Advice from Dr. Naveed Fazlani: Recommended Screenings for Patients Over 50

Once patients hit fifty, regular screenings become a routine part of life. However, Dr. Naveed Fazlani says, screening and treatment intervals can be confusing to patients, who often read conflicting reports. Dr. Fazlani, who regularly works with patients suffering high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, clears up the confusion by detailing a few critical issues that require screenings after the age of fifty.

By the age of fifty, the risk of hypertension in post-menopausal women has begun to catch up with men’s risks, according to Dr. Fazlani. For patients that have high blood pressure, regular monitoring will become important after age fifty, he states, with medications available to lower it. To keep blood pressure levels low, Dr. Fazlani explains that your physician may start you on an exercise program and have you reduce your sodium intake.

The risk of heart attack and stroke also increases as you age, according to Dr. Naveed Fazlani, who recommends a daily dose of aspirin to help thin the blood and reduce risks. If you are still engaging in tobacco consumption, he may recommend tobacco cessation counseling, as you’ll begin to notice more health problems as you get older if you keep smoking.

Cancer becomes a concern for doctors of patients over fifty as well, he says. Physicians will conduct screenings for lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. Dr. Fazlani points to American Cancer Society recommendations that women over age 40 have mammograms each year. Patients should have colorectal screenings every five years, Dr. Fazlani indicates, but after age 50 men should discuss exams for prostate cancer with their physicians.  Good news for women, Dr. Fazlani reports, is that the American Cancer Society allows cervical cancer screening to slow down to every three years from age thirty on. By age 70, women may choose to stop having pap smears altogether, he adds, assuming the past three pap smears have been normal.

An annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all adults, Dr. Naveed Fazlani points out, but as you get older that yearly vaccination may become more vital than ever. Dr. Fazlani also recommends a one-time pneumococcal vaccination at age 65, as well as a vaccine to protect against a varicella-zoster infection.

Dr. Naveed Fazlani, board certified in Internal Medicine, has been actively practicing in the Cincinnati area since 1996. Dr. Naveed Fazlani is founding partner of Midwest Medical Group in Mt. Healthy, a fourteen-physician practice that provides outpatient and hospitalist services. For more information, visit drnaveedfazlani.me

Alamo-Based Timothy Powers Notes Increased Demand for Rental Properties

With the housing market in such turmoil, Alamo, California’s Timothy Powers points out that one area is fluctuating: rental properties. Banks have tightened down loan procedures to the point that even consumers with good credit are having a hard time purchasing a house, Timothy Powers of Alamo points out.

Luckily for Americans, rental properties are in available, giving prospective renters a choice beyond the traditional apartment or condo rental, Alamo’s Timothy Powers says. Timothy Powers of Alamo points out that desperate homeowners, who may be unable to pay a mortgage while waiting months, possibly even years, are putting properties up for rent. According to Timothy Powers of Alamo, this creates plenty of rental opportunities for those who can’t qualify for a home or would actually prefer to rent. This group of homeowners may be risky renting from because the property may go into foreclosure and you might be expected to move earlier then anticipated sites, Tim Powers of Alamo.

Experts are saying the home market could take years to rebound, Timothy Powers of Alamo points out, meaning homeowners could be stuck in homes for years. Many of these homeowners are now “upside down” in their mortgages, Alamo’s Timothy Powers points out, meaning they owe more than they could get if they sold. Homeowners are advised to wait it out, according to Timothy Powers of Alamo, but that isn’t always an option, as forced relocation and inability to afford monthly payments force homeowners to find a way out of a mortgage.

Unfortunately, the economy has forced many homeowners to fall behind on mortgage payments, Timothy Powers of Alamo says, leading them to eventually face foreclosure. As owner of East Bay Foreclosure Support, Alamo’s Timothy Powers assists homeowners who have fallen on hard times. These homeowners often have no choice but to turn to renting, Alamo-based Timothy Powers says, and with the damage foreclosure does to credit, landlords are hesitant to rent. In addition, Timothy Powers of Alamo points out that rent costs are on the rise in general, causing cash-poor consumers to desperately seek out lower-rent properties.

Alamo’s Timothy Powers does note, however, that the market means good news for investors. The time has never been better to buy into rental property, Timothy Powers of Alamo observes. Since housing prices are lower than they have been in years and rent prices are on the rise, a landlord stands to make money right now. And, better yet, eventually property values will begin climbing again, making that investment pay off  over the years.

Alamo-based Timothy Powers is a twenty-year veteran of the real estate market, specializing in foreclosures. Timothy Powers of Alamo recently founded East Bay Foreclosure Support, a business that provides free foreclosure support to families in need.

Rick Siskey Discusses Giving Back to the Charlotte, NC Community

Charlotte, NC’s Rick Siskey enjoys the YMCA along with the other families in his community. A firm believer in giving back, Rick Siskey, a Charlotte, NC entrepreneur, was a driving vision behind the founding of the Siskey Family YMCA in 1995. Rick Siskey says the Charlotte, NC Siskey Family YMCA helps the community in ways outside of its usual fitness and youth activities. Charlotte, NC Rick Siskey is most proud, however, of the work the Siskey Family YMCA does in the community, including workshops and youth development programs that make Charlotte a better place.

Charlotte, NC’s Rick Siskey actively participates in the Siskey Family YMCA’s annual “Be a Community Star” auction, which benefits Charlotte, NC residents in need. According to Rick Siskey, the event, which began six years ago, has raised more than $750,000. Charlotte, NC resident Rick Siskey emphasizes that every dime of that money is used to help those in need in the community.

The Siskey Family YMCA in Charlotte, NC is an extension of the work that Rick Siskey does through his company, Siskey Industries. Chairman Rick Siskey helps Charlotte, NC and beyond by helping business owners achieve their dreams. Using experience gained from years of experience in the financial industry, Charlotte, NC’s Rick Siskey counsels others on such subjects as angel investing and success in the business world.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on at Siskey Industries is our ability to help business owners build their actual business,” Charlotte, NC’s Rick Siskey says. “The belief that it’s more important to make things better—not bigger—has been a foundational principle to everything I do.”

In addition to his volunteer work with the YMCA, Rick Siskey has served the Charlotte, NC, St. Judes and the United Way, among many other charitable organizations. He told Greater Charlotte Biz magazine that he chooses charity work that has far-reaching impact.

“It’s important for any entrepreneur, professional and executive to be active in the community to make it a better place now and in the future,” Charlotte, NC’s Rick Siskey told Greater Charlotte Biz. Rick Siskey believes these leaders drive his Charlotte, NC community, including churches and businesses. Through giving back to the community, Rick Siskey of Charlotte, NC says that these leaders are able to become a part of the community and have an investment in its success.

For more information, visit Siskey Industries online at www.siskeyindustries.com

Dean Spasser Discusses the Value of Backend Offers – St. Louis, MO

When St. Louis’s Dean Spasser founded American Publications twenty years ago, he had vast experience in advertising. As a commercial leasing agent in St. Louis, Dean Spasser had spent more than a decade matching business owners with prospective retail and office space. In doing this, Dean Spasser realized he had a talent for helping groups of people with needs find each other.

One of the services that Dean Spasser now offers is helping businesses and individuals find mailing lists to support their direct mail needs. After a business has secured a great list, Dean Spasser then counsels them on how best to market to those customers. A mailing doesn’t help unless the customer responds to what he or she finds in the mailbox, Dean Spasser reminds his clients.

Among the many things a business can do, capturing interested customers is among the most important, Dean Spasser affirms. According to St. Louis resident Dean Spasser, when a customer contacts your business, he or she is showing an interest in the products you offer. Record and file mailing lists from both those who inquire and those who buy from you, Dean Spasser advises. This allows you to directly market to those customers; even opening up the possibility of creating certain “VIP deals” that Dean Spasser advises you offer only to them.

Backend offers are a great way to keep current customers coming back, Dean Spasser says. A popular trend in marketing today, backend offers put new offers in with the packaging when a customer buys something from you. If you’re selling printer cartridges, for instance, Dean Spasser advises putting an offer for a certain percentage off that customer’s next cartridge purchase. Or you could offer a discounted ream of paper or box of pens, Dean Spasser advises.

Dean Spasser explains that backend offers save money because they bring business without having to spend advertising money to reach out to a new customer. “Most of your costs have already been incurred,” Dean Spasser explains. “So when a customer purchases a backend offer from you, the purchase price represents a much higher profit margin.”

Dean Spasser is a St. Louis businessman and sole owner of a well-established direct mailing firm providing information on how to find legitimate work from home opportunities. A 1982 Graduate of the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Spasser has spent the last 30 years refining his managerial and business operating skills. In his career, Dean Spasser has served as a real estate professional and successful entrepreneur.

A Question and Answer Session with Dr. William Howland About Food Allergies

Austin, Texas-based allergist Dr. William Howland has many specialties. However, one area of particular interest to Dr. Howland is food allergies. According to Dr. William Howland, a little known fact about food allergies is that they tend to be regional. For instance, Dr. William Howland reports that in the United States peanut allergies have risen substantially during the last decade, but that peanut allergies in China are rare. Dr. William Howland notes that no research has been able to ascertain the discrepancy between the two countries. Many aspects of food allergies remain a mystery. Recently, Dr. William Howlandsat down for a question and answer session with Zrylw to discuss food allergies.

Zrylw: What are common allergies in children?

Dr. William Howland:First of all, thank you for having me. Now to answer your question,the most common allergies in children areeggs, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat.

Zrylw:Do children grow out of food allergies?

Dr. William Howland:Most children grow out of their egg and milk allergies. However, peanut allergies tend to last a lifetime.

Zrylw:What foods do adults tend to be allergic to?

Dr. William Howland:I have seen many cases of allergy to fin fish, peanuts, shellfish and tree nuts.

Zrylw:What are some food allergy symptoms?

Dr. William Howland:Food allergy symptoms include – but aren’t limited to – hives, difficulty breathing, itching in the mouth, tongue, palms or feet and in severe cases shock can occur.

Zrylw:Why do our bodies react to certain foods in such a drastic way?

Dr. William Howland:People with food allergies have their immune system go into overdrive when a food allergen is introduced. Then the allergy antibody IgE is released to fight the food. With repeated exposure, the IgE clashes with cells that trigger an allergic reaction.

Zrylw:Are food allergies fatal?

Dr. William Howland:Oh yes, they can be fatal at times. Some children are so allergic to peanuts, for instance, that their teachers and fellow students cannot have peanuts in the classroom.

Zrylw: What can patients do to control their food allergies?

Dr. William Howland:The most important treatment is complete avoidance of that food.  Patients with food allergy need to be tested by an allergist to determine their sensitivities.  Sensitive patients should always carry an auto injecting epinephrine syringe to use in an emergency.  Unfortunately there are presently no ways to decrease food allergy sensitivity.

Zrylw:Is there a difference between food allergies and food intolerance?

Dr. William Howland:There is a very big difference between the two. The IgE anti-body doesn’t cause food intolerance. And even though food intolerance can make a patient feel very uncomfortable or create pain, dangerous and life threatening reactions do not occur with food intolerance.

Zrylw:Well, I think we’ve pretty much covered the basics of food allergies. Do you have anything that you would like to add, before we let you go?

Dr. William Howland: The only thing I would like to add, is that anyone who thinks they have a food allergy should make an appointment to consult with an allergist. And thank you for having me!

For more information, visit Dr. William Howland online at www.nosneezes.com

About Dr. William Howland

Growing up in Austin, Texas, Dr. William Howland suffered with allergies. Experiencing them firsthand made the decision to specialize in asthma and allergies as a medical doctor an easy one. Since his return to Austin in 1991, Dr. William Howland has been helping Texans cope with Austin’s extreme allergens.

In addition to his private practice at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin (www.nosneezes.com), Dr. William Howland researches new medicines and treatments for asthma and allergies through his research group, Sirius Clinical Research. Dr. William Howland has spent the past fifteen years experimenting with various treatments, determined to find relief for allergy sufferers across the region.

Unlike many other areas, Austin has three distinct allergy seasons, including wintertime when Cedar Fever affects residents, Dr. William Howland says. Austin’s Mountain Cedar tree is said to be the highest pollen-producing plant in the world, with allergy season for this plant beginning around December of each year and sending many Austin residents to experts like Dr. William Howland for treatment.

Upon first visiting Dr. William Howland’s offices, a new patient may be tested to determine his or her specific sensitivities. Dr. William Howland performs skin tests with a variety of local allergens, with reactions usually taking place within fifteen minutes. Once testing is complete, the patients meets with Dr. William Howland to discuss results and treatment plans.

When you meet with Dr. William Howland, you can feel confident that you are in capable hands. A magna cum laude graduate from the University of Texas, Dr. William Howland obtained his MD from the medical branch of the University of Texas at Galveston. Board certified with the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, Dr. William Howland practiced in South Carolina and Florida before returning to his hometown of Austin.

A respected author and speaker, Dr. William Howland’s writing has been featured in many medical journals. His regular segment on allergies, shown on the local ABC affiliate KUVE’s newscast, covers such topics as how allergies affect a student’s school performance and allergens in your own garden.

In his spare time, Dr. William Howland plays in a cover rock band, Code Blue. The band performs hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, covering the best rock songs of all time.  Dr. William Howland is bassist for the band, as well as singing lead and backup. He co-founded the band with Austin fireman Joe Augeri and they’ve played weddings, parties, and other events at venues in Austin, Dallas, and San Diego for the past fifteen years. Dr. Howland also helps with lighting and sound for the band.

Dr. William Howland lives in Austin with his wife and two children.