Kovalt

Celiac Disease, also referred to as CD, is intolerance to gluten which is found predominantly in wheat but is present in other grains such as oats, barley rye and others. It is definitely on the rise for previously only 1 in every 3000 was diagnosed and now it is 1 in every 133.

I most cases of this, gluten damages the small intestine mucosa resulting in the reduced ability to absorb nutrients, leaving the bowel in a state of chronic inflammation and the body depleted of nutrients. Symptoms are very wide range such as chronic fatigue, irritable bowel, constipation, chronic bloating, chronic sinusitis, rashes, itchy skin, chronic muscle pain, allergies, weight gain or loss, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet and dizziness just to name a few.

There is a type of CD that predominately affects the nervous system. It is referred to as gluten ataxia. The symptoms are predominately neurological with little or no gastrointestinal symptoms present. The neurological symptoms of gluten ataxia mimic the symptoms of multiple sclerosis so closely that it should be ruled out when diagnosing MS

There are researchers that suspect a link between Candida albicans (yeast overgrowth) and CD. It is also suspected that irritable bowel syndrome, crohn’s disease and fibomyalgia all stem from Candida albicans. Does that mean that all people diagnosed with CD also have Candida albicans? Researchers believe that it’s certainly worth looking into. I know many people with celiac disease who go on a faithful “gluten free” diet and do not feel much better. For those it would be wise to incorporate a “Candida” diet and take huge amounts of probiotics (acidophilus and bifidophilus).

CD is suspected to be associated with hypothyroid problems, specifically Hashimoto’s disease.

Those with anemia, osteoporosis, diabetes, lactose intolerance or autoimmune illness are more prone to it. Children are also being diagnosed with CD. Children with this disease are prone to osteomalacia.

There are so many symptoms that mimic other diseases; it is important to rule out it. There are blood tests available for it; however many laboratories are using the “old” tests such as; the determination of anti-gliadin antibodies, which has shown to be unreliable. It’s also the one that most insurance company’s cover. The new tests are more accurate and more expensive. These new tests are known as the IgA antihuman tissue transglutaminase and the IgA endomysial antibody immunofluorescence. Another problem with test results is that most people that suspect CD stop eating gluten prior to testing. This alone will create false results because in order for the antibodies to be produced and measured, gluten products must be consumed regularly before testing.

Finally and foremost what do people with CD have to eat? Gluten is everywhere and in everything. It takes much research and planning. Foods such as meats, poultry, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts are permissible. Some grains are also gluten free such as quinoa, soy, teff, rice, buckwheat and amaranth. Most people with CD are also looking for ready made breads, convenience food and snacks that are gluten free. More companies are realizing this and offering ready made gluten free foods such as breads, pizza dough, cinnamon raison rolls, brownie mixes, cake mixes, pancake mixes, waffles, crispy rice cereal, cream of buckwheat cereal, crackers, chips, butter shortbread cookies, coconut macaroon’s, crispy rice snack bars brown rice pasta, brown rice noodles, various gluten free flours, bouillon cubes and much more. These foods should be consumed in moderation for they are still considered processed. The focus should always be on fresh foods, no matter what diet one chooses to follow.

If you or someone you know doesn’t have insurance to cover the blood tests and suspects CD, merely go on a gluten free diet for a month or so and if symptoms don’t improve then incorporate a “Candida” diet for another month.

Michael Comeau has been owner of many successful businesses over the years including his current online business which can be viewed at http://www.workfromhome4dollars.com/ArticleHealth9.php

You may also find more articles by Michael Comeau at http://www.workfromhome4dollars.com

It should be understood that Crohn’s Disease can not be cured or treated with nutritional change. Food intake or allergies also do not cause Crohn’s Disease. However, after the disease is present, certain foods may aggravate the effects of Crohn’s and may be eliminated to reduce side effects.

There is no special diet Crohn’s sufferers should follow. For the most part, you should monitor your diet and the results of such on your body. One way of doing this is by utilizing a food diary in which you log such information. This way, you can keep track of any negative effects certain foods may have. Furthermore, the part of your intestine that is affected by Crohn’s may determine how your body reacts to certain foods and these results may change as time goes by.

Certain diets are being advertised as being effective in treating Crohn’s disease, such as “The Specific Carbohydrate Diet”. However, diets that make such claims are only supported by testimonials and have no scientific support. This should be considered in the validity of the diet. However, certain claims of the diet may be accurate, such as reducing gas and bloating by eliminating hard to digest foods. It should be understood that while certain side effects of the disease may be reduced, it does not actually lessen inflammation or cure the disease.

However, there are certain factors that should be kept in mind in regards to Crohn’s Disease and nutrition. One of which is malnutrition. Due to inadequate food intake, poor absorption, and a combination of diarrhea and vomiting, sufferers often do not have proper nutrient levels in their body. Therefore, special care should be taken to either take supplements or to maintain a proper diet. Also, dehydration is a very serious concern. Excessive diarrhea, as a result of the emptying of the intestines and inadequate absorption of liquids in the large intestines, may lead to dehydration which, in turn, can cause dysfunction of the kidneys or excessive weakness.

A possible treatment to aid in proper vitamin and mineral intake, nutritional support may be utilized. This is the use of a feeding tube through the stomach or small bowel to assure adequate nutrition.

New research is being done in the area of nutritional therapy. The use of fish or flaxseed oils has been shown to decrease inflammation in the digestive tract. The use of probiotics, or good bacteria, has also shown promise in restoring balance to the intestine.

Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Crohn’s Disease.

For more of her articles, go to http://www.imedicalvillage.com now.
Click here now and read more of her articles.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very common problem that consists of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is common knowledge that COPD may be caused by cigarette smoking. In fact up to 90% or more of the COPD cases may be caused by smoking and it is the most common cause. However, there are many other etiologies for this disease that need to be considered. These include occupational exposure, air pollution, genetics, or autoimmune processes.

Occupation exposure is a known cause for COPD. People that work in coal mines, gold mines, textile factories, welding jobs, or jobs that involve working with cadmium or silicone are examples occupations that often lead to COPD. As an example of how real this is, you can see commercials by lawyers that promise big rewards for suing companies that exposed their workers to these chemicals without proper protection. This also leads to the point that certain occupation exposures can lead to other health problems as well (such as cancers or silicosis). However, keep in mind that this is still not as major a risk factor as cigarette smoking.

Air pollution is another cause of COPD. This is more of an issue in larger cities where there are a lot more automobile traffic producing the harmful gasses that can cause COPD. Besides outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution can also occur (for example from not have having ventilated living areas and being exposed to chemicals or toxins from burning fuel inside a home).

Genetics (what you get from your parents) is another possible cause for COPD. Some people are more prone to get COPD than others. This explains why some people can smoke all their life and still not get lung cancer or COPD (because they have genes that allow them to repair damage caused by cigarette smoke).

An autoimmune process is another etiology to consider when thinking about causes of chronic obstructive lung disease. It has been observed that there are inflammatory processes (caused by the body’s own immune cells) going on in the lungs of COPD patients. This is a process that is independent of smoking but may be triggered by smoking and then continue on its own (even after the person stops to smoke).

In conclusion, we must realize that smoking is the most common cause of COPD or chronic obstructive lung disease but we should also be aware of other causes of this debilitating disorder.

When not reading medical texts or studying, Saif enjoys tinkering with gadgets like a Spy Pen.

Copyright 2009 MSNoteBook http://msnotebook.com (a health information project of Saifullah Nasir)

Are you rest assured thinking that gum disease is something pertained to grandparents or the elderly people? But the truth is revealed now and according to a shocking estimate it has been stated that the majority teen population in the United States suffer from Gum disease and the greatest reason why they lose teeth.

It is a serious problem and never takes it lightly as it can lead to initial or more embarrassing problems like bad breath to serious problems like immense pain and loss of teeth. For this first, you will have to know about the disease and learn about the symptoms or sign so that you identify it at the right time and take proper periodontal treatment.

Gum disease is also known by another name which is periodontal disease. It can be defined as the infection affecting the bones as well as the tissues that hold the teeth. Plaque is one of the major reasons of gum disease. Plaque can be defined as the gooey surface containing germs which is of course not noticeable and usually seen on the gums and teeth naturally. Bacteria are the common cause of plaque and so gum disease which initiates the production of toxin thus causing severe damage and serious issues to the gums.

As our mouth contains a lot of bacteria, fighting against plaque is a difficult process. These are the reasons why brushing, flossing as well as regular visits to the dentists are given enough importance.

Periodontitis treatment is has to be taken and considered if you at the risk of being captured by Periodontal Disease. There is a close connection of this disease with that of hereditary. Usually it happens in teens as they just have some kind of snacks along with a soft drink and fail to even floss or brush teeth until you reach home.

You might be aware that the two greatest enemies of your teeth are sugar and starch and still don’t take enough care while having them. Therefore it is very important to take extra care while taking anything which is sugary or starchy and also make sure that you brush or floss your teeth before you jump into any other job.

The toughest part while fighting with plaque in periodontal disease is when you have braces. You will have to take double care in such cases and also in other medical conditions like Down’s syndrome or Diabetes. There are also chances that certain medicines you consume can also result in such problems thus making the situation terrible for you.

Did you know that stress, too much tension, less sleep and an unbalanced diet can also lead to physical weakening of your body thus exposing your body to any kind of infection including your gums?

Girls are more susceptible to Gum disease when compared to that boys and therefore periodontal treatment is very significant in their cases. This is because the release of sex hormones in females during puberty leads to problems and irritation in the gums. There are also chances of gum bleeding a few days before your regular periods.

Therefore it is very important to take enough care and timely periodontitis treatment to have a healthy and sweet looking smile!

Gum Disease

Periodontitis Treatment

A condition that affects thousands of people across the country is known as Crohn’s Disease. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it can completely change a person’s life. Information concerning the symptoms and possible treatment options for Crohn’s Disease can be found below.

Crohn’s Disease Symptoms And Causes

Crohn’s Disease is a condition that affects the stomach and the digestive process. The disease will manifest itself in a number of different ways. Symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and loss of appetite. Additional damage to the stomach and intestines can also be symptoms of this condition. Intestinal bleeding is another problem associated with this disease, which could lead to other problems.

Inflammation of the bowels or intestines has been labeled as the cause of Crohn’s Disease. Infection and problems with the immune system may be part of the cause of the inflammation.

Treatments

There are a number of treatment options available for Crohn’s Disease. Many times it can be controlled by making changes to one’s diet. Most often, however, prescription anti-inflammatory drugs must also be used. In the most severe cases, surgery is often the only way to find relief. It’s also important to use supplements to get the proper amount of nutrients into your body. Crohn’s Disease will often prevent the body from absorbing nutrients from the food you eat. This can lead to a host of other issues if it is not treated properly.

Crohn’s Disease is just one of many conditions that affect the digestive system. Colitis is often mistaken for it, as it displays many of the same symptoms. With Colitis the inflammation is located in the colon, or large intestines.

The psychological affects of these diseases must also be addressed. Many times, the embarrassment and life altering affect it has can be devastating. This is why there have been more provisions made for dealing with this end of it over the last several years. Counseling has become more common as a means to deal with these issues. There are also support groups popping up as a result of this life changing condition.

Making drastic lifestyle changes is how to successfully deal with this type of condition. For now there is no known cure, but this disease can be controlled. Studies have been unable to determine the exact causes of these conditions. When a condition goes into remission and then returns at a later time, such as Crohn’s, this is known as a chronic disease.

Do you suffer from Crohn’s Disease or know a person that does? Get a better understanding of this life altering condition by reading this article, An Overview Of Crohn’s Disease To view more articles on Crohn’s Disease visit, http://www.crohns.jsgenterprises.com

This chronic and inflammatory disease of the bowel which leads to a cacophony of life altering symptoms including pain and rectal bleeding, Crohn’s Disease is a battle many face today.

Unfortunately there is no currently no cure for Crohn’s disease, but there are many treatment options available that have been successfully used by many in the long term treatment and management of their thiss disease.

There are various Crohn’s disease treatment options. Many patients find that a combination of therapies work best at controlling their symptoms. Options include prescription medications, nutritional supplements, and in extreme cases, surgical intervention.

Currently there are several categories of prescription strength medication used in the treatment of Crohn’s. Medication classes such as anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, and even anti-diarrhea medications or fluid replacements have all been used successfully in the battle of thiss disease. Patients often find a complex combination of these drugs best control symptoms.

Because of the inflammation of the GI tract which goes hand in hand with Crohn’s disease, the anti-inflammatory drugs work well since they reduce inflammation. There are several common anti-inflammatory medications used in the treatment of Crohn’s, such as Sulfasalazine, Pentasa, Asacol or Dipentum. Some of these have rather nasty side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and wicked heartburn. If the side effects are too much, then another drug can be tried instead.

Medications used to treat Crohn’s disease may also include steroids. Typically patients begin steroids at a high dosage when the disease is most active and then the dosage is lower as symptoms become more controlled. Steroids have a great reputation for helping to control it. One of the more negative side effects unfortunately is that this drug makes you much more susceptible to an infection.

Another exciting promise in the field of drugs used to treat Crohn’s disease is a medication by the name of Remicade. This drug is showing lots of promise because of its reaction. It is the first in a group of drugs that block the body’s inflammatory response. Remicade is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s that has not responded to the traditional therapies.

Anti-diarrhreal medications are also used in the treatment. These drugs are helpful since the abdominal pain and diarrhea associated with Crohn’s is one of the toughest things to handle.

Prescription medications designed to suppress the human immune system are also used to treat and manage Crohn’s disease. These amines suppressing drugs work by blocking the body’s natural immune reaction that contributes to the inflammation of the G.I. tract. Some patients report side effects such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Often patients are also less able to fight off an infection.

Some patients with Crohn’s disease are treated with antibiotics since these medications can target bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.

Drugs to treat the disease are a must in the battle for control and for a more positive outcome on your long term health. Ignoring the symptoms of Crohn’s disease or choosing to be non-complaint with your prescribed medication treatment is a poor choice and one that should be avoided.

So get together with your doctor and work it out. Together you can make the best decision about the right drugs for you in treating this disease.

For more important information on stomach pain visit a-stomach-pain.com There’s information on stomach pain causes such as Crohn’s disease and other articles at http://www.a-stomach-pain.com

I have suffered from Crohn’s disease since I was eleven years old. At first the doctors did not know what was wrong with me and put my illness down to growing pains. They eventually diagnosed me with crohn’s disease when I was fourteen. I had to endure several months of painful examinations and had two years off school as I was so ill. I was put on steroids and had to have operations to remove part of my intestine. I have tried lots of different prescription drugs over the years but they all had horrible side effects and made me feel so ill. It wasn’t until I reached the age of 28 that I started to look for alternative medicines. One natural remedy for Crohn’s disease is aromatherapy, which some people believe helps rejuvenate the body and promote healing. Many people believe that there is a strong link between the mind and body and that, by repairing the mind, they are able to repair the body as well. Using calming scents, users of aromatherapy soothe away mental and physical stress, allowing the body a chance to recuperate from the daily stresses that weaken the immune system. Maintaining a healthy immune system is a great natural remedy for Crohn’s disease.

Controlling crohn’s disease the natural way:

Herbalism is used to treat a multitude of problems by using the whole plant, rather than extracting a key ingredient. While modern medicine and herbalism work best together, they are often in opposition because each side believes their way is best. This natural remedy for Crohn’s disease claims to treat the cause of the illness, as opposed to eradicating the symptoms. The theory is that all the medicine a person needs can be found already in nature and, that if they are used properly, the body will repair itself. A combination of herbs and other plants are used as a natural remedy for Crohn’s disease in a multitude of ways. The herbs soothe the nervous system which, in turn, calms gastrointestinal distress. One of the best herbal remedies I have used is a product called Aloe MP Plus which is the best crohn’s disease medication I have tried and is the ultimate crohn’s disease natural remedy. I would not be without it. It has changed my life. The other product I use is called Esdifan which controls any diarrhea and allows me to eat foods which I would not normally be allowed to eat. They are both ways in controlling crohn’s disease the natural way, with no side effects, which actually work.

learn how to control crohns the natural way,please visit http://www.crohnsinfoonline.com this is a informative site bout Crohns Disease

Crohn’s Disease (also known as ulcerative colitis, granulomatous enteritis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis) is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract (also known as the gastrointestinal tract). Crohn’s Disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, however it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease – the common name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn’s Disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.

The cause of Crohn’s Disease is unknown. It is suspected that infection by certain bacteria, such as strains of mycobacterium, may be the cause of Crohn’s Disease. However, there has been no conclusive evidence that the disease is caused by infection. Crohn’s Disease is not contagious. Although diet may affect the symptoms in patients with Crohn’s disease, it is not likely that diet is actually responsible for the onset of the disease.

The most common Crohn’s Disease symptoms are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Less common symptoms include poor appetite, fever, night sweats, rectal pain, and rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, and skin problems, may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn’s Disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies.

A thorough physical exam and a series of tests may be required to diagnose Crohn’s Disease. Blood tests to check for anemia – which could indicate bleeding in the intestines. Blood tests may also uncover a high white blood cell count, which is a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body. By testing a stool sample, the doctor can tell if there is bleeding or infection in the intestines.

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage. Crohn’s Disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus.

Crohn’s Disease affects both men and women and can run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn’s Disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn’s Disease can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn’s Disease.

Treatment for Crohn’s Disease may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these options. Treatment controls inflammation, corrects nutritional deficiencies, and relieves symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment can help control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence – however – there is no cure. Treatment for Crohn’s Disease depends on the location and severity of disease, complications, and the person’s response to previous medical treatments when treated for reoccurring symptoms.

Some people have long periods of remission, sometimes years, when they are free of symptoms. However, the disease usually recurs at various times over a person’s lifetime.

This changing pattern of the disease means you cannot always tell when a treatment has helped. It is not possible to predict when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return. A person with Crohn’s Disease may need medical care for a long time, with regular doctor visits to monitor the condition.

Gay Redmile is the webmaster of numerous health and well being sites. For further important information and latest news on Crohn’s Disease – visit her site at http://www.crohnsdisease.wellbeinginfosite.com or for a wealth of other well being information visit http://www.wellbeinginfosite.com

Do you find yourself frustrated by long and unproductive conference calls? What reputation do you have for managing conference calls? Establish expectations and a reputation for short and effective conference calls. Get your time back for other activities.

ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS UP FRONT

If you are the moderator scheduling the conference call, send out a list in advance with pertinent information. This information should contain the Purpose of the call, dial number with PIN code if necessary, the moderator, the start time, the end time, list of participants and specific agenda items. Attached relevant documents to email invitations for the conference call so the participants can prepare in advance. If documents are required from other participants to review on the call, make sure that these are coordinated and completed in advance. The more prepared you are for the call, the productive the time can be and the better able that you will be to stay on schedule.

PURPOSE

List the purpose or topic of the call clearly and succinctly. This should be the goal or objective of the call. Typically a conference call should be limited to one or two specific goals. This enables you to keep the conference call focused and succinct.

In some cases it may be more difficult to keep a conference call focused on a specific topic. For example, when reviewing the schedule for a large project there may be multiple topics that are relevant to time milestones in the project. If this is the case, keep the call focused on specific milestones that are due or relative to the point in the schedule.

Sometimes conference calls are used to gather information from many people in the field. These group calls can be effective if the purpose is for a moderator or manager to disperse information to several people simultaneously. However, if the call is used to gather information from several different individuals as a weekly update to management, is it really an effective use of time for anyone other than the manager? Is it really a good use of time to interrupt the schedules of many people to conduct a social town hall discussion in which each person waits in silent anticipation for peers to give a weekly update? Consider how much more effective it would be to obtain a written weekly report in lieu of a conference call. A written report can be read at convenience, creates a reference document for discussion if necessary, and enables the manager to work with priority or confidential communications in an appropriate manner. If you are already using both weekly reports and conference calls, then it is time to do some soul searching to determine if any of the communication is being treated with value or if it has just become a meaningless routine.

DIAL IN and PIN NUMBER

Always include the conference call Dial In Number and PIN Number on the invitation and any scheduled reminders. Make it easy to find the number. It can be a distraction to have people dial into the conference call late because they could not find the phone number.

MODERATOR

Every conference call should have one identified and assigned moderator. If there is a group of peers, it may be appropriate to rotate the role of moderator from time to time with repeating calls, Typically, the individual creating the invitation is the moderator. The moderator is responsible for making sure that the call starts and stops on time. The moderator is responsible for keeping the call on track and gently guiding individuals back on track in the event that conversation begins to run away on a tangent. The moderator may also be responsible for controlling emotional responses or maintaining a professional level of courteous communications. It may be necessary to encourage some individuals to participate, or discourage some individuals who may have a tendency to filibuster. It is the responsibility of the moderator to keep the call on schedule and focused on the purpose of the call.

It is the role of the moderator to reduce or eliminate distractions or interruptions. It is the role of the participants to remain quiet and respectful unless there is something useful and relevant to add to the conversation. Distractions may sometimes appear as opinions, jokes, anecdotes or personal stories that contribute very little to the progress of the conversation. It is the responsibility of the moderator to control the call and keep it focused.

START TIME and END TIME

Schedule the call to start five minutes past the hour. Most calls are scheduled to start precisely on the hour and the first five minutes of the call are wasted while waiting for some individuals to dial into the call. Sometimes it is difficult to start on the hour because a previous call or meeting may be ending precisely on the hour. Schedule your call to start five minutes past the hour and start precisely at the scheduled time. If you always start at the scheduled time, you will develop a reputation for being precise and the participants will plan accordingly. If you always start late or consistently spend the first five minutes waiting for participants to join the call, then the other participants will become accustomed to this delay. Schedule the call to start five minutes past the hour and start the call on time every time.

Schedule a precise End Time for the call and stick to it. Develop a reputation for ending your calls on time. It will create a sense of urgency and a rhythm for the conference calls as people realize that the purpose of the call must be met in a designated amount of time. It will enable the participants to schedule other activities after the call with confidence. It will keep the call focused. Complete the call with a summary of highlights and action items. If there are follow-up items, or if additional time is required, schedule the next phone call and use the summary highlights and action items as the agenda for the next conference call. Every action item should have name or names of associated owners to complete, or there is no purpose for the list of action items.

ROLL CALL

Conduct a time check near the end of the call and reserve the last few minutes for summary wrap-up and roll call. What, roll call at the end of the call? Yes, do your roll call at the end of the call, not at the beginning. It is inevitable that some individuals may join the call late. Avoid the temptation to wait for participants to join or to introduce distractions and interruptions by late arrivals. Start the call on time and get right to the purpose of the call. Conduct your roll call at the end when everyone has had a chance to join.

YOUR NEXT CALL

Example: Schedule a conference call to start five minutes past the hour and start precisely on time. Schedule the call for 40 minutes, unlike most calls that are scheduled for one hour. The shorter period of time and specific start and stop times will get the attention of the participants. There will be a sense of urgency since the call will not consume an entire hour, regardless of the topic. Do a time check at 30 minutes into the call, reminding participants that the call will have a hard stop at 40 minutes. At 35 minutes begin the wrap-up of the call, restate the highlights or commitments and use this to establish the agenda for the next call. Finish your call with a roll call of attendees and terminate the call at 40 minutes as planned. If you this consistently, the other participants will prepare appropriately in advance of the call for the fast paced rhythm of the call and focus on purpose. Side conversations and distractions will diminish, participants will be timely, and everyone will benefit from better use of time.

INVITATION

The following is an example of a format that can be used for conference call invitations. It is designed to establish the expectations and character of the conference call. Apply structure to your conference calls and earn a reputation for consistent focused punctuality. That is a good reputation to have if you want to have more productive conference calls and more time back to yourself.

Conference Call Purpose: ______________________________

Dial In Number: ____________________ PIN: ____________________

Moderator: ______________________________

Start Time: __(Example: 10:05 AM)__________ End Time: __(Example: 10:45 AM)__________

Participants: ___(Name)___________________________

___(Name)___________________________

___(Name)___________________________

Agenda Topics: ___(First Priority)___________________________

___(Second Priority)_________________________

___(Third Priority)___________________________

* This call will start precisely at the Start Time and end at the designated time. Please be on time. There will be a roll call at the end of the conference call, so it will not be necessary to announce yourself if you dial in late. The last five minutes of the call will be reserved for summary wrap-up and assignment of action items for the next scheduled call if necessary. Please prepare or review any relevant materials prior to the call. In the event that the agenda items are not fully covered in the allotted time for this conference call, another call will be scheduled. Thank you for your cooperation. Let’s get ready for productive and focused communication.

______________________________________________________

Words of Wisdom

“A conference is a gathering of important people who singly can do nothing, but together can decide that nothing can be done.”

- Fred Allen

“The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence.”

- Robert J. Shiller

“Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.”

- Oprah Winfrey

______________________________________________________

About the Author:

John Mehrmann is a freelance writer and President of Executive Blueprints Inc., an organization devoted to improving business practices and developing human capital

John Mehrmann is a freelance author, industry expert and President of Executive Blueprints Inc, an organization dedicated to developing human capital and personal growth.

The numerous medical details behind the ailment commonly known as “Crohn’s Disease” are rather complex; especially to those of us who don’t have dozens of years of clinical training in our professional past. In the simplest terms, Crohn’s Disease results from an inflammation often located in the small intestine (a.k.a. “the ileum”). There is some strong evidence that suggests that this inflammation is caused by a virus. Though generally localized in the small intestine, this inflammation has the potential to adversely affect any area of the entire digestive tract. As a result, the bowels are constantly agitated and often compelled to empty, leading to diarrhea, discomfort, and pain.

Indeed, this is a very simple way of grasping the essence of Crohn’s Disease, and to truly understand the details, a great deal of medical study and experience is necessary. Yet with this being said, there’s one thing that can be concluded without hesitation; something that doesn’t take years to study or grasp. For the millions of people who suffer from Crohn’s Disease, their life is unfairly filled with pain, often constant discomfort, and a looming fear of being unable to control their bowel movements.

It’s fair to say – in fact, it’s an understatement to say – that people who suffer from Crohn’s Disease are forced to dramatically change their entire lifestyle. Some people – and this is not dramatic at all – have been forced to quit their jobs, or cancel vacations simply because of the tremendous stress that the disease places on a sufferers physical and emotional health.

Treatment Options

The US National Institute of Health (NIH) outlines the treatment “options” that Crohn’s Disease sufferers are often forced to choose from: drugs or surgery. The NIH also points out, very clearly, that according to them there is no cure for Crohn’s Disease. As a result, pharmaceutical and surgical treatment methods focus on symptom management; they do not and cannot cure the disease. At the very most, they can mitigate some of the pain and discomfort; though, naturally, with the introduction of side effects that can adversely affect other biological systems, including emotional health. Some of the side effects include:

· nausea

· vomiting

· heartburn

· diarrhea

· headache

Drugs

The NIH points out that pharmaceutical remedies (for lack of a better word) containing the ingredient mesalamine are common prescribed to people suffering from Crohn’s Disease. Mesalamine is an anti-inflammatory, and seeks to target the inflammation in the ileum. However, drugs containing mesalamine (such as Sulfasalazine) are not curative; they can not treat the inflammation. They can merely mask it to some extent. The body is still suffering and the problem still remains, but the drug controls some of the felt inflammation.

If the problem is more severely felt, some patients may be prescribed steroids (corticosteroids). These drugs, as can be assumed, lead to severe side effects if taken over a longer period of time, including those noted above. Steroids can also make a person more vulnerable to infection, which can thus expose them to additional health problems aside from the Crohn’s Disease that they’re trying to address.

Other drugs, such as Infliximab, have been approved by the FDA for those suffering from more severe Crohn’s Disease. But it is not free from side-effects either and for the common Crohn’s sufferer it is prohibitively expensive. And some people develop antibodies rendering its effect void.

Surgery

One of the most remarkable things about the human body is its regenerative properties; break some skin, and new cells rush to the exposed area. Break a bone, and immediately the body sends in reinforcements to start the healing process. Generally, this is seen as a wonderful – indeed mysterious – quality of the inexplicable intelligence of the human body.

Ironically, however, this is not always such a positive thing. For example, Crohn’s Disease sufferers sometimes opt for surgery to remove the inflammed area of the ileum. Yet, remarkably, it often grows back in some other part of the intestine. In this light, surgical options for Crohn’s Disease sufferers is not always a method of releving pain and suffering; it’s a last resort measure to address an even more serious problem in the area, such as intestinal bleeding or the formation of an abscess. In such dire situations, surgery may take place; but it is only temporary, and done to treat the bigger problem. The Crohn’s Disease remains.

Some Crohn’s Disease sufferers also opt (or are persuaded to opt by their doctor) a surgical solution called a colectomy. A colectomy literally cuts off the entire colon, and body waste is expelled through a small opening near the abdomen. The fact that some people in the medical community consider this a “solution” – forcing people to wear a pouch around their stomach to collect waste that previously flowed through their (now surgically removed) colon — is a testament to the fact that people with Crohn’s Disease are not provided with the real solution that they deserve: one that actually treats the problem at the source.

Over-The-Counter Remedies

When comparing Crohn’s disease to other ailments it might surprise that there exist only very few herbal products and over-the-counter medications for Crohn’s disease. And most of these are just tablets containing vitamins or minerals which are meant to replenish any deficits which can result as a consequence of Crohn’s disease. To some extent these products can alleviate secondary symptoms but they do not address the cause of the disease. Aloe vera products have been quite popular but by now the scientific community has debunked its efficacy except for skin related disorders.

The only herbal product on the market which is designed only for Crohn’s disease is SedaCrohn. It is still relatively new on the market but reports from Crohn’s sufferers are promising. SedaCrohn acts by two separate mechanisms. First of all it has immune-modulating properties which apparently are able to inhibit the inflammation. And secondly, perhaps more interestingly, it has proven antiviral properties and thus attack what many researchers believe is the underlying cause of Crohn’s Disease: a virus.

As a consequence, many users of SedaCrohn report that their flare-ups have disappeared for much longer intervals or even copmletely after taking SedaCrohn for several months. If this is the long awaited natural relief remains to be seen.

Drugs, Surgery, or Natural Remedies?

The best way to deal with Crohn’s differs from person to person. There is probably no way to avoid prescription drugs completely for all the time. But at the same time its certainly advisable to take one’s fate in its own hand and try to find the dietary changes or natural products which work best for himself or herself.

1. Eure, Marian. “Causes and Complications of Crohns”. About.com. http://seniorhealth.about.com/cs/digestivetract/a/crohns.htm

2. “Crohn’s Disease”. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse – National Institute of Health. [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/index.htm]