Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Angry Guy on the Phone

Health problems Caused by Anger:
The constant flood of stress chemicals and associated metabolic changes that accompany recurrent unmanaged anger can eventually cause harm to many different systems of the body. Some of the short and long term health problems that have been linked to unmanaged anger include:
Headache
Digestion problems, such as abdominal pain
Insomnia
Increased anxiety
Depression
High blood pressure
Skin problems, such as eczema
Heart attack
Stroke.
Anger just isn't worth the effort.
Let me explain...
The guy on the other end of the phone was having a terrible day.
He was angry with a capital A.
Apparently, someone had failed to meet him for a pre-arranged appointment and he was on the telephone, letting me have it with both barrels.
I listened.
Tried to get a word in edgeways.
Failed.
Waited whilst he raved on about "the importance of sticking to appointments"
Then I said something that stopped him dead in his tracks.
"My name is Chris. Not Dave."
"You have the wrong number."
After he hung up the phone (Just in case you are wondering, no - his didn't apologise) I went into the kitchen and put the kettle on for a cup of coffee.
And I thought; I wonder if, after he calmed down, he would have realized how utterly pointless his anger was and how in the big scheme of things it wasn't worth it.
You see, somewhere in this world a child is dying of cancer.
Somewhere a baby is taking his or her first breath.
Somewhere a man is sat by the bedside of his wife of 50 years, watching her fade away.
Somewhere, a teenager is falling in love for the very first time.
A couple are getting married.
Another are being torn apart by the pain of divorce.
A kid is learning to ride a bike.
A refugee is hiding in a ditch with soldiers searching for her, ready to shoot to kill.
When you compare THOSE things with the fact that some guy missed an appointment - our angry friend really has nothing much to worry about now does he?
What about YOU?
Are you getting stressed out over the little things?
Things that in the scheme of things really don't matter.
Next time you feel like getting angry - stop and make sure that it is something worth getting angry about.
9 times out of 10 you'll see that it isn't.
Use your energy for better things.
Go outside and look up at the stars and stand amazed at the beauty of God's creation.
Let go of your anger. The proverb says "Anger rests in the bosom of fools"
100 years from now all that will matter is how you have lived your life.
Choose the path that says; "I'm not going to give in to anger. I'm going to see things in perspective. I'm going to 'let it go' and choose to be calm.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Holding Back the Years

Maintaining a youthful appearance is a goal for many of us - both men and women alike - as the years pass by we look at ways of preventing the onset of inevitable signs of aging. Thanks to an established range of treatments offered by LINE BREAKER, specialist in the provision of non-surgical procedures you can prevent the visible signs of aging.
Founded by respected consultant surgeon, Mr Adrian Richards and Melanie Smith a specialist aesthetic nurse, the company is committed to preventing the visible signs of aging. The straightforward procedures, are in the form of Botox®, Restylane® and Juvederm® injections and a range of skin peel products including Obagi Blue Peel and Glycolic Peel. Also included in the range of non-surgical procedures are Isolagen® and IAL System.
Botox® is highly effective at treating forehead lines, crow's feet and frown lines. The virtually pain free process involves injecting a tiny amount of Botox® solution just under the skin, in sites on the area to be treated, using a very fine needle (the same type of needle that is used for premature babies). All in all, the treatment takes only 10 minutes, its effects last on average of four to six months and results can be expected in a little as fourteen days.
Botox® treatment has been used successfully for over 20 years and is backed by extensive clinical trials, with over 1400 medical research papers showing it to be safe and effective. The treatment, which is administered by a highly trained medical practitioner, works by the botulinum toxins attaching themselves to nerve endings and blocking the signals that would normally tell your muscles to contract. This releases the muscles and allows the skin to repair deep wrinkles from the bottom up.
Restylane® is a popular non-animal alternative to collagen replacement therapy and consists of a clear gel, which will smooth wrinkles and folds and give contours, as well as providing lip augmentation.
Juvederm® is a hyaluronic acid in the form of viscoelastic gel, which is transparent and homogenous and has emerged as a compound for filling in wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is a physiological constituent of dermal tissue which maintains local moisture content and is gradually reabsorbed with time.
Obagi Blue Peel® is a procedure designed to significantly improve the appearance and health of your skin, as well as even out any pigmentary problems involving the face and other areas of the body suitable for men and women of any skin type and colour. It is ideal for anyone who wants to look better and reverse the appearance of the ageing process. Those who have blemish-prone skin, wrinkles, pigmentation problems, sun damage, or general poor skin quality will benefit the most.
Glycolic Peel is comprised of an all natural alpha hydroxy acid derived from sugar cane. Alpha Hydroxy acids occur naturally in certain fruits and foods. Of all the alpha hydroxy acids, Glycolic is the smallest in molecular size. This small molecular size allows it to penetrate the skin.
Treatment with Glycolic acid is gentler than chemical peels and is used to improve and smooth the texture of the skin of the face by removing its damaged outer layers.
Rejuvenation treatment unlike any other available today.
IAL System is a long acting bio-revitalisation programme to recreate a youthful appearance by restoring elasticity, firmness and hydration of skin. As we age, the level of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in our skin decreases considerably, leading to the appearance of ageing skin and the formation of lines and wrinkles. IAL stimulates the production of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, all vital components of younger looking skin.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

ADHD - Sleep Difficulties, Procrastination And Other Difficulties Related To Job Stability

Statement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time.
I wanted to let you know that our book many years in the making should be ready for release (FINALLY) in NOVEMBER it is authored by me and Robert Eme Ph.D. and will be titled ADHD and the Criminal Justice System-"Spinning out of control. The book is designed for the police, jails, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation, prisons, halfway houses and parole officials. To learn more and get updates click here.
Obtaining and maintaining a job are common problems for many with ADHD. Many of these problems relate to the tendency of people with ADHD to be night owls. They have difficulty getting to sleep at night and when they finally do go to sleep have difficulty waking up in the morning. This can cause them problems at work with being late on a regular basis and conflicts with employers.
Another common problem is the tendency to speak our minds without hesitation. In the heat of a dispute with our boss we might fail to hold our tongue and blurt out whatever might be on our mind at that moment. Needless to say what comes out of our mouth at that moment can have serious consequences on maintaining employment.
Some of us take jobs that offer very little variety or stimulation which can be a recipe for disaster. ADHD people normally do not perform well on assembly line type work and are restless about really enjoying our work. Job satisfaction is very important to anyone who works. For a person with ADHD the fact that our job is boring or lacks adequate stimulation further complicates the first two problems of oversleeping and using verbally inappropriate responses to our employers.
In working with people with ADHD we discuss these matters regularly. I encourage them to find jobs that correspond to their peak performance hours. This is often the 300pm - 1100pm or 400pm - Midnight shift. This allows them to get off work and have a few hours to wind down before going to bed. They can then sleep in and are up and ready to make work on time. Others seem to do better working the overnight shift although this too can be problematic for those who seem to be wide awake at 300am and start fading around 400am.
What are the reasons for having trouble going to sleep at night and waking up in the morning to maintain a day job? Usually what happens is when it is time to go to bed sleep does not seem to come naturally on many evenings. We start concentrating on getting to sleep. This focus seems to usually lead to thinking about our need to get to sleep. After awhile this changes to questioning of why I can't go to sleep. This leads to reviewing the day to find out what might be bothering us. This seems to quickly lead us to an ever increasing number of problems that have occurred that day. Soon it seems that our minds are abuzz with so many thoughts it would be difficult to write them all down. As the minutes and hours pass and we still find ourselves awake we start thinking of how much sleep we have already missed and this only makes matters worse.
We may get up and watch television, or read a book hoping that will help us to become tired. This may work on some occasions and not so well on other occasions. It is usually impossible for us to identify why this works one day and not the other.
As a result we find ourselves tired during the day and maybe even having to take a nap in an attempt to make up for missed sleep. This can then lead to compounding our sleep problems that evening.
Waking up from sleep can also be confusing to us. After having so many problems going to sleep the night before we have difficulty getting up in the morning even after the alarm has gone off. The snooze button is an ADHD person's second favorite creation (next to the television remote control). We usually push the limits as to when we get up till it's too late to make it to commitments on time. On days off or weekends we seem to struggle getting up and often find ourselves spending too much time in bed. Another commonly reported problem is the seeming need to take naps on our days off. This will often result in poor self esteem due to wasting our day off or being even more tired from what I call getting "too much sleep" or self labeling ourselves as "couch potatoes".
I have found in my own situation that the best thing to do is set my alarm and when it goes off have my medication by the bedside and take it and hit the snooze button. Usually within the 10-15 minute snooze period our medication will kick in and the new alarm goes off and we seem to know what we need to do and take action.
Sometimes no matter what we try nothing seems to work all the time so we may have to accept some aspects of this. There are relaxation and exercise techniques that are out there that have worked for some and it might be worthwhile pursuing one or more of these on your own.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Target Specific Heart Health Risks

Heart Protection Nutritional Supplement Guide:
Following a heart-healthy diet can do a lot to reduce risk, but for many people, it's not enough. Heart-protecting drugs usually come with troublesome side effects, such as fatigue and the possibility of liver disease. For some risk factors, like homocysteine and low-density lipoprotein prescriptive drugs are not available.
HEART HEALTH FACTORS TO BE AWARE OF:
I. Total Cholesterol: Desirable cholesterol is below 200; borderline high is between 200 and 239; high is 240 and above.
Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:
Plant sterols. Beta-sitosterol and other plant sterols have a chemical structure similar to that of cholesterol, which enables them to reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. Several studies have found that plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels by an average of 6 to 8 percent. Take sterol supplements 2 to 3 times a day, products labeled plant sterols, phytosterols, or beta-sitosterol.
Niacin: This form of vitamin B-3 has been known since the 1950's to reduce cholesterol levels. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration for lowering cholesterol, it is sold both by prescription and over the counter. As effective as niacin is, it triggers the release of histamine, which often will turn the skin beet red and tingly for about an hour. If you keep taking niacin, the intense flushing episodes should eventually ease. Start at 100 mg. once or twice a day and work up to 500 to 1,000 mg. three times a day.
Coenzyme Q10: People who must take statin drugs should also take 100 to 200 mg. of CoQ10 a day because statins can deplete the body's natural supply.
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: Small, dense LDL globules are far more likely to cause blood clots than are larger, less dense ones. And when a person's antioxidant intake is low, LDL oxidation increases, which appears to be a key step in the development of heart disease. If total LDL is high, it may be wise to have an additional blood test to find out which type predominates.
Beneficial Nutritional Supplements: Plant sterols can lower LDL levels by an impressive 8 to 14 percent. Take sterol supplements 2 to 3 times a day, products labeled plant sterols, phytosterols, or beta-sitosterol.
Vitamin E: Won't lower LDL, but will curb its tendency to promote heart disease. Contrary to common thinking, LDL is not entirely bad - it's needed to transport fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, throughout the bloodstream. Vitamin E and other fat soluble antioxidants prevent LDL oxidation. Take 400 to 800 IU of natural-source vitamin E.
Dietary Options: To lower LDL, reduce your intake of saturated fat (in fatty meats and dairy products) and avoid processed foods containing trans fats such as most shortenings, partially hydrogenated oils, and most cookies and crackers on the market.
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: HDL is widely considered the "good" form of cholesterol, mainly because it helps transport the LDL or bad cholesterol to the liver where the LDL is then processed for excretion. The higher your HDL levels, the lower your risk of heart disease.
Ideal HDL levels are 55 mg./dL or higher for women and 45 mg/dL or higher for men.
Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:
L-carnitine: A component of protein, is highly recommended.
Fish Oil "Omega 3" Supplements: Contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - both essential dietary fats that boost HDL. They're also potent blood thinners so they prevent clotting, and they help to regulate heart rhythm.
Niacin: A form of vitamin B-3, will raise HDL levels. You may experience an intense one-hour flushing sensation after your take it. Aim for 500 to 1,000 mg. three times daily.
Dietary Options: To boost HDL, don't skimp too much on fats, particularly heart-healthy fish oils and olive oil. Low-fat diets, long recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease, actually lower HDL levels. Cut back on refined carbs, which can decrease HDL.
Triglycerides: Triglycerides actually account for most fat found in the blood and in body fat. A higher ratio of triglycerides to HDL has been associated with a significant increase in heart attack risk.
Anything under 150 mg./dL is considered normal. Aim for 100 mg. or less. Levels of 150 to 199 mg. are borderline high, and 200 mg. and above are considered high.
Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:
Fish Oil Supplements: Can lead to impressive reductions in triglyceride levels. In some studies, plant sterols have also been shown to reduce triglycerides.
Dietary Options: Triglyceride levels are directly related to the quantity of refined carbohydrates you eat, so reduce your intake of table sugar, white bread, cookies and other sweets, refined pasta, and bagels, and focus instead on whole grains.
Homocysteine: Homocysteine is normally a short-lived byproduct of protein metabolism - it's only when levels become elevated that they cause trouble. If you eat lots of veggies, particularly those that contain folic acid such as spinach, romaine lettuce, and other greens, there's a good chance your homocysteine is at healthy levels.
The American Heart Association considers normal levels to be from 5 to 15 micromoles per liter of blood. Ideal levels are under 7.
Beneficial Nutritional Supplements:
Three B Vitamins are particularly helpful in breaking down homocysteine: folic acid (1,000 to 5,000 mcg. daily), vitamin B-6 (25 to 50 mg. daily), and vitamin B-12 (2,000 mcg. daily.)
Dietary Options: Load up on leafy greens: spinach, romaine lettuce.
V. Glucose Tolerance
Beneficial Nutritional Supplements: Many supplements can help lower and stabilize glucose and insulin levels, but if you already take glucose-regulating drugs, be sure to work with your physician to adjust their dosage.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: An antioxidant, is widely used in Germany to treat peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disease caused by diabetes. Studies have found that it can lower both glucose and insulin levels. Take 100 to 300 mg. daily.
Chromium Picolinate: An essential mineral, has been shown to lower glucose and cholesterol levels. Take 400 to 1,000 mcg. daily.
Cinnamon: Can lower fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Ginseng Supplements: 1 to 3 grams of American ginseng (Panax quinqufolius L.) significantly reduced the rise in blood sugar.
Silymarin: The antioxidant-rich extract of milk thistle, is well known for increasing liver activity. Italian researchers found that 600 mg. of silymarin daily reduced several key measures of glucose tolerance, including fasting glucose and insulin, over the course of a year.