Oasis Body Treatment Centre, Let’s Dish!, and the Loudoun Women Business Forum are helping raise money for a Leesburg family:

“On November 17th, 17 year-old Michael Ramirez of Leesburg, VA was diagnosed with Acute Lymphblastic T Cell Leukemia, the rarest type of Leukemia. Happily, Acute Lymphblastic T Cell Leukemia responds well to treatment, so there is hope for Michael. Michael’s mother, Mary, is a single mother of five, and needs your support to pay for the treatments, feed the family, and put gas in the car for frequent visits to Fairfax Inova Hospital where Michael is currently an in-patient undergoing chemo-therapy treatment.

Michael is a senior at Loudoun Valley H.S. A typical young-adult, he likes sports, video games, reading, drawing, and Subway sandwiches. He and his family are understandably frightened, worried, and in need of your support…”

Read More Here…

I tried to ignore the burning in my throat and the trouble swallowing, but after months of taking Prilosec, I finally had to admit my reflux was not getting better. I saw a Gastroenterologist who suggested several tests and procedures. A negative H.Pylori blood test ruled out a bacterial infection in my stomach. A barium esophagram was done to check for abnormalities in my throat since I was having trouble swallowing. The results were normal. However, an upper endoscopy showed evidence of prolonged irritation and inflammation. The good news - there was no cancer growing down there. The bad news - there was no apparent cause or easy cure for my symptoms.

Of course, I just wanted a pill that would fix the problem, but teatment was not that simple. I tried to be a good patient and follow my doctor’s orders. I began eating smaller and more frequent meals. I avoided tight clothing. I didn’t lie down after I ate. I raised the head of my bed. I avoided chocolate, coffee and wine – I was not fun to be around! I also began taking Nexium, a potent acid suppressor, twice a day. I was certain all these efforts would pay off, and I would be cured. (more…)

William M. Sonak, DC

C. Damon Moore, MD, FAAP

Gordon Culp, OD.

Recently, the New York Times posted an excellent article on non-drug approaches to treat insomnia http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/…. The article highlights recent experimental evidence that suggests that Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT) works as well or better than medications. They also provide a few handy tips on how to improve sleep.

CBT entails first learning about one’s sleep habits, including documenting times to bed, wake up times, sleep quality, use of medications, napping, daytime fatigue, the presence of stress, anxiety, and other factors. The treatment then teaches new ways to approach sleep, managing wake ups and difficulty falling asleep, incorporating relaxation techniques, and stress management. Research suggests that about 70 - 80% of patients who undergo CBT for Insomnia report sleeping better after treatment.

Behavioral Healthcare Associates, LLC has experienced clinicians who have training and research experience in providing Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia.

Winter is here, and as much as I like the snow and the holiday season, it can take a serious toll on your skin.

This is the time to really take extra special care of your face and the rest of your skin! The cold winter air has a way of sucking the moisture right out of our skin and drying it out and on top of that you go inside to get out of the cold and into indoor heating which is winter’s most vicious-skin drying scoundrel. Which is why your skin looses that “natural glow” and instead appears chapped, dry and feels tight.

Don’t despair, there are a few tips to keeping your skin hydrated (whether your skin type is normal, dry, combination or oily).

- Keep hydrated, by drinking your 8 glasses of water a day.

- Remember that even though it is winter, you still need SPF. The rays are still shining through and the reflection off of beautiful white snow will get you.

- A humidifier can help put moisture in the air (which your skin will suck right up), and it you won’t feel as dry or itchy. You can find inexpensive ones out there.

- Use Lip Balm at all times and make sure to read the ingredients many of them contain a small percentage of alcohol, which only dries out your lips and does not keep them from getting chapped!

- Of course a good moisturizer for your face for day and night. Your day moisturizer can contain sunscreen to take care of both, or apply them separately. Your evening moisturizer should be applied before bed, and while you are sleeping your face will be replenishing itself.

If you are not sure what products are good for you, or what is going to fix your specific needs, then you can contact me for a free consultation where we touch, smell and test all of the products, so that you get exactly what you want and need.

And as always “How old you are is your business, How good you look is Mine.”

Tracie Rosales- Mary Kay - tracie.mkpink@gmail.com