By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they can experience a phenomenon similar to the female menopause, called andropause. Unlike women, men do not have a clear-cut sign such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this transition; however, both are identified by a drop in hormone levels. Estrogen in the female and testosterone in the male. Men have bodily changes that occur gradually and may be accompanied by changes in mood, a loss of energy, fatigue, physical stamina and sex drive. A recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) tested androgen levels in males throughout their life and found that by the age of 70, androgen levels were only 10 percent of what they were at age 25.

What’s more, studies show that this decline in testosterone can actually put one at risk for other health problems, such as heart disease and loss of bone density. Perhaps the most troubling symptom associated with low testosterone is sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. In fact, one study reported that 52% of men between 40 and 70 years of age were impotent.
Since the “transition” in men is typically much more gradual and expands over many decades, most men find it difficult to recognize and/or admit that there is even a problem. Attitude, stress, alcohol dependency, injuries or surgery, medications, and obesity can substantially contribute to the reduction of the total testosterone level.

Andropause if often under diagnosed because symptoms can be vague and may vary among individuals. But this situation is changing. The utilization of a questionnaire and the availability of saliva and blood testing methods have made andropause much easier to diagnose and treat. In many instances, testosterone replacement can be highly effective and beneficial. More promising therapeutic options are available now than ever before. Transdermal preparations (of testosterone) are very effective in delivering desired doses because they have good bioavailability and can be well absorbed. Exercise, dietary changes, stress reduction and nutritional supplements have also been found to be effective. As a result of education and proper selection of therapeutic options, andropause may one day be the least concern of aging men.

You’ve started a workout plan. You’re eating right, and exercising as much as possible, so why is the scale not budging?

One of the biggest issues with starting a diet and exercise plan is overestimating the calories burned during exercise, and underestimating the intake of your total daily calories. This can actually keep your body at a plateau or worse, cause you to gain weight.

The best way to keep track of your daily meals is by writing them down. Get a journal or use an online tool such as www.livingstrong.com. Writing your food down has been known to speed up the weight loss process. Foods can be deceiving. It could be as small as adding extra butter, drinking another soda, or pouring too much dressing on your salad that could cause you to pack on the pounds.

When exercising, you want to make sure you are working out to your full potential. Taking a twenty-minute stroll around the neighborhood is good, but if you’re looking to change your physique, then you need to add more strenuous activity to your workout. Interval training is a great way to burn the most amount of calories in the least amount of time. By adding a few three minute bouts of high intensity exercises (ex. jumping jacks, jump rope, running, or walking fast) into their normal workout routine. This will challenge your muscles and burn fat more efficiently while helping to eliminate boredom.

The bottom line: If you expend more calories then you consume, you will lose weight. Be aware of the foods you eat, and make the most out of your workouts.

Statistics in the United States show that 80% of women complain of PMS (premenstrual syndrome); 80-90% peri-menopausal symptoms; and 75-85% complain of menopausal symptoms. In most hospitals, gynecological and breast surgery are the most common surgeries performed. Thus, I believe, women overall need to take more preventative action and know their options for bettering their hormonal health.

Often the market communicates to the public misnomers about hormone management. Women, however, intuitively recognize there must be something better. Joan Borysensko, PhD said it best in that “women have an innate sense of spirituality and an ability to attune to the wisdom within themselves and the larger whole that has been systematically ignored by medicine.”

Commonly, the medical society prescribes patentable synthetic products for gynecological related symptoms. Why is this? Often it is because “the problem with popular thinking is that it doesn’t require you to think at all” clarifies Kevin Myers. We all have a tendency to do what those around us do in medicine.

Did you now there is good quality research done routinely on natural BHRT (bio-identical hormone replacement therapy)? BHRT offers some properties for anti-aging and is safe. For example, focus on natural progesterone. It promotes normal cell differentiation and death of excess estrogen; thus it prevents some female cancers. Progesterone decreases estrogen induced mitosis; thus it decreases the spread of estrogen-type cancers. It also promotes gestation; thus it helps women get and stay pregnant. Progesterone is known to increase libido (sex drive), is a natural diuretic, antidepressant, thermogenic, and it helps balance sugar in the body, which uses stored fat and helps us lose weight. Sounds good? Well everything in moderation and in balance with regards to other hormones is the key. Each hormone serves their purpose.

Are you given options that are natural and safe when given medical prescriptions? Are your hormones being measured by your medical provider? Are you taught ways to better your hormonal health on your own? At our office at North Texas Family Medicine, we take pride in treating each woman with uniqueness, patience, and thoroughness.

change: (\‘chanj\) verb. To transform or convert. To become different. To become altered or modified.

Change can be good or bad but when it comes to your appearance, you always want to make sure that any change you accomplish works in your favor. Hair can make or break a person’s appearance and sometimes getting a new haircut is the ultimate way to improve your overall look. But can a new haircut actually make a drastic change in your life?

Great haircuts have been known to completely transform a person’s look. How many times have you seen a makeover where the complete change in hair color and cut made the person look like someone entirely different? It’s no secret that when we get a new haircut, something sparks, causing us to receive a boost in confidence and a new swagger to our walk. Sometimes a change in the way we wear our hair is strong enough to impact our personality and attitude.

If you’re looking for a new haircut and embrace change consult a professional hair stylist at HeadRush the Salon. During your visit be sure to take note of how to maintain your new look and what hair care products you’ll need to keep your style salon-fresh. Visit our website and see which stylist is right for you. If you have been to us before, we encourage stylist change within our salon to promote client satisfaction. You may be surprised by how many waves you’ll cause once you step out rocking your new haircut!

I love when a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be repeated experience comes my way. Some special moments happen by chance like the summer I visited Washington, D.C. Somehow the secret service overlooked me when they kicked everyone out of Arlington Cemetery. By the time the men in shades realized their mistake, a limousine had stopped by the curb. “Just stay put,” a dark-suited man whispered. I obeyed and stood front-and-center for a private ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A man climbed out of the limo, marched down the white path, and knelt with a wreath to honor America’s heroes. After a moment of silence, the man raised his bowed head and my eyes met those of President Ronald Reagan.

Not all unique experiences occur serendipitously like my encounter with the President. Some are planned events that we pursue and make happen. On Saturday August 1st, we have the opportunity to experience a singular sensation. The new toll-bridge spanning Lake Lewisville will open for a one-time pedestrian event. A 5k race will begin at 8:00 a.m. followed by a family fun-walk at 10:00 a.m. Ron Marszalek, volunteer coordinator for Run Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge, states “This is a one time deal. We’ll never have pedestrians on the bridge again.”

The race is limited to the first 2500 registrants. Participants will wear keepsake timing chips and be eligible for awards for various men/women divisions. Register online: www.runlltb.com. Walkers can enter the bridge until 11:00 a.m. Families, kids, and strollers are welcome, no pets please. Donation of a non-perishable food item will be collected from participants.

The Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club (www.dcyc.org), a sponsor for this event, has arranged for a flotilla of private yachts to parade under the arch while runners and walkers pass overhead. Vendors and music will be on hand.

You can also make a difference for those in need. Event planners launched the Run Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge as a charity fund-raiser, with all proceeds donated to Communities in Schools of North Texas, Little Elm Area Food Bank and Lake Cities Food Pantry. Mark your calendars for August 1st and experience a landmark occasion.

Run the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge
August 1, 2009 • 8 am until noon

The LLTB corridor is approximately 13.8 miles and creates an east-west connection between I-35E and the Dallas North Tollway. It includes improvements to the portions of roadway that follow existing western and eastern arterials near Lewisville Lake. The corridor is divided into eight sections, with Section 2 designated as the toll bridge.

Participate in this historical opportunity to run across the new Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge prior to being open. The City of Lake Dallas, Town of Little Elm, Denton County, TxDOT, and NTTA will host a 5K run and Family Fun Walk across the bridge. Come be a part of history as we celebrate the much anticipated bridge across Lewisville Lake!

Sponsorship as well as many volunteers are needed. The 5k race is limited to the first 2500 registrants, $30 entry fee, ergister online. The Family Fun Walk begins at 10 am, please bring a food item to donate.

Access to the bridge will only be possible on the Lake Dallas side, where parking is limited. Visit the website for a printable map of parking areas and shuttle schedules. Shuttles will bring participants to the staging area. Volunteers for manning water stations, t-shirt distribution, set-up and break-down can register online. Event planners anticipate 10,000 participants, so there’s a huge need for volunteers.

http://www.runlltb.com

Gallery Nights at OXIDE Gallery are about more than being just a hip new cocktail party hanging with your friends and enjoying great foods catered by Carino’s Italian restaurant, it’s about local North Texas artists and the artwork they create! The first Tuesday of every month OXIDE Gallery holds their version of an opening art reception where they showcase artwork created by our local artists living in Denton County and the North Texas area. But the art is not the only thing on display. The artists themselves are also there for you to meet and discuss their artwork, creative processes and everything else you wish to know about art!

The philosophy behind this is simple… art is about inspiration, emotion and about making a connection with something that inspires us. Gallery Nights are all about connecting people to art, and there is no better way to do this than to allow you the rare chance to talk with the artists that created the pieces of artwork that you are feeling a connection to and finding out from them what it was that inspired them to create it!

You don’t have to be an artist or know anything about art to talk about it, ask about it, and find out what it took to create it. That’s what this night is for, to give everyone the chance to get inside the mind of the artist and see a piece of artwork through their eyes. Once you learn how your favorite and even least favorite pieces of artwork were created and the thoughts and creative processes the different artists use to achieve them you will never look at artwork the same way again.