Girls Can Now Stand and Pee With GoGirl, a Female Urinary Device That Lets Women Stand And Urinate

What is Go Girl
Simply put, GoGirl is the way to stand up to crowded, disgusting, distant or non-existent bathrooms. It’s a female urination device (sometimes called a FUD) that allows you to urinate while standing up.

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A GoGirl is a reusable, softsilicone device with a short funnel that, after a little practice for most women, seals to their body and enables them to pee without sitting or squatting. The GoGirl, which sells for between $8 and $10, comes rolled — along with tissue and a bag —in a small tube slightly larger than a glue stick. It fits easily in a purse. Dillon launched the product just 13 months ago at the annual Women's Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center in the US.


Sarah Dillon is expecting to sell a million units of GoGirl, a female urinary device that lets girls stand with the boys. And Dillon, a 47-yearold American, hopes to become, in a friend's words, the "Betty Crocker of the pee business," by selling GoGirl, a cheap, reusable silicon funnel that allows women to pee standing up.

Who Would Need it
"Men have been able to use the world as their bathroom," quipped Dillon. "Today's active women go off to war, fishing, running and bicycling, but when we go to the bathroom we have to undress. I mean, who really wants to drop their pants in a Porta-Potty? "A GoGirl enables a woman to stand up and to be as discreet as a man."

It’s essential for women who enjoy travel, active women who camp, hike and go boating, and for women who simply want to avoid germs in public restrooms

The invisible threat - We can’t live without them, but can we really live with them?

We can’t live without them, but can we really live with them? Find out how gadgets like mobiles and laptops could be seriously affecting our health.

It’s difficult to imagine life without the cellphone or the laptop. From being luxury gizmos earlier, they are almost human appendages now, attached to us 24x7. But are we paying a huge price for our dependence on such electronic items?





Recently, a Jawaharlal Nehru University pilot study found that 20 rats subject to mobile phone radiation had damaged DNA and low sperm count. And last week, the Union health ministry commissioned the first largescale study of the effects of radio frequency radiation from mobile phones on humans. With 250 million mobile phone subscribers currently in India, and many more using other appliances like television, computer, vacuum cleaner, microwave etc, the fear is that these ‘essentials’ of life may actually be posing a big health risk because of their electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

As such, research has not yet established anything definite about the impact of EMFs on the human body. They are everywhere, though we cannot sense them. Almost all electronic equipment have EMFs and we are constantly bombarded by the radiation from these fields. But then, not all EMFs have an impact. Only those with high frequencies —2mG (milliGauss) and above—cause the maximum harm. And these are usually found in appliances that we use on a daily basis—microwaves, cordless phones, computer monitors, fax machines, cellphones, cellphone towers, hair dryers and so on.

Cancer connection?

Various international studies have tried to establish the link between EMFs and some diseases. Doctors believe that constant exposure to high frequency EMFs leads to digestive disorders, fatigue, hypertension, insomnia, irritability, low blood pressure, infertility in males, cancer, neurological and cardiovascular problems. A Swedish study in 1993 demonstrated a 1.7 times higher risk of leukaemia in adults and a 2.7 times higher risk for childhood leukaemia from exposure to EMFs. A few years back, the California Department of Health Services concluded after a seven-year study that EMF exposure is a risk factor for childhood leukaemia.

The threat is real and omnipresent. Says oncologist Dr Ramananda Nadig, president, Health Care Global-Triesta Sciences, Bangalore, “Most, if not all, electrical appliances that emit EMFs, are harmful to a certain extent. While they may not be initiators of a malignant change, there is every likelihood that they promote/augment such a change. The more people are exposed, the greater the risk. That is why it’s important that we be cautious of EMFs.”

In recent years, experts hav been studying the impact of cellphones and cellphone towers on the h u m a n body, and the initial research results have not been too comforting. An Australian neurosurgeon of Indian origin, Dr Vini Khurana, recently published a research paper on the link between mobiles and brain cancer. He said using mobiles for over 10 years could more than double the risk of brain cancer. Mobile phone radiation, he says, could heat the side of the head or thermoelectrically interact with the brain, while Bluetooth devices and “unshielded” headsets could “convert the user’s head into an effective, potentially self-harming antenna”.

Similarly, cellphone towers are a cause of concern. A 2005 study by Gursatej Gandhi, a researcher in the Human Genetics Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, found that “exposure to radio frequency (RF) signals generated by the use of cellular phones has increased dramatically and is reported to affect physiological, neurological, cognitive and behavioural changes and to induce, initiate and promote carcinogenesis….”

Price of progress

Khurana admits that a link between mobiles and brain cancer has still not been definitely proven because mobiles have been in use only in the two decades and it takes years for solid tumours to form. Nevertheless, there is reason to be worried. Says Nadig, “There are currently over three billion cellphone users worldwide. In India, the numbers are equally big and they are growing by the day. We don’t realise it but holding the phone close to the brain regularly, increases our chances of brain tumour.” What is further worrying is the fact that children as young as three years are exposed to cellphones and their growing tissues are much more vulnerable to harmful radiation.Yet, most experts agree that the maximum harm is caused when the cellphone is used constantly and over a long period of time.

While cellphones can be monitored — they can be switched off or used on speaker mode — there is no way the mushrooming cellphone towers can be controlled. “The EMF generated from the tower is 24X7 and is of a much higher frequency. They are a huge threat,” says Ravinder Kohli, professor, centre for environment, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Dr Howard W Fisher, a Toronto-based natural physician, has been vocal about the invisible threat to health from EMF radiation. And his concern is voiced in his bestselling books, The Invisible Threat series. “EMF radiation is a serious health risk and unfortunately, we are not aware of it. To spend 60 minutes in a wi-fi environment is equal to 20 minutes on a cellphone. If the EMF radiations can penetrate concrete walls and cellphones can work in basements, then there is no reason why they can’t penetrate human tissues,” reasons Fisher. On a recent visit to the country, he was alarmed by the number of power transmitters in residential areas and markets. They are dangerous, he says. “I was horrified to see children playing close to the transmitters. They have such powerful EMFs. I am sure people who live close to them would be suffering from irritation, fatigue and various other problems,” points out Fisher.

What is interesting is that the extent of the harm caused differs from individual to individual. Some people may be affected more, while it may take years for some others to develop a disease.
But not everybody feels that there is any reason to worry. Says Dr Anusheel Munshi, professor, radiation oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, “While too much exposure to EMFs is usually not good, till we have concrete proof of a correlation between cellphones and cancer, there is no cause for immediate alarm.” Besides, some people feel that a protective device, currently available in the market, can minimise the harmful rays. “The MRET polymer chip significantly reduces the damage caused by EMF,” informs Fisher.

Yet, the health risks from EMFs cannot be completely ruled out. There’s no escape from them in a world that is so dependent on all things electronic. Perhaps, what is required is some bit of caution.

Cheat's Guide to Looking Thin ( ner )

Few secrets that will help you appear at least one size smaller

So you’ve worked out for six months, but still haven’t reached your target weight? Stylist Ekta Rajani shares her tricks-of-the-trade to help you hide the bulge and flaunt the assets. Ladies, queue-up shape-wise

PEAR-SHAPED

Your upper body isn’t much of a problem, but you’d like to take attention away from the hips and waist (to a lesser extent).

Rajani says:

• Try straight-cut jeans, but not tapered cigarette pants.

• In skirts, go for soft fabrics such as medium-weight crepes, lycra-blends, corduroys, etc, that fit well on the hips and fall gently away with only a hint of a flare.

• Sit the pants or skirts under the navel. Opt for clean waist-bands, sans pleats which add bulk.

• Widen the neckline of tops and kurtas with boat or cowl necks or off-shoulders.

Experiment with details such as dualtoned embroidery, gathers, smocking at the shoulders etc. These jazz up your outfit and draw attention upwards. • In dresses, the empire line camouflages hips. Choose a length based on your leg-shape. • Dress in different shades of the same colour family (such as blue and greens); too many coloured separates will only highlight the hips.

APPLE-SHAPED

If you have a heavier upper body, you’re apple-shaped. The waist and hips are your biggest problem and you need to lengthen your upper body and accentuate your lower body and legs.

Rajani says

• Cigarette or slim pants direct attention downwards to your more slender side. Keep the pants simple with no gathers, waistbands, pleats or pockets that direct attention to the waist.

• Try pencil-skirts which add length.

• Don’t buy over-sized tops and kurtas, yet ensure they aren’t figure hugging. Straight cuts are best. Your tops should end either just below the hip or at mid-hip level.

• V- necks, wide necks, surface details that run vertically elongate the neckline and make your torso look slimmer.

PLEASANTLY PLUMP

If you’re well-endowed all over. Don’t reject it; work with it.

Rajani says

• Stand in front of a mirror and be completely honest. Give yourself credit by identifying the areas could be accentuated. Now build a wardrobe that has individual pieces that enhance your focal point(s).

• Wear sleeveless shirts if you have well toned arms.

• Keep a clean well-fitting shoulder line to look leaner.

• Experiment with different printed fabrics for tops such as prints. In bottoms, opt for medium-weight fabrics.

• Accessorise by focusing only on one area. When wearing a beautiful necklace, let that be the centre of attention.

TIPS FOR EVERYONE

• While hem-lengths depend on the season, knee-length is a classic. Any woman, of any height, can carry it off.

• Invest in at least one great fitting, crisp shirt in white, black or just your favourite colour. • No outfit is complete without accessories. Every season, invest in at least two bags.

• Stop slouching and stand tall and you’ll make a great impression, irrespective of your body-type.

Some Truths You Didn't Know About Coffee

Your body may love those numerous cuppas, but is it the other way round too? wake up to some truths

With coffee houses at every corner, we are all consuming increasingly more amounts of caffeine. Catching up with friends over a cup has become a part of our everyday life. Even culturally, when we visit someone, the first thing we are offered is tea or coffee. The coffee pot is also an indispensable fixture in offices. And why not? A cup or two seems to give the burst of energy sought by office workers each morning, or to gain a slight edge on a mental task late at night. However, the caffeine contained in all these drinks plays havoc with your body and mind.



WHAT IS CAFFEINE?
In its pure form, caffeine is a bitter tasting fine white powder that looks like icing sugar. It is soluble in water and so is easily absorbed into the blood stream and rapidly reaches the brain. In general, a single dose of caffeine will appear in the bloodstream within 10 minutes of consumption. It reaches a peak concentration between 30 and 60 minutes later, but absorption is much slower on a full stomach.

PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG?
Experiments that measure the electrical activity of the brain have shown that the caffeine in just one or two cups of instant coffee dramatically changes the pattern of brain activity from a typical resting state to that of an alert, very awake person. Caffeine also stimulates the adrenal glands to raise the level of stress hormones - adrenaline, non-adrenaline and cortisol. These are the ones that are released when we are anxious, scared, angry or nervous and produce the 'fight or flight' response. These hormones also energise and stimulate the brain. Hence, caffeine not only increases the body's stress levels, but also blocks the action of one of the body's de-stressing chemicals.

DURATION OF EFFECT
It takes 24 hours for one cup of coffee to pass through the kidneys and urinary tract. People who have had several cups of coffee will have lots of caffeine in their bloodstream, inhibiting sound sleep. The body must expend energy in expelling the caffeine and as it is, due to lack of sleep we have less energy, causing a terrible cycle. Caffeine will continue to affect your functioning as long as it remains in the bloodstream. Enzymes in the liver also break down the drug and remove it from the system. Some people can drink large amounts of coffee without much effect, while others feel jittery, anxious and simply cannot tolerate caffeine. Smokers experience its effects for a shorter time while women on the pill tend to react to it strongly.

ADDICTION
Caffeine is habit forming. Many people certainly depend upon it and suffer significant withdrawal symptoms (headaches, dizziness, sluggishness, fatigue, tiredness, diminished concentration, anxiety, irritability and anger) when they stop consumption abruptly. As the initial stimulating effect of caffeine wears out, the person craves for another cup to experience the same lift. People taking more than four cups a day become dependent on it. These symptoms are often relieved by rushing to another cup of coffee, which creates a vicious circle re-enforcing the addictive habit further.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF COFFEINE

CAFFEINE DRAINS ENERGY
Caffeine may give an initial boost, but this is soon followed by a let down and you feel drained of energy. It also increases urine output, being a diuretic, and thus dehydrates.

CAUSES CALCIUM LOSS
It increases faecal and urinary calcium excretion resulting in calcium deficiency. Calcium loss is greatest when caffeine is taken with sugar.

RAISES CHOLESTEROL
Not many people know that boiled coffee contains a lipid that powerfully raises serum cholesterol. Four cups of coffee can increase cholesterol in the blood by 5 per cent and ten cups by around 12 per cent.

HINDERS ASSIMILATION OF FOOD IN THE INTESTINES
Digestive tract problems such as colitis, constipation and piles can be aggravated by caffeine.

LOSS OF VITAMIN B
These vitamins play a crucial role in energy metabolism and so with a high caffeine intake, the body loses nutrients needed to produce energy.

AFFECTS THE HEART
Caffeine causes increased and irregular heart beat, and increases blood pressure which can be dangerous for those with a coronary heart disease.

INCREASES ACIDITY
It stimulates the production of acid in the stomach, causing heart burn, indigestion and ulcers.

ALTERS SLEEP PATTERNS
Consumers are more easily aroused by sudden noises and don't feel fresh after waking up, hence they become fretful and irritable, and find it difficult to concentrate.

OTHER EFFECTS
Kidneys and liver have to overwork in the body of a caffeine victim, so these may suffer after sometime. It raises blood sugar level and can aggravate existing diabetes problems. Studies show that consuming too much caffeine may delay conception and reduce fertility. Interferes with the immune system, making you prone to colds and flu.

REPLACE YOUR CUPPA WITH
• GREEN TEA
• HERBAL OR LEMON-HONEY TEA
• PLENTY OF WATER