Wise Advice about Life

1. Have the courage to live a life true to yourself, not the life others expect of you.

2. Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

3. “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” Ernest Hemingway

4. Don’t make decisions when you’re angry. Don’t make promises when you’re happy.

5. “Never argue with a stupid person, they’ll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” Mark twain

6. Only pack what you can carry yourself.

7. Remember you’ll always regret what you didn’t do rather than what you did.

8. “You’d worry less about what people think about you if you knew how seldom they do.” David Foster Wallace

9. If you blame it on someone else, don’t expect it to get better.

10. “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, but there will always be someone who hates peaches.” Dita von Teese

11. If the grass is greener on the other side, there’s probably more manure there.

12. Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now.

13. With regards to the opposite sex: If you look hungry, you’ll starve.

14. “Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.” Isaac Asimov

15. Strive to be the man you want your daughter to marry.

16. “Remember only enemies speak the truth. Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty.” Stephen King

17. Never forget your car keys will change your car from one tonne of inert metal into one of the most deadly killing machines that has been invented.

18. Wait 24 hours before getting mad and reacting about anything. If it doesn’t bother you in 24 hours time, it probably isn’t important enough to get mad over.

19. Never make someone a priority who only makes you an option.

20. Try not to take anything personally. No one thinks about you as much as you do.

21. “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” Sirius Black

22. Figure out what you love to do, and then figure out how to get someone to pay you to do it.

23. If you treat a woman like a queen, and she treats you like a jester, your princess is in another castle.

24. Whenever something happens that makes you sad, ask yourself whether you’d still care about it when you’re ninety.

25. Be persistent. When knowledge and ability aren’t enough, be persistent.

26. “Life is scary. Get used to it. There are no magical fixes. It’s all up to you. So get up off your keister, get out of here, and go start doin’ the work. Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy.” Bob Kelso

27. Smart girls like to hear they’re pretty, pretty girls like to hear that they’re smart.

28. Happiness is a choice and everything else is a matter of perspective.

Maxy sez ::What your pee means ---3 red flags What Your Urine Says About Your Health

BY PATRICK SULLIVAN
Clear as urine. That’s not the expression, but perhaps it should be, at least when urine is healthy. Perfectly normal urine tends to be a pale, straw color or a clear yellow. “A lot of people don’t realize that when you’re well-hydrated, your urine should be close to running water,” explains urologist Arthur Crowley, MD. “People are confused about that. They’ll say it looks great but it’ll be dark.”

Urine gets its yellow color from a pigment called urochrome. “It has to do with the way the kidneys break things down,” says Dr. Crowley. In addition, healthy urine has a slight, mild smell. But what if your pee has a strong odor, or isn’t a mellow yellow? What if it’s pink? Or red? Chances are the cause is innocuous, but there are times when your body may be telling you something about an underlying medical condition.

What’s that smell?
Normal urine should smell unobtrusive, but there are several reasons why you might notice a stronger odor wafting up from the bowl. Dehydration can cast a distinct aroma if your urine isn’t as diluted as usual, signaling that you need to drink up. Vitamins—namely vitamin B6—and certain foods are other common suspects. “Vitamin B6 has a strong odor, almost like old urine,” says Crowley. “It’s more a nitrogen-type smell.” Garlic can make your pee as stinky as your breath, and asparagus is well known for scenting your urine, giving off a sulfur-like smell.

Sometimes, though, the smell may be a sign of trouble. Diabetics often have sweet-smelling urine due to the presence of sugar. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is another condition that brings along a strong smell, “almost like gunpowder,” says Crowley. “The bacteria that causes a UTI will split the urea molecules in urine apart, releasing the smell.”

(Not so) pretty in pink
Red or pink urine could indicate the presence of blood, but don’t panic just yet. Blueberries and rhubarb (did you overindulge in pie recently?) can do it. So can beets. Certain medications, such as senna laxatives or even ibuprofen, can cause blood in the urine. Crowley says if a lab analysis reveals no red blood cells in your urine sample, it’s probably something you ate. If it’s not your diet, blood in the urine may be a symptom of UTIs, bladder stones and cancer of the kidneys or bladder. It may also be due to long-distance running (joggers’ hematuria) or other strenuous exercise. If you haven’t recently chowed down on veggies that may be behind the color change, see your primary care physician and have a sample taken.

Very dark urine
If you’ve thought all along that dark-colored urine is the norm, think again. Severe dehydration is the best-case scenario for urine that’s amber or orange in color. Fortunately, it’s the most common diagnosis, according to Crowley. The fix is easy enough: Drink more water. If your urine is still dark, you might need to replenish your electrolytes as well. Sports drinks and Pedialyte can help.

But if dehydration isn’t causing the dark hue, it could be something more serious. “Cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis are possibilities,” says Crowley. With liver issues, a pigment called bilirubin is turning the urine dark. “Bilirubin results from the breakdown of old red blood cells and normally can be converted to a water soluble substance by the liver,” Crowley says. If the liver is damaged, the bilirubin does not get broken down and passes through the bladder as a dark discoloration.

Maxy sez : Types of Vaginal Infections

Burning, itching, and an unpleasant odor are just some of the common symptoms of vaginal infections. But treatments vary by condition, so it's important to know which type of vaginal infection you have.
By Beth W. Orenstein
Medically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
Vaginal infections, or vaginitis, are very common — so much so that most women will experience some form of vaginal infection or inflammation during their lifetime.

“To the gynecologist, vaginitis is a vaginal discharge with or without itching and burning, with or without an odor,” says Gregory R. Moore, MD, MPH, an obstetrician-gynecologist and director of the University Health Service at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
Some women seem to be more prone to vaginal infections than others for reasons that are not entirely obvious, Dr. Moore says.

What Upsets the Normal Vaginal Balance
A healthy vagina has many bacteria and yeast. However, some things can disturb that healthy balance. These include:
Douches
Hormone level changes
Antibiotics
Vaginal intercourse
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The Most Common Types of Vaginal Infections
There are three very common types of vaginal infections, says Cynthia Krause, MD, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

Yeast infections. The most common type of vaginitis, a yeast infection is caused by one of the many species of fungus known as Candida. Candida live naturally in your body in small numbers, including in the vagina, and usually don't cause any harm.

However, Candida thrive in a warm, moist, airless environment and, under those conditions, can grow in number, causing a vaginal infection. Dr. Krause says, “There are many species of yeast or Candida — Candida albicans is the most common.”

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include a thick, white discharge that some women describe as resembling cottage cheese. Yeast infections also can cause vaginal itching and redness of the vulva (the lips of the external female genital area) and vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis. Along with yeast, “friendly” bacteria called lactobacilli live in the vagina. When the number of lactobacilli gets too low, it can trigger a condition called bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Why bacteria levels change is not known, but the normal lactobacilli can be replaced by other infection-causing bacteria. “Gardnerella is the bacteria most often associated with bacterial vaginosis,” Krause says. “It is the lack of lactobacilli and overgrowth with these other bacteria that cause the symptoms of infection.”

With bacterial vaginosis, a woman may see a thick or whitish discharge or one that is slippery and clear. It is not likely to itch or burn. A fishy odor may be noticeable, especially during intercourse.

Trichomonas. “Of the three most common vaginal infections, trichomonas vaginitis is the only one that is a true sexually transmitted infection,” Krause says. Commonly called “trich,” it is caused by a single-celled parasite, trichomonas vaginalis, and is passed from partner to partner during intercourse.

The symptoms of trichomonas vaginitis are similar to other vaginal infections: burning, irritation, redness, and swelling of the vulva, with a yellow-gray or greenish vaginal discharge, possibly with a fishy odor. Some women also experience pain during urination.

Other common vaginal infections and causes of vaginal itching include:

Chlamydia vaginitis. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause inflammation of the vagina. Some women will have a discharge with chlamydia and some will not. A more common symptom is bleeding, especially after intercourse. “Sexually active women up to age 26 should be tested annually for chlamydia because it so often comes without symptoms and can linger and do a fair amount of damage to fertility,” Moore says.
Noninfectious vaginitis. Noninfectious vaginitis is when the skin around the vagina becomes sensitive to an irritant such as scented tampons, perfumed soaps, or fabric softeners. This is not an infection, and the solution is simple: “Not to be exposed to whatever you are having a reaction to,” Moore says.
Vulvodynia. This is a condition in which women have chronic pain or discomfort of the vulva without a known cause. The symptoms are similar to vaginal infections: burning, stinging, rawness, soreness, and swelling. Symptoms may be constant or occasional.
Viral vaginosis. Viruses also can cause vaginal infections. Most viruses are spread through sexual contact. “The herpes simplex virus is a common cause of viral vaginosis,” Moore says. Symptoms include pain in the genital area from lesions or sores. Most of the time, you can see the sores on the vulva or vagina, but they can also be hidden and seen only during an examination by your gynecologist.
Treatment for Vaginal Infections

All of these infections can be treated, but it is important to know which infection you have so that the right medication is prescribed.

“Yeast medication is available over the counter if you are certain that it is a yeast infection,” Krause says. “Sometimes women think they have a yeast infection and it is actually something else. If you try over-the-counter medications and they don’t work, you should see a doctor.”

Maxy sez : Yeast Infections in Men: What to Know

By Joseph Bennington-Castro Medically Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD
Yeast infections frequently occur in men, even though they're most common in women.
Men over 40 who have Type 2 diabetes may face an increased risk for developing penile yeast infections.Robert Nicholas/Getty Images
Yeast infections are usually associated with women, but men aren't safe from these infections, either.

The term "yeast infection" generally refers to a vaginal infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans, and less commonly other Candida species, including C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei. (1)

But yeast infections, or candidiasis, can affect other areas of the body.

For instance, a yeast infection of the mouth is called thrush, or oral candidiasis, and a yeast infection of the skin (such as the armpits and groin) is called cutaneous candidiasis. (2,3)

A yeast infection of the penis is called candidal (or candida) balanitis, or balanitis thrush.

The term "balanitis" refers to an infection of the glans penis, which is the head of the penis. Candida infects the glans penis more often than any other infectious agent.

If the yeast infection also affects the foreskin, it is known as candidal balanoposthitis. (4)

Prevalence of Candidal Balanitis, a Yeast Infection of the Penis
Candida yeasts are responsible for 30 to 35 percent of all cases of balanitis, according to a report published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews. (4)

Other infectious sources of balanitis include streptococci and staphylococci bacteria, Herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus, and a sexually transmitted bacterium called Mycoplasma genitalium. (5)

But candida balanitis is not well studied, so it's unclear how many men the illness affects each year (though it's thought to be a rare condition).

Various Candida species, most notably C. albicans, live in the gastrointestinal tract and other warm areas of the body without causing illness (they only cause issues when they're present in large numbers). (4)

In fact, about 20 percent of women have Candida living in their vagina and don't experience any yeast infection symptoms, according to a report published in the journal The Lancet. (1)

Candida is commonly found on the penis, with studies suggesting that 16 to 26 percent of men carry the yeast. About 37 percent of men with Candida experience no symptoms, while 27 percent of them develop balanitis, according to a study of new attendees to a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. (6)

Causes and Risk Factors of Candidal Balanitis or Penile Yeast Infection
Unlike with vaginal yeast infections, penile yeast infections are usually sexually acquired — when a man has sex with someone who has a yeast infection.

But candidal balanitis isn't considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD) because men can get the infection without having sex.

There are several risk factors that increase a man's risk of getting a penile yeast infection, including:

Antibiotics, which kill the "good" bacteria that keep Candida's numbers in check
Immune-suppressing illnesses, particularly HIV
Diabetes mellitus (aka diabetes)
Corticosteroids
Additionally, Candida yeast colonization and infection are more common among men with uncircumcised penises than men with circumcised penises (the warm, moist environment underneath the foreskin promotes yeast growth). (6)

A study published in the Journal of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that candidal balanitis was strongly associated with age over 40 years and diabetes mellitus. And men older than 60 years were more likely to have Candida colonization. (7)

Hygiene may also play a role in candidal balanitis development.
Washing with perfumed shower gels and soaps can irritate the skin, potentially helping Candida multiply. (8)

Symptoms of Male Yeast Infections (Candidal Balanitis)
Common symptoms of candidal balanitis include:

Burning and itching around the head of the penis, which worsens after having sex
Redness and swelling
Small, rash-like bumps called papules, which may have pus
Pain during urination or sex
If you have candidal balanoposthitis, you may also have:

A thick, lumpy discharge under the foreskin
An unpleasant odor of the foreskin
Difficulty pulling back your foreskin
Men with diabetes may experience more severe symptoms, including fluid buildup and ulceration of the penis, as well as fissuring of the foreskin.

Complications with balanitis are rare, but may include an inability to retract the foreskin, cellulitis (inflammation of connective tissue beneath the skin), and a narrowing of the urethra that makes urinating difficult. (6,9)

Treating Penile Yeast Infections (Yeast Infection in Men)
Like vaginal yeast infections, penile yeast infections are easily treated with antifungal drugs called azoles.

There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription-based topical medicines available, including:

Lotrimin (clotrimazole)
Monistat (miconazole)
Spectazole (econazole)
In some cases, these drugs may be combined with hydrocortisone to reduce marked inflammation.

Importantly, topical oil-based medication cannot be used with latex condoms.

Alternatively, an oral azole medication called Diflucan (fluconazole) is effective for yeast infections.

If the topical or oral treatments don't work, make sure to see your doctor, as you may have another kind of balanitis or an infection by a Candida species resistant to azole antifungals.