Home / All Post

Sunday, 22 May 2016

Princess Health and Nine myths about opioid drug abuse. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Nine myths about opioid drug abuse. Princessiccia

Add Comment
Do you think it's a good idea to save your leftover pain pills to have "just in case" you might need one, or that heroin is primarily an inner-city problem? Think again. Those are among nine common myths that were busted at a community opioid forum in Corbin May 17 in hopes of decreasing some of the stigma that surrounds addiction.

"One of the things we know is that the stigma that exist around opioid abuse is largely propelled because of the myths that exist," said Janet Jones, a representative from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit addiction treatment provider. Jones led the group discussion about nine opioid myths:

*Myth 1: Abusing prescription painkillers to get high is safer because they are made by a pharmaceutical company and doctors prescribe them.
Fact: Prescription drugs can be just as addictive and just as dangerous as illegal ones, like heroin. The brain and body treats heroin and prescription opioids the same.

*Myth 2: I should save my extra prescription pain pills just in case I need them for something else later, like joint pain or a toothache.
Fact: Saving pain pills that you no longer need can be dangerous because young people often gain access to them. The next time you need pain medication, talk to your health-care provider about the risk, ask them to prescribe only what you need, and properly discard unused drugs when you no longer need them.

*Myth 3: Snorting or smoking heroin or prescription opioids is safer than injecting them.
Fact: There is no "safe" way to abuse a drug. And while injecting drugs with shared needles increases the risk of HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C, any method of opioid abuse can lead to overdose and death.

*Myth 4: Heroin is primarily an inner-city problem.
Fact: Heroin use is on the rise nationwide, including in suburban and rural areas.

*Myth 5: A person addicted to heroin or prescription painkillers is a lost cause.
Fact: Treatment works. Recovery is possible with appropriate treatment and adequate social support systems.

*Myth 6: Heroin and prescription pain pills are just the latest "fad" drugs and their appeal will fade.
Fact: Opium, heroin and other opioids have been used for thousands of years. Prescription opioids have a legitimate use as effective painkillers and are not going away any time soon. And while illegal drugs come and go, communities are experiencing unprecedented use of opioid drugs, and people are dying at epidemic levels

*Myth 7: Making Narcan (naloxone) available to first responders wastes resources on people who have given up, and takes away an addict's incentive to quit by making them less likely to die of an overdose.
Fact: Addiction is a chronic disease, not a moral flaw, and the only way a person can get help is if they are alive to do so. Time is critical to overdose survival rates and naloxone helps to save these lives.

*Myth 8: Heroin and prescription painkiller abuse only hurts those who use the drug.
Fact: Opioid abuse hurts everyone. Financially, the legal, healthcare and lost productivity costs total in the billions and the intangible costs to families and friends are incalculable.

*Myth 9: Hardworking everyday people don't use heroin or misuse prescription painkillers.
Fact: Any type of person can develop an opioid use disorder.
Princess Health and Conference on cancer-causing HPV in Lexington June 21. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Conference on cancer-causing HPV in Lexington June 21. Princessiccia

Add Comment
The Kentucky Rural Health Association is sponsoring a summit on the human papilloma virus, "HPV - You ARE the Key!" June 21 at the Embassy Suites in Lexington.

The HPV vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing pre-cancers and noninvasive cervical cancers caused by two strains of the virus, but most parents in Kentucky and the nation are still not getting their adolescents vaccinated. Kentucky falls in the bottom 10 states for HPV vaccination, with 37.5 percent of its girls and 13.3 percent of boys aged 13-17 vaccinated as of 2014.

The conference will host several keynote speakers, including:
  • Kirk Forbes, who co-founded the Kristen Forbes EVE Foundation in honor of his 23-year-old daughter, Kristen Forbes, who passed away after a yearlong battle with HPV caused cervical cancer;
  • Dr. Daron G. Ferris, professor and director of the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Center at the Medical College of Georgia;
  • Dr. W. Michael Brown, associate director and the director of pediatrics at the Bayfront Family Medicine Residency Program in St. Petersburg, among other positions; and
  • Dr. Alix Casler, medical director of the Department of Pediatrics for Orlando Health Physician Associates, among other positions.
The conference is also sponsored in collaboration with the Kentucky Immunization Program and the Division of Women's Health.

The event will last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21 and costs $40 thru June 1, and $55 after that date. Continuing education credits will be offered. Click here to register and here for the draft agenda.

Saturday, 21 May 2016

Princess Health and May 21st, 2016 Like Me. Princessiccia

Princess Health and May 21st, 2016 Like Me. Princessiccia

Add Comment
May 21st, 2016 Like Me

My location broadcast this morning was from a grocery store with a Starbucks. As soon as I arrived, I was gifted a small coffee with half & half. My coffee loving reputation preceded me. It was nice.

I met Shelby from Game On Salsa. She was there handing out samples of her made in Oklahoma product. She told me about the process her and her best friend since 1st grade went through to bring their brand of salsa to market. It's quite involved, actually. Seven trials in the test kitchens of Oklahoma State University finally found the right combination. After listening to this amazing story--and how the recipe was actually an old family recipe from several decades back, I knew I had to try it--except for one thought: If it contains refined sugar, I'm out. I picked up the jar and was delighted to find it was sugar free. Thank goodness! I tried it, loved it and bought a jar!

Today was a solid day all the way around. I slept well last night, even after staying up a little later to watch the documentary, Sugar Coated, on Netflix. It's a phenomenal documentary. I highly recommend watching it if you're at all curious about refined sugar and its effects.

I fully realize not everyone has an addictive reaction to sugar, like me. Maybe it doesn't light up your brain like a pinball machine, triggering binge behavior, like me, maybe you're someone who can handle moderation, unlike me. Still, it's a great documentary. It's not all about the addictive properties. It's mainly about the overall health issues affected by and created by consuming excessive amounts of refined sugar. I was impressed with the detail and presentation. After watching, I must say--it greatly enhanced my gratitude for continued abstinence, now 752 days strong.

I credit my abstinence from refined sugar for dramatically changing my metabolic profile. My metabolism now works better than I ever imagined possible. I also believe it's given me a much leaner weight loss than my initial 275 pound loss. I'm twenty-three pounds lighter than my previous goal weight of 230, but even at 230, the second time--it looked and felt leaner, to me.

I enjoyed a wonderful evening out with my oldest daughter. We shared a nice dinner and conversation at our favorite Mexican place a few blocks from my apartment. The two of us are so much alike in ways too numerous to list. We laugh, a lot, and the conversation is always easy and flowing. It was fantastic.

I dropped Amber off at her place and made my way to the gym for a good workout. The difference between the gym I frequent and the Y--I can go to the gym any time, 24/7. Late on a Saturday evening--it was the option. I love the Y, when I make it work in the schedule, but I also enjoy the schedule flexibility of the gym. Tonight, I had the entire gym to myself. It worked. 

I prepared some great food today. I posted a video to my Instagram account--and I plan to add a new one each day--they're always short--sixty seconds or less, and that's easy--I can commit to that.

The integrity of my maintenance calorie budget was maintained. I remained abstinent from refined sugar, I exceeded my water goal by 40 ounces, I had a great workout, a good nap, some awesome support interactions and a great visit and meal with Amber. This was a nicely balanced Saturday!  

Today's Live-Tweet Stream:












































Thank you for watching and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Princess Health and CDC finds health problems are common at public pools; state requires local health departments to inspect each one twice a year. Princessiccia

Add Comment
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Thousands of public pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds are forced to close every year for serious health and safety violations, according to a new study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kentucky requires local health departments to conduct two full inspections of each public swimming pool during the operating season, once every six months for its continuous-operation indoor facilities, and monthly water chemistry inspections, according to the state Department for Public Health.

"The local health department environmentalists are the ones who do these inspections and monitors, so the records for these inspections are kept with each local health department, Beth Fisher, spokesperson for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said in an e-mail.

But you might want to do your own inspection if you go on vacation out of state, because that's not the case everywhere.


"Almost one third of local health departments do not regulate, inspect, or license public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds,� Michele Hlavsa, chief of the CDC's Healthy Swimming Program, said in a news release. �We should all check for inspection results online or on site before using public pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds and do our own inspection before getting into the water.�

And even if states are checking their pools, that doesn't mean they are always safe.

A 2013 CDC study of inspection data from the five large states containing 40 percent of the nation's public aquatic venues found that almost 80 percent of them had at least one violation. It found that one in eight inspections resulted in immediate closure because of serious health and safety violations and that one in five kiddie or wading pools were closed due to violations. Most of the violations were related to improper pH (15 percent), lack of proper safety equipment (13 percent) and inadequate disinfectant levels (12 percent).

"Young children who are still learning their toileting skills are more likely to contaminate the water. They're more likely to swallow the water. Both of which can lead to outbreaks of diarrheal illness," Michael Beach, the CDC's associate director for healthy water, told Dennis Thompson at HealthDay News. He said pH levels are "critical because it determines how effective the disinfectant is killing germs."

The CDC recommends that parents change their infants' diapers often and in the bathroom, not poolside, to take children to the bathroom every hour, and to teach children to spit out any pool water they get in their mouth.

Beach said most contamination of public pools and hot tubs are the result of people swimming while suffering from diarrhea. He said adults should not swim while recovering from diarrhea, and if they do, should shower before getting in the water.

The CDC recommends individuals do a self-inspection of all public pools before getting in them and offers this checklist that identifies some of the most common swimming pool health and safety problems:
  • Use a test strip (available at most superstores or pool-supply stores) to determine if the pH and free chlorine or bromine concentration are correct.
  • Make sure the drain at the bottom of the deep end is visible.
  • Check that drain covers appear to be secured and in good repair.
  • Confirm that a lifeguard is on duty at public venues. If not, check whether safety equipment like a rescue ring with rope or pole is available.
If you find problems, do not get into the water and tell the person in charge so the problems can be fixed, says the release.

    Friday, 20 May 2016

    Princess Health and May 20th, 2016 Without Fail. Princessiccia

    Princess Health and May 20th, 2016 Without Fail. Princessiccia

    Add Comment
    May 20th, 2016 Without Fail

    I'm so glad it's Friday night. I've rested and rested some more. In fact, I woke, just to grab an orange for my #lastfoodofday and post this blog. I've heard, "just stay in bed and post the blog late, tomorrow morning." I get it, sure--but I can't break my daily discipline. Call it anything you like--to me, it's a critically important part of my continued recovery. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on each day--acting as a bookend and among many other things, it brings me immense peace and joy.

    I enjoy writing. I enjoy dissecting elements of this entire experience--laying it out and examining what worked, what's working, what didn't and what doesn't. I can think about these things all day long--but when I transfer those thoughts to this archived record, it somehow makes it stick, for me.

    I'm not afraid to keep it short. If you've ever invested fifteen minutes reading one of these super long epic--million word (Tony Posnanski's recent word count estimate--I think his estimate was a touch high) blog posts of mine, then you likely spit your coffee in a fit of laughter just now. Sorry about that. Where was I? Oh yeah--I'm not afraid to keep it short, that's why I do an occasional "tweets only" post.

    I've resisted adding Instant Gram activity to my active social media profile. Between this blog, Facebook, MyFitnessPal and Twitter, I'm very active. But--I keep getting notifications of people following my nearly empty Instantaneous Gram account and with each one, I'm thinking--my goodness, maybe I should figure out a way to use that thingy. It's on my phone--it's right there at my fingertips...but how do I use it?

    Okay--stop the presses--I've just been notified that it's called Instagram. Now I feel old.

    Anyway--like I was saying, the challenge is how to use this Instagram account in a way that's different from this blog and different from Facebook and my Twitter. I think I have an idea. I'll be trying it out more often over the weekend and we'll see how it goes. I may link each Instagram post to my Twitter feed--not sure, but the option is there, just in case. It might be silly. It might be informative. And occasionally/rarely, it might be serious. It might be loads of fun. Oh--it will absolutely be fun, or I won't do it! 

    So, follow along if you do the Instagram thingy! My name there--same as MyFitnessPal and Twitter:
    SeanAAnderson

    And if you don't do Instagram--again, you'll likely see the activity in the daily Live-Tweet stream featured right here, every day, without fail.

    Today, I maintained the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget (including an unusual lunch--a snack that resembled a lunch more than a snack--and a dinner that qualifies as a big favorite of mine), I remained abstinent from refined sugar and I just barely made my water goal for the day--and that's okay, I made it--it counts. And I slept a bunch more. And I'm off to do some more of that, right now.

    Today's Live-Tweet Stream:


































    Thank you for reading and your continued support,
    Strength,
    Sean

    Princess Health and Changes coming for Nutrition Facts labels on food products: emphasis on calories, added sugar and serving size. Princessiccia

    Add Comment
    Associated Press

    By Danielle Ray
    Kentucky Health News

    Nutrition labels on food products will undergo a facelift over the next two years.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized plans Friday to change labeling to emphasize calorie count and added sugars in an effort to simply nutrition labels and clarify serving sizes.

    First lady Michelle Obama, a longtime crusader against childhood obesity, said parents will benefit from the upcoming changes.

    "You will no longer need a microscope, a calculator, or a degree in nutrition to figure out whether the food you're buying is actually good for our kids," she told The Associated Press.

    The overhaul puts less emphasis on fats and more on caloric value and added sugars. Calories on upcoming labels will be listed in larger font than other nutrient facts. Added sugar will get its own line, separate from naturally occurring sugar.  Currently, both added and naturally occurring sugars were lumped under one category, "Sugars."

    New labels will also include a new "percent daily value" for added sugar, which will tell consumers how much of their recommended daily intake they will get from a given item. The FDA recommends consuming less than 10 percent of total daily calories (200 calories in a typical diet) from added sugar.

    "The new labels should also spur food manufacturers to add less sugar to their products," Michael Jacobson, president of the advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, told AP. He said that under current labeling, it's nearly impossible for consumers to know how much sugar fits into a reasonable diet.

    The footnote will better explain what "percent daily value" means. It will read: �The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.�

    Serving sizes will also be clearer. The biggest difference will be that serving sizes will be based on what consumers typically eat instead of what they should eat. About one-fifth of foods will undergo revised calculations. For example, a serving size of ice cream will be 2/3 of a cup; previously it was a 1/2 cup.

    If you've ever been duped into consuming more calories than you intended, or tried to calculate exactly what fraction of a slice of pizza constitutes a serving size, you're in luck. Package size affects what people eat, the FDA noted. So, products that were previously between one and two servings, such as a 20-ounce soda, will be labeled as a single serving, since consumers generally eat or drink the entire contents in one sitting.

    Larger containers, like pints of ice cream, will have dual column labels: one column with information for a single serving and the other with information for the entire container.

    Labels will also include two additional nutrients: potassium and Vitamin D.

    Industry reaction was predictable. A representative for the Sugar Association told AP that emphasis on added sugar could confuse consumers, but other industry leaders welcomed the changes.

    "This update is timely as diets, eating patterns and consumer preferences have changed dramatically since the Nutrition Facts panel was first introduced," Leon Bruner, of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, told AP.

    Most food manufacturers have until July 2018 to comply. Smaller manufacturers will have an additional year.

    The FDA proposed the changes two years ago. They are the first major update to nutrition labels since labeling was introduced in 1994. So far, more than 800,000 foods have nutrition labels.

    For more information on the changes, click here.



    Princess Health and Obama asks public to tell Congress to fund the $1.9 billion Zika fight he wants; Senate passed $1.1 billion, House $622 million. Princessiccia

    Princess Health and Obama asks public to tell Congress to fund the $1.9 billion Zika fight he wants; Senate passed $1.1 billion, House $622 million. Princessiccia

    Add Comment
    The Zika funding package of Appropriations Committee Chair Hal Rogers and other House Republicans "doesn't make a lot of sense" and the somewhat larger Senate package backed by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and a bipartisan Senate majority falls well short of what is needed, President Obama told reporters Friday.

    The Senate has passed a $1.1 billion package and the House approved $622 million. Obama wants more than three times the House figure, $1.9 billion, to fight the virus that causes a serious birth defect.

    "We didn�t just choose the $1.9 billion from the top of our heads," Obama said. "This was based on public-health assessments of all the work that needs to be done. And to the extent that we want to be able to feel safe and secure, and families who are of childbearing years want to feel as if they can have confidence that when they travel, when they want to start a family that this is not an issue -- to the extent that that's something that we think is important, then this is a pretty modest investment for us to get those assurances."

    Obama said the House package is not only inadequate, "That money is taken from the fund that we're currently using to continue to monitor and fight against Ebola. So, effectively, there�s no new money there. All that the House has done is said, you can rob Peter to pay Paul. And given that I have, at least, pretty vivid memories of how concerned people were about Ebola, the notion that we would stop monitoring as effectively and dealing with Ebola in order to deal with Zika doesn�t make a lot of sense."

    The president added, "This is something that is solvable. It is not something that we have to panic about, but it is something we have to take seriously. And if we make a modest investment on the front end, then this is going to be a problem that we don't have to deal with on the back end." He said each child who has a small brain as a result of Zika "may end up costing up to $10 million over the lifetime of that child in terms of that family providing that child the support that they need. . . .  It doesn�t take a lot of cases for you to get to $1.9 billion. Why wouldn't we want to make that investment now?"

    Part of the money would go to develop a vaccine for Zika, and part of that work is going on at the University of Kentucky. "You don't get a vaccine overnight," Obama said. "You have to test it to make sure that any potential vaccine is safe. Then you have to test to make sure that it's effective. You have to conduct trials where you're testing it on a large enough bunch of people that you can make scientific determinations that it's effective. So we've got to get moving."

    Obama said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health are "taking pots of money from other things -- universal flu funds or Ebola funds or other funds -- just to get the thing rolling. But we have to reimburse those pots of money that have already been depleted and we have to be able to sustain the work that�s going to need to be done to finish the job. So, bottom line is, Congress . . . needs to get me a bill that has sufficient funds to do the job."

    The president said that should happen before the summer congressional recess in August, "to provide confidence to the American people that we're handling this piece of business." He said the money would be insurance for young families or couples thinking about having children.

    "To the extent that we're not handling this thing on the front end, we're going to have bigger problems on the back end," Obama said. "Tell your members of Congress, get on the job on this. This is something we can handle. We should have confidence in our ability to take care of it. We've got outstanding scientists and researchers who are in the process of getting this done, but they�ve got to have the support from the public in order for us to accomplish our goal."
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)