The brass valve in a propane cylinder will be damaged if it comes in contact with anhydrous ammonia. This deterioration will lead to cracking of the valve body or its components and can ultimately result in a violent, unexpected expulsion of the valve fro
There are many, including doctors, who have questioned whether fibromyalgia is a valid illness, but don't tell that to the few million who suffer from otherwise inexplicable pain. To them, the introduction of a drug, pregabalin [Lyrica], that treats the symptoms of fibromyalgia represented both validation and hope for some help. Lyrica was first approved as an anti seizure medication and then used off label for fibromyalgia... in 2007 it became the first FDA approved drug for treatment of this condition. However, the side effects of Lyrica can be so severe that even people who are suffering should give long and careful thought before they take it. Possible side effects include muscle weakness, dizziness, sleep disorders, blurred vision, loss of balance or coordination, easy bruising and bleeding. Weight gain is yet another potential side effect, which is problematic since excess weight is common among people with fibromyalgia. GOOD NEWS FOR FIBROMYALGIA SUFFERERS The good news is that since fibromyalgia symptoms are similar to arthritis, there are many natural and less risky treatment options that can ease the pain and reduce symptoms. Regular Daily Health News contributor, naturopathic physician Mark Stengler, ND, says that he has found that natural therapies work so well and with so few side effects that there's every reason to turn to these first. He points out that Lyrica may not be effective for everyone, in one clinical trial Lyrica effectively helped reduce pain in only one in four patients, making the gamble on the merits of taking the drug even more precarious. Dr. Stengler says that the fascinating thing about fibromyalgia is that there is no single root cause. Rather, it can result from any of a number of very different causes or catalysts, including injury such as whiplash, food allergies, hormone imbalances [low thyroid, for example], digestive problems, metal toxicity, neurotransmitter imbalances and more. What's common to all of these conditions, he says, is that they leave the cells unable to produce sufficient energy, causing pain signals to be released indiscriminately. Most fibromyalgia patients Dr. Stengler sees complain about insomnia, fatigue, muscle pain, tender points [spots tender to the touch], depression and digestive problems. Patients are more often women then men, typically between the ages of 40 and 60, which indicates that hormones may have something to do with the problem. Indeed, Dr. Stengler says he often starts the testing process by evaluating hormone balances, including cortisol and DHEA, as well as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones. For patients who have a history of eating fish that may contain mercury [this includes deep water fish such as tuna, swordfish and shark] or who have several mercury fillings, he tests for metal toxicity since this can cause an increase in perceived pain. He may also measure how well digestion and nutrient absorption are functioning, since these factors too can amplify symptoms. Other possible tests Dr. Stengler may order are to investigate levels of neurotransmitters [through urine testing] and vitamin D serum levels, which can affect pain receptors. These tests all provide valuable information on how to treat a particular individual's symptoms. NATURAL TREATMENTS WORK BETTER AND FASTER Once he has determined that a patient has fibromyalgia, Dr. Stengler prescribes a number of substances aimed at keeping the disease from getting worse, and hopefully even reversing it. They are: Calcium and magnesium, to relax tight muscles and calm nerves Vitamin D, which reduces inflammation 5 HTP and SAMe increase serotonin, leading to reduction in pain signals MSM as a natural anti inflammatory Sugar D ribose to improve energy production within cells Neprinol, which was specifically formulated to stop and reverse fibromyalgia and may be effective for some. Dr. Stengler also gives patients specific homeopathic substances to reduce muscle pain, including Rhus Tox [for stiffness and muscle ache that gets worse in cold weather], Cimicifuga racemosa [for muscle pain that feels like bruising, especially helpful when fibromyalgia affects the neck to mid back] and Bryonia alba [for muscle and joint pain that is worse with motion]. Patients are also tested for food sensitivities and instructed to avoid foods that can aggravate symptoms. All patients with fibromyalgia are prescribed an anti inflammatory diet with lots of cold water fish [ones that don't contain significant mercury, including salmon and sardines] along with loads of vegetables, and moderate amounts of fruit, nuts and lean red meat. Dr. Stengler has patients add anti inflammatory spices, turmeric, garlic, onions and ginger, for example, to their diet as well, and for those with poor digestion he prescribes digestive enzymes. For pain and stress management he occasionally recommends chiropractic and/or acupuncture treatments, and he advises patients to develop good stress control habits... deep breathing, exercise, and, when appropriate to the patient, prayer. Many patients tell him they notice improvement within two to four weeks, says Dr. Stengler. Nearly all find that within eight to 10 weeks they have obvious or significant improvement in their fibromyalgia, with the pain receding considerably or sometimes even completely. Patients go on to lead normal lives, some continuing to stay on the supplement regimen, while others are able to reduce it quite a lot. Fibromyalgia responds so well to natural treatment that Dr. Stengler believes it's the best first line approach for everyone who suspects they may have it. Even for those who opt to take drugs, it's a good idea to ask your doctor if you can take natural substances to complement your treatment. Seek a doctor [such as a naturopathic doctor] who treats holistically, to monitor and serve as a guide on your journey back to a pain free life. Source[s]: Mark A. Stengler, ND, a naturopathic physician and leading authority on the practice of alternative and integrated medicine. He is director of the La Jolla Whole Health Clinic, La Jolla, California, and associate clinical professor at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, Oregon.
Laughter is one of the best medicines, so laugh a little.
God & Satan In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives. Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled. And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14. So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast. God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food." God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds. Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds. God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest. God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery. Then Satan created HMOs.
Sign the Petition - "John Hagee continues to blame the people of New Orleans for the catastrophe of Katrina. Senator McCain: If you reject intolerance and bigotry, stop seeking the political support of John Hagee and other hate-mongers."
Hope is what I like to call, knowing there is a light out of the dark. Hope is what we hold in our heart when we want to believe our sorrows will end eventually. Hoping is waiting for a better perspective. Hope is never giving up.
I was feeling down today and I kept seeing all these messages about hope. I have no doubt it was God telling me not to give up, he's always with me. Whatever you believe I pass this message of hope on to you. You can do whatever you need to do and when you come through the other side you will be stronger for it. Don't give up. I'm rooting for you
We want to keep you abreast of recent media attention given to topics that are related to pain care or living with pain. The Pain Monitor contains links to news articles, feature stories and timely information that have come to our attention.
This issue has a lot on chronic pain. Worth a read if you need help in that area
By nature, rabbits are delicate creatures who easily upset and startled. Despite their cuddly appearance, they don’t like being held or squeezed and usually respond to enthusiastic affection by biting or scratching.
Easter is all about renewal so you shouldn’t be popping chemicals along with those bon-bons. Buying fair trade, organic chocolates spreads the love around.
Animals (tags: ) Rabbit - 54 seconds ago - bestfriends.org
This Easter, when you sponsor a bunny from Best Friends, part of your donation will go to rebuild The Best Friends Bunny House. More than 130 “buns” call The Bunny House their home, and your gift will help keep them safe and warm for years to come. There
For the World March for
Peace and Nonviolence,
the largest human peace
sign in the world was
performed in Lucena,
Philippines, by 12,000
students of the QUEZON
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL on
October 7th, 2009.
Video:http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=TOhRQa...
In a matter of hours, the
House of Representatives
will vote on the issue of
abortion in the new
health system.
Congress is set to vote
on abortion in the new
health system TODAY.
We can’t let the
anti-choice movement win,
because wom...
Pentagon resumes
experimentalvaccine
testing on US troops
video:http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=jSL6cd6aOs8&a
mp;feature=player_embedde
d
Also featured on
Brasscheck
http://www.brasschecktv.c
om/page/16.html
Please note
associated Care2 news
story
at; http://www.care2
.com/news/member/97985269
5/1293642
Thanks :)
By Dr. Russell Blaylock
MD
"I have been following
the evolving
“pandemic” of
H1N1 influenza beginning
w...
"A recent study by the
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
(CDC) found that of the
36 children who died from
H1N1 from April to
August, six had no
chronic health
conditions. But all of
them had a co-occurring
bacterial
infection.".....
...
Thank you Bill and
Melinda Gates for your
dedication for and of
resources to make this
profound difference.
I know and believe there
is a need to expand the
focus beyond just the
medical community. The
health and wellness
community that has the
lab...
U.S. Official Resigns in
Protest of Afghanistan
War Policy
World (tags:&n
bsp;conflict, govern
ment, politics, 
;war ) Se
rge - 5 minutes ago
-
politicsdaily.com "I
have lost understanding
of and confide...
Video:http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=5nO47FwR3RE
You have the right to
CHOOSE a lower cost
public healthcare
option... Contact your
rep and tell them to give
you a CHOICE.
Otherwise, Big Pharma and
profits unlimited wins,
and we lose.&nbs...
video:http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=MGVHUMhWdpE&a
mp;feature=player_embedde
d
Ellsberg: As President
Obama decides what to do
in Afghanistan he must
learn the lessons of
Vietnam
October 23, 2009
Media Matters: Fox News
isn't news -- this is
news?
It is perhaps not
unsurprising but still
disappointing that
several in the mainstream
media rallied around Fox
News this week following
the White House's
well-warranted
castigatio...