Best Way to Cure a Headache

An estimated 27% of women and 14% of men regularly suffer from severe headaches, including migraine headaches — and these percentages don’t include the “nuisance” headaches that we all get from time to time.

Many people manage their headaches with over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Medications provide only temporary relief. With continued use, they frequently cause rebound headaches — the pain returns, sometimes more intensely than before.

Chiropractic care can help. It focuses on spinal adjustment (manipulation) and massage. The American Chiropractic Association reports that up to 14% of patients who see a chiropractor cite headaches as a primary concern. The success rate of treating headaches with chiropractic care can be superior in some cases to pharmaceutical management.

A study in Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics looked at 218 headache patients who were treated either with amitriptyline (an antidepressant commonly used for migraine headaches) or with chiropractic manipulation. Initially, the treatments were equally effective, but only patients in the chiropractic group reported continued benefit one month after the treatments stopped.

How Palin Can GET 12M in Only 9 months

Half-term Governor Palin has proven how easy it is for (as she likes to say all in one breath) “real patriots, real Americans, people who love this country, pro-Americans” can receive (not “earn”) $12 Million dollars in as little as 9 months.  It doesn’t require hard work, years of effort, an original thought, or obtaining a special degree.  All you need is the ability to spew forth nonsensical, incoherent sound bites peppered with satire, sarcasm, and hypocrisy.

Once you’ve mastered the fine art of fooling some of the people all of the time with your shtick, and can string together nauseating cutsey-wootsy phrases like “hope-y, change-y” and “Nahhh…we’re the party of HELL NO!” spoken in angry populist rhetoric, then it’s just a matter of finding enough people willing to hand over their hard earned money to you.  Just give it to you; No questions asked (unless they’re scripted questions, of course).  Obviously, there are plenty of people ready, willing and able to hand over their money.

The general idea behind this get-rich-quick scheme is to rile up a crowd by stoking anger, hatred and fear towards the “other.” It doesn’t matter what the “other” is, but “big Government” seems to work rather well as a common denominator.  There are those who would argue that less Government in a country the size and ever-growing population of the U.S. would be a good thing.  We don’t need any more/better public schools, roads, bridges, infrastructure, military bases, police officers, teachers, libraries, hospitals, public parks, and so on.  Of course, this scheme only works on people who are so busy being consumed by their fear of other that they have no time to read, research or think for themselves.  Being an independent thinker is a lot more difficult than simply playing the role of a lemming.

Ideally, you’ll need to baffle the crowd with your BS, so you better have enough to go around… and Palin, et al. has more than enough to feed the masses.   What you don’t want to do is offer up any sort of common sense solutions, be grounded in reality, or cite empirically proven facts that would indicate that the vast majority of  “real Americans” tend to be optimistic and hopeful.  After all, America has a history built on hope…and 233 years of change.  Constant change.  Palin has made a side show out of disparaging Americans who are at their core very optimistic and hopeful people.  How sad, yet proven to be extremely profitable.

Clearly, we know who Palin, et al. is against, but we have no idea WHY, other than the fact that she’s a  GOP/Tea-Party-Real-American-Patriot.  (And by the way, I resent the implication that if I’m not part of the Tea Party movement, I’m not a “real American.”) Her ad hominem attacks offer only sarcasm and sweeping generalities: no solutions to any of the problems we’re up against.  No specific concepts to solve economic and social problems.  She has said absolutely nothing even remotely close to being helpful, or positive for that matter.   Other than demanding mega bucks to regurgitate the same sound bites (her applause lines) at various GOP complaint conventions and depression sessions, and demanding bendable straws (maybe unbendable straws are too sharp for her) and a Learjet for transportation to events, what, exactly, has she done for those so willing to give her their money?  Her so-called speeches are short on evidence and logic, and long on one-liners, conceit and BS. Then again, she only speaks in front of crowds who are more impressed by BS than by facts, logic, solutions and rationality.

Palin does ALL Americans, in ALL States, from ALL walks of life, an incredible disservice by glamorizing ignorance and giving voice to the worst elements of our society.  Surely we have evolved enough as a society to the point where we can move past the anger, fear and violence she so loves to inspire in people and work towards real solutions to real problems.  At least I would HOPE so.

Don’t speak out against Government run Health Care WHILE you’re GETTING Government run Health Care…

That’s just bad form.  Palin loves to rant about “socialized, government run health care,” along with the pointless “repeal and replace” GOP mantra.  Apparently, “socialized health care” and “Government run health care” is completely acceptable to her for her own family, but not for the rest of the “real American” families who can barely make ends meet in this Bushy-Cheney created recession.  How can someone who is raking in millions of dollars not be able to afford – or are unwilling to pay for — private insurance?

Recently released documents from the custody battle show clearly Tripp Palin Johnston has socialized health care through Indian Health Services and the Alaska Native Medical Center.

A look in the rear view mirror…

When Palin mocked Obama by asking, “how’s that hope-y, change-y stuff working out for ya?” why didn’t someone ask, “How’s that Bushy, Cheney stuff working out for us?”  Let’s briefly recap:

BUSH/CHENEY

• Two unfunded wars. (No one seemed to care about what that would do to the deficit.)
• Borrowing billions from China to pay for those unfunded wars (if China calls in their markers, we are in deep, deep trouble).
• Turned a surplus into a HUGE deficit.
• The Enron Collapse (People would have been outraged if they understood what happened.)
• Debt rose under the G. W. Bush administration by $6.1 trillion (No one seemed to care about what that would do to future generations)
• No progress on homeland security. (I don’t want to mention 9/11, but, well, that did happen under Bush’s watch.)
• Skyrocketing health care costs. (No one seemed to care about what that would do to the deficit.)
• Skyrocketing health insurance premiums. (Why would anyone in Congress care? They already have great insurance coverage…paid for by We The People.)
• Financial market meltdown creating that “too big to fail” scenario. (No one seemed to care about the long term effect of  giving Wall Street carte blanche to do “whatever” would have on the economy, and of more import, on We The People.)
• Tax cuts for the already rich and powerful. (No one seemed to care about what that would do to the deficit.)
• Unfunded Drug Prescription Program. (What’s one more massive unfunded program.)
• Millions of people lost their jobs, their health insurance, and their homes. (No one seemed to care enough to stop this from even starting. No one wanted to regulate the financial industry and risk losing their biggest political contributions.)

OBAMA/BIDEN

So far, and only one year into the “hope-y, change-y” side of things Obama has:

• Passed the stimulus package, generating jobs (see graph below)
• Eliminated wasteful spending; The Washington Times reported on January 14 that Obama won “60 percent of his proposed cuts” and also managed “to get Congress to ax several programs that had bedeviled President George W. Bush for years.”
• Sotomayor nomination
• Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which expands the rights of workers to sue employers over wage discrimination claims.
• SCHIP expansion.
• Credit card reform.
• Transparency. The Washington Post reported that moves by the Obama administration to improve government transparency “included a ban on lobbyist gifts; restrictions on the hiring of lobbyists; publication of White House visitor logs and other records; and a move to bar lobbyists from serving on advisory boards.” A report by Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, and U.S. PIRG stated that: “The cumulative effect of the Administration’s actions has been to adopt the strongest and most comprehensive lobbying, ethics and transparency rules and policies ever established by an Administration to govern its own activities.”
• Tobacco regulation.
• The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which expands the scope of AmeriCorps and provides opportunities for young people and senior citizens to join in service programs.
• Stem cell research.
• Plutonium Disposal Agreement with Russia
• Getting China to work with us on Iran Sanctions
• …But wait… there’s MORE!  You’ll just have to do the Google search yourself.

The slow climb out of a very deep hole…

Today, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress that he has confidence the unfolding economic recovery will have staying power, although it won’t be strong enough to bring quick relief to high unemployment.  I’m not sure how the Tea Party-goers can expect and/or demand “quick relief” from a problem that was 10 years in the making.  Wanting instant gratification seems to be the norm in our country.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36496933/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

We are climbing out of the hole and on our way to full recovery.  Slowly, but surely….

FEATURED VIDEO

Rachel Maddow demonstrates job growth under Obama vs. Bush using a “bikini” graph:

Closing comment:

Maybe Country Western singer Terri Clark was onto something when she wrote, “I Think the World Needs a Drink.”

I think the world needs a drink
I think enough’s enough
She’s been spinnin around so long I’d say She’s pretty wound up
Calm down, Sit back, Relax.

A Holistic Approach to a Thyroid Problem

One of the most common forms of thyroid problem is hypothyroidism or an under active thyroid gland. The most prevalent form of hypothyroidism is Thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s Disease, an auto immune disease affecting the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by a thyroid gland that is inflamed or sluggish. Thyroid problems can be due to iodine deficiency, an after effect of surgery or medication, or dysfunction of the pituitary gland.  There are various herbs and natural remedies available that are believed to actively treat a thyroid problem.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism:

• Weight gain, especially if the pounds pile on quickly and are almost impossible to remove.
• Dry and rough skin.
• Dry and coarse hair.
• Constant fatigue.
• There could also be memory loss, cramps and constipation.

All of these symptoms or just a few can be present, which means diagnosis of a thyroid problem by your physician is highly recommended.

A blood test for levels of thyroid hormones TSH and T4 is the most precise (but not necessarily VERY precise) way to diagnose a health problem.  What may be a “normal” thyroid level for one person may not be normal for another.  Thyroid problems can appear in someone who has the same levels as someone else who seems perfectly fine. The range of thyroid levels considered normal is quite wide, and can also depend on a particular lab report.  Nevertheless, a blood test remains the best way to diagnose a thyroid health problem, such as hypothyroidism.

Conventional treatments for thyroid conditions included synthetic thyroid hormones.  These treatments can often very from person to person, making it a hit or miss situation with constant monitoring needed as to how drug levels are affecting the condition.  Ideally, the goal is to change thyroid hormone levels in order to treat causes of the thyroid problem, rather than just temporarily relieve the symptoms.

The  best way to maintain your thyroid for optimum health is by taking a holistic approach to nutrition.

• Eliminate white flour (don’t be fooled by “wheat flour” as the first ingredient listed on the label; Wheat flour is really white flour), sugar, processed foods, and stimulants like alcohol, tea and coffee.
• Food with additives and preservatives should be avoided.
• Increase your intake of nutrient-dense foods such as dark leafy/green vegetables.  Plants contain three classes of micronutrients that are critical for optimal health: vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.   Phytochemicals are not “optional,” they are Essential in immune system defenses.

Strive for a plant-based diet that is rich in colorful vegetables and fruits. If at all possible, try not to buy ANY food product that has a label on it.

Is Your Weight Loss Canary Suffering?

There’s no doubt that thyroid disease is on the rise. Now the question is why?

The reason your weight loss attempts might not be working is because your weight loss canary might be suffering…let me explain.

From the research I’ve reviewed and the patients I’ve seen in the last 20 years, it’s clear to me that the thyroid gland is your body’s own yellow canary. It’s sensitive to many different influences—your diet, your lifestyle, and the world around you. And all of these influences can affect how well your thyroid functions.

Remember how miners used to detect toxic methane gas and carbon monoxide? They sent bright yellow canaries into the mines. Canaries are highly sensitive to these gasses—so much so that they die when exposed to them. Their deaths served as a warning system for miners so they do not enter and become exposed to poisonous air.

So, it’s not surprising that as we eat more toxic foods and are increasingly exposed to pollution, petrochemical and industrial wastes, and heavy metals that thyroid problems have also skyrocketed. In fact, more than 20 percent of women and 10 percent of men in the United States have thyroid dysfunctions—and half of them don’t even know it!

But exactly how does your environment affect your thyroid?

We now have substantial research to demonstrate that environmental chemicals have a direct impact on the thyroid gland. It’s clear that PCBs and other industrial petrochemical toxins can lower thyroid function, as well as other pollutants such as chlorine, fluoride, and bromide.

Since the thyroid produces hormones that manage your metabolism, anything that affects your thyroid will ultimately affect your metabolism. In fact, there’s evidence that toxins boost the excretion of thyroid hormones, leaving you with less of this hormone to control your metabolism—and a decreased ability to burn fat.

The truth is, your thyroid plays a huge role in weight control, and in determining your metabolic rate.

The question is not if, but how much is today’s obesity epidemic linked to the harmful effects of environmental toxins on metabolism.

I’ve seen so many patients struggle with their weight, only to have the pounds melt off when we addressed their thyroid problems.

True, not everyone’s weight problems are caused by thyroid dysfunction—but if you’re overweight, you should consider the connection. That’s why the best medical doctors always check their patients’ thyroid functions and will consider all the possible causes of subtle thyroid imbalance, including toxins, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.

Now let’s talk about some of those other factors.

For example, food allergies, like sensitivities to gluten and other foods, also negatively affect thyroid function—and are frequently undiagnosed. Likewise, deficiencies in nutrients important to good thyroid function—like selenium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids. and iodine and tyrosine—can also trigger thyroid problems.

With all of these factors that can affect your thyroid, it’s clear that we need a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. Many doctors can miss the subtle signs of thyroid problems, and conventional medicine often treats low thyroid function with inadequate, one-size-fits-all drugs like Synthroid.

However, thyroid dysfunction requires a more personalized, integrative approach—one that you can help control by becoming an active partner in your care. First, keep an eye out for the symptoms of a low thyroid function, including:

• fatigue
• sluggishness
• trouble getting up in the morning
• depression
• dry skin
• dry hair
• constipation
• fluid retention
• menstrual problems and PMS
• hair loss
• cracked or chipping fingernails
• low sex drive
• weight gain
• muscle aches
• cramps

Yes, a lot of those symptoms are pretty common and vague—which is one reason why thyroid dysfunction often goes undetected. But if you notice any of these signs, bring them to your doctor’s attention, and ask him or her to test your thyroid function.

If you are diagnosed with low thyroid function, the following steps recommended:

Remember, thyroid hormone is the master metabolism hormone. If your thyroid is out of balance, your metabolism is out of balance, too.

Do you have a dysfunctional thyroid?

Know that the problem can be fixed. By following the program here you can get your thyroid working properly, keep your weight under control and start feeling better today.

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