Im going to jettison my seizure alarm into the sea. Set it off painting and I immediately got 2 different people calling me repeatedly begging me to answer them, what was wrong, for god’s sake pick up or I’m calling emergency services

Revisited - Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (2017)

The brain is a funny old thing. A big ball of interconnected wires, all leading out to different areas. Something we know a lot about, while at the same time not really knowing anything at all. That’s why brain surgery is so incredibly complex while also involving poking the brain with a stick to see what it does. The point of all this nonsense is to highlight just how much, and little, we know about the brain and how it can affect us in ways we don’t really understand. I find it rather unsettling, to tell you the truth.

Take Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, for example. One of the key mechanics throughout is the voices that Senua hears in her head. They shout at her and abuse her, while also trying to give her advice. It makes the whole thing very confused and chaotic, no doubt an intended effect. It’s not, of course, unique in portraying mental illness in video games but it does it a lot more honestly than other games. It’s not simply a handful of hallucinations; Hellblade goes deeper into how it affects Senua and her relationships with everyone around her.

All of this is framed against a background of Norse mythology. Senua is a Pict warrior, a Celtic group of people, who are being raided by the Norsemen. Senua’s lover, Dillion, is murdered by the Norse, quite brutally to be honest, and so she travels to Helheim, with her lover’s skull in tow, to bring his soul back. Unfortunately, Helheim isn’t the nicest place in the world and she has to undergo a number of physical and mental trials along the way. Hell, in any mythology, does tend to be reported as a fairly miserable place, after all.

Senua’s main battle is with the demons that plague her, something that she calls the ‘Darkness’. It’s a curse, she says, that causes misfortune and death to everyone around her. I’m reminded, of all things, of the bible. People’s seizures being put down to demons because the public didn’t have the conception of epilepsy yet. We often assign mystical qualities to things that are beyond comprehension. Things are a lot more palatable when they’re named. The darkness, therefore, could be attributed to PTSD. Without wishing to spoil, there is some definite trauma in Senua’s past that could certainly account for what’s happening to her.

I don’t pretend to understand anything about it, of course. Mental illness is a deeply personal thing and me making broad statements isn’t really going to help anything, so instead I’ll simply talk about the few things I like. Firstly, the writing is top notch when it comes to Senua. It’s largely delivered in narration though, which I have mixed feelings about. There’s an old writing technique called ‘Show don’t Tell’. This basically means you should always act out important points, rather than simply stating them. Still, the juxtaposition of this deep, personal narration against a backdrop of a miserable, torn Helheim does work rather well.

The narration goes some way to tell us about Senua’s mental state, as well as giving some insight into her affliction. What interested me most is how it affects her relationships with the people close to her. Senua suffered horrible abuse at the hands of her father and it led her to believe that misfortune followed her wherever she went, a belief supposedly shared by the townsfolk around her. It was an interesting piece on how mental illness can affect perceptions of those around you, making life even more difficult. Particularly as Senua starts showing signs of survivor’s guilt on top of things.

I could wax lyrical about the writing all review long but there is a rather large elephant in the room that I must acknowledge. To be perfectly blunt, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice feels like it’s in the wrong medium. I feel it would work better as a film or a book; it certainly doesn’t make the most of the interactive element. It’s rather brutally linear for one thing, with only a handful of things off the beaten track. There were gameplay elements I liked but they felt rather out of place and put too much of a halt on the plot.

The combat, for example, had potential. It’s a basic dodge’n’swing system, but Senua’s blows feel like they have real weight behind them. A more robust system, in a different game, would be great. Here? It’s too basic. There are only a small handful of enemy types and, worst of all, you cannot manually change who Senua focuses on. It’s incredibly easy one-on-one, with the challenge coming when you’re surrounded. Same with the Rune mechanic. Locked doors are covered with runes and you have to find similar shapes in the surrounding area. These are the only parts when the game opens up but they’re remarkably easy and, once again, feel like obstacles rather than anything that helps the overall tone.

There are small fragments of good ideas here. The voices, for example, serve both the plot and the gameplay. They give hints about how to progress but some of the voices will actively work against you, highlighting the constant confliction running through Senua’s mind. There’s also the suggestion of permadeath, with each death causing the darkness to spread closer to Senua’s mind. It’s a neat little mechanic that ties well into the overall theme. It’s just a shame that the rest of the gameplay is rather weak.

It’s a brave stab at things, however, and the retelling of old Nordic stories is nice to listen to. As I said before, this Norse mythology put against Senua’s own personal struggle works rather well and is an interesting setting regardless. The exploration of mental illness is done well too, highlighting the struggle and the effect it has on the person at the centre of it. While I don’t quite like that Senua’s character is framed entirely through the darkness, and her personality is entirely dependent on other people, it’s an important exploration of a very difficult subject. While the gameplay drags Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice down somewhat, the strong writing and characterisation more than bring it up again. Pros -Tackles some tough, important themes -Good writing throughout -Great voice acting -Nice setting, with good graphics and animations on top -Some nice gameplay ideas Cons -Combat is a frustration - both too easy and too irritating -The Rune mechanic is fairly basic -Gameplay feels like an obstacle rather than a cohesive part -Senua’s personality is almost entirely defined through other people Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Developer: Ninja Theory Release date: August 8th 2017 - April 11 2019 Play it on: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Played on: Windows

Should We Weed Out Weed?

In our world, marijuana is a controversial subject. Many people want it either criminalized and made completely illegal, or legalized and decriminalized. And even those divisions aren’t so simple, as most have various reasons for wanting it legal or illegal, and there are many debates over how regulated it should be. Most of your teachers legally have to say nay to weed, while Bill Nye and various others say yea to its legalization, at least for certain purposes. Some want to ban it to establish a supposedly more moral society, while others simply want it to be de-scheduled to make it easier to buy and study, and others still want it legal so that they can get high. So, to make things clearer, I will relay the facts that I have at my disposal and then tell you what I think.

Firstly, we should probably go over what weed is and how it works. Weed (also known as pot, grass, marijuana, mary jane, devil’s lettuce, etc) is a name for the plant cannabis, which has special resin that contains various compounds, including several psychoactive ones. The primary psychoactive compound in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which coats certain receptors in the brain and causes them to release dopamine, which is part of how it gets you high. THC impairs the abilities of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for the creation of new memories, and can cause hallucinations, short-term memory issues, hallucinations, and delusions, but it can also help relieve certain things like nausea and pain, especially when said symptoms are induced by cancer medications. 

Now, one must remember that THC is not the only compound in marijuana resin, nor is it the only one that is psychoactive in nature. Certain extracts have also been found to help those who suffer from epilepsy, and some scientists say that even more potential medicines could be discovered through research. And therein lie the problem: we don’t know all that there is to know about marijuana, and we can’t find out any more about it. And this poses the question of “Why we can’t just research it?” It’s because most governments have marijuana listed as a schedule one drug, which means that it has the potential for addiction and abuse and has no proven medical uses. This forbids us from doing extensive research on cannabis, and also gives it a bad reputation (though it’s still a drug) because opioids, ecstasy, LSD, and various other drugs are listed as being schedule one. Now one would think, “Well, if marijuana has the benefits that you say it does, then why is it schedule one, which means it has no benefits?” The answer to that is that occasionally, some private groups can do some research related to marijuana. Israel is one of few countries to not have marijuana listed as a schedule one drug, and they have massive government research projects related to the study of marijuana for medical purposes.

In summary, marijuana has some pros in regards to its ability to relieve aches and pains as well as relax some people, but it also has its cons in regards to how it can impede brain function and motor skills, and also in regards to how it does have more tar than tobacco, a drug that is legal in the US and is one of the leading causes of death, specifically by lung cancer, in the US. But ultimately, it has more unknowns than pros and cons, and that is why I say it should be legalised in all states for research and medical purposes, with individual states being able to approach the issue of recreational marijuana as they please. As part of this marijuana, should be descheduled and decriminalized. I mean, come on. Does a guy who smoked or was caught with pot really deserve to be in jail with the dude who stabbed someone in a dark alley or the lady who shot her ex in cold blood? Yeah, I don’t think so.

P.S. There is an additional problem here, though. If marijuana is legalised, it can still impede various physical and mental abilities. How do we control this without going overboard and harming society? One answer would be to do as the Swiss did, and make most drugs legal, but regulate their consumption and subsidize them, making it so most people can get their drugs for free from local government health care centers, where they have guaranteed access to clean drugs and equipment, as well having trained and competent medical staff on hand to handle issues and overdoses and to make sure that people don’t leave before most of the worst parts are out of their system. Research found that by lowering the danger associated with drugs and improving social programs and interactions between people actually made them less likely to use drugs anyway. Additionally, few people will buy expensive and potentially dangerous drugs illegally when they can just get free, safe, and clean drugs legally from the government. With no demand, the illegal supply will be to expensive to maintain and will eventually fade as it becomes less profitable. 

I’ve been fairly busy of late. Always good to feel that you’re being productive, that is until this week. Clinics have quietened a little, giving me a bit of time for reflection and much needed hours of rest, or active rest as I put it. There’s always things to be done, however some are less taxing than others.  Like writing and painting, it brings so much joy, but it has taken quite a back seat over the last few months. In particular my blog has become more and more sporadic. Sure I’ve scrawled the odd poetic verse down, but as for writing anything substantial, it just hasn’t happened. Coming from such intensity, to relative calm can be like someone slamming on the brakes for an emergency stop. You can end up over shooting, a little dazed and wondering what the hell happened. I’m thinking perhaps creatively, that has created some kind of confused vortex in my head, stunting my output a little. I guess patience is key at times like these.

And then sometimes you become distracted by the wrong things and lose a part of yourself. That little flame that burns inside, isn’t fed well enough and starts to struggle. I have a very rich and fulfilling life in many ways. I have a good family, some amazing and inspirational friends,  a rewarding if tiring (at times) job and I’ve managed to fill my life with things that I love. My gratitude goes out to all of that for keeping me going.

I’ve been lucky enough to attend a few rather awesome events lately. One being the London Astrobeat Arkestra, performing Talking Heads. A rather warm evening at Wylam with a lot of happy people, drinking good beer and dancing lots. Dancing, always good for the soul!

The other memorable performance was by the National Theatres production of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’. I feel I should have read the book, but sometimes that’s the wrong way around to do it. 

A brief synopsis and potential “spoiler alert”… 

It’s told from the perspective of a 15 year old boy who suffers from a condition on the autistic spectrum, I’d also speculate that he potentially suffers from epilepsy as these conditions can often go hand in hand. It tells a story through his eyes, his world which is very much a reality, as we all have our own realities. It starts with the discovery of a dog that has been murdered with a pitch fork and he makes it his “project” to find out who the murderer actually is. His parents do the best to cope with the boys disorder, however amidst the difficulties, his mother grows close to a neighbour and they depart for a life together in London. Leaving the father, and wife’s neighbour to pick up the pieces, the boy remains unaware of circumstances and is told that his mother was taken into hospital after having a heart attack and died. This is accepted until the boy finds out via hidden letters that his mum has been writing letters to him, which have been hidden, alongside the story he was writing about his life and investigations into the murdered dog which his father confiscated. He runs away to London to find his mum and, well I’ll not fill you in on all of the story as I’m mainly concerned about the theatrical portrayal of it and how it was executed. The lighting, the gobos (films put over the lights to create effects), the use of numbers and words. Reference to Eisenstein theory of relativity on space and time, prime numbers and the speed and manor at which they were projected onto the stage. The portrayal of how one mind can work within a world, but see things and deal with mundane everyday situations, so completely differently.

The use of physical theatre and the interaction between characters was quite phenomenal. There were moments that choked you and made you teary eyed and moments that made you laugh out loud, engaging and soulful. I left my worries about the pet rat bouncing around a cage as the boy ran around the set, when I realised they’d done a switch. Nice touch with the puppy too, you might have known that was going to tug at the heartstrings.

It took me back to a book I read several years ago called, 'Shock of the Fall’, by Nathan Filer. That too had a storyline of a young lead character and his family dealing with mental health issues and disability. Highly recommended if you’re short on something to read. Anyway, big thumbs up to the National Theatre who did a sterling job on this production!

I’ve pulled together a whole summer of fun over the past few weeks and the weather has even warmed up. I’m all about the outdoors at heart and sun always provides added enjoyment, not to mention much needed vitamin D; which I could have cried for a couple of months ago. Long may it continue over the festival period is all I can say. You’ll find me and Boo at the beach, ankle deep in the sea and clutching a little blue plastic bucket and spade at every given opportunity…

Next topic, the election. It’s over, phew! No matter how you voted, hopefully things will improve for the greater good of us all....eventually. Things take time I guess. After all of the anxiety, worry and even partying into the small hours that I heard about, hopefully we can all get some sleep tonight! (You can see I’m a little slow in posting this one…)

Looking at recent events in London and Manchester, more tragic news, circumstances which to anyone with any decency are baffling. These acts solve nothing, these people want to solve nothing. It is simply and act of appearing in control seemingly. See what we can do. To cause terror amongst the innocent, to take away life. We’re all born innocent, we may or may not be brought up in a religious setting. Introduce extremist politics and a need to be right to this, you have problems. I’m not sure that religion is the problem per se. I have known some of the most humble and generous people in various religions, I’ve also heard of some of the worst offenders sitting claiming their god is all. Religion doesn’t make you good or bad and socially speaking we all know innately what is good and bad. There are few ways out of this. I’m a huge believer that we are all one and the same, no matter who we choose to worship or not. You live, you learn and in that you know that such heinous acts instigate nothing but hate, rebellion and divisiveness. And if that is the intention, people will never ever lead a truly peaceful whole life. People need people, need love, we need the earth and all that it comes with; common sense really. I guess one day the earth will kick us all off, but in the universes greater powers, that’s for it to decide as and when. In the meantime I’d like to send a lot of love out there to anyone who needs it. I open my heart to anyone who feels alone, unsure or isolated. Whether it works on a collective level or anything else, it’s healthier than building up and spewing out negative energy. Acknowledge the bad yes, it is only human after all, but hopefully one day, one will cancel out the other.

7 Natural Ways to Help Calm Your Anxious Dog

Years ago (and still a little now), I was more “anti” natural than most people. So many people want to deny their dog medicine or think that there are purely natural strategies for problems or conditions. This is simply not always true.

You see, I am a firm believer in modern medicine. As a veterinary technician, I witness, daily, the value of medicine and how it saves and extends our furry family members’ lives.

As humans, we have come leaps and bounds in the annals of history when it comes to modern medicine. We can cure diseases! Some of the things that killed humans and animals 100 years ago don’t even exist in most cultures. We have mapped DNA and we have the unique ability, therefore, to cure and control conditions and diseases as they affect our specific DNA.

Natural Treatments And Your Dog

Interestingly, I was at work when one of our drug reps came in to discuss how a new kind of “non-drug” synthesized natural protein and is being utilized to help itchy dogs. Cytopoint is a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that specifically targets and neutralizes canine IL-31, which is an essential cytokine that sends the signal to itch to the brain in dogs. This injection, which is a natural protein (not a drug), can intercept that itch signal. Really, this stuff is amazing and is being used in human medicine as well.

I love how drug therapy and natural therapies are coming together to provide us with better medicine.

My Life has Been Stressful

Lately, my life has been stressful.

I suppose life goes great most of the time and then you run into little bumps along the way.

I was bitten by a dog at work. The hospital I worked at was bought out by a company in another state and their procedures and care were lacking for both employees and the medicine and critters we see.

I was losing sleep and unhappy.

And, when I lose sleep…I get a little nutty.

So I was sitting on the bench in the gym, talking to my personal trainer, pre-work out (we are doing some body building), and I was discussing my stress level and inability to sleep.

I had used some over the counter medication and nothing was working.

I was tired and cranky and simply put: depressed.

So he (God bless his sweet soul) started expressing concern and admitting he had noticed. He then gave me some natural alternatives: Valarian Root, Melatonin, L-Theanine as supplements prior to bed. He also suggested chamomile tea and lavender baths.

Honestly, if he had suggested dancing naked in the woods around a fire and chanting from an ancient language, I probably would have tried it. ;D  I was willing to do just about anything.

I know you are thinking, who cares…or, what on earth does this have to do with dogs…ha ha

I was surprised as I sat down a week later to find that nearly all of the supplements he had suggested to me were also suggested in an article written by a veterinarian about taming hyperactive dogs!

I guess it helped me to realize that some natural supplements and treatments can also work with calming an anxious dog.

But, before we get too far into this article, let me remind you that you should check with your veterinarian prior to giving your dog any supplement. Your dog may have an underlying heart condition, high kidney or liver values, or other conditions that need to be taken into account prior to adding any medications or supplements.

Plus, your vet can help you find the right dosage that will work best for your individual dog. And, for that reason, I won’t even begin to talk about dosage here. That should be asked of your vet!

Everything I read in real medical documents say that herbs are a time honored approach to treating problems and disease. Herbs, however, can have side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care and under the supervision of your doctor or vet!

Here are 7 great natural ways to help calm your anxious dog:

1. Adaptil

Adaptil is a dog pheromone that can help calm your dog. Adaptil is a synthetic copy of a pheromone released by the mother dog from her mammary area after a puppy’s birth. This pheromone sends a comforting message, providing a strong signal of security as the puppies wander and explore.

I think it is safe to say that pheromones have been proven to be effective in many situations.

2. Lavender

Lavender has some calming properties for human, and, it seems, dogs too.

Research has confirmed that lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.

A number of studies have concluded that lavender is possibly beneficial in several kinds of disorders, including anxiety, stress, postoperative pain, and alopecia.

My opinion? Why not use some lavender laundry soap or diffusers to help calm your dog.

Worst case scenario, your wild dog will just smell lovely.

3. Solliquin & Composure

These commonly need to come from your veterinarian.

And, like Cytopoint, I was lucky enough to be invited to a presentation on Solliquin.

Solloquin comes packed with a lot of these natural ingredients but they are provided in amounts that have been studied and proven to be safe in dogs.

Solliquin has L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan, Whey Protein concentrate (that has been tested to be safe and effective for dogs) as well as Magnolia and Philodendron extracts, all of which have been studied and found to be effective to treat dogs with anxiety.

The #1 thing that I like and respect about the Nutramax company is that they do their research and provide all of their findings. The FDA does not require this of dog medications or supplements. However, Nutramax wants to ensure that their products are being absorbed, used, and are effective for our furry friends.

Likewise, I have heard good things about Composure, yet have not had the opportunity to continue my education by learning about their research.

4. Melatonin

Melatonin is commonly used for people with insomnia and problems sleeping.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that regulates sleep and wakefulness.

Interesting to note that in some countries, this supplement or medication does require a prescription.  So, as always, be careful when you use it with your dog!

It can also help with cancer, gall stones, psychiatry, protection from radiation, and headaches in people!

5. L-Theanine

This was the drug or supplement that I got into the most trouble from my personal trainer for not getting. Admittedly, I went to Walmart and they didn’t have it…so I gave up…since I hate shopping.

But L-Theanine is known for being able to cross the blood-brain barrier and has been reported to have the ability to reduce physical and mental stress, improve cognition, and improve mood (probably what my trainer wanted to see – haha).

Essentially it claims to help people focus and concentrate while having relaxing and tranquilizing properties.

Clearly I do need all of these principles

6. Valerian Root

I must admit, I did find this fairly quickly in the Walmart supplement selection (I’m lazy when I shop because I hate it!). But the odor about kills me. And, just a note, I swear I smell like it the next day…my trainer says I am crazy…but I hate smelling bad, at all!

Valerian Root is used mainly for the treatment of sleep disorders, especially insomnia. It is frequently used with hops (humans), and lemon balm (which can be used in dogs) or other herbs that can cause drowsiness.

Valerian is also used for anxiety and psychological stress, including nervous asthma (humans), epilepsy, ADHD, and chronic fatigue.

It can also be used for menstrual cramps, menopause and hot flashes.

***perhaps I should “cowboy up” (I am from WY) and try this again!

7. L-Tryptophan

This is an amino acid or protein building block that can be found in animal and plant proteins. It is an essential amino acid because the body cannot make it. It must be acquired from food.

This is the supplement, drug, or whatever you want to call it that we heard about years back that causes us to be tired after Thanksgiving dinner!

Turkey, apparently, is filled with L-Tryptophan, causing you to need a nap after you gorge yourself on dinner!

L-Tryptophan itself is segmented and used to treat insomnia, depression, anxiety, PMS, smoking cessation, teeth grinding, Tourette’s and ADHD (in humans of course). The amount of issues that this treats is amazing, really!

This protein is converted into serotonin.

Serotonin is used to transmit signals between cells.

Changes in serotonin levels in the brain can alter mood!

Want 7 MORE Ways To Help Your Dog To Be Less Anxious?

Check out our Impulse Control program, where we walk you through teaching your dog how to relax around those things that cause anxiety and fear.

Click here to learn this ‘Impulse Control’ & Relaxating training process

Understanding this Data

All of this can be overwhelming!

I understand that.

There are supplements that do all kinds of things and make all kinds of promises.

However when taken together, some negate others.

And, it is important to make sure that these supplements are right for your dog.

Do your research! Print this out and make an appointment with your veterinarian and come up with a plan that will help with your specific problem.

But don’t forget to add in some behavior modification; because all the drugs in the world won’t help your dog if you don’t work on training your puppy, too.

I found a new job, I work out harder, and I sleep better.

The point is that adding a few things together, behavior modification, change, and the right supplements, can help put you or your dog on the path to feeling better!

from TheDogTrainingSecret.com http://ift.tt/2sOruQz via IFTTT

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is a serious problem that has negative effects on people other than the abuser. In many cases, with any type of abuse, the abuser tends to think he is the only one affected. He does not think about the problems that his abuse is having on the family, the children, the community, or at work. Even if he understands alcohol is causing potential life damaging problems, breaking away from alcohol once hooked can seem too hard to handle.

What is Alcohol Abuse?

According to About Alcohol Abuse, “alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that can result in physical injury; ongoing alcohol-related relationship problems; the failure to attend to important responsibilities at school, work, or home;” and ongoing problems with driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) during a year long period.

Signs of alcohol abuse or addiction include:

irresponsibility

blaming others for personal problems

using excuses as to why alcohol is needed

unable to go a few hours without a drink

emotional when no alcohol is available

ignoring friends, family, work, or school

constantly spending money on alcohol

fighting with loved ones over alcohol-related issues

constant alcohol-related incidents (DUI, DWI, other types of physical abuse, blackouts)

binge drinking

experience of shaking or twitching if not drinking (body going through withdrawal)

These are problems alcohol abusers often experience. However, alcohol abuse is not just a long term problem, it can be a potentially fatal short term problem as well.

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is when a person takes in a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time. Teenagers and college students often become victim to binge drinking, not because they necessarily intend to, but because they do not completely understand how drunk they really are or how much alcohol is too much.

Statistics have shown that underage drinking is a large problem in the United States, and parents have a huge influence as to whether or not a child drinks. This does not mean the parent influences them or buys alcohol for them, it simply means parents may make drinking look or sound desirable while not meaning to encourage it. However, some parents may discourage it and a child may still do it.

Parents need to make it clear to children, as do many adults, that drinking alcohol can be fatal. Since binge drinking is a problem, talking about the effects of binge drinking is important. Young people need to be cautious, and understand that drinking alcohol (especially binge drinking) can cause physical, social, and mental problems, and may even cause death.

Binge drinking also has the potential to cause embarrassing moments, erratic behavior, blackouts, physical abuse, and accidents which could have been avoided. It can also lead to long term alcohol abuse, and to long term health problems.

Alcohol Abuse Damages the Body

Long term alcohol abuse can harm the body. Drinking over a period of time can cause damage to organs in the body, leading to transplants or death. The most common health problem related to alcohol is liver disease.

One form of liver disease caused by drinking is also known as, alcoholic hepatitis. The symptoms include discoloration of the skin, eyeballs, and urine, fever, abdominal pain. Excessive drinking will cause scarring to the liver (cirrhosis of the liver), and can lead to a liver transplant or death. Even so, if the drinking is stopped, it can be helped through medication or even reversed just by quitting drinking.

Pancreatitis is another problem that can occur from long-term alcohol abuse. The pancreas helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body, and is needed for proper digestion. There is really nothing that can be done for pancreatitis. The symptoms are extreme weight loss and abdominal pain. The ultimate result is death.

Heart disease and different types of cancer can be a result of alcohol abuse. Other problems related with long-term abuse include “irritated stomach lining and bleeding from stomach ulcers, nerve damage, loss of brain cells, epilepsy, vitamin deficiency, obesity, muscle disease, skin problems, infertility, and sexual problems.”

Overall, the bodily harm alcohol can do is not worth the risk. Medical attention is needed immediately if any of these problems occur, and the most important treatment is to stop drinking. With help from a doctor, from family, friends, co-workers, and other sources, it can be done. If this is not enough to cause one to stop abusing alcohol, perhaps taking a good look at relationships and social problems will help.

Alcohol Abuse Leads to Relationship and Social Problems

Alcohol abusers often drink to forget problems, or to avoid problems. Drinking is a way to escape, but in reality drinking causes more problems personally and really provides no escape from life. Every aspect of the drinker’s life is affected by alcohol, and her family life and social life will suffer at some point due to the unnecessary abuse.

Alcohol abuse, in worst case scenarios, results in physical violence. Alcoholics are not mentally aware of their surroundings when they drink. They drink in excess and the alcohol may cause them to hallucinate or act out emotions which may result in harm to others or themselves. However, some abusers may act out violently due to not being able to drink, from the problems the excessive drinking has caused, or use drinking as a cover up for their violent behavior.

In many cases, those who are on the receiving end of an alcoholic’s abuse turn to alcohol, causing them to become an alcoholic as well. Even if their spouse or partner is not an alcoholic, abused women tend to turn to alcohol or other substances to deal with the emotional and physical turmoil.

Children of alcoholics suffer greatly, and despite seeing what can happen, may turn to alcohol as a way to forget the problems. Children of alcoholics have to grow up fast, not enjoy what their friends enjoy, not get items they need, and live with the secret (or in some places a publicly known fact) of having alcoholic parents or family members.

Alcoholism can also cause the alcoholic to become a social outcast. Alcoholics often exclude themselves or are excluded (due to repeated alcohol incidents) because of excessive drinking. This can be devastating. It is bad enough to be an alcoholic, but to become a social outcast or feel like no one will pay attention is very hard.

Alcohol Abuse Help

For anyone who has a problem with alcohol, or knows somebody with a problem needs to seek help immediately. Stop drinking as soon as possible, and go to a doctor, get help from a family member or friend (who can help or find help effectively), or locate substance abuse and treatment facilities online through The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),” and start living a happier healthier life today.

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There’s a Deafinite Answer to Everything

Not even sure where to begin with this, so as always, I will just start from the beginning. 

I’m Deaf. Was I born Deaf? No; unfortunately. I suffer with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and after having one of the, and I quote, “ Worst Grand Mal seizures I have ever seen” as the ER doctor stated; I lost my hearing completely. They told me I was locked into the seizure from 6pm-10pm; how I’m not dead, they have no idea. Am I looking for sympathy? No. This is just how my story begins.

For someone who grew up in the Hearing world, losing my hearing was very tough. Was it the end of the world? No, obviously not, but it was tough both mentally and physically. I had to learn to adjust, and it didn’t help that there was and still is very little resources for the Deaf and very few if any Deaf people within the area in which I live. I had no one or so it seemed; I was on an island all on my own. Communication was a huge factor, as I only knew the ASL alphabet at the time and that had to change. Shout out to Bill Vicars and his website Lifeprint.com for helping me learn so much, and after sometime I was able to find a college (though not the closest) that offered ASL Lessons and I took those. Sign Language has become and will always be a major part of my life. It has opened up so many doors for me as before I would just use a pen and paper to communicate, where as now I have ASL.

One thing I have noticed; however, is the amount of Discrimination from others I have had to learn to face. Something I had never encountered before. The stares, the snickering, people trying to make me feel as though I am “less of a person” and the list goes on. It’s amazing really. My friend asked me what it felt like to be Deaf, and my answer was simply, “Beautiful yet complicated. People seem to be ok with me until I let them know I’m Deaf and either they a) Take off like a herd of cattle  b) Put on the fake pity or c) They avoid me because somehow I make them very uncomfortable to be around.” I have had to learn to become strong on my own and stand my ground to the best of my abilities. I think a lot of reasoning for this treatment lies in the fact that the Deaf Culture and Deaf community is rarely talked about and rarely noted in my area. I’m like 1 in a sea of Millions. And that too is about to change.

Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Raising A Puppy You’ll make mistakes as you raise your puppy so being aware of what to do and what not to do will ensure you move forward in a positive, healthy manner. When I promised to write this article, I suggested listing the ten most common mistakes dog lovers make with puppies. My list turned into 30 or 40 points and I realized this article will be the starting point of many more conversations whether it’s in these pages or online. Hip dysplasia, vaccinosis, too many prescriptions drugs, poor bone growth, chronic diarrhea, cruciate ligament tears, obesity, epilepsy, organ failure, autoimmune disease, cancer and premature loss are often the outcomes of well intended deeds and poor advice that people get about puppy care. I hope the following 10 points serve as a springboard to ignite the engine of learning so you can go deeper and your actions will make a huge, positive difference in the life of the dog you love. Enjoy! MISTAKE #1: GETTING THE WRONG DOG We live in times when almost anything you buy can be returned. This has led to certain behaviors when it comes to getting a dog. People see a dog and don’t think about how much food a dog needs, what climate their coat and body can handle, what diseases the breed is predisposed to, how much they bark and how they connect with their people. Some dog lovers go through a harsh awakening when the food bill for their Great Dane is more than their own or they have to wear earplugs night and day because their dog barks like crazy. A Border Collie is not a good match for a couch potato, a Chihuahua is not a great avalanche rescue dog, a Chow Chow is not likely to be tolerant with kids and an Alaskan Malamute is not exactly a dog for Hawaii. Research breeds before you get your puppy. With some exceptions, most dogs come with reliable breed characteristics, which makes it easier to match your dog’s traits to your needs and situation. MISTAKE #2: GETTING A PUPPY FROM THE WRONG PLACE Most people are aware that puppy mills are some of the worst, torturous places for dogs. Many who buy a dog from a pet store or a puppy mill say they “just wanted to rescue the poor puppy” but that only supports the puppy mill machine. The only time you should adopt a puppy mill dog is after a crackdown by local authorities. Puppy mill purchasers only contribute to the misery of many canine generations. Puppy mill operators often advertise themselves as reputable breeders. That makes it increasingly important to check the puppy’s home and ensure you have not fallen for false advertising. Ideally, adopt from a reputable registered rescue organization that aligns with your beliefs and values. Find a breed-specific rescue if you want particular breed. MISTAKE #3: KNOW-IT-ALL SYNDROME Just recently I visited a friend who fostered two puppies. I saw her boyfriend spanking the puppy because it was chewing on his hand and I knew the situation was tricky. If I let him go on spanking the puppy without intervening, I would be letting the poor puppy down. So as gently as I could, I suggested that placing a toy or a bone in the puppy’s mouth or putting him in a crate for a moment would be effective without the spanking. “I know how to raise dogs!” my friend replied. “My parents had dogs and we always spanked them and they turned out alright!” In fact, dogs are not okay when they are physically punished. A dog is much better behaved and happier when we reinforce good behavior and prevent or ignore negative behavior (when it’s safe to do so). MISTAKE # 4: OVERUSE USE OF THE WORD NO Imagine you’re in a restaurant with a friend and you’d like to excuse yourself from the table for a minute to say hi to a person you know. Your friend looks at you and loudly says NO! Or you want to watch your favorite TV show and your partner, who has a different idea in mind, comes and yells at you NO! The truth is that the word NO in a commanding tone makes most people feel uncomfortable, irritated or downright angry. NO is disrespectful and negative. Dogs are no different except they can’t tell a person to treat them kindly. Their only defense is to ignore the word if it is used frequently or get away as far as possible. I remember the words of my behaviorist friend who advised me to treat my dog the same way I’d like to be treated. Kindness and patience generate trust while dominance and use of force create resistance, fear or even aggression. A good example is a situation when a dog is jumping up on people. Yelling “Fido NO!” usually creates tension. Contain your dog calmly, use a neutral tone of voice and put training of difficult tasks aside for later in a setting with minimal distraction or with the help of a positively minded behaviorist or trainer. MISTAKE #5: CHOOSING THE WRONG VETERINARIAN It’s my experience that most of my colleagues are sincere and are there for their patients and clients. However, some veterinarians are unable to separate their responsibility and duty from the idea of nancial gains or losses in their practice. It takes personal maturity and integrity to talk a client out of a $1,000 procedure when there’s a $50 solution. There are several reasons why this is happening. One is that it is extremely hard to run a profitable practice without the sales of drugs, vaccines, surgery and kibble. Another reason is veterinarians are educated by drug and pet food companies and their reps, who frequently visit clinics to teach the staff how to push their products. Before you choose a new vet, read their website, research online reviews and talk to local dog lovers. If you see a lot of negative reviews about your vet, it may be a sign you should go elsewhere. MISTAKE #6: FEEDING PROCESSED FOOD I regularly talk to other dog lovers in dog parks and on beaches and I often hear them say they feed “natural kibble.” It’s true some pet foods are made from better than average ingredients but there are several issues with processed food that may make you rethink your puppy’s diet. The dry foods like kibble or dehydrated foods put stress on your dog’s kidneys because they draw water from the body and may cause a state of dehydration. The fat in processed food can turn rancid fast. It’s common for pet food to sit in a store or warehouse for several months before it’s sold. Often I see the numbers don’t add up when I consider the per pound price of processed dog food and compare it with the price of quality meat and factor in the weight lost from dehydration. And even if your dog’s food is made of the best ingredients available, how would you like to eat the same dry food every day? Perhaps every dog lover who feeds kibble should try eating uncooked, dehydrated camp food for a weekend! Canned food is heated to high temperatures, which makes it less nutritious. Feeding your dog a raw diet, or at least a cooked meat and vegetable diet, is the best for your puppy – but don’t forget to add natural vitamins, minerals, an omega-3 supplement and probiotics. Feeding your dog a raw diet, or at least a cooked meat and vegetable diet, is the best for your puppy – but don’t forget to add natural vitamins, minerals, an omega-3 supplement and probiotics. (Start your puppy off right, start him on a raw diet! Read more …) MISTAKE #7: EXERCISING TOO LITTLE OR TOO MUCH Frequently, people exercise their dog too much because they worry about boredom and weakness. Or they don’t exercise them enough because they worry their young puppy will get hurt. As with most things in life, the truth is somewhere in between. When it comes to exercise, we should try to get as close to the natural lifestyle of dogs (and wolves)as possible. Ample play and socialization in a safe environment with dogs about the same size and age are ideal. If there is a discrepancy in size and age, rough play or injuries and ghts can be very traumatic for puppies and can be the start of reactivity and fear aggression. Ball throwing and too much sprinting, slipping and sliding cause injuries. It’s not natural for dogs to go back and forth for 15 or even 30 minutes. Dogs should mainly play, trot and run but sprint only very brie y here and there. Walking and hiking are okay but introduce your puppy gradually to these activities and use common sense with young puppies. Play and walking are more appropriate activities. If you use a daycare facility while you’re at work, stay with your dog a few minutes a few times to see how she interacts and if she truly enjoys being there. I remember putting my dog Skai in a daycare once when he was a puppy. I will never forget his look when I came back. It was simply too much for him. He also ran away from a dog walker twice because the group was too rowdy. He ended up at the nearest house where he was looked after until we found him. The truth is that dogs are like people. Some enjoy larger groups and others do better with fewer dogs. It’s important to respect your puppy’s comfort zone to keep her safe. MISTAKE #8: USING THE WRONG RESTRAINT I see many people demand that their youngster heel on leash right away. Puppies need to develop and evolve mentally to be able to grasp this challenge – similarly to a two-year-old needing to grow up a little before learning to read. The natural tendency of dogs is to pull and if you use a collar, the probability of your puppy sustaining a neck injury and thyroid gland trauma is very high. Plus, such injuries are often missed and untreated. The neck is vital to your dog’s health. It governs the function of many internal organs and conducts nerves and arteries to the body, head and brain. To keep your puppy safe, use a front clip or a combination of a front and top clip harness. Even if you your puppy doesn’t pull on the leash in general, there are When it comes to exercise, we should try to get as close to the natural lifestyle of dogs (and wolves) as possible. Ample play and socialization in a safe environment with dogs about the same size and age are ideal. The times when she’ll pull because she sees a friend, another dog or wants to sniff or chase a squirrel. I recommend never attaching a leash to your dog’s collar, and never use choke, prong or shock collars on your dog. You’ll be able to avoid serious medical problems. MISTAKE #9: USING A RETRACTABLE LEASH Many people love retractable leashes because they give their dog more freedom of movement. However this comes with a hefty price. In order for a dog to move away, it has to pull on the spring-loaded leash which creates pressure on the neck. A dog wearing a collar puts an unnatural degree of stress on the neck or the shoulders and the torso so wearing a harness with this type of leash is safest. But this is not all. When a dog gets to the end of the leash or when the leash brake is applied, it creates an extra strong jerk that can cause even more serious damage to the thyroid gland, blood vessels and nerves. One of the most common problems related to such injuries is paw licking. Dogs lick their paws because the nerves coming from the neck to the feet are pinched or injured which causes abnormal sensation and licking. MISTAKE #10: LACK OF BOUNDARIES AND SOCIALIZATION I kept this topic for last because if you ensure clear and loving boundaries, living with a dog can be the most rewarding life experience. If you don’t, your dog may turn into a little hell on wheels. Obedience is a sensitive topic but here are a few pointers that make a big difference. Socialize your puppy with other dogs as soon as the titer test comes back conforming antibodies (immunity) against distemper and parvovirus. Don’t take your puppy to a busy dog park until she’s more mature to avoid getting traumatized by rowdy dogs. Teach your dog how to stay put in an emergency in street traffic where you need to maintain control. Never scold your dog if she does something wrong, especially when she comes back to you. This may create fear and hesitation next time. Don’t let your dog beg or give her food when you’re eating at the table. As soon as you reward your dog for begging, the habit is hard to shake and your dog will be unhappy and confused. It can also be difficult if you have visitors for dinner. I see strict table manners as an act of kindness and love, not the opposite. Dogs also love clear boundaries. If you call your dog and she doesn’t come, use the cue “wait” and go and pick up your puppy. Repeated calls will make recall ine cient and put your dog in danger. Personally, I recommend using healthy treats to reward your puppy for good behavior. Wishing you and your puppy many happy years to come!