Brain & Nervous System – Get Healthy Stay Healthy

Your brain, spinal cord and nerves together make up your nervous system, which controls every function of your body—voluntary actions, biological processes and reflexes, memory, learning and emotions. In this section, you’ll learn about health conditions that affect the brain or nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and get tips for caring for people living with these conditions.



Multiple Sclerosis Myths and Facts



You’ve probably heard of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease that damages the brain, spinal cord and nerves of the eyes. You or someone you know might even have MS, as it affects over 2 million people worldwide. But not everything you’ve read or been told about the disease may be correct.





Advances in research are giving us a better understanding of the disease, challenging the way doctors treat it, and changing how people with MS manage their health. Here, we dispel five common myths about MS.



Myth:

MS is a genetic disease. If no one in my family has the condition, then I’m not at risk.

Fact:

If you have a relative with MS, you are at a higher risk for the disease. But even people without a family connection to MS can be diagnosed with it. "Research has identified some genetic factors," says Margaret Frazer, MD, Senior Director within the Neuroscience team at Pfizer, "but we’re still learning about all of the causes of MS." Other potential risk factors being studied include environmental and viral triggers.





Myth:

Only older people have MS.

Fact:

MS is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. "Early symptoms may not be as debilitating as they eventually can become, but it’s still important to address the condition in a young person," says Dr. Frazer. In most circumstances, the earlier you start treatment for this disease the better, regardless of how serious the symptoms may seem.





Myth:

People with MS all experience the same symptoms.

Fact:

No two MS patients will experience the disease in the same way. MS is characterized by a standard set of symptoms, but they’re not always all present in every person. These symptoms also tend to come and go and will affect each person differently. The most common symptoms may include:



Fatigue

Weakness and muscle spasms

Tingling, numbness, and pain throughout the body

Vision changes

Bladder dysfunction

Memory loss, dementia, impaired attention

Balance problems

Speech disturbance

Vertigo (feeling like the room is spinning)

Hearing loss

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with the disease or not, it’s important to keep track of your symptoms and discuss them with your doctor, especially any that are new or last longer than 24 hours.







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4 of 5



Myth:

An MS diagnosis means I will eventually be unable to walk.

Fact:

Major strides have been made in the field of MS research, which means some people with MS are remaining mobile far longer than before. "While we still don’t have a cure for MS, there are more treatment options now than a few decades ago," according to Dr. Frazer. If you are diagnosed with MS, be sure to set aside plenty of time to discuss these treatment options with your healthcare provider in order to find the most appropriate plan.





43312_PFIZ_GHSH_MS_Myths_Image_R5

5 of 5



Myth:

If you have MS, you should not exercise.

Fact:

It was once believed that if you were diagnosed with MS, you shouldn’t exercise. Some doctors thought it would actually bring on MS symptoms. The truth is, exercise can help improve mobility and balance, two things that are important when you have MS. Staying active and healthy can also decrease fatigue, which is typically the most disabling MS symptom. That said, the symptoms of MS may be more noticeable when its hot outside or if you become overheated. It’s important to work with your healthcare team to create an exercise and activity plan that’s right for you.







Brain & Nervous System – Get Healthy Stay Healthy:

http://www.gethealthystayhealthy.com/tools/multiple-sclerosis-myths-and-facts

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Action Plan for Depression and Healthy Living – Get Healthy Stay Healthy

Check off items from the list below that you will be able to change or improve. Or you can write in your own action items

Get the facts about depression

Ask your doctor for information about depression

Use credible online information resources, such as www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/

Recognize that depression is a serious medical illness and seek care to determine if you need treatment

If you feel suicidal, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) immediately

Get information about treatment options from your doctor

Don’t medicate yourself with drugs or alcohol

Prepare yourself to meet with your doctor. Make a list of your symptoms, your medical history, all medications and vitamins you are taking, your family history of depression and any significant life events you have experienced

Prepare a written list of questions to ask your doctor

Participate in a dialogue with your doctor about which treatment option is best for you

Continue taking your prescribed therapy

Continue with your prescribed therapy. Medications take time to work

If you are having side effects, consult your doctor immediately

Maintain and build healthy relationships

Get together with family and trusted friends regularly

Take care of yourself and stay physically active

Get as much physical exercise as possible and participate in activities you enjoy

Maintain personal grooming, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep

Simplify your life

Break big tasks into smaller steps that are achievable

Plan your day and make a list of things you want to accomplish

Reduce your obligations when possible. Give yourself permission to do less when you feel down.

Other

1. Are the items that you have chosen achievable?

Yes No

2. What will you do to make these changes?

3. When will you make these changes?

Source: http://www.gethealthystayhealthy.com/tools/action_plan_for_depression

Action Plan for Depression and Healthy Living – Get Healthy Stay Healthy:

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Self-Healing After Setbacks And Failures

Lifehack ‏@lifehackorg  6m6 minutes ago

7 Ways To Have Instant Self-Healing After Setbacks And Failures http://moreti.me/1MLyEbs 

 

#lifehack

 

Complementary Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis

Last Week’s Webinar on Complementary Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis Now Available Online

The Wheelchair Kamikaze at Wheelchair Kamikaze - 12 hours ago

For those who missed the live webinar I participated in last week, it’s now available online for your listening pleasure. Okay, maybe "pleasure" is taking it a little too far, but the webinar is packed with lots of useful information. I was joined on the iConquerMS sponsored webinar by Dr. Deneb Bates, a naturopathic physician who I’ve worked with for over seven years. As is in ample evidence during the webinar, Dr. Bates really knows her stuff. Topics covered include the doctor-patient connection, biotin, vitamin D, natural remedies for spasticity, oxidative stress, and more. Ther... more »

The bacteria-fighting super element that’s making a comeback in hospitals: copper

Health & Science

The bacteria-fighting super element that’s making a comeback in hospitals: copper

Grinnell College senior Queenster Nartey, with Terri L. Kelling, infection prevention coordinator at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, collects samples for research on copper and infection prevention. (Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

By Lena H. Sun September 20 at 7:13 PM

Ancient Egyptians used copper to sterilize chest wounds and drinking water. Greeks, Romans and Aztecs relied on copper compounds to treat burns, headaches and ear infections. Thousands of years later, the ancient therapeutic is being embraced by some hospitals because of its ability to kill bacteria and other microbes on contact, which can help reduce deadly infections.

At least 15 hospitals across the country have installed, or are considering installing, copper components on “high-touch” surfaces easily contaminated with microbes — faucet handles on sinks, cabinet pulls, toilet levers, call buttons and IV poles.

“We’ve known for a long time that copper and other metals are effective in killing microbes, so it wasn’t a great leap to incorporate copper surfaces into hospitals,” said John Lynch, medical director of infection control at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center, which is redesigning a waste-disposal room to incorporate copper on light switches and door handles.

For many hospitals, the death of Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan last year at a Dallas hospital heightened concerns — two nurses caring for him caught the virus because of poor infection control. And even before that, public health officials had identified nearly two dozen dangerous pathogens — many of them resistant to virtually all antibiotics — whose spread in health facilities and elsewhere could result in potentially catastrophic consequences.

[Ebola prevention also readies U.S. hospitals for future infections]

Queenster Nartey counts bacterial colonies in a non-copper sink sample as part of research on copper’s role in reducing infections. (Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

They include MRSA, a potentially deadly infection that is increasing in community settings; VRE, which can cause a variety of infections; and C. diff, which causes life-threatening diarrhea and sends 250,000 people to the hospital every year.

On any given day, about 1 in 25 patients in acute-care hospitals has at least one health-care-associated infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumonia and surgical-site infections are among the most common. In 2011, about 75,000 patients with health-care-associated infections died in the hospital.

Hospital officials aren’t the only ones interested in copper. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport installed drinking fountains retrofitted with antimicrobial copper surfaces. In Colorado Springs, the U.S. Olympic Committee’s flagship training center uses custom dumbbells with antimicrobial copper grips. So do two professional hockey teams, the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues. Even a Chick-fil-A in Morganton, N.C., installed antimicrobial copper on restroom door handles.

[Trump is right. Shaking hands is welcome mat for germs. ]

Copper can kill or inactivate a variety of pathogens by interacting with oxygen and modifying oxygen molecules. In bacteria, this disrupts the outer layer, damaging the genetic material and cell machinery, which can lead to cell death. A recent study found that copper also destroys norovirus.

There has been only one published clinical trial showing how copper reduces infections in hospitals. The results, however, were striking: Researchers said the study, which took place between July 2010 and June 2011, showed that copper surfaces reduced infection rates by 58 percent.

Now, the CDC is pressing for more research. Last week, it held a roundtable on environmental infection control in preventing Ebola and other health-care-associated infections. Officials, who are exploring copper and other technologies, are working with hospitals, academics and the copper industry.

The Defense Department, which funded the first clinical trial on copper and hospital-acquired infections, is researching copper’s effectiveness against one type of bacteria, acinetobacter, which can cause pneumonia or bloodstream infections among critically ill patients, including wounded soldiers returning from the battlefield.

[CDC: Coordinated approach could cut ‘superbug’ infections in half]

Many experts have concluded that traditional methods for reducing hospital-acquired infections, such as hand washing, aren’t enough, because people don’t always do what they are supposed to do and many pathogens can survive for long periods on surfaces. That’s why hospitals are experimenting with other ways to destroy them, including using ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide vapor to target germs in nooks and crannies not easily reached by cleaning crews.

But those measures require actions by human beings — which is not the case with copper.

“It’s always working, it requires no human intervention, no supervision, and it’s acting continuously,” said Michael Schmidt, a microbiology professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and one of the researchers who conducted the first and largest study of copper surfaces in hospitals.

Besides the South Carolina hospital, the study involved Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Veterans Affairs hospital in Charleston, S.C. About 600 patients who were admitted to the intensive-care units at the facilities were randomly assigned to receive care in traditional patient rooms or ones in which six frequently touched objects — such as bed rails, tables, IV poles and nurse call buttons — were made from copper alloys.

While welcoming the findings, researchers said additional studies are needed to answer many questions.

“Is there a minimal risk number out there — how many bacteria on a surface to really put people at risk?” said L. Clifford McDonald, a medical epidemiologist at the CDC.

“Right now, there’s not enough data on copper or other technologies to make firm recommendations on what hospitals should do,” he said. In the meantime, facilities should continue to thoroughly clean patients’ rooms and supplement that with disinfectants. And everyone, especially health-care workers, should wash their hands with soap and water.

At an American Hospital Association conference in July, Todd Linden, chief executive of Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Iowa, gave a 70-minute presentation on copper items installed in 13 of the hospital’s patient rooms. The 49-bed facility also plans to use copper in renovating its emergency room. Grinnell College biology professor Shannon Hinsa-Leasure is conducting a clinical trial on the hospital’s use of copper. The hospital’s fitness center also has copper components, including on its free weights. Olin Brass and its manufacturing partners donated products for the hospital; community donations paid for the fitness center.

Cost is an issue. Adding copper surfaces is about 15 to 20 percent more expensive than using traditional stainless steel. But the long-term benefits are worth it, Linden and Schmidt say.

A typical U.S. hospital room contains about $100,000 of goods and equipment, experts say. The average cost to outfit a hospital room with antimicrobial copper items is about $5,000, Linden said. But one infection adds $43,000 in patient costs, according to federal data. And under the Affordable Care Act, hospitals with higher infection rates and other patient injuries face decreases in their Medicare reimbursements.

[ Is Medicare unfairly penalizing hospitals treating sickest, poorest patients?]

The copper industry, meanwhile, provided financial help to several facilities interested in experimenting with copper surfaces.

The Copper Development Association gave $50,000 in grants to four hospitals in 2013 and 2014, said Adam Estelle, a project engineer with the trade group.The association began promoting copper’s antimicrobial properties in 2008, when several groups of copper products met standards of the Environmental Protection Agency to be registered as antimicrobial and effective in killing six types of bacteria, including MRSA, VRE and the deadly E. coli 0157 strain, the culprit in numerous food recalls, illnesses and deaths.

Pullman Regional Hospital in Washington state received a $10,000 grant from the copper industry group two years ago. The 26-bed hospital bought more than 1,200 cabinet drawer pulls and 22 handicapped-access buttons on doors.

Ed Harrich, chief of surgical services, and his staff have been methodically installing the hardware. He persuaded hospital administrators to approve another $10,000 for more items.

“If you looked at my cabinet pulls, they look like stainless steel, but we still get copper’s killing properties,” he said. “We’re still continuing to clean everything we can. But this is our little helper behind the scenes.”

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-bacteria-fighting-super-element-making-a-return-to-hospitals-copper/2015/09/20/19251704-5beb-11e5-8e9e-dce8a2a2a679_story.html?tid=pm_national_pop_b

Qigong Benefits

Qigong Center What is Qigong Lectures, Workshops & Courses Qigong Healing & Consultation Teacher Training  The Way of Tea  Articles Purchase Online:     Books     CDs & DVDs     Fine Chinese Tea Healing Ways Blog Calendar of Events Kenneth Cohen Home

WHAT IS QIGONG? Click to read the longer article What is Qigong?  Qigong (also spelled Ch'i Kung) is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine from China. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (qi). Qigong practice leads to better health and vitality and a tranquil state of mind. In the past qigong was called nei gong (inner work) or dao yin (guiding energy). Today, the original ancient word for qigong is being revived: yang sheng. Yang sheng means "nurturing" (yang) "life" (sheng). This beautiful term includes not only healing exercises and meditations but also any practices that contribute to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance. Nor is yang sheng restricted to personal well-being. To nurture life is to live in a way that cares for the life around us, all of nature. How do I say it? Qi pronounce chee Gong pronounce gung, as in lung How old is Qigong? The documented history of qigong goes back approximately 2,500 years. However Chinese archaeologists and historians have found references to qigong-like techniques at least five thousand years old. What about Taiji Quan (Tai Chi)? Taiji Quan is a style of qigong. It is graceful, relaxed, slow, and fluid, like a slow- motion dance. Unlike some qigong methods that exercise specific systems or parts of the body-- nervous system, endocrine system, heart, kidneys-- Taiji Quan is a whole body, whole mind exercise. It treats health systemically, restoring the body to its original "program", uncorrupted by stress, pollution, and disease. The Qigong Research & Practice Center offers training in all aspects and levels of Taiji Quan. Why study Qigong? Qigong has four major areas of application: Healing Qigong (Yi Gong). Healing Qigong (sometimes translated "Medical Qigong") is the preventive and self-healing aspect of Chinese medicine. We are all exposed to stress. Qigong teaches us how to control our reactions to stress so that life events do not cause such symptoms as high blood pressure, frustration, or anxiety. Healthy people practice qigong to become super-healthy. Healers use qigong to prevent "healer burn-out" and to maintain a positive presence. External Qi Healing (Wai Qi Zhi Liao). Qigong includes a sophisticated system of health assessment and non-contact treatment called External Qi Healing (EQH). The healer learns to tap into a well of healing energy in nature and "funnel" it through his or her body. Unlike some purely intuitive systems, EQH includes exercises that increase sensitivity to energy fields and efficacy of treatment. The more you practice External Qi Healing exercises and meditations, the more effective your healing treatment. External Qi Healing techniques may be used as a stand alone form of wellness treatment or may be combined with massage, acupuncture, Therapeutic Touch, osteopathy, or any other form of body-work. Because treatment is generally performed at a distance from the body, EQH does not violate psychotherapists' professional ethics (which do not allow touching the patient) and is thus an ideal adjunct to body-centered psychotherapy. Sports Qigong (Wu Gong). In sports and martial arts, qigong is the key to strength, stamina, coordination, speed, flexibility, balance, and resistance to injury. Qigong exercises can improve performance in any sport, improving the golf drive, tackling ability in football, accuracy in tennis, and stamina in swimming. Spiritual Qigong (Fo Gong, Tao Gong). As a spiritual discipline, qigong leads to self-awareness, tranquillity, and harmony with nature. The spiritual aspect of qigong evolved from Taoism and Buddhism. Lesser Known Categories Art Qigong. In the arts, qigong leads to aesthetic sensitivity. Nature uses our eyes to see herself. The qigong practitioner feels such oneness with nature that he or she feels as though the beautiful pine tree is expressing itself through the brush or poem. Students of theater, mime, and other expressive arts practice qigong to increase confidence, physical and emotional control, and expressive ability. Business Qigong. In the business world, qigong can lead to greater integrity, defined by brilliant Law Professor Julian Gresser as, "...a sense of connectedness, coherence, wholeness, and vitality. Integrity is the capacity of every living thing to hold its own in the face of entropy, disorder, and uncertainty, its link to the living world, its ability to carry on its life, however humble." (Piloting Through Choas, p. 8) Qigong practitioners are more resistant to stress; make better decisions; encourage credibility, confidence and team spirit; and are far more efficient. Most importantly, qigong is the ideal therapy for "hurry sickness"-- the habitual sense of time urgency-- a major risk factor for heart disease and accelerated aging. Who can benefit? Because qigong includes both dynamic and gentle techniques that can be practiced from standing, seated, or supine postures, it is suitable for young and old. Practices can be tailored to individual needs making it an ideal aid to recovery from illness or injury. Qigong is a form of complementary medicine. It works well with other forms of therapy and should never be used as a substitute for necessary treatment by a physician. Is Qigong scientific? Both China and the U.S. have hosted conferences for academic exchange of qigong research. Qigong has been shown to improve posture and respiration, induce the relaxation response, cause favorable changes in blood chemistry, and improve self-awareness and concentration. Research suggests that Qigong may be beneficial for Asthma, Arthritis, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Pain, and a  wide variety of common ailments. External Qi Healing is effective for the same range of illnesses as acupuncture. Benefits of Qigong | Qigong Article | Research on Qigong | Testimonials Link: http://www.qigonghealing.com/qigong/whatis.html

What is Qigong?

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.

The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe.

The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.

Qigong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions.

Qigong practices can be classified as martial, medical, or spiritual. All styles have three things in common: they all involve a posture, (whether moving or stationary), breathing techniques, and mental focus. Some practices increase the Qi; others circulate it, use it to cleanse and heal the body, store it, or emit Qi to help heal others. Practices vary from the soft internal styles such as Tai Chi; to the external, vigorous styles such as Kung Fu. However, the slow gentle movements of most Qigong forms can be easily adapted, even for the physically challenged and can be practiced by all age groups.

Like any other system of health care, Qigong is not a panacea, but it is certainly a highly effective health care practice. Many health care professionals recommend Qigong as an important form of alternative complementary medicine.

Qigong creates an awareness of and influences dimensions of our being that are not part of traditional exercise programs. Most exercises do not involve the meridian system used in acupuncture nor do they emphasize the importance of adding mind intent and breathing techniques to physical movements. When these dimensions are added, the benefits of exercise increase exponentially.

The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.

Those who maintain a consistent practice of Qigong find that it helps one regain a youthful vitality, maintain health even into old age and helps speed recovery from illness. Western scientific research confirms that Qigong reduces hypertension and the incidence of falling in the aged population. One of the more important long-term effects is that Qigong reestablishes the body/mind/soul connection.

People do Qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds, and reconnect with their spirit.

When these three aspects of our being are integrated, it encourages a positive outlook on life and helps eliminate harmful attitudes and behaviors. It also creates a balanced life style, which brings greater harmony, stability, and enjoyment

There are a wide variety of Qigong practices. They vary from the simple, internal forms to the more complex and challenging external styles. They can interest and benefit everyone, from the most physically challenged to the super athlete. There are Qigong classes for children, senior citizens, and every age group in between. Since Qigong can be practiced anywhere or at any time, there is no need to buy special clothing or to join a health club.

Qigong's great appeal is that everyone can benefit, regardless of ability, age, belief system or life circumstances.

Anyone can enrich their lives by adding Qigong to their daily routine. Children learning to channel their energy and develop increased concentration; office workers learning Qigong to reduce stress; seniors participating in gentle movements to enhance balance and their quality of life; caregivers embracing a practice to develop their ability to help others; prisons instituting Qigong programs to restore balance in inmates lives; midwives using Qigong techniques to ease child birth.

When an individual or group assumes responsibility and takes action for their health and healing, we all benefit. It is best to get referrals from people whose judgment you have confidence in. Check the Yellow Pages for Tai Chi schools, acupuncturists, or martial art academies. The National Qigong Associationmember directory is also an excellent source for finding instructors.

Keep in mind the following criteria for choosing a qualified instructor: what is their background and experience; are they of good character; do they treateveryone fairly and with respect; do they live what they teach; do they refrain from making wild, unsubstantiated claims; do they encourage and bring out a student's highest potential? While keeping these points in mind, remember to trust your intuition in finding an instructor who is right for you.

How can I learn if there aren't any teachers near me?
If there are no instructors in your area, many teachers regularly travel to give workshops in all regions of the country. Many excellent instructional books and videos are also available.

Begin by familiarizing yourself with the many resources available for learning Qigong. The internet is one of the best tools today for learning about Qigong.

Seek referrals in your area and visit local classes. Attending the annual NQA conference also provides an introduction to many styles of Qigong and practitioners from around the world.

After you have looked into some of these resources, find a style you feel comfortable with, and develop a consistent daily practice. It is recommended by experienced teachers to stay with a form for at least 100 days. A consistent practice is the most important asset you can develop.

When beginners ask, "What is the most important aspect of practicing Qigong?" The answer is always..."just do it."

The National Qigong Association does not use nor recognize the terms Masterand Grandmaster.

Link: http://nqa.org/resources/what-is-qigong/

Cannabidiol, extracted from Cannabis sativa,

14 hours ago

Cannabidiol, extracted from Cannabis sativa, selectively inhibits inflammatory hypermotility http://dld.bz/dSvuC 

 

 

10 hours ago Cannabinoids as anti-inflammatory drug

10 hours ago

Cannabinoids as anti-inflammatory drug http://dld.bz/dSuZj 

 

#medicalmarijuana #MME #thc #cbd #cannabis

 

Researcher makes the case for use of medical marijuana

Researcher makes the case for use of Medical Marijuana http://dld.bz/dThRK
… #marijuana #cannabis #MME #cbd #thc

Cleveland: Researcher makes the case for use of medical marijuana
September 8th, 2015by Dr. Clif Cleavelandin Life Entertainment





Marijuana is the popular name for cannabis, a plant genus that contains three species. Although often highlighted for its controversial use as a recreational drug, cannabis has drawn increasing attention in recent years for its use in a variety of medical conditions.

Cannabis is chemically complex, containing more than 85 substances (cannabinols) that have biological effects. One cannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), stimulates specific receptors in the brain to cause a range of effects, including euphoria. THC is the major factor in the recreational use of cannabis; the other cannabinoids have no known psychoactive effects but have been increasingly used in the treatment of disease.



Clif Cleaveland

Photo by Contributed Photo /Times Free Press.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug with a risk of addiction and no accepted medical benefits. Yet two synthetic cannabinoids have FDA approval for medical use. Dronabinol may be used to stimulate poor appetite in HIV patients, while nabilone may be employed in the treatment of severe nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Epidolex, which contains a plant-derived cannabinol, has been approved recently to treat a rare seizure disorder in infants and young children.

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have approved cannabis for widely varying medical uses that include treating glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohn's disease, complications of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain. There is no uniformity among these state-based regulations; each state requires certification to obtain cannabis for medical purposes.

Two articles and an editorial in the June 23 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association provide a valuable overview of medical cannabis. One of the reports provides a "meta-analysis" of published studies of therapeutic cannabis.

A meta-analysis employs rigorous, statistical techniques to evaluate clinical studies for quality, safety and bias. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) represent the gold-standard in the evaluation of a medication. An RCT might compare cannabis against a placebo in treating patients with a muscle-spasm disorder. Patients would be randomly assigned to a group that received cannabis or an inactive placebo. In a double-blind study, neither the person administering medication nor the patient would know what was being given. At the end of a planned timeframe, results would be compared between the two groups. Often in such studies, a small percent of persons in the placebo group report improvement in symptoms.

In the cannabis meta-analysis, which used thousands of reports, the authors identified 79 uses that met the rigorous standards for inclusion in the analysis. The meta-analysis provided support for the use of cannabanoids in treatment of chronic pain related to injury or disease of nervous tissue or to cancer. Muscular spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis was also diminished. Studies of lesser quality supported use of the drugs to treat nausea and vomiting stemming from cancer chemotherapy, reversing weight loss in HIV patients, improving sleep disorders and relieving some of the muscular symptoms of Tourette syndrome.

A variety of short-term adverse reactions were noted in the studies. Among the most frequent were dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, fatigue and sleepiness. None of the studies identified long-term side effects.

A clinical review in the same issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association covered indications for medical use of cannabis and the process of certification for patients to obtain the drug. The author included a risk-and-benefit analysis, emphasizing the possible psychological and nervous system problems that might arise from short term use. Some of these effects may impair driving skills, increasing the risk of crashes.

Future applications of cannabis in medical therapy will depend upon carefully planned and executed clinical studies. These studies may identify individual cannabinols that are safer and more effective alternatives to currently available medications. The studies could lead, in turn, to more uniform indications for cannabis use.

Contact Clif Cleaveland at cleaveland1000@comcast.net.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/life/entertainment/story/2015/sep/08/making-case-formedical-marijuana/323919/

7 Ways to Fight Stress and Anxiety - MultipleSclerosis.net

7 Ways to Fight Stress and Anxiety

By Cathy Chester—September 10, 2015

My cousin told me the other day that she believes things happen the way they are supposed to happen, and I quite agree. Life unravels itself the way it’s supposed to, and because it does I’ve often contemplated what “the Big Picture is.” I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never know what the Big Plan is from the Person Upstairs, or how She/He came up with the playbook. So I’ll sit back in my easy chair and let it all play out.

I’m not a religious person, but a spiritual one, recognizing the beauty and wonder we experience on life’s journey. I try to see the glass half full and live my life by seeing the good in everything.

But sometimes life throws us a curve, and without those curves we’d never recognize the beauty. There are some curves that are more difficult to maneuver. They cause us to feel sad, anxious or fearful. We can get lost in their midst or try to find our footing.

Our spirit is tested during times of adversity. Will we wither and spin out of control, or rely on our inner strength and faith to pull us through?

During times of adversity it’s important to have an anchor, something to lean on to help us maintain our strength. When life through us a curve we need to be ready.

Here are a few of my anchors that I lean on during difficult and stressful times:

Friends and Family: Reach out to loved ones. Put your trust in them to help you through your darkest days. There’s no shame in reaching out to others. That’s what unconditional love is all about.

Meditation: Meditating is extremely beneficial in calming your mind. According to a recent article in Forbes,meditation can change key areas of the brain that affect levels of fear, stress, anxiety and mood improvements. I try to meditate at least 5 – 10 minutes a day. Here’s Meditation 101 for beginners.

Prayer: According to Dr. Roberta Lee in her book “The Super Stress Solution,” “Research shows that people who are more religious or spiritual use their spirituality to cope with life. They’re better able to cope with stress, they heal faster from illness, and they experience increased benefits to their health and well-being.”

Journaling: Writing your thoughts in a journal can calm your mind. I love the blog “Tiny Buddha” and here she offers advice on 10 journaling tips to help you heal, grow and thrive.

Exercise: Exercise has been found to be beneficial when dealing with stress. As The Mayo Clinic says, “Exercise is meditation in motion.”

Outlets: I watch old sitcoms (of course M*A*S*H or The Mary Tyler Moore Show), movies (my husband and I have watched His Girl Friday – 1940 – a zillion times and we almost know it by heart), knit or read to relax and de-stress. They calm my mind and distract stressful thoughts.

Pets: Spending time with our beloved furry friends is a true blessing. They give us unconditional love. I am thankful that at 9 years old my wise son insisted we adopt our first cat. I will never again be cat-free!

How do you deal with stress?

Cathy Chester was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987, but has lived with MS symptoms since 1981. Now in her fifties, her philosophy is life is precious and should be lived to the fullest each and every day. She views her MS as merely a small part of who she is as a person. Some days are better than others, but each day is a gift and one she cherishes dearly.

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7 Ways to Fight Stress and Anxiety - MultipleSclerosis.net:



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