July 2009 Newsletter
As our year just seems to rip right by—we are finally in summer!! In my opinion—the best of all the seasons here in Colorado (and the others aren’t so bad either).
What has been going on of interest? A terrible track record of deaths of popular figures—from Ed McMahon, to Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett and a bunch more lately.
Our economy does not seem to be getting a whole lot better.
Our own Food and Drug Administration finally did something I was happy about—considering a ban on ALL products containing acetaminophen (the common ingredient in over the counter pain medications like Tylenol and Excedrin). This one hits close to home, because in one of my last monthly rants—I spoke of a family member who overdosed on Tylenol and almost lost her liver. And that is a large reason why the FDA is considering removing these from the market—over use and dangerous side effects. The FDA has even gone on to say they are considering cutting, removing or at least restricting the usage of prescription pains meds—such as Percocet and Vicodin.
I am going to say this and know there will be a lot of disagreement on it—I am THRILLED to hear that. In my mind—anyone who thinks they need or cannot live without these medications—better have some awfully serious illness. Like end stage cancer, organ failure, total body rejection or something else awful.
And the reason I am saying that is because: these drugs were NOT, nor ever intended for daily usage.
I am going to repeat that: aspirin, acetaminophen, Vicodin, Percocet—the whole lot of pain controlling drugs were never, ever meant for every day usage. They are far too addictive, dangerous with some seriously bad side effects.
Should someone be reading and about to go nuts on that idea from me—know this, first and then decide if you want to stay mad: if you are in chronic pain—there is a reason. To take something every day to control that pain is doing one thing and one thing alone—controlling the pain. It is NOT making it go away, get better, or allow your body to cure itself (actually, by taking more and more meds, you teach your body to NOT use its own natural defenses for what they were designed for—defend itself!!!)
No—there is a cause for everything that happens to our body—I believe one of the biggest issues we have is simple: lack of responsibility.
Do you really know what the food you eat does for you? Or not do for you? Do you have any idea what artificial sweeteners (found in damn near EVERYTHING) like Splenda, Nutrasweet and Saccharin do to you (I promise—nothing healthy and nothing good for you!!? Did you know how poor some of the water you drink from a bottle can be? Yes, not all water is the same—it can actually work against you?
And—do you exercise at all? I am talking about a minimum of 30 minutes a day. 3-4 days a week? Enough to get your heart rate up? Enough to break a good sweat and make your heart work a little?
Do you get at least 7 hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep—EVERY night?
Do you get any natural sunlight?
Here is the thing, in case you are not getting my drift (I tend to repeat these each month, I know)—if you cannot answer properly to ALL of the questions I just posed—chances are—your health is not what it should be, or could be.
Now—did any of the things I mentioned really seem all that hard? I hope not—because if you believe that they are—I think you may be approaching them all wrong.
To say that you don’t have time for your own health—I can only ask this: if you don’t have time for your own health, what do you have time for? What is taking up your time instead? Because if caring about yourself isn’t a top priority—you are going to lead much of a happy life to begin with.
I am fully aware how rude that can sound, how abrupt, even challenging or demeaning. If so—then it hit its intended target.
It is very easy to make excuses. It is even easier to ignore things, to put them off to another day, to procrastinate yourself into nothing.
I will also offer this: it is EASIER to keep your health, than to gain it back.
That is a promise; ask anyone who wishes they would have started taking care of themselves earlier—to give themselves a better chance at true health and well-being.
To a person-I bet they tell you that they wish they knew earlier.
IF you don’t know anyone like that—just ask. I have patients coming in every single day who have told me that.
Don’t like anything I said? Don’t agree? Think I am an a—hole? Think I got it all wrong—any answer is fine. I am a big boy, I can take the heat.
And I would love to hear from you. Write me at the website, my own personal e-mail at drgwolgin@gmail.com.
Call the office, whatever you like. Because if this topic hits home—you are ready to make good changes. And if you are ready to make changes—I can help you get to where you want to go.
Wherever that is, for as long as it takes—I am here for you.
That is my real job, that is my passion. All it takes is some effort—and I know we can all do just that!!
Thanks for reading,
Dr G