What Do "Rethinking Drinking" and "How to Improve Brain Function in Older Adults" Have in Common?

B'SD


29 Kislev 5770


Interesting question up there, huh?

Here's the answer: Both topics are being addressed by medical researchers today because new information about better solutions for the future is available.

"Rethinking Drinking" is the title of a meeting taking place among National Institutes of Health researchers today. Other medical researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health are advising the public about "How to Improve Brain Function in Older Adults" in their press releases today.

About the bubbly: NIH doctors will answer some questions about holiday drinking in light of recent research regarding:

-- Who is at risk of negative outcomes from drinking and why?

-- Where does risk kick in?

-- Does at-risk drinking indicate that the drinker is an alcoholic?

-- How can holiday party guests and hosts recognize risky drinking patterns and prevent short- and long-term consequences of alcohol abuse?

For more information from The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the primary U.S. agency for conducting and supporting research on the causes, consequences, prevention, and treatment of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol problems, see http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/.

I'm confident that we'll be

learning of their remarks

before New Year's weekend.

Now, on to full inclusion in society for all generations:

The Hopkins folks indicate that " Volunteer service, such as tutoring children, can help older adults delay or reverse declining brain function, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers found that seniors participating in a youth mentoring program made gains in key brain regions that support cognitive abilities important to planning and organizing one's daily life. The study is the first of its kind to demonstrate that valuable social service programs, such as Experience Corps -- a program designed to both benefit children and older adults' health -- can have the added benefits of improving the cognitive abilities of older adults, enhancing their quality of life. The study is published in the December issue of the Journals of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.


"We found that participating in Experience Corps resulted in improvements in cognitive functioning and this was associated with significant changes in brain activation patterns," said lead investigator Michelle C. Carlson, PhD, associate professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Mental Health and Center on Aging and Health. "Essentially the intervention improved brain and cognitive function in these older adults."

"As life expectancies increase, it's important, from a public health standpoint, to delay the onset of diseases associated with aging," said senior author Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH, dean of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. "This study suggests that new kinds of roles for older adults in our aging society can be designed as a win-win, for addressing important societal needs, such as our children's success, and simultaneously the health and well-being of the older volunteers themselves."

OK, readers, you know what to do (even if you must make repeated efforts to succeed): Stock up on delicious, satisfying beverages that don't threaten to ruin or end lives, and seek creative opportunities for including every generation in fulfilling, enjoyable activities. EVERYONE involved can benefit from that!

EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical (and Social!) Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

The Secret to Greatness is HOW You Respond to a Challenge

B'SD


28 Kislev 5770


The lessons in this Aish HaTorah Chanuka video are profound on many levels.





EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

The Healing Power of Music

B'SD

27 Kislev 5770



Oooohh, I am hearing from people and medical/mental health professionals about emotional pain at the holiday season. I suggest that you strenghten your mind and soul with the Healing Power of Music before and after that becomes necessary.

If you want another mind-developing lesson about Hanuka/Chanuka click on Rebbetzin Shira Smiles on Chanukah. I hope it fills you with inner strength.

Simple. Memorable. Inviting to look at. Fun to read. Filled with can-do ideas about coping with medical issues: EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

A GEM of a Holiday Show!

B'SD

26 Kislev 5770


Being cheerful at this time of year is one of the hardest things for people facing illness. My coaching work focuses on overcoming the usual obstacles. Here is a GEM of a hopeful message about a universe filled with surprises, hidden and to-be-realized blessings:

The 3-Day Geminid Meteor Shower Begins Tonight!

Catch a falling star in your sights in this evening's sky, and ponder the personal possibilities. Then, make a choice to EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

(sorry about the date gaffes in some recent posts. Blogger and I are at odds about the time zone I live in, let alone that the Jewish day begins at sundown. The dates on my blogposts sometimes seem a bit kerflooey though I try to adjust things behind the scenes ;^ )

To your optimal health,

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Clinical Trials for HIV adults amd H1N1 Vaccine

B'SD

25 Kislev 5770

Important news for people with HIV:

HIV-infected adults currently are being recruited to participate in a clinical trial of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. The study, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health, will enroll approximately 240 men and women between the ages of 18 and 64.

"People with suppressed immunity caused by conditions such as HIV infection are at increased risk of serious illness from 2009 H1N1 influenza, and should be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus," says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

"However, such immune suppression may hamper the response to influenza vaccines," Dr. Fauci adds. "While people with HIV infection are a high-priority group to receive 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, the optimal dosage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine for people with HIV infection has not been determined through clinical trials. This study will help address that gap in knowledge."

All study participants will receive two doses of an inactivated 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, administered approximately 21 days apart. The vaccine is manufactured by Novartis. Half of the volunteers will receive two 15-microgram doses and the other half two 30-microgram doses of the vaccine.

Within each dosage group, volunteers will be further divided into two groups based on their CD4+ T-cell levels. CD4+ T cells are infection-fighting white blood cells that are targeted by HIV. Healthy people usually have between 800 and 1,200 CD4+ T cells per milliliter of blood. Over time, most people with HIV show a drop in CD4+ T-cell counts, though antiretroviral therapy can help restore them to healthy levels.

Get the whole story at

NIAID TRIAL OF 2009 H1N1 INFLUENZA VACCINE

ENROLLING HIV-POSITIVE ADULTS

The trial is being conducted at six sites, including these five NIAID-funded Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Saint Louis University, Mo.; University of Iowa, Iowa City; and University of Maryland, Baltimore. The University of Washington, Seattle, also is participating in the trial.

Get additional details about this study at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ and at Novartis H1N1.

Learn about other National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health activities, especially about earlier trials, that began in October, enrolling HIV-infected pregnant women and children and young adults with HIV too.

~*~

The soothing suggestions and Global Resources section for low-cost or free items ill people need are why so many medical and mental health therapists recommend my book.

No matter the diagnosis, you can probably find something to help you in E-book, EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Have a SAFE Chanuka!

B'SD

24 Kislev 5770

Here in Israel we're several hours closer to the start of (spell it as you wish ;^ ) Hanuka, Chanuka.

The emphasis on involving little children with the candle-lighting (a total of 36 lights made of olive oil or wax candles for the entire holiday) is a safety concern. So is the reality of a candelabra burning for hours as tykes run around with excitement at the pretty sight, the parties, pretty gift paper and new presents.

I suggest that you visit the Jewish Fire Prevention site. It has special pages dedicated to childen, parents and teachers.

Want to learn more about Eight Days of Light? See Aish.com's Chanukah Reader. Thought-provoking 36.org is part of Rabbi Pinchas Winston's magnum opus about the deeper meanings of Chanukah and its implications for the future.

In Hebrew we say "Chag Urim Sameach," may your holiday be filled with (spiritual) light." Happy Hanuka everybody. May your holiday be filled with optimal health, too.

EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Lose the Milk Mustache to Improve Your Health!

B'SD

23 Kislev 5770


Know anyone wondering why they can't conceive? Why they have breast cancer? Why their bones break so much? Why they have so much gas and digestive disturbance? The answers might be in this video.



I've reviewed books other than the one mentioned above. Written by medical researchers, they point to the same problem: animal milk is good for animals. Tampered milk, filled with synthetic hormones and other man-made chemicals, isn't good for anything.

A woman who eats lots of calcium-filled leafy greens and exercises regularly, I have proof from orthopedic specialists that my bones will NEVER be at risk for osteoporosis. And I had not set out to prove anything. I only ended my milk intake due to its poor affect on my respiratory system.

Moooo-oove the milk carton AWAY. Lose the Milk Mustache to IMPROVE Your Health!

EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life