Alternative Therapies Helping Many with Cancer

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Joshua Eyestone

There is always hopeMore news coming out that shows many cancer patients are adding alternative therapies to the list of treatments they are receiving to combat their cancer.  Most are not using the alternative methods as their primary treatment, but rather as a supplement or part of a wider plan of therapies.  Most probably agree that anything that works and is endorsed by a doctor should be considered.  Here’s a recent article on the subject.

More patients turn to alternative therapies as part of treatment

“Up to two-thirds of people with cancer use some sort of alternative therapy, says O’Rourke, who agrees with Caplan that there isn’t a lot of research behind much of it. “Mr. Burns’ experience is wonderful, but it remains for me a single …”
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20120802/NEWS/308020008/More-patients-turn-alternative-therapies-part-treatment%3Fodyssey%3Dnav%257Chead

If these alternative therapies are working they should be studied further, and doctors should continue to recommend them to patients desperate for help.  Folks with cancer should ask their doctors for advice on alternative therapies that could help.  Reading about new therapies online could be a good source of ideas, but before trying anything new its important that your doctor agrees a treatment is safe given your condition and other medications.

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Promising New PTSD and Depression Treatment Lessens Symptoms

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Joshua Eyestone

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Photo credit: flickr.com

This new study suggests we may see some advances in the treatment of depression & PTSD coming soon.  With so many soldiers coming home with PTSD it’s encouraging to see the government funding some research that appears to be producing promising results.

New therapy lessens PTSD, depression symptoms

“In a study of 80 civilians and veterans, the therapy reduced PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares and irritability, as well as depression, in one to four sessions. “We’re not really sure how it works, but there are some theories, like when you are …”
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2012/08/PRIMEmilitary-new-therapy-lessens-PTSD-depression-symptoms-081112/

PTSD affects many people each year, some of whom are coming back from wars & military service.  Anyone with severe PTSD or Depression should be getting help from doctors and counselors.  If someome with depression or PTSD can no longer function well enough to maintain a job despite treatment, then they may meet the rules for the disability program.  Disability benefits are available to those with medical problems that are unable to work.

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Low Back Pain is a Common Complaint & Disabling Impairment

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Joshua Eyestone

cervical neck X-rayThis news confirms something that disabled Americans are well familiar with.  Musculoskeletal injuries and impairments are one of the leading causes of disability.  Within that category of impairments spinal pain is at the top of the list.  Severe lumbar or low back pain is a very common reason why a person is no longer able to work.

Lower back pain is among most common complaints | FYI BeHealthy

“Second to the common cold, back pain is the most prevalent affliction of man. Back pain is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people under the age of 45 and the second most frequent reason for physician visits. A broad spectrum of …FYI BeHealthy”
http://www.fyibehealthy.com/2012/08/10/lower-back-pain-is-among-most-common-complaints/

If back pain is severe enough that it keeps a person from being able to work they may be disabled.  The Social Security Disability program pays a monthly cash benefit to disabled workers, and also offers government health insurance benefits to help folks get well.

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Great Article Explains Reasons Behind Growth of Disability Program

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Joshua Eyestone

Working Women Are Part of the reason disability ranks are growingFinally, someone offers a reasonable explanation for why the Social Security Disability program is growing.  In large part its due to the population boom from the aging baby boomer generation, and also in part due to rapidly increasing amounts of women in the workplace.

Lately, there have been some trying to point fingers at the disability program as a source of goverment waste and inefficiency just because the ranks of the disabled are quickly growing.  This article offers a reasonable explanation of why the number of disabled is rising.

Disability benefits unfairly criticized

“This is the 56th anniversary of the creation of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the government-sponsored disability benefits for our most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, this achievement is not being celebrated by everyone. In recent …”
http://jacksonville.com/business/columnists/2012-08-09/story/disability-benefits-unfairly-criticized

Some are trying to include the disability program in the broader disucussion of government waste.  Because of that the disability program is being politicized.  Conservative news sources are publishing articles with a very negative slant.

We should not allow this kind of attack on such a basic safety net.  As the article above shows, there are reasons other than fraud or goverment inefficiency to explain why the disability program is growing.  People should support disabled Americans right to have this basic safety net maintained, and we should all send word to our elected officials to not include the disability program in any budget cuts.

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