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.
Friday, May 15, 2009
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
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....
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
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
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
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