Greetings from LIFESTYLE CHOICES!
Michael Jackson
Whether you liked Michael Jackson or not, he had a very large presence in our world and hopefully his death will not have been in vain. What I’m speaking about is the possibility of his having had a prescription drug addiction. This is one of my biggest concerns today as well as one of my pet peeves within the healthcare community.
Which prescription drugs are most abused?
1. Opiods which maybe used to treat pain such as Oxycodone (OxyContin),Hydrocodone (Vicodin), and Demerol, Percocet, Darvocet
2. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants which are used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and sleep disorders such as Nembutal, Valium, and Xanax
3. Stimulants which may be used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy such as Ritalin
and amphetamines
And are you aware of the addictive properties of that sleep aid, Ambien? There are now rehab centers to treat Ambien addiction.
When you experience insomnia, pain, etc. you might be prescribed one of these drugs and very innocently become “hooked” on these. What is happening with increasing frequency is people are inadvertently killing themselves. We have become a nation of people wanting a quick fix (pun intended) and stressed to the max. We need a solution now!
I have been involved in Alanon for 10 years and so I’m very familiar with AA and Alanon 12-step programs. If you suspect you have an addiction or are affected by a loved one’s possible addiction, give me a call today and I will refer you to a place where you can get FREE help now!
What is Your Blood Pressure Reading?
You are considered to have prehypertension if your blood pressure is 120-139/80-89. Hypertension is categorized as
- Stage 1 hypertension – 140-159/90-99
- Stage 2 hypertension – > 160/100
These numbers have been lowered recently because of the adverse health implications. It is a good idea to get a handle on your blood pressure NOW before hypertension becomes a major health issue and you have to be placed on medications with considerable side effects. If you are already diagnosed with hypertension and are on medications, it is past time to do something besides just taking medications.
The last few months I have been working with several patients who have been experiencing high blood pressure and they are doing extremely well. In just one month one person has already dropped their BP 30-45 points! How? By learning HeartMath’s researched techniques. Whether you’re prehypertensive or are already prescribed blood pressure medications, we can work with you utilizing HeartMath tools. Your physician can then re-evaluate your needs for decreasing the strength of your medications or discontinuing altogether.
With HeartMath you can learn how to “reset” your baroreceptor systems and lower your blood pressure with an approach which is drug-free, safe, effective, and clinically validated.
Parents of High School or College Students
Does your student experience test anxiety, focus and attention challenges or memory recall difficulty? The emWave® Personal Stress Reliever was the winner of 2008’s Last Gadget Standing People’s Choice Competition which represents the best of the best at the Consumer Electronic Show.
On Wednesday, August 5 at 7pm, there will be a demonstration of these devices at my office. I will have them for sale and be available to teach your students how to use them to enhance their learning skills and decrease their anxiety or stress. The cost of the emWaves is reasonable and entirely worthwhile.
If you are interested in coming, please call by July 27 so I may plan for you. 713.443.9400
Cigarette Smoking Prevalence and Policies in 50 States: An Era of Change
For the latest in smoking research for your state look at this comprehensive report (238 pages) from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:
http://impacteen.org/statetobaccodata/chartbook_final060409.pdf
HeartMath® Military Training Video
Recently The Institute of HeartMath had a fundraising campaign to help make the HeartMath Military Training Video possible. This video will be utilized with thousands of military personnel to learn how to calm themselves, recognize how negative thinking affects their physiology and how to monitor and manage stress. As you probably know many of the Iraq veterans are experiencing great challenges upon their return.
‘Able to Feel Again’
Just being able to feel again has probably been the most significant growth area that I have personally experienced. Most of us combat veterans have not even realized that we were disconnected and had literally lost feeling; it was ‘just the way things were.’ Personally, I feel as though I have spent the last forty years in an emotional fog that has just recently begun to lift, a little. I have really begun to feel music instead of just hearing or listening to it, along with sensing the pain others may be experiencing. – Soldier
F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America 2009
New Report Finds Obesity Epidemic Increases, Mississippi Weighs in Again as Heaviest State
Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to a report released today by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). In addition, the percentage of children who are obese or overweight is 30 percent or higher in 30 states.
Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent, marking the fifth year in a row that the state topped the list. Four states now have adult obesity rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2 percent).
Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states. Colorado (18.9 percent) remains the only state where fewer than 20 percent of adults are obese. The F as in Fat report contains rankings of state obesity rates and a review of federal and state government policies aimed at preventing or reducing obesity. The report also offers recommendations for addressing obesity as part of health reform. Some key recommendations include:
- Ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and screening for obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes;
- Increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools and child-care settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible and provide safe places for people to engage in physical activity; and
- Reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to 64.
The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities, schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that:
- Provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;
- Increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all communities;
- Increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity at school;
- Improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and play;
- Limit screen time; and
- Encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.
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For private health or life coaching sessions, call me at 713.443.9400. I’m conveniently located at Medical Center Blvd and El Camino or you may work with me via telephone.
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For purchases of emWave or HeartMath® products or a series of HeartMath sessions, please contact me via phone 713.443.9400 or lifestyle_choices@yahoo.com. The following books have just arrived:
- Transforming Anger
- Transforming Depression
- The HeartMath Approach to Managing Hypertension
- Overcoming Emotional Chaos
- Stopping Emotional Eating: The emWave Stress and Weight management Program (Newest HeartMath program)