What triggers migraines? This agonizing, concentrated headache may be caused by stress, depression, smoking, allergic reaction, alcohol consumption, food triggers (such as MSG and red wine), high humidity (which may raise the air pressure), and is also hereditary. When neurotransmitters get overly excited, they may affect how the blood vessels dilate and thus causes over sensitivity because it inflames the area around the brain. The trigeminal nerve is the first culprit here because it triggers the first signs of pain and sensitivity–around the eyes and temple. The rest of the central nervous system is then triggered in this domino effect of pain. This causes the sufferer to almost be unable to carry on normal everyday activity and they must rest and take medication in order to relieve the pain. The pain itself is not just debilitating, but migraines can be coupled with vomitting, blurred vision, moodiness, feelings for cold and hot, and even smells that are not present in the immediate environment.

Migraines cannot be cured but can be helped with various medications that contain steroids, serotonin, herbal supplements, and antidepressants. These include: over the counter drugs such as Advil or Tylenol, Beta-blockers, and acupuncture to name some.

Sometimes a physician may recommend their patient receive an MRI or a CAT Scan to rule out any serious neurological disorders.

I myself am a migraine sufferer and have suffered from severe headaches since my high school days, just thinking it was a regular headache. I often took Tylenol and took a nap, and felt better within a few hours. However, as I got older and my life got more hectic, I did not have those few hours to nap and let the medicine kick in. Sometimes, I would have to take more than the recommended dose for an adult in order to feel any relief. The fact that I got them frequently along with other strange symptoms such as extreme light and sound sensitivity and seeing “aura” and that my aunt also suffered from similar symptoms sent up a red flag with my mother and I. Why did I wait until I entered college before I asked a doctor about this? Lack of knowledge and health insurance. To think I suffered so many years of my adolescent life due to these two factors, which is probably the reason why most Americans do not seek medical assistance at the very onset of problems. My family doctor sent me a referral to see a neurologist who agreed that what I suffered from was migraines with aura. She sent suggested that I get an MRI to make sure it wasn’t a more severe neurological condition. Unfortunately, my insurance did not cover such an expense. I went back to my family doctor and he prescribed me with Imatrex (which has to be taken daily) but I did not want to become dependent on medication everyday and it was also not covered by my insurance. I asked for an alternative and he prescribed me with Relpax, which was not only covered by my insurance, but I would only have to take it at the occurrence of a migraine and it relieved my pain very quickly, no naps, no drowsiness included.

Although it is too bad that my insurance did not cover certain things prescribed by my doctors, I encourage people to not overlook their headaches, it can be something more severe.

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20189799,00.html

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm

The most famous crop of doctors to hit television these days are: Dr. Oz of “The Dr. Oz Show” (thanks to his friend Oprah Winfrey), Dr. Robert Rey of “Dr. 90210″, the panel of physicians in their respective medical fields of “The Doctors”, and Phil McGraw of “Dr. Phil” (also thanks to Oprah Winfrey) just to name a handful.

To start off, the newest of the group to star in his own program is New York City-based cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz. He is best known for his guest appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” for several years before starting “The Dr. Oz Show”. He is also well known for his New York Times Bestseller List-making “YOU…” series books that serve as a self-help guide to achieving better overall health through lifestyle choices. Though he is my personal favorite out of the new doctor celebrities, and I do not doubt his intelligence in the least, it does make me raise and eyebrow when watching his show because most of his topics have nothing to do with what he specializes in as a surgeon. Rarely do his show topics ever involve heart or lung health. I know he went to medical school just like every surgeon, but I’d rather take advice and lecture on say, gynecological health, from my gynecologist than from a cardiothoracic surgeon, as brilliant as he may be.

“Dr. 90210″ is a show produced by the E! network and features plastic surgery in the wealthy neighborhood of Beverly Hills, California. Although a number of other plastic surgeons are featured on the show, “Dr. 90210″ mainly focuses on Dr. Robert Rey (pictured above), a well known plastic surgeon throughout the area. Unlike the other programs that take a talk-show approach, the show is set up more like a reality-television series. The cameras allow us to meet the patients and discover what surgical procedure they want and why they want it, as well as consultation with the surgeon, and before and after results. Footage of the actual procedure may also be featured, though certain content may be blurred if too graphic or inappropriate. Dr. Robert Rey himself is a renowned plastic surgeon, not only for his skill but also for his flamboyant and flashy antics, such as walking around the streets of Beverly Hills and Hollywood with cut-off sleeve scrubs, conversing with TMZ, getting his eyebrows waxed, and picking up food from various shops that are known to be paparazzi-laden.

“The Doctors” is a talk-show type program which features a panel of doctors: Dr. Travis Stork (an E.R. physician), Dr. Lisa Masterson (an OB-GYN), Dr. Andrew Ordon (a plastic and reconstructive surgeon), and Dr. James Sears (a pediatrician). It is featured Monday through Friday, in the afternoons and it is a family-friendly show (but does give prior warning if the show topic that day is not appropriate for children). They explore various topics in the medical world and the panel of doctors each give their opinion and knowledge they have, as well as answer questions from their live studio audience. I like the diversity this show presents with the different doctors, but it is obvious that the discussions and the show itself are lead by Dr. Travis Stork, whom, audience has noticed to be somewhat young and good looking, not to mention having been in one of the season of “The Bachelor”. The man likes being on television, I suppose.

The last to round out the bunch is Phil McGraw of “Dr. Phil”. He has served as a consultant on relationships and personal issues of the guests on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” until he was offered to lead his own talk show following his new found stardom. Despite the positive responses he received from his self-help books and his show, critics liked to point out the fact that he is meddlesome (he made a very public appearance to visit Britney Spears in the hospital last year, seemingly uninvited by her family; he took it upon himself to encourage an intervention to fix up the pop star’s life) and not actually a medical doctor, he is given the title of “Dr. Phil” due to his PhD in psychology.

As a big fan of television and medical information, I do enjoy these shows from time to time, but I still feel that it is a bit tasteless for such doctors in such distinguished positions to parade around on television instead of seeing patients face-to-face, one-to-one as med school intended for them to do. While many Americans sit in crowded waiting rooms at poorly funded hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices, these doctors are getting their hair and makeup prepped before they appear on camera and smile for the audience with their dazzling white teeth. They may be “helping” by giving the television audience some tidbits and factoids here and there, but that just encourages people to seek advice from a show rather than really see their doctors for more serious conditions.

http://www.doctoroz.com/

http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/dr90210/

http://www.thedoctorstv.com/

http://www.drphil.com/

While there is no cure for HPV (this virus stays in the body forever, but will not necessarily cause any symptoms) there are vaccines to help guard against the contraction of certain types of the virus that may cause cancer. Gardasil has been rapidly gaining prominence as the leading HPV vaccine. It costs approximately $385 for the required three rounds of treatment.

As per Guardasil’s website, they give a brief introduction to the vaccine:

“IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GARDASIL

GARDASIL is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. GARDASIL is for girls and young women ages 9 to 26.

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it’s important to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL does not treat cervical cancer or genital warts. GARDASIL will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months.

SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL, including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL is not for women who are pregnant.

The side effects include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Sometimes fainting is accompanied by falling with injury, as well as shaking or stiffening and other seizure-like activity. Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter.” (Gardasil, 2009).

The voice of Gardasil is usually addressing a mother and referencing a daughter. That is because Gardasil (and HPV vaccines in general) are recommended for girls as young as their preteens up until age 26. Whether they are sexually active or not, it is a precautionary measure for the “just in case” scenarios. The reason why women over the age of 26 are not as encouraged to get the vaccine (although they are free to do so) as younger women is because they are most likely exposed to HPV already and there is no clear studies done on women above that age group to test its effectiveness.  Even though the human papillomavirus can affect men, there was previously not enough studies done to prove the vaccine’s effectiveness in boys, however just a few months ago, the FDA has officially submitted approval for the vaccine to be used on boys and young men.

Now, I’m not spokesperson for Gardasil or anything but it is something to consider, especially since HPV is not as well known of a sexually transmitted disease as say, genital herpes is, so some people may overlook it as a potential risk. I say, if it is available and your health insurance covers it, or most of it, then it is something to consider, as a “just in case”.

http://www.gardasil.com/

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20189503,00.html

The University of California at San Diego along with Tufts University in Boston, conducted a stud in 2004 on this very phenomenon and discovered that indeed, the holiday season may contribute to a rise in cardiovascular complications. In fact, it is during this time of year that the amount of people that die from heart failure increases 5% compared to the rest of the year. In 2008, visits to the hospital due to heart-related problems increase up to 33% in the days immediately following Christmas.

Why the sudden surge of patients after Decembert 25th? Medical specialists believe it is due to several factors. They may include: patients holding off until the festivities are over and done with to bother with going to the doctor or a hospital to seek treatment, scheduling changes or unavailability of hospital or healthcare personnel to attend to patients, or some people simply don’t take the time out to check up on themselves, because they are so busy with holiday preparations.

The most common cardiovascular ailments include: heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Heart attacks occur when there is blockage in one part of the heart (usually fatty material called plaque clogs up a coronary artery) affects the blood flow into another part of the heart. If it is not relieved right away, then this causes vital oxygen supply to the heart to be cut off, and thus a heart attack takes place. An arrhythmia (also know as a cardiac dysrhythmia) can be summed up as an irregular heartbeat. Though it is considered one of the more common heart issues (even seemingly healthy individuals can have some form of arrhythmia), there are different types of arrhythmia and can signal more serious health problems. The heart beat can sometimes be too fast, or too slow, but it is always due to abnormality in the electrical activity of the heart. Heart failure speaks for itself, it can be brought on by any number of factors, but it is a debilitating condition, and renders the heart incapable of properly supplying the heart with oxygen-rich blood or pumping normally.

What is it about the post-holidays that bring on this influx of heart ailments? Well you’ve probably guessed the answer already: stress and food! We are so busy running around trying to decorate the house, buy gifts, plan parties, cook dinner, deal with family, stuff our faces with alcohol, desserts, and meat, and then collapse right onto the couch without so much of a stretch or a jumping jack that we put too much strain on our hearts in a short amount of time. On top of that, people do put off seeing the doctor until after the holidays because who wants to sit in a waiting room when you have to be at the mall or sitting at the dinner table sipping eggnog? This year, experts predict even more patients to flood the hospital entry ways as the recession has put a severe strain on everyone for the past couple of years already. Holiday frenzy will only exacerbate the problem at hand.

So, in order to prevent you and our loved ones from having to make that dreaded trip to the cardiologist or ER, remember: stay warm (the cold makes our blood vessels constrict, causing us to breathe harder and struggle with physical activity when outdoors), try not to put off your to-do list for too long, don’t delay at the first warning signs of a health problem, plan out an more economically-sound way to celebrate (your wallet needs tender love and care too), and try not to pile on a fifth helping of fatty holiday goose or dessert.

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20246920,00.html?xid=hts091216&utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_content=feature-link-3&utm_campaign=hts091216-html&PromKey=XET

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22084747

 Today members of congress, have the priviledge and the opportunity to have input and a say on healthcare. But many have taken reform and hijacked it simply for self gain and at the direction of the status quo. Americans all across the country pay for, deserve and should get what they pay for. This is nothing new in terms of the spirit of the American people. Its action embedded in the foundation and principle that goes ” no taxation without representation” yet considering the fact that America spends more than one-third more than its counter-parts in the industrialized world should;d make many Americans nervous. Which begs the question Are we getting what we are paying for?. In  my opinion, and the opinion of more than 60 percent of the public who believes, that the healthcare reform legislation, making its way around Washington D.C is a reform that we can not accept nor should we pay for.

Insurance companies for years, have taken advantage of the same individuals in the system from which they were constructed to provide care for. None the less we should not turn the blind eye to the bloated, beaucratic system called a hospital. Recently. it was exposed that at most hospitals; and the State of New York in which i live, CEO’s made well over an excess of one Million dollars. All at the same time they were cutting services to the people who needed it most. In most cases closing down wards, or cutting back on hospital beds in the district in which they are located.

Then theres the medical profession itself, for countless generations, many individuals have taken it upon themselves to go into the field of medicine to help individuals whether here at home or abroad. Considering this, and the many mishaps. It’s no wonder why insurance premium for most of these facilities are outrageous. Then there is the trial lawyers; whom feed like vultures on malpractice lawsuits and the fact that this excessive abuse of the legal system have forced hospitals to practice defensive medicine, insurers  to ask for outrageous premiums is in my opinion the number one obstacle in a debate called reform. I can understand why democrats protect the majority of trial lawyers,  shielding them from real true tort reform. Which drives and is a major factor and the reason why, medicare expansion would be a dangerous thing to place on the shoulders of the American people. The fact that in my home State of New York, Medicare expenditures outpaces the revenue taken in by the state of New York. This should send a sign to the people in Congress, that reform is and  should not be only about getting people on Medicare rolls or balance sheets of private insurers.

In conclusion, I strongly advocate that if any reform which is necessary for the economic stability of the American people who the form of healthcare and its current state should not be dismantled but reshaped to ensure that doctors are in fact doctors, trial lawyers do not feed like vultures, private insurers do not make off like bank robbers and the American people are provided safe component and effective healthcare. Is that not what we pay for?

I strongly believe when the new administration take office the firth point of business should have been to focused more on job creation not wall street sudtization. Many new yorkers its reported that they can’t afford the premus that are offered by the private insurence companies whom if givern the chance or a loophole will drop us if we ever really needed the coverage. During this debate i haven’t heard one word about ensuring people have good well paying jobs to sudstadize there own preums without the government becoming more involved in the practice of administrating health care.

Many Americans are dealing with the burden of choseing between medication of food and am not just talking about seniors. My neighbor who’s child became very ill recently. The situation made it real difficult to care for her child and continue going to work. So, she ended up reducing her work hours from full time to part time. However, in doing so she loss the medical coverage she has been paying for a number of years. She and many individuals just like her are the reason for the public option.

Since world war 2 medical coverage was an efffective tool to lar the best employees to a company simply because it was chap and cost little or nothing to the employers bottom line. Yet, over the last thirty years as competition and uncontroled cost has stadlly risen and employment opportunities have become more global. Muti national corporations which there are called, have come to look at its workers as exspongable resources. This has happen with the help of many governments including my own in the name of prosperity. Considering the world operates in a dog eat dog manner its obvious to seen that we are still be lied to my the people we would like to depend on.

The uninsured is the underinsured for a reson because the result of some these plans implimented by the muti international corporations.  For example, consider Huffy ” bicycle manufacture” for years it has supplied many job opprotunities to the state in which it is located but to huffy the location was just a place to house a business was a entensive tax break  to go with it. This problem is nothing new. This coprotation flight which started in the 1980′s has persisted and continued to ravage the middle class of America. The sad part is that after departing the  United States. They have the nerve t ship their product back to the same state and country from which they took the opporuntity purchase power away from. Instead of new ideas in ways to improve emloyment situation. many of the elected officals took bribes to look the other way. However, the way they turned their heads to look away from is the vary situation that there were elected to prevent.

The time has come for the Unitrd States of America and its citizans  including the privite sector to form a new contract among eachother of once again we will be making promises to eachother on will want to honor. which will everyone unforfilled. Thats a promise that will honor.

Since the inception of our country the founding principle has  been to protect our value of freedom but for some strange reason we have come to believe  that the combination of war and military build up has come to represent freedom and democracy. Yet, vast changes have and are occurring around the world, where America continues to see its economic and political influence endangered every time we seem to go off on these misplaced adventure such as what we see in Afghanistan. In our rush to spread the freedoms of the democratic process around the world historically we have seem to become the very thing; we rally against the aggressor.

I strongly believe we have not fully comprehend the damage that unnecessary wars, have on our society. Most if not all the financial disruption we’ve experience these last few years as  been a direct result of the military industrial complex.

Our nation as been involved in the toxic mix of bread and better governing before any to discover that even the mightiest country can’t have both.

 On a Saturday nite, the United States Senate pass culture to allow for the debate that is necessarily to finally give the American people what they deserve safe competent healthcare. Republican are making a real mistake in terms of supporting the status quo and special interest that don’t give a lick about providing the service they speak of standing to protect. The sad course of the debate healthcare has taken; has really done the people a huge disservice to the American people. The fact many amendments that would make the legislation more acceptable to the public is dis regarded in the name of party loyalty. I pray that when everything is said and done, the healthcare system that comes   more cost-effective and provides competent and reliable service.

Changing the method by which  you are use to doing something can cause a major disruption to the way people have come to access healthcare. However, on the flip side of that is, the fact that most people were unable to gain access to good care even when its free.

Therefore, i would find individuals who do not get care  harm or benefit the rest of us. I can imagine longer waits within the emergency rooms, and/or an extended period of getting a certain procedure done which may cause a revolt if it’s not done in an effective manner.

Young people may not be as militant as our parents but we are as rebellious like our parents and we typically pay more attention to whats going on nationally and globally. In addition, to forcing us to get coverage, you plan to cut funds from the same program to support my grandparents and in some cases my parents. You think it will happen without argument from either side. I have gotten to tell you ” get out of Washington sometimes’.

Congress should be very careful of the medical build up in which they are about to unleash on the country. Least, we may find ourselves in the medical industrial complex which we may never find a cure.

Like Truman, I strongly believe we are going to grow the rinks of health care professionals throughout the entire country and address the situation as if we were preparing to go to war. Most doctors enter medicine for the love of it; and most do it for the fame and fortune, but what we truly need as any part or reform is to make it about service to country. Yet, with all the talk abut affordability and cost savings preventing rationing we’ve seem to have missed the opportunity to address one main concern regarding the fact we will never realize cost savings or affordability and we may have to ration care because hospitals and medical centers around the country aren’t and won’t be able to accommodate the influx of new patients that will over realm and already crowed system. However, we can use this opportunity to kill to birds with one stone. Creating jobs and providing health care. ” who isn’t for that “. To ensure that health care is safe and that one segment  of the country doesn’t receives better care than another we could create a medical board similar to the way the federal reserve is structured regionally around the country responsible for medical research.

We’ve been down this road before and for so long we’ve done the american people a disservice for our lack of vision. In communities all across this country whether rich, poor, rural or urban having health care if it’s for your self or family it equate to the same as putting food on the table. It’s just sad Washington doesn’t see it the same way.

I understand the world isn’t a perfect place, and any thing that comes out of congress won’t be any thing that people have hope for but it will be a start.  The American Medical association is on board this time around because, this time around they realized the status quo does not work as well as it used to. Back in 1930′s, which is close to the same time Americans dealt with a host of epidemics. The motivation was to ensure that the population as a whole were secure against the elements of that time. But it seems that since then many in the healthcare profession went down the path of becoming witch doctors.

Today the medical profession and all its many parts finds itself in disarray. Which is a sharp contrast from the power which they willed more than 100 years ago. The obvious fact that 100 years later, many of our citizens still suffer from the most contained diseases strikes a blow to the  theory that innovation and creativity have helped make America form of healthcare is the best in the world. When many of the various professions such as science has turned on its head.

Throughout our history, many presidents have called for universal healthcare dating back to Theodore Roosevelt. since that time, we have had many advancements in the field of healthcare in the way its delivered to our citizens. I just hope we are ready to facilitate the advancement of ensuring that the goal of universal healthcare is met.

 Every public program that has ever been created in washington seems to find a life of its own after its conception. As Americans we have enjoyed an abundance of privileges that other countries could only dream of? In terms of wealth Production Capitalism has enable us to do things that we’ve taken for granted. Chief  culprit being providing our citizens competent healthcare. However at the same time with the many loop holes in the current laws greed has not only found a way to benefit but to prosper for so long Americans have suffered from the illusion of health insurance protection. Countless individuals have been portrayed and have been let down by the same persons that they have paid to protect them int he most pressing time of need. To only get tossed or abandoned like a used toy or article.

I have a little advice for my fellow citizens, I would like to remind you that a monster indestructible is one that can not be destroyed. The debate regarding healthcare is considered to be the greatest moral issue of this generation but how morally important is it, when it may end up indebting the same generation; in those after it. The cause for which we fight is just. It is the direction for which we travel that is debateable .

I understand many of congress want to protect their special interest in status quo. However, increasing taxes on the citizens of America, who are taxed tot he max is ridiculous, Have you no shame? It about time you start to level with the people of America. We are all adult enough to understand when certain things have to be scaleed back because of resources. Because many of us sit at our kitchen tables and do the math on whats its going to take to make it through a month. I just don’t see how instead of telling your friends, that certain cuts have to be made so that, the government can meet its requirements. On the other hand, trying to find budget tricks to keep your friends happy while the country suffers is the sad part. If you want to help people like you say you do, then tell your peers to get to work, reducing the deficits that will continue to burden our fellow country men and balance the budget. Ensure that people have jobs, premiums are affordable, the services are effective and competent and then get out-of-the-way.Thats how you can help.    Considering everything and everybody is about personal gain, and gaming the system that they were elected to protect and build upon, we will not  be fooled between the false choices of guns and butter.

            America’s form of health care system is confessing and at times can become non- existent to those that need it the most, but that’s no reason to rebuild it from scratch. Therefore, we should really pay close at the actions we are about to partake, for instance, take Canada where in order to get a simple hip replacement you may be place on a waiting list which may take mouth or years just to have the procedure done. Whereas, in America it may be just a few weeks or months to just have a procedure done. So lets get real about what we are about to do because we could go from a few million people without health care to a ration system with ineffective results.

            The town halls that have taken place around the country have been sort of a benefit to the debate. If it wasn’t for the town halls, I wouldn’t have notice the small percentage of individuals who still don’t see the need for a public option. Yet, I feel there pain the fact we’re not talking about tort reform or the need for any public option to be independent of the federal government or the budget process should scare you to. I believe those two steps could greatly reduce the long term cost, but don’t listen to me just prepare for the madness.

            It’s absolutely necessary that we slow down the debate or the bills moving around congress right now because it’s not the proper path we need or should continue if universal health coverage is the primary objective of the legislation. Many people have had there own view of the matter and that’s great but only if there doing it in away that makes the debate more progressive and doesn’t hinder it. The president and certain members of congress recognize that we can not continue on with business as usual. We also must not lose sight of the fact that there’re still those among us who are jointed to the hip of the status quo and benefit from the same broken system called health care.

So, lets not began a victory lap just because many people are on board for these plans called reforms. If getting sixty votes is to allow the the debate to proceed is a joyous moment than we better get our dresses and tuks ready cause it looks like it may have to be worned befor new years. ” maybe sooner how about Christmas”. The white house budget director has lately been saying that the health care bill now in the senate would take sevral steps in the direction of reducing the federal budget deficits. However, Republicans argue that it will only speed up the hand of government involvement in the health care sector. Both sides have critised each over the issues concerning health care. But, it seems that the only one who doesn’t get it or hear is the man and woman who this ligislation will mostly affect the American people.