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Clinical and Crisis Services offers a range of behavioral health services for youth and families. By providing access to crucial support services in schools and at our Youth Center, Alternatives reaches more than 800 youth and their families annually with services that range from prevention to skill-building to crisis response.
At Alternatives, youth and families work with professional counselors to identify and address risk factors including mental health issues, substance abuse, family issues, homelessness and violence. Clinical and Crisis Services Counseling and/or case management services are offered through the following programs:
Group and Individual Counseling reaches hundreds of youth and families each year at Alternatives’ Uptown youth center and through school-based health centers at Senn, Roosevelt, Uplift, and Northside Prep High Schools.
In the schools, Alternatives provides individual and family counseling, case management, and collaboration/advocacy services; increases immigrant integration into the school environment by increasing social functioning and decreasing adjustment issues; increases students’ knowledge of healthy relationships and reduce at-risk behavior related to substance abuse and unsafe sexual activity; and enables Student Health Club members to educate their peers about health-related topics with a special focus on high risk adolescent behavior. The provision of mental health services within school settings is not only efficient, but crucial to the well being of students from communities with limited resources.
On-site individual and family therapy, including bilingual therapy for Spanish-speaking youth and families, is offered to nearly 100 families each year, emphasizing family communication, discipline structures, and life skills development. These services use a strength-based approach to provide short- and long-term therapy, case management, and consultation. Therapists work with young people and their families to build resilience, improving family functioning and to address challenges both before and as they occur.
The Family Intervention Services (FIS) Program provides intensive crisis intervention and therapeutic services for youth experiencing homelessness due to family conflict and dysfunction. Each year, the crisis team, which is on call 24 hours a day, accepts referrals of adolescents and families from the Chicago Police Area 3 Youth Division. In response to these calls, Alternatives’ crisis therapists provide case management services to meet each youth’s immediate health and safety needs.
FIS staff provide broad and extensive counseling and case management services, transportation, and temporary housing. In the days and weeks following the crisis, Alternatives staff members continue to work intensively with the youth and family members to address the multitude of issues affecting the youth and their family, with the goal of repairing the relationship, building skills and safely reunifying the family. Even when the family conflict has been reduced to a level that allows for a youth’s safe return to the home, Alternatives’ services continue, providing counseling and case management services for the entire family to prevent a future crisis. Eighty-six percent of families receiving follow-up services avoid further crisis placement situations during their time in after-care.
Through Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention, young people ages 12 to 21 and their families get the help and support they need to confront, manage, and resolve their challenges related to drug and alcohol use and/or co-dependency. Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention consists of intensive evidence-based behavioral health services including Level 1 outpatient substance abuse treatment, toxicology testing, case management support, psychiatric services and recovery planning services.
Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention engages clients in a six-month treatment program which includes a number of sessions involving the youth alone and others engaging the family or caregivers as appropriate. Therapists work with youth to intentionally address individual needs through a series of sessions which include encouragement of pro-social behaviors, analysis of substance use, training in communication and problem-solving skills, relapse prevention.
Alex is one recent Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention client who was able to make positive changes as a result of the support he received at Alternatives. Alex was referred to counseling to deal with marijuana use, drinking alcohol and shoplifting. At the time he entered Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention, the outlook for his future was grim; he was failing in school and at risk of losing his foster care placement. He was referred to Alternatives’ Career and Employment Services program to help him with his school issues and assist him in finding a part-time job. The therapist helped Alex to realize that he was using substances as an escape. During therapy, Alex and his foster family worked on communication, anger management, impulsivity and positive skill-building. This work helped him to make positive changes and improve his relationship with his new family. Alex and his foster parents became closer and learned more about one another as they built a trusting and supportive relationship. The support Alex received helped him choose a more positive path. He stopped using substances, completed school and is currently enrolled in an auto-mechanic training program at Truman College.


Cervical and Lumbar Facet Arthropathy3
David M. Sibell
Description: Zygapophyseal (facet) joints are synovial diarthroses from C1 to S1. These diarthroses are innervated by the medial branch of the primary posterior ramus of two surrounding segmental spinal nerves. Facet syndrome (Facet Arthropathy) is a condition in which the zygapophysial joint in the back of the spine degenerate and subsequently cause pain.
Geriatric Considerations: Geriatric populations are more prone to cumulative stress injuries and osteoarthritis.
Pediatric Considerations: Facet arthropathy is uncommon in children.
Prevalence: True prevalence unknown. Facet arthropathy estimates: cervical: 55% lumbar: 31%.
Risk Factors: There're multiple markers for osteoarthritis. HLA-B27 gene is associated with most inflammatory spondyloarthropathies.
Pathophysiology: facet joints in dynamic areas, such as C2-C4, C6-C8, and L4-S1, are subject to macrotrauma (fracture), microtrauma (endplate injuries, hemarthroses), and osteoarthritis. Joint degeneration occurs in inflammatory arthritides.
Etiology: Pain from facet arthropathy comes from injury to the articular cartilage, synovium, and/or surrounding bony structures.
✓ Minimization of ballistic spinal motion and extreme axial loading
✓ Treatment of underlying inflammatory arthritides
✓ Maintenance of posture and myofascial conditioning
- Traumatic and degenerative changes
- Internal disc degeneration
- Inflammatory arthritides
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Signs and Symptoms: Considerable controversy surrounds the value of clinical examination. Although examination does not result in specific diagnosis, it is necessary to assess related disorders and to decide which patients go on for confirmatory testing.
History: Mechanical chronic axial spinal pain; if extremity symptoms are present, they do not predominate. Cervical facet arthropathy radiates to the occiput, posterior neck, shoulders, and scapulae. Cervicogenic headache is quite common for Cervical Facet Arthropathy, whilst lumbar one radiates to the low back, buttocks, hips, and rarely, to the popliteal fossae.
Physical Exam: Axial cranial, cervical, or upper thoracic pain with extension and/or rotation of the neck is present. Axial lumbar and/or buttock and/or hip pain with extension and rotation of the trunk at the hips is also typical for facet arthropathy. Besides facet arthropathy may also present with pain on flexion. Tenderness over spinous processes and facet joints at involved levels. Concomitant myofascial tenderness are not so far.
Interventional Diagnosis: Radiologically guided anesthetic blockade of the medial branches of the primary posterior rami of the involved joints. Intra-articular injections have low sensitivity and specificity.
Lab-Tests: if indicated, rheumatological laboratory evaluation
Imaging: Radiographs, CT, and MRI: osteoarthritic change (these findings are insensitive and nonspecific). Facet joint fracture in posttraumatic pain
Diagnostic Procedures/Surgery: Degenerative findings may present during open surgical procedures.
Pathological Findings: Decreased joint space, subchondral sclerosis, joint hypertrophy, and osteophytosis
- Internal disc degeneration
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Inflammatory and/or autoimmune arthritides
First Line: No medications are demonstrated to be effective.
Second Line: Consider acetaminophen, NSAIDs and opioid analgesics
Interventional: After diagnosis with comparative local anesthetic medial branch blocks, radiofrequency medial branch denervation produces lasting reduction in arthralgic pain and associated symptoms. Typical duration of effect is 12 to 18 months, after which nerve regeneration may result in recurrent symptoms. No cumulative risk occurs with repeating the procedure, should symptoms recur at 12 to 18 months; radiofrequency facet denervation has a low initial risk of morbidity. Pulsed radiofrequency has yet to duplicate the results of traditional radiofrequency, and it is not a first-line therapy. Intra-articular steroid injections have not demonstrated benefit past approximately 2 weeks' duration.
- Range of motion exercises
- Independent home exercise program training
- Passive modalities have no proven role in the treatment of this entity.
- Enhance self-management skills
- Cognitive behavioral approach to spinal health
- Biofeedback/relaxation therapy
- Spinal fusion with facetectomy
- Possible role for disc replacement
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: No recommendations are specific for this disorder, but acupuncture and massage may be useful.
Prognosis: The natural history of facet arthropathy is continued pain and possibly eventual spontaneous fusion.
Issues for Referral: For patients with continued pain despite active treatment, referral to a pain management specialist capable of performing medial branch denervation is recommended.
Complications: Reduced range of motion, secondary myofascial pain, spontaneous fusion
- Aigner T, Dudhia J. Genomics of osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2003;15(5):634-640.
- Dreyfuss P, Baker R, Leclaire R, et al. Radiofrequency facet joint denervation in the treatment of low back pain: a placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess efficacy. Spine. 2002;1;27(5):556-557.
- Dreyfuss P, et al. Efficacy and validity of radiofrequency neurotomy for chronic lumbar zygapophysial joint pain. Spine. 2000;15;25(10):1270-1277.
- Kornick C, et al. Complications of lumbar facet radiofrequency denervation. Spine. 2004;29(12):1352-1354.
- Lord SM, et al. The utility of comparative local anesthetic blocks versus placebo-controlled blocks for the diagnosis of cervical zygapophysial joint pain. Clin J Pain. 1995;11(3):208-213.
- Lord SM, et al. Percutaneous radio-frequency neurotomy for chronic cervical zygapophyseal-joint pain. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:1721-1726.


Living with cancer can cost a great deal of money. We offer free and confidential benefit advice to increase your income. We can help with
- filling in forms
- applying for grants
- representation at appeals
- claiming the correct benefit.
Patient Information Centre at the Royal infirmary
Thursday 10am to1pm. To make an appointment call on 0131 242 7660
Ward 1 at the Western General
Monthly drop in every
- first and third Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm
- second and fourth Wednesday 10am to 12pm.
The Cancer Information and Support Centre
Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre
30 Harvesters Way
Tuesday 10am to 1pm. To make an appointment call on 0131 453 9400.
Accessible ways to get in touch
If your first language is not English or if you have difficulty with your hearing or speech let us know so we can give you the advice you need in a way that is suitable to your needs.
Cancer Support Direct national helpline 0808 808 0000


BLUE SPRUCE DENTAL
5 out of 5 based on 5 user reviews.
By Jennifer K
5/5Honestly, each time I come to your office, I feel like it’s a party. The valium and “nitrous” keep me happy and relatively stress (anxiety) free, and having Dr. Timm work on my teeth is like having my trusted little brother taking care of me. That, plus staff who make you feel like a million bucks. Who can ask for more?
- Jennifer K
By Annette T
5/5Everyone I come in contact with at Blue Spruce Dental is outstanding in what they do. The staff is very friendly and courteous while also being completely professional.
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By James S.
5/5The entire staff did a great job. I was impressed with the computer diagrams of my teeth and the areas that needed work. It made understanding my problems and the care much easier than just talking about it.
- James S.
By Kathy M.
5/5I had been going to Dr. Timm then lost my insurance. I moved so I went to someone closer. Big mistake. I decided to go back to Dr. Timm. His office staff helped to make arrangements for what I needed done. His dental assistant made me feel very comfortable. I have never liked the dentist, so if you are afraid... you should go to Dr. Timm. His whole staff will make you feel comfortable. They are awesome! Thank you.
- Kathy M.


Grasshopper Apothecary was established in 2014 with a singular mission: to put patients first, provide quality medicine and operate with care and kindness, always. Started by a group of friends and pioneers whose lives were significantly improved by cannabis, we’ve built a solid reputation for ourselves as one of the best collectives in Southern California. We’re very proud of our professional and friendly staff, we keep up-to-date with the newest findings, products and legalities in medical cannabis to make sure we can answer all your questions. We’re grateful and honored to take this journey with you into better wellness in mind, body and soul. Welcome to our Grasshopper family!


Protein- A Necessary Building Block
Protein forms the building blocks of all muscles. Adequate protein is crucial not only for maintaining muscle but also for building many immune complexes and chemical messengers in the body.
There are many high-protein foods available today. And you may be consuming plenty of high-protein foods. But, are you actually assimilating the protein you need?
After the age of 35 your digestive enzyme secretions start diminishing. Without adequate enzymes, your body simply cannot digest a big chunk of protein very well (particularly A Blood Types). That partially digested protein begins to putrefy in the intestines, causing discomfort and leaching toxins into the system. Therefore, little of its valuable proteins can be assimilated by your body!
This means that even if you're eating a protein-rich diet, you may actually be protein starved!
Needless to say, this ineffective digestion doesn't do much for your health!
Among those few family-operated cheesemaking plants still in existence, stories occasionally circulate on how grandma drank a glass of whey a day to stay strong and healthy. Her energy level and physical well-being provided testimonial to the benefits of whey.
Through the years, whey's negative disposition as a sub-component or by-product of cheesemaking overwhelmed its positive attributes, making it virtually impossible for whey-drinking grandmas to convince their offspring to drink this wonder food.
Whey proteins are complete proteins, supplying the body with essential amino acids required for good health. This is why whey proteins provide excellent nutrition for active teens, healthy adults and the elderly.
Whey protein, once thought to be a useless by-product of cheese production, has recently become one of the most popular protein supplements. This is due, in part, to the development of several methods for distilling whey into a high-quality powder that is pratically fat- and lactose-free. Although it's the most expensive of the three protein powders (whey, casein and soy), whey has a number of advantages over other protein supplements.
It is reported that whey Proteins are digested much faster than less advanced proteins. Increased rate of digestion has been shown to result in increased plasma amino acid and protein synthesis attributes, which makes it particularly attractive in the fields of clinical nutrition.
Whey proteins are comprised of high-biological-value proteins and proteins that have different functions. A wealth of scientific research has proven that whey protein has the highest biological value (BV) of any protein. Biological value measures protein power and efficiency with which your body uses protein. The Whey Protein Institute's website gives a biological value of 100 to whey protein, 80 to casein and 74 to soy protein concentrate.
The main whey proteins are beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactoglobulin, two small globular proteins that account for about 70 to 80% of total whey protein. Proteins present in lesser amounts include the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM, but especially IgG, glycomacropeptides, bovine serum albumin, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase and lysozyme. Whey proteins also contain smaller peptides derived from various proteins which are called biopeptides.
Whey Proteins have been studied by various nutritionists and it is of great interest that whey proteins have been shown to be useful in post operative care of patients as most digestible proteins. It is highly recommended in body cell repairing & growth as well as provides all essential Amino Acids in sufficient amount to provide the best possible solution for formulation of clinical foods. Whey Proteins consist of various minor proteins like L-lactoalbumin, Lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, serum albumin, Lactoperxidase etc. Having high therapeutic values. These constituents have special medical application in products to treat & prevent a large number of clinical problems such as :
- Special formulation for diabetic patients
- For cardiac ailments
- For high cholesterol patients
- For liver, arthritis patients
- For burn patients
- To deal with situations like renal failure, gout, trauma etc.
Processing method (i.e., filtration, hydrolysis, ion-exchange, microfiltration, etc.) influences the availability and concentration of the variety of biologically active amino acids, peptides and fractions (i.e., alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, glycomacropeptides, immunoglobulins and lactoferrin) within whey proteins. These differences may influence the physiological function of whey proteins.
Antimicrobial, Passive Immunity and Other Actions of Whey Proteins
The mechanism of the possible antimicrobial actions of whey proteins may be accounted for by examining the activities of some of the whey proteins. Lactoferrin binds iron very tightly. Iron is a nutrient essential to support microbial growth, especially the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Lactoferrin may also inhibit the adsorption and/or penetration of bacteria and viruses in the intestinal wall. Lactoperoxidase may inactivate or kill microorganisms via an enzymatic activity producing reactive oxygen species. The immunoglobulins may also play a passive immunity role.
The possible immunomodulatory activity of whey proteins may also be due, in part, to the immunoglobulins playing a role in passive immunity. Whey proteins are rich in L-cysteine and L-glutamate, two amino acids that are precursors to the tripeptide glutathione. Some are also abundant in the dipeptide sequence of glutamylcysteine. This dipeptide is also a precursor to glutathione. There is some indication that intake of whey proteins enhance monocyte glutathione levels. Enhanced glutathione levels may also contribute to a possible immunomodulatory role of whey proteins, as well as to the possible antioxidant activity of these proteins. In addition, lactoferrin may modulate immune function.
The pharmacokinetics of whey proteins should be similar to those for dietary proteins. There is indication that lactoferrin and some of the immunoglobulins in whey proteins may be more resistant to proteolytic degradation than are other types of proteins. Some proteins may be digested to peptides that may be absorbed and may have various activities (bioactive peptides). Some (e.g., bovine serum albumin, beta-lactoglobulin) may yield glutamylcysteine during their digestion, which may be absorbed and serve as a precursor to glutathione in some tissues.
Indications and Usage
Whey proteins may be useful in the nutrition of some infants and others, and there is some very preliminary evidence that they may have some immune-modulating and anticancer effects. There is no credible evidence that they build muscle faster than other protein sources.
Summary of Research on Usages of Whey
Whey proteins have been used as the sole proteins in some infant formulas, and this has reportedly resulted in fewer allergies in these infants. In one study, the use of a whey protein formula in the first six months of life significantly reduced atopic disease up to one year of age. In another study, infants receiving a whey protein-hydrolysate formula during the first six months of life had a lower incidence of cow's milk protein sensitivity at age six months, less eczema during the first year of life and less diarrhea of non-infectitious origin during the first half-year of life.
There are several animal studies in which whey and whey factors are said to exert some positive effects on immunity and cancer. Observed immuno-enhancing properties are believed by some researchers to be related only partially to whey's nutritional effects. Enhancement of host humoral immune response has been associated, in some of these studies, with whey's role in increasing glutathione levels in the body.
In animal studies, whey proteins were found to be protective against colon cancer, relative to red meat and some other protein sources. A whey protein diet significantly decreased tumor burden and extended life in mice with colon cancer, compared to mice with colon cancer fed-standard diet.
Whey protein concentrate was administered to five patients with metastatic cancers (30 grams daily for six months). Two of these patients exhibited some evidence of tumor regression, normalization of hemoglobin and peripheral lymphocyte counts. In two other patients, there was stabilization of tumor growth and increased hemoglobin levels. More research is needed.
What then is needed is digestible protein. Protein that your body can assimilate - protein that does not become toxic waste. Whey is one of the most complete proteins -- and the most easily digested. But the type of whey makes all the difference in it usefulness to your body.
A few years ago, ion-exchange, cross-flow whey production became popular. Unfortunately, ion-exchange, cross-flow membrane whey proved to contain excess sodium often up to o 89 percent sodium!
This happens because the process of ion-exchange strips out calcium and magnesium ions, and replaces them with sodium ions. The result is an extremely high-sodium product that is virtually devoid of necessary and beneficial magnesium and calcium.
What happens when you eat a protein high in sodium? Most people know that sodium draws water to it. The excess sodium in ion-exchange whey draws water into the muscle. So although the muscles appears to be growing, they are really only full of fluid! And, even worse, the excess sodium throws the potassium levels out of balance. When that happens, the electrolytes go out of balance and the entire metabolism suffers. And the whole purpose has just been defeated.
Microfiltered Whey- The Whey of Choice (HealthSmart Nutrition's Hi-Pro93)
Hi-Pro 93 whey protein isolate (via microfiltration) is about the purest type of "whey" protein available. The isolation of whey, using a process called "cross-flow microfiltration," is the next manufacturing step after whey is concentrated. Manufacturers making Ultrafiltered or cross flow microfiltered whey use a high-tech cold manufacturing process that utilizes ceramic filters to remove the fat and lactose and isolate the protein without damaging it. Like the ion-exchange isolate, this type of isolate has a significantly higher protein per serving ratio than whey concentrates. This type of isolate typically yields over 94 grams of protein per 100 grams of whey, and often comes close to 98 or 99 grams of protein per 100 grams of whey. Hi-Pro 93 whey protein isolate is virtually free of fats and carbohydrates, which may appeal to people utilizing ketogenic diets like the Atkins diet. Cross-flow microfiltration gives a whey protein isolate which is greater than 90% in protein that is undenatured and that retains all important sub-fractions ( in natural ratios, with no fat or lactose).
The microfiltration isolate used to make Hi-Pro 93 whey protein isolate yields a higher amount of branched-chain amino acids than whey protein concentrate. Is the microfiltration version better than the ion-exchange version? Unlike the ion-exchange isolate, microfiltration isolate is not exposed to chemical degradation. Thus, the protein is left unharmed and in its original state. This leads to added benefits over ion exchange isolate. Hi-Pro 93 whey protein isolate is rich in important minerals (magnesium and potassium) and contains all three of the antibacterial and antiviral whey proteins not found in ion-exchange whey. In addition, Hi-Pro 93 whey protein isolate is very low in fat and undergoes far less processing than ion-exchange whey.
And that's not all, Hi-Pro 93 whey protein isolate may contain small amounts of beneficial lactoferrin, a milk protein not found in ion-exchange whey. Lactoferrin has been shown to be antibacterial and antioxidant. It inhibits the implantation of harmful E-coli bacteria in the stomach and intestines. It has even been found to have antifungal and antiviral properties against hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus, and herpes viruses. Hi-Pro 93 whey protein isolate also may contain small amounts of yet another protein: Lactoperoxidase. This whey protein has been found to be highly immune stimulating.
The microfiltration process not only filters the whey so that the sodium levels are reduced, but the lactose levels are also reduced. This allows most of those with a lactose intolerance to digest it without any trouble.
Whey proteins are contraindicated in those who are hypersensitive to milk proteins.


Article by-Begum Rossi
A lot of the best physician not only offer medical treatments, they likewise support their clients mentally. Think it or not, having a skin expert who is emotionally helpful can have an extremely positive affect on your health. It can be emotionally tough to find a new skin expert if you've been seeing the exact same skin specialist for a long time. Following these general guidelines can make your search simpler and less difficult.
Microdermabrasion - Everything You Need To Know
Not as complicated, or uncomfortable, as it sounds, microdermabrasion is 'exfoliation in the form of spraying tiny crystals at the skin - usually the face - to remove dead skin cells on the surface', says Dr. Sandro Sansoni from the The Baldan Group. Microdermabrasion - Everything You Need To Know
When looking for a skin specialist, you will require to ensure that they have actually gone to and graduated from a university with the highest requirements. Be a little concerned on their levels of education. When you're in the skin specialist's workplace, be sure to take a mental note of the degrees they have and what schools they are from. You can look up the schools online and research study to see if there is more info about their practice.
Make certain you are direct and clear in interaction with your skin specialist. Appropriate communication with your skin specialist about the specific medical issue is a crucial action towards attaining proper diagnosis. In addition, if you do not follow your skin professional's directions, then they might need to end their relationship with you. You might get a more effective treatment if you follow simply what the skin specialist says.
To get more of an insight about what to expect from the skin expert, you must always speak with other clients that have been seen by him in the past. Prior to committing to a skin professional, ensure you satisfy and talk with people who can use you some guidance. You will have a better time in finding a good skin professional and not being dissatisfied in doing so.
Most of the time, skin professionals do over the phone consultations with their patients when they are searching for a brand-new skin specialist. Approaching any new skin professional will take a calm attitude on your part throughout the initial assessment procedure. You could call their front desk and book a consultation with a skin expert. You could likewise acquire a great deal of beneficial information by talking with your brand-new skin expert and his/her workers.
If a workplace staff is disorganized, it will be hard to get a visit to see somebody. https://www.popsugar.com.au/beauty/Can-I-Mix-Retinol-Salicylic-Acid-Acne-44938095 might possibly be incorrect or delayed and you will get prevented. It's time to find a brand-new physician with a more organized personnel for good care if this takes place to you more than one time.
It is really crucial to have actually a well trained and certified skin professional whenever you look for treatment. Ask your skin expert which university his or her degree is from and guarantee that it's one that has a terrific track record. It is good to search for online reviews about the skin specialist and note if the previous clients are complaining. You ought to report a skin specialist who can not supply any evidence of his training and license to the regional medical board and look for a brand-new one.
Front Range Dermatology Associates
2923 Ginnala Dr, Loveland, CO 80537, USA


Mr. Gordon Perrault, Executive Director of Presentation Manor for seniors, is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Cynthia Nori, to the position of Director of Care at the facility, effective March 5, 2018.
Over the last fifteen years, Ms. Nori has been serving as a Director of Care or Director of Care Management for various facilities in Ontario. Prior to that she started her career in the nursing profession, with a specific focus on elderly care.
Ms. Nori’s extensive experience in community health care, acute care, palliative care, and management in community care and retirement communities, combined with her passion for working with the elderly, make her an excellent addition to the Presentation Manor Management Team.
“We were convinced in our meetings with Cynthia that her experience and her personality will be an asset to Presentation Manor, and that she will work tirelessly for our residents and our programs. We are very pleased that she has agreed to join our growing team of professionals!”, Perrault indicated.
Presentation Manor for seniors is a 229-unit elder care residence in Scarborough, Ontario, founded on the values of hope and compassion and inspired by Catholic religious orders of women and men in Canada. It is scheduled to open in summer/fall 2018.


Transformation of the Day: Shanay Alexis shares how she lost 100 pounds. The journey wasn’t just about weight for her. It was about rediscovering herself, understanding nutrition, and embracing a lifestyle that promotes wellness and well-being.
I’m excited to share a little about my journey with you. I’ve experienced a transformation that has truly changed my life. I’ve lost 100 pounds (no surgery). I was 240 pounds, I now weigh 140 pounds (height: 5’5″), and it feels surreal to say that out loud!
This journey wasn’t just about shedding weight. It was about rediscovering myself, understanding the balance of nutrition, and embracing a lifestyle that promotes well-being. It involved a lot of learning, patience, and self-love. It took me about one year to lose the weight.
My path wasn’t easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. I developed a routine that worked wonders for me, combining effective fitness strategies with a nutrition plan that was not just healthy but also enjoyable and sustainable.
I achieved my goal through a balanced blend of HIIT workouts, strength training, and mindful eating, focusing on whole foods. This combination not only helped in shedding pounds, but also in building a stronger, healthier me.
I feel more energized, confident, and happier than ever before. It’s amazing how the right guidance and support can make such a big difference.
The advice I would give is to keep pushing yourself even when challenges arise and think about the end-goal… positive mindset is the key! If my story resonates with any of you, or if you’re curious about the methods I used and want to create your own success story, feel free to reach out. I’d love to share more insights and maybe even guide you on your journey. (My social media is Shanay Alexis on Facebook.)
Remember, we’re all in this together, and I believe each one of us has the power to achieve our health and fitness goals!


Delivering Our Mission
It's all about your in-store experience. Our experts offer a wealth of knowledge and years of experience in foot and gait biomechanics, combined with leading edge technology and products made with Old World European craftsmanship. Our certified staff completes extensive coursework and training in the field of pedorthics. Our passion is fitting and supporting your unique feet to improve movement and balance using our European designed and crafted shoes in combination with advanced custom arch supports. Our arch supports are created with the most current understanding of human biomechanics and combined American and European technology in our own labs. With a combination of custom arch supports and ergonomically designed footwear, we can reduce, eliminate and prevent pain and trauma in the load-bearing joints of your body, which improves body alignment, balance and posture. We guarantee 100% satisfaction of all of our custom advanced biomechanical supports (ABS).
No matter where you are in your life's journey, we can help. Whether you are a youngster or just young at heart, our mission is to provide you with a fuller, more active lifestyle. When you come in, prepare for a 30-minute free foot assessment, which includes our state-of-the-art computerized foot scan. From there, our experts will create a customized solution for your unique feet and lifestyle. Our promise to you – you will feel the difference!
This is the one place you will not fit yourself or have to guess at a solution. Our experts are trained in foot and gait biomechanics, shoe construction, the fitting of arch supports and the appropriate care for all types of feet. Our store is a comfortable place to relax and allow all of our focus to be about taking care of you and your feet. We will take approximately 30 minutes to fully assess your feet and gait and learn about your lifestyle and objectives. If you are in a hurry, set up an appointment for another time. We will be happy to do a private assessment and fitting, even before or after regular store hours to accommodate your needs.


More than one-quarter of the U.S. adult population has Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, and the condition saddles as many as 20% of its sufferers with Barrett’s esophagus. The latter is a serious risk factor for esophageal cancer.
Harvard researchers have demonstrated a web-based program that allows cognitively normal individuals to screen themselves, unsupervised, for the type of memory decline that may signal encroaching Alzheimer’s disease.
In cancer research settings, AI has shown strong capabilities for predicting risk, recurrence and survivability over the past 10-plus years. Yet real-world cancer mortality remains largely unchanged to the present day. Why is that?


Dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable, caring residence for terminally ill patients in need of a home during their final days.
The Schenectady Community Home Inc. aka Joan Nicole Prince Home opened it’s doors in 2006, after years of fundraising to open the Home. The Home was opened to help bridge the gap between end of life care and individuals in need, allowing terminally ill individuals at the end of life to die in a home environment surrounded by their loved ones and trained professionals. The home is named after Joan Nicole (Keating) Prince, a Niskayuna, NY native and young mother of four, “Joanie” who lost her battle with cancer. In her honor, her husband gave a notable donation which allowed the Home to originally open in 2006.
Our team is comprised of wonderful volunteers, community members, and partners. To learn more about our team click the link below!
Admissions & Eligibility
The Joan Nicole Prince Home provides care to terminally ill individuals in the community with the greatest need & the fewest options.
Individuals must be enrolled in the local Hospice program in order to be eligible for our Home
Additional criteria includes:
Diagnosis of terminal illness and a prognosis of 3 months or less
Do not resuscitate order (DNR); no life sustaining measures to be done
No extraordinary care needs; we must be able to provide safe & comfortable care that can be managed by volunteers
We are unable to provide IV therapy, feeding tubes, or manage difficult behaviors
Things to keep in mind:
Maximum stay is limited to 3 months in order to provide care for as many people in our community who are in need
The JNP Home is NOT a medical facility, we act as “surrogate family” in a homelike environment
The JNP Home is staffed primarily by volunteers, both male & female
Admission decisions are not based on age, creed, color, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs
Please direct any further questions about admissions & eligibility to the Home at (518)346-5471


For Safe, Effective, Long-Lasting Results
Laser Hair Removal is the fastest and most effective way to remove larger areas of unwanted hair. And the results are long-lasting.
All laser hair removal treatments in Ginza, Tokyo at the Ginza Fujii Clinic are performed by professional, fully-qualified Medical Nurses and supervised by Dr. Kazuhito Fujii, M.D. PhD. LFHom. who is on-site and supervising at all times. So you know you'll be getting the safest, most effective treatment possible.
And if any questions or concerns arise, Dr. Fujii will be there to take care of you.
New! Introducing the Vectus™ Laser
Dr. Fujii and the Ginza Fujii Clinic are pleased to introduce the new Vectus™ Diode Laser to Ginza Fujii Clinic.
Specifically designed for Laser Hair Removal, the Vectus™ offers the newest advances in diode laser technology. The Vectus is:
• Faster, especially for larger areas
• More Powerful, so you'll need fewer treatments to achieve even better long-term results
• More Comfortable, than older technologies. In fact, it's almost pain-free.
• Safer, than most other lasers
The Ginza Fujii Clinic is the only clinic to offer the new Vectus™ technology for laser hair removal in Ginza, especially, for the foreign people.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
The hand piece is placed on the skin and an intense pulse of light is emitted.
The dark hair absorbs the light and heats up.
The light skin around it reflects the light and stays cool.
The hair shaft conducts the heat down to the hair follicle.
The heat destroys the cells in the hair follicle where the hair is made.
Laser Hair Removal Frequently Asked Questions
+ Will laser hair removal work for me?
+ Why do I need more than one treatment?
+ Does laser hair removal hurt?
+ How much does laser hair removal cost?
+ Do I have to be a certain age for laser hair removal?
Why we chose the Cynosure Vectus™ Diode Laser
Skintel™ Melanin Reader
The Vectus™ diode laser is the only Laser Hair Removal System available that offers the patented Skintel™ Melanin Reader. This device measures the actual amount of melanin in your skin before each treatment, so the settings can be tailored precisely to your needs.
For example, if you had spent a lot of time in the sun since your last treatment, your skin will be more tanned. If the settings on the laser are not adjusted to account for your tan, you run the risk of being burned.
The Skintel™ will record a higher level of melanin in your skin, and the laser settings will be adjusted accordingly. This will ensure you receive a safe treatment every time, while still maximizing its effectiveness.
**No other Laser Hair Removal system available today can offer you this level of protection.
The Vectus™ diode laser is the most powerful Laser Hair Removal System available.
More power means each treatment will be more effective. And you will require fewer treatments.
The Cynosure's patented Advanced Contact Cooling™ system, cools the skin continuously during your treatment. For a safer, more comfortable treatment.
Cynosure Medical Technologies is recognized as a world-leader in the research and development of cosmetic lasers. Many major advances in laser technology have been based on Cynosure research.
This means you're getting the best laser hair removal treatment available.
I asked these features of Vectus™ Laser that I mentioned above directly to the Bruce M.Byers who is the Vic President, International Division Asia Pacific sales of Cynosure, when I participated in the congress as the cosmetic surgery held in Tokyo in 2017.
Therefore, I was able to convince the quality of this machine, and I also tried to use it to myself in order to confirm the actual performance of it. I was able to get a satisfying result. That is why I chose Vectus™ Laser for my clinic.
With Mr.Bruce M.Byers
(Of course, I've already got the permission to use this photo for this web-site from him directly.)


In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, medical practitioners, including those specializing in podiatry, are constantly seeking effective ways to manage their practices efficiently. With the introduction of new medications like Zepbound for weight loss, healthcare providers are reminded of the importance of appropriately managing patient treatments and billing processes. For podiatry businesses, this underscores the value of reliable podiatry billing services, which help ensure patient treatments are accounted for and billed accurately to insurance providers.
Podiatrists deal with a vast array of patient health concerns, from common foot ailments to complex diabetic foot care. With this diverse patient care comes a multitude of billing and coding challenges. A specialized podiatry billing service can be a critical asset to a practice, allowing practitioners to focus on patient care rather than the nuances of medical billing, coding, and insurance claims. Here’s a look at how such services can benefit your practice, and how these components factor into handling prescribed treatments like Zepbound.
Firstly, it’s imperative to recognize the importance of using medical treatments responsibly and within their approved applications. As with the deployment of Zepbound, where concerns have arisen over its usage for non-approved purposes, it is critical that practices ensure that billing and insurance claims are submitted for FDA-approved indications only. Employing a robust podiatry billing service ensures that coding is accurate, which minimizes the risk of insurance rejections due to off-label prescribing.
Podiatry billing companies, with a thorough understanding of state-specific regulations – be it podiatry billing NJ, California, Pennsylvania, or Tennessee – are crucial for maintaining compliance. Medical billing involves intricate knowledge of complex coding and payer-specific guidelines. For instance, medical billing NJ or any other state-specific service has experts who are skilled at managing claims and denials specific to the regulations and payers within that state. It ensures that your practice’s billing processes are compliant and up to date with evolving healthcare laws.
Another key aspect is dealing with insurance processing. When new drugs like Zepbound hit the market, insurance companies may have specific documenting requirements for coverage. This can be challenging for a practice to keep track of, but a podiatry billing company, well-versed in insurance trends and policies, can stay ahead of these changes to facilitate timely and accurate reimbursements for the treatments provided.
The financial health of your podiatry practice also depends on effective practice management consulting. Consultants provide strategic advice on various aspects of running a practice, including the efficient use of billing software and the implementation of best practices in financial management. With their expertise, practices can enhance their revenue cycle management, which could involve navigating the billing for new weight loss drugs and other specialized treatments.
The right kind of billing software is also a game-changer. Modern, high-quality billing software can simplify the billing process, reduce errors, and improve turnaround times for claims processing. It’s especially crucial when dealing with new medical treatments; software that is regularly updated to handle new billing codes can significantly ease the billing process for such medications.
In conclusion, while the focus of your podiatry practice is on delivering quality patient care, attention should also be given to the business side of your practice. Specialized podiatry billing services, expert consultation, and cutting-edge billing software are not just tools but essentials for running a successful practice in the current medical landscape. They not only support the financial backbone of your practice but ensure that the latest treatments, such as weight loss medications, are managed with the utmost responsibility and in compliance with healthcare regulations. By investing in these services, you are not just streamlining administrative processes but also safeguarding your practice against the complexities of healthcare billing, ultimately allowing for holistic and uncompromised patient care.


Today was the start of week 25. I'm happy to be into a new week, but of course still praying that the babies stay put for many weeks to come. Still, Joe and I celebrated the new week with afternoon sundaes from Carvel.
It was a pretty quiet afternoon today. All my doctor visits and monitoring happened early in the morning so I was pretty much done by 9:00 AM. The babies looked good on the ultrasound and there are still no contractions happening, which is a wonderful thing. My doctor ordered the food service people to bring me 3 bottles of water per meal, so I've been trying to drink a lot.
Dinnertime was fun because Jamie and Dave came to visit us. They brought Chinese food and we hung out and chatted for a few hours. Jamie also brought me a great bag of treats - yummy smelling soap and foot cream, lip balm, Newman-Os and a few awesome looking microwave desserts. I know officially have the most stocked room in the hospital. If anyone needs a snack, come on by.
So another day almost down, and I'm grateful for each and every one.


We are here to help you. Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be on hold for longer than normal when you call us. You can use this website instead, or until you reach us:
- To learn about Community HealthChoices, go to Learn
- To find a provider or compare health plans, go to Choose
- To enroll or check your case, go to Enroll
- To leave a comment or question, go to Contact Us
You can learn answers to common questions at FAQs.
It's time to enroll!
Now is the time to choose your providers and health plans. You know your needs best, so it’s best if you choose!
Call the PA CHC Helpline at 1-844-824-3655 (TTY: 711). The call is free.
We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
We can speak with you in other languages.


Finding a specialist in Colorado Springs with the ability to keep a child’s future and best interest in mind while diagnosing and treating children suffering from childhood ailments is a skill second to none.
When confronted with scoliosis, sports injuries, fractures, dislocations, congenital conditions, infections, or disease Front Range Orthopaedics’ pediatric specialists know how to proceed with discerning skill and sensibility.
They understand and appreciate the delicacies of dealing with children experiencing all types of pediatric orthopaedic difficulties. They are also well-versed in expertly correcting a myriad of conditions, disorders, and defects.
Our doctor’s collective experience, comprehensive knowledge, and compassionate sensitivity can redirect much of the worry and concern surrounding childhood injury or illness and turn an oftentimes scary situation into a pediatric orthopaedics success.
For more information pediatric conditions, treatments, and surgeries check out Front Range Orthopaedics Patient Education.


PDB-101 Focus: Peak Performance
Since 2014, PDB-101 has focused on different topics to help build a collection molecular stories around a particular theme, Past topics have included cancer and diabetes.
In 2024, PDB-101 will highlight the structural stories of Peak Performance: the structural biology of athletics and well-being.
Athletes require bodies that are the best that is possible, all the way from molecules to muscles. By understanding the structure and function of our molecules, athletes can ensure that they are performing at their peak. This knowledge also informs the ways that we all can live our best lives, at all stages of our lives.
Visit the PDB-101 Browser for more.
Anabolic steroids like testosterone (blue) are among the most common performance-enhancing drugs. They have two major functions: controlling development and maintenance of “male” characteristics and regulating anabolic processes such as synthesis of proteins in muscle cells and formation of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. In the early 1960s, weightlifters and bodybuilders discovered that anabolic steroids improved performance in aerobic and endurance sports. Since then, these compounds have been used (and misused) by amateur and professional athletes. In 1975, the International Olympic Committee placed steroids on their list of banned substances, and most professional sports organizations currently ban their use. The sex hormone-binding globulin, shown here, transports testosterone in the blood from the testes to other tissues.


Find the health and wellness you need to enjoy your life to the full.
We can build a tailored plan for you and support you every step of the way.
At Thrive HM we value physical health as one of the most important and impactful factors in the human experience. Although it by no means stands alone among the qualities of a long, vibrant and happy life, it is our particular obsession. The body is the vehicle through which you experience every facet of your life. Whether it be work, rest, pleasure, you inhabit the same body throughout. As such, improving and maintaining the health and function of your body positively impacts everything you do and everything you are.
Science has illuminated the myriad ways in which your way of life today affects the trajectory of your health in the future. We know so much about how the way you choose to live today, as a 30 or 40 or 50-year-old, determines to a great extent the quality of physical health you will enjoy at 60 or 70 or 80 years old. We cannot see for certain what lies ahead, and we certainly cannot wave a magic wand to eradicate all future woes, but we can nudge our genes, cells, organs and minds towards slightly more favourable, or slightly less desirable outcomes with every choice we make. In recent years the evidence has piled up to show us just how much agency we have over this journey with our everyday choices. Good or bad decisions add up enormously over the course of time, moving a person to significantly different destinations.
The truth is, regardless of your genetic strengths and weaknesses, your way of life is having a profound impact on your future quality of life. We believe that it is well worth curating your way of life deliberately, particularly in some critical areas that are known to have huge significance. Those areas include your quality of sleep, your perspective, your connectedness to real people, your nutrition, your physical fitness and the way you manage stress. We aim to teach a powerful, impactful, yet simple and sustainable way of life that helps all of our clients and the Thrive HM community, to live better every day. We don’t follow trends or fads, we don’t have a near-religious adherence to a particular diet or way of training. We use scientifically supported methods that we have tested and seen work for hundreds of clients to date.
By collecting an extensive resource of practices, principles and tools, we have developed a way of life which is founded upon the intentional movement, towards a state of great health and optimal performance. We are here to get you into the best shape of your life, to help you thrive.
For the best possible result in any individual, individualisation is THE key. When you become a client, we go to great lengths to assess the particulars of you, your goals and your context. To tailor your program as closely as possible to what will work for you. We aim to remove all the guesswork from your recommendations through thorough assessment. We offer you a truly individualised program based on your own goals and priorities and the universal principles of a healthy life.
WELCOME TO THRIVE.
Over the course of a year, Nick dropped more than half the total fat on his body with no counting calories and no eating every meal from tupperware.
A Dose Of Motivation
In youth, health chases wealth, yet in old age, wealth chases lost health - Dhali Lama
To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our minds strong and clear - Buddha
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop - Confucius
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence - Confucius
The key is to keep company with those who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best - Epictetus
When something is important enough, you do it - Elon Musk
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask, ACT. Action will delineate you an define you - Thomas Jefferson


The complexity of our behavior depends not only on the staggering number of neurons in the brain, but also on the precise identity of these neurons and the specific connections that they form. A simple reflex response, a complex mental process, and the cognitive decline accompanying dementia are all associated with the generation (or dysfunction) of elaborate spatial and temporal patterns of electrical activity.
A vital step in understanding the functional principles of neural circuits is to directly observe the activity of local circuit elements with high temporal and spatial resolution. Two-photon microscopy is increasingly recognized as a crucial tool for these functional investigations; providing insight into how neural circuits encode information and transfer signals throughout various brain regions. My research group utilizes advanced in vivo two-photon microscopy in behaving animals navigating in a sensory-rich virtual reality environment in combination with neuroanatomical techniques to investigate the cell-type specific microcircuitry of the cerebral cortex and subcortical projecting pathways. Using these techniques, we aim to determine underlying processes of sensory perception and sensorimotor integration in both health and neurodegenerative disease states.


New CompassionART Sessions Available Now!
CompassionArt is a project launched in 2018, working with people in and around the rural area of Hexham, Northumberland who are living with long-term chronic illness which prevents them from working, and has a major impact on their daily lives. The current set of sessions are the third run of workshops in the project.
We are offering a series of beneficial creative stimulating and engaging activities to bring people together in a calm and supportive environment. During the COVID-19 epidemic, this will be an online environment. The sessions will include paper art, singing, up–cycled art and yoga. There are 24 sessions all led by artists, experts and fully qualified practitioners.


This summer will mark four years since my fiancé Daniel and I started living together. I absolutely wouldn’t have it any other way; I love waking up to him every morning and going to sleep beside him every night, especially after a long, hard-working day. Nonetheless, it’s safe to say we haven’t always had it easy. Our first couple of years of cohabiting in particular were extremely difficult; not due to “typical” living-with-your-partner inconveniences like fighting over leaving the toilet seat up, putting dirty clothes on top of as opposed to in the washing basket (which, I must say, is incredibly frustrating) and feeling on top of one another, but something very different: Crohn’s disease. Daniel was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in September 2016 – which, at the time, was one of the worst cases in the UK – and, boy, have we been on one hell of a rollercoaster ever since. Needless to say, his diagnosis has not only continued to strengthen our relationship, but drastically change our outlooks on life. As today is World IBD Day, I wanted to share my story on what it’s like to witness first-hand the impact of a chronic illness on someone’s life and the impact it can have on their partner (like me) too, but not before I give a brief overview of Crohn’s disease and its symptoms.
For those of you who aren’t completely aware, Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system and is one of the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the other being Ulcerative Colitis (source: Crohn’s and Colitis UK). It is said to be hereditary and, while there are different forms of treatment such as drugs and surgery, there is currently no cure. As Daniel’s case is severe, he takes a multitude of medications daily as well as an injection weekly. The symptoms that Daniel experienced before his diagnosis, and still experiences regularly, include abdominal pain and (if you’re squeamish, brace yourself) diarrhoea, tiredness and fatigue and feeling generally unwell. A full list of the symptoms can also be found on the link referenced earlier.
Now, for the story. As I said, Daniel was diagnosed in September 2016. He suffered from the aforementioned symptoms and more for about nine months prior and underwent innumerable tests and scans before he was finally diagnosed via a colonoscopy, following which they explained to us that it looked like Daniel had – shockingly – had the disease for around five-to-seven years already. These months leading up to his diagnosis were some of the hardest for the both of us; it was horrible for Daniel to continue to experience pain and suffering for reasons the GP couldn’t even decipher, and equally horrible for me to watch him suffer and continuously wonder why. Daniel even turned to private care for a little while in hope that they could more accurately discover what was wrong; alas, even they couldn’t and misdiagnosed it as whooping cough. Unfortunately, it took Daniel to collapse at his desk at work based near Wimbledon and have his colleagues call an ambulance for him which took him to St. George’s Hospital in Tooting to finally figure it out. Ever since, Daniel has been under the supervision of some of the best doctors and surgeons at this hospital who have been an incredible help in making the experience smoother and easier to cope with for the both of us.
Following his diagnosis, Daniel had to stay in hospital for a little while so that his blood and sugar levels could be monitored and he could be rehydrated after losing so much water in his body due to the diarrhoea. However, the following month – October 2016 – saw an even more unfortunate event for Daniel; whilst resting in his hospital bed surrounded by his parents, my parents and me, his bowel perforated and thus required immediate surgery. Just before which, I vividly remember a lovely stoma nurse coming to talk to Daniel and me all about having and caring for a stoma bag. Essentially, in order to give Daniel’s bowel a rest and allow him to recover from the symptoms he had been suffering, his doctors and surgeons decided that some of his large intestine would need to be removed and he would need a temporary stoma bag through an operation called a colectomy with ileostomy. This is – again, squeamish readers, prepare yourselves – a procedure whereby the intestine is brought to the surface of the stomach, and an opening is made so that digestive waste is passed through the stomach and into a bag rather than through the bottom; the opening on the stomach is called a stoma (source: Crohn’s and Colitis UK). The period of time for which Daniel would have a stoma bag was uncertain as his doctors and surgeons would assess his progress and evaluate a time when they deemed it necessary.
The information about stoma bags was fed to us so suddenly that neither Daniel nor I were able to fully absorb it all at once. We were provided with a kit with all stoma care needs including a large source of stoma bags when a replacement was necessary, some curved scissors to help cut the hole in the bag for the stoma to the correct size (as stoma sizes vary) and various other supplies; a handful of leaflets and handouts all about life with a stoma bag; and a number of websites to navigate and phone numbers to call whenever we needed help. Nonetheless, almost everything we learned about stoma bags was acquired through practice. Living with each other meant that I could help Daniel whenever he required it at home, be it to clean the stoma, change the bag or look after him when he continued to experience the usual Crohn’s disease symptoms. In fact, although the stoma was intended to help Daniel in the long run, his experience with it was still awful; he vomited every morning and night, struggled to digest a number of foods and was completely bed-bound, all whilst also experiencing the pain from the surgery on his stomach and the mental burden of it all (I can feel the waterworks coming on for me right about now). What’s more, when I met Daniel, he couldn’t even swallow a tablet; now, he had to start taking a surplus of drugs (the most he has been on at one time is thirty-three; now, he takes at least eight a day).
As the one not living with the condition nor the stoma, but living alongside the person with them, all I wanted to do for Daniel was stay positive, encourage him to keep fighting and continue to remind him that he wasn’t alone in this battle because – as cliché as it may sound – he had me by his side. Notwithstanding, this experience inevitably came with its downfalls on my part, too. The same month Daniel was diagnosed, I had just begun my second year of university. Fortunately, as I briefly mentioned in my blog about living at home for university, I had transferred to a university closer to home to continue my studies from my second year not with the intention to live with Daniel (we managed the long-distance relationship quite well, actually), but because I didn’t enjoy my time at my first-choice university like I’d anticipated. And, even more fortunately, my new university (Roehampton) just so happened to not be far from the hospital in which Daniel would stay for months on end. So, every day after my lectures during the beginning of my second year, I would head straight to the bus stop outside of campus, jump on the 493 to St. George’s Hospital and sit beside Daniel in his hospital bed to keep him company. A lot of the time, whilst Daniel kept himself occupied by watching movies on Netflix on his phone, I had my laptop open to complete some uni work; being in each other’s presence was enough. Other times, we would merely have a chat, watch something together or, if he had family or friends visiting, we would be occupied by their company. Again, this time was certainly not easy for us, but we got through it together.
Almost exactly one year from his diagnosis, and eleven months from his major surgery (as Daniel continued to have minor surgeries with his stoma; I gave up on keeping count of the number of endoscopies he’s had a long time ago), the time finally came for Daniel’s stoma to be reversed. Despite the horrible side effects, his doctors and nurses internally saw a huge improvement in his bowel and intestines from the culmination of his drugs and the stoma. As it was September 2017, I had at this time just begun my final year of university and would, again, try my best to look after Daniel post-surgery alongside my studies. Not only was he bed-bound again, but he also had two large scars to recover from as well as the mental struggle to adapt to some sort of normality again; in layman’s terms, he got his bottom ~ back ~.
Now, Daniel is much better than he was. Of course, he still experiences flare-ups in his intestines every now and then which is normal for somebody with Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis and has had to take trips to the hospital aplenty, but together we have learnt how to manage everyday life with Crohn’s. As I mentioned earlier, his daily drug intake has reduced from a whopping thirty-three to around eight, and the continuation of taking these drugs alongside his weekly injection has greatly assisted in the management of the condition. That’s not to say that we don’t get a scare every so often, like the possibility that he will have to stay in hospital for a long period of time again or – especially in times like now with the coronavirus pandemic – he’ll fall really ill again, but if this whole experience has taught us anything, it’s to stay positive. We count ourselves so lucky every day that we live together and have each other by our sides during hard times and, whatever our future holds, I think it’s fair to say that we are both well-prepared.
Please be reminded that this is Daniel’s Crohn’s story; everybody’s IBD experience is different. Currently, it is estimated that Crohn’s disease affects about one in every 650 people in the UK and Ulcerative Colitis about one in every 420 people in the UK. When Daniel was diagnosed and I would tell people that he has Crohn’s disease, a common response was “what’s that?”. Four years on, I am pleased to report that people seem much more aware of it when I tell them as they either know or know of someone with the condition. Nevertheless, there still seems to be a lack of general awareness around IBD, and that is what today – World IBD Day – is all about. Given the above figures, it is likely that someone you know has Crohn’s or Colitis, so why not do some more research into them by heading to the Crohn’s and Colitis UK website or by following them on social media? Likewise, if you or someone you know is suffering from similar symptoms and is yet to discover what you or they might have, please ensure that you or they get checked out.
To those like Daniel with an IBD, happy World IBD Day! To my readers, thank you for reading and I hope this has assisted in the growth of awareness around IBD. Also, to the NHS, as we hear daily at present, thank you so much for the support and care you provide people like Daniel. And, of course, to my Daniel, I am so proud of you for all that you’ve achieved and all that you’ve been through. Despite all this, you have continued to work incredibly hard in your full-time role at an amazing and supportive firm called Z group, have passed a number of AAT exams and continue to conduct voluntary work for the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) – all while being the best fiancé anyone could ask for. You are an inspiration. ♡
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Intensive regenerating daily protection
This delicate cream is a highly-effective provider of energy for more demanding skin. It strengthens the connective tissue, firms and intensively regenerates. Thanks to its light texture, it leaves skin feeling cared for and fortified for the day ahead.
Particularly suitable for dry, stressed or tired skin.
The ARYA LAYA active regenerating complex:
– Argan oil: anti-ageing effect
– Beech bud extract: firms and regenerates
– Liftonin®: instant lifting effect
– Rosewater: firms and strengthens
– Wild rose oil: tightens connective tissue, fades pigmentation spots
– Light, natural UV-filter
– Shea butter: leaves your skin feeling silky-soft
Apply in the morning to cleansed skin and gently massage in.
Our tip: We recommend also using Regeneration Revital Serum under the day cream to give your
skin an extra boost.


“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates was definitely on to something. Have you ever wondered why some people are always full of energy, always on the go, don’t need a lot of sleep and are rarely if ever sick?
Most people don’t realize how much the pH level of the food you eat and your body affects your organs and immune system. The typical western diet of processed and fried foods, refined grains, meat, dairy, and sugar are extremely acidic and result in acidic residues after digestion. As our body is approximately 20 percent acidic and 80 percent alkaline it’s recommended that we eat approximately 20 percent acidic foods and 80 percent alkaline foods too. Nearly all of our physiological functions, including immune system, cardiovascular and digestive functions including most of our enzyme and metabolic processes require that our bodily pH is slightly alkaline. This prevents diseases since most bacteria and viruses can not survive in an alkaline state. Also, organs within our digestive system, such as the pancreas, have functions to balance the pH of the digesting food. The pancreas releases sodium bicarbonate into the small intestine to neutralize the stomach acids. Eating acidic foods puts futher stress on the pancreas and can actually cause diabetes. Eating alkaline foods removes this stress from the pancreas and allows it to function properly. An overly acidic system could lead to symptoms like lack of energy, fatigue, digestive disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, allergies, respiratory ailments, depression, colds, flu and other chronic illness. Another affect of having an acidic body is that calcium is pulled from your bones to balance the pH which can cause bone loss.
It’s worth remembering that the pH of the food item itself may not be accurately reflective of its affect on the body. For example, citris fruits are naturally very acidic, however, when they are digested, they have an alkalizing affect on the body. Therefore, oranges, graprefruits, and lemons are considered alkaline foods because of the affect they have on your body’s pH level, not by their natural pH level.
Here are some of my favourite alkaline recipies:
Tamari Pumpkin Seeds
I love adding pumpkin seeds to jazz up salads and pasta dishes and I recently found out that they have the added bonus of also being the only seeds that are alkaline forming. If you want to give them an extra kick try dry roasting them in a frying pan and then adding 1-2 tsp of tamari or soy sauce.
Lemons are veritable wonders. Not only do they top the list of the most alkaline forming foods but lemon juice is high in vitamin C, B6, calcium, potassium, copper, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, iron and magnesium. If that wasn’t enough it also has great digestive qualities and can help cleanse the body of toxins.
Greens are the highest alkaline-forming foods and they are full of vitamins A, K, and D so adding a spinach salad (spinach, walnuts, lemon juice and avocado) to your meal is an excellent way to alkalize your diet.
Millet is punchy powerfood, the only alkalizing grain and is a great source of protein. It has a sweet nutty flavor and is considered to be one of the most digestible and non-allergenic grains available.


Welcome to Reis & Kirkland
At Reis & Kirkland we believe in teamwork. We work together, along with our clients, for successful case results. Our staff includes two lawyers, one nurse paralegal and two litigation paralegals. We respect one another and enjoy working together for the benefit of our clients. We are motivated by the opportunity to help those harmed by the negligence of others.
We work for our clients. We are sensitive to our clients’ priorities and concerns. We keep our clients informed, so that they are aware of how their case is proceeding and so they can meaningfully participate in important case decisions. Our goal is not to punish wrongdoers, but rather to hold them accountable for the damage they have caused.
Litigation can be an extremely difficult process, especially after catastrophic injuries and losses that have profoundly harmed a client. We appreciate our clients’ need for guidance and understanding under those circumstances, and we try to make their experience with litigation as easy and understandable as possible.
At the conclusion of a case, we hope to have achieved a result that permits our clients to move on with their lives and look back at their litigation experience with a sense of justice and satisfaction about both the process and outcome.
We Specialize in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury
At Reis & Kirkland we specialize in medical malpractice and personal injury including:
- Birth injuries including cerebral palsy and brachial plexus
- Surgical malpractice, including laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and open procedures
- Emergency medicine negligence
- Sepsis diagnosis errors
- Cancer: diagnosis errors, including cervical, breast, lung, colon, melanoma, and other cancers
- Cardiac disease misdiagnosis
- Spinal cord injury diagnosis errors
- Delayed diagnosis of hip dysplasia
- Nursing and hospital malpractice
- Other personal injuries including work site injuries and automobile injuries
View our settlements and verdicts.
Contact Us for an Evaluation of your Claim
Medical negligence claims are complex and expensive to pursue. Our clients typically choose to pursue their claims on a contingent fee basis.
If you would like us to evaluate your potential claim, please contact us. We will be happy to review the circumstances of your injury and give you our best judgment about next steps at no charge to you.


Currently there is no test for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Whereas, many other disorders are diagnosed with by a simple blood test, x-ray or CT, the diagnosis of ALS is made in large part by ruling out other diseases that can mimic it. It is not uncommon that a patient has waited over a year for the diagnosis to be secured. Without a test that can objectively measure how much a patient with ALS is affected also delays the testing and discovery of new drugs.
The objective of our research program is to improve our understanding of changes in the brain in ALS. We have previously characterized degeneration of motor and non-motor cerebral regions in ALS using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, functional MRI, and texture analysis. These methods show promise in providing a biomarker, namely a test that can quantify cerebral degeneration to detect disease earlier, monitor progression, and evaluate new therapies. Such a tool would accelerate drug testing and lead to the realization of effective treatment faster, as currently there is no such test in ALS.
The Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC) was formed to create and evaluate new tests for ALS that use advanced MRI. CALSNIC has 7 participating sites in Canada, and has recently branched internationally to include 2 sites in the US.
There have been a number of publications and presentations arising from CALSNIC. Most recently, Dr. Kalra and his team updated the international community at the ALSMND Symposium in Glasgow last December, at the ALS Canada Research Forum in Toronto in April, and at the American Academy of Neurology in May.
CALSNIC receives the bulk of its funding from a Hudson Team Grant from ALS Canada (in partnership with Brain Canada). This was the largest grant awarded by ALS Canada, with funds raised by the ice bucket challenge across the country. The study continues for another 2 years. The CALSNIC team thanks patients, their caregivers, and friends and family who have given so generously of their time to be participants in the study.
For more information about our study, please visit calsnic.org.


A patient recruiter and a therapy staffing company owner pleaded guilty today in connection with a $7 million health care fraud scheme involving the now defunct home health care company Anna Nursing Services Corp.
Ivan Alejo, 48, and Hugo Morales, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez in the Southern District of Florida to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. At sentencing, scheduled for Nov. 5, 2013, Alejo and Morales each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Alejo worked as a patient recruiter at Anna Nursing, a home health care agency in Miami Springs, Fla., that purported to provide home health and therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries but in reality billed Medicare for expensive physical therapy and home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or were not provided. Morales owned Professionals Therapy Staffing Services Inc., which provided therapists to Anna Nursing.
Alejo and his co-conspirators negotiated and paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters in return for the recruiters providing patients to Anna Nursing for home health and therapy services that were medically unnecessary and/or not provided. He and others also paid kickbacks and bribes to co-conspirators in doctors’ offices and clinics in exchange for home health and therapy prescriptions, medical certifications, and other documentation. Alejo and his co-conspirators would use the prescriptions, medical certifications and other documentation to fraudulently bill the Medicare program for home health care services.
Morales and others created fictitious progress notes and other patient files indicating that therapists from Professionals Therapy had provided physical or occupational therapy services to particular Medicare beneficiaries, when in many instances those services had not been provided and/or were not medically necessary. Morales knew the falsified documents were used to support false claims for home health care services billed to Medicare by his co-conspirators at Anna Nursing.
From approximately October 2010 through approximately April 2013, Anna Nursing was paid by Medicare approximately $7 million for fraudulent claims for home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or not provided.
Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,500 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
HCAF supports the Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice in eliminating fraud in the home health industry. Removing these bad actors is paramount to protecting home health’s status as an upstanding player in the healthcare arena.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to:www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.


Finding a meth addiction treatment for third sex is at times challenging. It is because members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community sometimes feel that they are being discriminated or judged by other people.
LGBT drug rehab centers explained:
LGBT drug rehab centers are facilities that provide drug treatment such as meth abuse treatment specifically to the LGBT community. There are lesbian and gay rehab centers that serve to help people with the same sexual orientations.
These meth addiction treatment centers that specialized in treating the LGBT community provide help, support and care to the recovering individuals without prejudice. Moreover, these facilities are experts in providing therapies and treatment methods that are specialized in offering solutions to the issues that are often encountered by the LGBT people.
Some therapies in the treatment for meth abuse include, teaching patients how to deal with rejection at work or in the family without turning to meth use. Transgenders may learn how to manage their problems without being dependent on meth and other drugs.
These meth addiction treatment centers also teach the LGBT people of ways on how to accept themselves as some of them still lack self-acceptance, bringing them to abuse more meth.
Things to consider when choosing a rehab center that caters to the LGBT:
• The cost of the rehab program: Know the exact computation of your stay at the rehab. Some of these centers for treatment for meth addiction require you to pay your own room and board. If you have a dual diagnosis, ask for the total cost that you have to pay for the medical treatment and therapies.
• Check the success rates of the rehab in terms of cure for meth addiction among the LGBT: You should be wary that the rehab center that you’re planning to enroll has a high success rate. If their programs are effective for the past patients, the more likely the program will work for you.
• Check for aftercare treatment for meth abuse: The right rehab center should allow you to have therapy outside the rehab center to help you continue your abstinence. A good meth addiction treatment center provides this on hand before you wrap up your treatment at the facility.
• Check the treatment protocols. Don’t be satisfied that they specialized for the LGBT community. Exactly know the details of their treatment methods. The programs that they have should be comfortable with you so make this as a consideration.
• Find out if the rehab center hires professionally trained staff: You should consider a methamphetamine addiction treatment center that hires medical staff who don’t only accept the sexual orientation of the LGBT, but also are trained in handling their issues. Some rehab facilities also hire staff with the same sexual orientation so it would be easier for them to tackle and give support. If this is important for you, you should find a meth addict treatment facility that has this quality.


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Sleep is one of the most important factors in physical and emotional health, wellbeing and healing. Due to the importance of healing and recovery, as well as REM sleep requirements, we may need to sleep more if we are recovering from substance misuse. The ultimate aim should be to sleep for as long as possible, preferably without an alarm clock waking us up. However we know that this is not always possible. What you can do, is take steps to ensure that we get the best night’s sleep you can.
Aim for between 8 and 10 hours’ sleep, or as much as your body seems to need. Sleep will be most beneficial if we can minimize interruptions and sleep right through. It will also be more beneficial the closer our sleep cycle is to our circadian rhythm. Ideally, aim to be going to bed for 9pm or 11pm at the latest. Adapt the time you go to bed based on the time you need to be up by. So if you need to be up by 5am try to get to bed by 9pm the night before.
Here are some tips for a good, uninterrupted night’s sleep:
1. Finish eating all meals and snacks by 7pm.
2. Drink sufficient amounts of water and liquid throughout the day, but aim not to drink anything after 8pm (or, even better, 7pm).
3. Don’t drink caffeinated drinks after 4pm.
4. Ensure a regular intake of whole foods, rather than refined foods, to ensure balanced blood sugar levels. Eat a sufficient amount at each meal to satisfy your needs.
5. Make sure your evening meal contains plenty of carbohydrates, such as brown rice, pasta, millet, barley, oats or potatoes. Carbohydrates help us produce lots of melatonin in the evening, which makes us sleepy and promotes deeper sleep.
6. Exercise every day. This could be walking, running, swimming, yoga, tai chi, cycling or going to the gym, for example. Regular exercise helps reduce stress hormones which can keep us awake, and it also boosts serotonin and melatonin production, which helps to improve sleep.
7. Develop a bedtime routine. For example, an hour before bedtime, turn off all television, stressful or loud music or music with a beat, electronic screens and telephones. Change your clothing, lower the lighting and perhaps have a warm bath. Use relaxation techniques like meditation to help you unwind if necessary.
8. Write a journal before bed. An overactive or restless mind will mean we need to spend more time in REM sleep. If we can write down our concerns before bed, it will help us get a more refreshing and relaxing sleep.
9. Once you are in bed, use deep breathing techniques such as the 7/11 breathing technique if you are struggling to sleep. (Breathe in for a count of 7, then breathe out for a count of 11, breathing as deeply into your diaphragm/stomach as you can.) This will promote your body’s natural relaxation response.


Yoga is a philosophy of life, which has the potential to create a vibrantly healthy body and mind.
“Ashtanga” literally means eight limbs. These limbs (aspects) are described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras as: Yama (moral, ethical and social conduct), Niyama (personal behaviour ), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (contemplation). All of these branches support each other. Asana is a key to the development of the yamas and niyamas and must be established for the proper practice of Pranayama. Once these four externally oriented limbs are firmly rooted, the last four internally oriented limbs will spontaneously evolve over time.
Ashtanga yoga is traditionally practised in a strict sequential order. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further. Through the practice of correct breathing, asana (posture) and dristi (gaze point) we start to gain control of the senses and a deep awareness of ourselves.
Deep, even slow breathing through the nose is at the heart of this discipline, creating focus and a quiet mind. By synchronising the movement with the breath and practising mula (root) and uddiyana (upward lifting) bandhas (internal locks that serve to direct the flow of energy in the body) the practice becomes a moving meditation. A deep internal heat is produced, which can help to purify the muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins. This allows prana (energy) to move freely around the body.
Strength, stamina and sweat are unique aspects of Ashtanga Yoga, seemingly contrary to Western perceptions of Yoga. This demanding practise requires considerable effort and taps into and circulates a vital energy throughout the body, strengthening and purifying the nervous system.
There are three groups of sequences in the Ashtanga system.
The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body.
The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels.
The Advanced Series A, B, C and D (Sthira Bhaga) integrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility.
Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas is to be meticulously followed.