Chinese Medicine

Something I'm looking more into.

Hey folks,

As you all know, I've been having some medical issues as of late. I had a really BAD Diagnosis of having COPD and Emphysema. I was diagnosed with Obstructed Sleep Apnea. I went to a Specialist that is said to be one of the best in the State if not the Country, and he feels that the prior Diagnosis of having COPD and Emphysema, was a bit premature, to say the least, yet he reconfirmed that I DO, without a doubt have OSA.

So I have been talking to some folks who also recommended that I look into Alternitive Medicine. One such feld is Chinese Medicine. Chinese Medicine has been arould for ove 3000 years. But I knew little about it. So I started looking into it a bit more.

The traditional approach treats the functions of the organs of the body and the interactions that occur between them. Tissue and organs are connected through a network of channels and blood vessels inside human body. Traditional Chinese Medicine deals with the Qi (or Chi)or the bodies "energy flow," and is often compared to Western notions of energeia or élan vital (vitalism) as well as the yogic notion of prana. The literal translation is "air," "breath," or "gas" (compare the original meaning of Latin spiritus "breathing"; or the Common Greek πνεῦμα, meaning "air," "breath," or "spirit"; and the Sanskrit term prana, "breath").

Pathologically, a dysfunction of the zang-fu organs may be reflected on the body surface through the network, and meanwhile, diseases of body surface tissues may also affect their related zang or fu organs. Affected zang or fu organs may also influence each other through internal connections. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment starts with the analysis of the entire system, then focuses on the correction of pathological changes through readjusting the functions of the organs.

Then I found Dr. Stuart S. Shipe, R.Ph., D.O.M., Dipl. Ac & CH (NCCAOM) From his Website.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, of which Acupuncture is a part, is a holistic system of healing which has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for more than 3,000 years. Based on the principles of internal balance and harmony, this highly refined and complex discipline works to regenerate the body's organs and systems, including:

The Heart, Blood Vessels and Circulatory System
The Hormones, Glands and Lymphatic System
The Brain and Nervous System
The Liver and Detoxification System
The Stomach, Intestines, Gallbladder and Digestive System
The Lungs, Skin and Respiratory System
The Kidney, Bladder and Urinary System
The Prostate, Uterus, Ovaries and Reproductive System

Dr. Shipe's desire is to support and educate the Treasure Coast community in their quest for natural health care and acupuncture. Please call us today to schedule you initial exam.

We now offer Massage Therapy in our office. Benefits include:

Decreased Anxiety
Enhanced Sleep Quality
Increased Energy
Improved Concentration
Increased Circulation
Reduced Fatigue

Our New Health and Wellness Program is currently underway. This 21-day program will allow you to cleanse your body of the toxins that may be preventing you from enjoying vibrant, healthy lifestyles. By dedicating yourself to the guidelines of a recommended program, established by research, you will maximize your results of purification and weight loss.

Would you like to experience any of the following?

Increased Vitality
Lowered Cholesterol
Weight Reduction
Improved Digestion
Improved Physical Appearance
Removal of food addictions
Clearer Thinking
Eliminate headaches
Clearer Skin

Thank you for your interest in this wonderful opportunity to improve your health. To find out if you are eligible, please complete the Toxicity Questionnaire found under our Patient Information Link.

I think I will be doing just that. Thankfully for me, Dr. Shipe's office is just up the road a bit. Check out his website and for more information, check out Traditional Chinese Medicine Introduction Site. I think this may be a better way for me to go. Better than pumping my body full of Drugs. What'cha think?
Peter

Sources:
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dr. Stuart Shipe

GREAT NEWS!

I guess appropriate being so close to Easter.

Hey folks,

I have great news. I went to see a Specialist. He is said to be the best one in Florida and one of the best in the country. I do not have permission to use his name, so we will call him Dr. K.

Dr. K took some time to spend with me. I arrived at his office at 10:30 am and did not walk out the door until 12:15. Other than about 10 minutes to fill out some paperwork, Dr. K was with me. He did some strange things, like look at my hands and fingers, pulled my leg, {Literally} poked and prodded. We went over the Cat Scans and ALL of my, my Mother's, Father's, and GRANDMOTHER'S Medical history. We talked about the other Doctors I have been seeing, the medication I WAS taking, and my job and exercise routine.

He then just stopped. He looked at me and said, "You know Peter, there is NO Doctor on the face of the planet, including me, that can diagnose you with Emphysema or COPD with out a breathing test and a very specific Blood work up."

He told me that he was not impressed at all with the swollen Lymph Node. He said what he sees in the first one is that at the time I took it, I had severe Bronchitis and the second looks like Walking Pneumonia. He said that he does see a birth defect in my lungs. He said I have had it my whole life and most likely, although COULD, most likely will not get worse than it is now. Then he gave me the GREAT NEWS.

He said, in all his years of experience, my age, my exercise routine, and my over all physical condition, he would be MORE than surprised if I have EITHER COPD or Emphysema. I'm going to be taking that Breathing Test and the Blood thing, but he feels that I keep NOT Smoking and doing all the things I do, in the long run, I "will be just fine."

He then said this. "OK. Now that you just found out that you are not going to die tomorrow, do NOT go buy a pack. OK?" {Laughing} I asked why the head aches, tiredness, and other various problems, he said, "You already know the answer to that. It's your Obstructive Sleep Apnea. We need to do something about that as well, but let's take care of this thing first. Let's make sure that I'm right. But OSA will wear your body out. You are not getting enough sleep, nor are you getting enough oxygen. Therefore your immune system is down, your tired all the time, and you get the head aches."

So OK. First thing first I guess. But I DO THANK Dr. K. I thank him very much. For his time, expertise, and his {what seemed to be} genuine concern.

I also want to thank all of you for your concern, Prayers, and kind words. I really DO appreciate each and every one of you. Just to name a few, but not all my a long shot, THANK YOU Paula, Bethany, and D.S. Harford. Thank you Peter, Bill, and Anne. Thank you very much Ellen who just posted this a few days ago.

"good info, Peter. A "heads-up", if you have asthma along w/copd-emphysema, as i do, lvrs is not an option. Prayer, exercise, quit smoking, but most of all - Prayer. So far, it has had the most benefit."

Well it worked for me Ellen, and I will say a special Prayer for you. Thank you Jody, Barb, Jane, BTN, and all of you. Each and every one.

With this GREAT NEWS, and my family encouraging me to get back to what I love to do, I will be coming back to the OPNTalk Blog. I will try to begin THIS Sunday 4-11-10 for the Big Sunday Edition. Oh thank you Justin, I will be posting that this Sunday. I'm not the only one following this closely. Peter will be interested in this as well I'm sure. {Smile} Most likely not liking it, but facts are facts.

Anyway. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. For your words of encouragement, Prayers, and patience. See you all on Sunday!
Peter

Sincere Apologies For Absence

Attempting to get back to a normal schedule soon.

Hey folks,

Happy Hump Day! Yes. I was not here Tuesday. My sincere apologies for that. There are just some things going on that I must take care of. I have told you all this many times in the past. I'm here, because I want to be here. I do not make Dime one on the OPNTalk Blog. I do not receive a paycheck, make a profit, further an agenda for any kind of personal gain whatsoever. Simply put, I write and share, because I LOVE to write and share.

As many of you know, I am also dealing with several different Medical issues. From the newest diagnoses of COPD, and Emphysema, Sleep Apnea, and the close watching of a swollen Lymph Node, I seem to be visiting more Doctors and Specialists than I would EVER care to in a lifetime. Couple that with the fact I have other obligations and DO have to pay the bills, I have very little time.

Since I started this Blog, I have sacrificed MANY things. I take time away from Family, friends, and outside obligations. I will sit in the OPNTalk Office for HOURS on end scanning news outlets, formulating, and publishing the Daily articles and Big Sunday Edition. Again, I have no idea how many hits I get a day, nor does it really matter all that much to me. I write because that is my Passion. I research, study, and learn, because THAT is my passion. I converse with people from all around the world, both in person, and online. We learn from each other.

I DO love and appreciate each and every one of you out there. From the true OPNers, to the casual visitors. From the true "Fans" to the reposters. Everyone of you are important to me and this is why I DO feel bad when time just doesn't allow for me to be here.

I've been Online now for over 12 years. I have enjoyed every one of them. From the differing Posting Boards, Discussion Groups, and News Outlets, and now the OPNTalk Blog itself, I find myself longing for many more years to come. I assure you, I do the best with the time I have.

So please forgive me for the occasional absence. I will continue to do my best each and every time I sign on. I will not just throw something out there with out being able to be confident that I get my message across and have the time needed to bring my opinion to you in the standard of excellence you have come to know and aspect.

Just simply THANK YOU for YOUR time and concern. Your Emails and comments. Your kind words and Prayers. I will do my best to never let you down. Thank you.
Peter

COPD, Emphysema, Smoking, Me

Health and Science for Sunday 012410

Hey folks,

OK. You know me. So I have now been told I have COPD, and the early stages of Emphysema. So what does that all mean? Well, of course it means I'm quiting Smoking. It means that according to most of the information out there, I'm not going to get better. But what IS it? I have heard of COPD, but what is it?

What Is COPD?

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time.

COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (a slimy substance), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.

All of which I have and is what brought me back to the Doctors in the first place.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, also may contribute to COPD.

No known cure, just gets worse. I'm not so sure I'm ready to accept that. So?

What is Emphysema?

Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Two million Americans are affected, largely those who are over age 50. With emphysema, breathing becomes difficult as the fine architecture of the lung is destroyed, leading to large holes in the lung, obstruction of the airways, trapping of air, and difficulty exchanging oxygen because of reduced elasticity of the lungs.

In the United States, cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor for emphysema. Emphysema costs more than $2.5 billion in annual health care expenses and causes or contributes to 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Current medical treatments include smoking cessation for those who still smoke, exercise rehabilitation, oxygen therapy for those with low blood oxygen levels, supportive and preventive measures such as flu shots, pneumonia vaccine, medications such as bronchodilators to help open airways, prompt treatment of respiratory infections, and lung transplantation.

Emphysema is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -- a slowly progressive disease of the airways that is characterized by a gradual loss of lung function. Chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, or a combination of these conditions with emphysema also are forms of COPD. COPD is the fourth most common and the most rapidly increasing cause of death in the United States.

So now it is all starting to make sense to me. They seem to go hand in hand. Here is one thing that I'm interested in learning more about.

What is Lung Volume Reduction Surgery?

In patients with emphysema, the walls between the tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged. While healthy lungs expand with each inhalation and collapse with each exhalation, helping to move air in and out -- lungs damaged by emphysema gradually lose their elasticity, becoming floppy and over-expanded like a spent rubber band. The airways, normally held open by the elastic pull of the lungs, also become floppy and collapse on exhalation. As a result, patients with emphysema have increasing difficulty moving air in and out of their lungs.

In lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), the size of the lungs is reduced. The theory underlying the surgery is that reducing the lung size will pull open the airways and allow the breathing muscles to return to a more normal and comfortable position, making breathing easier.

Now I have also heard that this type of surgery is only offered to people who have basically become disabled all together. I do not want to end up there. So here is what my game plan is.

First and foremost, Pray.
Second , quit smoking.
Third, Get back into the gym. Do whatever I can to stay active.
Forth, Continue to look for natural sources that will help cleanse me.

Now I know many want to blame Big Tobacco. I blame the Government for FORCING Big Tobacco to add Carpet Glue to Cigarettes to make them "Fire Safe." We have talked about that in the past. Yet, I blame myself the most. I knew, and know, that smoking is bad for me. No one forced me to go buy the Cigarettes. No one forced them in my mouth. No one forcibly lit them and forced me to in hale. I did these things. I'm the number one person to blame. It is what it is.

Now as I look to the future, I find myself looking toward the past. Remembering what I was first hand witness to with my Father, and also my Uncle. This is not something I want Josh to see. Time for a change, and only I can change it. May I have the strength to do whatever it will take to change the course I'm on. May God forgive me for my Sins. May Josh never light a Cigarette. May this experience I am going through now, help someone else from avoiding it all together.
Peter