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Archive for January, 2012|Monthly archive page

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Dr. Paul E. Perito Answers Frequently Asked Questions about Erectile Dysfunction

In Health and Beauty on January 31, 2012 at 11:06 am
Dr. Paul E. Perito

Dr. Paul E. Perito

Since 2005, Dr. Paul E. Perito has been Coral Gable’s foremost expert on erectile dysfunction, with his minimally invasive penile implant technique revolutionizing the field. Dr. Paul E. Perito is with us today on the Interviewing-Experts Blog to answer questions he frequently sees regarding erectile dysfunction.

Presentation Solutions: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Paul E. Perito. How does a patient know if he’s suffering from erectile dysfunction?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: Thank you for having me. If a man is having difficulty developing and maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse, it may be time to seek treatment.

Presentation Solutions: But there are varying degrees of erectile dysfunction, right, Dr. Paul E. Perito?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: In mild cases, a patient is able to attain an erection most of the time, say seven or eight times for every ten attempts. These cases may be treatable through medication or injections. A moderate case would be a patient who is successful about half the time, with a severe case being a patient who can achieve erection less than four attempts out of ten. Some severe patients are never able to achieve erection.

Presentation Solutions: How common is sexual dysfunction?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: It’s more common than most people realize. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 30 million men in this country suffer from the condition, with it growing more likely with age. Almost half of all men older than 75 suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Presentation Solutions: Those are some pretty grim statistics, Dr. Paul E. Perito.

Dr. Paul E. Perito: Yes, but it’s important to note that no matter what a man’s age, erectile dysfunction can be treated.

Presentation Solutions: Dr. Paul E. Perito, are these statistics increasing as baby boomers age?

Dr. Paul E. Perito: Actually, yes. The number of patients seeking treatment is said to be double what it was ten years ago. As the demand increases, we’re trying to find new, less painful ways to treat patients, with shorter recovery time.

Presentation Solutions: What causes erectile dysfunction, Dr. Paul E. Perito?

Dr. Paul E. Perito:: Patients with diabetes often develop erectile dysfunction—in fact, statistically about half of all diabetes patients will suffer from erectile dysfunction within ten years of diagnosis. Smoking also seems to be connected to the problem, with the problem more prevalent among men who smoke more than a pack a day. And, of course, the likelihood of erectile dysfunction increases with age.

Presentation Solutions: Dr. Paul E. Perito, can certain medications cause erectile dysfunction?

Dr. Paul E. Perito:: Erectile dysfunction is a side effect of some IMISFC blood pressure medicine and some sedatives. Narcotics and alcohol can also be contributing factors. In these cases, we may recommend the patient discuss adjusting medications with his patient or refrain from drinking for a while to see if the problem clears up.

The information contained in this article is provided by Dr. Paul E. Perito for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.

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Joe Aldeguer Offers Fresh Solutions to Weather the New Economy

In Finance, Real Estate on January 19, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Joe Aldeguer

Joe Aldeguer

Chicago financial advisor Joe Aldeguer was recently asked by Presentation Solutions what consumers can do to keep their heads afloat amid the new economic issues facing Americans today.

Presentation Solutions: Thank you, Joe Aldeguer for taking the time to speak with us today about such an important issue.

Joe Aldeguer: Absolutely my pleasure. I’m always ready to talk finances!

Presentation Solutions: So, tell us. With the housing market declining, is your office in Chicago seeing new trends among homeowners?

Joe Aldeguer: Great question. Yes, we are seeing that consumers are more open to opt for a strategic default than they were just 5 years ago.

Presentation Solutions: Exactly what does that mean?

Joe Aldeguer: Very simply put, many Chicago residents are upside down in their houses. They are learning that it may be best to walk away from the loan, cut their losses, and start fresh.

Presentation Solutions: So what you are saying is that they are actually allowing a foreclosure?

Joe Aldeguer: Usually that is the end result. People are seeing that the banks stuck them with these defective loans that they [the bank] knew were far more than the property’s actual worth.

Presentation Solutions: Houses were valued much higher than ever before there for a while.

Joe Aldeguer: Yes, they were. People were almost scared not to buy, and lenders got careless.

Presentation Solutions: True, but how do your clients feel when you suggest foreclosure?

Joe Aldeguer: It used to be a very awkward conversation. People were ashamed and embarrassed. We are seeing now that the house values in Chicago should never have gotten so high. People are accepting that it isn’t their fault.

Presentation Solutions: As with most of life’s trials, acceptance is the hardest part.

Joe Aldeguer: You said it! People are seeing their houses for what they really are now: a material possession. Letting it go is really like giving up any object.

Presentation Solutions: Yes, but there are so many emotional issues involved.

Joe Aldeguer: We are certainly sympathetic to that, but when their backs are against the wall, coming to the understanding that defaulting is a business decision helps.

Presentation Solutions: Regarding your Chicago area client base, Joe Aldeguer, do they view it as a business decision?

Joe Aldeguer: It certainly takes some getting used to, but I’ve found that people are much more open to wiping the slate clean and starting brand new. I try not to say they are losing their home because it is true that a house is not a home.

Presentation Solutions: Isn’t it much harder to re-qualify for a new home loan later after a foreclosure?

Joe Aldeguer: Well, it is likely that the individual won’t be able to buy a house the next day, but there are ways to get an FHA loan in as little as a year after the process is complete.

Presentation Solutions: Sounds like you guys help people really take charge.

Joe Aldeguer: We are a solutions oriented company and believe that action is the best way to change for sure!

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Dr. Paul Perito Discusses Newer, Safer Penile Implant Procedure for Correction of Erectile Dysfunction

In Health and Beauty, Information on January 13, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Dr. Paul Perito

Dr. Paul Perito

Dr. Paul Perito has pioneered a minimally invasive procedure for the surgical installation of the three-piece, inflatable penile implant. As a result, his patients report fewer post-procedure complications as well as a faster recovery time. Recently, Presentation Solutions had the chance to catch up with the doctor and find out more about what exactly makes Dr. Perito’s technique different from others.

Presentation Solutions: Dr. Paul Perito, we want to thank you for taking this time with us. We know you are busy.

Dr. Paul Perito: Not a problem. Erectile Dysfunction is a matter that needs an open discussion every once in a while.

Presentation Solutions: Can you give us an idea about what makes your way of performing a penile implant unique?

Dr. Paul Perito: One of the major differences is that I use an artificial erection; this offers me plenty of corpora to negotiate when I am placing stay sutures.

Presentation Solutions: And that is important?

Dr. Paul Perito: Yes, in the thousands of case I have done, I’ve never seen a case of glandular hypoesthesia or anesthesia. I believe this is because you can avoid the dorsal nerves with an artificial erection.

Presentation Solutions: Are there other differences?

Dr. Paul Perito: Many of the duplicitous steps have been eliminated allowing the case to move along thus diminishing tissue damage while lowering operative times.

Presentation Solutions: Does the penis have to be dilated to insert the implant?

Dr. Paul Perito: I don’t have to use dilation, the artificial erection accomplishes that; I believe that by not damaging the tissue with serial dilation that patients end up with more sensate glands after the procedure.

Presentation Solutions: We’ve heard that you place your reservoir in a different location than other surgeons?

Dr. Paul Perito: Yes. Traditionally a surgeon will place the reservoir tank in the behind the pubic bone. I use the area behind the abdominal wall or within the abdominal wall.

Presentation Solutions: Does that make the procedure safer?

Dr. Paul Perito: In my opinion, this technique keeps the patient safe from catastrophic bowel, bladder or vascular injuries. This is especially important in patients who have undergone previous radical prostatectomies.

Presentation Solutions: It all sounds so complicated. Does the surgery take long?

Dr. Paul Perito: I’ve completed the procedure in as little as 6 minutes. It is not a time intensive surgery.

Presentation Solutions: And what about recovery time?

Dr. Paul Perito: Most men report full sexual function in 4 weeks. The remaining cases report a 6 week wait time.

Presentation Solutions: Still, that sounds reasonable. Doctor, we thank you again for your time today. We are sure our readers have learned a lot from this.

Dr. Paul Perito: No problem. I would like to add this: Men looking into ED treatments need to arm themselves with information. They are welcome to visit the Perito Urology website at www.peritourology.com for education information and links to articles about ED and penile prosthesis.

Dr. Paul Perito is a 1988 graduate of the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine. His practice, Perito Urology, is considered one of the foremost Erectile Dysfunction treatments centers in the world. Since 2005, Dr. Paul Perito has successfully performed more than 3,000 penile implants, establishing him as a leader in the field. He has streamlined the procedure, making it not only more efficient, but safer, by the development and actualization of a minimally invasive approach. Aside from contributing extensively to medical publication libraries, Dr. Paul Perito heads the training center at Perito Urology where his technique is taught to an audience of surgeons from across the globe.

The information contained in this article is provided by Dr. Paul Perito for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.

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The Balancing Act on Lifetime with Shawn Nelson

In Creative Arts, Home and Family, Lifestyle on January 12, 2012 at 3:16 pm
The Balancing Act Lifetime

The Balancing Act Lifetime

The following segment originally aired on the national TV show, The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television. The featured guest was furniture designer, Shawn Nelson to explain his revolutionary furniture line called ‘LoveSac’.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television host Danielle Knox: I am sitting on this comfortable sofa with Shawn Nelson, a man whose unique vision is revolutionizing the face of furniture today.  The LoveSac is a great piece of furniture. Did you just wake up one day and say ‘I want to make an oversized beanbag chair? What is the story behind it?

Shawn: The whole company started because I was 18 years old and thought it would be funny to make the world’s biggest beanbag.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: You were 18 years old?

Shawn: I went out and bought the fabric, took it home, cut it up and sewed it up.  I started filling it with everything soft that I could find. And when I finally got it done and took it out and used it, everyone seemed to want one.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: It’s interesting because did you ever fancy yourself a furniture designer?

Shawn: No. I actually left the country for two years to go be a missionary, came back to finish university and started using the ‘Sac’ again. Once again, everybody wanted to buy one. So I started this little company and we started selling them out of a van and making them in the basement for three or four years. Also at home shows, boat shows, car shows.  Finally I got an order for 12,000 units at this big trade show.

The Balancing Act Lifetime Television: With no big company behind you?

Shawn: Yes, with just me and my buddies. So we built a factory on credit cards and in order to keep that factory alive when we finished that order, we opened our first retail store at a mail in Salt Lake City in 2001. Since then it’s been a few years and we have 25 locations around the country in shopping malls from L.A to New York City.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: So, you’re in a store and you have the LoveSac, sitting next to a sofa.  Just so people can get an idea of how it flows and fits into a room. Then what happens?

Shawn: In the very first store, it was set up like a living room and people kept trying to buy the sofa. So I spent five years trying to develop a sofa that we could actually carry in stock, deliver it in a box and  it would be really easy to assemble.  I wanted to be able to make all kinds of different furniture configurations and make it machine-washable and that is what we did.  We called these pieces, ‘sactionals.’

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: Can you explain to The Balancing Act Viewers how this furniture works and what the options are?

Shawn:  I am going to show you how it works. I am going to take that chair, change its covers, make a completely different color chair and then we’re going to build some other things out of it as well.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: well that sounds like a tall order. Let’s check it out.

Shawn: So go ahead and have a seat on the arm because people are going to do that. What you’re sitting on is a completely machine-washable chair.  Every piece of this can just be peeled off and changed out.  Actually, this chair was built from just two components.   Three sides and one base make an armchair in ‘sactionals.’

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: Boy that’s awesome! Now, because you have talked about machine washable a lot of times, I’d like to see how we take these off and wash them.

Shawn: And you can also just change the covers if you get tired of a certain color.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: Let’s do it.

Shawn: Just move these cushions out of the way, go ahead and grab that black strap, yank it and now we can take these pieces and build whatever we want out of them.  We can add another piece on, but first we can change the covers.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: Okay, and let’s build something bigger.

Shawn: Okay, with just a few bases and sides, you can literally build anything you want with no tools required, no talent, and you can change the covers as often as you like.  There are lots of different fabrics, colors, whatever you like.

The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television: So where can The Balancing Act viewers find out more information?

Shawn: You can just go to lovesac.com or there might be a store near you. Otherwise you can order anything you want off the website.

The Balancing Act Lifetime Television is the only morning show in America produced by women specifically for women. Every morning, The Balancing Act on Lifetime hosts Danielle Knox and Kristy Villa tackle the issues that face today’s woman. Popular show segments include Live weather updates with Mark Mancuso, surprise celebrity visitors, and news about the latest trends affecting your life, home, career and family. The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television airs daily on Lifetime at 7 a.m. ET/PT. For more information, visit The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television’s website at http://www.thebalancingact.com.

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BrandStar Entertainment Introduces Digital Scrapbooking to The Balancing Act Viewers

In Lifestyle, Media on January 12, 2012 at 12:45 pm
BrandStar Entertainment

BrandStar Entertainment

According to BrandStar Entertainment, scrapbooking has evolved since digital photography has taken a front seat to film-fed cameras.  With this change comes the modernization of scrapbook creation, notes BrandStar Entertainment, bringing a multimedia dimension to this fun hobby. BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act’ on Lifetime recently welcomed field correspondent Kathy Peterson, an arts and crafts expert, who introduced a new service to viewers, available at http://www.scrapblog.com, which will help scrapbookers preserve memories in an easy, creative manner. The show has already aired and is available at BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act’ website at http://www.thebalancingact.com

“Unlike old-style scrapbooks, with Scrapblog.com you can add music, stickers and video; edit photos and easily drop and drag all your creative elements onto the pages with just a few clicks of the mouse,” pointed out Kathy Peterson while filming BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act.’

This segment of BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act’ also highlighted scrapbooking as a unique gift idea. For those looking for creative and fun gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for person, Peterson told BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act,’ viewers to login to scrapblog.com, choose a theme, then customize a scrapbook to fit the intended recipient. Scrapblog.com will print a customized scrapbook and ship it to the recipient’s home address, Kathy said on BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act.’ Even better news—registration isn’t required. You don’t even have to buy any software to use this service. BrandStar Entertainment invites you to watch this segment of ‘The Balancing Act’ to learn more.

As Kathy said on this BrandStar Entertainment ‘The Balancing Act’ segment, a digital scrapbook is unlike traditional scrapbooks in that it can be published online. This allows friends and family to view a scrapbook, no matter how far away they are. Kathy also pointed out on her BrandStar Entertainment ‘The Balancing Act’ segment that other users can comment on the scrapbook, allowing a creator to interact with others who share similar interests.

BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act’ airs daily on Lifetime Television. In addition to this segment on digital scrapbooking, BrandStar Entertainment’s The Balancing Act features interviews with celebrities, authors, and self-help experts. With segments centered on empowering and bettering women’s lives, BrandStar Entertainment’s ‘The Balancing Act’ focuses on solutions-based programming. Digital scrapbooking is a great example of the type of shows BrandStar Entertainment likes to bring to women.

More information, as well as tutorials and their show “Get Crafty,” are available at their website, http://www.scrapblog.com.

BrandStar Entertainment’s The Balancing Act features television exclusively for women. With entertaining segments that inspire and enrich viewers’ lives, BrandStar Entertainment strives to give women the tools necessary to succeed in all areas, including career, family, and personal well-being.

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Marla Ahlgrimm: Exercising for Life

In Health and Beauty on January 9, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Marla Ahlgrimm

Marla Ahlgrimm

In her three decades of working with women, Marla Ahlgrimm, founder of Women’s Health America, has found that exercise makes a big difference in a woman’s health. But for many women, “exercise” is a bad word. How can women find an exercise program that they’ll want to stick with for life?

To begin, Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph. stresses the importance of asking oneself why you are interested in beginning a new exercise program. If you are hoping to stay healthy, you will likely have more success than if your only goal is to lose weight. Likewise, if your goal is to do something you enjoy doing, and exercise is one of those things, you’re more likely to stick with it for many years, Marla Ahlgrimm says.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, co-founder of Madison Pharmacy Associates, the key is to focus on physical activities you enjoy doing. Many women give up when an exercise program doesn’t yield results immediately, Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph. points out. By choosing physical activities you enjoy doing, you’ll stick with it long enough to begin seeing and feeling overall improvements.

Marla Ahlgrimm advises several small changes you can make that will improve your overall health. For good health, Marla Ahlgrimm, co-founder of Madison Pharmacy Associates, states that you should incorporate 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity at your target heart rate at least three days a week. By spreading these activities over the day, Marla Ahlgrimm suggests, you can work in thirty minutes of moderate exercise without having to set thirty minutes aside to do a formal workout. This can be done by using stairs instead of elevators, as well as parking far away and walking to your destination at a brisk pace. You can also spread your thirty minutes out throughout the day by dancing, riding an exercise bike, or playing actively with your children for a few minutes throughout the day.

To be most effective, your exercise routine should utilize the large muscles of your lower body, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, founder of Women’s Health America. Activities that fit in that category include walking, jogging, cycling, cross-country skiing, stationary cycling, and aerobic dance classes, Marla Ahlgrimm states.

Additionally, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends weight-bearing exercises. This includes jogging and dancing, Marla Ahlgrimm points out, but not swimming. And pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm advises against working one part of the body in the hopes of losing inches there. Marla Ahlgrimm points out that by focusing on making all of your body’s muscles stronger, you’ll slightly increase your metabolism to maintain weight, decrease fluid retention and improve your lean muscle mass. Your body will become more efficient, Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph. says, and you’ll increase the strength of your body’s joints and bones and improve balance which is much more important as you get older.

You should begin any exercise program gradually, Marla Ahlgrimm advises, to avoid injury. While your cardiovascular system may be able to adapt, your body’s musculoskeletal systems may break down if pushed too hard, Marla Ahlgrimm, pharmacist, warns.

The benefits of an exercise program go well beyond stronger muscles and joints, Marla Ahlgrimm states. Both women and men report regular exercise helps them sleep better at night and gives them a greater feeling of energy throughout the day. Exercise also helps them better cope with stress, Marla Ahlgrimm adds, providing an outlet for that ‘fight or flight’ physical response brought on by stress.

Lastly, if your exercise program makes you feel overly tired, Marla Ahlgrimm suggests pulling back a little. Decrease the intensity or choose different exercises until your body adjusts.

For more information, visit Marla Ahlgrimm online at http://www.marlaahlgrimm.com

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What Makes Madison Pharmacy Associates Unique

In Health and Beauty on January 9, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Madison Pharmacy Associates

Madison Pharmacy Associates

Madison Pharmacy Associates’ Marla Ahlgrimm remembers life before premenstrual syndrome was a household term. In the late 70s, Marla Ahlgrimm and her associates were working at a pharmacy when they encountered a patient suffering from PMS. Along with her associates, Madison Pharmacy Associates’ Ahlgrimm began treating the patient and soon were working to help others with premenstrual symptoms.

After encountering resistance from pharmacy management, Marla Ahlgrimm and a colleague founded Madison Pharmacy Associates, a pharmacy with an emphasis on women’s health. In the early days, Madison Pharmacy Associates pioneered the field of PMS treatment, compounding specialized prescriptions and consulting with doctors and patients throughout the country. Since Marla Ahlgrimm founded Madison Pharmacy Associates in the early 1980s, she estimates it has helped more than 300,000 women and 7,000 physicians understand, diagnose, and treat PMS symptoms.

With a focus on quality, service, and innovation, Madison Pharmacy Associates believes in involving its full staff in every aspect of daily operations. “We encourage ideas, creativity, and change,” Madison Pharmacy Associates’ Marla Ahlgrimm explains. “In a small company, we have the luxury to dispense with formal meetings—we all discuss ideas and quickly implement them to simply see what the results are.”

Madison Pharmacy Associates was among the first group of medical professionals to sit in on the FDA advisory board which met to discuss the relevancy and magnitude of PMS in America. Since Madison Pharmacy Associates was at the forefront of PMS research and treatment, many of the educational materials the practice used had to be developed from scratch. Madison Pharmacy Associates has always placed importance in providing one-on-one consultation to patients and their physicians, helping both to understand PMS in order to more quickly come to a treatment plan.

“Too often, management makes the mistake or is forced to separate themselves from the day to day operations of their business under the guise of tending to more important things,” Madison Pharmacy Associates’ Ahlgrimm believes. “That connection is the whole point of being in business and successfully staying in business.”

One of the things that has helped Madison Pharmacy Associates succeed is Marla Ahlgrimm’s devotion to her patients. Madison Pharmacy Associates’ Ahlgrimm grew up in a family that owned a small business. This helped her understand the importance of thinking outside the box, focusing on Madison Pharmacy Associates’ mission, rather than trying to outdo the competition.

“You can’t quantify the degree to which your business reflects your passion, vision, trust, and optimism,” Madison Pharmacy Associates’ Marla Ahlgrimm says. “Yet these values reveal themselves in each transaction you and your employees are involved in.”

The information in this article has been previously published and is provided as a reference resource by Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph. Madison Pharmacy Associates was sold in 2011. Marla Ahlgrimm is also the co-founder and President of Cyclin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The company sells proprietary products for the women’s health market as well as ProCycle PMS and ProCycle Gold products. For more information, go online to http://www.cyclinpharma.com