PrinceGeorge's WJ Vol 50/Issue 1

Prince George’s County

W

J

A Lifestyle Magazine

COMPLIMENTARY Volume 50 Issue 1

omen’s ournal

Genicular Neurotomy,

a novel approach to the management of knee pain Haddis T. Hagos,M.D. “Our clinic treats many with pain like lower back, neck, abdominal, pelvic, joint and other types of pain”

What’s Inside: Top Picks for Valentines

COLLEGE PARK, MD 20740 – 10260 Baltimore Avenue (across from Ikea) • 301-313-0555 Lanham, MD 20706 – 9300 Woodmore Centre Drive (near Wegmans) • 301-364-3400 LAUREL, MD 20707 – 14720 Baltimore Avenue • 301-497-9977

2

wjwomen.com

By Haddis T. Hagos, M.D.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Genicular Neurotomy, a Novel

Approach to the Management of Knee Pain

K

nee pain is a common complaint among many patients. It is one of the most common reasons that patients seek medical attention from a physician (general practitioners, orthopedists, rheumatologists, and pain management specialists). The cause of knee pain arises from several factors. These include factors originating from inside the knee joint, those from around the joint, and that referred from nearby structures like the hip, femur bone and tibia and fibula bones. Some of the common causes of knee pain from inside the joint include arthritis, infection, fracture, tumor, chronic dislocation of the patella, joint instability, foreign body, patellofemoral syndrome, and hemarthrosis, which is blood formation in the joint. Causes of knee pain attributable to structures around the knee joint includes bursitis, tendonitis, joint instability, muscle strain, muscle sprain, infection around the joint which does not involve the joint space, and adhesive capsulitis (frozen joint). Knee pain can also be caused from systemic disease and some of the most common cases of these are rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Reiter’s syndrome, collagen vascular disease, among others. Though less common, knee pain can also be caused from other areas of the body. These include lumbar radiculopathy (commonly referred to as sciatica), lumbar spondylosis (degeneration in the spinal discs), fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, inguinal hernia, nerve entrapment, and pelvic tumors.

Knee pain can be acute or chronic. When the pain is acute in the absence of trauma, it warrants seeking medical attention as some conditions associated with acute knee pain can cause serious damage to the joint, such as bleeding into the joint especially in patients on blood thinners. On the other hand, the prevalence of chronic knee pain has increased over the years.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common disorder among older adults. Chronic osteoarthritis of the knee is often not effectively treated with our current pharmacological and interventional treatments. As an alternative to current treatment options, a new technology has been developed to effectively treat knee pain: Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation.

Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation is a new cutting edge treatment currently used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee in patients who have not been effectively treated by current treatment management, those who want to delay surgery, and those who have had knee surgery and failed to have relief of their pain. The procedure is performed in two stages. These include a diagnostic Genicular Nerve block and the Genicular Nerve Ablation. The Genicular Nerve block is a test injection that consists of injecting a small amount of local anesthetic to the Genicular Nerves. If the patient has

sufficient response to the test with significant pain relief, then this justifies going forward with the Genicular Nerve Ablation. The nerve radiofrequency ablation is the therapeutic treatment in which a specialized type of radio wave is applied to the nerves to effectively relieve the pain, provide long term relief and restore function to the patient. The radiofrequency ablation works by shocking the nerves that supplies pain to the knee and stop them from sending signal to the brain.

While this is a neuro destructive procedure, the nerves do grow back. The same technology has been used for years in treatment of neck and back pain with excellent success. One of the advantage of this procedure is the fact that it is performed outside of the knee joint.

This procedure is indicated for a number of conditions including osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, chronic knee pain, patients who have undergone total or partial knee surgery, patients who are not candidates for knee replacement, and those who want to avoid surgery totally. If you or someone you know suffers from any of the above conditions, contact our office to further discuss this treatment option.

The doctors at the Pain Management Associates provide the option of sedation for our patients’ comfort.■Dr. Foster joined our practice six months ago. She graduated from Boston University medical school, did her residency in Anesthesiology and pain medicine at the University of Maryland.

Dr Foster is married and a mother of two children.

Dr. Haddis Hagos is an interventional pain physician who has been in practice for over 20 years. He is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in pain management.

7300 Hanover Drive, Ste. 204 Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 / 7500 Greenway Center Drive, Ste. 940 Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 Phone: (301) 220-2333 February - March 2016

3

W

Volume 50 issue 1

J

omen’s ournal

HEALTH & WELLNESS/BEAUTY

02 - 22 BUSINESS 24 - 29 30 - 48 COMMUNITY & ADS

With over 32 years of experience, The Women’s Journal is a brand you can trust. It is a primary resource for women. Each edition is published bi-monthly and distributed free of charge. You can find a copy of the journal where savvy women shop. The journal also has subscribers that pay to have the journal delivered to their home or business.

4

PUBLISHER Butterfly Media Inc.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Fina Florez

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS Wendy Ward

8181 Professional Place, Landover, MD 20785

wjwomen.com

To Advertise, please call 1-866-517-5049

Preserving Vitality:

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Safe & Effective Bio-identical Hormone Replacement

H

By Alan Weiss, M.D.

ormones to a large degree determine vitality, youthfulness, how we feel and how we look. Because of this, Bio-Identical Hormone replacement (BHRT) is a hot topic.

While hormone replacement is not for everybody, for those who do choose to use them a very big difference can be made in one’s health. And this is an important issue for both men and women.

Simply said, hormones are chemical messengers that are created in one part of the body and sent elsewhere to produce an effect. Without hormones, we could not live, could not function, and could not reproduce. Examples of hormones include testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, growth hormone, and many others (like insulin!)

As we age our hormone levels decline. However, another way of viewing this relationship is that as our hormone levels decline, the aging process is accelerated. Bio-identical hormone replacement is an approach to optimize the natural hormonal status of a man or woman to allow for health and well being in the safest possible way.

This is done by using hormones that are chemically and molecularly identical to the hormones that are already in the human body. It is important to draw this distinction because many of the hormones that have been studied and that (legitimately) aroused concern about the safety of hormone therapy have been hormones that are synthetic and do not necessarily belong in the human body and do not promote optimal health.

While there are not as many studies done on bio-identical hormone therapy, due to the enormous cost of medical studies that will only be done when the pharmaceutical companies can make huge profits out of synthetic medications, it makes intuitive sense that the hormones that belong in the human body are the ones we were born with!

And there are studies that do demonstrate the safety and benefits of bio-identical hormone therapy.

So, what are the uses and benefits of BHRT? Treating the symptoms of menopause with safe and effective doses of estrogen, progesterone, and in some testosterone can reduce the hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness often experienced. As well, judicious use of hormones can improve heart health, cognitive function, and bone health.

Men with low testosterone levels are at a higher risk of dying from many causes than are men with normal levels of testosterone. As well, low testosterone can cause fatigue,

loss of muscle mass, low libido, elevated cholesterol and can play a role in the development of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Optimizing testosterone levels help men experience heightened vitality and well-being.

These hormones can be delivered by creams or by subcutaneous pellet insertion.

Hormone pellets can provide a sustained delivery of bio identical hormones to achieve optimal health. As well, using a hormone called HCG in combination with a rigorous diet can produce significant weight loss in a short period of time.■Dr.Weiss completed his undergraduate work at University of Virginia and is a graduate of McGill University Medical School; he completed his Internship at the University of Hawaii and Residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. As head of Annapolis Integrative Medicine, Dr. Weiss specializes in preventative health, alternative approaches to wellness, and treating complex issues including CFS and Fibromyalgia.

February - March 2016

5

HEALTH & WELLNESS

How does the new

‘Female Viagra’ work?

By Dr. Okasi

“

As the clinical trials progressed over the course of about 8 years, so did techniques in determining desire.”

“For some women, Addyi can prove to be an effective solution for a normal healthy sex life.”

6

wjwomen.com

M

any women experience problems with sex at some point in their lives. Yet, it is a topic that many people are hesitant or embarrassed to discuss. Pain, lack of desire, lack of arousal, or failure to achieve orgasm are all signs of female sexual dysfunction. Natural changes that occur after childbirth or menopause can play a role. Additionally, illness, medications, life and relationship stress, and poor self-image can prevent women from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity.

Several years ago, the discovery of Viagra for men revolutionized the world of male sexual dysfunction and it was hoped that a similar drug would be found for women. The FDA recently approved Flibanserin (trade name “Addy”), a new female libido drug that aims to boost sexual desire in women. Although it is sometimes referred to as the “female Viagra,” it works very differently.

Flibanserin was originally investigated in 1995 by a team of researchers at Boehringer Ingelheim Italia in Milan as an antidepressant. A clinical trial found it did little to alleviate depression, but did seem to have an effect on mood. It just wasn’t the mood the researchers were expecting.

These early trials tipped clinicians to flibanserin’s more prominent role in sexual health, as female subjects had higher scores on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, a survey that asks participants to rate their satisfaction on a variety of sexual health topics, like how often participants felt sexual desire and how intense that desire was. In later trials, another group of researchers explored flibanserin as a libido-enhancer in 2008. Their subjects reported higher levels of sexual desire. In spite of these results, the FDA rejected the drug twice concluding that the reported increases in libido were not statistically significant. Regulators were wary of po-

HEALTH & WELLNESS tentially dangerous side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, and fainting. Subsequently, Sprout Pharmaceuticals did additional testing and development with thousands of women reporting significant improvement in sexual desire.

Flibanserin took center stage this summer by winning long-sought approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2015. So what turned FDA’s red light green? For one: the parameters of the later trials. According to Sheryl Kingsberg, a reproductive biology and psychology researcher at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio and Clinical Investigator on the flibanserin trials, the evaluation of sexual desire in the brain is not a particularly clear-cut measurement. As the clinical trials progressed over the course of about 8 years, so did techniques in determining desire. In more recent trials, women reported about one more positive sexual experience per month, and about 10% more of the patients who took flibanserin reported meaningful improvements compared with a placebo group. By these measures, FDA approved Addyi as the first drug meant to kindle desire.

Though it’s been nicknamed the “female Viagra,” the two drugs function in very different ways—Viagra aims to enhance performance whereas flibanserin (Addyi) aims to balance chemicals in the brain that enhance sexual desire. Addyi is much less effective than Viagra so don’t expect to see a guaranteed response in every woman. Unlike Viagra that men take just when they want to have sex, Addyi is meant to be taken on a daily basis and the effects can take up to 4 weeks to notice, and may improve as time progresses. Addyi is meant only for certain women who have not yet gone through menopause and who have a low desire for sex that is causing them stress. It is not recommend-

ed for women whose low libido is due to medical or psychiatric problems or medication, or problems within the relationship. Addyi cannot be used with alcohol or certain medications.

For now, FDA has cautioned users with a black-box warning. In essence, a woman taking Addyi daily would have to give up alcohol. Addyi can cause dizziness, low blood pressure and fainting.

Although Addyi is available to the general public, Addyi must be prescribed by a doctor with training and certification for patient safety.

Women who experience any type of problem with sex are encouraged to talk to their doctor. A thorough assessment of all possible underlying causes is essential. In most cases, doctors recommend trying other things to improve your relationship and sex life before even trying medicine. For some women, Addyi can prove to be an effective solution for a normal healthy sex life. Most importantly, women who feel healthy and happy are more likely to be happy with their sex life.■

Ellicott City: 9501 Old Annapolis Road, Ste. 305 Ellicott City, MD 21042 Laurel 8317 Cherry Lane Laurel, MD 20707 Phone numbers: 443-380-0060 410-730-7722 February - March 2016

7

HEALTH & WELLNESS

By Janet V. Johnson, M.D.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL!

Making Physical Activity a Part of Your Family Life o improve your overall health and fitness, and reduce your risk for many chronic diseases regular physical activity helps.

The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are now more flexible than ever, giving individuals the freedom to reach their physical activity goals through different types and amounts of activities each week. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans do not include guidelines for children younger than 6 years old. Physical activity in infants and young children is, of course, necessary for healthy growth and development. Children who are younger than 6 years old should be physically active in ways which are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

Physical activity guidelines for children younger than 6 are included in Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs (3rd Ed.)

T

1. Benefits of Regular Exercise Everyone can benefit from regular exercise.

Children who are active will: • have stronger muscles and bones • have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat • be less likely to become overweight • decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes • lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels • have a better outlook on life Make sure your child or adolescent is doing three types of physical activity: Aerobic Activity, Muscle Strengthening and Bone Strengthening. To meet the guidelines for aerobic activity, basically anything counts, as long as it’s done at a moderate- or vigorous-intensity for at least 10 minutes at a time for about 60 minutes a day. Many of the physical activities fall under more than one type of activity. For example, if your child is on a basketball team and practices with their teammates daily they are not only doing vigorous-intensity aerobic activity but also bone-strengthening. It’s easy to fit each type of activity into your child’s schedule – all it takes is being familiar with the Guidelines and finding activities that your child enjoys.

2. Stick With It There are many things you can do to get and keep your child active physically, that can help shape their behavior and attitude toward physical activity. Know the guidelines. Choose physical activities

8

wjwomen.com

you and your child enjoy and that match your child’s abilities, it will help ensure that you both stick with them. Encourage them to be physically active for one hour or more each day, with activities ranging from informal, active play to organized sports. Here are some examples.

• Physical activity should be a part of the family’s daily routine such as taking family walks or playing active games together.

• Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself. Run, swim, jog, or dance.

• Be positive about the physical activities in which your child participates and encourage them to be interested in new activities.

• Make physical activity fun. Fun activities can be anything which your child enjoys, structured or non- structured sports. Activities such as walking, running, skating, bicycling, swimming, playground activities or free-time play.

• After dinner, encourage your child to find fun activities with friends and family, such as walking, playing chase or riding bikes.

• Be safe! Always provide protective equipment and ensure that the physical activity is developmentally and age-appropriate.

3. Children with Disabilities Physical activity is important for all children. If your child has a chronic health condition or other symptoms be sure to talk with the doctor about the types and amounts of physical activity that are right for them. They can tell you more about the amounts and types of physical activity that are appropriate for your child’s abilities.■ Loving Care Pediatrics: Dr. Johnson and Staff accepting new patients, birth to age 21 International Travel Vaccination Center 3311 Toledo Terrace Suite C-201, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 Office: (301) 403-8808 / Fax: (301) 403-1341

Let Your Eyes Shine & Your Skin Glow!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

O

ver the years the delicate skin around the eyes can become puffy and wrinkled, causing the eyes to appear tired. Eyelid surgery can have dramatic rejuvenating effects simply by removing the excess skin and trimming or repositioning the fat around the eyes, restoring a more youthful look. Thanks to incredible advances in technology, from lasers and noninvasive treatments, to injectable options, and to newer surgical approaches, a new palate of possibilities is now available to accomplish the total rejuvenation with your eyes and skin.

Winter is the perfect time to pamper your skin with our state-of-the art light based skin rejuvenation treatment, Broad Band Light IPL – Forever Young BBL™. IPL/BBL rejuvenates skin by changing it at the DNA molecular level, as stated in a recent University of Stanford study. Continual BBL™ treatments will improve your skin tone and texture, and keep it ‘Forever Young’. This exciting new technology simply keeps your skin beautiful forever. In addition this treatment will tighten pores and reverse the years of sun damage, broken capillaries, and helps treat acne. What is more exciting is there is no downtime to this revolutionary treatment and you will see positive changes after your first treatment.

Dr. Elba Pacheco is a board certified Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon and she takes a very unique and individualized comprehensive approach to each patient. As with the restoration of a beautiful piece of art, facial rejuvenation is

“

Actual Adoro Patient

No downtime to this revolutionary treatment...”

achieved when Dr. Pacheco visualizes the way your face has changed over time and designs a customized plan for you. Dr. Pacheco asks all her patients to bring a portrait of themselves from their younger years as she uses this photo to help in the process of total rejuvenation. Let Dr. Pacheco show you what the possibilities are to turn back the clock and restore that glow and shine to your face and eyes.

“OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE POSSIBLITIES” and call today to schedule a personalized consultation. Together we can explore what treatment plan is right for you!■

February - March 2016

9

HEALTH & WELLNESS

What a Bride Wants: Relaxation and Sophistication Favored Choices for Bachelorette Parties

A

s a rite of passage, the bachelorette party has long gotten a bum rap. Stereotypes persist of the bride’s night-before-the-wedding gathering as a ladies-only version of the raucous bachelor party. Yet the truth is, a growing number of brides crave a tasteful, relaxing and deeply personal send-off for their single days.

In fact, a relaxing getaway ranked high as an ideal bachelorette party for 59 percent of brides-to-be in the Ultimate

10

wjwomen.com

Bridesmaids Census. Sixty-seven percent wanted dinner, dancing and time spent with their closest friends, and 23 percent wanted something non-traditional that really reflected their personal interests.

“Bachelorette parties are as unique as the women they celebrate,” says Michael Belot, general manager of Destination Kohler - home to AAA five-diamond and Forbes five-star hotel that hosts scores of brides, bridesmaids and weddings each year. “We’re seeing an emphasis on relax-

“

Brides want to spend their special night - and often an entire weekend - in a soothing, stress-free atmosphere before the hectic pace of their wedding day.” ation for the bride and companionship with her friends in today’s bachelorette parties. Brides want to spend their special night - and often an entire weekend - in a soothing, stress-free atmosphere before the hectic pace of their wedding day.”

So what are the things that brides and bridesmaids tell the Destination Kohler team they must have for their bachelorette soirees? Belot points to five in-demand elements: 1. Spa Time Whether it’s a group mani-pedi, a yoga class or a lunch of delicious, healthful spa cuisine, bachelorette groups crave spa time. Parties are looking for spas that offer a comprehensive list of salon services, familiar and new massages and body treatments, and easy access to luxury accommodations. For example, at Destination Kohler, bachelorette groups often book rooms in the Carriage House, which is located above the Forbes five-star Kohler Waters Spa. Participants can spend the day in their spa robes if they choose.

“Kohler Waters Spa is by far the most popular request and activity among bachelorette parties, and is often the cen-

HEALTH & WELLNESS ter of the trip,” says Garrett Mersberger, manager of Kohler Waters Spas. Playing to this trend, many resorts have created female-centric spa packages like the Girls Getaway.

2. Great Food Forget the pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs and other de rigeur finger foods long associated with bridal showers.

Modern bachelorette groups are looking for dining options that are luxurious and delicious, or that accommodate lifestyle needs such as gluten-free or low-calorie diets. Spa fare often fits well with this preference. Resorts with multiple dining options afford bachelorette guests the opportunity to dine lightly for lunch and then enjoy a more indulgent dinner.

3. Bonding Activities Hitting the bar and dancing the night away are no longer the only bonding activities for bachelorette groups.

From yoga classes and golf outings to wine and chocolate pairings, brides-to-be are looking for more diverse, sophisticated activities they can do with their girlfriends.

4. A Location “Away from It All” Nearly a third of respondents in the Bridesmaid Census said they didn’t want to go crazy for a bachelorette party, they just wanted to enjoy time with their friends. Perhaps it’s because their lives are about to change dramatically.

Maybe it’s a need to reaffirm the girlfriend bond that has seen them through life’s ups and downs to reach this happy point in their lives. Whatever their reasons, a growing number of brides are looking for a bachelorette experience that transports them and their closest friends far away from their daily routines. Some fulfill this wish by choosing a resort location far from home. Others may choose accommodations that are more intimate. At Destination Kohler, bachelorette parties can also opt to stay at Sandhill, the resort’s luxury private cabin that sits on 350 natural acres just a 10-minute drive from the resort.

5. Personalization Twenty-three percent of surveyed brides said they wanted a bachelorette party that was deeply personal and tailored to their individual tastes and interests. For some, that’s a spa experience. For others, a golf getaway. Even when they’ve booked a bachelorette package, brides and their bridesmaids are looking for ways the resort can customize their experience. Add-ons are popular, from spa treatments to wine tastings.

Bachelorette party experiences are becoming as individual as the brides they celebrate, Belot notes. “Brides are not cookie cutter, so their bachelorette parties shouldn’t be either.”■ February - March 2016

11

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Cervical Cancer

Screening and Prevention

I

By Kashif Ali, M.D.

n the past 40 years, there has been a significant decrease in both the number of cases and the number of deaths associated with cervical cancer. In the 21st century, cervical cancer is one of the fewNmalignancies that is now considered a preventableNdisease. This is possible through early detection programs and/or vaccination. Despite all of this, 12,280 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2007 and 4,021 deaths occurred as a result of this disease.

Although this still seems like a large figure for a highly preventable cancer, it is far less than what we have seen in the past and is no longer one of the most common cancers in women in the United States. By contrast, there will be an estimated 226,870 cases of breast cancers diagnosed, leading to 39,510 deaths in 2012. Unfortunately, cervical cancer still remains a significant problem in parts of the world that are less economically fortunate. Due to this, worldwide, cervical cancer still remains one of the most common cancers in women accounting for 275,000 deaths in 2008.

We have known for many years that there is a link between various degrees of sexual activity and cervical cancer.

Recently we have been able to identify that up to 99% of cervical cancers are associated with certain types of the human papilloma virus (HPV). î “is virus is considered a sexually transmitted disease.

There are also other factors that can increase your risk for cervical cancer. These include: smoking, HIV infection, extended birth control use as the only means of contraception, and having given birth to over three children.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding.

It is widely accepted that cervical cancer screening has successfully decreased the development of cervical cancer and mortality associated with it. Recent advances in the link between HPV and cervical cancer has helped us further this cause. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus to the genital area. There is a strong association between HPV and development of cervical cancer. One study showed the presence of HPV in 93% of tumor specimens. HPV 16 was present in 50% of the specimens, HPV 18 in 14%, HPV 45 in 8%, and HPV 31 in 5%. HPV 16 was the predominant type in all countries except Indonesia, where HPV 18 was more common.

12

wjwomen.com

Based on this information, recent research has shown the benefits of HPV vaccinations. However, only certain age groups qualify for this vaccination. Ideally the vaccine should be administered before there is any exposure to genital HPV through sexual intercourse. î “e benefits of this vaccine decrease with increasing numbers of sexual partners.

Routine HPV vaccination is recommended for females aged 11 to 12 years. Of note is that girls as young as 9 years of age may start the HPV vaccination series. HPV vaccination is also recommended for females aged 13 to 18 years to catch up on a missed vaccine or to complete the vaccination series. Although it is still safe to receive this vaccine after the age of 26, there is no evidence thus far of any benefit in this age group. Therefore, as it now stands, the HPV vaccine is not routinely recommended after the age of 26. Based on what we know so far there is also no benefit to men receiving this vaccination. These recommendations may change in the future as more research is done.

“

HEALTH & WELLNESS

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women of all races.�

Based on the advances in cervical cancer screening, review of years of data on this subject, and recent information regarding the role of HPV in cervical cancer, the screening guidelines were recently updated. In March 2012, the American Cancer Society released these new guidelines for cervical cancer screening. The whole idea behind cervical cancer screening is to detect cervical cancer in its earlier stages in patients who do not yet show signs of cervical cancer. In recent years, due to this early detection, physicians have been able to diagnose and treat cervical cancer at much earlier stages thus increasing the potential for cure.

At the present time, there are two different types of screening modalities utilized: a pap smear and the HPV test. A pap smear is a method for detecting cells suspicious for turning into cancer or for detecting cervical cancer in its early stages. The HPV test can detect the certain strains of viruses that are known to eventually develop into cervical cancer.

The latest screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society now recommend that all women should begin cervical cancer screening at the age of 21. The most drastic change is that yearly pap smear are no longer required, since we now know that it can take years for cervical cancer to develop. More frequent testing can in turn lead to further unnecessary procedures. Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should undergo a pap smear every 3 years. In this age group, the HPV test should be performed only if the pap smear shows any abnormalities. A pap smear along with the HPV test should be performed every 5 years for women between the ages of 30 and 65. In this age group, if the HPV test is not done, then a pap smear should be done every 3 years. If a woman has had normal screening results, she no longer needs screening for cervical cancer after the age of 65.

Despite what we know of the benefits of the HPV vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer, the screening recommendations remain the same in a woman who has received this vaccine. This means that a woman who has received this vaccine must still continue to have screening the same as any women who never received such vaccine.

Despite the less frequent testing recommended in these new guidelines, women who are in the high risk category still need to be screened more often. The high risk category includes women who have had exposure to an agent called DES, those who have an HIV infection, those who have had a history of an organ transplant, and those who participate in excessive promiscuous sexual activity with multiple partners.

Dr. Kashif Ali earned his MD degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. While at Seton Hall University, he became the Chief Resident and then went on to complete his training in Hematology and Oncology. During this training he was appointed Chief Fellow. Dr. Ali is presently board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology.

February - March 2016

13

HEALTH & WELLNESS

How Healthy is

your smile?

T

You’d Be Surprised

hat healthy smile may not be so healthy. Twenty-one percent of children and 91 percent of adults have caries (commonly referred to as tooth decay) in their permanent adult teeth, according to a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES).

But a recent breakthrough is available to help support oral health--in a sugar free chocolate flavored soft chew.

An article published in February’s RDH Magazine discusses the discovery and importance of beneficial bacteria that live in the mouth. It’s been known for over a century that certain bad bacteria in dental plaque are able to convert sugars from the diet to acid, which is bad for teeth. After decades of researching the microorganisms in the mouth, Dr. Israel Kleinberg, DDS and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, discovered beneficial bacteria that also live in dental plaque. Dr. Kleinberg isolated a nutrient in saliva called arginine, which these “good” bacteria use to naturally produce tooth-protecting buffers. This process can help neutralize the acids from the harmful bacteria and help keep the teeth in a normal pH (acid/base) balance.

Healthy saliva also contains calcium and bicarbonate that help preserve healthy tooth enamel and provide additional buffering. Stony Brook researchers combined arginine, calcium and bicarbonate and patented this vital blend of nutrients that fuels the

14

wjwomen.com

mouth’s natural defensives. These key tooth-supporting ingredients have been added to BasicBites, a sugar free chocolate flavored chew that is now being recommended by leading dental professionals.

Here are six ways to help children and even adults maintain their oral health.

1. Two BasicBites a day can help preserve healthy teeth. Recommended for adults and children over the age of six, these candy-like chews nourish beneficial oral bacteria, while supporting enamel health. They are also an excellent source of calcium.

2. Minimize sugary foods and drinks and if you do eat them, avoid sticky foods that can get stuck on teeth. This even includes dried fruit, bread and crackers.

Children should choose water and low-fat milk as health beverage alternatives.

3. Limit between-meal snacks. If children crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.

4. If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and helps wash out foods that produce acids.

5. Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.

6. Schedule regular dental visits.

BasicBites are also recommended for people with dry mouth, a condition that affects approximately 30 percent of all adults in the United States. Chronic dry mouth can cause significant oral health issues and damage teeth.

BasicBites are 20 calories each and available exclusively online at www.basicbites.com where you can also find more information.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Learn more at the American Dental Association’s website at www.ada.org.■

5

HEALTH & WELLNESS

reasons you’re not sleeping

“

Sleep is a serious and growing public health concern.”

T

ossing, turning and constantly waking - it can be maddening when you don’t get the sleep your mind and body so desperately needs. If you constantly struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, you’re in good (albeit tired) company.

Millions of Americans across the country are chronically sleep deprived. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that insufficient sleep is a serious and growing public health concern. What most people don’t realize is their lack of quality rest is often connected to bad sleep habits.

Are you guilty of any of these top five mistakes that reduce your body’s ability to sleep all night? Learn what they are and how to make simple corrections for a more rejuvenating rest.

Mistake 1: Sleeping on an old mattress An old, unsupportive mattress inhibits quality sleep, yet the cost and time it takes to purchase a new mattress deters people from upgrading. Fortunately, the mattress industry is evolving so it’s easier than ever to get a new mattress. For example, order GhostBed at www.ghostbed.com and it’s delivered in a compact box. Once open, it expands into a lush three layer, 11-inch mattress. With a 101-night free sleep trial and 20 year warranty, it’s the easiest way to try out a new mattress without visiting different stores.

Mistake 2: Using electronics at bedtime Tablets, cell phones, smartphones - digital devices make it easy to stay connected, but they mess with the brain’s ability to fall asleep. Light omitting devices disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms. That means when you’re check-

ing your phone right before bed, you’re causing your brain to think it’s time to wake. The best solution is to avoid digital devices for at least an hour before bed. Instead of TV or tech, take a bath, read or do some gentle yoga to get your body into sleep mode.

Mistake 3: Ignoring phantom noise pollution Ticking clocks, beeping phones and buzzing electronics may not seem loud, but this phantom noise pollution is secretly robbing you of a good night’s rest. To encourage your body to get into REM sleep, try to eliminate as much noise as possible from the bedroom. If you’re left with other disruptive noises, such as a snoring partner or outside traffic, invest in a white noise machine or earplugs to block it out.

Mistake 4: Keeping the bedroom too warm If you crank up the heat and grab an extra blanket at bedtime, you might be disrupting your sleep patterns. The National Sleep Foundation identifies temperature as a key factor to sleep, recommending a cooler sleeping environment. So turn down the thermostat, reduce blankets and rethink your mattress. GhostBed keeps sleepers cool because it is made with premium latex that allows for increased air flow, and gel memory foam instead of conventional memory foam.

Mistake 5: Allowing inconspicuous light You flip off the light switch when it’s time for shuteye, but your room is probably not completely dark. Even subtle glow from a nightlight, phone or muted TV disrupts those crucial circadian rhythms, causing your body to think dawn is near, which in return triggers you to get up. Try to remove or block all light in your room, and if there’s some you just can’t eliminate, an eye mask is a helpful alternative.■ February - March 2016

15

HEALTH & WELLNESS

IOL Implants: Lens Replacement and Cataract Surgery

B

efore intraocular lenses (IOLs) were developed, people had to wear very thick eyeglasses or special contact lenses to be able to see after cataract surgery. Now, with cataract lens replacement, several types of IOL implants are available to help people enjoy improved vision. Discuss these options with Dr. Bovelle to determine the IOL that best suits your vision needs and lifestyle.

Cataract lens replacement: How IOLs work Like your eye’s natural lens, an IOL focuses light that comes into your eye through the cornea and pupil onto the retina, the sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that relays images through the optic nerve to the brain. Most IOLs are made of a flexible, foldable material and are about one-third of the size of a dime. Like the lenses of prescription eyeglasses, your IOL will contain the appropriate prescription to give you the best vision possible. Read below to learn about how IOL types correct specific vision problems.

Which lens option is right for you?

Before surgery your eyes are measured to determine your IOL prescription, and you and Dr Bovelle. will compare options to decide which IOL type is best for you, depending in part on how you feel about wearing glasses for reading and near vision.

• The type of IOL implanted will affect how you see when not wearing eyeglasses. Glasses may still be needed by some people for some activities.

• If you have astigmatism, Dr. Bovelle will discuss toric IOLs and related treatment options with you.

• In certain cases, cost may be a deciding factor for you if you have the option of selecting special premium lOLs that may reduce your need for glasses.

•

Intraocular lens (IOL) types Monofocal lens This common IOL type has been used for several decades.

• Monofocals are set to provide best corrected vision at near, intermediate or far distances.

• Most people who choose monofocals have their IOLs set for distance vision and use reading glass16

wjwomen.com

“

Submitted by Dr. Renee Bovelle

Like the lenses of prescription eyeglasses, your IOL will contain the appropriate prescription to give you the best vision possible.”

•

es for near activities. On the other hand, a person whose IOLs were set to correct near vision would need glasses to see distant objects clearly.

Some who choose monofocals decide to have the IOL for one eye set for distance vision, and the other set for near vision, a strategy called “monovision.”

The brain adapts and synthesizes the information from both eyes to provide vision at intermediate distances. Often this reduces the need for reading glasses. People who regularly use computers, PDAs or other digital devices may find this especially useful. Individuals considering monovision may be able to try this technique with contact lenses first to see how well they can adapt to monovision. Those who require crisp, detailed vision may decide monovision is not for them. People with appropriate vision prescriptions may find that monovision allows them see well at most distances with little or no need for eyeglasses.

HEALTH & WELLNESS •

Presbyopia is a condition that affects everyone at some point after age 40, when the eye’s lens becomes less flexible and makes near vision more difficult, especially in low light. Since presbyopia makes it difficult to see near objects clearly, even people without cataracts need reading glasses or an equivalent form of vision correction.

Multifocal or accommodative lenses These newer IOL types reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

• In the multifocal type, a series of focal zones or rings is designed into the IOL. Depending on where incoming light focuses through the zones, the person may be able to see both near and distant objects clearly.

• The design of the accommodative lens allows certain eye muscles to move the IOL forward and backward, changing the focus much as it would with a natural lens, allowing near and distance vision.

• The ability to read and perform other tasks without glasses varies from person to person but is generally best when multifocal or accommodative IOLs are placed in both eyes.

• It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks after surgery on the second eye for the brain to adapt and vision improvement to be complete with either of these IOL types.

Considerations with multifocal or accommodative IOLs • For many people, these IOL types reduce but do not eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

For example, a person can read without glasses, but the words appear less clear than with glasses.

• Each person’s success with these IOLs may depend on the size of his/her pupils and other eye health factors. People with astigmatism can ask Dr Bovelle about toric IOLs and related treatments.

• Side effects such as glare or halos around lights, or decreased sharpness of vision (contrast sensitivity) may occur, especially at night or in dim light.

Most people adapt to and are not bothered by these effects, but those who frequently drive at night or need to focus on close-up work may be more satisfied with monofocal IOLs. Toric IOL for astigmatism This is a monofocal IOL with astigmatism correction built into the lens.

• Astigmatism: This eye condition distorts or blurs the ability to see both near and distant objects. With astigmatism the cornea (the clear front window of

•

the eye) is not round and smooth (like a basketball), but instead is curved like a football. People with significant degrees of astigmatism are usually most satisfied with toric IOLs. People who want to reduce (or possibly eliminate) the need for eyeglasses may opt for an additional treatment called limbal relaxing incisions, which may be done at the same time as cataract surgery or separately. These small incisions allow the cornea’s shape to be rounder or more symmetrical.

Other important cataract lens replacement considerations • In some cases, after healing completely from the cataract lens surgery, some people may need further correction to achieve the best vision possible.

Their ophthalmologist may recommend additional surgery to exchange an IOL for another type, implant an additional IOL, or make limbal relaxing incisions in the cornea. Other laser refractive surgery may be recommended in some cases.

• People who have had refractive surgery such as LASIK need to be carefully evaluated before getting IOLs because the ability to calculate the correct IOL prescription may be affected by the previous refractive surgery.

• People with Dry Eye need to be evaluated before cataract surgery. Untreated Dry Eye can affect the calculations needed to choose the specific IOL for you. So if you have Dry Eye please take your eye drops as directed.■ Article written by Kierstan Boyd, reviewed by Dr. Elena Jiménez and reprinted from:

Dr. Renee Bovelle

“Your Best Vision is Our Focus”

12200 Annapolis Rd., Suite 116, Glenn Dale, MD 20769 301-805-4664 www.EnvisionEyeAndLaser.com February - March 2016

17

HEALTH & WELLNESS

By Thomas K. Lo, MA, DC

Hypothyroidism K nown as the master gland, the butterfly-shaped thyroid sits in a notch just below your throat. Its hormones affect many systems and functions, including: • Metabolism • Brain development • Breathing, heart and nervous system functions • Blood cells production • Muscle and bone strength • Body temperature • Menstrual cycle • Weight gain and loss • Cholesterol levels • Skin hydration So it makes sense that thyroid imbalances can make your life seem entirely off-kilter. The most common form of thyroid imbalances is hypothyroidism. It occurs when your thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone to support your daily activities.

Women often call us because they are feeling thyroid symptoms, but have been told by their doctors that “everything looks fine”. Thyroid-related issues can arise at any age and may not necessarily show up on routine lab tests.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is a term used when someone is experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism but whose blood test results are still in the “normal range” for thyroid hormone production.

The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency.

But in general, any problems you do have tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years. At first, you may barely notice the symptoms, such as fatigue and sluggishness, or you may simply attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms. They may include: • Severe fatigue, loss of energy • Weight gain, difficulty losing weight • Depression and depressed mood • Joint and muscle pain, headaches • Dry skin, brittle nails • Brittle hair, itchy scalp, hair loss • Irregular periods, PMS symptoms • Calcium metabolism difficulties • Difficulty tolerating cold and lower body temperature • Constipation

18

wjwomen.com

• • • • • • •

Sleeping more than average Diminished sex drive Puffiness in face and extremities Bruising/clotting problems Allergies that suddenly appear or get worse Persistent cold sores, boils or breakouts Tingling sensation in wrists and hands that mimics carpal tunnel syndrome • Memory loss, fuzzy thinking, difficulty following conversation or train of thought If you suffer from any of the above symptoms call us for a free consultation or better yet come to one of our FREE lectures to find out the probable causes of hypothyroidism.

For more information or to register please call us at (410) 721-3338.■ Dr. Thomas Lo Nutritional Healing Center Of Crofton 2135 Defense Hwy Suite 3, Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-3338 / www.doctorlo.com

By Vernise L. Burs PT, CSCI

100 Calories in LESS than 30 Minutes

Burn

L

et’s get up and be active! Plain and simple inactively contributes to weight gain and even obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, cancer, stroke, heart disease and even death.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2011, there was 128,932 stroke related deaths; 596,577 heart related deaths and 576,691 cancer related dates.

Get to know your BMI. Body mass index (BMI) is a mathematical equation that is based upon your weight and height; it is used to determine your health status. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is normal weight, 25 to 29.9 is over-weight, 30 to 34.9 is mild obesity, 35 to 39.9 is moderate obesity and 40 or greater is severe obesity. What is your BMI? We can minimize our risk for various medical conditions by getting up out of our seats to move! DID YOU KNOW 20 MINUTES OF BRISK WALKING BURNS 100 CALORIES AND 30 MINUTES BURNS 150 CALORIES? Below are 15 easy ways to burn 100 calories in less than 30 minutes!

• Brisk walking: 20 minutes • Biking: 23 minutes casual cycling • Cardio dance class: 15 minutes • Elliptical: 8 minutes • Squats: Perform 20 repetitions

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• March/Jog in place: 1 minute • Push-ups: 10 repetitions • Pilates: 24 minutes • Rowing machine: 13 minutes • Running stairs: 6 minutes • Swimming: 15 minutes moderate intensity • Walking stairs: 11 minutes • Water aerobics: 23 minutes • Yoga: 20 minutes • Zumba: 11 minutes Don’t Be A Statistic! GET UP AND MOVE. JUST MOVE! I challenge you to do 1 to 3 different exercises 3 or more times this week. JUST MOVE! I dare you. JUST MOVE! However, if you have mobility issues, physical limitations and previous sports injuries that are keeping you from being as active as you desire there are solutions. Make an appointment with our office for an evaluation. Most insurances are accepted, as well as Health Savings Plans.■

2530 N. Charles Street, Suite 102 Baltimore MD 21218 / (410)889-7872

February - March 2016

19

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Go Wild onValentine’s Day with Natural Hormones!

Y

ou have been together a long time. Remember the electric passion? The tingling? Want to experience it again? Hormones help both men and women to renew their desire for sex and to enjoy it to the climax.

“It’s like a 20-year time reversal,” says client Sean, age 42. “I thought it was gone but it’s like my wife and I are kids again. The intensity is unbelievable.”

Mismatched Desire In the early stages of a sexual relationship, you just make love a lot, and both of you are happy. The problem of “mismatched desire” tends not to emerge until later.

New Day Vitality Hormone Center (NewDayVitality. com) can help if the problem is low sexual drive, which is the biological urge to have sex. In both men and women, sex drive can be triggered by the hormone testosterone. With careful monitoring and supplementation with bioidentical hormones, we can usually increase sex drive to match your partner.

“Even if Brad Pitt wanted me, I couldn’t stand the thought of sex…it was disgusting,” remembers Stacey. “This therapy enabled me to really enjoy sex again with my husband who I truly love.”

Vaginal Lubrication But what if sex hurts due to vaginal dryness?

The tissue lining of the vagina is healthy, elastic and moist in our youth. Estrogen feeds these lining cells and they secrete natural lubricant. When we no longer have adequate amounts of estrogen, we get dry and lose elasticity.

Bioidentical hormones are remarkably effective in increasing vaginal lubrication. With the correct amount of

20

wjwomen.com

natural hormone supplementation—based on your symptoms, age and lab tests—you can be back in the saddle in no time.

Erectile Dysfunction “As a man’s heart opens during orgasm, he is able to feel the depth of his love and reaffirm his commitment to her.” — John Gray in Mars and Venus in the Bedroom Nearly every man reaches a point where his testosterone no longer drives his sex life as well as he (and his woman!) might like. While Viagra-type drugs can be effective in some men for their limited erection-building function, it’s quite common for middle-aged men with a normal age-related decline in testosterone to also suffer a loss in sexual desire-low libido.

There’s no doubt that replacing testosterone can re-light the fires of sexual desire and also restore erectile ability.■ For more vital days and romantic nights, contact New Day Vitality Hormone Center at 410-793-5212 for a free consultation.

Neha Salon and Spa Experience Luxury Neha’s Salon and Spa offers 5 star spa luxury right in your neighbor. We have everything you envision for your personal rejuvenation from head to toe. Neha Gupta has been part of the Baltimore community for over 18 years. Over the years, Neha and her professional staff have expanded their offering of cutting edge wellness treatments and beauty services; supported by the highest quality of products such as Biotique and Bioelements skincare lines.

The services include eyebrow threading, hair, massage therapy, facials, manicures/pedicures, spa packages, couples packages, spa parties, makeup for all occasions, henna tattoo and more!

Each treatment offers specialized services, customized to meet the client’s individual needs.

At Neha Salon and Spa whether you are coming in for a facial, body treatment, shampoo and style, an amazing cut and color, extensions, highlights, Brazilian Blow-Outs or any haircare service, our goal is to provide exceptional service.

Specials

Spa Parties For 5-10 People. Spend the day at Neha’s Spa. You can reserve the Spa Level for you and your friends to be pampered with Facials, Body Treatments with our Vichy Shower, Massages and/or Spa Manicures and Spa Pedicures. We provide light refreshments and a glass of champagne for each guest. For more info, please go to www.nehathreading.com Pikesville Location: 1501 Reisterstown Road Pikesville MD 21208 Phone: 410-653-BROW (2769)

Canton Location: 2931 O’Donnell Street Baltimore, MD 21224 Phone: 410-675-BROW(2769)

E-Mail : neha@nehathreading.com / www.nehasalonandspa.com

Gift Certificates Available

NEHA THREADING

salon ● spa ● wellness February - March 2016

21

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Childhood Obesity

A

ccording to the Journal of the American Medical Association and the National Center for Health Statistics, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Defined by the National Institutes of Health overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.

Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance”—too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Some of the immediate effects include cardiovascular issues that may develop.

Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Overweight children also experience instability in glucose levels which often result to pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes diabetic conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.

Some long term affects include; heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma states the Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

The Journal of Pediatrics published that Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases. The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries. Schools play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportuni-

22

wjwomen.com

“

Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.” ties for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.

Take charge of your child health. Encourage healthy eating habits and lead by example. If your children see you trying healthy foods they will be more inclined to try them also. And exercise doesn’t have to be boring! Get out and Play with your child. It’s a fun way to burn calories and bond with your family.■ Frederick Corder, MD FAAP Dr. Corder attended medical school at Howard University College of Medicine and graduated in 1977. He is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Corder was formally the Chief Health Officer for Prince George’s County and the medical Director of several health plans. Dr. Corder has been in Pediatric practice for over 35 years. Dr. Corder, his wife Dr. Marilyn Corder ad their daughter Adrienne Corder started the Corder Pounders Youth Fitness program and the Family Fitness Center.

Bowie, MD • (301) 805-2229 Cheverly, MD • (301) 341-7494 Children’s Medical Center Washington, DC • (202) 291-0147

Your Destination For Relaxation Offering Deep Tissue Massage European Facials

2300 Washington Pl.NE, Washington, D.C. 20018

(at Rhode Island Row, next to T-Mobile) / 202-733-2376 High Quality Gel Nails, Manicures & Pedicures using OPI, Essie & Gelish

Join Us 10am - 4pm, Monday – Thursday for a Personal Happy Hour All services are 20% off

Your Business Card ad could be here for $100 For more information, contact the Women’s Journal at 866-517-5049

(may not be combined with other offers) We offer Moscato, White and Red Wine By Request Limit 1 per customer of Legal Drinking Age Complimentary Beverage with service

Hrs: Mon-Sat 10am - 8pm. Sun 11am - 6pm / Gift Certificates avail.

Special Offers for Weddings, Birthdays & Private Parties Find us on facebook. www.artenailsandspa.com Professional services and money back if not satisfied February - March 2016

23

BUSINESS

Why is Telemedicine Hot Now?

T

elemedicine is a significant and rapidly growing component of health care in the United States.

Over half of all U.S. hospitals now use some form of telemedicine. There are currently close to 1 million Americans currently using remote cardiac monitors and the Veterans Health Administration delivered over 1,000,000 remote consultations using telemedicine.

Around the world, millions of patients use telemedicine to monitor their vital signs, remain healthy and out of hospitals and emergency rooms. Consumers and physicians download health and wellness applications for use on their cell phones.

Telemedicine has made a big impact in rural areas where visits to doctors are difficult, and is expanding partly because broadband network coverage is improving, patients and doctors are more comfortable with telemedicine technologies, there is pressure for increasing cost savings, and a shift in paradigm that favors telemedicine. This new paradigm says that the patient’s total health status is now the focus, as evidenced by new policies issued by insurers, Medicare and state governments.

Quality healthcare is now viewed to be based on a longterm relationship between patient and physician, about both long term health efficiencies and acute issues. Remote encounters are usually more efficient and convenient for both patient and physician.

Medicare and states are holding hospitals responsible for readmission rates, which requires the doctor and the patient to have an ongoing relationship, and telemedicine facilitates that relationship.

Incentives play a big role, but better healthcare outcomes and better use of medical resources are key drivers.

The VA medical system has made significant investments in its adoption of telemedicine, and today is considered to be one of the world leaders in telemedicine. The direct primary care movement (e.g, www.dpcare.org) advo24

wjwomen.com

“Telemedicine has made a big impact in rural areas where visits to doctors are difficult, and is expanding partly because broadband network coverage is improving.”

cates are working to move primary care doctors from the pay-for-procedure compensation system to payments that are outcome-based. Direct primary care is growing very fast now as both plan sponsors and doctors come to believe that it offers major advantage in both quality of care and overall healthcare cost.

■■■■Key factors for Growth: • Government support, funding will increase • Practice management systems will have telemedicine capabilities • Consumer demand will make telemedicine mainstream • Travel to the medical offices, regional medical centers and hospitals can be difficult, particularly if the patient is elderly, lives in a remote or rural areas, or have traumatic injuries • Reduction in hospital readmissions • Mitigation of distance, mobility and time constraints • Saves the patients, providers and payers money when compared with traditional approaches to providing care.

■■■■Future of Telemedicine: The global telemedicine market is expected to grow from $11.6 billion in 2011 to $27.3 billion in 2016.

1. Source: BCC Research Worldwide revenue for Telemedicine devices and services is expected to reach $4.5 billion in 2018, up from $440.6 million in 2013 2. Source: IHS The number of patients using Telemedicine services will grow to 7 million in 2018, up from 350,000 in 2013.

3. Source: IHS Telemedicine could potentially deliver more than $6 billion a year in healthcare savings to U.S. companies.

BUSINESS 4. Source: Towers Watson Although many physicians may be hesitant to adopt telemedicine the evidence is clear telemedicine is not going away. Telemedicine companies that threaten the existing primary care infrastructure by competing with physicians are not favorable but, companies like Click It Clinic that work with physicians make telemedicine much more attractive to doctors. Click It Clinic works with independent physicians, ACOs, IPAs and large physician networks to integrate telemedicine into their practices and also provides on call coverage for physicians throughout the country. With the right app, the proper training and call coverage support, Click It Clinic is helping to put the future of healthcare back where it belongs, back in the hands of doctors.

■■■■Privacy and Security Concerns: Telemedicine technologies can create, large volumes of electronic health information, and create some additional operational challenges for organizations in meeting their existing privacy and security obligations under HIPAA as well as any relevant state privacy laws. These organizations will definitely need to update their security risk analyses as well as modify and adapt their data privacy and security practices to respond to the specific risks and compliance challenges of using Telemedicine technologies.

Consequently, existing policies and practices should be reviewed carefully, and will likely need to be modified or adapted to ensure effective and reliable verification and authentication of the identities of patients and providers involved in a Telemedicine encounter. In addition, Telemedicine interactions typically involve providers from multiple organizations. Organizations operating Telemedicine programs will need to address questions like shared responsibility for securing and managing the health information generated through a Telemedicine encounter – including responsibilities Privacy and Security considerations related to data breach notification and reporting—to confirm compliance with privacy and security requirements. Telemedicine transmissions also may be vulnerable to interference, signal errors or transmission outages that can result in interrupted communications and the alteration or loss of important clinical information which would potentially be a HIPAA violation. The additional risks of Telemedicine programs require a health care organization’s privacy and security professionals to participate from the start in the design and implementation of Telemedicine programs, and assume responsibility for actively monitoring operations. Telemedicine technology brings new privacy and security issues that could raise concerns about protection of privacy, confidentiality, and security of sensitive patient information.

■■■■They are: A lack of uniform confidentiality and privacy legislation at the state level in terms of the transfer of health information in telemedicine encounters. Telemedicine consultations can take place over state lines, the potential for confusion over which state’s standards should be employed could arise.

A long-distance telemedicine consultation typically involves a clinician-patient session that can be videotaped (most are) in its entirety, and this record is maintained as part of the documentation of the consultation. As a result, practitioners have less discretion to remove sensitive items that they might otherwise not record. From the patient perspective, the patient may not be able to “see” who else is viewing the session along with the clinician on the other side of the long distance consultation.

The use of telemedicine equipment usually adds additional personnel to the typical provider-patient encounter.

For instance, a technical outsider, like an engineer, may be privy to the consultation. From a technical standpoint, there is a higher volume of data and complexity involved in the various communication mediums used during a typical telemedicine consultation. That could make securing the data more problematic.

It is now more important and necessary to conduct regular HIPAA/HITECH Risk Assessments under the fast evolving telemedicine landscape.

■■■■Conclusion: However, in this day of ever increasing data breaches, it is imperative that both physicians and patients insist that their telemedicine organization at least meets the minimum standards mandated by HIPPA Privacy and Security Rule.

In addition to the importance of HIPPA compliant telemedicine providers, it is just as important that the organization’ s Telemedicine technology companies and business associates be HIPAA compliant.

Privacy and Security concerns notwithstanding, Telemedicine enables outcome-based medicine: doctors can maintain the conversation with the patient in a manner that is far more efficient and effective than traditional encounters; they can serve more patients well. Patients can get attention faster and more conveniently when they need it. This is why telemedicine is likely to continue to boom in the years ahead.■ Robert Campbell, CEO of Med Cyber Security.

Med Cyber-Security provides cost-effective, cyber security privacy and security consultations HIPAA covered organizations such as healthcare providers, business associates and telemedicine organizations. To learn more, contact Med Cyber-security for a free consultation.

301-266-2457, email: rc@medcybersecurity.com.

February - March 2016

25

Avoiding Conflicts When It Comes to Distributing BUSINESS

Trust Assests

By Sanford M. Fisch, CEO & Co-Fpunder of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys compliments of SinclairProsser Law, LLC

C

areful estate planning may help avoid later conflicts and challenges among the beneficiaries and heirs of a person after their death. It is not always easy for a person to discuss these matters with adult children. While communicating with one’s children ahead of time and expressing wishes about distribution of assets may be the ideal way for an individual to handle the situation, realistically families don’t always follow this practice. Far too often after a parent passes away, the children end up challenging the parent’s decisions.

An experienced and knowledgeable estate planning and trust attorney can help an individual prepare for a discussion of theirintentions with their children first before the trust agreement is drafted. A trust challenge can be a long and costly process delaying the distribution of assets to the beneficiaries and legal costs can ultimately reduce the value of the estate. thus, it is a smart planning strategy for the individual to try and resolve any anticipated disputes prior to the creation of the trust. The chances of a beneficiary or heir challenging the trust after the decedent’s death can be reduced when all parties to the trust are aware of the parent’s intentions.

Of course, there may still be situations that arise after a parent’s death where family members may not agree on all financial decisions made by the trustee. A typical example of this is when the deceased parent’s house is the major asset of the estate, and it needs to be sold in order to distribute the sale proceeds to the children. Typically, the house is appraised and sold at

26

wjwomen.com

both parent and children to have such a conversation, everyone benefits in the end by avoiding conflicts, challenges and delays later when it comes time for the trustee to administer the trust and distribute the assets.■

market value depending on real estate market conditions. One or more beneficiaries may be unsatisfied with the proposed sales price or terms. However, choosing a trustee that has the beneficiary’s best interests at heart and has the mutual respect and trust of the beneficiaries will make a big difference in how the conflict gets resolved.

While many people prefer to appoint a surviving spouse or child as the trustee to administer the trust, the size of the estate and type of assets may require the selection of co-trustees, a neutral third party or a professional financial planner or trust manager to act as the trustee. Since every person’s financial situation is unique, the attorney will be able to guide the individual in choosing the best suited person or entity to act as trustee.

From a financial and practical sense, the best way for a parent to avoid major conflicts between their beneficiaries after their death is for the elderly parent to consult with an experienced estate and trust attorney who can help them sit down with their children and discuss their estate planning choices. This way everyone is aware of what to expect later and any concerns or disagreements can be addressed upfront. Even though it may be difficult or unpleasant for

SinclairProsser Law, LLC focuses its practice on estate planning & administration, including the interaction of retirement plans & elder law. An established member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys & the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Colleen Sinclair Prosser, Nicole Livingston, Jon J. Gasior & Victor A. Lembo offer years of knowledge & experience in matters associated with protecting estates & families from issues arising from death and disability.

March 2016 SEMINAR SCHEDULE waldorf Tue., March 1st @10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

(Continental Breakfast) Hilton Garden Inn Waldorf 10385 O’Donnell Place chESaPEakE BEach Wed., March 2nd @10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

(Continental Breakfast) Rod ‘N’ Reel Waterfront 4160 Mears Avenue Bowie Thurs., March 3rd @7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

(Refreshments) Comfort Inn US 50, US 301 @ MD 3 annaPoliS Fri., March 4th @10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

(Continental Breakfast) Double Tree Hotel Annapolis 210 Holiday Court EdgEwatEr Sat., March 5th @10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

(Continental Breakfast) Historic LondonTown & Gardens Pavilion 839 Londontown Road

For more info: 410-573-4818

ASSURANCE THROUGH

INSURANCE

By Michelle Reese - Wiseman

A

s a funeral care provider I am often asked the question “What made you choose this profession.” Which is usually followed up by the statement “I could never do what you do.” I smile on the inside and quietly thank God for the gift of science which He has innately place on the inside of me. My answer to the question is always the same, I didn’t choose it, it chose me. And yes I absolutely love it!

The reward of my gift is educating the community up close and personal. There are many options related to end of life decisions. I believe education relieves apprehension which allows you to “Live from a Position of Power” (Pamela Reaves).

Several times a year, I am honored to speak to brave people who wish to be empowered and take control of their lives, even to the very end. Lately, the concern has centered on LIFE INSURANCE. Life insurance can be pretty confusing given the number of misleading TV and radio commercials vying for your attention. Please allow me to clarify some of your concerns and arm you with the facts related to funding funerals with life insurance products.

The goal of life insurance is to ensure you and your families are protected against financial devastation in the unfortunate event of death. There are a plethora of insurance products on the market. Some of the most popular are: • • •

Whole Life / Permanent (Traditional, Universal, Variable) – Pays a death benefit when you die- even if you live to 100.

Term Life – The simplest form of insurance which only pays if death occurs during the term of the policy, which is usually one to 30 years.

Final Expense- Is usually a Whole Life product specifically designed to cover funeral cost.

Although any coverage you might have is good, out of the three listed Term Life insurance may not be your best option for end of life coverage. Here is why: We’ve all heard the commercials where the announcer is boasting their ability to offer a 45 year old male, with high blood pressure a 20 year, $50,000., TERM life policy for under $40.00 a month. Sounds good right? Well, at the end

BUSINESS of the term, the male will be 65 years of age. The problem: the older you are the more you’ll pay for insurance because you become a high risk factor. That same $50,000.00 term policy, upon renewal, might now cost you four or five times the original amount IF you’ve managed to remain healthy.

Remember, high blood pressure made you a high risk from the start. The pro is you have coverage for a period of time.

The con is with age health is likely to decline which makes being able to qualify or afford coverage a huge problem.

Whole Life Insurance is great and used by many to amass great wealth. Others plan for it to be used as an inheritance. If you are planning to fund your funeral with it please know, traditional life insurance policies can take as long as 6 to 8 weeks to pay out. Most funeral homes will transfer the policy into a “FUNERAL ASSIGNMENT”. A funeral assignment allows you the benefit of a FINAL EXPENSE policy however, be prepared to incur a fee of up to 6% of the total funeral contract. Fees are paid to third parties, on your behalf, for speedy verifications and quick pay out.

Final Expense Insurance policies are designed to fund funerals. Once the benefactor and the amount of the policy is verified your funeral cost can be paid out to the funeral provider within 24/48 hours. You should not be charged a fee for using a Final Expense policy that has been assigned directly to the funeral care provider from your insurance agency. Final Expense policies are not intended to leave inheritance funds.

Please be sure to adjust your life insurance policy should you have a major life change, i.e., marriage, divorce, new birth. Failing to do so might prove to be costly.

Finally, to the person who think to themselves I DON”T CARE what happens to me after I’ve passed. They can just put me in a pine box. To you I say, “The pine boxes are among some of the most expensive offerings.” Get Insured!■ Wiseman Funeral Home, established in November 2008, is a full service funeral care provider, specializing in earth burials, cremations, memorial services, national and International shipping and receiving of human remains. The company is well versed in the practice of funeral pre-planning as well as funeral trust and Medicaid spend downs. We are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We serve you professionally with utmost respect.

Contact

7531 Old Alexandria Ferry Road, Clinton, Maryland 301-899-2005 michelle@wisemanfuneralhome.net February - March 2016

27

BUSINESS

Tax Tips

“

for Newly Married Couples

I

n most parts of the country, the months of June, August, September and October are the most popular for weddings. Whether recently married or anxiously counting the days until you tie the knot, there are some important tax implications that you and your spouse can’t afford to overlook.

“In between the flurry of wedding planning, dress shopping and bridal showers, few engaged couples stop to think about how getting married will affect their income taxes,” explained TaxAct spokesperson, Shaunna Morgan.

“While it’s important to understand the tax consequences, keep in mind that you can still do your own taxes. TaxAct, a leading DIY tax solution, asks simple questions about life events like marriage to guide you through the tax implications and help you get all of your deductions to maximize your refund.”

Name Changes Your name(s) and Social Security number(s) are critical elements of your tax return. Both identifiers must exactly match the information the Social Security Administration (SSA) has on file. That means if you legally change your name after you get married, the SSA needs to know about it.

To get a Social Security card with your new name, you’ll need to provide proof of identity, such as a marriage certificate, fill out an application and either mail it or deliver it in person to your local SSA office.

You’ll want to do this long before you file your income tax return.

28

wjwomen.com

Keep in mind that no matter when in the year you get married, you are considered married for the full year.”

New Address If you’re moving, remember to report your new address to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The fastest way to make the change is to complete Form 8822 available on the agency website at www.irs.gov.

New Filing Status Once you’ve said, “I do,” you’ll have the option to claim one of two filing statuses on your tax return: married filing jointly or married filing separately. If you and your spouse each earn an income, you might consider running the numbers to determine if you have a lower combined tax by filing one way versus the other. Some tax software packages do the calculations for you so it’s easier to make an informed decision when selecting a filing status. TaxAct Deluxe, for example, gives users a Joint vs. Separate Analysis report that does all the calculations so you can see your estimated refund amounts for each filing status. For many couples, married filing jointly results in lower income tax liability.

Keep in mind that no matter when in the year you get married, you are considered married for the full year. Even if your big day is December 31, you will have a married status in the eyes of the IRS for the entirety of that tax year.

Changing Your Tax Withholding Any time you have a life change you should revisit your Form W-4. Getting married is definitely one of those times.

If both you and your spouse work, you’ll likely have a higher combined income, which may put you into a higher tax bracket. In order to ensure the right amount of tax is withheld from your paycheck, you’ll want to update your Form W-4 to ensure you aren’t having too much or too little tax withheld.

Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credit If you or your spouse receive health insurance through a government-sponsored marketplace and receive advance payments of the premium tax credit to help offset the cost of your premiums, you’ll want to review your coverage after the wedding, and notify the marketplace of your newly married status. Reporting this change will help you avoid having too much or too little premium assistance paid and ultimately, help you steer clear of owing additional money or getting a small refund when you file your taxes. If you elect to keep your coverage “as is,” separate from your spouse, or wish to add your spouse to your coverage, you should notify the marketplace of your special changes in coverage. If you elect to go under your spouse’s health plan, be sure to cancel your marketplace coverage.

For more information about the tax impact of marriage, visit www.irs.gov and www.taxact.com/taxinfo.■

BUSINESS

Expert Advice for Surviving Severe Weather Are you Prepared for Harsh Winter Weather?

cy kit. The kit should include a weather radio, flashlight(s), batteries, first aid kit, money, medications, heavy clothes and five days of non-perishable food and water.

The Importance of Power “The number one issue you face in an emergency situation is access to reliable power,” Honore says. “When you lose power, it sets our society back at least 100 years.”

In today’s world, many of the things people need to survive are tied to power. A loss of power cuts off communication, makes it difficult to attain food and water, creates sanitation issues and hinders temperature controls such as heating and air conditioning.

“Because power is so important, I recommend homeowners invest in a dependable standby generator,” Honore says.

I

t’s out there - that next bout of severe weather is on its way. No matter where you live in the United States, the potential for severe weather always exists and sometimes it comes without much warning.

“None of us really knows what the weather holds,” says LT. General Russel L. Honore, U.S. Army (Ret). “That’s why it’s important to be prepared for any eventuality. You have to be able to be your own first responder if the situation calls for it.”

There are few who understand the power of severe weather and natural disasters better than Honore. The commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, Honore is now a nationally recognized emergency preparedness expert. Each day he dedicates himself to helping Americans prepare for serve weather or natural disasters in order to create a “Culture of Preparedness,” and help people be self-sufficient in instances of disaster.

Why you Should be Prepared When Hurricane Katrina struck, 2.6 million people lost power, many for nearly a month. Today’s hurricanes, as well as winter ice storms and blizzards can also cause extended outages that can leave the unprepared equally trapped and powerless in their home.

Honore says it’s essential all families develop an emergency plan. This plan should include a safe place in your home where you can find shelter and a safe location if you are away from home or you are forced to evacuate. Each family member should also have a cell phone so they can communicate with each other and every home should contain an emergen-

Unlike portable generators, a standby generator automatically turns on when power is lost. A standby generator, which is permanently connected to your house like a central air conditioning unit, has the ability to power everything in your home including your heat and air conditioning systems, refrigerator, lights, computers, television and other technologies. Each of these modern-day necessities are indispensable during an emergency. And best of all, because the standby generator connects to your home’s existing fuel lines, you’ll never need to worry about refueling it to keep the power up and running.

“I’ve personally been through this process,” Honore says.

“I have a Kohler standby generator connected to my home and I recommend everyone make having an automatic backup power supply part of their emergency preparedness plan.”

Next Steps To learn more about automatic standby generators, visit KohlerGenerators.com. You’ll have the chance to watch informative videos explaining standby power and how it works. Start your research today so when the next big storm arrives, you’ll be ready.■ February - March 2016

29

Top Valentine Activities and Gifts Relache Spa at the Gaylord National Resort Share the Spa Romantic Treatments & Programs: A Moment Together - 50/80 minutes - Escape and share a quiet moment together in one of the Relâche Spa Suites. Enjoy it side by side with someone special, and choose Swedish, Aromatherapy or Deep Tissue massage in your own secluded haven. Couple’s Facial - 50 minutes - Escape and share a quiet moment together in one of the Relâche Spa Suites. Enjoy it side by side with someone special, and let the spa’s aestheticians customize a hydrating facial leaving you and your loved one with a glow. www.marriott.com/hotel-info/ wasgn-gaylord-national-resort 201 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD.

The Red Bloom Wellness Spa Beauty + Wellness = Love Give your special Valentine the best of both beauty treatments and wellness. Red Bloom Spa offers a range of holistic treatments to promote health and healing delivered through holistic therapies by highly skilled therapists. Treatments include: massages, facials, manicure and pedicures. Wellness: Raindrop therapy and acupuncture. Visit www.theredbloom.com for the complete list of services and to book. 7215 Arlington Rd. Suite 201, Bethesda, MD.

Urban Petals’ F lower Club Gifts that Keep Giving Give beauty and promote care with a subscription to Urban Petals’ Flower Club.

Members receive a bi-monthly delivery of loose blooms along with an instruction video detailing how to arrange the flowers from owner Sarah von Pollaro. A portion of sales goes to von Pollaro’s Brighten Lives initiative, which hosts therapeutic flower-arranging classes at shelters and family centers. Urban Petals also offers private parties and floral arranging workshops. Visit urbanpetals.com for more details.

30

wjwomen.com

5

COMMUNITY

Gift Ideas

Trendy Wedding Registry for Casual Lifestyles

“Selecting gifts at a variety of price points is both good etiquette and good strategy.”

W

hile your wedding should be the happiest day of your life, it can also be the happiest day for your kitchen. With a well-planned registry, you’ll be enjoying the fun, creativity and bonding of cooking together at home for years to come - from leisurely weekend breakfasts to romantic dinners and toasts to cap off the day.

A wedding registry should reflect how you really live.

Not everyone focuses their social life on formal dinner parties with the kind of fine china, silverware and crystal found on traditional wedding gift lists. Today’s registries reflect current lifestyles with new twists and trends.

“Wedding registries are trending toward more casual, hip and high-tech kitchenware, such as nonstick woks instead of chafing dishes and iced tea makers instead of tea pots,” says Peter Giannetti, editor-in-chief of HomeWorld Business. “Also, registries are not as bride-centric as they used to be. With both brides and grooms involved, gifts such as high-tech coffee centers and growlers for craft beer are becoming more popular.”

Selecting gifts at a variety of price points is both good etiquette and good strategy. Big-ticket items give guests the opportunity for a grand gesture, and they also make great group gifts. Be sure to include moderately priced items that are appealing and distinctive, so that everyone can feel good about what they give. For many, it is more satisfying to give something that’s special and specific, rather than one small piece for a set.

On-trend wedding registry gift ideas 1. The growler is becoming a new must-have for those who love locally brewed craft beer, while also wanting to lead eco-friendly lifestyles that avoid the waste of excess disposable packaging. Created for filling with craft beer, the Reduce Vacuum Growler features double wall insulation that protects the beverage for full flavor enjoyment at just the right temperature.

2. Teatime is now cool, because 85 percent of the tea consumed in America is iced, according to The Tea Association of the USA. One to consider is an iced tea maker that offers a fully customizable iced tea brewing experience from either loose tea or tea bags. The Capresso Iced Tea Maker lets you adjust to taste from regular to extra strong, and it brews into a beautiful 80-ounce glass pitcher.

3. Pepper and salt mills are focal points on the counter or the table, in addition to being everyday essentials.

A unique choice that ties into popular décor trends is the Collection Antique from Peugeot, which combines iconic shapes with rustic aged beech wood. Designed and produced in France, these are keepsake mills with a lifetime warranty on the mechanisms.

4. The wok has evolved into a versatile everyday pan for quickly prepared meals with delicious, fresh ingredients. You should look for a high quality nonstick wok engineered to professional grade standards. The Kyocera 12.5-inch Nonstick Wok with Lid features an exclusive ceramic nonstick coating and can be used for braising, pan-frying, roasting, searing and stir-frying.

5. Coffee lovers appreciate a true bean-to-cup experience and who wouldn’t want a professional-style coffee bar in their own home? The JURA IMPRESSA C60 produces specialty coffee beverages in a flash. A high-performance conical burr grinder and fine foam technology for feather-like milk foam help make this machine the choice for happy couples who would rather sip their java at home versus the coffee shop.■ February - March 2016

31

5

COMMUNITY

smart upgrades for the most-used rooms in your home

K

itchens, bathrooms and bedrooms are typically the rooms in any home that get the most use, which could also be why homeowners, when surveyed, consistently cite those rooms as the ones they most want to renovate. It makes perfect sense to upgrade the rooms where you spend the most time, but in high-traffic areas, you can’t afford to make changes just for the sake of cosmetics. You want improvements that can enhance your enjoyment of a room and its functionality.

Here are five smart improvements to make in the rooms users of Rank-

32

wjwomen.com

er.com voted as the most popular ones in their homes: kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and game rooms.

1. Add Natural Light Most rooms in the home look better and are more functional in natural light, and more daylight can help reduce the need for artificial light.

What’s more, there’s no arguing the positive mental and physical health effects of natural light. Daylight stimulates the body to produce Vitamin D and boosts brain levels of serotonin, which is thought to be associated with positive moods.

Adding skylights is a practical, cost-effective and attractive way to bring more natural light into virtually any room. Remote-controlled, solar-powered fresh-air skylights from Velux America provide not just natural light, but passive ventilation, a real plus in kitchens and baths. Adding solar powered blinds, in designer colors and patterns, increases energy efficiency while giving you total control over the amount of sunlight entering a room through the skylight.

In kitchens, Energy Star-qualified fresh air skylights increase natural light and ventilation without requiring any loss of wall space you could better use for cabinetry. In bathrooms, they provide the perfect combination of privacy and healthful natural light and ventilation.

If you already have older glass or plastic bubble skylights, you can upgrade to the latest solar powered models, plus solar blinds, and receive a 30 percent federal tax credit on the products as well as installation costs.

You can even bring more natural light into rooms or areas without direct roof access, like half-baths, closets and hallways, with Sun Tunnel tubular skylights. Visit www.whyskylights. com to learn more.

2. Add Organization/Storage Clutter and chaos not only make a room function less efficiently, it can impact your mood as well. Adding organization and storage to rooms where clutter typically collects - such

COMMUNITY

as bedrooms, living rooms and game rooms - is an easy, cost-effective way to improve the function of the room and how you feel about spending time in it.

In bedrooms, maximize closet space by installing organization units. A variety of manufacturers offer ready-made units you can install yourself. Or, for a bit more investment, you can have a professional closet organizer custom-make a unit to fit your space and needs. In living rooms and game rooms, built-in shelving and cabinetry is a functional and beautiful way to improve organization.

3. Improve Ventilation Air flow is critical to the health of your home and everyone who lives in it. Ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms carries away excess moisture that can cause mold and mildew, and creates a fresher, more healthful environment by exhausting stale indoor air.

Bathrooms should be equipped with exhaust fans, and kitchen hoods should vent to the exterior of your home whenever possible. You can further improve ventilation by installing Energy Star-qualified, solar-powered fresh-air skylights, like those made by Velux. Because these skylights open, they provide passive ventilation to allow stale indoor air to escape and admit fresh air. A sensor operates a motor to close the skylights automatically in case of rain.

4. Replace Older, Inefficient Fixtures and Appliances Fixtures and appliances are key elements of kitchens and bathrooms.

Older ones not only look dated and shabby, they can cost you money because they use more electricity and water than newer, more efficient models.

Replacing old faucets, shower heads, dishwashers and washing ma-

chines with newer models that use less water can reduce your water bill and give kitchens and bathrooms a whole new look. Energy Star-qualified appliances such as stoves, clothes dryers, refrigerators and washers also use less electricity than older appliances, so you can also lower your energy bills.

5. Freshen the Foundations Every room benefits from a good foundation, and that doesn’t just mean sturdy flooring. Wall color, flooring materials and trim are fundamental elements in any room. Simply repainting walls and woodwork can completely change the way any room looks. Or, if you like the colors you have, a fresh coat in the same color will make the room look brighter and newer. Replacing worn carpeting or dated tiles, or refinishing a hardwood floor are also great ways to improve the foundations of any room.■February - March 2016

33

COMMUNITY

Fishing for a Healthy Meal? Seafood is a smart choice

W

hen it comes to mealtime, are you thinking fish? You should! Fish is the premiere natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are not naturally produced by the body and, therefore, must come from food. If you’re an expecting or breastfeeding mom, it’s even more important to eat fish because it’s a vital staple for optimal brain and eye development in babies, as well as brain and heart health for moms.

Eating two to three servings of fish each week has also been shown to have a positive effect on developing babies’ and children’s IQs. Unfortunately, many mothers avoid eating fish based on fears associated with misinformation.

“Years ago, there were concerns that trace amounts of mercury in fish could be harmful, but, actually, hundreds of peer-reviewed studies show the health benefits of eating fish are real and the powerful nutrients in fish outweigh any potential concerns,” says Jennifer McGuire, MS, RD. “In fact, at a time when people are told to limit many foods, including popular proteins, seafood is among the handful of foods Americans are encouraged to eat more of for their health.

Seafood is a satisfying and affordable source of protein that is easy to incorporate into meals twice a week.”

According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, healthy eating patterns should include at least 8 ounces - or two servings - per week of a variety of seafood because it is an important part of eating patterns that contribute to a healthy heart and weight. Seafood also provides powerful nutrients including brain-building omega-3 fatty acids, protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, iron and selenium.

In addition, eating seafood during pregnancy contributes to better health for babies.

Currently, the average American eats about half of the recommended amount of seafood, and the average momto-be eats less than a quarter of the recommended amount

34

wjwomen.com

“

Fish is so versatile, you can easily add it to pasta, rice, tacos or a scrumptious salad, like this easy-to-make farro, tuna and fennel salad with crumbled feta.” each week. If you’re not eating as much fish as you should, don’t worry - making a shift to add more seafood to your diet is easier than you think. Just substitute fish for meat, such as in a taco, or add it to a pasta dish. Fish can be the main course of a quick weeknight dinner, a pack-ahead lunch or even a weekend brunch. Fish is so versatile, you can easily add it to pasta, rice, tacos or a scrumptious salad, like this easy-to-make farro, tuna and fennel salad with crumbled feta.■

COMMUNITY

Farro, Tuna and Fennel

Salad w/Crumbled Feta Ingredients

1/2 cup farro, uncooked

1 (5-oz.) can tuna, drained 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/2 large bulb fennel, cut in half, cored and sliced very thin 2 generous handfuls baby arugula 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Zest of 1/2 lemon 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation 1. Cook farro according to package directions. Drain well if any cooking water remains.

2. Transfer farro to a large bowl. Add tuna (flake with a fork), chickpeas, fennel, arugula, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin and salt. Toss well.

3. Spoon into a shallow serving bowl or small platter and sprinkle feta over the top.

That’s it! A quick, easy recipe that serves as a lunch or a light supper for four or as a side dish for six with just 310 calories and 12 grams of fat. It boasts 18 grams of protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids, too. To learn more about the benefits of seafood and find other healthy, easy recipes you can enjoy every day, visit GetRealAboutSeafood.com.■February - March 2016

35

COMMUNITY

36

wjwomen.com

Vegan Gluten Free

Sweet Potato Loaf Ingredients 2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour 2½ tsp. organic cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. sea salt 1¾ cups coconut sugar ¾ cup vegetable oil 3 large eggs *( golden flax seed can be used as an egg replacer) 1 tsp. almond extract 3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and grated (about 8 sweet potatoes) Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Spray loaf pan with nonstick baking spray.

3. In a large bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and sea salt.

4. In a separate large bowl, beat coconut sugar, oil, eggs and almond extract. Add sweet potato; mix well. Combine with dry ingredients and mix well.

5. Transfer batter into baking pan. Bake for 1 hour.

6. Remove from oven, cool for 15 minutes, serve and enjoy.■ February - March 2016

37

COMMUNITY

38

wjwomen.com

Vegan Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

1 can chilled, full fat coconut milk 2 tbs Chatfield’s carob powder 2 tbs organic agave nectar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract raspberries or strawberries on top

Preparation 1. Chill the can of coconut milk overnight (at least 8 hours) to cause the cream and liquid to separate.

2. Remove can of coconut milk from refrigerator, turn upside down, and pour off the clear liquid at the top.

3. Scoop the cream into a bowl and whisk till it turns to a whip.

4. Blend the coconut cream, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and agave nectar until completely smooth.

Refrigerator 1 hour. Top with raspberries or strawberries and delight.■

Learn to prepare healthy food that taste good.

Take a Cooking Class ...It’s Fun!

GoCooKVEGAN 301-887-7901

www.gocookvegan.com Register@gocookvegan.com www.facebook.com/gocookvegan February - March 2016

39

8 COMMUNITY

Homeowner Dilemmas Solved With 1 Simple Fix

“

U

Did you guess that the one home improvement to take care of many of the dilemmas in your home is - ta da! an automatic rolling shutter!”

nless you are the latest lottery winner or Queen of England (thank you for reading, your Majesty), you try to make your home improvements really count, and sometimes have to choose one upgrade over another. What if we told you there is a rather quick improvement that will take care of eight issues around the house, all at once?

Now sit back, read along and see how many of these common problems apply to you. If there are some you haven’t considered before - rejoice - there is your bonus! We’ll then reveal the one simple fix.

Your savings, or lack of thereof With bright sun comes warmth, which can be very welcome during the cold winter months. But in the summer it can wreak havoc on your AC. Do you feel like you want to cry a little (or a lot) every time your energy bill comes?

Surely you have better ideas for spending that money. This solution can help you lower those pesky bills and fill that piggy bank.

40

wjwomen.com

Your privacy Unless your house is naturally private, say perched on a hill or with no neighbors for miles; you probably crave some privacy. This mystery improvement can help right away. Similarly, when you want to take in the view, it will quietly and quickly disappear.

Your Sunday football viewing Who doesn’t love big windows that bring in tons of light?

This is until sun glare makes you miss the winning touchdown. Sunshine makes us happy - it is a scientific fact - but too much sun isn’t good, neither for your skin nor your possessions. If you want to prevent the glare and the damaging UV rays from entering your home, there is one easy answer.

Your spooky shadows Big, bare windows are wonderful during the day with light streaming in, but what about at night? Bid goodbye to big, black windows in the evening and don’t be scared of who or what may be lurking in the darkness.

COMMUNITY

Your safety Do you live in an area where the weather can be tricky?

Or on a golf course, where the golf balls are flying dangerously? With this mystery improvement you can protect your home from the weather and your window glass from flying objects!

Have you guessed what improvement are we talking about yet? Either way keep reading, as it gets even better.

By now you’ve surely have guessed what we are talking about. But before we reveal the solution, let us stun you with one more benefit.

By using our home improvement champion you can lower your homeowners insurance!

Your security This improvement can not only hurricane-proof your home, but can also help make it burglar proof. Did you know 22 percent of all residential break-ins happen via back doors - The same beloved French patio doors you just had to have and enjoy every day? If you think we want to push “prison style” security bars, think twice. This solution is just as stylish as it is functional.

Finally, the answer Did you guess that the one home improvement to take care of many of the dilemmas in your home is - ta da! - an automatic rolling shutter!

They are also known as European shutters, as they are widely popular in Europe. Somfy motorized rolling shutters can be integrated into walls and soffits in new construction, or can be easily attached to existing structures. They are easily controlled from the inside via switches, remotes, automatic sensors, timers or by the myLink app via your smartphone, whether you are home or away.

Your snooze time If you are a daytime sleeper, light sleeper or just want to sleep in on a weekend, you know how annoying outside noise and light can be. You can create a perfect sleeping environment at the touch of a button.

P.S. We do have one more benefit up our sleeve: bragging rights! Showing your new shutter smoothly roll up and down your doors or windows is truly a conversation piece.

We all know the saying “killing two birds with one stone.”

How about getting a whole bunch all at once?■ February - March 2016

41

THE WEIGHT LOSS COACH Get slim and tone in 30 days Enjoy our delicious food or enjoy your own food!

Weekly program $80

Stay slim and trim full body wrap $125 Vitamin detoxification body-rub $50 Baltimore, DC and Virginia location

1-877-333-4561

Women’s Wellness Group Meeting Every Wednesday Night

Talk to medical professionals about your health ● Feeling sluggish, and tired? Wake up feeling energized ● Stubborn areas of fat? Shrink tummy fat without surgery ● Loose skin and wrinkles? Look younger Spider Veins? ● Love your legs again Attend a free seminar to find out how we may be able to help ...

RSVP 1-877-333-4561 42

wjwomen.com

give your child the best possible Special Part-Time Hours & Learning Curriculum

head start!

From Toddler to Greatness, Be Part of Something Special • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Featuring: An age appropiate pre-school curriculum, Ages 2 - 12 Years Pre-school age children & Full Day Kindergarten Pre-Math Pre-Reading young achievers academy Spanish/Sign Language early learning center Music & Art Kids Science 6801 Annapolis Road, Landover Hills, MD 20784 Pre-Academic Skills 301-773-6100 Field Trips Hours of Operation: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM Computers Language Development Breakfast & PM Snacks Social Interaction Gymnastics Much More Spanish inclusion program

School Age Program Now Enrolling for Glenridge, Cooper Lane, Woodridge & Port Town Elementary Schools

Registration Fee

$55

Regularly $75

5th Week Tuition FREE

Siblings Discount

$10

OFF

Oldest Child

Regularly 5% OFF

Celebrating NEW female executives Women in profile

special $150

Honor your employees in our professionals in profile section

Post a 150 word quarter page bio

for $199

February - March 2016

43

Magic Benz Services USA, LLC

Mercedes-Benz Specialist Up to 40% OFF dealer prices 100% Satisfaction Labor Guarantee

By Appointment Only

GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY DISCOUNTS

Tuning ● Collision ● Detailing ● Brakes Call for an appointment

(301)985-2676

301.367.5020 / 240.342.0607 4716 Baltimore Ave ● Hyattsville, Md 20781

44

Monday - Saturday from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm / service@magicbenzservice.com

wjwomen.com

Your Business Card ad could be here for $100 For more information, contact the Women’s Journal at 866-517-5049

Doug Brooks 10903 Indian Head Hwy, Suite 305, Fort Washington, MD 20744

(301)292-8100

dougbrooks@allstate.com

February - March 2016

45

It is $38.99 for one year or $50.00 for two years

Mail your check or money order to: 8181 Professional Pl., Ste 206, Landover, MD 20785 Subscribe @ Womensjournalmd@gmail.com Blog: wojotalk.com

The Women’s Journal Newspaper is published bimonthly and is available free of charge, by subscription, display stands in approved private and public establishments and authorized distributors only. Trademark and U.S. Copyright Laws protect The Women’s Journal Newspaper. No part of this paper may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The Women’s Journal Newspaper is not responsible for any editorial comment (other than its own), typographical errors from advertisements submitted as camera ready or any reproductions of advertisements submitted as camera ready. If an advertisement does not meet our standards of acceptance, we may revise or cancel it at any time, whether or not it has been already acknowledged and/or previously published. The advertiser assumes sole responsibility for all statements contained in submitted copy and will protect and indemnify The Women’s Journal Newspaper, its owners, publishers, and employees, against any and all liability, 46

wjwomen.com

loss or expense arising out of claims for libel, unfair trade names, patents, copyrights and propriety rights, and all violations of the right of privacy or other violations resulting from the publication of this newspaper or its advertising copy. The Publisher shall be under no liability for failure, for any reason, to insert an advertisement. The Publisher shall not be liable by reason of error, omission and/or failure to insert any part of an advertisement. The Publisher will not be liable for delay or failure in performance in publication and/or distribution if all or any portion of an issue is delayed or suspended for any reason. The Publisher will exercise reasonable judgment in these instances and will make adjustments for the advertiser where and when appropriate.

The Women’s Journal Newspaper assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or reproductions made by advertisers.This newspaper will be published by the 15th of every other month. Representations by The Women’s Journal™ READERSHIP 250,000

New Year Goal: Take Charge of YOUR Money!

Are you ready to “take charge” of your money? Here are some tips to help you get started. Cheers to the New Year and to your new financial goals!

Understand Where You Are Now - Find your starting point. Take stock of your financial situation, which entails identifying of all your income resources and outstanding debt. Taking stock also means that you calculate your net worth: What You Own – What You Owe = Net Worth Once you calculate your net worth, you’ll have an idea of what your current financial picture looks like. As you are paying off debt, your net worth should increase each year. Review your net worth once a year to monitor your progress.

Know Where You Want to Go - Put your goals in writing and separate them into short-, medium-, and long-term goals. Most importantly, make each goal a “S.M.A.R.T.” goal, which means it should be Specific, Measurable, Adjustable, Realistic, and Time-Oriented…S.M.A.R.T! Discover Where Your Money Goes - Identify where your money is going by tracking your expenses for up to 4 weeks. Carry a pad and pen with you or keep all of your receipts from each week. At the end of the month, look at where you are spending your money. Look at cash, checks, and automatic transfers from your account. Tracking your spending helps you locate spending “leaks” – areas where money is leaking from your pocket – so you can plug them.

Create Your Spending Plan - You know where you are, where you want to go, and where your money is going. Now it’s time to create your spending plan (or adjust your old one) and take charge of your money. Making a spending plan is easy. Just subtract all of your expenses from your income.

Make Saving a Habit for Life - Make saving a priority rather than an afterthought. As you take charge of your money, saving money should be considered an expense, just like other bills. Save for something specific, like your emergency fund, a yearly vacation, a home purchase, or retirement and have money automatically transferred into an Andrews Federal savings account.

Live Within Your Means - If your expenses exceed your income, you charge more each month than you pay off, or you’re not saving toward your goals, you are, in fact, living beyond your means and cheating yourself out of making the most of your money.

At Andrews Federal Credit Union, we have a site dedicated to protecting our members from being victims of potential fraud.

Visit www.andrewsfcu.org to find out more information on how to protect yourself this holiday season, and all year long.

Andrews Federal Wants to be Your Financial Partner

Did you know you don’t have to be active or retired military to become a member of Andrews Federal Credit Union. In fact, if you live, work or worship in Washington, D.C., you are eligible to join today!

View our entire list of eligibility requirements by visiting andrewsfcu.org/join. For more information, call 800.487.5500 or visit your nearest Andrews Federal branch location.

February - March 2016

47

Take a Cooking Class ...It’s Fun!

GoCooK VEGAN Learn to prepare healthy food that taste good

Cooking Classes $35 NEW LOCATION

Near Arundel Mills Mall

Classes also available in DC & MD

301-887-7901

www.gocookvegan.com Register@gocookvegan.com www.facebook.com/gocookvegan