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Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Clinical Aromatherapy - Cancer Care
Marianne Tavares
"Integrating Clinical Aromatherapy in Specialist Palliative Care"
More links to aromatherapy in palliative care
Posted by Ian Brealey at 05:57 No comments:
Labels: aromatherapy and palliative care
Monday, 23 January 2012
The Shirley Price Aromatherapy Factory in Hinckley, England
The Shirley Price Aromatherapy gang in the factory. Chloe, Gill, Sue, Kelly, Rosie. Thanks guys.
Posted by Ian Brealey at 09:42 No comments:
Shirley Price Aromatherapy Diploma - how the hours work out
Aromatherapy Syllabus
Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology
Classroom or distance learning 65 hours
Self directed study 150 hours
Practical applied aromatherapy
Therapeutic Massage
Practical Blending
Classroom 80 hours (includes 60 hours therapeutic massage)
Self directed study 120 hours
Theory of aromatherapy
Classroom or distance learning 70 hours
Self directed study 100 hours
Therapeutic relationships
Classroom 7 hours
Self directed study 10 hours
Professional studies
Legislation, conduct, ethics
Classroom 7 hours
Self directed study 20 hours
Reflective practice
Classroom 7 hours
Self directed study 20 hours
Understanding research
Classroom or distance learning 7 hours
Self directed study 10 hours
Minimum contact hours 94 hours
Maximum distance learning hours 156 hours
Total taught hours 250 hours
Minimum self directed study 450 hours
through reading, case studies, essay, practice
Shirley Price Aromatherapy
Contact hours on taught diploma 175 hours
Minimum distance learning and assignments 75 hours
Including anatomy and physiology, pathology 65 hours
Posted by Ian Brealey at 09:38 No comments:
'Appy days with ShirleyPrice.co.uk on Android
23rd / January / 2012 By: Ian Brealey
Now on Android. Distributors keep in touch with Shirley Price product and training news and therapists can order on the go from Amazon with free next day delivery on the go with our new Android app!
Shirley Price customers now have easy access on the move, with our brand new Android app.
Available now for FREE on Android marketplace, the ShirleyPrice.co.uk Android app allows shop owners to quickly view products and Shirley Price training news and media. This latest ShirleyPrice.co.uk feature release means distributors can stay tuned in to their online business. The android app can also be downloaded to a laptop or ipad. Setup couldn't be more straight forward: simply get the app from Android Marketplace and install it. All vital data is accessible any time any place.
Ian Brealey, from the UK's leading online aromatherapy provider comments on the company's first development in mobile:
"The Android app is the first of our mobile releases for 2012. It's a neat and useful application which keeps our users in 40 countries worldwide up to date, which can only make life easier. Another project in the mobile space includes full mCommerce: allowing customers to have a mobile optimised version of ShirleyPrice.co.uk for mobile visitors, which we know are on the up."
The FREE ShirleyPrice.co.uk Android app is available for download now on Android marketplace. Simply search for Shirley Price in the marketplace, or click here to download the app onto your smart phone direct.
For more information and support on the ShirleyPrice.co.uk Android app free to contact us on firstname.lastname@example.com call 01455615466.
SP Valentines day ad in Salon magazine
Posted by Ian Brealey at 06:11 No comments:
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Nutrition -Revise Type 2 Diabetes
Read more
Vegetarian Society
Posted by Ian Brealey at 14:48 No comments:
Aromatherapy - further reading
Document references
- Sixth Report. Complementary and Alternative Medicine, House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, November 2000
- Complementary medicine: information pack for primary care groups, Dept of Health, June 2000
- Aromatherapy Council
- Perry N, Perry E; Aromatherapy in the management of psychiatric disorders: clinical and neuropharmacological perspectives. CNS Drugs. 2006;20(4):257-80. [abstract]
- Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Graham JE, Malarkey WB, et al; Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2008 Apr;33(3):328-39. [abstract]
- Howard S, Hughes BM; Expectancies, not aroma, explain impact of lavender aromatherapy on psychophysiological indices of relaxation in young healthy women. Br J Health Psychol. 2008 Nov;13(Pt 4):603-17. Epub 2007 Sep 7. [abstract]
- Thomas KJ, Nicholl JP, Coleman P; Use and expenditure on complementary medicine in England: a population based survey. Complement Ther Med. 2001 Mar;9(1):2-11. [abstract]
- Lewith GT, Hyland M, Gray SF; Attitudes to and use of complementary medicine among physicians in the United Kingdom. Complement Ther Med. 2001 Sep;9(3):167-72. [abstract]
- Thomas KJ, Coleman P, Nicholl JP; Trends in access to complementary or alternative medicines via primary care in England: 1995-2001 results from a follow-up national survey. Fam Pract. 2003 Oct;20(5):575-7. [abstract]
- Safe Alternative Medicine. Expert advice on alternative medicine. Accessed February 2009
- Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, et al; Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. N Engl J Med. 2007 Feb 1;356(5):479-85. [abstract]
- Attia Ltd; response to gynecomastia allegations: Prepubertal gynaecomastia linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oil (2007); Call for the Journal of New England Medicine to publish a retraction
- Trattner A, David M, Lazarov A; Occupational contact dermatitis due to essential oils. Contact Dermatitis. 2008 May;58(5):282-4. [abstract]
- Wye L, Sharp D, Shaw A; The impact of NHS based primary care complementary therapy services on health BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009 Mar 6;9:5. [abstract]
- Smith CA, Collins CT, Cyna AM, et al; Complementary and alternative therapies for pain management in labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(2):CD003521. [abstract]
- Burns E, Zobbi V, Panzeri D, et al; Aromatherapy in childbirth: a pilot randomised controlled trial. BJOG. 2007 Jul;114(7):838-44. Epub 2007 May 16. [abstract]
- van der Watt G, Janca A; Aromatherapy in nursing and mental health care. Contemp Nurse. 2008 Aug;30(1):69-75. [abstract]
- van der Watt G, Laugharne J, Janca A; Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2008 Jan;21(1):37-42. [abstract]
- Thorgrimsen L, Spector A, Wiles A, et al; Aroma therapy for dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(3):CD003150. [abstract]
- Nguyen QA, Paton C; The use of aromatherapy to treat behavioural problems in dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;23(4):337-46. [abstract]
- Cooke B, Ernst E; Aromatherapy: a systematic review. Br J Gen Pract. 2000 Jun;50(455):493-6. [abstract]
- Kyle G, Marks-Maran D; Focus group interviews: how aromatherapists feel about changing their practice through undertaking a randomised controlled trial? Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2008 Aug;14(3):204-11. Epub 2008 Mar 6. [abstract]
- Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD; Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Nov;134(11):1349-52. [abstract]
- Delamere FM, Sladden MM, Dobbins HM, et al; Interventions for alopecia areata. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD004413. [abstract]
- van den Biggelaar FJ, Smolders J, Jansen JF; Complementary and alternative medicine in alopecia areata. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2010;11(1):11-20. doi: 10.2165/11530040-000000000-00000. [abstract]
- Esmonde L, Long AF; Complementary therapy use by persons with multiple sclerosis: benefits and research priorities. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2008 Aug;14(3):176-84. Epub 2008 May 7. [abstract]
Posted by Ian Brealey at 14:07 No comments:
Happy New Year
Thomas Avery Garran
Peter Holmes
Posted by Ian Brealey at 10:06 No comments:
Friday, 20 January 2012
Revise - Module One 10 step aromatherapy massage treatment
Module One - Therapeutic massage includes a ten step aromatherapy massage, introduction to aromatherapy blending and ends with a session to make your own cleansers, toners, lotions and creams.
Module One runs monthly. Next Module One - February 2012. Call 01455615466.
Watch All
ten step Shirley Price Aromatherapy Massage
Sp1 Watch Facial cleanse
Sp2 Watch Back massage
Sp3 Watch Back of legs Massage
Sp4 Watch Front of legs massage
Sp5 Watch
Sp6 Watch Arms and hands massage
Sp7 Watch Shoulders and facial massage
Sp8 Watch Scalp Massage
Sp9 Watch
Sp10 Watch Treatment and untowelling
Our teaching principle is 'see one, do one, teach one'. Module One runs monthly. Kindly call the college secretary Rosie Brandrick on 01455 615466 to book your place.
Swiss reflex
Module One runs monthly. Next Module One - February 2012. Call 01455615466.
Watch All
ten step Shirley Price Aromatherapy Massage
Sp1 Watch Facial cleanse
Sp2 Watch Back massage
Sp3 Watch Back of legs Massage
Sp4 Watch Front of legs massage
Sp5 Watch
Sp6 Watch Arms and hands massage
Sp7 Watch Shoulders and facial massage
Sp8 Watch Scalp Massage
Sp9 Watch
Sp10 Watch Treatment and untowelling
Our teaching principle is 'see one, do one, teach one'. Module One runs monthly. Kindly call the college secretary Rosie Brandrick on 01455 615466 to book your place.
Swiss reflex
Posted by Ian Brealey at 15:29 No comments:
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Shirley Price Aromatherapy Diploma 16-20 January Hinckley
Day One
AM Introduction to Aromatherapy, definition, history, effects, storage, basic properties, uses of essential oils, carrier oils properties. Homework
A highlight for me was for the four students each making the same blend and then comparing their impressions of their own and others blends and the success of differant blending techniques. very motivating.
Nice observable introduction to essential oils, energy and behavioural kinesiology (though we did not mention the words!).
Day Two
AM Theory Handouts History, Essential Oils, Aromatic Blending, Materia Aromatica profiles. A&P Theory.
PM Practical Male model. Towels and screens, A&P practical. Back Massage - effleurage (effleurer - to touch lightly) pettrisage. Shoulder Massage. Revise cleanse and tone.
Todays highlight was using yesterdays blend in massage. We are building to a full 2 hour aromatherapy massage treatment with cleanse, facepack, tone and moisturise.
Day Three
Theory AM. Blending exercise. Therapeutic cross reference chart. Carrier oils. PM Practical scalp massage meridian lines and points. Back of legs massage. Using the day one massage blend. Putting it together. Cleanse and tone. Back massage. Back of legs massage. Turnover. Moisturise. Shoulder massage. Scalp massage.
Day Four
Theory AM. The aromatherapy consultation. identifying conditions. Tips for practice. PM Practical Front of leg massage, Foot massage. Putting it all together in a 10 step aromatherapy treatment.
Day Five
Theory AM. PM Practical. 10 step aromatherapy treatment. In the final practical session you make your own Cleanser, Toners, White Lotion and cream. Ingredients Lannette wax, Fractionated cooconut oil. Distilled water. Grapefruit extract. Course Completion certificates.
Module One runs monthly. Next Module One in February, This class Module Two in March.
AM Introduction to Aromatherapy, definition, history, effects, storage, basic properties, uses of essential oils, carrier oils properties. Homework
PM Practical, Female model. Aromatherapy blending practical exercise one, practical exercise two. Aromatherapy facial cleanse and tone on a model. making toners with hydrolats for dry and oily skin. Restorative moisturiser cream.
A highlight for me was for the four students each making the same blend and then comparing their impressions of their own and others blends and the success of differant blending techniques. very motivating.
Nice observable introduction to essential oils, energy and behavioural kinesiology (though we did not mention the words!).
Day Two
AM Theory Handouts History, Essential Oils, Aromatic Blending, Materia Aromatica profiles. A&P Theory.
PM Practical Male model. Towels and screens, A&P practical. Back Massage - effleurage (effleurer - to touch lightly) pettrisage. Shoulder Massage. Revise cleanse and tone.
Todays highlight was using yesterdays blend in massage. We are building to a full 2 hour aromatherapy massage treatment with cleanse, facepack, tone and moisturise.
Day Three
Theory AM. Blending exercise. Therapeutic cross reference chart. Carrier oils. PM Practical scalp massage meridian lines and points. Back of legs massage. Using the day one massage blend. Putting it together. Cleanse and tone. Back massage. Back of legs massage. Turnover. Moisturise. Shoulder massage. Scalp massage.
Day Four
Theory AM. The aromatherapy consultation. identifying conditions. Tips for practice. PM Practical Front of leg massage, Foot massage. Putting it all together in a 10 step aromatherapy treatment.
Day Five
Theory AM. PM Practical. 10 step aromatherapy treatment. In the final practical session you make your own Cleanser, Toners, White Lotion and cream. Ingredients Lannette wax, Fractionated cooconut oil. Distilled water. Grapefruit extract. Course Completion certificates.
Module One runs monthly. Next Module One in February, This class Module Two in March.
Posted by Ian Brealey at 08:36 No comments:
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Aromatherapy - treat or treatment?
"Even if we cant always see the science we can see the results - increasingly we are seeing the science.
A more natural diet, a more natural exercise, a more natural health. By working with our environment we can extend our lives (and our enjoyment of them) by as much as 10 years.
Its as simple as that."
A more natural diet, a more natural exercise, a more natural health. By working with our environment we can extend our lives (and our enjoyment of them) by as much as 10 years.
Its as simple as that."
Posted by Ian Brealey at 04:28 No comments:
Revise - Conditions benefitting from qualified aromatherapy treatments
This is 40 of the more common conditions covered by the aromatherapy syllabus and so of interest to students. The graduate list is almost endless! I like the blend recipes in Valerie Worwoods books. The link has a descriptor of the condition and the link to more information. Aromatherapists tend to work in an NHS setting in hospices and with GP referrals so students should have an early awareness of the language of the professionals they will be serving and to be able to discuss their clients symptoms. Often early symptoms like gout or pruritis can be early warning of more severe trouble ahead requiring radical diet and exercise revision now which the aromatherapist can support. Usually diet revision means a more natural diet so aromatherapists can advise on how to make that more palatable for the client and their family.
Here are some of the more common conditions benefitting from aromatherapy treatments
Arthritis – osteo
Arthritis – rheumatoid
Athlete's foot
Colds and flu
Cold sore
Indigestion (Dyspepsia)
Insect bite/sting
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Raynaud's Disease
Stress, stress management
Varicose veins
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. It's usually caused by an infection in the bladder, but can also be caused by irritation or damage (from friction during sex, for example).
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. The tonsils are two small glands found at the back of the throat behind the tongue. The function of these glands is not entirely clear, but research suggests that they help to fight infections.
Arthritis – osteo
Arthritis – rheumatoid
Athlete's foot
Colds and flu
Cold sore
Indigestion (Dyspepsia)
Insect bite/sting
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Raynaud's Disease
Stress, stress management
Varicose veins
Acne is a chronic skin condition that affects most people at some point during their life. It causes spots to develop on the skin, usually on the face, back and chest. The symptoms of acne can be mild, moderate or severe.
Acne is thought to be caused by changes in hormones that are triggered during puberty.
Acne can cause great distress and have an adverse effect on a person's quality of life and self-esteem.
Therefore, healthcare professionals recognise that the condition requires effective and sometimes aggressive treatment.
Alopecia is the medical term that describes a loss of hair and sometimes baldness.
Sometimes, hair loss is a side effect of the cancer treatment medicines that are used in chemotherapy. In these cases, hair loss is usually temporary. However, any type of hair loss can reduce confidence and self-esteem.
A period is when blood leaves the womb through the vagina. This happens about every 28 days. Girls most commonly start their periods around the age of 12.
It is normal for a female to not have any periods under the following circumstances:
When a girl has not yet gone through puberty.
When a woman is pregnant, breastfeeding or going through the menopause (usually at the age of 40 or older).
When a woman has had a hysterectomy (operation to remove the womb).
However, an absence of periods when they should normally occur, known as amenorrhoea, may indicate an underlying health problem or severe weight loss (see Causes). When there is amenorrhoea, ovulation (the release of eggs) does not occur.
Amenorrhoea may be categorised as either primary or secondary.
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation (swelling) of the joints and bones. The main symptoms of arthritis include:
restricted movements of the joints
inflammation and swelling
warmth and redness of the skin over the joint
In the UK, arthritis is a very common condition, affecting over 9 million people.
The most common forms of arthritis are:
The characteristics of these two conditions are discussed below. Other types of arthritis are listed in the box, below left.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK, affecting an estimated 8.5 million people.
In people affected by osteoarthritis, the cartilage (connective tissue) between their bones gradually wastes away (degenerates), leading to painful rubbing of bone on bone in the joints. The most frequently affected joints are in the:
Osteoarthritis often develops in people who are over 50 years of age. However, it can develop at any age as a result of an injury or another joint-related condition.
The cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood. One theory is that some people are genetically predisposed to developing osteoarthritis, which means that they have an increased likelihood of inheriting it from their parents. However, this theory has not yet been proven.
See the Health A-Z topic about Osteoarthritis for more information and advice about the condition.
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation (swelling) of the joints and bones. The main symptoms of arthritis include:
restricted movements of the joints
inflammation and swelling
warmth and redness of the skin over the joint
In the UK, arthritis is a very common condition, affecting over 9 million people.
The most common forms of arthritis are:
The characteristics of these two conditions are discussed below. Other types of arthritis are listed in the box, below left.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe, but less common, form of arthritis than osteoarthritis. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys the affected joints, causing pain and swelling to occur. This can lead to a reduction in movement and the breakdown of bone and cartilage.
In the UK, rheumatoid arthritis affects around 400,000 people, and it often starts between 40 and 50 years of age. Women are three times more likely to be affected by the condition than men.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a fault in the immune system (the body's natural defence against illness and infection) that makes the body attack its own tissues. The fault may be inherited genetically (passed on from a family member).
See the Health A-Z topic about Rheumatoid arthritis for more information and advice about the condition.
Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause a cough, wheezing and breathlessness. The severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. Asthma can be controlled well in most people most of the time.
In the UK, 5.4 million people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. That is 1 in every 12 adults and 1 in every 11 children. Asthma in adults is more common in women than men.
If you are diagnosed with asthma as a child, the symptoms may disappear during your teenage years. However, asthma can return in adulthood. If childhood symptoms of asthma are moderate to severe, it is more likely that the condition will persist or return later in life. However, asthma does not only start in young people and can develop at any age.
The cause of asthma is not fully understood, but it is known that asthma often runs in families. You are more likely to have asthma if one or both of your parents has the condition.
Athlete's foot is a very common condition. It is caused by a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet.
Athlete's foot is usually mild and often affects the skin between the toes, causing it to become red, flaky and itchy. The medical name for athlete's foot is tinea pedis. Athlete's foot is usually easy to treat with antifungal medication.
Bruises are bluish or purple-coloured patches that appear on the skin when tiny blood vessels, called capillaries, break or burst underneath. The blood from the capillaries leaks into the soft tissue under your skin, causing the discolouration. Over time this fades through shades of yellow or green.
Bruises often feel tender or swollen at first.
Catarrh is an excessive build-up of mucus in one of the airways or cavities of the body. It is usually found inside the nose, but it can also occur in the:
Catarrh is not a condition in itself, but a symptom of a condition such as:
the common cold or another infection
hay fever or other type of allergic rhinitis
non-allergic rhinitis (sensitivity to environmental triggers)
nasal polyps (fleshy swellings inside the nose)
Cellulite is a cosmetic problem caused by fatty deposits that form underneath the skin. It is not related to cellulitis.
Losing weight is the best way of dealing with cellulite.
Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the underlying tissue. The main symptom of cellulitis is the affected area of skin suddenly turning red, painful swollen and hot.
Cellulitis can have a wide range of causes, although it is usually caused by a type of bacteria called group A streptococcus.
Chilblains are small, itchy swellings on the skin that occur as a reaction to cold temperatures. They affect the body's extremities, such as the toes, fingers, heels, ears and nose. Chilblains are uncomfortable but can be prevented.
Chilblains can be:
acute (short-term), developing within 12-24 hours after exposure to the cold and getting better after one to two weeks if you keep warm
chronic, lasting for a minimum of five months a year for the past three years and causing persistent sores that can lead to scarring
One-third of Britons think flu is just a bad cold, but each year thousands of people die of complications following flu. Find out how colds and flu differ.
Colds and flu share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat), but are caused by different viruses. Flu can be much more serious than a cold.
If you're generally fit and healthy, you can usually manage the symptoms of a cold or flu yourself without seeing a doctor. Look after yourself by resting, drinking non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration and avoiding strenuous activity. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can relieve aches and pains.
Some people need to take extra care as they're more at risk of serious chest complications, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. People over 65 are more at risk of complications. People under 65, including children, are more at risk of complications if they have:
serious heart or chest complaints, including asthma
serious kidney disease or liver disease
lowered immunity due to disease or treatment
had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
Everyone in an at-risk group is eligible for a free flu vaccination. This is the best protection against the virus. Find out who is offered the flu jab.
Cold sores are small, blister-like lesions that usually appear around the mouth. They are caused by the herpes simplex viruses. The strain that usually causes them around the mouth is herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1).
In rare cases, cold sores can also be caused by the herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2). This can happen as a result of having oral sex with a man or woman who has genital herpes.
Leg cramps are a common, annoying but usually harmless condition that cause sudden muscle pain in the leg. Leg cramps usually occur in the calf muscles below the knee, although they can affect any part of the leg.
In three out of four cases, leg cramps occur at night during sleep.
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. It's usually caused by an infection in the bladder, but can also be caused by irritation or damage (from friction during sex, for example).
Symptoms of cystitis are:
an urgent need to urinate often
pain or stinging when you urinate
Cystitis usually passes within a few days, or sometimes may need treatment with antibiotics.
Untreated bladder infections can cause kidney infections.
Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.
We all go through spells of feeling down, but when you're depressed, you feel persistently sad for weeks or months rather than just a few days.
Some people still think that depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong. Depression is a real illness with real symptoms, and it's not a sign of weakness or something you can 'snap out of' by 'pulling yourself together'.
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery from depression.
Diarrhoea is passing loose or watery faeces more than three times a day. It affects almost everyone from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about.
A common cause in both children and adults is gastroenteritis, an infection of the bowel. Gastroenteritis may be caused by:
a virus, such as a norovirus or rotavirus
bacteria, which is often found in contaminated food
a parasite
See Diarrhoea - causes for more information.
Bouts of diarrhoea in adults may also be brought on by anxiety or drinking too much coffee or alcohol. Diarrhoea may also be a side effect of a medication.
Most women experience some form of period pain during their lifetime. The medical term for period pain is dysmenorrhoea. The pain caused by menstruation is usually felt in your lower abdominal area, but can also spread to your back and thighs.
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. It is a long-term, or chronic, condition.
Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common form of eczema. It mainly affects children, but can continue into adulthood.
Atopic eczema commonly occurs in areas with folds of skin such as:
behind the knees
on the front of the elbows
on the side of the neck
around the eyes and ears
A fever is a high temperature. As a general rule, in children, a temperature of over 37.5°C is a fever.
As a parent it can be very worrying if your child has a high temperature, however, it is very common and often clears up on its own.
A quick and easy way to find out if your child has a fever is to take their temperature using a thermometer.
Gout is a common type of arthritis. The symptoms of gout include painful swelling and inflammation in one or more of the joints. Gout usually affects the big toe, but it can develop in any joint in the body.
More than one in 5 people get headaches, making them one of the most common health complaints, but most are easily treated.
Most headaches aren't serious and can be treated with pharmacy remedies and lifestyle changes, such as getting more rest and drinking enough fluids.
Known as the 'silent killer', high blood pressure rarely has obvious symptoms.
Around 30% of people in England have high blood pressure but many don't know it. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The only way of knowing there is a problem is to have your blood pressure measured.
All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you haven't had yours measured, or you don't know what your blood pressure reading is, ask your GP to check it for you.
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is where the blood pressure in your arteries is abnormally low.
It's usually the case that the lower your blood pressure, the healthier you are.
Naturally low blood pressure is unlikely to cause any symptoms and is normally nothing to worry about. However, if your blood pressure drops too low, it can restrict the amount of blood flowing to your brain and other vital organs, which can cause fainting or dizziness and lightheadedness.
See your GP if you experience any symptoms of low blood pressure and you are concerned.
All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you haven't had yours measured or don't know what your reading is, ask your GP to check it.
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen (tummy).
If you have indigestion, you may experience a number of symptoms, including:
heartburn, a burning sensation that is caused by acid passing from the stomach into the oesophagus (gullet)
regurgitation (food coming back up from the stomach)
nausea (feeling sick)
vomiting (being sick)
Insect bites are puncture wounds caused by insects. In the UK, insects that bite include:
When an insect bites, it releases saliva that can cause:
inflammation (redness and swelling)
The symptoms of insect bites can vary depending on the type of insect and the sensitivity of the person who is bitten. For example, some people may have a small, itchy lump after they are bitten, which only lasts for a few hours. Others may develop a more serious reaction, such as blistering and a number of itchy, red lumps. See Insect bites - symptoms for more information.
Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the next morning, even though you've had enough opportunity to sleep.
Most people have problems sleeping at some point in their life. It's thought that a third of people in the UK have bouts of insomnia. Insomnia tends to be more common in women and more likely to occur with age.
It's difficult to define what normal sleep is as everyone is different. Your age, lifestyle, environment and diet all play a part in influencing the amount of sleep you need.
The most common symptoms of insomnia are:
difficulty falling asleep
waking up during the night
waking up early in the morning
feeling irritable and tired and finding it difficult to function during the day
Stress and anxiety are a common cause of insomnia, but it can also be caused by conditions such as depression,schizophrenia or asthma, some medications and alcohol or drug misuse.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common condition of the digestive system and can cause bouts of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.
There's no cure for IBS, but the symptoms can be relieved by changing your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes medication can help, too.
IBS isn't a dangerous condition. There's no obvious abnormality of the bowel, and, although it can feel uncomfortable, the condition poses no serious threat to your health. For example, it won't increase your chances of developing cancer or other bowel conditions.
The precise cause of IBS is unclear, but it may be triggered by stress, problems with your immune system or a problem with how the muscles of your gut squeeze food through your bowel.
The symptoms of IBS usually come on for the first time between the ages of 20 and 30. They're not usually continuous, but tend to come and go in bouts, often during times of stress or after eating certain foods.
The symptoms can vary from one person to another and be worse in some people than others.
But most people experience either diarrhoea or constipation or bouts of both, and sometimes notice mucus in their stools. It's also common to find that painful cramps ease after you've been to the toilet to open your bowels.
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box). Symptoms of laryngitis include:
loss of voice, and
sore throat.
The larynx
The larynx is a tube-like structure found at the entrance of the trachea (windpipe). The lump you can see at the front of your throat, commonly known as the Adam's apple, is your larynx.
The larynx has three main functions:
It helps channel oxygen into your trachea when you breathe.
It acts like a valve, closing off the trachea when you swallow to prevent food or liquid entering your airways.
It contains two membranes (the vocal cords) which vibrate as air passes through them, producing the sound of your voice.
Laryngitis causes these membranes to become inflamed. They cannot vibrate properly, which leads to the loss of voice associated with laryngitis.
Types of laryngitis
There are two main types of laryngitis:
Acute laryngitis, where symptoms do not last longer than three weeks.
Chronic laryngitis, where symptoms persist for longer than three weeks.
The menopause is sometimes known as the 'change of life' and is marked by the ending of menstruation (when a woman's periods stop).
A woman's periods do not usually stop suddenly. They generally become less frequent, the odd period is missed and then they stop altogether.
When it happens
In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 52.
A woman is said to have reached the menopause once she has not had a period for one year. After this point, she can be described as post-menopausal.
If the menopause occurs in a woman who is under 45 years of age, it is known as premature menopause. It is estimated that premature menopause affects 1% of women under the age of 40 and 0.1% of women under the age of 30.
What happens?
During the time leading up to the menopause (perimenopause), the hormonal and biological changes that are associated with the menopause begin. As a result of these hormonal changes, many women experience both physical and emotional symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats and irritability (see Symptoms of menopausefor more information).
The menopause is the end of egg production (ovulation). This occurs as a result of falling levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen, which regulates a woman's periods.
Heavy periods, also called menorrhagia, are when a woman loses an excessive amount of blood during several consecutive periods.
A period is part of a woman's menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of a woman's period to the day before her next period. A period is a bleed from the womb (uterus) that is released through the vagina. It happens approximately every 28 days, although anywhere between 24 and 35 days is common.
Periods can begin when girls are between eight and 16 years of age, but they usually start around 12 years of age. They continue every month until the menopause (when a woman's periods stop), which usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.
Menorrhagia is the medical name for heavy periods. Menorrhagia can occur by itself or in combination with other symptoms, such as menstrual pain (dysmenorrhoea).
Heavy bleeding does not necessarily mean there is anything seriously wrong, but it can affect a woman physically, emotionally and socially, and can cause disruption to everyday life.
A migraine is a severe headache usually felt as a throbbing pain at the front or on one side of the head. Some people also have other symptoms, such as nausea and sensitivity to light.
Migraine is a common health condition, affecting about 15% of adults in the UK.
There are two types of migraine:
Migraine with aura is when you have a warning sign, known as aura, before the migraine begins. About a third of people with migraine have this. Warning signs may include visual problems (such as flashing lights) and stiffness in the neck, shoulders or limbs.
Migraine without aura
For more information, see Migraine – symptoms.
There are five stages to a migraine although not everyone will experience all of these.
Neuralgia is a term that describes nerve pain. Postherpetic neuralgia is a nerve pain that occurs at the site of a previous attack of a condition called shingles (see below).
The pain of postherpetic neuralgia may be intense and can take the form of:
an 'electric shock'
sensitivity of the skin in the affected area
Shingles is a condition that is caused by re-activation of the varicella-zoster virus, which lies dormant (inactive) in the nerves following a chickenpox infection earlier in life. The virus becomes active in two or three nerve roots and causes a flu-like illness.
Shingles can occur at any age but is more common in older people or those whose immune system has been weakened by medications such as steroids, or people havingchemotherapy.
Shingles most commonly affects the nerves of the chest and face but it can affect any nerve. Shingles usually causes pain and a rash on one side of the body only (unilateral). Sometimes, the pain develops before the rash.
In most cases, the rash and pain of shingles lasts two to four weeks. The rash is similar to the chickenpox rash, with small blisters that burst, heal and leave small scars on the skin. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs when the nerve pain that is caused by shingles continues for longer than three months after the rash has healed.
It is not possible to get shingles from someone with chickenpox. The varicella-zoster virus already exists inside the body and is re-activated. If you have grandchildren who have chickenpox, looking after them while they have the condition can actually boost your immunity. If you have shingles, it is possible for someone who has never had chickenpox to develop chickenpox, particularly if they come into direct contact with the rash.
Oedema is the medical term for fluid retention in the body.
It occurs when there is a build-up of fluid (mainly water) in the body's tissues, causing swelling to occur in the affected area.
As well as swelling or puffiness of the skin, oedema can cause:
skin discolouration
fluid-filled areas of skin that temporarily hold the imprint of your finger when pressed (known as pitting oedema)
aching, tender limbs
stiff joints
weight gain or weight loss
raised blood pressure and pulse rate
Oedema is often a symptom of an underlying condition. It can also be caused by a variety of factors such as high salt intake in the diet or being immobile for long periods of time (see below).
A common cause of fluid build-up in the tissues is a condition called lymphoedema. It occurs when the lymphatic system is damaged or disrupted.
The lymphatic system is a series of glands (lymph nodes) throughout the body. They are connected by a network of vessels, much like blood vessels. Fluid surrounding the body tissues normally drains from the tissues into the nearby lymph vessels to be transported away and emptied back into the blood.
If the lymphatic vessels are not working properly, for example because they are blocked, excess fluid cannot be reabsorbed and builds up in the tissues.
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. The condition is not infectious and most people are affected only in small patches on their body.
Psoriasis affects around 2% of people in the UK. It can start at any age, but most often develops between the ages of 11 and 45.
The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some people, it is just a minor irritation, but for others it has a major impact on their quality of life.
Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that can return at any time. There may be times when you have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, followed by times when the symptoms are severe.
There is no cure for psoriasis, but a range of treatments can improve symptoms and the appearance of the affected skin patches.
Raynaud's disease is a common condition that affects the blood supply to certain parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes.
You may have heard of it referred to as Raynaud's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon or just Raynaud's.
Sciatica is the name given to any sort of pain that is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from the back of your pelvis, through your buttocks, and all the way down both legs, ending at your feet.
When something compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve, it can cause a pain that radiates out from your lower back and travels down your leg to your calf. Sciatic pain can range from being mild to very painful.
A slipped disc is the most common identified cause of sciatica, but in some cases there is no obvious cause
Sinusitis is inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the sinuses, caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
The sinuses are small, air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead (see below).
Sinusitis typically causes a high temperature, pain and tenderness in the face, and a blocked or runny nose.
It is a common condition and can affect people of any age.
Sprains and strains are a very common type of injury that affect the muscles and ligaments. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue around joints that connect one bone to another. They help to keep the bones together and stable.
Symptoms of sprains and strains include:
swelling and inflammation
loss of movement in the affected body part
A sprain occurs when one or more of your ligaments have been stretched, twisted, or torn, usually as a result of excessive force being applied to a joint. The most common locations for a sprain to occur are:
the knee - which can become strained when a person turns quickly during sports or other physical activities
the ankle - which can become strained when walking or running on an uneven surface
the wrist - which can become strained when a person falls onto their hand
the thumb - which can become strained during intense and repetitive physical activity, such as playing a racquet sport
A strain occurs when the muscle fibres stretch or tear. They usually occur for one of two reasons:
when the muscle has been stretched beyond its limits
when the muscle has been forced to contract (shorten too quickly)
Strains can develop as the result of an accident, or during physical or sporting activities, such as running or playing football.
The most common types of strains are:
hamstring strains - the hamstrings are muscles that run down the back of the leg and are connected to the hip and knee joints
gastrocnemius and soleus strains - the gastrocnemius and soleus are the medical name for the muscles of the calf
quadriceps strains - the quadriceps are muscles located at the front of the thigh
lumbar strains - the lumbar muscles are found in the lower back
Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure.
Pressure turns into stress when you feel unable to cope. People have different ways of reacting to stress, so a situation that feels stressful to one person may in fact be motivating to another.
Many of life's demands can cause stress, especially work, relationships and money problems, and when you feel stressed, it can affect everything you do.
Read more about what causes stress.
Stress can affect how you feel, how you think, how you behave and how your body works. Sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating are common signs of stress.
Managing stress
Stress is not itself an illness but it can cause serious illness if not tackled. It is important to recognise the symptoms of stress early.
This will help you figure out ways of coping and save you from adopting unhealthy coping methods, such as drinking or smoking.
Spotting the early signs of stress will also help prevent it worsening and potentially causing serious complications, such as high blood pressure, anxiety and depression. Read more about the health complications of stress.
While there is little you can do to prevent stress, there are many things you can do to manage stress more effectively, such as learning how to relax, taking regular exercise and adopting good time management techniques.
Sunburn is skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much exposure to UV light can make your skin red and painful. This may later lead to peeling or blistering.
Sources of UV light include:
tanning beds
phototherapy lamps – these are used in light therapy to treat conditions such as jaundice in newborn babies (yellowing of the skin)
Sunburn often occurs when the sun's rays are intense. However, there is also a risk of getting burned by the sun in other weather conditions. For example, light reflecting off snow can also cause sunburn. A cloudy sky or breeze may make you feel cooler, but sunlight can still get through and damage your skin.
Most women experience occasional bouts of a common yeast infection known as vaginal thrush.
It causes itching, irritation and swelling of the vagina and surrounding area, sometimes with a creamy white cottage cheese-like discharge.
Vaginal thrush is fairly harmless but it can be uncomfortable and it can keep coming back, which is known as recurrent thrush.
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. The tonsils are two small glands found at the back of the throat behind the tongue. The function of these glands is not entirely clear, but research suggests that they help to fight infections.
The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. There may be several other symptoms such as coughing, headaches and a fever (see Symptoms for more information).
Tonsillitis can be caused by either a virus or bacteria, although most cases are viral. The incubation period (the time between picking up the infection and symptoms starting to appear) is usually two to four days.
Tonsillitis can spread from person to person through hand contact (then touching your mouth with contaminated hands), breathing in the airborne droplets after someone with tonsillitis has sneezed or sharing the utensils or toothbrush of an infected person.
Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that are usually blue or dark purple. They may also be lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance.
Varicose veins develop when the small valves inside the veins stop working properly. In a healthy vein, blood flows smoothly to the heart. The blood is prevented from flowing backwards by a series of tiny valves that open and close to let blood through. If the valves weaken or are damaged, the blood can flow backwards and can collect in the vein, eventually causing it to be varicose (swollen and enlarged).
Warts are small, rough lumps on the skin that are benign (non-cancerous). They often appear on the hands and feet.
Warts can look different depending on where they appear on the body and how thick the skin is. A wart on the sole of the foot is called a verruca. The clinical name for a verruca is a plantar wart.
Warts are caused by infection with a virus known as the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV causes keratin, a hard protein in the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) to grow too much. This produces the rough, hard texture of a wart.
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West Coast Green shows off newest products
The fifth edition of West Coast Green, a conference focusing on "green" home innovations and products, rolled into San Francisco's Fort Mason last week intent, per usual, on making our living spaces more environmentally friendly - one used-tire house at a time.
To that end, there were presentations on topics such as water efficiency and the burgeoning future of Net Zero-rated buildings that consume no energy and produce no carbon emissions.
Keynote speaker Van Jones, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., and a leading advocate for the creation of green jobs, was perhaps the greenest participant at West Coast Green since no jet fuel was burned to bring him to the conference: Jones gave his opening-day remarks over a WebEx hookup.
But the real excitement for the attendees was on the trade show floor, where classes, products and services designed for the green at heart took center stage. Here are some highlights.
DIY insulation. Sasha Rabin of Vertical Clay teaches classes on the technique of mixing common dirt and straw to create a long-lasting alternative to fiberglass home insulation. Unlike straw-bale homes that require thick walls, mud-straw insulation can also be pressed into more conventional, thinner walls. Rabin has used the method on her 1940s-era El Sobrante house. Classes start at $125. www.verticalclay.com.
Solar to go. Planning on Burning Man next summer or just want an alternative to the gas-powered generator? Check out the portable Solman Mobile Solar Generator. The device can be wheeled to where the sun is shining to power a small house or trailer. Units start at $2,495. www.sol-solutions.com.
Smells like a winner. One obstacle to composting food scraps is overcoming the "ick" factor of a container of rotting veggies and whatnot stinking up the kitchen. Enter the GreenCycler. Like a hand-crank ice crusher, it chews up soft scraps and deposits them in a charcoal-filtered bin. $99; available to ship Jan. 11. www.thegreencycler.com.
Sheds from salvage. Everybody could use a backyard shed, but the options are generally from the planet Plastic. Walnut Creek's Green Sheds makes custom structures out of reclaimed wood, windows and doors derived from houses undergoing a remodel. Green Sheds come in a range of sizes, and prices start at $1,200 for a 3-by-4-foot shed (pictured) installed. (925) 872-3187. www.greensheds.net.
Multigenerational living. Larson Shores Architects in Oakland put out the welcome mat at its prototype in-law cottage. The 500-square-foot one-bedroom home, designed to be wheelchair accessible, includes a living room, kitchen with lowered cabinets and bathroom with raised commode and curbless shower. Architects incorporated eco-friendly materials and included contrasting details for those with failing eyesight. Units range from 475 to 530 square feet. Plans start at $50,000 depending on finishes and site. www.houseplans.com.
Powered by enzymes. A lot of household cleaning products contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde. Wowgreen cleaners use enzymes. Available online only, they're shipped undiluted in packets, which encourages the reuse of spray bottles available from Wowgreen (or provide your own). A 1-ounce packet, making 32 ounces of cleaner, costs $3-$6 per packet (Green Your Home package, pictured, costs $93). www.wgresidential.com.
Warm bath and house. The Phoenix Solar water heater has the potential to heat an entire home - after it has been retrofitted with pipes and fans to distribute the heat. All for about $20,000. (800) 493-8432. www.jtgmuir.com.
Energy audits. Ever wonder how much energy your house is using? Schedule an audit from San Francisco's Recurve, a home-performance contractor. Armed with infrared cameras to detect insulation levels inside walls and other high-tech devices, Recurve can tell homeowners how to save energy. $295 and up depending on square footage. (415) 294-5380. www.recurve.com.
Store rain underground. Why let a huge rain barrel take up space in the backyard? An underground rain storage system takes up less space than an aboveground rain barrel, and it even pumps out the water to be used in the garden. Starting at $3,000. (866) 724-6356. wwwraintechnologies.com.
Party in a box. Large shipping containers are all the rage for energy-efficient, affordable housing, but their smaller 20-foot-long cousins can be rented as outdoor entertainment centers for a backyard soiree. Made by Boxman of Charlotte, N.C., they feature bamboo floors, bars, couch seating for 20, adjustable awnings and dance floors. Of course, they're solar powered. Boxman even sets them up - and hauls them away when the party's over. $1,750 for the first day ($500 a day thereafter). (704) 333-3733. www.boxmanstudios.com.

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Recently on a chilly Friday in New York, a group of acclaimed photographers were brought together to discuss their journey to becoming documentary filmmakers. The panel discussion was programmed by the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program (DFP) as part of the inaugural Doc NYC Festival. Inspired in part by the DFP partnership with the Open Society Institute and its longtime commitment to both photography and documentary film, the conversation, moderated by DFP Senior Consultant Bruni Burres, Academy Award winner Zana Briski, Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, and Pulitzer Prize winner David Turnley discussed their transition from still image to moving image storytelling.
This intimate and engaging dialogue began with David Turnley discussing how and why at 17 years of age he chose to pick up a camera and document the daily racism unfolding in his small hometown in Michigan. Flash forward 25 years and David shared with us a stunning sequence from his soon-to-be completed observational documentary about the angry and painful fallout in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, following the brutal racist attack on a young Mexican father.
Zana Briski shared her 'aha' moment, which came when she was 10 years old and discovered that her 13-year-old cousin was developing 'an entire other world' in the darkroom he set up in his parent's basement. Since then, she hasn't been able to go anywhere without her camera. After devoting eight years of her life filming (Academy Award-winning Born into Brothels) and teaching photography to children living in Calcutta's red light district, Zana has recently turned her lens back to nature. For the past three years she has been traveling the globe and creating an intimate portrait of the praying mantis.
Mary Ann Bruni, an accomplished journalist, came to photography in mid-career and somewhat by accident (or pure necessity). Mary Ann needed some contemporary images to contextualize the unfolding story she was writing. So she wandered into a local flea market, bought a camera, and now doesn't tell any story without pictures.
David, Zana, and Mary Ann actively engaged the audience and inspired many would-be, could-be visual storytellers. They also encouraged and elicited enormous respect from each other. It was a wonderful Friday afternoon lunch break at this year's DOC NYC.


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Payment & Refund Policies
Website Use Policy
Privacy Policy
Accessibility Policy
Payment & Refund Policies
The following policies explain how we collect payments and how refunds are processed.
We accept payment via check, major credit card, and PayPal. Generally, we send out electronic invoices that can be paid online with a credit card. If you have a payment preference, please let us know and we will invoice you accordingly. Unless otherwise stated on the invoice, payments are due upon receipt.
If paying by check, please mail payments to: 6024 Ridge Ave, #338, Philadelphia, PA 19128
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The client may cancel the project at any time; payments are non-refundable, and Hoppel Design will bill the client for any work done up to the day of cancellation in excess of any payments already received.
If Hoppel Design requests a response or feedback from the client and we do not hear from the client for over two weeks, Hoppel Design may suspend the project and reset the timeline; if we do not hear from you for over a month, Hoppel Design may cancel the project altogether. We will not refund payments in this scenario.
Unless Hoppel Design notifies a client in advance that we will be unavailable, if the project is active (not suspended or canceled) and Hoppel Design fails to respond to client requests for feedback or updates for more than two weeks, the client may cancel the project and request a full refund of any deposits paid. Note: This is the only scenario in which Hoppel Design will refund payments.
The timeline included with any proposal is the best estimate of Hoppel Design, based on our projected scope of a specific project and our current workflow. Any number of variables can delay a project. It is not uncommon for projects to finish ahead of schedule, and it is also not uncommon for projects to extend for weeks or even months beyond the original estimated completion date. Both Hoppel Design and the client must agree to be forthcoming and transparent about any issues that may arise which could cause a delay in a project, and to do our best to work with each other as best we can to complete the project as efficiently as possible.
If the scope of a project changes significantly, Hoppel Design may require a new estimate to be approved. If the client declines the new estimate, Hoppel Design will continue according to the original estimate and complete the project, or the client may cancel the project. Should the client decide to cancel for this reason, Hoppel Design will not refund payments, and we will bill the client for any work done up to the day of cancellation in excess of the payments.
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- Network Cables by Kev
- City Hall Philadelphia by Dave Z via Wikimedia Commons
- Very cool shopping street injiyugaoka by w00kie via Wikimedia Commons
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These terms and conditions are governed by and construed by the laws of Pennsylvania and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in that State or location.
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When someone visits https://hoppel.design we use a third party service, Google Analytics, to collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site. This information is only processed in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make, and do not allow Google to make, any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website. If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will be up front about this. We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.
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Former House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi told his press spokesman that he had no links to the software firm Cognos and was unaware of payments the company had made to an associate, when questions first began to swirl about the awarding of a lucrative state contract, according to testimony at a federal corruption trial.
David Guarino, DiMasi�s former communications director, said Wednesday that he went to the speaker in March 2008 to gather information for a response to inquiries being made by The Boston Globe about the $13 million contract for performance-management software.
DiMasi said he had not been in contact with Cognos officials and was not involved in the awarding of the contract to the firm in August 2007, Guarino testified.
DiMasi, lobbyist Richard McDonough and Richard Vitale, an accountant and close DiMasi friend, are charged in an alleged scheme to use the speaker�s clout to steer two lucrative state contracts to Cognos in exchange for kickbacks, with DiMasi pocketing $65,000.
Federal prosecutors have suggested that DiMasi was motivated, in part, by deepening personal debt. Earlier Wednesday, an auditor working for the U.S. attorney�s office said DiMasi and his wife, Debby, ran up as much as $275,000 in consumer debt, not including mortgages the couple held on a condominium in Boston�s North End and a house in suburban Needham.
As the controversy over the $13 million contract � which by then had been canceled � continued later in 2008, Guarino testified that the speaker told him he had no knowledge of Cognos paying Steven Topazio, a DiMasi law associate.
A large portion of the money Cognos paid Topazio was funneled to DiMasi, prosecutors allege. The defense says the payments were referral fees.
In response to media inquiries about DiMasi�s relationship with Joseph Lally, Guarino said the speaker downplayed his connection to the one-time Cognos salesman.
�He said they were acquaintances. He knew of him, but not much more,� Guarino said.
DiMasi attended Lally�s wedding and served as his lawyer in a previous criminal case, according to previous trial testimony. Prosecutors have also presented evidence that DiMasi and Lally played golf together and spoke numerous times as the alleged scheme unfolded.
Lally pleaded guilty in the case and testified against the remaining defendants.
During Guarino�s cross-examination Wednesday, DiMasi lawyer Thomas Kiley sought to show that his client�s answers to questions from his press spokesman pertained only to contract procurement, a process handled by the administration of Gov. Deval Patrick.
Prosecutor Theodore Merritt had referred Guarino to his earlier grand jury testimony, showing that he had not mentioned anything about procurement when answering questions at that time. Kiley said that since defense lawyers are not allowed during grand jury proceedings, there was no opportunity for Guarino to put any of the answers into context.
The governor and several former officials in his administration have testified that DiMasi repeatedly pressured them about the contract, though all have said that the speaker never mentioned Cognos by name.
Prosecutors hope to convince the jury that his alleged attempts to conceal involvement showed consciousness of guilt.
Patrick testified last Friday that after an article appeared in the Globe, DiMasi asked the governor to instruct his office to release a press statement denying the speaker had an interest in the contract. Patrick said he refused because it would not have been accurate.
The auditor, Andrea Roller, testified and presented charts Wednesday showing that income from DiMasi�s law practice, which exceeded $200,000 in 2002, plummeted after he assumed the speakership in 2004. Meanwhile, his debts soared, from about $20,000 in January 2005 to $275,000 in September 2007.
The debt consisted of credit card payments � mostly for �recreational� purposes such as travel, restaurants and clothing � and funds taken from a home equity loan and a $250,000 line of credit set up for DiMasi by Vitale, said Roller. DiMasi was eventually able to pay down some of the debt by selling the Needham home and cashing out retirement accounts.
The government is expected today to call its final witness, Richard Caturano, a former business partner of Vitale.
The defense could begin calling witnesses on Monday.


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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz
Staples Center
7:30 p.m. PST
Februrary 1, 2014
FOX Prime Ticket
1. Solve this analogy – Blake Griffin:Karl Malone::Derrick Favors:__________
Danny Chau, Grantland (@dannychau): Jermaine O'Neal. Ideally, Favors assumes the same kind of role O'Neal had as a Pacer in the early aughts. The image of O'Neal being a legitimately terrifying NBA player has gotten hazier over the years, but he was arguably a top-five two-way player at his peak. Favors isn't close to what O'Neal was (yet), and the validity of this comparison hinges on his developments in 2015 and 2016, but their respective breakout seasons at age 22 are remarkably similar.
Andrew Han, (@andrewthehan): Is it weird to say a better Jason Thompson? Maybe this is just because I have such an affinity for Thompson, but their first four year per 36 numbers track reasonably well and they both present freakish size for their position. But he, like Thompson, has disappeared for stretches despite obvious physical advantages. Favors is much younger, though, and his upside seems to track higher as a result.
Luke Laubhan, (@lukelaubhan): Jermaine O'Neal. O'Neal entered the NBA out of high school, Favors after one collegiate season. Both dropped into crowded frontcourts and only gained real playing time in their fifth and fourth seasons respectively, during which they each averaged roughly 13 points and 9.5 rebounds. You could see O'Neal's raw potential to boom or bust, just like Favors. For what it's worth, O'Neal is a six-time All-Star.
2. True or False: The Jazz have the best collection of young players among "non-competing" teams.
Chau: There is no greater truth. Next question.
Han: I am inexplicably fascinated by the Jazz youth. Even guys like Jeremy Evans, who had little to no playing time his first three seasons and is a role player this year, have intrigued me with their versatility and potential.
Laubhan: Orlando has Oladipo, Harris, Vucevic and Harkless. Milwaukee has Giannis, Henson and Sanders (although Sanders is 25). Philadelphia has Carter-Williams and Noel. Sacramento has Cousins (still just 23) and McLemore. And Utah has Favors, Kanter, Hayward, Burks and Burke. Every other tanking team has a player I'd prefer over any Utah young guy, but the Jazz have the best "collection."
3. More likely for Rudy Gobert: novelty or starter?
Chau: Starter, I suppose. I'm a little skeptical, but I'm no fool–definitely not betting against a guy with a convenient 7'8.5″ wingspan who also happens to work extremely hard.
Han: I've vacillated on Gobert. During the draft, I thought he should have been a top-5 pick. Watching him run in preseason, I worried about his gait as a big man. Then seeing his massive but still developing frame in the locker room, I think he could have a tangible place in the league. I'll angle towards starter right now, considering Roy Hibbert also struggled his first few seasons but then leveraged his height/wingspan to his advantage.
Laubhan: Something more than a novelty, but not a starter. In 21 games, Gobert is averaging 2.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 1.6 fouls in 10.8 minutes. Wait a second – I know that guy…that's…that's Ryan Hollins! Or at least it's sort of close. Sure, Gobert is just halfway through his rookie season, and he'll be better than L.A.'s backup big man, but not a lot better.


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A very popular 200g jar of great tasting sweet chilli jam. Made with red chillies, cider vinegar and lemon juice this lively little addition will boost everything eaten with it. Not as hot at the Hell Fire Jelly, perhaps for those of us who can't quite take the heat!
We stock it as it's scrumptious with cheddar cheese (of course), but lovely too in sandwiches and burgers. or blobbed on grilled cheese.
Made by the Cornish Chilli Company, near Truro.
You can sample this in our shop in Cheddar if you would like to try before you buy.
Contains: Chilli
All products list ingredients & allergen information


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Jordan Ritter got his first taste of entrepreneurship in 1999, when he was sharing a Silicon Valley apartment with startup superstars Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker at the San Mateo Marriott Residence Inn.
There, he was part of the founding team of Napster, the controversial file-sharing company that fundamentally changed the music industry. Ritter left Napster in 2000, and went on found four more startups including Cloudmark and Servio.
After feeling suffocated in Silicon Valley, Ritter moved to the more "spacious" Seattle tech scene two years ago to create Ivy Softworks, his latest startup that he says is more like an "innovation studio."
The premise behind Ivy is that startups shouldn't start from scratch every time they have a new business idea. So he built a new model for innovation where one "A-team" sticks together and pumps out companies, one after another.
Ivy recently spun out its first business, called Atlas. At its core, Atlas is all about tracking and saving any file, web page, email, chat thread, or other piece of information that you accessed at one point in history and need to re-surface.
Ritter is serving as the CEO of Atlas right now, but it's safe to say he's already got his next startup idea rolling around in his head. Continue reading for his answers to our Q&A.
What do you do, and why do you do it? "At my core, I absolutely love the glory of building things from nothing, and the mastery that inevitably comes from the experience. This has manifested so many ways in my career, across building cool tech that solves hard problems, meaningful products people love, great teams and resilient organizations that endure the test of time and life, and successful businesses that make money. I'm always trying to make everything I encounter better on every level, and I do it because, fundamentally, that's the kind of world I want to live in."
What's the single most important thing people should know about your field? "Truly, there is no spoon — most limits exist largely in the mind only. But it's also important to remember: all your base are still belong to us!"
Where do you find your inspiration? "Tech for the sake of tech has never been interesting to me. In my book, nothing is worth doing unless it improves us or our world in some meaningful way. I get my ideas from staying closely connected to the everyday human experience of life and its intersection with tech. So the vast majority of my inspiration comes from shared experiences with close friends, community and everyday people I encounter. And of course, I wouldn't be the man I am today without the letter my father wrote to me before he died."
What's the one piece of technology you couldn't live without, and why? "Jimmy John's. You click a button and they literally bring you a sandwich 10 minutes later. It's brilliant! Or possibly Emacs, the one true editor that completely rules all others (duh). I don't know, it's a tough call. Emacs is essential to my life, but I guess I couldn't actually live without food, so I've got to give the win to Jimmy John's. Sorry Emacs."
What's your workspace like, and why does it work for you? "Our workspace is a beautiful brick and timber aesthetic with a polished concrete floor and an open desk plan with no straight lines of sight allowed for desk organization. It has funky common areas with very unique furniture and lots of vibrant, lush plants everywhere to drain stress out of the crazy experience that is a startup. As part of our adaptability core value, every six months we make the entire company move to new desks. It keeps the experience new, forges new relationships not usually considered, changes up the energetic experience and staves off emotional-physical stagnation in the environment."
Your best tip or trick for managing everyday work and life. (Help us out, we need it.) "For work, time and time again the key for me has been ruthless prioritization. That, for the record, doesn't work without also being heavily disciplined around time and task management. As for life, well, I'm still figuring that out like everyone else! But so far the most valuable technique I've learned is to stay in regular contact with my inner self, raising to the level of conscious awareness whatever I'm feeling, and deliberately optimizing toward what makes me feel happy. That changes over time, so it has to be constant internal dialogue. Life constantly presents me with opportunities to explore and grow, more often than not in surprising and serendipitous ways. Building empathy for myself has been the No. 1 most powerful tool for discovering those new sources of happiness."
Mac, Windows or Linux? "I started geek life mainly on text-mode operating systems with crappy hardware — a constant struggle that helped teach me how to be creative when programming against severely limited system resources. In high school I got tired of trying to run Desqview/X on DOS on my slow 286 (12 Mhz!) and took up with newer graphically-oriented OSes like OS/2 (miss you!) and Windows 95. In college I fell head over heels in love with Linux (back in its 0.9x days), mainly because of the super nerdy community and the still-totally-awesome GNU software toolsets that came with it. I remember feeling drawn to the Aqua interface when OSX first debuted, but I never really dipped my toe in the Mac waters until it got faster with the Intel transition. I've been sold on Mac ever since then: beautifully designed hardware, gorgeous apps, all my devices just work, all on top of a Unix OS that's still got all my GNU power tools and then some. Pure heaven!"
Kirk, Picard, or Janeway? "Oh, Kirk 150%! He's resilient, strong, a masterful critical thinker under pressure and a capable do-er. The man always got his hands dirty and led from the front. You ever seen Picard or Janeway willingly get dirty? It almost seemed like Kirk relished it, and I totally relate to that. Getting your hands dirty is glorious!"
Transporter, Time Machine or Cloak of Invisibility? "The experience of my journey has been so much more meaningful to me than the destination of any particular moment, so a time machine would be of little value. And what use is being invisible if you can't participate in the experience? But ever since I was really young, I wanted to be a space explorer and discover the unseen pristine that awaits us out there. So I'd love a transporter."
If someone gave me $1 million to launch a startup, I would … "Ask for more! Have you folks seen what it takes to build a world-class startup engaged on something worthy these days? Today's compensation Candyland is completely out of control."
I once waited in line for … "Do digital lines count? True story: when I moved up to Seattle two and a half years ago, I decided I wanted to propose to my girlfriend, but I knew that any regular old diamond simply wouldn't do. It had to be special: synthetic (conflict free), internally flawless, colorless, a very special cut (called an Asscher), and, ahem, large. So I wrote a ruby program to constantly monitor for these particular specs, and two years later it finally went off and started spamming me with email. Which, ironically, was the precise moment I happened to be on the phone with Ben Elowitz (one of the co-founders of online diamond seller Blue Nile). I literally made him wait on hold while I bought the diamond! Pro tip: I proposed with the loose stone, which had the same effect as a ring, but still gave her the chance to pick her own custom setting — and relieved me of the burden of probably getting that part wrong!"
Greatest Game in History? "Oh, that's a hard one. I've enjoyed so many greats across the big productions and small indies. If I could only play one more game before I died though, it'd have to be Homeworld 2. It's got everything I love: heart-touching and inspiring story, gorgeously stunning visuals, haunting and emotional musical score, it's a space operatic, and it has true 3D navigation (it's space after all). And the bonus: they remastered it earlier this year! So awesome."
Best Gadget Ever? "Lighter."
First Computer? "Commodore 64."
Favorite App? "No favorite. I embrace all!"
Favorite Cause? "Women's health issues and universal access to affordable healthcare."
Most important technology of 2015? "We've been living in the information age for a while now, and while our digital worlds have literally exploded with possibility and potential, we don't yet talk much about the downsides. We're mired now in a huge swamp of big data, spread across a multitude of devices, apps, services and clouds. So much meaning and utility for the individual user is being lost to this great data diaspora. Clearly, the most interesting tech of 2015 has been around the focus on digital assistants and improved human/machine interfaces. The real-time audio transcription and natural language query tech has absolutely leapt forward in meaningful ways, but most of what it's used to interface with is still really basic correlation and automation.
Case in point: Waze recently sucked in my calendar and now offers helpful notifications about travel times to my next appointments. It's great in principle, but it gets silly fast because of a basic lack of understanding of what appointments actually represent. Just last week one of my appointments was a flight back to Seattle, and en route to the airport it suggested I had 29 minutes to "make my appointment." It didn't know I was already en route (which it could have assumed because of high speed vector towards the airport), and it certainly didn't factor in the obvious time necessary for parking traffic or security checkpoint delays. Then, after I'd been sitting at the gate waiting for the delayed flight to deplane, it gave me another reminder that I had 2 minutes to get to my destination. I had already arrived, checked in, and was waiting to board the delayed flight. This isn't intelligence, it's simplistic automation. And while that's got some marginal value, we've still got a whole lot more ground to cover yet."
Most important technology of 2017? "Same as above. The next meaningful paradigm shift that's coming will be towards real contextual awareness and meaningful intelligence — saving us from drowning in our own big data, making sense of all our digital chaos, and finally moving us forward into the age of context. That's when it's really going to get interesting!"
Twitter: @jpr5
Editor's note: Ivy Softworks is a GeekWire sponsor.


text: This Beverly Hills estate offers 1.23 acres of glorious Italian gardens, grand-scale living, and an illustrious past. Formally the home of one of Hollywood's most celebrated couples, and designed in 1932 by a noted California architect, the legendary Mediterranean-style home is being proudly presented for sale for the first time in four decades. Measuring about 8,800 sq. ft., the home consists of 9 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, including a rare combination of both grand and intimate public rooms with perfect scale and flow. Ample french doors open all of the living, dining and family rooms, including the kitchen, onto covered loggias, highlighting the breathtaking work of the prominent landscape designer. Gracing the upstairs is the master bedroom with en-suite office/nursery, and 3 bedrooms, all of which feature balconies overlooking the sun-lit backyard and Cipriani-style pool.


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Bacteria in the gut and chemical reactions caused by digestive acids create much of the intestinal gas people produce. The human digestive system generates from 500 to 2,000 ml of gas daily, vented as often as 40 times per day, according to Better Health Channel. The pulsating movements of vigorous exercise can trigger involuntary venting, but other parts of the exercise regimen can also contribute to this embarrassing problem.
Normal digestive processes produce gas. Pancreatic fluids neutralize excess stomach acid, producing carbon dioxide. Beneficial bacteria break down complex carbohydrates and digestible fiber, creating methane, hydrogen and oxygen gases. Complex carbohydrates -- an important fuel for athletes -- can create gas problems if the diet doesn't include the enzymes needed for digestion. Digestive supplements taken with problematic foods like beans or milk increase the digestive efficiency and reduce gas.
Food Effects
Most of the gases in flatulence contribute no odors, but bacteria in the colon add sulfur to the mix, accounting for part of the noxious smell. Any food that smells unpleasant in the kitchen blends that same aroma into the gassy byproducts of digestion. Foods like turnips, garlic and brussels sprouts may not increase the total amount of gas produced, but do make the problem more noticeable. Brown rice, however, provides complex carbohydrates and fiber without creating unpleasant gassy side effects. Rice contains the only starch that produces no gas, says the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Swallowed Air
Most of the gas you vent by belching or through flatulence comes not from the digestive process, but from the air you swallow. Eating or drinking rapidly, common behavior among athletes, increases the amount of air gulped. Drinking from bottles, straws and drinking tubes also cause more air ingestion, and any air swallowed must either exit through the mouth or the anus. Chewing food thoroughly aids digestion and avoids excess aerophagia, or air swallowing, fighting flatulence in two ways.
Runner's Trot
Twenty to 50 percent of long-distance runners suffer from Runner's Trot, the common name for unusual bouts of diarrhea and flatulence, accompanied by severe cramps and nausea, notes the Time-to-Run website. Problems hit exercisers both during and after intense workouts. Dehydration could cause diarrhea, so staying hydrated helps avoid serious trouble. Many of the symptoms of Runner's Trot match those of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, and may be related to the extra psychological stress of competition, according to an article in "The Western Journal of Medicine." Intense exercise also shunts blood flow away from digestive organs, making the digestive system less able to deal with problems. Avoiding caffeine and dairy products, not eating for two hours prior to your workout and ensuring you'll have access to a bathroom cut the risk of embarrassment. If problems continue, consult your physician.
Is This an Emergency?
- Better Health Channel: Flatulence
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gas in the Digestive Tract
- "The Western Journal of Medicine"; Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Marathon Runners; Emmet B. Keeffe, et al.; October 1984
- Time-to-Run: Runner's Trots - The 'Plague' of the Exerciser
- CVS/Pharmacy Health Resources: Farewell to Flatulence; Laurie Udesky; 2009


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CAIRO, Egypt — Through a maze of narrow stone alleyways in Cairo's ancient Jewish quarter, the Ben Maimon synagogue is surrounded by churches — a remnant of Egypt's diverse and religiously tolerant past. This month, a private ceremony inaugurated the renovated synagogue as part of a greater government initiative to restore all 10 of the country's Jewish temples.
The small, private rededication of the Ben Maimon synagogue passed without incident, but on Sunday the Ministry of Culture called off the temple's public inauguration scheduled for the same day, saying the cancellation was a protest of Israel's plans to list two Muslim shrines in the West Bank as Israeli heritage sites as well as Israel's restrictions on Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa mosque over the weekend.
"I can restore our monuments," said Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, "but I can't announce a big celebration while the Israelis are attacking the Palestinian monuments."
Initially, the Egyptian government wanted to tell the world of its initiative to nationally finance the restoration of Jewish heritage sites — a concerted effort, experts say, by the regime to promote itself to the West as a moderate ally in a turbulent region.
Behind this international facade, the ministry's decision to cancel the public inauguration appears to be yet another instance of the unpopular regime's struggle to juggle its international image with rising anti-Israel sentiment inside the country.
"President [Hosni] Mubarak and his close advisors have been trying to position Egypt and portray Egypt to the world in particular as a moderate state," said Fawaz Gerges, professor of political science at the London School of Economics. "While the Iranian president [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad, basically denies the holocaust … you have Egypt saying, 'here is Egypt, not only do we acknowledge our complex cultural heritage, but we will basically renovate the synagogues using state money.' This is really a message much more designed for the international community … that does not really garner any support for [Egyptian president] Mubarak internally. In fact, it's a liability."
The regime is now trying to turn that political liability into an asset. Fallout from Israel's recent actions may have forced the regime to try to recast the domestically controversial project in a more popular light by taking a public stand with the synagogue rededication.
"They are trying to use this issue," said Emad Gad, political analyst at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, a government-funded think tank in Cairo. "They are speaking about the Palestinian issues, solidarity with Palestinians, solidarity with Arabs and Islamic holy places in Jerusalem. They are using this issue to get support from the [Egyptian] street because [Egyptians] have a public opinion of dealing with the issue of Palestine as an Islamic and as an Arab issue."
Anti-Israel sentiment in Egypt remains high, despite the country's 1979 peace treaty with its neighbor. With the government's apparent about-face on cultural restorations, has it managed to win this round of the media cycle or are its actions too little too late?
On the streets of Cairo, Egyptians express conflicting reactions to their government's agenda. While some don't mind the government remodeling synagogues using state coffers, others find the regime's decision distasteful. And while most seem to agree with the government's decision to cancel the public ceremony, some don't think it's nearly enough.
"It's a holy place, so it should look like a mosque. It's better to renovate it," said Um Hesham, 50, as she walks to pray at the neighborhood mosque near the Ben Maimon synagogue. Hesham does not have a problem with the use of state funds to rebuild the country's temples. "We're all brothers and sisters," she said, "we're all related."
Others see renovating synagogues as an obvious political overture to Israel. "It's more monumental. It's about the civilization, not about the religion … in order to keep the relations between us and Israel, because there are mutual interests, there are common interests between us and them," said Ahmed Ali, 22, an accountant in central Cairo, who is pleased the government cancelled the public ceremony, "because it's kind of a protest about what the Israeli people are doing in Palestine."
But others disagree with the entirety of the project, regardless of whether or not the public ceremony has been cancelled, claiming the cancellation is an insufficient reaction to Israel's actions.
"We are Muslims and we don't want Jewish people here," said Khaled Saaid, 34, a kiosk manager in downtown Cairo. "We are Muslims and as long as there is money they should use it for renovating mosques, building new mosques, and donations for the cancer hospitals, for building new schools, for building new hospitals, things that can be for the Muslims' interests."
Indeed the use of state funds appears to be the most controversial aspect of the government's plan. While Egyptians, like Saaid, may look askance at the use of state money, experts say the state may be hoping to send a different message to the international community.
"Egypt needs considerable sums of money to renovate its cultural projects, the fact that the state is devoting a proportion of its meager resources tells me it's a political decision," said Gerges of the London School of Economics. "The decision coming at this particular moment is designed to impress the international community, in particular the United States and Israel's friends in the United States that Egypt is playing a highly positive role in the region, especially on the Arab-Israel theater."
Regardless of the conflicting messages, the cancellation of the public opening of Ben Maimon and the reaction of the Egyptian public, Hawass maintains that Egypt will continue restoring the country's synagogues. "There is no difference between a Jewish or a Coptic or an Islamic monument, all of this belongs to Egypt, it's a part of our heritage. If I neglect the Jewish temples, I neglect the history of Egypt," he said. With seven synagogues still under renovation, it appears the government will continue its tenuous balancing act.