Pay Off Student Loans

Another Attempt at Styling

2009-09-15T11:12:00.017-07:00

Another Attempt at Styling

Click on the pics for a closer look!
Source: alockingstory.blogspot.com

SOCIAL WORKER 8/7
Regency Extended Care Center. located in Southern Westchester, is seeking a social worker to interview residents and family members on admission; insure written care plans are completed and updated, participates as member of Comprehensive Care Plan Team.

Minimum- BA degree in related field
MDS experience required. Benefits include paid Medical, 4 wks vacation- call Erica at 914-963-4000 ext 113 to apply.
Source: alumnijobs.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

Center for Sustainable Medicine

2009-09-15T11:12:00.015-07:00

Center for Sustainable Medicine
The Center for Sustainable Medicine was established over a year ago by local homeopath and acupuncturist, Didi Pershouse, to frame a new (and old) paradigm for personal and planetary health. Visit the website: http://sustainablemedicine.org

Sustainable Medicine Manifesto

1. Sustainable Medicine recognizes that we are part of something larger than ourselves: a complex system, known to us as the universe, the ecosystem, the web of life, or Gaia.
-This system seeks balance through interdependence, and constant change.

2. Sustainable Medicine sees the body as its own ecosystem, and recognizes that all parts of a system are linked and collaborative.
-Our bodies are a micro-system, reflective of and included within the whole.

3. Sustainable Medicine teaches that the health of the environment is intricately linked to the health of our bodies.
-Therefore, to care for the environment is part of caring for ourselves and others.

4. From the perspective of Sustainable Medicine, connection with the ecosystem is essential to health. Disease is a manifestation of lack of connection.
-Each disconnection that occurs leads to a loss of power, integrity, flexibility and energy—both for that part and for the whole system.
-This lack of connection separates us from ourselves, each other, and the source of our life.

5. Therefore, to create health, one must restore connection.
Sustainable Medicine does this by:
-Acknowledging that networks, relationships and communities exist at every level.
-Facilitating deep communication, understanding and cooperation within and between them.
-Respecting the integrity and wisdom of community networks by using local medicines and knowledge whenever possible and appropriate.

-Reconnecting people with the inherent wisdom and support of the social and natural communities that surround them.

6. Sustainable Medicine operates best in environments that are fertile, rather than sterile.
-It does this by encouraging honest, open-hearted, and evenly-balanced relationships between healers and the communities they serve.
-And by recognizing that healthy communities are built through relationship, including cross-pollination of ideas, populations and coping mechanisms to create the diversity and flexibility that ensures survival in times of crisis.

7. Health depends also on our ability to honor wildness, which has its own wisdom and integrity.
-Sustainable Medicine therefore seeks to restore the integrity, power and sanctity of wild places—from the internal flora and fauna of the body, to the microorganisms of the soils, to the vast tracts of wilderness that plants, animals and fungi depend on for survival, diversity and well-being.

8. Sustainable Medicine is pattern-based in its thought and action.
-When disease occurs, Sustainable Medicine gathers information from the whole system, looking for patterns and cycles, not just individually occurring symptoms.
-When looking at a single part, it looks deeply: for within each part, the whole is reflected as well.
-In its treatments, Sustainable Medicine works within the patterns and cycles of nature, recognizing that the system, when allowed to move freely and without obstruction, will naturally flow towards balance.
-Sustainable Medicine also respects and accepts that cycles of growth, decline, transformation, and regeneration are natural and essential to the health and balance of the entire system.
9. Sustainable Medicine is inherently sustainable.
-It does not deplete resources or excessively drain one part of the whole to benefit another.
-It does not add to the toxic waste stream, creating further illness.
-It is affordable to learn, to practice and to use.
-Care is available to all parts of the system

10. Sustainable Medicine is “slow” medicine.
-It begins with deep listening and understanding.
-It allows time for deep and lasting cures.

–Didi Pershouse 2007
The Center for Sustainable Medicine
Source: alternativehealthguides.blogspot.com

JOB SEEKERS
Recruiters Reveal Pet Peeves About Job Seekers

Recruiter Roundtable Looks at Flaws to Avoid

The Recruiter Roundtable is a recurring feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group of recruiting experts throughout the United States. The question we put before our panel this month is:

What is your biggest pet peeve about job seekers today?

The Price of 'Perfection'
My biggest pet peeve is perfect candidates. They only had successes, are perfect and can't see any improvement to make on themselves -- except maybe to "work a little less." People who are too insecure to admit their shortcomings or even their mistakes make me feel that they lack good emotional intelligence. In all the reference checks we reviewed at Checkster, none were 100% positive, so be realistic. If not, you will be seen as either not daring enough to perform difficult things, or stuck in a myopic belief that you are perfect.
-- Yves Lermusi, CEO, Checkster

Clueless Candidates
As a recruiter, there have been countless times when job seekers have asked, "What position is this for?" Job seekers shouldn't just apply to any job. They need to spend their time effectively finding jobs that are a match for their skills and interest.
-- Nga Nguyen, Technology & Operations Group Recruiter at Wells Fargo

Short-Cut Introductions
With more people looking for work in today's economy, I've been seeing an increase in what I call "lazy introductions" come across my desk. It goes something like this: "I'm writing you to introduce myself. I live in New York and I'm looking for a job," and in the signature is a link to a LinkedIn profile or possibly a resume. A brief introduction should come with a background, highlights, and reason for connecting. A job search is a job in itself and requires some personalization and effort for each and every introduction.
-- Lindsay Olson, partner, Paradigm Staffing

Can't Connect the Dots?
My biggest pet peeve is receiving resumes or applications that describe background and work experience wholly unrelated to the position being applied for. Also there is either no supporting material or a generic cover letter that fails to connect the dots between what's on the application and what's in the posted job listing.
-- Noah Apodaca, lead recruiter for staff at the University of California, Irvine

Don't Go Generic
Job seekers hurt their own cause when they don't focus on specific ways they can help potential employers and instead simply mass distribute their resume. Individuals need to show hiring managers what they can do for the organization, not the reverse. Thoroughly research companies where you want to apply, customize your resume and cover letter for each opportunity, and in your communications with employers highlight your accomplishments and skills that demonstrate how you can positively impact the firm's bottom line.
-- DeLynn Senna, executive director of North American permanent placement services, Robert Half International

HOT JOBS
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-recruiters_reveal_pet_peeves_about_job_seekers-865

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If I had only found this when I was on the job hunting mode. :) Still very useful though. I am kind of guilty for a number of items listed... Noted!
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Source: allthingsunderheaven.blogspot.com

What kind of life do you live?
Lifestyle or way of life is also referred to as the way the person lives. So this ranges with the food he eats, house he lives, car he drives, kind of relationship he nurtures, clothes he wears, kind of entertainment he consumes, etc etc etc.

Do you sometimes think if the life you live is actually the kind of lifestyle you want?
Or this is all but a mundane day-to-day life just because I have to, for the heck of living…

Sometime we have to pause & realize that life is not just going through the motion of living but seizing the day. We have to take control & live the life that we wanted. After all it’s just you, ourselves who determine what kind of life we live or way our way of life should be.

Here are some leading questions that would determine the current lifestyle you live.

1. What does the word ‘home’ suggest to you?

a. It’s really important, and everything that’s in it. It’s the place where I feel happy & safe
b. It’s important, but not as much as my job or friends.
c. It’s a place to sleep and sometimes to eat, but if I had to sleep and eat somewhere else, it wouldn’t bother me.

2. Which of the following would you choose to have?

a. a big spacious detached house with high ceilings, wooden floors and a fireplace but no money left to spend on holidays, going out, little luxuries, etc.
b. a medium-sized flat on the third floor, with quite a good view but noisy neighbors and a bit of extra money to spend on going out sometimes.
c. A cramped apartment on the first floor and lots of extra cash spend on you.

3. Which of the following statements best describe your house or flat?

a. it’s always a very good condition and clean and tidy as I spend a lot of time looking after my home
b. its in a fairly good condition and usually tidy although sometimes I don’t look after my home as much as I should
c. its in a quite bad condition as usually untidy.

4. Where would you prefer to live?

a. in the countryside or a very quiet residential area.
b. In a lively suburb, but one with plenty of shops, restaurants & pubs.
c. Right in the center of town where everything’s happening

5. On average, how much of your free time(when you’re not sleeping) do you spend at home per week?

a. more than thirty hours.
b. Between twenty & thirty
c. Less than twenty

6. Which of the following statements best describe your lifestyle?

a. Quiet. I take things calmly and don’t get stressed about everyday matters.
b. Sometimes quiet and sometimes hectic. It depends on the time of year or day of the week.
c. Usually hectic. I spend most of my time running form one place to the next, doing a hundred different things at the same time

7. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

a. Reading, listening to music and relaxing at home.
b. A mixture of things, a bit of sport, reading, cinema and occasionally clubbing.
c. Being out with my friends, clubbing in the countryside.

8. Which of the following types of holiday would you prefer?

a. Rural Tourism. You can get away from crowds and relax, walking or cycling in the countryside.
b. A tourist resort with some entertainment facilities, but reasonably quiet and relaxing.
c. A busy, lively tourist resort, where I can go clubbing all night long.

If you answer mostly A or B or C, here’s the result.

A. What a quiet, relaxed life you lead. Home is definitely where the heart is for you. Your idea of paradise is a little cottage in the country, far away from the stress of the big city. Don’t forget, though, there may be something else out there that’s interesting.

B. Well, you seem to have a very balance approach to life. You like doing exciting things but you also know when to relax and take it easy. You value your home, but not too much as other things interest you too.

C. What a life! You love to be in the center of it all, running around and socializing. Do you remember where your home is? It sounds fun, but be careful not to get too stressed. Everybody needs to relax sometimes.

Did you answer the questions truthfully?

I seem to have a balanced life sometimes yeah just sometimes…

Source: allthingsunderheaven.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

CAREER LESSONS LEARNED #2

2009-09-15T11:12:00.013-07:00

CAREER LESSONS LEARNED #2
Do you think it should be developing weakness or focusing on strength?

There’s nothing wrong in developing our so-called weakness but what we should be thinking of our strengths.

Remember what you think eventually becomes your action and our actions determine our destiny.

If you always think that you’re dull, stupid, bad at this, poor at that, etc. then indeed you become what you think you are.

Therefore let us stop talking about it…

But wouldn’t it be amazing to focus on our strength and we make it crazily… foolishy… insanely great?

When we combine our passion with our strength it would definitely be an explosion of greatness!

Find your ‘craziness’, what you do best, what you love to do and apply your strengths in doing it.

Our so-called weaknesses are there to keep up humble but it should NOT hamper us in achieving our greatness with our passion & strengths.

Remember you are NOT average.

Focus on your STRENGTH!

Source: allthingsunderheaven.blogspot.com

Career Field
The Top Ten Career Fields in America By Careers and Colleges

You may still be in high school, but it’s not too early to start thinking about your career. The fields listed here are expected to offer growth and job opportunities today and tomorrow.

For the third year in a row, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that employers are hiring more new college graduates than in previous years. NACE’s 2006 Job Outlook Survey indicates that students with degrees in business, engineering, and computer-related fields will be in high demand.

But don’t expect to find your dream job right away. Marilyn Mackes, NACE’s executive director, explains, “Employers are looking for candidates who have the right mix of skills, enthusiasm, and experience for the job.”

If you’re not heading to a four-year college after high school, take heart. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that opportunities are on the rise for careers in the trades, the restaurant industry, and hospitality and tourism. Demand for assistant-level skills in the areas of medicine, education, and law is also increasing.

Finding your career path takes time. To help you get started, here’s an overview of the top ten career fields in the U.S.

1. Computers and Technology
Thanks to advances in the Internet, microelectronics, and telecommunications, computers and technology continue to be a very hot career category. Computer systems design and information services are expanding rapidly. As cell phone companies improve their services, specialists in microelectronics will be in demand. Tech-savvy workers will be hired to build better laptops, digital cameras, MP3s, PDAs, and satellites for radio communications.
The field of technology will be further driven by innovations such as advanced artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, in which scientists learn to build futuristic gadgets atom by atom.

2. Health Care and Allied Health
As the baby-boom generation ages, the demand for health care services is expected to increase dramatically. In fact, 15 of the 30 fastest-growing careers in the country are health-related. Registered nurses currently lead the pack in terms of job opportunities, but openings for chiropractors, veterinarians, and speech-language pathologists are also expected to increase.
To help control costs, many tasks and procedures formerly performed by doctors and other high-level health care professionals are now being done by assistants. As a result, job opportunities for dental assistants, physician assistants, and therapy aides are on the rise.
Stricter regulations and expanding services in health care will require more medical records specialists and health information technicians. Many of these positions require only a two-year degree.

3. Education and Social Services
Jobs in education and social services are expected to increase quickly, especially for educators.
As the number of preschool-age children increases, so will the demand for public school teachers. Schools have been hiring more educational paraprofessionals in recent years, and these positions often do not require an advanced degree. Paraprofessionals include teacher’s aides, special education assistants, early childhood assistants, and library assistants.
Community and social services are expected to add jobs over the next few years as well because of the issues related to an aging population.

4. Arts and Communications
Although many artists still struggle to make a living, opportunities are more plentiful than ever, especially for those who combine talent with technology.
Jobs in the arts and communications include graphic design, copywriting, advertising, broadcasting, and more. Many new jobs will be related to professional, scientific, and technical services. “Corporations, hospitals, and schools all want animation, music, and interactive material for their presentations,” says Marty Hasselbach, managing director of the Vancouver Film School in Canada. Also, as cable, the Web, satellite radio, electronic games, and CD-ROM manufacturing has expanded, so has the need for actors, directors, and producers.

5. Trades and Transportation
Jobs in the construction industry are expected to be abundant for the next several years. Jobs in automotive repair, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration are also expected to increase.
The manufacturing industry needs skilled tradespeople with technical know-how. Opportunities range from tool and die work to advanced robotics.
Finally, demand for truck drivers is expected to increase as industries rely on transportation services to deliver goods.

6. Management, Business, and Finance
In 2005, there was a strong upward shift in the hiring of MBAs, according to TopMBA.com. This trend is expected to continue over the next several years. Many of the positions will be related to scientific and technical consulting.
Accounting currently tops the list of careers with the most job offers for college grads, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Insurance is also expected to be a hot field, and more administrative assistants will be needed as corporations expand.
Families funding college educations and retirement savings are expected to rely more on personal financial advisors. And specialists in sales, marketing, and advertising will continue to be in demand to keep services and products moving around the world. Two growth areas to keep an eye on are e-commerce (selling over the Web) and forensic accounting (using accounting, auditing, and investigative skills in legal matters).

7. Architecture and Civil Engineering
While opportunities for architects are expected to grow more slowly than those in other categories in the next several years, specialists in computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting technology will have an edge when it comes to finding jobs. Homeland security demands, natural disasters, and other challenges fuel the need for more civil engineers, who design and supervise the construction of roads, levees, tunnels, water supply, and sewage systems.

8. Science
Career opportunities in scientific fields are expected to expand in many areas, from chemistry to oceanography.
Not all jobs in scientific fields require an advanced degree. Technicians and assistants with two-year degrees are also needed to support research.

9. Hospitality, Tourism, and the Service Industry
The service industry needs fresh faces in hotel and restaurant management, retail and service work, travel planning, personal health and fitness consulting, and culinary arts. Good chefs are also in great demand. As consumers become more body conscious, fitness trainers and aerobics instructors will find steady employment. Finally, as business and personal travel increases, so will the need for hotel managers and event planning specialists.

10. Law and Law Enforcement
The legal services industry is more popular than ever, thanks in part to television shows like “CSI” and “Boston Legal.” While more positions are expected for attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants are enjoying the biggest job boom.
As for law enforcement, increased homeland security has driven up the need for FBI workers, customs agents, and border patrol officers. Openings are projected in local and special police departments as well.

YAHOO CAREERS
http://www.careersandcolleges.com/tp2/cnc/articles/view.do?cat=cnc.c&article=c-top-ten-career-fields-america

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Source: allthingsunderheaven.blogspot.com

Philippine Best Paying Jobs 2009
After working hard with long working hours & sometimes with no overtime pay why in the world aren't you in the best paying jobs? Oh well, I just came this article that says the basic pay of Philippine government officials has a minimum pay of roughly P10,000. Oh, really I thought!

"According Asiaweek's Salary Survey 2000, a cross-country comparison indicated that the Philippines is at the lowest end of the scale in terms of the monthly salaries of their government employees and officials.

For example, government clerks (Entry Level) in the Philippines earn a monthly salary of $220. While this is slightly above Malaysia's $199, it is only half of what Singapore pays: $503."
http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2009/0526_angara2.asp

Ever wonder why these 10,000 pesos paying employees are having big houses & a number of brand new cars? Well, to be fair, let's spare those who aren't what we are talking about.

These 10,000 pesos paying employees got the best paying jobs in this country. Why would you create trouble for a very basic political position in your town if it would only give you 10,000 peso. Come on, there would be no killings & all sort of rivalry if it's just for 10,000 pesos - this must be one of the best paying jobs.

Don't your agree?

With the election coming up, national election for that matter have you ever wonder why would you trouble yourself looking for solutions to this country's problem for 10,000 peso. Don't tell me you're nationalistic, for the love of the country! Come on we all know that there are other geniune ways to show love for the country, to be nationalistic.

I remember someone saying, why would these people wanted to be the country's President & not XXX (won't mention it its promotion hahhaha) Company's President who pays 1 Million Pesos Basic pay. Take note, basic pay & that was like 3 years ago...

I was supposed to write about best paying jobs but it seems that this is leaning towards the government officials & their jobs.

Well simply because here in this country the Philippines, being a government official is simply the best paying job!

Look around, watch the news, read the newspapers, do these people look like earning 10,000 pesos?

Well, I was just thinking what do I really mean with best paying jobs? Is it about the pay? benefit? or having a time of your own but still earning? Fulfilling your dreams? What would be considered as the best paying jobs...?

What do you thinks are these jobs?

With the birth of reality shows, every contestant being asked what is their dream: "Maging singer po, maging artista po, makita po sa TV..." etc.
If best paying job involves a good pay and fulfilling your dream, then the next best job is being a TV PERSONALITY!

With the long queue during auditions, being in the venue in the wee hours of the morning or even the night or days before just to be able to get into the venue, it seems that being an "artista", singer, dancer, tv personality is the next best job in the Philippines.And oh, after being famous, do these people join politics as well?Oh yeah, they do right? Should we name names? Nah, no need we all know who they are!
And take note not just any position, Congressman, Senator & even the Philippine President… sigh…

Other than that, ever noticed that after being an "artista" for 3, 5 years they are already building their dream houses, travel here & there!

While being a private employeed citizen 3 to 5 years sometimes you don't even get promoted from your position right? or if you do, the increase of your salary is just good or almost just enough to cover the inflation rate, for the increased fare, for the increased tuition fee (not enough)...

With the flow of this blog, it seems that being a Philippine government employee & TV or movie personality are the best paying job but also almost the same!

Interchangeable?
Is this how shallow the country is?
From the most serious of all jobs to the most entertaining ones, they can just be mixed up? Shallow but one of the best paying jobs!

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Source: allthingsunderheaven.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

Fall Pictures

2009-09-15T11:12:00.011-07:00

Fall Pictures

Source: alockingstory.blogspot.com

My Blog's Reading Level (I got this from Brunsli)

Get a Cash Advance

Source: alockingstory.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

Check Out A Few Ways To Truly "Go Green" This St. Patrick's Day

2009-09-15T11:12:00.009-07:00

Check Out A Few Ways To Truly "Go Green" This St. Patrick's Day

This St. Patrick's Day, the color green takes on more significance than ever, at least people are starting to pay attention. While St. Patrick's Day is celebrated around the world as a day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, most Americans associate this holiday with four leaf clovers, shamrocks, leprechauns and the "luck of the Irish."

Little by little the world is going green and for many this is becoming a lifestyle choice. What better way to celebrate eco-progress than on that greenest of holidays, St. Patrick's Day? Get a head start by sending out e-invites this ensures your commitment to going paperless!

Greet guests with a fabulous party favor from matchstickgarden.com, these clever matchbooks contain pull-out sticks that you simply plant in the soil and watch your garden grow.

Your beverage menu should include something for the non-drinkers and iced green tea flavored with peppermint leaves is always a big hit. For those who are looking for something brewed from hops, choose organic. Consumer interest in organic foods has certainly caught the eye of most beer manufacturers, many are now producing an assortment of brews produced with ingredients like fennel, coriander, anise, and honey which meet organic production standards.

After A night of drinking, you might be hurting...a lot. According to the FDA taking over-the-counter pain relievers for a hangover can actually do your body more harm than good. Inhaling drops of peppermint can help to alleviate the vast array of symptoms often associated with a hangover. Add a drop to a tissue and smell throughout the day.

Did you do your part to “Go Green,” this St. Patty’s Day?

Source: alternativetherapybalanceboost.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

Blog Homework #5

2009-09-15T11:12:00.007-07:00

Blog Homework #5
it's #5 because #4 was private.

~Search through the drawer in your heart. Are there memories that shaped your self image? Write about a time when your feelings were hurt. Why do you think you still remember the incident? How does that help you understand yourself better?

Take a look inside... careful, it's spooky, but it's real

I thought this assignment would be easy. I mean I've written a lot about the trials, lessons, hurts I've experienced from schoolmates, and such... I kept thinking, that if I wrote about those same things, that I'd be cheating. I'd be plagiarizing myself.

Then it hit me.

I knew what I should write.

But how? It still hurts.

I'd been preparing a YW lesson and was combing through my old journals.

I've often wondered why I've stayed strong to my faith, even at a young age, even when things at home were terrifying.

When I started reading through my own words I realized that I survived because at a young age I discovered that though unconditional love and acceptance weren't part of my family life, that God always loved me... even though.

God loved me even though I accidentally broke a ceiling light playing with my brothers. God loved me even though my brothers, thinking it was funny, purposely broke one. God loved me even though I was punished for my mistake, and then again because I was somehow responsible for the actions of my younger siblings. I was in elementary school. I knew God felt I was more important than a ceiling light.

Being betrayed at a young age made me realize that there wasn't anyone I could depend on. If the people closest to you can destroy your self-image and hurt you emotionally and physically, then who can you depend on? This affected my dating life. Even though I was dating someone, I still didn't trust I was good enough. I couldn't figure out why they would want to date me. I though it was a joke. My mind was sick. Thank heavens I met my husband. He made me feel accepted, just as I was, even though. Also, I think I was blessed with faith to stick through all that craziness.

I had the kind of faith that when people who are supposed to love unconditionally, and provide that safe haven, tell you how selfish, ungrateful, unworthy, evil... and then physically take out their anger on you... the faith that God loved me even though I didn't feel lovable right then.

It is because of that faith that I am where I am today. It would have been easier to become self-destructive and lead a life much more unhealthy than I live today, but I didn't. I didn't because of that faith. Faith stronger than familial relationships. Faith more hopeful than depressing situations. I've realized that with Faith I am stronger.

I have faith that God will help me through this. That He will help me heal. It's taken me 31 years to face the realities of my youth. So the scars are still raw. It's hard admitting an imperfect childhood, when all you ever wanted was a perfect Norman Rockwell like one, and when you're surrounded by what you think are perfect, lovable, giant Mormon family reunions.

Because of my childhood I am adamant not to do those things that I knew hurt me. I still remember how it all felt and I am grateful that I don't have a desire to do those things that made me despair at times.

I know I am not perfect. I'm pretty messed up. But I'm willing to reveal my weaknesses to allow the Lord to strengthen me. I have faith that if I turn my issues over to Him, he will make me something glorious. Isn't that why we're here?
Source: aloneontop.blogspot.com

American Eastern Institute Alternative Health Education and Training

AmericanEasternInstitute

American Alternative Health Distance Learning Integrative Health Care solutions and professional training through American Eastern Institute

AmericanAlternativeHealth.com

CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd

If you've ever thought about becoming a natural healthcare practitioner, then you may wish to review some of the many alternative health schools, which offer a number of fast-growing career-training programs.

In addition to specialized natural healthcare training options, alternative health schools provide practical instruction in healing arts like refloxology, holistic nutrition, herbal medicine, reflexology, naturopathy, homeopathy, or acupuncture, among others.

Depending on which healthcare discipline you choose to pursue, you might be surprised at the comprehensive training and skills that you will attain. For example, alternative health schools that extend academic programs in naturopathy are course-intensive, and generally require some degree of formal education prior to applying. In addition to health sciences like anatomy, microbiology, and biomedical sciences; typical studies in naturopathic alternative health schools include botanical medicine, holistic nutrition, massage, Oriental medicine; naturopathic history, philosophies and applications; homeopathy, and clinical ecology, and other associated studies.

If you find herbology appealing, then a great number of alternative health schools provide varying levels of herbal medicine courses. In a typical herbalism program, students are taught about Materia Medica, wildcrafting, physiology and anatomy in relation to plant medicine, botanical medicine history and philosophy, aromatherapy, herbal gardening and cultivation, and basic medicine making, in addition to other relative studies.

The eyes have it if you're drawn to iridology. Numerous alternative health schools provide training and education to aspiring iridologists, who gain in-depth knowledge about the iris; learning how to identify certain markers and colorations of the eye, which correspond to specific organ systems in the human body. Aside from learning how to map the eye using an iris chart, students in these alternative health schools learn how to use specialty tools like magnifying glass, microscopes and cameras to examine the iris. Most often, this course of study is complementary to training in a specialized field of natural healing like herbal medicine, naturopathy or homeopathy.

Massage therapy programs seem to be a core training option at alternative health schools as well. For the future massage therapist, it is critical to receive appropriate instruction in the field; and this is why many States currently regulate education and the practice, itself. Typical courses average between 300 and 500 hours, with some massage programs exceeding 1,000 training hours. General curriculum in these alternative health schools is comprised of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, Swedish massage, and deep tissue massage, among other associated coursework.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding healing arts programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore alternative health schools near you.

Top Programs at Alternative Health Schools

The CollegeBound Network

American Eastern Institute Alternative Health Education and Training

AmericanEasternInstitute

American Alternative Health Distance Learning Integrative Health Care solutions and professional training through American Eastern Institute

AmericanAlternativeHealth.com

Source: alternativehealthreview.blogspot.com

Blog Homework #2
~Fantasize about arriving at your dream destination. Prompt: "I looked out the window of the taxi and saw the . . ."

Will Travel For Food

Scarlett sighed as her nose picked up the scent of fresh croissants, and artisan breads. Her mouth began to salivate as she noticed the smartly dressed waiter walk over to her table with her order of a croissant, and smooth, dark, hot chocolate.

She bit into the perfectly light, flaky croissant and made sure to capture every buttery crumb with her tongue. She closed her eyes as she savored the textures, flavors and simple pleasure of truly tasting good food.

She reached for her steaming cup of hot chocolate and took in a deep breath, allowing the rich aroma to wash over her. She blew a little air out of her mouth and then opened her lips to sip the rich, smooth texture of the dark chocolate. Her eyes closed again as she thought of nothing but pure joy.

After her luxurious snack, Scarlett left the outdoor café and sauntered to the town square to decide on a whim, where to visit next.

Instantly her nose led her to a small eatery with fresh basil, rosemary and sage wafting out of it's windows. When she walked in she noticed the fresh cheese, tomatoes and seafood stew the other patrons were devouring. She quickly found a seat and waited for service.

As Scarlett sat there waiting, she said a little prayer of gratitude. She felt so blessed to travel the world in search of the finest, most heart-warming, and flavorful meals. Save the souvenirs and the shopping for the other tourists, all she wanted to do was eat slowly, with great pleasure.
Source: aloneontop.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

Enhancing Male Libido

2009-09-15T11:12:00.005-07:00

Enhancing Male Libido
My Partner Never Wants To Make Love. What's wrong?

This is a problem that comes up more than most people think. To hear others speak, it seems everyone is having more sex than you and your partner are. There is a stereotype 'out there', which makes us think that all men are highly sexed and feel that they don’t have enough sex and that all women in marriages or long-term relationships are having more sex than they would like. While this is sometimes the case, there are often differences in sexual desire and needs and this can lead to problems between couples.

Many people consult me online and face-to-face with worries about the frequency of sex within their relationship. This includes both men and women. Sometimes it is a man who feels that his partner is not sexually responsive enough and sometimes it is a woman. Many women are surprised to hear that there are other women who have the same problem as they do and feel relieved that they are not in a minority in wanting more frequent sex than they are having.

What I would like to do in this eBooklet, is to talk a little bit about what is 'normal' in terms of sexual frequency and also demonstrate that there are times in relationships when sex naturally takes a back seat, just as there are times when it is more important than anything! This is to help you tell the difference between a 'normal' decrease in sexual feelings and one which is symptomatic of a problem which needs to be addressed. Sometimes one just needs to know that the problem one is having is part of a normal stage in the relationship and that it will pass, while at other times it is important to do something about it.

So what is 'normal'? The answer is very simple. There is no norm as far as frequency of sex is concerned. Some people regularly have sex a few times every day, while others may make love every few years! The truth is, so long as it feels comfortable for both people in the relationship, then it is quite 'normal' and nothing to worry about - as long as you feel happy with each other and the relationship is meeting most of your needs.

It is also true that a couple's need for and desire for sex will wax and wane throughout the relationship. It is common for people to make love relatively often at the start of a relationship when things are still very new and exciting! It is just as common for sex to decrease in frequency as the years pass, with periods of 'drought' and periods of plenty.

Once again, every individual and every couple must be seen as unique in this regard and there is no yardstick by which to measure sexual behavior. For example, while some women do not feel like making love during pregnancy and after having a baby, others are very aroused by the whole process and can have the best sex ever during this time of their lives. At opposite extremes, I have known a couple who made passionate love when the woman had just gone into labor - as well as a couple who did not make love even once throughout pregnancy and until their baby was over a year old. In both cases the issue did not cause a problem and was accepted as 'normal' within the relationship - which, of course it was! One of the reasons that I stress this is to prevent people from judging themselves by the perceived standards of others and rather to look at what is 'normal' and acceptable for them.

Having said this, there are times when there is a difference in sex drive between the individuals in a couple. This may be evident right from the beginning, with one person needing sex much more than the other. This can cause problems, but it need not do so if it is managed correctly and if both individuals are mindful of the needs and feelings of their partner and do not interpret the differences between them as rejection. If you find that this has been a problem right from the start of your relationship and it is causing difficulties in the relationship, it is a good idea to have professional help and advice which is especially tailored for you as a couple, and as an individual.

What happens, however, when a partner who has previously enjoyed making love quite often suddenly seems to 'go off' sex or to want it much less often than he or she used to? As I said before, this happens as often to men as it does to women and can leave individuals feeling rejected and even suspicious that their partner is having an affair. This, understandably, can lead to many other problems in a relationship and may even lead to the breakdown of the relationship if it is not handled correctly.

It is important to uncover the reason for the sudden decline in a person's sex drive, in order to prevent misunderstandings and also to allow people to make wise decisions about the problem. Is this just a temporary thing due to stress, family problems, or hormonal changes or is it a symptom of something else which needs attention?

Obviously the first and best thing to do is to speak to one's partner about the problem. Many of my clients tell me that they have tried this and that it 'didn't work'. It is true that it is a sensitive topic and that many people become defensive and avoid talking about it - often becoming angry and denying that there is anything 'wrong'. This can be very frustrating and upsetting. Often I discover that the subject is broached at the wrong time and in the wrong manner and that, with help, ways can be found to facilitate the discussion so that it is less threatening and more productive.

It is very common that people want to talk about their feelings when those feelings are most intense. When a sexual problem is the issue, people often choose to talk when they have just tried to initiate sex and have been turned down for what feels like the hundredth time. This is not a good time to have a reasonable conversation and usually leads to anger, defensiveness and tears! If you have noticed a pattern in your sexual relationship and this is worrying you, rather choose a time to talk when sex is not an issue. Don't talk about it in bed. Choose a time when you both feel relaxed and friendly with each other and tell your partner that there is something on your mind that you want to share. Ask him or her to listen without interrupting to help you to speak about something that is difficult for you and say that you will allow a chance for response when you are finished. Then speak about your feelings without accusing or placing blame. Say "I feel rejected and unloved because we seem to be making love so seldom these days. I am not sure what is happening. Can we talk about it?" Don't say "You never want to have sex with me - you must be having an affair." If you talk about your feelings, rather than pointing fingers at your partner, this will have a much better chance of allowing your partner to speak freely than if you broach the subject in a way that puts him or her into a corner.

As I said, to find an answer to the question of whether or not there is something 'wrong', the first person to speak to is your partner. This has the greatest chance of finding a solution to your problems because once the real issues are uncovered, action can be taken to address them.

But, what could be some of the reasons for a person suddenly wanting to make love much less frequently than before? Let us look at a few of the more common reasons that arise in therapy to give you an idea of the variety of underlying causes that may be operating.

1. Infidelity.
Yes, sometimes this is the problem underlying a decrease in sexual activity within a relationship and it is very often the conclusion that is drawn by people who feel rejected and insecure. It is important not to jump to this conclusion without definite proof as there may be many other reasons. Some people become suspicious and begin to check up on their partners by following them, checking pockets, cell phones, emails, etc and this is a very bad idea. It can cause great stress and damage and very rarely benefits anyone. If your partner is trying to hide something from you deliberately, it is likely that he or she will deny everything or explain it away even in the face of evidence, leaving you questioning your sanity and feeling even more insecure and threatened. It is a much better idea to look closely at your relationship and your partner's behavior towards you and to address that - rather than to try and uncover evidence that an affair is taking place.

2. Illness
Sometimes illness can cause a decrease in sex drive. This may be something temporary like an underlying infection or virus, or it may be something more chronic like diabetes or hypertension. If your partner acknowledges that his or her sex drive has decreased a lot but does not know why, it would be a good idea to consult your doctor for a check up to rule out any possible underlying illness.

3. Stress and Depression
Both stress and depression can lead to loss of libido or sex drive and this is easily treated if the underlying cause is dealt with. Try and increase exercise levels and make more time to relax and have fun. If there are problems causing stress and depression, look at how these can be addressed and changed in order to return to psychological and mental health. Consider using a natural antidepressant which can lift the depression and therefore improve sex drive. See http://allcures.info/cures-depression.htm

4. Lifestyle
Some people are more sensitive to this than others and incorrect lifestyle often has a greater effect on us as we get older and less able to recover as easily! Incorrect diet, insufficient sleep, lack of exercise, alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse and too much TV or time in front of the computer can all cause a decrease in sex drive and they all need to be considered.

5. Prescription medicines
Some prescription medicines can decrease the sex drive and are too many to list here. If you suspect that this is the case, the best person to ask is your doctor or pharmacist, who will be able to advise you of any potential side effects of medicines that have been prescribed.

6. Relationship problems
Sex is like a barometer, which can measure the health of a relationship. Problems between couples can show themselves in the sexual relationship and this is very common. Just as a decrease in sex drive can be a symptom which indicates a problem with one's health, so can it be a symptom which indicates a problem with one's relationship. Anger, resentment, lack of time spent together and insufficient attention paid to each person's needs are among the problems that frequently arise and can affect the sexual relationship. As always, it is better to focus on the relationship than on the lack of sex. When the relationship problems have been addressed, the sexual relationship will also improve. Seek professional help if necessary.

7. Fear of failure and feelings of inadequacy
Some people, especially men, may avoid sex due to fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy. Perhaps there have been occasions where they have been unable to achieve or maintain an erection and they are afraid that it will happen again. It may be more comfortable to pretend not to need sex than to face the problem and have to admit to something which makes them feel embarrassed and inadequate. If this is happening, it is important to encourage your partner to go for help if the problem persists, but it is equally important not to pressurize him about it or to assume responsibility for doing something about it. Encourage and support him and do not imply that he is less of a man. This is a difficult problem which needs to be handled sensitively, but which often responds very well to treatment.

These are just some of the more common causes of a decrease in sexual frequency in couples. There are many more which cannot all be dealt with here. In all cases, however, it is best to talk about the problem in a sensitive and non-threatening way and to try and understand and solve it together as a couple. If you find that your partner refuses to discuss it with you or continues to deny that there is a problem, then go for help and counseling yourself. Do not just accept problems indefinitely or allow them to wear you down and erode your self-esteem. Sometimes an objective, professional viewpoint is very useful and a therapist may even be able to draw your partner into the process more easily than you can. At the very least, you can receive support and guidance as to how to strengthen and help yourself - even if your partner refuses help.

Good luck and be well!
Source: alterhealth.blogspot.com

The end to the beginning
They did surgery on John. The procedure itself went well. They put in a rod and screws into the arm. John did not come out of the anesthesia well though. He had dementia like symptoms. He was confused, disoriented and sometimes combative. He wouldn't remember that I had been there the day before, so he would think that I was leaving him or whatever crazy story he would come up with. He didn't remember much of went on for the next 3 months. It wasn't until the first week in December that he came out of it. They did all kinds of testing, changed his psych meds to try to figure out what the cause for this new condition. We had even started talking about the possibility of putting him in a mental hospital. During this time he was at a rehabilitation place. I came to see him almost everyday. My daughter worked there and my good friend ran the place so I knew he was in good hands. I had to keep a journal for him to remind him what he did and that I hadn't deserted him. In November, he went back into the hospital for gastritis. His dementia was the worst then. They put him in a netted tent to keep him in. The Security was called several times. During that time is when they found the right antibiotic to treat whatever infection that was causing his dementia. About a day or so after he came around, they did another minor surgery. We were scared that he would regress again. Right when he opened his eyes though he made sure we knew he was in the here and now. For Christmas, we went out of town. It was a nice break. He was in the rehab place until March 2008.

Since then, John has been stable. His mental capacities never did come back 100% since the bout of Dementia. Socially he is like a child. His long term memory is still intact. Short term though is not so good. He can carry on a conversation well enough, but there are many times that he just acts like a child. He can't add simple math. There are many times that he remembers things though, like Doctors appointments, so it just seems hit and miss.

We made a move from high altitude to sea level in August 2008. He went without oxygen for about 6 weeks. And his sugars were controllable for the first time in years. Within 3 months John was back on oxygen and sugars were not so easy to control. He had a chest catheter for dialysis until the winter when he had an actual Fistula put in. That has helped for cleanliness and keeping infection down. He also hasn't fallen since he has been back home. He does burn his fingers often and will get an ulcer on his feet occasionally. I have been able to heal them all with Tea Tree Oil.

So now for a list of the complications and symptoms John has:
Diabetes (1991) Truck accident (Semi)-Herniated discs in back (1992)Heart Failure (1994)
Kidney Failure (2002)Hemochromatosis (1998)Ruptured Achilles Tendon (one in 1997, the other in 1998)Impotence (1997)
Hiatal HerniaChronic DiarrheaDepressionAnxiousNeuropathy-hands and feetBones spurs C4-6, T10-11, L5-S1 the worstVery picky eaterSleeps up to 20 hours a dayHands crippledMany nights he can't sleepCan only walk short distancesGets painful pressure when he urinates (what little he does)Gets very restlessCoughing spells
Can't feel many times when he has had a bowel movement.Will have bowel movements many times in the middle of the night.Gets shooting pains in his hands and feet at anytimeBasal cell skin Cancer on his face (surgery for it in July 2009)

Source: alternativehealthherbs.blogspot.com

ADD Stimulant Medications: Are They the Best ADD Treatments?
Although there is controversy surrounding them, stimulants are still the most commonly prescribed type of medication for children with ADD and ADHD. The Drug Enforcement Agency says that stimulant drug production has increased 500 percent since 1991, and over half of the prescriptions for them are written by pediatricians. Stimulants are often effective in treating many of the symptoms of ADD -- but are they the best ADD treatment for your child? Many parents are concerned about the side effects stimulants can produce and choose to investigate other options like behavioral therapy and herbal supplements as well. When it comes to making a decision that affects your child's health, having the facts is essential.

ADD stimulant medications work by increasing the levels of the chemicals epinephrine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps the brain to transmit signals between nerves. This improves a child's (or adult's) ability to pay attention for extended periods of time. But these medications also come with a risk of mild and serious side effects. Some of the most common side effects include headaches, upset stomach and increased blood pressure, all of which may diminish as the body adjusts after the first few weeks of treatment. Other common side effects include decreased appetite (80% of stimulant users report this), nervousness and sleeplessness. Research has also shown that stimulants can stunt growth during treatment, but have not been proven to affect final height. Less common but more serious side effects include hallucinations and feelings of suspicion or paranoia, Tourette's Syndrome, and suicidal thoughts.

Children on stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta are the best-known brands) should be watched closely and their dosages should be evaluated regularly. These medications are most effective when they are administered in the correct dosage for each individual and when they are combined with additional ADD treatments like behavioral therapy and practical and emotional support. Non-stimulant drugs, such as Strattera, can also be effective, but carry a risk of similar side effects.

In light of the risks that prescription medications carry, many parents are interested in exploring an herbal remedy for ADD. There is more than one herb that has been shown to be an effective ADD or ADHD child treatment, and there are a variety of natural remedies on the market that combine many of them. Ginko Biloba, Green Oats, Brahmi, Gotu Kola and Panax Ginseng are some of the best ingredients, and the positive effects of some of them (like Ginko) can become permanent even after discontinuing use.

While stimulant medication is often successful in treating ADD, it can sometimes cause its own set of problems. Weigh the risks and the benefits carefully, and make the decision that is right for your own child. Just as each child exhibits symptoms of ADD differently, each child will react differently to medication and treatment. Patience and thorough research should lead you to a healthy solution for your child.
-------------------------------
by Tess Thompson
Source: alterhealth.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

Your twin is in your stomach

2009-09-15T11:12:00.003-07:00

Your twin is in your stomach
A nine-year-old girl who went to hospital suffering from stomach pains was found to be carrying her embryonic twin, doctors in central Greece said Thursday.

Doctors at Larissa General Hospital examined the girl and surgically removed a growth they later discovered was an embryo about six centimeters (more than two inches) long.

"They could see on the right side that her belly was swollen, but they couldn't suspect that this tumor would hide an embryo," hospital director Iakovos Brouskelis said.

The girl has made a full recovery, he said.

Andreas Markou, head of the hospital's pediatric department, said the embryo was a formed fetus with a head, hair and eyes, but no brain or umbilical cord.

Markou said cases where one of a set of twins absorbs the other in the womb occur in one of 500,000 live births.

CNN
Source: alternativepharmacist.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://wwkfycasmg.blogspot.com

Love Yourself and Look Outside the Box When it Comes to Your Health and Wellness

2009-09-15T11:12:00.001-07:00

Love Yourself and Look Outside the Box When it Comes to Your Health and Wellness

It’s been said that “accepting ones self is the first step to greater enlightenment.” I find people taking necessary steps day by day. I also find it sad that in the United States we have the highest levels of income and education and drive the nicest cars but have the highest rates of depression, mental illness and suicide when compared to similar industrialized nations.

The ways in which you deal with stress and your life in general can profoundly impact the quality. Modifying your behaviors through alternative therapies can offer a framework and starting point to begin.

Overall, individuals who take into consideration the 5 elements listed below generally report better feelings associated to health and wellness.

1. Boost your immune system through meditation: This is number one for reducing stress and illness, there is some science to back it up. In a study conducted at Harvard University, 24 employees from a biotech firm were trained in mindfulness meditation. They were encouraged to practice this for one hour per day for six days a week. At the end of the eight week trial period the meditators and a control group received flu vaccinations. Tests conducted four months later showed that employees who meditated produced significantly more antibodies then the control group.

2. Achieve balance by stopping to smell the roses: All of our lives seem to be on fast forward at times. That is why it is essential to take time out for yourself and do something that brings peace and relaxation; aromatherapy, art therapy, gardening, music therapy and so on.

3. Connect with others and nature: Escaping the concrete and asphalt jungles that comprise our daily environments is key. Cultures that incorporate green landscapes, trees and grass tend to feel more connected to the earth. This in turn creates a state of harmony. Find time to spend outdoors with family and friends. Regular exercise outdoors is also a way to fill this void and get fit.

4. Get the right nutrition: Whether you are a vegan, raw foodist or the average joe, getting the right nutrition is often overlooked but is vital to your health and wellness. Consuming herbs either in tea or in food can supplement a balanced diet and offers some vital nutrients that you might be missing. I also recommend buying produce from your local area, this will support small farmers and you know where you food is coming from.

5. Get moving! The US Surgeon General recommends getting a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week. Also consider other forms of movement and exercise like Tai Chi, Yoga, Martial Arts and dance. The overall positive effects of exercise on health and disease are far too long for this post. Don’t delay, the outcomes can be felt quickly with a regular routine in place.

How do you achieve balance and do you love yourself?

It would be great to hear from you and by sharing your stories others can find inspiration from you!

Mother Rebel

2009-09-10T11:55:00.041-07:00

Mother Rebel

I didn’t wake up one morning a mother rebel and decide to piss off all of my family and friends. In fact, I didn’t reveal my mothering style to anyone for many years (as it was a personal decision between my husband and me). It wasn’t until after I recorded my research and experiences in The Mother Consciousness that I started to openly talk about our lifestyle.

I entered my stance on holistic mothering with caution; researching as much literature that I could get my hands on. I have spent countless hours filtering through research articles, documents, online resources and books. I have read many different perspectives pertaining to different mothering and health practices. I have weighed out the facts, sifted through consequences, and rendered personal decisions.

I, also, put the energy forth to not take the inventory of other mothers whom views may differ from my own. However, I have made it my business to inform others about my findings… why?

Because… until I entered a conversation with a health care professional about vaccines, I didn’t know I had a right to question the constructs man had instituted upon mothers. I was naive to the mere fact that I had a right to make an educated mindful choice about the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of my off spring. After some self-discovery, I determined that I had the inherent right to raise my kids as I deemed in their best interest… even if that meant going against the grain. Empowered with knowledge and maternal instinct, I knew that some stranger in a white lab coat or Armani suit did not have the power to dictate how we were going to raise our children.

Man is fallible; if you want to know how I reached that conclusion read my book. In The Mother Consciousness I talk about the series of events that awakened the natural mother within me including the death of my father, the brutality of a cervical biopsy, being misinformed about the future of my ability to bear children, the sexual abuse in America, and more.

I do have a pet peeve with some of the mothers that have not made the decisions I have… not because they choose a different lifestyle, that is their right too. In all honesty, I usually keep my mouth shut about their practices in order to avoid the agonizing confrontation and I believe that you have the right to raise your kids how you see fit. However, after many discussions with other mothers who have similar perspectives and after talking with those who don’t, I conclude that many women in the holistic movement feel forced to defend their mothering philosophies.

I no longer have the energy to defend myself… until you have a child that is suspected to have a vaccine injury and until you have tried to participate in attachment / holistic mothering you cannot rationally condemn my perspectives. Frankly, if my mothering practices offend you, make you feel less than, or stimulate something uneasy in you, that is your issue not mine. Simply don’t read what I post here on my Alterna-mom blog, Twitter or Facebook. And certainly, don’t buy my book, The Mother Consciousness. I do not force this life style (which takes much energy and focus) on anyone. But, as a wellness educator, I will inform you so that you too can make an educated decision. And if that decision is different than the one I’d make, that is okay, because you made it mindfully.

I decided not vaccinate my children before autism was intimately in our lives.

I do associate the 3 injections of a vaccine they mandated I take because of my Rh negative blood to my daughter’s autism.

I understand that to vaccinate is a choice, not something that doctors or government should mandate or force you to do.

I believe it is illogical to put thimersol into a pregnant or lactating woman.

I acknowledge that natural immunity is far superior to the toxins forced into your infant and child’s body.

I question the effects of the mother’s vaccination history on her offspring.

I do think the breast is best.

I advocate that women nurse their children beyond infancy; the world average is 4 years.

I think it is normal for women to tandem nurse siblings that have resulted from single births.

I know the home is the best place to birth during an uncomplicated labor and delivery.

I correlate medication and institutionalized birthing to the pestilence of sickness among our children.

If I had had a son I would have left him whole and intact the way our creator intended him to be.

I think co-sleeping with your child fosters trust and security.

I know that the power that created the body has the power to heal the body.

I trust that a fever is an expression of health.

I understand that when a mother works away from the children they are exposed to possible abuse and neglect.

I know the mother is the best caregiver for her children.

If you are in alignment of my views, I am glad we have connected and look forward to expanding our Mother Consciousness together. If you are intrigued I am glad you have an open mind and invite you to learn more. If you cannot relate to any of this simply hit the x button, turn away and move on… don’t try to convince me my views are wrong and in return, I will not disrespect your views; let’s simply agree to disagree.

Source: alterna-mom.blogspot.com

Inquiring Moms Question: Is 10 Years Old Too Young To Start Shaving?

My daughter is beginning to bloom out of her Tomboyish persona into a developing Tween. When we went school shopping this year she demonstrated how true this was... she was bopping to the music in the teen stores and modeling feminine outfits with confidence. This is a new side to her that I think is quite frankly freaking her father out, but I am excited to see her bloom into her own essence. So, during our girls outing, we carefully selected a few short sleeve shirts and cute, yet comfortable skirts for school…

Here lies the question: She has obvious hair under her armpits and on her legs. She is only 10! At what age do you teach your daughter how to shave?

I put the question out there to other moms and this is what they had to say:

10% - Said it depended on the coloration of the hair. If the hair was dark… yes, teach her to shave now. If the hair was light, you just bought her (and you) some time.

10% - Said take the daughter’s lead. If she is talking about it, it is probably time to pull out that pink razor. If she isn’t aware of it, don’t make a big fuss about it.

20% - Said that it depends on the emotional maturation of the individual tween; explain to her the consequences of her actions. The novelty will wear off within a few weeks and then you will have no choice versus risking the brutal taunting of your peers. Way out the consequences together then let her decide.

60% - Absolutely do it now, before the teasing begins or before she hacks herself. Remember those cuts you got when your mom didn’t let you shave when you really really wanted to?

Although, the majority thought it was urgent that we embark on the task of shaving, I went with the 20% margin… We sat down and had a heart to heart discussion about the natural consequences of both options. After we talked about it, she looked me square in the eye and said, “I will wait!”

I met her decision with respect…. But, explained that if she were to change her mind at ANY TIME that she should let me know so I could teach her the proper way to shave… (I still cringe at the thought of the gashes I had way back when).

In the mean time, I am going to head over to the local library and look up a few books a twitter-mom recommended on early puberty and developing.

Early Puberty in Girls

Care and Keeping of You

Here's Lily

The Body Book

Source: alterna-mom.blogspot.com

Health Fitness Tips Facts-Athletes Foot Pain,Care,Cure,Symptoms,Treatment

Why do feet get so dry?

For the part of the body that bears the burden of our weight the whole day, the feet are the most neglected. Here are a few useful points of basic foot care.

While the feet have large active sweat glands, they have relatively few oil glands. The soles of our feet do not have any oil glands. That is why our feet tend to be so dry.

What are the common foot problems?

The common foot problems are:

Fungal infection or athletes foot.

Corns or calluses.

Sweaty, smelly feet.

Chipped nails.

Cracked heels.

Fungal infection:-

This is a common problem during the monsoon season in people who need to wear shoes and socks all day. This is due to heat and humidity and commonly occurs between the toes.

Fungal Infection Symptoms:-

May appear as a whitish boggy area in the webs between the toes with or without itching.

At times there is flaking and scaling of soles.

There may be thickening and heaping of crumbly material under the toenails.

Fungal Infection Treatment:-

The feet must be kept dry and good foot hygiene must be maintained.

Socks must preferably be made of cotton and be changed daily.

Shoes should be alternated.

Using an anti-fungal powder every morning and an anti-fungal cream at night is helpful.

A dermatologist (skin specialist) must be consulted if the problems persist.

Corns and calluses Cure Causes:-

These occur due to persistent friction, rubbing and or pressure. People with arthritis, with improperly positioned toes or bony spurs are more prone as there are abnormal pressure points that act on the foot causing corns.

Corns Calluses Symptoms:- Corn is a cone shaped thickening of the outer horny layer of the skin that becomes very hard and painful. Calluses are similar to corns but do not have the regular round shape and are generally not painful.

Corns Calluses Treatment:- It is important to eliminate the cause of increased friction or pressure. The shoes must be well fitting. Use of insoles and lubrication of the skin helps. Soaking the feet in warm water and then rubbing them gently with pumice stone helps minimizing the discomfort. If the problem persists, consult the dermatologist.

Smelly feet Causes,Remedies,Treatment:-

This is due to excessive sweating and wearing shoes for prolonged periods. This can be prevented by washing the feet well and drying them before wearing shoes. The socks must be washed and changed daily. The same pair of shoes must not be worn daily. Using anti-fungal powders helps.

Clipped nails :-

Sometimes the nails become brittle and start to clip. This can be prevented by massaging the fingers and feet with warm olive oil every week. Each night the nails may be rubbed with moisturizing creams to prevent them from becoming brittle.

Cracked heels:-

These can be prevented by wearing comfortable footwear and avoiding standing for prolonged periods. The feet must be soaked in warm water and gently scrubbed at least once a week. It helps to apply a moisturizing cream to the soles every night.

How should footwear be selected?

Before buying any footwear walk around with the footwear to detect any point of unusual pressure or tightness. The sides of the feet must not rub against the shoe wall. There should be enough space within so as not to cramp the toes.

Source: alternativehealthcarenews.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://loan-consolidation-gov32297.blogspot.com

Putting the “Care” Back in Health Care

2009-09-10T11:55:00.039-07:00

Putting the “Care” Back in Health Care
The Doctors’ Prescription for Healthy Living / Volume 9, Number 4

by Jeanne Ringe

Reprinted with Permission

Click here to download this article in PDF format

The FDA’s decision to keep Vioxx® and Celebrex® on the market was applauded by many who are dependent on these drugs. For patients with fibromyalgia, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are lifesavers—but at what cost?

There is no question they provide much-needed relief from the agony of living with chronic pain, but the relief lasts only until it’s time for the next pill. Long-term use can alleviate pain, but it can also create plenty of collateral damage in the body.

CASE STUDY—NSAIDs’ TOXICITY

Dr. Alberto Peña of Sanoviv Medical Institute, an integrative medicine hospital just south of San Diego, says he has seen plenty of evidence of NSAIDs’ toxicity.

Earlier this year, doctors at Sanoviv were concerned about high levels of proteins in the urine of a fibromyalgia patient, a clear indication of kidney trouble. She presented with chronic pain, exhaustion and swelling in her legs. After the Complete Health Assessment, Sanoviv’s threeday intensive functional and diagnostic testing, a team evaluated her medical condition, and prescribed a course of treatment that improved her condition and got her off the NSAIDs. What had they found? The NSAIDs had actually caused more problems for her than they had solved. Once she went off them and improved her diet, her kidney problems and edema disappeared, and the 31-year-old went home healthier, happier and pain-free.

Dr. Peña says he is seeing more and more young patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. He attributes it to poor diet, stress and overuse of NSAIDs. “If you eat tons of bread, soda, and animal fat, then take NSAIDs, your body will lose its ability to produce its own anti-inflammatory prostaglandins,” Peña says. But easing people off NSAIDs is not the complete answer. “You have to address the fundamentals of the case—what may really be the cause of the disease,” he adds.

THE SANOVIV SOLUTION

Sanoviv offers its patients (or “guests”) a healthy alternative to dependency on drugs like Vioxx, Celebrex, and other pain relievers.

Each guest is assigned a doctor, a dentist and a psychologist. Together, they monitor progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan. This holistic approach to caring for patients is at the core of the Sanoviv philosophy: to treat the person as an individual, with a genetic, an environmental, and a physical life story.

In addition to complementary medical treatments, plus a healthful (and as this reporter can attest, delicious) diet, the program includes gentle exercise, cleansing (colon hydrotherapy), massage and other therapeutic bodywork, and classes on nutrition, wellness and stress management. For $100 additional per day, a companion can share the room, meals and classes.

The beautiful oceanfront rooms, with nontoxic furnishings and organic cotton linens, ultra-purified water in all the taps, and professional, friendly staff and doctors, make Sanoviv a shining example of what good medical care can and should be in the twenty-first century.

Source: alternative-medicine-therapies.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://interest-rates50749.blogspot.com

Loving the World Cup Qualifiers

2009-09-10T11:55:00.037-07:00

Loving the World Cup Qualifiers
Anytime Brazil's national team beats Argentina in soccer, it's a great day. It's an even better day when the Brazilian victory makes Brazil the first team from the Americas to lock a spot for the 2010 World Cup. It's an even better day when Argentina's loss leaves them in fourth place and in danger of not even making the World Cup. And it's about as great a day as it can be when Brazil beats Argentina 3-1, in Argentina. (And the goals were beauties, especially the first one).

Normally, I hesitate to gloat - sports is the one arena in which I'm superstitious. However, I can't help but point out the troubles Argentina is facing, while Brazil is looking very good. When Brazil first hired Dunga in 2006 after the World Cup debacle, Brazilians killed him. They thought he wasn't devoted enough to the well-known stars (Ronaldinho in particular); they thought he was incompetent-looking; they thought he was too relaxed. I thought this was exactly what they needed, given that the previous coach effectively cost Brazil the World Cup by refusing to sit a fat Ronaldo and not knowing how to use his younger stars (bringing Adriano and Robinho in against France only in the 5 minutes was absolutely inexcusable). Dunga made it clear - you had to earn your way onto the team, and those who played well on the national team would get to stay, while those who did not would sit. I thought this was exactly what was needed, and it turns out, I, and more importantly, Dunga, was right. Players like Luis Fabiano, Felipe Melo, and Daniel Alves have come into their own under Dunga, and even the very-young Pato has had some good playing time in international competition. It's enough to make me very hopeful about next year.

But what could make me giddy? Well.....the horrible position of Argentina. They are ridiculously good on paper. But it just hasn't translated, and the blame is increasingly falling on Diego Maradona's coaching. When Argentina hired him last year, I had my doubts about his appointment giving Argentina that extra bump, and it looks like I'm increasingly right. Some criticisms are silly (so what if he took his players to church?), but criticisms about his tactics are both more serious and more long-term. For whatever reason, Argentina clearly has not clicked under his leadership, and now they're only 2 points ahead of Colombia in the qualifiers, facing the very real possibility that they may have to play the 5th place team from Concacaf just to qualify for South Africa next year. I still think they'll pull it off, but it's definitely not worked out the way Argentina had hoped. And I totally agree with pc - Argentina's in big trouble. If they fire him now, they're (probably) going into the World Cup with major trauma - this isn't like baseball, where you fire one guy and plug another one in there. But at the same time, they look completely unprepared for next year, and if they can't handle the physical and inspired play of a team like Brazil, there's no way they get very far next year (and again, that's if they make it, an assumption everybody had coming into the qualifiers based on how they looked on paper).

Erwin hits it on the head: Brazil and Argentina right now are the tale of two coaches. A lot can happen over the next 9 months, but right now, I really like where Brazil is sitting; watching Argentina flounder just makes it that much more pleasurable.
Source: alterdestiny.blogspot.com

Ichiro!
A slightly belated congratulations to the great Ichiro on becoming the 2nd fastest player in baseball history to get 2000 hits. He did it in 1402 games. Only Al Simmons did it faster.

Anyone who says that Ichiro is not a hall of famer is crazy. Even of he doesn't get to 3000, it is only because he came over from Japan so late. Had he started in the major leagues at the age of 20 or 21, it's likely he would provide a legitimate challenge to Pete Rose's hits record.
Source: alterdestiny.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://vsutpacffh.blogspot.com

STOP SMOKING PAINLESSLY PERMANENTLY

2009-09-10T11:55:00.035-07:00

STOP SMOKING PAINLESSLY PERMANENTLY
In the deluge of quit smoking methods, there are a few gems that stand out. Most of the commercialized methods rely on substitution or exchanging one addiction for another, e.g. nicotine gum, patch, etc. Other methods like hypnotism CDs and the like, are seldom permanent in that the individual reverts to old behavior at the first sign of stress because the basic chemical urge is still present and merely covered over temporarily.

To actually stop this ugly, self destructive habit for good, is very difficult and necessitates freeing the body from the physiological urge that has formed from a slow addiction to the numerous chemicals in tobacco, many of which are “added” to enhance addiction, although they will deny this vehemently.

We found one method that stands out by a Shaman healer no less. It is simple, easy and to the point. It is as painless as you can get while actually and really, freeing yourself from the chemical addiction that is nicotine. Once this chemical dependency is accomplished, it is rather easy for most people to get over the psychological addiction and modify their behavior toward more life affirming activities.

We recommend you check this out for yourself or a friend or loved one who is having a hard time quitting cigarettes. The method is deceptively simple and yet is the quintessential of what is required to stop painlessly and permanently. If we find any other effective methods we will keep you apprised. But, in the meantime, this is all you need to be free from tobacco.

http://www.oxygenmedicine.com/qsnbs.htm

Source: alternativemedicinetruth.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://loan-consolidation-gov32297.blogspot.com

No alcohol

2009-09-10T11:55:00.033-07:00

No alcohol
Recently I find out my body really do not agree with alcohol.
So I decided not to drink at all.
Source: alohatomokojp.blogspot.com

Artichoke
Botanical name: Cynara scolymus

Parts used and where grown
This large thistle-like plant is native to the regions of southern Europe, North Africa, and the Canary Islands. The leaves of the plant are used medicinally. However, the roots and the immature flower heads may also contain beneficial compounds.

Click here to view chart

Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)
The artichoke is one of the world’s oldest medicinal plants. The ancient Egyptians placed great value on the plant—it is clearly seen in drawings involving fertility and sacrifice. Moreover, this plant was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a digestive aid. In 16th century Europe, the artichoke was favored as a food by royalty.

Active constituents
Artichoke leaves contain a wide number of active constituents, including cynarin, 1,3 dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, and scolymoside. The choleretic (bile stimulating) action of the plant has been well documented in a controlled trial involving a small sample of healthy volunteers. After the administration of 1.92 grams of standardized artichoke extract directly into the duodenum, liver bile flow increased significantly. This choleretic effect has led to the popular use of artichoke extract in Europe for the treatment of mild indigestion—particularly following a meal high in fat. In an uncontrolled clinical trial with 553 people suffering from non-specific digestive disorders (including indigestion), 320–640 mg of a standardized artichoke extract taken three times per day was found to reduce nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and flatulence in over 70% of the study participants.

The standardized extract has also been used to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides. In one preliminary trial and one controlled trial, use of a standardized artichoke extract was found to lower cholesterol and triglycerides significantly when taken in amounts ranging from 900 to 1,920 mg per day. One preliminary trial failed to find any effect.

While scientists are not certain how artichoke leaves lower cholesterol, test tube studies have suggested that the action may be due to an inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and/or the increased elimination of cholesterol because of the plant’s choleretic action. In test tube studies, the flavonoids from the artichoke (e.g., luteolin) have been shown to prevent LDL-cholesterol oxidation—an effect that may reduce risk of atherosclerosis.

How much is usually taken?
The suggested adult amount of the standardized leaf extract is 300–640 mg three times daily for a minimum of six weeks. Alternatively, if a standardized extract is not available, the amount of the crude, dried leaves is 1–4 grams, three times a day.

Are there any side effects or interactions?
At the recommended amount and according to the German Commission E Monograph, there are no known side effects or drug interactions. The use of artichoke is not recommended for those who are allergic to artichokes and other members of the Compositae (e.g., daisy) family. In addition, those who have any obstruction of the bile duct (e.g., as a result of gallstones) should not employ this plant therapeutically. The plant’s safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with artichoke.

The Alternative Health Connection is your partner in finding natural solutions to radiant health and balanced living. We are delighted to bring you a localized community calendar to assist you in connecting with alternative health events, seminars and workshops, searchable by city and zip code. So whether you're looking for events in your hometown or looking for wellness activities while you're in Santa Fe on business, we are your event connection!

Want to read more interesting articles on alternative health medicine? Logon to http://www.althealthconnect.com/

Healthy Marketplace
Our online retail community is dedicated to providing you with top quality natural and green products from individuals, stores and suppliers who are passionate about health and wellness. Click here to view products & services that support your journey toward a harmonious and healthy life.
Source: althealthconnect.blogspot.com

another starbucks bear
I decided to try again.
In the bible it is said that “you should continue knock the door, then it shall open. You should continue to search, then it shall be found.”
We have to be consist.

Today, I purchased a Starbucks bear near my office. I found only one bear there and I asked the staff “where are other bears? ” . The staff said this is the last one.
It is not because this bear is popular but they do not make many according to her.
While the staff was wrapping it, she gave a small cup of coffee.
Actually I quit coffee, I took it and enjoyed.

I would like to send this bear to my parents for Valentine day with chocolate.
I would ask them not to give it away this to anyone. I hope they do not give away my presents this time.

Now I imagine things this say. Probably they are nice people and would like to give things to people. So they does not care where the things come from or how the person who gave it feel if they give it away.

This time, I will write a nice card explaining why they need to keep that bear and how I feel if they do not keep it in a nice way. Wish me a luck.
Source: alohatomokojp.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://student-loan-consolidation-rate41204.blogspot.com

CANCER CURES? NEW OLD REMEDIES THAT MIGHT WORK

2009-09-10T11:55:00.031-07:00

CANCER CURES? NEW OLD REMEDIES THAT MIGHT WORK
You may have already known this but;

"Many of the chemotherapies used to fight cancer in modern medicine were developed from natural substances. For instance:
Taxanes used to treat prostate and breast cancer came from yew trees.
Vinca alkaloids, which are used to treat malignant lymphomas, are made from periwinkle plants.
The anti-cancer drugs topotecan and irinotecan come from a component of the Chinese Happy Tree.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/3/20/curing-cancer-with-herbs.aspx

And, much, much more. But, what if you already have it like most people do in some preliminary state, undected as of yet? Well then you have a quandary. Do you go under the knife, the ray gun or the chemo needle? Or, do you take the alternative way with all the confusing claims and over the top psuedo science beckoning like so many tempting sirens? Are there any really effective therapies other than the latter herbs, just in case we do not know a shaman in South America? Is there something for the common person, living in a city who wants to use the most scientifically sophisticated methods available on the planet, and not just what the vested drug and surgery based, money oriented system tenderly recommends?

We would like to suggest what we will do if we, or anyone we know comes down with cancer or lyme or any one of a thousand other microbial based diseases. We will run toward two of the most powerful therapies on the planet or off. One is ozone therapy which has been used in Germany and other countries for years by doctors who are not as heavily controlled and regulated as in the US. The other is rife therapy which is hated almost universally by every government in the world dominated by the allopathic drug industry, i.e. everywhere on earth.
Both of these are available if you look, since the US is still basically a free country, although many would argue otherwise.

You cannot go wrong by going and reading up on these subjects even if you are at present hale and hearty. Things may change suddenly with the introduction of some pandemic flu. Both ozone and rife frequencies, when employed judiciously, kill every pathogen and microbe inimical to man and beast, from parasites to viruses and everything in between. This is a matter of fact and there are volumes of scientific evidence that is true for ozone, although rife has not been researched near as much due to constant political suppression and lack of funds. But the evidence is coming out now even regarding rife as the new laser studies that kill virues demonstrate. Go, read, and be made whole. What is coming will not be met with any resistance from the present medical system. It is even now tumbling under its own weight. There is only one drug left to fight anti biotic resistance superbugs, vancomycin, and nothing on the horizon. Do you feel lucky? Well, do you?

For some great info on these topics:

http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/

http://www.oxygenmedicine.com/
Source: alternativemedicinetruth.blogspot.com

MAJOR MEDICAL RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH
NEW MEDICAL THERAPY

“Scientists may one day be able to destroy viruses in the same way that opera singers presumably shatter wine glasses. New research mathematically determined the frequencies at which simple viruses could be shaken to death.”
http://www.livescience.com/health/080205-virus-shattering.html

This is incredible news. Although many vested interests have tried to suppress certain effective alternative cures for years, still some scientific research is coming through now. They cannot suppress all information forever.

For years Rife has been an underground therapy, and now there is growing scientific proof that it really does work. Though science is still way behind the practical application, Rife frequencies are coming into the light and not a minute too soon.

With new and sometimes antibiotic resistance superbugs coming up more and more, the human race will need more effective therapies than the old guard allopathic drug culture can provide.

“These treatments would presumably be safer for patients than many antiviral drugs that can have terrible side-effects. Normal cells should not be affected by the virus-killing lasers or sound waves because they have resonant frequencies much lower than those of viruses, Sankey said.
Moreover, it is unlikely that viruses will develop resistance to mechanical shaking, as they do to drugs.”
http://www.livescience.com/health/080205-virus-shattering.html

For further reading on this subject we recommend articles at:

www.rifeenergymedicine.com/garywadearticles.html

Source: alternativemedicinetruth.blogspot.com

Truth About HPV and Vaccinations Like Gardasil
The Real Story: HPV and Vaccinations

Its about time we realized that vaccinations are just another consumer manipulation; that they are no more effective or safe than any of the other allopathic “remedies” that have been foisted upon us by an elite, greedy, and very cynical group that decides what is best for us, (and their wallets). Do the research, due diligence like you would with any other important decision, and you will cringe at what they have done and are doing to us. Why is medicine exempt from the suspicion we throw up when other salesmen come a-calling?

Exerpt: Is the Rise in Male Oral Cancer Related to HPV?

“Yet, what you hear in the media is how common HPV is; it’s an infection that more than half of Americans will encounter during their lifetimes, they like to say. What they don’t tell you, however, is also what’s most important to know:
About 90 percent of all HPV infections go away on their own within two years.
A JAMA study found that just 2 percent of the patients in the study were infected by the kinds of HPV that put them at high-risk for developing cervical cancer.
A little more than 3 percent were infected with the types of HPV that Gardasil was concocted to prevent.
So, 98 percent of the time, HPV is not even a high risk of causing cervical cancer. And 97 percent of the time, the HPV virus that women get is one that Merck’s vaccine Gardasil does NOT prevent.”

Just in:

"While the FDA claims adverse reactions to Gardasil are rare, a review of the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) data shows that several thousands of adverse reactions have been reported in the United States alone. And hundreds of Australian girls have experienced side effects like paralysis, dizzy spells and seizures, but Australia's Department of Health and Ageing refuses to release any details."

The HPV Vaccine: Preventive Care or Human Sacrifice?

For Further Reading and a REAL JOLT:

VACCINES ARE NOT SAFE OR EFFECTIVE
Source: alternativemedicinetruth.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://pay-off-student-loans54977.blogspot.com

Five Years---1,006 Posts.......

2009-09-10T11:55:00.029-07:00

Five Years---1,006 Posts.......
Wow.

Five years ago today, I started All Things Witham. This is post #1,006. Five years, around 200 posts a year.

SO much has happened. SO much has changed. Pardon me while I ramble.

1) I spend most of my "social online" time now on Facebook, so I am not the rabid blogger I used to be. I also split my blogging time now between three blogs.

2) I have SO enjoyed being able to have a tiny sliver of a lectern in the social media universe. I'm not leaving anytime soon.

3) This blog has always been about everything that has to do with The Withams. Lately a lot of my posts have been political in nature. I can't help it. What's happening in our nation right now is so scary. I must speak out. I appreciate those who comment on the posts, no matter what your political persuasion.

FIVE YEARS AGO/TODAY:

--I worked at Clear Channel/I'm a member of the Facebook group "I Was Fired By Clear Channel".

--My kids were going into the 7th and 2nd grades, respectively./Now I have Robbie's Senior Portraits and Rachel is going into the 7th grade.

--I was married./Still am.

--I was overweight./Still am. :(

--I had sleep apnea./Still do, and now am a Type II Diabetic.

--I was depressed./Not so much anymore! :)

--I was pastoring a church./I'm in year #4 of a sabbatical. It could go on 'til eternity.

--I loved "24"./Some things never change. :)

Tropical Storm Gaston, Bush/Kerry, Jib Jab, Patrick Henry Football, Big Brother, wrestling, "24" live blogging, New Years Eve blogging, fantasy football, Final Four picks, photos, vacation reports, job upheaval, current events thoughts, and the best of my kids. Just to name a very few highlights of five years of ATW.

Thanks for stopping by, once, or multiple times. I'll be back. Hope you will be, too. :)
Source: allthingswitham.blogspot.com

Learn More About PTO's
Click on the title link and learn about the independent parent-teacher groups across America who opt not to spend their money with a politically-motivated National PTA and keep their money at their childrens' schools as PTO's (and other acronyms!)

As we start a new school year, I can't think of a better site to highlight and recommend to parents!
Source: allthingswitham.blogspot.com

Giving new meaning to "missing a 'head' line".....
This post isn't about the 2nd Amendment, or about those who, for whatever reason, choose to show up outside Presidential appearances packing heat.

It is, however, about a "news organization" conveniently editing a very important portion of a story concerning the above subjects so as not to allow the facts to get in the way of their agenda.

MSNBC's logic is:

1) President is black.
2) Man shows up outside Presidential appearance with rifle and gun.
3) Man says he did it, "because he can".
4) Man is racist.

But, notice in the video clip, MSNBC only shows you the middle of the man packing heat, then switches to video of AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT PERSON being interviewed by someone.

That someone with all the bullets? He's black.

Click on the blog title.
Source: allthingswitham.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://loan-consolidation-gov32297.blogspot.com

Alternative Health For You

2009-09-10T11:55:00.027-07:00

Alternative Health For You
There are people who simply refuse to use any type of medication other than what they consider to be pure alternative health care. This means they want to use natural remedies as opposed to what is known otherwise as western medicine. Alternative is a tough word for some, because such practices are things/practise that were used long before any type of western medicine was practiced. However, natural remedies are still considered alternative in United States because it is not mainstream.

A popular form of alternative health is acupuncture. This form of treatment has been used for centuries as a way to cure just about anything you can think of. Small needles are pierce into the body near pressure points and are meant to open and facilitate the flow of energy through the body. It is believed that the smooth flow of these energies are tightly couple with illness. Those that use such alternative health swear by it, and think it can do just about anything for them. Some even use the treatment for things like quitting smoking and drinking, and of course, lose weight.

Alternative health may also imply using natural herb to cure. But you do have to be careful. Natural does not necessary always mean safe. If you are taking any existing medications, you may want to talk with your doctor before you try any type of herb or plant. This is because natural herbs can react with your medications. You do not want to take anything that could further harm you rather than helping you. Your doctor may not like the idea that you want to try other things, especially natural herbs. Well, if they won't help you, go find another one that will. Never stop taking medications without instruction from your doctor.

You can certainly on your own, learn about and practice natural health remedies. But you do have to know what you are doing exactly. That means you have to find someone who is qualified in this field to guide you. If you are treating your children or your family, you really want to be absolutely sure you know what you are doing. Alternative health practices can be very effective, but just as with other medical procedures, you have to be careful.

Colon Cleansing With Juice Fasting. An alternate health treatment for you at Natural Colon Liver Cleanse.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Junior
Source: alternative-health-fitness.blogspot.com

An Alternative Approach to Depression
Depression is often termed 'anger turned inwards'. In other words anger suppressed or buried within us to the point that we do not feel the anger anymore. What shows up instead is depression. Most people would respond by saying: "I'm not angry, but I do have issues with depression." Or say, "I have dealt with my anger issues, it is something else."

Whether you have explored the experiences of your anger at others in your life on an intellectual level or have yet to begin that journey the energetic memory of those experiences still remains in your body. When we experience the anger and decided that it was wrong, frightful, bad etc. we attach a judgment to it. The judgment creates a defensive position to the negative experience that we do not wish to have something like that in our life therefore we create an energetic barrier around the memory.

Many of us stuff our feelings of anger in out stomach area or solar plexus. That is why when we in situations that we sense anger we feel that uneasy feeling in our gut. It is those suppressed memories activating. Not only does the suppressed anger activate as an alarm but it will also be the stimulus for causing us to be habitually resentful, mistrustful, anxious, addictive behaviors, depressed or other. When we go into the behaviors of depression for example it is stimulated from the energetic memory of our suppressed anger. Thus when we explore and clear the energetic along side the cognitive memories of the suppressed anger our depression shifts as well.

Using the tools of Access Energy Transformation the energetic sources of suppressed emotions that create depression can be released permanently. It is a process of exploring the past and feeling the energetic intensity that occurs without judging or reliving it. It is a process of getting in touch with it and with Access verbal clearings the energetic memories are released. Within a matter of a few sessions most people feel a huge difference in their lives.

Bart Sharp is an Access Learning Facilitator from Austin Texas. He has worked on varieties issues using the Access tools. He can be contacted at 512 809 6807 or heartofturtle@earthlink.net For more information about Bart and Access Energy Transformation go to http://www.bartsharp.com or http://www.accessaustinenergy.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bart_Sharp
Source: alternative-health-fitness.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://vsutpacffh.blogspot.com

Uncontrolled Feeling...

2009-09-10T11:55:00.025-07:00

Uncontrolled Feeling...
Hye,today is the 2nd last day for the year 2008.My semester holiday also only left about 2 weeks.So,I need to prepare myself to enter the new semester.Listen to others story,they said new semester would be a little bit tough but nevermind,it's only the story of others.I need to learn eventhough it is tough,right?

Today,I am thinking about feeling.FEELING???We always heard people said "I like her/him,I like that scenery."It is feeling that come from our heart that cannot be control but we can control our reaction toward that feeling.For example,a man see a woman and feel like she is the one for him.Most all of us will feel like that but the main thing is how we want to control our action.If someone didn't think further,they may take the action to be near with the woman.So,think again before we take some action.

From feeling,comes to LOVE.Loves is deeper than feeling.We will love to be with other.All people want they being love and lover.That is natural but don't take the action that will made us being embrassed to the public and don't make something that against from our Islamic teaching for Muslim and also to others religion.
The main thing here is we have to control what ever action that we want to take.Think wisely before doing anything.Do not take any action before think further about the effect which we will get...
Source: alpha90.blogspot.com

Filem vs Movie...
Salam semua,ni cerita yang berlaku beberapa hari lepas.Hari sabtu kalau tak silap.Kawanku yang di MRSM dulu minta belikan coklat.Aku pun dah agak kebosanan kat rumah keluar pergi ke Pekan Kuah,atau boleh dipanggil Bandar Kuah sebab Langkawi dah di isytihar sebagai Bandar Pelancongan dan Taman Geopark.Setelah membeli segala coklat yang dipesan,saya masih tak nak pulang ke rumah.Ambil keputusan pergi tengok wayang.Filem Brainscan.Nama saje dalam BI tp cerita melayu.Komedi keluarga.Best juga tapi saya tak banding dengan cicakman sebab x tengok lagi cicakman.

Cerita ni kisah ciptaan sebuah mesin yang boleh menbaca fikiran manusia dan mengabulkan hajat.Kalau betul-betul ada mesti seronok...hehehe...Mesin ni dicuri dan dijumpai oleh seorang budak.Cerita ni kelakar juga cuma saya tak suka penutupnya.Mungkin boleh diubah lagi untuk bagi lagi ceria.

Lepas beberapa hari,rasanya hari Selasa lepas saya keluar dengan kawan,Fahmi,Farizal dan saya,Fitri.Kira 3F la.Kami pergi tengok Bedtime Stories.Cerita ni lebih kurang Night At The Museum ar.Agak menyeronokkan tapi bosan kalau ulang tengok.

Dan satu lagi kisah,Saya pergi main boling.Hari Selasa minggu lepas main 4 game seorang.Hari Khamis pulak main 2 game dengan kawan.Nma dia Rosafandi panggil Fandi.Jadi sempena cuti ni boleh la luangkan banyak masa dengan keluarga dan kawan-kawan yang sudah hampir 2 tahun tak kutemu...

...Berkawan biar beribu,bercinta biar satu :-)...

Source: alpha90.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://pay-off-student-loans54977.blogspot.com

Sorry This Is Late --- Was Spring Breakin In Orlando Last Week!

2009-09-10T11:55:00.023-07:00

Sorry This Is Late --- Was Spring Breakin In Orlando Last Week!

Lord you have givenEach of your childrenA hope and a destinyYou gave us lifeThe day you diedAnd set our spirit’s freeWith each new dayThat comes alongWe live to honour You!
Source: alpha150.blogspot.com

Girls Rule And Boys Drool!!!!!

RACHEL ALEXANDRA WINS PREAKNESS ---FIRST FILLY SINCE 1924! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Source: alpha150.blogspot.com

Let Us Pray
National Day Of Prayer Is Tomorrow; May 07, 2009
Attend if possible; if not possible take a few minutes to find a quiet place and whisper a prayer for our country, our leaders, our families and friends!
Never forget to give thanks for all things and remember that through God all things are possible!

Source: alpha150.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://student-loan-consolidation-rate41204.blogspot.com

Television or Internet Couch Potato?

2009-09-10T11:55:00.021-07:00

Television or Internet Couch Potato?
A couch potato is someone who spends a lot of time sitting or lying down watching television. But now its not just TV, its also the computer. With the internet & all the social networking sites, everyone is hooked on their laptops.

After spending 10 hours in the office starring at the computer- yes starring pretending to be working for some while really working for a few when you get home you log in once again into that machine to check your facebook, play mafia wars, poke pet, or farm town.

Yes, the virtual farm you get hooked on for a minimum of 3 good hours.
Or mafia wars for another 3 good hours.
Oh how much time is left for a good rest?

With technology, even kids now a days are living a couch potato lifestyle. Kids no longer play on the safe streets in front of their houses or in the lawns of their homes.
Yes, they're inside their homes, in the living room playing play station or Wii... in the family room playing computer games... Maybe even in their bedrooms holding their PSP for hours.
Sometime it would take mommy to raise her voice just to stop "Jack" from playing the PSP and have dinner.

The couch potato life starts early be it in tele or new technology such as the internet...

Well, I just had the "couch potato" thought...
Maybe some definition website would update their definitions that it's not just TV... there's so much more...

How about you what kind of couch potato are you?
Source: allthingsunderheaven.blogspot.com

IN3: Google Health 2018: Worst Case Scenarios [PMR, Privacy, HIPAA, Wellness]

Here is an interesting article about what could happen if Google is allowed to move forward with their plans on organizing patient medical data. It is a little scary to me to put this in to the hands of someone other than the patient. But considering how careful everyone is with their own data, that could be as scary as well.

"ANALYSIS Google Health organizes a patient's diverse medical data into a coherent on-line personal health record (PHR). The visceral reaction of many to the privacy concerns is revealing: most people think they need to keep medical data secret because they're covering something up -- with employers, insurers, loved ones, maybe even themselves. "

Read it all...

For equal balance...

"ANALYSIS Google Health organizes a patient's diverse medical data into a coherent on-line personal health record (PHR). At base, it's a simple convenience, good record-keeping for important information that puts the patient in control of his own data. But as the growth of the World Wide Web has shown, standardized digital information -- cheaply networked, easily accessible, interoperable and extensible -- is the foundation for great new ideas, disruptive applications and boundless innovation. Looking ahead a decade of Internet time, here are a few possible applications."

Read it all...

Then you decide...

Source: allthisandeverythingelse.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://interest-rates50749.blogspot.com

Trump doesn't fire Miss USA, America yawns

2009-09-10T11:55:00.019-07:00

Trump doesn't fire Miss USA, America yawns
California is having a tough time right now. Unemployment is up, jobs are scarce, the State budget is a concern for many, gays are still crying over their loss last November. What CA needs is a scandal, something for everyone to take their minds off their woes for the short term. Unfortunately, there is one scandal that has made the news but nobody really cares.

Two weeks ago, San Diego native Carrie Prejean won the Miss USA pageant and she is already on the burner and awaiting the Donald’s verdict as to whether she will retain her crown. The media will have you believe it is because Prejean breached her contract and had some booby photos taken that have since surfaced during a recent witch hunt. I don’t believe either of these incidents, or any others that will surface, to be the real reason behind the Miss USA uproar.

I did not watch the event in Las Vegas, and haven’t seen a Miss USA show since my younger years when I had no wood control and the swimsuit pageant was the closest thing to proxy sex I could get (there was no Internet in those days). But after reading between the lines of many reports it is painfully obvious that it was her answer to a question posed by one of the judges that has gotten everyone’s panties in a bunch.

Perez Hilton (no, that isn’t a typo) asked Prejean what her stance on gay marriage is and Prejean answered truthfully, bringing her strong Christian values and morals into the validation for her answer. Hilton is a homosexual, which satisfied Trump’s stringent qualification criteria to be a judge on the biggest “I am fulfilling my mother’s dreams” show on television.

I do not normally follow things like this. I couldn’t care less about this pageant, or any other pageant for that matter, as I think they are ridiculous and shallow. The contestants may have degrees and done great things, but the stereotype I have of beauty pageant contestants is that they have IQs a little higher than a piece of toast. What interested me most was the reaction from all sides of the spectrum surrounding the answer concerning gay marriage.

I think Hilton’s question was out of line and beyond the scope of the pageant. Ask them something stupid concerning making the world a better place, or how many orphans they would adopt, or how long it takes to get a Brazilian. This question was a setup and exactly why Trump asked this no talent ass clown Perez to sit as a judge. Paraphrasing Prejean’s answer, she supports what the majority of Californians voted on last November: marriage is between a man and a woman, we don’t care that you are gay but you can’t get married.

Now there is a big uproar. Some gays are pissed and others respect Prejean’s decision. Many people in CA share her position. It shows a measure of tolerance but some would argue that it is completely unfair. Some gays think that you are still being intolerant and homophobic if you accept them as being gay but not allow them to marry. To them, tolerance means giving up your beliefs or at least keeping quiet about them in public and allowing them all the rights heterosexuals enjoy.

In all fairness, the gay community has had it pretty rough over the last several thousand years. But like everything in life the choices we make carry certain consequences, whether it is your lifestyle, your spouse, impulse purchases, or whether or not have hot sauce on your enchilada. Miss USA is now being hammered because of her beliefs, because of her choices, and the people are throwing a fit that she is being treated so unfairly. Ironic that we only cry racism, bigotry, or intolerance when it happens to us or someone we like. She made a choice and she is suffering for it but people who share the same opinion don’t like it and are crying about it.

However, the gays are not blameless either. They proudly display their rainbows and harangue tolerance, acceptance and coexistence- until you piss them off. Then scum bags like Perez Hilton crucify a person over their beliefs on gay marriage even though the person supports or tolerates the gay lifestyle.

Both sides suck and both sides do nothing to fix the problem. I see a lot of finger pointing and “Yeah, but” arguments based on the aforementioned paragraphs. Both sides point out the other’s bad behavior in an attempt to justify their own. I hear it all the time from my kids.

Child #1: “He took my ____________.”
Child #2: “Yeah, but he grabbed my __________”.

Bad behavior does not justify bad behavior. It may satisfy the hypocrisy argument but it is a non sequitur, it does not follow.
Source: alohadump.blogspot.com

In honor of July 4th, and why America rocks
Joe Dirt: So your gonna' tell me that you don't have no black cats, no roman candles, or screaming mimis?

Kicking Wing: No.

Joe Dirt: Oh come on man. You got no lady fingers, fuzz buttles, snicker bombs, church burners, finger blasters, gut busters, zippity do das, or crap flappers?

Kicking Wing: No, I don't.

Joe Dirt: You're gonna stand there, owning a fireworks stand, and tell me you don't have no whistling bungholes, no spleen spliters, whisker biscuits, honkey lighters, hoosker doos, hoosker donts, cherry bombs, nipsy daisers, with or without the scooter stick, or one single whistling kitty chaser?

Kicking Wing: No... because snakes and sparklers are the only ones I like.

Joe Dirt: Well that might be your problem, it's not what you like, it's the consumer.
Source: alohadump.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://vsutpacffh.blogspot.com

Follow the tweets from today's pressure ulcer outcomes congress

2009-09-10T11:55:00.017-07:00

Follow the tweets from today's pressure ulcer outcomes congress

Coming to you live from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, it's the Indiana Pressure Ulcer Intiative Outcomes Congress.

Follow @AllThingsAging for real time updates from speakers including:

Joyce Black, RN, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Board of Directors, National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel

Marilyn Hirsch, PhD
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Kathy Duncan, RN
Faculty Expert, Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Click here to follow us on Twitter.
Source: allthingsaging.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://interest-rates50749.blogspot.com

Happy Canada Day II ...

2009-09-10T11:55:00.015-07:00

Happy Canada Day II ...
or...
Happy Day off in lieu of Canada Day because the REAL Canada Day fell on a Sunday and we all know that government employees are so overworked they need as much rest as they can possibly get.

Unlike retail employees who are specifically hired because they have no family and no friends and would never want to celebrate their country on any day let alone Canada Day, and can just darn well have any old day off that the government deems fit to assign to them.

Thank you for shopping here - have a nice day :)

(I'm not even going to comment on those consumers who felt it neccessary to consume on a National Holiday (for everyone except for retail employees - see above)).
Source: alsocanadian.blogspot.com

Toronto Maple Leafs Win Stanley Cup!!!

Canada was stunned Monday when it was announced that The Stanley Cup will be awarded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, possibly as early as December 6th.
The cup will be stripped from from 2008 playoff champions the Detroit Red Wings and be awarded to the Leafs, who didn't even make the playoffs.
How is this possible, Canadians ask?
Well, the Leafs have formed a coalition with eastern conference semifinalists the Montreal Canadians, and conference quarter finalists the Ottawa Senators, now outnumbering the Red Wings.
According to current Leaf coach Ron Wilson "the Red Wings have lost the confidence of the league and should hand the cup over immediately to our coalition".
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is cutting short a European trip to try to resolve the unprecedented hockey crisis that could force a second playoff series, or see an opposing team coalition take the cup.
Source: alsocanadian.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://student-loan-consolidation-rate41204.blogspot.com

Info on GERD

2009-09-10T11:55:00.013-07:00

Info on GERD
Acid reflux disease is a common cause of heartburn. And many times the acid can travel back up into the food pipe at night.
Now there’s an easy way to prevent that, by changing your sleeping position. “I can’t lay down flat at all, or it will come back up into my chest. So I have to like sit up and elevate myself in order for it not to come back up into my chest.” Ida Dennison has the classic complaints of acid reflux disease. It’s a condition caused when acid goes back up from the stomach into the esophagus, or food pipe. At night, it is worse when laying flat, and made better when sleeping with the torso elevated.
Dr. Jennifer Christie, a gastroenterologist at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, says, “We think that esophageal reflux is caused, number one, by the prolonged esophageal acid exposure and what can make exposure even longer is if a patient is in a recumbent position, or a flat position. Therefore the esophagus is not allowed to clear as rapidly of acid and food.”
But now, new research presented at the American College of Chest Physician’s Annual Meeting shows sleeping on the right side can markedly increase the frequency of acid reflux events at night. There was much greater acid reflux when laying on the right side compared to when patients were laying on the left side.
Dr. Magen El Zein, the study author at the University of Texas, says, “Most people don’t feel this during their sleep, we feel it when we go to sleep and we still have the awareness, but during sleep we lose the feeling of burning, so we don’t know that we’re having reflux. At the same time, it may be like a silent killer that stays at night.” That’s because over time, the acid and bile from the stomach can cause changes in the lining of the esophagus which can lead to pre-cancer and cancer. “They can decrease it by sleeping on the left side rather than the right side because this decreases the chances of having reflux,” states Dr. El Zein.
The researchers say that there’s a general belief in the medical literature that people with reflux wake up more frequently during the night and this leads to sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness. However, in many cases, because the acid does not cause symptoms of heartburn, if a person is sleepy, the researchers believe the reflux is probably not the reason. There is probably another reason for the sleepiness that needs to be investigated.
If you can, try to sleep on your left side and with the torso above the waist elevated. If you can put a wedge in that will prevent you from rolling over onto your right side. Again, this isn’t necessary to control symptoms, but rather to prevent the long term damage done by acid reflux disease.
Hiatal herniaHiatal hernias contribute to reflux, although the way in which they contribute is not clear. A majority of patients with GERD have hiatal hernias, but many do not. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a hiatal hernia in order to have GERD. Moreover, many people have hiatal hernias but do not have GERD. It is not known for certain how or why hiatal hernias develop.
Normally, the LES is located at the same level where the esophagus passes from the chest through the diaphragm and into the abdomen. (The diaphragm is a muscular, horizontal partition that separates the chest from the abdomen.) When there is a hiatal hernia, a small part of the upper stomach that attaches to the esophagus pushes up through the diaphragm. As a result, a small part of the stomach and the LES come to lie in the chest, and the LES is no longer at the level of the diaphragm.
It appears that the diaphragm that surrounds the LES is important in preventing reflux. That is, in individuals without hiatal hernias, the diaphragm surrounding the esophagus is continuously contracted, but then relaxes with swallows, just like the LES. Note that the effects of the LES and diaphragm occur at the same location in patients without hiatal hernias. Therefore, the barrier to reflux is equal to the sum of the pressures generated by the LES and the diaphragm. When the LES moves into the chest with a hiatal hernia, the diaphragm and the LES continue to exert their pressures and barrier effect. However, they now do so at different locations. Consequently, the pressures are no longer additive. Instead, a single, high-pressure barrier to reflux is replaced by two barriers of lower pressure, and reflux thus occurs more easily. So, decreasing the pressure barrier is one way that an hiatal hernia can contribute to reflux.
There is a second way in which hiatal hernias might contribute to reflux. When a hiatal hernia is present, there is a hernial sac, which is a small pouch of stomach above the diaphragm. The sac is pinched off from the esophagus above by the LES and from the stomach below by the diaphragm. What's important about this situation is that the sac can trap acid that comes from the stomach. This trap keeps the acid close to the esophagus. As a result, it is easier for the acid to reflux when the LES relaxes with a swallow or a transient relaxation.
Finally, there is a third way in which hiatal hernias might contribute to reflux. The esophagus normally joins the stomach obliquely, which means not straight on or at a 90-degree angle. Due to this oblique angle of entry, a flap of tissue is formed between the stomach and esophagus. This flap of tissue is believed to act like a valve, shutting off the esophagus from the stomach and preventing reflux. When there is a hiatal hernia, the entry of the esophagus into the stomach is pulled up into the chest. Therefore, the valve-like flap is distorted or disappears and it no longer can help prevent reflux.
Esophageal contractionsAs previously mentioned, swallows are important in eliminating acid in the esophagus. Swallowing causes a ring-like wave of contraction of the esophageal muscles, which narrows the lumen (inner cavity) of the esophagus. The contraction, referred to as peristalsis, begins in the upper esophagus and travels to the lower esophagus. It pushes food, saliva, and whatever else is in the esophagus into the stomach.
When the wave of contraction is defective, refluxed acid is not pushed back into the stomach. In patients with GERD, several abnormalities of contraction have been described. For example, waves of contraction may not begin after each swallow or the waves of contraction may die out before they reach the stomach. Also, the pressure generated by the contractions may be too weak to push the acid back into the stomach. Such abnormalities of contraction, which reduce the clearance of acid from the esophagus, are found frequently in patients with GERD. In fact, they are found most frequently in those patients with the most severe GERD. The effects of abnormal esophageal contractions would be expected to be worse at night when gravity is not helping to return refluxed acid to the stomach. Note that smoking also substantially reduces the clearance of acid from the esophagus. This effect continues for at least 6 hours after the last cigarette.
Emptying of the stomachMost reflux during the day occurs after meals. This reflux probably is due to transient LES relaxations that are caused by distention of the stomach with food. A minority of patients with GERD, about 20%, has been found to have stomachs that empty abnormally slowly after a meal. The slower emptying of the stomach prolongs the distention of the stomach with food after meals. Therefore, the slower emptying prolongs the period of time during which reflux is more likely to occur.
What are the symptoms of uncomplicated GERD?The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are primarily heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. Other symptoms occur when there are complications of GERD and will be discussed with the complications.
HeartburnWhen acid refluxes back into the esophagus in patients with GERD, nerve fibers in the esophagus are stimulated. This nerve stimulation results most commonly in heartburn, the pain that is characteristic of GERD. Heartburn usually is described as a burning pain in the middle of the chest. It may start high in the abdomen or may extend up into the neck. In some patients, however, the pain may be sharp or pressure-like, rather than burning. Such pain can mimic heart pain ( angina ). In other patients, the pain may extend to the back. Since acid reflux is more common after meals, heartburn is more common after meals. Heartburn is also more common when individuals lie down because without the effects of gravity, reflux occurs more easily, and acid is returned to the stomach more slowly.
Episodes of heartburn may occur infrequently or frequently, but episodes tend to happen periodically. This means that the episodes are more frequent or severe for a period of several weeks or months, and then they become less frequent or severe or even absent for several weeks or months. Nevertheless, heartburn is a life-long problem, and it almost always returns.
RegurgitationRegurgitation is the appearance of refluxed liquid in the mouth. In GERD, usually only small quantities of liquid reach the esophagus, and the liquid remains in the lower esophagus. Occasionally, and particularly in some patients, larger quantities of liquid, sometimes containing food, are refluxed and reach the upper esophagus.
At the upper end of the esophagus is the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The UES is a circular ring of muscle that is very similar in its actions to the LES. That is, the UES prevents esophageal contents from backing up into the throat. When small amounts of refluxed liquid and/or foods breach (get through) the UES and enter the throat, there may be an acid taste in the mouth. If larger quantities breach the UES, patients may suddenly find their mouths filled with the liquid or food. What's more, frequent or prolonged regurgitation can lead to acid-induced erosions of the teeth.
NauseaNausea is uncommon in GERD. In some patients, however, it may be frequent or severe and may result in vomiting. In fact, in patients with unexplained nausea and/or vomiting, GERD is one of the first conditions suspected. It is not clear why some patients with GERD develop mainly heartburn and others develop mainly nausea.
What are the complications of GERD? UlcersThe liquid from the stomach that refluxes into the esophagus damages the cells lining the esophagus. The body responds in the way that it usually responds to damage, which is with inflammation (esophagitis). The purpose of inflammation is to neutralize the damaging agent and begin the process of healing. If the damage goes deeply into the esophagus, an ulcer forms. An ulcer is simply a break in the lining of the esophagus that occurs in an area of inflammation. Ulcers and the additional inflammation they provoke may erode into the esophageal blood vessels and give rise to bleeding into the esophagus. Occasionally, the bleeding is severe and may require transfusions of blood and endoscopic (a procedure in which a tube is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus) or surgical treatment.
StricturesUlcers of the esophagus heal with the formation of scars (fibrosis). Over time, the scar tissue shrinks and narrows the lumen (inner cavity) of the esophagus. This scarred narrowing is called a stricture. Once the narrowing becomes severe enough (usually when it restricts the esophageal lumen to a diameter of one centimeter), swallowed food may get stuck in the esophagus. This situation may necessitate endoscopic removal of the stuck food. Then, to prevent food from sticking, the narrowing must be stretched (widened). Moreover, to prevent a recurrence of the stricture, the reflux also must be prevented.
Barrett's esophagusLong-standing and/or severe GERD causes changes in the cells that line the esophagus. These cells then become pre-cancerous, and finally cancerous. This condition is referred to as Barrett's esophagus, which occurs in approximately 10% of patients with GERD. The type of esophageal cancer associated with Barrett's esophagus (adenocarcinoma) is increasing in frequency.
Barrett's esophagus can be recognized visually at the time of an endoscopy and confirmed by microscopic examination of biopsies of the lining cells. Then, patients with Barrett's esophagus may require periodic surveillance endoscopies with biopsies. The purpose of the surveillance is to detect pre-cancerous changes so that cancer-preventing treatment can be started. It is also believed that patients with Barrett's esophagus should receive maximum treatment for GERD to prevent further damage to the esophagus. It is not clear why some patients with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, but most do not.
Cough and asthmaMany nerves are in the lower esophagus. Some of these nerves are stimulated by the refluxed acid, and this stimulation results in pain (usually heartburn). Other nerves that are stimulated do not produce pain. Instead, they stimulate yet other nerves that provoke coughing. In this way, refluxed liquid can cause coughing without ever reaching the throat! In a similar manner, reflux into the lower esophagus can stimulate esophageal nerves that connect to and can stimulate nerves going to the lungs. These nerves to the lungs then can cause the smaller breathing tubes to narrow, resulting in an attack of asthma.
So, GERD is a common cause of unexplained coughing. Although GERD also may be a cause of asthma, it is more likely that it precipitates asthmatic attacks in patients who already have asthma. Although chronic cough and asthma are common ailments, it is not clear just how often they are aggravated or caused by GERD.
Inflammation of the throat and larynxIf refluxed liquid gets past the upper esophageal sphincter, it can enter the throat (pharynx) and even the voice box (larynx). The resulting inflammation can lead to a sore throat and hoarseness. As with coughing and asthma, it is not clear just how commonly GERD is responsible for otherwise unexplained inflammation of the throat and larynx.
Inflammation and infection of the lungsRefluxed liquid that passes the larynx can enter the lungs. The reflux of liquid into the lungs (called aspiration) often results in coughing and choking. Aspiration, however, can also occur without producing these symptoms. With or without these symptoms, aspiration may lead to infection of the lungs and result in pneumonia . This type of pneumonia is a serious problem requiring immediate treatment. When aspiration is unaccompanied by symptoms, it can result in a slow, progressive scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs that can be seen on chest x-rays. Aspiration is more likely to occur at night because that is when the processes (mechanisms) that protect against reflux are not active and the coughing reflex that protects the lungs also is not active.
Fluid in the sinuses and middle earsThe throat communicates with the nasal passages. In small children, two patches of lymph tissue, called the adenoids, are located where the upper part of the throat joins the nasal passages. The passages from the sinuses and the tubes from the middle ears (Eustachian tubes) open into the rear of the nasal passages near the adenoids. Refluxed liquid that enters the upper throat can inflame the adenoids and cause them to swell. The swollen adenoids then can block the passages from the sinuses and the Eustachian tubes. When the sinuses and middle ears are closed off from the nasal passages by the swelling of the adenoids, fluid accumulates within them. This accumulation of fluid can lead to discomfort in the sinuses and ears. Since the adenoids are prominent in young children, and not in adults, this fluid accumulation in the sinuses and ears is seen in children and not adults.
How is GERD diagnosed and evaluated?Symptoms and response to treatment (therapeutic trial)The usual way that GERD is diagnosed-or at least suspected-is by its characteristic symptom, heartburn. Heartburn is most frequently described as a sub-sternal (under the middle of the chest) burning that occurs after meals and often worsens when lying down. To confirm the diagnosis, physicians often treat patients with medications to suppress the production of acid by the stomach. If the heartburn then is diminished to a large extent, the diagnosis of GERD is considered confirmed. This approach of making a diagnosis on the basis of a response of the symptoms to treatment is commonly called a therapeutic trial.
There are problems with this approach, however, primarily because it does not include diagnostic tests. For instance, patients who have conditions that can mimic GERD, specifically duodenal or gastric (stomach) ulcers, also can actually respond to such treatment. In this situation, if the physician assumes that the problem is GERD, he or she will not look for the cause of the ulcer disease. For example, a type of infection called Helicobacter pylori , or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen ), can also cause ulcers and these conditions would be treated differently from GERD.
Moreover, as with any treatment, there is perhaps a 20% placebo effect, which means that 20% of patients will respond to a placebo (inactive) pill or, indeed, to any treatment. This means that 20% of patients who have causes of their symptoms other than GERD (or ulcers) will have a decrease in their symptoms after receiving the treatment for GERD. Thus, on the basis of their response to treatment (the therapeutic trial), these patients then will continue to be treated for GERD, even though they do not have GERD. What's more, the true cause of their symptoms will not be pursued further.
EndoscopyUpper gastrointestinal endoscopy (also known as esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy or EGD) is a common way of diagnosing GERD. EGD is a procedure in which a tube containing an optical system for visualization is swallowed. As the tube progresses down the gastrointestinal tract, the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum can be examined.
The esophagus of most patients with symptoms of reflux looks normal. Therefore, in most patients, endoscopy will not help in the diagnosis of GERD. However, sometimes the lining of the esophagus appears inflamed (esophagitis). Moreover, if erosions (superficial breaks in the esophageal lining) or ulcers (deeper breaks in the lining) are seen, a diagnosis of GERD can be made. Endoscopy will also identify several of the complications of GERD, specifically, ulcers, strictures, and Barrett's esophagus. Biopsies also may be obtained. Finally, other problems that may be causing GERD-like symptoms-for example ulcers, inflammation, or cancers-can be diagnosed in the stomach or duodenum.
BiopsiesBiopsies of the esophagus that are obtained through the endoscope are not very useful for diagnosing GERD. They are useful, however, in diagnosing cancers or causes of esophageal inflammation other than acid reflux, particularly infections. Moreover, biopsies are the only means of diagnosing the cellular changes of Barrett's esophagus.
X-raysBefore the introduction of endoscopy, an x-ray of the esophagus (called an esophagram) was the only means of diagnosing GERD. Patients swallowed barium (contrast material), and x-rays of the barium-filled esophagus were then taken. The problem with the esophagram was that it was an insensitive test for diagnosing GERD. That is, it failed to find signs of GERD in many patients who had GERD because the patients had little or no damage to the lining of the esophagus. The x-rays were able to show only the infrequent complications of GERD, for example, ulcers and strictures. X-rays have been abandoned as a means of diagnosing GERD, although they still can be useful in addition to endoscopy in the evaluation of complications.
Examination of the throat and larynxWhen GERD affects the throat or larynx and causes symptoms of cough, hoarseness, or sore throat, patients often visit an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. The ENT specialist frequently finds signs of inflammation of the throat or larynx. Although diseases of the throat or larynx usually are the cause of the inflammation, sometimes GERD can be the cause. Accordingly, ENT specialists often try acid-suppressing treatment to confirm the diagnosis of GERD. This approach, however, has the same problems that, as discussed above, result from using the response to treatment to confirm GERD.
Esophageal acid testingEsophageal acid testing is considered a "gold standard" for diagnosing GERD. As discussed above, the reflux of acid is common in the general population. However, patients with the symptoms or complications of GERD have reflux of more acid than individuals without the symptoms or complications of GERD. Moreover, normal individuals and patients with GERD can be distinguished fairly well from each other by the amount of time that the esophagus contains acid.
The amount of time that the esophagus contains acid is determined by a test called a 24-hour esophageal ph test. (Ph is a mathematical way of expressing the amount of acidity.) For this test, a small tube (catheter) is passed through the nose and positioned in the esophagus. On the tip of the catheter is a sensor that senses acid. The other end of the catheter exits from the nose, wraps back over the ear, and travels down to the waist, where it is attached to a recorder. Each time acid refluxes back into the esophagus from the stomach, it stimulates the sensor and the recorder records the episode of reflux. After a 20 to 24 hour period of time, the catheter is removed and the record of reflux from the recorder is analyzed.
There are problems with using ph testing for diagnosing GERD. Despite the fact that normal individuals and patients with GERD can be separated fairly well on the basis of ph studies, the separation is not perfect. Therefore, some patients with GERD will have normal amounts of acid reflux and some patients without GERD will have abnormal amounts of acid reflux. It requires something other than the ph test to confirm the presence of GERD, for example, typical symptoms, response to treatment, or the presence of complications of GERD.
Ph testing has uses in the management of GERD other than just diagnosing GERD. For example, the test can help determine why GERD symptoms do not respond to treatment. Perhaps 10 to 20 percent of patients will not have their symptoms substantially improved by treatment for GERD. This lack of response to treatment could be caused by ineffective treatment. This means that the medication is not adequately suppressing the production of acid by the stomach and thereby is not reducing acid reflux. Alternatively, the lack of response can be explained by a wrong diagnosis of GERD. In both of these situations, the ph test can be very useful. If testing reveals substantial reflux of acid while medication is continued, then the treatment is ineffective and will need to be changed. If testing reveals good acid suppression with minimal reflux of acid, the diagnosis of GERD is likely to be wrong and other causes for the symptoms need to be sought.
Ph testing also can be used to help evaluate whether reflux is the cause of symptoms (usually heartburn). To make this evaluation, while the 24-hour ph testing is being done, patients record each time they have symptoms. Then, when the test is being analyzed, it can be determined whether or not acid reflux occurred at the time of the symptoms. If reflux did occur at the same time as the symptoms, then reflux is likely to be the cause of the symptoms. If there was no reflux at the time of symptoms, then reflux is unlikely to be the cause of the symptoms.
Lastly, ph testing can be used to evaluate patients prior to endoscopic or surgical treatment for GERD. As discussed above, some 20 % of patients will have a decrease in their symptoms even though they don't have GERD (the placebo effect). Prior to endoscopic or surgical treatment, it is important to identify these patients because they are not likely to benefit from the treatments. The ph study can be used to identify these patients because they will have normal amounts of acid reflux.
A newer method for prolonged measurement (48 hours) of acid exposure in the esophagus utilizes a small, wireless capsule that is attached to the esophagus just above the LES. The capsule is passed to the lower esophagus by a tube inserted through either the mouth or the nose. After the capsule is attached to the esophagus, the tube is removed. The capsule measures the acid refluxing into the esophagus and transmits this information to a receiver that is worn at the waist. After the study, usually after 48 hours, the information from the receiver is downloaded into a computer and analyzed. The capsule falls off of the esophagus after 3-5 days and is passed in the stool. (The capsule is not reused.) The advantage of the capsule over standard ph testing is that there is no discomfort from a catheter that passes through the throat and nose. Moreover, with the capsule, patients look normal (they don't have a catheter protruding from their noses) and are more likely to go about their daily activities, for example, go to work, without feeling self-conscious. Capsule ph testing is expensive. Sometimes the capsule does not attach to the esophagus or falls off prematurely. For periods of time the receiver may not receive signals from the capsule, and some of the information about reflux of acid may be lost. Occasionally there is pain with swallowing after the capsule has been placed. Use of the capsule is an exciting use of new technology, but with its inherent problems and lack of widespread use and evaluation, it is not yet clear what its role should be.
Esophageal motility testingEsophageal motility testing determines how well the muscles of the esophagus are working. For motility testing, a thin tube (catheter) is passed through a nostril, down the back of the throat, and into the esophagus. On the part of the catheter that is inside the esophagus are sensors that sense pressure. When the muscle of the esophagus contracts, a pressure is generated within the esophagus that is detected by the sensors on the catheter. The end of the catheter that protrudes from the nostril is attached to a recorder that records the pressure. During the test, the pressure at rest and the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter are evaluated. The patient then swallows sips of water to evaluate the contractions of the esophagus.
Esophageal motility testing has two important uses in evaluating GERD. The first is in evaluating symptoms that do not respond to treatment for GERD. The abnormal function of the esophageal muscle sometimes causes symptoms that resemble the symptoms of GERD. Motility testing can identify these abnormalities and lead to a diagnosis of an esophageal motility disorder. The second use is evaluation prior to surgical or endoscopic treatment for GERD. In this situation, the purpose is to identify patients who also have motility disorders of the esophageal muscle. The reason for this is that in patients with motility disorders, some surgeons will modify the type of surgery they perform for GERD.
Gastric emptying studiesGastric emptying studies are studies that determine how well food empties from the stomach. As discussed above, about 20 % of patients with GERD have a slow emptying of the stomach that may be contributing to the reflux of acid. For gastric emptying studies, the patient eats a meal that is labeled with a radioactive substance. A sensor that is similar to a Geiger counter is placed over the stomach to measure how quickly the radioactive substance in the meal empties from the stomach.
Information from the emptying study can be useful for managing patients with GERD. For example, if a patient with GERD continues to have symptoms despite treatment with the usual medications, doctors might prescribe other medications that speed-up emptying of the stomach. Alternatively, in conjunction with GERD surgery, they might do a surgical procedure that promotes a more rapid emptying of the stomach. Nevertheless, it is still debated whether a finding of reduced gastric emptying should prompt changes in the surgical treatment of GERD.
Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and regurgitation may be due either to abnormal gastric emptying or GERD. An evaluation of gastric emptying, therefore, may be useful in identifying patients whose symptoms are due to abnormal emptying rather than to GERD.
Acid perfusion testThe acid perfusion (Bernstein) test is used to determine if chest pain is caused by acid reflux. For the test, a thin tube is passed through one nostril, down the back of the throat, and into the middle of the esophagus. A dilute, acid solution and a physiologic (normal) salt solution are alternately poured (perfused) through the catheter and into the esophagus. The patient is unaware of which solution is being infused. If the perfusion with acid provokes the patient's usual pain and perfusion of the salt solution produces no pain, it is likely that the patient's pain is caused by acid reflux.
The acid perfusion test, however, is used only rarely. A better test for correlating pain and acid reflux is a 24-hour esophageal ph study during which patients note when they are having pain. It then can be determined from the ph recording if there was an episode of acid reflux at the time of the pain. This is the preferable way of deciding if acid reflux is causing a patient's pain.
How is GERD treated? Life-style changesOne of the simplest treatments for GERD is referred to as life-style changes, a combination of several changes in habit, particularly related to eating.
As discussed above, reflux of acid is more injurious at night than during the day. At night, when individuals are lying down, it is easier for reflux to occur. The reason that it is easier is because gravity is not opposing the reflux, as it does in the upright position during the day. In addition, the lack of an effect of gravity allows the refluxed liquid to travel further up the esophagus and remain in the esophagus longer. These problems can be overcome partially by elevating the upper body in bed. The elevation is accomplished either by putting blocks under the bed's feet at the head of the bed or, more conveniently, by sleeping with the upper body on a wedge. These maneuvers raise the esophagus above the stomach and partially restore the effects of gravity. It is important that the upper body and not just the head be elevated. Elevating only the head does not raise the esophagus and fails to restore the effects of gravity.
Elevation of the upper body at night generally is recommended for all patients with GERD. Nevertheless, most patients with GERD have reflux only during the day and elevation at night is of little benefit for them. It is not possible to know for certain which patients will benefit from elevation at night unless acid testing clearly demonstrates night reflux. However, patients who have heartburn, regurgitation, or other symptoms of GERD at night are probably experiencing reflux at night and definitely should use upper body elevation. Reflux also occurs less frequently when patients lie on their left rather than their right sides.
Several changes in eating habits can be beneficial in treating GERD. Reflux is worse following meals. This is probably because the stomach is distended with food at that time and acid and transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter are more frequent. Therefore, smaller and earlier evening meals may reduce the amount of reflux for two reasons. First, the smaller meal results in lesser distention of the stomach. Second, by bedtime, a smaller and earlier meal is more likely to have emptied from the stomach than is a larger one. As a result, reflux is less likely to occur when patients with GERD lie down.
Certain foods are known to reduce the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter and thereby promote reflux. These foods should be avoided and include chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks. Fatty foods (which should be decreased) and smoking (which should be stopped) also reduce the pressure in the sphincter and promote reflux. In addition, patients with GERD may find that other foods aggravate their symptoms. Examples are spicy or acid-containing foods, like citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and tomato juice. These foods should also be avoided.
One novel approach to the treatment of GERD is chewing gum. Chewing gum stimulates the production of more bicarbonate-containing saliva and increases the rate of swallowing. After the saliva is swallowed, it neutralizes acid in the esophagus. In effect, chewing gum exaggerates the normal process that neutralizes acid in the esophagus. It is not clear, however, how effective chewing gum actually is in treating heartburn. Nevertheless, chewing gum after meals is certainly worth a try.
AntacidsDespite the development of potent medications for the treatment of GERD, antacids remain a mainstay of treatment. Antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach so that there is no acid to reflux. The problem with antacids is that their action is brief. They are emptied from the empty stomach quickly, in less than an hour, and the acid then re-accumulates. The best way to take antacids, therefore, is approximately one hour after meals or just before the symptoms of reflux begin after a meal. Since the food from meals slows the emptying from the stomach, an antacid taken after a meal stays in the stomach longer and is effective longer. For the same reason, a second dose of antacids approximately two hours after a meal takes advantage of the continuing post-meal slower emptying of the stomach and replenishes the acid-neutralizing capacity within the stomach.
Antacids may be aluminum, magnesium, or calcium based. Calcium-based antacids (usually calcium carbonate), unlike other antacids, stimulate the release of gastrin from the stomach and duodenum. Gastrin is the hormone that is primarily responsible for the stimulation of acid secretion by the stomach. Therefore, after the direct acid-neutralizing effect of the calcium carbonate is exhausted, the secretion of acid rebounds. The rebound is due to the release of gastrin, which results in an overproduction of acid. Theoretically at least, this increased acid is not good for GERD.
Acid rebound, however, has not been shown to be clinically important. That is, treatment with calcium carbonate has not been shown to be less effective or safe than treatment with antacids not containing calcium carbonate. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of acid rebound is theoretically harmful. In practice, therefore, calcium-containing antacids such as Tums and Rolaids are not recommended. The occasional use of these calcium carbonate-containing antacids, however, is not believed to be harmful. The advantages of calcium carbonate-containing antacids are their low cost and the calcium they add to the diet.
Aluminum-containing antacids have a tendency to cause constipation , while magnesium-containing antacids tend to cause diarrhea . If diarrhea or constipation becomes a problem, it may be necessary to switch antacids or alternately use antacids containing aluminum and magnesium.
Histamine antagonistsAlthough antacids can neutralize acid, they do so for only a short period of time. For substantial neutralization of acid throughout the day, antacids would need to be given frequently, at least every hour.
The first medication developed for more effective and convenient treatment of acid-related diseases, including GERD, was a histamine antagonist, specifically cimetidine (Tagamet). Histamine is an important chemical because it stimulates acid production. Released within the wall of the stomach, histamine attaches to receptors (binders) on the stomach's acid-producing cells and stimulates the cells to produce acid. Histamine antagonists work by blocking the receptor for histamine and thereby preventing histamine from stimulating the acid-producing cells. (Histamine antagonists are referred to as H2 antagonists because the specific receptor they block is the histamine type 2 receptor.)
Because histamine is particularly important for the stimulation of acid after meals, H2 antagonists are best taken 30 minutes before meals. The reason for this timing is so that the H2 antagonists will be at peak levels in the body after the meal when the stomach is actively producing acid. H2 antagonists also can be taken at bedtime to suppress nighttime production of acid.
H2 antagonists are very good for relieving the symptoms of GERD, particularly heartburn. However, they are not very good for healing the inflammation (esophagitis) that may accompany GERD. In fact, they are used primarily for the treatment of heartburn in GERD that is not associated with inflammation or complications, such as erosions or ulcers, strictures, or Barrett's esophagus.
Four different H2 antagonists are available by prescription, including cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine , (Pepcid). All four are also available over-the-counter (OTC), without the need for a prescription. However, the OTC dosages are lower than those available by prescription.
Proton pump inhibitorsThe second type of drug developed specifically for acid-related diseases, such as GERD, was a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), specifically, omeprazole (Prilosec). A PPI blocks the secretion of acid into the stomach by the acid-secreting cells. The advantage of a PPI over an H2 antagonist is that the PPI shuts off acid production more completely and for a longer period of time. Not only is the PPI good for treating the symptom of heartburn, but it also is good for protecting the esophagus from acid so that esophageal inflammation can heal.
PPIs are used when H2 antagonists do not relieve symptoms adequately or when complications of GERD such as erosions or ulcers, strictures, or Barrett's esophagus exist. Five different PPIs are approved for the treatment of GERD, including omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). PPIs are best taken an hour before meals. The reason for this timing is that the PPIs work best when the stomach is most actively producing acid, which occurs after meals. If the PPI is taken before the meal, it is at peak levels in the body after the meal when the acid is being made.
Pro-motility drugsPro-motility drugs work by stimulating the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and/or colon. One pro-motility drug, metoclopramide (Reglan), is approved for GERD. Pro-motility drugs increase the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter and strengthen the contractions (peristalsis) of the esophagus. Both effects would be expected to reduce reflux of acid. However, these effects on the sphincter and esophagus are small. Therefore, it is believed that the primary effect of metoclopramide may be to speed up emptying of the stomach, which also would be expected to reduce reflux.
Pro-motility drugs are most effective when taken 30 minutes before meals and again at bedtime. They are not very effective for treating either the symptoms or complications of GERD. Therefore, the pro-motility agents are reserved either for patients who do not respond to other treatments or are added to enhance other treatments for GERD.
Foam barriersFoam barriers provide a unique form of treatment for GERD. Foam barriers are tablets that are composed of an antacid and a foaming agent. As the tablet disintegrates and reaches the stomach, it turns into foam that floats on the top of the liquid contents of the stomach. The foam forms a physical barrier to the reflux of liquid. At the same time, the antacid bound to the foam neutralizes acid that comes in contact with the foam. The tablets are best taken after meals (when the stomach is distended) and when lying down, both times when reflux is more likely to occur. Foam barriers are not often used as the first or only treatment for GERD. Rather, they are added to other drugs for GERD when the other drugs are not adequately effective in relieving symptoms. There is only one foam barrier, which is a combination of aluminum hydroxide gel, magnesium trisilicate, and alginate (Gaviscon).
SurgeryThe drugs described above usually are effective in treating the symptoms and complications of GERD. Nevertheless, sometimes they are not. For example, despite adequate suppression of acid and relief from heartburn, regurgitation, with its potential for complications in the lungs, may still occur. Moreover, the amounts and/or numbers of drugs that are required for satisfactory treatment are sometimes so great that drug treatment is unreasonable. In such situations, surgery can effectively stop reflux.
The surgical procedure that is done to prevent reflux is technically known as fundoplication and is called reflux surgery or anti-reflux surgery. During fundoplication, any hiatal hernial sac is pulled below the diaphragm and stitched there. In addition, the opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes is tightened around the esophagus. Finally, the upper part of the stomach next to the opening of the esophagus into the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophagus to make an artificial lower esophageal sphincter. All of this surgery can be done through an incision in the abdomen (laparotomy) or using a technique called laparoscopy . During laparoscopy, a small viewing device and surgical instruments are passed through several small puncture sites in the abdomen. This procedure avoids the need for a major abdominal incision.
Surgery is very effective at relieving symptoms and treating the complications of GERD. Approximately 80% of patients will have good or excellent relief of their symptoms for at least 5 to 10 years. Nevertheless, many patients who have had surgery--perhaps as many as half--will continue to take drugs for reflux. It is not clear whether they take the drugs because they continue to have reflux and symptoms or if they take them for symptoms that are being caused by problems other than GERD. The most common complication of fundoplication is swallowed food that sticks at the artificial sphincter. Fortunately, the sticking usually is temporary. If it is not transient, endoscopic treatment to stretch (dilate) the artificial sphincter usually will relieve the problem. Only occasionally is it necessary to re-operate to revise the prior surgery.
EndoscopyVery recently, endoscopic techniques for the treatment of GERD have been developed. One type of endoscopic treatment involves suturing (stitching) the area of the lower esophageal sphincter, which essentially tightens the sphincter. A second type involves the application of radio-frequency waves to the lower part of the esophagus just above the sphincter. The waves cause damage to the tissue beneath the esophageal lining and a scar (fibrosis) forms. The scar shrinks and pulling on the surrounding tissue, thereby tightening the sphincter and the area above it.a third type of endoscopic treatment involves the injection of material into the esophageal wall in the area of the LES. This increases the pressure in the LES and prevents reflux.
Endoscopic treatment has the advantage of not requiring surgery. It can be performed without hospitalization. Since these endoscopic techniques are new, however, it is not yet clear how effective they are or for how long they will be effective. More studies with endoscopic treatments are necessary.
Prevention of transient LES relaxation Transient LES relaxations appear to be the most common way in which acid reflux occurs. Although there are available drugs that prevent relaxations, they have too many side effects to be useful. Much attention is being directed at the development of drugs that prevent these relaxations without accompanying side effects.
What is a reasonable approach to the management of GERD?There are several ways to approach the evaluation and management of GERD. The approach depends primarily on the frequency and severity of symptoms, the adequacy of the response to treatment, and the presence of complications.
For infrequent heartburn, the most common symptom of GERD, life-style changes and an occasional antacid may be all that is necessary. If heartburn is frequent, daily non-prescription-strength (over-the-counter) H2 antagonists may be necessary. A foam barrier also can be used with the antacid or H2 antagonist.
If life-style changes and antacids, non-prescription H2 antagonists, and a foam barrier do not adequately relieve heartburn, it is time to see a physician for further evaluation and to consider prescription-strength drugs. The evaluation by the physician should include an assessment for possible complications of GERD based on the presence of such symptoms or findings as cough, asthma, hoarseness, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, unexplained lung infections, or anemia (due to bleeding from esophageal inflammation or ulceration). Clues to the presence of diseases that may mimic GERD, such as gastric or duodenal ulcers and esophageal motility disorders, should be sought.
If there are no symptoms or signs of complications and no suspicion of other diseases, a therapeutic trial of acid suppression with H2 antagonists often is used. If H2 antagonists are not adequately effective, a second trial, this time with the more potent PPIs, can be given. Sometimes, a trial of treatment begins with a PPI and skips the H2 antagonist. If treatment relieves the symptoms completely, no further evaluation may be necessary and the effective drug, the H2 antagonist or PPI, is continued. As discussed above, however, there are potential problems with this commonly used approach and some physicians would recommend a further evaluation for almost all patients they see.
If at the time of evaluation, there are symptoms or signs that suggest complicated GERD or a disease other than GERD, or if the relief of symptoms with H2 antagonists or PPIs is not satisfactory, a further evaluation by endoscopy (EGD) definitely should be done.
There are several possible results of endoscopy and each requires a different approach to treatment. If the esophagus is normal and no other diseases are found, the goal of treatment simply is to relieve symptoms. Therefore, prescription strength H2 antagonists or PPIs are appropriate. If damage to the esophagus (esophagitis or ulceration) is found, the goal of treatment is healing the damage. In this case, PPIs are preferred over H2 antagonists because they are more effective for healing.
If complications of GERD, such as stricture or Barrett's esophagus are found, treatment with PPIs also is more appropriate. However, the adequacy of the PPI treatment probably should be evaluated with a 24-hour ph study during treatment with the PPI. (With PPIs, although the amount of acid reflux may be reduced enough to control symptoms, it may still be abnormally high. Therefore, judging the adequacy of suppression of acid reflux by only the response of symptoms to treatment is not satisfactory.) Strictures may also need to be treated by endoscopic dilatation (widening) of the esophageal narrowing. With Barrett's esophagus, periodic endoscopic examination should be done to identify pre-malignant changes in the esophagus.
If symptoms of GERD do not respond to maximum doses of PPI, there are two options for management. The first is to perform 24-hour ph testing to determine whether the PPI is ineffective or if a disease other than GERD is likely to be present. If the PPI is ineffective, a higher dose of PPI may be tried. The second option is to go ahead without 24 hour ph testing and to increase the dose of PPI. Another alternative is to add another drug to the PPI that works in a way that is different from the PPI, for example, a pro-motility drug or a foam barrier. If necessary, all three types of drugs can be used. If there is not a satisfactory response to this maximal treatment, 24 hour ph testing should be done.
Who should consider surgery or, perhaps, endoscopic treatment for GERD? (As mentioned previously, the effectiveness of the recently developed endoscopic treatments remains to be determined.) Patients should consider surgery if they have regurgitation that cannot be controlled with drugs. This recommendation is particularly important if the regurgitation results in infections in the lungs or occurs at night when aspiration into the lungs is more likely. Patients also should consider surgery if they require large doses of PPI or multiple drugs to control their reflux. Still, it is debated whether or not a desire to be free of the need to take life-long drugs to prevent symptoms of GERD is by itself a satisfactory reason for having surgery.
Some physicians--primarily surgeons--recommend that all patients with Barrett's esophagus should have surgery. This recommendation is based on the belief that surgery is more effective than treatment with drugs in preventing both the reflux and the cancerous changes in the esophagus. There are no studies, however, demonstrating the superiority of surgery over drugs for the treatment of GERD and its complications. Moreover, the effectiveness of drug treatment can be monitored with 24 hour ph testing.
What are the unresolved issues in GERD? Mechanism of heartburn and damageOne unresolved issue in GERD is the inconsistent relationships among acid reflux, heartburn, and damage to the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis and the complications). Why do only a few of the many episodes of acid reflux that occur in a patient with GERD cause heartburn? Why do some patients with mildly increased acid reflux develop heartburn, while other patients with the same amount of acid reflux do not? Why does heartburn usually occur in an esophagus that is not damaged? Why is it that some patients with more damage to the esophagus have less heartburn than patients with no damage? Clearly, we have much to learn about the relationship between acid reflux and esophageal damage, and about the processes (mechanisms) responsible for heartburn. This issue is of more than passing interest. Knowledge of the mechanisms that produce heartburn and esophageal damage raises the possibility of new treatments that would target processes other than acid reflux.
One of the more interesting theories that has been proposed to explain some of these questions involves the reason for pain when acid refluxes. It often is assumed that the pain is caused by irritating acid contacting an inflamed esophageal lining. But the esophageal lining usually is not inflamed. It is possible therefore, that the acid is stimulating the pain nerves within the esophageal wall just beneath the lining. Although this may be the case, a second explanation is supported by the work of one group of scientists. These scientists find that heartburn provoked by acid in the esophagus is associated with contraction of the muscle in the lower esophagus. Perhaps it is the contraction of the muscle that somehow leads to the pain. It also is possible, however, that the contraction is an epiphenomenon, that is, refluxed acid stimulates pain nerves and causes the muscle to contract, but it is not the contraction that causes the pain. More studies will be necessary before the exact mechanism(s) that causes heartburn is clear.
Management of Barrett's esophagusOnly 10% of patients with GERD have Barrett's esophagus. Some physicians have suggested that all patients with GERD should be screened with endoscopy for the presence of Barrett's. Then, if they have Barrett's, they can undergo regular endoscopic surveillance for the development of cancer. For most physicians, however, screening all patients with GERD seems unreasonable since it would require a tremendous increase in the cost of care for patients with GERD. One study suggested that cancer of the esophagus develops more often in patients who have had heartburn more frequently and/or for a longer period of time. Accordingly, perhaps screening for Barrett's esophagus is realistic only for those GERD patients with frequent and long-standing heartburn. However, studies have yet to demonstrate the value of this approach.
Periodic surveillance for cancer is recommended in patients with Barrett's esophagus. Yet, there also may be a role for other treatments. For example, since reflux is believed to be the cause of Barrett's esophagus, it is possible that early and aggressive treatment of GERD (elimination of virtually all reflux) will prevent the progression of Barrett's esophagus to cancer. Additionally, newer experimental techniques that destroy the Barrett's cells (e.g., laser or electrocautery) also may prevent the progression to cancer. Studies are needed in Barrett's to evaluate both the aggressive therapy of GERD and the destructive therapy of Barrett's for the prevention of esophageal cancer.
Although Barrett's esophagus clearly is a pre-cancerous condition, only a minority of patients with Barrett's esophagus will develop cancer. Moreover, periodic endoscopic surveillance for cancer is expensive and each endoscopy puts a patient at a slight risk for complications of endoscopy. Thus, investigators are seeking better ways of determining which patients with Barrett's are more likely to develop cancer and need more frequent endoscopic surveillance and which patients need infrequent surveillance or, perhaps, no surveillance. Accordingly, they are evaluating newer techniques (for example, analysis of the cells' DNA) to examine in more detail the altered cells in the esophagus of patients with Barrett's. In this way, the investigators are trying to identify cellular changes that can predict the later development of cancer.
The standard treatment for early cancers in Barrett's esophagus is surgical removal of a portion of the esophagus (esophagectomy). This is major surgery. However, several experimental procedures that do not require surgery are being evaluated for treating early cancers. For example, photodynamic therapy is a procedure in which the cancers are destroyed with light after they have been sensitized to the light by the intravenous injection of light-sensitizing chemicals.
Importance of non-acidic refluxAcid reflux clearly is injurious to the esophagus. What about non-acid reflux? As previously discussed, there are potentially injurious agents that can be refluxed other than acid, for example, bile. Esophageal acid testing accurately identifies acid reflux and has been extremely useful in studying the injurious effects of acid. Until recently, however, it has been impossible or difficult to accurately identify non-acid reflux and, therefore, to study whether or not non-acid reflux is injurious or can cause symptoms. A new technology allows the accurate determination of non-acid reflux. This technology uses the measurement of impedence changes within the esophagus to identify reflux of liquid, be it acid or non-acid. By combining measurement of impedence and ph it is possible to identify reflux and to tell if the reflux is acid or non-acid. It is too early to know how important non-acid reflux is in causing esophageal damage, symptoms, or complications, but there is little doubt that this new technology will be able to resolve the issues surrounding non-acid reflux.
GERD At A Glance
GERD is a condition in which the acidified liquid contents of the stomach backs up into the esophagus.
The causes of GERD include an abnormal lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, abnormal esophageal contractions, and slow emptying of the stomach.
GERD may damage the lining of the esophagus, thereby causing inflammation (esophagitis), although usually it does not.
The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea.
Complications of GERD include ulcers and strictures of the esophagus, Barrett's esophagus, cough and asthma, throat and laryngeal inflammation, inflammation and infection of the lungs, and collection of fluid in the sinuses and middle ear.
Barrett's esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition that requires periodic endoscopic surveillance for the development of cancer.
GERD may be diagnosed or evaluated by a trial of treatment, endoscopy, biopsy, x-ray, examination of the throat and larynx, 24 hour esophageal acid testing, esophageal motility testing, emptying studies of the stomach, and esophageal acid perfusion.
GERD is treated with life-style changes, antacids, histamine antagonists (H2 blockers), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), pro-motility drugs, foam barriers, surgery, and endoscopy.

This blog focuses on wholistic health but there is an interesting new procedure that deals with acid reflux. It is called stretta. It is worth checking out, though changes in eating habits, etc. are a better way to deal with acid reflux: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/News/784430/detail.html

http://forums.heartburn-help.com/showthread.php?t=5095

http://www.heartburn-help.com/MessageBoard52/_disc33/00000119.htm

http://www.curonmedical.com/index.php

http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s-6-77-305-3210-1,00.html

http://www.gastro-doc.com/stretta/Heartburn_Stretta.htm

http://heartburn.about.com/cs/articles/a/stretta.htm

Here are some more links and info on another treatment which is the use of xanax. So I did some research on wholistic ways to do what xanax does.
http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/acid-reflux/forums

http://www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/Anxiety/anx_homeopathy.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=54492

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=54492

http://forums.heartburn-help.com/archive/index.php/f-20.html

http://www.publix.com/wellness/notes/Display.do?id=Homeo&childId=Anxiety_hm

http://forums.heartburn-help.com/showthread.php?t=602
Source: almost42.blogspot.com

Digestive Health
Alginic acid
Aloe Vera juice
Apple Cider Vinegar
Asafoetida
Bladder wrack
Chinese skullcap
Cinnamon
Ginger
Licorice-DGL
Marshmallow root
Papaya
Slippery elm
Tumeric

Psyllium-digestive health rich in fiber and mucilage
eases constipation, mild enough to be used regularly
Psyllium seed husks helps scrape colon clean
Doses: 1 teaspoon 3x per day in water or juice.
Capsules, 1-3 per day. Wafers usually 1 per day.

Help with sphincter action:
phosphatidycholine and lecithin:
Lecithin consist of Choline, Inositol, Linoleic Acid, and has been used as a fat emulsifier in preventing arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, brain function, proper nerve function, and maintains proper electrical energy and nutrients transfer across the cell membranes.
Fearn Lecithin Granules are high in Phosphatidylcholine and Phosphatidylinositol, giving us the whole complex of Phosphatides. They are also an excellent source of essential fatty acids, including linoleic acid.

To lower risk of colon cancer
Folic acid and B6 supplements
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Calcium supplements
Green food supplements
Garlic

Ease stomach gas
papaya supplement
chew a hingoli tablet after a meal
Carbo veg 30C
yogurt mixed with powdered tumeric
Source: almost42.blogspot.com

NEFCA 17th Annual Footcare Conference

“Step into the Future” Conference Registration Form

April 11 & 12, 2008

Days Inn Kingston Hotel & Convention Centre

33 Benson St., Kingston, ON K7K 5W2

Phone (613) 546-3661 Fax (613) 544-4126

Friday Registration @ 4:00 pm – Saturday Registration @ 7:30 am

Dates Member Non-Members

March 3, 2008

$175.00

$200.00

Cheques must be postmarked by the above dates.

Send Conference Fee to:

NEFCA

C/O Ann Moore

237 Pineland Court

Waterloo, Ontario

N2J 2S3

Member □ Non-Member □

Name:

Business Name:

Street Address:

City/Town:

Postal Code:

Phone:

Refund Policy

Full refunds, less $50.00 processing fee will be given for cancellations received in writing

10 days prior to the conference / program date.

Refunds will not be issued for non-attendance.

NSF cheques – There will be a $35.00 charge.

NEFCA 17th Annual Footcare Conference

“Step into the future”

Friday, April 11th, 2008

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Registration / Shopping / Networking

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Welcome from the President / AGM

6:30 – 7:30p.m.

Dinner

7:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.

Networking with Jack McAlpine, Walkwel Shoes

8:30p.m.

Break / shopping / networking

Saturday April 12nd, 2008

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Registration / Breakfast / shopping / networking

8:30 - 8:40 a.m.

Welcome from the President

8:40 - 9:00 a.m.

Exhibitor Introductions /Announcements

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Nail Pathology, Graham Curryer, Chiropodist

10:30– 11:00 a.m.

Break / shopping / networking

11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.

Compression Therapy, Sigvaris

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch / shopping / networking

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Disinfection, Sterilization Ministry of Health, Clare Berry

2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Break / shopping /networking

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Infection control putting into practice, Jeanne Boniface

4:30p.m.

Closing and thanks from President

Source: alwaysfootcare.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://loan-consolidation-gov32297.blogspot.com

Business call

2009-09-10T11:55:00.011-07:00

Business call
I often use English at work. However I am not really educated in business English.
I can communicate with people in English however I do not have confidence in Business English.

Japanese and Business Japanese are so different and almost like a different language.

Today, I made a business telephone call in English. The content is not really complicated and really easy. I also prepare what I talk.

When I want to enclose our conversation, I say “thank you” and I expect him to say “Good bye”.
However he was so kind and waited what I was going to ask next.
So I say “thank you” again.
I asked my native friend, what can be a good remark of “good-bye”. He said that “Thank you for your time. ” is good to say in this situation.
I think even in Japanese we say that way too.

I am so scared of being rude. Obviously I do not try to rude, however people pick up something small and got angry especially in Japanese business environment.
I remember my first day of company, I say “Good morning ” to people.
People got angry with it. I asked the reason. They say that my behaviour is so careless to people.
Since people might have worked over night and if someone say “good morning”, that sound hit their head. So I am supposed to just bow.
I asked them “Did you work over night? ” . They said that “No, we did not this time. BTW your question sound so offensive. Why can you just say yes, sir? ”

I am afraid that I have some special talent to sound offensive although I do not mean anything at all.
I think as far as I try to be polite and nice, people do not need to get angry.
I want to work more western company so that I do not need to care something small.
I do not say, in western environment, I am allowed to make a mistakes.
I just believe they do not care something not important.
To work in western environment is one of my dream.

I think my conversation at my company is quite interesting.
I should keep and broadcast. They are funny as well.
Source: alohatomokojp.blogspot.com

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF!
The holidays are fast approaching, you may already be feeling the effects of all the planning and partying. If you want to stay balanced, relaxed and calm, it's necessary every so often to step back and decompress.
Treat yourself to a massage, meditate,
watch a movie, one that relaxes you and inspires you. Remember “things” will get
done – if they don’t it doesn’t matter!

Do you find that the demands on your time are overwhelming, don't be afraid to politely say "no" when someone asks you to do something. Learn your limits. You can't do it all and you shouldn't feel guilty about it. Be a little selfish once in a while by scheduling "me time" - it will help keep you in touch with yourself during the season ahead.

Watch your diet. Cut back as much as you can on “sweets”-- they stress the body. Over indulgence, whether it’s food or drink (the alcoholic kind) will make you tired. Drink lots of water --good water as alkaline as possible.
Get a little exercise –a nice walk will do. Embracing the Holiday Spirit is being who
you are with joy and grace.
Source: alternatehealthtips.blogspot.com

I send a Christmas present to my niece.
She is just one year old. I purchased a pink nit hat near my place.
My sister sent me picture of her with that hat but no message inside the envelope.
Source: alohatomokojp.blogspot.com

About The Author

I am author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both

profitable markets and products visit:
http://pay-off-student-loans54977.blogspot.com