A Nursing Story-Making a Difference

It was Friday May 20^th 1988. My husband picked me up from work at lunch and we headed to the hospital to induce labor for our very first child. I was two weeks over due and the doctor felt like it was time to do something.  The joke at work was I was to have the baby on Friday and be back to work on Monday. Needless to say we did not pull that off.

The oxytocin drip was started and the dosage kept being increased in with no results. The monitor was showing contractions but I told my husband, I felt like a worm was crawling on my belly.  After a while the doctor came in and the decision was made to procede with a C-section.  That evening, my beautiful baby girl was born. I remember hearing her cry until they placed her in my husbands arms.  He then was allowed to carry her to the nursery while they closed my incision.

  The events that followed are a bit hazy so this is combined with what my family told me happened after my daughter’s birth. My mom stayed with me the day after while my husband ran some errands.  She noticed I was not perking up like she thought I should be.  She even mentioned it to one of the nurses. The nurse explained to her that I had just had major surgery, and that it was to be expected.  My mom told the nurse that she did not understand. “This is not like my Mary Carol”.  As hours passed,  mom was becoming more and more concerned. On Sunday evening, a nurse named Susan was assigned to me.  Mom told Susan that something was wrong. This was not like her daughter at all. Susan contacted the doctor on two different occasions and requested that he come and check on me.  Finally after the third call he came in and ordered ortho blood pressure tests.  Those bottomed out and he followed up with an ultrasound that showed a bladder flap hematoma the size of a softball.  They quickly slam dunked two units of blood in me and I was wheeled back in for emergency surgery to remove the hematoma.  Concerned, Susan put a call into our church and requested prayer for me because my life was in the balance. After surgery, I was then admitted to ICU for several days. Days passed before I was moved to the step down unit and finally able to go home with my baby girl.

After that experience in the hospital, I made the decision to go back to school to obtain a nursing degree. I wanted to make a difference in others people’s lives like Susan had made in mine.  Susan saved my life!  Had she not been persistent in calling the doctor, I would have bled to death in that hospital.

 

Fast forward to May 15^th, 2005

I was working as a nurse for a company that contracted with Hospices in Iredell County and several adjoining counties. Part of my job was to administer the IV pain control via a patient controlled analgesic pump for their patients. This particular day, I was setting up a lady in my own county. I got to the home, rang the door bell. Her husband  answered the door. He welcomed me inside and I could hear her voice in the kitchen. I knew that voice!  She walked in the den from the kitchen and her first words to me were, “I know you”.  I laughed and said, funny you say that because I recognize your voice but I don’t recognize your name. She smiled and said, well, I’m Carol.  I was your nurse in ICU after your daughter was born.  

In the following weeks, I learned from Carol that when she found out she was getting an OB patient in ICU, she tried to talk one of the other nurses that had OB experience into taking me.  She told me she was scared to death when I came down from surgery because  I was holding onto life by a toenail.  She said she kept talking to me all thru the shift telling me that I had better not die. I had a baby girl to take care of now and that baby needed her momma. I thanked her many times for the difference she made in my life. Needless to say, we became fast friends and I loved her dearly during those short months of caring for her. Carol passed away from ovarian cancer.

 I will forever feel blessed and thankful that God put these two wonderful nurses in my life.

So this is Nurses week. Thank a nurse that has made a difference in your life. 

Mary Carol Pons RN

Guest Blogger

Detoxification and Tacks Law

A physician at a seminar presented tacks Law.  While it may seem a bit obvious, there may be those that could benefit. 

First Tacks Law
If you sit on a tack, it takes a lot of aspirin to feel good.  The appropriate treatment for tack sitting is tack removal.

Second Tacks Law

If you are sitting on two tacks then removing just one does not result in a 50% improvement.  Chronic illness is multi-factorial and often requires attention to more than one aspect in order to achieve results.

Detoxification Part 5-Liver and Kidney

                                                                                       DANDELION

Now that we have given attention to keeping the “pipes” open it is time to offer some liver and kidney support. 

 The liver functions it to detoxify the blood.  Common drugs that inhibit the livers ability to do its job include acetaminophen and statin drugs for cholesterol.  The liver requires specific vitamins to perform its job.  This includes Vitamin A, B1, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, and folic acid.  Minerals needed include copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur and zinc.  This is all part of the wonderful biochemical processing system of the body.

Herbs have long been used in liver support.  The most common are dandelion, milk thistle seed, tumeric, garlic, schisandra, and rosemary.   These herbs can be used as teas, tinctures or capsules.  Choices include Hepata Comp, Dandi Comp, Milk Thistle Seed capsules or Liver Health Capsules.  I like the Comp tinctures as they contain minerals from the plant.  You could also add the homeopathic Liver Gall Bladder HP.  Always take a B Complex, vitamin A and C with a liver program.

Urine from the kidney is viewed as a waste product but it is also a filtrate of the blood that maintains fluid and electrolyte balance.  Kidney support can be accomplished by good hydration.  Sweating is another great way to decrease the kidney load.  Activated charcoal can also help decrease toxic load the kidney.  Support products include the herbal tincture Kidney Comp

I think it is helpful to combine Hepata Comp and Kidney Comp with Liver Gall Bladder HP in taking this next step.

Stay Well

Detoxification and the Gall Bladder

The next step in detoxification involves the gall bladder.  The gall bladder is the container for bile.  Bile is a byproduct of the liver that aids in the digestion of fat.  Since bile can contain as much as 85% water, dehydration can be a contributing factor in gallstones.  The more concentrated the bile, the greater the risk of stones. 

When fat passes the bile duct, bile is released to aide in the digestion of fat, which keeps bile flowing.  A low fat diet can decrease bile flow.  It may be helpful to take a tablespoonful of olive oil daily to aid in bile flow. 

Some individuals perform a liver/gallbladder flush of which there are many variations.  The program involves drinking apple juice (acetic and malic acid) with Super Phos 30 (phosphoric acid) for 3 days.  On the evening of day 3 you mix and drink one cup of olive oil, one cup of coke and the juice from one lemon.  You then lie down on your right side in the fetal position for 30 minutes.  The acids are supposed to demineralize gallstones, and soften them so they can be passed.  The oil and coke mixture passes the bile duct causing the expulsion of the contents in the gall bladder.  Many will report passing stones.

Once you have ensured that your gallbladder has been emptied then you can move to a liver support product.  The last thing you need is to use liver support that will increase bile production before you have regular bowel movements and good bile flow.

Stay Well!

Detoxification Part Two

If you are going to start some detoxification program, it only makes sense to decrease the toxins that come from the outside of the body.  These are toxins that can enter the body by inhalation, thru the skin and mouth.

I love the example of a room full of puppies.  Do you keep cleaning up after them or put them outside?

An example of inhaled toxins include cigarettes, gasoline fumes, solvents, cleaning fluids, and welding fumes to name a few.  The use of chlorinated cleaning solutions in a poorly ventilated bathroom is adding to your toxic load.  Other inhaled toxins include a cold virus, mold, or some airborne bacteria that can create an acute or chronic problem.

Toxins that enter the skin include gasoline, solvents, cleaning fluids, pesticides, herbicides and metals.  It is rarely considered that children playing on chemically treated lawn can absorb such chemicals.  Also, swimming in pools or sitting in a jacuzzi allows for the absorption of chlorine.  Golfers playing on wet grass have the potential for absorbing all the course treatment chemicals.  Metals include aluminum from antiperspirants, lead in paint, and mercury from amalgams (dental fillings).  The injection of some drug products such as the flu vaccine or hepatitis B vaccine contains toxic material. 

Toxins can also be ingested and include chemically treated foods, fluoridated water or toothpaste, chlorinated water, parasites, or bacteria.  Gardeners that want their vegetables to stay insect free use sevin dust as a chemical intervention.  How about spraying with a weak soap solution as often as needed?

While in this world it is impossible to completely avoid external toxins, you can certainly take steps to decrease your overall load.

Stay Well!

Natural Detoxification Part One

I always get questions about how to do a “cleanse” which is another way of saying detoxification.  Basic detoxification is a daily wellness activity.  Toxins can be normal waste products internally created by our body’s normal function.  Toxins can also be substances from outside of our body in our water, food, personal care products, drugs, chemical products (cleaners, pesticides, herbicides), dental materials, and microorganisms. 

Your body naturally detoxifies via exhalation of carbon dioxide, sweating, urination, or through bowel movements.  Acute detoxification includes a runny nose, vomiting, or diarrhea.  Another type of detoxification could be a pimple or a boil that discharges toxins directly thru the skin.  There are some basic principles of detoxification as follows.

 Being well hydrated(Got Water Blog) is the first principle.  You must have water intake in order to dilute and process toxic substances.  This obviously includes urination, but dehydration can also contribute to constipation.  Joints also require fluid for synovial fluid that lubricates and cushions joints.  Undiluted toxic material in joints allows for inflammation and pain. 

The second principle is good bowel movements.  Every time you eat the food creates movement in the gut.  Having less than one bowel movement per day is constipation.  Fiber(Got Fiber Blog) is vital as it acts as a broom to sweep the colon; absorbs by products of bile from the liver decreasing the possibility of reabsorption.

The third principle is good bile flow.  Dehydration is a factor in thick bile that does not flow properly.  The liver creates waste that flows thru ducts from the liver into the gall bladder.  Bile contains byproducts of liver detoxification including components of hormones and cholesterol.  Bile also is used to breakdown fats from the diet.  Fats in food that pass the bile duct cause bile to move out of the gall bladder to aid in the digestion of fats.

Never use any products that aid in liver, kidney, lymphatic or cellular detoxification without having the above in place.  You must have hydration, good urination, and bowel movements.  The pipes must be open first!

Stay Well! 

Eating Dirt

Have you ever eaten dirt?  Although you may be unaware, the answer is likely yes.  Perhaps you have inadvertently eaten particles of unwashed produce or consumed Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate, which contain clays.  Geophagy is the word to describe the consumption of clay.  This practice has been used to aid in child birth, male virility and various other cultural beliefs.  My father remembered as a child that a black woman he knew commonly ate clay as a remedy for intestinal issues.  This was part of the African culture.  My favorite earth mined substance is diatomaceous earth (DM). 

DM is the fossilized remains of hard-shelled algae known as a diatom.  This multi use silica abrasive has been used in toothpaste, in scrubs, deodorizers, facial masks, and as an insecticide.  DM can absorb six times its weight in water and is used in cat litter boxes. 

As an insecticide, it absorbs lipids or fats from the waxy outer layer of insects causing dehydration.  It is an effective, non-toxic substance that can be used as a dust for fleas or cockroaches. It can be taken by animals or humans internally for intestinal parasites.  For dogs you can make cornmeal biscuits with DM.   Wet DM for horses and mix in their feed.  And for humans, mix a tablespoonful in juice and drink.  The only precaution is not to breathe the dust because it causes silicosis, a respiratory disorder.

Silica is also an important mineral that is vital for skin, hair, and nails and for the recalcification of bones.  You will find it in any quality calcium/mineral supplement or hair, skin, and nail formulas.  It is commonly listed as horsetail, an herb which contains silica.  Silica may also interfere with the body’s retention of aluminum. 

The Homeopathic Materia Medica for Silica terra (Flint) is useful among other things “for soreness in the feet from the instep to the sole”.  I can offer a personal testimony for its effectiveness.  

Honey Garlic and Vinegar

Long before patented medicine, tonics were homemade remedies made from common household ingredients.  A tonic is considered a medicinal preparation that is intended to strengthen or improve body function or well being.  You could make you own tonic from just about anything including: vinegar, honey, molasses, lemon juice, garlic, cinnamon, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, ginger, baking soda, peppermint leaves, or Himalayan salt.  There are hundreds of choices and recipes that are touted as a remedy, cure, or miracle.  While results vary, it is certain that each of the above ingredients have nourishing and medicinal properties that can stimulate change in the body.

One such “Miracle Elixir” is the Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar, and honey tonic.  This tonic is well represented on the Internet and is available as a book, “The Honey, Garlic and Vinegar Miracle”, and “Honey, Garlic, & Vinegar Home Remedies”.  I had to try it and found it almost palatable if diluted in juice.

One Cup of Raw Local Honey

One Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg’s)

8 Cloves of garlic

Blend on high speed for 60 seconds and leave in the refrigerator for five days.  Two teaspoonfuls daily is reported to aide an array of dis-ease including arthritis, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, colds and infections, to name a few. 

Where is the evidence?  The National Cancer institute offers information that garlic significantly lowers the risk of cancer.  Vinegar is a foundation of many tonics with impressive benefits, especially for arthritis, blood sugar control, and as an anti-infective.  Honey contains at least 31 nutrients including 13 minerals, component parts of nine vitamins, six acids and four key enzymes. 

With all this support it may be worth your effort.

Stay Well!

The Blessing

My Grandfather's blessing started with, "Father, give us grateful hearts for these tokens of Thy kindness."  My blessing starts with, "Heavenly Father, thank you for this food, bless this it to the nourishment of our bodies."  Can such a blessing change anything?  Absolutely!

It is easy to see and feel that giving thanks to God can change our inner being.  Such a positive thought is calming feeling of satisfaction.  It allows our bodies to be able to properly accept nourishment.

So often I have found myself saying "the blessing" from rote memory.  Words and thoughts can be powerful.  Giving voice to your thankfulness is powerful.  This is mindful intent. 

There is so much concern over the quality of food these days.  I believe that a mindful blessing can actually change the food.  We are asking God to consecrate the food and that the food will be able to nourish and sustain us.  Is this scientific?  Perhaps not in this world of so called "evidence based medicine".  However, in the world of quantum physics there is evidence of words that can change water.  The bible has many references to the spoken word. 

This Thanksgiving, I intend to be mindful of what I am asking.

In the name of Jesus Christ

A Real Man

A real man is a woman's best friend.  He will never stand her up or let her down.  He will reassure her when she feels insceure and comfort her after a bad day.

He will inspire her to do things she never thought she could do; to live without fear and forget regret.  He will enable her to express her deepest emotions and give in to her most intimate desires.  He will make sure she always feels as though she's the most beautiful woman in the room and will enable her to be confident, sexy, seductive, and invincible.

No wait....sorry...I'm thinking of wine.  It's wine that does all that....Never mind.

Adapted from fax copy.  Author unknown.

Natural Coping

The diversity of individuals in this country is amazing.  Particularly when you consider the different religions, races, cultures, and economic conditions.  There are those that grow up with privilege and those that grow up in extremely poor conditions.  Rich or poor, children have survived some incredible conditions.  Humans have the incredible ability to cope and adapt.  Our motivation-we have no choice.  We want to survive.  We adapt to our cultural environment.  One human coping mechanism is humor.  Sheila Robinson, author of "People In Hell Want Ice Water", explores the world from the eyes of Ramona Poarch, who is only 10.  It is a humorous fictional account of life in a small southern town in the 1950’s.  She endures her father’s alcoholism, her mother’s affair, her father’s murder by her mother, and her siblings abuse all from an innocent child’s perspective.  It is her book, “For all of us from humble beginnings.”

Natural Emotional Memory

                                                      Scent Point at Six Months Old

A dog’s instinct is to chase.  Another instinct is to pause before pouncing on their prey.   Pointing dogs find game by scent and have a more developed instinct to pause, hence, pointing out the location of the game.  These pointing dogs are then trained to maintain the point until the game bird is flushed and shot.  When Rikki, my German Shorthaired Pointer, is on point, she is almost mesmerized.  If you look at her eyes, she appears to be in a trance like state as she stands statuesque never blinking or moving.  This trance is certainly an emotional experience with the reward of powerfully positive brain chemistry (neurotransmitters).

When she was pregnant, my older friend suggested that I put her on point saying it would help the offspring later.  While I did not entirely believe it would make any difference, it certainly could not hurt.  Much to my amazement the puppies demonstrated an unusually strong pointing instinct without training.  They would stand point and not give chase as previous litters.  Is this purely genetic or did the puppies experience the emotions of the mother in the womb making it more likely for them to respond in the same way? 

This example opens many possible questions.  Could the emotional experiences of the mother be “imprinted” on the offspring?  The concept of cellular memory has been studied in many life forms including yeast, worms, and mice.  There are many theories as to how such memory works.  We are a culmination of all the life experiences of the past.  In some ways our brain is hard wired to seek out and experience the same thoughts, feelings, or emotions that we have always experienced.  Changing these patterns is the frontier of medicine.

EVOX

Room to Room Memory Loss

I always figured that I had attention deficit as I would go to the bedroom to get something just to discover that I could not remember why I was there.  I sometimes thought, “I am losing it” but now I can blame it on the door.  A University of Notre Dame study discovered that passing through a doorway triggers an “event boundary” in the mind that separates one set of thoughts and memories from another.  So my brain separates the thoughts I had in one room and prepares a “blank slate” for the next location.

I think this makes a lot of sense as we tend to compartmentalize things in our world and in our head.  The door as a metaphor is powerful.  We view doors that open for us and doors that shut as beginnings and endings.  It is a transition from inside to outside, a new chapter, or one life to the next.  Anyway, I am happy to have a reason (excuse) for my forgetfulness. 

Stay Well!

Natural Time

As my twin daughters turned 30 this month, I am reminded of how time often moves too quickly.  Dr.Robin Murphy's interpretation of the line in Hotel California, "They can stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast"- the beast is time.  It is the dimension we cannot stop.  The Byrd's lyrics "Turn, Turn, Turn", is a reference to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.  Time is what we run to and away from.  We can not escape time which makes “anti-aging” a myth.  Just where did they put that fountain of youth?

Natural time happens relative to astrophysics, the movement of the sun, moon, and planets.  We have day, month, season, and year clock.  We also appear to have a 7 year cycle with changes in life stages.  Think about how you changed in multiples of 7 years.  Hence, the seven year itch and the "mid-life crisis" at 49 to 56. 

When we are out of balance, our natural clock is off.  Symptoms may include daytime fatigue and poor sleep.  For women, the monthly cycle may be out of balance as in PMS.  We cannot stop the clock, but we can reset it by understanding what is out of balance and making the necessary adjustments. 

Chronic stress can lead to a maladjusted day clock.  An Adrenal Stress Index saliva lab may be the ticket to adjust the day clock.    Stay Well!

Parasites?

                                                         Hook Worm (hook like) Mouth

At one time the image of the Southern “redneck” was viewed as a person poorly clothed, barefoot, lazy and of poor intelligence.  Some were thin with large abdomens and poor muscle development.  This was the Southern anemia caused by hookworms that enter the body as larvae thru the skin of bare feet.  They then enter the blood stream, migrate to the lungs, up the trachea and are swallowed to the digestive system.  The parasites feed on our blood.  They mate in our intestines and produce thousand of larvae that are passed on thru feces.  This was an illness of poor hygiene, clothing and the lack of adequate facilities.

In this day and age, little thought is given to human parasites. We are of course diligent about worming our pets.  Given their dietary indiscretions, worming our pets is a good idea.  So is there any risk to humans? 

You could be at risk if you have pets, allow them in your home, and/or sleep with them.  There is the old saying that “if you lie down with dogs you wake up with fleas” and perhaps other creatures.  Another potential risk is eating in restaurants that have workers that do not wash properly.   Some workers from the USA or other countries may have poor hygiene habits or contracted parasites from other parts of the world. Other risks include eating poorly cooked meat, especially pork, or eating sushi.  At risk recreational activities include swimming in lakes or rivers.

Symptoms of parasite problems include itching of personal areas, loss of appetite, hunger without satiety, constipation, protein deficiency, dry skin and hair, insomnia, fatigue, anemia, abdominal discomfort and grinding teeth at night.  Keep in mind that parasites consume your nutrition and create waste that your body has to deal with. 

Stool samples are not always conclusive.  You can have a negative stool sample but still have parasites.  So if you are at risk or have any of the symptoms listed above you might consider a parasite cleanse.  Herbal products include Wormwood, Black Walnut, Fennel seed, Pumpkin seed, Betel Nut, and West Indian Pink root.  This combination can be found in Verma Comp.  Adding the homepathic combination Verma HP is a great addition.

Compounding Pharmacies

The tragic news of deaths related to contaminated injectables goes beyond the personal responsibility that every healthcare professional shares.  The “compounding” pharmacy involved is obviously not a compounding pharmacy but a manufacturer.  The production of 17,700 vials of product is not compounding.  Compounding is where a pharmacy combines ingredients that are not commercially available for a specific patient.  Pharmacists are allowed to compound stock for anticipated prescriptions.  I provided sterile compounding from 1983 to about 2002 and actually made the product in question.  However, after each batch was compounded, a sample was sent to an independent lab for testing to confirm potency and sterility before any product was dispensed.  This was not a requirement but just good procedure.  This is now a current “standard” according to USP guidelines.  The manufacturer in question was obviously not following current compounding guidelines or what is known as FDA good manufacturing practices.

Dr. John Carr has a more detailed blog about compounding pharmacies at his Holy Hormones blog spot.

Perception Reframing and EVOX

Perception (from the Latin perceptio, percipio) is the organization, identification and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the environment.

EVOX Video

On April 14, 1912, the Titanic was 4 days into the voyage to New York.  She hit an iceberg at 11:40 PM resulting in the loss of 1,502 people.  The iceberg we see is usually about 10% of what is there.  Such are our perceptions.  Our minds take in a huge amount of information, filter the information resulting in our perspective.  This perception may be accurate, but we percieve more than we are aware of, which is more often felt than thought about.  Have you ever noticed how individuals will see the same event but report it differently?  How do we see the same thing in such different ways?

One answer is that we all have different life experiences that may distort what we see.  The concept of our past experiences that are carried with us translates into emotional baggage.  This baggage requires some level of energy to carry, maintain or suppress.  We all have some form of baggage, but the worst is past abuse in any form.  Some may feel emotionally blocked, angry, trapped, frustrated, or out of control.  This leaves us caught in the same old external or internal arugments. 

There is a saying that we are what we think.  We are also what we do not think.  The unconscious thoughts are akin to the 90 percent of the iceberg under the surface of the water.  This is what really runs the show.   

EVOX is a computerized system that helps to “reframe” perception.  It uses voice mapping technology related to health, work, relationships, athletic preformance, and other aspects of life.  It is particularly for traumatic experiences.  EVOX uses a multi-sensory communication system using light, sound and electro-magnetic media that gently allows a shift in perception.  This can be a life changing modality. 

EVOX can be the missing piece for:
- those that have done hours of therapy without significant results.
-those that do not believe they can be well.
-those that can never quit get beyond their past.
-those that can not maintain a relationship.
-those that are in their head so much they can not be present with their family.

Fast Horses, Bruising and Arnica

Thirty some years ago I went for a horseback ride with my sister.  It had been years since I had ridden a “trotting” horse.  This was not the average Quarter Horse.  Jay was a tall former racetrack horse that she bought as a barrel horse.  I remember asking if he was fast.  She gave me a look, kicked her horse and was off.  I gave Jay his head, came from behind, passed her like she was standing still and wondered if I could get him stopped before going into a sharp blind turn 200 yards away.  At this eye watering speed, I doubted he could make the bank without his feet coming out from under him on the hard packed dirt road.  This was going to be ugly.  Five hundred yards or so later one fool was able to stop another. 

After about two hours of riding I became uncomfortable.  My posterior bruising blossomed into a fully orchestrated crescendo of “personal” discomfort.  I decided to walk and lead the horse only to find that walking was just as bad.  It hurt to sit or walk and we were miles from the barn.  And now you know why I value the smooth gait of the Tennessee Walking Horse.  Looking back, I also wish I had known about Arnica (and perhaps not to call on a former race horse).

Arnica montana is a common remedy for bruising, stiffness and muscle soreness.  It is a yellow-orange flowering herb that grows at high altitude and is said to “possess an affinity to the effects of falls.”  It is primarily used in creams, ointments, and tinctures and in homeopathy. 

Homeopathically, it can be used for trauma and its effects, recent or remote, which include emotional shock, for those that have the feeling of being “beat up”(as I felt) or bruised.  It is also known as a remedy for stroke.  

It is one of the premier herb and homeopathics that is embraced by skeptics of such remedies.  Plastic surgeons are even known to recommend it to reduce the trauma of surgery.  Arnica is found in Natural Creations Surg HP which is for pre and post-surgical support.  It is also found in Peaceful Mountain topical Rescue products.

 

Natural Delusion

A delusion is a belief with strong conviction despite superior evidence to the contrary.

Today’s world is technologically advanced.  Computers are powerful and amazing and the connectivity is better than ever.  Our communication devices can track anything on the web with a touch or voice command.  Our cars are computerized and soon our homes will have the futuristic features of cartoons and movies.  Our medical community is so advanced we have individuals that specialize in time of life or the smallest body part.  With all the advances we live longer.  Surgeons can replace organs, knees and hips with great skill.  Our chemical/drug interventions have made the world a better place to live.  If we have any problem there is a medicine to fix it.  We produce more food, products, and modern conveniences via the marvels of chemistry than at any time in world history.  Our entertainment venues are so realistic that our minds believe us there.  You can even enjoy reality TV instead of living our own life.  Our organized sports rival the gladiators of Rome.  The musical artists are better than ever with their computerized productions.     

How much of this is true?  Are our senses at peace?  Are you so connected that you can not relate to your family and those around you?  Have you noticed how in a group of people that many will be holding and interacting with their “smart” phones.  Can your doctor just look at one part of your body and understand the whole person?  Are we really living longer or did the advances in sanitation, water quality, maternal care, and organ transplant boost the numbers?  Why do we have more Autism, ADD, and ADHD?  Why are more people on dialysis?  Why are our joints wearing out by our 50’s?  Why are we ranked 37th in health care of the 190 countries in the world.  Is our food really healthy?  Are we poisoning the earth with our chemicals?  Is it helpful for us to play video games and spend hours on the computer watching murder, mayhem, and rape?  How many virtual deaths do our children experience by the age of 18 years old?

A delusion is a safe comfortable place that lulls us into complacency. 

PMS or Progesterone Deficency Syndrome

It was two days before her cycle started and already the bloating, headaches, cramps and short-temper had set in.  Knowing it was PMS, she still wanted to somehow blame it all on her husband, food she ate, overwork and life in general.   Every little nuance of her husband’s presence, let alone all the things the children did, made her want to scream at the top of her lungs.  There weren't enough hours in the day to allow her to be alone, so she suffered through, trying desperately to keep from biting someone's head off while offering her usual "fine" as the standard answer not to hurt someone's feelings.  Just one glass of wine and the end of the day is all she could think of to keep her sane.  Finally, her cycle started, along with the usual bodily flush, release of tension and gradual mood swing that kept her thinking all would be ok until .....the next time!

I can relate to this both as a husband and from an academic physiology perspective.  A woman’s 28 day cycle can be simplistically divided into two 14-day parts that changes on day 14 when ovulation occurs.  The first 14 days is primarily estrogen dominant while the last 14 days is primarily progesterone dominant.  Progesterone starts to rise after ovulation.  If the egg is fertilized then progesterone will stay elevated to maintain the pregnancy.  If not, then progesterone peaks about day 21 and gradually drops.  When progesterone is low enough the period begins.

Some women experience Premenstrual Syndrome that can occur earlier than just 2 days before her cycle.  This is a progesterone deficiency syndrome.  While some are treated with antidepressants the more natural approach is to use compounded sustained release progesterone capsules twice daily about days 14 to 26.  I believe sustained-release hormone therapy is better as your body does not dump your entire day’s hormones at one time.  If you want to be more accurate, saliva testing is available with sampling about every 2 to 3 days for 28 days.  This shows the monthly relationship between estrogen and progesterone from which a custom therapy can be created.

There are other approaches that may include the homeopathic Sepia, or PMS HP.  Also consider Breast Massage as was posted June 8, 2012.