There is a myth that the United States is always somehow better. It is a variation on the old “streets paved with gold” lure to encourage people to live and work there. The natural corollary is that what happens in other countries is always suspect. As it affects online pharmacies, the myth is usually spread by the US pharmaceutical companies in their fight for price controls. It supplements the covert refusal to supply some overseas wholesalers on the ground that they export to the US. The usual argument as frequently applied to Canadian online pharmacies is as follows:
• almost all online pharmacies are based outside the US;
• all the normal regulatory safeguards that protect Americans are missing — you cannot be sure you are getting the right drugs, none of the prescriptions are written by doctors who meet the patients, etc.;
• so all online pharmacies are a “bad thing”.
It is against this background that I noticed a story from Pittsburgh. On Monday, a physician pleaded guilty for conspiring with a US-based online pharmacy to prescribe Xanax and other medications for no legitimate medical reason. He had simply written out 28,000 prescriptions, which would supply more than a million doses of Xanax. The man frankly admitted that to selling any medication regardless of medical need to any online customer.
So we do have evidence of something done well in the United States. There is a regime of supervision and regulation for online pharmacies based in the US and it does seem to work. Or at least, with the prodding and support of the pharmaceutical companies, more effort is made to enforce the regulation of online pharmacies.
I suspect it is like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) that has made itself so popular by pursuing the downloaders of music. Except that this is not just about the profits of the local manufacturers. There is a legitimate reason for controlling the supply of a medication like Xanax. Xanax can be habit-forming. As one of the benzodiazepines, it is highly effective over short periods of time to relieve the symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders. We could rehearse the debate over whether to use “addiction” and “dependence” but that would get us nowhere. Whatever words you use, it is undeniable that if you take Xanax for too long or at too high a dose, you will experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly.
Thus, as with all the benzodiazepine group, there are advantages and disadvantages to taking Xanax. In an ideal world, you would discuss these issues with your regular doctor who would write out a prescription. That would be the best way for the first prescription. But for all the repeat prescriptions you need (and it does not matter whether it is medically necessary for you to continue taking Xanax or you have become dependent), the question of price cannot be ignored. When you have had all the advice you need and the internet will supply you with genuine Xanax at a heavily discounted price, what possible reason is there for continuing to support the profits of the US manufacturer? This is, after all, how market economies are supposed to work. Competition benefits the consumer because it drives down the price.
Do the foreign online pharmacies face similar regulations? Yes. Every country regulates the supply of potentially dangerous medications. So the next time you need to fill a prescription for Xanax or any other medication you need to keep you healthy (or at least prevent you from becoming more ill) pick a reputable pharmacy. If it sells genuine Xanax at a discounted price, act rationally in a capitalist system and buy your Xanax online. Making sure, of course, that your state has not placed controls on drug imports. Some US states protect local manufacturers by outlawing all interstate movements of medications and will seize your package as it enters the borders.
When you have a cold, do you head for the pharmacy or do you bundle up, brew some herbal tea or take a supplement and wait it out? If you choose the latter you’re not alone: Studies show that more than one-third of Americans use natural remedies for what ails them.
Natural and herbal treatments have been around for centuries and are experiencing a resurgence as people look for safer, healthier ways to deal with common ailments.
One widely used natural remedy is noni, a Polynesian fruit also known as the Indian mulberry. Noni, eaten or consumed as a juice, has a reputation for warding off the effects of aging as well as tuberculosis and other illnesses. All parts of the fruit are used: The stem, bark and leaves are crushed and strained to make an elixir for urinary tract problems, and the fruit can be applied to cuts to accelerate healing.
Noni leaves are good for brewing a restorative tea, but noni is also available in liquid form through supplement manufacturers such as Innovative Technologies Corporation of America Inc. Adding a small amount to smoothies or juice is an easy way to include it in your daily diet.
ITC’s noni liquid supplement has a 51 percent base of pure noni juice and is fortified with over 130 nutrients, including plant source minerals, essential vitamins and antioxidants.
Another common remedy is aloe, which is popular not only in North America, but also Asia, where chunks of aloe are consumed as a snack or blended into yogurt or consumed as juice. Aloe is a succulent with thick, fleshy leaves that when sliced open yield a thick, slightly cloudy gel.
Rich in anti-inflammatory substances, aloe gel is most often used as a topical treatment for first-degree burns and sunburns as well as psoriasis, among other skin problems. Its use dates back to at least 1500 B.C. as described by Egyptian healers. The most effective form of aloe is the plant itself, which can be found in most nurseries.
Used in ancient Chinese medicine for centuries, ginseng root is well known for enhancing energy and endurance. Taken as a tea, ginseng can be used to counteract the effects of stress. Recent studies have shown that taken regularly, ginseng inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells.
There are couples who have tried to conceive for years. Unfortunately, not all are successful. There is the belief that the younger you conceive, the easier it will be and the healthier the baby will be. Plus, there are some couples who would like to have many children and would like to start early.
Here are some simple to follow tips for an easy way to get pregnant:
1. Make the Choice Not Give Up
The best natural way to conceive is through sex. Have sex as much as three times a week. This way you can be fairly certain that you are hitting days when you are ovulating. Many women do not really know when they are ovulating and it is true that sex that happens outside the ovulating period will not result in pregnancy. So having sex regularly will raise your chances in conceiving.
2. Eat Well and Maintain a Healthy Weight
There are some foods that promote fertility and in turn will make it easier to get pregnant. This tip mostly tells you to substitute some food with their healthier alternative.
- Using more mono-saturated fats like olive oil in your cooking rather than trans fat – Increase the intake of vegetable protein and lessen the intake of animal protein – Eating more foods with good fiber like whole grains and wheat. – Consuming moderate amounts of high-fat dairy products
These foods will help you maintain a healthy weight because they respond well to your body. Studies have shown that having a very low or very high body mass index can be a disruption to the ovulation process.
Women who are overweight have a 43% less chance in conceiving and underweight women sometimes do not get regular menstrual cycles which makes the ovulation period more elusive.
3. Use a Fertility Monitor Kit
Kits like these will guide you in picking the right time to conceive. Ovulation prediction kits work by reading LH surges prior to ovulation. These are easy to use and are available in most pharmacies. It will tell you when is the best time for you and your husband to try and conceive.
4. Stay Away From Unhealthy Vices
This is a common tip. It should be taken seriously. Smoking, drinking and drug abuse can definitely affect a woman’s fertility. And it is best to stop way before you are trying to get pregnant. Do not wait to find out if you are pregnant before you stop these vices because they are very dangerous to the unborn child.
5. Perform Sexual Positions That Keep the Sperm in the Vagina Longer
Positions matter. The missionary position is the best position to use when you are trying to get pregnant. Other positions may allow sperm to leak from the vagina, thus reducing chances of conception. It is advisable not to get up right after sex, relax a little to allow the sperm to stay longer in the vagina.
There is no such thing as trying too hard to conceive. And with these tips, you will find that there is an easy way to get pregnant without having to pay a lot of money. If you find that you are still having difficulty conceiving, then consult your doctor for fertility exams.
Give Your GP a Break and Treat Yourself to a Healthy Winter
Don’t let the cold and flu bugs get you this year. Here are 6 tips to treat yourself to a healthy winter, without maxing out the credit cards or having to make a nuisance of yourself at the doctor’s.
Boost Your Immune system … with watercress. Watercress has a multitude of minerals and vitamins which are easy to absorb. It has a peppery taste and can be added to all sorts of snacks and main meals. Lay sprigs in a sandwich or just add the leaves. The leaves and stalks can be chopped and sprinkled over omelettes, in casseroles or mixed with salads.
Soothe your digestive system … with fresh mint. Mint is an excellent digestive herb, hence all the after dinner chocolate mints etc; Keep a pot of fresh mint growing on a bright windowsill, but not in direct sunlight. Mint is a hardy plant and will probably keep growing throughout the winter months with a little TLC, and regular watering. Use fresh leaves to make tea or home made mint sauce.
Sleep well and repair all those tired body bits …. Try an old fashioned remedy that really works: 2 teaspoons of honey in a cup of hot milk just before you go to bed will help you enjoy the most calming and restful nights sleep possible. The honey also has an extra function: It helps sort out the digestive system and will magically burn extra calories while you sleep.
Fill up with carbs… but not fat. It’s tempting to increase our fat intake during cold weather and holiday periods, but it’s also tempting to overdo it. Fats clog up the bodily functions and can cause lethargy as well as damaging the immune system leaving us vulnerable to germs and viruses. Eat more carbs to keep you warm, but avoid the extra fat.
Don’t get tempted … by the upward chocolate spiral that usually ends on New Year’s day with a serious comedown. Although sugar and fat can taste good and has a feel-good factor at the moment of eating, in the long term it saps energy and adds cellulite! Enjoy the goodies in moderation and they will taste even better.
Keep up with the healthy food … even if you are eating extras, there’s no reason not to keep to the 5-a-day fruit and veg thing. Don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s okay to have another chocolate as long as you don’t have the calories the banana was going to thrust upon you. Overall, that kind of calorie counting is a nightmare, so have the fruit and maybe just half an extra chocolate. Your body will appreciate it.
