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January, 2011

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January 29, 2011 5:38 am

EFFECT OF VARIOUS RISK FACTORS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE – RISK FACTORS THAT HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON OUR HEALTH AND LIFE SPAN

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by admin    in Cardio & Blood-Cholesterol
Risk factors interact with each other in important ways. If you have two risk factors (for example, if you have high cholesterol and smoke), the odds of getting coronary artery disease are much higher than if you had either one alone. Indeed, the total risk of multiply factors may be greater than merely adding the risks of each factor together: the effect is actually magnified. As important as risk factors are in understanding how you can have control over your health, it is important to understand what “risk” means. Risk refers to “odds” or “chances,” not 1 inevitability or guarantees. Although risk factors affect the odds of coronary artery disease developing, having one or many risk factors does not guarantee that coronary artery disease will develop, just as the absence of risk factors does not guarantee that you will avoid it.
If you drive your car 10,000 miles a year, you are more likely to have a car accident than someone who drives only 500 miles a year. However, the high-mileage driver might never have an accident, and the low-mileage driver might get hit by a truck as he or she leaves the driveway. Similarly, occasionally someone who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day for his or her whole life lives to a ripe old age, yet a vigorous exerciser who eats right, stays in shape, does not smoke, and seems to be doing everything right may nevertheless die early. These observations probably mean that there are risk factors that have not yet been recognized but that have an influence on our health and life span.
*221\252\8*

EFFECT OF VARIOUS RISK FACTORS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE – RISK FACTORS THAT HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON OUR HEALTH AND LIFE SPANRisk factors interact with each other in important ways. If you have two risk factors (for example, if you have high cholesterol and smoke), the odds of getting coronary artery disease are much higher than if you had either one alone. Indeed, the total risk of multiply factors may be greater than merely adding the risks of each factor together: the effect is actually magnified. As important as risk factors are in understanding how you can have control over your health, it is important to understand what “risk” means. Risk refers to “odds” or “chances,” not 1 inevitability or guarantees. Although risk factors affect the odds of coronary artery disease developing, having one or many risk factors does not guarantee that coronary artery disease will develop, just as the absence of risk factors does not guarantee that you will avoid it.If you drive your car 10,000 miles a year, you are more likely to have a car accident than someone who drives only 500 miles a year. However, the high-mileage driver might never have an accident, and the low-mileage driver might get hit by a truck as he or she leaves the driveway. Similarly, occasionally someone who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day for his or her whole life lives to a ripe old age, yet a vigorous exerciser who eats right, stays in shape, does not smoke, and seems to be doing everything right may nevertheless die early. These observations probably mean that there are risk factors that have not yet been recognized but that have an influence on our health and life span.*221\252\8*

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January 19, 2011 5:32 am

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: ASPIRIN AND NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS

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by admin    in Arthritis
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. These medications are classified as anti-inflammatory because they reduce pain and swelling within the joints quickly. They are classified as non-steroidal because they are not included in the corticosteroid (cortisone) family of medications which are also anti-inflammatory.
Aspirin and NSAIDs (pronounced ENSEDS) are used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory and painful conditions. With few exceptions, these medications work by arresting the production of the inflammatory substances known as prostaglandins. Aspirin and NSAIDs can reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints by limiting the production of these chemicals.
These medications usually produce results within one to three weeks of first use, and therefore they are termed fast-acting or rapid-acting anti-arthritic drugs. They are generally the first line of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite their effectiveness in controlling symptoms, these drugs do not appear to alter the course of RA. In other words, they do not induce a remission of RA. Given this fact, your doctor may prescribe one or more second-line drugs along with anti-inflammatory medication, in an effort to induce a remission.
Several types and brands of anti-inflammatory drugs are now available, and many more are currently being tested. Finding the medication that will benefit you the most may take some time and experimentation. One may give you little relief, whereas another might be extremely effective. One may produce unpleasant side effects (such as indigestion), whereas another does not. Sometimes only by trying several medications, one at a time, you can determine which anti-inflammatory medication will help you the most.
Different anti-inflammatory medications vary widely in cost as well as in effectiveness. Another difference in cost is found between two forms of the same drug: these two forms are the generic, or non-brand name drug, and the brand name drug. The generic version will be the less expensive. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients found in brand name drugs, but the inactive ingredients may differ. Although these drugs may be as effective as the brand name counterpart, the quality in the production of brand name drugs has traditionally been more closely controlled, and therefore brand name drugs tend to be more consistent in their effectiveness. There is no evidence that generic arthritis drugs have more side effects than brand name medications, however, and if the expense of medications is a critical factor for you, you might want to consult your physician or pharmacist regarding the advisability of selecting a generic version or a less expensive medication.
*88/209/5*

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: ASPIRIN AND NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGSNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. These medications are classified as anti-inflammatory because they reduce pain and swelling within the joints quickly. They are classified as non-steroidal because they are not included in the corticosteroid (cortisone) family of medications which are also anti-inflammatory.Aspirin and NSAIDs (pronounced ENSEDS) are used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory and painful conditions. With few exceptions, these medications work by arresting the production of the inflammatory substances known as prostaglandins. Aspirin and NSAIDs can reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints by limiting the production of these chemicals.These medications usually produce results within one to three weeks of first use, and therefore they are termed fast-acting or rapid-acting anti-arthritic drugs. They are generally the first line of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite their effectiveness in controlling symptoms, these drugs do not appear to alter the course of RA. In other words, they do not induce a remission of RA. Given this fact, your doctor may prescribe one or more second-line drugs along with anti-inflammatory medication, in an effort to induce a remission. Several types and brands of anti-inflammatory drugs are now available, and many more are currently being tested. Finding the medication that will benefit you the most may take some time and experimentation. One may give you little relief, whereas another might be extremely effective. One may produce unpleasant side effects (such as indigestion), whereas another does not. Sometimes only by trying several medications, one at a time, you can determine which anti-inflammatory medication will help you the most.Different anti-inflammatory medications vary widely in cost as well as in effectiveness. Another difference in cost is found between two forms of the same drug: these two forms are the generic, or non-brand name drug, and the brand name drug. The generic version will be the less expensive. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients found in brand name drugs, but the inactive ingredients may differ. Although these drugs may be as effective as the brand name counterpart, the quality in the production of brand name drugs has traditionally been more closely controlled, and therefore brand name drugs tend to be more consistent in their effectiveness. There is no evidence that generic arthritis drugs have more side effects than brand name medications, however, and if the expense of medications is a critical factor for you, you might want to consult your physician or pharmacist regarding the advisability of selecting a generic version or a less expensive medication.*88/209/5*

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January 5, 2011 5:26 am

ALCOHOL: PROCESS STRUCTURE

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by admin    in Anti-Psychotics
Herr G. has a metacommunicator. Despite his drunken state, he takes great pride in discussing his states and making judgements upon himself. Hence we could, if we wanted to, even ask him to change states. What are his states? Herr G.’s primary process is to act drunk and be the fool, a weakling who does not have the courage to admit it. He lacks courage. He is very good at making people feel well around him by smiling at us, but in fact he does not stand for what he thinks. He did not like Ron’s questions, but did not tell him to stop. Instead, he ignored the question about his mother and changed the subject.
His secondary process is having the courage to criticize himself and others. He said to Ron, ‘You . . . ask . . . stupid questions.’ He says it with a laugh, however, and does not identify with this ‘courageous’ part of himself.
This is the information about the process structure available to us one minute and twenty seconds after the interview begins. We can now begin to work with it. An interesting idea would be to bring up the secondary process of courage and make it available to him. But before working with someone, it is important to establish a feeling of relationship with them. This means relating to their primary process. In the case of Herr G., a relationship, means, to begin with at least, not only feeling my way into his life situation, but also, by means of noting his signals and pacing the tempo of his talk, relating to him as one drunk to another.
Amy (laughing, speaking slowly and gesturing in Herr G.’s tempo): Oh, you know … I am a fool too, yeah.. .
Joe (picking up the atmosphere): Me too, I have failed many times.
Herr G.:  Really, you too?
Another social worker joins in and says:
Social worker:  I have failed too, twenty-six times.
Herr G.:   If I am honest . . . then … I have to admit . . .
that I have failed . . . only once. Amy:  Not me, I fail once every five minutes. Herr G.:  You guys are a gift to me.
Everyone laughs and the atmosphere becomes very warm and friendly. I want to stress, however, that while we have been successful in feeling our way into Herr G.’s process, there is a danger that by pacing and mirroring the client, we enter into the same state. Hence, we could begin to relax in the warm atmosphere and lose our relativity. The alcoholic state here is one of warmth and brotherly love. It is so powerful that it can put a whole room in a similar state. In this way, the alcoholic is alcohol: he is like a drink for us, and if we want to work with him we have to be careful not to drink too much.
Ron aims at bringing up the content which was previously missing in the conversation, assuming that Herr G. was avoiding the problematical topic of his wife’s death.
Ron:  What have you failed at exactly?
Herr G.: Now pick this up with your camera. Pick this up Amy. I need the courage to say that in life, to say … to say . . . [pointing to Ron] to s*ay . . . that I have failed once in my life. Ron, we have fought with one another. . . . We … if I have to be honest. . . [crying] … we talked . . . Ron . . . what is life? What is life? [Pointing again at Ron, now vehemently.] What is life? (Now to me.) Amy what is life? / /
Amy:   Herr G., what is life?
Herr G.:  Life is shitty. . . . Did someone say I was sad …, . I am . . . sad . . . [now slowly, quietly] . . . about the, death of my wife.
He cries, looks down, and covers his eyes. Then suddenly another social worker comes in the room and he raises his head, smiles and greets her.
Herr G.:  Hello, how are you?
*115\227\8*

ALCOHOL: PROCESS STRUCTUREHerr G. has a metacommunicator. Despite his drunken state, he takes great pride in discussing his states and making judgements upon himself. Hence we could, if we wanted to, even ask him to change states. What are his states? Herr G.’s primary process is to act drunk and be the fool, a weakling who does not have the courage to admit it. He lacks courage. He is very good at making people feel well around him by smiling at us, but in fact he does not stand for what he thinks. He did not like Ron’s questions, but did not tell him to stop. Instead, he ignored the question about his mother and changed the subject.His secondary process is having the courage to criticize himself and others. He said to Ron, ‘You . . . ask . . . stupid questions.’ He says it with a laugh, however, and does not identify with this ‘courageous’ part of himself.This is the information about the process structure available to us one minute and twenty seconds after the interview begins. We can now begin to work with it. An interesting idea would be to bring up the secondary process of courage and make it available to him. But before working with someone, it is important to establish a feeling of relationship with them. This means relating to their primary process. In the case of Herr G., a relationship, means, to begin with at least, not only feeling my way into his life situation, but also, by means of noting his signals and pacing the tempo of his talk, relating to him as one drunk to another.Amy (laughing, speaking slowly and gesturing in Herr G.’s tempo): Oh, you know … I am a fool too, yeah.. . Joe (picking up the atmosphere): Me too, I have failed many times.Herr G.:  Really, you too?Another social worker joins in and says:Social worker:  I have failed too, twenty-six times.Herr G.:   If I am honest . . . then … I have to admit . . .that I have failed . . . only once. Amy:  Not me, I fail once every five minutes. Herr G.:  You guys are a gift to me.Everyone laughs and the atmosphere becomes very warm and friendly. I want to stress, however, that while we have been successful in feeling our way into Herr G.’s process, there is a danger that by pacing and mirroring the client, we enter into the same state. Hence, we could begin to relax in the warm atmosphere and lose our relativity. The alcoholic state here is one of warmth and brotherly love. It is so powerful that it can put a whole room in a similar state. In this way, the alcoholic is alcohol: he is like a drink for us, and if we want to work with him we have to be careful not to drink too much.Ron aims at bringing up the content which was previously missing in the conversation, assuming that Herr G. was avoiding the problematical topic of his wife’s death.Ron:  What have you failed at exactly?Herr G.: Now pick this up with your camera. Pick this up Amy. I need the courage to say that in life, to say … to say . . . [pointing to Ron] to s*ay . . . that I have failed once in my life. Ron, we have fought with one another. . . . We … if I have to be honest. . . [crying] … we talked . . . Ron . . . what is life? What is life? [Pointing again at Ron, now vehemently.] What is life? (Now to me.) Amy what is life? / /Amy:   Herr G., what is life?Herr G.:  Life is shitty. . . . Did someone say I was sad …, . I am . . . sad . . . [now slowly, quietly] . . . about the, death of my wife.He cries, looks down, and covers his eyes. Then suddenly another social worker comes in the room and he raises his head, smiles and greets her.Herr G.:  Hello, how are you?*115\227\8*

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