Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
TB SCARE
This was another episode of JULY PHOBIA that I was experiencing just recently...
It all started with my dear father-in-law who had difficulty with his urine. Having lived a ripe old age of over 80s he was considered quite a healthy man without much fuss. He enjoyed sitting at his favorite rocking chair....not doing anything..not even watching television which was at one time his only daily entertainment. Now it turned out to be the other way round..the television 'watching' him instead! Somehow, he was admirably having great patience and buttock strong enough to be able to sit the whole day with only occasionally visit to the kitchen for his drinks. Over the days,it had became a 'sitting' habit or perhaps there were no better things for him to do??
It was not surprising that he would have complications with his urine/stools with his kind of sedentary lifestyle. So came the hassle..unable to urine. This brought about visits to and from of the hospital for diagnosis. He was put on drips and needed to carry a urinal bag which was supposed to be emptied manually. It was a real hassle not only for him but for all of us too. The worrying fear of the consequences of him tripping over his urinal tubes and the urine dangling bag.
We were all prepared for the worst..the big 'C' i.e. CANCER. Doctor recommended he go for an operation because of his prostrate enlargement. Quite a simple procedure which requires anesthetics. The operation was a success and finally one hassle down but came another problem... Somehow, the series of tests and x-rays did not pin point to the suspected disease.suspected TB (tuberculosis).
Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis) is a common and deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, Tuberculosis most commonly attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, bones, joints and even the skin.
It can infect healthy adults. So the doctor called to inform the need to go for further confirmation and prescribed some TB medicines for him. It was indeed a real pity having given so many pills to swallow in a day ..big, small, capsule, rounded, oblong, all kinds of shapes of medicines..all in 13!!
just at one go..
We had been very careful to prevent any contact with the spreading of the TB germs. I separated and marked his daily household utensils solely for him. Nevertheless, he seemed to use everybody else's' except the one marked for him!! It had been a pain in the neck trying to instill the need for him to use his own cups. Then after 1 month, another x-ray showed improvement to his lungs..meaning he was responding to the prescribed medicine TB medicines!! Then came the TB SCARE...whether anyone in the family had contacted the germs. So everyone of us needed to be x-rayed, injected, and
diagnosed/tested.
We felt humorous...just trying to get some sample of our phrem for the tests when most of us were not experiencing any coughing. So my sons playfully applied the tactics of strangling at the neck to induce coughing!! Funny..but we managed finally after a few tries. Everyone of us were back to the doctor for an injection. We were told that if the area around the injection spot swelled or became red then it was not a good sign...we were supposed to go back for the doctor after 2 days..
On the alert!! there's how most of us are experiencing...watchful over the injected spot every now and then. I noticed that there is a slight redness..Oh my god, is it that I am infected with the disease too? I was even more more paranoid when there was a recent report in the daily papers about how a young girl travelling in a plane died of TB and the need to get all others travelling in the same plane for a dignotic tests!!
What a relief!! The doctor clarified that the redness must be accompanied with a bump!! So we are safe!! Thank GOD!!
It all started with my dear father-in-law who had difficulty with his urine. Having lived a ripe old age of over 80s he was considered quite a healthy man without much fuss. He enjoyed sitting at his favorite rocking chair....not doing anything..not even watching television which was at one time his only daily entertainment. Now it turned out to be the other way round..the television 'watching' him instead! Somehow, he was admirably having great patience and buttock strong enough to be able to sit the whole day with only occasionally visit to the kitchen for his drinks. Over the days,it had became a 'sitting' habit or perhaps there were no better things for him to do??
It was not surprising that he would have complications with his urine/stools with his kind of sedentary lifestyle. So came the hassle..unable to urine. This brought about visits to and from of the hospital for diagnosis. He was put on drips and needed to carry a urinal bag which was supposed to be emptied manually. It was a real hassle not only for him but for all of us too. The worrying fear of the consequences of him tripping over his urinal tubes and the urine dangling bag.
We were all prepared for the worst..the big 'C' i.e. CANCER. Doctor recommended he go for an operation because of his prostrate enlargement. Quite a simple procedure which requires anesthetics. The operation was a success and finally one hassle down but came another problem... Somehow, the series of tests and x-rays did not pin point to the suspected disease.suspected TB (tuberculosis).
Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis) is a common and deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, Tuberculosis most commonly attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, bones, joints and even the skin.
It can infect healthy adults. So the doctor called to inform the need to go for further confirmation and prescribed some TB medicines for him. It was indeed a real pity having given so many pills to swallow in a day ..big, small, capsule, rounded, oblong, all kinds of shapes of medicines..all in 13!!
just at one go..
We had been very careful to prevent any contact with the spreading of the TB germs. I separated and marked his daily household utensils solely for him. Nevertheless, he seemed to use everybody else's' except the one marked for him!! It had been a pain in the neck trying to instill the need for him to use his own cups. Then after 1 month, another x-ray showed improvement to his lungs..meaning he was responding to the prescribed medicine TB medicines!! Then came the TB SCARE...whether anyone in the family had contacted the germs. So everyone of us needed to be x-rayed, injected, and
diagnosed/tested.
We felt humorous...just trying to get some sample of our phrem for the tests when most of us were not experiencing any coughing. So my sons playfully applied the tactics of strangling at the neck to induce coughing!! Funny..but we managed finally after a few tries. Everyone of us were back to the doctor for an injection. We were told that if the area around the injection spot swelled or became red then it was not a good sign...we were supposed to go back for the doctor after 2 days..
On the alert!! there's how most of us are experiencing...watchful over the injected spot every now and then. I noticed that there is a slight redness..Oh my god, is it that I am infected with the disease too? I was even more more paranoid when there was a recent report in the daily papers about how a young girl travelling in a plane died of TB and the need to get all others travelling in the same plane for a dignotic tests!!
What a relief!! The doctor clarified that the redness must be accompanied with a bump!! So we are safe!! Thank GOD!!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
July Phobia ??
JULY...It is the month of dreary JULY .... half a year already gone. July is the month that I had somehow develop a certain kind of anxiety regarding things or events happening in this particular month.
I called it the JULY PHOBIA.
What Is A Phobia? According to the American Psychiatric Association, a phobia is an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. In most cases, the phobia involves a sense of endangerment or a fear of harm. For example, those suffering from agoraphobia fear being trapped in an escapable place or situation.
Phobic symptoms can occur through exposure to the fear object or situation, or sometimes simply thinking about the feared object can lead to a response.
Looking back the ages, I do not know whether it is plain co-incidences or some psychological blockage in me that instill this kind of dreary anxiety. I feel daily happenings of situation or events somehow gets tougher and do not turn out to be my liking especially so..particularly in the month of JULY.
ONE of the such instances was the birth of first son. He was born the first day in the month of JULY...A very joyful and happy occasion being the first time mother. On top of that, he is also the first grandson to my in-laws.
While I do not have much to complain during the terms of my pregnancy through out.. Considered to be smooth and without much complication of what the doctor told me after the baby is born. 'EASY' birth. He says...Oh my god..this unbearable pain and agony of whole 3-4 hours of labour pain is called the EASY BIRTH?? "YES" EASY..Just look at your husband. (He was by my side holding my hands witnessing the birth of his own creation). He is feeling more tired, stressed out and experience more pain compared to you. The doctor said. Pain?? yeah..I realized that I was holding his hands too tight that the pressure of the wedding ring that he was wearing caused significant marks on his poor finger.
However, the most difficult task was not birth..but the post natal blues ..and really they were not so EASY after all.. It was the whole confinement month that was unbearable...
While it was customary to be confined to a whole lists of DO and DON'T during the month when the baby was born. The food was one repeatable round of plenty of hot ginger with liquor in whatever you eat..Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner!! No drinking plain water..but drink to some brewed water with concoction red dates and some Chinese herbs.
On top of that, there was limited water for bath!! Why, because I had to bathe with some brewed black herbal water and boiling hot water that had been cooled down.
Not supposed to add in any direct water from the tap. There and then not supposed to wash your hair during this confinement month too! Just imagine in our hot tropical climate, with lots of sweats after eating all those hot ginger stuffs and drinking those liquor too.. and not able to wash your hair??Thank god to some smart invention of so called 'dry' shampoo which was in the powder form..Or I would not be able to survive this dreary month in respect NO hair wash alone!
I was trying to breastfeed my son with as much nutrient with my breast milk as possible. Being a new mother, this is just not an easy task..The pain arising from those soreness and effects of afterbirth all over my abdomen and breast are 'nothing'...compared to labour pain and the pain during childbirth.
Just barely 1 week, my son was crying more than often. My mother-in-law often said he could be crying because he had not had enough of milk. (We were staying together at that time) "Bottle feeding is fast and easy to tell how much he had drank" Each time he cries, there goes..."the bottle feeding......"
However, One incident which to me is the most ridiculous, sorrowful, and most difficult to endure..There was a slight yellowish discharge in one of his tiny little eyes. The discharge became sticky thus disabling him to open up one of his eyes.. And I am accused to be the culprit!! Oh my goodness, how could it be??
My mother-in-law told me to bring out this certain pregnant dress which I had used to wear. Told me to dismantle the 'shoulder pad' of the blouse and soak it in rice water!!?? I was puzzled?? How on earth, by so doing could enable my son's tiny little eyes to be better?? Then, I remembered, during my terms of pregnancy, this particular shoulder padded dress came out..and I had use thread and needle to stitch it back. And according to the Chinese beliefs, its a taboo to do any such 'mending' which consequently resulted this....unopened tiny little eye??
I was also prevented to accompany my son to the doctor to examine his eyes..due to my birth confinement..Imagine, my sorrows, anger, and dilemma..I could only pour all this out to my own mother...My own mother also a Chinese, is much elder than my mother-in-law, she is not so superstitious like her. Each time, she gave me very good advices.. how to stay harmoniously without confrontations or quarrellings. I could remember her telling me that whatever my mother-in-law is doing..although sometimes seems absurd, she wanted all of us to be GOOD..(I had always bear this my mind to enable me to stay on.......)
In the end..the doctor diagnose that there was a slight eye infection. A few application of eye cream, and both bright tiny little eyes looking up at you again...Thank goodness.
This was only ONE Strong instance leading to my so called JULY phobia!!
I called it the JULY PHOBIA.
What Is A Phobia? According to the American Psychiatric Association, a phobia is an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. In most cases, the phobia involves a sense of endangerment or a fear of harm. For example, those suffering from agoraphobia fear being trapped in an escapable place or situation.
Phobic symptoms can occur through exposure to the fear object or situation, or sometimes simply thinking about the feared object can lead to a response.
Looking back the ages, I do not know whether it is plain co-incidences or some psychological blockage in me that instill this kind of dreary anxiety. I feel daily happenings of situation or events somehow gets tougher and do not turn out to be my liking especially so..particularly in the month of JULY.
ONE of the such instances was the birth of first son. He was born the first day in the month of JULY...A very joyful and happy occasion being the first time mother. On top of that, he is also the first grandson to my in-laws.
While I do not have much to complain during the terms of my pregnancy through out.. Considered to be smooth and without much complication of what the doctor told me after the baby is born. 'EASY' birth. He says...Oh my god..this unbearable pain and agony of whole 3-4 hours of labour pain is called the EASY BIRTH?? "YES" EASY..Just look at your husband. (He was by my side holding my hands witnessing the birth of his own creation). He is feeling more tired, stressed out and experience more pain compared to you. The doctor said. Pain?? yeah..I realized that I was holding his hands too tight that the pressure of the wedding ring that he was wearing caused significant marks on his poor finger.
However, the most difficult task was not birth..but the post natal blues ..and really they were not so EASY after all.. It was the whole confinement month that was unbearable...
While it was customary to be confined to a whole lists of DO and DON'T during the month when the baby was born. The food was one repeatable round of plenty of hot ginger with liquor in whatever you eat..Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner!! No drinking plain water..but drink to some brewed water with concoction red dates and some Chinese herbs.
On top of that, there was limited water for bath!! Why, because I had to bathe with some brewed black herbal water and boiling hot water that had been cooled down.
Not supposed to add in any direct water from the tap. There and then not supposed to wash your hair during this confinement month too! Just imagine in our hot tropical climate, with lots of sweats after eating all those hot ginger stuffs and drinking those liquor too.. and not able to wash your hair??Thank god to some smart invention of so called 'dry' shampoo which was in the powder form..Or I would not be able to survive this dreary month in respect NO hair wash alone!
I was trying to breastfeed my son with as much nutrient with my breast milk as possible. Being a new mother, this is just not an easy task..The pain arising from those soreness and effects of afterbirth all over my abdomen and breast are 'nothing'...compared to labour pain and the pain during childbirth.
Just barely 1 week, my son was crying more than often. My mother-in-law often said he could be crying because he had not had enough of milk. (We were staying together at that time) "Bottle feeding is fast and easy to tell how much he had drank" Each time he cries, there goes..."the bottle feeding......"
However, One incident which to me is the most ridiculous, sorrowful, and most difficult to endure..There was a slight yellowish discharge in one of his tiny little eyes. The discharge became sticky thus disabling him to open up one of his eyes.. And I am accused to be the culprit!! Oh my goodness, how could it be??
My mother-in-law told me to bring out this certain pregnant dress which I had used to wear. Told me to dismantle the 'shoulder pad' of the blouse and soak it in rice water!!?? I was puzzled?? How on earth, by so doing could enable my son's tiny little eyes to be better?? Then, I remembered, during my terms of pregnancy, this particular shoulder padded dress came out..and I had use thread and needle to stitch it back. And according to the Chinese beliefs, its a taboo to do any such 'mending' which consequently resulted this....unopened tiny little eye??
I was also prevented to accompany my son to the doctor to examine his eyes..due to my birth confinement..Imagine, my sorrows, anger, and dilemma..I could only pour all this out to my own mother...My own mother also a Chinese, is much elder than my mother-in-law, she is not so superstitious like her. Each time, she gave me very good advices.. how to stay harmoniously without confrontations or quarrellings. I could remember her telling me that whatever my mother-in-law is doing..although sometimes seems absurd, she wanted all of us to be GOOD..(I had always bear this my mind to enable me to stay on.......)
In the end..the doctor diagnose that there was a slight eye infection. A few application of eye cream, and both bright tiny little eyes looking up at you again...Thank goodness.
This was only ONE Strong instance leading to my so called JULY phobia!!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Sanity Vs Reality
Everyone was hit by this recent fuel hike.. In fact, not just the cost of petrol rises but practically everything else.
Cut cost, change your life styles, don't waste electricity, water,blah,blah,blah.
This is indeed in every household agenda. So, we are also finding ways to tighten or should say to counter the effects of this constant price hike.
My husband changed the electricity bulbs to the energy-saving type and uses a lower voltage. He took away 1 bulb from the cluster of 4 and are left with 3 instead. Not as bright as before but it is okay. In actual fact, kind of feel better and more cosy at the sitting hall..not as glaring. However, most of the time, when we are just doing fine with the 2 energy saving bulb on the walls. Yes, why need to be so lighted up when we are just watching the television?
As for water consumption too..the rain water is being collected to water plants, washes floor or even use this water in the aquarium. We also used recycle water for washing.
This time around I do not cook too many dishes for my family.. While most of the time there will be surplus of vegetables or meat left after dinner. I have cut down the variety of choices. Now, it will be just enough for everyone to go round..and no more leftovers for the next day. No so much of 'add-ons' food pack home for dinner..
Here as we are trying adjust... my dear father-in-law is doing JUST the opposite!!
He is wasting his food..not eating and throwing away food whenever the food is not to his liking, switching on the lights along the way up to his room and forgetting to switch them off..and leaving the tap flowing without turning them off!
Making drinks for himself and then leaving them around, forgetting to drink so pouring away and wasting his drinks.
This is insanity..no..this is Sanity VS Reality.Insane to keep tabs of all the do and do not with someone who seems oblivious of whats going on. OLD AGE coupled with forgetfulness and a little bit senile...that is the reality we have to face while keeping our head and conscience clear when dealing with my dear father-in-law.!!
Cut cost, change your life styles, don't waste electricity, water,blah,blah,blah.
This is indeed in every household agenda. So, we are also finding ways to tighten or should say to counter the effects of this constant price hike.
My husband changed the electricity bulbs to the energy-saving type and uses a lower voltage. He took away 1 bulb from the cluster of 4 and are left with 3 instead. Not as bright as before but it is okay. In actual fact, kind of feel better and more cosy at the sitting hall..not as glaring. However, most of the time, when we are just doing fine with the 2 energy saving bulb on the walls. Yes, why need to be so lighted up when we are just watching the television?
As for water consumption too..the rain water is being collected to water plants, washes floor or even use this water in the aquarium. We also used recycle water for washing.
This time around I do not cook too many dishes for my family.. While most of the time there will be surplus of vegetables or meat left after dinner. I have cut down the variety of choices. Now, it will be just enough for everyone to go round..and no more leftovers for the next day. No so much of 'add-ons' food pack home for dinner..
Here as we are trying adjust... my dear father-in-law is doing JUST the opposite!!
He is wasting his food..not eating and throwing away food whenever the food is not to his liking, switching on the lights along the way up to his room and forgetting to switch them off..and leaving the tap flowing without turning them off!
Making drinks for himself and then leaving them around, forgetting to drink so pouring away and wasting his drinks.
This is insanity..no..this is Sanity VS Reality.Insane to keep tabs of all the do and do not with someone who seems oblivious of whats going on. OLD AGE coupled with forgetfulness and a little bit senile...that is the reality we have to face while keeping our head and conscience clear when dealing with my dear father-in-law.!!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Man Vs Woman
THE SILENT TREATMENT
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each
other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day,
he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,
'Please wake me at 5:00 AM ' He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM
and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and
see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by
the bed. The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
WIFE VS HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and
neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,
the husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?'
'Yep,' the wife replied , 'in-laws'
WOMEN'S REVENGE
'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.
'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked.
'No,' she replied, ' but my husband refused to come shopping with me,
and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.'
UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
(A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)
I know I'm not going to understand women.
I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,
pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root,
and still be afraid of a spider.
W O R D S
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day...
30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, 'The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, 'What?'
CREATION
A man said t o his wife one day, 'I don't know how you can be
so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.
' The wife responded, 'Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!
WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who
should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, 'You should do it, because you get up first,
and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.'
The husband said, ' You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it,
because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.'
Wife replies, 'No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible
that the man should do the coffee.'
Husband replies, 'I can't believe that, show me.'
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament
and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says..........'HEBREWS'
God may have created man before woman,
but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each
other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day,
he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,
'Please wake me at 5:00 AM ' He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM
and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and
see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by
the bed. The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
WIFE VS HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and
neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,
the husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?'
'Yep,' the wife replied , 'in-laws'
WOMEN'S REVENGE
'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.
'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked.
'No,' she replied, ' but my husband refused to come shopping with me,
and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.'
UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
(A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)
I know I'm not going to understand women.
I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,
pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root,
and still be afraid of a spider.
W O R D S
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day...
30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, 'The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, 'What?'
CREATION
A man said t o his wife one day, 'I don't know how you can be
so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.
' The wife responded, 'Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!
WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who
should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, 'You should do it, because you get up first,
and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.'
The husband said, ' You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it,
because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.'
Wife replies, 'No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible
that the man should do the coffee.'
Husband replies, 'I can't believe that, show me.'
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament
and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says..........'HEBREWS'
God may have created man before woman,
but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Had to share.... cannot help but smile...
NAIROBI ( AFP ) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal
facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.
"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP
"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added. "The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.
If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.
"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of God,
"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."
Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."
facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.
"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP
"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added. "The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.
If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.
"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of God,
"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."
Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."
Saturday, June 28, 2008
WHEN A LIZARD CAN, WHY CAN'T WE?
This is a true story that happened in Japan . In order to renovate the house, someone in Japan breaks open the wall. Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls.
When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet.
He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built..
What happened?
The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years!!!!!!!!!!
In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind-boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years! Without moving a single step--since its foot was Nailed!
So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.
Ah! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail; another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...
Imagine? It has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.
Think, will u do that to your partner?
Think that will you do it to your Mom, who brought you after a big struggle of nine long months? Or at least to your Dad, Friends, Co-workers, brothers and Sisters?
Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't. As information and communication technology advances, our access to information becomes faster and faster. But the Distance between human beings . .. . is it getting closer as well?
Please never abandon your loved ones . Never Say U R Busy When They Really Need You... You May Have The Entire World At Your Feet......
But You Might Be The Only World To Them....
A Moment of negligence might break the very heart which loves you thru all odds....
Before you say something just remember. It takes a moment to Break but an entire life to make... To Live Use Heart and to Survive use Brains. Then Life would be a paradise Unfurling only Love Joy and Happiness....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
l
When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet.
He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built..
What happened?
The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years!!!!!!!!!!
In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind-boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years! Without moving a single step--since its foot was Nailed!
So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.
Ah! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail; another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...
Imagine? It has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.
Think, will u do that to your partner?
Think that will you do it to your Mom, who brought you after a big struggle of nine long months? Or at least to your Dad, Friends, Co-workers, brothers and Sisters?
Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't. As information and communication technology advances, our access to information becomes faster and faster. But the Distance between human beings . .. . is it getting closer as well?
Please never abandon your loved ones . Never Say U R Busy When They Really Need You... You May Have The Entire World At Your Feet......
But You Might Be The Only World To Them....
A Moment of negligence might break the very heart which loves you thru all odds....
Before you say something just remember. It takes a moment to Break but an entire life to make... To Live Use Heart and to Survive use Brains. Then Life would be a paradise Unfurling only Love Joy and Happiness....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
l
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Temper tantrums: How to keep the peace
Temper tantrums are a normal part of growing up. How to respond to temper tantrums — and how to prevent tantrums in the first place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're shopping with your toddler in a busy discount store. He or she has spied a toy that you don't intend to buy. Soon, you find yourself at the center of a gale-force temper tantrum. Everyone is looking at you, and your face is burning with embarrassment.
Could you have prevented the tantrum? What's the best response? And why do these emotional meltdowns happen in the first place? Here are some tantrum tips:-
Why do tantrums happen?
A tantrum is the expression of a child's frustration with the physical, mental or emotional challenges of the moment. Physical challenges are things like hunger and thirst. Mental challenges are related to a child's difficulty learning or performing a specific task. Emotional challenges are more open to speculation. Still, whatever the challenge, frustration with the situation may fuel a child's anger — and erupt in a tantrum.
Consider this: Most 2-year-olds have a limited vocabulary. Parents may understand what a toddler says only 50 percent of the time. Strangers understand even less. When your child wants to tell you something and you don't understand — or you don't comply with your child's wishes — you may have a tantrum on your hands.
Do young children have tantrums on purpose?
It might seem as though your child plans to misbehave simply to get on your nerves, but that's probably giving your child too much credit. Young children don't have evil plans to frustrate or embarrass their parents. A young child's world is right there in sight, at the end of his or her nose. Your child doesn't enjoy throwing a tantrum any more than you enjoy dealing with a tantrum.
Can tantrums be prevented?
There may be no fool-proof way to prevent tantrums, but there's plenty you can do to encourage good behavior in even the youngest children:
Be consistent. Establish a daily routine so that your child knows what to expect. Stick to the routine as much as possible, including nap time and bedtime. It's also important to set reasonable limits and follow them consistently.
Plan ahead. If you need to run errands, go early in the day — when your child isn't likely to be hungry or tired. If you're expecting to wait in line, pack a small toy or snack to occupy your child.
Encourage your child to use words. Young children understand many more words than they're able to express. If your child isn't speaking — or speaking clearly — you might teach him or her sign language for words such as "I want," "more," "enough," "hurt" and "tired." The more easily your child can communicate with you, the less likely you are to struggle with tantrums. As your child gets older, help him or her put feelings into words.
Let your child make choices. To give your child a sense of control, let him or her make appropriate choices. Would you like to wear your red shirt or your blue shirt? Would you like to eat strawberries or bananas? Would you like to read a book or build a tower with your blocks? Then compliment your child on his or her choices.
Praise good behavior. Offer extra attention when your child behaves well. Tell your child how proud you are when he or she shares toys, listens to directions, and so on.
Use distraction. If you sense a tantrum brewing, distract your child. Try making a silly face or changing location. It may help to touch or hold your child.
Avoid situations likely to trigger tantrums.
If your child begs for toys or treats when you shop, steer clear of "temptation islands" full of eye-level goodies. If your child acts up in restaurants, make reservations so that you won't have to wait — or choose restaurants that offer quick service.
What's the best way to respond to a tantrum?
If you can, pretend to ignore the tantrum. If you lose your cool or give in to your child's demands, you've only taught your child that tantrums are effective.
If your child has a tantrum at home, you can act as if it's not interrupting things. After your child quiets down, you might say, "I noticed your behavior, but that won't get my attention. If you need to tell me something, you need to use your words."
If your child has a tantrum in public, pretending to ignore the behavior is still the best policy. Any parent who witnesses the scene will sympathize with you as you ignore the tantrum. If the tantrum escalates or your child is in danger of hurting himself or herself, stop what you're doing and remove your child from the situation. If your child calms down, you may be able to return to your activity. If not, go home — even if it means leaving a cart full of groceries in the middle of the store. At home, discuss with your child the type of behavior you would have preferred.
Should a child be punished for having a tantrum?
Tempter tantrums are a normal part of growing up. Rather than punishing your child, remind him or her that tantrums aren't appropriate. Sometimes a simple reminder to "use your words" is adequate. For a full-blown tantrum — or a tantrum that caused you to abandon an activity in public — try a timeout.
During a timeout, your child must sit someplace boring — such as in a chair in the living room or on the floor in the hallway — for a certain length of time, usually one minute for each year of the child's age. You can pretend that you don't even see your child during the timeout, but you can still assure his or her safety. If your child begins to wander around, simply place him or her back in the designated timeout spot. Remind your child that he or she is in timeout, but don't offer any other attention.
Eventually, your child may even take his or her own timeout at the first sign of a tantrum — before a negative cloud surrounds you both.
When might tantrums be a sign of something more serious?
As your child's self-control improves, tantrums should become less common. Most children outgrow tantrums by age 4. If your older child is still having tantrums, the tantrums seem especially severe or the tantrums have pushed you beyond your ability to cope, share your concerns with your child's doctor. These may be signs that something else is going on. The doctor will consider physical or psychological problems that may be contributing to the tantrums, as well as give you additional tips to help you deal with your child's behavior.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're shopping with your toddler in a busy discount store. He or she has spied a toy that you don't intend to buy. Soon, you find yourself at the center of a gale-force temper tantrum. Everyone is looking at you, and your face is burning with embarrassment.
Could you have prevented the tantrum? What's the best response? And why do these emotional meltdowns happen in the first place? Here are some tantrum tips:-
Why do tantrums happen?
A tantrum is the expression of a child's frustration with the physical, mental or emotional challenges of the moment. Physical challenges are things like hunger and thirst. Mental challenges are related to a child's difficulty learning or performing a specific task. Emotional challenges are more open to speculation. Still, whatever the challenge, frustration with the situation may fuel a child's anger — and erupt in a tantrum.
Consider this: Most 2-year-olds have a limited vocabulary. Parents may understand what a toddler says only 50 percent of the time. Strangers understand even less. When your child wants to tell you something and you don't understand — or you don't comply with your child's wishes — you may have a tantrum on your hands.
Do young children have tantrums on purpose?
It might seem as though your child plans to misbehave simply to get on your nerves, but that's probably giving your child too much credit. Young children don't have evil plans to frustrate or embarrass their parents. A young child's world is right there in sight, at the end of his or her nose. Your child doesn't enjoy throwing a tantrum any more than you enjoy dealing with a tantrum.
Can tantrums be prevented?
There may be no fool-proof way to prevent tantrums, but there's plenty you can do to encourage good behavior in even the youngest children:
Be consistent. Establish a daily routine so that your child knows what to expect. Stick to the routine as much as possible, including nap time and bedtime. It's also important to set reasonable limits and follow them consistently.
Plan ahead. If you need to run errands, go early in the day — when your child isn't likely to be hungry or tired. If you're expecting to wait in line, pack a small toy or snack to occupy your child.
Encourage your child to use words. Young children understand many more words than they're able to express. If your child isn't speaking — or speaking clearly — you might teach him or her sign language for words such as "I want," "more," "enough," "hurt" and "tired." The more easily your child can communicate with you, the less likely you are to struggle with tantrums. As your child gets older, help him or her put feelings into words.
Let your child make choices. To give your child a sense of control, let him or her make appropriate choices. Would you like to wear your red shirt or your blue shirt? Would you like to eat strawberries or bananas? Would you like to read a book or build a tower with your blocks? Then compliment your child on his or her choices.
Praise good behavior. Offer extra attention when your child behaves well. Tell your child how proud you are when he or she shares toys, listens to directions, and so on.
Use distraction. If you sense a tantrum brewing, distract your child. Try making a silly face or changing location. It may help to touch or hold your child.
Avoid situations likely to trigger tantrums.
If your child begs for toys or treats when you shop, steer clear of "temptation islands" full of eye-level goodies. If your child acts up in restaurants, make reservations so that you won't have to wait — or choose restaurants that offer quick service.
What's the best way to respond to a tantrum?
If you can, pretend to ignore the tantrum. If you lose your cool or give in to your child's demands, you've only taught your child that tantrums are effective.
If your child has a tantrum at home, you can act as if it's not interrupting things. After your child quiets down, you might say, "I noticed your behavior, but that won't get my attention. If you need to tell me something, you need to use your words."
If your child has a tantrum in public, pretending to ignore the behavior is still the best policy. Any parent who witnesses the scene will sympathize with you as you ignore the tantrum. If the tantrum escalates or your child is in danger of hurting himself or herself, stop what you're doing and remove your child from the situation. If your child calms down, you may be able to return to your activity. If not, go home — even if it means leaving a cart full of groceries in the middle of the store. At home, discuss with your child the type of behavior you would have preferred.
Should a child be punished for having a tantrum?
Tempter tantrums are a normal part of growing up. Rather than punishing your child, remind him or her that tantrums aren't appropriate. Sometimes a simple reminder to "use your words" is adequate. For a full-blown tantrum — or a tantrum that caused you to abandon an activity in public — try a timeout.
During a timeout, your child must sit someplace boring — such as in a chair in the living room or on the floor in the hallway — for a certain length of time, usually one minute for each year of the child's age. You can pretend that you don't even see your child during the timeout, but you can still assure his or her safety. If your child begins to wander around, simply place him or her back in the designated timeout spot. Remind your child that he or she is in timeout, but don't offer any other attention.
Eventually, your child may even take his or her own timeout at the first sign of a tantrum — before a negative cloud surrounds you both.
When might tantrums be a sign of something more serious?
As your child's self-control improves, tantrums should become less common. Most children outgrow tantrums by age 4. If your older child is still having tantrums, the tantrums seem especially severe or the tantrums have pushed you beyond your ability to cope, share your concerns with your child's doctor. These may be signs that something else is going on. The doctor will consider physical or psychological problems that may be contributing to the tantrums, as well as give you additional tips to help you deal with your child's behavior.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
F.Y.I. Where to be During an Earthquake
Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway?? Well, this guy has a completely reverse opinion. This is very interesting, different from what we were all taught.
Boy! Is this ever an eye opener. Directly opposite of what we've been taught over the years! I can remember in school being told to, 'duck and cover' or stand in a doorway during an earthquake. This guy's findings is absolutely amazing. I hope we all remember his survival method if we are ever in an earthquake!! !
Please read this and pass the info along to your family members; it could save their lives someday!
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: 'TRIANGLE OF LIFE'
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries.
I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'.
The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.
TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake.
If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the tair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'
In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my 'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.
There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and it was seen in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV
Boy! Is this ever an eye opener. Directly opposite of what we've been taught over the years! I can remember in school being told to, 'duck and cover' or stand in a doorway during an earthquake. This guy's findings is absolutely amazing. I hope we all remember his survival method if we are ever in an earthquake!! !
Please read this and pass the info along to your family members; it could save their lives someday!
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: 'TRIANGLE OF LIFE'
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries.
I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'.
The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.
TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake.
If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the tair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'
In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my 'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.
There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and it was seen in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV
Monday, June 23, 2008
Headaches and hormones: What's the connection?
Being female has some real health advantages, but not when it comes to headaches — particularly migraines. Fortunately, there's help.
In a given year, 18 out of 100 women age 12 and older experience at least one migraine headache, a misfortune that strikes only 6 pecent to 7 percent of men. What's behind the difference? The answer, in a word, is hormones, but the explanation is far from complete.
The role of hormones
Many factors contribute to headaches for both men and women, including family history and age. Women, however, often notice a relationship between headaches and hormonal changes.
Headaches often begin around the time of a girl's first period and accompany menstruation regularly throughout the reproductive years. Birth control pills and hormone therapy also can trigger headaches. During pregnancy, headaches often become less bothersome.
The simple explanation? The hormones estrogen and progesterone — which play key roles in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy — may affect headache-related chemicals in the brain as well. Higher estrogen levels may improve headaches, while lower estrogen levels can make headaches worse.
What's a woman to do?
Fluctuating hormone levels may influence headache patterns. But you're not totally at the mercy of your hormones. Your doctor can help you treat — or prevent — headaches.
During menstruation
The drop in estrogen just before your period may contribute to headaches and increase your sensitivity to pain. Headache is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome, and up to 60 percent of women with migraines report headaches before or during menstruation.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve many menstrual headaches. Lifestyle matters, too. Eat healthy foods. Exercise regularly. Keep stress under control. Practice relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.
If you have menstrual migraines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as naproxen (Aleve, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) — are often the first line of treatment. Sometimes it's enough to take one of these medications when you feel a migraine beginning. In other cases, a stronger prescription medication is needed. If you have three or more debilitating headaches a month, your doctor may recommend preventive treatment with these or other medications.
If your menstrual cycle is regular, it's often most effective to take preventive headache medication starting a few days before your period and continuing through the first few days of your period. If you have migraines throughout your menstrual cycle or your periods are irregular, it may be better to take preventive medication every day.
If you use birth control pills
Some women experience headaches for the first time after starting birth control pills or other hormonal methods of birth control. For others, hormonal birth control changes existing headache patterns — sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.
If your method of birth control seems to trigger headaches or make them worse, consult your doctor. Sometimes it helps to use a monthly pill pack with fewer inactive (placebo) days or to eliminate the placebo days completely from most cycles. In other cases, you may choose a progestin-only birth control pill or another type of contraception.
During pregnancy
Estrogen levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy and remain high throughout pregnancy. Migraines often improve or even disappear during pregnancy. Sometimes tension headaches improve as well. After delivery, an abrupt decrease in estrogen levels may trigger headaches.
If you have headaches during pregnancy, ask your doctor about treatment options. Many headache medications may have harmful or unknown effects on a developing baby, especially if you take them regularly at the time of conception.
If your headaches get better during pregnancy, you may enjoy the same improvement while you're breast-feeding. Lactation stabilizes estrogen levels and increases the levels of other hormones that help reduce sensitivity to pain. Although you'll need to be cautious about headache medications while you're breast-feeding, you'll have more options than you did during pregnancy.
During menopause
Menopause is another prime time for changing headache patterns. For most women, migraines improve once their menstrual periods cease — but tension headaches often get worse. Hormone therapy can affect headaches, too. Menopausal hormone therapy worsens headaches in some women and improves headaches in others, in just about equal proportions.
If your headaches persist after menopause, you can continue to use the same medication and lifestyle measures as always. If you choose to use estrogen to manage the signs and symptoms of menopause, your doctor may recommend an estrogen skin patch. The patch provides a low, steady supply of estrogen, which is least likely to aggravate headaches.
Every woman is unique
Some women are more sensitive to the effects of hormones. If headaches are disrupting your daily activities, work or personal life, ask your doctor for help. Treatment is available.
In a given year, 18 out of 100 women age 12 and older experience at least one migraine headache, a misfortune that strikes only 6 pecent to 7 percent of men. What's behind the difference? The answer, in a word, is hormones, but the explanation is far from complete.
The role of hormones
Many factors contribute to headaches for both men and women, including family history and age. Women, however, often notice a relationship between headaches and hormonal changes.
Headaches often begin around the time of a girl's first period and accompany menstruation regularly throughout the reproductive years. Birth control pills and hormone therapy also can trigger headaches. During pregnancy, headaches often become less bothersome.
The simple explanation? The hormones estrogen and progesterone — which play key roles in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy — may affect headache-related chemicals in the brain as well. Higher estrogen levels may improve headaches, while lower estrogen levels can make headaches worse.
What's a woman to do?
Fluctuating hormone levels may influence headache patterns. But you're not totally at the mercy of your hormones. Your doctor can help you treat — or prevent — headaches.
During menstruation
The drop in estrogen just before your period may contribute to headaches and increase your sensitivity to pain. Headache is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome, and up to 60 percent of women with migraines report headaches before or during menstruation.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve many menstrual headaches. Lifestyle matters, too. Eat healthy foods. Exercise regularly. Keep stress under control. Practice relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.
If you have menstrual migraines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as naproxen (Aleve, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) — are often the first line of treatment. Sometimes it's enough to take one of these medications when you feel a migraine beginning. In other cases, a stronger prescription medication is needed. If you have three or more debilitating headaches a month, your doctor may recommend preventive treatment with these or other medications.
If your menstrual cycle is regular, it's often most effective to take preventive headache medication starting a few days before your period and continuing through the first few days of your period. If you have migraines throughout your menstrual cycle or your periods are irregular, it may be better to take preventive medication every day.
If you use birth control pills
Some women experience headaches for the first time after starting birth control pills or other hormonal methods of birth control. For others, hormonal birth control changes existing headache patterns — sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.
If your method of birth control seems to trigger headaches or make them worse, consult your doctor. Sometimes it helps to use a monthly pill pack with fewer inactive (placebo) days or to eliminate the placebo days completely from most cycles. In other cases, you may choose a progestin-only birth control pill or another type of contraception.
During pregnancy
Estrogen levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy and remain high throughout pregnancy. Migraines often improve or even disappear during pregnancy. Sometimes tension headaches improve as well. After delivery, an abrupt decrease in estrogen levels may trigger headaches.
If you have headaches during pregnancy, ask your doctor about treatment options. Many headache medications may have harmful or unknown effects on a developing baby, especially if you take them regularly at the time of conception.
If your headaches get better during pregnancy, you may enjoy the same improvement while you're breast-feeding. Lactation stabilizes estrogen levels and increases the levels of other hormones that help reduce sensitivity to pain. Although you'll need to be cautious about headache medications while you're breast-feeding, you'll have more options than you did during pregnancy.
During menopause
Menopause is another prime time for changing headache patterns. For most women, migraines improve once their menstrual periods cease — but tension headaches often get worse. Hormone therapy can affect headaches, too. Menopausal hormone therapy worsens headaches in some women and improves headaches in others, in just about equal proportions.
If your headaches persist after menopause, you can continue to use the same medication and lifestyle measures as always. If you choose to use estrogen to manage the signs and symptoms of menopause, your doctor may recommend an estrogen skin patch. The patch provides a low, steady supply of estrogen, which is least likely to aggravate headaches.
Every woman is unique
Some women are more sensitive to the effects of hormones. If headaches are disrupting your daily activities, work or personal life, ask your doctor for help. Treatment is available.
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