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PART 3 |
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The Dick Sutphen Files: Part 3. NOTE: This article was originally released as a free audio tape given to those ordering from Valley of the Sun, September 1996. The information has been gathered by the Sutphen staff from international sources: doctors, professional newsletters, research studies, books and authorities in various fields. The concepts include: sex and relationships, success, health, safety, diet, security and general awareness. Check with your doctor before making any lifestyle or dietary changes, or before using products discussed in this article.
Two Kinds of Headaches Almost everyone gets a headache, at least once in awhile. And everyone wants to get rid of the pain when it appears. Basically, there are two kinds of headaches: tension and migraines. Although sinus headaches do exist, what most people call a sinus headache is really a migraine. A tension headache is the result of muscular contractions resulting from stress. Ninety percent of all headaches result from the tension in your life -- from conflicts, deadlines, apprehensions, anger, and anxiety. When your head hurts, if at all possible, don't turn to pills. It is well-documented that over-the-counter headache drugs can cause headaches. This is a rebound effect of taking them too often. Overusing aspirin can cause kidney damage. One study showed that 20 percent of patients on kidney dialysis machines are there because of too much aspirin or some other analgesic. Medical practitioners say that just three tablets a day over a six-year period could be enough to seriously impair kidney function. So, how do you get rid of a headache? Have someone massage your shoulders, neck and upper arms. This will help to relax the tense muscles that are causing the pain. If no one else is available, use an electric massager. Heat also helps to relax the muscles. Narrow heating pads for just this purpose are available in most drug stores. Stretching can also help. If you can't stretch out and do some yoga, at least roll your head and stretch your arms and back. And try some deep breathing as I described earlier in this article. Migraine headaches are the real killer headaches resulting from dilated blood vessels, often caused by an allergic reaction to food. Here are some of the key substances found to trigger a migraine: any food with monosodium glutamate in it, coffee or tea, onions, cheese, some beans, alcohol, bacon and hot dogs, bananas, avocado, pickled fish, chocolate, and citrus fruits. And there may be other foods that you're personally allergic too. If you get a headache, keep a record of everything you ate or drank within the last 24 hours. In time, a pattern may emerge. To constrict the blood vessels, use ice packs. Statistically, this is the best treatment for a migraine. There are drugs that will constrict blood vessels, but only by prescription and they often have unpleasant side effects. Some common drug and alcohol combining can not only cause a headache, but other side effects as well. Even if you take a cold pill containing an antihistamine in the morning, it may still be active in your system when you take a drink at night. The primary result will be drowsiness or sluggishness. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen with alcohol increases the chance of an upset stomach, and this combination taken on a regular basis can result in liver damage. Alcohol and any sulfa drug will cause nausea. Codeine and alcohol will double the sedative effect. Generally, the best advice is to avoid alcohol if you're taking any drugs.
Cholesterol People in the USA are paranoid about cholesterol, as if it was something to be eliminated entirely. But you need cholesterol. You can't live without it. According to research reported in Lancet, men with cholesterol levels less than 182 had a significantly greater risk of cancer than those with cholesterol counts over 255. More than 5000 men and 7000 women were followed for an average of ten years. In the women's group, the increased risk proved to be insignificant. According to most doctors, a cholesterol reading of 255 is way too high. Most prefer a level under 200, but obviously not too far under. It should be noted, most vegetarians have cholesterol levels well below 182 points.
Aches & Pains Little aches and pains are a sign of aging that we all experience. The aches are there one day and gone the next. But how do you know when the discomfort is a sign of something more serious? You've probably experience neck pain and found yourself rolling your head, or turning it from side to side, trying to work out a bothersome crick. The most common cause of this malady is stress and the problems will usually go away on it's own with some yoga exercise or relaxation and sleep. Poor posture is another cause. Even too much time spent in a recliner chair can crick your neck, because your head is held at an unnatural angle for a period of time. Also, the practice of holding the phone with your shoulder is another cause of neck pain. You need to be concerned when your neck stiffens and you're unable to move normally. This can be a sign of arthritis, and arthritis can strike anyone at any age. Here's a way to check it out. Lower your chin to your chest and keep it there for a full minute. Then, keeping your chin down, slowly slide it all the way over to the tip of your shoulder. If this causes pain, tingling or numbness, it is probably due to arthritis and you should see your doctor. A back problem, especially a worn spinal disc, can also cause ongoing neck pain. And again, that's one for the doctor. Most of what has been said about neck pain is true of shoulder pain, but your shoulders are prone to overuse -- the result of carrying a heavy bag or purse in the same position over a period of time. If your shoulder is especially tender and hard to move, it could be bursitis, which can also effect us all. Ice packs used at ten minute intervals can help. Shoulder pain can also be caused by arthritis. If the pain develops over a period of time and becomes chronic, be sure to see your doctor. As discussed earlier, heart attack can cause pain in your left shoulder. Any sharp pain in your shoulder that seems to radiate from your breast is cause for immediate concern. Get to a hospital.
Burnout Okay, let's move on to a totally different subject -- BURNOUT. Over time, many people tend to burn out in their careers, unless, 1) they are constantly challenged in ways that test their abilities, or 2) they are in positions that allow them to vary their routines, or 3) they're in positions of power. The so-called helping positions seem to generate the greatest potential of burnout: counselors, doctors, teachers, social workers, law enforcement officers, and anyone is a position of dealing one-on-one with troubled, sick or demanding people. If this includes you, or if you're feeling any signs of burnout, here are some suggestions that may help:
Time Wasters There are five primary ways people tend to waste time: 1. We try to fulfill all our responsibilities at once. You have to set priorities and decide what is absolutely most important to do right now. Then what is second in importance, third, et cetera. You need clear goals for your day. And don't start working on the second job until the first one is done. 2. Learn to say, "No." You must decide what you're willing to do, what you realistically have the time to do, and then don't take on anything else. You have a right to say, "No." 3. Don't try to do it all yourself. Believe it or not, not everything must be done to your standards. Learn to delegate to others at work and at home. Or hire it done, even if you have to work a little longer or a little harder to make the money to do the hiring. The 80/20 plan says that you get 80 percent of your results in life from 20 percent of your efforts. So do what you do naturally and well within your 20 percent and delegate the rest. 4. Block the telephone until you're ready to respond to callers. Unless it is your job to be on the phone most of the day the interruptions not only waste time, but after the call it takes awhile to get back up to speed on what you were doing before. Use an answering machine or have a secretary take the calls and then return them at your conveyance and one after another. Restrict calls to your home with an answering machine message that says, "We answer the phone between 10 AM and 7 PM when available." Or whatever time you're willing to talk. Learn to say, "Can I call you back. I can't talk right now?" Also, don't let anyone put you on hold for long unless it's really important. There is also growing resistance to the call-waiting phone feature. If someone interrupts your conversation to take another call, tell them you'll call back later, or hang up. If you have call waiting, invest in another line that rotates over to voice mail or an answering machine. Also, use your phone time to do other things: file papers, open mail, pay bills, cook a meal, even exercise by working with a small barbell you keep near the phone. 5. Don't put things off, because doing so takes mental energy. Do it now and get it off your mind. In other words, resolve to be resolute about handling your responsibilities. This doesn't mean you should make hasty decisions. But after weighing the pros and cons, make a rational decision and act upon it. If you don't act, know that it's either fear, perfectionism or procrastination that is holding you back.
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Copyright 1999 by Dick Sutphen, Malibu CA |
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