Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgeries today. In a society where busty women are the idea, implants are becoming increasing common. However, women with small chests are not the only ones going to the cosmetic surgeons these days. For some people a breast enhancement procedure can actually translate into a breast reduction.

Having overly large breasts can cause scores of problems among which are terrible back and neck pain from the strain of extra weight in the front. The issue can also lead to bad posture, painful grooves over the shoulders from the pressure of bra straps, and rashes underneath the breasts from sweat and friction.

Beyond these physical concerns, a massive chest can make it very difficult for a woman to find well-fitting bras and clothing and it can even contribute to low self-confidence in some cases, as large boobs become a target for jokes and make women self-conscious about their appearance.

In light of all these related problems, it is no surprise that breast reduction procedures are on the rise. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 106,791 such operations in 2007, a 25 percent increase since the year 2000.

There are several considerations to contemplate before ones undergoes reduction surgery. Age is an important factor. Typically, it is not recommended that women have the procedure before they turn 20 years old as the bust may not be fully developed before that point. There are some exceptions made though, when teenage girl experience severe emotional and social trauma from overly large breasts.

Women are also encouraged to wait for the surgery until after they are done having children as the breast tissue can dramatically change during pregnancy and breast-feeding. The results are much more satisfying and long-lasting when the child-bearing days are behind the patient.

Another consideration is whether or not the surgery will be covered by the insurance. Although reduction surgery is often considered a “cosmetic” procedure, it can actually be a medically necessary event and some insurance companies recognize that fact and will pay at least part of the cost. Paying for reduction surgery privately will cost somewhere in the range of $5000 to $10,0000.

Breast reduction candidates may also be required to get mammogram tests before the surgery to check for cancer and other issues. Additionally, patients will need to stop smoking at least two weeks pre-surgery, if not more. Nicotine in the system keeps the body’s blood from flowing as smoothly as possible, making the recovery period more difficult as blood has a harder time getting to the wound site to heal it.

After the reduction surgery has been performed, patients enjoy the benefits of being able to exercise more and participate in more sports and physical activities. Another great result of the procedure for many is that they experience better sleep and breathing. And last, but certainly not least, breast reduction patients often gain greater self-confidence that helps them function better all around in their daily lives.

After surviving a serious and complicated cancer operation, my stepfather nearly died from lung failure. As with too many people who stopped smoking some fifteen years before, the damage had been done.

This meant having to live with long term oxygen therapy. Many people need additional oxygen to survive. It can be all the time, as in 24 hours a day, or for shorter, specific periods - at night or when exercising, for example. In this case it is 24 hours a day.

We all take breathing for granted but for a large number of people, and each day there are more, this isn’t the case.

Many times oxygen deprivation symptoms are there you just don’t recognize them or perhaps don’t want to acknowledge them or simple you haven’t yet had the check up you need. In other cases the crisis appears after major surgery, as was this case.

The following is a brief and simplified look at the stages my stepfather went through.

The First Stage:

Shock, fear, tension. The unknown is a frightening place. There are mixed feelings - times when you feel heroic, when you feel small and lost, when you feel despair and when you feel hope.

You imagine that the changes that are coming into your life will be so limiting that you wander about the point of it all. It takes courage to say “yes” to life.

At this stage most of your waking thoughts revolve around oxygen and breathing. This includes having the equipment nearby, learning to use it, making sure you have reserves on hand, getting used to the nose cannula, learning to set the flow and reading your oxygen saturation.

The Second Stage:

You have been home for a time and you are managing day to day activities. The oxygen tanks are a permanent company. At this stage you are coping.

You are coping with the oxygen supply. Your home unit and your mobile unit.

Although you still have thoughts of the before and now the after, your life is getting back into shape. Your social activities are coming back. Your friends and family have gotten used to your new look and are supportive. Sometimes this can get on your nerves but on the whole you feel you have adjusted. In fact life is much better than you thought it would be.

You can drive, although you still worry about running out of your supply. And this worry will probably be with you always.

You now have a routine but you still feel constrained in your movements.

The Third Stage: A portable oxygen concentrator.

This does make a great difference. Oxygen tanks have supplied you with oxygen for a couple of years now and though they have done a great job it is not easy to carry them around with you, to have them refilled continuously.

But (and this was a some time ago) new designs in portable oxygen concentrators are now available. Your life style is now much more complete as you can now go just about anywhere you want.

• If you travel by plane the battery option can give you 8 hours or more (depending on the oxygen flow and obviously the type of concentrator).
• Long distance travel is now an option.
• Going out at night with friends, to a restaurant, a cocktail party, a movie - just about anywhere.
• Work-wise it also makes a difference. Meetings, long sessions, presentations and so on.
• You can even exercise.

All in all, quality of life is higher and the most important part is that you are freer than before and this is perhaps the most important part, you feel free to pursue your life.

As they say, even if it does sound corny, long term oxygen therapy is no longer a sentence, it is a lifestyle.

Salvia Divinorum is starting to garner attention as an herb that can have an impact on a stunning array of diseases. Researchers are starting to take a look at this Mexican herb from the mint family that can help both patients of cardiovascular disease and cancer patients. Salvia is also gaining interest as a potential cure in Alzheimer’s disease, as well as patients suffering from AIDs, alcohol addiction, chronic pain, schizophrenia, and insomnia. Some studies indicate that Salvia Divinorum is both non-toxic and non-addictive, and can have some benefits in psychotherapy as well.

Chinese herbalists have used Salvia to treat and prevent heart disease. Salvia can also improve blood circulation in the myocardium, which acts as a preventative measure against cardiovascular diseases. Hot skin conditions like acne and boils can be treated with Salvia as well. In these applications, Salvia acts to clear out toxins from the skin and soothe inflammation. Other Chinese herbalists have had success treating issues arising from menstrual problems such as painful or irregular menstruation.

There are several ways to administer Salvia Divinorum. Ancient methods included crushing the leaves of this plant to create an extract from leaf juices, then mixing these juices with water to create a tea for oral consumption. Modern users of Salvia Divinorum often either smoke dried leaves in a regular pipe or water pipe (to cool the smoke). Chewing is also a popular method of using the plant; however, this must be done with care since it is believed that the active ingredient in Salvia Divinorum is deactivated when it enters the digestive system. Chewers will hold the plant for as long as possible in the mouth in order to absorb the maximum amount of Salvia into the bloodstream. This method does require more of the plant for consumption, but is also considered to provide the strongest and most long-lasting effects. And there are commercial herbalists who prepare capsules of Salvia Divinorum as a medicinal supplement.

Some psychedelic effects have been reported with the use of Salvia Divinorum. Some of these effects, while somewhat subjective, have been described as consisting of:

• Intense recall of past memories
• Uncontrollable laughter
• Trancelike introspection

More research in controlled environments is needed to fully measure these effects. Some researchers have found positive results in treating certain behavioral disorders, including:

• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Attention deficit disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety

There is also promising research on the medicinal properties of using Salvia Divinorum, since it is considered to be generally not habitual. As such, it may be a source of safe and non-addictive antidepressants, analgesics and anesthetics. Salvia Divinorum’s unique properties may lend itself to certain applications in psychotherapy - it has shown to create a state of self-reflection in its users; it aids in the retrieval of childhood memories; and it creates a mental state that allows psychotherapists access to often difficult-to-reach areas of the psyche.