Wednesday, May 27, 2009

JANSSEN'S INVEGA APPROVED FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

JANSSEN'S INVEGA APPROVED FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA
By Dr. Matt Wilkinson, 08-Jan-2007
The new drug, which combines the new molecular entity (NME) paliperidone, the principal active metabolite of Risperdal with a novel drug delivery system, allows once-daily oral dosing rather than the twice daily dosing required for Risperdal.
Schizophrenia is a disabling mental illness, that effects more than two million America,s with symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders, social withdrawal and cognitive deficits. The nature of the illness means that the more infrequent the dosing regime the better, as less time needs to be taken by health workers to check to treatment schedule compliance.
Invega uses Alza Corporation's Oros extended delivery system to provide a once-daily oral paliperidone treatment that employs osmosis to provide percise, controlled drug delivery for up to 24 hours.
The Oros system targets specific areas of the gastrointestinal tract, providing more efficient drug absorption and enhanced bioavailability while eliminating the variability of drug absorption and metabolism often caused by gastric PH and mobility.
Second-generation antipsychotics have found favour with many clinicians due to their increased propensity to cause extrapyramidal side effects, which include tremors, slurred speech, anxiety, distress and paranoia.
Http://www.drugresearcher.com/Emerging-targets/Janssen-s-Invega-approved-for-schizophrenia

SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAM INFORMATION

SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAM INFORMATION
Special Olympics Michigan
E. Campus Drive, Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
www.somi.org
(989) 774-3911
(989) 774-3034 (Fax)
If you are ready to Compete, Coach Volunteer, or Donate, contact
Lois Arnold, Executive Director
Sports
Alpine Skiing
Aquatics
Atheletics
Basketball
Bocce
Bowling
Cross Country Skiing
Cycling
Equestrian
Figure Skating
Football (Soccer)
Golf
Gymnastics (Artistic)
Motor Activities
Poly Hockey
Powerlifting
Roller Skating
Snow Shoeing
Softball
Team Handball
Tennis
Volleyball
Weightlifting

BE A SPECIAL OLYMPICS VOLUNTEER

BE A SPECIAL OLYMPICS VOLUNTEER
Special Olympics would not exist today—and could not have been created—without the time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm of people just like you, thousands of individuals who choose to take a little more time from busy schedules to make the world a better place.
It's about transforming lives, including your own. It's about a spirit of giving and teamwork. It's about making your community and neighborhood a more welcoming and accepting place.
And it's about creating lifelong friendships and a new way of thinking about others. Those are rewards of immeasurable value.
More Than Giving Back
Todd Horton was one of thousands of volunteers at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho.
For him, it was more than just a chance to give back to an organization that helped his great aunt, who was a Special Olympics athlete.
“One summer, she proudly showed me the bronze medal she had won playing basketball. At the time, I was 12 years and happy for her winning a medal. Now, many years later, working with Special Olympics, I realize the importance of that moment,” he said.
“These Games have a huge impact on the athletes, but also on everyone around them. Because of these Games I have learned so much about Special Olympics and the role they play in my community that I never knew existed.”
Be One of Millions
Around the world, millions of people volunteer, taking pride in knowing they're providing athletes with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to experience the excitement, joy and personal fulfillment associated with sport training and competition. That's a big part of the Special Olympics global movement.
From students to professors, factory workers to corporate executives, celebrities to the not-so-famous, family members to health care professionals, volunteers of all backgrounds are passionate and untiring in their support of Special Olympics. From the local coach who works with athletes every day, to the international organization holding World Games every two years, dedicated volunteers to make Special Olympics happen. There is always something to do, with training, competitions and other events happening 365 days a year.
What You Can Do
Volunteering with Special Olympics creates change that carries forth from our Programs and into the world. Whether you're an individual or a member of a school, church, work, civic, or other group, whether you can volunteer for just a few hours on a single day as a scorekeeper, or several hours a week, year-round, as a special events coordinator; there are volunteer opportunities for you.
Volunteer Opportunties
Get in touch with Special Olympics near you to see what you can do to help.
Be a fan in the stands at a Special Olympics event near you.
Follow Special Olympics online through Twitter. Facebook and our own Fan Community
Donate money to keep Special Olympics programs going
Contribute five minutes to take the pledge to stop using “retard” as an insult
Watch a video about Mattel Corp. volunteers or about Mike Cohen, one outstanding coach, and then share it with five friends.
Find out ways you and your church, club or friends can get involved near home. Find the Special Olympics nearest you and invite a speaker to your next get-together
If you're a college student, check out SO College to get active at your school
Get in the game by joining Special Olympics Unified Sports, where people with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together on the same team
Know someone with an intellectual disability? Refer them to a Special Olympics program nearby
http://www.specialolympics.org/volunteers.aspx

PRIVATE TROPHIES BY A.W.

ABOUT THE PRIVATE TROPHIES
My husband and I had a big conversation about the Private Trophies; and I told him that the “home-made” Gold Trophies are/will NOT be allowed to go through our apartment door (out of our apartment AT ALL). I told him, also, that the Gold Trophies “must” by law power stay AT HOME inside our apartment. In other words, the trophies are TOTALLY private.
The Private Trophies are for the “Private Pool Tournament” that we play, together.
Also, one more thing, the ONLY time when a “trophy” may go OUT of our apartment, by me, is when something SPECIAL comes up in public and it could have something to do with our “Private” home-made Gold-Trophies!
Written by A.W.

PRIVATE TROPHIES BY A.W.

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY
Advocacy is about making changes to:
Getting access to mental health services
The quality or kind of mental health services received
Rights that have been violated (protections under the Mental Health Act or other legislation, discrimination, etc.)
A work situation (hiring and firing, being treated unfairly, etc.)
Social assistance (eligilbility, losing assistance, being assigned to the wrong kind of assistance, etc.)
Any other situation that needs to changed in order to have a better quality of life (such as public education to eliminate stigma about mental health, social assistance and/or poverty and class issues, etc.)
OUR GOALS
To promote mental health in our community
To strengthen individuals and families so they may improve their quality of life
To work for victory over mental illness
Recovery & Coping Skills
The examination of alternative strategies for problem solving
Public awareness and sensitivity to community mental health problems
[These{ are offered for the purpose of portraying a specific problem having specific effects on individuals in a specific setting. The group responds to the portrayal with alternative problem-solving ideas. The critical concept is the fact that behavior is truly a matter of personal choice which can be altered in life of new and relevant information.
SUPPORT & ADVOCACY
We have always advocated for person's in need, either because they suffer from mental illness or have some other condition that threatens their coping skills. Advocacy services may be as simple as providing a listening ear or as in-depth as intervention with other agencies, the legal system, governmental agencies, and educating legislators about issues relevant to behavioral health needs of the community.
Http://www.bhsn.org/bhsn17.htm

DEALING WITH YOUR PAST

DEALING WITH YOUR PAST
One of the ingredients necessary [to be] happy is to make sere we deal with the issues of our past. The truth is the past isn't the past until it ha been dealt with properly, because our past efforts today in a negative manner. Therefore, it is still the present.
Every person has some kind of baggage. Common examples of baggage are hunts that never have been dealt with, un-forgiveness, wrong behaviors we were raised around, and quirks in our prsonalities that have never been fixed.
We need to honestly look at some of our less than stellar qualities and ask this question, “Could I be this way because of something in my past that I haven't dealt with?”
In order to deal with your past, you first of all have to be willing to be blatantly honest with yourself. We have a tendency to see the flaws in [others] and associate them with how messed up their family is or past was but sometimes we are blind to our own issues.
The bad things in our pasts that we haven't dealt with create personality problems, emotional issues, relational difficulties.
Forgiveness
All of us have deep hurts from our past. Without forgiveness, our hurts become festering wounds that never heal and cause our personalities to malform around them. The simple act of forgiveness can set you free from your past.
Finally, we must take responsibility for our own problems. As we realize that our parents may have modeled a wrong behavior to us we must forgive them.
When we do this and take responsibility for it our baggage drops off of us and our past truly becomes the past with no negative influence on or lives today.

WELLNESS

WELLNESS
BY: CLIFFORD KUHN, M.D.
The Laugh Doctor
Health, wellness, energy like a child, feeling “top of the world,” and seeing the glass half-full; these are all directly tied to how much fun you are having today. Some people have it backwards, though; they wait to have fun when they feel good, instead of feeling good to usher in the fun.
Joanna knew that her health was below par, she suffered chronic fatigue and general feeling of poor health. Her General Practitioner was treating her depression, but nothing seemed to work.
Joanna Was Sacrificing Her Wellness For...Something Worthwhile, I'm Sure
She had an air of hopelessness. “How long it since you had any fun?” I asked. “It seems like forever,” she sighed, “not since we found out about my husband's illness. There's nothing fun about cancer.”
People Usually Know What They Need To Do...But They're Often Not Sure Why
“I should go out and meet people,” is typical response I get when I ask patients what they think they could do to help themselves. “I should take up a hobby,” or “I need a vacation,” are other solutions offered up. Almost never does the sufferer say: “I need to put some fun in my life,” “I need to experience more wellness, but that is exactly what most need.
Fun Is The Object, No Matter The Activity
Going out, meeting people socially, taking up a hobby or have a vacation are all prescriptions for fun. Of course, all of us, not just the depressed, need fun in our lives; It is a fundamental need for all of us if we hope to main the highest standards of health, wellness and fitness.
A Prescription For Fun
Spend time in any hospital and, despite often-frightening circumstances, you will hear laughter, see patients take pleasure from helping others, enjoying TV, even playing games. In a children's hospital, evidence of fun is even more striking. Even among those with phobia and anxiety disorder, you see attempts to smile and conquer their dread of illness and institutions. But the survivors, the successful, whether that is in health matters, family life or business, all find a way to employ humor. They are humor beings.
So what do they know that some of the rest of us do not? Is there some magic secret or formula? Is there a pain-by-numbers system?
In a sense, yes [...} But it's not a scientific, 1-2-3 mathmatical equation that says: “Step One, do this; Step Two, do that, Step Three......”
You see, we all have a sense of humor, even the most dour among us. Unfortunately, it has been suppressed for some of us through experiences we have had during our lives.
We Knew The Answer...What Happened To Us?
Listen to young children at play. They laugh, they giggle, they scream with delight. They are simply having pure fun. No one taught them how to do that.
If you want the best health and wellness possible in your own circumstances, allow yourself to be a child again. Understand the oft-hear instruction: “Oh, don't be such a child,” or “act your age” or”grow up”. Taking these instructions too literally can destroy the beautiful simplicity within us that finds ways to use T he Fun Factor virtually in any situation and improves our overall health and wellness.

SUMMER SAFETY

SUMMER SAFETY
As summer approaches, a post in BLR's EHS forum is looking for ways to reduce injuries and illnesses this time of year. One great way to promote safety during the summer months is to focus some of your training on the dangers of working in the heat. So before the heat hits, remind your workers of all the ailments the heat can cause.
Heat rash -not dangerous, but definitely uncomfortable; cool clothing, showers after working, and a sprinkling of talcum or cornstarch are all helpful.
Heat stress – as indicated by such symptoms as extreme thirst, fatigue, dizziness and even trouble seeing; take a break in the shade and drink cool water (never alcoholic beverages) to replace lost body fluids.
Heat cramps – painful muscle spasms in arms, legs, or intestines, caused by losing salt as the result of sweating; again, cool down and drink water.
Heat exhaustion – may cause dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, chills with clammy skin and profuse sweating. Have the victim rest in a cool spot, with feet slightly elevated, and drink cool water unless sick to the stomach. If there is no improvement in a short time, call for medical help.
Heat stroke – the most serious, indeed life-threatening, form of heat sickness, in which the cooling action of perspiration stops; skin may be hot to the touch, and the victim may appear confused and show poor coordination. Call a doctor and/or ambulance, move the affected person to a cool place at once and continuously sponge with cold water, apply ice packs, or cold soft-drink cans until medical help arrives.
The results of a recent Safety.BLR.com poll found that 17 percent of respondents found an increase in injuries at their facility during the summer months. Show your workers how they can protect their skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays with these easy tips.
Cover up. Wear tightly-woven clothing that blocks out light. Try this test: Place your hand between a single layer of the clothing and a light source. If you can see your hand through the fabric, the garment offers little protection.
Use sunscreen. A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 blocks 93 percent of UV rays. You want to block both UVA and UVB rays to guard against skin cancer. Be sure to follow application directions on the bottle.
Wear a hat. A wide brim hat (not a baseball cap) is ideal because it protects the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.
Wear UV-absorbent shades. Sunglasses don't have to be expensive, but they should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.
Limit exposure. UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. And 4 p.m. If you're unsure about the sun's intensity, take the shadow test: If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun's rays are the day's strongest.
No part of this safety web site may be reproduced in any form without permission of Business & Legal
View all resources on Heat and Cold
Reports Inc.
Copyright 2009 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

MAGNETIC BURSTS TREATING WOMEN'S DEPRESSION

MAGNETIC BURSTS TREATING WOMEN'S DEPRESSION
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-Once a week, Lucina Smith tucks earplugs into both ears, flips her auburn hair over a neck rest and waits for a powerful magnetic burst to be aimed at her.
The magnet's jolts arrive with a rattle, like a woodpecker drilling into a tree. Timed and positioned just right, they could chase away the depression that has darkened her life.
“I climb out of the well every day,” said Smith of Sacramento, Calif., a former teacher who has struggled with depressive episodes since childhood. She marks good days with small accomplishments—going grocery shopping or taking her dog for a walk. On bad days, she doesn't leave home.
She has to come to take part in a pilot study into whether a new approved treatment for depression might also help people with bipolar disorder.
“We've encountered this huge new territory, and we've just walked a few steps in,” said Dr. Gouhas Xia, a UC David professor studying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.
About 14 million Americans in a given year are affected by some form of depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Researchers have known for years that powerful, paced magnets can created electrical fields in the brain, speeding up or slowing down neuronal activity depending on where and how they are aimed.
The effect has been studied as a potential treatment for stroke, brain injuries, chronic pain, migraines and a wide range of psychiatric disorders.
So far, its use for depression is farthest along, with the Federal Food and Drug Administration in October approving TMS for people who haven't been helped by the first medication they are prescribed.
“The intriguing thing about it is it's noninvasive. That's the biggest appeal,” said Dr. Jamie Henderson, a Stanford, Calif., neurosurgeon who is president of the North American Neuromodulation Society.
TMS can feel like a dull tapping or thumping, not painful, but sometimes a little startling at first. Unlike medications, it doesn't cause sleepiness, weight gain or other systemic side effects. And unlike electric shocks now more commonly called electroconvulsive therapy, it doesn't cause confusion or memory loss.
For depression, a common approach has involved giving people a series of magnetic jolts every weekday for four to six weeks, with each patient's visit taking 20 to 40 minutes.
The benefit seems to last only a few weeks before follow-up sessions are needed.
Despite the FDA approval, insurers are likely to pay for TMS treatment right away, said Dr. Mark Demitrack, chief medical officer of Neuronetics.
He declined to speculate about how much it will cost.
“What we're doing now with TMS is treating electricity with electricity,” he said.
Whether for stroke or depression or pain, TMS is part of a broader trend that goes beyond regulation fo the brain primarily with medications that affect chemical changes between cells.
In psychiatric diseases when certain brain cells malfunction, “it's fundamentally an engineering problem,” Deisseroth said.

Monday, May 18, 2009

TWO BODIES DISCOVERED IN THE WATERS

TWO BODIES DISCOVERED IN WATERS

The beach was quiet that day, too quiet. It was as if the air was holding its breath, waiting for the thing that was about to happen.

Something caused the beach to be like it, usually, isn’t, was that not even one soul has been around the beach, lately. And why no one happened to be around at this time, was indicative of something, very mysterious, about to occur around the beach area.

Then, suddenly, two people, a man and a woman, both teenagers, jus appeared to be floating in the waters. There, certainly, doesn’t seem to be an explanation, of why two bodies would be half down in the waters.

After the two bodies happened to be discovered by some guys on a coast guard boat, through them all having gazed at these bodies through binoculars, the coast guard has the notion, that upon noticing this man’s and woman’s bodies, they both could, still, have a breath of air in them, although, the coast guard have recognized these two persons, having been missing for a few days and nights.

So, the three men from the coast guard all grabbed a lifeboat. And then, all three men jumped into the waters, which were freezing at this time. Upon all the men, grabbing onto this lifeboat, they all, frantically, used every ounce of strength, they had. And they all jumped into the freezing waters, which to them, seemed tube cold as ice. So with much fear inside all of them for their own lives, haunting the all inside, they all jumped into the cold waters. And they all swam with the lifeboat over to where the woman’s and man’s bodies were floating.

Although, they all have life preservers on at the time, these life preservers seemed to be making it, a bit harder, to swim over to the bodies.

About twenty minutes, upon all of the coast guard arriving close to the bodies, one of the coast guard jus happened to sense, that both the man and woman seemed to have a breath of life inside them.

So, one of the coast guard held onto the lifeboat with his life, while the other two men grabbed the man and woman by the arms, who happened to be unconscious at the time. While the other man in the coast guard was trying hard to keep the lifeboat as steady as possible amongst the white caps, the two other coast guard members dragged the bodies over to the lifeboat, with every ounce of strength, they had at this time.

Once, the coast guard have pulled the bodies up to the lifeboat, the other two men from the coast guard, while all the while, gasping for breath, helped the man and the woman onto the lifeboat.

As soon as the two were inside the lifeboat, they, at this time, have much fear for their lives, because they have jus realized, that, since, they have been in the water for so long, that neither of them might not make it through the rest of the day and into the night. Right at this time, the two seemed to be gasping for breath, being they have both swallowed very much water, from being in the waters for so long a time.

So, then, all of the coast guard were able to pull themselves up into the lifeboat, with much effort, as their hearts felt, as though, they were thumping very fast inside their chests. Then, they all helped turn the man and woman onto their backs, using every ounce of energy, they have at this time, while they, really, can feel their adrenaline, pumping through their bodies

The two members of the coast guard started to perform CPR on the man and woman, who were clothed in their bathing suits. So, the coast guard figured, that, somehow, the man and woman must have fallen off a boat out in the waters, and being to have been picked to be so fortunate, to have been rescued if at all, from struggling for their lives for so long in the waters.

As both the man and the woman, finally, came out of their comas, the two jus happened to spit up some water, being both of them have swallowed very much water, while having been struggling for their lives in the waters for so long. But in them, spitting up some water was a sign that the two should be alright.

Then, two members of the coast took it upon themselves, in fear of survival over the rough waves, to paddle the lifeboat right over to the coast guard ship. Once. They arrived close to the ship; they found it very hard to stay, there, in these rough waters.

Another member of the coast guard, who, already, has been able to, somehow, keep the ship, anchored, was afraid a storm, could come up in the waters. However, he, then, with much hesitation, at first, threw a rope down with a basket, attached to it, down into the rough waters, which were starting to settle down, which drew from the guy, a big sigh of relief.

Upon him, getting the rope and basket down into the waters, the other coast members, in much fear, yet, of survival, helped the man and woman, the teenagers, into the basket, one at a time. Which the coast guard members were very much aware of, was how much more the man and woman were scared than they were at this time.

Then, the rope attached to the basket, each time, was hoisted up by the coast guard member, almost, falling out of the ship, each time, he did so. Then, the coast guard member has to hoist up onto the ship, all other three coast guard members up onto the ship. And upon doing so, every one of them, almost, fell into the waters in the meanwhile, almost, losing their lives to drowning in the, still, deep rough waters.

As all of the coast guard members, were, finally, back on the ship, a couple of them, again, performed CPR on the teenagers, the man and the woman, while being able to sense, how they, now, were fighting for their lives. The CPR was done, while the other coast member jus was standing, there, having a first aid kit ready, in case, any of the any of the coast guard, working on the man and woman, needed any more care, after one of the coast guard, having thrown blankets over the teenagers.

Since, the teenagers appeared to be dehydrated, which the coast guard members could sense at this time, one of the crew administered an IV to both teenagers, while another one of the coast guards used a needle, to administer dopamine through the IV’s, being the teenagers’ blood pressure was quite low, putting their lives at stake at this time.

Then, all members of the coast guard, feeling sorry for what the teenagers, have gone through, in having been found, barely, alive in the waters, kept a good eye on their progress throughout the next few hours of the night.

A soon as the teenagers’ blood pressure was back to normal, which during the whole time, the coast guard members were somewhat panicky of their slow progress, this normal blood pressure, alone, gave the teenagers, good vital signs, which made all of the crew let out a big sigh at this time.

So, both of the teenagers, finally, were able to sit up. Then one of the coast guard members, confident that the teenagers have made good progress, gave both of them, some more fluids through their IV’s, along with hot coffee and some spicy chili to help warm them up some more, because they all figured, it must have been awhile, since, either teenager has had anything to eat.

The two were very lucky to be alive, after having spent a few days and nights, half drowning in the waters.

Then, a member of the coast guard pulled up the anchor, and brought the coast guard ship over to the land. So, once, there, an ambulance along with a rescue squad was ready to take the teenagers over to the nearest hospital for overnight observation, which wasn’t more than about ten minutes away.

Jus after all coast guard members took the teenagers over to the ambulance, the rescue squad checked out the teenagers, and they appeared to, still, be very much conscious. However, the ambulance driver, then, drove the teenagers over to the hospital for their overnight observation.

WITH THE WONDERS OF THE MOUNTAINS BY CHERYL V.

WITH THE WONDERS OF THE MOUNTAINS

With the wonders of the mountains
The rains come down from the skies like a fountain
During the morning, you can’t help to see the haze
A mountain view can make the blue haze, place you in a daze
When you look in the distance
Because the clouds seem to meet the mountains, make you want to dance
It’s amazing how cows and other animals, keep their footing
On the mountains, or can roll down them and catch their footing
Horses love to graze on them
While eating carrots and apples puts them in mayhem
Walking up the mountain roads is good for the figure
And all that walking can put you in a world of allure

The Mental Health Recovery Class

The Mental Health Recovery Class


I joined the mental health recovery class last Wednesday at 1:00p.m. and really got inspired. The thought of learning recovery techniques instead of dealing with the sickness constantly like I've done in the past was quite refreshing. To learn how to become better and live independently sounded wonderful. The class encourages you and gives you a lot of hope. Stacey is a great instructor. Come join us!

Friday, May 15, 2009

HOW TO DEAL WITH SWINE FLU: HEEDING THE MISTAKES OF 1967

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE SWINE FLU: HEEDING THE MISTAKES OF 1976

In February, 1976, an outbreak of swine flu struck Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey, killing a 19-year private and infecting hundreds of soldiers. Concerned that the U.S. was on the verge of a devastating epidemic, President Gerald Ford ordered a nationwide vaccination program at a cost of $135 million (some $500 million in today’s money). Within weeks, reports surfaced of people developing Guillain-Barree syndrome, a paralyzing nerve disease that can be caused by the vaccine. By April, more then 30 people had died of the condition. Facing protests, federal officials abruptly canceled the program on Dec. 16. The epidemic failed to materialize.
Medical historians and epidemiologists say there are many differences between the relatively benign 1967 outbreak and the current strain of swine flu that is spreading across the globe. But they also say the decisions made in the wake of the ’76 outbreak-and the public’s response to them-provide a cautionary tale for public health officials.
“I think 1976 provides an example of how not to handle a flu outbreak, but what’s interesting is that it made a good deal of sense at the time,” says Hugh Pennington, an emeritus professor of virology at Britain’s University of Aberdeen. Pennington points out that conventional wisdom in 1967 held the 1918 flu pandemic-which started among soldiers and eventually killed as many as 40 million-was the result of swine flu (scientists now know it was in fact a strain of bird flu). Pennington says, “At the moment, our understanding of the current outbreak is similarly limited. For example, we don’t yet understand why people are dying in Mexico but not elsewhere.”
1976 , Ford offered indemnity to the vaccine manufacturers. But according to reports, President GeorgeW. Bush decided in 2002 not to administer a nationwide smallpox vaccination program-despite Vice President Dick Cheney’s belief that doing so was a prudent counterterrorism step-because it could have resulted in dozens of deaths (the smallpox vaccine kills between 1 and 2 people per million people inoculated).
Howard Markel, director of the Center for the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan and a historical consultant to the CDC on flu pandemics, says the most vexing decision facing health officials is when to institute mass vaccination programs.

SUMMERTIME DRINKING: WHEN IS IT A PROBLEM?

SUMMERTIME DRINKING—WHEN IS IT A PROBLEM?

What do you get more in the summertime than any other time of the year? Besides mosquitoes and sunburns. If you guessed more drinking, you’re right. Except for the holidays, no other time of the year sees an increase in drinking as much as summertime. There are more leisure-time activities—ballgames, outings to the beach or lake or river. More barbecues, picnics and other social gatherings where alcohol is common as hot dog on the grill.
Just like the temperature, drinking taboos are lifted a few degrees in the summer. Drinking in the daytime seems to be more acceptable. You might lounge around the pool drinking tall, cool ones, or attend patio parties featuring exotic drinks and tiki torches. And since it stays lighter later, the cocktail hour is extended a few hours.
So, it’s often during the summer that drinking problems may arise. It’s not true that increased drinking causes alcoholism—alcoholism is a disease with many “causes.”
But, there are warning signs that drinking may be a problem, for example:
Starting to drink earlier during the day.
Continuing to drink when you’ve “had enough.”
Denying you’ve “had enough.”
Urging others to “have one more,” when they’ve said no thanks.
Including alcohol in every activity.
Refusing to talk to others who voice concerns.
The most common symptom of alcoholism is denial that there’s a problem; the first step in recovery, is to admit there might be a problem.

Seven Simple Things

One of the things I have discovered that I like to do is Squidoo. Squidoo is a place where you can write an article in text boxes, add modules where that you can sell things from and just kind of have fun. (My kind of thing is to have fun.)

So when I find something new that I can have fun doing, I experiment with it. Here is a link to the Squidoo Home Page. On the home page you can see links to different pages. On Squidoo a page is called a lens. So anytime you see the word lens you can explore an article about a subject of interest that someone has created.

In each section of the home page there are different articles. If you are interested in business or health and wellness, just scroll down to that section and start reading. Squidoo is a great way to find out new information.

If you want to check out what I wrote about in the health and wellness section on how to stay well, you will need to click here because my article isn't ranked high enough yet to make it to the top of the lenses.

My Article is called 7 Simple Things.

Marty Raaymakers

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

MANAGING ULCERATIVE COLITIS WITH A SYMPTOM DIARY

MANAGING ULCERATIVE COLITIS WITH A SYMPTOM DIARY
Keeping a journal of your symptoms can help you and your doctors find the best treatments for your ulcerative colitis
Most people with ulcerative colitis lead busy, active lives. Remembering how you felt when you woke up, or whether you felt better this week than you did last week can be hard at the end of a hectic day. A colitis symptom journal is a great way to keep track of your ulcerative colitis symptoms so you're prepared with information at your next doctor's visit.
The symptoms of digestive disorders are so subjective that they can be difficult to describe and therefore difficult to diagnose. Diarrhea is a common symptom is digestive disorders, but diarrhea caused by ulcerative colitis is set apart by its intensity, frequency and duration. Keeping an accurate record in your journal can help your gastroenterologist rule out the possibility of other illnesses, leading to proper diagnosis and treatment.
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America Community Web site has downloadable tools that can help you get started tracking your ulcerative symptoms and suggest types of information to include, such as the following.
Ulcerative Colitis Journal: Describing Your Symptoms
When you experience a colitis symptom, write it down in your journal. Symptoms can include pain, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, bloody stools, and loss of appetite. Here are some other useful details to include in your ulcerative colitis symptom journal:
Intensity: One way to assess the intensity of your symptoms is to rate them on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being minor and 10 being severe.
Date and Time: What time did you notice the symptom? How long did it last? How long after eating did it occur? Write all this information down.
Descriptive details: You should include any extra information that can help explain the symptoms you experience in more detail. For example, was the pain on the left or right side of your abdomen? Was it sharp or dull?
Ulcerative Colitis Journal: Managing Your Illness
After you are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, you may want to add information about your environment and lifestyle to your symptom journal. Some symptoms are caused directly by ulcerative colitis, but others may have environmental causes. Once you are aware of the factors in your environment that can cause symptom flare-ups, you will be better able to avoid them. Here are some factors to know about:
Food: What you eat can play a major role in how you feel. While no particular foods are likely to make the inflammation and damage to your colon worse, your body may not tolerate certain foods as well as others, leading to discomfort. To isolate foods that may be causing problems for you, make a note of the following details of your diet; what you eat and how much, when you eat it, and how you feel in the hours afterwards.
Medications: Keep track of the medications you take, the dosage, how often you take them, and at what time. This information can help you figure out whether a new symptom is the result of ulcerative colitis, or a side effect of a new medication.
Exercise: Some people feel that moderate exercise really helps them manage their colitis symptoms. Other people have a hard time with even mild exercise. Write down the type of exercise you do, how long you did it, and how you felt after.
Stress: Many people report that stress makes their symptoms feel worse. Keep track of what you were doing or thinking in the hours prior to a flare-up.
By recording this type of information in your symptom journal, you may start to see patterns emerge. Your gastroenterologist and nutritionist may also be able to use this information to improve your ulcerative colitis treatment plan. Since no two people with ulcerative colitis are the same, there's no magic formula for illness management. A journal can help you remember what works and what doesn't.
Http://www.everydayhealth.com/ulcerative-colitis/ulcerative-colitis-symptom-diary.aspx?x....

Monday, May 11, 2009

MENTAL VS. PHYSICAL

MENTAL VS. PHYSICAL
In reality, mental illness have very complex causes, of a mix of your genetics, your biology and your life experiences—most of which are beyond your control. Neuro-imaging studies, for instance, show physical changes in the brain associated with mental disorders. And studies show that some mental illnesses run in families, suggesting that they may be due in part to your genes.

CRIME AND VIOLENCE
Some people also believe that if you have a mental health disorder, you must be dangerous and violent. This perception is often inflamed by media accounts of crime in which someone is vaguely referred to as “mentally ill.”
Statistics however don’t bear out a connection between mental illnesses and violence. Most people who have a mental illness are neither violent nor criminals.

STIGMA WORSE FOR SOME CONDITIONS
As result of such misperceptions, stigma continues, and mental health conditions remain the butt of jokes in popular culture. Negative portrayals of people with mental illnesses fuel fear and mistrust and reinforce distorted perceptions. That leads to even more stigma, causing a vicious cycle.

Some mental disorders face more stigma than others, though.

Schizophrenia, for instance, is more highly stigmatized than depression is. It’s routinely mocked and is less likely to generate compassion.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF STIGMA
For someone with mental illness, the consequences of stigma can be devastating—in some cases, worse than the illness itself.

Trying to pretend nothing is wrong.
Refusal to seek treatment.
Rejection by family and friends.
Work problems and discrimination.
Being subjected to physical violence or harassment.

Open Discussion Can Help Erase Stigma
Today, the stigma surrounding some mental disorders is slowly eroding. That’s due in part to greater public understanding of mental illness and the biological basis that many of them have.
In addition, many celebrities and public figures have openly discussed their experiences with a mental health condition.

Coping With Stigma
So what can you do about stigma? Perhaps you want to actively combat stigma, you may only be comfortable pushing for more awareness within a close circle of family and friends by gently reminding them about the harm in jokes and stereotypes. Or if you’re more comfortable tackling bigger challenges and facing bigger risks, you may decide to make your cause more public.
Here are some ways you can cope with and help end stigma.
Get appropriate treatment. Don’t let the fear or anticipation of being stigmatized prevent you from seeking treatment for your illness.
Surround yourself with supportive people. Because stigma can lead to social isolation, it’s important to stay in touch with family and friends who understand. Isolation can make you feel even worse.
Don’t equate yourself with your illness. You are not an illness. So instead of saying “I’m bipolar,” say “I have bipolar disorder.” Instead of calling yourself “a schizophrenic,” call yourself “a person with schizophrenia.” Don’t say you “are depressed.” Say you “have depression.”

DON’T LET STIGMA CREATE SELF-DOUBT AND SHAME
Remember that you have a medical condition, that it’s not your fault and that effective treatments are available. Try not to feel ashamed, embarrassed or humiliated if someone knowingly or unknowingly makes light of or pokes fun at your illness. Therapy may help you gain self-esteem and put less stock into what others think of you.
And if you’re comfortable enough to speak up, you may be able to help educate people about the hurt that can result from stigmatizing mental illnesses. The tide is slowly turning.

SEE ALSO

Support groups

Resilience: Build skills to endure hardship

Self-esteem: Boost your self-image with these 5 steps

Stress: Win control over the stress in your life


Paranoid schizophrenia

Catatonic schizophrenia

Disorganized schizophrenia

Schizoaffective disorder

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

How to Find Work In A Bad Economy

With today's struggling economy 'unemployment is at an all time high.
There doesn't seem to be jobs anywhere. Guess what? There are jobs out there! You just have to trod on and realize for every couple of rejections you may receive, there are some receptions too!
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You,ll Need
good walking shoes
Phone book

transportation

Determination

1Step One


Make sure your resume is in decent order. Check for errors or omissions. Check your wardrobe and make sure to have plenty of clean neat appropriate clothing on hand.

2Step Three


Treat finding a job as a job. Put in hours looking. Persistence pays off.


Tips and Warnings

Stay on track
Write down contacts
Stay positive
Don,t act as if someone "owes" you a job
don,t become discouraged

How to Find Work In A Bad

How to