal organ--your liver. Your liver become fat and hard of hearing; in response it dumps sugar from protein contributing to leptin resistance leading to Type 2 diabetes.

Warning

Interconnection in the body

The results of leptin and insulin resistance are serious health issues. The major complication of insulin and leptin resistance is Type 2 diabetes. Elevated blood sugars are an indication that your pancreas can't keep up with the demand on your body from years of insulin resistance.

Other complications from leptin and insulin resistance include hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, insomnia, gall stones, gout, fatigue, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Prevention/Solution

Stress affects insulin and leptin resistance.

Reversing insulin resistance is a critical step to achieving hormonal balance. Insulin resistance and leptin resistance are reversible conditions. Dr. Scott Isaacs makes the following suggestions. Lowering your BMI to 25 kg/m2 or your normal body weight can alleviate insulin resistance. Eating a hormonally healthy diet that is about 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat and improve insulin resistance. Reduce insulin resistance by adding Omega-3 fatty acids, low glycemic index foods, and potassium. Eat small, frequent meals and not between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. as this is the time growth hormones and cortisol (insulin resistors) are secreted. Moderate alcohol use and increased physical activity are certain ways to improve your insulin and leptin resistance. Finally, stress releases cortisol - cortisol is a "counter-insulin" hormone according to Dr. Isaacs. All the work you have done with diet and exercise is undone by adding stress to your life.

Elastic Band Exercise For Your Arms

Elastic bands are great workout equipment. They're portable. They're inexpensive. They're flexible. For some, however, they aren't as intuitive as more traditional workout equipment. Use the guidelines below when designing an arm workout using elastic bands.

Muscles of the Arms

There are four major muscle groups in the arm. The biceps (front of the upper arm), triceps (back of the upper arm), front of forearm and back of forearm. Depending on your goals, you may want to focus on one area or another. Rock climbers need exceptional forearm strength, while boxers should focus on the triceps. Traditionally, biceps and triceps are especially important if you want to tone up for appearance.

Resistance

Muscle-building exercises work on the principal of resistance. If you make extending or contracting a muscle more difficult than it's used to--that is, if something resists the motion, then the muscle gets stronger. Lifting weights is the best known example. Other examples include moving in water or pushing against air pressure.

Elastic bands provide resistance as you stretch them. With elastic band exercises, you anchor the band and push or pull against it. You can change the amount of resistance by doubling up the band or by using progressively stronger elastic bands.

Biceps Exercises

The key to biceps exercise is the curl. Hold your arm out straight. Now bend your arm. That's a curl. The simplest exercise is to stand on one end of the elastic band and hold the other end while curling. .

Triceps Exercises

You exercise your triceps in exactly the opposite way as you exercise the biceps. Hold your arm, bent as if at the apex of a curl. Extend your arm. A simple exercise is to do that with the elastic band wrapped around your upper torso, holding both ends in your hand.

Forearm Exercises

Forearm exercises (front and back) are done by bending or rotating the wrist. Moving your hand towards your bicep exercises the lower forearm. Moving it towards your shoulder exercises the upper forearm. For a simple forearm exercise, grip the elastic band in both hands, so the band is taught. Rotate one wrist while holding the other steady to provide tension. Alternate.

Variations

There are countless exercises beyond the simple suggestions above. By changing the angle you can work out different parts of each muscle group, providing focus and sculpting.

Any exercise with an elastic band consists of three factors: the grip, the anchor and the resistance. The grip is simply where and how you grip the band, most importantly how you maintain your hold as resistance increases. The anchor is where you attach the band, so one end is immobile. The best choices are furniture and your own body. Resistance, discussed above, is how much work you want to do. This can be varied by the strength of the band or by doubling up.

How Many Calories Should A Person Have Per Day

Calories are a unit of measurement that let us know how much energy different foods supply to us. Eating too many calories can result in weight gain and cutting back on calories leads to weight loss. How many calories you should consume depends on your gender, weight, level of exercise and if you're trying to maintain your weight or lose or gain weight.

Calorie Counter

You can easily find out how many calories you should be eating according to some basic information on the American Cancer Society's website. Just plug in your information and it will spit out a number that you should consume per day.

Calories in Foods

Once you know how many calories you should be consuming each day, you need to know tell how many calories you're consuming at each meal. It's easier to keep track of your calorie intake if you get a small notebook or journal to carry with you and record the foods you eat. Some foods that you eat will have the nutrition along with the amount of calories per serving listed on the packaging. To be precise, you have to make sure that you're eating the actual serving size. Some foods like fruits and vegetables don't have the calories listed on their packaging when you take them home from the grocery store, but you can look them up on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website.

Weight Loss

If you're trying to lose weight, then you need to consume fewer calories than you burn off. You need to consume 3,500 fewer calories per week to lose one pound per week. It's easier to split up the calories between eating and exercise. Eat 250 fewer calories and burn off 250 more calories each day. You can cut that many calories by skipping dessert, passing on happy hour or trading your bowl of pasta for grilled chicken with vegetables. To burn 250 calories, you could do 35 minutes of yoga, jump rope for 20 minutes or take a one mile walk before and after work.

Weight Gain

It's basically the opposite for weight gain. You need to consume an extra 3,500 calories per week to gain one pound per week. If you're trying to gain muscle and not fat, you need to make healthy eating choices and lift weights. Make sure that you don't lift weights on an empty stomach, or you'll end up losing muscle mass instead of gaining it.

Homemade Herbal Heat Wrap

Herbal heat wraps can aid in detoxification, greater health, improved circulation, weight loss and stress management. Homemade herbal heat wraps comprise a mixture of herbs and kitchen pantry products combined and heated. The herbal mixture is applied to the skin and the body is wrapped with sheets.

Choosing Herbs

Each herb contains its own set of properties. Some herbs contain detoxifying properties, while others are nourishing to your skin. Clary sage, burdock root, dandelion root, rose hips and chamomile are a few herbs that are commonly used in herbal body wraps. Seaweed and salts can also be combined with herbs. A herbal reference guide list like herbreference.com for specific properties of herbs and their ideal uses.

Preparing the Body

Exfoliating or showering before applying a body wrap can help open the pores to aid in the detoxification process. It is best to avoid caffeine, sugar and fatty foods before using a herbal heat wrap. Drinking a couple of glasses of water before and after the herbal heat wrap can help the body to flush the toxins released during the detoxification process. Test herbal combination for allergic reaction on a small area of your skin before applying full body wrap

Preparing the Herbal Heatwrap

To create a spa-like atmosphere at home, light candles and play soothing, relaxing music. Make sure the place you have chosen to lie is secluded and you will not be interrupted by family members or pets. Lay towels out on the flat surface you will be lying on (the floor, deck chairs or yoga mats are all good choices). Boil eight cups of water and remove from heat, add herbs. Allow the herbs to sit in the mixture as it cools for 20 minutes. Dip the sheets into the herbal mixture and tightly wrap the body with each sheet. A compression wrap should feel snug, but never uncomfortably tight. Lie down for up to 1 hour before removing the sheets. Remove the sheets immediately if you feel any burning or pain on the skin. After removing the sheets, soak in a lukewarm bath and drink at a couple of glasses of water.

Buy Rose Bowl Tickets

As the "Granddaddy of Them All," the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, California, is not only a football game, but also a celebration of the new year. The game, which historically pits the Big 10 Conference champion against the Pac 10 Conference champion, takes turns with three other bowl games to host the National Championship as part of the Bowl Championship Series.

Instructions

1. Research information about ticket distribution. If you're a student, alumni or season ticket holder of a competing school, you get first priority for the majority of the available tickets. Each school has its own policy on distributing these tickets, usually giving priority to those students and/or fans that are season ticket holders.

2. If you are a Pasadena resident, go to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium box office when tickets go on sale. Residents may purchase two tickets each and must show picture ID with Pasadena address or a picture ID with a document verifying Pasadena residency. The costs of the tickets are $125 per ticket.

3. A limited number of tickets go on sale to the general public. Call Ticketmaster at (213) 365-3675. Two tickets per call and a maximum of 4 tickets per person may be purchased using a valid credit card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover Card). To maximize your odds at getting through to a sales agent before the event sells out, call a Ticketmaster number in a different state from the two competing teams.

4. Visit an independent ticket marketplace like StubHub and click on Rose Bowl Tickets to see a wide selection of tickets and prices for any game available for purchase. Sites like this often sell the best seats in the house but you will need a major league bank account to afford them. While Rose Bowl tickets are never cheap, these sites will also sell tickets in the more affordable sections as well.

Does Wrapping The Body In Plastic Melt Away Fat

Losing weight takes hard work.

The idea that you can lose weight by wrapping the body in plastic is a common misconception. "Body wraps" of any sort, whether they be homemade, purchased from an infomercial or retailer, or undertaken in a beauty salon do not burn fat or shrink fat cells.

Weight Loss Scam

According to fitness author, body-builder and personal trainer Tom Venuto, if an advertisement for a plastic or other type of body wrap claims its use will induce fat loss, it should be treated by the consumer as a scam. No scientific research exists that backs up these claims.

Prosecution

Companies claiming body wrap products cause fat loss could potentially be prosecuted by the Federal Trade Commission if investigated, due to the lack of scientific evidence backing up their claims. In this case, they would be forced to at least stop making the claims, if not be subject to a heavy fine.

Wrap's Function

Wrapping your body in plastic --- or any other type of body wrap --- may initially take inches off your waist. This does not equate to melting away fat, however. It is merely water weight and its effect is only temporary, until you fully rehydrate yourself.

How Fat is Lost

The only way to burn fat is to either consume less calories, exercise more, or, for maximum weight loss, do both. An exercise program consisting of several cardio and at least two resistance training sessions per week is ideal, in combination with a balanced, nutritious diet.

Breast Cancer Reconstruction Law

The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Acts protects women who wish to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.

The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act was signed into law on October 21, 1998, protecting women who wish to have their breasts reconstructed after a mastectomy. This federal law mandates that all insurance companies that cover mastectomies must also cover breast reconstruction.

Who's Covered by WHCRA?

The WHCRA protects all persons whose health plans began on or after October 21, 1998. This includes health plans, health insurance companies and HMO's that cover the surgical and medical costs of a mastectomy.

What WHCRA Covers

While deductibles and co-payments may be applied, under the WHCRA, the health insurance plan must cover breast reconstruction for breasts removed by a mastectomy, surgery to make breasts symmetrical after a mastectomy, any breast prostheses need before or during reconstruction and all physical complications that may occur during the stages of the mastectomy.

Overriding Law

WHCRA is a federal law, therefore, it overrides any state law regarding breast reconstruction as long as the insurance company covers mastectomy.

Notification

Since the WHCRA is mandated by the federal government, not only will your health plan be aware of the law, but they are required to provide notice of the benefits. This notification may be included on the health insurer's website, newsletter, insert or any method of communication of their choice.

Hotels And Motels In The Portland Maine Area

Portland, Maine is located on the Casco Bay.

Portland is located in Cumberland County, Maine. Situated on the Casco Bay, the city is less than 10 miles from Crescent Beach State Park, which features the park's namesake mile-long, crescent-shaped beach, where visitors can swim, surf, fish, sea kayak and boat. For visitors to Portland, the city is home to several hotels and motels that offer comfortable lodging in every price range.

Holiday Inn Portland--By the Bay

The Holiday Inn Portland--By the Bay is located in downtown Portland. Each of the motel's rooms has a 42-inch TV with satellite cable channels, a coffee maker, an alarm clock radio, a refrigerator, a telephone with free local calling and free wireless Internet access. The motel also offers a fully equipped business center, an indoor pool and whirlpool, an on-site fitness center and guest laundry facilities. In addition, the motel is within walking distance of Portland's Old Port district, where guests can find a wide variety of waterfront shops and eateries. Motel parking is free for all vehicles. Pets are not allowed.

Holiday Inn Portland--By the Bay

88 Spring St.

Portland, ME 04101

207-775-2311

holidayinn.com

Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront

The Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront is also located in downtown Portland. All of the hotel's rooms have TVs with premium cable channels, irons and ironing boards, coffee makers, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, free wireless Internet access and telephones with free local calling. The hotel also offers complimentary printing services, a fully equipped business center, an indoor saltwater lap pool and a fitness center. In addition, the hotel is less than one mile from the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine, featuring a range of interactive exhibits and activities for children and families alike. Hotel parking is free for all vehicles. Pets are allowed for a fee.

Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront

65 Commercial St.

Portland, ME 04101

207-780-0780

hiltongardeninn.com

The Portland Regency Hotel and Spa

The Portland Regency Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel located two blocks from Portland's waterfront area. Rooms at the hotel feature 27-inch TVs with premium cable channels, complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water, nightly turndown service with chocolates left on guests' pillows and free high-speed Internet access. Guests of the hotel also receive free newspapers delivered to their rooms, valet laundry services, free transportation to all major Portland public transportation facilities and access to the hotel's fully equipped spa and fitness studio. In addition, the hotel is just a few miles from the Portland Museum of Art, where guests can view a collection of more than 17,000 works of art dating from the 18th century to the present. Hotel parking is free for all vehicles. Pets are not allowed.

The Portland Regency Hotel and Spa

20 Milk St.

Portland, ME 04101

800-727-3446

theregency.com