Nobody wants to talk about the... butt scope. But since butt issues aren't just an old person's thing anymore, let's get down to business. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and has a 90% five-year survival rate when found in its early stages. MDsave doesn't want to hear your excuses. They have #truth all day long. Six Colonoscopy Myths, Dubunked Excuse #1: I heard colonoscopies are painful. The Truth: Today, most colonoscopies are performed under sedation, and most of the time, you won’t even remember the procedure. Crack Wise-dom: It's not any worse than the reaming you get at work, no? Excuse #2: I don’t know if I can handle the prep. The Truth: The bowel cleanse to prepare for a colonoscopy is easier now than it’s ever been. Instead of drinking a gallon of prep in one go, there are now half-gallon options. Some doctors will also order a split dose, so you can drink half the night before your procedure and half in the morning. Crack Wise-dom: When you say you "give a shit", you'll actually mean it. A lot. Excuse #3: I don’t have a family history of colon cancer, so I’m not at risk. The Truth: 1 in 18 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer. Some risk factors mean you should talk to your doctor about getting screened sooner, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (e.g., Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis) or Lynch Syndrome. Crack Wise-dom: Don't be stupid. Excuse #4: I’m too young to get colon cancer. The Truth: While rates of colon cancer are falling in the 50+ crowd, they’re on the rise in young adults. Researchers speculate that higher rates of obesity may be a factor. To reduce your risk, keep your weight in a healthy range and ask about any colon cancer or other risk factors in your family. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms: Rectal bleeding, changes in stool color or size, change in bowel habits, colon or rectal pain. Crack Wise-dom: You're never too young to be stupid. Excuse #5: I can’t afford a colonoscopy. The Truth: There are solutions out there like MDsave. Their pre-negotiated rates are about 40-60% lower than the national average cost, with trusted local doctors across the country. A colonoscopy National Average Price: $3,772. MDsave Average Price: $1,647. Crack Wise-dom: You can't afford groceries and gas, either, so... Excuse #6: It’s easier to just send my stool in the mail The Truth: Agreeing to that cheaper, easier DNA screening for colorectal cancer can cost consumers much more in the end. Because if that test comes back positive, some insurers and Medicare stop coverage as a preventive service towards a colonoscopy that your doctor will inevitably order next. Crack Wise-dom: This is not what "What can brown do for you?" means. While we’ve made a lot of progress, there is still some stigma surrounding anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD and more. So, let’s make this new year one of a new outlook. Dr. Vinay Saranga is a psychiatrist and founder of Saranga Comprehensive Psychiatry. He says there are nine myths surrounding mental issues: Mental illness isn’t real: According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.8 million, or 18.5%—experiences mental illness in a given year. Mental illness is very real and is accompanied by many uncomfortable and debilitating symptoms. Mental illness only occurs in weak people: Mental illness can happen to anyone. It’s not about how smart or strong you are. It’s usually a result of an imbalance of certain brain chemicals, is hereditary, due to your environment or in response to specific life events and circumstances. You can ‘just get over it:’ Telling someone with anxiety or depression to “snap out of it” or “just get over it” is one of the worst things you can say. It diminishes the severity and seriousness of the condition, makes it sound like you don’t believe what they are going through, and knocks down their self-esteem. Anxiety is just nerves: Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric conditions and include OCD, panic disorder, PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety is in response to a specific set of circumstances that are quickly addressed and resolved. Other times, anxiety can become a real psychiatric condition that must be addressed for a lifetime. Depression is just a bad case of the blues: Depression involves much more than just feeling sad. It’s a serious psychiatric condition that leaves the sufferer feeling tired, hopeless, at a higher risk of suicide, problems with appetite, feeling guilty, loss of self-worth and aches and pain. Stress is not a big deal: Life is chaotic and all the craziness usually manifests itself as stress. Unfortunately, many people play this off as nothing to worry about. Stress is a very big deal and can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and more. Learning to deal with stress is important for your mental and physical health Antidepressants and antianxiety meds are handed out like candy: The truth is, many general practitioners and family doctors write too many prescriptions for psychiatric medications instead of referring their patients to a psychiatrist. Nonetheless, these medications are a lifesaver for people who are truly suffering from anxiety and depression. My ADHD is kicking in: Joking about ADHD is not funny. We’ve seen a spike in the diagnoses of ADHD in recent times, many times an incorrect diagnosis at that. ADHD is a real neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs in children, young adults and can go on into adulthood. My OCD is kicking in: OCD is often used to describe someone who is super organized, a neat freak or checks things over and over again. The truth is, OCD is a real anxiety disorder that severely interrupts a person’s ability to function unless certain rituals or sequences are followed. So… let’s stop judging each other, and instead support each other. Who couldn’t use a friend?
WTF with all the STDs?
According to the CDC, combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia (the three most commonly reported STDs) reached an all-time high in the U.S. in 2018. Mycoplasma genitalium (MG or Mgen) is the most-reported STD. Uh.... we've gotta go look that one up............................................................................................ It's a small and pathogenic bacterium that lives on the skin cells of the urinary and genital tracts in humans... resistant to multiple antibiotics... #letsblamechina Crack Wise-dom: According to the chart, the most cases are in rural America... #blamethesheep A 326% increase in cases involving gonorrhea in men? #blamethesheep Those over the age of 40 are the ones who should know better, but apparently don't. #blameyourself Stop acting like some jacked-up mad-doctor-villain from a James Bond movie by diagnosing your "illness". Get the PlushCare app, and get answers from real professionals. Over a third of us have been guilty of WebMD-ing and then freaking out, thinking we have some kind of condition. With PlushCare, you can book an appointment 24/7 on your smartphone (or computer), chat with a doctor, and pick up prescriptions at your pharmacy. Without insurance, your appointment is a flat rate of $99: with insurance, fork over your co-pay. Boom! No more thinking you're dying from Fragamylomia. With Coronavirus, and colds, and sinus “stuff” and… whatever waiting to invade our bodies out there, there’s got to be something we can do to alleviate the symptoms, or stop them from getting I-need-my-mommy-I-think-I’m-gonna-die worse. Dr. Suhyun An is an expert on regenerative medicine, so she might be knowledgeable in the healing ways. To prevent your sick symptoms from reaching critical mass, she recommends these natural remedies: Vitamin C: Some studies indicate that Vitamin C can shorten the lifespan of a cold and boost your immune system. “The best way to get it is through your diet; the fresher the food, the better,” Dr. An says. “Oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, leafy greens, and bell peppers are all good sources of vitamin C. Be careful with supplements because they can lead to upset stomach and kidney stones.” Honey: Honey has natural antiviral and antimicrobial properties. “Drinking honey in tea with lemon can ease sore throat pain,” Dr. An says. “Research suggests that honey is an effective cough suppressant, too. Honey often contains Clostridium bacteria, so never give honey to a child younger than 1-year-old because infants’ immune systems aren’t able to fight them off.” Chicken soup: This popular cold and flu remedy helps because hot liquids reduce mucus buildup and keep you hydrated. “Chicken soup, in particular, has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce a cold’s unpleasant side effects,” Dr. An says. “Keep some in the freezer or even canned for flu season. It’s quick to prepare that way and soothing to eat.” Aromas: “When you have congestion from the flu, applying camphor or menthol salve around your nose can help break up mucus,” Dr. An says. “Aromatherapy oils, such as peppermint and eucalyptus, can have a similar effect. Also, vapor rub can reduce cold symptoms, especially in children older than 2 years. It helps open air passages to combat congestion, reduce coughing, and improve sleep.” Probiotics: These are friendly bacteria and yeast found in the body, some foods, and supplements. “They can help keep your gut and immune system healthy, and they may reduce your chance of getting sick with an upper respiratory infection,” Dr. An says. “For a delicious and nutritious source of helpful bacteria, include probiotic yogurt in your diet.” Nice. Well, the Crack Wise Staff is taking things one step further with remedies and beverage pairings. Because we know stuff, too... Vitamin C dropped in a cup of coffee spiked with Bailey’s will make you perky and healthy. Honey. Ever heard of Barenjager? It’s Jagermeister Honey Liqueur. And it’s Uh. May. Zing. Chicken Soup: with a glass of Johnny Walker on the rocks. Mmmm Mmmm drunk. Aromas: Have you sniffed Ouzo? Take a whiff then down a shot… or two. Because we’re doing “pairings” here. We guarantee you can breathe well after two shots. Probiotics: Sure, have that probiotic yogurt. Infused with berries that were soaked in vodka. Take whichever tips you feel comfortable with to get through the rest of the nasty nasty season. Some people like to get out and enjoy nature while on vacation: hiking, kayaking, exploring. Others like to do nothing: sun, swim, read, beverage… repeat. One billion travelers are expected to make wellness-inspired trips this year. If healing natural springs, therapeutic baths, and lots of Oceanside relaxation sounds like your way to unwind—think Jamaica, mon! Here are some places you might want to consider: Wash Away the Stress at Milk River Bath On the South Coast of the island in the town of Milk River, travelers can experience one of the best mineral baths in the world. Milk River Bath contains high levels of magnesium, calcium, sulfate and natural chloride, averaging consistent temperatures of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Its waters have been found to be remarkably radioactive, more so than those of leading European spas, (54 times the strength of the minerals at the luxurious Baden Spa in Switzerland). The mineral waters are especially recommended as a treatment for those suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica and nerve conditions as well as liver disorders. The Milk River Hotel & Spa offers absolute peace and serenity among the lush landscape of rural Jamaica with access to Milk River Bath. As part of its spa experience, the hotel allows visitors to privately enjoy the therapeutic virtues of the bath, in exclusively assigned bath houses. Crack Wise-dom: Now we want Oreos… Refresh with a Traditional Jamaican Bush Bath A traditional form of healing ailments in Jamaican culture, a bush bath is a must-try treatment for wellness-driven travelers. Often prepared outdoors, a bush bath can utilize a variety of fresh herbs, roots, leaves and fruits, steeped in a running bath to treat stress, common colds, skin conditions and more. Visitors can experience this homeopathic therapy at various spas throughout the island including Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon or FieldSpa at Golden Eye, which offers four different Healing Waters Bush Baths. Crack Wise-dom: Not without buying us dinner first… Check-in for an Oceanfront Wellness Retreat On Negril’s west end, Jackie’s On The Reef provides a wellness retreat dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and soul. The whimsical waterfront property offers guests endless opportunities to connect with the sea including yoga, meditation, and spa treatments. One of its most notable offerings, the Watsu treatment, combines the use of water with the principles of shiatsu to create a nurturing form of bodywork. Guided by a specialized therapist, the treatment takes place in warm, waist-deep water to take weight off the vertebrae, allowing the spine to twist and stretch – ultimately relieving pressure off the nerves and organs. Watsu can be a profound treatment believed to treat the mind and renew a person’s sense of connection and oneness with others. Crack Wise-dom: All we can think of is Waygu. Do they serve steak here? Like what you read here? Click on the HOME page and subscribe today to unlock premium, members-only content—some of which you won’t find any place else on the internet! Start with your FREE 10-day trial. |
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