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Journalists Jailed for Reporting On Rohingya Incidents

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Tula Toli Massacre Story

Myanmar, a country besieged by war for decades, also known as Burma, shares a border with Bangladesh. Officially named the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, India is to its west and Thailand is to the east. The stunning coastline of the country spans a massive 1,930 km of uninterrupted beauty, with a population of 54 million, the atrocities that have taken place here beggar belief.

Tula Toli

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.frontiermyanmar.net

Tula Toli is a small village located in the Maungdaw District of Rakhine State, Myanmar, near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Known also by locals as Min Gyi, this otherwise tranquil place was ravaged by war.

Killing Rohingyas

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.fahrenheit211.net

The Rohingya are an Indo-Aryan-speaking people living in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Recent estimates put their population around 1,000,000, but that was before the massacres which took place as part of intentional ethnic cleansing by soldiers of the Burmese Army.

Mass Emigration

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.ipsnews.net

Due to the raging conflict which saw hundreds of thousands of people caught in the crossfire, 603,000 Rohingya refugees crossed from Rakhine into neighboring Bangladesh, according to a 2017 United Nations (UN) report. That number rose to 624,000 a month later, and by December increased by another 1,000.

Persecuted People

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.newenglishreview.com

In 2013, the UN classed the Rohingyas as one of the “most persecuted minorities in the world.” As an example of that persecution, the Rohingya population is denied citizenship under the 1982 Myanmar nationality law, which “effectively [denies] the Rohingya the possibility of acquiring a nationality,” according to Human Rights Watch.

Not Recognized

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.santegidio.org

Despite the fact that the Rohingya’s history dates back to the 8th century, they are not recognized under Myanmar law as one of the eight “national indigenous races.” Thier freedom of movement is also severely restricted, as are their educational and civil rights.

Tula Toli Massacre

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.shomoyerkhobor.com

Myanmar soldiers allegedly carried out an attack on the Rohingya on 30 August 2017, apparently backed up by local Rahkines who also resided in the village. The massacre is said to have taken place during a Myanmar Army clearance operation in the village of Tula Toli.

Eyewitness Accounts

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.affinitymagazine.us

Eyewitnesses allege that on that day Burmese soldiers carried out the massacre, slaying at least 200 women, 300 children, and many more hundreds of men. Eyewitness accounts are backed by disturbing satellite images showing Tula Toli completely destroyed, whilst Rakhine areas were left unaffected.

Reporting the Massacre

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.mmtimes.com

When two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, went to report on the massacre the last thing they thought was that they’d be arrested for doing so. After being charged under the Official Secrets Act, being accused of obtaining secret state documents, their case moved to trial.

Not Guilty

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  uk.reuters.com

Both reporters, facing the maximum sentence of 14 years if convicted, plead not guilty to the charges. Both reporters claimed they followed “journalistic ethics.”

No Retreat

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.reuters.com

Wa Lone said, “Although we are charged, we are not guilty. We will not retreat, give up, or be shaken by this.” Having been detained since December of 2017, the two reporters were devastated, and fellow journalists were outraged.

Undercover Sting

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.hindustantimes.com

The two reporters were essentially trapped in a sting operation. They were arrested while investigating the execution of 10 Rohingya men in the Inn Din village, located in northern Rakhine. After meeting at a restaurant in Yangon with an undercover officer, they were promptly arrested.

“Deeply Disappointed”

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.voanews.com

The U.S. Embassy in Yangon posted on their Facebook page that they were “deeply disappointed” by the court’s decision to prosecute the reporters. Following the journalist’s arrest, Reuters published an in-depth report about the alleged massacre whereby seven Burmese soldiers were sentenced to jail.

Setback For Freedom

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.reuters.com

The Embassy’s social media post continued: “‎The Myanmar authorities should allow the journalists to return to their jobs and families. Today’s decision is a setback for press freedom and the rule of law in Myanmar.” That post went viral almost immediately, garnering vast worldwide engagement.

Amnesty Response

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  Amnesty International Australia / YouTube

Meanwhile, Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s crisis response director, said, “This is a black day for press freedom in Myanmar. The court’s decision to proceed with this farcical, politically motivated case has deeply troubling and far-reaching implications for independent journalism in the country.”

Military Juntas

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.sputniknews.com

Another human right’s activist, Brad Adams, spoke about the situation. Adams, the Human Rights Watch’s Asia director, said in a statement, “The authorities have turned to tactics long-favored by past military juntas, locking up and prosecuting those exposing the truth.” Other people also spoke out.

Miscarriage of Justice

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.mmtimes.com

“Today’s decision renders the judiciary complicit in a farcical miscarriage of justice,” said Matthew Bugher, Head of Asia Programme for Article 19, in a statement, adding, “Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo took great personal risks to cast light on events largely hidden from the public’s view.”

Promoting Accountability

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.wionews.com

Bugher was outraged the journalists were arrested in the first place. “Instead of dragging them through preposterous legal proceedings,” Bugher said, “the government should commend the journalists for their indispensable role in promoting accountability.”

A Profound Impact

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

A local human rights group, Free Expression Myanmar, that champions freedom of the press in the country, said that this type of open persecution has a “profound impact” on the way journalists report news from the country. “Almost every journalist in Myanmar self-censors on anything relating to Rakhine [the province in which the persecuted Rohingya lived] because of this Reuters case,” they said.

Hiding the Truth

Tula Toli Massacre Story
  www.voanews.com

The statement added that, “Prosecuting, and persecuting, two investigative journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo for doing their job is a national shame intended only to stop any information coming out about what is really happening inside Myanmar’s many conflict areas.” Many hope that international governments will apply pressure on the authorities in Myanmar to try and ensure a free press for the future.

Journalists Jailed for Reporting On Rohingya Incidents is an article from: LifeDaily


Black Farmers Uncover Potential Multi-Million Dollar Scheme Intended to Put Them Out Of Business

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Stine Seed Lawsuit Story

Every year, the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show provides farmers with an opportunity to speak to high-level agriculture officials. There, farmers get to see the latest in technology and equipment, learn from industry experts and participate in educational seminars.

Stine Seed Company

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  StineSeed / Twitter

During the Farm & Gin show in 2017, a seed company called Stine Seeds was one of the many distributors present. They make products to enrich the farming and help out the farmers and also attend the show to give farmers advice. But, obviously, the distributors’ main focus is increasing sales and according to Stine Seeds website…

Stine seed company

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.desmoinesregister.com

“For more than 35 years, Stine has been providing corn and soybean growers with the best genetics available in the industry. Being the country’s largest independent seed company means we have both ample resources and the flexibility to make timely decisions that ensure our research, products, and programs are leading edge.”

Unfairly Targeted

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.agweb.com

Farmers of all races and religions were at the show, but there was an incident that involving African Americans farmers. The farmers alleged that they purchased around $100,000 in soybean seeds from Stine Seed Company, plus an additional $100,000 in chemicals…

A Plot To Ruin Black Farmers?

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.washingtonpost.com

After planting the soybean seeds, the black farmers noticed that the seeds weren’t developing at the rate that they should be. Despite above average rainfall, the farmers saw limited soybean yield from the Stine seeds during the 2017 harvest.

Blaming Discrimination

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.pbcommercial.com

The President of Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association  (BFAA) Thomas Burrell said, “Mother nature doesn’t discriminate…It doesn’t rain on white farms but not black farms. Insects don’t [only] attack black farmers’ land…why is it then that white farmers are buying Stine seed and their yield is 60, 70, 80, and 100 bushels of soybeans and black farmers who are using the exact same equipment with the exact same land, all of a sudden, your seeds are coming up 5, 6, and 7 bushels?”

Accusing The Company Of Selling Them Fake Soybean Seeds

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.desmoinesregister.com

The allegations opened up a can of worms and raised suspicions throughout the industry. The black farmers alleged that the distributor working for Stine Seed Company used labeled certified seed backs, tampering with sewn seals in order to remove the certified seeds.

Allegations

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.tribtown.com

They believed that the distributor was selling the fake certified seeds to black farmers at a high price. But, with all the news recently surrounding white people unfairly targeting black people, this case raises the question of validity…

Having The Soybeans Tested

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.wmcactionnews5.com

The farmers sought to get an expert opinion to settle once and for all if Stine Seed company did sell them bogus seeds. This only happened after the farmers were reportedly losing millions of dollars. They wind up taking the seeds to experts at Mississippi State University…

Tests Confirmed Their Suspicions

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.english.msstate.edu

When they had the seeds tested, none of them germinated, which is how they knew those seeds were no good. Additionally, the results showed that none of the seeds sold to the black farmers were certified Stine seeds…

The Motive

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.commercialappeal.com

For a motive, Burrell said that since farming is a very competitive industry that unscrupulous people see black farmers are easy prey. He said that by hurting these farmers’ bottom line, someone else could swoop in and buy up the land that belongs to the black farmers. However, he doesn’t just believe it’s a matter of financial fraud.

Suggesting A Land Grab As The Ultimate Motivation

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.louisianarecord.com

Burrell said, “Eighty years ago you had a million black farmers, today you have less than 5,000. These individuals didn’t buy 16 million acres of land, just to let it lay idle. The sons and daughters, the heirs of black farmers want to farm, just like the sons and daughters of white farmers. So we have to acknowledge that racism is the motivation here.” In response,

Taking Legal Action

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.commercialappeal.com

The farmers would up filing a class-action lawsuit in United States District Court for the Western Division in Memphis. A state legislator is also seeking an investigation into the scene. “We will explore the avenues- whether it’s civil, whether it’s criminal- dealing with fraud,” Representative Hardaway promised.

The General Consensus

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.louisianarecord.com

Apparently, black farmers said that they think of themselves as easy prey and easy targets for other farmers who want to snatch up their land. One farmer, David Hall, explained why he paid extra for “high quality” seeds…

Duped

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.rawstory.com

“We bought nearly $90,000 worth of seed,” Hall explained. “It’s been known to produce high yield, so you expect it, when you pay the money for it, to produce the high yields.” Burrell adds that he believes the farmers were “effectively duped.”

“Blood Instrument” To Wipe Out The Remaining Black Farmers

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.seedworld.com

He told WREG-TV, “It’s a double whammy for these farmers, it accelerates their demise and effectively it puts them out of business.” He reminded everyone, “No matter how much rain mother nature gives you, if the germination is zero, the seed is impotent.” Myron Stine, President of Stine Seed Company responded in a statement…

Fighting Back

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.brownfieldagnews.com

“The lawsuit against Stine Seed Company is without merit and factually unsupportable. Stine takes seriously any allegations or unlawful, improper, or discriminatory conduct and is disturbed by the baseless allegations leveled against the company.”

How Will Their Case Fare In Federal Court?

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  stineseed / YouTube

Stine seed company says it intends to vigorously defend itself against this lawsuit says it filed a motion to dismiss the charges against them. “Our focus is continuing to serve all our customers with the highest degree of integrity and respect that they are the bedrock of our company’s values.”

The Evidence

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.tri-statedefender.com

This lawsuit is one of the latest actions taken by the Black Farmers & Agriculturalists Association, which has represented some of the black farmers claiming widespread discriminatory practices against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the conference, BFAA officials distributed the laboratory results from Mississippi State University showing that none of the farmers’ seeds that had been submitted for testing germinated.  

Headed To Federal Court

Stine Seed Lawsuit Story
  www.tri-statedefender.com

Following an initial class-action lawsuit against the USDA, approximately 16,000 growers had collected settlements totaling $1.06 billion by 2011. Congress determined that $1.2 billion should be paid for a second wave of settlements. In this case, we’ll see how BFAA fares.

Black Farmers Uncover Potential Multi-Million Dollar Scheme Intended to Put Them Out Of Business is an article from: LifeDaily

DNA Test Overturns 4-Decades Old Conviction

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Malcolm Alexander Story

The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution says that the accused “shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury” and will have “the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.”

While those measures aim to make a trial quick and fair, things don’t always work out that way. There are plenty of things that can go wrong with the process from the moment of arrest to its conclusion, such as a change in venue, random emergency, or other scheduling conflicts. Important pieces of evidence can be missed as well. And when any one of those incidents happen it can have dire consequences.

Terrible Incident

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.unspokenvoices.net

Back in November of 1979, something terrible happened in an antique shop on Whitney Avenue in New Orleans. The owner of the shop, a woman we’ll call Jane to protect her identity, was working alone when a man came into the store, came up behind her, and pressed the barrel of a gun into her back.

Nightmare

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.indianapublicmedia.org

What happened next was like something out of a nightmare. The man forced her into the small bathroom of the store where, keeping Jane at gunpoint, the man forced himself upon her twice.

I Want Justice

Malcolm Alexander Story
  woodleywonderworks / Flickr

Thankfully, the man left before perpetrating any further violence, but that hardly comforted Jane at the time. She had just survived a gruesome attack and felt powerless. And aside from wanting to erase what had just occurred, she wanted her attacker brought to justice as swiftly as possible.

Photo Line-Up

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.kpbs.org

Jane reported the incident to the police. They had her look through no less than five photo line-ups — hundreds of photos in all — before she was able to point out the man who assaulted her. Later, she was able to pick out that same man once again from an in-person lineup.

Claiming Innocence

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.nola.com

Based upon Jane’s identification, police arrested 20-year-old Malcolm Alexander. Under police interrogation, Alexander claimed that he knew nothing about the attack on Jane and was nowhere near the antique shop on that day. Regardless, he was arrested and would stand trial.

One Day Trial

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.thekharkivtimes.com

Through his attorney Joseph Tosh, he entered a plea of not guilty and maintained that he had no involvement or knowledge of the attack. But based upon Jane’s identification, Alexander was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The trial lasted one day.

Poor Representation

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.allperfectstories.com

Alexander was completely shocked. He knew he was innocent and trusted in the justice system to prove that fact. But unfortunately for him, his lawyer had done an abysmal job representing him. In the time before the trial, Tosh failed to make court appearances and, more importantly, to file a motion challenging Jane’s identification of his client.

Obvious Problems

Malcolm Alexander Story
  MCAETtv / YouTube

This was vital, since Jane’s testimony was the only evidence implicating Alexander. After further consideration, it became clear that there were a lot of problems with Jane’s identification of her assailant, the most obvious being that she was attacked from behind.

Not A Bad Guy

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.nola.com

Aside from that, the first time Jane saw a photo of Alexander was in the photo line-up that took place over four months after she was attacked. The only reason the police even had Alexander’s photo was because he’d been falsely accused by another woman of sexual assault a few months prior. That claim that was uncorroborated and later dropped.

“Tentative”

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.crimebodge.com

According to the police report, Jane had only “tentatively” selected Alexander’s photo in that original photo lineup, and, in the report about the physical lineup three days later again described her picking him as “tentative.” But, by the time of the trial months later, she was apparently certain Alexander was her attacker.

No Testing

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.northglennews.co.za

Although DNA testing wasn’t possible at the time, one strong piece of evidence that could’ve helped Alexander was a blood test. Tosh never asked for that test.

Terrible Defense

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.natchitochestimes.com

Then on the day of the trial, Tosh made no opening statement, didn’t call any witnesses, provided minimal cross-examination, and offered the briefest of closing arguments. After losing the trial, he promised Alexander he’d file an appeal of the verdict, but never did.

Awful Career

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.preparedforthat.com

This instance of poor counseling by Tosh wasn’t the lawyer’s first. In 1999, he was disbarred for a number of infractions including engaging in deceit, dishonesty, and fraud as well as a lack of competence and diligence, according to court records. It was because of this that after years of trying to appeal on his own, the Innocence Project took up Alexander’s case.

Help For The Innocent

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.innocenceproject.org

The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal organization committed to reforming the criminal justice system and exonerating the wrongly convicted, mostly through the use of DNA testing. But when they took Alexander’s case in 1999, they found that all of the physical evidence had either been destroyed or lost.

Finding Hope

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.nola.com

Alexander and the people at the Innocence Project continued fighting to prove his innocence but, without any new evidence, they were unable to make any headway. After more than a decade, it seemed as if he might never be free. But in 2013, something happened that would change Alexander’s misfortune.

Finally A Test

Malcolm Alexander Story
  Google Maps

Someone had uncovered some evidence at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office crime lab where the original rape kit had been tested. A bit of hair that was found at the scene but was subsequently lost had once again been found and, with the current technology, could now be DNA tested.

3rd Party

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.phys.org

The Innocence Project successfully petitioned for the DNA testing and the results showed that the hair belonged to neither Alexander nor Jane, proving what he’d said all along: someone else had been the attacker those many years ago. Based on that information and after several more years of legal maneuvering, the district attorney and the lawyers at the Innocence Project moved to overturn Alexander’s wrongful conviction in 2018.

Conviction Mill

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.nola.com

The lack of proper defense Alexander received at the original trial highlighted a serious problem with the justice system. “We know there are many more innocent people in prison today because their lawyers did not provide effective representation, or did not have the resources to put on an adequate defense,” said Vanessa Potkin of the Innocence Project. “Without effective defense counsel, our system is nothing more than a conviction mill.”

Threat To The Public

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.nola.com

On top of that, there was another overlooked side effect of wrongful convictions. When the wrong person goes to prison, the real perpetrator remains on the streets. “If we don’t get it right the first time,” said Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck, “Not only do the innocent go to jail, but it really is a threat to public safety.”

Family Time

Malcolm Alexander Story
  www.nola.com

But none of that was on Alexander’s mind when he walked free after 38 years of imprisonment, nor was his heart filled with resentment. He was focused on reuniting with his family and meeting all its new additions, something that left him feeling “like a newborn baby.” “This isn’t the time for anger,” he added. It was time to eat as he went off for a family meal of shrimp and fish, accompanied by a slice of his mother’s homemade bread.

DNA Test Overturns 4-Decades Old Conviction is an article from: LifeDaily

‘Magic Bullet’ Finds Unintended Target in Anchorage

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Victor Sibson Story

Anyone who’s ever been on the internet knows that there are millions of unusual stories hitting the news every day. Situations of mistaken identity, prematurely-fired weapons, or an overzealous pit bull, for example, are everywhere these days, and we get to learn about each and every one.

This story is about an unusual 911 call that drew not only the attention of the fine police officers of Anchorage, Alaska, but also the entire world.

Early Hours

Victor Sibson Story
  www.kfqd.com

It was an early April morning when the Anchorage police received a call. The man, apparently in extreme distress, said something about an incident involving a gun. As hunting is quite popular in Alaska, the police had initially thought it was another hunting accident.

 

He’d Shot Himself

Victor Sibson Story
  www.ktuu.com

What they found when they got to the house was quite different indeed. Police arrived at the scene to find a crying man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 21-year-old caller, Victor Sibson, had shot himself in the head, but that wasn’t all.

That’s Not All

Victor Sibson Story
  www.ndtv.com

In addition to the grievously-wounded Gibson, the officers also found his 22-year-old girlfriend, Brittany Mae Haag, lying on the floor. Haag had been shot, too, and had a significant amount of blood on her chest. The police weren’t sure what happened, but they knew it wasn’t good.

What Had He Done?

Victor Sibson Story
  Brittany Haag / Facebook

Had he shot her and then himself in some bizarre murder-suicide attempt? Could Gibson have regretted trying kill himself, calling the police in a last-ditch effort to save his own life? Both were possible. But whatever it was, the police were going to get to the bottom of it.

Emergency Transport

Victor Sibson Story
  www.abkj.com

Both Gibson and Haag were breathing when the officers arrived. Paramedics arrived on the scene and loaded the two victims into the ambulance right away. The first responders rushed to the closest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center, and held their breath to see what would happen next.

 

Long-Term Couple

Victor Sibson Story
  Brittany Haag / Facebook

While the police awaited word of the status of Gibson and Haag, they began some preliminary investigation into the couple’s relationship. The two had been dating for a number of years and as far as their neighbors knew, had been in love. The issues between them, if there were any, remained unresolved for the time being.

BAC

Victor Sibson Story
  www.criminallawyerinnj.com

Gibson and Haag were transported to the hospital and rushed into emergency surgery. Immediately upon their arrival, the doctors tested Gibson’s blood-alcohol content. The test revealed that Sibson’s blood-alcohol content was more than 0.3, which is three times over the legal limit.

Gunshot Wound

Victor Sibson Story
  www.videoblocks.com

After careful examination of both gunshot wounds, whatever really happened was still a mystery. The police needed further investigation.

Dead Gone

Victor Sibson Story
  www.legacy.com

Unfortunately, the police would never get a chance to ask Haag what happened that night. She was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m., less than 30 minutes after the original 911 call was made. The only person who potentially knew why she was shot was Sibson.

 

Released

Victor Sibson Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

Miraculously, though the bullet had gone through his head, it had missed his brain, and thanks to the skill of the medical personnel, he survived. Before police could question Sibson, however, he had been released from the hospital.

Evidence

Victor Sibson Story
  Google Maps

Based on the physical evidence at the scene, the Anchorage police believed that Sibson had attempted to kill himself first, not after he’d shot Haag. Indeed, the assumption now was that it was his suicide attempt which ultimately cost his 22-year-old girlfriend her life.

The Scene

Victor Sibson Story
  www.dissapore.com

Setting the scene, investigators worked out how the whole thing went down. Sibson was most likely sitting down, contemplating the act when he put the gun to his temple with his left hand. His girlfriend, seeing what he was about to do, reached out for the gun with her right hand.

Hit Her Too

Victor Sibson Story
  www.aareps.com

In his attempt to kill himself, Sibson’s shot went through his head and struck Haag under the arm, hitting a vital artery in the process. What’s worse, it looked as though the loving girlfriend was killed while trying to prevent Sibson from killing himself.

 

Tried To Save

Victor Sibson Story
  www.ktuu.com

Sibson fired the gun while Haag was trying to prevent him from doing just that, and in her selfless act was condemned to death. James Fayette, district attorney of Alaska, wanted to make sure that Gibson was rightfully punished for causing the horrible tragedy.

Indifference

Victor Sibson Story
  www.people.com

Fayette called Sibson’s crime an “extreme-indifference killing.” What’s more disturbing is that while feeling almost no remorse for killing his girlfriend, Gibson was upset that he didn’t see his suicide attempt through.

Serious Charges

Victor Sibson Story
  www.ktvu.com

Sibson was eventually indicted on a second-degree murder charge for killing Brittany Mae Haag. At first though, when the charge was released, Sibson was nowhere to be found. After leaving the hospital, he had vanished. Now the police were looking for him…

At Large

Victor Sibson Story
  www.ktoo.org

For two days, Anchorage police were unable to contact Sibson. The district attorney wanted to remand him into police custody, but that proved to be impossible as they had no idea where he was. Their next choice was to contact his mother, who was his next of kin and might know where he was.

 

Call for Mom

Victor Sibson Story
  www.policecararchives.org

His mother, unfortunately, was similarly unavailable. Without her, Gibson’s whereabouts were unknown. For all they knew, he had made it out of the state, which would have made it nearly impossible for him to be tracked down. Then, three days after releasing an All-Points Bulletin, commonly known as an APB, Sibson turned up…

Not Guilty

Victor Sibson Story
  www.ktuu.com

Sibson decided that running away was no use and he turned himself in three days after a warrant for his arrest was issued. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and though he has not yet retained an attorney, his trial is set to begin at the end of August, 2018. Sibosn is being held at the Anchorage jail on $250,000 bond.

Life Sentence

Victor Sibson Story
  www.ktuu.com

If he is eventually convicted, Victor Sibson faces a sentence between 15 and 99 years in prison for second-degree murder.

‘Magic Bullet’ Finds Unintended Target in Anchorage is an article from: LifeDaily

World’s Oldest Hotel Remains in Business Thanks to Strange Tradition

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Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story

One of the things that makes America unique is its economic power. Since the late 19th century, the United States has had the strongest economy in the world, peaking in the 1950s when it produced roughly half of the world’s economic output.

But in the long view of history, that economic empire and the businesses responsible for it are fairly short-lived. Taking a look back, we can find companies — still in existence today — that have the kind of longevity that even the largest companies in the world would be jealous of. And the way those companies have lasted so long is unusual to say the least.

Young And Old

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.jooinn.com

If you come from the United States or another relatively young country, you’re bound to have a different understanding of the term “old” when comparing to other countries and cultures. America is an infant compared to countries like France, or, even older, Egypt, the latter of which containing monuments that were built thousands of years ago.

Venerable Institutions

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.ancientpages.com

Along with those long-lived governments and ancient monuments, there are some countries that boast of having impressively old institutions still in existence. For example, England’s Oxford University was established in 1096 CE, 922 years ago. The institution was started before and outlasted the Aztec, Mongol, and Ottoman Empires.

Among the Oldest

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  Wikipedia

But Japan, one of the oldest countries in the world, boasts of having an unusually high number of institutions than most others. Founded in 660 BCE, it’s not as old as China, founded in the Bronze Age, or Ethiopia, founded in the 2nd millennium BCE. But, unlike Japan, neither of those countries can boast of having a high number of businesses that have been in operation for centuries.

World’s Oldest Business

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

In fact, Japan is home to the oldest running hotel in the world. Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan is also the world’s longest lasting business still in existence. Founded in 705 CE, the inn’s primary attraction has always been its onsen, a hot bath with water provided by the Hakuho Springs nearby. The hotel has been in continuous operation for the last 1,300 years.

Not Alone

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  worlds-biggests.blogspot.com

Surprisingly, it’s just a bit older than another ancient and continuously operated hot-spring hotel, Hoshi Ryokan, which was founded in 718. But beyond just being home to the world’s two oldest hotels, Japan is the home to a large number of ancient businesses.

Unusual Concentration

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.cnn.com

There are a number of truly old companies still in operation across Europe. There are a handful of ancient pubs and wineries in Austria, Germany, Ireland, the UK and France started before 1000. But when you look to Japan, the sheer number of businesses that have lasted for centuries makes the Land of the Rising Son a true standout.

Plenty Of Company

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  passionatefoodie.blogspot.com

Among them are Sudo Honke, a sake brewer founded in 1141, Yamanashi Prefecture Company, which has been making clothing for monks and items for Buddhist altars since 1024, and Ichimojiya Wasuke, a confectionary company founded in 1000. In total, there are more than a dozen Japanese companies still in operation that began before the year 1200.

Unique Factors

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  weai.columbia.edu

Of course, there has to be a reason for the Japanese companies’ early starts and exceptional longevity. Ultimately, it comes down to a few unique factors of Japanese history and culture. First, Japan was one of the first places in the world to develop a strong agricultural economy “with rather sophisticated urban populations” said Hugh Patrick, director of the Center on Japanese Economy and Business at Columbia University.

Early Development

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  skateguard1.blogspot.com

That early agricultural wealth and the semi-elite city dwellers that came with the early urbanization provided a strong consumer base long before the industrial revolution that would begin centuries later in the Western world. But that only shows why the companies began early on.

‘Primogeniture’

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.wtop.com

One of the main reasons some of those companies were able to last so long is the Japanese tradition of “primogeniture.” It’s a big word that essentially means that the firstborn son of a family inherits everything when the parents die. In Japan, that meant entire companies would be passed on entirely to a single member of the family…

Family Loyalty

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.vhtcx.com

Because those companies were always kept within the family, they had a different mindset than companies run by people only brought together by business interests. Where most companies — now and in the past — concern themselves with making profits in the moment, when your business is inherited from your father and is to be passed down to your son, your primary concerns are loyalty and longevity.

Preservation Over Profit

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

“The logic of doing business in Japan is a logic of commitment rather than a logic of choice,” said Hugh Whittaker of the University of Oxford’s Nissan Institute of Japanese studies. Rather than obsessing over quarterly reports, “family-owned enterprises are always going to have a lot more persistence,” he added.

Old Ways

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

Despite the fact that the tradition of primogeniture had all but completely faded away in Japanese culture during the 20th century, it continued and evolved when it came to family owned businesses.

‘Adopting’ New Ways

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.marlamallett.com

Rather than simply passing the company on to the first-born son, Japanese business owners often turned to adult adoption. The head of the company would legally adopt a would-be heir to the company. That adoption was sometimes facilitated by a marriage between that heir and the owner’s daughter.

Loyalty Plus Capability

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.toptenz.net

This practice of adult adoption not only maintained the loyalty to the business that comes from the family connection, it also allowed these businesses to put truly talented people in the right position to run things when the time came. In modern times, the practice of adult adoption has become incredibly common in Japan.

Widespread Practice

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.rappler.com

In 2011, for example, more than 90 percent of the over 80,000 adoptions that took place in Japan were of adults. And as unusual as the practice may seem, the results of maintaining family businesses in this way speak for themselves.

Outperforming Competitors

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

Research shows that family owned businesses run by adopted heirs outperform those run by “blood” heirs, though both adopted and blood inherited companies outperform non-family run companies.

Unique Business Climate

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

Literally adding “new blood” into an old family business lets Japan’s ancient companies continue to evolve over time while still staying true to tradition. As a result, most of Japan’s oldest companies have been family owned for their entire existence.

International Success

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.polygon.com & nintendo.wikia.com

Perhaps the most globally famous example is Nintendo. The company started out making playing cards in the 1800s. And in the nearly 130 years since its founding has become one of the world’s largest video game companies, as well as Japan’s third most-valuable company, all while remaining a family-owned company.

Day By Day By Day…

Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring Story
  www.dailymail.co.uk

But it’s still a flash in the pan compared to Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan. If you were to stay in one of the hotel’s 35 rooms today, it would be under the care of the 52nd generation of family owners in a company that’s lasted nearly three times as long as the Roman Empire.

World’s Oldest Hotel Remains in Business Thanks to Strange Tradition is an article from: LifeDaily

14 Signs Your Stomach Pain Could be a Gallbladder Attack

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Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story

When you’ve got stomach pain, it may be because you ate something that’s undercooked, or maybe because you ate too fast. But when the pain is unusually intense, you might be suffering from a more serious affliction.

The first thing that may pop into your mind is appendicitis, the painful and sometimes deadly inflammation of the appendix. But there’s another health condition that can cause abnormally severe stomach pain that isn’t on most people’s minds: a gallbladder attack.

Digestive Aid

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.quora.com

The gallbladder is an organ that sits just under the liver on the right side of the torso, just below the ribs. It helps your body break down fats and store bile, an alkaline fluid produced by the liver that helps with digestion.

Natural Soap

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.acgblog.org

“When you eat, your gallbladder contracts and shoots bile into the intestine,” says Doctor Kyle Staller, Master of Public Health and gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. “That serves as a soap to help break up fats.”

Squeeky Wheel Gets The Grease

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.everydayhealth.com

You could go your whole life without giving a second thought to your gallbladder, until there’s a problem with it. But similar to other parts of your body, there’s specific issues only it faces. And in the case of the gallbladder, it’s the gallstone.

Big Range

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  Wikipedia

A gallstone is a hard crystalline mass formed abnormally in the gallbladder. They range in size, from the size of a grain of sand to that of a golf ball. Gallstones become a problem when they prevent your gallbladder from excreting bile as it normally would.

Painful Blockage

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.quora.com

What happens then is the gallstone gets wedged inside a duct that leads to the small intestine. This is called a gallbladder attack and as the name implies, is an excruciating feeling. “It’s exquisitely painful,” Dr. Staller says.

Type One

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.healthline.com

There are two different kinds of gallstones, one being a cholesterol gallstone, which is made up of undissolved cholesterol that comes together to form a hardened mass. This type of gallstone can be identified by its yellow color.

Type Two

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.gallstones-treatments.com

The second variety is called a pigment gallstone, which is usually a dark brown or black color. These form when your bile contains too much bilirubin, a chemical your body produces as it breaks down red blood cells.

Contributing Factors

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.peacewithendo.com

There are other factors that can contribute to gallstone formation. One such example is when your bile doesn’t contain enough bile salts. Bile salts are compounds that help break down fat. Another example is when your gallbladder isn’t emptying fully or empties at a low frequency.

Heavy Meals

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.bles.com

Most gallbladder attacks happen after a person eats a heavy, fatty meal. The attack can last for just a few minutes if you’re lucky, and sometimes up to several hours if you’re not. But it’s important to understand that not every gallstone results in a gallbladder attack.

Silent Stones

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.primalbody-primalmind.com

In fact, gallstones that don’t result in a gallbladder attack are sometimes called “silent” gallstones because they present no symptoms at all. These silent stones are actually the most common type of gallstone.

Good And Bad

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.upliftconnect.com

The good news about silent gallstones is that as long as they don’t lodge in your duct, they don’t require any treatment. The bad news, however, is that even silent stones increase your odds of having future gallstones and also increase your risk of gallbladder cancer.

Rare But Deadly

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.xconomy.com

Gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, with less than 4,000 people diagnosed with it in the United States each year. But it can be worse than other forms of cancer because only 1-in-5 cases of gallbladder cancer are found in the early stages, before the cancer metastasizes.

Serious Symptoms

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com

But if your gallstones aren’t silent, there are 14 symptoms to look for. The first six symptoms you may experience occur when a gallstone attack begins.

Intense Pain

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.happymed.tv

Those symptoms are a sudden, intense stabbing, gnawing, or cramping pain in the upper right section of your abdomen, a similar pain in the center of your abdomen under your chest. This is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack.

It Gets Worse…

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.bodypainfacts.com

Pain between the shoulder blades, pain that radiates into your right shoulder, nausea, and vomiting are also symptoms of an attack. If the gallbladder attack continues on without treatment, the symptoms will progress and become even more serious.

Discoloration

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.belmarrahealth.com

Those elevated symptoms can include abdominal pain that can last more than five hours, and is so severe you can’t sit still. Another is jaundice, which is when your skin and the whites of your eyes take on a yellow tinge. You may also experience fever, chills, urine that looks tea-like, and poop that is strangely light in color.

Other Complications

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.reportshealthcare.com

It’s also possible that your gallstones can cause a condition called gallstone pancreatitis, where your gallstones block the movement of digestive enzymes from your pancreas, leading to inflammation.

Sharp And Squeezing

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.medicalnewstoday.com

The symptoms of gallstone pancreatitis are similar to regular gallstone symptoms, but can have the additional effects including sharp, squeezing pain in your upper left abdomen or a similar pain in your back.

Call A Doctor

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.shorelinefaa.com

If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, the safe course of action is to seek medical attention immediately. The doctors will likely do a CT scan or ultrasound — various tests to check the state of your bile ducts — blood tests, or they’ll use an endoscope to evaluate your stones. They’re also likely to prescribe an opioid for the pain.

Treatment Options

Stomach Pain Gallbladder Attack Story
  www.lakesinternalmedicine.com

For treatment, they will either try to remove the stone with an endoscope or remove the gallbladder altogether. Like the appendix, it can be entirely removed with little adverse effects. If surgery isn’t an option, there are medications that can dissolve stones, though they take quite a while to work. Of course, seeing a doctor is the best way to how to move forward.

14 Signs Your Stomach Pain Could be a Gallbladder Attack is an article from: LifeDaily

20 Everyday Foods that Cause Heart Disease

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Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story

The heart is the most vital organ in the human body. And taking care of it should be a priority, especially as we get older. Most experts will tell us that the best way to ensure a healthy heart is to exercise regularly and to watch what we eat.

Fast food and too much office birthday cake are basic examples of bad eating, but did you know that many of the foods we consume on a daily basis contain heart-damaging amounts of sugar, sodium, and fat? No? Well you’re in for a treat! Below are 20 everyday foods that the heart-conscious among us should be wary of.

Cold Cuts

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.urbantastebud.com

Everyone loves a good deli sandwich, and there’s no doubt that cold cuts make a convenient and tasty meal on the go, but these delicious deli meats sometimes contain unbelievable amounts of sodium. Cold cuts contribute about 250 milligrams of sodium per slice, so a sammie with at least three or four slices of deli meat equates to 1,000 milligrams of sodium in the meat alone. Breads and condiments don’t help either, but we’ll get to those later.

 

Cheese

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.today.com

If you ask 100 Americans what their favorite snack food is, 85 will tell you cheese. While delicious, cheese is the single biggest contributor of saturated fat to the American diet. This type of fat stores itself in the stomach and affects the cardiovascular system like nothing else. And if you thought cottage cheese was safe, you’re mistaken: just one cup can carry almost 700 milligrams of salt.

Canned Vegetables

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  health.clevelandclinic.org

We may think that eating more vegetables will help improve our overall health, and in most cases, at least when it comes to fresh veggies, we’d be right. The exception to this rule are vegetables that come out of a can. They may be packed with vitamins, but they also contain a lot of sodium, which is used by manufacturers to preserve the tasty niblets. So look for “low sodium” cans and always be sure to rinse the veggies before eating.

Tomato Sauce

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.seriouseats.com

Another canned delicacy that we use in much of our everyday cooking is tomato sauce. One can of the crimson condiment contains a whopping 830 milligrams of sodium. For comparison, that’s like eating 97 Cheez-Its snack bites. As with canned veggies, you can find “low sodium” added jars of sauce as an alternative. Look for cans labeled with fewer than 350 milligrams of sodium per half-cup serving.

Frozen Pie

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.asouthernmother.com

Baking a pie isn’t an easy task. And some of us are guilty of taking the shortcut of using a pre-made frozen pie instead of cooking one from scratch. What many people don’t know about these sweet treats though, is that they contain more trans-fats than almost anything else in the supermarket. Marie Callender’s Lattice Apple Pie, for example, packs three grams of trans-fats per slice. That’s not good for anyone’s ticker.

 

Frozen Meals

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.thrillist.com

In the same supermarket freezer are one of the saltiest foods you’ll ever find: frozen TV dinners. Even the healthiest options contain upwards of 700 milligrams (half a day’s worth), of sodium. Yes, they’re convenient, but is convenience really worth calcifying our arteries? To avoid this, look for meals with less than 500 milligrams of sodium per serving.

Coffee Creamer

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  Shutterstock

Americans love coffee, but many of us eschew the traditionally black brew for a bit of added flavor. Unfortunately, those of us who prefer our coffee with all the bells and whistles are consuming more sugar and trans-fats than we realize. Traditional coffee creamers hide these fats under their less popular name: hydrogenated oil. Use regular milk and sugar if you don’t like your coffee black.

Blended Coffees

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.dunkindonuts.com

This may not come as much of a surprise, but blended coffee drinks like Frappuccinos and Dunkaccinos are among the most fattening beverages we can consume. These sugary confections are laced with syrup, sugar, whipped cream, and other toppings. Many can have the same amount of calories and fat as a milkshake, and often have more. If you want a bit of added flavor in your coffee, add cinnamon instead.

Butter and Margarine

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  SCPReadings / YouTube

Another somewhat obvious food to avoid is everyone’s favorite spread: Butter. Now, we must understand that butter, in general, isn’t as bad as its reputation. It can be good for digestion, but it does contain more fats than a normal person needs. Worse than butter, however, are butter alternatives like margarine, which are made with partially-hydrogenated oils, or trans fats.

 

Ketchup

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.7detable.com

We don’t realize it, but when it comes to regulating blood pressure and heart health, we have to look at everything we’re eating, even the condiments we use. Ketchup, the “catch-all” condiment, for example, contains around 167 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon, and a fair amount of sugar. Scaling back on these condiments can help lower blood pressure and help us taste more of our food and less of our ketchup.

Bouillon Cubes

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  Wikipedia

Typically, when we’re cooking soup we reach for an extra bouillon cube, for an extra dose of flavor. Unfortunately, all bouillon cubes are made of are sodium and chemically concocted flavorings like monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG doesn’t just increase appetite, it tells our bodies to pump out the fat-storing hormone insulin. A healthier alternative would be to make our own flavor stock from fresh ingredients.

Fruit Juice

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  the-pr-circuit.blogspot.com

Fruit juice is natural, packed with Vitamin C, and delicious, but it also contains up to 36 grams of sugar per cup. For comparison, that’s about the same as four Krispy Kreme glazed donuts. If we’re looking for something healthier, there are much better options than bottled fruit juice. Instead of store bought, try squeezing your own juice or adding orange slices or berries to your water for a fruity, hydrating treat that won’t hurt your heart.

Diet Soda

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.simplemost.com

Despite the many effective ad campaigns and catchy commercials we’ve been treated to over the years, there’s no getting around the fact that Diet Soda isn’t the miracle beverage they want us to think it is. No soda is good for you, but diet soda, which has no calories, is loaded with strange additives that can affect our digestive system in the long run. It can also trick our bodies into thinking we can eat more.

 

Ice Cream

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.wideopeneats.com

Ice cream is a delicious treat on a hot summer day, but it’s also a hefty source of Cholesterol, and not the good kind. One cup of certain Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavors, for example, can contain 130 grams of Cholesterol. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. We know it’s difficult (if not impossible) to cut out ice cream entirely, but we should keep this phrase in mind: “everything in moderation.” Especially when it comes to our heart health.

Biscuits

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.kingarthurflour.com

There’s some bad news for those of us that love buttery baked biscuits: they aren’t good for our hearts. This should come as no surprise, especially to those who read the butter section above, but many brands of biscuit mix are full of trans fats that can wreak havoc on the heart. Instead of these, we suggest English muffins labeled with 0 trans fats.

Bacon and Sausage

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.latinalista.com

If the breakfast biscuits weren’t already a gut-punch, then we’ve got some more bad news, bacon and sausage aren’t all that great for us either. Like their partners in crime, the cold cuts, many of these heavily processed meats contain nitrates, a preservative that interferes with the body’s natural ability to process sugar. They are also loaded with sodium which can affect blood pressure in a harmful way.

White Rice

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.tes.com

While most whole grains can reduce our risk of dying of heart disease by nearly 20 percent, refined grains are a whole other animal. Many of these highly-processed grains, such as white rice, have been stripped of their nutrients in the bargain and can actually have an adverse effect on heart health. A recent study shows that those who ate the most white rice were at greatest risk for type-2 diabetes.

 

Chinese Food

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.tindrumasiankitchen.com

This one hits close to home, because we love Chinese food, but it’s not a great option for those worried about their heart. Many options at these restaurants contain sugary sauces and deep-fried breading. Many dishes are packed with calories, sugar, sodium, and even trans fats. The best way to avoid this and still enjoy is to ask for the sauce on the side of steamed meat and veggies, that way we can control our flavor intake without going crazy.

Beef Jerky

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.mauinow.com

Salted beef has been a staple of sailors and hiking enthusiasts for centuries. Yet, while it’s free of any refined grains and packed with protein, it’s also packed full of popular preservative: salt. Even an ounce serving can contain more than 700 milligrams of it. It may be better for our tastebuds than trail mix, but not necessarily our hearts.

Fried Chicken

Foods that Cause Heart Disease Story
  www.mnn.com

At the bottom of the list, we have one of America’s all-time favorite comfort foods: fried chicken. This crispy delicious offering is something that everyone should eat in moderation (remember “everything in moderation”), and most people know that already. What they don’t know, however, is that a four ounces of fried chicken with the skin included have as much cholesterol as 11 strips of bacon. Food for thought.

20 Everyday Foods that Cause Heart Disease is an article from: LifeDaily

Report Exposes Decades of Child Abuse in Pennsylvania Catholic Church

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Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story

With so much to disagree on in the news lately, something we can all agree on is that sexual predators are some of the worst, most horrific criminals around and should be punished swiftly and accordingly.

We like to believe that when allegations of that type arise, justice will be served to punish the guilty and protect potential victims. Recently, however, it was revealed in a Pennsylvania Grand Jury report that hundreds of “predator priests” have been accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children over several decades.

A Force to be Reckoned With

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.pulpitandpen.org

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination and is one of the wealthiest, largest, and most powerful religious institutions in the world. As of 2016, there were around 1.3 billion baptized Catholics around the globe.

 

The Beliefs

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.axios.com

Today, there are more than 70 million Catholics in the United States alone. The monotheistic religion holds a belief in an omniscient, omnipresent supreme being described as, among other things, the Lord and Creator of heaven and earth. Catholicism focuses on living a life in accordance with the Holy Bible.

The Men And Women Of God

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  rcmsomalia.blogspot.com

Some men and women even devote their entire lives to serving God by becoming deacons, nuns, priests, and bishops. As men and women of God, they are expected to not only uphold the Word of God in their own lives, but also to guide Catholics within their communities around the world.

 

A Sinful Secret

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.businessinsider.com

However, for years, rumors have swirled and accusations have been made that many members of the clergy have not only been living lives of sin, but have actually been breaking the law in the process. Yet seldom have these accusations been investigated or clergy members been held accountable for the behavior of the church.

 

The Narrative

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  Wikipedia

For decades, there has been suspicion of child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. Movies like Spotlight show how these crimes have been hidden from the public for years. The narrative within the Church and among its followers has been that the abuse was either made up, doesn’t happen anymore or happened so rarely as to not give the narrative credence.

 

The Investigation

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.thedp.com

Two years ago, however, the Grand Jury of Pennsylvania began an investigation to determine the extent of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, as well as the predators and the systematic cover-up that has been happening for decades. Cases of child abuse within the church reach as far back as 1947.

 

The Report

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.pennlive.com

In early August of 2018, the results of that investigation were made public in an explosive and disturbing 884-page grand jury report that detailed the widespread sexual abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses. “Today, the most comprehensive report on child sexual abuse within the church ever produced in our country was released,” says Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

 

Shining Light on the Abuse

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.wsoctv.com

“Pennsylvanians can finally learn the extent of sexual abuse in these dioceses,” Shapiro explains. “For the first time, we can all begin to understand the systematic cover-up by church leaders that followed. The abuse scarred every diocese. The cover-up was sophisticated. The church protected the institution at all costs.”

 

It Needs to be Said

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

“We, the members of this grand jury, need you to hear this,” the grand jury report begins. “We know some of you have heard some of it before. There have been other reports about child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. But never on this scale.”

 

“It Happened Everywhere”

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

“For many of us, those earlier stories happened someplace else, someplace away. Now we know the truth: it happened everywhere.” According to the report, credible allegations of sexual abuse have been made against 301 priests, clergy, and lay teachers in six of the state’s eight dioceses.

 

The Predators and Their Victims

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

Those 301 predators have been exposed for sexually abusing and grooming more than 1,000 child victims. “We believe that the real number of children whose records were lost or who were afraid ever to come forward is in the thousands,” the grand jury report explains.

 

Decades Of Abuse

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

According to the investigation, there have been credible reports of sexual and child predators within the Catholic Church targeting innocent children since 1947. Unfortunately, almost every report is now too old to prosecute.

Giving a Voice to Victims

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

However, the grand jury felt compelled to release the findings to show the world just how widespread and brutal the abuse was and to put an end to the systematic cover-up once and for all. In addition, they wanted to convey just what the victims, many of whom never saw their persecutor brought to justice, were forced to endure.

 

Sickening Reports

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.ydr.com

“One boy was forced to stand on a bed in a rectory,” Shapiro explains, “strip naked and pose as Christ on the cross for the priests. They took photos of their victim, adding them to a collection of child pornography which they produced and shared on church grounds.”

 

Hidden from Justice

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

Shapiro details the technique used to keep the scandals a secret: “One priest, Fr. Raymond Lukac, impregnated a 17-year-old girl, forged another pastor’s signature on a marriage certificate then divorced the girl shortly after she gave birth. Despite having sex with a minor, fathering a child and being married and divorced, Fr. Lukac was allowed to stay in ministry while the diocese sought a benevolent bishop in another state willing to take the predator, hiding him from justice.”

 

Groomed for Abuse

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

According to the report, these predators also groomed their victims and “mark” them to make it easier for other priests to abuse them. “To make it easier to target their victims, the priests gave their favored boys gifts – gold crosses to wear as necklaces. The crosses were markings of which boys had been groomed for abuse,” Shapiro added.

 

Institution Above All

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

“All victims were brushed aside, in every part of the state, by church leaders who preferred to protect the abusers and their institution above all. The main thing was not to help children, but to avoid scandal,” the report explains. “Priests were raping little boys and girls and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing: they hid it all. Diocesan administrators, including the Bishops, had knowledge of this conduct and yet priests were regularly placed in ministry after the Diocese was on notice that a complaint of child sexual abuse had been made. This conduct enabled offenders and endangered the welfare of children…”

 

Defense Against Scandal

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.aol.com

To protect the predators and the institution, leaders of the Catholic Church also pressured any victim brave enough to report the abuse as well as put pressure on law enforcement to bury the report and stop an investigation. “For decades,” the report continues, “Monsignors, auxiliary bishops, bishops, archbishops, cardinals have mostly been protected; many, including some named in this report, have been promoted. Until that changes, we think it is too early to close the book on the Catholic Church sex scandal.”

Hope for Change

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.tribdem.com

“We learned of these abusers directly from their dioceses — which we hope is a sign that the church is finally changing its ways,” the grand jury says. “And there may be more indictments in the future.” As a result of the investigation, the grand jury suggests four changes be made to Pennsylvania law including eliminating the criminal statute of limitations for sexually abusing children, creating a two-year civil window to allow child sex abuse victims to file lawsuits if they were unable to before, clarify penalties associated with failing to report child abuse, and stop non-disclosure agreements associated with the cooperation of law enforcement.

The Fight Continues

Pennsylvania Catholic Priests Story
  www.triblive.com

“I will continue to fight to ensure every single victim is heard and every priest, bishop and church official is held accountable for their abhorrent conduct,” Shapiro says. “No one victim’s truth is any less important than another and no one’s criminal conduct any less loathsome.”

Report Exposes Decades of Child Abuse in Pennsylvania Catholic Church is an article from: LifeDaily


20 Life-Saving Facts about West Nile Virus

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West Nile Virus Facts

The first case of the West Nile virus first reared its ugly head in Queens, New York, in 1999. Since then, the virus, carried through infected birds, spread across the United States like wildfire. Over the years, the virus has lessened in intensity and in casualties, but it is no less dangerous than it was nearly two decades ago.

Here are 20 facts you might not know about West Nile virus, as well as ways to identify if you or someone you love has been infected. Take heed of the advice presented here, it might just save your life.

How Do You Get It?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.mosquitomagnet.com

The most important question on everyone’s mind seems to be how human beings contract the disease known as West Nile virus. What many people don’t realize is that mosquitos themselves cannot transmit the virus from one person to another on their own. Instead, people contract West Nile virus from the bite of a mosquito that has fed, recently or otherwise, on an infected bird.

 

Blood Transfusions

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.everydayhealth.com

Because West Nile virus is transmitted through the blood, it is also possible to contract it via blood transfusion from an infected donor. Those who receive organ transplants from infected organ donors can also get the disease. These days though, all blood donated in the U.S. is tested for the virus. But how did it get here in the first place?

Where is it From?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.medicalecology.org

Though it first came to New York in 1999, the true origins of West Nile virus are unknown. There have been some similar strains found in the Middle East, but surprisingly nowhere near the West Nile in Africa. Since it arrived in the US, over 1,100 human deaths have occurred in every U.S. state except Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii.

When Does it Happen?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.localsyr.com

Most West Nile virus cases occur primarily in the late summer or early fall. Since the virus has spread across the entire continental US though, there have been cases of it affecting people year-round, specifically warmer, milder southern climates. Another question you must be asking now is: How do I know if I have West Nile virus?

What Are the Symptoms?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.thebody.com

It may seem like a worrying statistic, but four out of five people infected with West Nile virus don’t actually know they have it. This is because they don’t actually have any symptoms of the disease. Those who don’t feel these symptoms outright can develop lingering infection problems that cause issues later: they just don’t know it was from West Nile virus.

 

Symptom List

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.medicalnewstoday.com

However, there are many who will develop symptoms of the virus which include: fever, headache, fatigue, and swollen lymph glands. Some who contract the virus believe they have simply caught an abnormally intense cold or flu. There are other symptoms that sometimes occur as well such as eye pain and a skin rash on the trunk of the body. And other strains of the virus are even worse…

Virus on the Brain

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.ajmannews.ae

One in every 150 infections of the virus sees it traveling into the brain or becoming “neuroinvasive.” If it gets into the brain it can turn into West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis if it gets into the spinal cord. In these cases, headache, intense fever, and muscle pain can come along with the other symptoms. It can even alter consciousness and create mental confusion, convulsions, or even coma.

Permanent Paralysis?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.mdpi.com

Other neurological symptoms including tremors or palsy may occur. There are also those with the virus who find themselves either weak or paralyzed in one or more limbs. This weakness or paralysis can become permanent in some weird cases of West Nile encephalitis known as West Nile poliomyelitis. If you have none of these symptoms though, how do you test for it?

How Do You Test for It?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.pennmedicine.org

If your doctor suspects that you might have contracted West Nile virus, the first thing they will do is take a blood sample. They will send the sample off to a lab and look for specific antibodies against the virus. This will indicate a recent infection. If they suspect it’s moved to your brain, they’ll test your spinal fluid in a similar way.

 

Who is at Risk?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.al.com

Sorry to say it but everyone living in all of the lower 48 states is at risk for West Nile virus. This is chiefly due to the main transmitter of the virus, the ignoble mosquito, which are most plentiful in August and September. These mosquitoes are also most active at dawn and dusk, so limit your time outdoors. This is especially important when concerning certain demographics…

Avoid Outdoors

West Nile Virus Facts
  cameronwebb.wordpress.com

People over the age of 50 are the more likely to develop symptoms of West Nile virus. Oddly enough, infants are not any higher risk than anyone else, but children are just as likely to be bitten and infected. It’s more important than ever to utilize bug spray if you are going to be outside, especially at dawn and dusk.

Can it be Transmitted?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.terminix.com

Most of you will be happy to know that despite all the myriad ways out there to contract West Nile virus, West Nile encephalitis is not transmitted from person to person. You cannot get the West Nile virus by kissing or otherwise touching someone who has the disease. You also cannot get it from any doctor or health care worker who has treated it. What happens if you do get it and it is left untreated though?

Will I Die From West Nile Virus?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.cdc.gov

Yes, West Nile virus can kill you, but the odds of getting the most severe form of the disease are about one in 150. Even the most severe cases have a death rate of about 10%. These odds are also the same for everyone, except for those 50 or older who have already suffered some of the more severe symptoms.

 

How Does it Kill?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.christopherreeve.org

West Nile virus only kills when it crosses the barrier between the blood and brain. If the infection does hit the spinal cord or the brain tissue and begins impacting normal brain function, that’s when things go wrong. Most of the time it only kills by disrupting important nerve impulses needed for breathing or movement of the vascular system. So we know it can kill, how do we treat it?

How is it Treated?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.news-medical.net

Sorry to break the news to many of you, but as of yet there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. The most severe cases require hospitalization, but in those cases, most people pull through. So far, there have been no vaccines developed against the virus either, though some have been made against similar viruses. Thankfully, if you’ve gotten the virus and survived, you have presumably lifelong immunity.

How Many Mosquitoes Carry It?

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.inhabitat.com

Oddly enough, despite how widespread West Nile virus is, there are actually very few mosquitos infected with the virus. There are still plenty of birds infected out there, but many of those aren’t fed on by mosquitoes. Less than 1% of people bitten and infected will become severely ill because of the virus…

Cats and Dogs

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.vegnews.com

People often wonder about other mammals, such as pets and livestock being infected. While it’s true that cats and dogs can become infected, they cannot spread the virus to other people, even their owners. Fido and Figaro will be fine and it’s still perfectly safe to shower love and affection upon them.

 

Risks to Pregnant Women

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.futuretvnetwork.com

Some pregnant women have become infected and suffered miscarriages afterward, but so far it is not clear whether or not the virus was to blame for this. Indeed, most pregnant women who have become infected have given birth to healthy and wholly uninfected babies. Still, it’s prudent for pregnant women to avoid getting bit just in case…

Breastfeeding Concerns

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.videoblocks.com

Though there is only one case of it thus far, it is possible to pass West Nile virus to a child via breastfeeding. Ultimately though, doctors agree that because of the virus’ generally low impact on infants, the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the potential risk.

West Nile Virus and Blood Donation

West Nile Virus Facts
  www.npr.org

Because so many people across the United States have contracted the disease over the years, health organizations are keeping a very close eye on blood donation. Donated blood is tested before it is disseminated and it is completely safe. We fully encourage all our readers to donate blood whenever possible. It could save a life.

20 Life-Saving Facts about West Nile Virus is an article from: LifeDaily

4-Year-Old Son Reunites with Father Weeks after Separation at US Border

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Jimenez Melendez Story

There’s immense controversy over the policy of separating families at the Mexico-United States border attributed to the current administration, and specifically to President Donald Trump. But this policy didn’t start with the current administration, though the current “zero-tolerance” approach is making more headlines than we’ve seen since the policy’s implementation years ago.

It’s caused public outrage because the separations are presented as moral crises instead of legal issues. While this “zero-tolerance” policy may deter those wishing to come to the U.S. illegally, it doesn’t solve past issues with immigrants seeking refuge. The following story describes what one man faced when he sought asylum for himself and his 4-year-old son.

Last Resort

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.cnn.com

On May 12, 2018, Walter Armando Jimenez Melendez told his son Jeremy that they had to leave their home in San Salvador. After Melendez was extorted by a gang member at his home and later accused by police of being a gangster, he knew they had to leave for good.

Fearing for His Life

Jimenez Melendez Story
  craigforrest.wordpress.com

Being uncertain of what would happen to them if they tried to flee, Melendez planned to ask for asylum at the border. He reports that he was not trying to enter the United States illegally, and ultimately sought protection because he feared for the lives of himself and his son.

Seeking Asylum

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.texastribune.org

Melendez then took Jeremy by the hand and approached the border. With hat in hand, father and son gave themselves up at the Texas border on May 24. They remained together for five days, unaware that they would be separated.

Would he see his son Again?

Jimenez Melendez Story
  performance.univision.com

Five days later, on May 29, border patrol agents told Melendez that he had to attend a court hearing. He waited two hours until he was told him that he wouldn’t be reunited with his child. “They separated us with lies,” Melendez said. This angered the father, of course, but above all he was sad about his son.

No Goodbyes

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.mprnews.org

Melendez didn’t get to say goodbye to Jeremy, reassuring him that no matter what happened, everything would be alright. Words of comfort are what a child needs at that moment, but Melendez didn’t get that chance. The boy was sent to a center while he awaited a court appearance to plead his case to a judge.

Foster Care

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.chicagotribune.com

Over the next month, thousands of children were sent to facilities while their parents awaited a similar fate. Melendez thought he and his son would be protected since they were seeking asylum, but the U.S. considered Melendez’s crossing, like others during “zero-tolerance,” as simply an illegal attempt to enter the country.

What’s Really Going On

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.nytimes.com

Parents and children are separated every day at the border. The children are labeled as “unaccompanied minors” and then are sent to government custody or foster care. The parents, on the other hand, must go through the legal system and are treated as potential criminals.

The Statistics

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.hindustantimes.com

Between October 1, 2017, and May 31, 2018, at least 2,700 children were separated from their parents. However, the large majority of them (around 2,000), were separated in the last six weeks of that window, from April 18 to May 31. This meant that nearly 45 children have been separated from their parents each day.

How is the Government Separating Families?

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.washingtontimes.com

While there isn’t an official policy stating that every family entering the U.S. without papers will be separated, there is a policy that suggests all adults caught crossing into the U.S. illegally are supposed to be criminally prosecuted.

Immigration Detention

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.paxchristiusa.org

When something like this happens to a parent, it’s inevitable that some form of separation from their children is next. People are taken from their respective borders and are held in immigration detention before being seen by an immigration judge.

Awaiting Trial

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.sputniknews.com

The judge then decides if they will be deported as an unauthorized immigrant. However, migrants who’ve been referred for criminal prosecution can get sent to federal jail and then be brought before a federal judge weeks later to see if they’ll get prison time.

Being Told Lies

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.breitbart.com

This is usually when the separation happens since children cannot be held in federal jail. According to federal defenders, some border patrol agents lie to families about why they’re being separated and for how long. This is exactly what happened with Melendez and Jeremy.

Border Patrol Agents

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.latimes.com

In fact, a federal defender told the Washington Post that parents were lied to. For example, they were told that their children were just being taken away briefly for questioning. Another defender told the Boston Globe that in several cases, children were taken away by border patrol agents who said they were going to give them a bath.

Horror Stories

Jimenez Melendez Story
  YouTube

Then, as the hours passed, it dawned on the parents that their children were not coming back. Some women even recounted stories that border patrol agents told them that their “families would not exist anymore” and they would “never get to see their children again.”

Public Outrage

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.mprnews.org

Some have criticized the public outcry to stop family separation at the border, claiming that whether it’s a family crossing or not, illegally entering the United States is a crime. But a case like Melendez’s is unique, because unlike the majority of families who’ve tried crossing the border illegally, he was actually seeking asylum.

Detention of Asylum Seekers

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.npr.org

While the current administration has increased the detention of asylum seekers, they’ve had to release most of the families they’ve caught. Melendez and son Jeremy were one of those families.

Reunited

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.unionleader.com

Melendez was reunited with Jeremy on July 10, six weeks after being separated. “[I went] without knowing where he was, if he was eating, how they were treating him,” Melendez told Reuters. But on that joyous day, he shared a meal with his son for the first time since May. “Imagine the joy I felt,” he recalled.

Court Challenges

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.reuters.com

Melendez, who was held in two different facilities in Texas, said he didn’t learn he would rejoin Jeremy until four hours before. When he was told he would be reunited with his child, he refused to believe it until he actually saw him. Jeremy was among 63 other children under the age of five to be reunited with their parents.

What’s Next

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.reuters.com

The father and son plan to move to Rock Hill, South Carolina, where they will be reunited with Melendez’s wife and stepson. But, the ordeal still haunts the father. “Sometimes I try to be strong as to not show him sadness.”

The Solution?

Jimenez Melendez Story
  www.chinadaily.com.cn

“I hope that from here on everything is pure joy for him and that he can quickly forget about all of this.” It will likely take time for Jeremy to process and move past what happened to him, but luckily he is young enough that he can move past it. The president has responded to the immigration crisis by saying, “Tell people not to come to our country illegally. That’s the solution.”

4-Year-Old Son Reunites with Father Weeks after Separation at US Border is an article from: LifeDaily

Eczema Sufferer’s Unheard Call for Help Ends in Tragedy

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Pang Ching-yu Story

Oftentimes, when young people who feel they have nowhere else to turn will post anonymously on message boards to express their feelings or anger. This happens when people plagued by negative feelings are too afraid to call a hotline or reach out for help in other ways.

Posting on an anonymous website is often a last resort for people suffering from a mental illness or a disease. The following story explains how one woman was so tormented by her skin condition that she posted on a popular Chinese message board to express herself. Her family, unfortunately, never got to see the post.

Increasing Worldwide

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.flowersnearme.info

The prevalence of eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is increasing worldwide. Nearly 31 million Americans are estimated to have the skin condition, with 17.8 million showing symptoms.

Eczema Versus Atopic Dermatitis

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.fondation-dermatite-atopique.org

Technically, eczema is slightly different and a more general term, but physicians sometimes refer to eczema and atopic dermatitis as the same thing. Both are skin diseases where you experience rough, red, dry, and itchy skin. Luckily, none of the symptoms are contagious.

Stressful

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.sciencenews.org

But for the people who have eczema, it can be a source of stress. The stress only makes eczema worse, causing a vicious cycle of symptoms. Many people who suffer from eczema define the condition as “frustrating” and “annoying,” but not much more than that.

Emotional Impact

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.pollychandlercoaching.com

While some might not think of eczema as a ‘serious’ condition, others claim that it has an emotional impact, making them more self-conscious and leading to other insecurities.

Plagued by Eczema

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.albawaba.com

The National Eczema Association says that there is a scientific link between eczema, and stress, anxiety and depression. This brings us to a case in China, where a young woman was so plagued by her eczema-induced depression that she took to a popular discussion board to post her feelings about it.

Cry for Help

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.bedsandhomes.com

The post on the message board read: “People with eczema giving birth to kids are worse than poor people giving birth to kids. If you’re poor, you can rely on your own hard work. With eczema, sorry, you have to suffer (your whole life) with no change.” It was a desperate cry for help.

Nursing Student

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.globalnews.ca

The message came from a 23-year-old woman who suffered from a severe case of eczema. She lived in an apartment on Lung Mun Road in Tuen Mun, China with her family. Pang Ching-yu was reportedly in nursing school at the time of the post, and her parents were unaware of how badly their daughter was suffering.

Unfortunate Side Effects

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.ihealth.co.za

Pang wrote earlier in the forum that she suffered side effects from steroids that she was using to treat the condition, which made her skin uncomfortable. She added that having the condition meant “there’s nothing you can do except to wait and die.”

No Social Life

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.yahoo.com

Her “social life [was] all gone.” It seemed Pang blamed her parents for her eczema, which is common. Children whose parents have the skin condition, or asthma and allergies, are “more likely to develop eczema than children of parents without allergic diseases,” according to the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases.

The Family was Worried

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.videoblocks.com

One day, one of Pang’s relatives became concerned when the family didn’t attend a Father’s Day gathering over the weekend. He decided to pay a visit to Pang’s family to make sure everything was fine, but no one answered the door at 3 pm, even though he knew they were home.

Stab Wounds

Pang Ching-yu Story
  Shutterstock

The relative feared for the safety of Pang’s family, as he must have realized how troubled Pang was. That’s when authorities were alerted and they arrived at the home to a grizzly discovery. The husband and wife, Pang’s parents, were found dead with stab wounds to their bodies.

Suffocating Herself?

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.ndtv.com

Then, the daughter was discovered with a plastic bag over her head which was connected by a meter long pipe to a helium gas canister. According to police, a bloodstained knife was also found in the kitchen.

Suicide Note

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.zoom4india.com

Along with the three dead bodies was a suicide note found in the kitchen detailing Pang’s suffering. She described how she’d feel “better dead than alive.” But the tragic murder-suicide led investigators to wonder if Pang was the only one to blame.

A Sad Scene

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.justreadonline.com

Assistant Tuen Mun district commander, Yan Fong-wai, said that when officers found Pang she was without a pulse and leaning on the door of her room. The father, a retiree, was discovered dead in the bedroom of their oldest daughter’s room, who was on a business trip in mainland China. The mother, a housewife, was found dead in her room wrapped in a blanket.

The Murders

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.road.cc

Investigators believe the family had been dead for 24 hours. After firefighters broke into the flat and found the bodies inside, officers guarded the area as detectives gathered evidence.

Suicide

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.torontosun.com

They learned that the family had no history of domestic violence, leaving Pang to blame for the gruesome murders of her parents. Officials believed that she committed suicide by inhaling helium.

Toxicology

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.aeonglobalhealth.com

Toxicology examinations will be carried out to establish whether the parents were drugged before being stabbed to death, according to the South China Morning Post. The police investigation into the deaths is ongoing.

More than ‘Skin Deep’

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.eczemaliving.com

This horrific story has opened up the discussion of eczema being more than just skin deep. According to the National Eczema Association, nearly one-third of people with atopic dermatitis report feeling depressed and suffering from anxiety.

Negatively Impacting Their Lives

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.medicalxpress.com

A new study suggests that for the millions of Americans with moderate to severe forms of the disease, atopic dermatitis negatively impacts almost every area of their lives, including their intimate relationships, professional life, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

Complex Disease

Pang Ching-yu Story
  www.allergicliving.com

“Atopic dermatitis is a complex disease,” says Julie Block, president and CEO of National Eczema Association. “Research reveals this form of eczema goes well beyond what you see on the skin. Chronic inflammation, symptoms such as unbearable itch, being severely allergic to the world around you — these all profoundly affect the quality of life of people with AD.”

Eczema Sufferer’s Unheard Call for Help Ends in Tragedy is an article from: LifeDaily

Romanian Nun Helps Refugees in South Korea

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Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story

Various wars in the Middle East have killed and maimed tens of thousands of innocent civilians, while an even larger number find themselves homeless and often displaced. War is never a pretty thing, but when innocent women and children are drawn into the fray against their will, things often turn ugly.

When the conflict in the Middle East reached Yemen, 500 asylum seekers found themselves on a small island off the Korean Peninsula. What a loving nun did for them changed their destiny forever.

Jeju Island

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.jingtravel.com

Jeju Island is the largest island off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. It’s also the main island of the entire Jeju Province of South Korea. As a known volcanic island famous for its Lava Tubes, this island is also home to refugees from Yemen.

Popular Destination

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  Twitter

In addition to its picturesque surroundings, Jeju has a moderate climate which some would consider ideal. The temperature rarely falls below freezing and many enjoy vacation there. In fact, the local economy relies almost solely on income from tourism.

Fleeing War

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.timesfreepress.com

Thousands of people have emigrated from the Middle East to Europe and further afield as they attempt to avoid the ravages of war which have ruined their lives back home. It’s through South Korea’s visa-waiver programme that they are there, and although the island is beautiful, the refugees suffer considerably.

Over the Years

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

At first, only a handful of refugees arrived on the island. In 2016 there were only seven Yemenites on Jeju; but by 2017, that number rose to 42, and by the middle of this year that number approached 500. When word of the influx got out, all hell broke loose; initially in the form of a petition on the Blue House website.

Editor’s note: South Korea’s Blue House is the political equivalent to America’s White House.

Expel Them

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.npr.org

That petition called for the 500 refugees to be removed, by force if necessary, from the island and sent back to where they came from. These poor people took an extensive journey to get to Jeju in the first place, fleeing initially to Malaysia to take advantage of South Korea’s three-month, visa-free policy.

All Men

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

While one yearns to feel bad for these refugees, it’s striking that almost all of them are men between the ages of 20 and 30. This begs the question of why they left their wives and children behind in a war zone, although that’s a discussion for another time.

College Graduates

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.arabnews.com

Despite the fact that the majority of these refugees are men, many of them are professionals or are highly educated. Many are college graduates, while others are hotel managers, journalists, taxi drivers, and teachers.

Salvation Arrives

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.koreaherald.com

These 500 refugees have it rough on the island, are poor and have almost no access to medical facilities. In order to counter that reality, Sister Cristina Evelina Gal, from the Naomi Migrant Pastoral Center of Joongang Cathedral of the Jeju Diocese, arrived to save the day. She works day and night to help the Yemeni people, and does so with a smile.

On a Mission

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.koreaherald.com

Sister Cristina arrived in South Korea back in 2007, from her home country of Romania. She came to Jeju in December after hearing about the plight of the refugees there. Having been there for seven months now, Sister Cristina loves her mission, despite its trials and tribulations.

Never Stops

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  Washington Post / YouTube

Sister Cristina never stops working on behalf of the Yemeni refugees in Jeju. On the day she drove to Seogwipo City to give an interview to The Korea Herald, she had already taken a Yemeni refugee to hospital and six others to a medical center.

‘All Human Beings’

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.washingtonpost.com

While many South Koreans are displeased with the influx of immigrants to their peninsula, Sister Cristina is totally unperturbed by that reality, noting that the people she cares for are “all humans, before anything else.” Sister Cristina is determined to complete her mission, no matter what.

Painful Memories

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.france24.com

“There are people who oppose the Yemeni asylum seekers staying on the island here, and that is understandable. But these people [Yemenis] have painful memories, and if we open up our minds a little bit, I believe there will be less conflicts and problems,” she said.

‘Damunhwa’

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.koreaherald.com

Damunhwa is the term for multiculturism in Korean, although it’s a term which has been skewed over the years. It was first introduced officially when the Multicultural Families Support Act was promulgated in 2008, in a government attempt to provide a legal basis to support expats and migrants in the country. These days, it’s more associated with racism than anything else.

Just Wrong

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.koreaherald.com

Sister Cristina explained, “In Romania, there are foreigners. But we do not really have specific words to describe those who came from different countries, like ‘damunhwa.’ Often people here seem to understand the term ‘different’ as being the same as ‘wrong.'”

Hiding Her Faith

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.tienbo.org

Sister Cristina’s story is a touching one, too, having been born to a Catholic family in 1977, she was oppressed and had to hide her faith for fear of a brutal communist regime. As a child, Sister Cristina explained, she was taken to church in Bucharest for safety, but remained fearful.

Simply Captivated

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.euronews.com

When Cristina saw nuns in their full regalia for the first time she was captivated, “I was 9 years old. And as a young girl, I was captivated by the habits,” she said. “So I would pray every day, wishing I could become a nun. I was a mischievous girl and also forgot about it soon after.”

Devoted to God

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.independent.co.uk

As a teen, Sister Cristina considered getting married, but when she spoke with a family friend about it she changed the course of her life, “The person told me it would become more difficult to fully give faith to God if I married, because I would have to take care of the husband and the household. And the thought weighed on my mind.”

Saving Refugees

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.koreaherald.com

Sister Cristina admits that life isn’t always easy for her in Korea. “You know, life is not always easy here, and there have been times when I wanted to run away. I sometimes wonder, ‘Why did I come to Korea?’ But mostly, I really appreciate everything I have here,” she said. “Because the culture is so different, I think that is why I could actually learn who I am. I am grateful.”

Knowing the Feeling

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.borneobulletin.com.bn

Interestingly, Cristina noted, when she herself returns to visit in Romania, she feels like a foreigner there. “When I go to Romania for my holidays, the country appears a little unfamiliar to me now. I also do not have as many friends there as I have here,” she added.

Staying Put

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal Story
  www.malaymail.com

For now, Cristina is very much rooted in her mission in South Korea and has no plans of leaving any time soon. “Koreans are generally warm people. I feel God is always here to look after the people, and I think I will stay here until God wants me to [leave],” she said.

Romanian Nun Helps Refugees in South Korea is an article from: LifeDaily

Businessman’s Job Offer to Homeless Man Goes Viral

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Ryan Davidson Story

Homelessness in the U.K. increased for the seventh year in the row in 2018 as charities do what they can to curb an epidemic which is spiraling out of control.

But when one thoughtful businessman met a 25-year-old homeless man called Ryan in the north of England, their casual chat turned into something special.

Sleeping Homeless

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.dailynews.com

Ryan was agreeable enough, even if he wasn’t a great student or an overachiever. Family life for Ryan was unstable, which is when he started drinking. Before long, like so many others, Ryan’s life spiraled out of control and he found himself sleeping on the streets of Newcastle.

An Epidemic

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.express.co.uk

The recent release of official government figures shows a sevenfold increase in consecutive years of homelessness on the streets of the U.K. According to the government, 4,750 people were sleeping on the streets in 2017, an increase of 15 percent from the previous year.

Not just London

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.housesittersuk.co.uk

While London, the capital of England, had the highest rates of homelessness in the country, with an 18 percent increase in recent years, the north-west of England has also seen a spike. In places such as Tameside, Salford, and Manchester, homelessness has doubled in just two years and quadrupled since 2010.

Spare Some Change?

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.thedaonline.com

Spare some change in the form of a question from a complete stranger is becoming more and more commonplace in England due to rising homelessness. People who need food, or hot drinks, and in many cases cigarettes or drugs aren’t bashful when it comes to approaching strangers, and Ryan wasn’t deterred by the constant rejection.

Stroke of Luck

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.freepik.com

It was just a normal day for Ryan, or so he assumed. When he walked up to James and asked him kindly for some change, he didn’t realize that his life could potentially change for the better. This good samaritan happened to be in a generous mood that day, lucky for Ryan.

Celebrating Good Times

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

Perhaps it because James was in Newcastle that day celebrating his wedding anniversary to his beloved wife, along with two friends that he was so nice to Ryan. Many beers had been consumed when the two met, and that boded very well for Ryan.

Generous Mood

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

James was in a good mood, and in his capacity as a successful businessman, it took little effort for him to part with a crisp £20 note so that Ryan could eat and drink something that day. But it was what happened next that makes this story a whole lot more interesting.

The Sob Story

Ryan Davidson Story
  Pinterest

It’s hard to know the truth in a situation where a perfect stranger approaches you and asks you for money. Nevertheless, Ryan’s sob story was plausible, as he shared with James that he had been out of work and homeless for the past three years. On top of that, he said, he had zero contact with any of his family.

Chance Encounter

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

It’s for you to decide whether Ryan’s meeting that day with James was a chance encounter or not; what’s for sure is that it was a shining light in an otherwise dark world for Ryan. “James was walking past me, so I asked him for spare change,” Ryan said. “He stopped and seemed like a genuine, nice guy. We chatted for a while and then he said he had a company and could offer me a job — I couldn’t believe it.”

Gone Viral

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

A photograph of the rendezvous between these two strangers was posted on Facebook and almost immediately garnered some serious social media love in the form of 4,000 shares and 11,000 comments.

One Simple Question

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

Having chatted on the street for a little while, James had one simple question for Ryan. “I saw Ryan’s big smile and we started talking,” James told reporters, “If you were offered a job, would you take it?” James asked. Ryan replied by saying, “100 percent.”

The Job Offer

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.phillymag.com

James founded a successful paint-coating company, and with that in mind he went ahead and offered Ryan a job on his factory floor. Ryan shook hands with his new boss and agreed to show up for work nice and early the very next week.

Amazing Response

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.techcrunch.com

James spoke to reporters in the U.K. about the response his job offer received on Facebook, “I logged into my Facebook on Friday and there were hundreds of notifications and thousands of friend requests – I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

Getting Props

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

James got so many positive comments from Facebook users who reached out to him offering encouragement. “Fingers crossed he takes the opportunity,” posted one Facebook user. A different post read: “Our county needs more companies like you to believe in these people.”

More Support

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.997waystobeagreatspeaker.com

The story got even better when Ian Cutts, a local milkman, offered to pick Ryan up and give him a lift to the factory for his first day at work. But when Cutts arrived to pick Ryan up from an agreed location, Ryan was a no-show.

Very Disappointed

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

Everyone wanted this touching story to end happily, but it soon turned to heartache and regret. James hit his Facebook page the very next day, posting, “Morning everyone, unfortunately, Ryan didn’t show up … Cutts was there at 6.30am to pick him up. Waited 30 mins and he didn’t show. I’ve rung him several times and got no answer too. Totally gutted tbh.”

Not His Fault

Ryan Davidson Story
  stevesimms.wordpress.com

As it happens, the story does take a turn for the better. Ryan wasn’t being lazy after all. Due to an emergency housing appointment he had that Monday morning, and having no way to contact James, he was unable to speak to explain the situation.

First Day at Work

Ryan Davidson Story
  James Minns / Facebook

The very next day, Ryan was on James’ factory floor nice and early. Ryan told reporters that his first day on the job couldn’t have gone better. “I am so grateful to James,” he said. “I love my job and everybody has made me feel so welcome. We’re like one big happy family.”

Helping Ryan

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.chroniclelive.co.uk

The job offer was only the tip of the iceberg though as a Gofundme page was set up to get Ryan some permanent housing; and guess who’s spearheading the effort, James of course. “We are going to use the proceeds to find Ryan permanent housing,” he said.

Faith in Humanity

Ryan Davidson Story
  www.chroniclelive.co.uk

It’s so nice to read a story of hope like this in this day and age with all the negative news stories out there. Ryan’s faith in humanity has been firmly restored, having been bowled over by the response and kindness. “It has opened my eyes to how generous and kind people can be,” he said. “I’ve never met anyone like James — he has changed my life completely.”

Businessman’s Job Offer to Homeless Man Goes Viral is an article from: LifeDaily

18 Common Foods That Affect Digestive Health

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Bad Foods Digestion Story

A recent study revealed that more than 74 percent of Americans live with some sort of gastrointestinal (GI) distress.

Having battled these GI issues for a few years now, I’ve often taken to the Internet for guidance in narrowing down possible environmental or genetic triggers for my affliction. More than anything else though, I’ve learned that many of these digestive problems result from the foods we eat every day. Here are 18 foods to avoid or be wary of when you’re experiencing digestive distress.

Fried Foods

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.healthcastle.com

This should come as no surprise, but fried foods are high in fat and often made with products that are inherently unfriendly to our delicate digestive tracts. These fatty and delicious delicacies can cause diarrhea and are often fried in highly processed and unhealthy oils.

 

Greasy Foods

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.deviantart.com

Greasy hamburgers, pizza, and french fries won’t do your belly any favors either. Fat takes longer for your body to digest and can make your intestines tighten up or spasm. These spasms can cause bloating, painful cramps, and if you happen to have irritable bowel syndrome already, can make things much worse.

Artificial Sugar

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.holisticwellnesscentre.com

Many of us prefer our drinks to be sweet, and thoroughly enjoy our diet sodas and fancy coffees. But did you know that the artificial sweeteners found in many of these products can adversely affect the delicate bacteria in our intestines? Foods and drinks made with artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea in the short term and many studies show the long-term effects are even worse.

Fructose

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.organicfacts.net

Many of these same foods and drinks are sweetened with fructose. Look at the ingredient list on your favorite soda, candy, cookies, or even fruit juice and you may see the words: “High Fructose Corn Syrup.” Some people have a hard time digesting this popular and exceedingly common food additive which can cause a number of GI issues like diarrhea, bloating, and cramps.

Broccoli And Cabbage

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.botanistinthekitchen.blog

Now, fried foods and artificial sweeteners are obvious culprits, but what many people don’t know is that vegetables can be equally as disruptive to our daily digestion. Those who are already diagnosed with IBS or Crohn’s disease know this already, but cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cabbage, are harder to digest due to their high fiber content.

 

Many Fruits

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.foodtolive.com

The same is true of most raw fruits and vegetables, all of which are made much easier to digest by a bit of cooking. Even citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits can give one an upset stomach. There are also a few fruits like dried prunes, grapes, apples, and pears that can cause diarrhea if eaten in great quantities.

Too Much Fiber

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  Pinterest

Fiber isn’t a bad thing … as long as it’s the right fiber for your digestive system. In general, whole grains and vegetables are good for digestion, in moderation of course. There are two kinds of fiber: soluble fiber, which dissolves with water and forms a gel in the gastrointestinal system, and insoluble fiber, which doesn’t dissolve in water and is harder to digest.

Helpful Fiber

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.familydoctor.org

Fiber can help prevent weight gain, manage diabetes, and even help heart disease. But if you end up eating too much fiber, insoluble or otherwise, the digestive system can fight back. Too much fiber can create excess gas and cause bloating. IBS sufferers can even get stomach cramps and many doctors will tell them to avoid eating more than the minimum.

Gluten

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.vox.com

Gluten is a specific protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and is the same toxic substance that causes an immune response in individuals with celiac disease.

Processed Food

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.bodynutrition.org

Normally, we all possess the digestive bacteria to properly process gluten, but in the case of those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, those enzymes are either weak or nonexistent. Many doctors believe that it is not the gluten that’s the problem, but the high amount of processing that goes into many gluten-containing foods that adversely affect our digestion.

Spicy Foods

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.bordo.al

Many people can get indigestion or heartburn from eating spicy foods. Recent studies indicate that it may be the capsaicin, the spice-causing protein in hot peppers, that causes all the fuss. Not only does capsaicin make your mouth burn, it can also upset the nerves in your gut lining and cause cramps.

Lactose Intolerance

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.ahchealthenews.com

We come to them, at last — dairy products. Milk, ice cream, yogurt, and some cheeses all contain a type of sugar called lactose. Normally, most people have a digestive enzyme that makes short work of this tricky sugar, but many people don’t. This is where we get the term “lactose intolerant.” Nevertheless, even people who aren’t lactose intolerant can become negatively affected by too much dairy.

Dairy Overload

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.culinarianmagazine.com

Too much dairy can trigger stomach cramps, pain, bloating, or even nausea for the lactose intolerant, but no one is immune. Studies have shown that many people actually become slightly more intolerant of lactose as they get older. Thankfully, even the ice-cream-loving lactose intolerant can enjoy their favorite dairy treats with the aid of an over-the-counter enzyme.

Beans

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.seriouseats.com

There’s an old funny saying about beans being the musical fruit … which we won’t go into here. As crass as the saying is, it’s not incorrect. Beans are loaded with healthy protein and fiber, but as we learned earlier, too much fiber can cause an excess of gas after being broken down by bacteria in the gut.

Coffee And Tea

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.readitontheweb.com

We know a lot of our readers enjoy coffee, but even the beloved bean it’s made from can cause us digestive distress. Coffee and some teas contain caffeine, which is a diuretic and can make you urinate more frequently, but it also tightens up nerves and muscles. Too much caffeine can also dehydrate us and cause cramps in the lower gut.

Alcohol

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.healthline.com

Any readers who have ever experienced a bad night at the behest of our next digestive demon is already familiar with the side effects of drinking too much of it. Alcohol is ultimately a poison, albeit a sometimes fun one, and our body treats it that way. Too much can dehydrate you, mix badly with stomach acids, and wreak havoc on our small intestine. Drink responsibly folks, that’s obvious.

Salt

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.healthjade.com

They say that 90 percent of Americans ingest too much salt. Not only can it raise your blood pressure, salt can also throw off the delicate balance of your electrolytes. These minerals help muscles, including those in the gut, to work properly, and if they spasm, the cramping can be very painful: especially to those who already suffer from IBS.

 

Chocolate

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.draxe.com

Chocolate is high in sugar, which can mean that bad gut bacteria thrives on. This forces our good gut bacteria to work harder. It also contains caffeine, which we’ve seen can be problematic as well.

Peppermint

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  www.foodal.com

For those with digestive issues, all hope is not lost. There are some natural ways that you can minimize the painful cramping and aid indigestion. One of these natural gut calmers is peppermint. Peppermint can help to relax the stomach and intestinal muscles. You can either take it as a capsule or drink it in teas, but either way, many IBS sufferers have noticed a marked improvement when taken in times of duress.

Ginger

Bad Foods Digestion Story
  Lucy Mecklenburgh / Instagram

The last item on this list is ginger. This flavorful root is used in many different Asian dishes and in addition to being tasty, can help ease stomach cramps. It has been proven to help settle the stomach, calm menstrual cramps, and even ease motion sickness. You can even get it dried and candied if you don’t want to brew tea with it.

18 Common Foods That Affect Digestive Health is an article from: LifeDaily

How Stress Can Cause Shingles And What You Can Do To Help

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Shingles Stress Story

“Don’t stress, it’s bad for your health,” may sound like hokey advice, similar to popular phrases like “YOLO” and “nice guys finish last.” But in reality, stress can negatively affect your health, and you should avoid it if you can.

As it turns out, there’s scientific evidence behind the idea of reducing your stress levels. Generally speaking, stress affects a person’s mental and physical health. But if we’re being specific, stress may have a direct link to one disease in particular.

Double Whammy

Shingles Stress Story
  www.syfy.com

Shingles is somewhat of an unusual disease in that it comes with a sort of “one-two punch” of infections. Everyone who’s had shingles has had chickenpox first, usually decades earlier. The reason for this is simple: they come from the same virus.

Long Wait

Shingles Stress Story
  www.immune.org.nz

If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you’re at risk for shingles because you’ve been infected by the varicella-zoster virus. Like other viruses, varicella-zoster remains dormant inside your body even after the chickenpox outbreak has passed.

Painful Start

Shingles Stress Story
  www.upi.com

Shingles usually begins with some tingling or local pain in a single area, usually accompanied by headache, fever, and malaise. Sometimes sensations of burning pain, itching, oversensitivity, and pins and needles on the skin, can be mild or downright agonizing as well.

Lingering Rash

Shingles Stress Story
  www.healthline.com

A few days later, a large painful rash with blisters will form. This usually occurs on either the right or left side of the body, commonly on the torso. It is also known to appear on the face, often near the eye. The rash will usually last for a few days, but in some cases sticks around for weeks.

Medical Mystery

Shingles Stress Story
  Pinterest

While it’s not clear that the varicella-zoster virus reactivates in some people and not others, there is some new medical research that points toward a a culprit that you probably wouldn’t have suspected: stress.

Contributing Factor

Shingles Stress Story
  www.apa.org

While stress doesn’t technically cause shingles, it can be a contributing factor in the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. That’s because emotional stress has been shown in numerous studies to weaken the body’s immune system.

Stress Management

Shingles Stress Story
  www.pacificcognitivebehavioraltherapy.com

We experience stress to some degree or another during the course of our lives. Everyday stress levels that come along with our jobs and relationships are usually simple enough to manage. But when life-changing events occur, such as starting a new job, getting married, or the death of a loved one, our stress levels increase significantly.

Diminished Response

Shingles Stress Story
  www.aidsinfo.nih.gov

At those times of heightened stress, adrenaline and cortisol levels, as well as heart rate and blood pressure, are elevated, reducing the immune system’s ability to respond normally.

Side Effects

Shingles Stress Story
  www.telegraph.co.uk

It also doesn’t help that stress can indirectly harm our immune systems. As we often resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, and eating “comfort foods,” we may not take into account the indirect effects of those habits.

Worse With Age

Shingles Stress Story
  www.afigreen.com

The immune system-suppressing effect of stress is more pronounced for people over the age of 50. So it’s no coincidence that 50 is the age at which shingles outbreaks become much more common.

There Are Options

Shingles Stress Story
  www.t-online.de

As with chickenpox, there is no cure for shingles, and, thankfully, most people who have an outbreak only get it once. If you’re one of the unlucky people who has an outbreak there are a few things you can do at home to treat it.

Take It Easy

Shingles Stress Story
  www.borgefagerli.no

First and foremost, the more rest you get, the quicker you’ll get over shingles. Keeping your activity to a minimum allows your body to divert more energy inward toward fighting the sickness rather than spending it outwardly.

Medication

Shingles Stress Story
  www.ebay.com

Your doctor may also recommend an analgesic to manage the pain, typically in the form of an over-the-counter medication or Calamine Lotion. They may also prescribe antiviral medications to reduce the severity and duration of shingles.

Home Treatments

Shingles Stress Story
  www.yourscarmela.com

Other things you can do at home include using cool washcloths on the rash, taking oatmeal baths to reduce itchiness and pain on the skin, and perhaps most importantly, doing whatever you can to reduce your stress levels.

Stress Hurts

Shingles Stress Story
  www.permataummi.com

That’s because studies have shown that people under stress are more likely to experience prolonged pain as a result of postherpetic neuralgia, a complication where shingles pain can persist long after the rash has cleared.

Slowed Recovery

Shingles Stress Story
  www.health.com

Stress also keeps the immune system weak during the illness, which prevents a rapid recovery. So for those suffering from shingles or for those who would like to reduce their risk of getting it, there are simple things you can do to reduce your stress levels.

Identify The Problem

Shingles Stress Story
  www.doctordoni.com

First, identify the things that trigger stress in you, and whenever possible, avoid those situations. If unavoidable, try to at least lessen the impact of those triggers.

Talk To Someone

Shingles Stress Story
  www.shrinkwrap.blog

Second, find a healthy way to talk about your feelings of stress. Simply discussing what is stressing you with a loved one, a trusted friend, or a mental health professional can do wonders for you.

Healthy Choices

  www.everydayhealth.com

Third, adopt healthy lifestyle choices wherever possible. Getting enough sleep, following a nutritious diet, and exercising regularly go a lot further toward reducing your stress levels than you might think. Talk to a doctor about finding the right exercise regimen for you.

Deep Breath

Shingles Stress Story
  www.bigthink.com

Finally, find a relaxation technique that works for you, and use it when you start to feel stressed. This will be different for each person and can range from breathing techniques, to meditation, to prayer. If you’re at a loss for what to do, simply reminding yourself of the positives in your life may be of some help.

How Stress Can Cause Shingles And What You Can Do To Help is an article from: LifeDaily


20 Things Every Woman Should Know About Endometriosis

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Endometriosis Story

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder where the endometrium, the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus and on to other areas where it doesn’t belong. That endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would, thickening, breaking down and bleeding with each menstrual cycle.

The problem with that is that displaced tissue has no way to exit the body and becomes trapped. That causes surrounding tissue to become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue or even causing organs to stick together. It’s a condition with a lot of misconception surrounding it, so here are 20 things that every woman should know about endometriosis.

Typical Location

Endometriosis Story
  www.momjunction.com

In most cases of endometriosis, the excess endometrial tissue is usually found in the pelvic cavity. But while it’s unusual for that tissue to spread beyond the pelvic region, it’s not an impossibility.

Always Different

Endometriosis Story
  www.wunderweib.de

Endometriosis affects every woman differently, depending on a number of different factors including where in the body the excess endometrial tissue has grown. That means different treatments are effective for different patients. Discuss your full range of symptoms and treatment options with your doctor and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.

Different Treatments

Endometriosis Story
  www.freepik.com

Because each case is different, a hysterectomy is not a definitive cure for each case of endometriosis and in some cases, may not help at all. If your doctor says otherwise, definitely get a second opinion.

Pregnancy Complications

Endometriosis Story
  resources.lupus.org

Endometriosis doesn’t necessarily mean you are infertile. While estimated that between 30 and 40 percent of women affected may not be able to have children, many women with endometriosis can become pregnant naturally or with reproductive aid.

Not A Cure…

Endometriosis Story
  www.timesofisrael.com

Pregnancy does not cure endometriosis. It’s possible that you may have temporary relief from the symptoms of the condition during your pregnancy, but having a child does nothing at all in terms of a permanent solution.

… But Not A Cause, Either

Endometriosis Story
  khabar.ndtv.com

On the other hand, delaying pregnancy is not a cause of endometriosis, contrary to what some people believe. It’s not something that happens to you because you decided not to have a child in your early twenties.

Other Symptoms

Endometriosis Story
  www.drkenlaw.com.au

Aside from painful periods and potential infertility, other symptoms of endometriosis can include painful ovulation, pain during or after sex, abnormal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, and fatigue.

Uncertain Cause

Endometriosis Story
  www.psmag.com

Medical science has yet to determine exactly what causes endometriosis but current research suggests it likely has a genetic component.  That’s because having a mother or sister who has endometriosis significantly increases the odds that you’ll have it too.

No Cure

Endometriosis Story
  www.endostats.com

While there are treatments for endometriosis, there is no cure, strictly speaking. That’s an especially unfortunate fact because of how common it is. It affects approximately 10 percent of all reproductive-aged women — about 176 million worldwide.

Big Cost

Endometriosis Story
  www.floridapolitics.com

Because so many people are affected, endometriosis has a significant financial cost to the world. It’s estimated to cost around $11,000 per affected woman each year. Two thirds of that cost is because of lost work productivity with the rest being actual healthcare costs.

Immune Interaction

Endometriosis Story
  www.abovems.com

While endometriosis is not an autoimmune disease, it can affect the immune system. Hyperthyroidism, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis are all autoimmune conditions that have been linked to higher occurrence rates in women with endometriosis, though scientists don’t yet understand the connection.

Not 1-To-1

Endometriosis Story
  www.saludmovil.com

The severity of endometriosis, meaning the amount of tissue that grows outside of the uterus, doesn’t necessarily correlate with the amount of pain or other symptoms a woman may experience.

Main Options

Endometriosis Story
  www.hopkinsmedicine.org

The three main options available for the treatment of endometriosis are surgery, hormones, and pain management. Your doctor may recommend one or more of those options based on your particular case.

Best Surgery

Endometriosis Story
  health.usnews.com

If you do choose surgery as treatment, laparoscopic excision is generally considered the best option. Of course, this will vary person to person and no course of treatment should be chosen without the recommendation of a professional.

Fertility Options

Endometriosis Story
  www.md-health.com

If you have endometriosis and would like to have children one day, make sure to discuss fertility with your doctor before taking action. In some cases, surgery can help women with endometriosis become pregnant naturally, but in others, especially where the ovaries are affected, surgery might make it harder to become pregnant.

Hormonal Component

Endometriosis Story
  www.medscape.com

Endometriosis needs estrogen to grow. The hormonal treatment of endometriosis is aimed at reducing or stopping the production of estrogen, which can be accomplished through the use of contraceptive pills, progestins, IUDs, and other methods.

Analgesics

Endometriosis Story
  www.firstforwomen.com

If you suffer from endometriosis, be wary of treating the pain with over-the-counter or prescription analgesics. Taking such medications too often can actually result in worse pain in the long run. Instead, find a pain management clinic, pain psychologist, or discuss options with your primary doctor.

Exercise Is Good

Endometriosis Story
  www.brainerddispatch.com

While chronic pain and discomfort associated with endometriosis can make exercise more difficult, the pain actually gets worse if your lifestyle is too sedentary. Some women find swimming or even an exercise, as simple as going for walks, for example, to be a good way to improve their health.

Find Your Pace

Endometriosis Story
  www.thisisinsider.com

If you do exercise, be careful that what you do isn’t exacerbating your condition. For some women who experience chronic pelvic pain as a result of their endometriosis, overactive pelvic floor muscles could be the cause. A pelvic physiotherapist may be able to help.

Seek Professional Help

Endometriosis Story
  www.bupa.co.uk

Finally, endometriosis is a difficult condition to diagnose. The only surefire way to know if you have it is by getting a laparoscopy performed by a skilled specialist that knows what to look for. It’s a condition not well understood, even by most doctors, so if you suspect you may have it, book an appointment with a specialist as soon as you can.

20 Things Every Woman Should Know About Endometriosis is an article from: LifeDaily

From Babies To Grandparents, Here’s How To Prevent Heat Stroke This Summer

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Prevent Heat Stroke Story

It’s been a long hot summer already, but we’re not out of the woods just yet. If you look at a map of climate change over the past two decades, you’ll see that America has become, by and large, hotter each year. And if statistics don’t do it for you, just step outside.

Because of these increased global temperatures, the chance of getting heat stroke has drastically increased. This is especially true for the old and the young, who may not be able to take precautions. However, you can help.

No Sweat

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.healthtap.com

Generally, when temperatures and humidity rise, our bodies respond with their own natural cooling mechanism: perspiration. As we perspire, the sweat beads on our skin eventually evaporate, cooling us down. However, the more humid a day is, the less evaporation occurs. If it can’t evaporate, then we can’t cool down, and our internal body temperature rises.

 

Seriously Hot

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.trailmob.com

As the temperature within our bodies rises, our chances of experiencing heat stroke increase. Heat stroke is a much more serious condition than heat exhaustion. This is because one can make you tired and the other, if left untreated, can kill you. Those who come down with heat stroke can suffer from high fever, convulsions, and some have even been known to go into comas.

Two Types

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.naturalallergytreatment.com.au

No one is immune from heat stroke. It can affect everyone from couch potatoes to pro football players. Doctors have categorized the dangerous condition into two types. The first is classic heat stroke, which affects those exposed to extremely hot environments for long periods of time. The second type is called exertional heat stroke, and it affects those who overdo physical behavior in very hot places.

Athletes

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.bangordailynews.com

Exertional heat stroke is the bane of professional athletes the world over, but it’s specifically dangerous for football players. These men wear heavy, padded body coverings and helmets, sometimes practicing for hours in very warm environments. Without proper hydration and periodic rest, these athletes are likely to be adversely affected by the heat.

Younger Folks

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.theconversation.com

Young athletes in particular are at a higher risk of developing heat stroke and heat exhaustion. This is because young people absorb heat faster than adults and often forget to drink fluids when engaging in intense exercise. Younger athletes are also quicker to reach for a sugary, further-dehydrating carbonated drink instead of a bottled water.

 

Watch For Babies

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.theconversation.com

Babies and very young children are even more susceptible to heat stroke than your average adult, mainly because they lack the ability to hydrate themselves entirely. It’s important to keep them hydrated at all times in the summer and to be cognizant of our own hydration. Think about it, if you’re thirsty, they must be thirsty too.

Kids Sweat Too

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.babycentre.co.uk

Many people forget that babies sweat, too. It’s important to remember this and to not swaddle your infants so heavily in the summer months. They need to air out and cool down just like we do. The best way to avoid children overheating is to keep them indoors during the hottest part of the day and let them out to play only when the temperature has dropped some.

Hard Workin’

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.thenewscenter.tv

Firefighters, contractors, miners, farmers, and day laborers are all people who run the risk of contracting exertion-induced heat stroke. That means that all of you hard working people out there need to remember to take frequent breaks in the shade and rehydrate often. If you know it’s gonna be a hot one, pace yourself.

Elderly Folks

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.aplaceformom.com

Like children and babies, the elderly among us are also susceptible to heat-related illness. There are several reasons for this, the first of which has to do with the fact that their bodies don’t adjust well to sudden changes in temperature. Older people are also more likely to already possess one or more chronic conditions that might upset the body’s response to extreme heat.

 

Medication Dangers

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.thisisinsider.com

Elderly people are also more likely to be on prescription medicines that could potentially impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Some medications, such as allergy medications, blood pressure medications, irritable bladder pills, laxatives and water pills might even inhibit perspiration. One or more of these many medications can put the elderly in danger of heat stroke.

Neighbors And Friends

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.valleyvna.org

The best way for us to help our elderly relatives and neighbors is to check on them often. Call them on hot days, maybe visit to make sure their air conditioners are working and remind them to stay hydrated. If an older adult you know is at risk for heat stroke or already chronically ill, try and visit them at least twice a day to see how they’re holding up.

Know The Signs

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.healthline.com

Despite our best efforts to prevent it, however, some of us might eventually come down with a case of heat stroke. But how do you know if you’ve got it? The first step is recognizing the warning signs. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, if you’re pale and sweating profusely, then you might have heat stroke.

Seek Medical Help

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.axisimagingnews.com

Other signs include fast, shallow breathing and a rapid pulse. Severe progression of the condition also comes with muscle weakness and cramps as well. If things have gotten to this point, it would be prudent to seek out medical attention. If you haven’t gotten to the spasms and rapid breathing, however, there are other ways to treat yourself.

What To Do

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.rd.com

First and foremost, you should find a cool place to rest, preferably indoors if at all possible. Do not overexert yourself any further. Next you should rehydrate slowly — don’t chug. Avoid any caffeinated drinks like soda, coffee, and especially alcohol. These beverages will only dehydrate you more.

Avoidance Behavior

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.eternallysunny.com

There are ways to avoid heat stroke in the first place as well. When the hot weather comes, don’t be afraid to wear loose clothing, breathable fabrics, hats, and sunblock. If you must stay in the sun, try to do so for short periods of time. If there’s a breeze outside, open some windows and put on a fan to get the air circulating.

Beat The Heat

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.doityourself.com

If you’re fortunate enough to own one, run the air conditioner. If you’re not, there are plenty of other free alternatives out there for those looking to get out of the heat. Spend the day in an air-conditioned place like the mall or the library. Maybe head over to the movie theater and see a matinee one hot afternoon.

The Importance Of Water

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.cnn.com

We’re not sure if we’ve been clear enough on this point, so we’ll say it again: Drink Water! Drinking water is critical to beating the heat. You may not realize it, but over the course of a day working in the heat, a normal person might produce as much as two to three gallons of sweat. That’s a lot of water that needs to be replenished.

 

Contact The Doctor

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.lexleader.net

If you have experienced any of the earlier symptoms and don’t feel better after 30 minutes of rest and hydration, contact your doctor. This is especially true if you feel anything like confusion, loss of consciousness, throbbing headache, vomiting, or skin that feels hot but not sweaty.

Intravenous Fluids

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.sciencealert.com

If you suspect you or someone you know has contracted heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Untreated heat stroke can be deadly. Most doctors will recommend that any person suffering from potential heat stroke be given fluids intravenously until their symptoms have abated. After that, it’s only a matter of follow-up.

Follow-Up

Prevent Heat Stroke Story
  www.cnn.com

Those who suffer from heat stroke or heat exhaustion will actually be more sensitive to super hot conditions for about a week following the scare. During this time, it’s especially important not to overexert yourself or stay out in the heat for too long. Your doctor will tell you when it’s ok to go back to normal.

From Babies To Grandparents, Here’s How To Prevent Heat Stroke This Summer is an article from: LifeDaily

10 Nutrition Myths That Prove You’re Diet Isn’t As Healthy As You Think

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Nutritional Myths Story

It seems like everywhere you go these days, everyone has their own explanation of how health conscious they are. Unfortunately, many of these people collect their information from erroneous sources on the Internet.

And of course, with so many different people using and sharing information over the World Wide Web, it’s hard to distinguish what is evidence-based, and what is a myth born of hearsay or assumption. We’ve tracked down 10 nutrition myths for you here and have provided the truth behind the misinformation.

Carbohydrates Are Bad

Nutritional Myths Story
  blog.pregistry.com

In recent years, the enemies of weight loss have been carbohydrates, or “carbs” for short. Many people attribute this to Insulin, the hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar levels. It’s true that diabetics and people who overeat carbs will undoubtedly face health issues after ingesting too many of them, but that isn’t the whole truth.

The Truth About Carbs

Nutritional Myths Story
  livewell.jillianmichaels.com

Cutting processed carbs can be a viable way to lose weight as long as it helps, but if it makes you miserable and hungry, it isn’t the answer. This will only make you replace carbs with fat to fill the craving. There is nothing inherently harmful about carbohydrates. They fill your belly and can actually be good for you, so long as you eat them in moderation.

Fat Is Bad

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.americastestkitchen.com

It’s common to hear talk of “fat free” this and “fat free” that. Eating more fat causes you to gain fat, or that’s what most people believe anyway. Yet, sticking to a low-fat diet doesn’t always mean you’re going to lose the weight. In fact, getting rid of all the fat in your diet can be dangerous as there are some fats, like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which your body needs to survive.

The Truth About Fat

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.bakeryandsnacks.com

Saturated fat isn’t even all that bad for your heart health either. Ultimately, it’s only trans-fats that you need to watch out for. A little bit can be ok, but a lot can clog your arteries. It all comes down to caloric intake, not fat intake. Therefore, if you eat a ton of calories daily, whether fatty or otherwise, you’ll have a harder time losing weight.

Red Meat Is Bad

Nutritional Myths Story
  health.clevelandclinic.org

These days, there are rumors that red meat causes cancer. First off, cancer isn’t a topic that can be discussed in absolutes. Many cancers are genetically linked or caused by other nutritional or environmental factors. Despite the myths, current evidence suggests that red meat can only pose a cancer risk to those with already poor diets.

 

The Truth About Red Meat

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.verdefarms.com

Like anything else, good health comes from making good lifestyle choices. Not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can do more to prevent cancer than almost anything else. Nevertheless, it never hurts to limit the amount of red meat you eat while also decreasing the amount of cured, smoked, or highly processed meats you ingest.

Egg Yolks Are Bad

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.onlymyhealth.com

First, it was said that eggs were good for you, then suddenly eggs were bad for you. After it was “revealed” that it was just the egg yolks that were bad for your health, people ate the egg whites only and chucked the nutritious, protein-rich yolks into the trash. And while it’s true that egg yolks are high in cholesterol, it’s also true that eating more cholesterol doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have high cholesterol.

The Truth About Eggs

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.cookinglight.com

Indeed, a number of recent clinical trials have found no association between eggs and cardiovascular disease. This is with the exception of those people who already have pre-existing conditions like diabetes or hyperglycemia. By and large, eggs are great for you and are a fantastic source of protein, good fats, and other beneficial nutrients.

Don’t Skip Breakfast

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.pritikin.com

The old adage is that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” It’s something our parents and doctors have been telling us for years, and there is evidence that those who skip breakfast have a higher body mass index (BMI), on average, than those who indulge. This isn’t the meal’s fault, though. It’s more that those who don’t eat breakfast end up fulfilling their caloric craving with an unhealthy choice come lunchtime.

 

The Truth About Breakfast

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.reportshealthcare.com

The truth of the matter is that you don’t really need to eat breakfast to be healthy or even to lose weight. In fact, those with digestive motility issues may want to skip breakfast anyway, because it both helps keep high blood sugar levels in check and gives busy digestive systems a much-needed break.

Dietary Supplements Are Necessary

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.everydayhealth.com

Many new age health gurus believe that the key to a lifetime of good health is daily intake of dietary supplements. The argument is that modern agriculture has led to the depletion of nutrients in our soil and left us with food that is less nutritious than it used to be. There are also many people who believe that daily multivitamins are the only way we can be healthy in a heavily processed world.

The Truth About Supplements

Nutritional Myths Story
  sites.udel.edu

That’s not to say we can’t all benefit from additional vitamins or minerals now and again, especially those with a natural deficiency like Thalassemia. The thing is though, a lot of these vitamins can be found in certain foods we already eat. Milk is fortified with Vitamin-D, orange juice with Vitamin-C, and so on.

Bread And Gluten Are Bad For You

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.medicalnewstoday.com

Bread and specifically its chief ingredient, Gluten, has been the real bogeyman for health nuts everywhere in recent years. The two arguments are that eating bread will make you fat and that gluten is bad for you. Both of these statements are patently untrue unless you’re Gluten sensitive or Gluten intolerant: in which case, don’t eat Gluten.

The Truth About Bread And Gluten

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.nutritionovereasy.com

Also, like most carbs, bread is only going to make you fat if you eat too much of it. There’s also the fact that people believe whole-wheat bread is healthier than white bread, but they aren’t really all that different, with the exception of a higher fiber content in whole-wheat bread. For those with gluten or wheat allergies, avoid wheat-based bread entirely, whole or otherwise.

Salt Is Bad

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.health.harvard.edu

Too much salt is never a good thing. It can cause high blood pressure, kidney damage, and has actually been associated with cognitive decline. Of course, all of this happens only if you consume a large amount of it, and thanks to the glut of available processed foods in the American market, you might.

The Truth About Salt

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.npr.org

What most people don’t realize is that too little salt can have as many adverse effects upon your cardiovascular health as too much. That being said, salt reduction is very important for those with salt-sensitive hypertension. Also, laying off the processed and heavily preserved foods can do wonders in keeping your salt level at acceptable, healthy levels.

Don’t Eat Before Bed

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.opinion.al

We hear it all the time, “never eat after 8 pm.” The statement is usually followed by “you don’t burn any calories while you sleep.” This is absolutely true … for some people, but not all. In fact, some recent studies have shown that there are some people lose weight eating early and some by eating later — it all depends on the person.

 

The Truth About Eating Late

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.indianapublicmedia.org

If we’re prone to staying up late, we tend to eat in a reflexive effort to ward off tiredness, but the only way that eating late will make you fat is if you end up reaching for the chips and cookies rather than some carrot sticks or a handful of almonds. The most important thing is to be mindful of your own metabolism.

Eat Small Meals To Boost Metabolism

Nutritional Myths Story
  bigslyfragrance.wordpress.com

While it’s true that digestion does raise metabolism, evidence has shown that if we take in an equal amount of calories overall, evenly spaced out, it makes no difference in fat loss. The real problem with this myth is that in practice, eating smaller meals makes it harder to feel satiated, which causes you to eat more in the long run.

The Truth About Eating More Often

Nutritional Myths Story
  www.caloriesecrets.net

The other problem with this methodology is that your metabolism can spike and fluctuate depending on the size of your meal. This means that even if it spikes a little over the course of a week, you probably won’t burn calories any differently than if you had three square meals. In the end, it’s the number of calories, not the frequency, which counts most.

10 Nutrition Myths That Prove You’re Diet Isn’t As Healthy As You Think is an article from: LifeDaily

Signs Someone You Know Might Suffer From Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia Story

Mental illness is a serious issue and one that most people don’t know enough about. We obviously can’t discuss every different dysfunction here, but we can do our best to educate our readers on at least one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses: Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and mood. That being said, Schizophrenia is also treatable and those who find themselves in the grip of the disease can recover. To find that path to recovery, however, we first need to discuss Schizophrenia itself.

What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia Story
  10 Reasons Why Show / YouTube

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can cause mental delusions, unusual behaviors, and in many cases, hallucinations. Those who suffer from the illness might experience problems with memory and concentration. They might seem different, more distant at times. Of course, the outward signs are not the ones most folks notice at first.

 

Risk Factors

Schizophrenia Story
  www.facts.net

Statistically, about one in every 100 Americans are diagnosed with schizophrenia. The diseases has a genetic component as well, and those who have a parent or sibling with schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing it, though the odds are low. So is schizophrenia genetic? Well, the answer to that is a bit complicated…

No One Gene

Schizophrenia Story
  www.indianexpress.com

At this point, scientists aren’t certain that a single gene is responsible for schizophrenia. The commonly held belief is that a variety of genes and a number of environmental factors cause the disease. The illness usually presents itself in a person’s teens or early 20s and is unlikely to show itself in older people.

When It Strikes

Schizophrenia Story
  sites.tufts.edu

As stated above, the disease usually affects those between ages 16 and 30, and men are more likely to develop symptoms earlier than women. Once the symptoms begin, they worsen gradually over time. This is known as the prodrome phase. If symptoms are left to continually worsen over time without treatment, irrevocable damage can occur.

Different Folks

Schizophrenia Story
  www.advantagementalhealthcenter.com

Schizophrenia differs for everyone and may affect you differently than it would affect someone else. No matter what though, it always creates certain distinct changes in how people think, feels, and act. The symptoms can come and go and one or more of them may be present or in combination at the same time.

 

Unaware

Schizophrenia Story
  www.mybariatriclife.org

One of the most worrying things about schizophrenia is the fact that the people who have the condition don’t usually know they have it at all, at least until a doctor tells them. They might not even realize something is wrong and might mistakenly believe their tiredness and inability to focus is due to stress or depression.

“Positive” Symptoms

Schizophrenia Story
  Craig Finn / Wikipedia

Because of the many symptoms associated with Schizophrenia, doctors have sorted them into two categories. The first of these symptoms, known as “positive” symptoms, are nothing like their name implies. These symptoms, when most severe, prevent the afflicted person from being able to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

Hallucinations

Schizophrenia Story
  www.medicaldaily.com

The most commonly-known symptom of Schizophrenia is hallucination. People with the illness may see, hear, smell, or even feel things that no one else does. They might hear voices speaking to them in their heads, teasing them, warning them of nonexistent danger, or in some cases, direct their actions.

Delusions

Schizophrenia Story
  www.ladepeche.fr

Many paranoid sufferers might believe that a clandestine group, such as the FBI or a foreign power, is trying to control their thoughts. If the hallucinations persist unabated, the person might lose touch with reality and could come to believe that they are either living in an augmented reality or even possess superpowers.

 

Confused

Schizophrenia Story
  www.sharonspano.com

Hallucinations aren’t the only worrying “positive” symptom, either. Those who suffer from schizophrenia will often be confused by things around them or have a hard time organizing their thoughts properly. This is often caused as a direct result of their fraying connection with reality and can show itself by way of confused speech patterns or distant looks.

Concentration

Schizophrenia Story
  www.glossglam.com

Though they are losing touch with reality, the person affected with schizophrenia will notice that they have a lot of trouble concentrating. They might lose track of their train of thought or be unable to follow a television program. They might also find it hard to focus on more than one task, even something as simple as remembering a phone number.

Strange Movements

Schizophrenia Story
  www.apa.org

Another positive symptom of schizophrenia is a noticeable change in physical movement. Some people with the illness might appear to be jumpy or make repetitive, twitchy movements over and over again. There are also times when someone with the disease will become catatonic or remain perfectly still for hours at a time.

“Negative” Symptoms

Schizophrenia Story
  www.instyle.com

There are also a number of “negative” symptoms that might indicate that someone has schizophrenia. Someone afflicted might lose interest in things they used to enjoy or become unable to even do them anymore. One of the most common examples of this is a marked disinterest in hygiene or personal grooming habits.

 

Difficult To See

Schizophrenia Story
  www.medicalnewstoday.com

Despite how obvious they seem on the surface, these types of symptoms can be hard to spot. This is especially true in teens, who are already prone to emotional swings. Teenagers can go from ridiculously happy to outright depressed in the blink of an eye. These emotional changes are also a sure sign of depression as well, so it’s difficult to tell what might be causing them.

Emotionless

Schizophrenia Story
  www.iflscience.com

Depression is an equally difficult mental illness to spot, made even more difficult to diagnose by the fact that someone with schizophrenia might exhibit the exact same symptoms. A person with schizophrenia might not talk much and might seem “lost in their own head.” When they do talk, they might seem almost emotionless or show what is known as a flat affect.

Withdrawing

Schizophrenia Story
  www.huffingtonpost.com

People suffering from schizophrenia will also seem to withdraw more and more from their friends and family. They might become like a hermit and not wish to talk to others if they can help it. This might also be due to the voices in their head telling them to remain alone or warning them that everyone is out to get them.

Mostly Treatable

Schizophrenia Story
  www.everydayhealth.com

Historically, those who suffered from schizophrenia might have never known they had it before the disease took its toll on their sanity and social life. In recent years, though, more and more people are recovering from schizophrenia. In fact, an initial psychotic episode might be the key to overcoming the disease.

 

Multiple Therapies

Schizophrenia Story
  www.leadpilates.com

These days, treating schizophrenia usually involves a two-pronged approach: one part medication therapy and one part psychotherapy. It isn’t an easy process of course, but it can minimize symptoms and even keep them away long enough for the severity of the illness to wane over time.

Medication And Psychotherapy

Schizophrenia Story
  www.everydayhealth.com

Antipsychotic medications are often very important in the treatment of schizophrenia and these medications should be taken daily in order for them to be effective. Medication must be bolstered by psychotherapy, however. Psychologists are useful in helping schizophrenics deal with the difficult, often sanity-warping symptoms of the disease.

Over Time

Schizophrenia Story
  www.medicalnewstoday.com

With continued therapy, the affected can face their mental illness and work through the mental and physical symptoms to come back to a sense of normalcy. Thankfully, most people who suffer from schizophrenia find that symptoms do improve naturally as they age and that they require less and less therapy as a result.

Signs Someone You Know Might Suffer From Schizophrenia is an article from: LifeDaily

Criminal Enterprise Busted After Posting Unusual Ad On Social Media

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Gang Social Media Story

Some people will do almost anything to make money. From the ridiculous to the immoral, when greed takes ahold of someone even breaking the law isn’t out of the question. But, as the common theory goes, every criminal makes a mistake, leaving themselves open to getting caught.

In order to make the greatest profit, a gang set up an operation selling one of the most treasured and precious things in the world. When they posted an unusual advertisement online, however, someone with a conscious stepped in before it was too late.

A Global Marketplace

Gang Social Media Story
  www.huffingtonpost.com

While the internet was first lauded as a way to help people from around the world stay connected, it quickly became a booming international marketplace where practically anything can be sold to buyers all over the globe.

 

A Disturbing Advertisement

Gang Social Media Story
  www.businessnewsdaily.com

Today, it’s impossible to go online without coming across advertisements for all sorts of goods or services. However, in June of 2018, some concerned citizens in China came across an advertisement that literally stopped them in their tracks…

 

A Baby For Sale

Gang Social Media Story
  www.inkstonenews.com

The ad, which was posted on Facebook and other websites in mid-June, was for a ‘newborn healthy baby boy.’ At first, the viewers of the ad didn’t believe a real baby was being sold online, but when they clicked on the link to read more, they were horrified by what they saw.

 

Putting A Price On Life

Gang Social Media Story
  moral.followcn.com

Inside the advertisement, the seller explained that the newborn baby boy, which was being sold for just 60,000 yuan or about $9,200 US dollars, had just been born in a hospital in Yiyang, China. According to the seller, the baby’s parents were unable to care for him…

 

The Shocking Details

Gang Social Media Story
  www.pixabay.com

Along with more information about the birth parents, who “felt unable to raise a second child,” the seller included 2 videos of the infant to prove he was healthy. “Please come to Hunan, Yiyang quickly,” the seller wrote to anyone serious about buying the baby.

 

Contacting The Police

Gang Social Media Story
  blogs.wsj.com

While the advertisement was probably seen by hundreds of people in the days it was online, only a handful of people were concerned enough about the child to call the police and report the concerning and illegal advertisement…

 

Time Is Of The Essence

Gang Social Media Story
  www.asianews.it

“Multiple media outlets and an unnamed individual reported that infants were being trafficked from a hospital in Yiyang on June 21,” a local police department said in a statement. Because a life was literally on the line, detectives immediately opened an investigation.

 

The Mission

Gang Social Media Story
  www.huffingtonpost.com

The police’s objective was to find out if the advertisement was legitimate, find the seller, and locate the baby that was for sale before it was too late If they found that the child was really in danger of being sold online…

 

The First Arrests

Gang Social Media Story
  www.inkstonenews.com

Investigators made their way to the hospital where the baby had been born, and when they arrived, they found 3 suspects at the scene. Thankfully, the baby hadn’t been sold yet, but the police arrested the suspects at the scene for attempting to traffic an infant.

 

The Investigation Continues

Gang Social Media Story
  www.dragonsocial.net

“The department arrested three suspects at the scene,” the department said in a statement. It appeared as if their job was finished, but according to the police, they continued to investigate the situation and were horrified by what their digging uncovered…

 

The Tip Of The Iceberg

Gang Social Media Story
  www.sputniknews.com

During the investigation, police found that the 3 suspects originally arrested were just the tip of the iceberg. Not only were there more people involved in the specific case, but the suspects were members of a gang that had formed a business out of selling people.

 

A Criminal Operation

Gang Social Media Story
  www.hindustantimes.com

“After the establishment of an investigative panel, we arrested three further suspects. So far, there are 6 people [in custody] and the case remains under investigation,” the police said as they found evidence that made them believe this wasn’t the first baby the gang had tried to sell…

 

A Never Ending Supply

Gang Social Media Story
  www.hotelroomsearch.net

According to the police, the gang based out of Yiyang, Hunan province, would routinely contact pregnant women after arriving at the hospital to give birth and ask them if they were considering giving up the child for adoption.

 

The Offer

Gang Social Media Story
  www.echeck.org

If the parents were considering giving their baby up, the gang would tell the mothers that they could find buyers for the baby within 2 to 3 days and they could be sold for as much as $9,200. If the mother agreed, they would then force her to sign away her rights as a parent…

 

An Appalling Declaration

Gang Social Media Story
  www.divorcedguygrinning.com

“I give up my infant voluntarily [and] for free. I hope you [the adopted parents] can treat him with kindness,” the declaration, which the mothers were forced to sign, read. After that, the gang would post ads online on places like Facebook and WeChat, a popular messaging platform.

 

Sold To The Highest Bidder

Gang Social Media Story
  Huangdan2060 / Wikipedia

According to the police’s investigation, the members of the gang had contacts at hospitals across the city, which gave them access to more babies to sell to complete strangers on the internet no matter what their intentions with the child…

 

An End To The Operation

Gang Social Media Story
  www.amarujala.com

Thanks to the individuals who were concerned enough about the child’s welfare to contact the police, he was not sold online to the highest bidder and other unborn babies have been spared as the gang’s illegal and immoral operation has finally been stopped.

 

Highlighting A Bigger Problem

Gang Social Media Story
  www.cbsnews.com

While this innocent baby and others in the area have been spared for now, officials explained that countless other infants are still at risk since child trafficking is rampant throughout China, especially in poor regions of the country…

 

A Hot Commodity

Gang Social Media Story
  www.financialexpress.com

While China doesn’t release statistics on child kidnappings to the public, it’s estimated that about 70,000 kids go missing and are never found every single year. In fact, kids in China have become such a commodity that the government was forced to create an anti-kidnapping task force.

A Tragic Fate

Gang Social Media Story
  www.thedailybeast.com

According to experts, some children are also willingly sold by their parents for money as they live in extreme poverty and can’t afford to raise their own child. Once in a trafficker’s custody, the children are either sold to families looking to adopt or are forced to work as thieves, forced laborers, or prostitutes.

Criminal Enterprise Busted After Posting Unusual Ad On Social Media is an article from: LifeDaily

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