Chicken Pox Parties – Odd and Maybe Illegal

If you have children, be aware that Chicken Pox Parties can be dangerous and even illegal, depending on what is used to infect children so that “They get it over with.”  One urban legend is that chickenpox is less severe the younger the child is in years. Well, sometimes that is true, but this  “childhood disease” can kill children as well as the adults on which it acts more severely.  It can lead to MRSA. Case examples appear At This Link.

Didn’t we or some of our ancestors infect Native Americans on purpose with smallpox-infected blankets a couple of hundred years ago? Some of these chickenpox parties are also using infected blankets, infected clothing, and even old rags that contain the disease. People are taking their infants and preschoolers to some of these parties with the thought. “Well, it’s easier on them now and vaccination is too dangerous.” Is this the 21st Century or the 17th Century? As Dr. McCoy said about 1986 in Star Trek IV -” What kind of primitive medicine is this!?”

Illegal? – Purchasing lollipops made from the spit of children suffering from chickenpox started out as a BIG BUSINESS online, but was sharply curtailed in Autumn 2011 when it was declared a Federal Crime. Be careful about chickenpox parties found on Facebook and Craigslist. If your child or you can catch chickenpox there, what else might you catch – from dirty rags and spit?

Again, here is The Link to more information and the diseases that getting well from chickenpox can give you later in life.

Let’s eradicate all “childhood diseases!”

Practicing Medicine Without a License

Misinformation from False Practitioners is Going to Kill People!

Every day I see more and more Internet posts from people that have not participated in a single medical or psychological class and are not certified, are not involved in alternative medicine or psych systems, have never been in a support group, do not know what a support group is or does;  but yet, diagnose other persons with Severe Mental Disorders, often naming names of friends, relatives, bosses, coworkers, etc. Go to a doctor? Never! See a psychologist or psychiatrist for assistance with a friend? No.

These people are wrong, they are hurting others, and they do not want to be stopped. Here is what thay might do instead.

These individuals are gossips, adding symptoms of their own making, with stories to match real and imagined symptoms. Their behaviors online are shameful, rude, and immoral. Some of these behaviors are also illegal. In my state, medical diagnosis without a license is a Misdemeanor the first three times, then it becomes a Felony.

The nation needs a large new facility for these individuals that practice medicine without a license.

Medication Overdose and Pain

Chronic Pain is insidious.  Medications can produce fatal side effects. Overdoses can happen accidentally, but if  future overdose can be prevented, lives can be saved.

Patients may be afraid to go back into the same treatment regimen with the same medications previously given after they survive an overdose of that very substance. One friend survived two, but sadly, not the third. 

Too many US Veterans must suffer for years before receiving the correct medication in the correct dosages to help them. Even then, disability income delays creates enough agitation to override the relief afforded by the medications. One such veteran and his family lived in a small leaky camper in the back of a city park  in my hometown without utilities until someone took the time to advocate for him.

Another vet, a friend, suffered 30 years before receiving his income, but the medications and side effects killed him in short order.

When Medication Kills

 

Jerry Lewis Out, WWE In with MDA

Jerry Lewis was tossed out of MDA without an explanation to the American public.  However, WWE muscles are looming large on the front page of the MDA site.  Entertainment in the USA has taken on a pro-wrestling and reality show mentality that goes beyond entertainment and hits a lowest common denominator.  Most of pro-wrestling and reality TV is not good, but the not-good is the part that even our research scientists now want to put forth to the American public in order to get their donations. 

During Jerry’s time as MDA honorary chairman, from 1952 – 2011, over $2 Billion were raised for MDA research, freeing MDA from a lack of government funding.  Tossing out Jerry Lewis at this point 30 days before the 2011 Telethon, without an explanation, will prove to be a bad move.

Beginning 9/4/2011, the MDA Telethon became a 6-hour entertainment show. 6PM to Midnight on the East Coast. Labor Day Weekend? People won’t get home until after Midnight Sunday.

Some event or action caused MDA to dismiss Jerry Lewis before his last scheduled Telethon, which would have put him at 60 years’ total service to MDA.  How many of us will continue to support MDA? –  Has the government relegated MDA to a non-essential disease fighting organization?

More on Lewis, Labor Day, and Labor Day Recipes, click this link.

Join a Laugh Club

… or become certified through a short course and run a Laughter Club yourself . People are doing this all over the world, encouraged by an international association in India. Laughter is seen as a medicine and a good tonic even in the Bible, though, so nothing is strange or mystic about it. We like to laugh.

Laughter Clubs lead people to laugh without resorting to jokes, sarcasm, situational comedy, skits, pranks, stand-up routines, practical jokes or other contrived methods. like pop psychology ice breakers: ‘Tell me three things about yourself.’ (My reply is, “No.”)  How fake and forced is all this? LOL 

 The only requirement is a sort of deep breathing exercise and the club is actually an exercise in that way — the only exercise is breathing and laughing.

People make great friends here as they become healthier through laughter!

How to Become a Certified Laughter Club Leader

How Old is TOO OLD?

Nobody Wants a 50-Year-Old Woman!

A continuing problem has no easy answer. A growing number of  women – and some men – ages 50 to 64 – cannot find work and do not qualify for any type of public assistance. Social Security for a portion of these folks age 62+ is pretty low unless they work to age 70, so many of them would willingly work if they could be hired.

In the past, full-time employment of individuals over age 50 was a burden to employers, because of the significantly higher health and medical  insurance premiums required for this age group. Older workers have been downsized out of the employment pool for many years, with a spike to this event in the Recession of 2008 – 2010.

Under Obamacare, however, this is to end and should make hiring older workers more palatable. Older workers in good health, with flexible attitudes, creativity, and experience are valuable to the workplace. Hopefully, insurance premiums will be removed as an obstacle to their work.

At the same time, even the Unemployment Department of many US States urge workers to start businesses of their own. This is growing easier in the 2010s with Internet business and telecommuting for work, but is an obstacle for those who are not technology-oriented.     

Employment is partially based on appearance, so how old is “too old?” This is especially pertinent for women. A remnant band of employers in the US feel that woman should be paid less than men for equal work, probably should not work at all; and if they are single or widowed, should live with and be supported by family. At the same time, the number of women between ages 50-64 who no longer have any living family and also have no job and no chance for financial aid is growing. What will become of them?

For a look at Aging and Beauty and how the two are compatible, see   

Nobody Wants a 50-Year-Old Woman!

The Food Pyramid is Gone

The Food Pyramid is now a Pie Chart – or The Plate. 

MyPlate is new. And different. 

The Plate requires to be filled 50% with fruits and vegetables every day.  If US families, singles, and youth can change from consuming NO fruits and vegetables to eating SOME fruits and vegetables several times a week, then the change can lead to better health.  This is all provided that the people can afford the fruits and vegetables. During the months of January through May 2011, my local store brand canned green beans rose in price from 58 cents to 75 cents a can. Not expensive?  In 2010, they were 49 cents.

Fresh vegetables are expensive, but each week, the local Kroger and Marc’s puts two rotating vegetable selections on sale at lower prices. They also mark down vegetables several times a week at the end of the day and this helps people.

Changes can certainly help the groups of kids that are habitually overfed by parents, but can we afford fruits and vegetables?  Some can grow their own, but not everyone is able to do so.

Oxygen Can Prevent Dementia

Exercise has been accepted for decades as a means to improving and sustaining good physical and mental health.  Even passive exercises help patients in comas and vegetative or similar states to maintain some muscle tone and better metabolic function.

A key to exercise results for health is the inclusion  regular aerobic exercise (it must raise the heart rate sufficiently) in an overall exercise regimen that includes strength and flexibility as well as range-of-motion components. Aerobic exercise sends additional amounts of oxygen to the brain, muscles, and all parts of the body, while oxygen enhances many body functions. This is shown in the numerous and growing successful applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) (oxygen chamber) treatments. Wound healing, weight loss, and many other conditions are aided by HBOT when available.

Aerobic exercise can keep certain areas of the brain from SHRINKING in children, youth adults, and senior citizens (more so for women than men at this time). This prevention staves off memory loss and dementia in senior citizens. It helps some ADD/ADHD students to perform better in school and social situations. What’s more, exericse is free. Read the fascinating research in everyday language at:

The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function by Age and Gender

Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Useful though controversial, Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) appeared in Florida, USA in the 1970s and 1980s at seaside amusement parks as an outgrowth of animal performances and the postive reactions of guests.

More recently, ocean resorts have grown up around the DAT phenomenon, often with large accomodations and entertainment fees levied for stay near the dolphin facilities. DAT has become part of a high-priced Travel and Tourist attraction in some areas of the US, but a certain number of people gain real benefits form DAT, no matter the costs.  

DAT facilities advertise that the treatments are effective agasint neurologial disorders and learning disabilities,  cerebral palsy, depression, and other conditions.  Since the 1980s, wounded veterans are also responding well to DAT.

Dolphin Assisted Therapy.

High Demand, Well Paid Jobs: USA, UK, Australia

National employment projections for America were completed for 2008 – 2018 and published in November 2010. These updated and replaced projections for the 2006 – 2016 decade. Every two years, we can review new projections. 

While national projections for 2010 – 2020 will be released likely in 2012, some states and metro areas have already established 2020 projections. Many include a high proportion of healthcare professionals.

The United Kingdom already set of employment projections for 2020 in London, especially with the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and the job opportunitites those bring.  The document is called Destinations 2020 and predicts that UK will follow London in economic growth to 2020.

We have a look at salaries of the highest paying jobs in both USA and UK, with an extra look at Australia, here at:

 The Best High Demand and High Paid Jobs from 2011 to 2020.