Varicose veins are visible, protruding veins that appear just under the skin. Varicose comes from the Latin root varix for “twisted”. They may occur in clusters that look like spider webs, or be large, single veins that are easily observed. They’re most often seen on people’s legs, especially their calves, and are made up of stretched, expanded, or twisted veins in which the flow of blood has been reversed. Varicose veins are the most common disorder in the lower part of the body. They affect 10-20% of the population, and appear between the ages of 30 and 70. They usually get progressively worse.

Varicose veins can’t be cured, but they can be treated with considerable success. Treatment concentrates on relieving pain and managing complications. People who have obvious spidery veins also often seek cosmetic treatment. Wearing lightweight compression hosiery can stop the pain from small, mild varicose veins altogether. Heavier elastic support stockings, knee-length or thigh-length, can also be worn by patients with advanced varicose veins. If these treatments don’t help, injections to “strip” the veins can stop the pain right away and make the veins less visible.

Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting a concentrated saline or chemical solution into the vein. The sclerosing (hardening) solution causes the vein to close up or collapse and become scar tissue. This causes blood to flow only to the non-varicose veins. It can be performed in a doctor’s office (usually a dermatologist or a vein specialist) and is associated with little discomfort. Many veins can be injected at a given time. Several injection sessions are usually required to effectively close a vein and it usually takes a few weeks for healing to occur after each injection. Allergic reactions to sclerotherapy are rare. Scarring can occur and a brown blemishing of the skin may appear. It usually fades but can be permanent. Some superficial varicose veins can be treated with a laser.

Varicose veins can also be treated by surgery. Your doctor may suggest surgery if you have extremely visible varicose veins or changes in your skin, or if you suffer from significant pain and constantly inflamed veins, a condition called recurrent phlebitis (thrombophlebitis). Physicians who recommend extensive surgery may “strip” deeper veins in the legs while removing as many of the swollen twisted varicose veins as possible. A few isolated varicose veins may continue to be bothersome after surgery, but these can usually be treated with injections.

There are some things people can do to help prevent varicose veins. They include:

• exercise - walking is a great way to increase blood flow in the legs
• weight control - shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off veins
  in the legs
• wearing compression stockings
• avoiding high heels - low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more, which is better for veins. Don’t wear tight clothes around your calves or groin. Tight panty-leg girdles, for instance, can limit blood circulation
• elevating legs - take three or four 10- to 15-minute breaks daily to elevate the legs above the level of the heart (e.g., lie down with legs resting on three or four pillows)
• avoiding long periods of sitting or standing - make a point to change position frequently to encourage blood flow

Many were shocked after seeing the posters, “Is this really Lee Hyun Ji?”, “Her red lips are really sexy”. The words on the right-hand side of the poster had her name and the date “2008.09.02″ imprinted on it which has invoked the curiosity of many, possibly implying that something might happen on that day.

Lee Hyun Ji was once part of the dance music project group Banana Girl and so many are guessing that she is making her comeback soon with an album.

1) Mother Home 娘家 (FTV) - 6.93
2) Full of Love 真情滿天下 - 3.81
3) Legendary Huai Yu Matsu 懷玉傳奇千金媽祖 (CTV) - 2.11
4) Your Home is My Home 歡喜來逗陣 (CTS) - 1.64 (Did not air on 8/20)

August 24th, 2008

1) Fated to Love You 命中注定我愛你 (TTV) - 9.80
2) Invicible Shan Bao Mei 無敵珊寶妹 (TTV) - 7.25 *NEW
3) Hot Shot 籃球火 (CTV) - 3.10

Variety Shows -

August 22nd, 2008

1) One Million Star 超級星光大道 (CTV) - 3.06
2) Double Happiness Club 雙囍俱樂部 (FTV) - 2.59
3) 2200 Power Sunday 2200 POWER SUNDAY星期天 (CTS) - 0.59

August 23rd, 2008

1) Big Winner 綜藝大贏家 (FTV) - 3.79
2) Big Brother Variety 綜藝大哥大 (CTV) - 2.58
3) Suddenly Famous 成名一瞬間 (FTV) - 2.02
4) Genius Go Go Go 天才衝衝衝 (CTS) - 2.00
5) Super Idol 超級偶像SUPER IDOL (TTV) - 1.83
6) Guess, Guess, Guess 我猜我猜我猜猜猜 (CTV) - 1.75
7) Just Love Perfection 就是愛玩美(FTV) - 0.25

August 24th, 2008

1) Dance Show-Off 舞林大道 (CTV) - 2.45
2) Suddenly Famous 成名一瞬間 (FTV) - 2.08 *NEW

Benny Chan not her unforgettable love

Earlier, Benny accepted an interview with i-Cable’s Entertainment News Channel and revealed in the interview: “I’ve once have a love relationship, which I thought will led to marriage but it still ended. When you don’t cherish it, you will never learn to regret… but I am still waiting.” Though Benny did not point out the lady he is referring to, but when the host hinted her as Charmaine, he did not completely deny it either. The reporters asked Charmaine whether she is touched by such sincere speech from an ex-lover hoping for reconciliation, she then replied: “Everything I do, I will consider them thoroughly before making decision. Once I’ve made my decision, nothing can change them. If it belongs in the past, then it should remain the past.” She expressed that in the journey of love she never looks back, only towards the future.

Asked if she had any memorable and unforgettable love, Charmaine did not mention Benny Chan, but instead her first love. “Because I was still young back then, only 18 years old. I am very happy that we are still friends. He is now very happy with a son and a daughter. I feel happy for him too.”

Getting married too many times in series, doesn’t look forward to lavish wedding

Charmaine’s younger brother is going to get married soon. Regarding her younger brother ‘getting ahead’, leaving her as the only single in her family, Charmaine joked: “I am now preparing everything for him, consider it as my wedding rehearsal! I don’t have marriage plans at the moment, wait until my other half appear.” What type of wedding she looks forward to? “Actually, I’ve thought of using the traditional bride sedan in the past because it reflects the Chinese traditions. However it is very difficult to fulfill in Hong Kong. I’ve filmed many TV series and advertisements in different wedding dresses and settings therefore I would prefer a simple wedding ceremony.”

Charmaine revealed that her 30 episodes series [Turbulence] with Liza Wang, Joe Ma and Raymond Wong will be aired as TVB anniversary series during September/October. In the series, she portrayed a sampan porridge seller. Hopefully the series could support her in getting nominated.

meng de bian chui feng chui bu mie
cong bu gan pi bei

REPEAT1 dong fang wu kui di yi shi shui
rang wo men zhui qiu wan mei

wo tai dui jian jue mian chao bei
ping di yi sheng lei

zuo hao zhun bei
zhe yi hui qi pao hou jue bu che tui
This time, there’s no turning back

REPEAT2 : tong kuai yi qi nu li de gan jue
wo men gao gao ju qi guan jun bei
meng xiang jia dai zhe yan lei xian xian de han shui
ni wo tong ge shi jie ai cong zhong chuan yue