Can’t smell the flowers? Many individuals with colds as well as allergies frequently suffer with a variety of familiar symptoms such as sneezing, runny and drippy nose.  Sufferers often reach out for various over-the-counter remedies to alleviate symptoms. 

Yesterday, the FDA advised people not to use three Zicam Cold Remedy intranasal products:  Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Gel Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kid’s Size.  They are used as non-prescription homeopathic treatment for colds in adults and children 3 years of age and older. The FDA indicated there were more than a hundred reports of anosmia (a loss of sense of smell) associated with use of these Zicam products. 

The FDA advised: “Consumers should stop using these products immediately and should discard or return them.”   The complete release can be found on the agency’s Web site.

If you have lost your sense of smell, it’s important to contact your health care professional for evaluation.  Some individuals may experience this condition as a result of a common cold or sinus infection, which is generally temporary, as well as in other conditions, such as aging.

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

Dear Yvonne,
I want to explore more of my sexuality and fulfill some fantasies, but I get nervous about it. How do you overcome that? 
                  —Donna

Dear Donna,
First, educate yourself. Knowledge is power and the more you know about what you plan to explore, the more confident you’ll feel. Books, videos, expert reassurances, and hearing other’s stories can also bolster your sense of assuredness in pursuing your passions.

Second, realize that you need to be patient with yourself. Your nervousness will subside with time, especially as you gain experience and feel savvier with what you’re doing.

Finally, make sure that, when necessary, you’re exploring your sexuality with a person(s) who provide you with physical and emotional safety. You don’t need anybody judging you or adding to the performance pressure you’re putting on yourself.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

For months, Becca Beushausen, a 26-year-old woman from Mokena, Ill., was known on her blog only as “B” or “April’s Mom.”  She had become the darling of those who defend the unborn’s right to life by blogging about her commitment to give birth to a child with a rare disorder called holoprosencephaly, a condition that would cause her baby girl to be born with malformations of her brain and face that would ultimately prove fatal. 

Beushausen talked about her Christian faith and devotion to God.  She posted photographs of herself and described her agony and resolve in great detail. 

She hit a nerve.  There was an outpouring of empathy for her.  Hundreds of thousands of readers logged on to her site, many offering the prayers she requested, then sending gifts and donations to the address she posted.

The trouble started when Beushausen posted a photo of the ill-fated baby, which turned out to be a doll made by Reborn Dolls.  That’s when her story started to unravel.  The entire tale, it seemed, was untrue — a terrible hoax that had played upon the sympathies and generosity of spirit of others.  There was no Baby April.  There was no holoprosencephaly.  There was no commitment to bring a damaged child into the world.

Some would say that there is nothing to Becca Beushausen, in fact, other than greed and a failure to recognize the pain people experience when their feelings are manipulated.  Yet I promise you that, with all the lies she has told, there’s still truth in Becca’s blog.

As a psychiatrist, here’s what I read:  A young woman feels disconnected from many things in her life, but not entirely from her suffering, which is very real and which she has little insight into.  Her suffering probably includes having been told some big lies herself, which makes her vulnerable to playing very loose with facts.  It probably also includes traumas that would be hard to look at—as hard as, say, a baby’s malformed face.   These are traumas that call for extraordinary empathy from others.  The evidence of that empathy are not only the prayers offered by strangers, but the gifts sent by them.  Accepting these gifts may seem to be petty theft, but they are the young woman’s way of trying to balance the books on the poverty she feels in her soul and pay herself restitution for things stolen from her as a girl—unspeakable things lost when she was as defenseless as a baby besieged by an all-powerful disease.

The way I read it and see it and will write it here is that Becca Beushausen is herself the ailing, struggling baby she named April.  A disorder that won’t show up on a CT scan or MRI has hold of her, and it has deprived her of breathing easy in life, of living an existence based in truth, of respecting herself and others. 

Becca is due all the empathy that were bestowed upon her and April (but, of course, none of the material gifts).

If you doubt me, just listen to Becca herself, in a recent posting:

“The #1 question I have been asked in the last few days is what would I tell people online who followed my story, who are now upset to find it is not true – The simplest and most honest way that I can answer why I started lying (even prior to opening my blog) and started my blog is that I am struggling with my life.  I have been dealing with unresolved pain that weighs heavy on my heart and which I have been unable to handle alone.”

Send Becca your prayers.  I’m sure she needs them more than ever.  Her website is: http://littleoneapril.blogspot.com/

Dr. Keith Ablow is a psychiatry correspondent for FOX News Channel and a New York Times bestselling author. His newest book, “Living the Truth: Transform Your Life through the Power of Insight and Honesty” has launched a new self-help movement. Check out Dr. Ablow’s Web site at livingthetruth.com.

About a month ago, during a routine obstetrical visit with one of my patients, she surprised me by telling me she found out she was having a baby boy. At first, I thought she meant that during an ultrasound, the technician had told her the sex of the child. But she said “No,” that a girlfriend of hers had recommended a new kit she could buy on the Internet — which allegedly is 99.9 percent accurate in determining the sex of the baby, and that for $275, she could test herself at home, and send it off to the company for the results.

At first, I was taken aback because I hadn’t heard of any such kit. But more importantly, I was upset that she did not share this information with me prior to doing the test so that I could advise her on whether or not taking this test was a good idea.

I always have a problem with people worrying too much about the sex of their unborn child. I guess I can understand it to some extent for families who want to plan ahead, who want to know whether or not to paint the room pink or blue, or to think about things like circumcision. But with all the potential problems and challenges women face in creating and carrying a child to term, it’s unfortunate that sometimes people get side-tracked with insignificant details — and it strikes a nerve with me, because it brings up the topic of sex selection.

Today I read a story about six mothers in New York City who are suing Acu-Gen Biolab Inc., makers of the Baby Gender Mentor test, because their test results proved wrong at the birth of their children! I guess they felt the company had committed fraud. I tried to reach the company today to ask them some questions, but no one wanted to speak with me.

Looking at their Web site, I couldn’t gather a lot of information, but I began to understand what the “science” is behind their test kit.

For years, in the medical community, we have known that fetal cells circulate freely in the maternal bloodstream. Many geneticists have looked at the possibility of studying these fetal cells in the maternal circulation for the purpose of testing for genetic disorders like Down syndrome. But none of the data has proven it to be a good alternative for genetic testing. Yet this company has been promoting this technology to patients directly as a “safe, quick and easy way to determine the sex of your baby.”

I don’t know what federal regulation this business has been operating under. It would be nice to see what kind of guidelines they’re using, because the last time I checked, medical laboratories need to be licensed and laboratory tests must be ordered by physicians.

Finally, what are the ethics behind such a business? Are women going to use this alleged test to decide that they might want to terminate a pregnancy because now they know the baby is not the sex they wanted? It sounds like a stretch — but you’d be surprised…

Are mothers who get faulty test results going to think that their babies were switched at birth in the hospital? And what about these women that are suing?

This case is a perfect example of wasted dollars, a perfect example of unsubstantiated medical testing, and a perfect example of the types of businesses that need to be scrutinized in this country if we’re going to see any effective health care reform.

Soy is not just recommended for women!  Scientific consensus supports soy as a part of a healthful lifestyle, and experts agree that soy is safe and healthy for men to consume in moderate amounts each day (2-3 servings daily).  Soy is a rich source of isoflavones, substances that mimic the effects of the female hormone estrogen — leading to concerns of whether or not this will have adverse effects on the male hormone.  Not only do researchers say there is no evidence of this when soy is eaten in moderation, but there are numerous studies showing the positive effects of soy on men’s health. 

Soy doesn’t just reduce cholesterol, but according to studies done at Tulane University, by bulking up on soy protein, you can lower your blood pressure. Soy may help by providing amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonin, tryptophan and valine) that expand blood vessels. Researchers from several Universities have concluded that adding 25 grams of soy protein to your daily diet helps lower the most damaging form of blood cholesterol — low-density lipoprotein (LDL) — by up to about10 percent.

In addition, Researchers from Japan’s National Cancer Center found that increased intake of soy isoflavones significantly reduced the risk of prostate cancer by as much as 50 percent. If all this isnt enough to convince you to bite into a soy burger, there has been evidence that soy can minimize hair loss, keep blood sugar levels stable and help with overall digestive health.

Soy is a must have for everyone. Soy is good for the heart because it is high in soy protein and fiber, contains heart-healthy fats, and is low in saturated fat. Soy is an all natural nutrient-rich food delivering high-quality protein, carbohydrates and fiber. It is also full of essential vitamins and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, iron and bone-building calcium.

With soy’s increase in popularity, manufacturers have been producing more soy products to receive these amazing health benefits. Below are some ways to incorporate soy into your daily diet:

Breakfast: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so start your morning off right. Soy milk  enhances any cereal or oatmeal. If that doesn’t do it for you, combine a low-fat soy yogurt with a high-fiber cereal and berries for a breakfast that will leave you satiated throughout the day.

Lunch: You don’t have to clog your arteries with a high-fat meal like pizza or cheeseburgers. Enjoy a whole grain veggie sandwich with melted soy cheese or soy burgers on whole-wheat buns with all the fixings. You can also toss soy-filled edamames into your salad for some added soy protein.

Snack: When you’re on-the-go, avoid the mid-afternoon crash with some soy nuts. Smear a tablespoon or two of soy nut butter on an apple or whole-wheat crackers. These snacks will fill you up without filling you out.

Dinner:  Start your meal off with a soy-based miso soup, which will help keep you full until you get to your main dish. Try opting for a tofu stir fry which will tantalize your taste buds. Get creative and add soy cheese crumbles to your favorite pasta dishes.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of www.Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

Most adults remember being bullied or witnessing bullying during their school days. Most current students cite the same experience, but how bullying is being handled has changed.

Bullying has become a top priority for schools across the country, and many are working hard to prevent it. Bullying is the repeated imposition of power from one child to another and can include verbal threats or insults, physical threats or abuse, or non-verbal threats or abuse, such as spreading rumors about another child. It’s important to know that this can take place in person or via the internet, such as through social networking sites. 

Boys and girls typically bully differently. Boys typically resort to more physical methods, while girls typically utilize verbal strategies, although it is not uncommon for each group to use other approaches. Signs your child is being bullied include becoming quiet or withdrawn, frequent trips to the nurse’s office, refusal to go to school, and withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, such as teams or social groups. Acting out is not typically associated with children who are being bullied. As a parent, knowing your child is being targeted is one of the most painful and difficult things you can encounter.

Here are some tips to help guide your child through this complicated time:

Be supportive.
Listen to your child as he shares his experience and feelings about being bullied. Praise him for speaking about the situation, especially if he was brave enough to approach you without prompting. Children who are bullied are often afraid to report their situations for fear of retribution for “tattling.” By opening up, he has begun the process of ending the bullying and should be reinforced for doing so.

Build confidence.
Find activities that build your child’s confidence and occupy her time. Individual sports, such as karate or swimming, may be best to start with as your child may worry about becoming a part of a team and opening herself to more uncomfortable social situations.

Contact your child’s school.
Even if the bullying has not taken place on school grounds, it is important that staff is aware of the relationship between your child and the person or people who are intimidating him. Many schools have videos or books on bullying that they can share with you and your child. You can also establish a safe place for your child to go if he feels he is being threatened, such as the principal’s office or the guidance counselor’s office.

Use the buddy system.
Encourage your child to seek one or two safe friends at school and stick with them, especially during times bullying is most likely to occur, such as recess and traveling to and from school. Establish relationships with the parents of your child’s friends and make them aware of the situation.  If bullying typically occurs during the trips to and from school, drive your child or ask a neighbor or friend to do so. Although this step alone may not end the bullying, it provides your child with a bit more security and safety.

Stay involved.
Have access to your children’s email and social networking accounts so you can monitor their activity. Your child could be bullied while sitting right in your living room. Knowing your child’s circle of friends will also help you monitor appropriate or inappropriate relationships, and will help you keep track of friendships that are deteriorating. You can broach the subject by saying “I notice you are not hanging out with (name) much anymore. Why is that?”  If your child does not give you a direct reason, there may be more to the story.

Many professionals frown upon advising children to ignore the bullying, as it sends the message that adults will ignore it too. If you are still unsure of what to say to your child and feel you need more extensive support, seek the help of a health care professional, such as a psychologist or social worker.

Bullying is not just “kids being kids.” It is hurtful, unhealthy, and has the potential to cause long-term emotional and physical damage. Being informed and involved may save your child from this painful situation.

Jennifer Cerbasi teaches at a public school for children on the autism spectrum in New Jersey. As a coordinator of Applied Behavioral Analysis programs in the home, she works with parents to create and implement behavioral plans for their children in an environment that fosters both academic and social growth. In addition to her work both in the classroom and at home, she is also a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

As the saying goes “you are what you eat.” Sure, we all know that if we eat too many fried, fattening foods we will gain weight and probably not feel too great. But did you know that by choosing certain foods, you can actually change your appearance from the inside out?  Foods high in phytochemicals, antioxidants and certain fats all contribute to glowing skin, shiny hair and strong teeth and nails. 

For Smooth Skin:
Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, broccoli, peppers and berries activate fibroblast cells, which makes collagen. The healthier your collagen, the firmer and smoother your skin looks. Keep in mind, studies have shown that women who are deficient in vitamin C tend to bruise much easier.  Eat dark orange, red or green fruit and veggies which are filled with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A, which is imperative for producing new and young-looking skin cells.

For Shiny Hair:
Fill your plates with lean proteins like turkey, chicken and egg whites. Hair is made up of protein called keratin, so it makes sense that getting enough of it is essential for healthy, beautiful locks.

In addition, the mineral biotin found in eggs, almonds, bananas and strawberries helps to produce keratin, which has also been shown to prevent graying and hair loss.

For Pearly Whites:
Not only does calcium create cavity-resistant tooth enamel, but it also helps maintains the enamel so teeth stay strong. Aim to consume three servings of low-fat dairy products daily, such as low-fat cheeses, yogurt and skim milk. For all you lactose intolerant people, don’t fret — broccoli and strawberries contain as much calcium as their dairy counterparts.

For Nice Nails:
Zinc, more commonly known as “the acne terminator” also helps keep nails strong and prevent white spots. Great sources of zinc are oysters, eggs and nuts. Load up on spinach, broccoli, lettuce and avocado — which are all filled with folic acid. Folic acid is necessary for nail growth and strength.

** Not only does water help to move toxins through and out of your body more quickly, it also keeps skin plump and dewy, and prevents hair and nails from becoming dry and brittle. For an additional bonus, drink Fiji Water which is the only water that contains natural minerals like silica. Silica improves the condition of hair and nails, the texture and resiliency of skin, and is needed to make strong healthy bones and to keep your blood vessels elastic.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of www.Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

The Food and Drug Administration, which has received criticism in the past for allowing risky devices like electronic muscle stimulators to go into the stores uncontested, has just given its approval for Palomar Medical Technologies to go over-the-counter with its light-based LED laser. This new toy uses a light-emitting diode to supposedly stimulate normal skin growth and reduce wrinkles.

I spoke to three top dermatologists at NYU Langone Medical Center — which has one of the top dermatology programs in the world — and all three said the same thing. They said the laser was most likely quite safe, and it’s very unlikely it will damage the eye — but it is not likely to be effective, is expensive, and may only remove the tiniest wrinkles with prolonged use 20 to 30 minutes, twice a day. So in evaluating the FDA’s performance here, score one for safety, but zero for effectiveness and cost. And don’t expect National Health Insurance to cover the cost of this one.

If you really want to help your skin and decrease your chance of wrinkles, then use sunscreen, eat and sleep properly, exercise and don’t smoke.

Dermatologists are now using new kinds of lasers to remove wrinkles, known as fractionated CO2. These are VERY effective, but can only be done by highly-trained doctors.

If you are serious about your wrinkles, (or have to appear on High Definition TV) see your dermatologist. Do-it-yourself lasers that are now being marketed for home use may be used for attacking the tiniest wrinkles, but should not be a primary treatment. The FDA needs to crack down on the devices they approve. This one is okay, except that it is expensive (several hundred dollars) and largely placebo.

Dr. Marc Siegel is an internist and associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine. He is a FOX News medical contributor and writes a health column for the LA Times, where he examines TV and movies for medical accuracy. Dr. Siegel is the author of “False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear“ and “Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic.”  Read more at www.doctorsiegel.com

I recently read an article about a cancer patient who chose to use herbal remedies over a surgical procedure that could quite possibly have saved her life. Leslee Flasch was barely 50 years old when doctors told her she would need surgery for her rectal cancer that would leave her wearing a colostomy bag for the rest of her life. She had tried other conventional therapies, but refused surgery and turned to herbal supplements she had researched on the Internet. Her condition worsened and she eventually died.

This story is just the latest in what seems to be a growing trend of alternative treatments breaking into mainstream medicine — and in some cases, replacing it. In fact, a recent report even suggests that 60 percent of cancer patients try herbal remedies — and sometimes, the consequences are deadly.

Leslee Flasch’s story has prompted some questions about colorectal cancer and about the treatment of cancers with alternative therapies, so I sat down to answer some of them here. 

1. What is the difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer?
Colon and rectal cancers are actually very similar — but the difference lies in what part of the large intestine the cancer affects. The colon and rectum make up a long, muscular tube that most people know as the large intestine. The first part of the large intestine is the colon and at the end of it is the rectum.

Cancers in the colon and rectum usually grow slowly and may start as benign polyps. These polyps are found during a colonoscopy, and early removal of polyps may prevent it from becoming cancer. Over 95 percent of colon and rectal cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the large intestine.

Cancer of the colon and/or rectum is the third leading cause of cancer in men and the fourth leading cause of cancer in women worldwide.

 
2. Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
There are several risk factors for developing cancer of the colon and/or rectum including:

• Age — people aged 50 and over should be screened, with frequency depending on medical history;
• Medical history — a personal history of polyps or colorectal cancer increases your risk;
• Family history — a family history of colon cancer also raises your risk of developing the disease;
• Inherited syndromes — certain syndromes such as Familial Adenosis Polyposis (FAP) also increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer;
• Ethnicity — Studies have shown higher incidence of colorectal cancer in African-Americans and Ashkenazi Jews;
• Diet & lifestyle — diets high in red meat and overcooked foods, smoking, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption are all risk factors;
• Overall health — underlying conditions like type 2 diabetes can increase your chances of developing colon and/or rectal cancer.

 
3. What is the treatment and survival rate for rectal cancer?
Surgery is usually the most common treatment for stages I, II and III rectal cancer — although radiation and chemotherapy will often be given before surgery to try and shrink the tumor and kill off cancerous cells in affected tissue.

There are several types of surgery for rectal cancer. Stage IV rectal cancer is treated primarily with chemotherapy and palliative surgery, if necessary. Palliative surgery provides a treatment that will relieve a problem (such as a bowel obstruction) but does not lead to a cure.  In the case of obstruction, a colostomy surgery would be performed.

4. What does it mean to have a permanent colostomy bag?
Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings a portion of the large intestine (colon) through the abdominal wall. Waste (stools) moving through the colon drain into a bag that is attached to the abdomen. It is done when the cancer is removed from the rectum or to bypass an obstruction caused by colon cancer. 
 
Contrary to people’s perception, having a colostomy bag is hygienic and can be very discreet because the bag can be well-hidden under clothing.
 
For some patients suffering from rectal cancer, colostomy surgery may be part of a curative treatment, while for others, it may be relief for an incurable situation. But either way — patients who are candidates for this procedure often see significant improvements in their quality of life.

5. What would Leslee Flasch’s quality of life have been like if she had sought conventional treatment?
There’s still a lot we don’t know about this particular case. But I can say that If her cancer was caught in the in the early stages, the chances of her being cured would have been very good.  Colorectal cancer is almost always treatable if caught early.  She may not have required a colostomy if the cancer was treated in the very early stages when it was still small in size. 

Even in stage II and III, she could have been treated with surgery and chemotherapy and had an excellent prognosis. If she had agreed to a colostomy, she would have been able to return to her normal activities and lifestyle — and nobody would even be aware of the bag. 

In general, when treated at an early stage, most colorectal cancer patients survive at least 5 years. If the disease does not come back during this time, they are considered cured. Stages I, II, III are considered potentially curable.  Once the cancer spreads to other areas of the body (stage IV), the 5-year survival rate drops, and most cases are not curable.

6. What do you think about this trend of patients trying to treat themselves with herbal remedies?
I think that including alternative treatments with conventional medicine can be very beneficial to patients as long as it’s under the guidance of a medical doctor who supports this course of treatment and monitors a patient’s progress and overall health. I certainly don’t think that alternative treatments should replace conventional therapy and patients need to be careful because there are a lot of scams out there that may or may not be harmful, and can take a financial toll.

7. What are some of the reasons a person might seek alternative treatment?
One of the most effective uses of alternative medicine in cancer patients is to alleviate pain associated medical treatment. For example, acupuncture has been proven to help with pain and other negative side effects like nausea brought on by chemotherapy or surgery. Certain types of relaxation therapy can relieve anxiety associated with a course of conventional treatment. And there are some natural herbs that aid in calming nausea or vomiting — which are often side effects of chemotherapy.

So for patients who want to use alternative medicine to alleviate negative side effects of medical treatment or to enhance the healing effects of conventional therapy — physician-monitored alternative treatments can help. But again, there is no evidence to support alternative therapies being used in place of conventional medicine — whereas we have a wealth of evidence supporting the effects of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery in the treatment of cancer.

8. What advice do you have for people thinking of skipping out on medical treatment and trying alternative therapies for cancer?
Often when people are initially diagnosed with cancer, they often don’t feel sick (especially if the cancer is caught early) so a lot of times, the thought of going through medical treatment seems beyond the realm of comprehension.

There are no regulations for alternative treatments, and in most cases, no proof they work. If doctors give a medication and patients have severe negative side effects — that medication is studied and pulled from the market. But with a lot of these herbal remedies, there is no proof that these treatments work. Each patient is different and each situation is different. So what a patient really needs to consider when they talk to their doctor about their diagnosis, is how much they really want to risk.

It comes down to what your current treatment options are, and their effect on your quality — and ultimately quantity — of life.

Leslee Flasch is a perfect example of someone whose quality and quantity of life could have been extended by conventional therapy.

Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.

Today we heard of a shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. that appears to be the work of a single gunman, whom authorities believe to be a man in his late 80s by the name of James Von Brunn. If this is the suspect in custody, he is actually a World War II veteran and vocal member of the Holy Western Empire, which at this point, seems to be a white supremacy group.

It is sad to see people resorting to violence to settle their differences. And we have to be aware that we still need to be vigilant in our efforts to protect ourselves — despite the feeling of some Americans that security measures in this country have become too intrusive. It’s important to support our men and women in uniform, who at both the local and national levels, do a terrific job of keeping our country safe.

What this man did was an act of terrorism — domestic terrorism.

But the big question is: What’s the psychological profile of this shooter? If you look at some of the psychological profiles of past shooters, they are all different in their own way. However, there always seem to be some common themes.

Most of these people are angry at someone or a group of people, and share a psychotic belief that their misfortunes are predicated on the actions of those they hate.

Usually they are loners — they feel rejected by others or by society as a whole.

For some, substance abuse and depression are common themes, but even knowing these common themes, it is almost impossible to differentiate between who will just withdraw from society and who has the potential to snap and hurt innocent people.

I pray for those hurt in this tragedy and hope that we are able to create systems that could perhaps better identify high-risk people and prevent future tragedies from occurring.