Surgery With Music: FAQ's

Are you having surgery? Are you scared of the pain, the anesthesia, the time off work, the side-effects of all the medications you'll be given? These are all common, and VALID concerns. Surgery is serious business, but there are times that it really must be done to improve quality of life, to prolong life, or to enhance life.Over the past 5 or 6 decades, surgery has become a much safer endeavor as hospital OR conditions have improved and methods of sterilization and decontamination have stepped into the 21st century. Many companies have created tools to make the patient more comfortable during the entire procedure, from warming the sheets and giving the patient fuzzy foot-cover, to lightweight headphones that deliver specially-chosen music for surgery, wirelessly and cordlessly!Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions that I get about the benefits of music during surgery:1. What are the benefits of music during surgery:Patients using music (through cordless headphones) pre-surgery, during and after surgery, report less fear and anxiety medication before procedure, less anesthesia during surgery, and less pain medication after surgery. They also report fewer side-effects from the anesthesia, such as nausea and vomiting, and a faster return to home, work and life in general! In addition, when patient receives the music through headphones, the surgeon can have his own more upbeat music, and the patient isn't affected by that. Also, conversations that the doctors and nurses have, that patient doesn't want to hear, will be obscured. Finally, with Baby boomers having more and more joint replacement surgeries, patients don't have to hear the drilling, sawing and hammering that goes on.


2. What are the drawbacks of music during surgery: absolutely none!3. Do the headphones block all sounds in the OR?: No, the surgical headphones are intended to greatly decrease the OR noises, but during regional anesthesia and surgery, the patient can still hear questions that the doctor might need to ask.4. Will my doctors approve of this? Most doctors do approve of the use of headphones during surgery. The surgeon and the anesthesiologist both need to give their approval. It is important to print out our free article entitled "How to Talk with Your Doctor about Using Music During Surgery."5. How did you choose the music on the headphones?: I have been helping patients choose their perfect music for surgery for almost 25 years. I had been reading about the benefits of music in reducing medication and calming the patient, but through my own personal research and experience, I discovered that slow, steady, soothing instrumental music, that has the tempo of the healthy, resting heartbeat is ideal. This is what get the entrainment process going, and even when the patient is under general anesthesia, the body's heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure all tend to stabilize and synchronize with the slow, steady pulse of the music.6. Can I continue to use them after surgery?: Yes. The headphones include a USB cable and charger so that after your surgery or other medical procedure, you can connect the headphones to your laptop and load hundreds more pieces or songs of your choice. With care, your headphones should last for many years!

IOL Calculator - A Significant Ophthalmic Device Required For Cataract Surgery

An IOL calculator is a device that is used by ophthalmologists to select accurately the intraocular lens power required for a particular patient. It is used along with other diagnostic tests and measurements for cataract surgery patients having a past record of refractive surgery. The results produced by the IOL calculators are in no way considered as accurate results that are intended to serve as definite medical or surgical instructions.Ophthalmologists using these calculations are expected to decide independently on the right course of treatment for their patients, and hold complete responsibility for the consequences of the refractive surgery.For an appropriate determination of the intraocular lens (IOL) power, it is important to obtain certain measurements:The axial length of the eye
Corneal power
Post-operative IOL position within the eye called the estimated lens position (ELP).With the invention of advanced and more efficient devices for measuring the axial length of the eye and more effective mathematical formulas to carry out IOL calculations, ophthalmologists are able to determine IOL power for particular patients with much more accuracy and perfection.The intraocular lens is implanted in the patient's eye once the cataract is removed. There are two types of IOLs available, namely foldable and non-foldable. While foldable lenses that are made of soft acrylic material and needs small incisions in order to be inserted, non-foldable lenses are made of hard plastic material and requires larger incisions owing to their bigger size.Foldable lenses can again be categorized into Monofocal and Multifocal lenses. The insertion of Monofocal lenses enables patients with a good distance vision while they still might require using glasses for near vision. Multifocal lenses or Bifocal lenses provide patients complete freedom from using glasses or contacts. With Multifocal lenses, patients would have both an excellent distance vision along with a good near vision without the need to use glasses.


Traditionally, patients didn't have much to do while choosing an IOL lens, since there was only one option available to them. Ophthalmologists necessarily made all lens implants Monofocal. Though a Monofocal lens implant provided patients with excellent vision after a cataract operation, it was merely capable of providing distance vision, for example, seeing distant signs while driving. With Monofocal lens, patients still needed to wear glasses for having good near vision for activities like knitting, reading, sewing etc.In today's time, patients can make a choice between Monofocal and Multifocal lenses based on their requirements and preferences. Multifocal lens implants provide patients with excellent multifunctional vision after cataract surgery, enabling them to see things at a distance as well as up close without using glasses. Hence, choosing multifocal lens would mean complete freedom from glasses or contact while still being able to engage in activities like watching TV, driving, reading books, working on a computer and many more.In recent times, IOL calculators play a major role in cataract surgeries, allowing ophthalmologists to determine with the highest possible accuracy the correct Intraocular lens required by a particular patient.

The Rise of Geriatric Medicine

Geriatric medicine is the branch of medicine that specializes in the treatment and well-being of elderly citizens. Geriatric medicine is becoming more and more prominent these days.The reason is simple: People in developed countries like the US and Canada are living longer and having fewer children. This combination results in an "aging" population. For example, according to the US Census Bureau, the USA will have 47 million people over the age of 65 in 2015, 56 million in 2020, and 73 million in 2030. These represent increases of 38% and 55% with respect to 2015.The higher demand for geriatric medicine will push prices up where the demand exceeds supply. Unfortunately, the income of elderly citizens will not increase in the same proportion. An elderly man's average income in the US is approximately $25,700 while an elderly woman's is $15,000. Sadly, many of these people are uninsured or their insurance doesn't fully cover their needs.The Benefits of Geriatric MedicineGeriatric medicine aims at preventing, eliminating or alleviating the main four areas of impairment that frequently arrive with old age and that affect the mental and physical well-being of an individual. These are:

Immobility: The inability to move independently or at a normal speed.

Instability: The inability to coordinate or move your body or parts of it.

Incontinence: The inability to contain your feces or urine.

Impaired intellect: The loss of mental abilities and memory.
Why Get Treatment in MexicoMost people think that the main reason elderly people might get medical treatment in Mexico is because it's more affordable. It's true that affordability is often a factor, however there are other aspects of healthcare in Mexico that make it an attractive option.


Excellent quality and good service are other major factors. Regardless of how much money you might save, nobody in their right mind will put their health in the hands of an unproven provider. Mexico's hospitals and clinics have a reputation for high-quality care-as good, if not better than the quality of care you'd get at home.Distance is also important. Some conditions require a patient to have treatment for long periods of time, even for the rest of one's life. Unlike other healthcare destinations, like India or Singapore, Mexico is right next to the US, making it easy for patients to return for revisions in treatment and follow-up care. Unsurprisingly, many medical centers are located in border towns like Mexicali, just 2 or 3 hours away from San Diego or Los Angeles.Being able to communicate in your own language is always reassuring. Border areas between countries that speak two different languages are always the first places where people become bilingual. For example, Mexicali doctors are all bilingual. The doctors not only speak English, but they're experts in the English medical terminology in their respective specialties.Geriatric Medicine is a perfect fit for Mexico, like many cultures that value family life above all else, Mexicans treat elderly people with respect, human warmth and genuine caring. This is a pleasant surprise for many foreign visitors who have only experienced impersonal treatment from medical professionals in the past, and it has a positive impact on the recovery and healing of patients.

How To Find The Best Restaurant For a Corporate Event

Finding the best restaurant for a corporate event is generally up to the event planner. If you find yourself acting as an event planner and need to find the best restaurant for a corporate event there are a few tips for you to follow.Start with calling the local restaurants and asking them if they have a private dining room. A corporate event is generally held in a private dining room so that the general public is not involved in the happenings.Ask what size the private dining room is and how many people it will seat. You want to make sure that you have adequate room for all of the people that will be in attendance.You also need to ask if the room has whiteboards, or if there is a podium or stage in the room. These are important elements if someone is expected to give a presentation or speech during the meal.You need to find out what dishes the restaurant offers in bulk. Do they do a buffet style dinner when they are hosting a corporate event or do the individuals order plates from a menu? You want to know the cost of each style of dining. Sometimes the restaurant will allow you to choose the main courses ahead of time so they have the food partially prepared and it does not take as long for everyone to get served.Ask about thing like drinks ahead of time. You know that you do not want alcoholic drinks, but you will want to know if they plan on serving tea, sodas, or coffee to the guests. You also want to plan for desserts at this time. Most events offer a small dessert after the main meal.


You can talk to other employees and find out where the event has been held in the past. This will allow you to find out what the other employees thought of the food and service they received.You can call other companies and ask them where they have their corporate events. Most companies do not mind recommended a place that they find to be a quality establishment.You should arrange for tastings at the restaurants that you are thinking of using. You can go see their private dining area and sample the food that they might serve when you are there. This tasting will tell you what quality of service you can expect and will give you time to discuss the arrangements at length with the manager of the establishment.Looking for the restaurant may be slightly intimidating because everyone is going to blame you if the food is bad, or if the service sucks. Your main consideration has to be the budget you have to work with and the number of places that can handle the size of your group.Planning these events is actually an honor and you should rise to the honor that has been entrusted in you by doing the best job possible.

The 5 C's of Patient Safety

Patient safety has been near the forefront of the health care movement as the number of medical malpractice cases have increased at an alarming rate over the years. It's a challenge to pinpoint exactly how this happened, but all we know is that things need to change.There are organizations like the National Patient Safety Foundation that are gaining ground in spreading awareness across the healthcare industry in addition to developing tools and resources for medical professionals to support them in their work. Many healthcare providers and hospitals have participated in the annual Patient Safety Awareness week hoping to educate everyone on the importance of quality medical care for all people.Patient safety involves many things including these five C's:Care - Medical professionals have to truly care for their patients and be concerned for their health. Why do this kind of work if you don't care? You have to put the patient's well being above everything else.Oftentimes people make mistakes because they are starting to feel burned out or overwhelmed by the work load. If this sounds like you, maybe it's time to look into doing things to destress everyday and find more balance in your life.Consideration - This ties in with caring for people. Be considerate of everyone - patients and colleagues - you come into contact with. Be mindful of their time and appreciate the time spent with them. As John F. Kennedy once said, "We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives."


Communication - It's been said that lack of communication is one of the top reasons why a patient files a malpractice claim. There needs to be clear, open, and honest communication between a medical professional and the patient. If a mistake is made, take ownership of it. There must also be constant communication between medical colleagues.Collaboration - It's nice to see people working together to share ideas and create awareness of patient safety. Focusing on solutions rather than making excuses and finger-pointing will go a long way in seeing progress.Continued Education - There are classes and workshops on risk management offered by various medical associations to help avoid malpractice claims. Some medical malpractice insurance providers will even offer reduced rates on premiums of you attend one of these courses.When medical professionals work on these five C's and develop positive habits in their work, everyone will benefit and the more chance of success.

Treating Scars With Silicone or Glycerin Based Gel Sheets

Silicone or glycerin based gel sheets have been used by medical professionals for nearly 30 years to prevent the formation of hypertrophic or keloid scars following injury or surgery, and to reduce the size of existing scars. This product is usually self-adhesive on the silicone or glycerin side, and the outer layer is made of a fabric or a non-adhesive transparent film. The specific mechanism that results in these gel sheets helping to prevent and reduce the size of hypertrophic and keloid scars has not been identified, however studies continue. While silicone or glycerin gel sheets may be effective on any wound or scar, they have been shown to be most effective on hypertrophic and keloid scars.Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars occur when the body produces excess collagen at the site of an injury or wound. Excess collagen causes the scar to rise above the surrounding skin, but hypertrophic scars are confined within the edges of the existing wound, so they usually look like a raised pink or red lump. Hypertrophic scars generally form within 4 to 8 weeks after an injury or wound has closed.Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are essentially 'aggressive' hypertrophic scars that grow outside the edges of the existing wound. Keloid scars are all hypertrophic, meaning they are the result of excessive collagen formation, but not every hypertrophic scar will grow beyond the borders of the wound and become a keloid scar. Keloid scars can be experienced by anyone, but they most commonly occur with individuals that have darker skin.Both hypertrophic and keloid scars can be caused by surgical incisions, injuries, acne, and even body piercings. Because hypertrophic or keloid scars are caused by excess collagen, they are virtually harmless. They are not cancer, but they can result in feelings of self-consciousness, especially if they are on the face or other areas that are not covered by clothing. In addition, they can be painful, itch, and remain sensitive to touch.


While the specific reasons silicone or glycerin gel sheeting is effective for preventing or reducing scars is still not clear, various theories about their use exist. These theories focus on temperature, pressure, oxygen, hydration, and the silicone or glycerin itself. Some of the data has been inconsistent. For example, studies have shown an increase in both temperature and pressure around a wound or scar under a gel sheet, others show no appreciable increase in either temperature or pressure, and others show an increase in temperature, but no increase in pressure, or vice versa. Silicone and glycerin sheets are gas permeable so oxygen can reach the skin and improve wound healing, but many other scar treatments allow oxygen to pass to the skin. The gel sheet may hold moisture in the skin longer, and prolonged hydration is thought to be the potential reason scars are prevented or reduced.Finally, perhaps the silicone or glycerin itself stimulates increased cellular activity, or is used at the molecular level to speed healing. Whatever the specific reason(s) for the effectiveness of silicone or gel sheets on scars, it has been demonstrated that gel sheets are more effective than silicone or glycerin gel or oil alone, which leads many to believe the results of gel sheets are some combination of some or all of the factors outlined above.Despite not having a clear understanding of the specifics, the effectiveness of silicone or glycerin sheets at preventing and reducing hypertrophic and keloid scars is supported by a number of clinical studies, and more controlled clinical studies have been performed on the treatment of scars using silicone or glycerin gel sheets than almost any other treatment.

Cholesterol-Lowering Statin Drug Fraud Exposed in Australia

The words "cholesterol-lowering statin drugs" seem to hold a great debate these days, with both sides of the fence shouting their case about whether or not they are safe. However, it was not until recently that the ABC news in Australia decided to do the unthinkable - and take on the "Big Pharma" over the accusations of organized crime within the industry.Daring or not, the ABC decided to go where NO other mainstream media company had gone before - not even those in the U.S.A. have previously had the nerve to tackle the "mafia" and their "accused of frauds" that lay deep-rooted within the basement of the pharmaceutical industry in the U.S., and that may even go as high-up as government.The investigative documentary:Cardiologists who were interviewed revealed the frauds of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, and the huge criminal activity within the industry that has allowed this "dangerous class of drug" to become one of the best-selling drugs of all-time. Statements were made to the effect that NOT one single study of over 27 previously taken, showed that patients who take statins will actually live any longer than if they were not taken at all."A modern-day fraud is now coming-out into the open" it was proclaimed.A week ago, in ABC Australia's aired part-1 of "The Heart of the Matter" - Australia's Emily Banks (top medicine safety expert) urged the ABC not to air the follow-up part-2 because it could be too intense a documentary for the users of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs - as she feared some users of statins may even start to dump them in the trash can (the critics most advised place-of-rest for such a fraudulent medicine) - resulting in likely deaths (?).


However, such scare tactics failed to change the minds of the makers of the documentary, and part-2 was aired. Over 40 million worldwide now take these types of medications that are used to lower cholesterol on the pretext of saving lives; however, it may all just be a "big farce" it was disclosed - as Dr. Maryanne Demasi put the multi-billion dollar drug industry under the microscope.Conclusion: The information revealed that night, was not only powerful in the criticism of such drugs (and their failures), but also of the industry as a whole (and their criminal, mafia like activities which they seem to mutate in). Dr. Maryanne Demasi put the multi-billion dollar drug industry under the microscope, and asked - Who really benefits from taking cholesterol-lowering medication?The answer seemed to be - NOT the patients who are prescribed them.

The Importance of Radiology in Diagnosing and Treating Patients

The range of imaging techniques now available to doctors ensures that injuries and illnesses can be diagnosed quickly without the need for exploratory surgery in many cases.There are four imaging techniques used extensively in modern diagnostic medicine, with the best technique selected depending on the nature and location of the injury and the patient's medical history. X-Ray Imaging for the Diagnosis of Skeletal DisordersAn X-ray is the preferred choice of imaging test to diagnose bone injuries and to determine their severity. An X-ray analysis is a quick and effective imaging technique in which X-rays are passed through the body in a short pulse with the image captured on a digital flat panel detector.The resultant radiograph is primarily used to diagnose problems with the skeletal system, although an X-ray can also be used to assist with the diagnosis of lung problems, bowel obstructions and kidney stones. The benefits of this technique are limited as x-ray imaging lacks the sensitivity necessary to diagnose most soft tissue injuries. CT ScanningCT scanning is an imaging technique first developed in 1947, although it took the work of Dr. Alan Cormack and Godfrey Hounsfield - two British engineers - to develop the process into what we know today. Rather than passing x-rays through the body to create a 2 dimensional image, a CT scan builds a 3 dimensional image of an internal structure.CT scans take tomographic images in multiple directions, essentially compiling a number of 2 dimensional x-ray images to build a 3 dimensional picture of an organ or tissue. A CT scan is therefore a more powerful imaging test than standard X-ray radiographs.A CT scan can distinguish tissues with differing densities of as little as 1%, making this advanced X-ray imaging technique useful for the diagnosis of the majority of internal soft tissue injuries, although the radiation dose a patient receives from this type of test is higher than a standard x-ray analysis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)


Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - also known as magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) uses magnetic fields rather than X-rays to generate a 3 dimensional image of the body. The technique produces clearer images of soft tissues than can be generated with X-rays, with the technique preferred over CT scanning for brain scans and with tumor detection.A major benefit of MRI imaging comes from the fact that it does not use potentially harmful ionizing radiation to generate an image, thus reducing the health risk to patients. However, patients with implants such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, prostheses or metallic implants cannot undergo this type of test due to the high risk of injury.The cost of an MRI scan may be a prohibitive factor for many patients, with other scanning techniques - such as computed tomography - a lower cost alternative. Ultra SoundUltrasound imaging - also known as ultrasonography - involves the use of high frequency sound waves to build real-time images of internal organs, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. Ultrasound can determine the position, structure and size of internal organs and soft tissues and is an invaluable imaging technique for monitoring the health of a baby during pregnancy.Ultrasound is a low-cost imaging technique which can be administered in numerous settings due to the portability of the equipment. Ultrasound also has no known health risks and does not use any ionizing radiation. SummaryModern imaging techniques are non invasive, quick and painless and allow doctors to see beneath the skin and diagnose medical problems quickly. Patients can have an illness or injury diagnosed rapidly to ensure the most effective treatment can be started in the shortest possible time frame.The use of X-ray imaging is not without risk to the patient, although improved technology and advances in radiography techniques ensure that patients are now only exposed to low radiation doses, without compromising the accuracy and clarity of test results.

High Cholesterol And Statin Drugs

Have you been diagnosed with high cholesterol? What is cholesterol anyway and what are statin drugs? Cholesterol is a soft white waxy substance that is found in every cell in your body. At least it should be. Cholesterol is used to produce hormones, cell membranes, bile acids, vitamin D and so much more. 75% of your cholesterol is made by your liver, the other 25% comes from the foods, or so called foods that we eat.Statin drugs are the life saving, doctor recommended, universal panacea for the fear induced high cholesterol myth. It is a myth you know? High cholesterol is a universal scare tactic.Somewhere around 25% of the cholesterol in your body is found in your brain. Bet you didn't know that. According to the experts, there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. I know you have heard of HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoproteins). You may even have heard of MDL and VLDL too, (medium density and very low density lipoproteins).HDL helps prevent heart disease by keeping cholesterol away from your arteries. HDL also helps to remove arterial plaque. LDL, on the other hand, can build up in your arteries and form plaque, just the opposite of HDL. This can create a clot and or obstruction to your heart and or brain causing a heart attack or stroke. I'm sure I don't need to mention that this is not a good thing.Statin drugs are the life extending, pharmaceutical wonder drugs designed to protect us from the extreme dangers associated with the dreaded high cholesterol diagnosis. But, are statins really the magical miracle wonder drugs they are so highly exaggerated to be? Hmmmmm. Please continue reading.Did you know that the drug companies sell a little over $30 billion dollars worth of cholesterol lowering, statin drugs every year? Statins are the pharmaceutical companies answer for getting your high cholesterol levels under control. They really go overboard with their dramatic, fear incensed scare tactics. They need to sell the emotion. That's a lot of money, I mean, profits.Statin drugs must be some sort of essential God forgot to include when He designed our original metabolic anatomy. It seems God has made quite a few mistakes when you consider the amount of chemical laced pharmaceuticals our bodies seem to need. He must have gotten distracted or something. I'm sure Jesus was a handful. Did you also know that only a very small percentage of people taking high cholesterol, statin drugs actually need them?More and more physicians are now pointing the finger at inflammation as the leading cause of heart disease, not high cholesterol. Funny how often the medical authority has a change of heart.A very well known cardiologist decided to categorize the results from numerous angiograms he was performing. A good percentage of the patients with cholesterol levels around 150 had advanced heart disease, whereas patients with cholesterol levels around 280 had no trace of heart disease whatsoever. This is obviously when he began scratching his head.According to publicized reports, this contradicted everything he thought he knew about high cholesterol and the need for statin drugs.The biggest concern is the grossly under reported side effects from taking these chemical laced, cholesterol lowering, prescription cocktails from you know where. The truth is, the risks far outweigh the gains. Bet you never heard that from your doctor. This is the point where the majority of you will stop reading. You don't want to hear it, let alone believe you are being duped by the omnipotent and all knowing medical establishment.Excuse me, are you trying to say I have to control my heart disease with diet and things I like to eat? Most of us would rather just take a pill or two, remain completely oblivious, and just incorporate the side effects into our daily way of life. That way we can continue eating the same foods that are ever so surely, killing us. Am I right? You don't have to answer that.That's the biggest calamity of it all. We are content with this erroneous sense of everything is going to be okay because we're taking this wonderful little magic pill. It's protecting me from my less than nutritious food addictions and indulgences. Don't even think about telling me I can't eat something. We will do anything to avoid the pain of loss. The loss of some of our most cherished, bad for you, indiscriminate food choices.We are such a sick little society of misfits and dreamers. The story goes, you were born this 6 lb. 7 oz. beautiful little baby. You are now this full grown adult (determined by your anatomical number of years on Earth) person. I won't even try and guess what your weight might be right now, but, whatever your weight and condition of health, you got to this stage in your life by what you piled into your mouth, from baby to adult, right? Your cells, tissues, muscles and body mass developed by whatever you decided to feed them, the good, the bad and unfortunately, the ugly.So now you have this fear induced, psychotic, high cholesterol cloud following you wherever you go. It prompts you when you see something sinful you want to eat. You know, that alter ego camping out on your shoulder talking you through the pro's and con's of your about to be decision. You say to yourself, wow, that looks delicious but, I better not, it's probably loaded with cholesterol.Then you have this illuminating moment and decide I should be fine because I'm taking this magical little statin pill, and I live under the illusion that this magical little pill will neutralize the majority of that nasty high cholesterol. Just turn it into some sort of inert, harmless substance, right?. You then make the ill advised decision to eat it anyways. Your confident about your high cholesterol insurance policy.Wrong, but you knew that was coming. So now you have this cholesterol bomb you just ingested plus, your experiencing some muscle pain and extreme fatigue. Heck, your exhausted from just eating whatever it was and now you have to try and make it back to your car so you can drive home and take a nap.You can't believe your so out of shape. You figure you really need to start that exercise routine you keep telling yourself you'll start. You can always justify it by saying your just getting older right, or, you could say my mother and father had this same condition. It's hereditary. Really? Statins are especially bad for patients over 70 who aren't lying to themselves and really are getting older.Muscle pain and fatigue are 2 of the most common and adverse side effects from taking statin drugs? I'm sure your doctor warned you about the horrendous side effects. What? He or she just handed you a prescription? That's what I thought. Don't want to interrupt the status quo. Statins also affect libido and memory. Statins can realistically initiate the onset of Alzheimer disease by as much as 15 years. You might want to read that again in case you forgot already.It turns out that sugar causes more inflammation and is more damaging to your arteries then cholesterol. Sugar increases your blood pressure and ages your organs. Interesting to note, the Framingham Health Study, which was started in 1948 and continues to this very day, shows that those involved in the study that have lived the longest, tended to be in the higher cholesterol group. Odd, that can't be right. You might want to start scratching your head too.In another study out of France they presented evidence regarding the role that dietary intake had on heart disease. They split 2 groups of high risk men who had recently survived heart attacks. They were stressed out smokers who didn't exercise and, ironically, all had high cholesterol.1 group they put on the American Heart Association diet (low in fat and cholesterol) and the second group they put on the Mediterranean diet which is high in omega 3 fats, rich in fish, vegetables and olive oil.Surprisingly or actually not surprisingly, the study ended early because the results of the high cholesterol diet were so striking. Though their cholesterol levels remained high, they curiously had a 70% reduction in fatal heart attacks.With all this emphasis on high cholesterol and too many of us assuming we are safe by consuming a statin drug, we lose sight of the real culprit in all of this. The real causes of heart disease; inflammation: sugar, stress, refined carbohydrates and oxidation.These are all things we can change and or manage through our diet, but, do we? Sad to say, most of us do not. We rely on various chemicals to make us all better and just decide the side effects are part of our life baggage. It's just a part of getting older, right?Why are we so accommodating and confident in pharmaceuticals? What makes them so distinguished? So irrefutably reliable. We lose sight of the fact that pharmaceuticals, after all, are a business. They are lying to you. You think they care? Don't you understand their motivation? Re-read that over $30 billion dollar a year sentence again.The truth being that statins do nothing to prolong your life or enhance your health. In fact, they actually contribute to a lessened quality of life by destroying muscle, liver, kidney and heart function. The drug companies are very good at manipulating the statistics in their favor. They are going to make you believe anything they want you to believe. You are a lemming and they know it! The problem is, you don't. The actual numbers and results are very well documented, you just have to go beyond the surface illusion and confusion.Statins also inhibit the actions of other biological and metabolic processes involved in cellular regulation. This all gets way too complicated. Just imagine a chemical substance that interferes with some of your most important bodily functions and antioxidant effects. Interference creates imbalances, blocking cell signaling mechanisms, and lowering CoQ10 levels by interfering with the pathway for natural cholesterol production. The same pathway by which CoQ10 is produced.


Loss of CoQ10 results in increased free radicals and a loss of cell energy. This has a huge impact on mitochondrial DNA. CoQ10 is so important to heart health and other cellular and enzyme activation, that the labeling on statins in Canada clearly warns of CoQ10 depletion issues. This all so important nutrient deficiency can lead to impaired cardiac function in patients with borderline congestive heart failure.So how do you help regulate or change your cholesterol levels without statins? Since 75% of your cholesterol is produced by your liver, your cholesterol levels are influenced by your insulin levels. If you optimize and regulate your insulin levels you will automatically optimize and reduce your cholesterol levels. You don't have to make it complicated. This will greatly improve your risk for heart disease and diabetes. Best part being you bypass the negative side effects from taking these overly prescribed statins.How come cholesterol isn't touted as the life saver it really is? The body actually uses cholesterol as a repair mechanism to cover abrasions and tears in arterial walls, the same as it does for any other wound. Because cholesterol has been stigmatized as the number one cause of preventable death and or heart disease, many of our foods have been stripped of this so called, deadly ingredient. You can now purchase low cholesterol and no cholesterol foods thus, removing the well advertised fear of dying from an occluded, plaque encrusted artery. Really?Funny how cholesterol levels have risen in recent years in Japan yet, the number of heart attacks has dropped. In an 8 year long research experiment, 10,000 people were studied with high cholesterol. Half received a best selling statin drug while the other half were advised to eat a normal diet and get plenty of exercise.The results were nothing short of unbelievable. Although the statin drugs did lower serum cholesterol, it had no impact whatsoever on death rate, non fatal heart attacks or fatal arterial disease. Hmmmmm. In other words, there was no advantage at all in the group taking the statin drugs. The downside is that for 8 years, those taking the statin drugs, suffered from the hideous, all inclusive side effects risking liver failure, debilitating muscle wasting and even sudden death. It doesn't sound like something I would volunteer for.Another more recent study involving 20,000 men and women from Denmark concluded that the majority of heart disease patients had quite normal cholesterol levels. Another study in Britain revealed that people who consumed more margarine and less butter had higher rates of heart attacks.Consuming margarine over butter can increase heart disease in women by 53% according to a recent Harvard medical study. Margarine actually increases LDL cholesterol while decreasing the beneficial HDL. Margarine also increases the risk of cancer up to 5 times. It suppresses immune and insulin responses. It is a highly processed synthetic that is nearly impossible to break down. It can realistically last for years outside of the body as well as inside the body. Don't we typically hear this information the other way around?People that died of heart attacks were found to have a much greater amount of harmful fatty acids derived from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils then from unprocessed animal fats. These trans-fatty acids congest the membranes of our cells, including our heart and coronary arteries.This starves the cells of oxygen, nutrients and water, eventually destroying the cell. Heart disease risks greatly increased in those consuming processed fats like margarine, potato chips, white bread, cookies, cakes, and biscuits. I know you love to eat these foods but maybe you could moderate them a bit and then help neutralize their evil effects by eating nutrient rich foods like fresh fruits and fresh vegetables.Odd how in 2007 New York city banned the use of trans fats in their restaurants. Of course, where there is a will there is always a way. Now these trans-fats have been replaced with a new and improved, artificial, processed fat that is equally damaging if not worse. The food giants will not be denied. You see what I mean when I say they really don't care about your health. They do care about where you spend your money if that's any consolation.Where are we going with all this? High cholesterol seems to be the dominate health threat of the 21st century. It is an invented threat propagated, endorsed and aggrandized by the profit driven, 30+ billion dollar a year, pharmaceutical conglomerate. A simple blood test is usually all they need and a cholesterol quagmire is conveniently unleashed.Their potential new prospect is then told they will need to commit to taking an expensive and harmful statin drug for the rest of their lives. Of course, they leave the harmful and expensive out of the equation, although they will not leave out the harmful effects on your arteries and the dreaded fear of living with the nightmare of high cholesterol. It's called the fear of association marketing. Sadly, some patients are even prescribed more than 1.We are thoroughly con-vinced of the dangers associated with high cholesterol. There is actually more proof proving high cholesterol numbers to be completely erroneous and totally misleading. We unfortunately never see or hear those reports.Fear is used to seal the deal and add to the ever growing and profitable, cholesterol lowering, statin drug blockbuster. It's a headliner around the world. In fact, the pharmaceutical companies and the medical establishment spokespeople should be at least nominated for several academy awards this year.Are we deaf to the side effects simply because of the beautiful scenery in their commercials. The happy couple dancing under the waterfall in Kona while they rattle off the potential side effects from taking the drug ie. body aches & pains, fatigue, heart palpitations, heart attacks, stroke, dementia, bleeding ulcers, body rash, difficulty thinking, depression, suicide, diarrhea and sometimes even death. But hey, what a pretty waterfall, and the couple look so happy. Are they happy because they're on statins? Does the drug make you feel like your on vacation?It doesn't even matter how good you feel or how healthy you thought you were. The revelation of a cholesterol issue can be devastating, life altering. The medical authorities will try and convince you that you are not well and, that you are playing a very dangerous game with your health and your heart unless you address this critical high cholesterol issue.You will now be assigned regular check ups and regular blood tests to monitor your new found health hazard you'll worry about. It is a deplorable sin! It creates mind altering misery psychologically.It's a win win all the way around for our medically endowed economy. Best of all, you will now have that unwelcome, fear induced, totally misleading cholesterol cloud following you around everywhere you go. It really puts a kink in your way of thinking.Children are now on the targeted list of potential new customers. It's a whole new generation of statin customers. You need to really think about the dangers and side effects before you agree to place your child on any type of statin drug. What could these dangerous side effects potentially manifest in your child as they mature into adulthood. If that doesn't scare you then you need to go back and read the potential side effects again.The clever marketing and advertising campaigns by the pharmaceutical cartels, have successfully brainwashed the majority of the population into believing these drugs will save them from future heart attacks and an untimely death. Their marketing campaigns are so successful, even if a physician knows of the high cholesterol deception, a well confused and deceptively educated patient will demand a prescription anyways.It is a prescription for harm, a prescription that lessens your quality of life, a prescription laced with far too many side effects, a prescription marketed under the veil of necessity and concern for your health. It's all a bunch of fluff.Whether you realize it or not, this also affects our medically endowed, economic future. Statins are the best selling and blatantly over prescribed drug of all time. It's mass consumption drives up health care costs, making health care unaffordable to many. We are the greatest generation of lemmings the world has ever known. You need to decide for yourself. Who do you believe?How many of us are unknowingly being treated for the side effects of some of these statins and other pharmaceuticals. We conveniently blame something else for our ills. Maybe the majority of your ills were created by adding man made, foreign chemicals to a body that was designed to thrive on botanicals and other natural, God giving flora.. Wake up and smoke some coffee!You can decide that all of this information and research you just read is a joke. You can continue to live with your ever increasing infirmities, aches and pains, confusion, loss of sexual desire and everything else that comes from ingesting prescription medications, or, you can decide to see the truth.We are a severely stubborn and dead set population of people that are much more comfortable living inside the box then out. This is not a game. I may be making jokes here and there but, this is far from funny. Its just funny how we all so blindly believe, we follow, we trust, we respect and then we die. Caveat!

The Intended Effects of Hormones for Trans People

I've covered this a little bit before, but in this article I am going in depth on what HRT is supposed to do. I also plan to pair this article with an article about the unintended, side effects of hormones, and one about what hormones aren't going to do. Having said that, let's move on to what hormones are supposed to do.On to the physical changes, which I'm sure you're more interested in. A big one is in the muscles. For transgirls, your muscles will atrophy, or in other words slowly go away. If that displeases you, you might want to consider exercise. For transguys, expect the opposite to happen, and with proper diet and exercise, you can acquire manly muscles.Another big physical change for trans girls is breast growth! Hooray! Yes, this is one that most trans girls look forward to when taking hormones. This one is very age dependent. The earlier you start, the more of an effect there will be. Those who start especially young may even end up with fully developed breasts, but those who start later in life (read: 30+) may receive little to nothing. Another big factor is genetics. You're liable to have one cup size less than your family, on average. This isn't always the case, but as a general rule it holds.Fat redistribution is another big one that affects both genders. This is that one that makes people look subtly male or female. It's the body shape, and a little bit of the facial shape. It can take a while to fully take effect, but it can also mean all the difference in the world. This, however, is also up to the whim of genetics. Maybe you'll get the figure you're hoping for, but maybe not.The last of the big physical changes is in body hair. Transguys will get body hair, and transgirls will experience a thinning of body hair and a stopping of male pattern baldness. Personally, the hair on my head has always been thick, so the second part doesn't mean much to me, but my body hair makes me rather dysphoric, so, yay!


I've saved one of the biggest effects for last. The change in the way we think is often overlooked, and many transgender folk are very surprised upon beginning hormones how much their thought process changes. I personally knew it would happen, and yet was still surprised. Just the other day I was watching a TV show and I legitimately started bawling. Granted it was a sad scene but nonetheless, I generally did not do this before.The thing I'd like to stress when talking about that is that because of this, many trans girls think that 30 or even 25 is "too late" to start hormones. Ridiculous. There are a wide variety of effects that have nothing to do with breast development. If it's breasts you're concerned with, there's surgery to help with that, but don't let thinking that you're not going to get any be a deterrent from taking hormones.One last thing before I end the post, and I'm putting it here because for some it's a reason to go on HRT, is that transgirls usually lose the ability to ejaculate. This happens to varying degrees, but there it is.So, that's it! The wonderful world of the changes brought on by hormones. Hopefully this resource has been useful to you, and if there are any effects that I've missed and you think I should include, feel free to email me or leave a message in the comments and I'll edit the article.