Diabetes Drug May Raise Pancreatitis Risk

Two common medications, including one used to treat diabetes, may increase your risk of developing pancreatitis, according to two new studies.

By Amir Khan, Everyday Health Staff Writer

MONDAY, Feb. 25, 2013 — Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, and occurs when enzymes that digest food activate in the pancreas instead of the small intestine. While majority of the cases occur from excessive alcohol consumption or gallstones, two new studies have linked two common medications to the disease, which researchers say may help explain pancreatitis often appears without any cause.

Cortisone, a hormone used to treat a number of diseases from psoriasis to arthritis, may increase your risk for pancreatitis, the study found. Patients taking it were 70 percent more likely to develop acute pancreatitis, which, while treatable, can cause long-lasting and severe problems. Excessive alcohol consumption and gallstones are the primary causes of pancreatitis, but the cause of 20 percent of pancreatitis cases is unknown — and researchers say cortisone may play a role in how those cases develop.

“Drug-induced acute pancreatitis has previously been considered as a rare cause of acute pancreatitis,” the researchers, led by Omid Sadr-Azodi, MD, study author and assistant physician at Eskilstuna County Hospital in Sweden, wrote in the study, “but recent reports have indicated that drug induced acute pancreatitis might be the third most common cause of the disease, accounting for 3 to 5 percent of all cases.”

 Researchers looked at 6,000 patients diagnosed with pancreatitis between 2006 and 2008 and compared them to 61,000 healthy people, finding that people who were treated with medicine containing cortisone, such as Prednisolone, were 70 percent more likely to develop pancreatitis. The pancreatitis risk was higher in patients who smoked tobacco and drank alcohol, leading researchers to advise patients to avoid those substances while taking medications containing cortisone. The findings were published today in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

“There was no observable increase in risk for people who used aerosol cortisone, such as asthma inhalers," Dr. Sadr-Azodi MD said in a statement. “But people who start a course of cortisone are recommended to refrain from drinking and smoking, which are risk factors for acute pancreatitis."

A second study found that a new class of diabetes drugs, known as glucagon-like peptide-1-based therapies (GLP-1) and sold under brand names like Januvia and Byetta, can also cause pancreatitis, and according to the study, also published in JAMA Internal Medicine, patients on GLP-1 therapies are twice as likely to end up hospitalized for pancreatitis.

“We were surprised by the large risk increase,” says Sonal Singh, M.D., study author and assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Pancreatitis is a debilitating condition, and our message is that you need to be alert for the symptoms if you’re taking these drugs.”

Symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and tenderness in the abdomen. Pancreatitis usually resolves in a few days, and treatment typically consists of morphine to control the pain, oxygen to help restore normal lung function and fluids to avoid dehydration. However, severe cases can lead to cancer or result in death, and Singh says more research needs to be conducted on these drugs to better understand the risks.

“Pancreatitis is a marker for pancreatic cancer, so that’s one of the biggest concerns,” he says. “We don’t have enough information over the long term to know if these therapies can lead to it.”

But, Howard Weintraub, MD, a clinical associate professor in the department of medicine at the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York says that GLP-1 therapies are able to treat diabetes without many of the side effects that come with insulin, such as weight gain and cardiovascular effects, which makes it the prime choice for diabetics, despite the pancreatitis risk.

“Cardiologists have taken to liking GLP-1 because other [diabetes] drugs can cause heart issues,” Dr. Weintraub says. “These drugs can help diabetics without causing those issues.”

Weintraub says he’s not disputing the study findings, but instead saying that the pancreatitis risk may be worth it.

“I’m not debating the fact that there’s an uptick in pancreatitis,” he says, “but I’ll tolerate a little pancreatic irritation for not putting someone into heart failure.”

However, Weintraub admitted that the GLP-1 therapies may not be for everyone.

“I think the bottom line is that there needs to be vigilance, attention and focus on potential side effects,” he says. “Patients should be carefully selected to be the drugs.”

Health Matters with Dr. Sanjay Gupta |  

Diabetes And Heat Don't Go Together

Diabetics are more vulnerable to the heat — and so are their medications.

Diabetes makes it harder for the body to cool itself, so diabetics need to be even more aware of the early signs of heat illness, such as heat stroke.

Muscle cramps, wooziness, or nausea on a hot day are signs that you need to get into a cool place and rehydrate.

“Not only do they have to worry about their health, they also have to worry about the impact of the hot weather on their equipment, their medications and their supplies,” says Curtiss Cook, MD, of the Mayo Clinic.

Insulin is less effective in the heat, so diabetics may choose to leave their insulin at home on very hot days. The test strips in blood-sugar meters may also be affected by the heat.

Diabetics don’t have to be summertime hermits, but they need to take extra precautions: Carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and be alert for early signs of trouble.

6 Ways to Feel Better With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia symptoms got you down? These self-help strategies can have you feeling good again.

 By Dennis Thompson Jr.

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

There's no question that fibromyalgia is painful. But many experts also believe there's an emotional component to this disorder that can increase the discomfort and fatigue.

Distressed people, like those living with fibromyalgia, are more sensitive to pain. This can actually lead to a vicious cycle: Pain causes distress, and distress reinforces the disease that causes the pain. In turn, finding ways to boost your emotional health may help ease your physical pain, too.

"When people are depressed in the present, it's a predictor of more pain in the future," says John Fry, PhD, a psychologist in Newport Beach, Calif., and board member of the National Fibromyalgia Association. "Anxiety in the present also is a predictor of more pain in the future. If a person focuses on pain being delivered to them, it actually increases the nerve conductance of the pain. So having other interests is very important. "

There are a number of self-help activities and strategies that fibromyalgia patients can use to distract themselves from their chronic pain. By giving an outlet to your emotions, you should be better able to deal with your physical symptoms.

Self-Help Strategies for Fibromyalgia Pain

Try these ideas to help lift your spirits:

• Question your moods. Don't accept your moods at face value; instead, learn to question them. "Anytime [you are] down or anxious or angry, use the mood as a signal to figure out what you were thinking and then do battle with that thought," Fry says. "Ask questions of it. Is that really the case? Would other people see it that way? Test it against reality to see if it's true." For example, think of someone who suddenly assumes her friends no longer want to be with her because fibromyalgia flares have caused her to repeatedly cancel plans. "Ask yourself, 'If I had friends like that, would I give up on them?' Probably not," Fry says.
• Unleash your creativity. Expressing the way you feel through writing or art — whether it's journaling, drawing, or scrapbooking — has been proven to relieve pain and improve symptoms. Keep in mind that talent doesn’t matter. It's all about expressing yourself in a way that helps you and others better understand the chronic fibromyalgia pain you are dealing with.
• Listen to music — or play it yourself. Music therapy is another strategy proven to help people deal with chronic pain. You might find a piece of music that you really enjoy and that helps get your mind off your fibromyalgia. Or you might try your hand at writing music or lyrics that describe your pain.
• Smell the roses. Aromatherapy can help fibromyalgia patients through the use of fragrances from certain essential oils. People who respond to aromatherapy can experience a reduction in their pain and a boost in their overall mood. Try lavender or jasmine for relaxation, lemon or geranium for energy, or eucalyptus, peppermint, or juniper to relieve soreness.
• Solve a puzzle. Doing a crossword or taking part in another mental challenge can take your mind off your pain.
• Try relaxation therapy. Relaxation techniques can be a great way to deal with chronic pain. Deep breathing, guided imagery, and meditation are just some of the relaxation techniques available to people with fibromyalgia.

8 Fascinating Pain Facts You Didn't Know

Do women feel chronic pain more than men? Can the brain feel pain? Find out whether you can separate pain facts from pain myths.

By Chris Iliades, MD

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Acute pain is your body’s way of waving a red flag for immediate attention, often because of an injury. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is pain that lasts for weeks, months, or years, and it affects more than 76.2 million Americans — more than cancer, diabetes, and heart disease combined. But how much do you really know about it? We've rounded up eight little-known facts about pain.

Pain Is Both Physical and Emotional

Pain, especially chronic pain, affects more than your body. It's psychologically stressful and can (understandably) lead to emotions like anger and frustration. And pain and stress can be a vicious circle: Pain can increase stress levels, and increased levels of stress can make pain worse. This can cause depression and make it difficult to concentrate.

Women Feel More Pain Than Men

Women actually do experience more pain than men over their lifetimes because of conditions and experiences such as menstruation, childbirth, and migraine headaches. Studies also show that women may experience pain differently — often more intensely — than men do. For example, some animal studies show that females require twice as much pain medication to get the same relief as males. However, there's conflicting research on whether women actually have a higher tolerance for pain than men (although millions of women who have gone through childbirth might disagree).

The Brain Doesn't Feel Pain

Ouch! When you stub your toe or touch something hot, your body releases chemicals that send pain signals up through the spinal cord to receptors in the brain. The brain then sends the pain message back down to the part of the body that hurts. But although it's the interpreter of pain, the brain itself does not have pain-sensitive nerves. Only the structures that surround the brain feel pain. As a matter of fact, once inside the brain, surgeons can operate on the brain without anesthesia. In one technique known as brain mapping, surgeons probe brain tissue while monitoring reactions like muscle movement and speech — all while the patient is awake.

Back Pain: The Most Common Pain Condition

All those aching backs! In a survey done by the National Institutes of Health, 27 percent of Americans said low back pain was their most common type of pain, followed by headaches or migraines (15 percent). More than 26 million Americans aged 20 to 64 suffer from back pain, and each year we spend at least $50 billion on back pain relief. What's the best way to ease chronic back pain? Experts say a combination of gentle, regular stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight, can make a real difference.

Gout: The Disease of Kings and Dinosaurs

Gout, a painful type of arthritis that affects about 3 million people every year, was once called the disease of kings because it was blamed on too much eating and drinking. Today we know that gout — and the pain associated with it — is caused by the buildup in the blood of a substance called uric acid, which causes sharp crystals to form inside joints. But one "king" who had gout was the king of dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus rex. Analysis of casts of a forearm from a tyrannosaurus fossil named Sue revealed that the dinosaur had a bad case of gout. Today, the dinosaur's relatives, including birds and all orders of reptiles, can also develop gout.

Creaky Joints in (Pre)History

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic pain due to gradual wear and tear on joints. It's also been plaguing humans for a long, long time — in fact, osteoarthritis has been found in human skeletons dating back to the Ice Age (before 8000 BC), and it was also detected during x-ray examinations of Egyptian mummies. But despite the fact that osteoarthritis has been around forever, doctors still do not completely understand the cause.

Want to Help Osteoarthritis Pain? Get Moving!

The belief that rest is the best treatment for a back, neck, or knee that is painful due to osteoarthritis is a pain myth. Experts agree that exercise is an important way to manage and in fact prevent pain due to osteoarthritis. Benefits of exercise include increasing blood supply to cartilage and bone, strengthening the muscles that support joints, and decreasing joint stiffness. Exercise also improves general health and reduces the risk of injury and osteoporosis in people with osteoarthritis. Finally, exercise can improve sleep and help fight depression for people with chronic pain from osteoarthritis.

Kick the Habit, Ease Your Pain

Studies show that smoking increases your risk for back pain, and it's also been shown to increase chronic pain in people with fibromyalgia and neck pain. Nicotine in cigarette smoke can decrease the blood flow to joints in the back and can delay healing as well as increase the risk for further injury. Also, people who smoke need to take more medication than those who don't to get back pain relief.

What Your Nails Say About Your Health

Americans spend millions of dollars on manicures and pedicures to keep their nails looking good, but pretty nails don't always mean good health

.By Everyday Health Staff

At salons around the country, nails are big business. But beneath the polish, your digits can be a window into your overall health. “Many health conditions are very visible in the nails,” says John Knox, MD, of Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. They're a unique indicator because of their partial transparency. Nails can even tell you how long you've been ill, since fingernails need six months to grow, and toenails a full year. Knox points out that even nail-biting can be an indicator of mental health. “Patients who are more anxious or obsessive compulsive do tend to bite their nails more frequently," says Dr. Knox.

What Your Nails Say About 

A wide variety of diseases can be detected by looking at changes your nails. Lung disease and lymphedema can cause yellow discoloration, while psoriasis can look like fungus. Bands, or lines in multiple fingernails, as well as changes in color, can also indicate illness. Paying attention to your nail health is important, but Knox also notes that some nail issues have simple explanations: “Poor nutrition will cause brittle nails, but so will aging, excessive washing, and a variety of different things."

What do you think your nails say about your health? Do you get manicures or pedicures often? Tell us in the comments below.

Words Can Change Your Brain

By Therese Borchard

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can change your brain.

That’s right.

According to Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman, words can literally change your brain. In their book, “Words Can Change Your Brain,” they write: “a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.” Positive words, like “peace” and “love” can alter the expression of genes, strengthening areas in our front lobes and promoting the cognitive functioning of the brain. They propel the motivational centers of the brain into action, explain the authors, and build resiliency.

Conversely, hostile language can disrupt specific genes that play a key part in the production of neurochemicals that protect us from stress. Humans are hardwired to worry—part of our primalbrains protecting us from threats to our survival—so our thoughts naturally go here first. However, a single negative word can increase the activity in our amygdala (fear center of the brain) and release dozens of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters, which in turn interrupt the functioning of our brains, especially with regard to logic, reason, and language. “Angry words send alarm messages through the brain, and they partially shut down the logic-and-reasoning centers located in the frontal lobes,” write Newberg and Waldman.

According to the authors, using the right words can transform our reality:

What is crushing your confidence?

Read our expert tips for overcoming 10 common confidence-crushers

So nobody notices you, everybody else is more attractive and, frankly, you're doomed to fail whatever you attempt in life? Nonsense! It's time to face those fears head-on with our expert tips for overcoming 10 common confidence-crushers...

'I'm not as clever or interesting as other people'

'Comparisons are odious,' insists clinical psychologist Dr Cecilia d'Felice. 'It's an illusion to compare ourselves with others because we never really know the full picture. We're all so good at impression management, we forget that other people have their own insecurities and worries, too. So stop judging yourself and them. It's much better to divert your energy towards working on who you want to be, and stop worrying about your own perceived limitations. Focus on what you like about yourself - even if it's only one little thing - and build on that.'

'I didn't get the job'

Being overlooked for promotion or turned down for a position you really wanted elsewhere can feel soul-destroying - particularly if you were initially pretty confident the job was yours. The trick, though, is to learn from the experience. 'Try to find out where you were lacking,' says life coach Carole Ann Rice. 'Do you need to strengthen certain skills? Are you visible enough at work? Do you need to network and get more allies and advocates to fight your corner? Instead of licking your wounds, seize the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and improve yourself.'

'My parents prefer my sibling'

You might think family favouritism won't affect you in adulthood. But, according to Robert Kelsey - author of What's Stopping You Being More Confident? - this hangover from childhood is one of the most common causes of low confidence. 'Around 70 percent of fathers and 65 percent of mothers favour one sibling, which is a disaster for the unfavoured child,' he explains. 'For example, I was the "annoying little brother" and "disappointing son" - two roles that gave my big sister high self-esteem while leaving me bereft of confidence. To get beyond this, you need enlightenment. Recognise what's happened and then learn to forgive. Resentment may be an inevitable part of the journey, but you need to grow beyond it. Ultimately, forgiveness is key to moving on.'

'A friend or partner keeps putting me down'

It can be hard to stay confident if the comments or actions of someone close keep chipping away at your self-esteem. 'You can't tear someone down without tearing yourself down,' insists clinical hypnotherapist Dominic Knight. 'The person who is slamming you probably has very low self-confidence and their negative reinforcement of you is their method of trying to control you and gain their own confidence. In a nutshell, their opinion doesn't count. We all too often dwell on the negative comments people have made. It's better to recall the many positive things people have said instead.'

'My friends are more successful than me'

Uh-oh - it's comparison time again! But if your friends all appear to have better jobs, bigger houses or happier relationships than you, it's hard not to feel lacking. 'This type of comparison only leads to contemptuous feelings towards your friends, which may push them away,' warns psychologist Dr Massimo Stocchi. 'Try turning the comparison into a positive one. Be thankful that you have such successful people around you - and use their success to motivate you to work hard to get the things you want in life, too.'

'He's just not that into me'

When a new man doesn't call or a relationship simply fizzles out in its early stages, your confidence can take a real beating. But it's important to keep things in perspective. 'When you depend on others' approval to shore up your self-confidence, every "little" sign of disinterest can hit you hard,' says relationship expert Kate Taylor. 'So work on building up your love for yourself. Take time to nurture your friendships, improve your career or indulge in new activities that excite you before you start dating - and continue to pursue these interests even when you're seeing someone. That way, you'll develop your sense of self-achievement and have less time to notice or worry about minor dating blips.'

'I feel out of my depth at work'

Squeezed budgets, workplace reshuffles and a change in management can all take their toll on professional confidence - even if you've been doing the same job for a while. 'There are always changes in any job and this can make us feel insecure,' says Carole Ann Rice. 'It's important to be ready to face new challenges without feeling diminished by them. So always expect things to change - then you won't be surprised when they do. And if you've lost confidence, try to work out why - and identify what you'd need to restore it, such as further training or more support from your boss, for example. Also, it may help to take a reality check and ask your manager or colleagues for constructive feedback on your performance. You may well find your fears are unfounded.'

'People never notice me'

Convinced you're the kind of person who unwittingly blends into the background at work or social situations? You need to pay more attention! 'If you want to be noticed, you need to be completely "present" in whatever you're doing,' says Dr d'Felice. 'Be present to what's occurring around you, present to what others are saying and present to your own thoughts and feelings - and you will soon enhance your own personal presence. It's also important to cultivate an authentic voice that allows you to "speak your truth". When people communicate authentically, others sit up and take notice. You don't have to be loud or aggressive: just say what you think, but try to focus on the positive in every situation.'

'I'm too shy to make my mark'

OK, speaking up at work or parties is all very well - but what if you're too shy to open your mouth in the first place? Well, you need to feel the fear - and do it anyway. 'If you want to create a bond with someone, you need to give them your undivided attention,' says Dominic Knight. 'This is impossible if you're too concerned about how you're coming across or whether people are judging you negatively. So stop focusing on yourself and focus on making the other person's day by really connecting with them. You can overcome shyness with practice. It will help to think of times when you've had a great conversation with close friends and family to get you in a positive frame of mind.'

'I've failed before - so I'll fail again'

It's all too easy to have your confidence quashed by past failures. But who goes through life getting everything right the first time? Nobody! 'You'll experience successes and failures constantly throughout your life,' points out Dominic Knight. 'Indeed, research has shown that the world's most successful people were initially great failures. But they kept picking themselves up and persevering each time something didn't work out. It would be utterly delusional to expect everything to go well the first time you try it. The trick is to learn from your mistakes and to keep trying until you succeed.'

Top 10 mood boosters

If you’re feeling blue, here’s our top 10 quick ways to give your confidence a boost.

Glam up
Don’t dismiss a bad hair day. Nearly three-quarters of women say their beauty regime boosts their confidence, with more than half of women saying colouring their hair is key, according to a new survey from beauty company Clairol.

And it’s not only slapping on some lippie and dyeing your hair which will help. A study by scientists at Manchester University found there’s a direct link between wearing a push-up bra and inflating your confidence. The researchers filmed women aged 20-55 in three different everyday scenarios, comparing their behaviour in cleavage-enhancing lingerie and their daily underwear.

They discovered a drop in body language signalling a lack of confidence, such as breaking eye contact and touching the face, while behaviour showing confidence, such as smiling, rocketed by 73 percent when they were given a bit of added uplift.

Sit up straight
Yes, your granny was right - sitting up straight is good for you. In fact, improving your posture helps to cut self-doubt, research by Ohio University has found. Scientists discovered that people who were told to sit up were more likely to believe what they’d written about whether they were qualified for a job – compared to those who slumped, who were less convinced of their own abilities.

So you won’t just create a good first impression on other people, you’ll end up changing the way you think about yourself.

Update Facebook
Editing your profile actually makes you feel better about what’s good in your life, according to a Cornell University study, so get onto Facebook and start updating your status. The researchers believe it's probably because social media lets us project the best image of ourselves, giving us a quick boost.

And as most feedback, from likes to comments, tends to be positive, that will raise your self-esteem even further. You may want to ignore all your friends’ bragging though.

Nod your head
It might feel odd when you put it into practice but nodding your head as you talk will make what you say seem more convincing and give you an ego boost, based on a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Researchers tested the theory with a group of students who believed they were trying out headphones – half nodded their heads, supposedly to check the sound quality when someone moved, the other half shook theirs from side to side. When they were questioned afterwards, the nodding group were more likely to agree with what they’d heard.

Unfortunately, the research found that this technique only works if you’re actually making a series of good points so think before you nod.

All you need is a smile
If you’re feeling down, grab a set of happy photos or prime a friend to give you a grin. Scientists from Maastricht University in the Netherlands discovered that women who were feeling unhappy with the way they looked felt much better after seeing a smiling face.

The psychologists showed the group pictures of themselves followed by smiling, neutral or frowning faces – and those who always saw a smiling face also saw an increase in their self-esteem and in their levels of body satisfaction.

Try the blues
If you’re feeling blue, you might think the last thing to help would be the colour blue – but the shade can actually increase your self-confidence as well as cutting stress according to research from the University of Sussex.

The study exposed volunteers to a range of colours and light and discovered that not only did colour make people perform tests up to 25 percent faster, but blue was the only shade which helped both men and women feel calm and confident, although purple also gave women an ego boost. And it could all be down to evolution, with the colour of a blue sky making us feel as if the day has been well spent.

So even if January won’t play along, dig out the holiday snaps and give yourself a quick lift.

Spend time with your dad
If you owe your parents a visit or haven’t quite got round to returning those phone calls, there’s another good reason to do it – a study from the Social Science Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University found that the more time spent alone with your father, the higher your self-esteem.

The research tracked nearly 200 families over seven years and found that spending one-on-one time with your dad has more of an effect than similar time with your mum, increasing social skills and boosting confidence. And while the study was focused on teenagers, it can’t hurt to catch up with your dad for a bit.

Get out
Heading outside could be one of the quickest ways to boost your self-esteem. And it takes less than five minutes to feel the results of getting out in the fresh air. Researchers at the University of Essex looked at evidence from 1,250 people to discover that almost any activity, from walking and cycling to gardening and fishing, in almost any green outdoor location – at any age – improves your mood.

For an added pick-me-up, exercising outdoors, especially in an area with a lake or river, gave people an extra lift, and while there are extra benefits the longer you exercise, the biggest increase in self-esteem is still in the first five minutes.

Strike a pose
Not feeling so confident inside? Fake it… That’s what one assistant professor at Columbia Business School in the US discovered. When she split volunteers into two groups, the set which adopted confident poses such as putting their feet up and interlocking their hands behind their heads actually felt more confident after just one minute than the other group, who sat looking at the ground with their hands in their laps.

It was not just all in their heads either. The researchers took a blood sample from the study participants and found the power posers had significantly higher levels of testosterone, so their body language actually changed the chemical make-up of their bodies.

Create a new you
Not happy with the way things are? The answer, it seems, could be to create a new virtual-self online, according to research by the University of Missouri. The study discovered that being able to create an avatar, an electronic version of yourself, can actually influence everything from your appearance to your health and self-esteem in real life.

The researchers questioned 279 people involved in virtual reality world Second Life, and discovered that the more they identified with their avatar, the better they felt about themselves – for example, people who wanted to lose weight, created fitter avatars and visualised themselves as slimmer and healthier.

Provided by 

The girl’s guide to getting love

By: Dr. Pam Spurr

Life can be fantastic as a single when you don't want the hassle of a relationship. But for those who long to find love it can feel very lonely out on the dating scene. It seems like you'll never meet Mr Potential let alone Mr Right.

Here are six love lessons to help you to get love into your life: 
Love lesson No 1: Treat every chance encounter as a speed date
Time to develop a 'winner-at-love' mindset and be prepared for the idea that around the next corner is Mr Potential. This means you're ready with a smile plus confident posture radiating positivity that will attract his interest. Treating each encounter like a speed date means you give your best.

Standing hunched over, staring at the floor is a big no-no! But saying something neutral that creates a shared experience is a fab start. For instance, as you both wait for the lift in your office building, smile and say: 'This lift can take forever.' You immediately create that shared experience.

Of course play it safe - don't give your number to any old guy - but be ready at work, at the sandwich shop, or even at the dentist's or GP's to signal you're approachable.

Love lesson No 2: Beware of 'chemical' attraction
Make sure the Intense sexual chemistry you have with a particular man isn't leading you down the garden path. Sexual chemistry is great - and yes, couples need a spark - but some women repeatedly get swept off their feet by charismatic men who only want a fling.

If you're looking for love rather than a bit of fun learn to identify the guys only after one thing from those who can offer you more.

Those who only expect sex - and aren't interested in love - tend to ring at the last minute, flirt like mad and use loads of sexual innuendo when with you. And then you don't hear from them until it suits them. Don't waste your time with them!

Love lesson No 3: Dump your normal 'type'
It's easy to get stuck always dating the same 'type'. You figure you've always liked, e.g., sporty guys, or outgoing guys, so you always go for them. The problem is you miss lots of other good men because they don't look sporty or they aren't the most outgoing in the group.
 

But think about it logically (I know, hard to do when it comes to love!) and you will realise you could be jeopardising your chances of finding love. Because if you haven't found it yet with your supposed 'type' - maybe that type isn't for you.

Be daring, break this relationship bad-habit and go for the opposite type. Try dating that quieter guy or the lanky one who doesn't look sporty. You might find your Mr Right after all.

Love lesson No 4: Widen your circle of opportunity
You're already enhancing your opportunities by treating every chance encounter like a speed date. Now you've got to reconsider your 'circle of opportunity'. Research shows we have a set geographical and emotional 'circle' we operate in - taking the same route to work, going to the same pub after work, always seeing the same friends and doing the same things.

Seeing as your circle of opportunity hasn't brought you the love of your life it needs changing. Start widening it to maximise love-opportunities. Take new routes to work, go to new places, take a selection of evening classes, enlist a friend to try new bars and clubs with you, and check out some of the singles events in your area as well as internet dating.

Love lesson No 5: Make your love-mascot work for you 
Sometimes we need inspiration from outside of ourselves. Taking on board a personal love-mascot - in this case someone who's successful in love - can be super helpful.

Think about someone you admire from your life who has a really good relationship. Or a celebrity who has found true love, e.g. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Turn them into your private love-mascot.

Imagine how she approaches her relationship. Can you visualise her confidently chatting up her Mr Right when they first met? If she can do it, so can you. Think of her attitude, her natural ease around men, etc., and bag some of it for yourself every time you walk out of your front door.

Love lesson No 6: Be aware of that little devil on your shoulder
The final - and maybe most important - Love Lesson is banishing that little devil on your shoulder that talks you down. You know, that negative voice that whines on and on telling you things like you're not attractive enough, you're a failure at love, no one's going to ever want you, etc.

When your internal dialogue - that little devil - consists of all that negativity it's hard to hide it. And whereas confidence is highly attractive, a severe lack of confidence and lots of insecurity that you're not good enough for love is a turnoff.

Challenge that voice whenever it starts. Stop it and start telling yourself that you have loads to offer and that you will find love.

Tips for Sexy Bourjois Cat Eyes

Provided by: Jawhara Arabia

Bourjois introduces the "Erasable Liner" and "Twist Up The Volume" mascara for a sexy cat eye look effortlessly.

Erasable Liner:

Destined to become a must-have tool for every makeup bag, Bourjois’ latest innovation is a perfecting liner. A handy product, especially for make-up novices! With the Erasable Liner, there is no need for hesitation: slip of the hand or wobbly lines… if all goes wrong keep calm and simply erase it! Featuring a  clever eraser tip for a foolproof eyeliner result.

Bourjois has created a liner equipped with an original eraser tip: precise and ultra-supple, it corrects little mistakes and erases unwanted lines gently and without flaking. It may have been designed for beginners, but the Erasable Liner still has all the benefits of Bourjois expertise: make-up with a professional result.

With its high-precision brush, application of the liner is easy and adjustable: a thin stroke or a more striking fuller line - you decide!

Its formula provides full coverage right from the first stroke, delivering an intense shade of black and a 16-hour hold (Scientifically tested on 31 women).

 Bourjois, making beauty easy and accessible for women for 150 years… continuing today with a new liner designed for all women!

They tested** and... loved it!

Intense colour => 93.5% agree

Quick and easy to correct my line => 83.8% agree

Formula provides coverage right from the first stroke => 87.1% agree

**Usage test on 30 women for 3 weeks

Twist Up The Volume Mascara:

 With its latest innovation, Bourjois will make you do the twist! Length, definition, volume... Before your very eyes. The first Bourjois mascara with a Twist 2-in-1 brush, for a make-up result with length and "oversized" volume! Its innovative twist mechanism features 2 positions for 2 complementary make-up results: length and oversized volume… for a statement lash line!

 Position 1 lash-by-lash length: the brush releases the formula evenly on to lashes and smooth’s over their entire length. Its network of separating bristles delivers optimal definition.

 Position 2 Volume oversized : Turn the twist top and the brush provides even greater volume. Fully loaded, it catches the tiniest of lashes to give clump-free, oversized volume from the very first sweep of the wand.

 Maximum-volume formula

The intense black formula of Twist Up The Volume mascara guarantees maximum length and volume.  It boasts a supple and highly workable texture that adds layers with each sweep of the wand for even-greater, ever-easier volume.

Available in a 24-hour* waterproof version

For longer-lasting volume, Twist Up The Volume by Bourjois is available in a waterproof version. 
Boasting 24-hour hold*, it doesn’t run or flake, even when the weather is hot!

*tested on 61 women

The brand new packaging for Twist Up The Volume by Bourjois is a registered design. Its modern look teams pure lines and new curves to create a new-generation volume result.

The twist top – white for the classic version, blue for the waterproof is a showcase for innovation.

Tested and approved by consumers!

90.6% of testers would recommend it* 

Brush is easy to use => 96.9% agree

Two positions deliver complementary results => 90.7% agree

Mascara coats lashes with the first sweep of the wand => 96.9% agree

Mascara holds all day long => 93.8% agree

*Usage test on 32 women for 3 weeks with the classic version

8 Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Relationship

Healthy and happy relationships keep people happy and help them deal with day-to-day issues and stress.
Studies show that people with healthy relationships are more positive and productive than others with bad relationships.

Here are some secrets to a healthy relationship:

#1 Have Realistic Expectations
People are different, and no one can be everything we want him/her to be. Your partner might have qualities you like and others you don't. They might even disappoint you at one point, but you have to accept your partner as he/she is.

#2 Communicate
Talk to each other! You need to be there for your partner when they need you. Listen carefully and don't ignore what they have to say. Show your interest and concern to their issues.

#3 Don’t Ignore Yourself
Taking care of yourself will help you feel better and therefore treat others better.

#4 Be Dependable
Men and women both need each other’s support. Make your partner feel they can rely on you whenever they need to.

#5 Find the Similarities
Surely you have similar qualities with your partner, but you also have a lot that makes you different!
Liking different things, having different interests, or simply not agreeing on something doesn't mean you are not right for each other; healthy relationships are based on understanding.
When you argue with your partner, don’t jump into everything that bothers you, stay focused on the current topic.

#6 Learn to Say I'm Sorry
Don't be afraid to apologize, you have to admit your mistakes in order to have a healthy relationship.

#7 Forgive
Don't hold grudges! You don't have to accept everything, but a healthy relationship means forgiving your partner's mistakes and hurts.

#8 Be Yourself
Be honest and true to yourself and your partner.

Are men meant to be monogamous?

By: Hugh Wilson

New research suggests we are, but the wider evidence is mixed

There are two schools of thought when it comes to men and monogamy. One says men are meant to stay with a single partner for life, and the other says that men are biologically predetermined to spread their seed as widely as possible. George Clooney, for example, is a famously eligible bachelor with no shortage of women interested in spending time with him, but as yet he remains unmarried.

Followers of the second theory explain the predominance of monogamous relationships - marriage, cohabiting, settling down and so on - in modern society as a consequence of religion and social convention rather than evolution. Men aren’t meant to be monogamous, they say, but are forced to be so by prevailing societal norms.

Now new research challenges that view, and suggests monogamy may have been part of human evolution after all. But can it really answer that thorny old question: are men meant to stay with the same partner for life?

The new research

The new research, conducted by scientists at the Universities of London, Oxford, Manchester and Auckland, found that the macabre practice of infanticide (the killing of children) may have driven the evolution of monogamy.

It discovered that, in non-monogamous monkeys, infants of other males are often killed by males wanting to mate with females more quickly. Female monkeys typically delay mating when nurturing young children.

But the research, which looked at the mating habits of 230 primate species, found that multi-mate societies often evolved into monogamous ones to stop males killing infants that weren’t their own.

Instead, males settled with one partner and stayed to protect the children from attack, before further evolving to take some part in childcare. By having two parents to protect and nurture it, a child is more likely to survive, prosper and even develop a bigger brain. Our complex, intelligent brains may be the direct result of monogamy, the researchers say.

This evolutionary trait in primates can also be assigned to humans. Dr Susanne Shultz, from the University of Manchester, said: “What makes this study so exciting is that it allows us to peer back into our evolutionary past to understand the factors that were important in making us human.

“Once fathers decide to stick around and care for young, mothers can then change their reproductive decisions and have more, brainy offspring.”

So why all the infidelity?

So according to the new research, monogamy has given us survival advantages, and maybe even the mental wherewithal to become the primary species on the planet.

And yet monogamy is not always the popular choice, even in our advanced society. In fact, studies suggest that anywhere between 10% and 30% of people in western societies - and more men than women - pay lip service to monogamy while also seeking extramarital relations on the side.

It’s also known that monogamy is not the norm in the animal kingdom. Only 3-5% of mammal species form lifelong monogamous bonds.

Taken together, facts like these suggest to some experts that humans, and human males in particular, are not naturally monogamous.

Pepper Schwartz, a professor of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle, has pointed out that compared to geese - which bond for life and never mate again even if a mate is killed - humans are hardly monogamous at all.

According to Schwartz: “Monogamy is invented for order and investment – but not necessarily because it's 'natural’.”

Christopher Ryan, PhD, co-author of Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality, is blunter still. He writes:

“Human beings are clearly evolved for sex lives featuring multiple simultaneous sexual relationships.

“Men, especially, are designed by evolution to be attracted to sexual novelty and to gradually lose sexual attraction to the same partner in the absence of such novelty.”

Monogamy without fidelity

So on one side, men have evolved to hang around and protect the children, and even lend a hand in bringing them up. That way we stop other males killing them, and we produce strong, intelligent kids who are more likely to pass on our genes to the next generation successfully. In a nutshell, monogamy does us a great big evolutionary favour.

But on the other, that pesky testosterone means we soon get bored with the sexual menu on offer from one partner, and yearn for sexual novelty. The urge is sometimes so strong that it brings into question the idea that men are naturally monogamous at all.

So which side wins out? Are we meant to be monogamous or not?

To square the circle, experts talk of social and sexual monogamy. Social monogamy means that we stay with one partner and help to bring up the kids. Sexual monogamy means we never sleep with anyone but that partner. Far more of us do the first than the second.

The splitting of monogamy into two coexisting parts helps explain everything from the prevalence of infidelity and pornography to lap dancing clubs and prostitution. Men hang around in committed relationships, but seek sexual novelty on the side.

At the same time, the majority of men in committed relationships don’t have affairs. Is that reticence to philander among a large group of men just down to social pressure, convention, religion, or what have you? Or is it simply a lack of opportunity.

Evolutionary biologists say it may be down to something else. They say that both men and women have a flexible mating strategy, which they can modify depending on circumstance. Men in particular are more likely to embrace both social and sexual monogamy if they have what’s called 'paternity certainty', which means they can say without much doubt that the mother of what they assume to be their children or future children has been and is likely to remain faithful to them.

Or we could put it more simply. If men feel they’ve met the right woman, they may well mate with her for life.

So are men meant to be monogamous? It seems the only sensible answer on current evidence is a bit of a fudge: sometimes we are, and sometime we are not. Both evolution and social convention seem to accept the possibility of both.