INTERNISTA NURSISTA

Revealing the secrets

2009-01-22T06:08:00.000-08:00

Last week my cousin introduced me to Rhonda Byrne, she is the author of the audio book entitled "the secret". He told me that It will change my perception towards life. It's a very good timing because I just bought my music phone which can store mp3's. I transferred the file into my phone but it was three days after before I listen to the said audio book, I just had this notion that it'll be arid because it has 10 chapters and each chapter last for about 20-30 minutes.

I was on my way to work and I have nothing to do inside the jeepney. Instead of staring at those people who are inside the jeepney who by the way looks pathetic because everybody seems to be so concerned about the time I decided to listen to my mp3's and I came across to the secret. At first I don't get the point of the author until she introduced me to the people who gave concise examples of what the secret is all about.

I learned that by thinking positive thoughts I can control the universe and the universe will give positive feedback and manifest into positive output. Our brain has the capacity to store and repeat information over and over again. If you say that you are tired and exhausted after work, that information will be processed by your brain and will be stored and repeated over and over again until it sends out information to the universe and before you know it you have manifested many negative things that will hinder your capacity to work like headache, stomach pain or diarrhea just by thinking that you are tired and exhausted. If you want something, think of it as if it is happening already, think of it as if it is there. Like attracts like according to Rhonda Byrne.

After listening to the secret I decided to apply what I have learned and I am so amazed of the results. I have to admit that controlling my thoughts is not easy, until now I still have difficulty in taking over my thoughts and feelings but with the aid of the secret somehow I have lessened my anxiety and became fully aware of what can negative thinking do for me. I have realized that being grateful to every single good things that happened to my life should be worth thanking. From time-to-time I practice saying thank you for every good things that is happening to me. When I get to work on time, I say thank you. Whenever I get an early ride going to work, I say thank you. Doing this everyday gave me the will to surpass the day to day challenge.

If you think of negative thoughts it will attract negative things and when that happens you should change your frequency. How are you going to do this? Simple, think of happy moments with your love ones, friends, and colleagues. Listen to your favorite music or watch a comedy show. In this way you are channeling the negative thoughts.

After listening and understanding to what Rhonda Byrne is telling me I can say that my life now is lighter and easier.

The danger of antibiotics

2008-06-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

I have encountered a lot of my clients who are self medicating for the treatment of some medical problems including cough, colds, flu, diarrhea, et cetera, many of them are taking the medication with out consulting their health care providers. In this instance people tend to buy medications that they believe can solve their medical problems. One of the most commonly used over the counter (OTC) drugs is antibiotics.

Antibiotics are used primarily to fight against infections brought by bacteria meaning infections brought by viruses such as colds and flu is not treated using antibiotics because it will be ineffective. Most often it is just best to allow a cold or the flu to run its course. Diseases that are caused by viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus are most likely treated with an anti-viral.

The danger of self medicating especially with the use of antibiotics is the so called “bacterial resistance.” In some cases some bacterium grows stronger than the antibiotic causing resistance and when it happens you will need a stronger antibiotic. Remember the stronger the antibiotic the higher the cost.

There are several factors causing this antibiotic resistance:

Using antibiotics too often
Not completing the full course of the treatment. Normally, antibiotics are prescribed for a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 12 days depending on the antibiotic prescribed.

Measures in preventing antibiotic resistance:

When given antibiotics by a physician, take them as prescribed.
Always complete the full course of the antibiotic even if you feel better.
When requested, undergo a culture and sensitivity study. This is a laboratory procedure where in the causative bacteria is identified and to help physicians prescribe the proper antibiotic.

There are known cases of “multi-drug resistant” to several or every antibiotic available in our country and if this is the case we let the bacteria stay in the body because we can’t do anything about it unless there will be new generation of more potent antibiotic available, that is for trial and error.

The main purpose of me writing this article is to let you know about the potential hazard of antibiotics not just antibiotics but any drug that you take. Remember that every drug has its own side effects it maybe beneficial or toxic to the body.

SOURCE:
1. http://www.fda.gov

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer

2008-06-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

Human papillomavirus is one of the common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The virus infects the skin and mucous membranes. The virus can infect the genital areas of men and women, including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), and anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, and rectum. You cannot see HPV. Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it. The virus can cause genital warts and different types of cancer in both men and women including cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and penis- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A person infected with HPV may show no signs or symptoms until the cancer is in the late stage. You may be wondering if how people get this type of disease, well as I have said this is a sexually transmitted infection and people may catch it by unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple sex partner or if you are "lucky" enough you may get the disease even if it is your first time to have sex.

Theoretically speaking HPV has no treatment but there are treatments available for the complications brought by HPV and note that a healthy immune system can naturally fight off the virus. For cervical cancer and other cancers brought by HPV the treatments are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Genital warts can be removed by patient-applied medications prescribed by your physician.

You might ask me again if there are any testing procedures for HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there is no general test for men or women to check one’s overall “HPV status.” But of course you need to be tested for complications brought by HPV such as cancer. For women there is this what we so called as "pap smear or pap test." According to National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institute of Health if you are under 21 and begun having sex 3 years ago or 21 or over you most likely need to be tested for cervical cancer that is if you are sexually active. How often? At least once every three years or ask your doctor if what schedule is right for you. Remember that not only sexually active women should be tested for cervical cancer and should have their cervix tested.

How about men? They do not need to undergo cervical pap smear because men has no cervix. But there is what we call as anal pap smear this is done yearly for gay men and bisexual men who are indulged in anal sex.

The good news is that there is this vaccine GARDASIL which is available in the Philippines that protects against four types of HPV that causes 70 percent of cervical cancer and 90 percent of genital warts. This vaccine is given to 11-26 year old girls, for men there is no currently approved vaccine to prevent cancer and genital warts caused by HPV. Ask your doctor if this vaccine is good for you.

General rules in preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) includes:

1. Abstinence

2. Be faithful

3. Wear condoms, comdoms are effective in preventing STI's if used properly and I mind you, use only and I say ONLY water based lubricants such as KY jelly or EZ jelly and other condom friendly lubricants. Never use oil based lubricants (baby oil, petroleum jelly, et cetera) for it will break your condoms.

If you contracted an STI in any form (HPV, Syphillis, et cetera..) it is very important to consult your doctor, don't be hesitant in doing so for you might suffer the consequences. Your healthcare providers will not spill the beans but if they do you can always sue them and have their licenses revoked. We all have our basic needs and one of those is sex so do not be shy to talk about sex.

SOURCES:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/ - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2. http://www.cancer.gov/ - National Cancer Institute
3. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/_img/45026NEWWOMAN.jpg

4. http://www.hubba.co.nz/content/images/genitalwarts_male.jpg