Recovery Month 2007 - Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx Speaks Out

The National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month asks us to join the voices for recovery to save lives and dollars. Millions of people are plagued by the disease of addiction and are going without treatment. Once people enter into treatment, their lives, their health, their income levels improve. Almost everyone's life is impacted in some way by a friend or a family member with a substance abuse problem.

In 2002, the economic cost of drug abuse was $180.9 billion - second only to heart disease at $183.1 billion and higher than cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and stroke. It is one of the most costly health problems we face as a nation. Treatment for substance abuse disorders has been found to be as effective as treatments for other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes.

Treatment programs are best individualized and can be residential or outpatient, but most include a combination of counseling, family therapy, medication and behavioural therapy. Over 75% of adults with substance abuse problems are employed. EAP programs that offer substance abuse treatment improve a company's bottom line - and cut problems like absenteeism, tardiness, work related injuries and errors.

Founding member of heavy metal band Motley Crue, Nikki Sixx, wrote a book chronicling his heroin addiction and recovery, The Heroin Diaries with an accompanying soundtrack. He was the first rock star to ever speak at a National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month luncheon in Washington DC. Some of the profits from Sixx's book will go to Running Wild in the Night, a fundraising initiative for Covenant House, California. Covenant House is a crisis center for youth at risk. Sixx, now the father of 4, gave up the wild and crazy life to preserve his creativity and his relationships. He wants kids to be able to look up to him as a clean and sober, but hopefully still "cool" guy. He reports that at age 13, he was once homeless like the kids he now tries to help - and he realized his dream of being a rock star, but woke up a junkie. He is now sober but rocks on...

Labels: Addiction, heroin, Motley Crue, Nikki Sixx, recovery

Permalink | 2 Comments| Email Post  

Post your comment

September is Biodiversity Month in Australia

Australia wants us to remember the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity all around the world. Why does this important for health? Biodiversity is the web of life - the interconnectedness of living things - the plants and animals and ecosystems we depend upon for our survival and well being. From medicinal plants to industrial products, to basics of survival like water, we are part of a larger ecosystem and preserving biodiversity enhances our quality of life. Here are some positive actions we can do to protect biodiversity in our local world:

• Create a natural habitat in your own backyard, balcony or patio with wild, native plants that provide sanctuary, shelter and food for birds and wildlife.
• Reduce what you consume, reuse what you can, recycle the rest
• Pick up after your pet and never release an animal of any kind into the wild
• Compost organic matter like vegetables
• Avoid eating threatened seafood species like swordfish, Chilean sea bass, sockeye salmon
• The Australian Government has initiated a program called The Green Voucher. Participating schools can receive up to $50,000 to install solar water systems and a rainwater tank.
• Learn about and practice sustainable firewood practices for heating.
  

Thank you Reef Check Australia for used of photo. Click here to participate in their photo contest!

Labels: biodiversity, habitat

Permalink | 0 Comments| Email Post  

Post your comment

Prostate Cancer Awareness Week

Too many men I know and love have died of prostate cancer and its complications - my father, my grandfather, the fathers and grandfathers of friends. In Canada and US, Cancer Societies are observing Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, urging men to take control of their health before cancer takes control of their prostate gland.

• Men over 50 should have a digital rectal exam and a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test
• Men with African heritage/genetic background should have the same done at a younger age due to increased risk

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting Canadian men, and its toll is serious. Encourage the men in your life to get tested this week - it may save a life.



Thank you cmh 0150 for use of photo Alphas NDC.

Labels: Prostate cancer

Permalink | 0 Comments| Email Post  

Post your comment

Important Safety Information for Fentora (Fentanyl buccal tablet)

On September 10th 2007, Cephalon, Inc., the manufacturer of Fentora (Fentanyl buccal tablet) issued both a Dear Doctor and a Dear Healthcare Professional letter in response to the deaths of some people who were using the drug.

Fentora (fentanyl) is a narcotic (opioid) medication indicated for the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients who are already taking and are tolerant to opioid therapy for their cancer pain. The medication is not approved for use in patients who are not tolerant to opioids nor is it approved for use in treating patients with other types of pain including acute pain, post-operative pain, headache, migraine, or sports injuries.

And therein lies the problem. Of the four reported deaths due to Fentora (fentanyl), three were related to inappropriate prescribing of the drug, says the manufacturer. Two patients were prescribed the drug for the treatment of headaches, even though, contrary to the dosing guidelines, they were not on any other opiates. According to Cephalon, a fourth death was reported in an individual who was taking the drug though it had not been prescribed to the person; the individual eventually committed suicide.

Cephalon is now under the FDA's microscope but they have also managed to attract attention due to possible inappropriate marketing practices. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Connecticut Attorney General's investigation, which has been ongoing since 2004, found that Cephalon promoted Actiq (fentanyl citrate, oral transmucosal) to neurologists for the treatment of headaches which is an off-label use, amongst other questionable practices.

Bottom line: if you're a health professional then familiarize yourself with the proper use of Fentora(fentanyl) and key safety information regarding the drug. If you are a patient, arm yourself with appropriate questions for your healthcare provider and be an active participant in your treatment plan.

Labels: actiq, attorney general, cancer, cancer pain, cephalon, fentanyl, fentora, off-label drug use

Permalink | 0 Comments| Email Post  

Post your comment

September is Healthy Aging Month! Reach Out to Someone...

The Healthy Aging Campaign wants us to remember that it is never too late to adopt healthy habits and embrace healthy lifestyle changes! When we think of health, tend to think about our physical health and the body, but social well-being is every bit as important as mental and physical health.

• Travel and see the world, experience different cultures. Open your mind.
• Laugh a lot!
• Volunteer - get out and share your time, wisdom and energy
• Practice your faith
  
• Strengthen your friendships and relationships
• Keep a pet or companion animal
• Get married (if you're a man - being married increases your longevity. For some reason the reverse isn't true for women...)

With more and more people living longer, healthier lives senior dating services are sprouting up.

• SeniorsCircle.com is a free web dating service that has been around since 1997
• Senior Datefinder is another integrated online dating service
• Executive Senior Dating is a more exclusive service with a fee, "absolute privacy" and a personal counselor
  
• Grand Circle Travel welcomes the single seniors traveling alone to join their group discovery tours
  

Don't let depression, isolation and loneliness make you old before your time. Stay connected to others. Laugh, love and do things to make your self and others happy!

Thank you christiatnh20 for use of photo ice cream.

Labels: aging, isolation, social well-being

Permalink | 0 Comments| Email Post  

Post your comment

Childhood Injury Prevention Week: September 1-7

Let's all work together to keep our children safe! The As Safe As Possible Campaign wants us all to know:

• 20.6 million kids are injured each year
• that's 56, 000 kids a day!
• 22, 000 children die each year due to injuries
• 60, 000 are permanently disabled
• 90% of these injuries to young children occur at home!
• 10,600,000 doctor's visits each year are for young children's injuries
• 8,700,000 ED visits are for young children's injuries
• Cost to the US health system each year? $347 Billion!

Take a MINUTE to take stock of your home and prevent injuries:

• Poisonings: Lock all items out of your child's reach. Use child resistant containers
• Drownings: Never leave children unattended near pools, toilets, bathtubs, showers, hot tubs, animal troughs, outside pails, diaper pails
• Fires and Burns: Keep children away from stoves and fireplaces. Lock up lighters and matches. Keep smoke detectors and fire extinguishers functioning. Check water temperature for baths
• Choking: Keep the house free of small objects which are a choking threat (including pennies)
• Falls: Secure windows, doors. Remove tripping hazards and keep paths well lit. Bathroom surfaces should be non-slip
• Electrical: Cover outlets and keep plugs locked. Secure cords to prevent tripping.
• Suffocation/Strangulation: Keep all plastic wraps and garbage bags out of reach. Keep wires, cords and strings out of reach.
  

Labels: childhood, injury, prevention

Permalink | 0 Comments| Email Post  

Post your comment

Summer from Hell: Getting a Handle on Anxiety & Depression

I am so glad summer is over because for me, it has been a summer from hell. It's not the worst summer of my life - that was the one when my husband died when our daughter was 7 months old and the mountains were on fire. I thought the world was ending. No this summer, my darling daughter who once worshiped me turned 13 and decided she hated me and let me know about it, loudly and often. That caused me a lot of anxiety. My job was causing me anxiety. I got anemic and run down for the usual reasons. Things were spiraling down hill. Hey! I'm a health expert - this isn't supposed to happen. I needed to get a handle on things.

I got my stress under control. I sent my daughter to visit my sister and her daughter for 3 weeks. I took a vacation - at home, alone. Sort of. I got my anemia under control with rest, food, iron supplements and a multivitamin with folate. I spent time in the sun, exercising. I meditated. But crazy things kept happening to me. The well collapsed on a property in the country that has been in our family for years - I have to get a new well dug!

Anxiety and stress that last over time and come at as from so many angles of our life can begin to erode our confidence in ourselves and our sense of competence as a person. The first symptom I recognized was middle insomnia - I was waking up in the middle of the night, ruminating about all the things I felt I was doing wrong. Then I realized I had lost quite a bit of weight without really trying (not so undesirable!). Next I realized I was feeling sad, blue and irritable. When it was a beautiful sunny day and I found myself lying in bed crying in the afternoon I said, "Oh, yuck. I'm depressed." I wasn't profoundly depressed - it hadn't gone on for 2 weeks - I was mildly depressed. This called for action. Prompt action to prevent a slide downhill. I share this with everyone because I'm not really ashamed. There are few people who don't get depressed from time to time. Most of us don't realize we can prevent a slide into a deeper depression -(some of us, sometimes).

• Reach out to people who care about you: I made some phone calls and talked to people who love me
• Get out of the house and do something fun: the worst thing to do is wallow - get up &: get going. I chose several fun things to do and had fun doing them
• Make sure you get a good night's sleep.
  

Knowing I had middle insomnia, I forced myself to stay up late, until I was really tired. I went to bed late and when I woke up, the sun was shining - it was 7:30 AM, unheard of for me. I felt like a new person. Sleep restores the soul.

My kid is back at school, I'm back at work, and my stressors continue to bombard me. But I am sleeping through the night, and I am not depressed. Summer is over. Tomorrow is another day.

Labels: anxiety, depression, insomnia

Permalink | 1 Comments| Email Post  

Post your comment