(NewsUSA) - Although COVID-19 continues to grab the health headlines, women in particular should not lose sight of a chronic problem -- heart disease.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, but many women, whether they are wives, mothers, CEOs, or all of the above, tend to put others' health and well-being ahead of their own, and may ignore symptoms. Symptoms of this disease are often different for women than men, so women may not know what to look for.

According to the Mayo Clinic, women are more likely than men to report heart attack symptoms that are not related to chest pain, including shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, pain in one or both arms, unusual tiredness, and indigestion. These symptoms are easily missed, as most people associate heart attacks with crushing chest pain.

Younger women may be surprised to learn that they are at risk as well.

Women younger than 65 years, need to know the risk factors, too, especially those with a family history of heart disease, according to Dr. Neschochi Okeke, MD, a practicing physician in New York City and an expert in women's health.

"Being aware of their unique heart disease symptoms is the first step towards prevention," says Dr. Okeke. Once women know the risks, they can continue to reduce them by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, managing stress, and taking medications as prescribed.

Women also may benefit from supplements designed to support heart health, especially the ingredient citrus bergamot, which has been shown in 17 clinical trials to support heart health. Not all bergamot is the same, so women should be sure they are getting the highest quality bergamot -- citrus bergamot -- in health products.

Grown only in a small valley in Italy, citrus bergamot is different from the bergamot that many people associate with licorice candy or Earl Grey tea. In fact, citrus bergamot can help promote and maintain healthy arteries and healthy cholesterol levels, both of which can reduce a woman's risk of heart disease.

"Complementary support is critical these days as part of any woman's journey to overall health and well-being, especially as people recognize the importance of a strong immune system, " says Dr. James Rouse, a naturopathic family doctor and consultant to BergametNA, a producer of natural supplements featuring citrus bergamot.

The HerHeart supplement product for women from BergametNA contains Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™, a unique high-quality citrus bergamot with a 47% BPF (bergamot polyphenol fraction) concentration (the highest available in North America and exclusive to BergametNA), along with other ingredients, damiana and MACA (also known as Peruvian Gold) that have been shown to help support overall health. HerHeart also supports women's health by promoting balanced hormones, which can help ease a range of menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, irregular metabolism, and low energy.

Visit tryherheart.com for more information about the supplement, and visit Bergametna.com or call 1-855-556-2131 for more details about other Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™ products for better health. The BergametNA stock symbol is HYEX.

(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA) - By Carrie Goux For NewsUSA, With the final bell of the 2021-2022 school year fast approaching, now is the time for families to reflect upon their child's year. Whether it be the formation of new friendships, celebrating academic breakthroughs, or navigating the emotions of another pandemic year, no two families' experiences are the same.

That's why GreatSchools.org, the nation's leading provider of school information for K-12 families, wants to make sure your experience is captured -- in your own words. In only a few minutes, parents can leave an anonymous review on their school's GreatSchools profile to share their thoughts on family engagement, teachers, learning, physical and emotional safety, and more!

We know that parents wear many hats, and finding even just a few extra moments in the day can be challenging. But sharing your school experience matters, and can really make a difference for others in your community. Here's why:

1. Helps fellow parents

When you write a review of your child's school, you're offering other parents something that numbers alone can't provide: your personal experience as a member of a community. When Ronnie Hines, a Black mother in Los Angeles, was searching for a middle school for her daughter in a community where few others looked like her, she wanted to find a school climate that would be welcoming. Reading reviews from parents of shared identities helped Ronnie visualize what peer-to-peer and parent-to-staff interactions might be like at different schools, and whether those environments would help her daughter succeed.

2. Elevates your voice

Your experience can be powerful -- if given the right opportunity to share it. Leaving a review provides a platform to share your thoughts with the K-12 schools, K-12, in a respectful way. Does the school's curriculum affirm your child's culture and identity? Are your child's special education needs being met? Are you a military family that has attended many different schools across the country? Your unique story could be the catalyst for improvements that will benefit other students for years to come.

3. Fosters trust between home and school

Principals and administrators use their GreatSchools.org profiles to share details about their school culture, programs, and policies. The reviews section is an important part of the overall story of the school, offering a safe, trusted way for parents to anonymously share feedback with the school. Whether it's highlighting an experience with caring, hard-working teachers or providing honest feedback that will help make the school better for all children, reviews foster a deeper home-school connection as leaders can incorporate key learnings into their school celebrations and improvement plans.

According to the National PTA and Learning Heroes, 67 percent of parents feel more connected to their child's day-to-day education than ever before. Now is the perfect time to leverage that connection and share your experience with others in your community. We've compiled some of our best tips to support you in writing a review that is honest, transparent, and thorough. Make your voice heard today!

Carrie Goux is the Executive Vice President, Strategy and External Affairs at GreatSchools.org.

(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA) - Financial planning can be complex, so when you seek guidance in planning your financial future, it's essential to work with someone you can trust.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional makes a commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary, which means acting in their clients' best interests at all times when providing financial advice. You should want a financial adviser who makes this commitment directly to you. Therefore, whomever you choose as your financial professional, including a CFP® professional, you should consider getting a written engagement that requires them to have a fiduciary obligation to you.

Professional standards are important to protect consumers. CFP Board's Code and Standards sets forth the commitment that all CFP® professionals make to CFP Board. This includes duties to maintain the confidentiality and protect the privacy of client information.

In addition, CFP® professionals commit to CFP Board to disclose any conflicts of interest that might affect the professional relationship and compromise the CFP® professional's ability to act in their clients' best interests.

Approximately one year ago, CFP Board updated its Code and Standards to mandate that all CFP® professionals commit to CFP Board to act as fiduciaries for their clients when providing financial advice.

"Simply put, someone acting as a fiduciary should deliver financial advice that is clear, specific, objective and thorough," says Dan Candura, a CFP Board Emeritus® member and Founder of Candura Group, LLC.

Professionals who follow CFP Board's Code and Standards commit to fulfilling three key duties as part of their fiduciary duty:

- Duty of Loyalty. This means putting their clients' interests first.

"Your interests should be placed above the interest of the CFP® professional and the CFP® professional's firm," according to CFP Board's website.

- Duty of Care. This means being careful, acting with prudence and diligence in making recommendations to clients.

For example, if you receive a sudden windfall of money that you want to delay investing, a CFP® professional who abides by a commitment to CFP Board will review the reasonable options and consider factors such as risks and interest rates in making the best recommendation.

- Duty to Follow Client Instructions. This means complying with all objectives, policies, restrictions, and other terms on which you have agreed, and "all reasonable and lawful directions of you, the client," according to CFP Board.

"Meeting these three duties enables CFP® professionals to honor their commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary, in the client's best interest. Certainly, that is what every client deserves," Candura says.

To learn more about how CFP Board's Code and Standards for CFP® professionals help protect consumers, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

(NewsUSA) - (NewsUSA)

"A Pastor's Pit"
by Judge Roy Sparkman

Religious liberty is under attack in the United States. Faced with legal challenges for the mere action of preaching from the Bible, Pastor Preston and his supporters confront a terrifying truth: the U.S. Constitution is no defense against a biased district attorney obsessed with sending him to prison.

A "Pastor's Pit" exposes the threat to the religious liberty that people of all faiths take for granted, as well as the crucial role that U.S. Supreme Court appointments and presidential elections play in maintaining the rights of all citizens. How can a pastor be indicted and tried for the "crime" of preaching from the Bible? Will the courts send him to prison or uphold his constitutional freedoms? Purchase at https://amzn.to/2NHapnh.

"Irina"
by Philip Warren

A masterfully detailed historical novel of culture, religion, history and politics of the times intertwined with a deeply moving portrayal of tragedy, hope and perseverance. This is Irina's journey from Polish serving girl to French businesswoman. Her determination and curiosity will make you cheer, and her harrowing escape from those who would thwart her progress will have you holding your breath.

Poznan, Poland 1378. Irina is dying. Despite her storied life, one loss is not accounted for: her only son. In a world dominated by men, Irina finds that she can thrive, having everything she could want but the answer to one question. A rich, wonderful saga. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3hQ859Y.

"On the Way to Casa Lotus"
by Lorena Junco Margain

This is a memoir of family, art, injury and forgiveness. The author -- a passionate art collector and devoted wife and mother -- is already shaken after abruptly fleeing Mexico and relocating in the USA with her family. Then, she learns she has a tumor, which simple surgery can mend. But to err is human -- even for surgeons. Rather than improve after surgery, her condition worsens.

Deeply compassionate, wise and poetic, the memoir lays bare some of the most poignant contradictions of the human condition, blurring the distinctions between guilt and neglectfulness, anger and sorrow, humility and shame, gratitude and despair. The book plants a seed of hope that loss and pain can serve a higher purpose. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3vYcbRf.

"Indecent Exposure"
by Viola Trivette 

Meera and Aaron have been pitted against each other since law school in their fight for a higher class rank and their ever-growing gap in political views. Apart from constant class bickering, Meera avoids Aaron after an awkward moment in an empty classroom their first year. However, as graduation approaches, she starts to regret all those nights she spent alone in the library and finally agrees to go out with her roommate where she bumps into Aaron at a noisy club.

Although both characters are undeniably drawn to one another, they refuse to admit what's between them. What ensues is a game of back-and-forth as they each try to force the other to concede. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3he4Xok.

NOTE: BookTrib's Bites is presented by BookTrib.com

(NewsUSA) - By Maria Sophocles, MD  For NewsUSA

(NewsUSA) - The pandemic created a major shift in the way people consume - and, more importantly, trust - information, especially as it relates to vaginal health. In fact, a new survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of RepHresh of 2,000 American women age 24-34 reveals that two in five women named Google as their go-to source of information over a physician when experiencing discomfort or vaginal health symptoms.

Many women are also turning to social media for health advice. For example, on TikTok, hashtags relating to the words "sex education" have over 70 million views. A now infamous TikTok video, providing a tutorial on how to relieve constipation through "vaginal splinting" has racked up over 3 million views and the latest popular #icecubechallenge claims to tighten the vagina and curb bacterial overgrowth.

While these trending DIY/at-home medical hacks can be entertaining, many of these practices are not only ineffective at controlling the natural balance of good and bad bacteria, but can be dangerous and cause more harm than good. Melting an ice cube in the vagina can elevate the natural pH balance and trigger a bacterial infection as the pH of water (7.5-8) is higher than the normal vaginal pH (3.5-4.5). And, while vaginal splinting is a scientific method used by medical professionals, experts caution trying it at home as it poses a risk of bacterial spread if not done properly.

The RepHresh survey found that over half (51%) thought a vagina should have a neutral pH, and only 12% correctly identified "moderately acidic" as the ideal pH balance. In addition, the top three most Googled phrases and questions respondents needed answers about included "vaginal discharge" (44%), "do I have a yeast infection?" (39%) and "vaginal odor" (37%).

With an uptick in misinformation, most women frequently misdiagnose their vaginal symptoms. That's why it's more critical than ever that women turn to trusted health care professionals for advice, proper diagnosis and remedies for the actual problem.

Here are a few important things women might not know, but need to know to maintain good vaginal health:

1. Vaginal odor is completely normal and should not be a cause for alarm. Refrain from using unnecessary scented products, including wipes and washes that claim to eliminate odor with fruity or flowery fragrances, as this will not solve the root cause of the issue, which is an unbalanced pH. Do look for clinically-backed and doctor-recommended products for vaginal health, such as over-the-counter RepHresh Gel, which rebalances pH to a healthy range, eliminates odor, and lasts up to three days.

2. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections can present similar symptoms, such as unusual vaginal discharge and discomfort, so when women run to the drug store and buy an OTC yeast medication such as Monistat, they are not addressing the root cause of the problem. Two out of three times it is BV, which must be treated with an antibiotic from their health care provider. But, antibiotics can kill the good and bad bacteria and cause a yeast infection, so make sure to take a vaginal probiotic once a day such as RepHresh Pro-B as it contains 2 strains of vaginal lactobacilli to keep the vaginal flora in balance and eat foods high in probiotics like a healthy no-sugar-added Greek yogurt, kefir, kimchi, or miso.

3. High sugar and alcohol intake can elevate pH imbalances and contribute to an overgrowth of yeast. Maintain a healthy moderation of sugary drinks and junk food as excess amounts not only impact vaginal health, but overall weight gain and wellness.

4. Vaginal discharge is a completely normal function in which the vagina naturally removes old cells to keep the environment healthy and clean. Some women have more discharge, while others might experience very little, and it can change in color and thickness depending on the ovulation cycle. However, discharge accompanied with itching, burning, fishy odor, swelling, unusual color, or pelvic pain should be brought to a doctor's attention as it can be a bacterial infection or STI and must be treated appropriately.

Before trying something new, consult with your healthcare provider especially when things seem off to ensure the safety and efficacy of the method or product you are considering. And, don't miss your annual OB/GYN visit.

Maria Sophocles, MD, OB/GYN is the Medical Director of Women's Healthcare of Princeton in Princeton, NJ.

(NewsUSA) - As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic highlights the importance of maintaining good health, many Americans continue to struggle with the cost of health care, especially prescription medications. In fact, many people are overcharged for medications, even for generic drugs, according to leading experts and as highlighted in a 2018 in-depth expose' shown on PBS.

MyFreePharmacy, a new membership service launched in 2017, makes paying for prescriptions easier and more affordable. The company offers more than 600 medications for a flat monthly fee that includes standard shipping. Strategic partnerships make it possible for MyFreePharmacy to control costs and make prescriptions more affordable for everyone, including those without health insurance. MyFreePharmacy also offers a more affordable option for those whose insurance deductibles are so high that they never meet them, which means they typically pay full price for medications.

"MyFreePharmacy currently mails out truckloads of FREE prescriptions nationwide every month to our members," says founder Doug Behrens. "The program is a game changer -- where else can you get FREE prescriptions? We want to make a difference out there, and we are doing it for our members, one prescription at a time," he explains.

The membership plan involves four easy steps.

- Sign up. Simply visit myfreepharmacy.com/join to sign up for a membership card.

- Search. Review the MyFreePharmacy list of medications. They offer not only prescription drugs for chronic and acute conditions, but also over-the-counter products such as acetaminophen, allergy medications and vitamins.

- ePrescribe or Transfer. Your prescriptions can be transferred or e-prescribed by your doctor, who can send prescriptions with the click of a button. Or if you are transferring a script, MyFreePharmacy will handle it for you while you sit back and relax.

- Receive. Your medications are processed and shipped the same day and will be delivered to your home in one to three days.

MyFreePharmacy is working to change the way Americans get their prescriptions. They take the stress and high costs out of the equation by helping consumers control their costs without sacrificing quality. For safety and security, all medications are shipped through the U.S. Postal Service, with a standard shipping time of one to three days.

For more information, visit myfreepharmacy.com/join.