Prevention of Stress

Recommendations for preventing stress during final exams:

1. Time Management: Prioritize and increase studying time. If possible reduce work schedule hours. Minimize
extracurricular activities including social events, online chatting, social networking sites, games, and shopping.
2. Studying: Choose a study environment with adequate lighting. Avoid areas with distractions and noise. Have study
materials organized and easily accessible. Take a ten minute break during each hour of studying. Suggested study
breaks include taking a walk and having a study snack.
3. Sleep: Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep (optimum 8 hours) is necessary for improved performance during exams.
Sleep is essential for consolidating short term memory into long term memory
4. Exercise: Physical activity is a great source of alleviating and reducing stress. Suggested exercise includes walking,
yoga, and cardio equipment.
5. Professor Office Hours: If you need clarification on any material that may be on an exam consult the exam expert-your
Professor.
6. What to eat: Fresh fruit, green leafy vegetables, lean protein.

AVOID
Procrastination
Fatty food
Food products high in tryptophan (poultry, dairy products, eggs, rice, and beans). Caffeine beverages (coffee, tea, soda).
* Caffeine reduces clarity of thinking.

College Students -Targets of Clinical Trials

College students are actively targeted by clinical trials in student newspapers, radio advertisements, flyers in bathroom stalls, and posters around college campuses. Some students are solicited while visiting student health centers! Clinical trials monetary compensation is appealing to students who are struggling with money. Some students see clinical trials as harmless and an easy way to make money. Is easy money worth the potential dangers of participating in a clinical trial? Clinical trials have serious consequences including illness and death. Before college students consider participating in a clinical trial they need to be well informed so that they are not exploited.

Clinical Trials Basic Facts

A clinical trial is research conducted on human participants to determine the safety and effectiveness of medication, treatment, and medical techniques. Research studies include prevention options, new and existing treatments, screening and diagnostic techniques and quality of life trials.

Informed Consent

Clinical trials are required to provide potential participants with key facts about a clinical trial prior to participation. Participants must be provided the informed consent document, details of the study, including the purpose, duration, required procedures, contact information, risks, potential benefits, and explains the rights as a participant. At anytime during a study a participant has the right to refuse treatments and test. A participant can withdraw from the study at anytime.

Clinical Trials Infamous History In Third World Countries

In India and other third world countries pharmaceutical companies conduct clinical trials testing medications and various pharmaceutical products. Participants of these studies are not given informed consent nor informed that they are participating in a clinical trial. Clinic health workers conducting the clinical trials directly lie to participants. Participants are falsely led to believe that the medication or product is safe, no reactions will occur, and the product has been tested before. Clinical trials target impoverished people by promising monetary benefits including land, livestock, and money. Participants never receive monetary compensation. Some people are forced to participate by physical force or withholding salary. When participants experience negative side effects from medication or products they are not allowed to withdraw from the study.

References for Clinical Trials Infamous History:
Brown, Peter J.
1998 Understanding and Applying Medical Anthropology. California: Mayfield Publishing Co.
Coffman, C.C.
2001 Medical Anthropology, class given at University California, Irvine, Summer 2007
Deepa Dhanraj.
Something Like A War. England: 1991

Hookah Smoking

Hookah and US Society







Hookah smoking is a popular growing trend among young Americans. It is a market that is offered in Hookah Lounges and Cafes throughout the United States. Popularity of Hookah smoking has captured the interest of health organizations and legislators.

Health organizations are focused on creating awareness about health related risks of hookah smoking that includes various forms of cancer and lung disease. Health organizations are actively conducting research to reveal the so called myth “hookah smoking is less harmful than tobacco use”. More research needs to be conducted to actually determine whether cigarette smoking or hookah smoking is more harmful. Some health organizations are conveniently claiming that the hookah smoking myth is true. Fair and impartial research must be conducted so the public at large is exposed to the truth about health related issues of smoking cigarettes compared to smoking tobacco via a hookah.

Local and state legislators across the nation have targeted hookah cafes and lounges imposing sanctions that burden these businesses. I believe that such sanctioning is not motivated by the well being of the public. My conspiracy theory is that the notorious Tobacco Industry feels threatened by the booming Hookah business thus resulting in sanctions by so called elected officials who are just the Tobacco Companies Puppets.

Brief History
The exact origin of hookah cannot be limited to one country. The origin is attributed to India, Persia, and African southern countries. Hookah smoking has been practiced for a minimum of 500 years. Hookah was introduced to the Middle East and North Africa beginning in the 14^th Century. Today hookah smoking is practiced in the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, North Africa, South Africa, United Kingdom, Mexico, USA, and Canada. Hookah smoking is a practice of smoking flavored tobacco using a water pipe. Hookah smoking is referred to as water pipe, nargile, shisha, okka, kalyan, and Ghalyan. Hookah lounges and cafes are increasingly popular locations near college campuses.

Hookah Popularity
Hookah is an inexpensive group activity. Patrons of hookah bars and cafes spend an average of $5 to $25 per smoking session. A smoking session last about 60 minutes which turns out to be less expensive than social activities including bowling, laser tag, a film at a local theater, and bar hopping. Owning a hookah is inexpensive. A hookah ranges from $25 to over a hundred dollars depending on how ornate the hookah is. Flavored tobacco (shisha) is less than ten dollars. Charcoal ranges under $15 depending on the quantity.

Hookah smoking is a group activity that enhances social dynamics. While people in a group take turns puffing the hookah people are in a relaxed state and engaged in conversation. The experience is enhanced by the hookah lounges ambience and friendly atmosphere. Hookah smoking does not cause dangerous side effects of social drinking alcohol such as inhibition or hangovers. However studies indicate that tobacco causes cancer and lung related diseases.

Hookah smoking is a pleasurable experience. Hookah smoking is enhanced by the tobacco flavors including apple, mint, peach, raspberry, mango, strawberry, jasmine, coconut, rose, and many more. The smoke is cooled, softened, and aromatic. Hookah smoking infuses the senses and encourages slow meditative breathing.

Weight Loss Struggle

Several college students experience weight gain. I personally have gained 15 pounds during my college years. This weight gain has had an impact on me physically and mentally. I am extremely conscious of how I look in clothes and prefer to wear sweaters and jeans. Some people gain weight in different regions of their body. Unfortunately all my weight gain is in my abdominal area. Having excess fat in this region is primarily dangerous for women. Studies indicate excess weight in the abdominal region is related to various forms of cancer and other pathology.
The struggle to lose the weight has been challenging. My initial attempts were choosing avenues that did not require much effort. These efforts included herbal life shakes to supplement meals and a carbohydrate free diet. These efforts ended in failure. During this period I exercised occasionally with friends by running the track at a local park. Occasional exercise does not provide results either.
In 2003, my mother died of a massive heart attack which influenced a different approach of fitness and wellness. I decided that my number one priority would be heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer of women worldwide. My second priority is eliminating the excess weight in my abdominal region.
My approach for fitness and wellness is consistently working out. At the gym, at least four times a week, I do cardio for a minimum of 40 minutes on the tread climber or the elliptical (these burn the most calories). In addition, I do some weight training as an attempt to tone up my challenging zones. To prevent getting bored with the same routine I attend various classes including yoga and cycling. I also use cardio kickboxing videos at home. My workout efforts are reinforced by having a workout buddy. We keep each other motivated and consistent with working out on the days that we are tired from school or work. In addition to physical fitness I modified my food intake.
My food intake was modified by meeting with the Nutritionist at the UCI Student Health Center. She provided a list of information about foods to avoid, portions, and reading food labels. This meeting was beneficial because I learned how to modify my meals in order to improve my health and also help me achieve my goal of weight loss. The most beneficial aspect was becoming aware of common ingredients in food products such as salad dressings, breakfast bars, yogurt, and juice that need to be avoided. In addition, I am currently taking the UCI Freshman Nutrition Seminar class so I can learn more about nutrition in order to improve my health. This class focuses on various aspects of nutrition including vitamin deficiencies, weight control, and sleep.
I have managed to lose half of the weight that I gained. My successful effort is attributed to consistently working out at the gym and modifying my food intake. For those struggling to lose weight here are my personal recommendations:

First: Visit the UCI Student Health Center and set up an appointment with the Nutritionist (the appointment is free). The Nutritionist will ask you about your typical meals. In addition the Nutritionist will go over foods to avoid, portions, and food labels. The Nutritionist is friendly and willingly embraces questions. This information will help you modify your diet.

Second: Visit your physician to determine what level of cardio exercise your body can handle according to your weight, height, and blood pressure. This is important to prevent strain on your heart. Your doctor can also order lab test to determine other factors that may challenge weight control.

Third: Take the Freshman Seminar Nutrition Class. You don’t have to be a freshman (this is my last quarter at UCI and I am currently taking the class). The class focuses on various nutrition topics. Professor Jurnak is a valuable resource and offers a wealth of knowledge. Book recommendation: The Smart Students Guide to Healthy Living by
MJ Smith & F. Smith.


Fourth: Have a consistent work out routine. Try different workout classes at the ARC or your gym, get a workout buddy, and try exercise videos for those days with time constraints.

Children's State Health Insurance

There are currently no updates on bush's anticipated veto.

Contact your Legislators

Some people express criticism about various political issues including Iraq, health insurance, gas prices, education, crime, and taxes. People use various forms of communication to express their political opinions including blogging, editorials, casual conversations, bulletins, and radio broadcasts. These are excellent forms of free speech however people need to consider a progressive avenue. I strongly encourage individuals who take the time to criticise such issues to invest some time by contacting legislators. This is a direct approach that has the ability to cause change. Currently big businesses use lobbying which has had a major impact on legislation that has not benefited society, but big business. Now is the time that people progressively lobby legislators by contacting them via e-mail, telephone, letters, and office visits. I foresee that if Americans progressively communicate with legislators concerns will be addressed. Take action now and influence change. Please utilize the links provided for contacting state and federal legislators.

The fat check to veto the State Children's Health Insurance

My prediction that the Tobacco Companies were writing fat checks to insure that the State Children's Health Insurance would get vetoed has been confirmed. An estimated 12 million dollars has been spent by the tobacco industry. The money should have been donated to the Children's Health Insurance program rather than bribing the so-called elected officials. If the tobacco company contributed funds directly to the Insurance program the amount of taxes on tobacco products may have been reduced. However the tobacco company clearly will pay any cost to prevent an increase on their products. In addition payment to insure the veto reveals that the tobacco company has an upper hand over elected officials.

Disclosure

george w. bush
Note: It is not an error that bush is not capitalized. His violations and terror against humanity has resulted in my refusal to demonstrate any form of respect thus I refuse to capitalize his name and use his so called title of president.

Interesting Health Related Articles

Allergies

Do you suffer from allergies? This article addresses why it is difficult to find the right over the counter remedy...
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-allergies-ess.html


Fitness
Do you work out at a gym? You should read this article to prevent infection from contact with gym surfaces. I personally wipe off equipment before and after use. In addition I place a towel on the equipment that my body has contact with and I wash my hands after my workout at the gym.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/fashion/01staph.html?adxnnl=1&ref=health&adxnnlx=1194235761-vIO4RaS//DNcU58PFdDwPQ


Women's Health
Consider modifying your food choices by reducing fat in your diet. A study indicates that a low fat diet has the potential to reduce cervical cancer. A low fat diet has many health benefits.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/health/nutrition/30regi.html?ref=health

Men's Health

Many men are reluctant to have a prostate exam. Prostate screening has significantly reduced the number of prostate cancer deaths. This article provides an opportunity to understand prostate screening and awareness about innovation that will reduce procedures that are currently utilized.
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-prostatecancer-ess.html


Be your own health advocate
Have you found yourself in a situation where your doctor has ordered labs for you that you are absolutely clueless about? Do you want to understand lab tests ordered by your doctor for you? The links to to the following websites have have detailed information about various lab testing. Be well informed about lab test so that you can have better understanding of your health and enhance communication with your doctor regarding your health.
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/list/tests/default.htm http://www.labtestsonline.org/

Health Decay Blogging Rules

Add links to related issues.
Represent a population impacted by the current health situation in the US in each posting.
Bonus links on blog to include health discoveries, healthy living recipes, health related articles, testimonies, etc.

The promised veto...

The first faces of poverty to focus on are the faces of 9.7 million children nationwide. On October 4, 2007, infamous President George W. Bush fulfilled his promise of vetoing Healthy Kids Act of 2007. This act reinstates funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program that currently covers 6 million children and would increase coverage to 3-4 million more children. Congress planned on adding $35 billion dollars from tobacco tax increases. However, Bush only wanted to increase the program by a total of $5 billion dollars. I suspect that the tobacco company's lobbyists were working fulltime prior to the veto. Self interest has priority over the health of children per the Bush administration Bush attempted to justify his veto by claiming that such an increase in funding would make middle class families eligible for the coverage. Currently only low income families are eligible. Bush believes that middle class family’s children are not entitled to health services offered by the government. Bush is oblivious to the fact that insurance is not affordable for low income and middle class families. However Bush's primary motivation of neglecting the health of children is that it leads to federalization of health care. A discussion of Bush's fear of federalization will follow in a future blog.
News Update:
-- The U.S. House passed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program Thursday evening, despite a new veto threat and continued opposition from many Republican representatives.
House lawmakers voted 265-142 to approve the new plan, known as SCHIP.


I can only wonder what will be Bush's next excuse of his next veto on the State Children's Health Insurance Program...