Elaine

One of the most common questions I get from women who are newly diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome is Will I ever get pregnant? I have not been able to find specific studies regarding fertility and PCOS-likely because it is so hard to track those who are successful in getting pregnant without medical intervention. One source said that women with PCOS have an 80-90 percent chance of having a baby, but I was unable to find any research studies to back this up. While some women with polycystic ovarian syndrome will not be able to get pregnant, I believe that the majority can and do eventually have healthy babies.

First, 5-10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS. If their symptoms are mild they are often undiagnosed. If they have even one child, many physicians will say they can not have PCOS. This is ridiculous if you look at the diagnostic criteria. The most common criteria for diagnosis include a failure to ovulate regularly. However, for many women this means they have long cycles (35 days or longer in many cases) but they DO ovulate.

Some women with PCOS have unhealthy eggs because their periods are too far apart, in many cases this is correctable with herbs, diet or drugs. Many women with PCOS also have a thyroid condition. Frequently, if this is treated they begin to ovulate. Many women with PCOS have frequent miscarriages, but they eventually have a healthy babyoften with the help of progesterone cream or suppositories. Some women find that losing weight, taking vitex or other herbs, or reducing stress cause them to begin ovulating (for me it was all three!). Some learn to detect ovulation through cervical mucus and basal body temperatures (BBT or temperature charting). Again, these women often have healthy babies without medical intervention.

It is hard to know how many women with PCOS become pregnant without help since many women are first diagnosed with PCOS because they are having trouble getting pregnant. Often metformin or other insulin-sensitizing drugs work wonders and they are able to get pregnant and carry a baby to term.

The fact is, only a small percentage of women with PCOS ever make it to the stage of trying fertility drugs. Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is often the first drug of choice since it is cheap and easy to take. I did find studies indicating that Clomid alone works for 70% of women with PCOS. Other women find that they need Clomid and metformin or stronger fertility drugs. The success rate tends to drop a bit as time passes and stronger methods are tried, but the bottom line is that most women who have PCOS and want children have them.

Even for those who are told they will never succeed at getting and staying pregnant, there is much reason to hope. Several close friends of mine have surprised themselves and their doctors by getting pregnant after years of infertility. Lisa adopted three children and then found herself pregnant in her late 30s. It seems that for many women their PCOS symptoms mellow out as they get older. Anne went to the doctor to find out why she was infertile after several years of marriageshe was 3 already months pregnant and boy number two followed just 15 months later. Susan had three miscarriages and was told she would never carry a baby to term. Four months later she was pregnant with her daughter and her son is two years younger. Barb got pregnant when she was not even thinking of fertility and now counts herself extremely blessed to have two healthy boys.

I know many women who have done everything possible to get pregnant, even IVF, and have not succeeded. But the majority of women with PCOS DO get pregnant. There is even more reason to hope for the young women who are just now learning they have PCOS. First, they are more likely to be diagnosed at all. This means many women will be diagnosed who would have been overlooked ten or fifteen years ago when my generation was first beginning the march from doctor to doctor looking for answers. We know so much more than we did then. Treatments, both natural and medical, are much, much better than ever. In addition, being diagnosed now means they have the chance to prevent much of the physical and emotional trauma older women have experienced because our doctors just didnt know how to help us.

My advice to any particular woman is to do all you can to increase your fertility (see my other articles and my books for more information about this). Then do your best to relax and let your body work. The odds are with you in the long run.

Julie Renee Callaway is a life coach specializing in helping women cope with PCOS, infertility and other health issues. You can get a free newsletter about PCOS at http://www.pcoscoach.com

Oregon is one of the most marvelous places in the world. Blessed with a variety of climates, landscapes, cultural diversity, tourist attractions, beautiful cities and friendly people can make the wedding day fantasies of any couple come true.

Why would a couple want to travel to a far away place to celebrate their wedding day? The answer is fantasy, an intimate celebration, and the opportunity to travel to an exotic place and enjoy something different.

Some of the most popular destination places for weddings in Oregon include:

Portland, the City of the Roses, is a very friendly green city of temperate climate, surrounded by beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests. It offers great vineyards, wonderful attractions, monumental buildings, shopping centers, beautiful gardens, museums, farmer markets, beer brewing festivals, ethnic restaurants, skiing, museums, a unique zoo, etc.

A few miles from Portland is the Columbia River Gorge one of the most marvelous and scenic attractions in the world with breathtaking views, windsurfing, hiking, and the place of Multnomah Falls the most famous waterfall attraction in Oregon. Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is only 50 miles north of Portland. The monument offers an opportunity to marvel at destruction and at Nature's recovery

Eugene, a city with heart and spirit voted several times as one the best places to live in the US. The city offers wonderful music and cultural festivals, museums, awesome wineries and vineyards, markets, ethnic foods, great golf courses, beautiful parks and friendly people.

Corvallis, the heart of the Willamette Valley is the city with the highest educated population in the world. It is conveniently located one hour from the Oregon Coast and it is surrounded by beautiful forests, vineyards, and parks.

The Oregon Coast is a prime destination for weddings in Oregon. Its natural beauty is second to none. There are so many attractions along the Oregon Coast that it would take a lifetime to see all of them. These include lighthouses, museums, art galleries, historical centers, casinos, parks, trails, horseback riding, shopping centers, whale watching, fishing expeditions, surfing, shopping centers, the Oregon Marine Aquarium, etc.

The coastal cities of Astoria, Tillamook, Cannon Beach, Depoe Bay, Newport, Yachats, Coos Bay, Florence, Brookings, Waldport, Seaside, Lincoln City, just to name a few, offer beautiful and unique attractions. Any couple planning a wedding at the Oregon Coast will never be disappointed.

Central Oregon is the home of Bend, Sunriver, Prineville, Madras, Sisters, La Pine, and Warm Springs. The area offers great attraction including exhibits of Regional Native American History, museums, resorts, golf courses, trails, skiing, parks, lakes, camping, rafting, shopping centers, gift stores, fishing, hiking, etc. The perfect climate of the area along with the many attractions makes it an ideal destination.

For outdoor weddings the peak wedding season in Oregon happens between May and October. Many couples plan their wedding to coincide with major festivals and local celebrations such as the Portland Rose Festival or the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. Due to the diverse attractions, beauty, and climate of the state any time of the year is a good time for a destination wedding in beautiful Oregon.

Juan Carlos Torres is a very respected and awarded wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. He is a member of the several professional photographer organizations including the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of Oregon, the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and the Oregon Wedding Photo Guild. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines.

For a sample of his works please visit Eugene Oregon Wedding Photographer and Portland Oregon Wedding Photographer

For a discussion on wedding photography see our Blog at Salem Oregon Wedding Photographer

Liquid diets are usually a temporary form of diet advised before a surgery takes place. The liquid diets fall in to two categories. One is a low calorie liquid diet and the other a meal replacement liquid diet.

The low calorie liquid diet is practiced under strict medical supervision only. This diet provides on an average about five hundred to eight hundred calories a day. This is normally a short-term diet plan, mostly recommended to those who have serious obesity problems and need to lose a lot of weight in a short span of time.

The meal replacement liquid diet replaces one or two whole meals with liquids. This type of liquid diet is offered to many people as an effective tool to reduce weight.

A liquid diet consists of fresh fruit juices or shakes. They are prepared keeping in mind nutritiously, along with sweeteners, sugar, skimmed milk and a good quantity of fiber, minerals and vitamins. Certain liquid diets also permit the consumption of solid or real food intake in proportional sizes.

There could also be certain disadvantages an individual encounters while on a liquid diet. The person may get very little fiber, and the important antioxidants present in whole fruits and grains may be left out. This will lead to having a low resistance to disease. Moreover, a liquid diet should be under medical supervision only. The weight lost during the intake of a liquid diet is rarely maintained, as such diets do not teach us to eat right long term. An individual should realize, that although liquid diet works, it is not recommended for everyone.

Diets provides detailed information on Diet, Diet Pills, Diet Programs, Diet Plans and more. Diets is affiliated with Herbal Diet Products.

You know the one we're talking about. It's the room you head to when your sister calls at 3:00 a.m. with a crying newborn and panic in her voice. It's the room where your kids visit with you after school and tell you all about their day. It's the room where your dearest friends gather for drinks, where your spouse makes you laugh after a long day, where you go to count your blessings, or to have a quiet cup of tea.

It's the room closest to your heart.

Every home has one. One room that family life seems to gravitate to for whatever reason. It doesn't have to be the most beautiful, the most comfortable, or even the most logical, but it's there. It could be the kitchen, the family room, or even your bedroom. You all just end up there somehow, talking and laughing and sharing experiences.

Whatever this magic room may be, you can turn it into a space more conducive for relaxing and spending time in with very little effort. The most important element is already there. The room has love and soul and character in place. All you need to add is the supporting cast.

If the kitchen is the heart of your home, look at what you do there. Cooking obviously, but what else? Is this where you bond with your closest friends, sharing coffee and laughter and cheering each other on? Do your children do their homework in there while you prepare dinner? Is this where Arts and Crafts time is? Do you and your spouse manage the household here in the evening, sharing a dessert?

Once you've taken a look at all the important events that are taking place here, you can better customize this space for your family.

If the kids do their homework at the dinner table, have a plastic bin stocked with supplies they might need such as a calculator, pens, pencils, paper, a ruler, construction paper, etc. Once homework is done this can be slid into a cabinet or tucked away until the next day. Backpacks can be hung on hooks with homework safely inside until the race for the bus begins the next morning.

This same rule can be applied for arts and crafts materials. Have all supplies tucked into a bin to make take out and cleanup a breeze.

If the family room is where you all end up, keep it stocked for family time. Keep games available so if a last-minute decision is made to delve into Monopoly for the evening's entertainment, you don't have to race through the house looking for it. Make sure the kids have some of their toys in an appropriate corner, so if you want to spend time with them, you can all play together. A family jigsaw puzzle corner might be fun.

Also look at the furniture. If the kids enjoy playing on the floor, is the layout conducive to that? Rearranging a bit might make it easier for them to zoom their cars around, or lay on the floor coloring.

Only you know how your family truly functions, so customizing a room to work better won't be hard to do. We're not talking major makeover here, but small touches you can add to make the room function just a little bit better. The fabric that makes up your family's life is being woven in this room, the soul of your home, and there's no better way to honor that than by devoting some energy to making it a better place to be.

Pat Brill is co-founder of http://www.SilkBow.com which supports Busy Moms with free gift ideas and helpful tips to meet the challenges of motherhood. She is also co-founder of http://www.WellnessArticles.net , a directory of articles covering many areas of wellness. You can reach Pat at pat@SilkBow.com.

Do you have relentless itchy skin? If so, you may be host to one or more types of skin parasites.

According to the experts there are several things to look for on your body to determine if you may be infected with skin parasites. Non healing lesions or sores. Fibers or filaments on skin at various non-healing sites where the skin parasites reside. You can see it with the use of a jewelers loop and they are also fluorescent under a ultra violet light. Cotton-like balls on your body without any reasonable explanation. Intense itching skin. Stinging or biting. Hair loss. Chronic fatigue. Brain fog. Hard nodules under the skin. Fibromyalgia or joint swelling and pain. Black specs on the skin and bed sheets. Presence of tiny strawberry type of spots--look like bright red blood spots just under the skin.

Any three or more of these symptoms are associated with the Morgellons parasite plus a co infection of protozoan and or Lyme disease.

Morgellons is just one of several skin parasites that reek havoc on the skin causing itching and biting symptoms that are relentless. Other parasites that cause some of the same symptoms are: Collembola (Spring tails) Strongyloides stercoralisa nematode

Which ones are present is not easily diagnosed. In fact there are no recognized diagnostic procedures for Collembola and Morgellons and most doctors, upon examination of the skin, diagnose the problem as stress, being in your imagination, anxiety, general nervousness, Rosacea's Red Face, or worse yet that you have acrophobia--enough to drive one away from managing stress to anxiety panic attack.

There is a antibody blood serum test available for Strongyloides stercoralis. A laboratory in Tucker GA, Parasitic Disease Consultants 2177 Flintstone Dr. Suite J, Tucker GA 30084 will perform the test for about $75. The phone number is 770-496-1370. But dont hold your breadth; even if its diagnosed as Strongyloides, doctors are very unfamiliar with its treatment. Whereas they prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections like candy, they are totally unfamiliar with the use of wormers and may not prescribe the correct one or the right dosage.

And then again, since these parasites weaken ones immune functioning, other parasites such as collembola may have joined the fray complicating the treatment. In fact, for both Collembola and Morgellons there is no recognized treatment by the CDC--they are just beginning to research Morgellons.

To further complicate matters, usually these parasites are carriers of Lyme, Protozoan and or Toxoplasma gondii (organism often found in cat feces). These organisms further compromise immune functioning complicating the process of any medical treatment.

There are only a few physicians nationally who are aware of Morgellons and Lyme disease. They treat the Lyme disease, protozoan, and the toxoplasma gondii with long term antibiotics, anti fungals, and anti protozoan meds in the hope that as these infections are treated the immune functioning becomes strong enough to free the body of the parasites. To further complicate matters, most diagnostic laboratories test negative for chronic Lyme for many different reasons. Only Bowen Labs in Tarpoon Springs FL thru the use of microscopy at 727-037-9077 is one that Id recommend.

To date, I havent heard of anyone being cured of skin parasites from this approach--it's more like "keep things from worsening." As far as the Lyme disease goes, the medical profession has a huge controversy re this long term treatment of Lyme with antibiotics. Alternative therapies using Cats Claw, Taurox along with selected vitamins and diet are thought by some experts to be as effective as the long term antibiotics.

Being infected with these parasites is a living hellperhaps like Jobs experience in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. But whats even worse, is that some of these parasites are extremely contagious. One person inadvertently gave them to her sister by exchanging dresses at a wedding; many infected from simply living in the same household; some infected from sitting in an infected chair

In desperation one generally goes to the internet for solutions which is where one wants to be cautious. Everyone who has had some success with some kind of parasite claims to have some kind of regime for dealing with parasitessome harmless and inexpensive and some as much as $1,600 claiming cure.

Cure is a relative word. Cure after simply a few months exposure can be accomplished with basic diet and some specific inexpensive skin creams. Cure after years of exposure is highly unlikely at today's level of understanding. After having suffered for approximately two years I discovered a dietary connection. There are foods that feed skin parasites and foods that starve them. The trick is to eat the foods that starve them and avoid the foods that feed them. The diet has kept me symptom free and healthy for fifteen years and yes, Ive tried everything which is what my e-book entitled Soothing the Itch Within and the Diet to Control It is all about. Through the years dozens of other sufferers have gained benefit from the diet and have become symptom free. And whats even more valuable in addition to the e-book, there is a regular update available with new information as to what is working and what is not workingwe (many subscribers contribute with feedback) keep on top of scams and share products that work and those that are a waste of time. Here is just one of nearly a hundred testimonials. "I've also sent your e-mail address to Ginger Savely, my nurse practitioner and foremost Morgellons "RX Doctor" so that she may relay your fantastic e-news to her patients world-wide. Your Parasite-Lyme Diet has helped me immensely." Thank you. DONNA GRACE

Richard Kuhns B.S. Ch. E., NGH certified is a prominent stress management hypnosis consultant for personal change. His new e-book "Soothing the Itch Within and the Diet to Control It, presents bathing, disinfection and a diet for becoming itch symptom free of skin parasites. He is the author behind the best selling self hypnosis cds and a specialist with overcoming panic attacks.

In the state of Florida, there are some building codes that are laid down to ensure the safety of all the homes built in the state during the hurricane season.

All the home builders in the state of Florida are required to comply with these building codes before they get the home approved for occupancy. This ensures that all the homes built in the state of Florida meet certain building requirements.

Upon the completion of the home, the Florida state officials inspect each home to check for code compliance.

After Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead in 1992, there was a major overhaul in Florida building code. Since then, in most of the Florida counties, the home builders are only allowed to build homes that can withstand a Category 2 hurricane. Category 2 hurricanes are those with winds less than 120 mph.

The Florida counties who adopted the code which stated that all homes be built to withstand a Category 4 storm constitute the minority. Hurricane Katrina is an example of Category 4 storm.

Now-a-days, additional hurricane protection is being offered to the Florida home buyers. Some home builders in the Florida state take the initiative to go above and beyond in the type of hurricane protection they provide to their home buyers. This kind of protection is referred to as the "Above-Code protection.

In above-code construction, homes are steel reinforced and have solid concrete walls and foundations, additional roof trusses, and impact resistant windows. Such Above-code homes are able to withstand winds of at least 140 mph, that is, winds of the Category 4 storm strength.

The solid concrete construction is to ensure protection against leaks and flood damage.

Home builders offering these kind of above-code homes can be found by searching online, local real estate listings or by obtaining referrals from a Florida realtor.

Leasing and Renting versus Buying - Answers From a Las Vegas Buyer Agent - leasing and renting

A physician who specializes in mesothelioma are called oncologists. Oncology is a field in medicine that involves cancer or it is the study of cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that involves the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the tissue that is made up of mesothelial cells. These mesothelial cells are the ones damaged in cancer of the mesothelium or mesothelioma. The mesothelium is can be found as the covering of the internal organs such as the pleura, which is the covering of the lungs and the peritoneum, which is the covering of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity.

Oncologists can be found in treatment centers or hospital that has an oncology department. In treating mesothelioma there is a team of doctors and specialists that one will encounter through the course of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of mesothelioma.

KNOWING THE DISEASE

During the initial phase of the diagnosis, the first doctor that a client encounters or has contact with is the General Practitioner. This doctor may not be in the specific field of oncology or does not specialize in mesothelioma but this doctor takes the medical history of the patient. He is the one responsible to refer the patient to the specialists or consultants, give them the history and the details of his initial examination of the patient.

The pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in the field that involves the lung. The pleural mesothelioma is the more common form of mesothelioma and this type involves the covering of the lungs. The lung specialist physician has the extensive knowledge and skills and is specifically trained to diagnose and treat diseases that affect the lung such as mesothelioma. This physician may order tests to be performed to diagnose mesothelioma.

The pathologist is a physician who specializes in analyzing cells. This doctor has the extensive skill and knowledge and is highly trained to monitor and evaluate the significant cell changes that may point to mesothelioma. They analyze the cells through the specimiens that are brought to them such as the blood, fluid obtained from the abdomen or lung, or tissues from the mesothelium. They interpret the changes and they are the ones responsible to spot damged mesothelial cells by cancer or the mesothelioma.

The radiologist is a physician who specializes in using instruments that can help confirm the diagnosis of the mesothelioma through the imaging that are generated by these instruments. This doctor particularly analyzes the images taken from the x-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan and confirms if there is really presence of mesothelioma.

REALIZATION

After the diagnosis and determining the gravity of the mesothelioma, treatment is done and there are different doctors that facilitate the treatment of the mesothelioma. If the mesothelioma is treatable via surgery, the services of a thoracic surgeon may be needed. The thoracic surgeon is trained and is specialized to do surgeries of the lung, heart, chest and esophagus. If a patient has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and it has been decided that the best treatment is surgery, then this physician is the one qualified to do the job.

The Medical Oncologist is a physician specialized to render chemotherapy if it has been determined that the best treatment for the mesothelioma is through chemotherapy. This physician has the extensive knowledge and skills of the treatment modalities of cancer specifically chemotherapy.

The Radiation Oncologist is a physician specialized to render radiation therapy if it has been determined that the best treatment for the mesothelioma is through radiation therapy. This physician has the extensive knowledge and skills and is highly trained to administer radiation therapy to treat the mesothelioma.

These types of physicians are all specialized and work together to help treat mesothelioma. They are all part of the cancer team that helps take care of the mesothelioma patients along with the nurses, therapists and social workers. Each doctor offers specific services that cater to the mesothelioma patient's needs.

Each of the services of these doctors has fees that can amount to a huge amount of money. This is where insurance comes in as part of the team in treating mesothelioma. It is truly a big help if the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of mesothelioma is covered by insurance. Every worker especially those who are considered high risk should take this seriously before it is too late.

For more information on mesothelioma and lung cancer, please go to:
http://mymesotheliomacancer.com/?page_id=622
http://mymesotheliomacancer.com
http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

People feel the need to communicate, either to share information or just to have fun. As usual, technology is there to give a helping hand to people and make their lives easier. Communication was made very simple when the telephone was invented. Sounds were transmitted over long distances in a matter of seconds. Now something better is here to help us communicate faster and cheaper: VoIP - the future of voice communication (especially because of the prepaid phone calls!)

If you havent stayed in touch with computers and internet technology (which is quite difficult these days), then you might not know what VoIP is, even if its very popular nowadays. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol which basically means that you can make phone calls over the internet. VoIP first started out as computer to computer calls. Putting the earphones on and talking into the microphone was easier for those who used the internet on a daily basis. Of course, they needed and had an internet connection (broadband or DSL modem connection) and special VoIP software.

At first people tried to use the classic 56K dial-up connection, but the signal was poor and one couldnt understand what the other person was saying. This kind of connection didnt have enough speed. Today technology has improved and VoIP doesnt only mean computer to computer calls. Today, if you have a computer and a broadband connection, you can place computer to phone calls which means you can call someone who owns a regular phone from your computer. VoIP specialists paid attention to other options as well and worked on a new technology that now allows people to make computer to cell calls. This means you can call someone on their cellular phone from your computer.

The idea of VoIP becomes more and more attractive because of one thing: its cheaper than regular phone calls. PC to PC calls are usually free and PX to phone calls are very cheap. Even the PC to cell phone calls are affordable, all through a prepaid phone calls system. VoIP technology transforms the sounds from analog to digital data. The method is different than the traditional way and some might say its not transmitted over a secure channel. For those who fear that anyone who has the tools can listen in on your conversations, just remember your local phone calls are not very safe either and the advantages of VoIP communication are more attractive than anything else.

A big plus for the VoIP system is that today you dont need a computer to use it. All you need is a modem and a broadband or satellite connection and a phone. This means that you can take your phone with you wherever you go. For example if you go on vacation to your house on the seaside you dont need to have two phone numbers. All you have to do is take your modem and phone to your house on the seaside. You will have the same number so people can reach you just as easy. It may look the same, but it can be cheaper.

Another advantage of the VoIP system is the prepaid phone calls option. What are prepaid phone calls? Well, its simple. When you buy a VoIP system and you set everything up you will buy some credit. Out of this credit you can make all the phone calls you want. Thats why its called prepaid because you pay in advance for the services you profit from. One of the aspects you might not enjoy so much when using prepaid phone calls is that, after you use all of your credit, you wont be able to make any phone calls. However, the good thing is you set yourself a limit and spend as much as you consider fit on communication. You can economize if you use prepaid phone calls and obtaining more credit is a very easy and fast process with the help of your internet connection. This kind of system for prepaid phone calls is only available when you use a VoIP system to a phone or cell. Its not available for computer to computer calls because those are usually free.

VoIP is the next evolutionary step in communication, so you should really be thinking about letting go of the memory of your phone and direct your attention towards the computer. The only trick in getting the best deal is to be well informed and eager to make use of modern ways. You should really consider prepaid phone calls also because the advantages are more than pleasing. This goes for the whole VoIP system - its an investment that you wont regret.

Find out more about prepaid phone calls and VoIP and stay in touch with technology by visiting this site.