| Nurses' strike drags on in Appalachia
Jerry Blevins has stood for weeks on a picket line with his fellow nurses, thinking about his mortgage, his tearful wife, his four children. Pam Pace has been called names and listed on the "wall of shame" posted outside her hospital for crossing the picket line and continuing to work. Last week, her tires were slashed. "Someone's got to stay in here and take care of the patients," she said. It's been a stressful seven weeks for the 750 registered nurses at Appalachian Regional Healthcare, the region's largest hospital system, which has nine facilities in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Six hundred nurses have refused to cross the picket line. Some, like Blevins, have put their livelihoods on the line since Oct. 1, saying their goal is to ensure better care for patients.
Amy's manager quits over drug concerns
Amy Winehouse's manager has quit, accusing the singer of ruining his health with her drug taking. Thom Stone parted ways with the Rehab singer after doctors reportedly found heroin in his system which he passively inhaled on the tour bus. A source revealed: "Stone was constantly bailing Amy out. "He was watching them get off their heads on drugs and wondering whether Amy was even going to get up on stage. It was a nightmare job." Amy and her husband Blake Fielder-Civil reportedly thought Stone was joking when he produced a doctor's note which revealed traces of heroin in his system, but friends insist they are pleased he has gone. One pal told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "When he showed them this note Blake and Amy thought it was a joke.
Nutrition: Fighting cholesterol through diet
It's possible. Studies show that you can lower your cholesterol through diet. It often takes a little bit of a lifestyle change, but chances are, with a little hard work, you'll feel better. Diet therapy should really be the first line of treatment with elevated cholesterol, and if medication is involved, diet should also be included. A change in diet, if on cholesterol lowering medications or not, will help decrease the overall risk of heart disease. A low-cholesterol diet is classified as a daily intake of less than 300 mg of cholesterol, less than 7 percent calories from saturated fat, and less than 30 percent of calories from fat, and an increase of complex carbohydrates in place of the refined, processed carbohydrates. Sound familiar? It's a standard healthy diet. But the reduction in cholesterol and total fat as well as refined carbohydrates will benefit health in a variety of ways.
Get it checked
A lump need not necessarily be the dreaded big C. LYING all curled up on the sofa in my sister�s house set me thinking about the gamut of emotions that had assailed me these past two weeks. I guess one could say that my recuperation has given me an opportunity to set straight an issue that has bugged many a woman � a lump in the breast. That �dreaded� lump may not be as ominous or life-threatening as you think it is. The important thing is, when you discover a lump, be it painful or otherwise, do check it out. Confide in a friend if you need to; drag one along to the doctor�s for moral support if you have to. But get a diagnosis on the lump. Taking pro-active measures helps set your mind at ease. It enables you to consider the options available, fast.
Studies show smokeless tobacco just as dangerous
Contrary to popular belief, chewing tobacco is not a healthier alternative to smoking.
A recent study found that users of chewing tobacco are exposed to more cancer-causing substances than a smoker.
"We've known for some time that chewing tobacco causes cancer," said Director/ Physician-in-Chief of Student Health Services Dr. Glenn Egelman. "It just depends on how you quantify the danger."
Some students at the University are surprised by these findings.
"It does surprise me a little bit," said student Scott Penn. "Especially since all you see are advertisements trying to prevent people from smoking."
Penn is speaking of the "Truth" advertisements that are seen on television screens everywhere.
Carrie Dowling, a certified tobacco treatment specialist at the Wellness Connection, feels people are more familiar with cigarettes.
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