AboveTheRayne

Got a sore throat try this recipe:

These articles held within are based on my research, my experience and
of my opinion. I’m sharing thusly…I’m not a doctor…..

Darkness Wins The Battle…..(Death of Robin Williams)

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening…Those in the world who love laughter are in shock over the death of Robin Williams. Many of us had no idea this amazing talent suffered so horribly with that dark and dismal disease of depression. I believe it is one of the least understood, as a matter of fact all mental illness has such a taboo on it, that many of us shy away from those who suffer with it.

Who would have known after viewing such a bubbly, vibrant, vivacious human being, delivering such joy with the most amazing quick wit. Who would think this man is suffering and suffering to the point of taking his own life. I’m in shock myself, I thought I understood this darkness but now I realize it truly is beyond my comprehension. The pain of it is horrible and those who take the stage and have to put forth that blanket of happiness, wearing a mask to hide the pain, it must be even worse.

Coming out onto a stage in front of hundreds of people, projecting a strong voice, embracing that audience and feeling the love from that audience. Perhaps this was a time someone like that feels love…for that few moments they are no longer alone but after exiting the stage doors the darkness quickly returns as something is missing from their lives and they can seem to find that life pill so to speak. Even though we have family love…still something more is missing. The constant feeling of loneliness while people are around us. Many in the world admired and loved Robin Williams, that along with his family’s love and the respect we had for his work but yet that wasn’t enough to keep the darkness from consuming his thoughts. In Robin William’s situation, the darkness won and Robin lost the battle with depression.

So many of us deny our suffering and hide away in our rooms filled with pain inside. We try to deal with it on our own but there comes a time when we have to make a good decision and seek help before its too late. Well we all know about Robin Williams so he apparently did seek help but that help wasn’t enough to keep him here with us. I’m certain the doctor’s gave him the best medication, he certainly could afford it one would think, so why did Robin Williams still find it necessary to kill himself. This is so dismal and so upsetting and extremely scary as to what this darkness can do.

Take care of yourselves, seek help, get in touch with “you”. Whatever you have to do to make yourself feel good about you. We are such precious beings and we can be very strong but yet at the same time extremely fragile. What others see is not always what we truly are and often we lie to ourselves thinking we are that tower of strength. It’s true, people look at us, admire us, think that we are on top of the world and when we turn our backs and walk away, our expression changes, that claw inside begins to grab at us again and the darkness shields the light. We do become consumed and stay in that dark and dreary place. Recognize it and move quickly away from the demon of depression. It appears pills did not work for Robin Williams so we ask the question…what does work?…I wrote a piece on my thoughts in that regard and will share the website with you this morning. I truly believe our help with this demon is far beyond the hands of man….

Robin Williams, may you rest in eternal peace, so sad brother… the world will miss all that you so generously shared with us. God Bless you…Melvina

DEPRESSION (Beat the beast of depression)

Depression is a place that none of us ever wants to be. We find ourselves
enveloped in a continual swirl of pain. Sometimes it feels as if our bodies
are shutting down. It’s difficult to see and listlessness has become embedded
within our soul. We hurt in extreme, mentally and physically, it’s an entrenching
pain and the mental set back is debilitating. Those who have not suffered
depression have their own thoughts of those that do. Often very little
sympathy is offered and slurs will catch our ears. She’s lazy, she simply does
not want to work, he’s taking advantage of you, get rid of him, she’s useless.

You look at yourself in the mirror and try to force a smile just to make yourself
feel better and look better. Age seems to be the visitor that comes to see you
in your darkest state and recognition brings on even more tears than before.
One simple word, even in a joke from one you love can hurt you though the
intention was not so. When depression strikes, the virtue of patience is also
lost and dark thoughts, ugly words emerge, hurtful daggers that will be very
difficult to apologize for later . One can only hope that the person taking the
blows is someone who cares for you deeply. Normally it is the one you love,
that you hurt the most.

What do we do when this unwanted visitor comes forth. Well some run to
a doctor and receive a prescription of drugs that very well help many. There
are those though that it sends into a direction that leads to more and more
depression when addiction takes hold. If you’re the type of person who does
not like to go straight to the doctor, take a look at some idea’s I’ve put forth.
Realize I’m not a doctor, just sharing what works for me in my overall feel
good remedy.

Due to the fact that depression drains your energy and your drive seems to
have ceased to exist. Now is the time to take baby steps. Oh it won’t work
overnight but certainly you can slowly lift out of that tight net of darkness.
You’re never alone you know, you can grab onto that spiritual rope and it
will uplift you little by little taking you closer and closer to the light. We
are strong beings and nothing is impossible in our recovery process.
Determination within the mind is key and will open the hole that we’re to
rise through.

Some steps you can take:

1. Call someone you trust and share
2. Treat yourself to candlelight baths, not too hot and don’t fall to sleep.
3. stay warm and comfortable take hot and cold showers, get that adrenalin moving
4. take short, intense walks…enjoy the beauty at your fingertips
5. breathe deeply. If you have a best friend, call on them for help.

Be special to “YOU”

WATER…A NATURAL HEALER

Water is a natural healer, there’s nothing better than letting water bathe
you from the top of your head, to your feet. Feel it’s soothing powers.
Take a face cloth and hold the warmth of water against your face. Delight
in its Blessing.

Massage…

I have a massage chair and a hand massage, I use them simultaneously
and that is amazing. It serves to revive you and loosen some muscle and
joint pain.

Do your best to stay out of your shell and get out among people. Go to
the mall, hear the voices and watch the interaction. Enjoy the children
playing, who knows you may tap into their energy.

Talk with others who have suffered and gain support from them.
Remember if depression get’s out of your control and thoughts of suicide
come forth, please seek advice of a professional immediately or get to a
hospital.

You make your own decisions, you may want to call a doctor as soon as
you feel depressed, the decision is yours. I sincerely hope something is
this article can help you control or beat the beast of depression.

Article by: Melvina Germain

CHARLIE HORSE

I reached out this morning with this note…Well this is not the best beginning this morning. At about 3:am, I woke with the most agonizing pain in my left leg. A horrible Charlie Horse that would not go away no matter how much I physically massaged it. I managed to get up, go into my living room and sit in my massaging chair. I merely wanted to be able to reach for my hand massage and begin working on this thing. Tense, squeezing, throbbing pain. Made me sweat and I could feel the anxiety building, knowing I had to control that before I began to holler and wake up the house. I took deep breaths and tried my best to calm myself while enduring the pain of the “Charlie Horse”. Then my mind plays games with me and thoughts come and beat me up. What if this happens when you are twenty years older and you can’t move in your bed but the pain is stronger and there’s no one to come and help you. What will you do then, oh my gosh, knock it off “mind”…Well with that thought in mind, I wondered what do I do to finally once and for all, get rid of these annoying monsters.

So guess what, here I’am asking you, what have you done to help and possibly stop the recurrence of the Charlie Horse. Please, please do share. Back to this morning. I did manage to bring that pain under control with constant manipulation of my hand held massage gadget, one of the best investments I’ve ever made. I went back bed only to wake up several hours later, thinking I was free. I sat up in bed and there is was again, so off to the living room and run through the same ritual. This time, the gent who lives downstairs hears me and comes to see what is wrong. I ask him to bring me a tall, glass of water, thinking it should help. Well now within minutes the pain is gone after drinking that glass of water. Could that be it, I wonder. What sayeth you, I do await some feedback here people, I need you, I do…Melvina…..

Regina Porterfield came on board immediately and shared that water is the answer. I wasn’t drinking enough, well I’m drinking as I pen these words. I’ll add to this as more feedback comes in.

Melvina Germain

SUFFERING WITH SADNESS

Sadness can pose such emotional turmoil within. Especially when loss is the reason for such sadness and several heart wrenching situations may occur at the same time creating an effect that is overwhelming. One feels pain within, can’t sleep or concentrate on normal, daily chores. Sometimes we have that helpless feeling and anxiety may come into play. Wouldn’t you know it, the sister of all of this is stress . Now you are not dealing only with sadness but also the compounded emotional upsets that comes along carrying that horrid culprit stress.

Try not to reach for the telephone, wanting a doctor in order to soothe yourself with medication. Remember our simple built in forms of release, for eg. Prayer, “a long walk enjoying all that this vast universe has to offer”. Deep breathing, exercise and that food for the soul…Music. That’s right, turn down the lights, allow soothing music to take you to that place where you are covered with a blanket of tranquility. Clear your mind and count while laying on your bed, keep counting, don’t stop until you wake up several hours later. You ponder, what is going on, then you remember and smile. You have made it through the first day of suffering and are ready and set to deal with the next and the next and so on. Melvina…..

Clean Your Kidneys

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments and how are we going to overcome this?

It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley or Cilantro ( Coriander Leaves ) and wash it clean.

Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool.

Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.

Parsley and cilantro (coriander) are known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

Both have similar impact but Parsley is preferred choice. Difference between Parsely and Cilandro. Parsely doesn’t have the smell whereas cilandro (Dhaniya Leaves) Smell. Parsely is used in Salads. Both leaves look similar to each other but by close observation, you can notice both are different.

M.R.S.A. (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)…

What is M.R.S.A. you can refer to the full name above and realize it is a
bacterial infection especially when you see the word “staph”. This infection
unfortunately is resistant to “Methicillin” which is commonly use to treat
bacterial infections but it won’t budge on this particular infection.

M.R.S.A. is a common bacterium found on the skin of healthy people.
However once in the body, one may experience boils, pimples which are
minor infections and easily cured. Having said that, on a more serious
note, one may experience pneumonia or blood infections. Unfortunately
these serious infections can cause death in the elderly.

M.R.S.A. usually infects hospital patients who are elderly or very ill.
People who have used a lot of antibiotics may be at more risk. Intravenous
drug users, long term illness, chronic illness such as rheumatoid arthritis as
it affects all organs and the immune system, causing one to be immuno-
suppressed. All these people are at high risk.

You need to know that healthy people can carry the bacteria in their nose,
on the skin for weeks or even years. One really good practice is to flush
one’s nose on a daily basis, usually every morning. Often morning and
night. Keep your hands exceptionally clean, this is key folks. Make a habit
of washing doorknobs with a disinfectant.

Sometimes you can clear the disease without treatment but if at a later
date you have need to undergo antibiotic therapy, it could come back.
Remember it is found in the nose, on the skin, in the blood and urine.

Insist your heath care worker wear gloves, they can carry the germ on
their hands from one patient to another. Ask questions, as a family
member you need to be aggressive. Hospitals is where many mistakes
are made. Nurses don’t gown up or insist visitors gown up and a body
fluid may splash on to a person visiting. Ask if your loved one is sharing
a room with someone. Blatantly ask…does this person have M.R.S.A.
or anything of that nature. Watch your nurses and make sure gloves
are removed between patients.

This disease although may be harmless to the healthy individual, it can
cause death to your elderly as mentioned above. Hospital staff are
very busy and forget very important things, I’ve seen it happen. I was
in the room with a patient who had M.R.S.A. and the nurses were
suppose to gown up and insist we did also and it didn’t happen. None
of us contracted it because we were healthy enough.

I’m told that several hospitals were closed back in 2011 due to M.R.S.A.
in the Quebec area. I know people were walking around the hospital in my
area with those antibiotic packs on because they had M.R.S.A. yet moving about
the hospital freely. It’s a dangerous disease, one justmust be careful. When
entering or leaving a hospital or hospital room, clean your hands with disinfectant.
It’s so simple, grab a gown and gown up to be safe, they’re easy to find or simply
ask for one.

Be aware, that’s key, a life can be saved when we know what’s out
there…..

Written by: Melvina Germain

My thoughts

My thoughts led me to a tranquil place this morning, where I began to dip into yesteryear. I remember when my father-in-law was suffering from Cancer and we visited the doctor for his usual appointment. The doctor asked him a question, my Father-in-law answered, you guys know what you’re doing. The doctor was an African gentleman and he quickly answered, we only know what to give or do for you for your ailment, we are not a part of your body, only you know your body, so I need you to tell me what is going on within it. My Father –in-law then began to explain how he was feeling. I remembered that visit and took a clearer look at myself and decided to take on full responsibility for what I put inside my body. I make all final decisions and refuse to leave such to anyone as long as I’m of sound mind, my body is mine. I think we owe it to ourselves to do what we have to do, to learn, to research and be aware of all that is going on within us. Having said that, I’m referring to the whole body, not just the physical but the mental and spiritual as well. We must take great care of the “you”, the soul and be the best that we can be.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE…DEMENTIA

Often my mind takes me to thoughts regarding Alzheimer’s Disease. For very good reason in fact. My mother and two of my Aunts suffered from forms of dementia. My Mom is diagnosed with “Extreme Dementia”. One of my Aunts was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. My youngest Auntie seemed to have a slow declining form of dementia so I’m assuming it would be considered Alzheimer’s as well.

We often ask, what is the difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia. After many questions to people in the medical field, I was still confused, as no difference seemed apparent. Through the years you realize the only one to depend on is you and so you do the work and research as much as you can. I’ve learned we can’t totally depend on finding out the exact truth from doctors as they seem to always be in a learning stage. They are very busy focusing and taking care of their immediate specialty which may not revolve only around what you need to know, so
speaking with more than one doctor is crucial.

Contact the Alzheimer’s Society for a wealth of information.

Let’s understand the word “dementia”

– it refers to many different diseases
– some types are caused by different physical changes in the brain
– some can be reversed, treated and cured
– some can not be reversed hence can not be cured
– covers a variety of disorders
– memory loss is one symptom
– problems in judgement and reasoning
– mood change
– can no longer function at work
– can not function in relationships
– day to day tasks become more and more difficult

Realize there are many conditions that produce symptoms that are similar to dementia. Early diagnosis is key in getting the right treatment for these people. If the diagnosis is in fact dementia then the patient has early access to support, to information and treatment.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia, it falls under the blanket of dementia. Alzheimer Disease is the most common form of dementia. It accounts for 64% of all dementia’s in Canada. It’s a gradual slow onset of memory loss that affects the persons ability to function on a day to day basis and a continuing decline. Changes in judgement and reasoning occurs and everyday tasks become more difficult.

Please note…the symptoms below may not be Alzheimer’s but could be another type of dementia.
-Sudden onset of memory loss
-early behaviour changes
-difficulty with speech and movement

Familiarize yourself with all the different forms of dementia. You can research much right here on the net. Go to the library or simply contact ‘The Alzheimer’s Society”. Everything we need and should know is available.

Alzheimer’s Disease is the first leading form of dementia.

Vascular dementia is the second leading form of dementia.

– it occurs when the cells in the brain are deprived of oxygen
– a network of blood vessels (Vascular System) supplies the brain with oxygen
– a blockage or disease can create a blockage hindering its performance
– the blood can not reach the brain
– cells die
– leading to symptoms of dementia

Contact the Alzheimer’s Society for a wealth of information.

A study was conducted and information was released in Canada in the year 2012 regarding the sharp rise in the number of Canadians with cognitive impairment, including dementia. Numbers of Canadian’s with such including dementia stands at 747,000 and will double to 1.4 million by 2031.

I’m including the link where you can read about the information found in this study.

http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/sk/~/media/Files/national/Media-releases/asc_factsheet_new_data_09272012_en.ashx

Any one of us reading this article today could be the next sufferers of cognitive impairment including dementia. Awareness is key, don’t be afraid to research, be prepared and in so doing giving yourself the best possible treatment. Personally I feel it is also crucial to seek out all information possible on “prevention” as well.

Take a look at the economic impact of dementia’s.

-Today the combined direct/indirect medical, lost earnings, costs total $33 billion per yr.
-If nothing changes in Canada, this number will climb to $293 billion a year by 2040.

Contact the Alzheimer’s Society for a wealth of information.

Written by: Melvina Germain

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SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia usually first appears in a person during their late teens or throughout their twenties. It affects more men than women, and is considered a life-long condition which rarely is “cured,” but rather treated. The primary treatment for schizophrenia and similar thought disorders is medication. Unfortunately, compliance with a medication regimen is often one of the largest problems associated with the ongoing treatment of schizophrenia. Because people who live with this disorder often go off of their medication during periods throughout their lives, the repercussions of this loss of treatment are acutely felt not only by the individual, but by their family and friends as well.

Successful treatment of schizophrenia, therefore, depends upon a life-long regimen of both drug and psychosocial, support therapies. While the medication helps control the psychosis associated with schizophrenia (e.g., the delusions and hallucinations), it cannot help the person find a job, learn to be effective in social relationships, increase the individual’s coping skills, and help them learn to communicate and work well with others. Poverty, homelessness, and unemployment are often associated with this disorder, but they don’t have to be. If the individual finds appropriate treatment and sticks with it, a person with schizophrenia can lead a happy and successful life. But the initial recovery from the first symptoms of schizophrenia can be an extremely lonely experience. Individuals coping with the onset of schizophrenia for the first time in their lives require all the support that their families, friends, and communities can provide.

With such support, determination, and understanding, someone who has schizophrenia can learn to cope and live with it for their entire life. But stability with this disorder means complying with the treatment plan set up between the person and their therapist or doctor, and maintaining the balance provided for by the medication and therapy. A sudden stopping of treatment will most often lead to a relapse of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia and then a gradual recovery as treatment is reinstated.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is not the treatment of choice for someone with schizophrenia. Used as an adjunct to a good medication plan, however, psychotherapy can help maintain the individual on their medication, learn needed social skills, and support the person’s weekly goals and activities in their community. This may include advice, reassurance, education, modeling, limit setting, and reality testing with the therapist. Encouragement in setting small goals and reaching them can often be helpful.

People with schizophrenia often have a difficult time performing ordinary life skills such as cooking and personal grooming as well as communicating with others in the family and at work. Therapy or rehabilitation therapy can help a person regain the confidence to take care of themselves and live a fuller life.

Group therapy, combined with drugs, produces somewhat better results than drug treatment alone, particularly with schizophrenic outpatients. Positive results are more likely to be obtained when group therapy focuses on real-life plans, problems, and relationships; on social and work roles and interaction; on cooperation with drug therapy and discussion of its side effects; or on some practical recreational or work activity. This supportive group therapy can be especially helpful in decreasing social isolation and increasing reality testing (Long, 1996).

Family therapy can significantly decrease relapse rates for the schizophrenic family member. In high-stress families, schizophrenic patients given standard aftercare relapse 50-60% of the time in the first year out of hospital. Supportive family therapy can reduce this relapse rate to below 10 percent. This therapy encourages the family to convene a family meeting whenever an issue arises, in order to discuss and specify the exact nature of the problem, to list and consider alternative solutions, and to select and implement the consensual best solution. (Long, 1996).

Medications
Schizophrenia appears to be a combination of a thought disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder. The medical management of schizophrenia often requires a combination of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and antianxiety medication. One of the biggest challenges of treatment is that many people don’t keep taking the medications prescribed for the disorder. After the first year of treatment, most people will discontinue their use of medications, especially ones where the side effects are difficult to tolerate.

As a recent National Institute of Mental Health Study indicated, regardless of the drug, three-quarters of all patients stop taking their medications. They stopped the schizophrenia medications either because they did not make them better or they had intolerable side effects. The discontinuation rates remained high when they were switched to a new drug, but patients stayed on clozapine about 11 months, compared with only three months for Seroquel, Risperdal or Zyprexa, which are far more heavily marketed — and dominate sales. Because of findings such as this, it’s generally recommended that someone with schizophrenia begin their treatment with a drug such as clozapine (clozapine is often significantly cheaper than other antipsychotic medications). Clozapine (also known as clozaril) has been shown to be more effective than many newer antipsychotics as well.

Antipsychotic medications help to normalize the biochemical imbalances that cause schizophrenia. They are also important in reducing the likelihood of relapse. There are two major types of antipsychotics, traditional and new antipsychotics.

Traditional antipsychotics effectively control the hallucinations, delusions, and confusion of schizophrenia. This type of antipsychotic drug, such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine, has been available since the mid-1950s. These drugs primarily block dopamine receptors and are effective in treating the “positive” symptoms of schizophrenia.

Side effects for antipsychotics may cause a patient to stop taking them. However, it is important to talk with your doctor before making any changes in medication since many side effects can be controlled. Be sure to weigh the risks against the potential benefits that antipsychotic drugs can provide.

Mild side effects: dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness and dizziness. These side affects usually disappear a few weeks after the person starts treatment.

More serious side effects: trouble with muscle control, muscle spasms or cramps in the head and neck, fidgeting or pacing, tremors and shuffling of the feet (much like those affecting people with Parkinson’s disease).

Side effects due to prolonged use of traditional antipsychotic medications: facial ticks, thrusting and rolling of the tongue, lip licking, panting and grimacing.

There are many newer antipsychotic medications available since the 1990’s, including Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa and Clozaril. Some of these medications may work on both the serotonin and dopamine receptors, thereby treating both the “positive” and “negative” symptoms of schizophrenia. Other newer antipsychotics are referred to as atypical antipsychotics, because of how they affect the dopamine receptors in the brain. These newer medications may be more effective in treating a broader range of symptoms of schizophrenia, and some have fewer side effects than traditional antipsychotics. Learn more about the atypical antipsychotics used to help treat schizophrenia.

Coping Guidelines For The Family

Establish a daily routine for the patient to follow.
Help the patient stay on the medication.
Keep the lines of communication open about problems or fears the patient may have.
Understand that caring for the patient can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Take time for yourself.
Keep your communications simple and brief when speaking with the patient.
Be patient and calm.
Ask for help if you need it; join a support group.

Self-Help
Self-help methods for the treatment of this disorder are often overlooked by the medical profession because very few professionals are involved in them. Adjunctive community support groups in concurrence with psychotherapy is usually beneficial to most people who suffer from schizophrenia. Caution should be utilized, however, if the person’s symptoms aren’t under control of a medication. People with this disorder often have a difficult time in social situations, therefore a support group should not be considered as an initial treatment option. As the person progresses in treatment, a support group may be a useful option to help the person make the transition back into daily social life.

Another use of self-help is for the family members of someone who lives with schizophrenia. The stress and hardships causes of having a loved one with this disorder are often overwhelming and difficult to cope with for a family. Family members should use a support group within their community to share common experiences and learn about ways to best deal with their frustrations, feelings of helplessness, and anger.

LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH…..(smoking info.)

Here’s a little paying it forward on my part but also on the part of the person who shares these words. I’m tired, so tired of losing my friends to this culprit that I felt I had to share some information with you today. If you are one of the unfortunate people to carry this burden, then this is for you. However if you are not and know someone you care about or love, I beg you to please share this information with them.

Many years ago, I had a disease called “PSORIASIS” I suffered tremendously and as it affected both of my hands, it was highly visible. I was so embarrassed that I tried my best to hide my hands, especially in stores while paying at the till. I went to many doctors and no help was available, tried many creams. It was a horrendous disease. I finally found a doctor who helped me a lot with what I called his magic machine that you know today as the tanning bed. I built up to fifteen minutes in that machine and finally I began to clear. Without the machine, my suffering returned, I couldn’t keep up the treatments and later bought a tanning lamp which also helped but I didn’t have the medication that you had to take along with the tanning. “PSOROLIN” pills. Still it was better than nothing.

At the same time, my lungs were in bad shape and my doctor after a bout with a lung disorder, told me I had to quit smoking. I remember, I thanked him for telling me that, as I wanted to quit and thought since a doctor told me it would be easier. Knowing that I might die from the disease surely I can quit. Not so, I was addicted to that cigarette, I couldn’t quit. I tried hypnosis, watching a graphic video etc. Finally I heard about Nicorette gum. At that time you had to have a prescription to get it, so I went that route and in three days had finally quit smoking. After two years of my warning, I threw my cigarettes out the window so to speak. A miracle in my eyes took place, it was like the peeling of skin, my “PSORIASIS” disappeared and I was left with very little scaring which also went away over the years. I have not had a flare up since and that was due to quitting smoking. For ten years I suffered and all I had to do was quit smoking.

Let me try to explain why you or the one you love should do the same thing. Nicotine is such a powerful and addictive drug. It enters your brain within ten seconds of taking a puff and actually alters how your brain works. It is more difficult to quit smoking than it is to give up “HEROINE”. Many of us think that cigarette smoking causes only lung disease but that is not so. There are numerousdiseases out there this is responsible for.

Having said that, a smoker is twenty times more likely to die of lung cancer but before that. Your lung capacity decreases and you can get what is actually “LUNG ROT” emphysema. Most emphysema cases are caused from smoking. It is impossible to keep a fresh mouth as germs are rampant and your chancesof acquiring tongue and mouth cancers are greater. A smoker is more prone to peptic ulcers, which are more difficult to get rid of and the chance of recurrence is greater and the ulcers won’t head as fast in a smoker.

Bowel disease has come into the picture as growing evidence shows that smoking may increase the risk of such. Four of five cases of cancer of the esophagus are due to smoking. As smoke enters your throat, cancer causing chemicals condense on your mucous membranes. Your fingers look terrible, you nails become stained. You’re just not that fresh looking person you once were.

Smoking is a major cause of heart attacks, do you know within one minute of your first puff. Your heart begins to beat faster, your blood vessels clamp down raising your blood pressure and forcing your heart to work harder. Also early signs of heart disease and stroke can be found in young smokers. The earliest I’ve heard of thus far is twenty years old, a young fellow.

For you beautiful ladies out there, realize you will lose that fine, silky skin as it changes to a rather leathery look and lines very easily and if you combine that with too much sun. Your skin could resemble the back of a farmers neck.

One final point here, we all value our eyesight, therefore giving up smoking will also help in that regard. The more you smoke, the more chance you have of developing a cataract which can cause blindness. Even former smokers have fifty percent higher risk of developing a cataract.

I really hope you read this article all the way to the end. It is my hope that in the following years we see a huge drop in smokers. 37,000 people in Canada die every year from diseases caused by smoking. Take a look at your cigarette, think long and hard of what you just learned here and ask yourself, is it worth it. Do I love my family enough to quit this habit no matter what it takes. Once you beat it, you can take a deep breath and move forward to a happier and healthier life. Blessings to all of you…..Written by: Melvina Germain…Jan.18/2014…..