Along Came a Spider

… who sat down beside her,
and gave her boyfriend a boost??

A couple of years ago, it was reported that nature’s answer to an alternative for Viagra was a Brazilian spider. This spider delivered more than a painful bite that sent most victims to the hospital. Its venom stimulates an hours-long erection. It was relatively easy for emergency room staff to immediately spot the victims of a bite from the Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer). Patients’ not only experienced overall pain and an increase in blood pressure, they also arrive in the ER with an uncomfortable erection.

Now that scientists have figured out the chemical in the venom that seems to be responsible for the penis boost, researchers presented their findings this week at the American Heart Association’s conference on high blood pressure research in Chicago.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that these research dollars would be much better spent on something other than the use of deadly venom for erectile dysfunction. In the late 1990s, Viagra became the Sexual Holy Grail. Competition in the pharmaceutical industry leads to, of course, additional pharmaceuticals for the treatment of impotence; Levitra and Cialis. That meant more marketing, more ads, more commercials on TV, and now a quest for deadly spider venom. Does the world really need yet another Viagra?

Interesting note about the Brazilian wandering spider: It’s extremely fast, extremely venomous, and extremely aggressive.

First, Do No Harm. THEN Kill Your Patients?

A lot of people are seriously misconstruing a provision in the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200), which enjoys broad support in Congress. The provision provides coverage under Medicare for people to TALK TO THEIR OWN DOCTOR (read: Consultation with your primary care physician – not some government employee) about their wishes and health care preferences (i.e. Living Will). Read more

Health Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina is one of hundreds of algae species and is commonly known as blue green algae. It’s a rich source of nutrients, containing up to 70% protein, B-complex vitamins, phycocyanin, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and numerous minerals. In fact, spirulina contains more beta-carotene than carrots. Considered one of nature’s most perfect foods, it has been used since ancient times as a source of nutrients and has been said to possess a variety of medical uses, including as an antioxidant, antiviral, antineoplastic, weight loss aid, and lipid-lowering agent. Read more

Health Care Reform Goes Circus Crazy

Just when I thought the fringe couldn’t get any fringier, someone comes along to prove me wrong. Apparently the lunatic fringe has been circulating some secret government plot to kill off old people as part of health care reform.  Gees…. That’s just crazy talk! That’s at least six kinds of crazy.

At first I thought it must be one isolated case, one isolated question, of just one person not understanding a provision in a PROPOSED health care bill. But again, I was wrong. Members of Congress speaking on the floor yesterday are helping to perpetuate this circus craziness. Read more

KILL BILL: Revenge of the Lewin Group

As more Republicans speak out against Health Care Reform, you can’t help but notice a common thread in their arguments: the Lewin Group. Also painfully obvious is that they’re all using the same talking points, over and over again. Talking points provided to them by this mysterious Lewin Group they keep referencing.

As an example: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-6): “Approximately 114 million Americans are expected to leave private health insurance.” In all fairness, she’s not the only one regurgitating highlights from a Lewin Group report. For years, Read more

Show Your Support for HR646

One long time believer and supporter of acupuncture is United States Representative Maurice Hinchey of New York who has been working for many years to include acupuncture under Medicare and Federal employee health coverage.

The “Hinchey Bill” as it is often referred to, is titled HR646 Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act. The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is making it easy for you to ask your U.S. Representative and Senators to support HR646 by going to the Website of RALLY CONGRESS to easily enter your zip code and name to have a letter sent to each of them in your name.

You have the power to push Congress as much as the lobbying firms do. Your vote keeps your representative in Washington or sends them packing if they don’t listen to you. Make your opinion known, and tell Congress you want to have access to the oldest form of preventive medicine and healthcare in the world. Support HR646 and experience the wonderful health benefits of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. When Medicare covers Acupuncture, more private insurance companies are likely to include acupuncture in their plans as some already do. Show your support for this bill,  then find an acupuncturist near you (a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), Acupuncture Physician (AP), Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM) - titles vary by state) and experience a  healing system that has worked for millions of people all over the world for well over 2500 years.

ABOUT H.R. 646, The Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 2009

H.R. 646 would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of qualified acupuncturist services under part B of the Medicare Program, and to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for coverage of such services under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced bills and resolutions first go to committees that deliberate, investigate, and revise them before they go to general debate. The majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of committee. [ Read Full Text Here ]

Health Reform Seeks to Include Alternative Therapies

As reported in the Boston Globe today, some Senators are seeking to have alternative therapies included in health care reform. Senator Harkin (D) of Iowa, who has been a long time proponent of Alternative Medicine, spoke at a congressional hearing this week in defense of alternative therapies. Harkin is the cosponsor of an amendment that says health care plans will not be allowed to “discriminate’’ against any healthcare provider who has a license issued by a state, an amendment Senate aides said was designed to provide coverage for alternative medicine. Read more

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