various PSAs

[mellowtigger]

I discovered recently that I have a pretty strong personal filter against spreading memes electronically. Even with a rational excuse to participate, mental brakes still halt the activity for some reason. But, posting about them with a more personal view, how some of it relates to me specifically... that seems a lot more acceptable. So... on to the Public Service Announcements (PSAs).

1) congestion
hilltop  wants people to know about a condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It's the result of having long-term congestion, even from things as simple as allergies or asthma. The damage though is done by the congestion, not the other conditions. Irritation of the bronchial tissue eventually leads to scarring and that leads to still more scarring and more mucous and yet more difficulty breathing. So if you have persistent problems with mucus/phlegm, it would be worth asking a doctor to check you out for COPD next time you visit.

2) depression
On my drive to work each morning, I've been seeing a new billboard that's part of a campaign devoted to combating depression. Apparently here in Minnesota we have 4x as many people die of suicide as homicide. I realize that being this far north (and so less sunlight), it's a lot easier for people to show the effects of seasonal affective disorder. Again, something worth checking out if it seems warranted.

3) digestion
I've been seeing new ads on tv related to Crohn's Disease. It can be very serious. Even though I was tested about 6 years ago for this and many other diseases, I was negative for all of them. That hasn't mattered to my digestive tract though, maintaining a very long stretch of problems. (I'll politely state 'chronic diarrhea' and leave it at that.) I try to take multivitamins to counter the absorption problems that I apparently have. It's a common autistic thing, so I've mostly just been waiting around for someone to actually cure that part of it. No progress there, but then I noticed reports that probiotics really do work for some people coping with digestive issues. So for several weeks now, I've been trying to eat daily a helping of Activia yogurt. No improvement yet, but I'll keep it up for a few more weeks just to see.

Comments

[sctmpls.livejournal.com]

I have similar digestive issues. For me, a combination of probiotics and soluble fiber has helped a lot. My guiding website source was http:\\www.helpforibs.com . The acacia fiber they sell on the website is good too. I followed the dietary guidelines really strictly at first and then gradually tried introducing things back into my diet to see what I could tolerate and what I could not. I learned that most dairy, fried foods and too many raw vegetables are all things that my system just can't handle anymore.

[brianrdu.livejournal.com]

I've always heard a teaspoon of flaked coconut can turn ibs or whatever around... I know some people hate coconut, though.

[nudewoody.livejournal.com]

How can anyone who is paying attention NOT be depressed today???

[hilltop.livejournal.com]

Thanks for spreading the word, it might help someone who needs to know this bit of info.