Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Top of August Month Links

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

http://www.gutefrage.net/picoftheday/bpoilspill.html

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/hulu-plus-has-14-percent-more-content-than-hulu-2-840-percent-m/

http://digg.com/news/world_news/prop_8_ruled_unconstitutional_2

http://www.gutefrage.net/picoftheday/carwrecks.html

http://www.gutefrage.net/picoftheday/sporn.html

http://digg.com/news/offbeat/eva_mendes_sex_tape

http://digg.com/news/entertainment/5_Super_Neat_Ways_to_Use_a_Hooker_The_Oatmeal

http://digg.com/news/politics/Are_You_Mature_Enough_for_This_Line_Graph_of_Gay_Marriage

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Lifestyle Changes and Prescription Drug Treatment for Blood Pressure Health

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

It is very important to control your blood pressure if you have been diagnosed with that ailment. High blood pressure can lead to more serious conditions and complications such as heart disease. Medical professionals say that a blood pressure of 140/90 is optimal. However, if a patient also has kidney disease or diabetes, a lower rate is desirable.

You can control and lower your blood pressure lifestyle changes. You may also need a prescription drug treatment as well.

Eating a healthy diet is one of the major ways to lower blood pressure. A healthy diet can also reduce the risk of developing problematic pressure rates. Reduce the intake of fats and cholesterol and increase the intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Today’s sodium intake recommendation is to consume no more than 2.4 grams of sodium a day. Studies show that people with an intake of less than 1,500 mg per day can lower their blood pressure.

Eating a healthy diet and reducing salt should help with the next step of maintaining a good body weight. Overweight people are at a higher risk for blood pressure complications. Losing weight will almost always lower your blood pressure.

Getting on a regular exercise plan will also reduce your blood pressure. If you haven’t been exercising regularly, check with your physician and then start slow. Try to work up to 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise.

Quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake will also help you achieve a better blood pressure. We all know the effects of tobacco — heart disease, cancer, and more — so there’s no reason not to quit. In addition to reducing the harmful effects of alcohol (damage to the liver, brain, and heart), reducing alcohol intake can help reduce calories that will help in maintaining that healthy weight goal.

Following these tips will lower your blood pressure as well as help your overall health.

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When a Friend is Being Abused

Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Grandville : Cent Proverbes
Image via Wikipedia
So, you suspect that a dear friend is a victim of domestic abuse; you seen suspicious signs such as your friend’s inability to spend time with you or to even see family. There have been unaccountable bruises or your friend has sustained an injury that they are hiding. Your suspicion is growing into a pretty sure knowledge that something is amiss.
The burning question that rises to the surface is: should you do something about this and, if so, what steps should you take? These are good questions because if your friend is in an abusive situation, it is essential that they receive help. However- escape from such an environment needs to be done carefully or the victim may be put in an even more precarious situation than they are presently in.
Here is a list of Must Do’s:
Do talk to your friend; tell them your concerns and most important: LISTEN.  Do offer your support and help, if they need it. Do let them know you care about them.
NEVER do the following:
Never wait for them to speak to you about their situation. Never place blame anywhere or on anyone; never put pressure on your friend to take action. And, above all, NEVER give advice.
A victim of abuse needs to know that they are cared about and supported but they can be put in very dangerous circumstances if bullied and cajoled into making a move before they are ready. Abusers are controllers. It is probable that the abuser controls every aspect of your friend’s life. In order for victims to successfully remove themselves from such a scenario, they must first come to grips with their situation. Then there must be careful planning, on their part, in order to escape from the abuser’s control.
So, be a friend; listen; offer support, and be there when they’re in need. Be there when they’re ready.
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Domestic Abusers Know What They Are Doing

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
It's More than Violence
Image by mtsofan via Flickr
One of the most interesting aspects of domestic abuse is the fact that abusers are usually able to control their behavior.
“Huh? How can that be?” You ask. “Aren’t abusers as much of a victim as the victims they control or hurt?”
The answer, in most cases, is probably not.  Most abusers can control their behavior and they do it all the time. You see, abusers choose whom they will abuse.  Many times, in one relationship, a partner will be as meek as a lamb; yet when they change relationships, they suddenly become the unyielding controller and can even move into violence.
An abuser looks for someone that he/she can control; someone who will be willing to belong to only them in the beginning throes of a relationship. Many times a victim will think this is simply romance without the understanding that the situation has a dangerous potential to turn from the ultimate dream into a nightmare.
The controlling romantic can morph overnight into a complete control freak over every detail in the victim’s life. The abuser will no longer allow the victim to see friends and family. The abuser will take total control over the money.  Sometimes an abuser will even take complete charge of the job or education of the victim. Control may mean that one can no longer even drive the family car or use the phone.
Abusers may treat their victims well in public and tear them to shreds, verbally in private. Abusers also know how to hit their victims carefully so that no bruise shows to the outside world. Abusers are also capable of stopping their abuse if it is of benefit to them, personally.
If the police are at the door, you can bet that a domestic abuser will be on their best behavior.
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The Common Pattern of Domestic Abuse

Sunday, August 15th, 2010
Acid attack victim, Cambodia, 2007
Image via Wikipedia
Just like the circle of life, there is a definite circle in the pattern of abuse that, if left alone, will continue to turn, and keep on turning, until the abuse victim has escaped or is dead.  As this pattern is a circle, it is not always easy to identify a beginning, so let’s just start at what we might consider the normal part of this cycle.
The abuser has usually just repented of horrible verbal, emotional, and even physical abuse. Everything becomes perfect and it is so wonderful to the victim to see how much their partner truly loves them. At this phase nothing is too good for the injured party and the abuser does all in his/her power to make life beautiful.
In the next stage, the abuser becomes dissatisfied and every movement the victim makes is cause for the abuser to plan revenge.
The circle continues as the abuser then sets up the victim to commit a “wrong”. This could be anything from taking too long at the store to spending too much time with family. The abuser will justify any action or non-action to accuse the victim of anything ranging from insolence to immorality.
The circle then moves into insulting, belligerent, and ranting behavior that many times turns into aggression and violence. After the victim has been thoroughly chastised, mentally, emotionally, and physically, the next part of the pattern circles around to focus on the abuser’s guilt.
At this point the abusing partner seems filled with horrible guilt and remorse; they cannot do enough to show how sorry they feel. (Of course, he/she may also be worrying about what might happen if the proper authorities were to find out the extent of their abusive actions.)
And then we circle around once more to the point of forgiveness and normalcy- and off we go again.
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What is the First Clue in Discovering Abuse?

Friday, August 13th, 2010
What is the first clue in discovering abuse? The first clue is that sickening feeling that makes one want to hide or in extreme cases, run- run as fast and as far away as possible. It is that feeling that crashes in on top of everything and almost paralyzes you. It is that gut-wrenching sensation that makes you physically ill and terrified to move.
It’s called fear.
If you have a fear of your spouse or partner; if you feel that nothing you do is right in their presence and that you must walk a very thin line to keep the peace; if you feel that at any minute you will do something to cause a domestic explosion, then it is time to pay attention to those feelings!
Fear of one’s spouse or partner is the first sign that you may have a domestic abuse problem. If you are experiencing this fear then it is time to take a serious look at your relationship and understand what is going on and how you got there.
In this case, fear is a good thing. It can cause a victim to wake up and pay attention; it can bring one to the point of understanding and acknowledging that something is not right in their domestic relationship.
This is not an easy thing to admit or adjust to. Many times a victim will blame themselves for any domestic abuse in their home. Fear can actually clear the victim’s head and help them to see that the circumstances in which they find themselves are not desirable or healthy. Fear can help a victim to desire a change from abuse so much that they will actually make it happen.
If you feel fear in your relationship, then trust it. The life you save may be your own.
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Violence and Abuse Can Surface in all Genres of Domestic Relationships.

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
The cover of the edition on domestic violence.
Image via Wikipedia
As much as one might like to ignore or excuse domestic abuse, this unfortunate phenomenon seems to exist in every kind of conceivable relationship. From heterosexual marriages to same-sex relationships to living-together couples, domestic violence and abuse does and will happen when there is one partner who seeks to control the other.
And domestic abuse is about the control of one human being over another. Abuse is verbal, emotional and can escalate into physical violence.  This control comes in all forms and the purpose is to deny the victim any power over their life. The abuser demands control over the utmost details. This can include things like who the victim sees and who they can speak to, money, transportation, sometimes even the clothes they wear. This kind of spousal abuse occurs in every age group, financial status, and culture.
Not only can domestic violence and abuse happen to anyone, the abuser can be female as well as male. Yet, many times, this aspect of the abuse problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied. Some studies indicate that women abuse as much as men. The biggest difference in the abuse is that domestic violence generating from a woman is usually not as lethal as when a man is the abuser.
In 99% of abuse cases, a female victim will be treated with sympathy and concern; she will receive help and sanctuary. However many male victims are treated with contempt, disdain, or worse, ignored. Because of this most men do not report abuse and are denied needed help because of ridicule from those who should and can help.
A fact that modern society must come to terms with is that abuse is a problem that crosses every life style and every sexual orientation. It causes pain suffering and trauma. This is true even if the victim is male.
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Medical Monitoring Devices: Buying the Right Finger Pulse Oximeter

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
Measurement of oxygen saturation with a finger...
Image via Wikipedia

A finger pulse oximeter is used to measure your heart rate and your oxygen levels. You can use it for exercising, or you can use it just to monitor your medical condition if you have health concerns. These devices aren’t difficult to find, much like blood pressure cuffs, blood sugar monitors, and thermometers, but you want to get the right ones. Take a close look at the medical monitoring device you’re considering buying, and make sure that it comes with some kind of warranty. You don’t want to be out the money for it if it doesn’t work right for some reason. The warranty should be for at least a year. If there’s a card to fill out for it, make sure you do that.

Also, make sure you’re buying your monitoring devices from a reputable company. That can really help if there’s a problem with any of them. You shouldn’t have to fight for your money back or a replacement as long as you’ve gone with a company that you can trust. If you’re not sure what company you should be using, ask around. Do your research thoroughly, in order to make sure that you’re getting the right thing and that you’re getting it for a price that’s reasonable and appropriate. You don’t want to pay too much.

You can always ask your doctor for a recommendation as to which monitoring devices you should get, too. He or she probably knows which companies will be best, or can at least tell you what to look for and what price range you should be looking in. If you have a medical condition that needs monitoring, or if you’re starting an exercise program, you should be consulting with your doctor. During that visit, ask about different devices so you can get a better idea of which one you should buy.

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Financial Ramifications for Victims of Domestic Abuse

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Join the movement to end child abuse: www.1sta...
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Leaving an abusive relationship is an incredible act of bravery and tenacity. One cannot simple walk away from an abusive partner without fear of pain and punishment as well as possible loss of life. In order to escape, a victim must plan carefully and thoroughly, as they will never be able to return.
When a victim succeeds in getting away from the abuse, it is through serious planning and working a tight schedule. Because an abuser is always in control of the victim, it takes some very dedicated detailed planning for a victim to actually make a successful escape.
One of the hardest issues to resolve in making an escape from an abusive partner is in the area of finances. The normal financial outcome for abuse victims is that money is non-existent. The abuser controls everything and this includes finances, both household and personal.
Victims of abuse, who have been under the thumb of their partner for a long time, will usually find that there are no bank accounts in their name; no identity and no cash. Escaping is very difficult without the cash to do so. Many abuse victims become homeless.
Victims that escape with their children, face a double whammy as they try to find shelter and comfort for their children as well as themselves. Another serious problem that adds to the strain of escape is the fact that the victim will have to get a job; most abuse victims have little or no training in work and have been under guard for years. This one item can keep many abuse victims from leaving their awful situation, as lack of finances can be quite formidable as well as frightening.
Although there are agencies that offer assistance, many times there are too many abuse victims for these agencies to handle.

Leaving an abusive relationship is an incredible act of bravery and tenacity. One cannot simple walk away from an abusive partner without fear of pain and punishment as well as possible loss of life. In order to escape, a victim must plan carefully and thoroughly, as they will never be able to return.
When a victim succeeds in getting away from the abuse, it is through serious planning and working a tight schedule. Because an abuser is always in control of the victim, it takes some very dedicated detailed planning for a victim to actually make a successful escape.
One of the hardest issues to resolve in making an escape from an abusive partner is in the area of finances. The normal financial outcome for abuse victims is that money is non-existent. The abuser controls everything and this includes finances, both household and personal.
Victims of abuse, who have been under the thumb of their partner for a long time, will usually find that there are no bank accounts in their name; no identity and no cash. Escaping is very difficult without the cash to do so. Many abuse victims become homeless.
Victims that escape with their children, face a double whammy as they try to find shelter and comfort for their children as well as themselves. Another serious problem that adds to the strain of escape is the fact that the victim will have to get a job; most abuse victims have little or no training in work and have been under guard for years. This one item can keep many abuse victims from leaving their awful situation, as lack of finances can be quite formidable as well as frightening.
Although there are agencies that offer assistance, many times there are too many abuse victims for these agencies to handle.

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Combining Car Insurance with Medicine and Health

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

There are many people today who worship doctors.  They do this to a point of believing doctors have the answers to all ailments and pain.  These individuals are looking to get the best health insurance, car insurance with medical coverage, and more, all so they can have access to the latest treatments.

There is nothing wrong with this, except that it can take the focus off of personal responsibility and looking at possible alternative treatments. The line we must walk is, “Well, we have insurance, so I’m going to the doctor.” We may have insurance, but the pain or complaint may also not rise to the level of medical attention. Again, you should not ignore a medical issue, and these often presents itself with pain. Early detection is the key to effective treatment.

But we must take responsibility for our health, and that means doing research about our symptoms. Another reason for doing the work is that we can give a more accurate evaluation of our pain, our symptoms, and the frequency of our ailments. From that information, any medical professional will be able to more accurate identify the problem and appropriate treatment.

We may be losing some of the supply of medical doctors as the new health care insurance program becomes a reality.  This is because the small doctors will not have the ability to process all the required paperwork.  Because of this, we must take responsibility and research our conditions, both for education and long term preparation.

Medicine does not give health. Medicine relieves symptoms and may alleviate a condition. Feeding the body with nutrients and extra supplements may correct a problem, or at least change the body’s balance to give it the opportunity to heal itself. However, you should not forsake medicine and the resources that the medical profession can provide in favor of supplements. Just keep personal responsibility on the table.

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