Halloween part 2 – real Scary Stuff

I ask Andrew Shepherd, DC about what things we do in everyday life that cause us structural problems and how chiropractic actually heals the cause of disease rather than just calm symptoms. Why would an infant who was delivered by caesarian section need an immediate adjustment? Is anyone too old to see a chiropractor? I also inquire about the qualifications and training of chiropractors. Then Jonathan Clinthorne, PhD (of Natural Grocers) and I talk about pluses, minuses and myths regarding the Paleo diet. I’ll also ask him what we can do to minimize the health damage we do to ourselves over the holidays. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

The ultimate tricks
Halloween is a time of haunted houses and other attempts to scare us silly and make us think that we might die. But, let’s face it, life itself is a fatal condition and we will pass on sooner or later…ideally, much, much later. I thought it might be fun to look at a few of the odd ways that people meet their maker. These are from Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die.

  • Ambulance crashes. 1,795 per year, usually at intersections.
  • Anthrax. Five people died in 2001 because an anonymous (nut job) researcher wanted to show how easy it would be to launch a terror attack.
  • Bowling ball. Thrown from one car to another.
  • Cell phone. In 2001, an irate drinker in a bar fatally cracked a businessman over the head with a beer bottle when he refused to stop talking loudly on his cell phone.
  • Flying cow. In California in 1999 a pickup truck driver was struck by a cow hurled as a result of the animal’s collision with a car.
  • Hot air balloons. 34 per year.
  • Jellyfish. I didn’t realize that stings from these were more than just annoying. Each year, allergic reactions to them claim 1,918.
  • Mercury poisoning. (Hydrargyria) 500 die each year. Exposure (usually industrial) to less than a gram of some forms of mercury can be deadly. (For my tastes the authorities do not seem to be sufficiently concerned about our gradual accumulation of mercury from sources like pollution, seafood, amalgam dental fillings, vaccines, etc.)
  • Microwave popcorn. The vapors that emanate from a bag of freshly popped corn contain fumes of dactyl an ingredient in the artificial butter flavorings. It seemed to cause a lung disease in workers and consumers. Twenty four died in 2003.
  • Silk scarf. You may have heard of this one. In 1927, dance legend Isadora Duncan was strangled when her long flowing scarf became tangled around the wheel of the sports car in which she was riding.
  • Toothpicks. Swallowing toothpicks causes punctures which can cause potentially fatal infections. Something like 168 people per year died from toothpicks between 1900 and 2006.
  • Toupees. One can be fatally injured when the glue to hold on toupees catch fire.
  • Umbrellas. One man died after the wind hurled his pool umbrella at him fatally stabbing him. Approximately 3 people a year die from umbrella-related incidents.

The book is full of interesting facts, stories and illustrations. While some deaths were clearly freak accidents, most of those that Largo writes about could have been prevented by a dose of common sense. I like his quote: “Never knock on death’s door. Ring the doorbell and run! Death hates that.”

  From my own files

  • Flying fire extinguisher. In 1977 Formula One race car driver, Tom Pryce and the track’s Fire Marshall were both hurrying toward a teammate’s burning car. As Pryce’s vehicle struck (and killed) the fire fighter, the guy’s fire extinguisher went flying and killed Pryce.
  • Infections that are resistant to antibiotic treatment. These include hard to treat infections like C. difficile which generally develops after a round of antibiotics (often in hospitals). The problem of antibiotic-resistance is worsened by the overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture. The annual death toll is 23,000!
  • Vitamins. Well, there really aren’t any deaths but, that doesn’t keep the FDA from working hard to protect us from them.

 Free event- DFW area  “Pain, Pain Go Away”
Part of the Kotsanis Institute Digging Deeper Series

SuperValue Pharmacy and Dr. Kotsanis will discuss pain treatments such as:
Trigger Point Injections, HOCATT, Platelet Rich Plasma, PRP with Stem Cells, Nutritional Supplementation/Homeopathic Remedies, Pain Cream and Essential Oils. November 6 from Noon- 1 PM
Gluten-Free Lunch Will Be Provided
Please RSVP To Reserve Your Seat 817-591-0260
    Kotsanis Institute
    2260 Pool Road
    Grapevine, Texas 76051
    kotsanisinstitute.com

Last Week Follow-up
LISTEN to that show in the archives.
Steven F. Hotze, M.D., is the founder of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center in Houston, TX. We discussed the many symptoms of and most effective treatments for the very common problem of under-active thyroid.

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MY BOOKS:

Fat-Free Folly. Challenges dangerous mainstream thinking about fats. Supported with generous amounts of current science and grounded in a common sense historical framework. Learn how to build health and lose weight while enjoying more delicious food.

Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments. Besides explaining the dangers of these medications and helping fix the real cause (which is seldom too much acid) this book is also helpful for solving other digestive problems.

Aloe Vera – Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy. Research shows that Aloe has benefit beyond skin and digestion–also for immune function, detoxification, nutrient absorption, blood antioxidant levels, blood sugar regulation and more. Learn how to pick the most potent brands.

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2014 Martie Whittekin, CCN