Monday, December 31, 2018
New Year's Eve Party in Times Square to Cheer for Press Freedom
By Jonathan Allen
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Reporters will be the guests of honor at the New Year's Eve party in New York's Times Square on Monday, in what organizers said was a celebration of press freedom after an unusually deadly year for journalists at U.S. news outlets.
Two attacks in particular weighed on organizers as they discussed in autumn whom to give the honor of initiating the ceremonial ball drop just before midnight, according to Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance.
One was the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi columnist for the Washington Post and U.S. resident, inside a Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey. The other was the mass shooting in June in the newsroom of The Capital, a newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, in which five employees were killed.
"Throughout the year it's been a big issue," Tompkins said in an interview. "Times Square itself is the ultimate agora and public space," noting that the area was named after the New York Times, and that it was a Times publisher, Adolf Ochs, who began the tradition of the ball drop in 1907.
Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the Times Square Alliance approached his group because of "the perception that the journalism and journalists in particular are under threat and their role is being questioned."
Simon, who said he usually spends New Year's Eve playing Scrabble with his wife in New Hampshire's White Mountains, will be in the spotlight at the Times Square festivities, joining Mayor Bill de Blasio to launch the ball drop a minute before midnight.
Simon will be joined onstage by journalists from U.S. and international news outlets, including NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC anchor Lester Holt, ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, and Karen Attiah, global opinions editor at The Washington Post.
A year ago Attiah recruited Khashoggi to work at the newspaper. Since the writer was killed, she has been among those leading calls for answers about his fate.
The button-pressing honor has in previous years gone to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, an Iraq War veteran, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the singer Lady Gaga.
The Times Square Alliance contacted Simon in November, Simon said, several weeks before Time magazine would devote their annual "Person of the Year" issue to several prominent journalists who have faced attacks and hostility.
Among those journalists were Khashoggi, and Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters reporters imprisoned by Myanmar for investigating how the country's security forces killed members of the country's Muslim Rohingya minority.
U.S. President Donald Trump has become a vociferous critic of parts of the press, routinely chiding reporters and outlets he views as publishing "fake news," calling them "the enemy of the people."
Simon said this was in the background of his discussions with the Times Square Alliance.
"Unavoidably, Trump was the subtext, but not front and center," he said. "We wanted to have a unifying message."
(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Diane Craft)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Reporters will be the guests of honor at the New Year's Eve party in New York's Times Square on Monday, in what organizers said was a celebration of press freedom after an unusually deadly year for journalists at U.S. news outlets.
Two attacks in particular weighed on organizers as they discussed in autumn whom to give the honor of initiating the ceremonial ball drop just before midnight, according to Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance.
One was the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi columnist for the Washington Post and U.S. resident, inside a Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey. The other was the mass shooting in June in the newsroom of The Capital, a newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, in which five employees were killed.
"Throughout the year it's been a big issue," Tompkins said in an interview. "Times Square itself is the ultimate agora and public space," noting that the area was named after the New York Times, and that it was a Times publisher, Adolf Ochs, who began the tradition of the ball drop in 1907.
Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the Times Square Alliance approached his group because of "the perception that the journalism and journalists in particular are under threat and their role is being questioned."
Simon, who said he usually spends New Year's Eve playing Scrabble with his wife in New Hampshire's White Mountains, will be in the spotlight at the Times Square festivities, joining Mayor Bill de Blasio to launch the ball drop a minute before midnight.
Simon will be joined onstage by journalists from U.S. and international news outlets, including NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC anchor Lester Holt, ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, and Karen Attiah, global opinions editor at The Washington Post.
A year ago Attiah recruited Khashoggi to work at the newspaper. Since the writer was killed, she has been among those leading calls for answers about his fate.
The button-pressing honor has in previous years gone to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, an Iraq War veteran, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the singer Lady Gaga.
The Times Square Alliance contacted Simon in November, Simon said, several weeks before Time magazine would devote their annual "Person of the Year" issue to several prominent journalists who have faced attacks and hostility.
Among those journalists were Khashoggi, and Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters reporters imprisoned by Myanmar for investigating how the country's security forces killed members of the country's Muslim Rohingya minority.
U.S. President Donald Trump has become a vociferous critic of parts of the press, routinely chiding reporters and outlets he views as publishing "fake news," calling them "the enemy of the people."
Simon said this was in the background of his discussions with the Times Square Alliance.
"Unavoidably, Trump was the subtext, but not front and center," he said. "We wanted to have a unifying message."
(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Diane Craft)
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Saturday, December 29, 2018
My dry socket has healed
My dry socket took a week to quit hurting so horribly. I found the salt water rinse or the hydrogen peroxide rinse after brushing, after I ate each time, seemed to help. I also bought a new toothbrush, motrin and some sensitive toothpaste which is when the pain began to be bearable.
It seemed to take so long to heal and trying all sorts of things to even get it to stop hurt so much at night. In the beginning I couldn't sleep unless I had a heating pad on it for at least 30 minutes.
My face all the up to my eye socket has now become better. However, if I do chew on that side of my mouth sometimes it will hurt. So I basically am now learning to chew on the opposite side as my primary.
I also learned one needs to get another toothbrush every 3 months. I was doing it every 6 months and now think that contributed to my infection at the start.
Thanks to all of you who have followed me through this painful journey. I also updated on the original post as I was going through this so you may check it out.
It seemed to take so long to heal and trying all sorts of things to even get it to stop hurt so much at night. In the beginning I couldn't sleep unless I had a heating pad on it for at least 30 minutes.
My face all the up to my eye socket has now become better. However, if I do chew on that side of my mouth sometimes it will hurt. So I basically am now learning to chew on the opposite side as my primary.
I also learned one needs to get another toothbrush every 3 months. I was doing it every 6 months and now think that contributed to my infection at the start.
Thanks to all of you who have followed me through this painful journey. I also updated on the original post as I was going through this so you may check it out.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Ford Recalling 874,000 Pickup Trucks in North America for Fire Risks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co said Friday it is recalling 874,000 pickup trucks in North America with engine block heaters for fire risks.
The second largest U.S. automaker said the recall covers some 2015-2019 Ford F-150 trucks, along with the 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks.
Ford said water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector, causing corrosion and damage and potentially a fire. Ford told U.S. regulators it is aware of reports of three fires in Canada linked to the issue, but unaware of any reports of accidents or injuries.
The recall covers 410,000 vehicles in the United States and about 464,000 in Canada. Ford dealers will inspect and seal the block heater cable, or replace it if necessary. The recall will begin early next month.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Nick Zieminski)
The second largest U.S. automaker said the recall covers some 2015-2019 Ford F-150 trucks, along with the 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks.
Ford said water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector, causing corrosion and damage and potentially a fire. Ford told U.S. regulators it is aware of reports of three fires in Canada linked to the issue, but unaware of any reports of accidents or injuries.
The recall covers 410,000 vehicles in the United States and about 464,000 in Canada. Ford dealers will inspect and seal the block heater cable, or replace it if necessary. The recall will begin early next month.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Nick Zieminski)
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Monday, December 24, 2018
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Saturday, December 22, 2018
10 Vinegar Tips to Hack the Holidays Vinegar is the gift that keeps on giving! These easy vinegar tips will help you welcome guests without stress and keep spirits high during the holidays!
1) Avoid holiday tears when your little ones wash up for company! Easily detangle kids’ hair with a quick splash of apple cider vinegar during the final rinse.
2) Don’t be naughty this Christmas! Take 1 tbsp of organic apple cider vinegar 3 times a day by mouth; it may help ease some sinus aches and pains.
3) Don’t let a sore throat sour your holiday parties! Gargling a mixture of warm water and a spoonful of organic apple cider vinegar may help soothe throat pain.
4) Too many candy canes? Calm upset stomachs by putting a few spoonfuls of peppermint vinegar in a glass of warm water. Make peppermint vinegar at home by putting a few leaves of peppermint in a jar of organic apple cider vinegar and letting it sit in a dark cabinet for at least 3 days.
5) Don’t let your cough get in the way of your holiday laughter! Use this special vinegar treatment. Mix ½ cup of organic apple cider vinegar, ½ cup of water, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and ¼ cup of honey. Take one tablespoon of the mixture as soon as a cough appears and again before bed.
6) If your heating unit is making your rooms dry, make sure you are keeping your humidifiers on! Clean your room humidifiers with equal parts water and white distilled vinegar. Soak each of the parts in the solution overnight and rinse the water reservoir with the solution as well. This will prevent mold and bacteria from growing in the humidifier.
7) Polish wood paneling with a solution of ¼ cup olive oil, ½ cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water. Wipe wood paneling with a soft cloth. Do not use with waxed wood as it can ruin the finish and leave a cloudy mark.
8) Is the family staying over for the holidays? Remove build-up on the guest room showerhead. Pour ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white distilled vinegar into a sandwich bag and tie the bag around the showerhead. Let the mixture set for an hour or until the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and turn on water for best results.
9) Get ready for the family reunions to begin! Deodorize the toilet bowl for holiday guests quickly by adding 3 cups of white distilled vinegar to the bowl. Let sit for half an hour before flushing.
10) Did the kids draw on the couch again? Use full strength vinegar to remove ballpoint pen marks on cloth furniture. Blot the area gently until the marks are gone.
From Vinegartips.com
2) Don’t be naughty this Christmas! Take 1 tbsp of organic apple cider vinegar 3 times a day by mouth; it may help ease some sinus aches and pains.
3) Don’t let a sore throat sour your holiday parties! Gargling a mixture of warm water and a spoonful of organic apple cider vinegar may help soothe throat pain.
4) Too many candy canes? Calm upset stomachs by putting a few spoonfuls of peppermint vinegar in a glass of warm water. Make peppermint vinegar at home by putting a few leaves of peppermint in a jar of organic apple cider vinegar and letting it sit in a dark cabinet for at least 3 days.
5) Don’t let your cough get in the way of your holiday laughter! Use this special vinegar treatment. Mix ½ cup of organic apple cider vinegar, ½ cup of water, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and ¼ cup of honey. Take one tablespoon of the mixture as soon as a cough appears and again before bed.
6) If your heating unit is making your rooms dry, make sure you are keeping your humidifiers on! Clean your room humidifiers with equal parts water and white distilled vinegar. Soak each of the parts in the solution overnight and rinse the water reservoir with the solution as well. This will prevent mold and bacteria from growing in the humidifier.
7) Polish wood paneling with a solution of ¼ cup olive oil, ½ cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water. Wipe wood paneling with a soft cloth. Do not use with waxed wood as it can ruin the finish and leave a cloudy mark.
8) Is the family staying over for the holidays? Remove build-up on the guest room showerhead. Pour ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white distilled vinegar into a sandwich bag and tie the bag around the showerhead. Let the mixture set for an hour or until the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and turn on water for best results.
9) Get ready for the family reunions to begin! Deodorize the toilet bowl for holiday guests quickly by adding 3 cups of white distilled vinegar to the bowl. Let sit for half an hour before flushing.
10) Did the kids draw on the couch again? Use full strength vinegar to remove ballpoint pen marks on cloth furniture. Blot the area gently until the marks are gone.
From Vinegartips.com
CDC Issues Alert for Polio-like Illness
Infectious diseases continue to surprise physicians, scientists and the general public. In South Dakota, the first case of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, has been confirmed by state health officials. This illness resembles polio in its symptoms and progression.
State health officials in South Dakota are working with investigators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify risk factors, possible contacts and to trace anyone who might have been exposed.
New South Dakota AFM Case
The confirmed case of AFM in South Dakota occurred in an adult. The patient experienced a course of disease that included a mild respiratory illness and fever. These symptoms were followed by muscle weakness, which lead to the patient's hospitalization and testing of biological specimens.
Epidemiology of National Cases
So far in 2018, there have been 165 confirmed cases of AFM in 36 states. Most of the cases have occurred in children ages 18 or younger. The cases appear to have a cyclical or seasonal distribution, which is also similar to polio. The CDC has been tracking cases of AFM since 2014. More than 90 percent of those cases started with symptoms of a mild respiratory illness before progressing to muscle weakness that required hospitalization. Most cases are diagnosed between the months of August and October.
Symptoms
Most AFM symptoms focus on the central nervous system. The symptoms include weakness of the facial muscles, droopiness of one side of the face and difficulty with moving the eyes in a coordinated way. Patients may also develop droopy eyelids, difficulty with swallowing and slurred speech. The CDC recommends that parents who notice any of these symptoms in their child seek medical care as quickly as possible.
Possible Cause
The CDC has been able to rule out a variety of known viruses, including enteroviruses and poliovirus in stool specimens taken from the patients. It is possible that an as-yet undiscovered enterovirus is responsible for AFM. These viruses are known for causing infectious illnesses that are typically mild.
Treatment Options
Currently, there is no specific treatment for AFM. However, clinicians can offer supportive care for patients affected by the disease. Clinicians might recommend interventions such as speech therapy for swallowing disorders. Neurologists might recommend physical therapy for patients who experience muscle weakness or a decrease in the ability to ambulate. Occupational therapy may be recommended for patients who develop arm weakness and difficulty with movements of their hands.
Ongoing Research
CDC and other researchers continue to look into the cause of AFM. The researchers are also investigating whether certain environmental triggers may increase a person's risk of developing AFM. Clinicians and researchers together are working to learn more about the disease process and what causes the neurological symptoms to develop. Although there are no specific ways to prevent AFM, the CDC and South Dakota health officials remind people that hand washing and avoiding sick people are key methods of preventing the spread of infectious illnesses.
Prevention
Since we don't know the cause of most of these AFM cases or what triggers this condition, there is no specific action to take to prevent AFM.
Certain viruses are known to cause AFM including enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and West Nile virus.
You can protect yourself and your children from poliovirus by getting vaccinated. Polio vaccine contains inactivated (not live) virus, and protects against poliovirus. This vaccine does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.
You can protect against bites from mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, by using mosquito repellent, staying indoors at dusk and dawn (when bites are more common), and removing standing or stagnant water near your home (where mosquitoes can breed).
You can protect yourself and others from enteroviruses by washing your hands often(https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html) with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including toys.
State health officials in South Dakota are working with investigators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify risk factors, possible contacts and to trace anyone who might have been exposed.
New South Dakota AFM Case
The confirmed case of AFM in South Dakota occurred in an adult. The patient experienced a course of disease that included a mild respiratory illness and fever. These symptoms were followed by muscle weakness, which lead to the patient's hospitalization and testing of biological specimens.
Epidemiology of National Cases
So far in 2018, there have been 165 confirmed cases of AFM in 36 states. Most of the cases have occurred in children ages 18 or younger. The cases appear to have a cyclical or seasonal distribution, which is also similar to polio. The CDC has been tracking cases of AFM since 2014. More than 90 percent of those cases started with symptoms of a mild respiratory illness before progressing to muscle weakness that required hospitalization. Most cases are diagnosed between the months of August and October.
Symptoms
Most AFM symptoms focus on the central nervous system. The symptoms include weakness of the facial muscles, droopiness of one side of the face and difficulty with moving the eyes in a coordinated way. Patients may also develop droopy eyelids, difficulty with swallowing and slurred speech. The CDC recommends that parents who notice any of these symptoms in their child seek medical care as quickly as possible.
Possible Cause
The CDC has been able to rule out a variety of known viruses, including enteroviruses and poliovirus in stool specimens taken from the patients. It is possible that an as-yet undiscovered enterovirus is responsible for AFM. These viruses are known for causing infectious illnesses that are typically mild.
Treatment Options
Currently, there is no specific treatment for AFM. However, clinicians can offer supportive care for patients affected by the disease. Clinicians might recommend interventions such as speech therapy for swallowing disorders. Neurologists might recommend physical therapy for patients who experience muscle weakness or a decrease in the ability to ambulate. Occupational therapy may be recommended for patients who develop arm weakness and difficulty with movements of their hands.
Ongoing Research
CDC and other researchers continue to look into the cause of AFM. The researchers are also investigating whether certain environmental triggers may increase a person's risk of developing AFM. Clinicians and researchers together are working to learn more about the disease process and what causes the neurological symptoms to develop. Although there are no specific ways to prevent AFM, the CDC and South Dakota health officials remind people that hand washing and avoiding sick people are key methods of preventing the spread of infectious illnesses.
Prevention
Since we don't know the cause of most of these AFM cases or what triggers this condition, there is no specific action to take to prevent AFM.
Certain viruses are known to cause AFM including enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and West Nile virus.
You can protect yourself and your children from poliovirus by getting vaccinated. Polio vaccine contains inactivated (not live) virus, and protects against poliovirus. This vaccine does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.
You can protect against bites from mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, by using mosquito repellent, staying indoors at dusk and dawn (when bites are more common), and removing standing or stagnant water near your home (where mosquitoes can breed).
You can protect yourself and others from enteroviruses by washing your hands often(https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html) with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including toys.
Friday, December 21, 2018
Dry Socket
I had a tooth extracted in pieces since it split down the center and small pieces were coming out as I ate. There was the one side that didn't loose any pieces of the tooth so it was higher on the outside then the inside. Pain has been persistent and it has now been a week.
Update on 12/27/2018= below
Dentist is out of town but nurse told me, after she spoke with him, that it sounds like dry socket. Holy moly it is worse then the days following the procedure. Today makes day 8 but the pain got so much worse last night on day 7. I tried ice and a heating pad, aspirin, orajel, another type of oral toothache remedy, I even rubbed my gums and the socket with whiskey. Alas, nothing worked as it woke me up at 1 a.m. this morning not allowing me to go back to sleep until 4 a.m. Dentist said get some Motrin, Alleve is the same and you use less pills so I got there.
No matter what I eat, cold or hot or soft food it begins hurting all over again. I must drink my water warm not cold nor hot. Same with taking my medications. And the pain radiates all the way up the side of my face into my eye socket too.
So I have almost given up. I came up with an idea for a poultice so I made it and have it in my mouth now. I am using Kratom mixed with whiskey into a paste and put it into the socket and gauze on top of that. Right now it is working but it's only been about an hour. Hope and pray it does let me sleep better tonight.
Whether it works or not I will update this tomorrow.
Update: The poultice helped relieve the pain for about an hour. When I tried putting on another poultice it hurt too bad to keep it on. Bummer.
Today I am going to try some Hydrogen Peroxide to rinse my mouth in case there could be some infection. I will do this after eating and brushing my teeth each time. Let's see if this trial is a good one.
Update 12/23/2018:
The hydrogen peroxide has helped after eating but it only lasts for a few hours. Which is better then being in pain all day. However, when I eat, even soft or liquids, I have the intense pain and have to treat it with all the above items I listed on day one. This is not going to be a great Christmas dinner. Actually today we are having a Holiday Dinner since my Uncle doesn't celebrate on actual Christmas.
Finally, today the 24th of December 2018 my pain has been less frequent and less pain. Glad I got a break from it today.
Update on 12/27/2018: Got some Motrin and have been using it with the oragel and being careful to eat on opposite side. Even though I eat on opposite side I still feel pain when I eat and for awhile afterwards. The pain right now is lessening.
Update on 12/27/2018= below
Dentist is out of town but nurse told me, after she spoke with him, that it sounds like dry socket. Holy moly it is worse then the days following the procedure. Today makes day 8 but the pain got so much worse last night on day 7. I tried ice and a heating pad, aspirin, orajel, another type of oral toothache remedy, I even rubbed my gums and the socket with whiskey. Alas, nothing worked as it woke me up at 1 a.m. this morning not allowing me to go back to sleep until 4 a.m. Dentist said get some Motrin, Alleve is the same and you use less pills so I got there.
No matter what I eat, cold or hot or soft food it begins hurting all over again. I must drink my water warm not cold nor hot. Same with taking my medications. And the pain radiates all the way up the side of my face into my eye socket too.
So I have almost given up. I came up with an idea for a poultice so I made it and have it in my mouth now. I am using Kratom mixed with whiskey into a paste and put it into the socket and gauze on top of that. Right now it is working but it's only been about an hour. Hope and pray it does let me sleep better tonight.
Whether it works or not I will update this tomorrow.
Update: The poultice helped relieve the pain for about an hour. When I tried putting on another poultice it hurt too bad to keep it on. Bummer.
Today I am going to try some Hydrogen Peroxide to rinse my mouth in case there could be some infection. I will do this after eating and brushing my teeth each time. Let's see if this trial is a good one.
Update 12/23/2018:
The hydrogen peroxide has helped after eating but it only lasts for a few hours. Which is better then being in pain all day. However, when I eat, even soft or liquids, I have the intense pain and have to treat it with all the above items I listed on day one. This is not going to be a great Christmas dinner. Actually today we are having a Holiday Dinner since my Uncle doesn't celebrate on actual Christmas.
Finally, today the 24th of December 2018 my pain has been less frequent and less pain. Glad I got a break from it today.
Update on 12/27/2018: Got some Motrin and have been using it with the oragel and being careful to eat on opposite side. Even though I eat on opposite side I still feel pain when I eat and for awhile afterwards. The pain right now is lessening.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Stress, Sadness Really Can Break Your Heart
Dec. 17, 2018 -- The loss of a spouse. The loss of a pet.
Researchers have confirmed in recent years what people long suspected: Extreme stress can literally break your heart. And as they learn more about the relatively rare condition, they are finding that it’s not only caused by the loss of a loved one. Medical treatments, job loss, and other major life stressors have been linked to the condition.
The syndrome, known medically as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, mainly affects women. While the medical literature on broken heart syndrome is sparse, more cases are coming to light, with additional information about how it happens and how long-term the risks are.
Earlier this year, Canadian researchers reported a case of broken heart syndrome in a 63-year-old woman on treatments for metastatic breast cancer.
Over a 6-year period, researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston found 30 patients having cancer treatment fit the criteria for broken heart syndrome. Fortunately, none had a recurrence, but the researchers say the diagnosis should be considered in cancer patients who get chest pain.
In another report, a doctor presented case histories of two older women, one treated for chronic lung disease and the other for gastritis, who had broken heart syndrome.
When a patient’s heart “breaks,” the main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, weakens, leading to pain and shortness of breath. The condition is reversible and temporary but can lead to complications similar to those after a heart attack. Experts think it’s caused by a flood of hormones (such as adrenaline) produced during a stressful situation that stuns the heart.
That’s what happened to Joanie Simpson, 63, who had broken heart syndrome 2 years ago after the death of her beloved Yorkshire terrier, Meha.
Meha’s death was just one of many challenges Simpson had at the time. Her husband was about to retire, she recalls. The sale of some property wasn't going smoothly. Her son was dealing with worsening back problems. Her son-in-law lost his job.
Then little Meha, whom the couple had adopted when she was just a year old, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Her decline was difficult to watch. And after she died, Simpson thought she was coping, but a few days later, she woke up with chest and shoulder pains, fearing the worst -- a massive heart attack. At the hospital, her doctor, Abhijeet Dhoble, MD, a cardiologist at Houston's Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute, did too.
After running some tests, he found a different cause of her pain: a broken heart.
More than 6,200 cases of broken heart syndrome were reported in 2012 in the United States, up from about 300 in 2006, says Dhoble. Most patients are women. The increase, he says, is likely because more people know about the condition.
Often, a patient has many things happening at once, "and something trips them over," Dhoble says. "There is almost always a very distinct stressor. If you ask patients carefully, they will tell you that."
Dhoble published a study in The New England Journal of Medicine about Simpson’s case, which happened in May 2016.
The condition doesn't just happen after a person or a pet dies, says Jeffrey Decker, MD, section chief of clinical cardiology at Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute of Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI. Nor is it always centered on a health issue.
"I had a lady who was frustrated with the cable company present with this," he says. Another was a woman who found out her daughter lost her job, says Decker, also an assistant professor of medicine at Michigan State University.
Severe pain can trigger the syndrome. So can an asthma attack, a fierce argument, a surprise party, or even public speaking.
Symptoms mimic a heart attack -- most often, chest pains and shortness of breath. Nausea, vomiting, and palpitations can also happen. But only testing can show the diagnosis, says Dhoble.
"Takotsubo" means “octopus pot" in Japanese. Decker says it got that name because when it happens, certain portions of the heart muscle do not move well. Other parts make up for that lack of movement, making the heart look like a pot used by Japanese fishermen to trap octopuses.
About 95% of patients recover within a month or two. "Usually the prognosis is quite favorable," Decker says. Patients usually get the same medications used to treat congestive heart failure to support and strengthen the heart. Death is uncommon in people who don't have complications, with less than a 3% fatality rate.
What’s the Risk?
The news is not as good for people who get complications, which affect about 1 in 10 cases. One example is cardiogenic shock, which happens when the heart can't pump enough blood to the body.
A team of researchers studied the records of about 198 people with broken heart syndrome who got cardiogenic shock, comparing them to 1,880 people with the syndrome who did not. Davide Di Vece, MD, a researcher at the University Hospital Zurich, says that while only 2.3% of those without the complication died while in the hospital, 23.5% of those with it did. Those with the complication were also more likely to die within 5 years of the event than those who had no complications, he says.
There is no specific guideline for treating these patients, Di Vece says, so each needs to be evaluated individually and monitored closely long-term.
Prevention Is Key
Stopping stress, or managing it, before the overwhelming stage is, of course, the best advice.
But doing that can be complicated and difficult. Joanie Simpson acknowledges that she learned that the hard way.
At her 1-year follow-up, she checked out fine. Now, more than 2 years later, she is following medical advice closely to stay healthy. "I'm still taking the meds prescribed by Dr. Dhoble and doing very well," she says. "Other than the aches and pains of a 63-year-old grandmother, I am feeling really good and enjoying retirement with my husband out here in the Texas Hill Country."
And has another tiny dog stolen her heart? Not yet, she says. "But we still have Buster, our cat." She and her husband talk about getting another dog, but right now, they plan to do some more traveling. "We are not sure what our next destination will be," she says. "We are just looking forward to what God has in store for us next."
WebMD Article Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on December 17, 2018
Sources © 2018 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Researchers have confirmed in recent years what people long suspected: Extreme stress can literally break your heart. And as they learn more about the relatively rare condition, they are finding that it’s not only caused by the loss of a loved one. Medical treatments, job loss, and other major life stressors have been linked to the condition.
The syndrome, known medically as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, mainly affects women. While the medical literature on broken heart syndrome is sparse, more cases are coming to light, with additional information about how it happens and how long-term the risks are.
Earlier this year, Canadian researchers reported a case of broken heart syndrome in a 63-year-old woman on treatments for metastatic breast cancer.
Over a 6-year period, researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston found 30 patients having cancer treatment fit the criteria for broken heart syndrome. Fortunately, none had a recurrence, but the researchers say the diagnosis should be considered in cancer patients who get chest pain.
In another report, a doctor presented case histories of two older women, one treated for chronic lung disease and the other for gastritis, who had broken heart syndrome.
When a patient’s heart “breaks,” the main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, weakens, leading to pain and shortness of breath. The condition is reversible and temporary but can lead to complications similar to those after a heart attack. Experts think it’s caused by a flood of hormones (such as adrenaline) produced during a stressful situation that stuns the heart.
That’s what happened to Joanie Simpson, 63, who had broken heart syndrome 2 years ago after the death of her beloved Yorkshire terrier, Meha.
Meha’s death was just one of many challenges Simpson had at the time. Her husband was about to retire, she recalls. The sale of some property wasn't going smoothly. Her son was dealing with worsening back problems. Her son-in-law lost his job.
Then little Meha, whom the couple had adopted when she was just a year old, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Her decline was difficult to watch. And after she died, Simpson thought she was coping, but a few days later, she woke up with chest and shoulder pains, fearing the worst -- a massive heart attack. At the hospital, her doctor, Abhijeet Dhoble, MD, a cardiologist at Houston's Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute, did too.
After running some tests, he found a different cause of her pain: a broken heart.
More than 6,200 cases of broken heart syndrome were reported in 2012 in the United States, up from about 300 in 2006, says Dhoble. Most patients are women. The increase, he says, is likely because more people know about the condition.
Often, a patient has many things happening at once, "and something trips them over," Dhoble says. "There is almost always a very distinct stressor. If you ask patients carefully, they will tell you that."
Dhoble published a study in The New England Journal of Medicine about Simpson’s case, which happened in May 2016.
The condition doesn't just happen after a person or a pet dies, says Jeffrey Decker, MD, section chief of clinical cardiology at Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute of Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI. Nor is it always centered on a health issue.
"I had a lady who was frustrated with the cable company present with this," he says. Another was a woman who found out her daughter lost her job, says Decker, also an assistant professor of medicine at Michigan State University.
Severe pain can trigger the syndrome. So can an asthma attack, a fierce argument, a surprise party, or even public speaking.
Symptoms mimic a heart attack -- most often, chest pains and shortness of breath. Nausea, vomiting, and palpitations can also happen. But only testing can show the diagnosis, says Dhoble.
"Takotsubo" means “octopus pot" in Japanese. Decker says it got that name because when it happens, certain portions of the heart muscle do not move well. Other parts make up for that lack of movement, making the heart look like a pot used by Japanese fishermen to trap octopuses.
About 95% of patients recover within a month or two. "Usually the prognosis is quite favorable," Decker says. Patients usually get the same medications used to treat congestive heart failure to support and strengthen the heart. Death is uncommon in people who don't have complications, with less than a 3% fatality rate.
What’s the Risk?
The news is not as good for people who get complications, which affect about 1 in 10 cases. One example is cardiogenic shock, which happens when the heart can't pump enough blood to the body.
A team of researchers studied the records of about 198 people with broken heart syndrome who got cardiogenic shock, comparing them to 1,880 people with the syndrome who did not. Davide Di Vece, MD, a researcher at the University Hospital Zurich, says that while only 2.3% of those without the complication died while in the hospital, 23.5% of those with it did. Those with the complication were also more likely to die within 5 years of the event than those who had no complications, he says.
There is no specific guideline for treating these patients, Di Vece says, so each needs to be evaluated individually and monitored closely long-term.
Prevention Is Key
Stopping stress, or managing it, before the overwhelming stage is, of course, the best advice.
But doing that can be complicated and difficult. Joanie Simpson acknowledges that she learned that the hard way.
At her 1-year follow-up, she checked out fine. Now, more than 2 years later, she is following medical advice closely to stay healthy. "I'm still taking the meds prescribed by Dr. Dhoble and doing very well," she says. "Other than the aches and pains of a 63-year-old grandmother, I am feeling really good and enjoying retirement with my husband out here in the Texas Hill Country."
And has another tiny dog stolen her heart? Not yet, she says. "But we still have Buster, our cat." She and her husband talk about getting another dog, but right now, they plan to do some more traveling. "We are not sure what our next destination will be," she says. "We are just looking forward to what God has in store for us next."
WebMD Article Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on December 17, 2018
Sources © 2018 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Saturday, December 15, 2018
CDC Reveals Deadliest Drug in the US
According to the latest numbers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, Fentanyl is now the most commonly used drug that is involved in drug overdoses.
The new report says that the rate of drug overdoses involving the synthetic opioid increased by about 113% each year from 2013 through 2016.
What is fentanyl?
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.
However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product--with or without the user's knowledge--to increase its euphoric effects.
Illicitly-made fentanyl use is on the rise
The rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl, doubled from 2015 to 2016. Roughly 19,400 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than methadone in 2016.
Reports from law enforcement indicate that much of the synthetic opioid overdose increase may be due to illegally or illicitly made fentanyl. According to data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System, confiscations, or seizures, of fentanyl increased by nearly 7 fold from 2012 to 2014. There were 4,585 fentanyl confiscations in 2014. This suggests that the sharp rise in fentanyl-related deaths may be due to increased availability of illegally made, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, and not prescribed fentanyl.
The number of states reporting 20 or more fentanyl confiscations every six months is increasing. From July to December 2014, 18 states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations. By comparison, six states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations from July to December 2013.
What can be done?
CDC suggests the following actions in response to increases in fentanyl-related overdose deaths:
Improve detection of fentanyl outbreaks
Public health departments:
Explore methods for more rapidly detecting drug overdose outbreaks, including fentanyl.
Medical examiners and coroners:
Screen for fentanyl in suspected opioid overdose cases in regions reporting increases in fentanyl confiscations, fentanyl-related overdose fatalities or unusually high spikes in heroin or unspecified drug overdose fatalities. Not all jurisdictions routinely test for fentanyl.
Law enforcement:
Law enforcement can play an important role identifying and responding to increases in the distribution and use of illegally-made fentanyl.
Expand Use of Naloxone
Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid-related overdoses, including heroin and fentanyl, and is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses. Depending on state and local laws, this medication can be administered by EMS, law enforcement, other drug users, or family and friend bystanders who have obtained the medication.9
Health Care Providers:
Multiple doses of naloxone may need to be administered per overdose event because of fentanyl's high potency relative to other opioids.10
Harm reduction organizations:
Conduct trainings on naloxone use to persons at risk for opioid-related overdose and their friends and family members.
CDC
The new report says that the rate of drug overdoses involving the synthetic opioid increased by about 113% each year from 2013 through 2016.
What is fentanyl?
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.
However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product--with or without the user's knowledge--to increase its euphoric effects.
Illicitly-made fentanyl use is on the rise
The rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl, doubled from 2015 to 2016. Roughly 19,400 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than methadone in 2016.
Reports from law enforcement indicate that much of the synthetic opioid overdose increase may be due to illegally or illicitly made fentanyl. According to data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System, confiscations, or seizures, of fentanyl increased by nearly 7 fold from 2012 to 2014. There were 4,585 fentanyl confiscations in 2014. This suggests that the sharp rise in fentanyl-related deaths may be due to increased availability of illegally made, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, and not prescribed fentanyl.
The number of states reporting 20 or more fentanyl confiscations every six months is increasing. From July to December 2014, 18 states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations. By comparison, six states reported 20 or more fentanyl drug confiscations from July to December 2013.
What can be done?
CDC suggests the following actions in response to increases in fentanyl-related overdose deaths:
Improve detection of fentanyl outbreaks
Public health departments:
Explore methods for more rapidly detecting drug overdose outbreaks, including fentanyl.
Medical examiners and coroners:
Screen for fentanyl in suspected opioid overdose cases in regions reporting increases in fentanyl confiscations, fentanyl-related overdose fatalities or unusually high spikes in heroin or unspecified drug overdose fatalities. Not all jurisdictions routinely test for fentanyl.
Law enforcement:
Law enforcement can play an important role identifying and responding to increases in the distribution and use of illegally-made fentanyl.
Expand Use of Naloxone
Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid-related overdoses, including heroin and fentanyl, and is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses. Depending on state and local laws, this medication can be administered by EMS, law enforcement, other drug users, or family and friend bystanders who have obtained the medication.9
Health Care Providers:
Multiple doses of naloxone may need to be administered per overdose event because of fentanyl's high potency relative to other opioids.10
Harm reduction organizations:
Conduct trainings on naloxone use to persons at risk for opioid-related overdose and their friends and family members.
CDC
Monday, December 3, 2018
Thursday, November 29, 2018
How to Create Joy in Life by Being Grateful
How can we feel more unbridled joy in life? The kind of joy kids experience when playing together. Or that intense happiness that comes from seeing our baby or grandbaby for the first time. The breathtaking awe of nature that may catch us by surprise like a rainbow. Sitting by a warm, crackling fireplace enjoying a hot drink. Indulging in a passionate hobby. Whatever way we uniquely experience joy, we can all agree that it passes too quickly. What if by opening our eyes and hearts to the abundance around us, we could find more joy? One way to do this is by being grateful. It’s not always easy though.
Challenges to Our Gratitude
With any practice that we begin, more than likely, we’ll experience obstacles to its success. Recognizing these potential blocks to our gratitude when they come up, can help. Here are three:
1. Focusing on what’s wrong or lacking
We tend to focus on what’s wrong rather than on what’s right. But the beauty of gratitude is that it’s an effective tool for turning the negative into the positive. For example, when you wake up in the morning, do you start running through your to do list? You may even feel overwhelmed and discouraged by all the chores and obligations. Instead, think about all the blessings in your life. Now you’ll start the day on top of the world instead of the world being on top of you.
2. Losing the Luster
Dr. David Brandt in his book, Is That All There Is?: Balancing Expectation and Disappointment in Your Life, writes about how we lose our enthusiasm for things that once excited us: “Human beings have a curious capacity to take things for granted. The most exquisite diamond loses its luster with familiarity. The most compatible intimate becomes boring. Miracles like the daily sunrise fail to astonish because they’re commonplace! Repetition and time dull our sense of wonder.”
Notice that when you first see the ocean at the beach or the forest on a hike that after a while the magic goes. Recognizing, though, that we can linger longer at the beauty of nature, on our child’s happy face, or on the smell of our favorite food, helps us connect more deeply with our experience of the world.
3. Difficult times
You may be without a job, have an illness or are facing a difficult time in your life. When going through tough times, it’s harder to see the good that exists amidst our troubles. But by being more grateful for what we do have, we can increase our happiness by 25% according to University of California Psychology Professor Dr. Robert Emmons and author of the book, Thanks!: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier.
In bad times, look for an opportunity that may exist, yet may not be so obvious. For example, a job loss can present all kinds of fears. Perhaps though it’s time to change life’s direction and look for work that is more suited to your talents and passions. Even the bad experiences, can lead to something good, maybe not right away, but overtime.
Creating More Joy
Now that we’ve explored a few challenges to our gratitude, here are some ways to help create those intensely happy moments we can all use more of:
Notice the pleasures around you – Think about the people and things that you may not be appreciating. A job, spouse or friend? A warm bed, hot shower, the miracle of breathing? The benefit of not taking things for granted is that it pulls you into the moment. You become present and feel more alive.
Show your gratitude – This can create a joyful moment for you and the person receiving your gratitude. You can write someone a gratitude letter, or simply say thank you in person – for their friendship, their love, helping you with a big project, etc. This week make it a point of doing one of these things and see how good you feel afterward.
Nurture your gratitude – To amplify gratitude in your life, you can start a gratitude journal, create gratitude affirmations, post gratitude quotes, and even complain less. Vow to choose a gratitude practice that you can do daily.
Celebrate your potential – We all have talents and skills that are unique to us. We seldom think about them. Instead, we think about how we can’t do something. Focus on your gifts and, if you’re not using them, think about ways you can. This will surely bring more joy to your life.
With these few practices above, you’ll begin to notice that you’ll experience more joy, peace and contentment in life.
What are you grateful for in this moment? Let’s share some gratitude by commenting below.
Challenges to Our Gratitude
With any practice that we begin, more than likely, we’ll experience obstacles to its success. Recognizing these potential blocks to our gratitude when they come up, can help. Here are three:
1. Focusing on what’s wrong or lacking
We tend to focus on what’s wrong rather than on what’s right. But the beauty of gratitude is that it’s an effective tool for turning the negative into the positive. For example, when you wake up in the morning, do you start running through your to do list? You may even feel overwhelmed and discouraged by all the chores and obligations. Instead, think about all the blessings in your life. Now you’ll start the day on top of the world instead of the world being on top of you.
2. Losing the Luster
Dr. David Brandt in his book, Is That All There Is?: Balancing Expectation and Disappointment in Your Life, writes about how we lose our enthusiasm for things that once excited us: “Human beings have a curious capacity to take things for granted. The most exquisite diamond loses its luster with familiarity. The most compatible intimate becomes boring. Miracles like the daily sunrise fail to astonish because they’re commonplace! Repetition and time dull our sense of wonder.”
Notice that when you first see the ocean at the beach or the forest on a hike that after a while the magic goes. Recognizing, though, that we can linger longer at the beauty of nature, on our child’s happy face, or on the smell of our favorite food, helps us connect more deeply with our experience of the world.
3. Difficult times
You may be without a job, have an illness or are facing a difficult time in your life. When going through tough times, it’s harder to see the good that exists amidst our troubles. But by being more grateful for what we do have, we can increase our happiness by 25% according to University of California Psychology Professor Dr. Robert Emmons and author of the book, Thanks!: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier.
In bad times, look for an opportunity that may exist, yet may not be so obvious. For example, a job loss can present all kinds of fears. Perhaps though it’s time to change life’s direction and look for work that is more suited to your talents and passions. Even the bad experiences, can lead to something good, maybe not right away, but overtime.
Creating More Joy
Now that we’ve explored a few challenges to our gratitude, here are some ways to help create those intensely happy moments we can all use more of:
Notice the pleasures around you – Think about the people and things that you may not be appreciating. A job, spouse or friend? A warm bed, hot shower, the miracle of breathing? The benefit of not taking things for granted is that it pulls you into the moment. You become present and feel more alive.
Show your gratitude – This can create a joyful moment for you and the person receiving your gratitude. You can write someone a gratitude letter, or simply say thank you in person – for their friendship, their love, helping you with a big project, etc. This week make it a point of doing one of these things and see how good you feel afterward.
Nurture your gratitude – To amplify gratitude in your life, you can start a gratitude journal, create gratitude affirmations, post gratitude quotes, and even complain less. Vow to choose a gratitude practice that you can do daily.
Celebrate your potential – We all have talents and skills that are unique to us. We seldom think about them. Instead, we think about how we can’t do something. Focus on your gifts and, if you’re not using them, think about ways you can. This will surely bring more joy to your life.
With these few practices above, you’ll begin to notice that you’ll experience more joy, peace and contentment in life.
What are you grateful for in this moment? Let’s share some gratitude by commenting below.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Don't make these common nutritional mistakes
Don't Make These Common Nutrition Mistakes
Nutrition plays a key role in our health.
By eating the right foods, you'll benefit from improved physical and mental health.
Unfortunately, though, many people fall victim to one or more of the following nutrition mistakes.
Drinking Soda
How much harm can soda really pose to your health?
Because of its high caloric content without the presence of beneficial nutrients, soda is considered an empty-calorie beverage. While different types of soda contain different ingredients, they all receive their calories from processed sugar. It's not uncommon for a 12-ounce serving to pack up to 40 grams of processed sugar, which is more than the daily allowance recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA).
That excess sugar will wreak havoc on your health by suppressing your immune system, disrupting your sleep cycles, promoting body fat and more.
Counting Calories
When seeking to lose weight, many people reduce the amount of calories they consume, believing this will lead them to a slimmer waistline. The problem is that not all calories are the same. Calories from protein, for instance, are treated differently than those from sugar.
Therefore, counting calories doesn't always work. A better approach is to focus your diet on nutritional foods that are low in processed sugar and sodium.
Using Too Much Dressing or Sauce
Loading up on salad dressing, sauce or other condiments can quickly negate the otherwise positive health benefits of your food.
These products are often loaded with sugar, sodium and artificial preservatives.
Assuming All Fats Are Bad
There are different types of fats, not all of which are bad for your health. Trans-unsaturated fatty acids, or what's more commonly known as trans fat, is the worst type of fat. Studies have shown that consuming trans fat, even in small amounts, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even taken steps to ban the substance in food products sold in the United States.
Nonetheless, you can still find many foods with trans fat, some of which include microwaveable popcorn, cookies, crackers, breakfast meals and doughnuts.
On the other hand, unsaturated fatty acids are good for your health. They have the opposite effect by lowering your risk of heart disease. Unsaturated fatty acids raise levels of good cholesterol and lower levels of bad cholesterol to promote a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.
You can find unsaturated fatty acids in the following foods:
- Fish
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Dark Chocolate
Consuming Artificial Sweetener
With its zero caloric content, many people assume that artificial sweeteners are better for their health than real sugar.
Whether it's aspartame, sucralose, saccharin or acesulfame, though, artificial sweeteners are processed by the body the same was as processed sugar.
Therefore, they too can contribute to weight gain and elevated blood glucose levels.
Avoiding these nutrition mistakes will set you on the path to better health.
Just be conscious of what you eat and the ingredients your food contains.
Nutrition plays a key role in our health.
By eating the right foods, you'll benefit from improved physical and mental health.
Unfortunately, though, many people fall victim to one or more of the following nutrition mistakes.
Drinking Soda
How much harm can soda really pose to your health?
Because of its high caloric content without the presence of beneficial nutrients, soda is considered an empty-calorie beverage. While different types of soda contain different ingredients, they all receive their calories from processed sugar. It's not uncommon for a 12-ounce serving to pack up to 40 grams of processed sugar, which is more than the daily allowance recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA).
That excess sugar will wreak havoc on your health by suppressing your immune system, disrupting your sleep cycles, promoting body fat and more.
Counting Calories
When seeking to lose weight, many people reduce the amount of calories they consume, believing this will lead them to a slimmer waistline. The problem is that not all calories are the same. Calories from protein, for instance, are treated differently than those from sugar.
Therefore, counting calories doesn't always work. A better approach is to focus your diet on nutritional foods that are low in processed sugar and sodium.
Using Too Much Dressing or Sauce
Loading up on salad dressing, sauce or other condiments can quickly negate the otherwise positive health benefits of your food.
These products are often loaded with sugar, sodium and artificial preservatives.
Assuming All Fats Are Bad
There are different types of fats, not all of which are bad for your health. Trans-unsaturated fatty acids, or what's more commonly known as trans fat, is the worst type of fat. Studies have shown that consuming trans fat, even in small amounts, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even taken steps to ban the substance in food products sold in the United States.
Nonetheless, you can still find many foods with trans fat, some of which include microwaveable popcorn, cookies, crackers, breakfast meals and doughnuts.
On the other hand, unsaturated fatty acids are good for your health. They have the opposite effect by lowering your risk of heart disease. Unsaturated fatty acids raise levels of good cholesterol and lower levels of bad cholesterol to promote a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.
You can find unsaturated fatty acids in the following foods:
- Fish
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Dark Chocolate
Consuming Artificial Sweetener
With its zero caloric content, many people assume that artificial sweeteners are better for their health than real sugar.
Whether it's aspartame, sucralose, saccharin or acesulfame, though, artificial sweeteners are processed by the body the same was as processed sugar.
Therefore, they too can contribute to weight gain and elevated blood glucose levels.
Avoiding these nutrition mistakes will set you on the path to better health.
Just be conscious of what you eat and the ingredients your food contains.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Nationwide Recall of Pharmaceuticals
Mylan Initiates Voluntary Nationwide Recall of 15 Lots of Valsartan Tablets, USP, Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP, and Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP, Due to the Detection of Trace Amounts of NDEA (N-Nitrosodiethylamine) Impurity Found in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
For Immediate Release
November 20, 2018
Contact
Consumers
888-406-9305
Announcement
Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ: MYL) today announced that its U.S. based Mylan Pharmaceuticals business is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall to the consumer level of select lots of Valsartan-containing products, including six lots of Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP (including the 5mg/160mg, 10mg/160mg, and 10mg/320mg strengths), seven lots of Valsartan Tablets, USP (including 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, and 320 mg strengths), and two lots of Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg strength. These products are being recalled due to detected trace amounts of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contained in the API Valsartan, USP, manufactured by Mylan Laboratories Limited. NDEA is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The finished products are manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Mylan Laboratories Limited. These batches were distributed in the U.S. between March 2017 and November 2018. The recalled batches are as follows:
NDC Product Description Strength Size Lot Number Expiry
0378-1721-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 5mg/160mg Bottles of 30 3066051 3/2019
0378-1722-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/160mg Bottles of 30 3079500 1/2020
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3061986 11/2018
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3079709 1/2020
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3077618 11/2019
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3079708 1/2020
0378-5813-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 80mg Bottles of 90 3063782 1/2019
0378-5814-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 160mg Bottles of 90 3071352 7/2019
0378-5807-93 Valsartan Tablets, USP 40mg Bottles of 30 3061169 11/2018
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3081499 3/2020
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3080009 2/2020
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3080010 2/2020
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3079205 1/2020
0378-6325-05 Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg Bottles of 500 3084886 2/2019
0378-6325-05 Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg Bottles of 500 3093804 12/2019
Valsartan is used for the treatment of high blood pressure for the treatment of heart failure, and to reduce cardiovascular mortality following myocardial infarction. Valsartan in combination with amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. Patients should contact their pharmacist or physician who can advise them about an alternative treatment prior to returning their medication. Patients who are on valsartan should continue taking their medication, as the risk of harm to the patient's health may be higher if the treatment is stopped immediately without any alternative treatment.
Mylan is notifying its distributors and customers by letter and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Wholesalers, retailers and consumers that are in possession of recalled product should contact Stericycle at 1-888-406-9305 for the return of the recalled product. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using these drug products.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
About Mylan
Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in healthcare. Working together around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and service excellence a habit; do what's right, not what's easy; and impact the future through passionate global leadership. We offer a growing portfolio of more than 7,500 marketed products around the world, including antiretroviral therapies on which more than 40% of people being treated for HIV/AIDS globally depend. We market our products in more than 165 countries and territories. We are one of the world's largest producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Every member of our approximately 35,000-strong workforce is dedicated to creating better health for a better world, one person at a time. Learn more at Mylan.com.
For Immediate Release
November 20, 2018
Contact
Consumers
888-406-9305
Announcement
Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ: MYL) today announced that its U.S. based Mylan Pharmaceuticals business is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall to the consumer level of select lots of Valsartan-containing products, including six lots of Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP (including the 5mg/160mg, 10mg/160mg, and 10mg/320mg strengths), seven lots of Valsartan Tablets, USP (including 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, and 320 mg strengths), and two lots of Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg strength. These products are being recalled due to detected trace amounts of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contained in the API Valsartan, USP, manufactured by Mylan Laboratories Limited. NDEA is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The finished products are manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Mylan Laboratories Limited. These batches were distributed in the U.S. between March 2017 and November 2018. The recalled batches are as follows:
NDC Product Description Strength Size Lot Number Expiry
0378-1721-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 5mg/160mg Bottles of 30 3066051 3/2019
0378-1722-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/160mg Bottles of 30 3079500 1/2020
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3061986 11/2018
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3079709 1/2020
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3077618 11/2019
0378-1724-93 Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP 10mg/320mg Bottles of 30 3079708 1/2020
0378-5813-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 80mg Bottles of 90 3063782 1/2019
0378-5814-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 160mg Bottles of 90 3071352 7/2019
0378-5807-93 Valsartan Tablets, USP 40mg Bottles of 30 3061169 11/2018
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3081499 3/2020
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3080009 2/2020
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3080010 2/2020
0378-5815-77 Valsartan Tablets, USP 320mg Bottles of 90 3079205 1/2020
0378-6325-05 Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg Bottles of 500 3084886 2/2019
0378-6325-05 Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg Bottles of 500 3093804 12/2019
Valsartan is used for the treatment of high blood pressure for the treatment of heart failure, and to reduce cardiovascular mortality following myocardial infarction. Valsartan in combination with amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. Patients should contact their pharmacist or physician who can advise them about an alternative treatment prior to returning their medication. Patients who are on valsartan should continue taking their medication, as the risk of harm to the patient's health may be higher if the treatment is stopped immediately without any alternative treatment.
Mylan is notifying its distributors and customers by letter and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Wholesalers, retailers and consumers that are in possession of recalled product should contact Stericycle at 1-888-406-9305 for the return of the recalled product. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using these drug products.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
About Mylan
Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in healthcare. Working together around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and service excellence a habit; do what's right, not what's easy; and impact the future through passionate global leadership. We offer a growing portfolio of more than 7,500 marketed products around the world, including antiretroviral therapies on which more than 40% of people being treated for HIV/AIDS globally depend. We market our products in more than 165 countries and territories. We are one of the world's largest producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Every member of our approximately 35,000-strong workforce is dedicated to creating better health for a better world, one person at a time. Learn more at Mylan.com.
Friday, November 23, 2018
The ridiculously long list of Fibro symptoms
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM/ENDOCRINE/IMMUNE/HORMONE:
Abnormal sensitivity to hot or cold Allergies (nasal, other; new, increased or worsening) Canker sores (frequent) Chills and/or shakes when hungry (may occur instead of feeling hungry) Cold hands and feet Feeling hot or cold often Flu-like symptoms, on-going or recurrent after initial gradual or acute onset; includes mild fever (99.5-101.5 F / 37.5-38.6 C), chills, extreme fatigue after minimal exertion Hair loss (alopecia) Herpes simplex or shingles rash Increased susceptibility to infections Low-grade fevers Low blood pressure (below 110/70) Low body temperature (below 97.5) Lymph nodes painful, swollen (in neck; under arms) Night sweats (not related to menopause or fever) Orthostatic Intolerance (neurally mediated hypotension) Reactive hypoglycemia and insulin resistance Thirst, increased Temperature irregularities; often feeling hot or cold irrespective of actual ambient temperature and body temperature; low body temperature (below 97.6 F / 36.4 C) Thyroid inflammation (acute thyroiditis; hypothyroidism; Hashimoto's thyroiditis)
CARDIOPULMONARY/RESPIRATORY/CIRCULATORY:
Cardiac abnormalities (mitral valve prolapse; myocarditis; tachycardia; palpitations; dysrhythmia) Cough Dyspnoea (out of breath) or shortness of breath (air hunger) after minimal or no exertion Heart attack Heart palpitations Heart pounds so hard it shakes body, bed Pulse skips Serious rhythm disturbances of heart Sighing, frequent, not related to mental/emotional state Stroke Vasculitis
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM/NEUROLOGICAL/NEUROPATHIC/OTOLOGIC:
Abnormal CAT, MRI and/or SPECT scans Alcohol intolerance Aseptic meningitis "Brain-fog"; inability to think clearly Difficulty moving tongue to speak,Diminished or absent reflexes Fainting or blackouts; feeling like you might faint Headaches (frequent, severe, recurring) Hearing fluctuations (sounds fade then return) Hearing changes, often from day to day (need to turn up, then down, volume of radio, TV) Joint or arthritic pain not relieved by NSAIDs (ie, ibuprofen) Libido (decreased) Light-headed, feeling spaced-out Migraine headaches Muscle twitching Noise intolerance Paralysis or severe weakness of limb Paraesthesia (numbness, tingling, crawling, itching sensations) in face, head, torso, extremities Photosensitivity Radiculitis Seizures; seizure-like episodes Sensory alterations (hyper- or hypo-sensitivity) - smell, taste, hearing (noise intolerance) Severe muscle weakness Syncope (fainting) Tinnitus (ringing/noises in one or both ears) Touch or weight of clothing on or against body causes discomfort or pain Tremors, trembling
COGNITIVE FUNCTION:
Becoming lost in familiar locations when driving Difficulty with simple calculations (e.g., balancing checkbook) Difficulty expressing ideas in words Difficulty moving your mouth to speak Difficulty making decisions Difficulty following directions while driving Difficulty remembering names of objects Difficulty remembering names of people Difficulty recognizing faces Difficulty following simple written instructions Difficulty following complicated written instructions Difficulty following simple oral (spoken) instructions Difficulty following complicated oral (spoken) instructions Difficulty integrating information (putting ideas together to form a complete picture or concept) Difficulty putting tasks or things in proper sequence Difficulty paying attention Difficulty following a conversation when background noise is present Difficulty making and/or retrieving memories (long/short-term memory deficits) Difficulty understanding what you read Easily distracted during a task Feeling too disoriented to drive Forgetting how to do routine things Forgetting the use of common objects (such as, what to do with the shampoo when you are standing in the shower) Forgetting how to get to familiar places Impaired ability to concentrate Losing your train of thought in the middle of a sentence Losing track in the middle of a task (remembering what to do next) Poor judgment Switching left and right Slowed and/or slurred speech Stuttering; stammering Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you speak and/or speak Word-finding difficulty Using the wrong word
DIGESTIVE/HEPATIC:
Bloating; intestinal gas Decreased appetite Digestive chemicals (acid, enzymes) reduced or absent Oesophageal reflux; heartburn Frequent constipation Frequent diarrhoea Food cravings (especially carbohydrates, sweets) Food/Substance intolerance IBS Liver function impaired; mild abnormalities Increased appetite Nausea Spleen tender or enlarged Stomach ache, cramps Vomiting Weight gain or loss
EQUILIBRIUM/PERCEPTION:
Bite your cheeks or tongue frequently Bump into things frequently Difficulty discriminating printed matter despite proper vision correction Distances (difficulty judging when driving; when putting things down on surfaces) Dizziness or vertigo Dropping things frequently Disequilibrium (balance problems) Impaired coordination Loss of balance when standing with eyes closed Perception (not quite seeing what you are looking at) Some patterns (stripes, checks) cause dizziness Spatial disorientation Staggering gait (clumsy walking) Words on printed page appear to jump off page or disappear when staring at them
EYES/VISION:
Acuity changes not related to prescription changes Blind spots Blurred vision Conjunctivitis Diminished visual acuity in absence of actual vision change Drooping eyelid Double vision Eye pain Flashes of light perceived peripherally Optic neuritis or atrophy Oscillopsia (image jiggles) Prescription changes more frequently Pressure sensation behind eyes Red and/or tearing eyes Retinal damage Slowed accommodation (switching focus from far to near, near to far) Spots or floaters not related to migraines Swelling around eyes Uveitis and/or iritis Wandering or lazy eye
HEAD/NECK/MOUTH:
Bell's palsy (facial paralysis, one or both sides) Bruxism (grinding/clenching teeth) Canker sores Dizziness when you turn your head or move Dry chronic cough Dry eyes, nose and mouth (sicca syndrome) Pain in ears, palate, gums Periodontal disease Prickling pain along skin of jaw Problems swallowing, chewing Runny nose in absence of cold, allergies Sinus infections Sore spot on the top of your head Temperomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) Unexplained toothaches Xerostoma (dry mouth)
MUSCULOSKELETAL:
Arthritic pain that migrates from joint to joint Carpal tunnel syndrome Frozen shoulder Intermittent joint swelling Joint aches (arthralgia) Joint pain, without redness or swelling Loss of tone "Lumpy, bumpy" long muscles Morning stiffness Muscle aches (myalgia) Muscle pain, stiffness, weakness Pyriform muscle syndrome Reduced range of motion Stiff neck Writing causes pain in hand, arm shoulder
PAIN SYMPTOMS:
Abdominal pain *Chest pain* Generalized pain Joint Pain Pain that migrates from joint to joint Pain/stiffness at C1-C2 (top two vertebrae) *** Shooting or stabbing pains **** Painful tender points (FMS: 11 out of 18 tender points)
PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS/MOOD/EMOTIONS:
Abrupt/Unpredictable mood swings Anxiety or fear for no obvious reason Appetite increase/decrease Decreased self-esteem Depression or depressed mood Feeling helpless and/or hopeless Feeling worthless Frequent crying for no reason Helpless/Hopeless feelings Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities Irritability; over-reaction New phobias/irrational fears Panic attacks Personality changes (labile, irritable, anxious, confused, forgetful) Phobias (irrational fears) Rage attacks; anger outbursts for little or no reason Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
SENSITIVITIES:
Acute or abnormal reactions to medications Alteration in taste, smell, and/or hearing Chemicals (alcohol, medications; lower tolerance for) Food sensitivities Increased perception of and sensitivity to noise Light sensitivity Sensitivity to odours (able to detect and/or react in concentrations far lower than before and that healthy people cannot smell) NOISE sensitivities
SKIN/NAILS:
Abnormal scarring Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophician Blotchy or mottled skin Bruise easily Bruises may take longer to appear, and/or longer to fade Bull's-eye (Erythema migraines) on light skin (resembles a bruise on dark skin) Dermographia (minor scratch pressure on skin leaves vivid red welts) Dry, itchy skin Easily scar Eczema or psoriasis Fragile nails Frequent skin irritations Lymphadenosis benigna cutis Nails that curve under or downward Overgrowing connective tissue (ingrown hair, adhesions, thickened/split cuticles, cysts, fibroids)Painful skin (abnormal/excessive pain when scratched or rubbed) "Paper" skin (feels fragile, tissue-thin when rubbed) Rashes on body, face Vertical ridges or beads in nails
SLEEP SYMPTOMS:
Abnormal brain activity in stage 4 sleep Altered sleep/wake patterns (alert/energetic late at night, sleepy during day Difficulty falling asleep Difficulty staying asleep (frequent and/or prolonged awakenings) Hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) Myclonus (restless leg syndrome; occasional jerking of entire body) Nightmares (frequent, extremely vivid and/or disturbing) Unrefreshing/Non-restorative sleep
UROGENITAL/REPRODUCTIVE:
Decreased libido Discharge from breast or galactorrhea Endometriosis Frequent urination Incontinence Impotence Infant: premature; low birth weight; low muscle tone; failure to thrive Interstitial cystitis Miscarriage or stillbirth Painful intercourse Painful urination or bladder Pelvic and/or rectal pain Prostate pain Swollen testicles Other symptoms worsen before start of menstruation Worsening of PMS
OTHER:
Abnormal or other changes in sweating Activity level reduced to less than 50% of pre-onset level Burning sensation (internal or external) Changed voice Changes in sweat odour/body odour Delayed reaction to overactivity/exertion (onset 24-48 hours after exertion) Electromagnetic (EM) sensitivity (electrical storms, full moon, affect function of electrical devices) Fatigue, prolonged, disabling, made worse by exertion or stress Fibrocystic breasts "Galloping" cholesterol and triglycerides Hair loss (not related to age, hormones, diet, medication) Hands hurt excessively when put in cold water Handwriting changes, altering signature and/or other writing Hoarseness Painful, weak grasp that gives way/lets go Periods of concentrated thinking causes physical and mental exhaustion, increases pain Sore throat Swelling/Idiopathic oedema (fluid retention syndrome) Symptoms worsened by extremes of temperature (hot, cold), stress, and/or air travel Symptoms change focus from time to time, like infection is moving through the body Thickened mucus secretions (nose, bowel, vaginal) Thickened "sleep" around eyes in mornings Very attractive to biting flies and mosquitoes Weight changes (usually gain)
by Fibromyalgia Support Network INC.
posted Nov. 23, 2018
Abnormal sensitivity to hot or cold Allergies (nasal, other; new, increased or worsening) Canker sores (frequent) Chills and/or shakes when hungry (may occur instead of feeling hungry) Cold hands and feet Feeling hot or cold often Flu-like symptoms, on-going or recurrent after initial gradual or acute onset; includes mild fever (99.5-101.5 F / 37.5-38.6 C), chills, extreme fatigue after minimal exertion Hair loss (alopecia) Herpes simplex or shingles rash Increased susceptibility to infections Low-grade fevers Low blood pressure (below 110/70) Low body temperature (below 97.5) Lymph nodes painful, swollen (in neck; under arms) Night sweats (not related to menopause or fever) Orthostatic Intolerance (neurally mediated hypotension) Reactive hypoglycemia and insulin resistance Thirst, increased Temperature irregularities; often feeling hot or cold irrespective of actual ambient temperature and body temperature; low body temperature (below 97.6 F / 36.4 C) Thyroid inflammation (acute thyroiditis; hypothyroidism; Hashimoto's thyroiditis)
CARDIOPULMONARY/RESPIRATORY/CIRCULATORY:
Cardiac abnormalities (mitral valve prolapse; myocarditis; tachycardia; palpitations; dysrhythmia) Cough Dyspnoea (out of breath) or shortness of breath (air hunger) after minimal or no exertion Heart attack Heart palpitations Heart pounds so hard it shakes body, bed Pulse skips Serious rhythm disturbances of heart Sighing, frequent, not related to mental/emotional state Stroke Vasculitis
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM/NEUROLOGICAL/NEUROPATHIC/OTOLOGIC:
Abnormal CAT, MRI and/or SPECT scans Alcohol intolerance Aseptic meningitis "Brain-fog"; inability to think clearly Difficulty moving tongue to speak,Diminished or absent reflexes Fainting or blackouts; feeling like you might faint Headaches (frequent, severe, recurring) Hearing fluctuations (sounds fade then return) Hearing changes, often from day to day (need to turn up, then down, volume of radio, TV) Joint or arthritic pain not relieved by NSAIDs (ie, ibuprofen) Libido (decreased) Light-headed, feeling spaced-out Migraine headaches Muscle twitching Noise intolerance Paralysis or severe weakness of limb Paraesthesia (numbness, tingling, crawling, itching sensations) in face, head, torso, extremities Photosensitivity Radiculitis Seizures; seizure-like episodes Sensory alterations (hyper- or hypo-sensitivity) - smell, taste, hearing (noise intolerance) Severe muscle weakness Syncope (fainting) Tinnitus (ringing/noises in one or both ears) Touch or weight of clothing on or against body causes discomfort or pain Tremors, trembling
COGNITIVE FUNCTION:
Becoming lost in familiar locations when driving Difficulty with simple calculations (e.g., balancing checkbook) Difficulty expressing ideas in words Difficulty moving your mouth to speak Difficulty making decisions Difficulty following directions while driving Difficulty remembering names of objects Difficulty remembering names of people Difficulty recognizing faces Difficulty following simple written instructions Difficulty following complicated written instructions Difficulty following simple oral (spoken) instructions Difficulty following complicated oral (spoken) instructions Difficulty integrating information (putting ideas together to form a complete picture or concept) Difficulty putting tasks or things in proper sequence Difficulty paying attention Difficulty following a conversation when background noise is present Difficulty making and/or retrieving memories (long/short-term memory deficits) Difficulty understanding what you read Easily distracted during a task Feeling too disoriented to drive Forgetting how to do routine things Forgetting the use of common objects (such as, what to do with the shampoo when you are standing in the shower) Forgetting how to get to familiar places Impaired ability to concentrate Losing your train of thought in the middle of a sentence Losing track in the middle of a task (remembering what to do next) Poor judgment Switching left and right Slowed and/or slurred speech Stuttering; stammering Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you speak and/or speak Word-finding difficulty Using the wrong word
DIGESTIVE/HEPATIC:
Bloating; intestinal gas Decreased appetite Digestive chemicals (acid, enzymes) reduced or absent Oesophageal reflux; heartburn Frequent constipation Frequent diarrhoea Food cravings (especially carbohydrates, sweets) Food/Substance intolerance IBS Liver function impaired; mild abnormalities Increased appetite Nausea Spleen tender or enlarged Stomach ache, cramps Vomiting Weight gain or loss
EQUILIBRIUM/PERCEPTION:
Bite your cheeks or tongue frequently Bump into things frequently Difficulty discriminating printed matter despite proper vision correction Distances (difficulty judging when driving; when putting things down on surfaces) Dizziness or vertigo Dropping things frequently Disequilibrium (balance problems) Impaired coordination Loss of balance when standing with eyes closed Perception (not quite seeing what you are looking at) Some patterns (stripes, checks) cause dizziness Spatial disorientation Staggering gait (clumsy walking) Words on printed page appear to jump off page or disappear when staring at them
EYES/VISION:
Acuity changes not related to prescription changes Blind spots Blurred vision Conjunctivitis Diminished visual acuity in absence of actual vision change Drooping eyelid Double vision Eye pain Flashes of light perceived peripherally Optic neuritis or atrophy Oscillopsia (image jiggles) Prescription changes more frequently Pressure sensation behind eyes Red and/or tearing eyes Retinal damage Slowed accommodation (switching focus from far to near, near to far) Spots or floaters not related to migraines Swelling around eyes Uveitis and/or iritis Wandering or lazy eye
HEAD/NECK/MOUTH:
Bell's palsy (facial paralysis, one or both sides) Bruxism (grinding/clenching teeth) Canker sores Dizziness when you turn your head or move Dry chronic cough Dry eyes, nose and mouth (sicca syndrome) Pain in ears, palate, gums Periodontal disease Prickling pain along skin of jaw Problems swallowing, chewing Runny nose in absence of cold, allergies Sinus infections Sore spot on the top of your head Temperomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) Unexplained toothaches Xerostoma (dry mouth)
MUSCULOSKELETAL:
Arthritic pain that migrates from joint to joint Carpal tunnel syndrome Frozen shoulder Intermittent joint swelling Joint aches (arthralgia) Joint pain, without redness or swelling Loss of tone "Lumpy, bumpy" long muscles Morning stiffness Muscle aches (myalgia) Muscle pain, stiffness, weakness Pyriform muscle syndrome Reduced range of motion Stiff neck Writing causes pain in hand, arm shoulder
PAIN SYMPTOMS:
Abdominal pain *Chest pain* Generalized pain Joint Pain Pain that migrates from joint to joint Pain/stiffness at C1-C2 (top two vertebrae) *** Shooting or stabbing pains **** Painful tender points (FMS: 11 out of 18 tender points)
PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS/MOOD/EMOTIONS:
Abrupt/Unpredictable mood swings Anxiety or fear for no obvious reason Appetite increase/decrease Decreased self-esteem Depression or depressed mood Feeling helpless and/or hopeless Feeling worthless Frequent crying for no reason Helpless/Hopeless feelings Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities Irritability; over-reaction New phobias/irrational fears Panic attacks Personality changes (labile, irritable, anxious, confused, forgetful) Phobias (irrational fears) Rage attacks; anger outbursts for little or no reason Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
SENSITIVITIES:
Acute or abnormal reactions to medications Alteration in taste, smell, and/or hearing Chemicals (alcohol, medications; lower tolerance for) Food sensitivities Increased perception of and sensitivity to noise Light sensitivity Sensitivity to odours (able to detect and/or react in concentrations far lower than before and that healthy people cannot smell) NOISE sensitivities
SKIN/NAILS:
Abnormal scarring Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophician Blotchy or mottled skin Bruise easily Bruises may take longer to appear, and/or longer to fade Bull's-eye (Erythema migraines) on light skin (resembles a bruise on dark skin) Dermographia (minor scratch pressure on skin leaves vivid red welts) Dry, itchy skin Easily scar Eczema or psoriasis Fragile nails Frequent skin irritations Lymphadenosis benigna cutis Nails that curve under or downward Overgrowing connective tissue (ingrown hair, adhesions, thickened/split cuticles, cysts, fibroids)Painful skin (abnormal/excessive pain when scratched or rubbed) "Paper" skin (feels fragile, tissue-thin when rubbed) Rashes on body, face Vertical ridges or beads in nails
SLEEP SYMPTOMS:
Abnormal brain activity in stage 4 sleep Altered sleep/wake patterns (alert/energetic late at night, sleepy during day Difficulty falling asleep Difficulty staying asleep (frequent and/or prolonged awakenings) Hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) Myclonus (restless leg syndrome; occasional jerking of entire body) Nightmares (frequent, extremely vivid and/or disturbing) Unrefreshing/Non-restorative sleep
UROGENITAL/REPRODUCTIVE:
Decreased libido Discharge from breast or galactorrhea Endometriosis Frequent urination Incontinence Impotence Infant: premature; low birth weight; low muscle tone; failure to thrive Interstitial cystitis Miscarriage or stillbirth Painful intercourse Painful urination or bladder Pelvic and/or rectal pain Prostate pain Swollen testicles Other symptoms worsen before start of menstruation Worsening of PMS
OTHER:
Abnormal or other changes in sweating Activity level reduced to less than 50% of pre-onset level Burning sensation (internal or external) Changed voice Changes in sweat odour/body odour Delayed reaction to overactivity/exertion (onset 24-48 hours after exertion) Electromagnetic (EM) sensitivity (electrical storms, full moon, affect function of electrical devices) Fatigue, prolonged, disabling, made worse by exertion or stress Fibrocystic breasts "Galloping" cholesterol and triglycerides Hair loss (not related to age, hormones, diet, medication) Hands hurt excessively when put in cold water Handwriting changes, altering signature and/or other writing Hoarseness Painful, weak grasp that gives way/lets go Periods of concentrated thinking causes physical and mental exhaustion, increases pain Sore throat Swelling/Idiopathic oedema (fluid retention syndrome) Symptoms worsened by extremes of temperature (hot, cold), stress, and/or air travel Symptoms change focus from time to time, like infection is moving through the body Thickened mucus secretions (nose, bowel, vaginal) Thickened "sleep" around eyes in mornings Very attractive to biting flies and mosquitoes Weight changes (usually gain)
by Fibromyalgia Support Network INC.
posted Nov. 23, 2018
Monday, November 19, 2018
Living with an Invisible Illness
I am living with three Auto-Immune diseases. The ones of which are known as invisible illnesses. Chronic pain, Menieres and Fibromyalgia. My life is not pleasant as each day I suffer pain and dizziness. I have no real quality of life. I stay in my bedroom most times only eating once since I forget even to eat. Strange though I don't loose weight like I would love to do.
While working for the local Cancer center and even in the Laboratory I had a great fulfillment. I loved helping others as it was my life's mission. I even helped my Grand-mother and Mother when they had medical problems. I never thought at age forty-five I would be confined to my bed with immense pain coursing through me to the effect I could barely move. When this pain began, the doctor sent me to a Rheumatologist, considering I had been in a motor vehicle accident about ten years earlier. It would have been more acceptable to have had been diagnosed with some form of non-debilitating Arthritis since there are medications and treatments out there for it. But not this, this is life altering, giving up my career due to my doctor saying I could cause someone harm if I had a jolt of pain or a bout of dizziness was the worse day of my life. Everything I had worked so hard for, going to school for Nursing, after my husband left me with a one year and three year old to raise by myself.
The pain makes me cry. Today my hair is even hurting. Why me? I worked twenty years in the Medical Field, and lost it all to Chronic pain. is so devastating. Now I am on anti-depressants, along with pain injections, anxiety and PTSD medication. If I happen to go to an Emergency room about my chronic pain or Fibromyalgia pain, in between seeing my pain doctor, I am labeled as a drug seeker. I don't ask for anything except Toradol which is an NSAID like aspirin. I look at myself in the mirror each morning and all I see is a loser anymore. Unable to work and staying home crying in my bed. Each day I wake up and hope that it is a bad dream, but I find it is not. More pain and people don't see me as disabled since Fibromyalgia is not visible.
I am so tired so very tired by the lack of support and the exhaustion from the lack of ability to sleep. All the years I worked in the Medical field in various positions and now pain dictates my life everyday. Along with the pain comes dizziness, migraines, depression, anxiety and forgetting words as if I have dementia. This is so devastating since I was once so vital in caring for patients and their needs. Now when I pull into a handicapped parking spot and get out people judge me for they see I can walk and they don't see the me inside. The pain that now defines who I am. If I use the electric grocery cart I get the same looks. I'm thinking of having "I have Fibromyalgia" painted on the car so that people won't give me those looks when I get out. But what use would that be as half the Medical community and population don't believe in Fibromyalgia? Even people in my immediate family don't believe. People keep saying, "you don't look sick", so common. What do I have to do to have them believe me that I have Chronic Pain that I live with daily?
Now, thirteen years later there still is no cure in sight. I still have that stigma from others looking at me and not seeing my disability. It never changes. Even some family don't believe in my chronic pain with Fibromyalgia. They kept needling me to quit being lazy and go get a job and work or anything but lie in bed. Since over the years I have developed many drug allergies I don't have a great pain-reliever regime. I have tried so many ways to lessen my pain, TENS unit, Light relief unit, ice or heat packs, physical therapy, visualization, supplements and holistic measures. However, even using all this my daily pain is a four to six on the scale. I have days that are called Fibro Flares when my pain is an intense ten sometimes a flare can last three days or up to sixteen days at a time.
People who have Fibromyalgia, like I do, don't want to be sick and want their lives back to the fullest. However, because we have to cancel plans due to our level of pain for the day we are missing out on friends and family events. Eventually, people stop calling and asking. This is where depression sets in and our thoughts turn to different venues such as being inadequate, a burden on family and sometimes suicide. It varies day to day, due to the pain, as to whether or not I am suicidal, but don't act on it. Even in online support groups, when we have new members, I try to be helpful so the new person has an idea as to what they are facing. Like clothes with tags, hurt me, so it's tag-less clothes all the time. I try to let them know all the two-hundred plus symptoms or diagnoses that come with Fibromyalgia.
Yes, I said over two hundred: The ones listed are the ones I live with in my life. You can google the others.
1)Fatigue really bad after taking a shower as the exhaustion is so bad I can't do anything else the rest of the day,
2)Restless leg syndrome and spasms when I lie down to sleep my body jumps and my toes curl under with intense pain,
3)Cold hands and feet(unable to control body temperature) I can run my hands under hot water to warm them as for my feet I make sure to wear thick winter socks. It can also be ninety degrees outside and I am freezing under an electric blanket or it can be 55 and I am hot. This changes day to day minute by minute.
4)Stress
5)Dryness of eyes, mouth, skin and hair
6)Low blood pressure
7)Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which happens for me if I miss a meal. I get very dizzy.
8)Night sweats
9)Feeling like you have the flu but don't
10)Symptoms worsened by flying, stress, temperature change
11)Tremors
12)Weight gain or loss - for me it's gain with certain medications
13)Swollen lymph nodes - mine are under my chin and they come and go
14)Of course Chronic pain that is widespread throughout your body - It's not easily treated like you see in the commercials on television
15)Inability to go into REM stage of sleep so therefore you are always tired.
16)Cramping
17)Sensitivities - with me I can't use certain soaps (body/dish/laundry),cigarette smoke and medications.
18)Migraines or headaches for me this is 3-4 times per week.
19)Dementia or Cognitive Dysfunction - we call this Fibro Fog and most days I can't think of a word so I use the description and people are like just "say the word I'm not into guessing games".
20)Muscle spasms and morning stiffness - it's hard to get out of bed and try to start the day. I do a few stretches in bed until I can push myself up.
21)Hair loss - for years I didn't know this was one of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
22)Rashes - I get a lot of rashes in the summer mostly.
23)Increased thirst - which is hard on me since I have fluid restrictions.
24)Heart problems - but please get checked out it may not be related.
25)Light-headed
26)Ringing of the ears
27)Easily distracted - this is a big one for me.
28)Bloating
29)Appetite changes
30)Mood swings - another big one for me. Just like temperature changes I can be yelling one moment to joyful the next
31)Bumping into things
32)Dropping things - this too is a big one for me.
33)Hands unable to open bottles - I hate this because I may be out and need a sip of water and can't open the water bottle and look like an idiot.
34)Staggering like I am drunk but am not
35)Vision changes more often
36)Eye pain
37)Dry chronic cough
38)Hearing loss - it's my left ear that has it.
39)Frequent Sinus infections
40)TMJ (Temperomandibular Joint Syndrome ) I had it bad on my left side and had surgery for it.
41)Muscle aches
42)Unexplained Abdominal pain
43)Painful Trigger Points - there are 18 if you have 11 then you have Fibromyalgia. So far this is the only way to diagnose it until a different test can be found.
44)Frequent crying for no reason
45)Panic Attacks
46)Easy bruising
47)Uncontrollable itching - worse for me at night.
48)Fingernails that curve under
49)Burning nerve pain
50)Muscle twitching
51)Rib cage inflammation - I get this at least 1-2 times per year.
52)Tender breasts
53)Muscle weakness
54)Numbness or tingling sensations - I get this a lot.
55)Sensitivity to light
56)Poor balance and coordination - I hate this along with the pain most.
57)Disturbing nightmares - tried counseling but it didn't help me.
58)Unable to drive at night due to poor night vision
59)Stutter
60)Feeling unwanted or worthless or a burden - start of a depression episode for me.
61)Over-reaction - this is a big thing in my life and has actually alienated some of my family.
62)Nausea - this is for me everyday.
63)Diarrhea
64)Constipation - some of my meds and my limited fluid intake cause this for me. I actually struggle with it on a daily basis.
65)GERD
66)IBS
67)Bladder pain and frequent bladder infections
68)Nail ridges
69)Cuticles that split
70)Gum disease
71)Disk degeneration
72)Dental problems including bleeding gums
73)Frequent canker sores or lips splitting
74)Nose bleeds
75)Hemorrhoids
As you can see I live with seventy-five symptoms which I listed. This is just me, other Fibromites live with more or less of the two hundred symptoms. Now that you are aware of my symptoms can you imagine how horrible my daily life can be? If I could wear a shirt everyday that I go out that states all these symptoms just maybe some people will understand when I use a handicapped parking space. I no longer try to use the electric shopping carts but instead just lean a bit on the shopping cart. Being judged because nobody can see what I live with is a big deal with me and others who live with Chronic pain and Fibromyalgia. Over the years I have lost family and friend relationships because they couldn't understand my new horrible pain filled life since I am not wearing a cast or in a wheel chair. Fibromites call these "toxic people" and we are sometimes the ones who break ties with them so we aren't as stressed out. Stress triggers pain for us. And we want less not more pain in our daily lives.
Finding a cure or regular treatment regime may not happen in my lifetime. Yet, I still hold out hope. My hope is the non-ugly side of me, it's my soul. I have see many modern advancements in the medical field during my work. When I began nursing the EKG was done with metal plates and rubber straps, to hold on the plates, to do the EKG. Now, in today's times it no longer takes a half hour to do an EKG it only takes seconds. Therefore, the marvels of medicine will some day bring about cures for many diseases. I just hope I am still around to see them cure Fibromyalgia, Chronic pain disorders and the many other Auto-Immune disorders.
November 19.2018 posted
While working for the local Cancer center and even in the Laboratory I had a great fulfillment. I loved helping others as it was my life's mission. I even helped my Grand-mother and Mother when they had medical problems. I never thought at age forty-five I would be confined to my bed with immense pain coursing through me to the effect I could barely move. When this pain began, the doctor sent me to a Rheumatologist, considering I had been in a motor vehicle accident about ten years earlier. It would have been more acceptable to have had been diagnosed with some form of non-debilitating Arthritis since there are medications and treatments out there for it. But not this, this is life altering, giving up my career due to my doctor saying I could cause someone harm if I had a jolt of pain or a bout of dizziness was the worse day of my life. Everything I had worked so hard for, going to school for Nursing, after my husband left me with a one year and three year old to raise by myself.
The pain makes me cry. Today my hair is even hurting. Why me? I worked twenty years in the Medical Field, and lost it all to Chronic pain. is so devastating. Now I am on anti-depressants, along with pain injections, anxiety and PTSD medication. If I happen to go to an Emergency room about my chronic pain or Fibromyalgia pain, in between seeing my pain doctor, I am labeled as a drug seeker. I don't ask for anything except Toradol which is an NSAID like aspirin. I look at myself in the mirror each morning and all I see is a loser anymore. Unable to work and staying home crying in my bed. Each day I wake up and hope that it is a bad dream, but I find it is not. More pain and people don't see me as disabled since Fibromyalgia is not visible.
I am so tired so very tired by the lack of support and the exhaustion from the lack of ability to sleep. All the years I worked in the Medical field in various positions and now pain dictates my life everyday. Along with the pain comes dizziness, migraines, depression, anxiety and forgetting words as if I have dementia. This is so devastating since I was once so vital in caring for patients and their needs. Now when I pull into a handicapped parking spot and get out people judge me for they see I can walk and they don't see the me inside. The pain that now defines who I am. If I use the electric grocery cart I get the same looks. I'm thinking of having "I have Fibromyalgia" painted on the car so that people won't give me those looks when I get out. But what use would that be as half the Medical community and population don't believe in Fibromyalgia? Even people in my immediate family don't believe. People keep saying, "you don't look sick", so common. What do I have to do to have them believe me that I have Chronic Pain that I live with daily?
Now, thirteen years later there still is no cure in sight. I still have that stigma from others looking at me and not seeing my disability. It never changes. Even some family don't believe in my chronic pain with Fibromyalgia. They kept needling me to quit being lazy and go get a job and work or anything but lie in bed. Since over the years I have developed many drug allergies I don't have a great pain-reliever regime. I have tried so many ways to lessen my pain, TENS unit, Light relief unit, ice or heat packs, physical therapy, visualization, supplements and holistic measures. However, even using all this my daily pain is a four to six on the scale. I have days that are called Fibro Flares when my pain is an intense ten sometimes a flare can last three days or up to sixteen days at a time.
People who have Fibromyalgia, like I do, don't want to be sick and want their lives back to the fullest. However, because we have to cancel plans due to our level of pain for the day we are missing out on friends and family events. Eventually, people stop calling and asking. This is where depression sets in and our thoughts turn to different venues such as being inadequate, a burden on family and sometimes suicide. It varies day to day, due to the pain, as to whether or not I am suicidal, but don't act on it. Even in online support groups, when we have new members, I try to be helpful so the new person has an idea as to what they are facing. Like clothes with tags, hurt me, so it's tag-less clothes all the time. I try to let them know all the two-hundred plus symptoms or diagnoses that come with Fibromyalgia.
Yes, I said over two hundred: The ones listed are the ones I live with in my life. You can google the others.
1)Fatigue really bad after taking a shower as the exhaustion is so bad I can't do anything else the rest of the day,
2)Restless leg syndrome and spasms when I lie down to sleep my body jumps and my toes curl under with intense pain,
3)Cold hands and feet(unable to control body temperature) I can run my hands under hot water to warm them as for my feet I make sure to wear thick winter socks. It can also be ninety degrees outside and I am freezing under an electric blanket or it can be 55 and I am hot. This changes day to day minute by minute.
4)Stress
5)Dryness of eyes, mouth, skin and hair
6)Low blood pressure
7)Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which happens for me if I miss a meal. I get very dizzy.
8)Night sweats
9)Feeling like you have the flu but don't
10)Symptoms worsened by flying, stress, temperature change
11)Tremors
12)Weight gain or loss - for me it's gain with certain medications
13)Swollen lymph nodes - mine are under my chin and they come and go
14)Of course Chronic pain that is widespread throughout your body - It's not easily treated like you see in the commercials on television
15)Inability to go into REM stage of sleep so therefore you are always tired.
16)Cramping
17)Sensitivities - with me I can't use certain soaps (body/dish/laundry),cigarette smoke and medications.
18)Migraines or headaches for me this is 3-4 times per week.
19)Dementia or Cognitive Dysfunction - we call this Fibro Fog and most days I can't think of a word so I use the description and people are like just "say the word I'm not into guessing games".
20)Muscle spasms and morning stiffness - it's hard to get out of bed and try to start the day. I do a few stretches in bed until I can push myself up.
21)Hair loss - for years I didn't know this was one of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
22)Rashes - I get a lot of rashes in the summer mostly.
23)Increased thirst - which is hard on me since I have fluid restrictions.
24)Heart problems - but please get checked out it may not be related.
25)Light-headed
26)Ringing of the ears
27)Easily distracted - this is a big one for me.
28)Bloating
29)Appetite changes
30)Mood swings - another big one for me. Just like temperature changes I can be yelling one moment to joyful the next
31)Bumping into things
32)Dropping things - this too is a big one for me.
33)Hands unable to open bottles - I hate this because I may be out and need a sip of water and can't open the water bottle and look like an idiot.
34)Staggering like I am drunk but am not
35)Vision changes more often
36)Eye pain
37)Dry chronic cough
38)Hearing loss - it's my left ear that has it.
39)Frequent Sinus infections
40)TMJ (Temperomandibular Joint Syndrome ) I had it bad on my left side and had surgery for it.
41)Muscle aches
42)Unexplained Abdominal pain
43)Painful Trigger Points - there are 18 if you have 11 then you have Fibromyalgia. So far this is the only way to diagnose it until a different test can be found.
44)Frequent crying for no reason
45)Panic Attacks
46)Easy bruising
47)Uncontrollable itching - worse for me at night.
48)Fingernails that curve under
49)Burning nerve pain
50)Muscle twitching
51)Rib cage inflammation - I get this at least 1-2 times per year.
52)Tender breasts
53)Muscle weakness
54)Numbness or tingling sensations - I get this a lot.
55)Sensitivity to light
56)Poor balance and coordination - I hate this along with the pain most.
57)Disturbing nightmares - tried counseling but it didn't help me.
58)Unable to drive at night due to poor night vision
59)Stutter
60)Feeling unwanted or worthless or a burden - start of a depression episode for me.
61)Over-reaction - this is a big thing in my life and has actually alienated some of my family.
62)Nausea - this is for me everyday.
63)Diarrhea
64)Constipation - some of my meds and my limited fluid intake cause this for me. I actually struggle with it on a daily basis.
65)GERD
66)IBS
67)Bladder pain and frequent bladder infections
68)Nail ridges
69)Cuticles that split
70)Gum disease
71)Disk degeneration
72)Dental problems including bleeding gums
73)Frequent canker sores or lips splitting
74)Nose bleeds
75)Hemorrhoids
As you can see I live with seventy-five symptoms which I listed. This is just me, other Fibromites live with more or less of the two hundred symptoms. Now that you are aware of my symptoms can you imagine how horrible my daily life can be? If I could wear a shirt everyday that I go out that states all these symptoms just maybe some people will understand when I use a handicapped parking space. I no longer try to use the electric shopping carts but instead just lean a bit on the shopping cart. Being judged because nobody can see what I live with is a big deal with me and others who live with Chronic pain and Fibromyalgia. Over the years I have lost family and friend relationships because they couldn't understand my new horrible pain filled life since I am not wearing a cast or in a wheel chair. Fibromites call these "toxic people" and we are sometimes the ones who break ties with them so we aren't as stressed out. Stress triggers pain for us. And we want less not more pain in our daily lives.
Finding a cure or regular treatment regime may not happen in my lifetime. Yet, I still hold out hope. My hope is the non-ugly side of me, it's my soul. I have see many modern advancements in the medical field during my work. When I began nursing the EKG was done with metal plates and rubber straps, to hold on the plates, to do the EKG. Now, in today's times it no longer takes a half hour to do an EKG it only takes seconds. Therefore, the marvels of medicine will some day bring about cures for many diseases. I just hope I am still around to see them cure Fibromyalgia, Chronic pain disorders and the many other Auto-Immune disorders.
November 19.2018 posted
Saturday, November 17, 2018
CDC: Flu Activity in the U.S. Expected to Pick Up in the Coming Weeks
The flu is short for influenza. Influenza is a serious and sometimes deadly infection that can spread quickly across populations all over the globe. Cases of the flu typically appear during what is known as the flu season.
During this time, flu infections are far more common. In the United States, for example, flu season begins in October and extends through May.
Health officials expect to see the greatest number of flu infections roughly in February. Officials monitor the flu season closely. They're looking for trends. Scientists and world health officials wish to answer many questions about flu infections. They are trying to determine which areas are seeing the most infections. They're also trying to determine the severity of the flu virus as well as mortality and morbidity rates.
A Particularly Bad Season
The flu season of 2017-2018 was a particularly severe one. Of all the flu seasons on record, it had one of the highest death rates and per capita hospitalization rates. Officials estimate over eighty thousand Americans died of the flu or from complications.
More than nine hundred thousand were hospitalized. Given those circumstances, it is understandable that officials are keeping a close eye on the current flu season. They want to make sure that all health facilities have the capacity to respond to cases of the flu and offer lifesaving treatment. This is why they are doing everything they can to keep people informed about outbreaks of the flu in each part of the country.
Getting Vaccinated
So far, health officials do not think this season will be as serious as last year. However, they still highly recommend vaccination for all those over six months. Health officials are offering several types of flu vaccinations.
The trivalent strain protects against three flu strains. The quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against an additional strain. Seniors can get a high dose vaccine that is designed for those with weaker immune systems. They can also opt for the adjuvanted vaccine that is intended to produce a stronger immune response.
People with known egg allergies now have a flu vaccine option. The recombinant vaccine offers protection against three strains of the flu. In addition, there's also a nasal stray. This is not recommended for certain groups including pregnant women and those who have weakened immune systems.
Millions of Doses
Over one hundred and sixty-six million flu vaccine doses have been prepared for distribution. Officials recommend people get the vaccine as soon as they can. It can take up to two weeks for protection to begin.
An earlier shot means that people are more protected as the flu season continues. Part of the reason morbidity rates were so high last year is fewer people got a flu vaccine. Only about thirty-seven percent of adults older than eighteen were vaccinated.
Only about fifty-eight percent of children got a flu shot. Officials hope to see an increase in flu shot coverage this year that should help reduce complications and deaths.
The CDC has provided the following information about the 2018-2019 Flu Season:
Will the United States have a flu epidemic?
The United States experiences annual epidemics of seasonal flu. This time of year is called "flu season." In the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, and it can last as late as May. CDC monitors certain key flu indicators (for example, outpatient visits of influenza-like illness (ILI), the results of laboratory testing and reports of flu hospitalizations and deaths). When these indicators rise and remain elevated for a number of consecutive weeks, "flu season" is said to have begun. Usually ILI increases first, followed by an increase in flu-associated hospitalizations, which is then followed by increases in flu-associated deaths.
When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Seasonal flu viruses can be detected year-round; however, seasonal flu activity often begins as early as October and November and can continue to occur as late as May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
During this time, flu infections are far more common. In the United States, for example, flu season begins in October and extends through May.
Health officials expect to see the greatest number of flu infections roughly in February. Officials monitor the flu season closely. They're looking for trends. Scientists and world health officials wish to answer many questions about flu infections. They are trying to determine which areas are seeing the most infections. They're also trying to determine the severity of the flu virus as well as mortality and morbidity rates.
A Particularly Bad Season
The flu season of 2017-2018 was a particularly severe one. Of all the flu seasons on record, it had one of the highest death rates and per capita hospitalization rates. Officials estimate over eighty thousand Americans died of the flu or from complications.
More than nine hundred thousand were hospitalized. Given those circumstances, it is understandable that officials are keeping a close eye on the current flu season. They want to make sure that all health facilities have the capacity to respond to cases of the flu and offer lifesaving treatment. This is why they are doing everything they can to keep people informed about outbreaks of the flu in each part of the country.
Getting Vaccinated
So far, health officials do not think this season will be as serious as last year. However, they still highly recommend vaccination for all those over six months. Health officials are offering several types of flu vaccinations.
The trivalent strain protects against three flu strains. The quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against an additional strain. Seniors can get a high dose vaccine that is designed for those with weaker immune systems. They can also opt for the adjuvanted vaccine that is intended to produce a stronger immune response.
People with known egg allergies now have a flu vaccine option. The recombinant vaccine offers protection against three strains of the flu. In addition, there's also a nasal stray. This is not recommended for certain groups including pregnant women and those who have weakened immune systems.
Millions of Doses
Over one hundred and sixty-six million flu vaccine doses have been prepared for distribution. Officials recommend people get the vaccine as soon as they can. It can take up to two weeks for protection to begin.
An earlier shot means that people are more protected as the flu season continues. Part of the reason morbidity rates were so high last year is fewer people got a flu vaccine. Only about thirty-seven percent of adults older than eighteen were vaccinated.
Only about fifty-eight percent of children got a flu shot. Officials hope to see an increase in flu shot coverage this year that should help reduce complications and deaths.
The CDC has provided the following information about the 2018-2019 Flu Season:
Will the United States have a flu epidemic?
The United States experiences annual epidemics of seasonal flu. This time of year is called "flu season." In the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, and it can last as late as May. CDC monitors certain key flu indicators (for example, outpatient visits of influenza-like illness (ILI), the results of laboratory testing and reports of flu hospitalizations and deaths). When these indicators rise and remain elevated for a number of consecutive weeks, "flu season" is said to have begun. Usually ILI increases first, followed by an increase in flu-associated hospitalizations, which is then followed by increases in flu-associated deaths.
When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Seasonal flu viruses can be detected year-round; however, seasonal flu activity often begins as early as October and November and can continue to occur as late as May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Duncan Hines Recalls Cake Mixes Due to Potential Presence of Salmonella
Duncan Hines Classic White, Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow Cake Mixes Recalled Due to Potential Presence of Salmonella
For Immediate Release
November 5, 2018
Contact
Consumers
Consumer Care team
1-888-299-7646
Announcement
CHICAGO - Conagra Brands is collaborating with health officials in connection with a positive finding of Salmonella in a retail sample of Duncan Hines Classic White cake mix that may be linked to a Salmonella outbreak that is currently being investigated by CDC and FDA. While it has not been definitively concluded that this product is linked to the outbreak and the investigation is still ongoing, Conagra has decided to voluntarily recall the specific Duncan Hines variety identified (Classic White) and three other varieties (Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow) made during the same time period out of an abundance of caution.
Five occurrences of illnesses due to Salmonella are being researched by CDC and FDA as part of this investigation. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Several of the individuals reported consuming a cake mix at some point prior to becoming ill, and some may have also consumed these products raw and not baked. Consumers are reminded not to consume any raw batter. Cake mixes and batter can be made with ingredients such as eggs or flour which can carry risks of bacteria that are rendered harmless by baking, frying or boiling. Consumers are reminded to wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw batter products, to follow baking instructions, and to never eat raw batter.
The products covered by this recall were distributed for retail sale in the U.S. and limited international exports; the specific product information is listed below. No other Duncan Hines products or Conagra Brands' products are impacted by this recall.
Product Description & Brand Product UPC Best If Used By Date
(located on top of box)
Duncan Hines Classic White Cake 15.25oz. 644209307500 MAR 7 2019
MAR 8 2019
MAR 9 2019
MAR 10 2019
MAR 12 2019
MAR 13 2019
Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake 15.25oz. 644209307494 MAR 9 2019
MAR 10 2019
MAR 12 2019
MAR 13 2019
Duncan Hines Classic Butter Golden Cake 15.25oz. 644209307593 MAR 7 2019
MAR 8 2019
MAR 9 2019
Duncan Hines Signature Confetti Cake 15.25oz. 644209414550 MAR 12 2019
MAR 13 2019
Consumers who have purchased these items are advised not to consume them and to return them to the store where originally purchased. Conagra Brands is cooperating with the FDA on this recall and is working with customers to ensure the packages are removed from store shelves and are no longer distributed. Consumers with questions should call our Consumer Care team at 1-888-299-7646, open 9 am through 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday or visit www.duncanhines.com.
For Immediate Release
November 5, 2018
Contact
Consumers
Consumer Care team
1-888-299-7646
Announcement
CHICAGO - Conagra Brands is collaborating with health officials in connection with a positive finding of Salmonella in a retail sample of Duncan Hines Classic White cake mix that may be linked to a Salmonella outbreak that is currently being investigated by CDC and FDA. While it has not been definitively concluded that this product is linked to the outbreak and the investigation is still ongoing, Conagra has decided to voluntarily recall the specific Duncan Hines variety identified (Classic White) and three other varieties (Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow) made during the same time period out of an abundance of caution.
Five occurrences of illnesses due to Salmonella are being researched by CDC and FDA as part of this investigation. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Several of the individuals reported consuming a cake mix at some point prior to becoming ill, and some may have also consumed these products raw and not baked. Consumers are reminded not to consume any raw batter. Cake mixes and batter can be made with ingredients such as eggs or flour which can carry risks of bacteria that are rendered harmless by baking, frying or boiling. Consumers are reminded to wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw batter products, to follow baking instructions, and to never eat raw batter.
The products covered by this recall were distributed for retail sale in the U.S. and limited international exports; the specific product information is listed below. No other Duncan Hines products or Conagra Brands' products are impacted by this recall.
Product Description & Brand Product UPC Best If Used By Date
(located on top of box)
Duncan Hines Classic White Cake 15.25oz. 644209307500 MAR 7 2019
MAR 8 2019
MAR 9 2019
MAR 10 2019
MAR 12 2019
MAR 13 2019
Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake 15.25oz. 644209307494 MAR 9 2019
MAR 10 2019
MAR 12 2019
MAR 13 2019
Duncan Hines Classic Butter Golden Cake 15.25oz. 644209307593 MAR 7 2019
MAR 8 2019
MAR 9 2019
Duncan Hines Signature Confetti Cake 15.25oz. 644209414550 MAR 12 2019
MAR 13 2019
Consumers who have purchased these items are advised not to consume them and to return them to the store where originally purchased. Conagra Brands is cooperating with the FDA on this recall and is working with customers to ensure the packages are removed from store shelves and are no longer distributed. Consumers with questions should call our Consumer Care team at 1-888-299-7646, open 9 am through 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday or visit www.duncanhines.com.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Ryde Movie || Official Trailer || David Wachs, Jessica Serfaty
I watched this it makes me never want to use Uber or Lyft.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Check Your Freezers - Chicken and Beef Products Recalls
Chicken and Beef Products Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
(Our product safety information is produced by our editors and some content sourced from information provided by the respective company directly and government regulatory agencies. If this is a recall we encourage you to contact the company directly for complete information.)
Envolve Foods Recalls Chicken and Beef Products due to Possible Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination in Vegetables
Class I Recall 100-2018
Health Risk: High
Oct 19, 2018
Congressional and Public Affairs
Autumn Canaday
(202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2018 - Envolve Foods, a Corona, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 292,764 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken and beef products that contain a vegetable ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The ready-to-eat chicken and beef items were produced and packaged from Feb. 2, 2017 through Oct. 12, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:
? 22-oz. plastic bags containing "simple truth, Chicken Bibimbap" and a case code number of 011110890108 on the label and use by/sell by dates of 11/2/18 through 3/12/20.
? 22-oz. plastic bags containing "simple truth, Thai Style Green Curry" and a case code number of 011110816382 on the label and use by/sell by dates of 3/13/19 through 1/24/20.
? 22-oz. plastic bags containing "simple truth, Chicken Tikka Masala" and a case code of 011110890092 on the label and use by/sell by dates of 3/22/19 through 4/12/19.
? 10-lb. cases containing "CADENCE GOURMET, Steak Fajitas," with an item number of SS00024, and an expiration dates of 11/1/2018 through 01/18/19, on the label.
? 10-lb. cases containing "CADENCE GOURMET, Tuscan Tomato Basil Chicken & Sausage," with an item number of SS00032, and an expiration dates of 10/20/18 through 01/09/19 on the label.
? 10-lb. cases containing "CADENCE GOURMET, Rustic Toasted Tomato Basil Chicken & Vegetables," with an item number of SS00047, and an expiration dates of 2/05/19 through 10/12/19 on the label.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number "EST. 44857" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distribution warehouses nationwide.
The problem was discovered on October 16, 2018 when Envolve Foods received notification that the vegetables used in the production of their ready-to-eat products were being recalled by their vegetable supplier due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes concerns.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
(Our product safety information is produced by our editors and some content sourced from information provided by the respective company directly and government regulatory agencies. If this is a recall we encourage you to contact the company directly for complete information.)
Envolve Foods Recalls Chicken and Beef Products due to Possible Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination in Vegetables
Class I Recall 100-2018
Health Risk: High
Oct 19, 2018
Congressional and Public Affairs
Autumn Canaday
(202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2018 - Envolve Foods, a Corona, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 292,764 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken and beef products that contain a vegetable ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The ready-to-eat chicken and beef items were produced and packaged from Feb. 2, 2017 through Oct. 12, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:
? 22-oz. plastic bags containing "simple truth, Chicken Bibimbap" and a case code number of 011110890108 on the label and use by/sell by dates of 11/2/18 through 3/12/20.
? 22-oz. plastic bags containing "simple truth, Thai Style Green Curry" and a case code number of 011110816382 on the label and use by/sell by dates of 3/13/19 through 1/24/20.
? 22-oz. plastic bags containing "simple truth, Chicken Tikka Masala" and a case code of 011110890092 on the label and use by/sell by dates of 3/22/19 through 4/12/19.
? 10-lb. cases containing "CADENCE GOURMET, Steak Fajitas," with an item number of SS00024, and an expiration dates of 11/1/2018 through 01/18/19, on the label.
? 10-lb. cases containing "CADENCE GOURMET, Tuscan Tomato Basil Chicken & Sausage," with an item number of SS00032, and an expiration dates of 10/20/18 through 01/09/19 on the label.
? 10-lb. cases containing "CADENCE GOURMET, Rustic Toasted Tomato Basil Chicken & Vegetables," with an item number of SS00047, and an expiration dates of 2/05/19 through 10/12/19 on the label.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number "EST. 44857" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distribution warehouses nationwide.
The problem was discovered on October 16, 2018 when Envolve Foods received notification that the vegetables used in the production of their ready-to-eat products were being recalled by their vegetable supplier due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes concerns.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Friday, October 12, 2018
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Medtronic Bladder Stim
On the 17th of July I had a Metronic Bladder Stim placed inside me. It was because of damage done due to Mesh. The brain and bladder were no longer communicating. So urinary continence was to the point of choosing to wear a diaper or proceed to the trial for the bladder stim. It is working fine.
Two weeks earlier I had to do a trial to where the device and leads were placed on top of the skin. I was not able to shower but I did use baby wipes and dry shampoo to get by. During that time I had to do a void diary. I met the doctor at the Same Day Surgical Center in the Hospital. She looked over the void diary and decided it indicated that the bladder stim would help me. So I went into surgery where the doctor proceeded to place the device inside me that very day. After the surgery I had to do another void diary so the doctor could determine if it needed adjusting or not.
There are a lot of things to be considered for such a surgery. One is you must take the remote with you everywhere so you can adjust it if need be. Second, no more MRI's but you can have CT's, nor Lithotripsy nor TENS unit,nor heat to that area, nor anything that stimulates the body with wires or shocks. No long stretches or you can pull the wire out. Be careful around Microwaves too.
It's now been a little over 2 months and I have only had to make a few adjustments in the beginning. I finally can sleep again on my back. At first the metal unit one could feel the top of it popping out a bit so I had to sleep on my opposing side and not the side it is on nor my back. But as time went by it seems to now have settled into place therefore allowing me to sleep on either side or my back.
I was told that when the inner battery needed replacing it would be a new surgery as you can't just change the battery. However, most of the times the batteries last between 5-10 yrs.
Two weeks earlier I had to do a trial to where the device and leads were placed on top of the skin. I was not able to shower but I did use baby wipes and dry shampoo to get by. During that time I had to do a void diary. I met the doctor at the Same Day Surgical Center in the Hospital. She looked over the void diary and decided it indicated that the bladder stim would help me. So I went into surgery where the doctor proceeded to place the device inside me that very day. After the surgery I had to do another void diary so the doctor could determine if it needed adjusting or not.
There are a lot of things to be considered for such a surgery. One is you must take the remote with you everywhere so you can adjust it if need be. Second, no more MRI's but you can have CT's, nor Lithotripsy nor TENS unit,nor heat to that area, nor anything that stimulates the body with wires or shocks. No long stretches or you can pull the wire out. Be careful around Microwaves too.
It's now been a little over 2 months and I have only had to make a few adjustments in the beginning. I finally can sleep again on my back. At first the metal unit one could feel the top of it popping out a bit so I had to sleep on my opposing side and not the side it is on nor my back. But as time went by it seems to now have settled into place therefore allowing me to sleep on either side or my back.
I was told that when the inner battery needed replacing it would be a new surgery as you can't just change the battery. However, most of the times the batteries last between 5-10 yrs.
Monday, September 17, 2018
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Climate Change on Mammoth Mountain
I like to share with you how Climate Change is affecting our earth:
https://www.utne.com/environment/mammoth-mountain-zm0z14jfzlin?newsletter=&spot=headline&utm_source=wcemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UTR%20eNews%2008-24-18&utm_term=UTR_eNewsAll%20Subscribers&_wcsid=613219527EA110462DFCF26A176D6F09308870557FDE1637
https://www.utne.com/environment/mammoth-mountain-zm0z14jfzlin?newsletter=&spot=headline&utm_source=wcemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UTR%20eNews%2008-24-18&utm_term=UTR_eNewsAll%20Subscribers&_wcsid=613219527EA110462DFCF26A176D6F09308870557FDE1637
Thursday, September 6, 2018
20 pounds of Kielbasa per day gives you radiant skin??
https://entertainment.theonion.com/gwyneth-paltrow-reveals-secret-to-her-healthy-radiant-1828521749
That's a lot of sausage. I don't think I could eat that much. I looked on Goop for her blog but didn't find it. Maybe somebody else will have better luck.
That's a lot of sausage. I don't think I could eat that much. I looked on Goop for her blog but didn't find it. Maybe somebody else will have better luck.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
Friday, August 24, 2018
Back To the Kitchen: Escaping Processed Food
I read this in a e-magazine and wanted to share it with you. As we have too many additives and processed foods that many of us eat.
https://www.utne.com/food/processed-foods-ze0z1406zcalt
https://www.utne.com/food/processed-foods-ze0z1406zcalt
Thursday, August 16, 2018
A Unicorn Lunchbox and other giveaways for babies and childrenn--enter to win!
Thjs is so darn cute. I'm entering it for my Grandaughter Amber who is 9 yrs old and loves Unicorns. If you have or know of someone who has a Unicorn lover then enter or let them know. Have a great day!
Couldn't get picture to come up. You can see it at either link.
http://swee.ps/HyvtjCjMX
https://projectmom.net/unicorn-lunchbox/
http://swee.ps/hyePkCcjo piggy bank
https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/ef62a3-39221&framed=1 baby monitor
Couldn't get picture to come up. You can see it at either link.
http://swee.ps/HyvtjCjMX
https://projectmom.net/unicorn-lunchbox/
http://swee.ps/hyePkCcjo piggy bank
https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/ef62a3-39221&framed=1 baby monitor
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Old memories for me and new appreciation for Giant Sequoia
When I was a Child we went to the Giant Redwoods in California and I was like wow you can drive through a tree or get married there. I remember feeling like an ant they were so huge. We had great times there. We camped there and when my youngest brother was crawling he would sit there and just eat dirt. So this story on the Onion today caught my attention.
https://local.theonion.com/man-guessing-he-s-stared-at-giant-sequoia-long-enough-t-1828360420
https://local.theonion.com/man-guessing-he-s-stared-at-giant-sequoia-long-enough-t-1828360420
Monday, August 13, 2018
Sweepstakes----Go to California Wine Country
😍.Go to California Wine Country and stay in a Caravan for two nights . Enjoy yoga. Get a lot of other gifts to enjoy and enhance your stay. Fun! Fun! Fun! in the Sun!
Giveaway starts August 13th - Ends Aug. 22nd 2018
Giveaway starts August 13th - Ends Aug. 22nd 2018
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Government Stealing Us Blind!
You would think the the Government Departments would be more helpful instead they keep giving you the run around. Call this number call that. NO, we can't do that, we can't help. Go to this person or agency we are not the ones you need to contact!
I am disabled from Fibromyalgia and Menieres along with other issues. I worked as a Nurse for nearly 30 years. I paid in on my Medicare plus had extra taken out. I don't need this crap from Medicare it stresses me out and makes me Anxious.
They are not the only Government agency that gives people the run around. When will America take care of it's Citizens? When will Government Agencies be more helpful instead of passing you off to another agency? When When When?!
The Government Agencies have become lazy and don't care to us we are a friggin' Number Not a Person!!!!! It is so dis-heartening and makes me angry. I can't deal with their crap like this. All I want is a single item corrected. And that is never going to happen. I have been fighting to remove this for nearly 6 years now. And now they want a letter from a Doctor that is Dead for at least 5 yrs and no practice is open as he was the only Chiropracter at that office!
All BS just to keep the poor people as poor and in pain as the Government wishes so they don't have to help it's Citizens of the USA! All the GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES IN THE WHITE HOUSE, SENATE, CONGRESS AND ALL OF IT'S AGENCIES JUST WANT TO KEEP GETTING HUGE RAISES AND LEAVE THE CITIZENS TO EAT DOG FOOD MEATLOAFS! I am a HUMAN BEING! IF CONGRESS, THE SENATE AND THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF AND EVEN PRESIDENT WAS TO EVEN TAKE A 20% CUT IN THEIR WAGES I BET MEDICARE WOULD ONCE AGAIN BE SOLVENT.
Yet every year they scream that they are getting less money yet the Senate, Congress, White House Staff and President and Pentagon and the FINANCIAL BANKING INDUSTRIES continue to give themselves large raises. This is Totally Wrong they are stealing from us and keeping us under their thumbs like Peasants they can walk all over.
Well, I am a person and because the small agencies may get less funds or whatever they don't want to do their jobs and work with people or help people. They are lazy lazy lazy! They are Rude, Rude, Rude! They are dismissive, dismissive, and non-caring.
The money WE, the Citizens of the Great Land of the United States of America, work and work and pay into our Medicare so it is there. Oh, but no the Presidents and Judiciaries all decided years ago to take our money for their own expenses or to give it away to another Country.
Medicare, Mr. President, Listen UP! THAT WAS OUR MONEY YOU STOLD! WE WANT ALL OF IT RETURNED NOW, NOW, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
We the People of this Great Land of the Unite States wants what we earned and are entitled to! Get the Illegals out of our country and quit giving them thousands of dollars a month from programs designed for the AMERICANS NOT ILLEGALS! Stop letting more people into our Country--THEY ARE STEALING OUR JOBS AND GETTING THOUSANDS PER MONTH. Heck, I have to live on a measly $750 per month so those Illegals and Immigrants can get thousands. Right now I am avery very Angry AMERICAN!!!
As an AMERICAN all I get is the run-around. I give up. Heck with Govermental BS! You are uncaring overpaid REPRESENTATIVES WHO STEAL FROM THE CITIZENS OF THE USA!!!!
I am disabled from Fibromyalgia and Menieres along with other issues. I worked as a Nurse for nearly 30 years. I paid in on my Medicare plus had extra taken out. I don't need this crap from Medicare it stresses me out and makes me Anxious.
They are not the only Government agency that gives people the run around. When will America take care of it's Citizens? When will Government Agencies be more helpful instead of passing you off to another agency? When When When?!
The Government Agencies have become lazy and don't care to us we are a friggin' Number Not a Person!!!!! It is so dis-heartening and makes me angry. I can't deal with their crap like this. All I want is a single item corrected. And that is never going to happen. I have been fighting to remove this for nearly 6 years now. And now they want a letter from a Doctor that is Dead for at least 5 yrs and no practice is open as he was the only Chiropracter at that office!
All BS just to keep the poor people as poor and in pain as the Government wishes so they don't have to help it's Citizens of the USA! All the GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES IN THE WHITE HOUSE, SENATE, CONGRESS AND ALL OF IT'S AGENCIES JUST WANT TO KEEP GETTING HUGE RAISES AND LEAVE THE CITIZENS TO EAT DOG FOOD MEATLOAFS! I am a HUMAN BEING! IF CONGRESS, THE SENATE AND THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF AND EVEN PRESIDENT WAS TO EVEN TAKE A 20% CUT IN THEIR WAGES I BET MEDICARE WOULD ONCE AGAIN BE SOLVENT.
Yet every year they scream that they are getting less money yet the Senate, Congress, White House Staff and President and Pentagon and the FINANCIAL BANKING INDUSTRIES continue to give themselves large raises. This is Totally Wrong they are stealing from us and keeping us under their thumbs like Peasants they can walk all over.
Well, I am a person and because the small agencies may get less funds or whatever they don't want to do their jobs and work with people or help people. They are lazy lazy lazy! They are Rude, Rude, Rude! They are dismissive, dismissive, and non-caring.
The money WE, the Citizens of the Great Land of the United States of America, work and work and pay into our Medicare so it is there. Oh, but no the Presidents and Judiciaries all decided years ago to take our money for their own expenses or to give it away to another Country.
Medicare, Mr. President, Listen UP! THAT WAS OUR MONEY YOU STOLD! WE WANT ALL OF IT RETURNED NOW, NOW, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
We the People of this Great Land of the Unite States wants what we earned and are entitled to! Get the Illegals out of our country and quit giving them thousands of dollars a month from programs designed for the AMERICANS NOT ILLEGALS! Stop letting more people into our Country--THEY ARE STEALING OUR JOBS AND GETTING THOUSANDS PER MONTH. Heck, I have to live on a measly $750 per month so those Illegals and Immigrants can get thousands. Right now I am avery very Angry AMERICAN!!!
As an AMERICAN all I get is the run-around. I give up. Heck with Govermental BS! You are uncaring overpaid REPRESENTATIVES WHO STEAL FROM THE CITIZENS OF THE USA!!!!
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Do Not Fall for the PrizeRebel scam!
I was curious and I tried applying 3 x and each time it said "NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS IN YOUR AREA"!
What a crock! They said they need people to give opinions and do surveys and yet I am not good enough or where I live is not good enough. I live in the State of OK in the USA and that's not good enough.
Like I said don't fall for this site and their lying testimonials.
If anybody out there has actually made money from these people I'd like to know really if you did and what it was.
What a crock! They said they need people to give opinions and do surveys and yet I am not good enough or where I live is not good enough. I live in the State of OK in the USA and that's not good enough.
Like I said don't fall for this site and their lying testimonials.
If anybody out there has actually made money from these people I'd like to know really if you did and what it was.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Why isn't the Schools getting the funding they were promised with the Lottery/Lotto
Many years ago the Govenrment instilled the Lottery or Lotto. They said it would help with Education and Teacher's salaries. But has it really? In Oklahoma on March 15th the teachers walked out of the schools. It's not because they don't want to teach your children but they actually are not getting the funds for the school for supplies and the teachers are paid low wages.
Therefore, this caused a walkout of teachers here in Oklahoma:
/https://www.tulsaworld.com/photovideo/slideshows/wasn-t-the-lottery-supposed-to-fund-education-here-s/collection_8c2e31c1-3bf0-5ada-88f4-60439607563b.html
Sunday, July 22, 2018
How Big Pharma and the Government are trying to forbid use the natural resources of Kratom and Marijuana
I use Kratom and am having the same problems. Some states okay it. It's from a leaf from the tobacco plant. Actually you would think the Government would approve it as it does help people get off opiates. And Opiates is what the government is trying to ban since so many patients are on it. Medical Marijuana could be another option for me. Hello, my name is Pamel and I live in Chronic Pain daily and am allergic to Morphine and Tylenol. along with many more pain meds. People like me who live with Chronic Pain and PTSD (3 abusive husbands) need something for the pain without getting hooked on it. Why not use the plants that God put here for our use instead of all those Opiates the Government wants off the market? The plants are natural and don't put all those horrible chemicals in them. Please go to the links below and read a Vet's story of needing Medical Marijuana.
http://www.soonerpolitics.org/editorial/a-navy-veteran-with-ptsd-says-thank-you-oklahoma
https://www.americankratom.org/successstories
It's more than likely the fact that the Big Pharma and Government can't make money out of others. However, some states like Colorado has found a way. And they are benefiting greatly, There are problems like the promise to give money for education and teachers are so small. However, the State is making money and people aren't suffering much there. Read these link on both Marijuana and Kratom.
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/27/marijuana-money-colorado-education-funding/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/27/marijuana-money-colorado-education-fund
It's not actually giving anything to the Education or Teachers. It needs to give more then 2%.
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/25/us-fda-approves-prescription-drug-marijuana-cbd/
How the FDA is trying to get Kratom not available. Years ago they said the same about Marijuana and now finally some states sell Medical Marijuana.
https://www.americankratom.org/copy-of-kratom-leadership-summ
http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/377586-fda-is-using-bad-science-by-claiming-kratom-is-an-opioid
http://www.soonerpolitics.org/editorial/a-navy-veteran-with-ptsd-says-thank-you-oklahoma
https://www.americankratom.org/successstories
It's more than likely the fact that the Big Pharma and Government can't make money out of others. However, some states like Colorado has found a way. And they are benefiting greatly, There are problems like the promise to give money for education and teachers are so small. However, the State is making money and people aren't suffering much there. Read these link on both Marijuana and Kratom.
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/27/marijuana-money-colorado-education-funding/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/04/27/marijuana-money-colorado-education-fund
It's not actually giving anything to the Education or Teachers. It needs to give more then 2%.
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/25/us-fda-approves-prescription-drug-marijuana-cbd/
How the FDA is trying to get Kratom not available. Years ago they said the same about Marijuana and now finally some states sell Medical Marijuana.
https://www.americankratom.org/copy-of-kratom-leadership-summ
http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/377586-fda-is-using-bad-science-by-claiming-kratom-is-an-opioid
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Rental Grants – Free Money For Housing
Those who are facing financial hardship have an opportunity to receive free rental grants, or money that the government gives to people that never has to be paid back. These programs are available to help people who are facing a tough situation and need temporary relief.
Generally people end up having trouble making their rent payments because of a recent life event. It may be a job loss, lay off, medical condition, or simply having too more expenses than income. With just a little debt relief in any way, even if it is to help you make your rent payment, gives you an chance to get back on your feet and take back control.
Otherwise, as things continue to worsen individuals could get evicted, lose their cars, and eventually lose their jobs. Not only can that lead to homelessness, but filing for personal bankruptcy becomes a last resort reality. All of these things are bad for the economy, and the government is willing to do whatever it takes to help you avoid that.
Rental grants can often be obtained from your local government agencies. You can make a trip to your city hall to inquire about the available programs or you can search the government database online. What you’ll find is a list of available funding options along wit the qualification requirements. In some cases to qualify you must have missed your last two payments, where other programs may need to verify your income and look at how much debt you are carrying. Either way, there is no down payment, collateral or credit check to obtain free money to pay your rent.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
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