Category: CONSUMER NEWS

ASTRO Issues New Clinical Guideline on Radiation Therapy

for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers

Newswise — ARLINGTON, Va., December 10, 2019 — A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy to treat patients

diagnosed with the most common types of skin cancers. The guideline details when radiation treatments are appropriate as stand-alone therapy or following surgery for basal and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (BCC, cSCC), and it suggests dosing and fractionation for these treatments. The

executive summary

and

full-text version

of ASTRO\’s first guideline for skin cancer are published online in

Practical Radiation Oncology

.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States, with more than 5 million cases diagnosed each year. More than 95% of these diagnoses are BCC or cSCC, which, in contrast to melanomas, respond well to radiation therapy if treated promptly and properly. Although surgery to remove the lesion is considered the primary approach for definitive/curative treatment of these non-melanoma skin cancers, radiation therapy can play an integral role in both the curative and post-operative settings.

ASTRO developed the new guideline to provide clarity about treatment options. \”There is significant variation in practice about when and how radiation should be used for non-melanoma skin cancers, largely because few randomized studies have compared modern treatment options head-to-head,\” explained Phillip Devlin, MD, FASTRO, chair of the guideline task force and a radiation oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

\”For this guideline, we drew on the consensus of a multidisciplinary group of leading experts, as well as a systematic review of the evidence, to help physicians understand when radiation is most likely to benefit their patients and to encourage informed discussion about treatment options,\” added Anna Likhacheva, MD, MPH, vice chair of the guideline task force and a radiation oncologist with Sutter Medical Group in Sacramento.

Recommendations for Radiation Therapy for BCC and cSCC

The guideline first defines appropriate indications for radiation therapy (1) as definitive/curative treatment for BCC and cSCC, (2) as adjuvant treatment following surgery and (3) as definitive or adjuvant treatment for disease that has spread to a patient\’s regional lymph nodes. Recommendations are as follows:

In the

definitive/curative setting

, radiation is strongly recommended for patients with BCC or cSCC who cannot undergo or decline surgical resection. It is conditionally recommended for patients with BCC or cSCC located in anatomically sensitive areas such as the nose or lips, where surgery could compromise function or cosmetic outcomes. Definitive radiation therapy is discouraged, however, for patients with genetic conditions that predispose them to be more sensitive to radiation.

In the

adjuvant/post-operative setting

, radiation following surgery is recommended for patients at high risk of cancer recurrence, including a strong recommendation when there is evidence that BCC or cSCC has spread to a patient\’s nerves. Post-operative radiation is also recommended for patients at high risk of recurrence following surgical resection, including strong recommendations for high-risk patients with cSCC and conditional recommendations for high-risk patients with the relatively less aggressive BCC. Recommendations also outline prognostic features that indicate which patients are at greater risk for recurrence and spread.

For patients with BCC or cSCC that has

spread to regional lymph nodes

, surgical removal of the affected lymph nodes followed by radiation is strongly recommended for both BCC and cSCC, although not for patients with one small involved lymph node without extracapsular spread. The guideline also strongly recommends definitive radiation for patients with regional cSCC spread who cannot undergo surgery.

Recommendations address technical aspects of radiation therapy, suggest dosing and fractionation schedules and include a brief discussion of the different types of radiation delivery methods. The task force concluded that the appropriate use of any of the major radiation modalities results in similar cancer control and cosmetic outcomes. The guideline also considers the use of drug therapies such as chemotherapy, biologic and immunotherapy agents in combination with radiation.

About the Guideline

The guideline was based on a systematic literature review which produced more than 1,500 articles, of which 143 (published from May 1988 through June 2018) were then carefully evaluated. The task force included a multidisciplinary team of radiation, medical and surgical oncologists, a radiation oncology resident, medical physicist, dermatologist and dermatopathologists. The guideline was developed in collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), who provided representatives and peer reviewers.

ASTRO\’s clinical guidelines are intended as tools to promote appropriately individualized, shared decision-making between physicians and patients. None should be construed as strict or superseding the appropriately informed and considered judgments of individual physicians and patients.

“Definitive and Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Basal and Squamous Cell Cancers of the Skin: An ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline” is available as a free access article. To interview the task force chairs or outside experts in skin cancer, contact ASTRO’s media relations team at

press@astro.org

or 703-286-1600.

\”Shadow\” A New Resource to Help Catch Horse Racing Cheaters

TRENTON –

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the New Jersey Racing Commission have deployed a new asset in the effort to prevent cheating in the horse racing industry – a specially-trained scent-sniffing dog named Shadow.

A two-year-old black Labrador, Shadow is New Jersey’s first-ever K-9 horse racing investigator, and is already proving to be a valuable tool in deterring licensees who might seek a competitive or wagering advantage by drugging race horses.

The Racing Commission has put Shadow on regular patrol at New Jersey racetracks, including Monmouth Park, Freehold Raceway, and the New Meadowlands Racetrack. Earlier this year, Shadow made his first find, detecting the presence of a prohibited substance.

“A big part of the job for any regulatory and enforcement agency is to stay one step ahead of those who would seek to profit by breaking our laws and rules,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Shadow is an incredible asset in that respect, because cheaters in horse racing can’t cheat without using prohibited substances, and he is specifically trained to sniff them out. Shadow is helping not only to protect horses, but to preserve the integrity of the horse racing industry throughout our state.”

Racing Commission Executive Director Judith A. Nason credits Shadow with having “vastly increased the Racing Commission’s investigatory ability,” and with helping to send a strong cautionary message to would-be horse dopers.

“One very important purpose of Shadow is to deter trainers or owners from even the thought of giving a prohibited substance to a horse,” said Nason.

“We believe Shadow will prove to be an efficient, cost-effective tool in catching and penalizing licensees who cheat,” Nason said. “The Racing Commission already has four human investigators. That’s eight boots on the ground. By adding Shadow, we now have 12 boots on the ground – although four of them are paws.”

Earlier this year, Attorney General Grewal challenged the leadership of every division and commission within the Department of Law and Public Safety to look for ways to better serve the public by identifying new ways to collaborate with each other.

As part of that process, the Racing Commission identified the need for adding a trained, scent-sniffing dog that could detect the presence of substances unique to horse racing that cannot lawfully be possessed by anyone but a licensed veterinarian.

The New Jersey State Police partnered with the Racing Commission in this effort and through its Canine Academy found a two-year-old black Labrador retriever for the Racing Commission and, following a Racing Commission naming contest, the dog became officially known as “Shadow.”

With Investigator Joseph Sczerbowicz manning the leash, Shadow now spends Monday through Thursday patrolling racetracks and licensed farms to ferret out banned chemicals that might be concealed in stalls or barns – sometimes in places where a routine inspection might not uncover them, such as locked drawers, toolboxes or even piles of hay. And on race days – Fridays and Saturdays – Shadow is deployed at New Jersey’s thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks.

For investigative reasons, Executive Director Nason will not disclose details concerning what substances Shadow is able to detect. However, she confirms that he is trained to find a host of banned chemicals known to be used by cheaters, as well as related paraphernalia such as syringes and hypodermic needles.

“The people hiding drugs and needles have always had an intrinsic advantage, because it’s easier to conceal these things than to locate them,” said Nason. “But Shadow could turn out to be a true game-changer. Not only can he search a lot of territory very quickly, he can also detect banned substances in hiding places where we humans might not find them.”

####

NJ Kicks off Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

Holiday Grantee List

NEW JERSEY

– With the busy holiday travel season fast approaching, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (“the Division”) today announced the kick-off of a statewide traffic safety campaign targeting drunk and impaired drivers.

Starting today, law enforcement agencies across the state will be patrolling the New Jersey roads looking for drunk and impaired drivers as part of the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday campaign, which runs through January 1, 2020.

New Jersey’s crackdown on impaired driving is part of a nationwide effort to reduce crash risks during the heavily traveled holiday season. To assist with New Jersey’s enforcement efforts, the Division has provided 133 agencies with grants totaling $596,660 that pay for saturation patrols and high-visibility sobriety checkpoints throughout the state.

“The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends but if your celebration includes alcohol, leave the driving to someone else – a sober friend, a ride share, or public transportation,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. “Being a responsible driver is one of the simplest ways to ensure a safe and happy holiday season for everyone. Our Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is aimed at raising public awareness and saving lives.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (“NHTSA”) Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 10,511 people were killed nationwide in drunk-driving crashes last year, a figure that represents nearly 30 percent of all fatalities recorded for that year. In New Jersey alone, 125 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes in 2018 – more than 20 percent of all traffic fatalities recorded.

According to the NHTSA report, last December 839 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver, and there were more drunk-driving-related fatalities  during the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods in 2018 alone than during any other holiday period that year.

“These fatalities are preventable, and people must remember that driving under the influence of any substance, be it drugs or alcohol, is deadly, illegal, and selfish behavior,” said Eric Heitmann, Director of the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “To promote traffic safety this holiday season, law enforcement officers will be out in force looking for impaired drivers. If you drive under the influence during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, you can count on being stopped and arrested.”

Last year, more than 76% (372) of New Jersey’s police agencies participated in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday campaign. The 2018 enforcement effort resulted in 1,269 DWI arrests (alcohol and/or drugs) statewide; and participating police agencies issued 5,704 and 3,125 speeding and seat belt summonses, respectively. A number of departments reported noteworthy accomplishments, including 15 agencies making 14 or more DWI arrests during the campaign.

For more information, follow the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and visit NJSafeRoads.com.

Pepco Holdings Taps Derrick Dickens to Lead New Customer Operations Role

Dickens to lead customer-focused initiatives across the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C.

(December 10, 2019) – Pepco Holdings has named Derrick Dickens, senior vice president of Customer Operations and Chief Customer Officer, filling a new position developed to bring greater focus to the programs and initiatives that will transform the future of energy service and drive a premier experience for Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco customers.

Dickens is currently vice president of Technical Services at BGE, Pepco Holdings’ sister Exelon company, where he oversees the investment strategy, vegetation management, project management, and electric distribution engineering functions. In this role, he has delivered innovative solutions to projects, developed new approaches to operational challenges, and utilized new technologies to advance the company’s reliability performance.

“Derrick brings the leadership, passion and the focus on innovation that will help us bring creative new programs and initiatives to market for our customers,” said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco. “We are constantly dedicated to providing the safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy service our customers have come to expect. I know Derrick will help us elevate our level of service and set a new bar for the level of service we provide.”

Before joining BGE in 2016, Dickens was director of Advanced Meter Infrastructure at PECO in Philadelphia, where he was responsible for implementing the company’s Smart Future Greater Philadelphia project, which included the installation of smart grid and smart meter technology.  He joined the Exelon family of companies in 2004 as PECO’s program manager of Distribution Reliability and Maintenance and has held roles in reliability and maintenance planning, public relocations, regional engineering, technical services, training and field operations. Prior to his work at PECO, Dickens worked for about 18 years in the telecommunication and software industries.

Dickens is actively involved in the Maryland nonprofit community, including serving on the boards of the B&O Railroad Museum and Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore.

He will assume his new position effective January 1, 2020.

# # #

Pepco Holdings, a unit of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation’s leading energy provider, oversees the operation of Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco. The companies provide safe and reliable energy service to approximately 2.1 million customers in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware and New Jersey.

Simple Tricks to Improve Your Appearance

Gloucestercitynews.net (Dec. 11, 2019)–Appearance isn’t everything. How you look doesn’t determine what kind of person you can be or what your limits are. However, it does affect how you see yourself within society and, therefore your self-esteem, mood and confidence. These are what guide you through life, from your interactions with other people to your outlook on situations.

Although it isn’t necessarily an aspect of you that requires modification to help you achieve happiness, changes to your appearance can help you feel more confident and better able to reach your goals. Here are a few simple tricks to help you improve your appearance.

Eat Healthily

One of the first steps to take for improving your appearance is to take good care of your insides. Your diet plays an important part in how you look. This can be as simple as weight gain or weight loss, or drinking enough water to make sure your skin is kept moisturized from the inside. The science and evolution behind what people consider attractive comes down to building a healthy family, which means that we have learned as a species to see beauty in good health.

Getting the right nutrients into your diet takes some practice, especially if you are a picky eater. Making sure that you are properly nourished helps to keep your complexion healthy, your hair shiny and your nails strong. It also helps to keep your muscles, organs and bones working as they should. A healthy person is an attractive one, so focus on eating well to maintain your good looks.

Get Active

Similar to the last point, staying physically fit helps to increase your levels of attractiveness. This is simply because a healthier person is perceived to be more attractive and is also

more likely to be happier

due to their better health, which is another attractive quality. Find a physical activity that gets your heart pumping and make sure you stick to it regularly. You’ll find yourself noticing progress and feeling more confident in yourself as the weeks go by.

Help Your Hair

A good head of hair can make a huge difference to a person’s self-esteem. Whenever significant hair loss occurs, whether through medical treatment, alopecia or simply a haircut gone too far, a person’s confidence levels can drastically plummet.

Of course, there are plenty of attractive people with little or no hair, but for those who feel most confident when they have a full head of it, you can

find the best hair transplant in Turkey

to achieve your goals. Learn to style your hair in such a way that you feel comfortable and confident in your appearance. Don’t always follow the latest hair trends as these tend to be looked back on from future selves with embarrassment.

Stay Hygienic

Good hygiene

is a great way to feel more attractive. Clean hair, skin, nails and clothes give the impression of a happy and organized person who takes care of themselves. You don’t need designer outfits or a fancy haircut to make a good impression of yourself – just keep clean.

Find a Style

There’s nothing more attractive than someone who trusts their own judgement and carries themselves with confidence. Discover your own personal style by experimenting with clothes until you find what you like best.

Look After Your Skin

Your skin is precious. It prevents you from infection and disease, which is why you should take good care of it. Skin is one of the first parts of the body to show signs of ageing, so making sure you look after it while its healthy is vital to feeling more attractive. Find a

skincare routine

that works for you. Make sure to clean your face every day and moisturise it to prevent premature wrinkles. Staying out of the sun is one of the best things you can do for your skin as this will help prevent sunburn which can lead to skin cancer and premature ageing.

Care for Your Teeth

Your teeth must be looked after in order to make life easier and less painful. Damaged teeth not only hurt but also distract from an otherwise pleasant appearance. Ever since childhood, we are berated about how to brush twice a day and avoid sugary food and drink to avoid cavities, but these simple routines make all the difference in the long run. Maintaining your own adult teeth is much easier than going through the pain of dental procedures and surgeries every time a new problem occurs. Keep your teeth healthy and you’ll feel more confident sharing your smile.

Jury Convicts Shane Whipple of Murdering his Aunt

Camden City, NJ–On December 10, 2019, after a week of trial, a jury deliberated for less than 90 minutes and convicted Shane Whipple, 29, of Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and

Possession of a Weapon with an Unlawful Purpose in the murder of his aunt, Jennifer Whipple.  Ms. Whipple was killed in her Winslow Township apartment on January 26, 2018.  Her body was discovered on January 27, 2018, after out of state family members called the Winslow Township Police Department and requested a well-being check.  Shane Whipple faces life in prison when he is sentenced on February 7, 2020.

Released Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

NJBIA VP Mike Wallace Selected as 2020 Lead NJ Fellow

NJBIA Vice President Michael Wallace has been chosen as a 2020 Lead New Jersey Fellow, joining a select group of business, government and nonprofit leaders who will spend the next 12 months exploring major public policy issues facing New Jersey and identifying solutions.

Lead New Jersey

Fellows, who are already leaders in their companies and communities, hone their leadership skills by studying the issues that have the greatest impact on New Jersey residents\’ lives and then work with other talented leaders to shape improvements.

\”NJBIA is proud to have Mike selected to be part of Lead New Jersey\’s Class of 2020,\” said NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka, Esq. \”Mike\’s experience leading NJBIA\’s advocacy efforts on labor, workforce development, manufacturing, apprenticeships and job training policies makes him an ideal candidate for Lead New Jersey\’s program.\”

A resident of Sewell in Gloucester County, Wallace joined NJBIA in 2015, after having worked as a legislative aide to state Senator Fred Madden (D-4). A graduate of the University of Delaware, Wallace also previously worked as an aide to former Camden Mayor Dana Redd and Gov. Jon Corzine.

Upon completion of the program, Wallace will be part of a distinguished alumni comprised of more than 1,600 Lead New Jersey fellows who have graduated over the past 34 years, including NJBIA\’s Chief Government Affairs Officer Chrissy Buteas (2008) and Chief Business Relations Officer Wayne Staub, a member of the Class of 2019 honored on Dec. 5 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal.

Lead New Jersey educates, empowers and engages talented leaders to create systemic change around New Jersey\’s most challenging issues. Going into its 34th year, LNJ boasts an alumni base of more than 1,600 Fellows, including corporate and nonprofit executives and elected and appointed government officials. For more information, go to

www.leadnj.org

.

9 Ways Going to Church Can Benefit Your Life

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 11, 2019)–While church attendance seems to be declining, and a mental health crisis is rising, many people may not realize the many benefits of attending church.

Almost 20% of Americans

report having no religious affiliation in 2018. This is more than double the 8% who had no preference just a decade earlier.

Attending church has several benefits that may have you reconsidering your connection with a higher power. Read on to find out what they are.

1. Mental Health Benefits of Attending Church

This world is a stressful and often confusing place. Depression, anxiety, and stress are challenges facing many as they struggle through life. It often leaves people wondering their place in the universe and what the purpose of their life is.

Studies show that

religion and spirituality can benefit

mental and physical health, and relieve depression, anxiety, and stress by providing an answer to many of those questions about life.

2. Physical Health Benefits

When you\’re less stressed and more content in life (which is often associated with spiritual connections), your physical health also improves.

You can actually lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, and even reduce your risk of dementia.

Religious affiliation also has some guidelines and spiritual rules that lead to healthier life choices; for example, some religions forbid addictive substances. Some promote no or little meat intake, alcohol, or drugs. These can all lead to a healthier life overall.

Not only does church reduce stress, but it may also

help you live longer

. That\’s right—a study of middle-aged adults showed that there was a link between attending church and mortality that goes above and beyond just reducing stress.

3. Social Connections

Another benefit of church attendance can be the social connections you make with other parishioners. The individuals you meet may become your friends and offer emotional support in your life.

Feeling connected to a community or individuals with similar beliefs and interests is a critical part of actualization and joy in life. The activities, community, and sense of belonging in a church can provide that much-needed

sense of belonging

.

4. Guidance and Direction

No matter who you are or what your life is like, there are roadblocks, challenges, and tragedies to deal with at some point. Religion and spirituality can help give an individual guidance and direction, as well as comfort.

Many spiritual individuals have thought about and determined their priorities in life because their religion gives them a place to start and a litmus test for choices.

Someone without religion or spirituality may make very different decisions without a moral place to start setting their personal boundaries. While there are millions of good people making good choices without religion, having one can make it easier to make kinder and less selfish choices in your life.

There is no quandary because your religion sets what is right and wrong in your life. While you still have the ultimate choice, you have a personal standard to begin making that choice from.

5. Develop Talents

Attending church can often create opportunities to grow and develop talents a person otherwise would never use.

Many of the top celebrity singers developed their voices and talents while

singing in church

from the time they were young. Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin, John Legend, and many more have attributed their talent and love for music to their church attendance.

Some churches have their congregation participate with service projects, leadership opportunities, speaking engagements, and musical performances.

6. A Sense of Purpose

Spirituality often gives individuals

a sense of purpose

in their lives. This can be from the belief of a higher power and from service or good deeds they perform as a result of their religious belief that Christlike service and fellowship are the true purposes of life.

Learn more

about how church attendance can help provide a sense of purpose.

7. Resilience

Spirituality and religion can help a person become more resilient when facing the most painful life experiences. A belief in the afterlife can make the death of a loved one more bearable.

Faith can often help individuals get through a health or financial crisis with more optimism and hope. There\’s a tendency to look for and find a lesson in the challenges of life, which can help reduce distress in times of crisis or tragedy.

8. Confidence and a Sense of Worth

Spirituality not only gives you a sense of purpose, but it can also give you a sense of empowerment and greater self-confidence. The belief that you come from a higher power and were created with a purpose can lead you to set higher goals.

For many, the belief that they\’re a child of God gives them the courage or faith to try things they\’d never believe were possible otherwise.

Priorities and goals may be easier to determine and more centered on fulfilling one\’s potential rather than obtaining worldly power or possessions. The difference in priorities and focus can bring a sense of peace and contentment in life that allows growth in personal areas, rather than always seeking approval from people.

9. A More Compassionate and Optimistic View

Those who have a strong spiritual base will often be more compassionate and optimistic in their view of life and the world. Someone who\’s truly trying to live a more Christlike life will have increased empathy and compassion for their fellow man and see the world with a more optimistic and loving view.

They\’ll often be the first to offer a helping hand and tend to be more willing to serve and help because of a sense of duty to another and to their maker.

Attending Church Can Make Every Day Better

Attending church doesn\’t just have benefits on Sundays. It can have positive effects and benefits in every aspect of your life if you make a commitment and find a community with spiritual beliefs you feel connected to.

Don\’t forget to bookmark our website for easy access to the latest news, tips, and articles.

Can CBD Oil Help with Essential Tremor?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 10, 2019)–If you’re not fully clued up with the condition, essential tremor is a nerve disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable shaking in different areas or sides of the body.

The most commonly affected areas include the hands, arms, head, larynx (voice box), tongue and chin and, although rare, the lower body can also be affected.

The condition is not life-threatening providing that the affected individual is not restricted in their ability to care for themselves.

Most of those suffering will be able to live normal lives, although difficulty in everyday tasks may be found (eating, dressing, writing etc.).

If the case in which tremors become severe, disability may be caused and full-time carers may be required.

What causes essential tremor?

Prevention and treatment of essential tremor are difficult without first knowing what causes the condition and, although mountains of research have been conducted, the true cause is not fully understood.

As of current, it is thought that

abnormal electrical brain activity

that causes tremor is processed through the thalamus, a structure deep in the brain responsible for coordination and muscle activity. Genetics is thought to be responsible for approximately half of all of those suffering from the condition with children born to a parent suffering essential tremor having a 50% chance of inheriting the gene responsible, although they may never experience any of the symptoms.

Essential tremor does become more pronounced with age, most notably between the ages of 40 and 50, although it can strike at any age, affecting up to 10 million people in the US alone.

What are the symptoms of essential tremor?

The symptoms of essential tremor are the most likely areas that

CBD will be able to improve

with consistent CBD dosages.

Some of the most noteworthy symptoms surrounding essential tremor include the following:

Uncontrollable shaking occurring for brief periods of time

Shaky voice

Nodding head

Tremors worsening during emotionally stressful periods

Tremors worsening with purposeful movement

Tremors lessening with rest

Balance problems (in some rare cases)

However, the characteristic uncontrollable shaking found with those suffering from ET is not unique to the condition and many others can also cause tremors. With Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), brain tumors, metabolic abnormalities, and drug withdrawal, just to name a few – it can be very difficult to pinpoint the condition.

Typical essential tremor treatments

As of current, for those looking for treatment for essential tremors, there are

three main options

to choose from with medication, surgery and MRI-guided focused high-intensity ultrasound.

Medication

The first choice of treatment comes in the form of medication and, specifically oral drugs can significantly reduce the severity of essential tremor.

Some typical medications include:

Propranolol (Inderal)

Primidone (Mysoline)

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Topiramate (Topamax)

Benzodiazepines Lorazepam (Ativan)

Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Diazepam (Valium)

Alprazolam (Xanax)

Botox injections – particularly effective for those suffering vocal and head tremors.

Surgery

If and when it comes to surgery, patients have the option to choose a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure.

The surgery, a treatment option for those suffering from severe tremors involves the implantation of electrical leads into the thalamus. This area of the brain, responsible for coordination and muscle control, is the area thought to be responsible for the tremors felt.

MRI-guided focused high-intensity ultrasound

Finally, MRI can be used to focus ultrasound with the goal to destroy the tissue in the thalamus.

Patients will remain awake during the procedure, something that isn’t comfortable for many of those suffering who opt against.

CBD oil to treat essential tremor

This moves us on to the alternative treatment of

CBD

to treat essential tremor and with evidence surrounding the potential for the treatment of MS, Parkinson’s and substance withdrawal, it’s something that has perked the interest of health professionals around the world.

When it comes to the power of CBD, it’s the direct connection to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that comes with the most interest. The ECS and the endocannabinoid receptors are the main regulators of the majority of the body’s functions (pain, hunger, emotions etc.). That means that when there’s a problem with the body, it’s up to that system to begin the healing processing and, when consuming CBD, this

healing process is enhanced

with the increased production of endocannabinoids.

When the

CBD oil

is used for the purpose of treating essential tremor, the cannabinoids within the oil are able to both target and regulate the ESC receptors, located in both the brain and throughout the body, responsible for muscle movement. These receptors can be regulated by the CBD oil that enables relaxation, reduces inflammation and, as a result, eases the symptoms of tremors and confirming CBD can effectively act as a neuroprotectant – something that

studies have confirmed

.

The University of California in San Diego Research has officially begun an FDA approved trial to view the effects of CBD and THC on essential tremor. Although we’re still waiting on the outcome at this current moment in time, the lead investigator, Dr. Fatta Nahab, is one individual that’s very excited about the prospect of a symptom reliever:

“Essential tremor is 10 times more common than Parkinson’s and yet nobody really knows about essential tremor. That we’re finally getting to a potential therapeutic option in an area that is untapped is a big deal.”

image courtesy of unsplash.com

Holiday gifts teachers really want

Looking for a special teacher gift for the holidays? Take a tip from teachers themselves.

by:

GreatSchools Staff

|

December 5, 2012

Sure that “World’s Best Teacher” coffee mug is cute, but imagine how many of them an experienced teacher already has! Here, teachers share what gifts they’d really like, and it turns out that gifts from the heart are among the most appreciated.

Teachers tell us what they want

There is a perfect gift for every teacher, as comments from these teachers show:

“I am a teacher so I have plenty of knowledge on this topic. Gift cards are a beautiful thing; restaurants, stores, movies, grocery cards are all really great gifts. Flowers are also a nice gesture.”

“I always enjoy getting flowers or a gift card,” adds Dr. Ruth Jacoby, an educational consultant in Florida and co-author of the

School Talk! Success Series

. “Many of my parents usually ask other staff what my likes are. One school at the beginning of the year sent a survey to all staff members on likes and favorites, so many times I get gift baskets with my favorite coffee, snacks, and books.”

The always popular gift card

Teachers told us that gift cards they can use to treat themselves to something special or buy supplies for the class are always appreciated. You can even pick up a wide assortment of gift cards at many grocery stores, making this gift even easier!

Homemade gifts and cards

A teacher in Washington, writes:

“My students always ask me what I want for Christmas. My answer is the same every year. I ask for a homemade Christmas ornament with the child’s name and year on it.

“Each Christmas, as I hang these ornaments made by precious hands, I remember those students. I reflect on the difference that I made in those lives and my new year’s resolution is already made, to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of my students!

“I have over 25 years of ornaments that I now display. Each one is filled with memories.”

A gift for the whole class

“My favorite gifts to receive from my students are those that I can use at school,” writes a Mississippi teacher and mother of two.

“Because of tight supply budgets, practical items like pens, pencils, cap erasers, paper clips, sticky notes, and lined notebook paper make ideal gifts for teachers. A personal note from the student that the teacher can place in his/her ‘memory’ file will make the gift special.”

Other teachers agreed that gifts to teacher supply stores, bookstores, or other places they could buy much-needed things for the classroom were greatly appreciated.

One teacher suggested that parents can tap their own skills to make a special contribution to the classroom: “One of the best gifts that I ever received as an educator was the donation of a parent’s carpentry skills to put a door on an ugly sink cupboard for my classroom.”

Donations in the teacher’s name

Several teachers told us that they love to see students helping others in their honor. Margaret Wallace, a special education teacher in Queensbury, New York, said, “The only gift giving these days which I support is donations to causes which one cares about.”

Of course, most teachers care deeply about education, so if your child’s school is lucky enough to have most everything it needs, a donation to

DonorsChoose

may be a great way to honor your teacher. DonorsChoose is a nonprofit that allows teachers to post specific requests for their classrooms and donors to directly fund them. You can fund a project in the name of your child’s teacher or give the teacher a gift certificate to use to help the project of her choice. There are classrooms all across the country looking for help paying for field trips, science equipment, and more.

Get a wish list from the teacher

One parent shared this practical approach for pooling resources and getting teachers things they need:

“Most teachers equip their classroom using their own money. I ask the teacher what he/she could use for the classroom and put together a wish list and pass that out to the parents.

“I found that most teachers wish for a globe, a stack of books, dictionaries, craft material, replacement parts for the computer like a mouse or mouse pad. Often these items are more than what an individual parent wants to spend, but if two or three join together the item can be bought. This helps the teacher by keeping those coffee cups to a minimum and helps your child too, by providing better instructional materials.”

You can also:

• Donate a book to the school library in honor of the teacher.

• Make a donation in honor of the teacher to the PTA, a school foundation or a children’s charity.

• Give a gift certificate good for “One day of cutting out art projects from Jane’s Mom.”

If you really want to buy something…

Mary Beltran, a second-grade teacher in Pacifica, California, says:

“Most teachers I know always appreciate gift [cards] to Starbucks, Target, school supply stores, or bookstores. New teachers, who spend a lot of their own money on books and supplies, especially appreciate these gifts.”

She also emphasized that a personal touch makes a gift special, as she says, “I always get a kick out of gifts that have been chosen or made by a child.”

Scrip gifts

Marcie Wollesen, a third grade teacher in San Francisco, suggests that parents consider purchasing their gifts through scrip organizations. Scrip brokerages, such as

eScrip

, are groups that coordinate merchants and schools for mutual benefit, with a percentage of the profits going to the school of your choice. “Scrip gives money back on purchases, so that makes so much sense to me,” says Wollesen.

If your school isn’t already raising money with scrip, consider starting a scrip program so that parents can buy from participating retailers and see a portion of their money go back to the school. Parent groups can work with merchants directly or through a scrip broker who does the coordinating in return for a portion of the profits. Be sure to choose your scrip broker carefully by checking credit references and contacting other parent groups.

Donate to a teacher’s favorite cause

Peggy Mannion, an eighth grade social studies teacher in San Francisco, remembers one especially meaningful gift:

“A student made a donation to the American Cancer Society in my name. I liked that, because, you know, I don’t need anything! I mean if somebody said ‘I gave ten dollars to a homeless person instead of buying you a gift,’ I’d be thrilled!”

Just say thanks!

Many teachers told us their favorite gift was as simple as positive or grateful words. As one Oregon teacher noted, don’t underestimate the value of praise.

“A supportive, positive letter, with a copy to the teacher’s administrator and/or school board would be a wonderful gift,” the teacher wrote. “And don’t forget those marvelous ‘Letters to the Editor’ in newspapers.”

“Heartfelt letters mean the most,” said Washington teacher Sandi George. “I always keep them in my teaching album,” she said. “It’s important for parents to let us know how much they appreciate all we have done. We work hard at what is often a thankless job.”

Florida teacher Cynthia J. Bradford wrote:

“The best gifts I have gotten are the ones my parents have given me — tears at hearing their child read for the first time in 6th grade, a letter to the superintendent about how their child is reading for the first time in the 8th grade, and a letter to the BOE (Board of Education) and the local paper telling how their child is reading and going back to church because he can read.