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One of the most crucial aspects of improving your overall performance if you’re a baseball player is core strength training. Advanced core strength techniques will help you improve your overall balance, as well as reduce the chances of getting an injury while swinging, pitching, and throwing. These advanced core strength training tips can help you to become a great power hitter and help you to stay healthy and have a long lasting career.

The core is more than just your abdominals. You have to come to grips with this before you can develop an effective core strength training program. Many define the core as all muscle groups from your groin to your shoulders, including your chest.

Another alternative to exercise the body core is by using the exercise ball. The simplest way to do it is by sitting on the exercise ball which will engage the core muscles. A more extreme exercise is by kneeling beside the ball while the hands on the ball and then rolling forward.

A proper abs workout should be able to most effectively work out the entire mid-section and core, in minimal amount of time with no risk of injuries. Finding such an exercise is very difficult but here are some things you should focus on when planning your core workout.

You should also talk to your doctor about being ready for strength training when you are recovering from surgery, have had no physical exercise

whatsoever prior to your upcoming strength training plans, are pregnant or had given birth less than three months ago.

Core strength is simply about having a strong core muscle group. If your core muscles are weak your body will not work as effectively as it could, resulting in poor posture and injuries to the knees, back and shoulders. By developing your core strength you are not only going to improve your posture (and look much better for it!), decrease the risk of injury but you will also improve your balance and stability. Even when you are only standing on the board you are engaging your core muscles, so think how much you use your core muscles when twisting, turning and rotating on your surfboard out on the waves.

Once a trainee understands optimal muscle balance, serious progress occurs. The muscles and connective tissues of the midsection are the most important for our body function. They serve to protect our vital organs and allow us to move through unpredictable patterns. In short, the more core strength you have, the more movement, stability, and mobility you will have.

Okay, now let’s talk about working the lower back muscles on the ball. The same issues hold true when comparing back extensions on the floor and back extensions on the ball. You have less range of motion on the floor, so you may not achieve the same improvement in strength.

Your upper body is made up of your arms, shoulders, upper back, neck and chest. You can work with free weights or machines to target these specific body parts. The bench press is one obvious method for targeting your chest muscle.

Read About bodybuilding supplements Also Read About benefits of cardiotraining and strength training benefits

Read About bodybuilding supplements Also Read About benefits of cardiotraining and strength training benefits

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Are you sick and tired of people looking at you as if you were a menace to society? It is the height isn’t it? Well, if you can’t have those routinary exercises and nutritional diet fit your daily lifestyle, then you can look into possible ways of making yourself look taller than you are right now.

The secret to look taller lies in good posture. Having a very good posture makes you take advantage of the physical, as well as, the psychological benefits that it could give. This is one of the main reasons why people look as if they were short in height, because they are not able to maintain a good posture that would show how tall they really are. Posture has to do with you standing up, sitting down and lying down.

When you stand up, you may want to have one leg higher that the other to maintain your balance. In sitting down, you have to have a high back support, while your feet stays flat on the floor. You have to remember that when you sit down you need to do some stretch ups to maintain the blood flow in the body. In lying down. probably when you are about to take a nap, or at bed time, the best position that you can look into is lying flat on your back and have your neck slightly elevated. This lying down position would help relax your back and releases the tension.

By continuously doing these simple instructions, you will be able to improve your posture, as well as strengthen your spine.  This would then lead to a more pleasant appearance that would make you look taller each coming day.

Now, you can also look into the clothes that you wear just so you may look taller than you are. Tall people have broader shoulders, so you may want to wear clothes with shoulder pads to achieve that look. Avoid those bulky clothes, with those low-waist pants, and are heavy to look at. These clothes makes your height appear shorter that you really are. Your shoes can actually make a difference, so wear shoes that would make you look taller.

There are a lot of ways for you to look into so you can look taller than you are. However , you have to keep in mid, if you want to grow taller naturally then, do get a load of those exercises, healthy foods, and complete sleep. A healthy lifestyle would be your stepping stone for a taller appearance.

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Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong by definition refers to Tai Chi energy work. In this post I will try to shed some light on what is meant by the Chi Kung / Qi Gong energy work aspect of the practice?

Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong is often taught as a set of moves separate from the Tai Chi sets. I have found that the vast majority of the time these other moves do not come with much of an explanation of why and how they are any different from the Tai Chi in the Tai Chi sets and that the moves by themselves do not impart any kind of ability different than what is already available in the Tai Chi sets.

So, what is Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong? First of all the Tai Chi moves are just Tai Chi choreography or moves until you begin to actually to practice the energetic aspects of the art. The real practice of Tai Chi is Chi Kung / Qi Gong. As soon as you start practicing the energetic aspects the Tai Chi so to speak then you are really practicing Tai Chi (probably with the moves) and not just the moves. At that same moment you are now practicing and or applying the Chi Kung / Qi Gong.

An obvious question at this point might be so what makes Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong? That is a very big question because the answer could and does fill books. I will try to shed some light on it here.

First of all in Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong are the physical structural alignments which are a necessity for the proper flow of energy through and around the body including through the acupuncture meridians of the body. This is part of the reason that so much emphasis gets put on the moves at the beginning of a students training and why it stays an important issue in training as one progresses. Incorrect and bad posture impedes and blocks energy flow so it is important to get it right. While you are learning and working on this you are not really performing Tai Chi yet but are simply learning something you need to understand to perform real Tai Chi.

One of the first things you learn in Tai Chi and that is a necessity in Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong is known as Sung which translates as relaxation both inside and out. Any tension in the body will impede or stop the flow of energy through the body. This can be structural tension (bad or improper positioning), physical tension (like holding tension in your shoulders or neck simply because you do not allow them to relax) or mental or emotional tension that is manifested in the body such as jaws clenched and a tight face when someone is having a bad day.

So, for proper Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong you first need Sung relaxation and proper posture. Once you have these you can really perform Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong.

The next step in solo Tai Chi practice is all Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong. You begin to work different aspects of energy within your Tai Chi both for fighting and for self defense purposes. There are approximately 36 different primary expressions of energy in Tai Chi. You use your mind to direct the internal movement and chi into an expression. That expression is known as Jing. Jing is an expression of Chi or energy hence it is energy work. A few jing expressions are well known and some are quite obscure.

to be continued…

for more on Tai Chi and Combat Tai Chi visit Richard Clear’s Tai Chi Blog. www.ClearsTaiChi.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/tai-chi-chi-kung-qi-gong-1389256.html

Cutting new teeth, or teething, can be a very frustrating experience for babies and their parents. Parents hate to know their baby is in pain. In this article we hope to help you so you know what to do when your baby is teething.

Your baby can begin teething as early as 3 months old and the process can continue up to a child’s third birthday or beyond. In most cases, when your baby is between the ages of 4 and 7 months, you will notice your child’s first tooth pushing through the gum line.

Typically, the first teeth to appear are the two bottom front teeth. These are the central incisors. Within 4 to 8 weeks, your baby’s four front upper teeth will begin to push through the gums. These are the central and lateral incisors.

In another month, your baby’s lower lateral incisors will begin to come in. That is the two teeth on each side of the bottom front teeth. Next will be molars. Your baby’s back teeth used for grinding food. Last but not least, your baby’s eyeteeth will start to come in. That’s the pointy teeth in the upper jaw. By your baby’s third birthday, they will usually have all 20 primary teeth.

Only in very rare cases does a baby get born with one or two teeth or begin teething within the first few weeks after birth. There is no reason for concern if this happens, unless the teeth are loose and pose a choking hazard.

When your baby begins teething you might notice they begin to drool more and constantly want to chew on things. Some babies experience no pain while teething, others may be irritable or cranky for weeks. Some babies experience crying episodes, not wanting to eat, and sleep disruption. If your child is too irritable, call your doctor to see if there is a problem.

Tender and swollen gums can cause your baby’s temperature to rise, but generally teething does not cause high temperature in babies. You should call your doctor if high temperatures do occur, because there is probably another cause for it.

If your baby drools excessively, wipe their mouth often or it could cause rashes. While sleeping, place a clean cloth under the baby’s head to catch excess drooling.

Give your baby something to chew on that is large enough that they cannot swallow it and something that won’t break or cannot be chewed into small pieces. Place a wet washcloth in the freezer for thirty minutes and let them chew on that. Rubber teething rings are another good choice. Don’t use the ones that have liquid in them just to be safe. They could break.

Rub your baby’s gums with your finger. This can help relieve the pain. Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck.. Acetaminophen may also help relieve your baby’s pain. Always consult your doctor before giving them any medication and remember, never give a baby aspirin.

Another important tip for preventing tooth decay: don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk or juice can pool in her mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque.

Good dental hygiene for your baby is extremely important. These teeth are not permanent and will eventually fall out, however, lack of proper care can cause them to drop out prematurely, leaving gaps. If that happens the other teeth may try to fill the gap, causing bad alignment in the baby’s permanent teeth.
 
You should start caring for the baby’s gums even before the teeth come in. Wipe their gums off with a washcloth or gauze or use a baby-sized toothbrush, but no toothpaste. When the first tooth appears, brush it with plain water.
The American Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist by age 1, when six to eight teeth are in place, to spot any potential problems and advise parents about preventive care.

Around age three, when your child is old enough to spit it out, toothpaste is okay to use. Make sure the toothpaste contains fluoride but use very little for small children. Do not let them swallow it. Overdoses of fluoride are dangerous for children.

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Animal and insect bites and stings are relatively common minor injuries. Usually, they will heal on their own and will not cause serious or permanent damage, but they can be serious and it is important to know appropriate first aid measures.

What are the possible complications of bites and stings?

Many animal bites result in puncture wounds – deep wounds that penetrate the tissue underneath the skin and cause internal damage. The germs from the animal’s mouth can then be carried deep into the wound and may cause serious infections.

The adder is the only poisonous snake in the UK, and although the venom can be fatal, the number of recorded deaths is very small indeed.

There is one serious complication of insect stings. A small percentage of people can develop a life- threatening allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock, where airways become swollen and reduce the air getting to the lungs. The symptoms of anaphylactic shock are red, blotchy skin with raised areas, swelling of the face and neck, puffiness around the eyes, wheezing and difficulty breathing, rapid pulse and loss of consciousness. Anaphylactic shock is a very serious condition and requires immediate hospital treatment.

What should I do if someone has been bitten or stung?

First, assess the seriousness of the bite or sting.

Serious bites and stings

If the bite is large and/or bleeding heavily, take the person to the nearest GP or hospital, or call 999 for an ambulance

If the person has been stung in the mouth, give them ice to suck on and phone 999 for an ambulance

If you suspect the person is going into anaphylactic shock, call for an ambulance immediately. Check the person’s ABC (see box bellow) and if necessary (and you are trained to do so), perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation

You should be aware that coming into contact with blood and body fluids may expose you to infections such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV. If the bite is bleeding, do not touch it with your bare hands. Ideally, put on a pair of disposable, preferably sterile gloves: if you do not have a first aid box to hand or you do not have disposable gloves, use another type of barrier, such as a thickly folded dish towel or clean handkerchief, and wash you hands thoroughly before and after touching the person.

Minor animal bites

Wash the wound with warm water and soap, if possible

Pat the wound dry, and cover it with a plaster or small dressing, or any piece of clean, non-textured cloth that you have to hand

If the person has been bitten by an animal, check with its owners about current immunisations. The person who has been bitten should see their doctor about a tetanus immunisation. Afterwards, keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling and heat concentrated at the site of the wound).

If the person has been bitten by a snake, keep the wounded area below the level of the heart and do not allow the person to walk around, as this will spread the venom through the body. If you can, immobilise the injured area using strips of cloth and padding tied into a splint. Call an ambulance.

Minor insect bites and stings

Bites from insects such as mosquitoes, fleas or flies usually do not require medical attention. Even stings from bees, wasps or hornets, although painful and frightening, are not usually serious.

If the stinger it still there, remove it by scraping a credit card over the surface; do not try to remove it with tweezers – you may squeeze more venom out of the venom sac into the wound

Apply a cold compress (any clean cloth soaked in cold water will do) to reduce the pain and swelling

A paste of baking soda mixed with water can help to relieve the pain.

If the pain and swelling do not go away, or if it gets worse over the next day or two, the person should see a doctor

As mentioned above, if you suspect the person is having an allergic reaction to a sting (anaphylactic shock) you must phone for an ambulance immediately.

What can I do to prevent bites and stings?

There are several measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of being bitten or stung:

Do not approach wild animals, especially if they seem injured

Avoid strange cats and dogs

Do not wear strong perfume, which will attract bees and wasps

Use an insect repellent

Take care when eating and drinking: bees and wasps are attracted to sweet, sugary foods. Take particular care when drinking from cans of soft drink: always use a straw or pour the drink into a cup or glass

If you come across a wasp or bees’ nest, do not disturb it

Avoid dense forested areas in hot weather and in the height of summer.

Take a walking stick if you intend to walk through long grass or undergrowth: your stick will disturb a snake or other biting animal before you do

Wear protective clothing: long socks and long-sleeved garments will provide protection from bites and stings

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What are they?

Blackheads are symptoms of the very ordinary skin problem known as acne. It is cause by over-active sebaceous glands of the skin. The excess oil concealed leads to clogged pores. The mixture of oil and dead skin cell hardens and is called plug. The plug stops sebum from attainment the outside of the skin and allows microorganisms Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) to grow.

Our skin is exposed to a lot of dirt and filth from the environment. These pollutants also gather in the pore with hardened oil. This causes the pore to be further clogged.

Blackheads occur when the attentive sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface. The clogged oil oxidizes with the air and turn black. The clogged inside may remain for very long as it takes a extended time to drain to the surface.

Blackheads are very commonly found in the area crossways your forehead and down your nose and chin (also known as T-zone). Sebaceous glands on this region of the face are very, very active. However they can also happen on other areas of the face, neck, chest, back, shoulder, even arms any area that is wealthy in sebaceous glands.

A simple step on how to remove blackheads

One effective method concerning how to remove blackheads concerns a hot wash cloth. You can place a hot wash cloth over your face for 5 minutes and then go after up with a gentle face scrub. This should marsh away some of those nasty buggers without damaging your delicate mug. Some individuals prefer a expert blackhead remover, which can be purchased online for a little price. Remember to use quietly

Other ways on how to remove blackheads

Nose-Strip Method to remove blackheads

1. Wet your nose with a spotless face cloth and then dry your hands
2. Open the packet that the nose narrow piece is in, and rip the little tabs for a better fit on your nose
3. Put the sticky side on your snout and wait for around 10 minutes.
4. After 10 minutes, the nose narrow piece should be as hard as papier mache. Remove it.

Removing Tool Method to remove blackheads

1. Fill a go under or bathtub with hot (but not boiling) water.
2. Rest your head over the water, so that your face can take benefit of the steam.
3. Empty the sink or bathtub and clean the blackhead removing instrument with soap and water. Go on to use the removing tool, carefully next the instructions.

Facial Scrub Method to remove blackheads

1. Wash your face and clean with water do not bother to dry it.
2. Take a quarter-sized amount of facial scrub and lather from side to side clean hands.
3. Massage your face with the rub to exfoliate the skin.
4. Rinse and wash face again if essential.

Read more on How to Remove Blackheads and Makeup Tips and Women Health Problems

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If you have problems with immunity, is more likely to have frequent bouts of colds, flu and minor infections. Antibiotics are drugs indeed great, but recklessness in their use is not recommended.

It is a wrong notion that antibiotics can treat and cure all viral and bacterial infections. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses and unnecessary administration may actually be counterproductive. You can make your body immune to the drug and bring down immunity. A natural antibiotic alternative that can help prevent further damage that drugs can potentially cause and relieve symptoms also.

The low immunity is primary or acquired. The primary conditions are mainly due to a genetic predisposition. The low immunity acquired conditions are greatly affected by dietary habits, lifestyle and abuse of medication for minor ailments like the common cold and so on.

The immune system is your body’s first line of defense against foreign invaders: bacteria, pathogens, viruses, parasites or anything that can potentially cause disease. The spleen, thymus, lymph system and tonsils are all part of this extensive network of organs, tissues and cells including the white blood cells that help in curing yourself. The herbs for the immune system and natural remedies should be part of their daily routine to build this complex system. There is scientific evidence that a natural diet, herbal antibiotics and an active lifestyle, enhance immune system health and help prevent diseases like common cold or simple life-threatening diseases like cancer.

* Vitamin A, C and E are the most essential to maintain immune system health. A daily handful of almonds will provide sufficient amounts of vitamin E, oranges and other citrus are a natural source of vitamin C.

* Garlic is perhaps the oldest cultivated plant in the world and its history as an effective herbal antibiotic and booster for the immune system dates from the days when the pyramids were built. It is the natural builder of white blood cells, one of the most important components of the immune system.

* The carrots and other vegetables red, orange and dark green contain carotenoids, which are converted into vitamin A by the liver. These are extremely helpful for the thymus gland. The thymus gland is an endocrine organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes. It plays an important role in producing immunity and preventing atrophies due to advanced age

* Zinc is another element that is essential for immunity. The element is followed by iron concentration in the body. Deficiency may affect the immune system in more ways than one. It acts as a catalyst in the immune responses to pathogens and ensures that the white blood cells perform their functions. Peanuts, peanut butter and dark meat of chicken, beef and lamb are excellent sources of zinc.

* Six ounces of plain yogurt and fresh daily, maintain healthy intestinal flora for proper digestion. Yogurt bacteria convert the lactose in milk into lactic acid, which is perfect for maximizing absorption and prevent vaginal infections and bladder.

* Among the herbs for the immune system the Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha is known for its stimulating effect on the immune system.

There’s an old saying that goes: Whenever you are in doubt, go back to nature. A natural lifestyle and homemade food with daily exercise will prevent many ailments.

For more helpful information please visit Brahmi to Relieve Stress and Benefits of Wheatgrass at Boost Immune System

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One of the advantages of reaching midlife is that we are finally finished with all those issues that make childhood and adolescence such a pain in the neck, such as needing set bedtimes as well as  regular dental and eye checkups; having to worry about using protection during sex and about cigarette smoking; getting all those shots to prevent diseases and wearing helmets to prevent sports injuries; needing to eat all our vegetables and avoid sugar as well as not missing gym class. What a relief to let these issues fade right along with our memories of tetherball on the school playground!

Not so fast. Would it surprise you to know that you still have to be aware of each and every one of the above so-called “child/adolescent” health issues?  

For instance, what about set bedtimes? The obvious reason that we needed enforced, regular  bedtimes each night was so that we would get enough sleep. Being tired and sleepy the next day in school caused everything from lousy concentration to crabby moods. Now that we’re in midlife, many of us believe that sleep is no longer an issue. This is not the case at all. It’s still essential to our health and wellbeing. Recent studies have shown that not only do sleep disturbances often indicate a serious health problem, but that lack of sleep can actually cause health problems, such as weight gain. Polls have shown that nearly two thirds of adults over the age of sixty-five have sleep complaints, but that less than 15 per cent of them have been formally diagnosed with a sleep problem. Why? Because we don’t mention sleep problems to our health care providers. Our mothers were right — we still need to be concerned about our bedtimes.

Once we’ve gotten the glasses we need and all our baby teeth are gone, we no longer need to get regular eye and dental checkups as we did in our younger years, right? Again — no. Although our vision does remain stable from young adulthood until we need bifocals, there are common eye diseases that begin to occur in midlife, and that can lead to blindness if not diagnosed.  And even though we no longer have our baby teeth,  other dental issues take the forefront upon reaching midlife, such as gum inflammation which has been shown to be associated with diabetes and heart disease. So, continued regular dental and eye checks are as important as in our younger years. 

And what about sex at midlife and beyond?  We’ve moved from groping and being groped in the backseat of the car to more sophisticated maneuvers in a comfortable bed, and finally, finally no longer have to worry about pregnancy. So we don’t need protection; or so many of us think. Although it’s true that once menopause arrives one can’t get pregnant (warning: make sure you have completed menopause before assuming this as diagnosing menopause can be tricky),  protection is still needed during sex because of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Yes, we can still get those, and in some cases are even more prone to becoming infected after menopause, even after a hysterectomy. And even though we’re past the childbearing years and our reproductive organs seem to have no further use, we still need regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. It is also important at that exam to discuss with our healthcare providers the need for testing for STIs; if there is a new partner or the worry that the current partner is not monogamous, this testing is a must.

STIs are not the only threat held over from our adolescent years; so is cigarette smoking. Many women in midlife think that there is no reason to stop smoking cigarettes at this age, since they wrongly assume that the damage is already done from all the prior years of smoking. This is not the case. No matter how many years one has smoked, stopping can prevent further damage to the heart, blood vessels, and lungs, and in some cases can reverse some of that damage.  

Also relevant to the lungs is the fact that asthma can begin in midlife, where once it was thought to only begin in childhood.  The two major causes seem to be occupational exposure to substances that damage the lungs, and the recreational exposure to air pollution by adults who run predominantly outside. So, a new onset of shortness of breath at this age — even if it occurs only with exercise — does not necessarily mean heart disease; remember that we can develop asthma now.

Did you think you were finished with all those horrible shots you had to have in childhood and adolescence? Sorry, you’re not. There is a recommended immunization schedule for adults in midlife and beyond, just as there are for children. At certain ages over 50 and at certain intervals, you’ll need shots against the flu, certain types of pneumonia, tetanus, and in some instances, shingles and hepatitis.  Ask your primary care provider about these.

And did you pack away your helmet when you gave away your bike with training wheels? Probably ok to have done this since now you will need a bigger size helmet. But you do need a helmet. A recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that sports-related injuries in the Baby Boomer population was on the rise, with over 1 million injuries in this age group in 1998 alone, most of the injuries being due to bicycling and basketball.  The same report said that the many head injuries associated with bicycling were probably due to the fact that Baby Boomers use helmets less than younger people do.

The fact that exercise and proper nutrition are as important in midlife and beyond as in childhood may not come as a surprise. Regular exercise at this age has been shown to increase longevity and wellbeing, postpone and possibly prevent dementia, strokes, heart disease, and diabetes, and aid in the treatment of depression. Important to know as well is that several different types of regular exercise are recommended at this age, including aerobic (cardio) exercise, weight-bearing exercise or strength training, and exercises to improve balance and flexibility.

What we eat as we get older is every bit as important as it was in our younger years. One particular healthy way of eating, the Mediterranean diet, has been shown to stave off dementia, prevent heart disease and diabetes, maintain a healthy cholesterol level, and improve longevity. One study showed that this diet even improved sexual function in certain women! This diet is exactly as expected given its name: lots of natural whole foods, like vegetables, fruits, and nuts, lots of fish and olive oil, moderate amounts of wine, and limited amounts of foods containing refined sugar. Controlling the portions of the foods we eat is even more important at this age. Our metabolic rate decreases with age, making it easier to gain weight while eating the same amounts of food as in our younger years.  

So, as you are rummaging through your mother’s attic looking at your old dolls, baseball bat and Ouija Board, and breathing a sigh of relief that you no longer have to worry about being picked for a baseball team or that your best friend copied your paper doll’s dress, don’t get lulled into complacency about your health. Although you once may have thought that taking care of yourself  health-wise would get easier as you get older, you know now that that’s not true. Make your appointments for regular checkups, get more than 5 hours of sleep a night, use protection when having sex, particularly with a new partner, stop smoking no matter how old you are, get the recommended immunizations, be careful and wear your helmet and seatbelts, and exercise regularly and eat well. Your mother’s recommendations from your childhood continue to apply!

©2008 Janet Horn, M.D.

Author Bio
Dr. Janet Horn is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, with training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She spent many years on the fulltime faculty of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she published articles in medical journals on her research interests, including sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and women’s health. She was also the primary author of several chapters in medical textbooks.  She started her solo private practice in 1990 while continuing to teach as an Associate Professor of Medicine on the part time faculty at Hopkins. She has been selected by Baltimore Magazine as one of the “Top Doctors in Baltimore” and by the Maryland Daily Record as one of the “Top 100 Women in Maryland.”   She is included in the books Consumer’s Guide to Top Doctors (in the US) and Best Doctors in America, Southeast Region.  She is the co-author of The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife and Beyond, which will be available this September from New Harbinger Publications.