We will help you get your mom off drugs!

Nature has its way to deal with menopause. There are certain occasions that a woman who is in this stage of her life does not respond well to medical treatment in alleviating the symptoms. The best alternative way is to treat it with nature’s help.

Studies show that one of the most typical symptoms of menopause that afflicts 80% of women is hot flashes. It’s that sudden, extreme, hot feeling on the face and body usually accompanied by a feeling of lethargy, headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea, dizziness, insomnia and intense perspiration. A woman who is experiencing hot flashes may sweat profusely with flushed cheeks even under a cold temperature.

Hot flashes are one of the early warning signs that menopause is about to come to a woman. The symptom may go on for several years and is brought by the hormonal imbalance in menopause, and is very evident during the first two years of menopause. Episodes of hot flashes can last from a few seconds to an hour and usually between 6 to 8 in the morning and six to ten in the evening.

Although hot flashes in a menopausal woman are generally mild to moderate, there are women who experience extreme flashes. In this instance, they are forced to seek medical help to alleviate the condition. Ordinarily, an obstetric gynecologist will prescribe a drug to remedy the condition, but some women do not respond well to the drug. And so, the symptoms persist.

This is where Mother Nature comes in. To ease the uncomfortable and distressing feeling of hot flashes during menopause, a woman should take foods that are rich in phytoestrogens, or more commonly referred to as ‘dietary estrogens’. Foods belonging to this group of non-steroidal plants include soy beans, tofu, oats, wheat, berries, dried beans, lentil, rice, apples, carrots, beer, fennel, and ginseng among others. These foods are quickly absorbed by the body and excreted in the urine.

The phytoestrogens foods do not only help ease hot flashes but also have some beneficial and protective effects against hormonal-related cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis. These foods can also be useful in treating other symptoms of menopause such as depression, anxiety, dryness of the vagina, and loss of sex appetite.

There are also some foods to avoid as they are triggering hot flashes. These are coffee and other drinks with caffeine, chocolate, hot and spicy food, alcoholic beverages. It will be wise to stay away from these food as much as possible while in the menopausal stage.

Herbal medicines can serve as a good alternative to treating the symptoms of menopause. Clinical studies have shown that black cohosh root (Cimicifuga Racemosa) can soothe hot flashes, vaginal dehydration, and insomnia or sleep disturbances. To regulate excessive bleeding during the menopausal stage, a Chinese herb, dong quai (Angelica Sinensis), is effective. To enhance sleep, a castor oil pack over the liver area may prove to be beneficial.

You see, it is in a woman’s nature that she will undergo the stage of menopause and experience its symptoms; but nature will also provide the means to ease her condition and take the pressure off her.

This is the way to deal with menopause, naturally.

Q – Richard, you just got back to New Zealand after another season in the Maldives working at Hudhuranfushi. How was this season?

Richard- What can I say? It was epic…. but if I must be specific, it was quite a slow start this season, well, just a lot of mid sized, fun days to start with. The first solid swell of the season was the week following the QS comp (early June) but remember that even when the surf is average, most guests are having the best surf of their lives. That’s the thing with the Maldives, as I have said before and I will say again and again, it is simply the most idyllic place in the world to go surfing. Sure there are many amazing places to surf and travel, Tahiti is beautiful and sitting in the line-up is breathtaking but you don’t truly have time to appreciate it because the very real “fear factor” means that you are not truly relaxed in your surfing. The beauty of the Maldives is that it’s comparatively “user friendly” yet can get big and hollow enough to be challenging no matter where you’re from. I have had guys who charge in Hawaii come to Lohi’s for a romantic get away with their partner, not really expecting to surf much and they end up surfing more than they do at home and really love it… at the other end of the scale are the guys and girls who’ve not really surfed over reef before, perhaps they are on a first trip overseas, they’re a bit nervous, worried that it might be too big and heavy for them but they ease into it, and end up having the best surfing experience of their lives…there is just something for everyone here.

Q- So, when is the best time to visit the Maldives?

Richard- If it’s the surf season (April – Nov) then any time is a good time!! In 2008 September and October were virtually deserted and pumping, we scored back-to-back swells with no one around for two straight months. July was good as well but the crowds were in full effect. This year July was empty and pumping and on-island crowds at Lohi’s were at a record low, but Sept and Oct were quite busy and the swells not quite as big as the previous year. Early season seems to be slightly more variable, it’s typically smaller, though often very glassy…crowds are usually lighter too…. I wasn’t joking when I said that any time’s a good time! You can get really good waves at any point in the season. When you book anything in advance, it can be a gamble if it involves the fickle moods of Mother Nature and the weather. It’s reassuring to know that the winds and storms that generate the waves we ride do follow seasonal patterns, so don’t stress the dates just book when you can!

Q-What boards should one bring to the Maldives?

Richard- Anything goes! Whatever you normally ride will be fine. I’d always pack for a slightly bigger day and also a board that goes well when it’s small and then you have everything covered. I’ve talked about boards in a previous blog so go to the World Surfaris blog page and check it out!

Q- Do I need a wetsuit, how’s the weather?

Richard- No wetsuit required! Boardies and a T-shirt or rashie is all you need, though I sometimes wear a 2mm vest if it’s windy…but I’ve softened right up!! The weather is usually wonderful but it can rain and when it does, it’s torrential! Each season there seems to be a week when it rains pretty much everyday. As much as I know it sucks for those wanting to relax poolside I quite like surfing in the rain – it’s quite refreshing and saves sunscreen. “Lohis perfection after the rain, nice shot Darryl!”

Q- What is the reef like? Do you need booties?

Richard- The waves break over a fairly flat rock bottom reef, but of course if you hit the bottom hard you can always get cut. The Maldives reef is pretty forgiving compared to Indo or Tahiti and some people bring booties but not many wear them, especially if they’ve got a surf pass and they are jumping from the boat out the back twice a day.

Q- Do you have to have a surf pass?

Richard- You have to be staying on island at Hudhuranfushi to surf Lohi’s. To surf any other waves you will need to go by boat and there are limited spaces on the boats. The boats go twice a day, morning and afternoon. Having a surf pass guarantees your spot on the boat. If you don’t have a surf pass and would like to surf another spot besides Lohi’s you can pay as you go but only if spaces are available. Surf pass holders have priority on all boats, which is a great feeling when it’s pumping at the other breaks!! To answer you question, you don’t have to have a surf pass but I do recommend buying one.

Q- Where do the boats go?

Richard- We have two boats; they both go morning (9:30 am) and afternoon (3:30pm). Typically, one boat will go north to the Cokes/Chickens breaks and one boat will go south toward Sultans/Honkies/Jails. Of course, it’s dependent on the conditions but if it’s on, we’ve got it covered!

Q- What are the waves like? Does it barrel like Indo?

Richard- I have talked about the waves on my past blogs so I’ll be brief! The waves are super fun and rippable, yet there are some days with epic barrels at all the breaks. Cokes can be the heaviest wave in North Male. It is a right hand barrel with a heavy inside section over fairly shallow reef. Chickens is the perfect left across the channel from Cokes – long and fast with some good barrel sections. In the other direction from Lohi’s is Sultans which is a super fun, very consistent right with many good sections…Honkys is the left breaking next to Sultans, another perfect wave that is so much fun when it’s on! Across the next channel is Jails, a long, perfect, slightly softer right, warm water J bay is how it’s often described! Does that sound appealing? Lohi’s is the very consistent left at Hudhuranfushi. It’s surfable pretty much every day and can be epic. It really is a wave of many faces from 2-3ft super fun and glassy perfection, to heaving stand up barrels.

Q- Can you learn to surf in the Maldives? Are there any beginner spots?

Richard- The Maldives is not really a good place to learn to surf. To be honest, you need to have a certain level of competence to surf over any reef. It is not ideal for someone who has never surfed before. However it’s the best place in the world to improve once you’ve learned the basics. The waves can be so perfectly mechanical you can really work on every aspect of your surfing…

Q- On average what are the crowds like?

Richard- Like anywhere it can be crowded, but most of the time the crowds are manageable and you can often get a session with no other boats. What I must stress is that compared to so many of the great waves in the world, the waves in this area have a number of take off spots so the crowd gets spread out. Again, I know I’ve been spoilt so my perception isn’t necessarily reality. I’ve surfed the best waves of my life in the Maldives with no one but a couple lucky guests…just lucky timing….so now even if I think it’s crowded the guests are saying ‘wow, there’s almost no one out’!! Like I say, no matter how many surfers are in the water you can always get waves….all the spots are surfable on any tide so it’s not a case of everyone in the area surfing the same waves on a certain tide before it goes un-rideable…

Q- Last time I went to Indo it seemed like every pro surfer and want to be pro was there on photo shoots. It was almost impossible to get waves. Does this happen in the Maldives?

Richard- No not really, of course around the contest there’s a huge influx of pro’s and cameras but I find they’re pretty cool to surf with and I actually quite enjoy it. Over the rest of the season you hardly see any, perhaps one or two boat trips or pro’s traveling with their girl but it’s inspiring rather than a problem.

Q- Who have you seen in the water? Any standouts?

Richard- hmmm..I guess I’ve seen most of the guys on the QS…All the Saffa’s are classics…Davey Weare and Greg,… Shaun Cansdell, Mick Cambell, Dan Ross…. They all just surf so well… How Shaun Cansdell is not on the Ct is a mystery to me. At Lohi’s, his was some of the best, most precise, stylish surfing I’ve ever seen. He owes me a tail pad though if you see him tell him to bring it next year! Mick Cambo is a legend! He’s all time, he would be talking it up to everyone all day – guests who knew nothing about surfing, who’d never even seen it before all loved him, the full on super gregarious Aussie larrikin. He was surfing more than anyone, hitting the cocktails then paddling out and blowing up!! I watched Dan Ross in a couple heats this year; he’s about 6’5” yet he was destroying these tiny little waves at Pasta Point. His spray was going twice as high as everyone else! We’d be surfing Sultans and we could see when he paddled out for a heat just by the spray he was chucking! It’s humbling yet inspirational to surf with guys like this.

Q- Is it easy to take photos – my girlfriend is really getting into surf photography – will she be able to shoot my sessions!?

Richard-!!!!? Hmmm… yeah for sure!! The deck at Lohi’s must be one of the easiest places to “get the shot” she can sit there under an umbrella, sipping a cocktail and take photo’s of you all day! Just make sure you remember it’s her holiday too, I find those spa packages seem to be a great incentive!

Q- OK, so can you do it on the cheap? Can you just turn up and find budget places to stay?

Richard- It is possible to stay on a couple of the islands, though I don’t really recommend it. More often than not, after a frustrating and fruitless time trying to arrange local boats and missing waves the guys wanting to “do it cheap” end up trying to come down to stay at Lohi’s. It is also a place you would never want to take your lady! With the Muslim religion as law on all local islands, she would have to cover up completely (cant show shoulders or above the knees) and no alcohol allowed, so it wouldn’t be such a fun trip for her.

Q- How is the food at the resort?

Richard- The food is pretty good, there is something for everyone. Fresh fish and salad everyday, and plenty of fruit… you can eat healthy if you choose to. There is a wide variety and many desserts you can hit it as hard as you like. It is a good feeling coming off the boat after the morning surf, and knowing lunch is ready and waiting….

Q- Local culture?

Richard- To be frank, the island is it’s own little world. A complete getaway from reality, however there is a cultural night once a week that is great with Maldivian food and drums and dancing after dinner. There is also the option of a day trip to Male via speedboat for a nominal fee through the resort.

Q-How does the Muslim religion affect the stay?

Richard- Not at all, apart from not being able to bring duty free alcohol through customs and hearing the call to prayer from the mosque at Cokes and Jails. You are at a resort and pretty much isolated which is neither good or bad…as I mentioned before, the rules are very strict for the local islands but the resorts do not fall under that law.

Q- So you can drink alcohol?

Richard- Of course!!! The World Surfaris deal is all-inclusive and you can drink as much or as little beer/wine as you want at no extra cost. The arvo boat arrives back to the resort at beer o’clock most nights! Cocktails are charged to your room and you settle up the night before you leave.

Q-Is it just honeymoon couples? How is the nightlife?

Richard- It really is a beautiful, idyllic little island and a wonderful place for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. At the same time I must stress that it is not just honeymooners, there is a broad spectrum of guests to Hudhuranfushi…. couples, groups of guys who come every year for a boys surf trip, girlfriends coming on girls surf adventure, to Russian air hostesses who seem to bring any party to life. There are cocktail nights and beach parties and a local Dj…but it’s not like Kuta beach in Bali!

Q-What else is there to do if there is no waves?

Richard- You can usually go surfing every single day and most surfers do, be it 2 ft onshore, 6-8 ft and barreling or the Maldivian norm – 3-5ft perfection. However if you happen to not be surfing, the snorkeling and diving is amazing (it’s a great place to get certified) and I do recommend bringing a mask and fins on the boat every session –I’ve been in the water with literally hundreds of Dolphins all around me and I’ve had massive Manta Ray’s gliding right over me. On the island, there’s a tennis court, a gym, table tennis, volleyball (by the beach bar – great fun for late arvo beers) squash, badminton and the Water Sports center where you can windsurf, jet ski, wakeboard or rent a canoe to go snorkeling further afield!

Q- What about yoga/Pilates?

Richard- We don’t have classes as such but the deck at Lohi’s is a great place to stretch out before a surf! I’ve had a number of guests who are Yoga teachers and they sometimes organize a small group and teach a class or two if anyone’s interested.

Q- Massage?

Richard- How could I forget to mention the Spa!! The Coconut spa is great, they offer pretty much every treatment from strong sports massage to facials and other stuff for the ladies that I don’t know much about! Seriously though, it is a great set up and after a good swell there’s nothing like a good massage to ease the aching shoulders.

Q-Can you go fishing?

You can organize excursions for both early morning and night fishing. Also, the surf boat captains are usually quite happy to troll to and from the waves or drop a line over the side while we surf.

Q- Do the boats stay while you surf?

Richard- Yes, the boat is usually anchored right next to us in the channel which is ideal if you want to take photo’s! If we have split up, say between Cokes and Chickens the boat usually stays where I am surfing so that I can organize the pick-ups. But it’s never far away!

Q- Is it possible to take a spare board on the boat?

Richard- Yes! If it’s big I think it’s a good idea. Also, we sometimes have “swap a board sessions” where we get as many different boards on the boat as possible and mix it up…always fun!

Q- Does the boat have a roof? Are you sheltered from the sun/rain.

Richard- Yes.

Q- Can my wife/girlfriend/partner come on the boat to watch and shoot photos

Richard – Yes, there’s a $15 charge but well worth it!!

Q- Is there Internet?

Richard – Yes, The Hotel reception is a Wifi zone and there are also a couple computers available. The wireless is reasonably cheap so if you need to get online regularly, bringing your Laptop is a good idea!

Q- Surf shop?

Richard- No, bring everything you think you might need. Don’t forget to bring tropical surf wax – I find that Blue Zoggs is the best. Saying that, as with anywhere that surfers gather there is quite an active board market and it is often possible to buy or sell a board from/to a fellow traveler. I’ve noticed that whenever there’s a big swell and boards are being snapped, that 6’3 round pins are suddenly very valuable!!

Q- Are there any serious health concerns?

Richard- I know I’m always making comparisons but compared to Indo the Maldives is incredibly safe. The management is very strict with food and hygiene standards in the kitchens and water is bottled. The island has a mosquito control program and there’s no Malaria. Saying that, I’d still bring some insect repellant but there’s none of the Malaria paranoia you feel in the depths of Indo. The Hotel has an on island doctor, but he does much more reading than Doctoring! Safe as it is, I still recommend travel insurance. Another important point is to really look after any small cuts or reef scrapes. Even the smallest cut should be well cleaned and kept covered to reduce the risk of infection.

Q- Is it a good place to bring children?

Richard- It’s a small island with water pretty much everywhere so it’s both dangerous and a wonderful natural playground. I’ve had many guests bring their young children and thoroughly enjoy the experience. It’s so relaxing, and apparently there is always something on the buffet that’s good for kids… there’s some great shallow water snorkeling and “Nemo” and his friends appear everywhere! If you are traveling with children do have a back up plan just in case the weather dictates an indoor activity day and make sure your children are water-safe!

Q- Now then, the million dollar question…..How did you get the dream job, and is it the dream job?

Richard- Haha!! I get asked this every single day of the season!! For sure it’s the dream job! I’m living on a beautiful, Maldivian island and can surf every day. I wake up every day knowing that I’m incredibly lucky, though I’ve always said that we make our own luck. In the surf industry and the surf travel industry it really is a case of who, rather than what you know … and I just got very lucky!

The story goes…..I had been spending a lot of time in Indo, I did a bit of work on a boat, I got to know a few people, I met a friend of Jeff -the guy who was working at Lohi’s prior to me. He introduced us, Jeff was coming to NZ and he came to stay with me in Raglan. The next year I spent a month with him in the Maldives…we kept in touch, he hinted that he was getting burnt out and asked me if I’d be interested in taking over from him if he quit! Of course I was frothing!! The following year I was in El Salvador and I received an E-mail basically saying that I was good to go for the following season…Now I have just finished my second epic season!

Q- So that was it? No interview? No meeting?

Richard- Well I was trying to keep it brief! Look, Jeff had worked at Lohi’s for five years and had done a great job. I think that Shaun Levings ( owner of World Surfaris) trusted his opinion, which was lucky for me! We spoke on the phone and exchanged E-mails, but it was hard at first as from El Sal I went straight to Indo and jumped on a mates boat for a couple months, so I was out of contact for long periods of time and just hoping that I still had the job! In fact I didn’t meet Shaun until my first day at work! We surfed perfect Jails together and I managed to not drop in on him and we’ve got on pretty good ever since!

Q- Classic mate! Finally, I spent time with you at Lohi’s last year. You always seemed so positive and amped to surf every day. How do you maintain your enthusiasm over the entire season?

Richard- Thanks! I guess it’s important to remember that you are working and that even if you’re feeling surfed out and tired the guests who’ve just arrived are full of energy and want to surf as much as possible. I try to look at it through their eyes, which motivates me to make sure they get the best waves possible and have a memorable trip to Hudhuranfushi.

Atlanta’s increasing drug problem is at the top of list for parents in the area who want to save their children from addiction before it even starts. The Parent Corps is an effort developed and managed by National Families in Action (NFIA), which has been a leader in the adolescent drug-prevention movement since it was established in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1977. Narconon Arrowhead has been supporting this movement by delivering drug education lectures to students since 2000 in an attempt to educate them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

NFIA initially helped lead the original parent movement to prevent drug use among children and adolescents, and has worked relentlessly to empower parents. At its founding, NFIA worked with Georgia legislators to ban the sale of drug paraphernalia – toys and gadgets to enhance drug use – that were being marketed to children by the illegal drug industry to promote the use of harmful, addictive drugs like marijuana, cocaine, nitrous oxide, PCP, inhalants, and other drugs. Drug paraphernalia became a watershed in the growing drug culture, helping parents see clearly that “bad parenting” was not responsible for adolescent drug use, but that other forces were driving the adolescent drug epidemic.

By refusing to accept complete blame for this phenomenon any longer, parents were freed to start fighting back, and fight they did. During the next 13 years, they formed parent groups to challenge – and   change – social norms that tolerated drug use. The parent drug-prevention movement worked closely with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to raise the drinking age to 21 and reduce adolescent deaths from drunk-driving crashes. Parents also took aim at the tobacco industry, recognizing that cigarettes and smokeless tobacco were not only dangerous themselves, but along with alcohol and marijuana, serve as gateways into the illegal drug culture for young people.

Groups like NFIA, Parent Corps, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Narconon Arrowhead and many others are trying desperately to change the future for our children. One of the best ways to do that is to make our world a drug free place to live. With the rising amounts of drugs being trafficked over into the US the fight for a drug free America is still going strong. The fight for a drug free world is a completely different ball game but it is all of our responsibility to help America and the world win the fight against drugs.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse and are searching for drug rehab in Atlanta Georgia, call Narconon Arrowhead today. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the world’s largest and most effective inpatient drug rehabilitation and education programs with a success rate of over 70% of those who graduate. Narconon Arrowhead offers free addiction counseling, free assessments, and referrals to the residents in Atlanta Georgia. To locate an Atlanta inpatient drug rehab or find out information about drug abuse prevention contact Narconon Arrowhead by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit our website at <a  onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.stopaddiction.com/index.php/Metro/Atlanta-Area-Drug-Rehab/index.html” title=”www.stopaddiction.com”>www.stopaddiction.com</a>

“Am I pregnant?” – This question may either be taken positively or negatively among women. If you have been trying to conceive, pregnancy signs can mean good news. But if unplanned, experiencing pregnancy symptoms can be a big dilemma. The only way to get over this “hoping” stage is by getting it confirmed. Once you get a positive pregnancy test, that’s the time that you start thinking about what to do next.

The “feeling pregnant” blues can manifest in many ways. First of all, if you and your partner have long been awaiting for a baby, too much excitement can cause one to “feel” pregnant even without enough basis. On the other hand, an unsafe sexual contact can cause paranoia to a woman who does not have plans of becoming pregnant soon.

To confirm pregnancy, get a pregnancy test. There are many ways to do so. If you want a quick result, you can opt for home pregnancy tests (HPT). While home pregnancy kits are not considered as accurate as the  blood tests administered by a doctor, HPTs has become very common among women who want an instant confirmation. These kits may be purchased from pharmacies and grocery stores. Before conducting your test, be sure to read the instructions very carefully. If the result is negative, you may want to conduct a second test after a few days. If you got a positive pregnancy test, see your doctor right away and seek for a second and more accurate opinion.

Another way to find out if you’re pregnant is through a blood test. Pregnancy tests conducted in the hospitals use blood specimen instead of urine – which is why they are more accurate than the pregnancy kits that you use at home. If the result is still positive, then stop asking yourself the question “Am I pregnant?” This simply means that you are bound to become a mom.

A positive pregnancy test only entails that you should start taking care not only of your body but also of your baby. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind. If you are a smoker, quit smoking immediately. Nicotine and tobacco is said to cause low birth weight, premature birth and many other birth-related problems. Alcohol and street drugs should also be stopped. These can cause physical deformity and even death to babies. To ensure a healthy lifestyle, pregnant women are encouraged to exercise regularly. A low-impact exercise like swimming or walking will also be a big help. Of course, a healthy diet plan will do a huge role in determining your baby’s health. Now that you’re pregnant, quit on the junk foods and eat the right amount of fruits, vegetables and proteins instead. Taking in your pre-natal vitamin will also keep you and your baby healthy throughout the pregnancy. You can discuss this with your doctor and ask for recommendation as to which vitamins would be best for you to take.

Whether planned or unplanned, pregnancy should always be taken as a positive and beautiful event. Once a positive pregnancy test is confirmed, prepare your emotions, your body, your partner, your environment and most importantly, your future to ensure not only a healthy baby but a happy motherhood as well.

I am not a cynical person by nature, but often I worry that working in a doctor’s office will make me one. While we often see the best side of humanity, through our ability to care for and nurture others, we also see the worst in people, too. Recently, one of our doctors figured out that a patient we all knew and trusted was using him for medication that she was addicted to, and it was quite a shock.

Of course, it’s partly our fault for expecting a drug addict to be obvious, to look a certain way, or behave in some overt criminal fashion. In this case, it was a middle-aged soccer mom type, not unlike myself. In fact, we got along quite well. Every time I saw her in the waiting room, I would take a few minutes to chat and catch up. She seemed to be on top of everything and I know she is a good mother to her two boys.

But there was something off about her continual request for pain medication. When our doctor suggested she see a specialist, she balked, and when he suggested an alternative method not involving a prescribed drug, she flew into a rage and stormed out. She called later that afternoon and apologized to him, and admitted she had a problem.

Often, doctors only have their instinct when it comes to deception. A true addict can con even the sharpest physician. Since this event occurred, I took a brief seminar on the subject, and would like to now share with you some tips that I learned on how to spot potential drug-seeking patients:

Their pain symptoms are vague.

They have conditions which are hard to verify, such as low back pain, neck pain, migraines, or toothache.

Their pain symptoms don’t make sense or seem exaggerated.

They request medication by name and dosage.

They have a very extensive, above-average medical knowledge.

They are allergic to everything but their drug of choice.

They speak ill of their past physicians.

They don’t want to get a work-up to determine the nature of their problem.

They often lose their medication.

Often, a pharmacy or insurance company will alert you to a patient who is getting meds from a variety of places. It’s important when you get a new patient to request thorough documentation, including a list of all previous doctors on the patient intake form, and a medical record release. Let them know that the doctor will be reviewing all previous information.

Obviously, the call is the doctors’, regarding possible addiction, but in a busy practice, it is incumbent upon staff to help fit the pieces together. We are there to help gather and maintain information. It’s extremely important not to be fooled by appearances, which I realize is an obvious lesson of practicing medicine, but one that sometimes eludes even the most experienced caregiver.

Zoloft is one of the many popular drugs in the SSRI family. SSRI’s or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are most often prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD and premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD. Panic and anxiety disorders as well as obsessive compulsive disorders are also treated with the use of medications such as Zoloft.

Serotonin is a chemical that our brain creates that is used to regulate our mood. Zoloft works by decreasing the amount of serotonin that is absorbed by the brain. Some have less serotonin in the brain and are susceptible to mood disorders, anxiety and depression. Did you know that a chemical imbalance in the brain is the chief reason that people suffer from depression and anxiety? Could your bad mood be blamed on a decreased level of serotonin? Zoloft works efficiently to re-balance these chemicals within the brain.

The side effects that come from using SSRIs can vary, they range from: an increased risk of suicide for youth using the powerful drug, a lack of sex drive, dizziness and weakness, digestive symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea or other changes in appetite. Some people experience headaches associated with the use of Zoloft. Some people also experience changes in weight such as gain or loss, or a dry mouth while taking Zoloft. Sexual side effects such as decreased ability to achieve an orgasm, or a lack of sex drive to impotence may also occur while taking Zoloft. Many of these side effects are rare, with the chief symptom that is experienced while taking Zoloft is drowsiness.

Serious and rare side effects include tremors, balance issues, or an increase in heart rate which can worsen the effects of panic or anxiety attacks.

Pregnant mothers should not use the drug, as it can affect the child. The medication should also be avoided while breastfeeding.

Although Zoloft has been approved for use in treating children with obsessive-compulsive disorder, it has not been approved for treating children with depression. When children begin the treatment, it has been associated with an increased risk to the child becoming suicidal. This is the case for anyone twenty four years and younger.

Some people are allergic to the popular SSRI – How do you know if you are allergic? Most reactions will include hives found on the skin, or a rash on the torso and extremities, swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat and even difficulty breathing. If these symptoms occur it is crucial that a health care professional be contacted immediately.

What conditions mean that the patient should not take Zoloft? If someone is diagnosed with kidney or liver diseases than they should avoid taking the medication. As well, patients with a prior history of seizures, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, or a history of drug and alcohol abuse should avoid Zoloft. Due to the increased suicide risk, it is crucial that the drug be avoided if the patient has prior history of suicidal thoughts.

Some people experience side effects while taking the drug that are so undesirable they must quit. Within regards to any SSRI it is important that it be discontinued gradually.

do I moved into New York and I thought I found the truth A pint glass full of paddy’s and pills you shouldn’t chew Well, I swore that the drugs were gonna kill me I was wrong I was wrong, I was writing a song I tried to blame myself because she was gone I didn’t know that she was unaffected, her bad luck came through a needle I knew that the drugs were gonna kill her Fast forward to the fall of ’05 I met the girl of my dreams, and she helped me survive Then she left my life at a …

Cant believe what I am reading This is just what Ive been needing A government supply To get legally high Weed card, thats what I need Hardly ever, okay, always But its not an addiction Cause my doctor gave me a prescription You can get your card for having headaches, bad dreams or anxiety Propensity for drugs or alcohol, Anorexia or Obesity Too fat, too thin, either way you win) Carpal tunnel syndrome, color blindness, St-st-stuttering, tt-tooth decay Fatigue, depression, motion …

Dental decay is the most common form of disease known to mankind. It is a known fact that any food that contains carbohydrates, when left in contact with teeth for a prolonged period of time, can cause cavities. The normal micro organisms present in the mouth produce acid through fermentation of the carbohydrate. Unfortunately, we see this happen often. As a practicing dentist, I routinely advise my patients to maintain a healthy diet to prevent such problems.

It is important to remember that altering the diet alone cannot guarantee good oral health. But diet does make a difference when it comes to oral health.

The Dos and Don’ts

Food that contains too much sugar, like candy, leads to acid formation. That, in turn, causes cavities. Repeated exposure to such food can be just as bad as prolonged exposure. Sticky food, chips and taffy, can stay stuck to the teeth and be equally bad. The need for brushing teeth after every meal cannot be emphasized enough. Have children brush their teeth right away after they have candy. Flossing on a daily basis provides extra protection for the hard-to-reach surfaces.

Frequent snacking between meals should be avoided. Diets that contain too much acid can cause damage to the tooth structure. Even healthy foods, like milk and orange juice, contain a lot of acid. Soda or any other carbonated drink can be caustic. Also, when combined with the water in the saliva, these carbonated drinks produce carbonic acid. Both forms can cause chemical erosion and a breach in the enamel layer of teeth.

How to Combat Acid

Don’t let any of the acidic food to stay in your mouth for long. Rinse out your mouth immediately. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to neutralize any acid that might be produced in the mouth. Remember, there is no significant difference between the harmful effects of regular soda and diet soda. The difference between the two is only in the amount of calories and not in the degree of damage to the teeth.

Hard food

If you chew a lot of hard foods, like pretzels or ice, you may develop symptoms consistent with teeth grinding. Chewing too hard may also crack the teeth.Fillings and other restorations can become loose because of the constant flexure of the tooth structure. Eat hard food in moderation.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Extremely hot or cold food should be avoided. Both metal and resin fillings expand and contract with extreme changes in temperature. As a result the teeth may crack and the fillings may leak.

Do not eat ice cream and then rinse out your mouth with hot water. Even water at room temperature might not be ideal in this situation. Use cold water to rinse out your mouth and allow the teeth to shift to the body temperature gradually. Sudden changes in the temperature produce minute fracture lines in the teeth. Similarly, do not rinse out your mouth with cold water after drinking a cup of hot tea or coffee. Use warm water to do so.

During Pregnancy

A mother’s intake of calcium is crucial to ensure strong bones and teeth in the fetus.

During Childhood

It is necessary to have adequate amounts of calcium in children’s diet. However, a parent’s responsibility does not end there. In terms of improving dental health, a comprehensive approach has to be taken. On top of ensuring good oral hygiene and adequate diet, children have to be encouraged to brush their teeth after every meal.

Changing the Outlook

I would like to mention that we should not be focused on dental health as an isolated entity. We should start thinking about how dietary habits can affect oral health and most importantly, overall health. Some behaviors that are bad for the body also negatively affect oral health. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to oral cancer and liver failure. Smoking can lead to periodontal disease, oral cancer and lung cancer. Eating too much junk food not only increases the risk of cavities, there is likelihood of obesity, diabetes and cardiac problems. Untreated eating disorders can lead to dental problems like chemical erosion of teeth. Skipping meals also result in increased acidity, and therefore, chemical erosion of teeth and Halitosis.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.

I drank for twenty years alcoholically. During the last seven years of that time, I “sped my bottom” by adding prescription drugs, mostly diet pills and Valium, but some street drugs too. I had a Mount Everest of problems. The last year of my drinking, my husband left me, I landed in jail twice on drunk and disorderly charges, and I attempted suicide several times.

My final straw came on the Memorial Day Weekend of 1979. As I lay in my bedroom after I had once again tried to kill myself, my twelve year old daughter, Kimmy, held up my wrists and said to me, “Momma, I’m just a kid. I can’t handle this any more. Please help me!” She then fell into my arms sobbing. Her cry was of tears of innocence lost.

I said, “I’m going to quit drinking. I know I can. Please believe me, baby.”

She said, “I can’t, Momma. You’ve promised so many times before. I just can’t believe you. I think we’ll have to learn to live with your drinking.” My pajamas were wet with her tears.

Three miracles occurred in the next couple of days. After Kimmy went to get dressed I cried out to a God I didn’t believe in, that unknown, absent God of anger and vengeance, I thought, “Oh God, even though you aren’t, if I could ask I would plead for you to show me a way to quit drinking.”

Then I got out of bed to get my bottle of vodka and make a drink of mostly vodka and a cube or two of ice. I remembered buying a half gallon the night before. I began my search, no, not in the linen cabinet, not on the tea cart, not behind the towels under the bathroom sink, not in any kitchen cabinet, not behind the lawn mower in the garage, not in the fridge, not in any of the bushes, which I noticed needed trimming, not under my bed or the guest bed, not in the bookshelves, not in the basement behind the furnace, not in the basement shower or bedroom closet, not anywhere.

I stormed into my daughter’s room, “Where did you hide the bottle?”

She was puzzled and still in after-sobs, “Mom, you know I just got home from spending the night with Cheri, and I came straight to the bedroom. I never throw away the liquor. I know you need it too badly. I always bring you a drink not take one away.” The first miracle, the alcohol was gone from the house.

As I left my daughter’s room I began to think about my physical condition. I suddenly became aware that I didn’t have a hangover. I actually felt pretty good, not perfect, a little weak and shaky. But I wasn’t nauseated, and I didn’t have a headache. Second miracle.

I sat down and made a very indecisive decision, if that’s possible. Maybe I’d try to quit drinking. But how? Deep inside I knew I couldn’t do it by myself. A thought occurred to me. Several months before my mother had talked with a friend who was in AA. The friend had given her a card. Mother had given me the card. I had stuck it in my purse planning to get rid of it in the circular file at the first possible opportunity, offended by my mother’s thinking I had a drinking problem. I sat down and began to go through my purse, yes, gum wrappers housing chewed gum, enough change to support me for a year, a sock of Kimmy’s, a ten year old library card, and, behold and lo, the card of my mother’s friend. Then I took a Valium and sat for several more minutes. Finally, I dialed. She answered right away. I told her I wasn’t sure I had a problem with alcohol. She told me her story which had involved quitting and going to AA once and then going back on the booze by ordering cases of Scope from the drugstore. She told me about a meeting in my area. Maybe I would just check it out. Third miracle.

The next Thursday I went to that meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, and by the grace of God and the fellowship of AA I have not had a drink since. Now it has been over twenty-three years. Is this the fourth miracle? Or is life with God just an ongoing, continuous miracle even in the face of deep hardship and pain, maybe especially when great overcoming is needed.

Of all the robes God wears I think restoration of friendships and relationships is one of His favorites. Once I started in AA Charles came back. Still we came very close to divorce in my sobriety. I was going to leave if he did not make changes. At that point he told me I’d have to make changes too. I said, “I don’t need to make any changes. I’m not drinking or drugging. That’s my amend.”

Charles informed me he was sick and tired of my dragging up the past every time we had a fight and then blaming him for everything. I finally agreed to try to stop the personal history lesson every time we fought. I do believe God showed me through inventory that I did manipulate through my anger, that I tried to gain more power by always making Charles to blame for everything, that I portrayed myself as a saint who spent everyday tolerating this cruel and vicious human being.

Now Charles and I have been married for 37 years. God has truly blessed our marriage and transformed our hearts and given us His heart of love for each other. We have a lot of fun together, movies, dinners, traveling, biking, swimming and romance, a special blessing from God.

My daughter, who now lives in California, is my best friend, and we burn up the telephone wires talking each other’s ears off. I am glad to tell you God has not deserted California despite rumors, fears and recommendations to the contrary. My daughter is a very Godly woman. I have two wonderful grandkids, and we visit them as often as we can.

I have a successful business and am starting a new one with a friend. So life is full, and God is good. I have learned over the years that this does not mean I will not have pain. I always got the message backwards. I would say, “Once I’ve cleaned up my act, then I’ll look into the God thing.” It’s really the other way around. “First, you go to God, and then you heal.”

Nas – Street Dreams [HQ & CD Quality] Lyrics vvvvvv Street dreams are made of these Niggaz push Beemers and 300 E’s A drug dealer’s destiny is reachin a key Everybody’s lookin for somethin.. Street dreams are made of these Shorties on they knees, for niggaz with big G’s Who am I to disagree? Everybody’s lookin for somethin.. [Nas] My man put me up for the share, one-fourth of a square Headed for Delaware, with one change of gear Nothin on my mind but the dime sack we blazed with the glaze in …

Headaches can be miserable and debilitating, especially during pregnancy, but in most cases they’re not dangerous. Considered as a common complaint during pregnancy, specifically during the first and third trimesters, doctors say it is rarely a signal of a serious problem. During pregnancy, experts say that the possible cause of headache during this time is quite uncertain.

Migraine headache during pregnancy

The relationship between migraine and sex hormones (particularly estrogen) is well accepted, because menarche, menstruation, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy often influence migraine .About 15 to 20 percent of pregnant women have migraines. Over half of women find that their migraines occur less often in the last few months of pregnancy. However, migraines may worsen after delivery, during the postpartum period. Although migraine headaches may cause severe pain for the mother, there are no dangers for the developing fetus.

What kind of pain medication can I take in headache during pregnancy?

Acetaminophen is safe to take as directed on the label, but most other headache medications — such as aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as most prescription migraine drugs — aren’t recommended for pregnant women. Consult your practitioner about which medications you can take if you’re prone to severe migraines.

If you’re having frequent, debilitating headaches, the benefits of certain medications may outweigh any possible risks to your baby, although some drugs will remain strictly off-limits.

Potential Ways to Treat Your Pregnancy Headaches

Some headaches are triggered by low blood sugar. You can prevent any bouts of decreased blood sugar by not missing meals and carrying high-energy snacks with you. Drink plenty of water – dehydration can cause headaches. Whenever possible, avoid loud music, noisy restaurants, packed parties and crowded department stores. Ensure your environment is healthy. An overheated, smoke-filled unventilated room can trigger some people’s headaches. Also, make sure that your home and workspace have adequate natural lighting. Try going out for a brisk walk. Rest (but not too much, sometimes too much rest can worsen your overall symptoms)! Meditation and yoga are two ways to help you relax and decrease the effects of tension headaches. Try lying down in a dark quiet room with your feet up for ten to 15 minutes. Acupuncture, biofeedback and massage have been show to bring some relief from a headache. Alternating hot and cold compresses to the aching area for ten minutes can alleviate some of your pain. Cut a lemon into wedges and suck the juice out of the wedges. It’s a good idea to avoid taking any kind of drugs while pregnant. However, if your practitioner recommends it, a paracetemol is OK but limit the number you take. Headache prevention in pregnancy

When it comes to headaches–especially migraines–prevention is key. If you know what triggers your headaches, the first step, when possible, should be lifestyle change. For example, foods such as cured meats and strong cheeses (which contain the amino acid tyramine), as well as red wine and monosodium glutamate (the food additive MSG) can spawn migraines in some people.

Similarly, a lack of sleep, low blood sugar (which may affect pregnant women who eat irregularly), and alcohol use also can trigger migraine attacks. Migraines are also more common in smokers–yet one more reason to quit.

Tension headaches, too, can occur under avoidable circumstances. Loud noises (like those at rock concerts), sleep deprivation, dehydration, and allergies can all produce headaches.

Do you know that the causes for infertility are many, and also that infertility treatment is a must? Both men and women are prey to this condition which is an effect of any disease or innate incapacity. Infertility is a complex matter that requires immediate attention. Causes of infertility in women are numerous like dysfunction of ovulation process, low hormone level (Progesterone), low ovary production and count, Endometriosis, problems in fallopian tube or uterus, age, Menopause and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. There are factors that are not yet diagnosed. In men, reasons of infertility are known and specific like lesser production of sperm, low sperm motility, any problem in the emanation of sperm, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, any terminal disease or injury of the organ and above all age.

If you count out prolonged diseases or age factor, then the major causes of infertility can be medically treated and with prescription drugs. But these treatments come with a price tag way above the commoners’ means and have side effects that need to be cured with medication. The advancement of medical science has introduced improved methods like In vitro Fertilization (IFV) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) to combat infertility. These methods aim to fertilize the egg or ovum out of the woman’s womb with sperms, but they are surely the last recourse. In this process, the ovulation is carried on by regulating the hormones followed by the extraction of the egg from the ovaries. Then it is fertilized artificially with sperms through a fluid medium. In the last leg of the process, the fertilized egg is replaced in the ovary for inducing pregnancy. It is artificial process and the stake is higher as the eggs are taken out from the ovary, fertilized and then again implanted in a laboratory. In normal circumstances, it is the ovary which takes the call and permits a healthy sperm to enter. Here, the embryologist chooses the sperm. If his discretion proves to be wrong then this artificial system fails to combine the healthiest sperm with the healthiest egg. Chances are that if the match goes wrong, the child may not be born or may have discrepancies, if born.

But if you are looking for some out-of-the-box ways of infertility treatment, people are getting inclined to holistic therapies more and more. These methods are cost-effective and minus side-effects. Therefore, there is no anxiety to suffer from the harmful after effects.

One of the effective methods is acupuncture. For females who are suffering from ovarian failure and subsequent infertility, Auricular (ear) acupuncture can help out. Through this hormonal impulse is sent from the brain to the ovary. As experimentation, infertile women who had ovulation malfunction had gone for acupuncture 30 times for three months and they were fruitful. The only exceptional cases where side effects were noticed were in case of the patients who had been through hormone treatment previously.

Dietary changes and regular exercises, altogether a change in the lifestyle, can help women have an alternative infertility treatment. It is advisable to stay away from caffeine that is there in green tea, black tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, and cold drinks that have synthetic colors. Even if one and a half cup of coffee is taken, it goes against the body system of an aspiring mother. So, lesser the intake of beverages the better it is for women having sterility disorder.

Even fishes having PCBs or polychlorinated biphenyls diminish the ability to get pregnant in women with problems. A recent survey revealed that women who consumed more than one fish in a day, which was from Lake Ontario, had sterility issues as the lake comprises PCBs.

But if you want t adopt the best measures as a part of the infertility treatment, holistic approach can be beneficial. Chinese medicines, acupuncture etc. delve deep into the root causes of the problems and cures it. The traditional methods, however, cure the disorders of the organs leaving out the actual cause. Therefore, identifying the actual cause is as important as to cure it. Holistic therapies step in here to provide a solution that involves physiology, psychology and the soul.

“Numbers Do Not Stick In Your Mind – Pictures Do.

Mark Twain

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” is about 75% true.

There are Power words that override the pictures because they are

associated with our past experiences and emotions, and Fight-or-Flight.

Bill Gates turned Microsoft away from Nerds Only, toward universal

appeal by making Windows work by Icons (symbols, pictures). Point-and-click the icon and anyone can be computer literate, right?

Fact: our brain does NOT think (process) information in numbers or words. When we read, listen, and speak, our brain translates words into Sensory Representations (See-Hear-Touch-Smell-Taste). Pictures are the most common form.

Meaning and Perception

Words get translated from an alphabetic system of letters to (auditory) sound vibrations, (kinesthetic) feelings and emotions, and (visual imagery) the picture equivalent of words.

Have you recently tried to remember the meaning of a word – example: Hermaphrodite, in reference to the South African winning runner – and blanked. You went on to something unrelated and later heard the answer in your mind’s ear.

You hear – “Oh yeah, having both male and female sexual organs.” Sometimes a picture flies into your mind’s eye with the correct answer. We see the answer.

Upward words

There are power words that automatically present the brain with a mental movie

definition. Comprehension is instantaneous. Example: Metaphors – He is the Babe Ruth of salepeople. She is the Julia Child of home chefs.

Examples: Similes are Figures-of-Speech: He lies like a rug. She is an American Beauty Rose. He looks like a Sherman Tank.

Action Verbs

Reading, hearing, and speaking the following action verbs, affects us emotionally. We actual feel these words in our Central Nervous System. Running, Lifting, and Throwing, together with Smelling, Tasting, and Driving make us feel these words.

Scientists talk about Mirror Neurons: neurons (nerve cells) that fire when the doer

(Quarterback throws a pass) and when the observer (fans) sees the action. Imagine

watching an Olympic weightlifter raise 1,200 pounds. The viewer grunts as if he/she

is lifting the 1,200 pounds. We are mentally (emotionally) involved in the action.

This is a Secret – Always Include a Story

Remember this: if you wish to influence, convince, and persuade an individual

or a group, always tell a story – don’t explain. Describe what happened, use sports analogies, sights and sounds, and mention people who acted and were acted upon.

Since kindergarten we expect to hear a beginning, middle, and the end (punch line). Repeat the moral or point of your tale at least twice. Get the listener or reader involve in caring what happens to the characters. Oversimplify whatever you want folks to do and remember.

Oversimplification is what makes Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Jay Leno superstars. Folks

(from 6 years old to Seniors) hate complexity and complications they do not immediately grasp, without thinking about it. Scientists Think, the rest of us just Get-It-Or-Not, and cannot be bothered thinking.

The burden is always on the Speaker or Writer, not the listener or reader.

If the listeners/readers have to analyze your ideas, 99% will instantly reject the message and the messenger. You must make comprehension As-Easy-As-Pie, A-Walk-In-The-Park, and No-Effort-Required. If it seems the least bit complicated, 99% of folks hit the mental Delete button.

Words Vs Pictures

Imagine in your mind’s eye a full-page picture of Adolph Hitler. He is wearing the standard brown shirt, showing his odd mustache, and hair falling over his forehead.

Now across the picture in large white letters have the name Dwight D. Eisenhower.

What happens? Your PreFrontal Cortex (higher executive brain) language center automatically overrides the picture with the name (words), and rejects the picture

and its information. You have Cognitive Dissonance (conflict) and words win.

You know the name D.D. Eisenhower (U.S. General of Allied armies in World

War 2) and your brain rejects the picture information identification.

Now imagine a full-page pix of President Barack Obama, and across it the name

in large white letters – Abraham Lincoln. Can the picture override the words – Abe Lincoln?

We are conditioned to identify and relate specific images with symbolic words and names. The name and avatar of the President is stored in your long-term memory. Here – words supersede pictures. Pictures are not worth a thousand words.

Anger Can Improve Your Skills

Have you ever watched a golf match where a superstar like Tiger Woods lost his

self-control. He became angry at an official’s ruling, and stormed around giving in to his impulses. Logic would expect him to be stressed and blow the next shot.

In fact anger can improve and sharpen our thinking and behavior. Who says so?

Google: Psychological Science: Hedonic and Instrumental Motives in Anger Regulation, lead author, Maya Tamir, Boston College.

Michael Jordan was angry and frustrated by being cut from his high school basketball team. He waged an internal war to prove to them he was a potential star.

His anger carried him to the Hall of Fame.

Anger can motivate you to work harder, study longer hours, and sharpen your thinking to ace exams. You can overlearn study material and enhance your skills to

expertise.

Examples of anger spurring ordinary folks into extraordinary action is common in publishing. Writers have had their book reject by 35 publishers, and continued to work with diligence to have the books reach #1 on the N.Y. Times Bestsellers list.

Anger with existing social conditions created the successful Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements. Google: MADD – Mothers Against Drunken Driving

and PETA – People For Ethical Treatment of Animals. Their anger brought success.

Endwords

Would reading three (3) books, articles and reports, in the time your peers can hardly finish one, give you a completive edge in school and career? Ask us how to

double your long-term memory, and triple your text reading. Is it important?

See ya,

copyright © 2009 H. Bernard Wechsler

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It is little over a year since Obama won the 2008 Presidential Elections; in truth this was when his presidency began. The day after his victory he called his transition team together for a morning of brainstorming and planning. From November 4th to his inauguration on January 20th he played an unprecedented role in the affairs of the nation and carefully laid the groundwork for his presidential term. Yet how are we to assess this first year and the movement that brought him to power? An exhaustive answer to that question is not possible but here a few observations, on four key issues, made during my time here which may be of interest to some.

Health Care

Obama’s first major domestic move has been health care. Sadly, the bill that passed in the House of Representatives 10 days ago is a pale reflection of what Obama promised (or appeared to promise), a long way short of other first world countries (and even some third world countries) and significantly less than the American public needs. It looks to be more like a reform of the insurance industry than a real viable opportunity to offer universal and/or affordable health care to all. The health care industry accounts for 16% of total GDP, the highest in the first world and yet there are currently 50million uninsured Americans, and many whose benefits do not allow for adequate treatment. As the recession deepens this number grows.

At its core the bill creates a federally regulated marketplace where consumers would be able to shop around for the best insurance plan. This includes state subsidies to some private plans for certain consumers and, most controversially, a state run insurance plan.

The good news: The bill extends coverage to an estimated 34million people, requires more employers to offer decent health care benefits, reduces the cost of health insurance in general, expands Medicaid coverage, offers subsidies to small business and individuals, increases taxes of high income earners (over $1million) and prevents insurance companies from denying coverage and/or charging higher premiums for pre-existing medical conditions.

The not-so-good news: In a “compromise” move any state subsidized or run plan excludes abortion coverage except in the case of incest, rape or where the mother’s life is in danger. Undocumented immigrants would not be eligible for any plan involving state subsidy, tax credits or for Medicaid or Medicare (state insurance programs for the poor, elderly and disabled). They are, however, able to purchase private insurance through the market place at the full price that few can afford and access emergency care at unnecessarily high cost to the state. There will be no “public” health care in the sense that Canada, most of Europe and even South Africa offers, i.e. free public health care services. Rather state subsidized or run insurance programs would pay private doctors medical-aid rates as private insurances companies do (and not significantly reduced rates as some hoped). The privatization of health care continues. Most damming, however, is that most of the funding may only come into affect in 2013 despite the growing number of uninsured. And even this modest reform bill will most probably not make it through the more conservative Senate in its current form. Most telling is the extremely muted resistance (and even silent acceptance?) by the health care industry to this plan.

The Long War

Obama seems to be making positive moves on a gradual withdrawal from Iraq despite none of the objectives (securing foreign oil, stabilizing a client-regime and “countering terrorism”) having been achieved. Some enthusiasm can be taken by the progressive (albeit agonizingly slow) attempts to close Guantanamo Bay (which Obama admitted will not meet the promised deadline) and the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-accused (allegedly implicated in the September 11 attacks) in a civil court in New York. Likewise Obama’s reaching out to the Muslim world and his diplomacy with Iran is a sharp departure from previous policy and sorely needed.

However, Afghanistan remains a weight around Obama’s neck and a quagmire he appears to be sinking deeper into. At the heart of the problem is long-term American military strategy. Official policy follows the idea of “The Long War”; a 50 or 100 year counter insurgency cold-war against Al Queda and Co. along the “arc of crisis” mainly oil rich, Muslim countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, the Philippines and beyond, with various “hot-wars”, as we have seen, along the way.

The term “Long War” was coined by Gen. John Abizaid in the 1990s and is promulgated by counterinsurgency experts around the Pentagon and think tanks led by the Center for New American Security. Its most ardent advocate, who popularized the idea in 2005, has been Dr. David Kilcullen, a top military advisor and current aide to Gen. Stanley McChrystal, and the case is made for it in his recent book The Accidental Guerrilla. Despite the failure of global counterinsurgency tactics the strategy has gained dominance in military circles.

This is the quagmire that Obama faces; Afghanistan (and its surrounding conflicts, in Pakistan for example) is not an isolated fight that can simply be “won”. Rather it is a single battle in a larger plan, one with dubious military and political gains, clear moral inconsistencies and enormous financial implications that will undermine all domestic policy.

The Environment

Positive talk abounds. Obama’s address to the United Nations on September 22nd was the first progressive thing to come from an American President on the environment in a long time. He acknowledged past American failure and the gravity of the threat and said he was determined to act for the sake of future generations. A host of public meetings of high level officials and other important role players have taken place. Despite being watered down the stimulus plan offers: “$24.4 billon in real money for energy efficiency, $25.3 billion for renewables, and $23 billon for transit improvements… According to Clinton and Obama adviser John Podesta, the package means $150 billion in clean energy investments yearly for 10 years, creating 1.7 million net new jobs”6. Obama’s meetings with foreign leaders have also managed to produce positive statements on the need to tackle green house gas emissions.

However, very little of the American plan has been implemented to date, although in fairness these programs take some time. More importantly though is that eloquent speeches have not included concrete targets, this is true for Obama’s UN address and (as an example) his statement after meeting China’s President Hu Jintao. Even more disappointing to climate change activists is that the upcoming Copenhagen Conference appears to be dead in the water with a non-binding political agreement the likely outcome which, optimistically, is a stepping stone to a binding agreement with real targets and, realistically, a face saving move.

Why lay this at Obama’s feet? It would not be fair to do so entirely, but we must acknowledge that progress on this front is not possible without American leadership and at times arm twisting of other countries, clear commitments to specific targets and actual restrictions of its own domestic economy.

Economics

Those who expected a radical change in economic policy with the assent of Obama to the White House have been sorely disappointed. The expectation was, of course, completely unrealistic. Obama’s economic policies do not vary greatly from those who came before him, whether Democrat or Republican. To choose but three examples…

Bailouts: The astronomical chunks of money given to banks and other financial institutions and the terms (or lack thereof) on which this money was given in both the Bush administration bailout (of which the Obama team tacitly approved) and Obama’s stimulus package do not indicate any shift from the prevailing neoliberal economic policies. Despite strong talk very little has been done to regulate the financial sector in the wake of the 2008 crisis. Obama’s enthusiasm for the “jobless recovery” of the stock market (i.e. investors are making profit whilst workers continue to lose jobs) is another indication of his mainstream market-economy approach (the system is fine, it just needs to fixing, intervention and control). To his credit we must acknowledge the expanded public sector spending in important areas in attempts to create jobs. Again, on the flipside, this is tied up in boosting consumer spending (as the banks are encouraged to start lending) which was part of the problem in the first place.

Foreign Trade: Obama’s speeches on trade are perhaps most telling. Whether it be his speech in Ghana, his discussions at the APEC summit or his press conference with the Chinese President, the message is clear: free trade, market competition and transnational business are the key to international prosperity. Contentious issues such as American farming subsidies are not even close to the table. Of course there are nuances, talk of regulation and some positive reformist policies, but the core policy remains.

Advisors and Appointees: Perhaps most telling is with whom Obama surrounds himself. Economic advisors and appointees pre and post election are a mix of Clinton era economists (the era of greatest international market deregulation) Bush era functionaries, academic economists, big businessmen and a few reformists. Members of the Transition Economic Advisory Board include: Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, TIAA-CREF and Xerox (Warren Buffett, Roger Ferguson and Anne Mulcahy respectively); Chairman of the Board of Time Warner (Richard Parsons); and Chairman and Director of the Executive Committee of Citigroup (Robert Rubin) – Citigroup received approximately $45billion in bailout money 8.

Timothy Geithner, the Treasury Secretary did a stint at the IMF and Lawrence Summers, the head of the Economic Council (NEC), a former top World Bank official, was forced to resign from the presidency of Harvard University in 2006 after he suggested that women lack men’s innate ability to excel at math and science9. He is on record saying that nothing can be done about both huge AIG executive bonuses (post bailout) and rising unemployment10.

What is to be learnt?

Readers of this post may be surprised to know that I’m an Obama fan. He’s charismatic, fresh, eloquent, intelligent, progressive, has good values, an awareness of dynamics of discrimination (class, race, gender and sexual orientation), is supportive of union activity, offers an inclusive international policy approach and has prioritized the right issues of health care, employment, education and the environment. And he’s African American. He is pretty much the best you are going to get within the American political system. But that’s the crux isn’t it: “within the American system”, and it’s not just the American system but the global neoliberal capitalist economic order. Obama’s hands (and mind?) are tied in so many ways.

It all comes down to economics, money, power and profit in the end. It is no secret that various lobbies and big business exercise extra-ordinary influence over members of Congress and the Executive. Campaign financing by lobby groups totaled $3.3billion in 2008 with the US Chamber of Commerce (representing big business) coming in first place with approximately $527million and different health insurers and pharmaceutical groups coming in at 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th place with a combined whopping $712million. Not surprisingly the military-industrial complex is represented by Northrop Grumman, Lockhead Martin and Boeing Co in the top 20 spenders. Also making the top 20 are energy giants General Electric (3rd), Exxon Mobil and Edison Electric Institution. Mass telecommunication companies (AT&T Inc and Verizon Communication) Financial Giants (Freddie Mac and the Securities Industry & Financial Market Association) and General Motors round off the top 20 list11.

We must remember the fundamental driving force of the market economy: profit; and anything goes – exploitation, environmental degradation, war etc – in pursuit of this. Not only does this shape our economic relations but also our social relations and the very fabric of our society.

Members of Congress also have their own agendas. A recent report by the Centre for Responsive Politics tallies a total of 237 millionaires in Congress. And not all are Republicans with Democrats making up 4 of the top 5, and the top 2 are from the liberal state of California. To make matters worse the top 10 industries invested in by Congress men and women include: real estate; entertainment (read media); securities, investments and banks; oil and gas; manufacturing; and pharmaceuticals/health products12.

Playing a secondary, but significant role, are the ideological groups, such as the conservative Christian right and libertarian anti “big-government”  who manage to shape the debate in distorting and damaging ways. The distortion of the health care reform program with downright lies such as “death panels” being vigorously advanced and the subsequent mobilization against health care, by ordinary people who stand to benefit the most, was scary to behold. Additionally there is a dangerous racist not-so-subtle subtext to all such anti-Obama-policy initiatives; the state has fallen into the hands of the enemy. Anyone willing to acknowledge structural racism or the social significance of race, as former president Carter did recently, in policy or politics is immediately labelled a racist in America’s great “colourblind” nation.

This is the ballpark within which the President must play.

What is to be done?

Firstly, we should not blame the President. It’s pointless. For now we have someone to work with, at least for some change. More than that I actually (some would say naively) believe that the speech making eloquent Obama, the Obama we saw before the election, is the “real” Obama. That Obama is interested in real change. In his recent book on the Obama campaign (The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory) David Plouffe says that every aspect of the unorthodox campaign was rooted in the idea that “the country needed deep, fundamental change; Washington wasn’t thinking long-term… the special interests and lobbyists had too much power, and the American people needed to once again trust and engage in their democracy.” 14 As he notes the very decision to make the campaign headquarters in Chicago not Washington was an aversion to the rot and corruption of current American politics. The grassroots movement was not a ploy by a self-serving politician seeking power but an organic emergence in response to the expression of his natural voice. It is this voice that has been drowned in Washington’s putrefied swamp. And it is now the job of those 300 000 odd volunteers and millions of supporters and voters to speak with that voice.

When you meet these (predominately young) people on the street, or in the universities today, and you ask them: do you support the war in Afghanistan? Many, most, will answer no. And yet the man they brought to power sends more troops. When you ask them whether they want free or affordable public health care many answer yes. And yet this is not what their government will deliver to them.

There is a growing sense of disillusionment amongst this generation – the Obama Generation. But the success of the Obama Generation – and indeed of Obama himself – will not be measured in bringing Obama to power (and hopefully for two terms); it will be measured in the success of transforming that cohort of grassroots campaigners into the next wave of political activists. Part of the magic was that, for the first time, these unseasoned ordinary people felt powerful; they believed they could make a change, and they did. Obama as an African American (and supported by African Americans) is of extra importance here; it underscored that even the most dispossessed can be powerful, that yes, some glass ceilings can be broken and some conservative thresholds crossed. It is that spirit which must be captured and harnessed in the coming years if we are to see social change of any sort. Most likely it will come in a splintered form. Different groups will emerge on particular issues: health, the war, education etc. We have seen this power expressed already in the protests in California around the cost and scope of university education. It is difficult (albeit possible) to imagine this scope of collective action two years ago. More than likely it will take a few years to emerge en masse as disillusioned individuals band together once again. Naturally it will be less people, but a critical mass is possible.

Critically a movement must emerge that places the economy at its core. Despite all the talk of Wall Street excess there has not been a single demonstration on Wall Street, no viable strong social movement tackling the economic system. Partly this emerges from the absence of a coherent theoretical perspective. This is needed in two parts. The one is direct: a direct understanding of the economic system in which we live and experimentation and thinking around viable alternatives. The other is integrative: we must learn to see the problems as connected, as part of a coherent whole, that economic exploitation, environmental degradation and war do not come from the existence of “bad people” but are cancers endemic to the capitalist system with its drive for profit at all cost.

We saw this integration begin to emerge in the late 1990s and early 2000s epitomized by what took place in Seattle, but the September 11th attacks and subsequent war, fear and restrictions of civil liberties fragmented and undermined this movement. Of equal importance is the insight that the system is not only creating “external” economic problems but has created a set of social relations that displaces human solidarity from its core in favour of competition and greed. It is only once social movements can attack their various causes, within a larger economic paradigm, that we can progress towards the real change that so many, around the world, passionately called for in the year 2008.

headed down a dangerous path as she continues to put her life in jeopardy. Even at her young age, she’s already been arrested numerous times, used a variety of drugs, and been promiscuous with both men and women. Stephanie, her mother, has run out of solutions, and desperately needs Steve’s help. And that’s not all Steve has to face, as he’ll also try to help Maribel’s teenage daughter who’s actively involved in drugs and gang activities. When the girls refuse to heed Steve’s warnings, …

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Can you die from taking 2 percocets?
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Can you die taking….?
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More Medical questions please visit : MedicineFreeFAQ.com

If you currently suffer, or have ever suffered from hemorrhoids, you’re probably well aware of the hundreds of hemorrhoids remedies floating around out there – from over-the-counter creams and suppositories to prescription pills, from old home remedies to traditional Chinese medicine. However, my own research has turned up three primary issues related to hemorrhoids that I believe any sort of remedy or course of treatment should address.

The Pain In My Rear

Regardless of the underlying cause of your hemorrhoids, one thing is certain – they are unpleasant! Pain, itching, burning, and bleeding are never pleasant, especially when it’s an area of your body that sees a lot of action in the form of walking, sitting, and “eliminating.” Understandably, most hemorrhoid sufferers go immediately for something – anything – that will ease their pain and discomfort.

This includes remedies like over-the-counter creams, suppositories, and medicated pads. Some even claim to have ingredients to numb the pain and shrink swelling. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen my hemorrhoids shrink like the people on TV describe, and the anesthetic cream did absolutely nothing for me.

Click for Get Rid of Hemorrhoids in less than 48 hours

Hospitals do prescribe witch hazel pads for new mothers with hemorrhoid problems, so that is definitely one temporary solution worth investigating. I’ve also found petroleum jelly to help ease the discomfort while I simply waited for the hemorrhoid to go away on its own.

But those hemorrhoids remedies simply treat the symptoms, helping to relax the tissue and keep the area moist and lubricated. What about the underlying cause of the piles?

Pump Up Your Poop

Yes, you’ve also probably heard that fiber is very important in preventing future hemorrhoids. Guess what? It is. However, you need to be very careful when increasing your fiber intake, so that you also drink plenty of water. Otherwise, you may just cause or increase constipation and make your hemorrhoids even worse.

A diet high in fiber is important not only for hemorrhoids, but also for your general health, so it is a good idea to move in that direction as much as possible. So what are the main causes and aggravators of hemorrhoids?

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Turn Piles To Smiles

You may already be aware that constipation (or diarrhea) and straining during bowel movements can cause or aggravate hemorrhoids. However, hypertension (high blood pressure) can also cause hemorrhoids.

Obesity, sitting too long, and poor muscle tone or posture are also contributors to hemorrhoid problems, as are pregnancy, cigarette smoking, and excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine.

So, do yourself a favor and make at least some minor changes to your diet and/or lifestyle if you have problems with piles. Sure, easy for me to sit here in comfort and say that, so I understand that you might also be looking for something to speed up the healing process, right?

Magic Bullets

There are a number of hemorrhoids remedies that people swear by to eliminate or greatly reduce their problems in as little as a few days. Most of these remedies combine traditional approaches – like cold compresses or witch hazel – with an alternative ingredient like horse chestnut.

Click for Get Rid of Hemorrhoids in less than 48 hours

Family life will never be the same at Riverdene Lodge situated in the world renowned Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. In line with the worldwide trend of families “doing it together “, Adrian Gardiner, CEO of the reserve brings this concept into vivid reality.

Riverdene Lodge embodies pure elegance in the wilderness with a traditional colonial African feel and ambience offering as experience designed specifically for families with its newly renovated accommodation focused on both adults and children alike.

Riverdene Lodge brings to the family vacation seeker nine inter-leading luxury family rooms accommodating a maximum of 24 guests including children. All luxury rooms are fully air-conditioned and equipped with televisions. Private balconies lead onto the landscaped garden. Riverdene Lodge has two expansive, elegantly furnished casual lounges and a glorious sunroom designed to maximise our life giving African sun. Loads of space for families to be together and yet sufficient space in between for a degree of peace & quiet! Their magnificent rim flow swimming pool is designed to entice guests to relax and restore their energies. With the outdoor life being an integral part of an African Safari, the Riverdene Lodge lounge opens onto a spacious outdoor braai (Afrikaans word meaning barbeque) area where the African stars at night can form the basis for your youngster’s love affair for Africa in such a real way!

What makes Riverdene such a great find for families? Each family will receive personal attention from their assigned ranger for the duration of their stay. To really appreciate and understand the African wilderness areas, you have to have an “ interpreter “. This is where each ranger and tracker at Shamwari comes into their own. Highly trained and experienced in this art of being a part of the Cycle of Life, they impart their knowledge and personal Safari experiences to both parents and their children at a level both will learn and grow from. As an added value item at Riverdene, they have developed a really cool and effective children programme for the aspiring adults to get closer to understanding Mother Nature.

In supporting this family vacation drive, the newly renovated accommodation at Riverdene Lodge will feature two supervised playrooms for children activities. Supervised spacious green lawns with a jungle gym, and a sports and social programme such as soccer, cricket, treasure hunts and swimming will be arranged to entertain and teach children. A special children focussed menu will be available, and dedicated child minders will be on hand at all times.

Upon arrival, each child will automatically receive a Born Free Foundation certificate. Special daily educational game drives on the Reserve for children with their parents will be organized with specific trips to the Born Free Center and the informative and fascinating Shamwari Film Studio.

The children will be introduced to the Shamwari Game Reserve and Born Free Foundation’s challenge to promote the conservation of species and the protection of habitat whilst maintaining a human and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals.

At the Shamwari Film Studio, the children will be shown where the popular international “Unearthed 2” series was filmed, produced and edited. ‘Unearthed 2’ is currently being aired on Animal Planet, plus they will also be exposed to the filming of the new wildlife series called ‘Shamwari: A Wild Life’ which is to be launched in September 2008.

Possibly one of the key aspects of the children’s program at Riverdene Lodge is found where children staying at the Riverdene Lodge will also be invited to take part in the special education programme at the Shamwari Animal Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Here they will get in touch with the realities of animal rehabilitation, the limitations of mankind’s ability to succeed in this field and yet will leave knowing that dedicated folks have embraced Mother Nature and the much needed bonds between the two are growing stronger and stronger.

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