Recently, there was an LA Times interview that focused on the number of prescription overdose deaths in Southern California. The primary focus of this article was to call attention to a disproportionate number of prescription overdose deaths that primarily occurred with the pain management physicians.
Unfortunately, the article had a negative slant which appeared to infer that it was seen as the responsibility of doctors that prescribe these powerful medications to better police their patients (before they offer these medications) and the state medical boards to better police the doctors that prescribe these medications.
It also seemed to infer a causal link between prescription overdose deaths, the coroner’s reports of the deceased and the prescription writing of the doctor whose name was on the bottle of the person that overdosed. Unfortunately, this takes a simplistic view on the management of these chronic pain patients.
On many occasions, the pain management physician is stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to determine if the patient is an appropriate candidate for medication usage. The patient may have had a previous doctor that had written a prescription for pain medications that would more than likely produce a dependency condition on these medications.
That is not to say that the patient was an addict.
If for some reason the doctor stopped writing medications, or if the patient did not follow the rules of the clinic, he would then likely get referred to a pain management physician. The pain management physician will thus inherit this problem of patient management. Unfortunately, the pain management physicians are also often “dumped on” by other medical specialists to solve their problems.
There is no benefit, credit or accolades that occur when the pain management physician makes an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment is initiated. But ff a mistake is made or complication occurs regarding the patient’s understanding of how to properly take medications, or if there is a miscommunication between the patient and the doctor, there is too often a rush to judgment to blame the pain management physician who prescribes these very powerful medications and performs these very life-changing procedures.
I deliberately wrote The Great Pain Jack to outline the problems with pain management through real-life examples. The book characterize these problems with patients that are sometimes very difficult to treat.
What do you think? Why do doctors get painted as villainous? Is there a better way to diagnose prescription drugs and protect the patient?
Please see the LA Times article and feel free to post your comment on this blog or the writers twitter feed @JohnfPetraglia or like him on Facebook.
Showing posts with label lupus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lupus. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Deep Conditioning your HAIR!!!
Before you ask yourself the following questions, you need to know why it’s important to deep condition your hair. First, a good deep conditioner will hydrate dry hair by penetrating the hair shaft to restore moisture and to prevent breakage. Second, a deep conditioner can help to alleviate the daily damage we inflict upon our hair by the use of excessive heat, chemical treatments, sun damage, braids, etc. Third, deep conditioners are treatments and usually are required to remain in the hair for 15-30 minutes. NEVER over condition!!
Asking yourself the following questions about deep conditioners will guide you in the right direction.
1. How often should I deep condition my hair?
It vary on how often you should deep condition your hair. A good rule of thumb is to use it according to how often you use heat, what elements your hair is exposed to on a regular basis, product use, and hair type. Some suggest that deep conditioning once a month is sufficient even with dry or damaged hair. Others suggest at least twice a month. According to the literature that is out there, it’s not really necessary to deep condition more than a couple of times a month.
(For the best results, most deep conditioners will advise you to use a heating cap or sit under a hooded dryer with a plastic baggy. This helps to open the cuticle layer and penetrate the hair shaft.)
2. What type of deep conditioner is best for my hair type?
There are so many different types of deep conditioners on the market for different hair types. There are those that are infused with essential oils and herbs, others with keratin proteins, silk and wheat proteins. You should determine right away if your hair needs a moisture-based deep conditioner or a protein-based deep conditioner. I have learned from different sources that if your hair is dry and it snaps and breaks easily, you should use a moisturizing deep conditioner. If your hair is fine, and stretches then snaps, a deep conditioner with protein should be used.
2. Can I use a regular rinse out conditioner as a deep conditioning treatment?
I have read in some places that it’s ok to use a regular rinse out conditioner as a deep conditioning treatment. This is the point where you will have to be investigators and read the ingredients list to distinguish which ingredients are similar and which are different in rinse outs and deep conditioners. Some say that rinse out conditioners only coat the top layer of the hair strand and doesn’t contain ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft. Typically a conditioner that is for deep conditioning will let you know.
Conditioning Tips:
Deep conditioning treatments need to perform double duty. You can make your hair stronger, but it will still be vulnerable. Well-formulated treatments also condition your hair leaving it easier to comb so you don’t lose precious strands from trying to break through tangles. In the world of cosmetic chemistry, opposites attract. Our hair has a negative charge and responds well to conditioning ingredients that have a positive charge. The ingredients listed here are called “cationics” and they stay on your hair even after you do your final rinse.
Common conditioning ingredients in deep treatments:
• Amodimethicone
• Behentrimonium Chloride
• Behentrimonium Methosulfate
• Cetrimonium Chloride
• Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
• Stearalkonium Chloride
Sealing ingredients:
You don’t want to spend the extra time and money to deep condition your hair if the results aren’t going to last. Even the best conditioning treatments are only semi-permanent, not permanent. A deep conditioner that contains good sealants will help your hair stay strong and moisturized for days at a time. Cosmetic scientists perform tests to see which ingredients do the best job at sealing porous hair like ours. You will get the most value out of your deep conditioning treatment if it contains at least 1 of these very effective sealants:
Ingredients for sealing:
• Petrolatum
• Mineral Oil
• Lanolin
• Dimethicone
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Shea Butter
• Soybean Oil
Key Tips for Deep Conditioning
• Shampoo your hair with moisturizing shampoo before applying a deep conditioner. If you only co-wash or rinse before you apply the product, your hair won’t be able to absorb as much protein that's needed.
• Follow the instructions on your product. The best deep conditioning treatments contain a careful blend of ingredients that will give you maximum benefits in 3 to 15 minutes. Don’t put off deep conditioning because you feel like you don’t have time to sit under the dryer. That’s usually unnecessary and you’ll end up deep conditioning your hair less often.
• Only condition the hair you want to keep! Choose a deep conditioning treatment that you can afford to use generously. It won’t matter if your product is filled with great ingredients if you don’t apply it to every inch of your hair.
Recommended Treatments Products
Your treatment products don't have to be the most expensive product in your cabinet. You can keep your beauty budget in check by choosing less expensive shampoos, conditioners and leave-ins conditioners.
You can use mayonnaise, with an egg and a table spoon of olive oil as a deep conditioner/hot oil treatment.. Mix it in a bowl, apply and sit under a hooded dryer with a cap for 20 minutes.. Just like grandma use to do..
Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream, $3.29-15oz
Step before the Two-Step Protein Treatment ApHogee Deep Moisture Shampoo, $7-8oz
Step 1 - ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment, $12-4oz
Step 2 - ApHogee Balancing Moisturizer, $9-8oz
Step after the Two-Step Protein Treatment - ApHogee Balancing Moisturizing $7-8oz
****Available at your Local Beauty Supply Stores****
ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment has been around for many of years. This is an effective and affordable treatment but it has an unpleasant smell and the protein step can get messy. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s the definitely the best way to go. This product requires 5-10 minutes under a hooded dryer. Make sure to follow the instructions exactly as written or you could end up with UNNECESSARY breakage!!
Step 1 - Jane Carter Solutions Scalp Renewal, $20-2oz
Step 2 - Jane Carter Solutions Moisture Nourishing Shampoo, $8-8oz
Step 3 - Jane Carter Solutions Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner, $13-8oz -OR-
Step 3 - Jane Carter Solutions Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner, $9-8oz
Step 4 - Jane Carter Solutions Hair Nourishing Serum, $20-1oz
Step 5 - Jane Cater Solutions Hair Nourishing Cream, $22-4oz
Asking yourself the following questions about deep conditioners will guide you in the right direction.
1. How often should I deep condition my hair?
It vary on how often you should deep condition your hair. A good rule of thumb is to use it according to how often you use heat, what elements your hair is exposed to on a regular basis, product use, and hair type. Some suggest that deep conditioning once a month is sufficient even with dry or damaged hair. Others suggest at least twice a month. According to the literature that is out there, it’s not really necessary to deep condition more than a couple of times a month.
(For the best results, most deep conditioners will advise you to use a heating cap or sit under a hooded dryer with a plastic baggy. This helps to open the cuticle layer and penetrate the hair shaft.)
2. What type of deep conditioner is best for my hair type?
There are so many different types of deep conditioners on the market for different hair types. There are those that are infused with essential oils and herbs, others with keratin proteins, silk and wheat proteins. You should determine right away if your hair needs a moisture-based deep conditioner or a protein-based deep conditioner. I have learned from different sources that if your hair is dry and it snaps and breaks easily, you should use a moisturizing deep conditioner. If your hair is fine, and stretches then snaps, a deep conditioner with protein should be used.
2. Can I use a regular rinse out conditioner as a deep conditioning treatment?
I have read in some places that it’s ok to use a regular rinse out conditioner as a deep conditioning treatment. This is the point where you will have to be investigators and read the ingredients list to distinguish which ingredients are similar and which are different in rinse outs and deep conditioners. Some say that rinse out conditioners only coat the top layer of the hair strand and doesn’t contain ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft. Typically a conditioner that is for deep conditioning will let you know.
Conditioning Tips:
Deep conditioning treatments need to perform double duty. You can make your hair stronger, but it will still be vulnerable. Well-formulated treatments also condition your hair leaving it easier to comb so you don’t lose precious strands from trying to break through tangles. In the world of cosmetic chemistry, opposites attract. Our hair has a negative charge and responds well to conditioning ingredients that have a positive charge. The ingredients listed here are called “cationics” and they stay on your hair even after you do your final rinse.
Common conditioning ingredients in deep treatments:
• Amodimethicone
• Behentrimonium Chloride
• Behentrimonium Methosulfate
• Cetrimonium Chloride
• Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
• Stearalkonium Chloride
Sealing ingredients:
You don’t want to spend the extra time and money to deep condition your hair if the results aren’t going to last. Even the best conditioning treatments are only semi-permanent, not permanent. A deep conditioner that contains good sealants will help your hair stay strong and moisturized for days at a time. Cosmetic scientists perform tests to see which ingredients do the best job at sealing porous hair like ours. You will get the most value out of your deep conditioning treatment if it contains at least 1 of these very effective sealants:
Ingredients for sealing:
• Petrolatum
• Mineral Oil
• Lanolin
• Dimethicone
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Shea Butter
• Soybean Oil
Key Tips for Deep Conditioning
• Shampoo your hair with moisturizing shampoo before applying a deep conditioner. If you only co-wash or rinse before you apply the product, your hair won’t be able to absorb as much protein that's needed.
• Follow the instructions on your product. The best deep conditioning treatments contain a careful blend of ingredients that will give you maximum benefits in 3 to 15 minutes. Don’t put off deep conditioning because you feel like you don’t have time to sit under the dryer. That’s usually unnecessary and you’ll end up deep conditioning your hair less often.
• Only condition the hair you want to keep! Choose a deep conditioning treatment that you can afford to use generously. It won’t matter if your product is filled with great ingredients if you don’t apply it to every inch of your hair.
Recommended Treatments Products
Your treatment products don't have to be the most expensive product in your cabinet. You can keep your beauty budget in check by choosing less expensive shampoos, conditioners and leave-ins conditioners.
You can use mayonnaise, with an egg and a table spoon of olive oil as a deep conditioner/hot oil treatment.. Mix it in a bowl, apply and sit under a hooded dryer with a cap for 20 minutes.. Just like grandma use to do..
Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream, $3.29-15oz
Step before the Two-Step Protein Treatment ApHogee Deep Moisture Shampoo, $7-8oz
Step 1 - ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment, $12-4oz
Step 2 - ApHogee Balancing Moisturizer, $9-8oz
Step after the Two-Step Protein Treatment - ApHogee Balancing Moisturizing $7-8oz
****Available at your Local Beauty Supply Stores****
ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment has been around for many of years. This is an effective and affordable treatment but it has an unpleasant smell and the protein step can get messy. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s the definitely the best way to go. This product requires 5-10 minutes under a hooded dryer. Make sure to follow the instructions exactly as written or you could end up with UNNECESSARY breakage!!
Step 1 - Jane Carter Solutions Scalp Renewal, $20-2oz
Step 2 - Jane Carter Solutions Moisture Nourishing Shampoo, $8-8oz
Step 3 - Jane Carter Solutions Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner, $13-8oz -OR-
Step 3 - Jane Carter Solutions Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner, $9-8oz
Step 4 - Jane Carter Solutions Hair Nourishing Serum, $20-1oz
Step 5 - Jane Cater Solutions Hair Nourishing Cream, $22-4oz
Sunday, May 22, 2011
My Ahhhhhh Haaaaa Momment!!!!
YESTERDAY I HAD A AHHH HAAAA MOMMENT.. LOL
THIS MORNING WHILE GOING TO CHRUCH AFTER FUSSING AT MY SON FOR JUST ABOUT ANY LITTLE THING HE DID.. CHIPS IN THE CAR, RUNNING LIKE A WILD CHILD AND HE EVEN RAN INTO THE PARK TO PLAY WHILE I WAS CLEANING UP HIS CHIPS IN MY CAR! SOME DAYS I HAVE NO CONTROL, NONE AT ALL!!
JUST LIKE LAST NIGHT, I SAW A GREAT FRIEND THAT HAVEN'T SEEN IN A WHILE AND I WAS EXCITED TO SEE HER. WE HUGGED AND THE KIDS WAS HAPPY TO SEE HER TO.. BUT THE BOY, OH THE BOY... WHEEWWWW HE WAS RUNNING AROUND AND EVEN RUNNING BACK AND FORUTH ACROSS THE STREET. LUCKY CARS DONT BE COMING THREW TO OFTEN, BUT THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT, IT'S UNSAFE!!
NOW BACK TO CHURCH... OK EVERYONE IS SETTLED IN AND GUESS WHAT???? MY CAR WOULDN'T START! THE BLOOD OF JESES, DEVIL YOU ANIT GOING TO STOP ME ON THIS GOOD SUNDAY, BESIDE THE DRAMA WITH MY SON.. LOL
SO I TELL THE KIDS, OK WE DRIVING DADDY'S CAR.. OK MOM! NO PROBLEM.. WE MADE IT TO CHURCH. HAD A GREAT SERVICE AND TOLD MY DAD TO FOLLOW ME HOME TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR...
DAD CAME AND I TRIED STARTING THE CAR... NOTHING!!! BUT THE MUSIC AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON.. DAD LOOKED AT ME AND SAID......... NICOLE, IS THE CAR IN PARK??? I LOOK DOWN AND GUESS WHAT... THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE!!!!! DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE.. LOL
DAD LAUGHED SHOOK HIS HEAD AND WENT TO HIS CAR AND DROVE AWAY...
AHHHH HAAAAA!!
AHHHHH HAAAAA!!
HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY BRAINFOGGY DAY... LUPUS HAS MY MEMORY ALL MESSED UP.. I KNOW SOME OF YOU KNOW!!
hUGS & kISS
NICOLE =)
THIS MORNING WHILE GOING TO CHRUCH AFTER FUSSING AT MY SON FOR JUST ABOUT ANY LITTLE THING HE DID.. CHIPS IN THE CAR, RUNNING LIKE A WILD CHILD AND HE EVEN RAN INTO THE PARK TO PLAY WHILE I WAS CLEANING UP HIS CHIPS IN MY CAR! SOME DAYS I HAVE NO CONTROL, NONE AT ALL!!
JUST LIKE LAST NIGHT, I SAW A GREAT FRIEND THAT HAVEN'T SEEN IN A WHILE AND I WAS EXCITED TO SEE HER. WE HUGGED AND THE KIDS WAS HAPPY TO SEE HER TO.. BUT THE BOY, OH THE BOY... WHEEWWWW HE WAS RUNNING AROUND AND EVEN RUNNING BACK AND FORUTH ACROSS THE STREET. LUCKY CARS DONT BE COMING THREW TO OFTEN, BUT THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT, IT'S UNSAFE!!
NOW BACK TO CHURCH... OK EVERYONE IS SETTLED IN AND GUESS WHAT???? MY CAR WOULDN'T START! THE BLOOD OF JESES, DEVIL YOU ANIT GOING TO STOP ME ON THIS GOOD SUNDAY, BESIDE THE DRAMA WITH MY SON.. LOL
SO I TELL THE KIDS, OK WE DRIVING DADDY'S CAR.. OK MOM! NO PROBLEM.. WE MADE IT TO CHURCH. HAD A GREAT SERVICE AND TOLD MY DAD TO FOLLOW ME HOME TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR...
DAD CAME AND I TRIED STARTING THE CAR... NOTHING!!! BUT THE MUSIC AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON.. DAD LOOKED AT ME AND SAID......... NICOLE, IS THE CAR IN PARK??? I LOOK DOWN AND GUESS WHAT... THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE!!!!! DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE.. LOL
DAD LAUGHED SHOOK HIS HEAD AND WENT TO HIS CAR AND DROVE AWAY...
AHHHH HAAAAA!!
AHHHHH HAAAAA!!
HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY BRAINFOGGY DAY... LUPUS HAS MY MEMORY ALL MESSED UP.. I KNOW SOME OF YOU KNOW!!
hUGS & kISS
NICOLE =)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Day 13 Lupus Awareness Month
May 13:
Cutaneous lupus is a form of lupus that is limited to the skin and can cause rashes or sores.
The symptoms of cutaneous lupus may include a variety of different looking skin rashes, photosensitivity (where exposure to ultra-violet light triggers a rash), and sometimes ulcers on the inside of the nose or mouth.
Cutaneous lupus is a form of lupus that is limited to the skin and can cause rashes or sores.
The symptoms of cutaneous lupus may include a variety of different looking skin rashes, photosensitivity (where exposure to ultra-violet light triggers a rash), and sometimes ulcers on the inside of the nose or mouth.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
World Lupus Day!!! May 10, 2011
Hey Hey Hey... Today is our day... WORLD LUPUS DAY!! I'm so excited to walk around today at the mall with my Lupus T-Shirt on and my kids will be wearing there Orange shirts to school too..
PS Remember to ask them to donate to help find a cure.. www.lupusny.org or www.lupus.org
XoXo
Love,
Nicole =)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Skin Care... Tired of all the BREAKOUTS!!!
Adora Fiji Custom Bath & Body Products
I just got my first order of Adora Fiji Clear Glycerin Soap, 3 bars!!
Tonight is my first night using the soap.. If you see from my previous blog: My Hair.. My face has totally broke out again. Over the past few years, I've been using many different product on my face. Noxzema, Clean & Clear, Avon, Artistry, Mac, St. Ives Aprocrit Scrub that I love and still use, etc... The list goes on and on!
Ok so my mother-in-law told me about this product and I decided to give it a try! What else can go wrong? But I'm hoping it goes right.. LOL =) This soap in a natural and as pure, as pure can get.. There is no dyes or added anything.. NOT even a smell...
So what I did when I showed was wash my body with my regular CoCo Butter soap for even skin tones.. We all need smooth even skin tones, just to have one thing less to worry about. Then I took out a disposable face cloth, one side smooth and the other side rough.. it's not that rough to rip or scratch your face, just rough enough to remove the dead skin that we get from sun abuse and let's not forget this horrible winter we just had! (You can find the disposable wash clothes at any drug sore, Target or Walmart) Ok back on topic.. I washed my face twice.. once on the rough side to remove the dead skin, then rinsed and the second time on the soft side to gently clean away the dirt.. then rinse.. Pat dry and proceed to the next step.. My next step is to leave it alone and go to bed because my skin is so sensitive that this natural soap was enough.. And if I have a reaction, I know where it came from..
Later for now and I'll do an update in two weeks to see the changes...
Thanks for reading and supporting my blog..
XoXo,
Nicole =)
I just got my first order of Adora Fiji Clear Glycerin Soap, 3 bars!!
Ok so my mother-in-law told me about this product and I decided to give it a try! What else can go wrong? But I'm hoping it goes right.. LOL =) This soap in a natural and as pure, as pure can get.. There is no dyes or added anything.. NOT even a smell...
So what I did when I showed was wash my body with my regular CoCo Butter soap for even skin tones.. We all need smooth even skin tones, just to have one thing less to worry about. Then I took out a disposable face cloth, one side smooth and the other side rough.. it's not that rough to rip or scratch your face, just rough enough to remove the dead skin that we get from sun abuse and let's not forget this horrible winter we just had! (You can find the disposable wash clothes at any drug sore, Target or Walmart) Ok back on topic.. I washed my face twice.. once on the rough side to remove the dead skin, then rinsed and the second time on the soft side to gently clean away the dirt.. then rinse.. Pat dry and proceed to the next step.. My next step is to leave it alone and go to bed because my skin is so sensitive that this natural soap was enough.. And if I have a reaction, I know where it came from..
Later for now and I'll do an update in two weeks to see the changes...
Thanks for reading and supporting my blog..
XoXo,
Nicole =)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
My Hair
My hair has officially arrived!! Yahhh I'm so excited to try my new: Machine Weft Miami Relaxed Supreme Malaysian Remy Hair by Halley's Curls.. I have one pack of 12" and one pack of 14". This hair can be washed, conditioned, curled, flat ironed, etc.. It's real human hair..
You know having Lupus brings on many challenges and one being hair.. Dry, brittle, breaking and/or even falling out.. So I decided to braid my whole head and weave it so I can have it done while I wash, condition and oil my hair.
Well I'll let you know how it turn out later after I prep the hair for installation! WOW this hair is really soft! It has a factory smell, guess that's why you have to shampoo and condition prior to installation. But to be honest since having Lupus I've been washing everything before using because of my reactions. I easily get rashes, colds, infections, etc.. So this is nothing new to me..
You know having Lupus brings on many challenges and one being hair.. Dry, brittle, breaking and/or even falling out.. So I decided to braid my whole head and weave it so I can have it done while I wash, condition and oil my hair.
Well I'll let you know how it turn out later after I prep the hair for installation! WOW this hair is really soft! It has a factory smell, guess that's why you have to shampoo and condition prior to installation. But to be honest since having Lupus I've been washing everything before using because of my reactions. I easily get rashes, colds, infections, etc.. So this is nothing new to me..
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