Not only does it hurt, but sunburn is also one of the factors accelerating the ageing of the skin. Exposing oneself to the sun without protection is taking the risk to get burn and in the long run develop skin cancer.

To avoid health problems, dermatologists suggest not staying under the sun between noon and 4 pm, when the sun is most powerful. It is best to put on a sun lotion 20 minutes to half an hour before the exposure starts. The sun lotion must be adapted to our type of skin: the fairest the skin is, the strongest the lotion must be. Persons with very white skin and babies can wear be protected with a  50+ sun lotion.

The sun lotion must be applied every two hours and after each bath in a swimming pool or in the sea. Sun lotions with a blue color were specially created for kids.

From light skin to dark skin, each one of us needs an adapted sun lotion. Villa Soleya presents a range of sprays and creams from 4 to 50+, some of them with a self-tanning effect. After the exposure, apply an after-sun milk or cream, such as Villa Soleya’s hydrating milk containing soothing aloe vera. You will appreciate its invigorating, moisturizing and refreshing effect.

Specialized in products from the South of France, Villa Soleya presents a quality range of cosmetics including sun lotions, decorative objects for the home, natural textile collection and eau de toilette for men and women. For French gift ideas, feel free to visit their website.

Let’s discover the range of Villa Soleya’s pure essential oils:

Ylang Ylang has a soothing effect on urinary and intestinal infections. It helps the skin cicatrize, calms breathing and slows down heartbeat. It cause also be used on hair to make it stronger and help it grow faster. As an ingredient in beauty creams, Ylang-Ylang helps the skin maintain its natural balance.

What about Rosemary? We enjoy it for its stimulating effect on the liver and gall-bladder system. It is also used to fight infections of sinuses.

Cypress essential oil helps recovering a good circulation in the legs, which is particularly appreciable during the summer. People with problems of varicose veins or hemorrhoids can use cypress essential oil. It is also powerful to fight cough.

What about citronella? We already know it keeps away mosquitos and insects, which can’t bear its smell. At night or when walking outdoors, a blend of citronella essential oil and vegetal oil can be applied on arms, neck, wrists and ankles.

To repel mosquitos, Geranium essential oil can be used in bath or blended with vegetal oil to create massage oil.

Find these essential oils and many more French gift ideas at Villa Soleya’s online store. Celebrating the South of France and particularly French Riviera, their eclectic quality range of products includes natural textile collections, cosmetics, eau de toilette for men and women, decorative objects for the home and Mediterranean style cooking ingredients.

With their blue, violet or lilac color, lavender fields create charming spots in the landscape, not to speak about their delightful fragrance.

Lavender can be used in our wardrobes, tucked into small linen bags to perfume our clothes.

Under the shape of essential oil, it helps cure bee or mosquito stings. How to use it? Apply a drop of fine lavender essential oil directly on the sting or mix a few drops of oil with warm water and white clay and apply this blend on the sting until it dries. Then rinse with clear water.

Lavender can also be eaten! In the United States, people can buy lavender syrup and eat lavender scones and marshmallows. However, it is not used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine nor in French cuisine in general.

In aromatherapy, lavender plays an important role. Used in balms, cosmetics and perfumes, it is loved for its soothing, antiseptic and curing virtues.

Used in a pillow mist, lavender fosters relaxation and helps getting in condition for a good night of sleep.

At Villa Soleya’s online store, you can shop for a great variety of lavender products: lavender pillow mist, linen soap, shower gel, bath salt, perfumed cushion, body and massage oil or eau de toilette.

Specialized in South of France products, Villa Soleya presents essential oils, decorative objects for the home, cosmetics and natural textile collections. A goldmine for French gift ideas!

Lavender has its favorite room in the house : the bathroom! Use Lavender Soap or Shower gel, as well as Bath Salt in your bathtub, for a relaxing moment. Lavender Hands Cream can be used daily. It soothes your skin, irritated by the cold during autumn and winter seasons. Spray a bit of lavender eau de toilette on your neck and wrists and enjoy this refined natural fragrance.

To create a cosy atmosphere in your house, arrange candles or aromatic diffusers with Lavender essential oil in various rooms. 100% pure and natural, Villa Soleya’s Lavender essential oil can be used for many purposes. When burned in an aromatic diffuser, Lavender essential oil spreads a comforting scent, which calms anxiety and make it easier to find sleep. 

Lavender essential oil can also be mixed with vegetal oil and applied directly to the skin. It has an homeostatic and antiseptic effect on small wounds. It calms insect bites and helps reducing certain skin problems, such as abscesses, dermatitis and eczema. Use Lavender scented body and massage oil to relax completely and help cure small skin problems.

Finally, lavender is traditionally packed in small bags or embroidered cushions and very useful to perfume a room or wardrobe.

Discover these French Riviera local products and more on Villa Soleya’s website.

The treatment of incontinence in women is an issue that is not always easy for women to discuss. However, the problem is widespread. An estimated 51 million women worldwide (17 million of them in the U.S. alone) have to deal with urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is the medical term used to describe the condition of not being able to control the flow of urine from your body. Incontinence usually occurs because the urethra cannot close tightly enough to hold urine in the bladder. It is surprising to learn how prevalent this rarely talked about condition actually is. For women over age 60, approximately 23% deal with incontinence, and the problem is more common in women than men. 50% of nursing home residents suffer from urinary incontinence.  But urinary incontinence is not just a problem for older women. Between the ages of 18 and 44, approximately 24% of women experience incontinence.

Causes of incontinence

Urinary incontinence usually is caused by weakened or damaged pelvic muscles and tissue that prevent the urethra from closing tight enough to hold urine in the bladder. Some people are unable to prevent leaking urine when they cough, sneeze or exercise. Other women experience a strong urge to urinate but are unable to make it to the bathroom in time.

To determine the type and cause of urinary incontinence, doctors take a complete medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination. Specialists such as gynecologists and urologists may use a variety of testing methods to determine the cause and type of urinary incontinence.

There are a number of factors that contribute to incontinence in women. The most common is pregnancy and vaginal childbirth, because Weakened or damaged pelvic muscles and tissue can be the result of pregnancy and childbirth. The bladder and urethra must be well supported by the pelvic muscles and tissue to allow them to work properly. Here the surgical treatment of incontinence may be recommended, with or without muscular exercises.

The second most important predictor of incontinence is aging, which tends to worsen all forms of muscular injury and weakness, and the pelvic muscles are no exception. Certain medical and neurological conditions, such as hysterectomies, spinal cord problems, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’sdisease, stroke and diabetes can make incontinence worse. Lifestyle factors can also add to the problem. For example, while obesity does not cause incontinence, it does contribute due to the increased abdominal pressure. And while smoking is not a direct cause of incontinence, it may aggravate it.

Of course, not all incontinence is a permanent condition. Urinary tract infections can cause temporary incontinence, and certain medications may increase the likelihood of temporary incontinence. These can be treated effectively with medications such as antibiotics and with the help of Kegel exercises.

Treatment of incontinence

With the advents of superior technology, there are now a number of advanced and effective options for the treatment of incontinence in women, to help restore the urinary continence women have lost with age, or after bearing children.

One of the newest and most effective surgical treatment of incontinence uses the sling procedure, which serves as support for the urethra during increased abdominal pressure. Bone fixated slings treat incontinence by supporting the urethra with a graft material that is secured to the pubic bone. Self-fixating slings treat incontinence by supporting the urethra. The sling is secured in place by friction and natural tissue ingrowth, rather than by sutures or screws. New sling models have built in features that anchor the sling and provides short-term fixation. Mesh characteristics allow tissue fixation without suturing.

For the least invasive surgery,  the Surgimesh® sling, from Aspide Medical can be inserted vaginally. The lightest sling in the market, it is a polypropylene sling specially designed to limit extensibility and deformation of the mesh during implantation.It boasts a very high mechanical resistance which enables elongation control, and the smoothed sides of the sling reduce considerably the risks of erosion. The special weave  of the mesh allows a very quick colonization, and does not salt out particles (optimized knitting and pores size) Another advantage of the Surgimesh® sling is easy insertion; the sling remains flat, even under tension. All of these factors allow a smoother implantation during surgery and maximum patient comfort afterwards.

With so many women suffering in silence, understanding the prevalence, possible causes and treatment options may encourage more women to seek today’s more advanced and effective treatment of incontinence.

Founded in 1994, Aspide Medical is a world leader in textile surgical implants. The Surgimesh® range, developed in partnership with surgeons includes implants for for digestive, urological and gynecological surgery.

Services

• treatment of incontinence

ASPIDE Medical
246 allée Lavoisier
42350 La Talaudière
FRANCE
Tel : +33 (0)4 77 53 16 59
Fax : + 33 (0)4 77 53 01 97
Email : aspide@aspide.com
Web : http://www.aspide.com

]]> http://www.webinfrance.com/treatment-of-incontinence-women-worldwide-advances-new-technology-567.html/feed 0 http://www.webinfrance.com/prolapse-surgery-more-effective-lasting-with-advanced-mesh-techniques-234.html http://www.webinfrance.com/prolapse-surgery-more-effective-lasting-with-advanced-mesh-techniques-234.html#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:22:15 +0000 Web in France team http://www.webinfrance.com/?p=2771 Prolapse prosthetic treatments by French company Aspide Medical allow for mini-invasive surgery and better results

Prolapse is a condition that affects many women. Many cases are mild and cause little or no discomfort. However, women who suffer from more significant prolapse problems often encounter issues that greatly affect their quality of life on a daily basis. Besides general pain and discomfort, these women may experience embarrassing urine leakage when coughing or sneezing, difficulty with bowel movements or pain during sexual intercourse.

What causes prolapse problems?

Connective tissue separates the pelvic organs. The tissue, called fascia, is attached to nearby muscles. When healthy, the fascia and muscles support the bladder, vagina and rectum. Defects in the fascia can cause prolapse problems known as cystoceles (located between the bladder and vagina) and rectoceles (located between the vagina and rectum). Like hernia, cystocles and rectocles involve tissue that bulges or protrudes into an area where it does not belong. In this case, the breach occurs in the walls between the vagina and bladder or rectum. These can be damaged by one or more of the following factors: difficult vaginal births, multiple births
problems during delivery or the use of episiotomy during birth. However, factors unrelated to childbirth can also cause or aggravate the problem. These include strain from lifting heavy objects, chronic cough, chronic constipation or the weakening of vaginal muscles caused by a lack of estrogen after menopause.

Treatment of Prolapse Problems

Activity Modification  is the first suggestion of most doctors. This includes avoiding heavy lifting Kegel exercises (squeezing the pelvic floor muscles) to help to strengthen the muscles around the vagina and bladder. For rectocele doctors often suggest a diet that allows for easy passage of stools by adding fiber, liquids, and a stool softener if necessary.

In cases where these lifestyle changes do not produce  relief, surgical repair is another option. Until recent years, this surgery was only partially effective, as patients often developed recurring problems when resuming normal activities and reinjuring themselves by coughing or straining to lift heavy objects. However, the use of advanced surgical mesh technology has greatly increased the success of prolapse operations.

The Miracle of Mesh – Hope for Prolapse Sufferers

Mesh reinforcement is used with the aim of reducing the risk of recurrence of the prolapse. The mesh has many holes within it to allow the body’s own tissue to grow into the mesh. The mesh then provides a framework of support.  It may provide a longer lasting repair and has been shown to be successful in 80% of people. Mesh is a synthetic material and is permanent, and has been extensively used in surgery, especially in hernia repairs.

SURGIMESH®PROLAPSE  from Aspide Medical of France is a range of safe and efficient prosthetic devices for a  surgical treatment of prolapse problems. Developed to correct cystoceles and rectoceles, among other conditions, each one of Aspide’s surgical devices includes a sling and specific tools corresponding to the operating technique chosen by the surgeon. There are solutions that are optimized for abdominal surgery (coelioscopy) and for a vaginal option that does not require an abdominal incision.

The SURGIMESH®PROLAPSE range of products was designed in partnership with surgeons’ teams.  The mesh is composed essentially of  monofilament polypropylene knitting, a solution particularly adapted to the surgical treatment of cystoceles and rectocele.  The newest knit dimensions are  0,08mm. Many precut shapes are available for coelioscopic use, as well as to open surgery allowing treatment of all pathologies.

Surgical repair of the cystocele or rectocele can result in improved bladder or bowel control. Patients find that they no longer have problems with stress incontinence and can resume activities they did not feel comfortable doing before. Surgery can also relieve pain they may have experienced during sexual intercourse.

Aspide Medical, founded in 1994, is a world leader in textile surgical implants. The Surgimesh® range, developed in partnership with surgeons includes implants for for digestive, urological and gynecological surgery.

Services

• prolapse treatment

Three female surf lifesaving champions  from France,  Stephanie Geyer-Barneix, 34, Alexandra Lux, 23, and Flora Manciet, 25, set off from Capbredon in southwest France, near Bordeaux on July 5, in an attempt to traverse the Atlantic. They are using only the boards they use in their lifesaving duties, with their arms as propellers. The crossing is a relay, with a boat accompanying the women carrying supplies and communication equipment.

With each woman paddling for two hours, four times a day since they left, on August 5th, a month into their journey, they were halfway to their destination, sister city Cape Breton in Canada. The voyage, which the women have dubbed “Cap Odyssey” carries no prize except that of personal accomplishment. The challenge has been two years in the planning, and that is only the beginning. The women risk danger from exposure, rough seas,  sharks, boat traffic and simply getting lost at sea in the dark. The catamaran that is accompanying them must reduce its speed to and almost impossible snail’s pace to stay abreat of the paddlers, who can cover only about 60 miles in 24 hours.

With nowhere to store any gear, the women are equipped with the bare minimum, including dry-suits, an electronic beacon and an emergency flare. The three women have gathered an extensive team, including medical researchers, logistics and aquatics security experts. The onboard crew of five includes an osteopath who will study the physical effects of the journey. Before the race, the women trained with a psychological counselor to prepare themselves mentally to weather the long and arduous journey.

A recent study by the OECD showed that compared to other societies, the French spend the most time eating and sleeping.

On average, the French get 8.8 hours of sleep each night, enjoying more rest than Americans and even Spaniards. (Perhaps some of them still get a siesta during the day.) Compared to the French, the Japanese and South Koreans both sleep a full hour less.

The French also devote nearly double the time to meals than do Americans, Britons or Mexicans. Meals in France are still culturally important rituals, the advent of globalization and fast food notwithstanding.

The effects of these habits are, on the surface, surprising. While the French spend much more time at the table than Americans, for example, they do not suffer from obesity at anything like the rate that has reached near-epidemic proportions in the US. This is because they do not actually consume more food during their time at the table, which would suggest that the French might eat less than Americans, and certainly eat more slowly. Eating slowly and deliberately is a practice that is often cited as a habit that favors healthy weight and weight loss.  The French diet consists of more fresh food, and less processed foods, than the American diet, another contributing factor.

Other recent studies in the US have also linked sleep and weight; those who sleep at least 8 hours per night are less likely to be obese than those who sleep less.  So again, the French have one more reason to be thinner than Americans, despite spending less time awake and more time at the dinner table.

People in France are bundling up and EDF, the French electric company, is raking it in. Last Tuesday, the coldest day of winter in France so far this year, saw the highest one-day use of energy in France since 1997.  Demand for central heating was high as the thermometer dropped  to a frigid 16 degrees F (-9 C) in Paris and fell to a record -4 F (-20 C) in the Ardennes region. The French electric company registered a whopping record 91,500 megawatts of power use on Tuesday.

Tuesday was the coldest of a string of below-freezing days in France, a country not known for harsh winters.  Homeless people continued their practice of camping out in the Bois de Vincennes, a forest near Paris, despite the freezing temperatures and snow. The French minister for Housing has proposed plans to force the homeless to enter social centers for the very cold nights. Several people have frozen to death from exposure since November 2008.

Snow and ice led Air France to cancel over 150 flights on Monday, leaving more than 3,000 passengers stranded overnight. Many  were forced to sleep in the airport terminals as nearby Paris hotels were full. After Monday’s chaos at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, the French capital’s major international airport, de-icing efforts meant that it was almost service as usual on Tuesday. Orly airport, on the other hand, just south of the capital and subject to the same weather conditions, reported very few cancellations and no accommodation problems for passengers.

The record cold is expected to freeze France at leat until the end of the week.

When Justice Minister Rachida Dati gave birth last week in France, there was no outcry (though there was rampant speculation as to the identity of the father, which she has kept secret) over the fact that she is a single, unwed mother. President Sarkozy himself congratulated her. No, what some consider a scandal is her reporting for work five days after the birth.

In France, where the social safety net is tightly woven, generous maternity leave has long been a hallmark of the system. Women in France are guaranteed 16 weeks of paid maternity leave after childbirth, and most take at least half. Beyond the money, the new mother’s job is guaranteed to still be waiting for her four months later.

Of course, no government can legislate the non-passage of time or insist that a woman on maternity leave remain “in the loop” at her employer.  Life goes on, with or without an employee who has just had a baby.  That seems to factor into Dati’s decision to return to work so soon.  She is heavily involved in important pending legislation and wants to remain so. Also, French labor codes that give the 16 weeks’ leave do not apply to government ministers like Dati, though she could certainly have taken more than five days.

Some womens’ groups were quick to condemn Dati for “raising the bar” and setting an unfair example for other women. The groups worry that public figures like Dati spurning maternity leave will put pressure on other women in France to do likewise, or risk being marked as weak or unambitious. One female activist compared Dati’s decision to conditions in the 1920s, when women gave birth in factories and were back on the assembly line as soon as their legs would hold them up. Women’s groups in France fear that with examples like Dati’s more and more women will be tempted to give up their rights.

Of course, the unspoken truth on everyone’s mind is that French maternity leave has long been considered excessive and overgenerous by many, either envious mothers in other countries or grumbling employers in France forced to hire interim workers to take on new mothers’ jobs and then to reintegrate their employees when the mothers come back to work. Some consider the 16-week paid leave just one more example of French workers’ sense of entitlement and a  vestige of a time before France really became part of the new global economy.  So it’s not a stretch that employers might put subtle pressure on women to return to work sooner. Legally they can’t make any threats, but it would be simple to inply that mothers who are gone too long might miss out on important happenings at the company and that their careers might suffer as a result.