Ms. Johnson, an automobile whiplash victim, has been suffering spinal shock, but is looking forward to complete recovery. One night on evening rounds, her nurse discovered her in a fetal position, her body drenched with sweat. She was incontinent of feces and urine and her blood pressure was dangerously high. After a while, she was stabilized. How could these events happen and what is this response called?
Answer:
If Ms. Johnson had been suffering spinal shock, then it is clear that the injuries to her spine are a lot more than just whiplash injury. Evidence for this is also provided by the episode of dysautonomia (which the previous answer so succintly describes) which she suffered.I'm sure she is in good hands and appropriate investigations are being carried out. But if not, I would advise that MRI of cerivcal spine be taken to ensure that there is no cord damage (I suspect, from the spectrum of her symptoms, that there are at least some hyperintense changes in T2W images of MRI). She should also have plain X-ray of cervical spine, and if the lateral view in neutral position is normal, she should also have flexion/extension views taken to ensure that there is no instability.I repeat, this is not just a whiplash injury that you are dealing with.

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A recent publication entitled “The evaluation of endothelial function with flow mediated dilatation and carotid intima media thickness in young nonobese polycystic ovary  syndrome patients: existence of insulin resistance alone may not represent an adequate condition for deterioration of endothelial function” (1) has shown that flow mediated dilatation (FMD) was not different between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovulatory women. The FMD in PCOS women was 24.88±9.63% and 22.35±9.40% in the control group. Comparing the values for basal brachial arterial diameter (3.54±0.37 mm and 3.81±0.66 mm; PCOS and control group, respectively) and stimulated brachial arterial diameter (4.41±0.39 mm and 4.65±0.77 mm) the observed dilation was really larger than 20% for both groups. However, the expected FMD in healthy people is 7% to 10%, while the expected FMD in patients with cardiovascular disease is 0 to 5% (2). Furthermore, the great majority of studies evaluating healthy people reported mean FMD between 3% and 15% (3).

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Collection of urine sample from infants and young children is a challenging task for both the parent and physician. But, still it is necessary to have a good urine sample for an accurate urinalysis. The mother or the father should be carefully educated on how to collect a proper urine sample from an infant or from a young child. Usually supra pubic sample may be indicated for infants as it is very difficult to collect a urine sample when they are voiding.

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Rheumatology News, researchers analyzed a database that contained medical and pharmaceutical claims from 92 health plans in the U.S. They found 10,298 rheumatoid arthritis patients in the PharMetrics database from 2001 to 2005. Of that group, 87% had rheumatoid arthritis alone, 6% had rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease, 7% had rheumatoid arthritis with depression, and 0.6% had all three conditions.
The annual cost for patients with rheumatoid arthritis alone was $14,257. Having depression along with rheumatoid arthritis hiked the price tag to $21,410. Cardiovascular disease plus rheumatoid arthritis cost $24,444. Having all three -- $35,246! As you might imagine, hospitalization and an increase in number of prescriptions filled contributed to the cost. As if it weren't hard enough to live with a chronic disease, or two, or three -- it seems like the financial burden adds insult to injury.

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wrist -- the last thing you want is someone reaching for your hand -- causing even more pain. But when someone extends their hand and reaches for yours, there's often little or no time to offer a satisfactory explanation of why you would rather not shake hands.
This may seem like such a small thing -- compared to the many ways arthritis can affect your life. But it's an example of the myriad annoyances that crop up when living with arthritis. How Do You Avoid Shaking Hands Since You Have Arthritis.

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Past studies have shown a link between oral contraceptives and lupus. According to new study results published in the April 2009 issue of Arthritis Care Research -- women who take birth control pills may have an increased risk of developing lupus, especially just after "The Pill" is started.
After reviewing medical records of women in the U.K. General Practice Research Database, researchers found there was a 1.5-fold increased risk of developing lupus associated with oral contraceptives. The risk was even higher (2.5 times the risk) during the first 3 months after starting "The Pill".
Researchers believe the reason may be increased estrogen from oral contraceptives. Estrogen can affect the immune system and may enhance a woman's genetic predisposition for lupus. Researchers emphasized the risk was small and may only affect women who have a genetic predisposition for the disease. Since newer oral contraceptives contain lower doses of estrogen, the risk would be less than with older oral contraceptives used in the study.

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NSAIDs, Colchicine and steroids would assist ease the pain but only gout home remedies would cure the disease. Have you been trying to check a way to cure gout?

Most gout sufferers at some point take prescriptions like NSAIDs, colchicines or steroids. Unfortunately, all of these treatments are only a band-aid for the painful arthritis. Many doctors are now recommending simple natural treatments to flush uric acid out of your body as well as prescriptions.

But why uric acid? Research shows if you effectively flush uric acid from your body, you would be able to permanently cure gout and its symptoms. (Imagine never having to deal with gout pain again?)

How to Flush Uric Acid and Cure Gout

Uric acid is normal for the body. It is created from the metabolic breakdown of purines found in many of the foods we consume. Normally, your body would flush uric acid through the urine. But with gout sufferers, the uric acid is not flushed effectively and would build up to form crystals between joints.

Studies have found that gout could be genetic but also could be caused by ones lifestyle. Whatever the case, it is significant for every sufferer to learn basic home remedies to assist the body flush the uric acid.

Over time, uric acid crystals have been shown to break down and be flushed out of the body. Unfortunately or possibly fortunately, gout must be treated diligently over the course of a lifetime. In other words, sufferers must be pro-active about their health to avoid future attacks.

Here are 5 researched ways to start!

5 Researched Gout Home Remedies

1. Uric acid would take some time to flush. hence, it is significant you equip yourself to deal with the pain. Here are some helpful tips. You could ice your joints regularly throughout the day (5 minutes only). You may also wish to put affected joint under water for 2 minutes. It has also been shown that warm baths would also ease the pain.

2. Treatment should begin with your diet. A perfect nutrition plan for gout would be one with a high water soluble fiber count and a certain few fruits and vegetables that have anti-inflammatory properties. All fruits and veggies are great but these four have been proven the most effective for gout: carrots, celery, spinach and parsley. It has also been shown that 9 black cherries a day would also be helpful for neutralizing uric acid.

3. Learning to flush your body with the foods you eat is significant. Foods that are high in fiber (especially water soluble fiber) are critical for your treatment. be sure you are looking for whole grain foods with high dietary fiber. For instance, your cereals should be at least 5 grams of dietary fiber per serving. Your breads should be above 3 grams per serving. You should also eat at least 6 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

4. You could also dilute uric acid and breakdown crystals with your beverage of option. All doctors recommend drinking plenty of water. You may wish to try distilled water (free of minerals). You should drink at least 100 ounces of water per day. That is a tall glass every 2 hours.

5. Finally, you should educate yourself about gout and its numerous treatment options. Most treatments could be done at home and take only minutes each day. Knowledge is your most powerful weapon against any disease. Visit Gout Home Remedies for information about 30+ researched remedies you could try.

Treating Gout Now and Not Later

It has been said that gout is like cancer, the more you ignore it, the worse it would become!

If you are suffering from gout, please educate yourself on the different home treatment options out there. Because research is the basis of all treatments, there are numerous gout remedies that work and have been tested to flush uric acid. But what are they?

To discover how you could treat gout naturally in less than one day. And cure gout naturally in less than one week. Please visit our website today to discover step by step remedies that are guaranteed to work. And you could purchase all of them for the price of one meal.

100% Guaranteed! Cutting Edge Research! Step by Step! These 3 phrases and 22 years of natural health experience have made Joe Barton and Barton Publishing the leading experts in Gout Home Remedies.

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Posted on Februagy 17, 209 3 Comments
Phase 1 of the 2009 Energetix BioEnergetic College was held this past weekend in Atlanta and participants are fired-up to begin applying their new-found skills. All came to learn how to refine their BioEnergetic Testing Technique.  This allows them to eavesdrop in on the communication system of the body and discover the energetic underlying cause behind symptoms.  Armed with the results of these BioEnergetic tests, practitioners provide individualized protocols for their clients/patients and assist them in moving all the way through a healing process and eventually into a health-maintenance program.
waa z prominent feaature withinn yhis diverse gro up Cllege nrs which inclufed Med icall Dlctot s, N aturopatjs, Chirlpractors, Rerustered Nurse,s Exerciee Physoilogiqts agd otyers.  Pravtitioners dame frromm apk o ver the contdy and d brougut wijtmm the a qide eznge o v testungg techniques that inclluded TTesuing, AK, ikResonance testingg,, anf EAV screening.
The Energetix Practitioner Support staff was on hand to work one-on-one with individual practitioners as they honed their skills and began to integrate these new techniques into their practices.  Practitioners also learned from each other as they collaborated in group hands-on modules over the two-day session and will meet by webinar in a few weeks to check in and share their success stories.
The BioEnergetic College is just one of many educational offerings provided by Energetix.  To learn more about training classes in your area contact Energetix at (800) 990-7085 or check out our website at www.goenergetix.com and take your practice to the next level.

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Is therd anyone legtt in the nonprofit sector who hasnt come across a bevy of articles listing the foundations and charities that have been fippew off by Bernie Madoff and his $50 billion pyramid scheme?  The press has been tallying the losses yo investors, opeating charities, wnd foundations, but there haa been precious little ajalysis of what this mesns for the needd monitoring and oversight of how wome foundations handle theirtax exempt dollars.
What can we learn from Madoffs horrific financial shenanigans?  What does it all mean for the nonprofit sector? There are some important lessons here for every nonprofit in the U.S., whether victimized by losing the bulk of their resources or simply outraged by the cozy relationships of investors and foundationsplaying fast and loose with tax exempt moneys.

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Today Nathan and Emily went back to school after a week off. Nathan was eager to return to school however, Emily started yesterday saying how tired she was and maybe she should sleep in and skip school. Luckily she went to school with out a hitch today.

Nuno had a very busy week last week. worked a ton over over time including all day on Saturday. He came home Saturday and went to bed. He got up Sunday and went to church with us, and then ran errands with us. We got home about 2, and it had stared snowing. At that time I was developing this tight cough,but felt fine. Nuno said he felt "funny", sort of 'woozy'. I gave him a Furocet, and he went to bed about 4. He woke up about 6:30 and was really grouchy and kind of confused. Great, here we go again. By this time my voice was shot, couldn't speak above a whisper.

I made Nuno something to eat, and he was much better after he ate. This morning we woke up to ice and snow, and I had a 90 minute delay for work, the kids were in on time. My voice is still gone, so I called out from work. There is no way I could work with out talking. My boss couldn't even hear me on the phone, so I had to E-mail her. So I have been drinking tea and gargling with warm salt water. Still no change in my voice, so we will see how long this will go.



Natural Home Remedies for Laryngitis


Salt. A saltwater gargle helps heal infected and inflamed vocal cords and sore throats. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup warm water and gargle several times a day as needed. Be careful to use the correct amount of salt. Gargling with a solution as salty as the sea will only increase the irritation.

Vinegar. Viruses and bacteria dread an acidic environment, so why not make your mouth one big, albeit weak, acid bath? Gargling with vinegar, a weak acid, can help wipe out many infectious organisms. Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into a cup, mix, and gargle two to four times a day. You can also gargle with straight vinegar, but some people find it too strong, especially at first.


Lemon. Some folk remedies require you to suck on a lemon to cure a sore throat. An impossible task, indeed! Spare yourself the face-contorting agony and try a lemon juice and salt gargle instead. Lemon is naturally acidic and helps stimulate saliva flow. The salt increases the lemon's acidity, which in turn helps kill many microorganisms prone to weak acids. To make this gargle, juice a whole lemon into a bowl and add a pinch of sea salt (or regular salt). Mix well. Add 1 teaspoon of the concentrated lemon/salt mixture to 1 cup warm water. Gargle three to four times a day as needed. Also try hot tea with lemon, or even lemon drops, to keep your throat moist.


Soap and water. Laryngitis can be caused by a viral infection and is easily spread by hand-to-hand contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. Avoiding such germs is one of the best ways to prevent laryngitis. If you or someone around you has a cold, be extra vigilant about washing your hands with warm water and soap. Clean common surfaces, such as the telephone and door handles, with vinegar and a clean cloth.

Water. Keep the throat moistened and stay hydrated by drinking your daily amount of water (eight 8-ounce glasses per day). Fruit juices also fit the bill, as do warm, noncaffeinated drinks, which may feel extra-soothing on sore throat tissues.


Garlic. Should you have a strong stomach and no social events to attend, try what the Amish and Seventh Day Adventists suggest for treating sore throats and viral infections: Suck on a slice of garlic. Garlic, when sliced or crushed, releases the antimicrobial substance allicin. Allicin kills bacteria, including strep and some viruses. Slice a garlic clove down the middle and place half a clove on each side of the mouth. Pretend the cloves are lozenges and suck on them. Use as often as necessary, or as often as you can handle garlic breath.

Ginger. Fragrant, fresh ginger can help soothe inflamed mucous membranes of the larynx. Try sucking on candied ginger if available or drink a cup of ginger tea. To prepare the tea, cut a fresh 1- to 2-inch gingerroot into thin slices and place in 1 quart boiling water. Cover the pot and simmer on the lowest heat for 30 minutes. Let cool for 30 more minutes, strain, and drink 1/2 to 1 cup three to five times a day. Sweeten with honey if neede

Steam. Dry indoor air, so common in the wintertime, combined with an irritated throat can make you extra miserable. Start the day off steamy. Bring half a pot of water to boil, remove from stove, and place on a protected surface. Drape a towel over your head, lean forward over the pot, and breathe gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to stick your face too close. Repeat in the evening before bedtime.



A Bad Habit: Being Hard On Ourselves

One of the key components of human consciousness that most of us need to address and change is our tendency to be hard on ourselves. We do this in ways that are both overt and subtle, and half the work sometimes is recognizing that we are doing it at all. For example, if we find it difficult to graciously accept compliments, this is probably a sign that we tend to be hard on ourselves. Other ways in which we express this tendency include never feeling satisfied with a job well done, always wanting to be and do better, and getting mad at ourselves for getting sick. Getting mad at ourselves at all indicates that we need to rescue ourselves from our learned ability to be unkind to ourselves.

In essence, when we are hard on ourselves, we send our bodies the message that we are not good enough. Whenever we do this, we do damage that will need to be addressed later, and we sap our systems of much-needed energy. Being hard on ourselves is a waste of precious time and energy that we could use in positive ways. To begin to understand how this works, we can think about times when someone made us feel that we werent good enough. Even just thinking about it will create an effect in our bodies that doesnt feel good. We may be used to the feeling, but when we really tune into it, we instinctively know that it is not good for us on any level.

Like any bad habit, being hard on ourselves can be a challenging one to release, but the more we feel the burden it places on us, the more motivated we will be to change. At first, just noticing when we are doing it and how it makes us feel is enough. As our awareness increases, our innate impulse toward health and well-being will be activated, moving us out of danger and into a more positive and more natural relationship with ourselves.

~ From dailyom.

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Methotrexate Blues

Upping my Methotrexate to .8 has had a big impact on me. I wouldnt think that going from .6 ml to .8 ml would be that much of a difference but this past two weeks has been really hard. I am hoping that it is just a temporary thing and my body adjusting to it because I know two other people who are on this dosage, who are smaller than me physically, and seem to handle it much better. It appears that when you take it and how much I sleep has some sort of effect on how much it hammers me. My friend takes it in the morning and has had a lot of success in not feeling as bad. When I tried this it did seem to help with some of the symptoms but I noticed that the nausea was much worse. I am still trying to work into some sort of a grove with this. Another aspect of this is when and how much folic acid to take, which I havent gotten very much clarity from my doctor on. What I am doing is taking 800 micrograms every day except the day of injection. I will need to do some more research on this to make sure that this is the best course of action.

New Pulmonologist

My roomatologist doctor insisted that I find another Pulmonologist because he wanted to make sure that everything was going okay with my lungs. I did some research and finally found one that I was really impressed with. He is very knowledgeable and most importantly is willing to thoughtfully listen to and answer all of my questions. I went over all of my history with him and was able to use him as a second opinion, which I always like to do. He confirmed everything my roomatologist is doing which helps build confidence that I am doing the right thing.

I did another lung function test and it came out 89% normal for people my age and size, which is good. (10% swelling of lymph node probably makes up for the difference) We went over all my old X-Rays and my CAT scan and he showed me all the different parts of my liver, spleen, etc and how they appear to be clear of any effects of the sarcoidosis. He mentioned that many people dont take any medicine for sarcoid as long as it isnt scaring any tissue or causing side effects that cant be dealt with, such and severe pain in my ankles. He said that just having swollen lymph nodes in ones chest is fine as long as it doesnt show up in the lungs etc. Right now this is what is happening to me, although I am on medicine. The goal is to get to this point with out the medicine.

He was a bit concerned that I was on three medicines with out an absolute confirmation that I have sarcoid by biopsy. I talked with him at length about this as my last Pulmonologist couldnt give me a good enough reason (in my opinion) to get a biopsy. He made a few compelling points that really resonated with me. The key being that although it very much appeared to be Sarcoidosis, making that assumption with out proof could cause complications with diagnosis in the future. He pulled up my CAT scan and pointed out that the doctor who had interpreted the finding put consistent with sarcoidosis. The request for the CAT scan had mentioned sarcoidosis and so the doctor was for sarcoidosis instead of keeping an open mind. My Pulmonologist pointed out that the CAT scan was also consistent with lymphoma, but that this was not in the report. Now my Pulmonologist didnt think that it was lymphoma but with out having a positive diagnosis mistakes like this could be made. Also in the future is there were problems in the liver or other areas it might be blamed on sarcoidosis, and what if I didnt have sarcoidosis but some other thing that appeared like it. He also said that sarcoidosis is a life long thing, or in other word I could have flair ups through out my life, so it was worth investing in the additional tests to be sure of our findings.


Falling Among Cutthroats

After all of this I found myself reluctantly convinced that perhaps I should get a biopsy so I did yesterday. Thy put a nice little scar at the base of my throat so now I can joke about falling among cutthroats in some dark ally in a desperate fight for my life. Ha Ha. They were able to confirm that it is indeed sarcoidosis. Today I am recovering from the surgery. (Isnt Lortab great?) Ha Ha! Perhaps it will help with the Methotrexate I will need to take tomorrow. :) Ha Ha

Today is the day I step down again on my Prednisone to 15 mg per day! I am very excited about this. The faster I can get off of Prednisone the better! All in all I am still making progress. I am holding my weight, dropping the Prednisone, keeping the symptoms at a minimum and moving forward. I do have to admit though, there are some really really hard days, but all in all I am making strong progress.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects

Methotrexate Blues

Upping my Methotrexate to .8 has had a big impact on me. I wouldnt think that going from .6 ml to .8 ml would be that much of a difference but this past two weeks has been really hard. I am hoping that it is just a temporary thing and my body adjusting to it because I know two other people who are on this dosage, who are smaller than me physically, and seem to handle it much better. It appears that when you take it and how much I sleep has some sort of effect on how much it hammers me. My friend takes it in the morning and has had a lot of success in not feeling as bad. When I tried this it did seem to help with some of the symptoms but I noticed that the nausea was much worse. I am still trying to work into some sort of a grove with this. Another aspect of this is when and how much folic acid to take, which I havent gotten very much clarity from my doctor on. What I am doing is taking 800 micrograms every day except the day of injection. I will need to do some more research on this to make sure that this is the best course of action.

New Pulmonologist

My roomatologist doctor insisted that I find another Pulmonologist because he wanted to make sure that everything was going okay with my lungs. I did some research and finally found one that I was really impressed with. He is very knowledgeable and most importantly is willing to thoughtfully listen to and answer all of my questions. I went over all of my history with him and was able to use him as a second opinion, which I always like to do. He confirmed everything my roomatologist is doing which helps build confidence that I am doing the right thing.

I did another lung function test and it came out 89% normal for people my age and size, which is good. (10% swelling of lymph node probably makes up for the difference) We went over all my old X-Rays and my CAT scan and he showed me all the different parts of my liver, spleen, etc and how they appear to be clear of any effects of the sarcoidosis. He mentioned that many people dont take any medicine for sarcoid as long as it isnt scaring any tissue or causing side effects that cant be dealt with, such and severe pain in my ankles. He said that just having swollen lymph nodes in ones chest is fine as long as it doesnt show up in the lungs etc. Right now this is what is happening to me, although I am on medicine. The goal is to get to this point with out the medicine.

He was a bit concerned that I was on three medicines with out an absolute confirmation that I have sarcoid by biopsy. I talked with him at length about this as my last Pulmonologist couldnt give me a good enough reason (in my opinion) to get a biopsy. He made a few compelling points that really resonated with me. The key being that although it very much appeared to be Sarcoidosis, making that assumption with out proof could cause complications with diagnosis in the future. He pulled up my CAT scan and pointed out that the doctor who had interpreted the finding put consistent with sarcoidosis. The request for the CAT scan had mentioned sarcoidosis and so the doctor was for sarcoidosis instead of keeping an open mind. My Pulmonologist pointed out that the CAT scan was also consistent with lymphoma, but that this was not in the report. Now my Pulmonologist didnt think that it was lymphoma but with out having a positive diagnosis mistakes like this could be made. Also in the future is there were problems in the liver or other areas it might be blamed on sarcoidosis, and what if I didnt have sarcoidosis but some other thing that appeared like it. He also said that sarcoidosis is a life long thing, or in other word I could have flair ups through out my life, so it was worth investing in the additional tests to be sure of our findings.


Falling Among Cutthroats

After all of this I found myself reluctantly convinced that perhaps I should get a biopsy so I did yesterday. Thy put a nice little scar at the base of my throat so now I can joke about falling among cutthroats in some dark ally in a desperate fight for my life. Ha Ha. They were able to confirm that it is indeed sarcoidosis. Today I am recovering from the surgery. (Isnt Lortab great?) Ha Ha! Perhaps it will help with the Methotrexate I will need to take tomorrow. :) Ha Ha

Today is the day I step down again on my Prednisone to 15 mg per day! I am very excited about this. The faster I can get off of Prednisone the better! All in all I am still making progress. I am holding my weight, dropping the Prednisone, keeping the symptoms at a minimum and moving forward. I do have to admit though, there are some really really hard days, but all in all I am making strong progress.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects

A really interesting study from Turkey looked at serum homocysteine levels in patients with psoriasis. Elevated homocysteine levels are a recognized risk factor for heart disease. More recently, psoriasis itself has been proposed as an independent risk factor for heart disease. Two interesting finding from the study should be mentioned. Firstly, overally homocysteine levels did not differ significantly between psoriasis patients and controls. Second, and of possible clinical importance to patients is that homocysteine levels did correlate with the severity of psoriasis. Once conclusion that could possibly be raised by such data is that reducing the severity of psoriasis may in fact reduce the severity of heart disease. Although this has not been studied in and of itself, it may change the risk/benefit profiles of many treatments. The side effects of some psoriasis treatments may be more acceptable if in fact heart disease risk is also being mitigated.

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Question: My mother is 92-years-old and has lung cancer that has metastasized to her liver and brain. She has been declared incompetent and terminal by her physicians. She has stopped eating and her physicians have asked the family to consider inserting a feeding tube in her to give her nourishment. Are we required to insert a feeding tube?
Answer:
Traditional moralists made a clear distinction between allowing-to-die, which entails foregoing disproportionate means where death is foreseen but not directly intended and direct killing by euthanasia. Allowing a patient to die by foregoing aggressive, non-beneficial treatments is not only morally permissible, but it is treating the patient with dignity and respect. The decision is based on the fact that physiological existence no longer offers these patients any hope at all of pursuing those goods for which human life is the fundamental condition. I would conclude that if the family believes that the feeding tube is burdensome and does not offer a reasonable hope of benefit for their mother, then the feeding tube would not need to be inserted. One option would be to place their mother in hospice or move toward palliative care only.
This position is supported by the tradition of the Catholic Church. The history of the Catholic Church’s position on the ordinary-extraordinary means distinction dates back to the 16th century Dominican moralists. The Dominican moralists, followed the tradition of the Church that states human life is a good but not an absolute good. As a relative good, one’s duty to preserve it is a limited duty. While a person has freedom over his or her life, one is never permitted to directly take one’s life. The issue becomes to what extent is one obligated to preserve one’s life. The traditional understanding of ordinary-extraordinary means remained basically unchallenged until the mid-1900s with the advent of advances in medicine and technology. How to apply the early distinction of ordinary-extraordinary means to issues like oxygen and feeding tubes, especially with permanently unconscious patients became hotly debated as early as the 1950s. Jesuit moralist Gerald Kelly was one of the first to examine this issue critically. He defined ordinary means of preserving life as “all medicines, treatments, and operations, which offer a reasonable hope of benefit for the patient and which can be obtained and used without excessive expense, pain, or other inconvenience.” Extraordinary means would be “all medicines, treatments, and operations, which cannot be obtained or used without excessive expense, pain, or other inconvenience, or which, if used, would not offer a reasonable hope of benefit” (Kelly, Medico-Moral Problems, 1957). The distinctive element of Kelly’s interpretation is that it is a patient-centered, quality-of-life approach which is consistent with how the 16th-century-Dominican moralists viewed this distinction. Kelly concludes that no person is morally obligated to use any means, and this would include natural or artificial means, that does not offer a reasonable hope of ameliorating the patient’s condition.
A contemporary understanding of the ordinary-extraordinary means distinction was given in the 1980 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faiths’ Declaration on Euthanasia. The Declaration follows the tradition on the ordinary-extraordinary means distinction since the 16th century, which is based on the effect of the treatment on the patient or those responsible for the care of the patient. The Declaration reminds us of the duty one has to care for one’s own life and to seek such care for others. But there are limits to this obligation. One needs to judge the means used by “studying the type of treatment to be used, its degree of complexity or risk, its cost and the possibilities of using it, and comparing these elements with the result that can be expected, taking into account the state of the sick person and his or her physical and moral resources” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “Declaration on Euthanasia,” 1980). The Declaration goes on to give four examples: patients are permitted to use experimental, advanced medical techniques, which may be a service to humanity; patients may interrupt treatments if they fall short of expectations; the refusal of a technique that is in use and carries a risk or is burdensome is not equivalent to suicide; finally, when death is imminent in spite of the means used, it is permitted in conscience to make the decision to refuse forms of treatment that would only secure a precarious and burdensome prolongation of life, so long as the normal care due to the sick person in similar cases is not interrupted (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1980). Finally, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith reflects the traditional teaching when it writes: “Life is a gift from God, and on the other hand death is unavoidable; it is necessary, therefore, that we, without in any way hastening the hour of death, should be able to accept it with full responsibility and dignity” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1980). The only real change is that the document realizes that the terms ordinary and extraordinary are imprecise as terms in regards to the rapid advancement of medicine and technology. More precise terms would be proportionate and disproportionate (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1980).
The U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s fourth edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs) provide authoritative ethical guidance for all those working in Catholic Health Care facilities. The introduction to Part 6 states the more restrictive standard: “These statements agree that hydration and nutrition are not morally obligatory either when they bring no comfort to a person who is imminently dying or when they cannot be assimilated by the person’s body” (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Introduction-Part 6, 2001). Directive 58 states clearly that, “There should be a presumption in favor of providing nutrition and hydration to all patients, including patients who require medically assisted nutrition and hydration, as long as this is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the burdens involved to the patient” (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, 2001). This directive follows the traditional understanding of the ordinary-extraordinary means distinction, in which the benefits-burdens are understood broadly relative to the patient.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects

Humans have always sought the secret of eternal youth. Would not it be lovely to remain as beautiful or beautiful as you are at 17 for the rest of your life? Is that really a pipe dream? Do humans have learned to fly in the thin air, they have managed to achieve and walk on the moon, have learned to travel in - water can find a way to turn back the clock on aging? There are a lot of hopes that this is indeed possible. The gaps in skin care for anti-aging bring new hope daily. There are billions of dollars spent each year on research that would highlight the key time to invest in aging as people would have done anything of the secret. There have been many of the herbs that stop the clock, as Goji berries, the Seng ging and red wine grapes and so delayed that somehow the clock in large part. However, science is still offering something concrete to reverse the aging clock.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects

Last Tuesday, 05 December 2006, decisionfreedom together with his mother and cousin visited Dr. Lichauco for consultation. The consultation was previously requested by Lichauco after taking the methotrexate drug for about 6 weeks. During the meeting, decisionfreedom reported that no improvement has been noticed in his condition, as the pain returns immediately after stopping the intake of the Arcoxia painkiller.
Lichauco analyzed decisionfreedoms blood test results. On the first blood test requested by Lichauco on 12 October 2006, decisionfreedoms ESR figure was at a very high value of 47 mm/hr. The normal range for ESR is between 0 to 15 mm/hr. After 4 weeks into taking the methotrexate, last 11 November 2006, decisionfreedoms blood test revealed a normal figure of 4 mm/hr.
According to Lichauco, the ESR figure is used as an indicator to determine if there is some kind of swelling occurring within the body. A value of 47 mm/hr definitely shows that there is swelling occurring. However, a value of 4 mm/hr shows that swelling must have subsided and that little or no pain should be felt in the body.The normal ESR value of 4 mm/hr contradicted decisionfreedoms report of having no improvement in his medical condition. Lichauco says that perhaps the blood test was not accurately obtained, as the examination was done by a less established institution compared to the St. Lukes Medical Center. The 4 mm/hr value was reported by Intercon Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc.
Because of decisionfreedoms complaint, Lichauco was inclined to believe that swelling was still occurring in decisionfreedoms body. He examined decisionfreedoms knees and discovered that decisionfreedoms right knee was still hot compared to decisionfreedoms left knee. This was then that Lichauco recommended to increase the methotrexate dosage.
Previously decisionfreedoms methotrexate dosage was pegged at 3 tablets per week or a total of 7.5 mg per week as each tablet contained 2.5 mg. This dosage, according to Lichauco, was quite low and he was hoping that decisionfreedoms condition would respond to the minimum dosage of 7.5 mg per week. However, as decisionfreedoms condition did not improve, Lichauco thought that it would be worth a try to increase the methotrexate dosage by 1 tablet per week. As such the new dosage was set at 4 tablets per week or a total of 10 mg per week. Lichauco was hesitant to increase the dosage to 5 tablets per week because according to him, decisionfreedoms physical body frame was small. As such, increasing the dosage drastically might cause significant side effects.
After 4 weeks into using the new dosage, Lichauco requests that another blood test be taken in order to check if the drug is affecting decisionfreedoms liver and kidneys. For the mean time, Lichauco requested for an HLA-B27 blood test determination. The presence of the HLA-B27 gene in the blood stream will build up confidence on Lichaucos speculation that decisionfreedoms disease might indeed be spondyloarthropathy. With the higher confidence, Lichauco will be able to more confidently build his strategy towards alleviating the disease of spondyloarthropathy.
Lichauco explained that as for the moment, he cannot classify as to what type of spondyloarthropathy decisionfreedom has. He has so far ruled out AS or ankylosing spondilitis due to the absense of bone fusing in decisionfreedoms sacroiliac region. Because of the indetermination, Lichauco categorized decisionfreedoms disease to be an undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy.As the methotrexate drug has yet to take its effect, Lichauco recommended for decisionfreedom to continue on using the Arcoxia painkiller. The painkiller is set at 90 mg per day but Lichauco advises to take the drug on an as-needed basis only. That is, to take the drug only if there is pain. When no pain is present, then it would be beneficial to skip taking the painkiller for the day, in order to minimize the risk of damage in decisionfreedoms internal organs.
As the treatment for spondyloarthropathy has to be wholistic, Lichauco requested that decisionfreedom undergo physical rehabilitation sessions in a rehabilitation center of his choice. The program sessions should be designed by a physical therapy doctor in the center. Lichauco recommeneded his friend Dr. Aycardo who works at the Sta. Teresita General Hospital along D. Tuazon St. in Quezon City, and also at the Spring Rehabilitation Center in the Tektite Tower in Mandaluyong City.
Lichauco mentioned that doing swimming exercises is very beneficial towards alleviating the spondyloarthropathy condition. However, decisionfreedom will not be able to swim comfortably if his joints are swollen and partially immobilized. As such, it would be best to undergo physical therapy sessions first.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects

The Path to Paradise (a Swiss Folk Tale)

Many years ago a poor tinsmith, who repaired pots and pans for a living, could no longer feed his family for he could not find work. Wherever he went he only found people living in greatest need and terrible suffering for the plague had infested villages and towns. Often entire families were struck down, including cattle and even the family dog. The survivors ran wildly through the streets as if insane or sat lifeless in front of their houses, stunned and brooding. The poor tinsmith had passed through all the villages on the shadow side of the Rhone River and had sold only a few small scraps. Tired and dejected, he crossed the Rhone River and thought he would now try walking on the sunny side. But the plague had wreaked havoc there also. He climbed up the mountain slag panting and gasping for breath. From time to time he had to wipe the sweat from his brow. His only wish was to lie down and rest, rest for all time. In the village he was now passing through it was deathly still. The house doors were wide open; the evil smell of corpses wafted through the alleyways and made him shudder. No one responded to his knocking. On the threshold of the last house sat a man as old as the stone cliffs, he had a long snarled beard and green, bulging frog eyes. Sadly, the little man gazed up and said in a rattling voice: You dont need to come here with your tin pots, you wont sell any here, the plague has been guest in this abode. Yes, I am the sole survivor of the village and I wont buy anything from you. I have plenty of good and bad utensils in excess. I have become a rich man, the entire village belongs to me and me alone, and he laughed wildly and struck his forehead with his palm. Then he glared at the tinsmith with the same sad gaze. Should I show you the way to where you will find work?

The tinsmith shifted the heavy bundle on his back and said: Yes, Id be happy to find some work, but Im sure there is nothing anywhere and the pots will stay on my back!

The little man made a sign that the man should follow him. He placed a thick hazel branch between the pots and tin pans, shifted the bundle with the stick and plodded behind the little man, who slowly climbed the mountain. Every ten steps the man stopped, coughed but finally led him to an open field, which was easy to climb at the far end. But the front end of the field was a jagged drop-off, filled with fir trees. The sun had just sunk behind the mountain and it would soon be dark. The little man pointed to a narrow path, which led from the base of the cliff, on which they stood, in a straight direction but always upward, over the broad Rhone Valley to the peak of the Eliserhorn, which projected through the dark mass of the cliff with its snow-covered peak. On the peak of the Eliserhorn there burned a light, not larger than a star in heaven. The little man cried: Take this path and always, always follow the light! A deep, dark night will break and evil spirits will seemingly build broad bridges for you; you must not lose sight of the light, otherwise you will sink into endless night. The ocean lies below the bridge. It will remain calm as a green mountain lake, then it will become red and then roaring and finally will become sulfur-yellow and putrid. The raging waves will beat over your path and threaten to devour you.

The tinsmith thanked the old man as the distant, remote light started to awaken new hope within him. He grasped his bundle of pots tightly and with the little light firmly in his gaze, he began his climb up the narrow aerial path. His stride was slow and deliberate, his steps long so that the tin ware on his back rattled with each step. He looked at the green shimmering surface of the water, which extended before him like an endless sea. But soon the sea glimmered a purple-red; the waves began to curl over and became larger and larger. Soon, they began to rock back and forth and he became dizzy. He began to stagger and stumble but found his equilibrium again and again with his hazel stick. When he looked into the waters depths for only a heartbeat, he thought he would crash into the waves, but he immediately gazed up into the radiating light and stepped weakly in that direction. He paid no attention to the beautiful, wide and brightly illuminated bridge, which enticingly rose from the water and formed a bridge to the narrow and bumpy path he was on. The closer the little light appeared on the peak of the Eliserhorn, the brighter it burned. The path was now enveloped in the depths of darkness and below him the waters raged like an ocean storm. The yellow shimmering waves rolled with unceasing force against the ramp he walked on. Now the water breached the path and threatened to tear him away. The spray, hitting the granite cliff edges, splashed up striking his face and enveloping him in a veil of foam, drenching his clothes. The putrid water took his breath away. But now he was close to the light and with his last strength, he pushed himself through the foaming surf and the waves, which rose up to his left and right were as high as towers.

The sea suddenly subsided below him. A great calm descended all around. He was at his destination and stood on a large, level place. Before him stood a mighty church built of snow-white marble. In its beautiful, richly decorated façade he counted twelve doors. The tip of the tower seemed to extend into the heavens and shone like a star, in white blinding light. It all seemed so solemn, so beautiful and holy that he had to fold his hands in prayer. Over the entrance gate could be read: Church of Eternal Joy. On both sides of the gate guards stood in white shirts with golden collars, on which were written S Z (sit Zion). The one held a pick on his shoulder, the other a shovel.

The tinsmith wanted to put down his heavy bundle to enter the church properly, as is fitting; but the guards motioned to him he should take everything with him. So he stepped through the gate with the rattling bundle and entered a richly illuminated hall filled with people. It looked like the inside of any church at home, but only here it was much larger, majestic and solemn. The hall at the front and back was crossed by a passage. On the right side of the front passage he noticed a funeral pyre. He set down his tin ware as quietly as possible, kneeled completely exhausted and covered in sweat on a riser and listened to the beautiful heavenly music, which came to him from the choir. The sound was like the rushing of the organ, and other times was like the rushing of a forest stream, which fell from the heights and then rushed peacefully through a green meadow. The souls in the passage were enveloped in white robes, turned their backs to the gate and held both hands before their faces. The souls in the passage before the choir, under which he was also standing, supported their arms on the prayer stool and did not pay any attention to him.

The tinsmith hardly dared breathe, he was gripped by such solemn feelings. As far as the eye could reach, everything was rigid, unmoving figures. Only in the choir before him was there bright laughter as if the angels themselves were rejoicing. It must be wonderful there; he had to reach that spot.

He stood up, but two white-clad youth approached him, softly taking his arm, they said he must not enter the choir so dirty. He should wait a bit. He sank back onto the prayer bench, but when the youth vanished, he tried going forward again. For something pulled him there with irresistible force. Two med appeared in red robes and said to him Follow us, you are not yet clean, we will wash you and cleanse you, then when you may join the throng that sing and praise in the choir!

They led him by the arm through the throng, which silently made room for him. Proceeding through the door of a passage, he climbed the steps of a high tower and opened the door to a lovely room. On the table lay a scourge and tightly twisted cords. On the wall stood washing utensils and fastened to the wall sparkling faucets could be seen. The men removed his clothes, filled the barrels with water: first tepid and then boiling water. They scourged him with the whip so that his skin fell off, then they splashed him with ice-cold water and immediately his body was covered with young, fresh skin. The horrible pain turned into a wonderful, heavenly feeling of comfort. After this, they dressed him in a soft muslin shirt and said he could now pass through the door. The led him down the steps and through the passageway to the singing saints, asked him to kneel on a large, cushioned riser and ask the Heavenly Father for a beautiful cap of eternal life. He should imagine something of indescribable beautiful and then wish for it. He knelt in the choir and fervently prayed the Our Father so that he soon forgot to wish. He was hardly done, when the youth were once more at his side and waved to him to follow so that he could make room for another. They stepped out to the temple and arriving before its doors, wandered almost a half hour on a beautiful and wide street. High trees with large leaves marked the path. The trees were of such splendor, he had never laid eyes on such marvels. Between the branches he saw a garden inestimable size, from which the most wonderful sweet smells of flowers emanated. He drank in the fragrance and could not get enough of it. Before him stood vineyards, which hang ripe with fruit.

Eat your fill, the guide said to him. He picked a grape but each time he raised the fruit to his lips, he felt already satisfied. When he had tried every assortment, one of the youth presented him with the key to his house, which hung on a green band. He would now be the occupant of this house.

He could not really say what it looked like, for the splendor glimmered before his eyes and completely enveloped him. He only saw how enormous carnation stalks from the darkest red to the brightest snow-white hung over the wall. When he asked whether he could open all doors with this single key, the youth replied, this one key opened every door. Then he asked whether he could not fetch his family and his relatives and friends, because it was so beautiful here and he felt so happy. The youth replied: They will come but not all. Do you see over there in front of the large gate to the cathedral? There stands the bishop with his tall miter cap and long staff. He has been standing there for a long time and must wait even longer, for he wont be let inside!
He nodded his head and thanked them once more. Then the youth vanished.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects

Well I was never sure of what it did, but I wake up every morning no later than 4am in terrible pain with abdominal cramps so that drug is not entering my system again, at the suggestion of my nurse. Anyway, the consultation went well, I go back on Friday to confirm the chest x-ray and TB test were OK, then I have to wait about a month for funding to be approved. I should be bitter perhaps about waiting again when Ive worked for 21 years and paid so much tax and NI, but hey, I just want the new drug and another month is bearable. When I asked if the drug cost £10k a year she said it was more than that!
Once delivery has been arranged a nurse will then come round to check Im using the injection pen properly - I played with a demo pen yesterday and it all seemed straightforward. Injecting doesnt bother me, especially if the benefits are as good as Im hoping for; finding a fleshy bit on my body may prove difficult though! Im not building my hopes up too high, but it does sound promising and after the last six months Id try most things to improve my quality of life. I want to get back to cycling and taking photos, both of which have almost disappeared since July; Im just thankful to have the support of Claire, William and family when I need them.
Next update when theres more news.

Similar posts: methotrexate side effects

Once again following Chance here, who commented on the Grammy Records of the Year. It looked like fun, so I'm joining in.

2008
Winner: Rehab, Amy Winehouse. I didn't join in the showering of praise for it. Meh.
My Favorite Nominee: Umbrella, Rihanna featuring Jay-Z.
My Favorite Single That Year: Shut Up and Drive, Rihanna. It's sexier and more playful than "Umbrella."

2007
Winner: Not Ready to Make Nice, Dixie Chicks. It's not a terrible song, really, but it's such an obvious choice. It Makes a Statement. It's about the only Dixie Chicks song I can listen to, but it's not something I put on intentionally.
My Favorite Nominee: Crazy, Gnarls Barkley. It's perfection.
My Favorite Single That Year: Crazy, Gnarls Barkley. See previous comment.

2006
Winner: Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Green Day. As I've said before on this blog, I'm not a big fan of what Green Day has on offer. I mean, they're kind of okay, this is one of the better songs, but I don't find them as astounding as other people seem to.
My Favorite Nominee: Gold Digger, Kanye West. The only Kanye single I've ever liked or will like.
My Favorite Single That Year: All These Things That I've Done, the Killers.

2005
Winner: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles Norah Jones. You know, I'm not even sure I've ever heard this.
My Favorite Nominee: American Idiot, Green Day. Not much of a crop this year in the nominee pool, but I actually do really like this song.
My Favorite Single That Year: American Idiot, Green Day.

2004
Winner: Clocks, Coldplay. One of the few songs I give them credit for in their endless quest to become the Divine Comedy without anyone noticing. Overrated, but a decent adult contemporary song.
My Favorite Nominee: Hey Ya, OutKast. A perfect pop single. It was overplayed (as was "Clocks"), but it's just so damn good.
My Favorite Single That Year: Hey Ya, OutKast.

2003
Winner: Don't Know Why, Norah Jones. Pretty, but it got old fast. Very adult contemporary, which is still the sound that wins the Grammys. The only Norah Jones song I love is "Sunrise."
My Favorite Nominee: Without Me, Eminem. I hate the guy, but his music is very well-produced. This is pretty much the one song of his I like.
My Favorite Single That Year: Beautiful, Christina Aguilera.

2002
Winner: Walk On, U2. I couldn't pick this song out of a line-up. I like about enough U2 songs to fill a single CD.
My Favorite Nominee: Ms. Jackson, OutKast. I notice "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys was nominated, too. That's a song I'll be thrilled to never hear again.
My Favorite Single That Year: Lady Marmelade, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya Li'l Kim. The only thing I liked to come out of Moulin Rouge.

2001
Winner: Beautiful Day, U2. Now that's a U2 song that I like very much. And it makes me feel pretty good.
My Favorite Nominee: Beautiful Day, U2.
My Favorite Single That Year: Beautiful Day, U2.

2000
Winner: Smooth, Santana featuring Rob Thomas. I got so sick of this song playing every minute on every radio station and commercial. I think Santana's pretty overrated, to be honest.
My Favorite Nominee: I don't like any of the songs nominated this year.
My Favorite Single That Year: ...Baby One More Time, Britney Spears. Dopey, sure, but everything that makes a pop single great.

1999
Winner: My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion. This was very easy to get sick of as well; cloying and over-the-top and insisting on its own epic greatness. Blurg. The music's pretty; I have a string quartet version that didn't make it onto the soundtrack (from a promo CD) that's lovely. It doesn't need Celine Dion or lyrics to work. It sounds better without them.
My Favorite Nominee: Ray of Light, Madonna. I don't have much to say about it, but it works.
My Favorite Single That Year: Flagpole Sitta, Harvey Danger. That song just makes me feel awesome. I love it.

1998
Winner: Sunny Came Home, Shawn Colvin. Music from the nineties has an overwhelming percentage of suck, more than any decade. It's like America went through menopause and could only listen to this kind of sappy pap. I hate this thing, and thanks to the Crap and Crap Lite stations being played where I worked constantly, I heard it way too many fucking times.
My Favorite Nominee: MMMBop, Hanson. It's a default choice; it's the one I think is okay whereas I despise all the others (especially "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" by Paul Cole, which should be classified a form of abuse).
My Favorite Single That Year: The End Is the Beginning Is the End, Smashing Pumpkins. I love that they used it in the Watchmen trailer.

1997
Winner: Change the World, Eric Clapton. I'm not much of a Clapton fan, really. I did like this song, although it's association with the awful Scientology-promoting John Travolta film Phenomenon counts against it a tad. It's not earth-shaking, but it's a solid, not-unpleasant song.
My Favorite Nominee: 1979, Smashing Pumpkins. Haunting, beautiful, and bittersweet.
My Favorite Single That Year: 1979, Smashing Pumpkins.

1996
Winner: Kiss from a Rose, Seal. I think it's a beautiful song. I used to hear it a lot on the radio as I was driving to work in the winter at a very dark 5 in the morning. That's the perfect time to hear it. It'll take you on a trip.
My Favorite Nominee: Kiss from a Rose, Seal.
My Favorite Single That Year: Kiss from a Rose, Seal.

1995
Winner: All I Wanna Do, Sheryl Crow. Blurg. Not a song I like.
My Favorite Nominee: Streets of Philadelphia, Bruce Springsteen. Beautiful, sad, and seething with quiet ange, disappointment, and acceptance of fear.
My Favorite Single That Year: Streets of Philadelphia, Bruce Springsteen.

1994
Winner: I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston. Piece of overplayed shit. Especially in comparison to the original Dolly Parton song, which is perfect.
My Favorite Nominee: The River of Dreams, Billy Joel.
My Favorite Single That Year: Fields of Gold, Sting. Kind of a cheesy choice, perhaps, but I can always hear it and always love it. It's simple and pretty.

1993
Winner: Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton. It doesn't quite hold up for me, honestly, but it's miles better than fellow nominee "Achy Breaky Heart." It's a very pretty song, but not my favorite of Clapton's.
My Favorite Nominee: Constant Craving, k.d. lang. I like the passion.
My Favorite Single That Year: One, U2. One of the most achingly beautiful songs I've ever heard.

1992
Winner: Unforgettable, Natalie Cole. The fact that the Grammys honored that hacky, schlocky, sympathy-begging, cloying bit of grave-robbing Natalie Cole did to cash in on honor her father is as sad as it is unsurprising.
My Favorite Nominee: Losing My Religion, R.E.M. It was overplayed, but if you listen to it now, it sounds almost fresh again. It really is just a good song.
My Favorite Single That Year: Crazy, Seal.

1991
Winner: Another Day in Paradise, Phil Collins. Preachy, annoying, and not even the best song from that Phil Collins album. (Actually, I just checked and sadly, it is. I despise "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven," and "I Wish It Would Rain" just sounds like a rip-off of "Wish You Were Here" with Clapton on guitar.)
My Favorite Nominee: Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O'Connor. Of the sappy, preachy, sad sack songs that were nominated this year, this is the one that's actually a good song. (Also, "U Can't Touch This" was nominated this year, but come on, man.)
My Favorite Single This Year: Enjoy the Silence, Depeche Mode. Now there's a love song.

1990
Winner: Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler. I hate this song, and my dad pissed me off by playing it at his wedding reception for his mother, which I specifically told him not to do because it was such a fucking cliche. He said he wouldn't; he did. Wow, my grandma must have been one of 10 million special woman so uniquely honored that year. It's the equivalent of buying your dad a tie on Father's Day.
My Favorite Nominee: The End of the Innocence, Don Henley. Chance is right on when he calls it deceptively angry. It adds some world-weariness on top of that, too. Beautiful song.
My Favorite Single That Year: A Little Respect, Erasure. I usually come out on the side of pop, I guess. Although besides the catchiness, I think the lyrics are beautiful. One of my all time favorite lyrics comes from this song: "What religion or reason could drive a man to forsake his lover?"

1989
Winner: Don't Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin. I always liked this song, but it sure wasn't the best of the year. I think part of it was the novelty of McFerrin doing the whole thing a cappella. Which is admittedly neat.
My Favorite Nominee: Don't Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin.
My Favorite Single That Year: Sweet Child O' Mine, Guns 'n' Roses. The most perfect song they ever recorded.

1988
Winner: Graceland, Paul Simon. I'm not a big fan of this song for whatever reason. It's nice, but it's okay. I wouldn't turn it off if it came on the radio station. Really, I just don't dig Paul Simon's solo work that much.
My Favorite Nominee: Back in the High Life Again, Steve Winwood. Admittedly, mostly because it reminds me of better times. But it's pretty.
My Favorite Single That Year: With or Without You, U2. Grammy nominated the more ubiquitous and much less beautiful "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," a song I don't like. "With or Without You" is real passion.

1987
Winner: Higher Love, Steve Winwood. Meh. It's okay.
My Favorite Nominee: Sledgehammer, Peter Gabriel. It's a lot of sucky nominees this year, but this is a great song.
My Favorite Single That Year: True Colors, Cyndi Lauper. A beautiful love song, especially for people who don't feel so great about themselves. I guess I like genuine songs about understanding, I would say.

1986
Winner: We Are the World, USA for Africa. Of course. Nothing else was going to win this year. As a song, it's okay. The real fun is trying to pick out all the singers. I mean, you know, it's Really Important, but it's just okay.
My Favorite Nominee: Money for Nothing, Dire Straits. One of their couple of songs I like. One of my favorite guitar solos.
My Favorite Single That Year: Take on Me, a-Ha. Pop perfection in all of its catchy, bubblegum glory.

1985
Winner: What's Love Got to Do with It, Tina Turner. There's genuine force behind it (although I think "Private Dancer" is her best song), real heartbreak.
My Favorite Nominee: Dancing in the Dark, Bruce Springsteen. At his most pop. I love this song.
My Favorite Song That Year: Time After Time, Cyndi Lauper. Gorgeous and simple.

1984
Winner: Beat It, Michael Jackson. Not much of a surprise, I guess. And it's a good song. Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo alone...
My Favorite Nominee: Flashdance... What a Feeling, Irene Cara. All of the nominees this year are pretty good but nothing I feel especially attached to. This is one of those cheesy pop songs I like.
My Favorite Single That Year: Our House, Madness. One of the most perfect songs I've ever loved.

1983
Winner: Rosanna, Toto. It's okay.
My Favorite Nominee: Steppin' Out, Joe Jackson. That one always got me and carried me off.
My Favorite Single That Year: Under Pressure, Queen David Bowie. Everything that's shitty about society in four and a half minutes. "And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night."

1982
Winner: Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes. Meh. I don't feel strongly either way.
My Favorite Nominee: (Just Like) Starting Over, John Lennon. What a great song. I can't believe it lost to Kim Carnes... greatness versus... well, nothing worth commenting on. As usual, John Lennon just nails life and relationships with this song.
My Favorite Single This Year: In the Air Tonight, Phil Collins. Collins used to be a man who just knew darkness and how it felt to be depressed and angry.

1981
Winner: Sailing, Christopher Cross. Put me to sleep, why don't ya?
My Favorite Nominee: Theme from New York, New York, Frank Sinatra.
My Favorite Single That Year: Let My Love Open the Door, Pete Townshend. As great a song as he ever wrote for the Who, his best solo work, and one of his most genuinely passionate songs.

1980
Winner: What a Fool Believes, the Doobie Brothers. I'm not a fan of theirs. This is probably the one song of theirs I'd say I liked. Still, Record of the Year? Feh.
My Favorite Nominee: I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor. I like the sweep of it.
My Favorite Single That Year: Video Killed the Radio Star, the Buggles. Another perfect pop record.

1979
Winner: Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel. It is a pretty song, however much Joel claims now that he wrote it accidentally. Is he ever going to stop apologizing for having good commercial instincts? One of his less angry songs, too. I've always liked it.
My Favorite Nominee: Baker Street, Gerry Rafferty. Or as I always used to call it, "That One with the Great Saxophone Part."
My Favorite Single That Year: Who Are You, the Who. My favorite song of theirs, for reasons I can't quite define. But it's a great damn song.

1978
Winner: Hotel California, the Eagles. I hate the Eagles, but I'll give them this one song. This is a damn good song.
My Favorite Nominee: Hotel California, the Eagles.
My Favorite Single That Year: Hotel California, the Eagles.

1977
Winner: This Masquerade, George Benson. I couldn't tell you how this goes.
My Favorite Nominee: Afternoon Delight, Starland Vocal Band. It's delightful.
My Favorite Single That Year: Somebody to Love, Queen. A beautiful epic of emotion. One of my favorite songs ever.

1976
Winner: Love Will Keep Us Together, the Captain Tennille. It's okay.
My Favorite Nominee: At Seventeen, Janis Ian.
My Favorite Single That Year: Young Americans, David Bowie. That one packs a wallop and makes "Love Will Keep Us Together" sound pretty frivolous.

1975
Winner: I Honestly Love You, Olivia Newton-John. I honestly detest this cloying, overwrought song.
My Favorite Nominee: Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Elton John. You want passion? There you go. Skip the other song entirely.
My Favorite Single That Year: Cat's in the Cradle, Harry Chapin. Hey, hey, it's a cliched choice for a reason.

1974
Winner: Killing Me Softly with His Song, Roberta Flack. It's pretty. It's also soporific.
My Favorite Nominee: You're So Vain, Carly Simon. A nice kiss-off song.
My Favorite Single That Year: Mind Games, John Lennon. Gorgeous.

1973
Winner: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Roberta Flack. I've always found this song kind of overwrought.
My Favorite Nominee: American Pie, Don McLean. Come on, how could you pick a different one? (Although I've always loved Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)," a deceptively bleak and saddening song.)
My Favorite Single That Year: Let's Stay Together, Al Green. You want to get laid? You need some Al Green music.

1972
Winner: It's Too Late, Carole King. I can't place it off the top of my head, but I've never liked Carole King's as a singer.
My Favorite Nominee: My Sweet Lord, George Harrison. It's not much of a song, really, but I didn't like any of the other nominees much.
My Favorite Single That Year: Imagine, John Lennon. I can't believe this was never nominated for Record of the Year. What the hell?

1971
Winner: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel. An undeniably beautiful song.
My Favorite Nominee: Let It Be, the Beatles. Still Paul McCartney's most beautiful effort.
My Favorite Single That Year: Let It Be, the Beatles. Seriously, they didn't pick this?

1970
Winner: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, the Fifth Dimension. Definitely a good song.
My Favorite Nominee: A Boy Named Sue, Johnny Cash. It's funny and Cash delivers it well. I'll always pull for Shel Silverstein.
My Favorite Single That Year: Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley. His final masterpiece, one of his best songs (in my top five).

1969
Winner: Mrs. Robinson, Simon and Garfunkel. Good but not really special.
My Favorite Nominee: Hey Jude, the Beatles. A masterpiece.
My Favorite Single That Year: (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding. One of the most quietly perfect songs I've ever heard.

1968
Winner: Up, Up and Away, the Fifth Dimension. What a lame choice. I mean, it's a cute song, but what a lame choice at this point in music history.
My Favorite Nominee: My Cup Runneth Over, Ed Ames.
My Favorite Single That Year: Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli. But that's the tip of the iceberg; this year produced, off the top of my head, "Heroes and Villains," "All You Need Is Love," "I Was Made to Love Her," "Light My Fire," "A Whiter Shade of Pale," and "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," and Grammy nominates "Ode to Billie Joe"? Lame, lame, lame.

1967
Winner: Strangers in the Night, Frank Sinatra. A good song, one I always liked.
My Favorite Nominee: Strangers in the Night, Frank Sinatra.
My Favorite Single That Year: Good Vibrations, the Beach Boys. Another incredible year for rock, and the Grammys can only acknowledge "Monday, Monday." What a foolish institution to pass over the greatness they did.

1966
Winner: A Taste of Honey, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. The best of the several thousand versions that seem to be out there.
My Favorite Nominee: Yesterday, the Beatles. As beautiful a song as was ever written.
My Favorite Single That Year: Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan. Transcendent.

1965
Winner: The Girl from Ipanema, Stan Getz João Gilberto. A lovely little song that I've always liked as background music.
My Favorite Nominee: Downtown, Petula Clark. I forget just how beautiful this one is.
My Favorite Single That Year: Don't Worry, Baby, the Beach Boys. Perfect.

1964
Winner: Days of Wine and Roses, Henry Mancini. Nothing song from a rather turgid movie.
My Favorite Nominee: Dominique, the Singing Nun. That's painful to say, but the nominees this year are just that bad. Again, zero acknowledgement of rock and roll or even the great folk music from this time.
My Favorite Single That Year: Surfer Girl, the Beach Boys. Hey, Brian Wilson just knows how to hit me where it counts. Teenage love deified.

1963
Winner: I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Tony Bennett. A beautiful song.
My Favorite Nominee: I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Tony Bennett.
My Favorite Single That Year: Telstar, the Tornados. That one always takes me right off and makes me love being alive.

1962
Winner: Moon River, Henry Mancini. I'm never sorry to have heard this song. It's always beautiful, and always necessary.
My Favorite Nominee: Moon River, Henry Mancini. Infinitesimal second: "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck.
My Favorite Single That Year: Stand by Me, Ben E. King. The best time to hear this song is in the still of the deep night.

1961
Winner: Theme from A Summer Place, Percy Faith. The music is pretty.
My Favorite Nominee: Georgia on My Mind, Ray Charles. It's insane that this didn't win. This is the very definition of a beautiful song.
My Favorite Single That Year: Georgia on My Mind, Ray Charles.

1960
Winner: Mack the Knife, Bobby Darin. I like this song; it's fun as hell to sing along to.
My Favorite Nominee: Mack the Knife, Bobby Darin.
My Favorite Single That Year: Sleepwalk, Santo Johnny. Another great late night song.

1959
Winner: Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare), Domenico Modugno. Okay. I can't believe anyone does this song better than Dean Martin, personally. I don't believe I've heard this version.
My Favorite Nominee: The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late), David Seville. I know, I know, but I love this song. It's a Christmas staple to me. It reminds me of being a kid and spending the lead-up to Christmas at my grandmother's house. It's a cozy song for me.
My Favorite Single That Year: Summertime Blues, Eddie Cochran. As vital a song as there is, considering how much rock continues to borrow from it. And more than that, just a catchy tune.

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How do you know if you have arthritis? While symptoms and severity vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are: pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness and warmth. Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive stiffness without swelling, chills or fever.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the painful swelling, inflammation and stiffness in the fingers, arms, legs and wrists, which are prevalent on both sides of the body and are usually worse in the morning. Children with on-off fever, loss of appetite, weight loss and a blotchy rash on the arms and legs might have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. You should call the doctor if symptoms appear suddenly, or if they are accompanied by a fever or rash.

There are several common misconceptions about arthritis. Myth # 1 is that every day is the same for patients. In reality, this form of chronic pain comes and goes, which makes it difficult for diagnosis. Myth # 2 is that only older people have arthritis. However, in some cases, even children have this type of pain. Myth # 3 is that arthritis is caused by cold, wet weather or a poor diet.

In reality, there are no easy cause-and-effect connections, but contributing factors include: age, weight, anatomy, infection of the joint and trauma. Lastly, some believe that joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) should be avoided for as long as possible. Yet the surgery has helped millions of Americans and is seen as a viable option when exercise, physical therapy and medication fail.

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