<p>Chronic back pain and neck pain is often attributed to bad posture. But how do you fix bad posture?</p>
<p>Causes of Bad Posture</p>
<p>There are various causes of its. Some of the causes are set out below.</p>
<p>Bad Posture From Injury</p>
<p>Bad posture from injury to the back or even parts of the leg or foot. This can have the effect of changing the way the muscles work as they try and accommodate a sore or vulnerable area for an extended period and take some of the load off the relevant area.</p>
<p>Bad Posture From Underlying Spinal Issues</p>
<p>There are various spinal conditions that produce abnormal curvature of the spine, such as scoliosis. With scoliosis the spine curves to the side when viewed from the front and each vertebra also twists on the next one in a corkscrew fashion. In approximately 85% of cases the causes are unknown. In some cases the curvature is as a result of muscular issues or imbalance (see below).</p>
<p>Bad Posture From Habitual Bad Body Use Or Muscular Imbalance Negative habits of body use can develop over time and lead to muscle imbalances that cause chronic back pain and bad posture. Such habits are often linked to the relevant persons psychology and lifestyle. Repeating a task under stress over time (for example writing at a computer for work under pressure) can subtly change the way muscles work in the body over time. The result is that muscles are not working in balance, with some muscles, for example deeper lower back muscles "switching off" and other muscles, such as the shoulder or neck muscles taking over more of the work. This rebalancing happens over time and becomes automatic. It can result in all sorts of posture contortions and pain.</p>
<p>Posture Correction Approaches And Methods</p>
<p>Approaches and methods adopted for posture correction vary depending on the cause. If injury or disease is the cause, obviously the particular injury or disease will need to be addressed, however often a patient is made aware of potential secondary postural issues so these can also be addressed if need be. </p>
<p>Habitual bad body use or muscle imbalance can be addressed in a number of ways. These can include something as simple as using tape on the back to remind the patient of the bad posture and encourage them to correct it, to using ergonomic furniture at work or at home or having various therapies aimed at "retraining the muscles/body" back into good posture. </p>
<p>Examples of these therapies are Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais. The therapies work to build awareness of particular sub-conscious muscle use or holding patterns in the body and then teach the patient to "undo" the patterns and return the body to natural poise. </p>
<p>Often these therapies are used in conjunction with changes to environment such as the ergonomic furniture or changes to computer heights and keyboards.</p>
<p>In some circumstances, exercises targeting the strengthening of particular muscle groups are used to address postural issues causing chronic back pain. </p>
<p>Steps used in the short term for posture correction can include spinal manipulation to free up areas of the spine or remedial massage to release muscle tightness causing bad posture.
</p>
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marți, 7 august 2012
luni, 6 august 2012
Religion and medecine - Spirituality - Religion
<p>Medicine and religion have been closely associated from the most pristine time. Primitive medicine had its origin in conjunction with the most primitive of religious conceptions, namely, animism; an illusion that made primitive man recognize in all things, and everywhere, spirits such as his supposed spirit; a belief that the world swarms with invisible spirits which are the cause of disease and death. And thus primitive medicine is inseparable from primitive modes of religious belief. All these phenomena which we consider today natural--the rustling of leaves in a forest, the crash of thunder, the flash of lightning, winds, clouds, storms, and earth127quakes--were to primitive man the outward and visible signs of angry gods, demons, and spirits. Similar spirits caused disease and death, and these evil spirits that produced disease and death were to be placated and cajoled by man, just as he did his other deities, by magic, by burnt offerings, and sacrifice.</p>
<p>The first holy man, the first priest, was the "shaman," and it was his duty not only to placate and cajole the spirits that were thought to control the physical well-being of the individual members of the tribe; but it was his duty also, by the exercise of his magic, to alleviate and cure illness by exorcism. The "shaman" was therefore the first medicine man, the first witch doctor, the first physician. He relied chiefly upon psychotherapy as does the modern witch doctor of Christian Science.</p>
<p>Medicine could not begin to be medicine until it was disassociated from magic, religion, and theology. This struggle has been going on from the time of the "shaman" to the present moment. Primitive medicine stands midway between magic and religion, as an attempt to safeguard health by control of so-called supernatural processes, and the warding off of evil influences by appeal to the gods.</p>
<p>In all primitive societies, priest, magician, and medicine man were one and the same; and medicine remained stationary until it could divorce itself completely from religion. Primitive medicine, then, springs from folklore, legends, credulity, and superstitions; the same forces that give rise to all forms of religious beliefs.</p>
<p>Huxley has stated, "Science commits suicide when it adopts a creed," and from the earliest of times those men who had a scientific trend of mind realized this, however vaguely, and have attempted to divorce science from religion. The science of medicine has been divorced from superstition, but its twin brother religion lies as128 firmly bogged in the mire of superstition today as it did in the days of the incantations of the first theologist, the "shaman." And it is due to this close association of religion and medicine that ideas of the greatest scientific moment have been throttled at birth or veered into a blind alley through some current theological lunacy. Medicine has advanced through its disassociation with supernaturalism, while religion still remains the last refuge of human savagery.</p>
<p>And so it had been that throughout those long, sterile, and barbarous ages primitive man ascribed all diseases either to the wrath of God, or the malice of an Evil Being. With the rise of the Greek philosophers, the human mind for the first time began to throw off the fogs of superstition. In Greece, 500 years before Christ, Hippocrates developed scientific thought and laid the foundations of medical science upon observation, experience, and reason. Under his guidance, medicine for the first time was separated from religion. He relieved the gods of the responsibility for disease and placed it squarely upon the shoulders of man. His findings were passed on to the School of Alexandria, and there medical science was further developed. At this stage of history all advances stopped, and for the following reason:</p>
<p>With the coming of Christianity this science, as well as all others, was stultified. A retrogression took place to the ideation of the most primitive of men, namely, the conception of physical disease as the result of the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan, or by a combination of both. The Old Testament attributes such diseases as the leprosy of Miriam and Uzziah, the boils of Job, the dysentery of Jehoram, the withered hand of Jeroboam, the fatal illness of Asa, and many other ills, to the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan. The New Testament furnishes such examples as the woman "bound129 by Satan," the rebuke of the fever, the casting out of the devil which was dumb, the healing of persons whom "the devil oftimes casteth into the fire," and various other episodes. Christian theology then evolved theories of miraculous methods of cure, based upon modes of appeasing the divine anger, or of thwarting satanic malice. The curing of disease by the casting out of devils, by
prayers, were the means of relief from sickness recognized and commanded by the Bible. Thus Christianity perverted the beginning of a science of medicine to a system of attempted cure of disease by fraud.</p>
<p>The treatment of disease descended to the cures found in holy and healing wells, pools, and streams; in miracles and the efficacy that was to be found in the relics of saints. Instead of reliance upon observation, experience, and thought, attention was directed toward supernatural agencies. In contrast to the Greek physicians who were attempting to lay a scientific foundation, we have the Christian idea prevailing that the water in which a single hair of a saint had been dipped was to be used as a purgative; water in which St. Remy's ring had been dipped cured lunacy; oil of a lamp burning before the tomb of St. Gall cured tumors; wine in which the bones of a saint had been dipped cured fevers; St. Valentine cured epilepsy; St. Christopher cured throat disease; St. Eutropius, dropsy; St. Ovid, deafness; St. Vitus, St. Anthony, and a multitude of other saints, the maladies which bear their names.</p>
<p>"In the year 1585, in the town of Embrun, France, the male generative organ of St. Foutin was greatly revered. A jar was placed beneath his emblem to catch the wine with which it was generally anointed; the wine was left to sour, and then it was known as the 'Holy Vinegar.' The women drank it in order to be blessed with children." (Joseph Lewis, "Voltaire.")130</p>
<p>Enormous revenues flowed into various monasteries and churches in all parts of Europe from relics noted for their healing powers. The ecclesiastics perceived that the physician would interfere with these revenues and gifts of the shrines, and deemed it the will of God to persecute and condemn physicians. St. Ambrose declared, "The precepts of medicine are contrary to celestial science, watching and prayer." St. Augustine declared, "All diseases of Christians are to be ascribed to these demons, chiefly do they torment fresh baptized Christians, yea, even the guiltless, new-born babe." Gregory of Nazianzus declared that bodily pains are provoked by demons, and that medicines are useless, but that they are often cured by the laying on of consecrated hands. St. Niles and St. Gregory of Tours gave examples to show the sinfulness of resorting to medicine instead of trusting to the intercession of saints.</p>
<p>Even as late as 1517, Pope Leo X, for a consideration, issued tickets bearing a cross and the following inscription, "This cross measured forty times makes the height of Christ in His humanity. He who kisses it is preserved for seven days from falling sickness, apoplexy, and sudden death."</p>
<p>The Council of Le Mons, in 1248, forbade monks to engage in surgery. At the beginning of the twelfth century, the Council of Rheims forbade monks to study medicine; and shortly after the middle of the twelfth century, Pope Alexander III forbade monks to study or practice medicine. In the thirteenth century, the Dominican Order forbade all ecclesiastics to have any connection with medicine; and when we remember that the policy of the Church had made it impossible for any learned man to enter any other profession, the only resource left for a scholar was the Church; so effectively did the Church kill all scientific endeavors.131</p>
<p>The Reformation made no sudden change in the sacred theory of medicine. The Church of England accepted the doctrine of "royal touch," and in a prayer book of that period is found a service provided for that occasion which states that "They (the kings), shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover."</p>
<p>Pestilences were taught to be punishments inflicted by God on society for its shortcomings. Modern man has no conception of the ravages of infections and epidemics that swept over Europe in the Middle Ages, and to a lesser extent, until less than fifty years ago. Tacitus described the plague in Rome thus: "Houses were filled with dead bodies, and the streets with funerals.... Alike, slaves and plebeians were suddenly taken off amidst lamentations of their wives and children, who, while they mourned the dead, were themselves seized with the disease, and, perishing, were burned on the same funeral pyre."</p>
<p>In 80 A.D. an epidemic swept Rome causing 10,000 deaths daily. During the ages until the present century, wave after wave of pestilence swept over Europe. The plague in 1384 A.D. took no less than 60 million lives. It was estimated that twenty-five per cent. of the population of the then known world perished in that one epidemic. Between 1601 and 1603, 127,000 died of the plague in Moscow. The epidemic of 1630 took 500,000 lives in the Venetian republic; Milan alone lost 88,000. In 1605, London lost 69,000; 70,000 died in Vienna in 1679; the following year Prague lost 83,000, all from this disease. The horrors of such visitations are beyond description, and can scarcely be imagined. For a time, attempts were made to collect and bury the dead. Wagons would pass through the streets at night collecting the victims. The drivers, benumbed with drink, frequently failed to ascertain whether death had occurred. Living patients,132 desperately ill, were piled into the wagons with c
orpses beneath, about, and on them. These gruesome loads were dumped pell-mell into huge pits hastily dug for the purpose. In some instances, living victims crawled out of these pits and survived to tell the tale. As the epidemics progressed, attempts to dispose of the dead were abandoned. Putrefying bodies were everywhere. Whole cities were left desolate, the few survivors having fled.</p>
<p>It is not to be wondered at that such epidemics swept over Europe when it was taught that these were the vengeance of God. How could it be discovered that the real causes were the crowded conditions and bad sanitation of the cities, the squalor, the misrule, and gross immorality occasioned by the Holy Wars, when hordes of soldier-bandits plagued the countryside? The devout continued to live in their squalor, to trust in the Lord, and to die by the millions.</p>
<p>In all pestilences down to the present time, the Church authorities, instead of aiding and devising sanitary measures, have preached the necessity of immediate atonement for offenses against the Almighty. The chief cause of the immense sacrifice of lives in these plagues was of course the lack of hygienic precautions. But how could this be discovered when, for ages, living in filth was regarded by great numbers of holy men as an evidence of sanctity!</p>
<p>St. Hilarion lived his whole life long in utter physical uncleanliness. St. Athanasius glorifies St. Anthony because he had never washed his feet. St. Abraham's most striking evidence of holiness was that for fifty years he washed neither his hands nor his feet; St. Sylvia never washed any part of her body save her fingers; St. Euphraxia belonged to a convent in which the nuns religiously abstained from bathing; St. Mary of Egypt was eminent for filthiness; St. Simeon Stylites was in this133 respect unspeakable--the least that can be said is that he lived in ordure and stench intolerable to his visitors. For century after century the idea prevailed that filthiness was akin to holiness.
</p>
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<p>The first holy man, the first priest, was the "shaman," and it was his duty not only to placate and cajole the spirits that were thought to control the physical well-being of the individual members of the tribe; but it was his duty also, by the exercise of his magic, to alleviate and cure illness by exorcism. The "shaman" was therefore the first medicine man, the first witch doctor, the first physician. He relied chiefly upon psychotherapy as does the modern witch doctor of Christian Science.</p>
<p>Medicine could not begin to be medicine until it was disassociated from magic, religion, and theology. This struggle has been going on from the time of the "shaman" to the present moment. Primitive medicine stands midway between magic and religion, as an attempt to safeguard health by control of so-called supernatural processes, and the warding off of evil influences by appeal to the gods.</p>
<p>In all primitive societies, priest, magician, and medicine man were one and the same; and medicine remained stationary until it could divorce itself completely from religion. Primitive medicine, then, springs from folklore, legends, credulity, and superstitions; the same forces that give rise to all forms of religious beliefs.</p>
<p>Huxley has stated, "Science commits suicide when it adopts a creed," and from the earliest of times those men who had a scientific trend of mind realized this, however vaguely, and have attempted to divorce science from religion. The science of medicine has been divorced from superstition, but its twin brother religion lies as128 firmly bogged in the mire of superstition today as it did in the days of the incantations of the first theologist, the "shaman." And it is due to this close association of religion and medicine that ideas of the greatest scientific moment have been throttled at birth or veered into a blind alley through some current theological lunacy. Medicine has advanced through its disassociation with supernaturalism, while religion still remains the last refuge of human savagery.</p>
<p>And so it had been that throughout those long, sterile, and barbarous ages primitive man ascribed all diseases either to the wrath of God, or the malice of an Evil Being. With the rise of the Greek philosophers, the human mind for the first time began to throw off the fogs of superstition. In Greece, 500 years before Christ, Hippocrates developed scientific thought and laid the foundations of medical science upon observation, experience, and reason. Under his guidance, medicine for the first time was separated from religion. He relieved the gods of the responsibility for disease and placed it squarely upon the shoulders of man. His findings were passed on to the School of Alexandria, and there medical science was further developed. At this stage of history all advances stopped, and for the following reason:</p>
<p>With the coming of Christianity this science, as well as all others, was stultified. A retrogression took place to the ideation of the most primitive of men, namely, the conception of physical disease as the result of the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan, or by a combination of both. The Old Testament attributes such diseases as the leprosy of Miriam and Uzziah, the boils of Job, the dysentery of Jehoram, the withered hand of Jeroboam, the fatal illness of Asa, and many other ills, to the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan. The New Testament furnishes such examples as the woman "bound129 by Satan," the rebuke of the fever, the casting out of the devil which was dumb, the healing of persons whom "the devil oftimes casteth into the fire," and various other episodes. Christian theology then evolved theories of miraculous methods of cure, based upon modes of appeasing the divine anger, or of thwarting satanic malice. The curing of disease by the casting out of devils, by
prayers, were the means of relief from sickness recognized and commanded by the Bible. Thus Christianity perverted the beginning of a science of medicine to a system of attempted cure of disease by fraud.</p>
<p>The treatment of disease descended to the cures found in holy and healing wells, pools, and streams; in miracles and the efficacy that was to be found in the relics of saints. Instead of reliance upon observation, experience, and thought, attention was directed toward supernatural agencies. In contrast to the Greek physicians who were attempting to lay a scientific foundation, we have the Christian idea prevailing that the water in which a single hair of a saint had been dipped was to be used as a purgative; water in which St. Remy's ring had been dipped cured lunacy; oil of a lamp burning before the tomb of St. Gall cured tumors; wine in which the bones of a saint had been dipped cured fevers; St. Valentine cured epilepsy; St. Christopher cured throat disease; St. Eutropius, dropsy; St. Ovid, deafness; St. Vitus, St. Anthony, and a multitude of other saints, the maladies which bear their names.</p>
<p>"In the year 1585, in the town of Embrun, France, the male generative organ of St. Foutin was greatly revered. A jar was placed beneath his emblem to catch the wine with which it was generally anointed; the wine was left to sour, and then it was known as the 'Holy Vinegar.' The women drank it in order to be blessed with children." (Joseph Lewis, "Voltaire.")130</p>
<p>Enormous revenues flowed into various monasteries and churches in all parts of Europe from relics noted for their healing powers. The ecclesiastics perceived that the physician would interfere with these revenues and gifts of the shrines, and deemed it the will of God to persecute and condemn physicians. St. Ambrose declared, "The precepts of medicine are contrary to celestial science, watching and prayer." St. Augustine declared, "All diseases of Christians are to be ascribed to these demons, chiefly do they torment fresh baptized Christians, yea, even the guiltless, new-born babe." Gregory of Nazianzus declared that bodily pains are provoked by demons, and that medicines are useless, but that they are often cured by the laying on of consecrated hands. St. Niles and St. Gregory of Tours gave examples to show the sinfulness of resorting to medicine instead of trusting to the intercession of saints.</p>
<p>Even as late as 1517, Pope Leo X, for a consideration, issued tickets bearing a cross and the following inscription, "This cross measured forty times makes the height of Christ in His humanity. He who kisses it is preserved for seven days from falling sickness, apoplexy, and sudden death."</p>
<p>The Council of Le Mons, in 1248, forbade monks to engage in surgery. At the beginning of the twelfth century, the Council of Rheims forbade monks to study medicine; and shortly after the middle of the twelfth century, Pope Alexander III forbade monks to study or practice medicine. In the thirteenth century, the Dominican Order forbade all ecclesiastics to have any connection with medicine; and when we remember that the policy of the Church had made it impossible for any learned man to enter any other profession, the only resource left for a scholar was the Church; so effectively did the Church kill all scientific endeavors.131</p>
<p>The Reformation made no sudden change in the sacred theory of medicine. The Church of England accepted the doctrine of "royal touch," and in a prayer book of that period is found a service provided for that occasion which states that "They (the kings), shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover."</p>
<p>Pestilences were taught to be punishments inflicted by God on society for its shortcomings. Modern man has no conception of the ravages of infections and epidemics that swept over Europe in the Middle Ages, and to a lesser extent, until less than fifty years ago. Tacitus described the plague in Rome thus: "Houses were filled with dead bodies, and the streets with funerals.... Alike, slaves and plebeians were suddenly taken off amidst lamentations of their wives and children, who, while they mourned the dead, were themselves seized with the disease, and, perishing, were burned on the same funeral pyre."</p>
<p>In 80 A.D. an epidemic swept Rome causing 10,000 deaths daily. During the ages until the present century, wave after wave of pestilence swept over Europe. The plague in 1384 A.D. took no less than 60 million lives. It was estimated that twenty-five per cent. of the population of the then known world perished in that one epidemic. Between 1601 and 1603, 127,000 died of the plague in Moscow. The epidemic of 1630 took 500,000 lives in the Venetian republic; Milan alone lost 88,000. In 1605, London lost 69,000; 70,000 died in Vienna in 1679; the following year Prague lost 83,000, all from this disease. The horrors of such visitations are beyond description, and can scarcely be imagined. For a time, attempts were made to collect and bury the dead. Wagons would pass through the streets at night collecting the victims. The drivers, benumbed with drink, frequently failed to ascertain whether death had occurred. Living patients,132 desperately ill, were piled into the wagons with c
orpses beneath, about, and on them. These gruesome loads were dumped pell-mell into huge pits hastily dug for the purpose. In some instances, living victims crawled out of these pits and survived to tell the tale. As the epidemics progressed, attempts to dispose of the dead were abandoned. Putrefying bodies were everywhere. Whole cities were left desolate, the few survivors having fled.</p>
<p>It is not to be wondered at that such epidemics swept over Europe when it was taught that these were the vengeance of God. How could it be discovered that the real causes were the crowded conditions and bad sanitation of the cities, the squalor, the misrule, and gross immorality occasioned by the Holy Wars, when hordes of soldier-bandits plagued the countryside? The devout continued to live in their squalor, to trust in the Lord, and to die by the millions.</p>
<p>In all pestilences down to the present time, the Church authorities, instead of aiding and devising sanitary measures, have preached the necessity of immediate atonement for offenses against the Almighty. The chief cause of the immense sacrifice of lives in these plagues was of course the lack of hygienic precautions. But how could this be discovered when, for ages, living in filth was regarded by great numbers of holy men as an evidence of sanctity!</p>
<p>St. Hilarion lived his whole life long in utter physical uncleanliness. St. Athanasius glorifies St. Anthony because he had never washed his feet. St. Abraham's most striking evidence of holiness was that for fifty years he washed neither his hands nor his feet; St. Sylvia never washed any part of her body save her fingers; St. Euphraxia belonged to a convent in which the nuns religiously abstained from bathing; St. Mary of Egypt was eminent for filthiness; St. Simeon Stylites was in this133 respect unspeakable--the least that can be said is that he lived in ordure and stench intolerable to his visitors. For century after century the idea prevailed that filthiness was akin to holiness.
</p>
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duminică, 5 august 2012
The Importance Of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant - Health
<p>Cord blood stem cell transplants have successfully treated many diseases and debilitating conditions. Stem cells harvested from umbilical cord blood of a newborn baby can develop into any type of organ or tissue such as liver, heart and neural cells. They can also repair tissue and organs damaged in strokes and heart attacks.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and adult leukemia</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells are commonly used to treat childhood leukemia for many years. However, only in recent years that adults with leukemia have been successfully treated with transplantation of cord blood stem cells from unrelated donors. One case is that of Stephen Sprague who was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in 1995. Chemotherapy only kept the cancer under control for 17 months. In April 1997, he was in the final stage of the disease. He took part in a clinical trial to determine if adequate amount of cord blood stem cells could be harvested for a successful transplantation to an adult. In November 1997, he underwent a cord blood stem cell transplant and has been cancer free for over 9 years.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and spinal cord injuries</p>
<p>In Korea, a team of researchers claimed to have successfully transplanted umbilical cord blood stem cells into the spine of a 37-year old woman. The patient had been paralyzed for 19 years due to an accident. Doctors injected the stem cells directly into the damaged portion of her spine. Within only three weeks, she began walking assisted with a walker, and today she walks well without aid.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and Krabbe disease</p>
<p>Great promise has been shown in the treatment of Krabbe Disease and other rare lysomal storage diseases through the transplantation of cord blood stem cells. Krabbe disease occurs in infants, and if left untreated is usually fatal within 2 years. Researchers from Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have made ground breaking progress in the treatment of this disease. Their research shows that newborns who receive umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants while they are still asymptomatic have a much higher chance of survival than children who have already shown symptoms. The key is to catch the disease early enough to prevent the loss of critical brain function.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and Lymphoproliferative disease</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant has been proven to treat Lymphoproliferative disease. This illness is a rare condition that affects the immune system and makes the patient unable to fight off common germs. Brothers Blayke and Garrett of Los Angeles, California were born with this life threatening disease. Thanks to a cord blood transplant, both boys are now living normal, healthy lives.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and Thalassaemia</p>
<p>Thalassaemia is a blood disease in which the body produces deformed red blood cells. Frequent blood transfusions are necessary and previously the only cure was a bone marrow transplant. On 3 July 2001, a cord blood stem cell transplant was carried out on a 5-year old Malaysian Chinese boy with Thalassaemia Major. He is now able to produce normal red blood cells and is cured of Thalassaemia Major. Besides bone marrow transplant from a sibling, cord blood transplant is now a viable treatment for Thalassaemia.</p>
<p>With the advancement of stem cell research, the future of cord blood transplant looks promising as more of its potential uses are discovered. Many people suffering from rare diseases and debilitating injuries have been able to lead better quality lives following a cord blood stem cell transplant.
</p>
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<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and adult leukemia</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells are commonly used to treat childhood leukemia for many years. However, only in recent years that adults with leukemia have been successfully treated with transplantation of cord blood stem cells from unrelated donors. One case is that of Stephen Sprague who was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in 1995. Chemotherapy only kept the cancer under control for 17 months. In April 1997, he was in the final stage of the disease. He took part in a clinical trial to determine if adequate amount of cord blood stem cells could be harvested for a successful transplantation to an adult. In November 1997, he underwent a cord blood stem cell transplant and has been cancer free for over 9 years.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and spinal cord injuries</p>
<p>In Korea, a team of researchers claimed to have successfully transplanted umbilical cord blood stem cells into the spine of a 37-year old woman. The patient had been paralyzed for 19 years due to an accident. Doctors injected the stem cells directly into the damaged portion of her spine. Within only three weeks, she began walking assisted with a walker, and today she walks well without aid.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and Krabbe disease</p>
<p>Great promise has been shown in the treatment of Krabbe Disease and other rare lysomal storage diseases through the transplantation of cord blood stem cells. Krabbe disease occurs in infants, and if left untreated is usually fatal within 2 years. Researchers from Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have made ground breaking progress in the treatment of this disease. Their research shows that newborns who receive umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants while they are still asymptomatic have a much higher chance of survival than children who have already shown symptoms. The key is to catch the disease early enough to prevent the loss of critical brain function.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and Lymphoproliferative disease</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant has been proven to treat Lymphoproliferative disease. This illness is a rare condition that affects the immune system and makes the patient unable to fight off common germs. Brothers Blayke and Garrett of Los Angeles, California were born with this life threatening disease. Thanks to a cord blood transplant, both boys are now living normal, healthy lives.</p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood stem cells and Thalassaemia</p>
<p>Thalassaemia is a blood disease in which the body produces deformed red blood cells. Frequent blood transfusions are necessary and previously the only cure was a bone marrow transplant. On 3 July 2001, a cord blood stem cell transplant was carried out on a 5-year old Malaysian Chinese boy with Thalassaemia Major. He is now able to produce normal red blood cells and is cured of Thalassaemia Major. Besides bone marrow transplant from a sibling, cord blood transplant is now a viable treatment for Thalassaemia.</p>
<p>With the advancement of stem cell research, the future of cord blood transplant looks promising as more of its potential uses are discovered. Many people suffering from rare diseases and debilitating injuries have been able to lead better quality lives following a cord blood stem cell transplant.
</p>
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sâmbătă, 4 august 2012
Religion and medecine - Spirituality - Religion
<p>Medicine and religion have been closely associated from the most pristine time. Primitive medicine had its origin in conjunction with the most primitive of religious conceptions, namely, animism; an illusion that made primitive man recognize in all things, and everywhere, spirits such as his supposed spirit; a belief that the world swarms with invisible spirits which are the cause of disease and death. And thus primitive medicine is inseparable from primitive modes of religious belief. All these phenomena which we consider today natural--the rustling of leaves in a forest, the crash of thunder, the flash of lightning, winds, clouds, storms, and earth127quakes--were to primitive man the outward and visible signs of angry gods, demons, and spirits. Similar spirits caused disease and death, and these evil spirits that produced disease and death were to be placated and cajoled by man, just as he did his other deities, by magic, by burnt offerings, and sacrifice.</p>
<p>The first holy man, the first priest, was the "shaman," and it was his duty not only to placate and cajole the spirits that were thought to control the physical well-being of the individual members of the tribe; but it was his duty also, by the exercise of his magic, to alleviate and cure illness by exorcism. The "shaman" was therefore the first medicine man, the first witch doctor, the first physician. He relied chiefly upon psychotherapy as does the modern witch doctor of Christian Science.</p>
<p>Medicine could not begin to be medicine until it was disassociated from magic, religion, and theology. This struggle has been going on from the time of the "shaman" to the present moment. Primitive medicine stands midway between magic and religion, as an attempt to safeguard health by control of so-called supernatural processes, and the warding off of evil influences by appeal to the gods.</p>
<p>In all primitive societies, priest, magician, and medicine man were one and the same; and medicine remained stationary until it could divorce itself completely from religion. Primitive medicine, then, springs from folklore, legends, credulity, and superstitions; the same forces that give rise to all forms of religious beliefs.</p>
<p>Huxley has stated, "Science commits suicide when it adopts a creed," and from the earliest of times those men who had a scientific trend of mind realized this, however vaguely, and have attempted to divorce science from religion. The science of medicine has been divorced from superstition, but its twin brother religion lies as128 firmly bogged in the mire of superstition today as it did in the days of the incantations of the first theologist, the "shaman." And it is due to this close association of religion and medicine that ideas of the greatest scientific moment have been throttled at birth or veered into a blind alley through some current theological lunacy. Medicine has advanced through its disassociation with supernaturalism, while religion still remains the last refuge of human savagery.</p>
<p>And so it had been that throughout those long, sterile, and barbarous ages primitive man ascribed all diseases either to the wrath of God, or the malice of an Evil Being. With the rise of the Greek philosophers, the human mind for the first time began to throw off the fogs of superstition. In Greece, 500 years before Christ, Hippocrates developed scientific thought and laid the foundations of medical science upon observation, experience, and reason. Under his guidance, medicine for the first time was separated from religion. He relieved the gods of the responsibility for disease and placed it squarely upon the shoulders of man. His findings were passed on to the School of Alexandria, and there medical science was further developed. At this stage of history all advances stopped, and for the following reason:</p>
<p>With the coming of Christianity this science, as well as all others, was stultified. A retrogression took place to the ideation of the most primitive of men, namely, the conception of physical disease as the result of the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan, or by a combination of both. The Old Testament attributes such diseases as the leprosy of Miriam and Uzziah, the boils of Job, the dysentery of Jehoram, the withered hand of Jeroboam, the fatal illness of Asa, and many other ills, to the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan. The New Testament furnishes such examples as the woman "bound129 by Satan," the rebuke of the fever, the casting out of the devil which was dumb, the healing of persons whom "the devil oftimes casteth into the fire," and various other episodes. Christian theology then evolved theories of miraculous methods of cure, based upon modes of appeasing the divine anger, or of thwarting satanic malice. The curing of disease by the casting out of devils, by
prayers, were the means of relief from sickness recognized and commanded by the Bible. Thus Christianity perverted the beginning of a science of medicine to a system of attempted cure of disease by fraud.</p>
<p>The treatment of disease descended to the cures found in holy and healing wells, pools, and streams; in miracles and the efficacy that was to be found in the relics of saints. Instead of reliance upon observation, experience, and thought, attention was directed toward supernatural agencies. In contrast to the Greek physicians who were attempting to lay a scientific foundation, we have the Christian idea prevailing that the water in which a single hair of a saint had been dipped was to be used as a purgative; water in which St. Remy's ring had been dipped cured lunacy; oil of a lamp burning before the tomb of St. Gall cured tumors; wine in which the bones of a saint had been dipped cured fevers; St. Valentine cured epilepsy; St. Christopher cured throat disease; St. Eutropius, dropsy; St. Ovid, deafness; St. Vitus, St. Anthony, and a multitude of other saints, the maladies which bear their names.</p>
<p>"In the year 1585, in the town of Embrun, France, the male generative organ of St. Foutin was greatly revered. A jar was placed beneath his emblem to catch the wine with which it was generally anointed; the wine was left to sour, and then it was known as the 'Holy Vinegar.' The women drank it in order to be blessed with children." (Joseph Lewis, "Voltaire.")130</p>
<p>Enormous revenues flowed into various monasteries and churches in all parts of Europe from relics noted for their healing powers. The ecclesiastics perceived that the physician would interfere with these revenues and gifts of the shrines, and deemed it the will of God to persecute and condemn physicians. St. Ambrose declared, "The precepts of medicine are contrary to celestial science, watching and prayer." St. Augustine declared, "All diseases of Christians are to be ascribed to these demons, chiefly do they torment fresh baptized Christians, yea, even the guiltless, new-born babe." Gregory of Nazianzus declared that bodily pains are provoked by demons, and that medicines are useless, but that they are often cured by the laying on of consecrated hands. St. Niles and St. Gregory of Tours gave examples to show the sinfulness of resorting to medicine instead of trusting to the intercession of saints.</p>
<p>Even as late as 1517, Pope Leo X, for a consideration, issued tickets bearing a cross and the following inscription, "This cross measured forty times makes the height of Christ in His humanity. He who kisses it is preserved for seven days from falling sickness, apoplexy, and sudden death."</p>
<p>The Council of Le Mons, in 1248, forbade monks to engage in surgery. At the beginning of the twelfth century, the Council of Rheims forbade monks to study medicine; and shortly after the middle of the twelfth century, Pope Alexander III forbade monks to study or practice medicine. In the thirteenth century, the Dominican Order forbade all ecclesiastics to have any connection with medicine; and when we remember that the policy of the Church had made it impossible for any learned man to enter any other profession, the only resource left for a scholar was the Church; so effectively did the Church kill all scientific endeavors.131</p>
<p>The Reformation made no sudden change in the sacred theory of medicine. The Church of England accepted the doctrine of "royal touch," and in a prayer book of that period is found a service provided for that occasion which states that "They (the kings), shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover."</p>
<p>Pestilences were taught to be punishments inflicted by God on society for its shortcomings. Modern man has no conception of the ravages of infections and epidemics that swept over Europe in the Middle Ages, and to a lesser extent, until less than fifty years ago. Tacitus described the plague in Rome thus: "Houses were filled with dead bodies, and the streets with funerals.... Alike, slaves and plebeians were suddenly taken off amidst lamentations of their wives and children, who, while they mourned the dead, were themselves seized with the disease, and, perishing, were burned on the same funeral pyre."</p>
<p>In 80 A.D. an epidemic swept Rome causing 10,000 deaths daily. During the ages until the present century, wave after wave of pestilence swept over Europe. The plague in 1384 A.D. took no less than 60 million lives. It was estimated that twenty-five per cent. of the population of the then known world perished in that one epidemic. Between 1601 and 1603, 127,000 died of the plague in Moscow. The epidemic of 1630 took 500,000 lives in the Venetian republic; Milan alone lost 88,000. In 1605, London lost 69,000; 70,000 died in Vienna in 1679; the following year Prague lost 83,000, all from this disease. The horrors of such visitations are beyond description, and can scarcely be imagined. For a time, attempts were made to collect and bury the dead. Wagons would pass through the streets at night collecting the victims. The drivers, benumbed with drink, frequently failed to ascertain whether death had occurred. Living patients,132 desperately ill, were piled into the wagons with c
orpses beneath, about, and on them. These gruesome loads were dumped pell-mell into huge pits hastily dug for the purpose. In some instances, living victims crawled out of these pits and survived to tell the tale. As the epidemics progressed, attempts to dispose of the dead were abandoned. Putrefying bodies were everywhere. Whole cities were left desolate, the few survivors having fled.</p>
<p>It is not to be wondered at that such epidemics swept over Europe when it was taught that these were the vengeance of God. How could it be discovered that the real causes were the crowded conditions and bad sanitation of the cities, the squalor, the misrule, and gross immorality occasioned by the Holy Wars, when hordes of soldier-bandits plagued the countryside? The devout continued to live in their squalor, to trust in the Lord, and to die by the millions.</p>
<p>In all pestilences down to the present time, the Church authorities, instead of aiding and devising sanitary measures, have preached the necessity of immediate atonement for offenses against the Almighty. The chief cause of the immense sacrifice of lives in these plagues was of course the lack of hygienic precautions. But how could this be discovered when, for ages, living in filth was regarded by great numbers of holy men as an evidence of sanctity!</p>
<p>St. Hilarion lived his whole life long in utter physical uncleanliness. St. Athanasius glorifies St. Anthony because he had never washed his feet. St. Abraham's most striking evidence of holiness was that for fifty years he washed neither his hands nor his feet; St. Sylvia never washed any part of her body save her fingers; St. Euphraxia belonged to a convent in which the nuns religiously abstained from bathing; St. Mary of Egypt was eminent for filthiness; St. Simeon Stylites was in this133 respect unspeakable--the least that can be said is that he lived in ordure and stench intolerable to his visitors. For century after century the idea prevailed that filthiness was akin to holiness.
</p>
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<p>The first holy man, the first priest, was the "shaman," and it was his duty not only to placate and cajole the spirits that were thought to control the physical well-being of the individual members of the tribe; but it was his duty also, by the exercise of his magic, to alleviate and cure illness by exorcism. The "shaman" was therefore the first medicine man, the first witch doctor, the first physician. He relied chiefly upon psychotherapy as does the modern witch doctor of Christian Science.</p>
<p>Medicine could not begin to be medicine until it was disassociated from magic, religion, and theology. This struggle has been going on from the time of the "shaman" to the present moment. Primitive medicine stands midway between magic and religion, as an attempt to safeguard health by control of so-called supernatural processes, and the warding off of evil influences by appeal to the gods.</p>
<p>In all primitive societies, priest, magician, and medicine man were one and the same; and medicine remained stationary until it could divorce itself completely from religion. Primitive medicine, then, springs from folklore, legends, credulity, and superstitions; the same forces that give rise to all forms of religious beliefs.</p>
<p>Huxley has stated, "Science commits suicide when it adopts a creed," and from the earliest of times those men who had a scientific trend of mind realized this, however vaguely, and have attempted to divorce science from religion. The science of medicine has been divorced from superstition, but its twin brother religion lies as128 firmly bogged in the mire of superstition today as it did in the days of the incantations of the first theologist, the "shaman." And it is due to this close association of religion and medicine that ideas of the greatest scientific moment have been throttled at birth or veered into a blind alley through some current theological lunacy. Medicine has advanced through its disassociation with supernaturalism, while religion still remains the last refuge of human savagery.</p>
<p>And so it had been that throughout those long, sterile, and barbarous ages primitive man ascribed all diseases either to the wrath of God, or the malice of an Evil Being. With the rise of the Greek philosophers, the human mind for the first time began to throw off the fogs of superstition. In Greece, 500 years before Christ, Hippocrates developed scientific thought and laid the foundations of medical science upon observation, experience, and reason. Under his guidance, medicine for the first time was separated from religion. He relieved the gods of the responsibility for disease and placed it squarely upon the shoulders of man. His findings were passed on to the School of Alexandria, and there medical science was further developed. At this stage of history all advances stopped, and for the following reason:</p>
<p>With the coming of Christianity this science, as well as all others, was stultified. A retrogression took place to the ideation of the most primitive of men, namely, the conception of physical disease as the result of the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan, or by a combination of both. The Old Testament attributes such diseases as the leprosy of Miriam and Uzziah, the boils of Job, the dysentery of Jehoram, the withered hand of Jeroboam, the fatal illness of Asa, and many other ills, to the wrath of God, or the malice of Satan. The New Testament furnishes such examples as the woman "bound129 by Satan," the rebuke of the fever, the casting out of the devil which was dumb, the healing of persons whom "the devil oftimes casteth into the fire," and various other episodes. Christian theology then evolved theories of miraculous methods of cure, based upon modes of appeasing the divine anger, or of thwarting satanic malice. The curing of disease by the casting out of devils, by
prayers, were the means of relief from sickness recognized and commanded by the Bible. Thus Christianity perverted the beginning of a science of medicine to a system of attempted cure of disease by fraud.</p>
<p>The treatment of disease descended to the cures found in holy and healing wells, pools, and streams; in miracles and the efficacy that was to be found in the relics of saints. Instead of reliance upon observation, experience, and thought, attention was directed toward supernatural agencies. In contrast to the Greek physicians who were attempting to lay a scientific foundation, we have the Christian idea prevailing that the water in which a single hair of a saint had been dipped was to be used as a purgative; water in which St. Remy's ring had been dipped cured lunacy; oil of a lamp burning before the tomb of St. Gall cured tumors; wine in which the bones of a saint had been dipped cured fevers; St. Valentine cured epilepsy; St. Christopher cured throat disease; St. Eutropius, dropsy; St. Ovid, deafness; St. Vitus, St. Anthony, and a multitude of other saints, the maladies which bear their names.</p>
<p>"In the year 1585, in the town of Embrun, France, the male generative organ of St. Foutin was greatly revered. A jar was placed beneath his emblem to catch the wine with which it was generally anointed; the wine was left to sour, and then it was known as the 'Holy Vinegar.' The women drank it in order to be blessed with children." (Joseph Lewis, "Voltaire.")130</p>
<p>Enormous revenues flowed into various monasteries and churches in all parts of Europe from relics noted for their healing powers. The ecclesiastics perceived that the physician would interfere with these revenues and gifts of the shrines, and deemed it the will of God to persecute and condemn physicians. St. Ambrose declared, "The precepts of medicine are contrary to celestial science, watching and prayer." St. Augustine declared, "All diseases of Christians are to be ascribed to these demons, chiefly do they torment fresh baptized Christians, yea, even the guiltless, new-born babe." Gregory of Nazianzus declared that bodily pains are provoked by demons, and that medicines are useless, but that they are often cured by the laying on of consecrated hands. St. Niles and St. Gregory of Tours gave examples to show the sinfulness of resorting to medicine instead of trusting to the intercession of saints.</p>
<p>Even as late as 1517, Pope Leo X, for a consideration, issued tickets bearing a cross and the following inscription, "This cross measured forty times makes the height of Christ in His humanity. He who kisses it is preserved for seven days from falling sickness, apoplexy, and sudden death."</p>
<p>The Council of Le Mons, in 1248, forbade monks to engage in surgery. At the beginning of the twelfth century, the Council of Rheims forbade monks to study medicine; and shortly after the middle of the twelfth century, Pope Alexander III forbade monks to study or practice medicine. In the thirteenth century, the Dominican Order forbade all ecclesiastics to have any connection with medicine; and when we remember that the policy of the Church had made it impossible for any learned man to enter any other profession, the only resource left for a scholar was the Church; so effectively did the Church kill all scientific endeavors.131</p>
<p>The Reformation made no sudden change in the sacred theory of medicine. The Church of England accepted the doctrine of "royal touch," and in a prayer book of that period is found a service provided for that occasion which states that "They (the kings), shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover."</p>
<p>Pestilences were taught to be punishments inflicted by God on society for its shortcomings. Modern man has no conception of the ravages of infections and epidemics that swept over Europe in the Middle Ages, and to a lesser extent, until less than fifty years ago. Tacitus described the plague in Rome thus: "Houses were filled with dead bodies, and the streets with funerals.... Alike, slaves and plebeians were suddenly taken off amidst lamentations of their wives and children, who, while they mourned the dead, were themselves seized with the disease, and, perishing, were burned on the same funeral pyre."</p>
<p>In 80 A.D. an epidemic swept Rome causing 10,000 deaths daily. During the ages until the present century, wave after wave of pestilence swept over Europe. The plague in 1384 A.D. took no less than 60 million lives. It was estimated that twenty-five per cent. of the population of the then known world perished in that one epidemic. Between 1601 and 1603, 127,000 died of the plague in Moscow. The epidemic of 1630 took 500,000 lives in the Venetian republic; Milan alone lost 88,000. In 1605, London lost 69,000; 70,000 died in Vienna in 1679; the following year Prague lost 83,000, all from this disease. The horrors of such visitations are beyond description, and can scarcely be imagined. For a time, attempts were made to collect and bury the dead. Wagons would pass through the streets at night collecting the victims. The drivers, benumbed with drink, frequently failed to ascertain whether death had occurred. Living patients,132 desperately ill, were piled into the wagons with c
orpses beneath, about, and on them. These gruesome loads were dumped pell-mell into huge pits hastily dug for the purpose. In some instances, living victims crawled out of these pits and survived to tell the tale. As the epidemics progressed, attempts to dispose of the dead were abandoned. Putrefying bodies were everywhere. Whole cities were left desolate, the few survivors having fled.</p>
<p>It is not to be wondered at that such epidemics swept over Europe when it was taught that these were the vengeance of God. How could it be discovered that the real causes were the crowded conditions and bad sanitation of the cities, the squalor, the misrule, and gross immorality occasioned by the Holy Wars, when hordes of soldier-bandits plagued the countryside? The devout continued to live in their squalor, to trust in the Lord, and to die by the millions.</p>
<p>In all pestilences down to the present time, the Church authorities, instead of aiding and devising sanitary measures, have preached the necessity of immediate atonement for offenses against the Almighty. The chief cause of the immense sacrifice of lives in these plagues was of course the lack of hygienic precautions. But how could this be discovered when, for ages, living in filth was regarded by great numbers of holy men as an evidence of sanctity!</p>
<p>St. Hilarion lived his whole life long in utter physical uncleanliness. St. Athanasius glorifies St. Anthony because he had never washed his feet. St. Abraham's most striking evidence of holiness was that for fifty years he washed neither his hands nor his feet; St. Sylvia never washed any part of her body save her fingers; St. Euphraxia belonged to a convent in which the nuns religiously abstained from bathing; St. Mary of Egypt was eminent for filthiness; St. Simeon Stylites was in this133 respect unspeakable--the least that can be said is that he lived in ordure and stench intolerable to his visitors. For century after century the idea prevailed that filthiness was akin to holiness.
</p>
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vineri, 3 august 2012
Finest Diet For Polycystic Kidney Disorder - Health
<p>Far more lately, latest investigation by Dr Charles Mobs, PhD, at the Mount Sinai College of Medicine, located a eating plan with very large ranges of weight, but restricted carbohydrates and with only moderate intake of protein can in fact reverse kidney failure in as tiny as two months. In actuality it has been identified that just four weeks on the eating plan may perhaps be adequate to reverse the slide down to kidney failure.The essential key of a kidney failure diet plan is dependent around the particular kidney ailment diet plan limitations. These consist of:Protein.Salt or sodium.Potassium.Phosphorous.While these goods are nevertheless permissible in a kidney failure diet program menu, the amounts will need to be strictly managed, depending on the diploma of damage that has occurred to the kidneys. This is because the ability of a damaged kidney to excrete extra quantities of these substances is limited. For example, wholesome kidneys can offer with as significantl
y as 4700 milligrams of potassium, although a individual with kidney sickness will need to preserve their day-to-day intake strictly under 2700 milligrams. The Advisable Day by day Allowance for potassium for balanced individuals is arranged at 3,500 milligrams.A equivalent restriction applies when you require to adopt a minimal phosphorous diet regime, mainly because impaired kidneys can only moderately tackle 700 - 900 milligrams each day, compared with the up to two,000 milligrams a day a healthful pair of kidneys can cope with.Many individuals know about the risks of excess salt or sodium, and these are now frequently very well highlighted on food labels. It is suggested that you try to eat no extra than two,400 milligrams of salt or sodium day by day. Regrettably, it is pretty straightforward to exceed this by a incredibly vast margin, due to the fact salt is found in just about all processed food items and even in the most not likely places, such as breakfast cereals a
nd even best makes of mineral h2o.Typically, a healthful pair of kidneys will be ready to dump any extra, whilst continual higher ranges provide with it the risk of raised blood stress -- which, in flip -- can harm the kidneys.But, if you are on a continual kidney failure diet program, salt usage requires to be strictly controlled to between 1,000 and 2,000 milligrams a day, from all resources, relying on your levels of kidney impairment. This is to prevent a damaging construct up of salt which can consequence in fluid making up in the lungs, doing it incredibly hard to breathe and even bringing about heart failure, due to overworking the heart by excess fluid in the bloodstream.Abnormal protein usage is a person of the possible results in of kidney ailment. So, not only is the total of protein consumed when on a renal failure diet plan critical, so is the superior.And, if you have been depressed by all this gloom about what you can not consume, let us now celebrate all the
mouthwatering treats that you can feast on whilst on a kidney failure diet plan approach.Chief amongst people is a single of the greatest forms of good quality protein: oily fish, this sort of as delectable salmon. This is rich in Omega three oils, which was proven in exploration by Dr Alexander Leaf of Harvard Health-related School who fed fish oil to animals with kidney disease and affected a one hundred% heal.
</p>
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y as 4700 milligrams of potassium, although a individual with kidney sickness will need to preserve their day-to-day intake strictly under 2700 milligrams. The Advisable Day by day Allowance for potassium for balanced individuals is arranged at 3,500 milligrams.A equivalent restriction applies when you require to adopt a minimal phosphorous diet regime, mainly because impaired kidneys can only moderately tackle 700 - 900 milligrams each day, compared with the up to two,000 milligrams a day a healthful pair of kidneys can cope with.Many individuals know about the risks of excess salt or sodium, and these are now frequently very well highlighted on food labels. It is suggested that you try to eat no extra than two,400 milligrams of salt or sodium day by day. Regrettably, it is pretty straightforward to exceed this by a incredibly vast margin, due to the fact salt is found in just about all processed food items and even in the most not likely places, such as breakfast cereals a
nd even best makes of mineral h2o.Typically, a healthful pair of kidneys will be ready to dump any extra, whilst continual higher ranges provide with it the risk of raised blood stress -- which, in flip -- can harm the kidneys.But, if you are on a continual kidney failure diet program, salt usage requires to be strictly controlled to between 1,000 and 2,000 milligrams a day, from all resources, relying on your levels of kidney impairment. This is to prevent a damaging construct up of salt which can consequence in fluid making up in the lungs, doing it incredibly hard to breathe and even bringing about heart failure, due to overworking the heart by excess fluid in the bloodstream.Abnormal protein usage is a person of the possible results in of kidney ailment. So, not only is the total of protein consumed when on a renal failure diet plan critical, so is the superior.And, if you have been depressed by all this gloom about what you can not consume, let us now celebrate all the
mouthwatering treats that you can feast on whilst on a kidney failure diet plan approach.Chief amongst people is a single of the greatest forms of good quality protein: oily fish, this sort of as delectable salmon. This is rich in Omega three oils, which was proven in exploration by Dr Alexander Leaf of Harvard Health-related School who fed fish oil to animals with kidney disease and affected a one hundred% heal.
</p>
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joi, 2 august 2012
Kidney Diet plan Secrets That Can Reverse Persistent Kidney Failure - Health
<p>So, not only is the sum of protein consumed when on a renal failure diet regime significant, so is the good quality.And, if you have been depressed by all this gloom about what you cannot try to eat, let us now celebrate all the mouthwatering treats that you can feast on while on a kidney failure diet program program.Chief amongst people is one of the highest kinds of high quality protein: oily fish, these kinds of as scrumptious salmon. This is wealthy in Omega three oils, which was demonstrated in investigation by Dr Alexander Leaf of Harvard Healthcare College who fed fish oil to animals with kidney ailment and affected a one hundred% cure. A 3 ounce piece of wild salmon contains 50 milligrams of sodium, 274 milligrams phosphorus and 368 milligrams of potassium.And you can also feast on red bell peppers, which are tasty uncooked, stuffed with rice and herbs or roasted in olive oil. Yet a half a cup only consists of one milligram of sodium, 10 milligrams of phosphorus an
d 88 milligrams of potassium. What is much more they are a quite rich supply of vitamin C (containing twice as a great deal as a green pepper). They also comprise vitamin A, as perfectly as vitamin B6, folic acid and fiber. The red coloration also indicates they incorporate lycopene, an antioxidant assumed to defend against specific cancers.You can also take pleasure in onions in quite a few dishes to increase texture and taste, mainly because they are not only amongst the healthiest vegetable to consume, they are also crammed with flavonoids, specifically quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that performs to lower heart disease and safeguards versus many cancers. And onions maintain you effectively underneath your kidney eating plan targets, containing just three milligrams of phosphorus, 3 milligrams of sodium and 116 milligrams of potassium in 1/two a cup. Onions are also a very good resource of chromium, a mineral that will help with the productive metabolism of carbohydrat
es, extra fat and protein.And the even extra enjoyable news is the development of diet plans, dependent on all this very respected analysis has permitted some individuals with end stage renal failure to really reverse their kidney condition to this sort of an extent they have basically managed to steer clear of beginning kidney dialysis at all.If you have been struggling with huge kidney stones or any type of kidney disorder, you will previously be too mindful of how unpleasant that can be and what a remarkable affect it has on your life. Anything that can boost your well-being and stop additional formation of kidney stones is worthy of consideration. In this Kidney Diet regime Tricks overview I am heading to be taking a precise appear at this report by Rachelle Gordon, what it contains and who can gain from subsequent it.Who Is Rachelle Gordon?She is a nurse with 10 ages of expertise functioning in hospitals in the intensive treatment unit and out-individual departments. As
a outcome of functioning in this environment with these patients that have been struggling with different varieties of kidney sickness, renal disorder and kidney stone problems, she has been in a position to establish a method that's core element is a eating habits strategy which is subject-examined.</p>
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d 88 milligrams of potassium. What is much more they are a quite rich supply of vitamin C (containing twice as a great deal as a green pepper). They also comprise vitamin A, as perfectly as vitamin B6, folic acid and fiber. The red coloration also indicates they incorporate lycopene, an antioxidant assumed to defend against specific cancers.You can also take pleasure in onions in quite a few dishes to increase texture and taste, mainly because they are not only amongst the healthiest vegetable to consume, they are also crammed with flavonoids, specifically quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that performs to lower heart disease and safeguards versus many cancers. And onions maintain you effectively underneath your kidney eating plan targets, containing just three milligrams of phosphorus, 3 milligrams of sodium and 116 milligrams of potassium in 1/two a cup. Onions are also a very good resource of chromium, a mineral that will help with the productive metabolism of carbohydrat
es, extra fat and protein.And the even extra enjoyable news is the development of diet plans, dependent on all this very respected analysis has permitted some individuals with end stage renal failure to really reverse their kidney condition to this sort of an extent they have basically managed to steer clear of beginning kidney dialysis at all.If you have been struggling with huge kidney stones or any type of kidney disorder, you will previously be too mindful of how unpleasant that can be and what a remarkable affect it has on your life. Anything that can boost your well-being and stop additional formation of kidney stones is worthy of consideration. In this Kidney Diet regime Tricks overview I am heading to be taking a precise appear at this report by Rachelle Gordon, what it contains and who can gain from subsequent it.Who Is Rachelle Gordon?She is a nurse with 10 ages of expertise functioning in hospitals in the intensive treatment unit and out-individual departments. As
a outcome of functioning in this environment with these patients that have been struggling with different varieties of kidney sickness, renal disorder and kidney stone problems, she has been in a position to establish a method that's core element is a eating habits strategy which is subject-examined.</p>
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miercuri, 1 august 2012
Democracy Watch, 2011 - Issue 26 - Society - Politics
<p>20 years of Ukrainian Independence: progress or servitude?</p>
<p>Evaluating Ukraine's 20 years of Independence, to be celebrated on the 24th of August, is a complex and contentious task. However, this anniversary provides a unique opportunity to reflect upon the social impact and reality of the many dramatic reformations that make up Ukraine's brief history. Ukrainian leaders are rightly characterised by their many missed opportunities to better the quality of life for Ukrainians in general. Yet, to Ukraine's credit, the country has managed to preserve its integrity and avoid violent upheaval becoming a beacon of endurance in Eastern Europe.</p>
<p>Ukraine's potential prosperity, marked by abundant natural and human resources, is starkly contrasted by the current paradigm; the result of dire misdirection and mismanagement by the political elite. </p>
<p>In 1991 a select few were vested with the responsibility to design a country; harnessing cultural resources, societal aspirations and avoiding the deficiencies of recent soviet history. In practice early state officials either failed to recognise the nation's potential or failed to wield it as a progressive advantage.</p>
<p>However, some early decisive action can be seen in a more positive light. Throughout 1991, parliamentarians enacted 35 laws on ownership, lease, entrepreneurship, enterprises, banks and banking operation, household goods, etc. These laws provided a framework for Ukraine's transition into a market economy. </p>
<p>Over the past two decades Ukraine has experienced a population reduction from 52million down to 46million people and continues to shrink by approximately 20 thousand people per month. Several million have been drained through employment emigration; predominantly to Russia and neighbouring European states. Ukraine itself has reduced in size after a section of the Black Sea shelf was handed over to Romania. </p>
<p>The Ukrainian people have less access to beaches, rivers and forests as vast swathes of real estate have been sold off into private ownership. In both psychological and physical terms Ukrainians' life space is getting smaller and smaller. </p>
<p>Add into this the heavy toll of alcoholism, drug addiction, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS (the highest in Europe) and tuberculosis all of which are either close to or at epidemic levels.</p>
<p> Alcohol alone claims more 40 thousand lives per year, as well as causing immeasurable domestic damage to families. Add into this the fact that Ukraine is currently a world leader in adolescent alcohol consumption(1). </p>
<p>Ukraine has also sacrificed much of its financial independence. Ukraine's obligations to the IMF now amount to over 14 billion US dollars, as of January 2011 making Ukraine the second largest IMF debtor after Romania. Ukraine essentially receives 2 out of every 9 dollars that the International Monetary Fund lends out globally. Regrettably the IMF is not Ukraine's only creditor; collectively Ukraine now owes in excess of 36 billion US dollars to various international lenders(2). </p>
<p>Another negative outcome of the last 20 years has been a worsening of socio-cultural divisions amongst the Ukrainian population, especially young people. A 2010 sociological survey demonstrates that 48.3% of young Ukrainians see no distinction between Russian and Ukrainian culture whilst 47.9% resolutely disagree. Nevertheless modern Ukrainians remain highly educated, eager for change and are increasingly travelling aboard, resulting in a more global perspective for Ukraine.</p>
<p>One positive result of the period of independence has been Ukraine's ability to establish itself as a peaceful and peacemaking member of the world community. Aside from participation in peace-keeping operations, Ukraine voluntarily abandoned the nuclear arsenal it inherited from the USSR: 176 strategic ballistic rockets, 50 strategic bomber aircrafts and 1,300 nuclear warheads - a larger nuclear capacity than China, Great Britain and France of the day, combined(4).</p>
<p>In addition, Ukraine has successfully written its own Constitution and established democratic mechanisms for the distribution of power and election of representative officials.Though these systems are in their infancy they have proved sufficient to support Ukrainian democracy up till today; the immediate future however has its own questions and concerns. Although Ukraine's famous resources remain largely untapped its future development could potentially evolve into a major force in the post-crises European era. </p>
<p>Western Europe appears to retain mixed feelings towards Ukraine's developments over the last two decades. According to German Ambassador Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth, Ukraine has had a very turbulent economic start since the collapse of the USSR. He also highlights some positive developments over the past 10 years: economic growth, the establishment of democratic principles, free and fair elections between 2006 and 2010 and the new pro-Europe mentality amongst the Ukrainian youth. The ambassador also addressed some negative developments such as the retreat from democracy since the last local elections in 2010(5).</p>
<p>Many attribute the failure of Ukraine to stabilise its economic situation to the lack of a national Ukrainian ideology. A recent survey by the Institute of Sociology of the NAS of Ukraine reveals that the majority of Ukrainians form all regions describe the current era as the time of 'criminals and frauds' (48%), 'wire-pullers'(44%) and 'beggars' (40%). Ukrainian society is internally believed to be influenced mainly by 'Mafia and criminals' (40%), 'businessmen' (37%), 'leaders of political parties' (31%) and 'state officials' (30%). The population unanimously believes that workers, farmers and intelligentsia have no influence on the governance of the country. Today less people are optimistic over the future of the country (39%) than in 1994 (52%). Thus Ukrainians can best answer the question about a direction Ukraine is heading today. </p>
<p>An interesting fact is that the number of people who support the idea of an independent Ukraine has dropped twofold compared to 90% in 1991. If a referendum was hosted today only 46.6% of participants would vote for an independent Ukraine with 27.8% against. 47.4% of respondents regret that the USSR collapsed. If the present tendencies continue to unfold the society will further deteriorate and perceive the state as their enemy rather than guarantor of their rights and freedoms.</p>
<p>To sum up Ukraine remains the country of unrealised potential surprising and deeply frustrating the rest of the world. (1) /news/news-in-ukraine/politika/19-let-nezavisimosti-pechalnye-itogi.html(2) /columns/2011/05/20/6217490/view_print/(3) /articles/2011/07/27/47982/(4) /site/recent-news/ukraines-achievements-during-twenty-years-of-independence/</p>
<p>People First Comment: </p>
<p>Even the most optimistic review of Ukraine over the past 20 years would find it difficult to reach a positive conclusion and it would be all to easy to write a diatribe of the nations' ills, but we all understand that despite all its natural and social advantages the nation has not achieved anywhere near its full potential. The question is why? How can a country that has so much, have achieved so little?</p>
<p>It is not that the nation lacks the expertise to run a successful economy and a prosperous nation as Ukraine once had one of the best educated populations in the world. It is not that there is a lack of experience of how to govern successfully as Ukrainians occupied many of the top administrative positions within the former government of the USSR. It is not lack of resources as Ukraine has more agricultural, mineral and energy resources than most of the rest of Europe put together. What separates Ukraine from many of the other nations of Europe and holds the nation back is the almost complete lack of any form of mutual social responsibility or collective social culture. This is not to say that Ukraine is without culture as history clearly demonstrates a unique national identity that goes back to the dawn of civilisation, but is this enough?</p>
<p>Some might seek to blame the current situation on the nations turbulent past but all nations have turbulent pasts. Some might seek to blame it on the breakdown of law and order but this is a symptom, not a cause. People First research has identified that the current pervading philosophy of Ukraine within all strata of society is 'self' and 'family' and whilst there is a very strong sense of family responsibility this is not reflected in social responsibility. Ukrainian society today has become self protective and self indulgent in the extreme and as a result corruption has become endemic. Yes Ukrainians are a proud people but nationhood is more than flags and patriotism.</p>
<p>The current state of inner city housing is a clear indicator of self protection. Walk into any tower block and behind the steel doors you will find mini palaces which are safe, secure and supported in the main by strong family bonds. The communal areas however could not be a greater contrast. The financial indulgences of the wealthy and their almost addictive demand for designer labelled cars, watches, fashion and bling clearly indicates a level of self indulgence that has now become a social norm as it permeates down through society. Yet in all this 'designer finery' society seems perfectly happy to walk through unparalleled urban decay to reach their domestic 'palaces' and instead of demanding repairs to the road infrastructure they simply buy more robust jeeps.</p>
<p>What is missing is any sense of social responsibility and collective national culture. Many would claim that the repair of communal areas is the responsibility of the local Zhek (administration) but after 20 years it must be pretty clear that they have no intention of delivering on this responsibility. Currently the people do nothing but complain to each other. Those that try to organise collective action are frowned upon and have doors slammed in their faces such is the belief that complaining will somehow unleash the hounds of hell.</p>
<p>Collective social responsibility is one of the cornerstones of a modern and sophisticated society. It is when individuals form neighbourhood groups that take it upon themselves to carry out repairs not because it is their job but because they simply want to live in a cleaner and more attractive environment. It is from these neighbourhood groups that district organisations takes root to put pressure on the authorities to maintain the local infrastructure and out of these grow grass root political organisations. Without this collective approach the whole country has become dependent upon those who have assumed power but clearly are not willing to use this power for the common good as they too have no sense of collective social responsibility. </p>
<p>You only have to look at the Polish example of 'Solidarity' to understand what social responsibility can achieve. Solidarity started as a group of disgruntled shipyard workers who decided to say no. Within a fairly short time they were a national movement and their leader was later elected President. This year they will assume the Presidency of the European Union as a wealthy and successful nation. It all happened because individuals decided to assume collective social responsibility for their situation and do something about it. Had they waited for the government to act then nothing would have changed.</p>
<p>There remains in Ukraine today a left over belief that the State will provide. It will not. To all extent the communal areas of tower blocks are a metaphor for the states abandonment of their responsibilities before the people. Thus the people have a choice; to either demonstrate their collective responsibility and take over what the State has abandoned or watch the very fabric of their society and all they hold dear disintegrate around them. </p>
<p>Can Ukraine change for the better over the next 20 years? Of course it can, but only when the people realise that true nationhood can only come from the collective action of the people and that the current situation is a direct result of their over dependence on a corrupt and non democratic system that has been allowed to evolve in the interests of a select few. Similarly the political and financial elite need to recognise that their neglect of the national interest is putting their future at risk as neither the people nor the international community will allow the continued rape and pillage of this nation without serious consequences.</p>
<p>Quote of the week:</p>
<p>You can't control people. You must understand them. You have to know where they're coming from, their beliefs and values, what turns them off, what they're against.</p>
<p>Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus since July 20, 1994
</p>
<br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software
<p>Evaluating Ukraine's 20 years of Independence, to be celebrated on the 24th of August, is a complex and contentious task. However, this anniversary provides a unique opportunity to reflect upon the social impact and reality of the many dramatic reformations that make up Ukraine's brief history. Ukrainian leaders are rightly characterised by their many missed opportunities to better the quality of life for Ukrainians in general. Yet, to Ukraine's credit, the country has managed to preserve its integrity and avoid violent upheaval becoming a beacon of endurance in Eastern Europe.</p>
<p>Ukraine's potential prosperity, marked by abundant natural and human resources, is starkly contrasted by the current paradigm; the result of dire misdirection and mismanagement by the political elite. </p>
<p>In 1991 a select few were vested with the responsibility to design a country; harnessing cultural resources, societal aspirations and avoiding the deficiencies of recent soviet history. In practice early state officials either failed to recognise the nation's potential or failed to wield it as a progressive advantage.</p>
<p>However, some early decisive action can be seen in a more positive light. Throughout 1991, parliamentarians enacted 35 laws on ownership, lease, entrepreneurship, enterprises, banks and banking operation, household goods, etc. These laws provided a framework for Ukraine's transition into a market economy. </p>
<p>Over the past two decades Ukraine has experienced a population reduction from 52million down to 46million people and continues to shrink by approximately 20 thousand people per month. Several million have been drained through employment emigration; predominantly to Russia and neighbouring European states. Ukraine itself has reduced in size after a section of the Black Sea shelf was handed over to Romania. </p>
<p>The Ukrainian people have less access to beaches, rivers and forests as vast swathes of real estate have been sold off into private ownership. In both psychological and physical terms Ukrainians' life space is getting smaller and smaller. </p>
<p>Add into this the heavy toll of alcoholism, drug addiction, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS (the highest in Europe) and tuberculosis all of which are either close to or at epidemic levels.</p>
<p> Alcohol alone claims more 40 thousand lives per year, as well as causing immeasurable domestic damage to families. Add into this the fact that Ukraine is currently a world leader in adolescent alcohol consumption(1). </p>
<p>Ukraine has also sacrificed much of its financial independence. Ukraine's obligations to the IMF now amount to over 14 billion US dollars, as of January 2011 making Ukraine the second largest IMF debtor after Romania. Ukraine essentially receives 2 out of every 9 dollars that the International Monetary Fund lends out globally. Regrettably the IMF is not Ukraine's only creditor; collectively Ukraine now owes in excess of 36 billion US dollars to various international lenders(2). </p>
<p>Another negative outcome of the last 20 years has been a worsening of socio-cultural divisions amongst the Ukrainian population, especially young people. A 2010 sociological survey demonstrates that 48.3% of young Ukrainians see no distinction between Russian and Ukrainian culture whilst 47.9% resolutely disagree. Nevertheless modern Ukrainians remain highly educated, eager for change and are increasingly travelling aboard, resulting in a more global perspective for Ukraine.</p>
<p>One positive result of the period of independence has been Ukraine's ability to establish itself as a peaceful and peacemaking member of the world community. Aside from participation in peace-keeping operations, Ukraine voluntarily abandoned the nuclear arsenal it inherited from the USSR: 176 strategic ballistic rockets, 50 strategic bomber aircrafts and 1,300 nuclear warheads - a larger nuclear capacity than China, Great Britain and France of the day, combined(4).</p>
<p>In addition, Ukraine has successfully written its own Constitution and established democratic mechanisms for the distribution of power and election of representative officials.Though these systems are in their infancy they have proved sufficient to support Ukrainian democracy up till today; the immediate future however has its own questions and concerns. Although Ukraine's famous resources remain largely untapped its future development could potentially evolve into a major force in the post-crises European era. </p>
<p>Western Europe appears to retain mixed feelings towards Ukraine's developments over the last two decades. According to German Ambassador Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth, Ukraine has had a very turbulent economic start since the collapse of the USSR. He also highlights some positive developments over the past 10 years: economic growth, the establishment of democratic principles, free and fair elections between 2006 and 2010 and the new pro-Europe mentality amongst the Ukrainian youth. The ambassador also addressed some negative developments such as the retreat from democracy since the last local elections in 2010(5).</p>
<p>Many attribute the failure of Ukraine to stabilise its economic situation to the lack of a national Ukrainian ideology. A recent survey by the Institute of Sociology of the NAS of Ukraine reveals that the majority of Ukrainians form all regions describe the current era as the time of 'criminals and frauds' (48%), 'wire-pullers'(44%) and 'beggars' (40%). Ukrainian society is internally believed to be influenced mainly by 'Mafia and criminals' (40%), 'businessmen' (37%), 'leaders of political parties' (31%) and 'state officials' (30%). The population unanimously believes that workers, farmers and intelligentsia have no influence on the governance of the country. Today less people are optimistic over the future of the country (39%) than in 1994 (52%). Thus Ukrainians can best answer the question about a direction Ukraine is heading today. </p>
<p>An interesting fact is that the number of people who support the idea of an independent Ukraine has dropped twofold compared to 90% in 1991. If a referendum was hosted today only 46.6% of participants would vote for an independent Ukraine with 27.8% against. 47.4% of respondents regret that the USSR collapsed. If the present tendencies continue to unfold the society will further deteriorate and perceive the state as their enemy rather than guarantor of their rights and freedoms.</p>
<p>To sum up Ukraine remains the country of unrealised potential surprising and deeply frustrating the rest of the world. (1) /news/news-in-ukraine/politika/19-let-nezavisimosti-pechalnye-itogi.html(2) /columns/2011/05/20/6217490/view_print/(3) /articles/2011/07/27/47982/(4) /site/recent-news/ukraines-achievements-during-twenty-years-of-independence/</p>
<p>People First Comment: </p>
<p>Even the most optimistic review of Ukraine over the past 20 years would find it difficult to reach a positive conclusion and it would be all to easy to write a diatribe of the nations' ills, but we all understand that despite all its natural and social advantages the nation has not achieved anywhere near its full potential. The question is why? How can a country that has so much, have achieved so little?</p>
<p>It is not that the nation lacks the expertise to run a successful economy and a prosperous nation as Ukraine once had one of the best educated populations in the world. It is not that there is a lack of experience of how to govern successfully as Ukrainians occupied many of the top administrative positions within the former government of the USSR. It is not lack of resources as Ukraine has more agricultural, mineral and energy resources than most of the rest of Europe put together. What separates Ukraine from many of the other nations of Europe and holds the nation back is the almost complete lack of any form of mutual social responsibility or collective social culture. This is not to say that Ukraine is without culture as history clearly demonstrates a unique national identity that goes back to the dawn of civilisation, but is this enough?</p>
<p>Some might seek to blame the current situation on the nations turbulent past but all nations have turbulent pasts. Some might seek to blame it on the breakdown of law and order but this is a symptom, not a cause. People First research has identified that the current pervading philosophy of Ukraine within all strata of society is 'self' and 'family' and whilst there is a very strong sense of family responsibility this is not reflected in social responsibility. Ukrainian society today has become self protective and self indulgent in the extreme and as a result corruption has become endemic. Yes Ukrainians are a proud people but nationhood is more than flags and patriotism.</p>
<p>The current state of inner city housing is a clear indicator of self protection. Walk into any tower block and behind the steel doors you will find mini palaces which are safe, secure and supported in the main by strong family bonds. The communal areas however could not be a greater contrast. The financial indulgences of the wealthy and their almost addictive demand for designer labelled cars, watches, fashion and bling clearly indicates a level of self indulgence that has now become a social norm as it permeates down through society. Yet in all this 'designer finery' society seems perfectly happy to walk through unparalleled urban decay to reach their domestic 'palaces' and instead of demanding repairs to the road infrastructure they simply buy more robust jeeps.</p>
<p>What is missing is any sense of social responsibility and collective national culture. Many would claim that the repair of communal areas is the responsibility of the local Zhek (administration) but after 20 years it must be pretty clear that they have no intention of delivering on this responsibility. Currently the people do nothing but complain to each other. Those that try to organise collective action are frowned upon and have doors slammed in their faces such is the belief that complaining will somehow unleash the hounds of hell.</p>
<p>Collective social responsibility is one of the cornerstones of a modern and sophisticated society. It is when individuals form neighbourhood groups that take it upon themselves to carry out repairs not because it is their job but because they simply want to live in a cleaner and more attractive environment. It is from these neighbourhood groups that district organisations takes root to put pressure on the authorities to maintain the local infrastructure and out of these grow grass root political organisations. Without this collective approach the whole country has become dependent upon those who have assumed power but clearly are not willing to use this power for the common good as they too have no sense of collective social responsibility. </p>
<p>You only have to look at the Polish example of 'Solidarity' to understand what social responsibility can achieve. Solidarity started as a group of disgruntled shipyard workers who decided to say no. Within a fairly short time they were a national movement and their leader was later elected President. This year they will assume the Presidency of the European Union as a wealthy and successful nation. It all happened because individuals decided to assume collective social responsibility for their situation and do something about it. Had they waited for the government to act then nothing would have changed.</p>
<p>There remains in Ukraine today a left over belief that the State will provide. It will not. To all extent the communal areas of tower blocks are a metaphor for the states abandonment of their responsibilities before the people. Thus the people have a choice; to either demonstrate their collective responsibility and take over what the State has abandoned or watch the very fabric of their society and all they hold dear disintegrate around them. </p>
<p>Can Ukraine change for the better over the next 20 years? Of course it can, but only when the people realise that true nationhood can only come from the collective action of the people and that the current situation is a direct result of their over dependence on a corrupt and non democratic system that has been allowed to evolve in the interests of a select few. Similarly the political and financial elite need to recognise that their neglect of the national interest is putting their future at risk as neither the people nor the international community will allow the continued rape and pillage of this nation without serious consequences.</p>
<p>Quote of the week:</p>
<p>You can't control people. You must understand them. You have to know where they're coming from, their beliefs and values, what turns them off, what they're against.</p>
<p>Alexander LukashenkoPresident of Belarus since July 20, 1994
</p>
<br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software
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