Portrait on the Mantel

Reports continue to reveal that Americans increasingly are drugged out of our minds. It seems antidepressant drugs are the drugs of choice and that there is no end in sight as to amounts we are willing to take to feel no pain. A new study report that Adults in this country are increasingly taking a combination of antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic drugs regardless of the serious side effects.

The report published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, investigated patterns and trends patients being prescribed 2 or more anti psychotic drugs. The report demonstrated a significant increase in the number of mind altering drugs that were prescribed from 1996 to 2006. The percent of doctor visits that resulted in 2 or more prescription jumped from 42.6% to 59.8%. And the percent of visits which resulted in 3 or more prescription jumped from 16.9% to 33.2%.

This combination of drugs prescribed included but of course not limited to; antidepressants with sedative-hypnotics, antidepressants with anti-psychotics and and combo of several types of antidepressants. Stacking mind altering drugs doesn’t seem like a good idea people, just the combination of side effects alone. No wonder nobody trust anybody else we’re becoming a nation of legal druggies.

Recall seeing a commercial where the guy has a “Suck o Meter”, well this study shows that not only does quitting smoking suck apparently life with anti-psychotic drugs suck as well. We’d all be better off is Marijuana was legalized.

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I’ve discovered that riding a bike on a bike trail is hazardous to your health like driving a car on Houston’s streets. Too many people who have absolutely no idea that their not alone on the trail.

People wonder across the trail and forget to stay in their lanes. The worst people are those with kids or kids on bikes. Runners do seem to be much better, unless they’re wearing headphones. While I’m at it amateur bikers with headphones suck as well. Personally, I’ve taken to pushing these people out of my way. Apparently, folks don’t understand the physics of self preservation.

The other day a guy stopped in the middle of a curve on the path  to talk on his phone. I yelled at him to warn him that he was in the middle of the path, he looked at me then continued to talk on his phone. So I pushed him over so I could maneuver around him. Hey it was him or me.

Someone need to post some rules of the trail, to remind people they’re not alone. Cyclist frequently yell “Bike Back” or “On Your Left”, but for those listening on to music they can’t hear. So what is one to do. I’ve decided that it is easier to push them out of the way rather than risk damaging my expensive set of wheels or risking personal injury.

This may seem extreme, but think of it this way. Would you swerve to miss a small animal in the street while driving knowing that by doing so you’d risk greater damage? I think not. I’m not a bully, I do yell out “sorry” as I pass. I especially feel for the kids, but hey they need to learn what their parents should have told them. It’s tough out here.

Trails are designed for all to use and I love that Houston has stepped up and created some pretty good ones. I just wish they were safer for everyone. While I’m ranting; you people driving to church on Sunday morning are horrible. I’ve learned to time my routes to avoid riding by any church just before Sunday service is about to begin. What would Jesus do?

I don’t think he would condone plowing over several cyclists so you can get a better parking spot. Why not leave earlier or better yet practice some God like behavior. I’ve been curse out by more church folks just seconds before they turn into their church parking lot than I wish to remember.

Ok folks be safe out there and watch out for the cyclist.

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Study’s published in the Arthritis Care & Research are beginning to reveal that when patients are given the option they’re choosing alternative treatments. The article reveals that patients are more willing to take personal responsibility with medical decisions when their doctors give them the opportunity to consider other options.

Shared decision making (SDM) is a term used to describe the doctor patient interaction in which both parties exchange information and decide jointly which course of treatment to take. A relatively recent concept, SDM has been shown in prior studies to help lower the number of high risk treatments given to patients.

The researchers involved goal was to highlight the importance of patient involvement in the decision making process. Rather than doctors simply prescribing a potentially dangerous therapy with no questions asked.

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Researchers have discovered that participants in a 9 year study reduced the number of strokes, heart attacks and deaths by 47%. The College of medicine in Wisconsin and Maharishi University in Iowa conducted this joint study on Meditation.

Dr Schneider, lead researcher reports that participants who meditated saw and overall reduction in blood pressure and psychological stress. Supporters of meditation claim that the study adds credence to their beliefs of the positive benefits of long term meditative practices.

The meditation group for this study was ask to meditate for 20 minutes twice a day.

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Sleeping in a slightly dark room, one that is not totally dark, although might not keep you awake at night could lead to symptoms of depression. This according to a soon to be published study, in the Journal Behavioral Brain Research.

The study was done on mice and tested depression and anxiety, the researchers used some of the same type of test that many drug companies use to test anti-depression or anti anxiety drugs on mice before testing them on humans. In all the test the mice who had to live and sleep in constant light with no chance of spending time in darkness showed more depressive like symptoms than the animals with normal light dark cycles.

The researchers concluded that the use of artificial light at night may have harmful effects on human health; This could be an important finding for shift workers and others who watch TV into the night, which disrupts their light-dark cycle.

Researchers also added that hospitals who keep rooms lite all night could increase healing and recovery for their patients. I guess this is why sleeping with those things over your eyes are suppose to aid a sound night sleep.

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Excerpts from Elizabeth Quinn article “After Exercise 10 ways to recover quickly after exercise.

Do you know what to do after exercise to speed recovery?  Your post workout routine can have a big impact on your performance gains but most young athletes don’t have a post workout plan.

Recovery is 2nd only to the workout; to repair muscle and tissue.  this is even more critical after a heavy weight training session.  A muscle needs anywhere from 24 to 48 hrs to repair and rebuild and working it again too soon and too intensely can lead to tissue breakdown instead of tissue building.  For weight training routines try to avoid working the same muscles groups on back to back days.

5 Ways to Recover Quicker after Workouts;

1. Rest - One thing many people especially young athletes are unaware of is that, your body growth happens after your workout NOT DURING the work.  For exampely while you sleep your body produces Growth Hormones which are largely responsible for muscle and tissue repair.
2. Replace Fluids – You lose a lot of fluids during a workout be sure to replace those fluids post workout.
3. Eat Properly – After depleting your body’s energy stores, you need to refuel if you expect your body to recover and be ready for the next workout or game.
4. Try Active Recovery – Especially after a workout.  Instead of sitting down, keep moving at a slow pace.  This will promote nutrient and waste products transport throughout the body.
5. Avoid Overtraining – This is not only a physical effect but a physiological effect as well.  If you’re feeling tired and weak, lose your appetite and can’t sleep, you may be training to hard without adequate recovery time between workouts.  Overtraining is a chronic issue, meaning it occurs over time not after just one workout.  Family, social and other things can influence recovery.

Lastly, the best way to recovery from an intense workout or game is to simply listen to your body.  Get to know your bodies signs of telling you when you’re tired or dehydrated or when you need a little more nourishments.  Follow you body and it will not lead you astray.

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I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door, not by the beauty of it all, nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp, the thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics, the trash.

There stood the kid from 7th grade who swiped my lunch money twice.  Next to him was my old neighbor who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell, was sitting pretty on cloud 9, looking incredibly well.

I nudge Jesus, “What’s the deal?  I would love to hear your take.  How’d all these sinners get up here?  God must’ve made a mistake.”

“And why’s everyone so quiet, so somber?  Give me a clue.”  “Hush, child,” said He, “they’re all in shock.  No one thought they’d be seeing you!”

Judge Not!

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