Real life Sleeping Beauty a Fairy Tale dream or a horrid nightmare? A real life Sleeping Beauty exists, and Louisa Ball knows it all too well.  This real life Sleeping Beauty can sleep through entire weeks of class, entire birthday parties, camping trips, and other memorable life moments.

The name of the ailment that is affecting Louisa Ball is Kleine-Levin syndrome. It’s not a very common ailment and chances are Louisa will grow out of the illness – or at least she hopes.

Can you imagine being a real life Sleeping Beauty, unable to know when you will fall asleep, only to wake up weeks later? Nothing could be scarier.  Her parents have to shove food down her throat and get her to use the bathroom, only for her to fall asleep again!

I’m all for a good nap every now and again.  In fact, just yesterday I took myself a couple hour snooze in the middle of the afternoon.  However, it’s not something I would want to do every day, and sleeping is definitely not something I would want to do for weeks at a time.

The longest that Louisa Ball, the Real Life sleeping beauty, has ever slept is for 13 days.

Not sleeping can really impact your appearance and overall health. In addition to causing your eyes to droop and look puffy, not sleeping enough can also lead to obesity, according to various research. Here are five tips for catching up on your beauty sleep.

1. Shut the lights off at least an hour before going to sleep. When you have the lights on, your body remains adjusted to the light and feels as though it should be awake. By turning off the lights, you will be able to gradually prepare your body for wanting to sleep.

2. Stop eating the wrong foods before bedtime. When we are eating a late night snack, many of us reach for the leftover pizza. It is important to keep in mind, however, that what you eat can determine how well you are able to sleep. Try to avoid eating anything for three hours before bed but if you feel the need to, you should try to eat a small piece of fruit or popcorn, which is high in fiber.

3. Try to clear your head of all the stresses in your life. Ever hear the old saying, “Never go to bed angry”? There is a lot of truth to this. Try to deal with anything that may cause you to feel stressed out, upset, or angry at least a few hours before bedtime.

4. Take a short nap during the day. Keep in mind that a short nap means one hour. The length of the nap is so important because if you nap for longer than an hour, you are going to throw your whole sleep routine off balance. The best thing that you can do is use an alarm when taking a short nap during the day.

5. Avoid drinking anything before bedtime. Just like eating right before bedtime, you will want to avoid drinking anything as well. Otherwise, you can expect to be up all night feeling the urge to urinate as you have dreams about waterfalls. Not drinking anything before bedtime is even more critical than not eating the wrong foods before you try to sleep.

As you can see, there are a number of different ways to increase your chances of getting a good night’s sleep. Since sleep is so critical to functioning like a regular human being, as you may increase your likelihood of getting into a car crash when you are overly tired, it is important to do all that you can to get a good night’s sleep. Beauty sleep will also help you out if you are trying to reduce puffy, droopy eyes that you wake up with in the morning.

Getting tested for STDs is quite easy if you are a woman. You go to your gynecologist. Unfortunately, there are not gynecologists who cater to men. Getting tested for STDs can be somewhat more challenging because many men have no idea where to go. Here are some of the different places where men can go for STD testing.

Doctor’s Office

Primary care physicians are the first place that men should go if they want to get a STD test. STDs are typically tested through blood tests. Your doctor may take the blood at their office, or send you somewhere to have your blood taken. The only downfall to getting tested for STDs at a doctor’s office is that most offices will require you to have health insurance before they will allow you to make an appointment. Even if they do, you are going to spend a lot of money on the lab work and appointment itself.

State Health Department

State health departments are another great place for men to get tested for STDs. The good thing about these locations is that they are ideal for anyone who does not have health insurance coverage, as they are low cost or free. Many state health departments are only offered in larger cities or well known areas, however. Doing a Google search for your state’s health department will help you find the location which is closest to you.

College and High School Health Centers

For male students, college and high school health centers are another place where you can go for STD testing. Just like state health departments, these centers can be free or low cost for those who do not have insurance. However, all schools have their own policies in regards to their health centers. Even if you are not given a STD test at one of these centers, they may be able to tell you where to go.

If you suspect that you may have a sexually transmitted disease, the best thing that you can do is get tested. Getting diagnosed with a STD, regardless of what it is, will prevent it from causing any serious damage to you and prevent you from spreading it to others in the future. Don’t skip out on getting tested for STDs just because you don’t know where to go. There are many options available for men who are interested in getting tested for STDs.

For some women, getting pregnant can be a hassle. There are a number of different factors which can prevent you from becoming right away. Some of these may be problems that are somewhat easier to overcome than others. Here’s what you should know about the most common causes of infertility.

Health Conditions

It is possible that you could have one of the health conditions which causes infertility. Endometriosis, which is a condition in which the uterine tissue can be found outside of the uterus, is one of the leading causes of infertility. Another condition which can prevent you from becoming pregnant is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This condition occurs when the body produces too much androgen, which causes irregularities with ovulation. There are also ovulation disorders which can prevent you from easily becoming pregnant, as well as pelvic inflammatory disease. Women with these disorders will often need the help of a fertility specialist in order to become pregnant, but this does not mean that it can’t happen naturally.

Other Health Problems

There are a number of other health problems which can prevent you from becoming pregnant. Fallopian tube blockage or damage, increased levels of prolactin, uterine fibroids, pelvic adhesions and early menopause are all some of the health factors which could cause you to have a hard time becoming pregnant right away. Also note that certain medications, thyroid problems, diabetes, and kidney disease are all some of the health problems which can cause infertility.

Lifestyle and Relationship Factors

Various lifestyle and relationship factors can prevent pregnancy from occurring right away. Stress, especially when it is in regards to your relationship, can make pregnancy all the more challenging. It is often said to never try too hard to become pregnant, but to enjoy yourself in the process because it is likely to happen when efforts are more natural. A poor diet, obesity, drugs, alcohol, cigarette smoking, and being over 40 years old are all factors which can prevent you from becoming pregnant right away.

Keep in mind that it is often assumed that a woman is the only one who can experience infertility issues. The truth in the matter is that men can also have health problems which can affect fertility. The best thing that you can do if you are having a difficult time getting pregnant right away is seek the help of a fertility specialist. Finding out what health problems could be affecting one or both of you will greatly increase your chances of finding a solution to the problem.

Duggar Baby 19 update and Josie Brooklyn Duggar pictures are something of a hot commodity right now.  Josie Duggar was born some 15 weeks early, and has been at the Arkansas Children’s hospital ever since.

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar recently revealed photographs of their daughter – who only weighed 1 pound 6 ounces at her birth.  While she’s over 2 pounds now, chances are she will still be in the hospital for a few more weeks.

As far as  a preemie goes, Josie Duggar is doing well.  She is taking breast milk through a tube, which will help build her immune system and make her stronger.  OF course, the future still remains guarded as day to day life with a preemie can be ever changing.

In addition to new photos, which can be seen in People Magazine - the Duggar Family will be featured in a special which will air on Sunday Night.  The Duggar Family Special Delivery will chronicle the birth of Josie Duggar.

Despite the heavy criticism that the family gets for having so many children, they press on.  They live life the way they see best, and they stand by their decisions.

Many have been following the story of this baby who was born 15 weeks early.  Many are also praying for her continued recovery.

According to Reuters, there is a rise in teen pregnancy after a 10 year decline. The statistics show that in 2006, the overall teen pregnancy rate increased by 3 percent and the abortion rate increased by 1 percent, raising the rate to 7% total for teen pregnancies. For girls between the ages of 15 and 19, there were 71 teen pregnancies for every 1,000.

Teen pregnancy was the highest among black and Hispanic girls. Prior to 2006, there had been a gap between these groups, with blacks leading in teen pregnancy. This gap in teen pregnancy rates is now closed. The teen pregnancy rate among whites was still lower than both blacks and Hispanics. The states with the highest teen pregnancy rates were New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Mississippi.

Why the Increase in Teen Pregnancy Rates?

Why was teen pregnancy up in 2006 after being down for 10 years? It is not yet known whether the increase in teen pregnancy in 2006 is going to lead to years of the rate being up, or if it is simply a “bad year.” Some are blaming the Bush administration for the increase, claiming that if abstinence-only programs had not been taught, there would not have been a raise in teen pregnancy. The decline of teen pregnancy rates that took place during the ‘90’s occurred due to improved contraceptive use, according to Reuters. The Obama administration is gearing sexual education towards preventing teen pregnancy, rather than promoting abstinence only.

The media’s portrayal of teen pregnancy may also have an affect on the increase, especially if it continues to rise or remains at an increased rate. Shows like MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom,” as well as ABC Family’s “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” may glorify teen pregnancy. These shows, however, did not air until after 2006, so the increase in teen pregnancy rates will not be seen yet until the future.

What Can You Do to Prevent Teen Pregnancy?

If you are a parent, the best thing that you can do to prevent teen pregnancy is talk to your teen son or daughter about sex. Letting them know that there are methods of contraception available to them, such as the birth control pill or condoms, is very important. Making your child feel comfortable enough to talk about sex with you is one of the main keys to preventing teen pregnancy.

If you are a teen who is thinking about becoming sexually active or who is already sexually active, don’t be afraid to talk to your parent about sex. However, if you do have a parent who is not open to talking about it, keep in mind that there is not an age limit for buying condoms and Planned Parenthood can provide you with contraception for a reduced cost without letting your parent know.

If you are one of the many people who want to quit smoking, hypnotherapy is an option. Research has shown hypnotherapy to be fairly successful, though success rates vary according to the business who is advertising their services. Here are some tips on how to stop smoking using hypnotherapy.

Realize Why You Want to Quit

Determine what your reasons are for wanting to quit smoking. You need to be positive about wanting to quit before making the decision to try hypnotherapy. Until you are sure that you want to quit smoking, no treatment is going to work effectively for you. If you are still on the fence about it, it is unlikely that hypnotherapy or any other type of therapy to make you stop smoking is going to be effective.

Find the Right Hypnotherapist

Find a reputable, licensed hypnotherapist. You may want to visit a few of them and choose the one with whom you feel most comfortable. Some hypnotherapists may be willing to provide references of clients they have helped in the past. It is never a good idea to choose a hypnotherapist who you think is a scam artist or you simply do not like.

Discuss Treatment with the Hypnotherapist

Talk about your treatment plan with your hypnotherapist. Inquire about what the treatment entails, the cost of each hypnotherapy treatment, and the number of visits your hypnotherapist thinks you may require. Knowing what you are getting yourself into prior to making the decision to really begin hypnotherapy will help increase your chances of experiencing success with it.

Learn About Any At-Home Treatments

Ask about hypnotherapy tapes that you can use at home. There are going to be times when you will feel the urge to pick up a cigarette. If you are unable to fit a hypnotherapy session into your schedule or into your hypnotherapist’s schedule, a tape that you can listen to at home may give you the strength that you need to avoid smoking.

Determine how well your hypnotherapy sessions worked for you. If you feel they were successful, you may want to consider continuing therapy for a few more sessions. Do not stop hypnotherapy until you are sure that you have quit smoking. If you are thinking about starting smoking again, even if it is years after your hypnotherapy has ended, you may want to think about having a refresher session to prevent yourself from doing it again.

One of the contraception options that is used by women to prevent pregnancy is the birth control pill. Just like any other type of medication, a specific birth control pill may not necessarily be the right option for every woman. Whether it happens right away or over time, there are many women who make the decision to switch to a different birth control pill than the one she is already on. There are a number of factors which may lead to this decision.

Side Effects

Consider whether you have experienced any of the side effects of the birth control pill. To find out what the side effects of the birth control pill that you are on can cause, check out the pamphlet that’s provided with the pack of pills. Common side effects of the birth control pill include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, a decrease in libido, and changes in blood pressure. Any unusual symptoms should be taken into consideration.

Mood Swings

Notice any mood changes that have occurred with the pill. The hormones in birth control pills are known to cause mood swings. If you begin to notice that you start feeling depressed or moody for an unexplainable reason, it could be caused by the birth control pill that you are on.

Change in Menstruation

Decide if there has been any change in your menstrual cycles. If you have noticed that your periods have been longer or heavier, then it may be a good idea to request a different birth control pill from your doctor. Also be sure to notice if you have experienced more discomfort during your period, such as painful cramps or other symptoms during the week leading up to and the week of your period. No birth control pill should make you feel worse. If your birth control pills make menstruation a more comfortable and pleasant experience for you, switching may not be necessary.

Weight Gain

Determine if your pill is causing you to gain weight. There is little evidence that the pill leads to weight gain, but pills that are higher in estrogen levels can lead to an increase in appetite and water retention. Let your doctor know if you feel like you have gained weight as a result of the birth control pill you are on, and he or she may consider putting you on a pill with lower hormone levels.

Cost

Decide if your birth control pill is too pricey. If you are having a hard time paying for your pills every month, then it may be a good idea to switch to a generic brand. Generic birth control pills are much more affordable than brand name birth control pills.

These are just a few of the reasons one may want to think about switching birth control pills. Also keep in mind that you may want to think about switching to a different birth control method, such as the birth control patch, IUD, or Depo-Provera injection. More often than not, however, a different formulation of the birth control pill can improve symptoms or side effects.

Does Michael C Hall have cancer? Is something that Dexter fans want to know.  In short, the answer is yes, Michael C. Hall has cancer.  Word of his illness leaked out a few days ago, and it appears that the star’s treatments are going well and that he could be nearing remission.

Michael C. Hall showed up to the Golden Globe awards wearing a Japanese Hat.  The covering on his head was the first indication to many that the star could have a serious health problem.

Michael C. Hall – the lovable serial killer known as “Dexter” – has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Much like the character he plays on TV, Michael C. Hall is a very private perso that strived to keep his health struggles secret. Michael C. Hall’s cancer wasn’t even known by Lauren Velez, the actress that plays Sgt. Laguerta on the hit Showtime series.

Season 5 of Dexter will start filming in May, and Dexter fans are anxiously awaiting to see what will happen next season.  It will be interesting to see what takes place after last season’s shocking finale.

Source:

EOnline

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, which means that you’ve probably heard people talking about the Gardasil vaccine. The vaccine, which has been approved for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26, protects against Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV. Here are some of the things that you should keep in mind prior to getting Gardasil.

What Does the Gardasil Vaccine Do?

Gardasil prevents the two types of HPV which are known to cause at least 70% of cervical cancer. The Gardasil vaccine also protects against two other strains of HPV, which are known to cause 90% of genital warts. Since approximately 3,000 women die of cervical cancer each year, many medical professionals feel that this is enough of a reason to consider getting the Gardasil vaccine.

When Should Gardasil Be Administered?

It is highly recommended for Gardasil to be administered among girls who have not yet become sexually active. The reason is because the vaccine needs to be effective enough to fight against HPV, which cannot happen if you have already been exposed to the virus. That being said, the Gardasil vaccine protects against more than one strain of HPV. Even if you have already been diagnosed with one strain of the Human Papilloma Virus, you might not have been exposed to other strains. Currently, there is no way to tell which exact strain of HPV a person has been exposed to, aside from the fact that some strains cause genital warts and others cause cervical cancer. Overall, it is never too late for receive the Gardasil vaccine.

Can Males Get the Gardasil Vaccine?

HPV is known to cause penile cancer and anal cancer among men. This has many parents and young men asking if Gardasil is also safe for males to use as well. Gardasil is currently being administered among males. While minimal research has been done on the effects of the vaccine among men, it is believed that it will help prevent men from contracting HPV. The FDA is considering it safe and is currently working on getting it approved for males between 9 and 26.

Who Shouldn’t Have the Gardasil Vaccine?

Those who are allergic to yeast or any of the other ingredients in the vaccine should not get have Gardasil. Women who are not pregnant should also not have the Gardasil vaccine.

For more information about the Gardasil vaccine and to find out if it is right for you, be sure to visit this website.