Daily Happy Thoughts

Part of the benefits of blogging that I have come to enjoy is the added chance to get to know whatever subjects there is out there. Through blogging, I have come to learn a lot of things, from the trivial, to the more general subjects. Yup, learning that is unconfined to the bounds of the 4 walls of the classroom.

Uhmmm..come to think of it, its been ages (and I mean ages) since I have stepped within the familiar walls of a classroom. So in a way, it has taken a bit of an adjustment on my part, but one which I have welcomed with open arms.
 

Anyway, back to the subject at hand: Botox. What is it and what is it for?

Before writing this post, I am pretty sure I have heard it before, but like the average person, I guess it didn’t quite strike my curiosity before, which explains why I have never exerted effort to learn whatever it is.
So, for the benefit of the average person (including me) out there, let me share with you what I have learned.

Botox (botulinum toxin) is a purified protein that belongs to a class of compounds known as neurotoxins. It was first approved by the FDA for the eye muscle disorders strabismus and belpharospasm in 1989 and has been used in other conditions where muscle hyperactivity is an underlying problem. The mechanism of action of Botox has been thought to be weakening or paralysis (depending on dose) of muscles by preventing the release of acetycholine, a signal that the nerves need to cause muscle contraction. This is the same substance which is produced in spoiled food and causes the illness known as botulism. However, in medical use, the Botox is injected directly into the muscles involved rather than absorbed into the bloodstream, and the doses used are much less than those which cause botulism. Because Botox is a neurotoxin, there are concerns about its safety. However, it has had a remarkable good record since its introduction in 1989. Because it is injected into muscle and not absorbed into the system, side effects that occur frequently with other migraine preventives, such as drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, and mental changes, are not seen with Botox. Some mild pain at the injection site for a day or two is about the only side effect our patients notice. Drooping of the eyelid is a common side effect but can usually be avoided by proper injection technique, and when it occurs, lasts only a few days.

So there you have it. However, I did more research, regarding the use of this on the treatment of migraines, and here’s what I found. The question the next paragraph aims to answer is the question on the use of Botox for migraines:

“Why does it work on migraines?”

Based on the mechanism of action of Botox, it is unlikely that anyone would have thought to try it for migraines. Its success in treating some patients has caused problems for those who would attempt to explain why it would work in migraine. One possibility is that muscle tension may act as a trigger for migraine in the same way that light and odors do. By reducing muscle tension, Botox would be eliminating an irritant to the nervous system, which would then reduce the chances of a migraine developing. More recently, studies have shown that Botox may affect other nerve cell signallng systems that have to do with the perception of pain. In an animal model of pain, injection of Botox under the skin resulted in decreased response to painful stimuli. Traditionally, scientists have thought that the pain of migraine was due to swelling and inflammation of blood vessels, but perhaps muscle tension is more of a factor than previously appreciated.

Equally important in considering the beneficial effects of Botox, one should also consider other concerns, such as safety issues. Currently, Botox is not approved by the FDA for headache treatment. The decision to use Botox should be based on a discussion with your physician. Failure to respond to standard migraine preventives or side effects from them should be an important consideration. Since the effect of Botox lasts about 3 months, one can weigh the costs of the injections versus the amount that would be spent on headache treatment during that time.

I do hope this little research of mine has given you an insight on this particular subject, I hope you have learned something useful. I know I have.

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Summer is almost out, and yet we haven’t had a chance for a summer getaway this year. This may be due to a lot of factors. For one, we are saving up for our upcoming wedding, and that remains right up there at the top of our list. Add to that our weather, which easily makes one think, “Is it summer still, or what?” Still, deep down, I do get pretty envious when I see the other blogs feature their fun filled pictures of their summer getaway. Too bad, we don’t have anything to post where that subject is concerned.

Well I can always continue to feel bad and down, or I can change my attitude and instead, look forward longingly to that day when we would be able to relax and let our hair down. A royal caribbean cruise would sound really nice for a honeymoon, don’t you think? A lil’ something like this.

Popularity: 11% [?]

I have just been texting Borski just now and she has told me that she doesn’t have any internet connection where she’s at, and that she can’t access her take-home work without any connection. Well, there is always a simple solution to that. Hmmm..what might that be?

Simple. I told her to simply no longer think of it and just get some rest.

Anyway, it’s already midnight. The rain has just about stopped. It has been going on the whole day. When I got off work today, we had to travel the long route to Bacolod because our usual route was blocked by a landslide. To add to that, when we got home (about 30 mins later that our usual travel time), there was a blackout that lasted until around 8pm. We were already seriously contemplating on taking our dinner with just candlelight for illumination when the lights went on, thank God. Anyway, still, these things are so petty and pale in comparison to what happened in China, where an earthquake has killed about 12,000 people, and left around 6,000 missing, their worst earthquake in 3 decades.

As for me, I am going to offer a prayer for all those unfortunate souls who lost their lives in that tragedy, and thank God for the previous rainy day. Thank you Lord for all the blessings. Good night.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Erectile dysfunction (ED or (male) impotence) is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. There are various underlying causes, such as cardiovascular leakage and diabetes, many of which are medically treatable. Nerve trauma from prostatectomy surgery can also cause chronic erectile dysfunction.

The causes of erectile dysfunction may be physiological or psychological. Physiologically, erection is a hydraulic mechanism based upon blood entering and being retained in the penis, and there are various ways in which this can be impeded, most of which are amenable to treatment. Psychological impotence is where erection or penetration fails due to thoughts or feelings (psychological reasons) rather than physical impossibility; this can often be helped. Notably in psychological impotence there is a very strong placebo effect.

Today, however, there have been numerous medical breakthroughs that tackle this dilemma. One of these is Generic Cialis. which is taken orally and helps men suffering from erectile dysfunction achieve and maintain an erection. It works in much the same way as Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra), but is much faster, lasting up to 36 hours. Tadalafil was initially introduced into Europe, and is now available worldwide.

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I woke up this morning with an utterly disordered surrounding. The heavy rain since last night made me stay on my bed a little longer than usual after waking up this morning. Hence, the better observation towards my own space of refuge.

The first item that was tackled in my unkempt room were my washed and ironed clothes, which were on a table since last Tuesday (look how time travels so fast!). They are now neatly tucked away in my cabinet. A pat on the back for me! Next eyesore to be dealt with is the coiled CAT5e on the left side of my bed. See, 2 months ago, Nai and I window-shopped for a Category 5e cable (CAT5e) and bought one for my Internet connection (see picture below).

We bought 25 meters to be sure we’d not ran out of length. We sure didn’t! “Better extra than lacking,” Nai said when I showed him the coiled extra CAT5e 3 weeks ago. I requested him to cut it short for me, just enough length as allowance for any movement. Unfortunately, as of this writing, it is still here on the floor - dusty and coiled. I wonder when Nai will be able to cut this short because I’m not trusting myself attacking this thing. I might end up without an Internet connection (LOL).

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It is exciting to go to the same destination with your family or friends. The travel is surely jam-packed with laughters and stories. However, like a soldier who prepares before going to battle, it is a wise move to have your trip covered with an insurance plan.

Two years ago, purchasing a travel insurance plan was foreign to me. It was just last year (the year when I made the most number of air travel) that I learned how important insuring one’s trip is. Getting a travel insurance provides adventurous travellers like me coverage on trip cancellation or delay cost, missed connection, baggage, domestic or international medical treatment expenses while travelling, and other offers depending on the country of origin. So for your next travel, acquire a travel insurance that is appropriate for your family’s and your needs, whether it’s emergency evacuation, flight accident insurance, student travel insurance or international medical insurance. You may also check other deals offered by Travel Insurance Center.

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Right.

That was the title of the post that immediately entered my mind (talk about being a blogging addict LOL) when I heard of the funny story recounted to me about our brother Andrew just this morning.

You see, Andrew has been on a mission to lose weight and he has been regularly working out as well as watching his diet in order to achieve it. Now, in the gym where he works out, an officemate of mine, Danny, also regularly works out there too. Danny’s is about 160lbs, and his build is nowhere close to the size of Andrew, who weighs around 210lbs. We have been teasing Andrew because his regular bench press load is just around 80lbs while that of Danny is around 120lbs.

Now here is where the funny part comes in. Continue Reading »

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Did you know that asbestos exposure can cause cancer? Furthermore, did you know that you can be exposed to asbestos right in your very own home?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma victims inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers which then became lodged in the body. Because asbestos fibers are essentially indestructible, the body’s immune system is powerless to break them down. Mesothelioma, like all asbestos-related diseases, is a progressive disorder that, once it takes hold, severely compromises the body’s immune system as well as the particular areas where the malignancy originates from.

Continue Reading »

Popularity: 56% [?]