While many online alcohol and drug prevention classes are intended for those who were, “busted by the cops,” the classes may adversely prove to be a very positive force in their life. It has the ability to cause a turn around for the substance abuser. This, indeed, is good for everyone.

Often times what one gets out of a circumstance is not what he/she initially thought was going to be the case. However, after being forced to take such a class in order to meet a court order, during the session may open one’s eyes to the true danger that alcohol and drug abuse can indeed cause. For the user and those around them. Ultimately, taking one of these classes could quite literally save the life of a the user, friend, family member, or stranger.

The number of deaths caused by driving under the influence, drug over dose, or alcohol poisoning has noticeably increased over the past decade. Each death is an unnecessary tragedy that could have been prevented if caught in time.

These classes bring about real life statistics and situations that have taken lives. It allows the student to pause and ponder the potential result of their actions if they do not seek the help needed to help them overcome their disease. While the online class does not take the place of a live physician and team of doctors to help the user deal with the problem, it does bring an awareness that help is needed. Accepting that fact is the first step toward seeking a cure.

Some substance abusers may even take note of their problem in private, but are not yet ready to go public with their problem. Earnestly seeking help online in private may be all that they can handle in the beginning. Thanks to online drug classes, this is possible. It can help them truly recognize the repercussion of their actions to self and others… as well as potential fatal accidents that may occur while under the influence. Once enlightened to the truth in a safe place, the possibility of their deciding to go the next step and seek ongoing help off line is hopeful. With any healing process, the first step is usually the hardest: no longer living in denial.

Asbestos risk is something that needs to be seriously considered. The first factor that you should consider is how much asbestos was in the air you breathed. The next factor to be considered is how long a time were you exposed. The more asbestos you breathe in the greater your risk of getting an asbestos- related disease such as Asbestosis or Mesothelioma. Some people are not very susceptible to asbestos. It is highly believed that cigarette smoking gives increased susceptibility to persons exposed to asbestos.

Family members living with exposed workers are also at risk due to asbestos fibers being brought home on clothing, skin and hair. The collapse and clean-up of the North Tower of the World Trade Center released hundreds of tons of asbestos into the air, as asbestos was heavily used in its construction. Thousands of people including clean-up workers and first responders were exposed.

Asbestos fibers can cause normal cells to turn malignant and these malignant cells spread. Asbestosis is a lung disease which causes pleural plaque (membranes surrounding the lungs) and also causes thickening of the Pleural. This causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing and eventually scars the lungs.

Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water and soil; but most people do not get the disease from this small amount of exposure, although no asbestos exposure is safe. Asbestos risk is much higher in workers who are exposed to it regularly in their occupations, some of which include workers in mines, chemical plants, shipyards, oil refineries, power plants, automotive workers and construction sites. Exposure is not limited to the home or work place. There is also risk of exposure in schools and public buildings that are in need of repair.

Usually symptoms of asbestos exposure take many years to appear such as 10-40 years. However, no matter how soon after exposure, you should check with your doctor when any of the symptoms first appear.

Another asbestos risk is that of developing Mesothelioma, which is used to describe cancerous tumors involving the lining of the lungs, heart or stomach. This is a very serious disease. Therefore, you need to be aware of the symptoms and talk to your doctor about your concerns.

If your family member is the one with the asbestos risk, then you need to learn all the factors. You need to be the one to take action now, the sooner the better my friend.

PRE-PREGNANCY

Most women do not suffer from venous symptoms before pregnancy. The arterial system in a normal person is a high pressure and high energy system. The normal venous system is a low pressure and low energy system. This state allows for blood and its waste products to be transferred from the higher pressure system to the lower pressure system on the cellular level. When one of these states is diseased; a loss of pressure in the arterial system or an increase in pressure on the venous system; complications can arise. During pregnancy increased pressure from the fetus and all of the internal changes on the iliac veins in the abdomen and pelvis. This increased pressure along with hereditary disposition can cause damage to the valves in the venous system, resulting in complications that left untreated can become severe.

VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

The human heart and the arterial system provide nutrient rich blood to all the cells in the body. It does this by the contraction of the heart muscle and the contraction of the medial layer of the arterial wall. The result is your pulse. The blood returns to the heart by a different system; the venous system. Blood flows back to the heart in the venous system two ways. The first is normal breathing. Each time you take a breath the pressure in the your abdomen increases and decreases; this pressure change pulls the blood into the abdomen and into the heart through the normal respiratory cycle. The second way to provide venous return to the heart is through muscle contraction. The calf of your leg is essentially the heart of the venous system. When the muscles contract the blood is pushed up the veins. One way valves in the veins prevent the flow back down the leg during periods of rest. The body has three times as many veins as it does arteries, and when the veins are working correctly provide excellent venous return. Gravity is working against the venous system increasing the hydrostatic pressure in the veins. When the valves become damaged or do not work correctly the venous flows in the wrong direction and is called venous insufficiency.

VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY AND PREGNANCY

The increased pressure in the pelvis during pregnancy causes increased pressure on the iliac veins. This increased pressure can cause the valves to not work correctly and results in venous insufficiency. Like children, pressure always finds the path of least resistance. The path of least resistance in veins are the branches of the main superficial venous system. As the pressure in the veins increases the size of the veins increases. The size of the vein increases causing more valves to not work correctly, resulting in a systematic failure of the venous system. The result is a high pressure venous system that can’t remove waste products effectively causing swelling, pain and visually distended veins or varicosities.

PREVENTION

Graduated medical compression garments have been used for years to aid the venous system. Maternity compression pantyhose are made to fit comfortably around the abdomen and provide graduated compression from the foot to the waste. The compression provides support to the venous system against the increased pelvic pressure and aid in the fight against gravity. One should wear light compression 8-15 mm Hg or 15-20 mm Hg at the beginning of pregnancy when the venous system is still healthy. Ask your physician what compression is best for you.

TREATMENT

Often with pregnancy everything is changing around the Mother, that the last thing that is of her concern is own leg health. It may only be noticed when the problems have already became obvious. In the case of severe edema she may be advised to elevate her legs and to wear maternity pantyhose of a higher compression. A physician will be able recommend the right compression based the symptoms presented. After pregnancy along with medical compression there are several advancements in the treatment of venous insufficiency.