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The AIG Blame Game

ASSI - There is enough blame to go around regarding the misuse of the bailout money that AIG received from the government. Is it a surprise that AIG would dole out $165 million of our tax dollars to pay for bonuses? Not at all! AIG is the same company who treated employees to several lavish retreats at our expense. Republicans and Democrats must hold AIG accountable and figure out if taxing them is the most advantageous way of recouping the funds. AIG has justifications for all of their questionable expenditures, but how do you justify paying 11 former employees $1 Million dollars each due to contractual agreements, it seems the contract should have been null and void at the end of the employees tenure. Stringent stipulations should have been outlined in the bailout agreement to avoid AIG from exercising some of the same practices that landed them in this mess in the beginning. AIG had the audacity to remove the company's name from their Head Quarters to protect employees who received million dollar bonuses from struggling tax payers, who are unemployed, lost their homes, and are unable to send their children to college would have loved to receive a third of the 85 billion dollar bailout money to improve their standard of living. Who should be blamed for the misuse of the funds: Senator, Chris Dobb; Congressman, Barney Frank, or Secretary of Treasure, Timothy Geithner for not reading the terms of the bailout agreement? As I see it, it is unacceptable for AIG to use government funds for anything other than to ensure the company stays a float operationally.

10 Things To Improve Your Relationship

1. Act Out of Character. Couples develop a particular dynamic: the way they relate to each other that repeats itself over and over. If you break that pattern and act against type -- in a positive way -- you inject new life into the relationship. For example, if you always get angry at your guy when he doesn't follow through on some chore, try addressing him in a nicer, more friendly tone, then thank him when he does a good job. It works every time. -- Toni Coleman, psychotherapist and relationship coach in McLean, Virginia
2. Get in Touch a Lot. No doubt you hug and kiss each other. But simple acts like stroking his arm while you're watching TV and taking his hand when you're walking down the street are also ways to bond. Touching your partner throughout the day triggers your feel-good hormones, which reinforces your affection and makes you feel closer on an instinctive level. -- Psychotherapist Barton Goldsmith, PhD, author of "Emotional Fitness for Couples"
3. Take Turns Talking. To make sure you both get a chance to state what's on your mind during a disagreement -- and get your points across -- alternate playing reflective therapist, where one listens while the other talks. -- Psychologist Diana Kirschner, PhD, author of "Opening Love's Door"
4. Find the Intersection. When making decisions together, try to find common ground. You each should write down exactly what you want. Let's say you're angling for a vacay in San Francisco to see the sights and hit up the cool shops and restaurants, while he wants a tropical getaway where he can veg out by the pool and sip drinks with umbrellas in the glass. Now that your desires are clearly laid out on paper, you can pick a place that will satisfy both your needs. A cool city, a little sun... how about Miami? -- Paul Dobransky, MD, author of "The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love"
5. Be More Positive Than Negative. There's a more effective way to air grievances than to file an angry complaint. Sandwich your negative comment between two positives. If you want to complain about how he's always late, for example, try something like "You know, I love that you're so laid-back and easygoing, but it really bothers me when you show up so late. I'm sure you can still be the fun guy I adore and also be on time." -- Los Angeles psychologist Yvonne Thomas, PhD
6. Echo Each Other. When you and your man are having a serious relationship talk, it's easy to get so caught up in how you want to respond that you're not really listening to what's being said. That's why it's important for both of you to repeat each other: so you know you've been heard and you feel understood. -- Yvonne Thomas
7. Take a Time-Out. Neither of you is perfect, and the quirks you both have are here to stay. So rather than let those annoying traits work your last nerve, try to get in touch with the upside of those particular flaws, even if it's not immediately recognizable. Instead of getting annoyed when he starts screaming at the TV, for example, remind yourself how much you love his passion. Or if his shyness with new people bugs you, think about how refreshing it is to be with a chill, genuine guy rather than a blowhard who needs to chat with everyone in the room. -- Denver psychologist Jennifer Oikle, PhD, dating coach for Coupling Connection
8. Have His Back. You might not agree with your guy when he's had a riff with a friend or he thinks his boss is being unfair, but you should always be on his side... and vice versa. Otherwise, you'll both feel like you can't count on each other. That doesn't mean you have to take the "you're so right" route all the time. Just hear him out, and let him know that you'll support him no matter what. -- New York City psychotherapist JoAnn Magdoff, PhD
9. Spend a Little Money on Each Other. You don't have to wait for a special occasion to give small presents to show your love. In fact, gifts are more fun -- and meaningful -- when they're not expected. Try to get into the habit of exchanging sweet tokens of appreciation for no particular reason. Don't go and blow your paycheck though. It's not about being extravagant; it's just a way of showing that you really get -- and think about -- each other. Maybe you buy him a tee of his favorite band that you saw on sale or he gets you a pair of pajamas in your favorite color. -- Barton Goldsmith
10. Be a Good Date. Face it, no one can stay fascinating forever. After being together for a while, the initial excitement fades, and your guy can start to get kind of boring sometimes. Hey, don't think you're off the hook -- if you're feeling a little ho-hum about him, the feeling is likely mutual! To combat the blahs, take turns coming up with an interesting date idea every month. Keep the time and details to yourself, and try to think outside the box -- dinner and a movie is not exactly innovative. An awesome concert or a snowboarding lesson, for example, is a much less predictable treat. -- Jennifer Oikle

Madoff the Swindler Goes to Jail

ASSI – No one who knowingly profited from the swindling behaviors of Bernard Madoff should be exempt from possible prosecution. It is appropriate to me that Ruth Madoff forgo the lavish $7 million dollar penthouse and the $62 million dollars that she supposedly obtained through other sources. According to various articles, Ruth was the bookkeeper and board member who had insider information to the inner workings of Madoff’s security fraud scam, and did nothing to prevent Bernie from taking advantage of friends and investors who simply wanted a better return for their dollars. Supposedly when Ruth learned that the government was thinking of freezing all of their assets, she mailed jewelry to relatives, withdrew 15 and half million dollars when Madoff was indicted, and another 10 million the day before he plead guilty. Madoff faces up to 150 years in prison and will be sentenced in June. As the old saying goes “if it sounds too good to be true, it is probably not true.” Ruth and Bernard Madoff are heartless people who vacationed, dined, socialized, and took financial advantage of their friends. Who does this without guilt? The only reason that Bernie pleaded guilty was to avoid divulging information that would perhaps incriminate his wife and children. He also wants to prevent from disclosing all of his money laundering locations, which does not make any sense to me, he is seventy years old and is not going to be released from prison or live long enough to spend anymore of that money.

Therefore, he might as well reveal where the money is so that his trusted 4,800. investors can recoup some of their losses, but that would be too much like right and there seems to be absolutely nothing right about Madoff. I was listening to the news and overheard one of Bernie’s investors say “the Security Exchange Commission is just as guilty as Madoff because they were forewarned about the scheme and did nothing about it until it was too late.” As I see it, he made off with their funds and wants to keep it that way; he is one mad fellow who lacks compassion for anyone, so why should anyone care about what happens to him, his children, and wife. All of the Madoff’s assets should be liquidated nothing should be spared not a spoon, a rug, cuff-link, pair of pants, or minks.

Cerebral Palsy

The term “cerebral palsy” is slightly misleading in that it refers to a group of disorders, rather than a single disorder, caused by damage to the brain and marked by impaired movement and coordination. Approximately one to two of every 1,000 babies born in the United States each year is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, ranging from mild to severe in nature.
Doctors are still trying to understand how brain damage causes cerebral palsy, but they do know that damage sustained at any point during fetal development, during birth or within the first months of the baby’s life may result in this debilitating condition. Also, research has shed light on factors that may increase the risk of cerebral palsy and, in some cases, the condition may be preventable.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

The major types of cerebral palsy include:

• Spastic cerebral palsy—This is the most common type of cerebral palsy and is characterized by stiffening of the muscles. The stiffening, which may affect both legs, one side of the body, or all four limbs and the torso, makes movement difficult for the child. • Athetoid cerebral palsy—About 20 percent of people with cerebral palsy have this form of the condition. It’s characterized by slow, uncontrolled movements that affect the entire body. • Ataxic cerebral palsy—The least common type, ataxic cerebral palsy impairs balance and coordination.
Children who display signs and symptoms of two or more different types of cerebral palsy have what is called “mixed” cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy vary according to the child and severity of the condition, but may include:
• Tremors • Lack of muscle coordination or difficulty with precise movement • Spasticity—that is, exaggerated reflexes and muscle stiffness • Excessively stiff or floppy muscles • Leg or foot dragging, uneven walking • Drooling or difficulty swallowing

In some cases, cerebral palsy is accompanied by mental retardation or other complications. Severe cases of the condition may require extensive treatment and the use of special equipment. On the other hand, those with mild cases of cerebral palsy may require minimal treatment or assistance.

Cerebral Palsy Causes and Risk Factors

Some of the known causes and risk factors for cerebral palsy include:
• Preterm birth and low birth weight • Maternal and/or fetal infections • Oxygen deprivation • Abnormalities in brain development • Severe jaundice • Injury during the birthing process

Not all cases of cerebral palsy are preventable. However, cerebral palsy that results from medical negligence or inadequate medical care is, in many instances, preventable when proper precautions are taken. If you think medical malpractice is a factor in your child’s cerebral palsy, contact us today to discuss your legal options.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

Children who are experiencing signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy should undergo a medical evaluation to determine a diagnosis. Usually, a doctor will check muscle tone, reflexes and movement first, and then follow up with an MRI scan, a CT scan and/or other battery of tests.

Once a diagnosis of cerebral palsy has been determined, the child will typically be referred to a specialist to determine treatment options. Though cerebral palsy is not curable, various treatments can help manage the condition and improve a child’s quality of life.

Common cerebral palsy treatments include:

Physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, Surgery and Medications

Assistive technologies such as railings, wheelchairs, and communication devices can also help children in their daily tasks. Some children may experience enhanced functioning with the help of vision aids, hearing aids, braces, splints, and similar. And research into cerebral palsy treatments is ongoing, revealing promising options like dolphin therapy and spacesuit therapy.

AHSI....Ray Stevenson stars as Frank Castle AKA The Punisher the vigilante out for revenge on all the gangsters in New York. Dominic West plays Billy Russoti AKA Jigsaw the cocky, psychotic mob boss. Mr. West(McNolte from the Wire) both stars gave great performance as he sets out for vengeance under his alias. The "Punisher Task Force" is shadowing his trail and the FBI unable to take Jigsaw in, Frank must stand up to the formidable army that Jigsaw has recruited before more of his evil deeds go unpunished. AHSI gives this movie 4.5 eyeballs. Very graphic violence and special effects.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle becomes blocked. If the flow of blood isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die.

Heart attack is a leading killer of both men and women in the United States. But fortunately, today there are excellent treatments for heart attack that can save lives and prevent disabilities. Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms. If you think you or someone you’re with is having a heart attack, call 9–1–1 right away.

Heart attacks occur most often as a result of a condition called coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, a fatty material called plaque (plak) builds up over many years on the inside walls of the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your heart). Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture, causing a blood clot to form on the surface of the plaque. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the part of the heart muscle fed by the artery.

During a heart attack, if the blockage in the coronary artery isn’t treated quickly, the heart muscle will begin to die and be replaced by scar tissue. This heart damage may not be obvious, or it may cause severe or long-lasting problems.
Severe problems linked to heart attack can include heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood throughout the body. Ventricular fibrillation is a serious arrhythmia that can cause death if not treated quickly.

Acting fast at the first sign of heart attack symptoms can save your life and limit damage to your heart.

Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms.
The most common heart attack signs and symptoms are:

Chest discomfort or pain—uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that can be mild or strong. This discomfort or pain lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath may occur with or before chest discomfort.
Other signs include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat.

Each year, about 1.1 million people in the United States have heart attacks, and almost half of them die. CAD, which often results in a heart attack, is the leading killer of both men and women in the United States.
Many more people could recover from heart attacks if they got help faster. Of the people who die from heart attacks, about half die within an hour of the first symptoms and before they reach the hospital.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). It's measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure (or -->hypertension -->) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure.

High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it's present with other risk factors.
High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it's more common among people over age 35. It's particularly prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to have high blood pressure, too.

American Heart Association recommended blood pressure levels
Blood Pressure Category
Systolic(mm Hg)
Diastolic(mm Hg)
Normal
less than 120
and
less than 80

Prehypertension
120–139
or
80–89

High
Stage 1
140–159
or
90–99
Stage 2
160 or higher
or
100 or higher

*Your doctor should evaluate unusually low readings.

Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia (uh-NEE-me-uh) is a serious disease in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. “Sickle-shaped” means that the red blood cells are shaped like a "C."

Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. They move easily through your blood vessels. Red blood cells contain the protein hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). This iron-rich protein gives blood its red color and carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin that causes the cells to have a sickle shape. Sickle-shaped cells don’t move easily through your blood vessels. They’re stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get stuck in the blood vessels. (Other cells also may play a role in this clumping process.)

The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and organs. Blocked blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage.

Sickle cell anemia is one type of anemia. Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells. This condition also can occur if your red blood cells don’t have enough hemoglobin.

Red blood cells are made in the spongy marrow inside the large bones of the body. Bone marrow is always making new red blood cells to replace old ones. Normal red blood cells last about 120 days in the bloodstream and then die. They carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body.

In sickle cell anemia, a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells occurs because sickle cells don’t last very long. Sickle cells usually die after only about 10 to 20 days. The bone marrow can’t make new red blood cells fast enough to replace the dying ones.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited, lifelong disease. People who have the disease are born with it. They inherit two copies of the sickle cell gene—one from each parent.

People who inherit a sickle cell gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other parent have a condition called sickle cell trait. Sickle cell trait is different from sickle cell anemia. People who have sickle cell trait don’t have the disease, but they have one of the genes that cause it. Like people who have sickle cell anemia, people who have sickle cell trait can pass the gene to their children.

Sickle cell anemia affects millions of people worldwide. The disease has no widely available cure. However, there are treatments for the symptoms and complications of the disease. Bone marrow transplants may offer a cure in a small number of cases.

Over the past 30 years, doctors have learned a great deal about sickle cell anemia. They know its causes, how it affects the body, and how to treat many of its complications.

Sickle cell anemia varies from person to person. Some people who have the disease have chronic (long-term) pain or fatigue (tiredness). However, with proper care and treatment, many people who have the disease can have improved quality of life and reasonable health much of the time.

Due to improved treatment and care, people who have sickle cell anemia are now living into their forties or fifties, or longer.

Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disorder-a problem with the body's immune system. In a healthy body, specialized cells (called beta cells) in the pancreas make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to use energy from food. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes beta cells for invaders and attacks them. When enough beta cells are destroyed, symptoms of diabetes appear.

In type 2 diabetes, the beta cells still produce insulin. However, either the cells do not respond properly to the insulin or the insulin produced naturally is not enough to meet the needs of the body. So insulin is usually still present in a person with type 2 diabetes, but it does not work as well as it should. Some people with type 2 can keep it under control by losing weight, changing their diet, and increasing their exercise. Others take one or more medications, including insulin.

A diabetes myth - diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar. This myth probably began when people with diabetes were absolutely forbidden from consuming sugar. Researchers no longer believe this. Your child can still have all of her favorite sweets as long as they are scheduled in her eating plan.

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Some diabetes symptoms include:

Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Blurry vision

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) - that's the brain and spinal cord. Predominantly, it is a disease of the "white matter" tissue. The white matter is made up of nerve fibres which are responsible for transmitting communication signals both internally within the

CNS and between the CNS and the nerves supplying rest of the body.
In people affected by MS, patches of damage called plaques or lesions appear in seemingly random areas of the CNS white matter. At the site of a lesion, a nerve insulating material, called myelin, is lost. I shall explain this process in more detail later. Clinically, MS is a hard condition to characterise because it is very unpredictable and variable. Depending on which areas of the CNS are affected and how badly they are damaged, the type and severity of symptoms can vary greatly.

No two people get MS in exactly the same way and the expression of each individual's disease is as unique as their fingerprints. However, the different courses of the disease, both within an individual and within the whole population, principally differ in their timing, location and severity. Underneath similar processes (including demyelination and sometimes other forms of nerve degeneration) are going on.

Although recent research indicates that the biochemical make-up of lesions may vary between different forms of the disease, this is not the reason why people with MS (PwMS) have such widely differing symptoms - it's because nerve damage to one site usually causes completely different symptoms than damage to another.

In general, people with MS can experience partial or complete loss of any function that is controlled by, or passes through, the brain or spinal cord.

Benign MS: This is a sub-group of relapsing/remitting. It is used to describe the disease in people who have had MS for fifteen or more years without picking up any serious and enduring disability. One of the neurologists that I saw put it at ten years. It's a bit of a false label really and people with benign MS are often reclassified as Secondary Progressive after a number of years

Malignant MS: Also known as Marburg's Variant and Acute Multiple Sclerosis. This is a label given to forms of MS where the disease progresses very rapidly from onset leading to severe disability within a relatively short period of time. Fortunately, this form of MS is extremely rare.

Chronic Progressive MS: Primary Progressive and Secondary Progressive used to be lumped together as Chronic Progressive (CPMS) but this term is no longer officially recognised although you will still see it referred to now and then.

Transitional/Progressive MS: Another form of the disease which is sometimes referred to but not widely used, is Transitional/Progressive (TPMS). This is characterised by a progressive course beginning many years after an isolated bout.

Devic's Disease: Also known as Neuromyelitis Optica, Devic's disease is a related condition to multiple sclerosis that is characterised by an attack of Optic Neuritis in both eyes followed by severe inflammation of the spinal cord (Transverse Myelopathy).

Balo's concentric sclerosis: This is another very rare disease that resembles multiple sclerosis. Clinically, it is very hard to distinguish Balo's concentric sclerosis from MS but MRI scans show the lesions in Balo's to be concentric rings of intact myelin and demyelinated zones. It is more common in China and the Philippines than elsewhere.

Gout

A gout "flare" (attack) usually strikes suddenly, at night, in one location (usually the large joint in the big toe). During the attack, the area becomes hot, red, swollen, and extremely tender. A fever may also be present. The pain, which can be excruciating, usually peaks within 24 hours.

The primary risk factor for gout is hyperuricemia—high levels of uric acid in the blood. People who have this condition are at risk of having an attack of gout. This risk appears to increase with higher uric acid levels. No one can predict when an attack might occur for someone with hyperuricemia. It may be triggered by alcohol, certain medicines, the presence of another illness, stressful events, or some other factor. Many times it may be difficult to say what triggered a specific attack. Having your healthcare provider measure your uric acid levels may help predict your chances of having a future attack.

With or without treatment, the symptoms usually go away within 3 to 10 days, and the next attack may not occur for months or even years, if at all. However, over time attacks can become more severe, last longer, and occur more often.

Although 90% of people with gout have an attack in their big toe, other joints affected may be the instep, ankle, knee, wrist, and fingers. The symptoms usually come without warning, but some people have minor pain in the ankle, soreness in the heel, or twinges of pain in the big toe before the attack.
There's more to gout than the pain of attacks. Hyperuricemia—the primary risk factor for gout—may affect your joints even when you aren't having a painful flare.

People over 60 years of age may experience different symptoms of gout. For example, joints in the upper part of their body are more likely to be affected, and more than one joint may have symptoms at the same time. Older people may also have an increased risk of developing “tophi”—crystal deposits made up of uric acid found around tissues of joints affected by gout.

Periodontal Disease

Plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease. However, other factors can contribute to gum disease. These include:

Hormonal changes - such as those occurring during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation-make gums more sensitive, which makes it easier for gingivitis to develop.

Illnesses may affect the condition of your gums. This includes diseases such as:

cancer or HIV that interfere with the immune system. Because diabetes affects the body's ability to use blood sugar, patients with this disease are at higher risk of developing infections, including periodontal disease.

Medications can affect oral health because some lessen the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on teeth and gums. Some drugs, such as the anticonvulsant medication Dilantin and the anti-angina drug Procardia and Adalat, can cause abnormal growth of gum tissue.

Bad habits such as smoking, make it harder for gum tissue to repair itself.
Poor oral hygiene habits such as not brushing and flossing on a daily basis, make it easier for gingivitis to develop.

Family history of dental disease can be a contributing factor for the development of gingivitis.

Periodontal disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. They include:

Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
Receding gums
Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
Loose or shifting teeth
Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down, or in the fit of partial dentures.

During a periodontal exam, your dentist or periodontist typically checks for these things:

Gum bleeding, swelling, firmness, and pockets (the space between the gum and tooth; the larger and deeper the pocket, the more severe the disease)

Teeth movement and sensitivity and proper teeth alignment

Your jawbone to help detect the breakdown of bone surrounding your teeth

Nonsurgical treatments of gum disease include:

Professional dental cleaning. During a typical checkup your dentist or dental hygienist will remove the plaque and tartar (plaque that builds up and hardens on the tooth surface and can only be removed with professional cleaning) from above and below the gum line of all your teeth. If you have some signs of gum disease, your dentist may recommend more than twice-a-year cleanings.

Scaling and root planing. This is a deep-cleaning, nonsurgical procedure, done under a local anesthetic, whereby plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. Scaling and root planing is done if your dentist or periodontist determines that you have plaque and calculus (hardened plaque, also called tartar) under the gums that needs to be removed.

Surgical treatments of gum disease include:

Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery. Involves lifting back the gums and removing the tartar. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. This method reduces the size of the space between the gum and tooth, thereby decreasing the areas where harmful bacteria grow and decreasing the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.

Bone grafts. Involves using fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to replace bone destroyed by periodontal disease. The grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone, which restores stability to teeth. New technology, called tissue engineering, encourages your own body to regenerate bone and tissue at an accelerated rate.

Soft tissue grafts. Reinforces thin gums or fills in places where gums have receded. Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area.

Guided tissue regeneration. Performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, this procedure stimulates bone and gum tissue growth. Done in combination with flap surgery, a small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between the bone and gum tissue. This keeps the gum tissue from growing into the area where the bone should be, allowing the bone and connective tissue to regrow to better support the teeth.

Bone surgery. Smoothes shallow craters in the bone due to moderate and advanced bone loss. Following flap surgery, the bone around the tooth is reshaped to decrease the craters. This makes it harder for bacteria to collect and grow.

Octuplet Mom Fills Void

ASSI – The octuplet mom Nadya Suleman seems to have finally filled the void that six children and possible the eight are unable to fill. Cameras, Lights, and Hollywood appear to be the void that was missing in her life. She mentioned to Ann Curry of the NBC today show that she started having children to fill an empty space in her life, a void that her father, Ed Doud does not understand, he told Oprah that he and her mother made sure she was loved, cared for and received lots of affection.

As an only child, I understand the desire to have more than one child because I know what’s like to grow up without siblings. Some only children vow to have more than one child to prevent their child from having similar life experiences, but 14 is excessive. The children seem to be a pawn in her covets to have the public spotlight shine on her, hungry for more than 15 minutes of fame, the now infamous Suleman welcomed cameras into her newly purchased $564,900.00, 2,583 Square foot home in LaHabra a suburb outside of LA, which she should close on this week.

It has been reported that her father purchased the home but he was on Oprah declaring that he has only $100.00 to his name from the $9,000.00 that he brought with him from Iraq where he is currently working as a translator. According to Nadya, she is purchasing the home with money received from the sell of the babies’ photos and interview appearances, the money is in an escrow account, and will also go into a trust fund account for all 14 children. According to Dr. Phil McGraw who has been counseling Suleman, stated that she will receive assistance with the children from the nonprofit nursing group Angels in Waiting, and I am hopeful that Suleman will receive some additional counseling from Dr. Phil.

As I see it, the doctors transferred eight eggs into her uterus in an attempt for her to conceive one more child through in vitro fertilization; therefore, they (her and the doctors) knew it was plausible that all eight embryos could take, but she was unprepared mentally, emotionally, and financially to care for 14 children. I also believed that once it was determined that she was carrying eight fetuses measures were taken to ensure Suleman and her children would have the proper assistance needed for their care. Someone or corporation would provide the financial support, formula, diapers, and etc. I see a reality show in their future. I give it a year.

Rihanna and Chris: Young Love Gone Wrong

ASSI – First let me begin by saying I do not condone violence of any kind, I believe when a relationship becomes physical it is a dead-deal-breaker, and the relationship should not continue under any circumstances. Everyone seems to have an opinion regarding the Rihanna and Chris Brown saga from Tom Joyner to Oprah Winfrey, but it seems that folks are bias and taking sides which seem rather unfair, we should avoid passing judgment on either one of them.

We were not there and as we all know there are three sides to a situation, her side, his side, and the actual truth; however, in this case of young love gone wrong it seems that Chris and Rihanna are willing to put the incident behind them and forge ahead for whatever reasons. The rumor mill has gone rampant with what transpired on that day, the police reports reveals circumstances that are inconceivable to me, and the fact that Rihanna’s Attorney Donald Etra whispered to Mark Geragos who is Chris’s Attorney on March 5, 2009 while in court that “Rihanna wants this over” speaks volumes to how Rihanna feels about Chris rather under duress or not she wants this nightmare to end.

If Chris Brown lost control due to Rihanna reading a text message that he received from his 39 year old, Manager Tina Davis who he supposedly had a sexual relationship with, if Rihanna was reading his text messages without his permission they are both wrong. She crossed the line and so did he, one does not justify the other, but the lack of respect displayed by both demonstrates that there are other issues in this relationship that are not being addressed.

I heard that Tom Joyner and other radio personalities are going to stop playing Chris’s music, but these same folks continued to play R. Kelly’s music when he was charged with having sex with an under age minor and there is a video tape of his sinister act, and his music was played and still is being played on the radio. Help me with this one! Wrong is wrong be it sexual abuse or physical abuse…abuse is abuse and should not be tolerated in any form.