photo credit: andrew_ross

Celiacs disease means that the sufferer has to take care eating even a sandwich. What about a taco with sour cream? You probably weren’t aware of it at the time, but those foods you were eating probably contained gluten. To you that means nothing, but to a person suffering from celiacs disease it means a lot. Gluten attacks the small intestine, which causes the disease. This means those who have it have to go on a gluten free diet, which is a great sacrifice. This article will discuss how to identify gluten or wheat intolerance and how to still enjoy your life, gluten free.

Gluten is something that most people never have to consider. It is found in many foods and most do not realize they are consuming it. It is a protein that’s found in different grains, such as barley and wheat. In general, people consume wheat products every day. The first thing a person must do who has wheat intolerance, is thoroughly research foods that contain gluten. The best thing for celiacs to do is to look for keywords, which will hint to the use of gluten. Some of these words are vegetable protein, malt and vegetable gum.

Once you figure out those keywords, be certain to stay away from gluten that may be hidden in ingredient labels. At first it may seem like there isn’t anything that you can eat. You may not be able to eat pasta or regular cookies but there are plenty of alternatives. So many people are living on a gluten free diet that there are now gluten free foods available specifically for those who are suffering. You can indulge in gluten free cookies and gluten free pizza. The really good news is that most grocery stores now carry these products. You can also still consume fresh cut meat, fresh fruit and milk.

It is important to know what to expect once you start your gluten free diet for celiacs disease. If you are a big eater, especially of bread products, then your body is going to go through a huge transition. You should always speak with your doctor before starting yourself on gluten free foods. Being gluten intolerant is not easy and is hard for most people to understand. Remember that there are celiacs disease and other gluten intolerant disorder support groups out there, so don’t be afraid to join one and make life a little easier.

Technorati Tags: Food, Gluten, Gluten-free diet, Health, Shopping, Special Diets, Support group, Wheat

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Down Syndrome children, like everyone else, are people first, each with their own unique gifts to contribute to their families, friends and communities. “Down Syndrome Awareness Month provides a forum for dispelling stereotypes, providing accurate information, and raising awareness of the potential of individuals with Down syndrome.” Thanks to Down syndrome research and advocacy, the life expectancy for adults with Down syndrome has more than doubled since 1980, bringing with it improved educational standards, inclusion into regular schools and more jobs for the developmentally disabled, as well as better housing options.

The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is “to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy.” They feel that everyone has the right to reach their potential and that people with Down syndrome should have the opportunity to make choices affecting their lives. Part of Down syndrome knowledge is pushing for better educational programs to help Down Syndrome children achieve their goals. Through the organization, parents can collect valuable resources and connect with local support groups. Down syndrome children can link up with local programs sponsored in part by NDSS, where they can foster a love of art, music or sports and gain the necessary tools to live a relatively independent life.

Each year, the Special Olympics serve as a beacon of light for Down syndrome awareness and instills hope in families of the developmentally disabled. This international nonprofit organization offers year-round sports programs focused on Down Syndrome children and adults. This epic event serves as a source of self esteem, confidence building and pride for 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities. Their site, www.specialolympics.org, mentions the benefits of their athletic programs, stating: “They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but ‘their voices’ as well.”

Down Syndrome Awareness can be displayed as a postage stamp, a sweatshirt, a bumper sticker, or one of countless other promotional items. It could also be acted upon through an organization, be it a public speaking engagement, a benefit walk or the start of a new program that helps others. In the US, there are more than 350,000 Down Syndrome children and adults. With the average life span nearing sixty, the need for inclusion and social wellness is now more important than ever.

Technorati Tags: Conditions and Diseases, Down Syndrome, Genetic disorder, Health, Life expectancy, Special Olympics, Support group, United States

photo credit: doug88888

by Ed Philips

The decision to confront an alcoholic is never an easy one to make. The most important thing is you should never attempt it when the alcoholic is currently under the influence of alcohol. The confrontation should be planned when he or she is sober. Confronting an alcoholic is sometimes called an intervention and must be carefully planned according to recommended expert guidelines, preferably those issued by a knowledgeable organization like Al-Anon which is the support group for family members of alcoholics. Also, prior to confronting an alcoholic, you should check with the person’s doctor or a specialist in treating alcoholic disorders to determine how to prepare yourself and any others who might be helping you to confront a drinker about whom you are concerned. We have listed nine tips that may be helpful in preparing for an intervention.

Instead of formulating a confrontation plan on your own, see what the experts advise by talking to the Al-Anon association in your area. People there can advise you how to plan the intervention, and provide useful resources and information, too. If Al-Anon is unavailable in your area, make an appointment with a licensed therapist, counselor, or psychologist to discuss the nature of the problem and how it might best be approached. Although confronting an alcoholic can be similar in many respects for many families, it is a good idea to clarify unique circumstances or personal characteristics that could make a difference on the outcome.

You might find yourself wanting to berate and condemn a loved one should they come home intoxicated yet again. This fails to be productive as the drunk will ignore the criticism while under the alcohol influence and most likely forget about it the following when day when sober. It is crucial to talk to the person when sober and with a bit of luck, open to the idea of hearing your concerns. If a spontaneous opening should not happen, try to schedule a talk after dinner or when the two of you have some privacy and cannot be interrupted.

Your supporters can be other relatives, close friends, or even members of Al-Anon with whom you have become acquainted, since they may have been in similar circumstances as you at some point. They may even decide to join you in confronting the alcoholic in your family. But that will depend on you and the circumstances surrounding the person who drinks too much, as well as professional opinions about the situation.

When confronting an alcoholic, you can’t afford to be wishy-washy or indirect. Using a factual tone of voice, simply lay out the problematic situation, using examples of the drunkard’s problem behavior and ensuing results. You may need to list dates, frequency of bad behavior, amounts of alcohol consumed or sums of money spent on drinking, and other data to support your claims. It takes courage to confront an alcoholic, so don’t back down. If the alcoholic argues with you, remain calm and point to the facts.

People often enable an alcoholic, allowing him or her to stay in that way by letting them sidestep responsibility and manipulate others to ignore his misdeeds or cover for him at work or in public. If you are one of the enablers the alcoholic may assume he can have his way again to get out of the intervention without making any changes. A huge part of an intervention’s potential for success is the family member who arranges it being able to change, too. A person who wants to help must not continue to enable the alcoholic to abuse alcohol. Stand your ground and most importantly, don’t let the alcoholic bully or wheedle you into giving up.

Coupled with confronting an alcoholic with the consequences of his behavior is the need for a plan of recovery. If you are working with Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon, they can help you with making arrangements for a problem drinker to enter a rehabilitation program, either onsite at a facility for this purpose, or as an outpatient in a local clinic or support group. In some cases, a halfway house might be an appropriate alternative. Find out ahead of time if a particular detoxification program will accept the problem drinker you are working with, and make preliminary arrangements for the person to be admitted immediately following the intervention. Make it clear that you cannot guarantee the drinker will enroll, much less stay with the program, unless he accepts the program as part of his new life of abstaining from drink.

Should the alcoholic agree to go enter rehab, family members should try to offer support and encouragement throughout the detoxification phase and rehabilitation program. This should involve patient and family education as well and can last anywhere between several days to several months. Many programs last 28 days or less, due to people’s job and family responsibilities, and some of the rehabilitators can carry on as a non-resident while continuing career and household duties. No matter how the program is designed, love, acceptance, and willingness to support changes in lifestyle speak volumes toward helping the alcoholic become successful in rehabilitation.

As mentioned briefly above, family members living with an alcoholic must be willing to take responsibility for their behavior and make necessary changes, too. Adjustments might include refusing to cover for an alcoholic’s inability to go to work by reporting him absent, paying bills that the drinker should pay when he has spent his paycheck for alcoholic beverages, and letting the drunkard abuse or terrorize the family by acts of recklessness or violence. Sobriety can actually make life harder for the drinker and his family as everyone adjusts to new rules and learns how to follow through consistently. Some ex-drinkers can be ill- tempered, demanding, and peevish, while others may act guilty, embarrassed, or repentant.

Results may not appear automatically after confronting an alcoholic. The drinker may fluctuate between being in favor to rehab and resisting it, or he may enter rehab but leave early or relapse after finishing the program. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed. After confronting an alcoholic, all you can do is maintain your points and wait for the drinker’s reaction. That alone will decide the conclusion of your intervention. If the drinker chooses not to pursue treatment or it proves ineffective, the family should continue to receive counseling and support as they make decisions about the future.

Living with an alcoholic is one of the hardest things to do. Their uncontrolled drinking causes problems that can affect family members and other people. It can be difficult for relatives to dissociate themselves from the drinker and establish effective boundaries between his behavior and theirs to avoid unhealthy enmeshment. But with education, professional support, and courageous conviction, family members can learn to practice tough love when confronting an alcoholic to give that person a fair shot at recovery. An intervention may be the first step toward acknowledging a problem and doing something about it that can make a positive difference in the lives of a problem drinker and his loved ones.

Learn how to Stop Drinking Alcohol In 21 Days – Assured by expert Ed Philips and find further help here to help you Stop Drinking Alcohol.

Technorati Tags: addiction, Alcoholic beverage, Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, Drunkenness, Health, Substance Abuse, Support group