Medical procedures such as anesthetic injections like epidurals and spinal taps are often accompanied by an undesirable side effect: headaches. Rather than the commonly recommended Advil or Tylenol, Doctors are suggesting patients try something new; a hot and delicious cup of coffee. Caffeine narrows the blood vessels in the brain, which helps reverse the vasodilatation that occurs when a puncture causes cerebrospinal fluid to leak. This theory has been long supported by medical texts but research says it doesn’t work.
Other studies suggest that it may not be the caffeine intake but the intake of fluids in general that may alleviate the headaches caused by these medical procedures. Many Doctors claim that the most effective treatment is one called epidural blood patching. Although the procedure can at times be invasive, it’s worth it; it relieves headaches in eighty-five to ninety-eight percent of patients.
This antidote to awful headaches may only just be a myth in the field of medicine. However, if Doctors have recommended it in the past it may indeed work. If not, at least you can enjoy the delicious java in your cup.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Leading in Job Losses, Rhode Island Struggles On
The state of Rhode Island now has the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Statistically, this is the worst year for Rhode Island with unemployment at 8.8 percent. Over the last few years, the manufacturing sector has lost quite a few jobs, which is where the economy is strongest. Rhode Island is composed mainly of small businesses with few large companies. Withstanding the economic turmoil is more difficult for smaller companies, which lack the reserves to do so.
The number of foreclosures, faltering businesses, and unemployed families are rising to alarming rates. Families are forced to visit their local food pantry; A food program in Rhode Island providing food products to local families struggling through the economic crisis. The food pantry has seen a major spike in demand, especially for people who have never needed food assistance in the past.
The economic crisis gripping our nation affects everybody, but some more than others. Until a resolution is found, we should be grateful for the food programs available to those who really need it.
The number of foreclosures, faltering businesses, and unemployed families are rising to alarming rates. Families are forced to visit their local food pantry; A food program in Rhode Island providing food products to local families struggling through the economic crisis. The food pantry has seen a major spike in demand, especially for people who have never needed food assistance in the past.
The economic crisis gripping our nation affects everybody, but some more than others. Until a resolution is found, we should be grateful for the food programs available to those who really need it.
Boston Ponders Even Tougher Regulations on Tobacco
The Boston Health Public Commission is imposing some of the nation’s harshest tobacco regulations. The sale of cigarettes in drug stores and on college campuses have been banned and the city’s ten cigar and hookah bars are said to be shutdown by the year 2013. The purpose of these regulations are to discourage people, especially college students, from buying cigarettes, to remove the cancer-causing agents from stores that promote good health, and to protect employees from the harmful effects of being exposed to secondhand smoke.
Many people, like Barbara Ferrer, director of the board of health, believe products like tobacco should be lumped into the same category as guns and alcohol, Ferrer claims all of which are dangerous and require regulation. Others with opposing views on the situation, believe the changes are discriminatory. The regulations anger smokers and small business leaders who say they are being singled out.
On November 13th, the board of health will vote on these regulations and if approved they will take effect within sixty days. I understand the intentions behind proposing tobacco regulations such as these but the truth remains; if a young adult wants to buy a pack of cigarettes or a cigar nothing will prevent he/she from doing so.
Many people, like Barbara Ferrer, director of the board of health, believe products like tobacco should be lumped into the same category as guns and alcohol, Ferrer claims all of which are dangerous and require regulation. Others with opposing views on the situation, believe the changes are discriminatory. The regulations anger smokers and small business leaders who say they are being singled out.
On November 13th, the board of health will vote on these regulations and if approved they will take effect within sixty days. I understand the intentions behind proposing tobacco regulations such as these but the truth remains; if a young adult wants to buy a pack of cigarettes or a cigar nothing will prevent he/she from doing so.
Fury of Girl's Fists Lifts Up North Korean Refugee Family
In South Korea, one seventeen-year-old girl has made headlines by winning a boxing championship. Choi Hyun-mi and her family fled North Korea in search of a better life. What they found was prejudice instead. North Korean refugees are seen as less skilled and educated than the citizens of the South.
Ms. Choi’s family had been surviving off government handouts like most refugees. Her father, a once successful businessman, had lost his job and was unable to provide for his family. In 2004, he made the decision to flee the North’s poverty and oppression in order to pursue a better future for his children. The family’s life has changed drastically; without work they can no longer afford luxuries. At times, Ms. Choi’s father misses their old life in North Korea. However, his daughter’s budding boxing career is a welcomed distraction. Choi Hyun-Mi turned professional in September 2007.
Although boxing is no longer a common sport in South Korea, Ms. Choi hopes to add to her family’s income with her fighting wages. In doing so, this teenage girl also hopes to raise her family’s stature.
Despite the obstacles this family has faced their hope for a better future has not faltered. I believe there is nothing that can stand in the way of this girl’s dreams.
Ms. Choi’s family had been surviving off government handouts like most refugees. Her father, a once successful businessman, had lost his job and was unable to provide for his family. In 2004, he made the decision to flee the North’s poverty and oppression in order to pursue a better future for his children. The family’s life has changed drastically; without work they can no longer afford luxuries. At times, Ms. Choi’s father misses their old life in North Korea. However, his daughter’s budding boxing career is a welcomed distraction. Choi Hyun-Mi turned professional in September 2007.
Although boxing is no longer a common sport in South Korea, Ms. Choi hopes to add to her family’s income with her fighting wages. In doing so, this teenage girl also hopes to raise her family’s stature.
Despite the obstacles this family has faced their hope for a better future has not faltered. I believe there is nothing that can stand in the way of this girl’s dreams.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Weight-Loss Surgery, No Cutting Required
About 15 million Americans are morbidly obese which presents health risks that may take years to reverse. Many seek a solution such as Bariatric surgery, which promotes weight-loss through slits in the abdominal muscles. However, revolutionary methods in the field of medical science have changed the face of weight-loss surgery. Rather than cutting, surgeons pass a stapler down the throat and staple a patient’s stomach from the inside. The object of this particular surgery is to reduce the size of an average stomach to about the size of a thumb, drastically decreasing the amount of food being ingested.
Weight-loss surgeries often produce better results than regular diet and exercise and may help reduce the risks of heart disease and cancer, or even cure diabetes. However, there are risks; less than one percent of people die from having some form of Bariatric surgery, including one of the more common procedures known as Gastric Bypass. Health companies are investing the time into finding new minimally invasive operations to ease the growing rates of obesity in our country. This revolutionary procedure makes the entire process of surgical weight-loss less painful and invasive, therefore eliminating post-surgery risks and speeding up the recovery.
I think this new procedure will benefit many obese people who see weight-loss operations as their final hope to shed those stubborn pounds and regain their health. With the arrival of new minimally invasive techniques, these procedures may become available to a wider range of potential patients.
Weight-loss surgeries often produce better results than regular diet and exercise and may help reduce the risks of heart disease and cancer, or even cure diabetes. However, there are risks; less than one percent of people die from having some form of Bariatric surgery, including one of the more common procedures known as Gastric Bypass. Health companies are investing the time into finding new minimally invasive operations to ease the growing rates of obesity in our country. This revolutionary procedure makes the entire process of surgical weight-loss less painful and invasive, therefore eliminating post-surgery risks and speeding up the recovery.
I think this new procedure will benefit many obese people who see weight-loss operations as their final hope to shed those stubborn pounds and regain their health. With the arrival of new minimally invasive techniques, these procedures may become available to a wider range of potential patients.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Obama Leaving Trail to Visit Ailing Grandmother...
This week, Senator Barack Obama will be suspending his campaign to visit his grandmother whose health has been, apparently, failing rapidly. His grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who is eighty-six years old, continues to reside in Hawaii where Obama spent many of his young teen years. During that time, Obama's mother was living in Indonesia so Dunham was his primary caretaker. Robert Gibbs, a campaign spokesman described their relationship saying, "as he (Obama) has said, she poured everything she had into him."
In order to accomodate the trip, Obama will be canceling two of his scheduled appearances in Wisconsin and adding a visit to Indianapolis on Thursday en route to Hawaii. Gibbs stated that he is expected to return to his campaign trail on Saturday. I'd say it's an unselfishly short trip, considering both of his parents are already dead so his grandmother is, in a sense, his only remaining family. We will have to wait and see how this weighs on the election.
In order to accomodate the trip, Obama will be canceling two of his scheduled appearances in Wisconsin and adding a visit to Indianapolis on Thursday en route to Hawaii. Gibbs stated that he is expected to return to his campaign trail on Saturday. I'd say it's an unselfishly short trip, considering both of his parents are already dead so his grandmother is, in a sense, his only remaining family. We will have to wait and see how this weighs on the election.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Michael Moore's "uprising"
On September 30th, Michael Moore a long time anti-Christ to the right released a new movie about the 2004 Kerry v. Bush election. Previous to the election Moore toured college campus' in over 62 cities to film his newest film "Slacker Uprising." The film however will never been seen...in theaters. Moore prohibited his agent from contracting any film studio on the project, in stead he (on the 30th) released the film online, free to viewers. Ari Emanuel, Moore's agent believed "Slacker Uprising" could gross $20 to $40 million dollars. "I just said straight up, 'I want to give this away for free.'" said Moore. Further more he bought all north American distribution rights to the project.
You can watch the film free at SlackerUprising.com, buy the DVD off his site for $10 and free copies of the DVD can be requested fir libraries.
'Slacker Uprising' is about just that, the movement for 'slacker' kids to get off the couch and vote... for Kerry. The film brought much controversy (in line with most of his films), and even some criminal charges. At one point in the film Moore gives free Ramin noodles to those who would vote for Kerry. He was immediately pinned for trying to bribe voters.
Personally i feel the film was interesting, inspiring and filled with propaganda but most importantly anti- climactic
because we all know now, his efforts didn't work.
You can watch the film free at SlackerUprising.com, buy the DVD off his site for $10 and free copies of the DVD can be requested fir libraries.
'Slacker Uprising' is about just that, the movement for 'slacker' kids to get off the couch and vote... for Kerry. The film brought much controversy (in line with most of his films), and even some criminal charges. At one point in the film Moore gives free Ramin noodles to those who would vote for Kerry. He was immediately pinned for trying to bribe voters.
Personally i feel the film was interesting, inspiring and filled with propaganda but most importantly anti- climactic
because we all know now, his efforts didn't work.
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