Nurses Meeting Lounge

As I have said often before - the first step in healing, whether it be alcoholism, drug addiction or whatever - is understanding what you’re dealing with.

Because once you understand something - in this case the nature of addiction - you can let go of all your preconceptions that keep you stuck and prevent you from moving forward.

When we have preconceived ideas about something (which many people do when it comes to alcoholism and drug addiction) - we become our own worst enemies in trying to overcome our own/help someone else overcome their addiction problems.

So step number one needs to be you getting out of your own way, getting the information/knowledge you need - and then moving forward from there to start your journey of healing and recovery.

The need to be right is an issue for many of us. Being open-minded can be difficult. Sometimes there is nothing wrong with that - but when dealing with potentially life and death subjects like drug and alcohol addiction, you can’t afford to do that.

One of the most controversial topics around understanding addiction - is the fact whether alcoholism and drug addiction are in fact a disease. So many people get caught up arguing over the whole addiction/alcoholism disease thing - they let that get in the way of doing what is best to overcome/help someone else overcome an addiction.

Agreeing on the causes of alcoholism and addiction can also sometimes be a contentious issue. Science now shows that genetics plays an increasingly prominent role, but lots of people still don’t believe it despite evidence to the contrary.

To discover more about these topics in a bit more depth - please visit the links shown in the resource box. At the end of the day though - don’t let preconceptions about any of these areas get in the way of doing everything you can to overcome an addiction.

Being able to identify the signs of alcoholism and drug addiction can usually be done via a few different ways. Typically it always starts with a gut feeling that there is a problem, but to be sure you want something more in the way of hard proof.

Your opinion can also be affected depending on what perspective you’re looking at the problem from. Is it you that you’re worried about and so want to be able to recognize the signs of addiction for your own understanding?

On the other hand, you may be worried about your husband, wife, partner or friend. I can’t promise to provide you with foolproof indicators - but I’ll try and provide you with a couple of pointers, and if you then want more comprehensive info - follow the links to my site.

When looking for physical symptoms of alcoholism and addiction - liver problems are always a key indicator (though somewhat difficult to pick up without an official Doctor’s examination) - but can manifests as fatigue and a number of others things. High Blood Pressure is another key indicator.

When looking at the more typical signs of addiction - an increase in tolerance for alcohol or drugs, withdrawals, and failed promises to reduce your intake are common.

I guess from my side, the signs that I always look out for to indicate that things are seriously wrong, is when you begin to lose yourself, and everyday issues that used to fine are impacted - which can be anything from relationships, jobs, college and friendships.

There are also some pretty good psychometric type alcoholism tests and drug addiction tests that are pretty accurate in helping you determine whether or not there is indeed an addiction problem. I can’t go into all the info here I’m afraid, but be sure to follow the links provided.

So at the end of day, determining whether or not there is indeed an addiction problem, can be done using a variety of different methods. So look at all the signs and symptoms, try a ‘test’ and I think you will have a pretty good idea.

Hardly there is anything that can be done to prevent ovarian cysts. There are actually some experts who are of the opinion that one way of stopping the cysts is by stopping ovulation. It is because of this that some experts say that birth control pills can achieve ovarian cysts prevention.

But cystic gurus often themselves differ in their opinion since another team of experts believe that stopping of ovulation may lead to PCOS and the formation of multiple cysts, complicating the picture more. There is considerable doubt on whether these recommendations and studies are completely true or not, but one thing is sure and this is that, the contributing factors need to be considered while finding an answer. So remember the factors that lead to ovarian cysts, and opt for the holistic approach, and ovarian cysts prevention can become a reality.

But whether these studies give us the complete picture or not, what is important is that all problems have to be tackled while keeping the causes in mind. Similarly, in the case of ovarian cysts, one has to try to figure out what causes their occurrence in women. This is precisely where the Holistic Approach could be utilized for the prevention of ovarian cysts.

Now, other than genetic causes, most other ovarian cyst causes are related to the lifestyle of the person. So when lifestyle changes are implemented, these changes also reduce the likelihood of the person getting ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts prevention is also possible when the causes are genetic - this can be achieved once more by making changes in the lifestyle. As a reassuring issue, it has also been observed that the genetic factors remain dormant till the time something works as a catalyst to make it active again. Ovarian cysts prevention can thus be achieved by adopting the holistic principles. As a matter of fact, it seems the only rationale method to cope with the disease condition faultlessly and well.

To be honest about it, some of the routines prescribed for practicing holistic remedies are so simple and effective that they may be described here for the reader to appreciate their intrinsic value. These include consuming vegetables, particularly in the raw form, barring those that are highly starchy; minimizing intake of soy and dairy products (there are those who will tell you that such items need to be completely removed from the menu - but it is advisable to consult the doctor first); eating organic food, preferably from the source; no tinned or preserved foodstuff; try having as much fresh water fish and lean meat as possible; freshly made fruits juice; no spicy food or restaurant food; undergoing occasional ‘detox’ therapy and plenty of exercise in the form of brisk walking. No surgery and no inject able fluids, IM or IV.

We give below some ways in which you can start practicing for the prevention of ovarian cysts:

Raw vegetables are good - but do not eat those that are rich in starch.

Try to cut down on your intake of dairy products and products that contain soy. In fact, some extreme views suggest their complete exclusion from the diet. Consult with your doctor before starting on a new diet plan or making any significant changes to your existing one.

Apart from the above, try to eat high quality food stuff at all times. This will help greatly in reducing your chances of developing an ovarian cyst which might be malignant. All the food that you eat, whether it be fruits, vegetables or meat should ideally be organically raised. If you eat fish or seafood, try to restrict yourself to the fresh water variety and the meat you eat should be organic and of animals that have been raised on lean grass. Also try to ensure that your fruit juice has been freshly prepared. And, as much as possible do not eat tinned or packed foodstuffs as they will have preservatives in them which could increase the chances of your contracting ovarian cysts.

Drawing on the belief of “A Healthy Mind In A Healthy Body”, the holistic approach strongly recommends regular exercise to stay fit and healthy, and in the process, significantly reduce the risk of getting ovarian cysts.

If possible, a periodic detoxification therapy (detox therapy) to eliminate all the toxins from your body can lead to excellent results.

It is important to get yourself checked for ovarian cysts as frequently as possible. Talk with your doctor about the right frequency of these checks and follow his instructions diligently. This is all the more significant if you have a family member who has suffered from ovarian cysts because genetic factors are one of the major causes of ovarian cysts in women. Thus, for example, if your mother or aunts have suffered from ovarian cysts, you should exercise extra caution and initiate a routine of getting yourself checked on a regular basis. Regular checks may not prevent you from getting a case of ovarian cysts, but they can certainly aid in early detection and thus, lead to faster recovery.

Balance in the life and a healthy lifestyle is what is needed because this is the best way to prevent ovarian cysts. Meet a dietician and get a good diet plan and also plan a fitness regime by meeting the trainer. What you are doing to achieve ovarian cyst prevention is very important. Medicines might not always be effective, but they may lead to a more serious cyst formation and there may also be side effects. So, planning a natural regime and maintaining a lifestyle that is balanced is always a better option. The holistic approach is all about this.

The microorganism Candida occurs normally in the body. It becomes a problem when there is a change in the body. Any change can affect the rate at which the fungi grows. when it grows at a faster than normal rate it is asiad to cause a yeast infection. An imbalance of acid and alkaline may be responsible for the change in the body; even poor nutrition can be the culprit. Home remedies for yeast infection can be quite effective in ridding your body of the excess fungi growth.

While there are many medicines available to remedy the symptoms of yeast infections, you may find them to be costly or you may just want to find some relief right away without running out to the store. In addition, it is possible that the Candida fungi responsible for yeast infections may become resistant to some of the medications. So you may be interested in using a few home remedies for yeast infection that can be just as effective.

A yeast infection can be triggered by several things: Eating more sugar than usual, hormonal changes, as well as some medications such as antibiotics and birth control pills. Use of scented or colored feminine or bath products can contribute to yeast infection. One or more triggers can result in a yeast infection with its myriad symptoms of irritation, burning, yellowish or white discharge and/or itching.

It is quite likely that you already have some of the ingredients for home remedies for yeast infection around the house. Using borax is a frequently recommended home remedy, particularly if the yeast infection produces a discharge that appears similar to egg white. Some people have found garlic to be effective in combating yeast infections. This treatment involves crushing a few garlic cloves until a paste is formed. This paste is then applied in the vaginal area. Since garlic has antibacterial properties, it may be helpful in ridding the body of the fungus. The odor would be the only drawback to this approach.

The use of honey as a home remedy for yeast infections has long been advocated for alleviating some of the symptoms of yeast infection. It may be uncomfortable and sticky, but honey won’t smell like a home remedy made from garlic, and may help with the symptoms. Apply the honey directly on the infected area and leave for about thirty minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

A strong antibacterial, antifungal remedy is vinegar. Mixed with warm water, vinegar is very effective. You must soak the affected area for at least twenty minutes, however, to see and to feel the effects. Apple cider vinegar is believed to be even more effective. You may feel a sting or burning sensation, but that is not unusual and the feeling will go away fairly quickly.

As you can see there are quite a few different home remedies for yeast infection that can provide relief for many women. With this said, you should always consult with your doctor if you are thinking of trying such a remedy, especially if you have allergies and other conditions which might be affected by the remedy.

Ovarian cysts are basically small sacs that have fluids within them and they occur inside the female ovary. Most of these cysts are benign in nature i.e. they do not lead to any harm. However in some cases complications like rupturing, bleeding and pain might occur. Surgery is one of the ways that can help get rid of the cysts.

Physiological ovarian cysts

In the ovaries of most women who fall in the age group when they can have a child, barring those who are on pills (birth control medications), there are a few cystic structures that come and go. These structures are needed for the development of the egg and its release thereafter. They are referred to as ‘physiological’ because they are a part of the common ovarian function.

During the first part of the 28 day cycle, the still maturing egg is carried to the surface of the ovary that contains a cystic structure known as ‘follicle’. The follicle is not only responsible for carrying the egg, it is also responsible for the manufacture of the estrogen. Estrogen on its part is responsible for stimulating the uterine lining’s growth. The intrauterine allows the fertilized egg to be implanted and it also develops the embryo. During the period of ovulation the follicle’s size is that of an olive. The egg is released when the follicle ruptures. The fluid within the follicle, which is a clear substance till now is replaced by blood which follows the rupture. Progesterone’s secretion begins after this happens. A yellow coloured substance starts forming during this stage.

If there is no pregnancy at this time, the yellow matter begins to look scarred. The cystic structure is often referred to as corpus luteum, and it is quite small. In many cases, this process gets carried away and this is when this physiological structure is filled with the follicular fluid or blood, and it looks like one small plum. These cysts may or may not be accompanied with pain. Irregular menstrual cycle - this is the instant side effect of this cyst. These cysts may also twist or leak within the ovary. And when this happens, the abdomen may become tender and there can be some pain too. Surgery may become necessary now - but ultrasound is needed to identify the large cyst.

Pathological Ovarian Cysts

Cystic structures within the ovary are not a part of an ovulation cycle, and they are referred to as ‘pathological ovarian cysts’. These growths are also termed ‘tumours’. Tumours again may be divided into two categories - non-cancerous or benign and cancer or malignant. Pathological ovarian cysts contain sundry materials - in a few there is mucous and in others there is stale blood. These cysts are not uncommon among young women who bear tissues in a very disorderly form. These tissues may be associated with fat, hair follicles, teeth, bone fragments, or thyroid. Pathological cysts biggest drawback is that there can be no regression. The fluid can get accumulated and it thus grows in size.

Reasons behind the formation of ovarian cysts

If you look at ovarian cysts through ultrasound, you will immediately realize that they resemble bubbles. As we said earlier, fluid forms virtually the only component of a cyst, and it is surrounded by a slim wall. A cyst such as this is known as a ‘Simple Cyst’ or ‘Functional Cyst’. If however, it is the follicle which has failed to rupture and release the egg, the fluid remains and it is likely that it will form a cyst in the ovary. Because of this, one of the two ovaries gets affected. It happens sometimes that tiny cysts may be present in a normal ovary while the follicles are being formed.

Adverse Effects

Ovarian cysts may be seen in any woman, no matter what the age. Research has proved that most cases of cysts in the ovary are benign in nature (which means they are non cancerous), they are neither related to any disease. In fact, many cysts disappear on their own in just a few weeks of their appearance. Ovarian cysts can be classifies in two broad categories: cancerous and non cancerous. Ovarian cancer does show the occurrence of cysts, but in normal conditions cysts denote a harmless condition. Some ovarian cysts include dermoid cyst, hemorrhagic cyst, Corpus Luteum cyst, follicular cyst and others.

Holistic Approach

A large number of medicinal methods are being used nowadays to try to cure ovarian cysts but none of these are able to guarantee full success. The only way that a woman can rise above ovarian cysts is through the holistic approach. And it has the added advantage of having no side effects and being wholly trustworthy. The holistic approach believes in the saying “Forewarned is Forearmed” and tries to eradicate ovarian cysts by its very roots. The holistic approach tries to create fitness on the mental, spiritual as well as the physical level. So it basically persuades you to face ovarian cysts with courage and not to run away from it.

Alcoholism and drug addiction are problems that are growing in severity and spreading like wild fire. The thing is - are we doing enough about these problems? Do enough people actually understand how bad and dangerous alcohol and drugs actually are?

So let me provide you with a few addiction and alcoholism facts and statistics - so you can really begin to appreciate the potential for damage and devastation that alcohol and drugs have.

1) Alcohol is responsible for around 50% of deaths on our roads

2) The use and abuse of drugs and alcohol is a major cause of injury and death in teenagers and young adults.

3) Alcohol often leads to violent behaviour and it has been estimated plays a part in more than 50% of rapes and murders.

4) Approximately 92% of household theft and street muggings are made by drug addicts to get the money they need to fund their addiction.

5) You have in the US roughly 20 million people who are over the age of 13 that use drugs - and more than 21,000 people die every year because of their drug addiction.

I’ve just briefly mentioned a few drug and alcohol related facts and statistics - but the message is hopefully loud and clear. So I just don’t get how we still live in a binge drinking culture where alcohol abuse is glamorised and regarded as cool/socially acceptable. You could half understand it if it were just teenagers going on about their drinking exploits - but adults are even worse. I just don’t think the message of the dangers and damage that alcohol can cause gets through to enough people.

And why isn’t more being done to eliminate the drug dealers, who take advantage of the vulnerable and young in our communities? It’s just plain cowardice targeting youngsters, especially because they are the most vulnerable, with drugs like heroin.

My biggest concern is that things won’t improve and simply continue to get worse. How do you effectively tackle such a massive problem? Our attitudes towards alcohol need to change 180 degrees - and more needs to be done to get drugs off our street. These are issues of such massive proportions.

The addiction and alcoholism facts and statistics are only the tip of the iceberg and will continue to grow and escalate. So it’s about us doing our bit, passing on the message as to the dangers and damage that drugs and alcohol can cause - and living our lives by example. Hopefully that way, with time, others will follow suit …