General Daily Insight for November 21, 2024 Anchoring our curiosity to something substantial should let us get the most out of it today. The upbeat Sun moves into adventurous Sagittarius at 2:56 pm EST, encouraging us to roam far and wide. If we settle on a specific subject to explore in depth, we can make serious progress as the Sun sextiles insightful Pluto. The passionate Leo Moon sextiles buoyant Jupiter and trines wise Chiron, boosting our capacity to find personal meaning in what we’re learning. We can even have fun with it too! Aries March 21 – April 19 Your intellectual energy needs an outlet today. As the vibrant Sun in your 9th House of Expansion leans on penetrating Pluto in your friendship sector, you’re potentially looking for more than the usual small talk in your social interactions — and you might be tempted to stir up drama if you don’t get the intensity you crave. Fortunately, the right companions can show you healthy ways to dig deeper into fascinating topics. Tell your pals what’s on your mind and tackle it together. Taurus April 20 – May 20 Committing to work with someone else can help you move closer to a recent major goal. As the optimistic Sun in your collaboration sector aligns with powerful Pluto in your 10th House of Purpose, you likely have your sights set on accomplishing something significant. Admitting that you can’t do it all by yourself may be necessary. Nevertheless, you aren’t required to share this realization with the whole world. Feel free to keep your public image as intimidatingly mysterious as you prefer. Gemini May 21 – June 20 Relationships are likely to demand your attention all day long. While the illuminating Sun in your partnership zone nudges unconscious Pluto in your 9th House of Beliefs, any frustrations you experience could indicate that it’s time to look at the unspoken expectations you carry into your close connections. Some of them may sound reasonable when you say them out loud. However, you might also hold entrenched assumptions that are holding you back unnecessarily. Do what’s necessary to give yourself room to grow. Cancer June 21 – July 22 Your practical side is likely to be especially strong at present. With the energetic Sun moving into your responsible and grounded 6th house, you’ll probably find it easier to dive into getting things done instead of spending a lot of time concocting the perfect plan before you start. Others who have a stake in the situation could be impressed by your motivation and effort. When they have visible proof that you’re on their side, they may be inspired to do more themselves! Leo July 23 – August 22 Going further than usual to be creative and have fun could be rewarding at this time. While the boisterous Sun in your 5th House of Pleasure supports secretive Pluto in your relationship sector, you might be surprised to see who joins you in this pursuit. Perhaps the companionship you crave has been hiding in plain sight all along — someone you already know but wouldn’t think of in that way may share your passion. Your boldness can embolden others in turn, so let it out! Virgo August 23 – September 22 Improving your present home environment could be especially rewarding. Look around — you’ll probably identify plenty of things you’d like to fix. While the confident Sun in your domestic 4th house collaborates with potent Pluto in your hardworking 6th house, you have the potential to achieve lasting results. Dealing with areas of clutter or damage that outsiders don’t generally see can nonetheless make a big difference in your personal comfort. Start with the task that most appeals to you, whatever that means in your life. Libra September 23 – October 22 Explaining what brings you pleasure is possible now. Good — that’s likely what you’ll need to do to get your friends on board. While the cheerful Sun in your communication zone harmonizes with intense Pluto in your 5th House of Self-Expression, you’re probably interested in having things your own way to some extent. If others agree that you have an appealing idea, though, it won’t just be your idea anymore. Your companions can honestly state that it’s what they want too! Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Paying close attention to your finances should now be quite rewarding. You probably need a perspective bigger than this moment! As the dynamic Sun in your money sector sextiles profound Pluto in your 4th House of Roots, you’ll potentially find yourself craving security on a deep level. You might as well go for that instead of settling for a superficial solution. Accepting delayed gratification may be necessary overall, but see if you can achieve a few small wins in the meantime. Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Knowing your limits is crucial. No matter how tempting it sounds to lay out a belief system describing how the whole world should live, that’s probably not what your duties call for. While the attention-getting Sun in your sign works things out with thoughtful Pluto in your 3rd House of Communication, you’d be wise to put your effort into speaking for yourself. Do your best to describe the personal experiences that shaped you, and give others room to draw their own conclusions. Capricorn December 22 – January 19 Figuring out what you no longer need to carry could be necessary right now. As the piercing Sun shifts into your contemplative 12th house, you might be ready to sift through some of your mental baggage. If you’re not getting anywhere, don’t be afraid to turn the effort physical. Decluttering any unneeded possessions would be an easy way to open up your living space. It may also stir up more emotional energy than you expect, so try to be patient with whatever unfolds. Aquarius January 20 – February 18 You may currently appear mysterious and magnetic without making an effort. Still, as the warm

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Now Playing ‘Dads to Doulas’ program teaches men tools to help in birthing process 02:43 UP NEXT Fact vs. myth: What to know about potatoes, dairy-free milk, more 05:07 More than half of US adults are now eligible for Ozempic, Wegovy 02:10 Food safety concerns grow following string of illness outbreaks 02:41 Tests reveal dangerously high lead levels in water for dozens of Syracuse homes 05:49 Improve balance and build strength with this at-home workout 03:39 E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots sold in large retailers 00:37 E-Coli outbreak in select organic carrots kills one 01:04 Should oily hair be washed more frequently? Beauty myths busted 05:34 What is RFK Jr.’s agenda for the Department of Health and Human Services? 02:55 Elle Macpherson talks new book, struggles with addiction, more 07:28 Trump’s picks of RFK Jr. and Gaetz spark concern and calls for ethics scrutiny 02:15 NASA tries to dispel rumors of health problems in two astronauts 01:29 How to keep to healthy routines throughout the holiday season 04:08 E. coli cases climb to more than 100 in McDonald’s onion outbreak 02:18 Taraji P. Henson on mental health foundation inspired by late father 11:09 ‘Full House’ star Dave Coulier reveals battle with cancer 07:06 What to know about diabetes: Types, risk factors, new treatments 05:38 Build strength at home this no-equipment workout 02:58 Hologram doctors help ease the healthcare worker shortage 02:36 NBC News’ Zinhle Essamuah speaks with “Dads to Doulas” co-founder Brad Edwards about the training program that is giving Black men the tools needed to support women before, during and after delivery.Nov. 20, 2024 Read More Now Playing ‘Dads to Doulas’ program teaches men tools to help in birthing process 02:43 UP NEXT Fact vs. myth: What to know about potatoes, dairy-free milk, more 05:07 More than half of US adults are now eligible for Ozempic, Wegovy 02:10 Food safety concerns grow following string of illness outbreaks 02:41 Tests reveal dangerously high lead levels in water for dozens of Syracuse homes 05:49 Improve balance and build strength with this at-home workout 03:39 Source link

Vaginal steaming, sometimes called v-steam, involves using steam—usually infused with herbs—to clean and refresh the vulva. Vaginal steaming has been used around the world throughout history, especially in Asian and African countries, and is thought to be an aesthetic and healing treatment. Celebrity influencers like Gwyneth Paltrow popularized it in the United States in the last decade. There is no evidence that vaginal steaming has benefits. Gynecologists typically recommend against practices that “cleanse” the vagina because they can disrupt the vagina’s natural bacteria balance and its ability to self-clean. The basic principle in vaginal steaming is that you expose your vulva to steam for a period to cleanse and rejuvenate your genitalia. Although it’s called “vaginal” steaming, most of the steam affects your vulva and labia rather than entering the vagina. The steam is often made from water infused with various herbs that are thought to be healing for the vaginal area. Natural oils are sometimes infused into the water as well. Vaginal steaming involves removing your clothing from the waist down and then exposing your vulva to steam. You can do vaginal steaming at home, and some spas also do it. Going to a spa practitioner may ensure a safer steam experience. There are various ways to perform vaginal steaming: Sit over a heat or steam source Squat over a bowl of steam and herbs Squat over a commode of steaming water and herbs Sit or hover over coal that has been sprayed with infused water There is a lack of research on vaginal steaming and a lack of evidence of any benefits of the practice. However, many people advertise its benefits. Some of the hypothetical benefits are that vaginal steaming: Results in a “fresher,” cleaner vagina Removes unpleasant vaginal odors Cleans away remaining menstrual blood Cleans away postpartum discharge (lochia) and rejuvenates the vagina after childbirth Improves the physical appearance of the vulva and vagina Increases sexual pleasure Tightens the vagina Strengthens and releases the pelvic floor “Detoxes” the vagina Relieves menstrual cramps Treats bladder infections Treats kidney issues Aids fertility problems Vaginal steaming comes with several possible risks and safety concerns. Using steam and heat near sensitive areas like the genitals poses a risk of burning the skin. Some case studies have reported second-degree vaginal burns from vaginal steaming activities. This is more likely to happen if you use very hot steam or get too close to the heat source. In addition to the risk of burns, practicing vaginal steaming may increase your risk for vaginal infections. One study looked at the practice of vaginal steam baths with herbs among women in Suriname and whether vaginal steaming increased chlamydia infections. Although this study didn’t find a clear association between vaginal steaming and chlamydia, the researchers noted that practices like vaginal steaming are known to increase the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, HPV, and trichomoniasis. This may be because vaginal steaming and other vaginal cleansing practices deplete the vagina’s beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus sp. Bacterial balance is essential for maintaining vaginal health. Vaginal steaming practices can be unsafe for the vagina because they can: Disrupt the vaginal microbiome Disrupt the vagina’s natural acidity Lead to infections Lead to vaginal irritation Lead to yeast infections Lead to bacterial vaginosis Lead to vaginal infections that can cause bacterial infections in other parts of the reproductive tract, like the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes Lead to pelvic inflammatory disease Dry out natural and necessary vaginal mucus and fluids Practices like vaginal steaming aren’t typically helpful and may harm vaginal health. Steaming the vagina is also medically and hygienically unnecessary. Vaginas are self-cleaning and are not dirty or in need of freshening. They can heal after cuts or other minor injuries and clear menstrual blood and postpartum discharge on their own. The vagina has a naturally occurring cleaning system. Your vaginal mucus clears substances like blood, semen, and other fluids from the vagina. This appears as vaginal discharge, and the amount of discharge you have can vary. Your discharge may be thick sometimes and thinner or slippier at other times. It’s also normal for discharge to have a mild odor or a musky scent. Products and practices that claim to detox or cleanse your vagina or vulva are unnecessary and often harmful. Vaginal steaming, douching, and other methods that involve exposing the vagina to cleaners or herbs can harm vaginal health. This is also true for aggressive internal or external washing methods. Washing your vulva with warm water and, if desired, a small amount of mild soap is typically all you need to do to cleanse the area. A few tips for keeping your vagina and vulva healthy include: Wash your vulva with warm water during a shower or bath Avoid washing your vulva with soap if you have a vaginal infection or sensitive skin, as soaps can cause irritation or dryness Never use scented vaginal sprays or powders Never use scented tampons or pads Dry and air out your vagina after bathing Don’t stay in wet bathing suits for long periods, as this can promote bacterial growth Wear breathable, cotton underwear Take precautions to prevent STIs, such as using condoms Clean any reusable vaginal products, like menstrual cups, diaphragms, and cervical caps, thoroughly after use Consider eating foods that contain probiotics, like yogurt; these can promote a balanced vaginal microbiome Having an abundance of vaginal discharge can be normal as long as a foul smell or itching, burning, or other irritation don’t accompany it. It’s also normal for your vulva to be composed of different colors, including light pink, dark pink, red, or brown. You may also have moles on your vulva. It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with what is normal for you in terms of vaginal discharge and vulva appearance. You should call your healthcare provider if you notice any changes to your vaginal discharge, vulva appearance, or if you are experiencing discomfort. The following would warrant a call to a healthcare

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen is leaving after less than two years on the job. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made the announcement Wednesday, saying Allen would be stepping down at the end of the day. She did not give a reason for his departure, but she said she appreciated his contributions to the state Health Department. Allen is the latest in a long line of cabinet secretaries to leave the administration. Lujan Grisham is midway through her second term and just in recent months, there has been turnover at key agencies including the Public Education Department and the Children, Youth and Families Department. Lujan Grisham appointed Allen to the top post in the Health Department in January 2023, citing his policy experience. He had previously served as director of the Oregon Health Authority. Lujan Grisham’s health policy advisor, Gina DeBlassie, will serve as interim cabinet secretary. The governor’s office said DeBlassie has more than 30 years of health care expertise and formerly served as chief operating officer for a company that provides home care services for seniors. She also stepped in last year as the interim head of the state’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department when that secretary retired. Source link

Getty Images An ambitious plan to map all 37 trillion cells in the human body is transforming understanding of how our bodies work, scientists report. The received wisdom said we were built from around 200 types of cell – such as heart muscle or nerve cells. Instead the Human Cell Atlas project has revealed there are thousands of cell types, with some appearing to be culprits in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis. In a flurry of announcements, the formation of the human skeleton and the early immune system have also been mapped out in detail. The novel insight is akin to moving from the maps of the 15th Century era of Joan of Arc and Richard III to what the phone in your pocket can load. The old maps of the body had the equivalent of major roads and significant geography but also areas cartographers labelled unknown or “terra incognita”. “[Now] it looks more like a Google map, you have a high resolution view and then on top of that you have the Street View that explains what’s going on, and then on top of that you can see the dynamic changes during the day when less cars are flowing or more cars are flowing,” said Dr Aviv Regev, one of the founders who now works at now at Genentech. She added: “This is essential for us to understand and treat disease, cells are the basic unit of life, if things go wrong, they go wrong with our cells.” Performing a feat of “human cartography” requires cutting-edge biology and computer science. The project so far has looked at more than 100 million cells – deeply analysing each individual one – from 10,000 people around the world. The journal Nature has now published a series of 40 scientific discoveries as researchers work towards creating the first draft of the whole human cell atlas. “This is a major milestone that marks a great leap in understanding of the human body,” said Dr Sarah Teichmann, from the University of Cambridge and one of the founders of the Human Cell Atlas. Broad Institute The human small intestine The latest discoveries include a map of the gut all the way from the mouth, down the oesphagus, into the stomach and intestines and out the anus. Researchers looked at the types of cells, where they were located and how they chatted to the other cells around them. Out of the 1.6 million cells analysed was a new form, called a gut metaplastic cell. It seems to play a role in exacerbating inflammation in the seven million people that live with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. “We were able to uncover a pathogenic cell type that may play a role in some chronic conditions and could be a target for [drug] intervention in the future,” said Dr Rasa Elmentaite, who did the research at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. There are more than 3,600 scientists across 100 countries collaborating on the Human Cell Atlas, which is one of the most ambitious projects in biology and has been described as the heir to the Human Genome Project to sequence the human genetic code. The developing human skeleton where cartilage (blue) acts as a ‘scaffold’ before bone (purple) is formed. Another discovery showed how the human skeleton forms in the womb in the weeks after conception. First a scaffold of cartilage, like the wobbly bit on the end of your nose, forms. Then bone cells grow over it. This happens everywhere except for the very top of the skull to give the brain space to grow. Some of the genetic instructions involved in orchestrating this early developmental process are the same ones implicated in osteoarthritis decades later. “Ultimately, using this atlas could help us better understand the conditions of both the young and ageing skeleton,” said Dr Ken To, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute. A similar study looked at the thymus – a small organ involved in training the immune system. Researchers showed this process started much earlier than previously thought suggesting the earliest stages of pregnancy could have an impact on immune function for life. It also gives ideas for engineering new immune-cell-based therapies in the laboratory for fighting diseases such as a cancer. Another example of the Human Cell Atlas in action came during the Covid pandemic when the detailed maps of the body allowed scientists to anticipate how the virus would move from tissue to tissue and identified the nose, mouth and eyes as key entry points to the body. Dr Katrina Gold, from the Wellcome Trust medical research funder, said today’s announcements were a “true milestone for the Human Cell Atlas”. “When complete, it could transform the ways we diagnose, monitor and treat diseases,” she said. Source link

Nearly 8% of Americans have asthma. Given that there’s no cure for the condition, it’s important that if you have it, you find ways to manage your breathing symptoms and limit your flare-ups in order to maintain as high a quality of life as possible. Treatments for asthma include reliever inhalers, long-term inhalers, and pills—and in many cases, these are enough to keep the condition in check. But when a person’s asthma is severe or isn’t managed well by typical protocols, they may be a good candidate for pulmonary rehabilitation. What is pulmonary rehab? You might benefit from pulmonary rehab if your asthma disrupts your ability to perform daily activities, even while you’re taking asthma medications. Pulmonary rehab is a supervised intervention that helps people live—and even thrive—with chronic breathing-related conditions. Many assume that the program mostly involves exercises designed to strengthen the lungs. While physical activity is indeed generally involved, pulmonary rehab involves a range of other interventions, including education about respiratory diseases, stress management, psychological counseling, and nutrition coaching from a multidisciplinary team, says Dr. Seyedmohammad Pourshahid, medical director of pulmonary rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital-Main Campus, in Philadelphia. That’s a lot to cover, so pulmonary rehab is usually conducted two to three times a week over eight to 12 weeks. It commonly takes place in person and in a group setting rather than virtually or via individual care, Pourshahid says. Still, the plan is tailored to a specific patient’s diagnosis and needs. “Somebody with asthma might actually have a different program than someone who doesn’t have asthma,” but instead has another respiratory condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), says Dr. Michelle M. Freemer, program director of the division of lung diseases at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Read More: How Complementary Medicine Can Help People With Asthma When you’re just starting out with pulmonary rehab, you’ll share a thorough health history with a nurse, during which you’ll discuss medications, supplemental oxygen use, any other health conditions you have, your exercise habits, and more, says Katrina A. Roux-Bernstein, a certified registered nurse practitioner in pulmonology at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. The nurse will work with the patient to set up a convenient schedule for rehab over the next several months. Over the course of the program, youll have factors like your pulse oximetry, heart rate, and blood pressure monitored so your health care team can see what improvements have been made by the end of rehab, Roux-Bernstein says. One additional measurement is a six-minute walking test. Early on in pulmonary rehab, you’ll walk as far as you can in six minutes to see how your lungs and heart respond to the exertion. At the end of the program, the goal is to be able to walk farther in those same six minutes with a gradual increase in heart rate rather than a dramatic spike, Roux-Bernstein says. How does pulmonary rehab help with asthma? While larger and more robust research is needed, a 2021 review of existing studies on pulmonary rehab for adults with asthma found it generally improves quality of life, increases the ability to exercise, and eases some breathing problems. A 2023 review found a need for more asthma-specific research on pulmonary function outcomes like oxygen uptake, asthma symptom control, and asthma exacerbations (also called flare-ups or asthma attacks). That said, the quality-of-life improvements seen with pulmonary rehab for people with asthma are robust. For example, pulmonary rehab can be encouraging for people with exercise-induced asthma. Throughout the program, these patients can work out while being monitored to see if the steps they take before exercise to prevent symptoms actually help, Freemer says. Plus, they have the emotional safety net that they can stop under a professional’s care if and when they need to. “There’s the comfort of being observed, because you’ve got respiratory therapists, nurses, occupational therapists—you have all that support,” Roux-Bernstein says. “Pulmonary rehab has been shown to reduce that anxiety that comes with movement and [the fear of] having another exacerbation.” Read More: What to Know About the Latest Advances in Managing Severe Asthma Pulmonary rehab may be even more helpful for people with asthma who also have another breathing-related condition, Roux-Bernstein says. Someone with asthma may have been managing their symptoms well until getting Long COVID, for example, and now suddenly they’re short of breath after minimal effort, she says. Or perhaps someone has asthma and COPD, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, or sarcoidosis. Pulmonary rehab can help restore some lung function and improve quality of life for people facing these or similar comorbidities, she says. That’s at least in part because asthma can be a bit of a vicious cycle: The steroid medications commonly used for asthma treatment can lead to muscle loss over time, and muscle loss makes it harder to breathe, Pourshahid says. When a person is already having trouble breathing, they’re less likely to exercise, which reduces their general physical fitness, makes them even more short of breath, and contributes to more muscle loss. Pulmonary rehab can help break that cycle by building muscle, improving cardiovascular endurance, and educating the patient on dietary choices that support muscle growth, he adds. Mental health improves too Living with a chronic diagnosis like asthma is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression, which can in turn trigger more exacerbations of asthma symptoms, Pourshahid says. But if you aren’t feeling your best mentally and are worried about having an asthma attack while out in public, you might be inclined to isolate and not engage with your community, furthering your risk for mental health consequences and a generally lower quality of life, he says. Pulmonary rehab may function as a comforting, welcoming space where those worries can be lifted—at least temporarily. For example, “you’re able to bring your oxygen and not feel looked at because everybody’s got their oxygen with them, too,” Roux-Bernstein says. A pulmonary rehab program typically teaches patients mindfulness, breathing techniques, stress reduction, and other

Calories on menus mean we can no longer pretend that fast food is slimming David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images When you go to a restaurant, you may well be presented with a wide array of dishes, each printed on a menu alongside its calorie content. A chicken burger and fries may come to 1597 kilocalories. Swap the meat for a plant-based substitute, and it could rise to 1746 kcal. Opting for the vegan bacon ketchup adds another 300 kcal. Since 2022, these calorie labels have been compulsory for any restaurant, café or takeaway chain in England with more than… Source link

I have been singing Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me” nonstop since seeing Nicole Kidman at the 2024 GQ Men of the Year awards. Specifically the lyric that goes, “I don’t like no whips and chains / And you can’t tie me down / But you can whip your lovin’ on me, baby.” With its turtleneck and long sleeves, Kidman’s scarlet Balenciaga gown was giving sweaterdress from the front. But then you see the back and it’s a whole different story. Neil Mockford In the back, the dress features a red ribbon corset detail that starts at the top of the neck and continues all the way down to the hem, secured at the neckline with a bow. The bow’s ribbon tails are far longer than the dress itself, and Kidman carried them in her hand so they looked a bit like, well, a whip. She completed the ensemble with matching red pumps, loose hair, and a classic brown smoky eye. Neil Mockford Source link