Tobacco Treatment

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Preventing the Spread of Disease and Boosting Your Immune System

To stay ‘healthy and safe’ during this national/global health crisis, it is important to be aware of and follow the advice of local, state, national and international government and public health departments guidelines.

Depending on where you live in the world, those recommendations vary as well as can change daily. Sources to find up-to-date, accurate, evidence-based information include: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), World Health Organziation (WHO), and the United Nations (UN), as well as state and local Public Health Departments.

Take care of yourself and doing everything you can to stay healthy and boost your immunity:

  • Rigorous hand washing,
  • Keep a healthy environment,
  • Eat healthy balanced, nutritious meals,
  • Avoid drugs, smoking, excess drinking,
  • Spend time in nature,
  • Minimize stress,
  • Get adequate sleep.

Follow the Department of Public Health (DPH) Guidelines for ‘Social Distancing,’ ‘Stay at Home’ and ‘Face Covering‘ Guidelines from the CDC, Gloucester DPH and MA DPH.

‘Preparation and Prevention’ Information from the CDC:

Foods that support a healthy immune system, from Mayo Clinic

Boosting Immunity from Harvard Health

Managing Stress and Anxiety in the Midst for a Crisis from the CDC –

Things you can do to support yourself during a crisis –

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Spend time in nature (while wearing face covering and maintaining 6 foot distance).
  • Make time to unwind. Do some activities or hobbies you enjoy.
  • Music is healing: listening to or playing. (Try Live streaming, you-tube and facebook house parties).
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
  • Connect with other ‘virtually’ via phone, on-line webinars, FaceTime.

If stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row, call your healthcare provider.

At Dreamtime Wellness we are offering Free 20-minute Phone Consultations (one per person) for those in need of support, stress relief, pain management and smoking cessation. During this health crisis, all our services and products for relaxation, stress management and smoking cessation are offered ‘virtually’ at discounted prices, ‘sliding scale,’ ‘by donation’ or some for free (one per person), depending on your individual circumstances and needs. Contact us for details and to schedule a consultation or session.

Our hours for ‘virtual’ sessions are Monday through Thursday. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Some evening and weekend sessions will be available for ‘essential workers’ who work during the day and, any front-line workers.

~ We are all in this together, and together we will all get through this. ~ 

 

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN, Nurse Researcher, Integrative Nurse Consultant, Author, Speaker, Photographer. Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health: Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate, advocate for, and empower you in your healthcare goals. Providing evidence-based integrative healthcare services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving overall health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. 978.283.4258. Email: dreamtimewellness@gmail.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

 

 

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Celebrate American Heart Month – Say No to Cigarettes

 

American Heart Month – Smoking is a Major Risk Factor for Heart Disease. Besides causing breathing problems and lung cancer, smoking is also a major cause of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease.

Here Are the Facts:

  • Cigarette smoking accounts for about one-fifth of all deaths from heart disease in the United States.
  • Smokers have a two to four fold increase in coronary artery disease and about a 70 percent higher death rate from coronary artery disease than do nonsmoker.
  • Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable disease and death.

Continue reading →

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Community Reiki Share™ Fund Raiser for LungForce March 6th

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Join Us Tuesday, March 6th for a Community Reiki Share™ At the Manchester Community Center in Manchester-by-the-Sea. 40 Beach St. On the MBTA Boston North Station/Rockport Line. Convenient Parking. Handicapped accessible. Open to All. Contact Us to Register in Advance – info@dreamtimewellness.com

Community Reiki Share™ Fundraiser in Support of LungForce and the American Lung Association. A portion of this month’s proceeds will be donated to LungForce, a division of the American Lung Association. Members of LungForce will be there to discuss their mission and answer any questions. Enjoy a relaxing session of reiki while you are there!

You can also join in the LungForce Walk/Boston May 10 at Boston Commons and join in their mission to help cure cancer. Or you can help by donating here.

 

Looking for Integrative Therapy Practitioners (Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Tai Chi, Yoga,) to Join Us at the ‘DreamTeam’ Wellness Tent at the LungForce Walk Boston on Thursday, May 10 on the Commons. Contact Us for Details on how you can participate.

Innovative Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer have improved the outcome of lung cancer. Cure Cancer shutterstock_30955345 DTWKey Findings about Lung Cancer and Lung Disease –  Continue reading →

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Stop Smoking … and Take Back Your Health

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Tomorrow is the Great American Smoke-Out! 

Smoking Remains the #1 Preventable Cause of Disease in the United States. Smoking negatively affects every body system. Thanks to the efforts of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association, fewer people are still smoking.

The Good News: Within minutes of smoking your last cigarette, your body begins to recover and heal:

There are Immediate Benefits to Stopping: 

20 Minutes After Stopping – Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.

Within a Few Days of Stopping:

  • Clothes, hair and breath smell better.
  • Your sense of smell returns to normal.
  • Your teeth and fingernails stop yellowing.
  • It becomes easier to walk and climb stairs.

You Look and Feel Better and Are Healthier as a NON-Smoker!

Stopping smoking helps stop the damaging effects of tobacco that can cause premature wrinkling of your skin, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Within a few months your circulation and breathing improve, and Much More!  More Health Benefits

Happy and Proud to Be Smoke-FREE! Free of the Worry … Free of the Fear … Free of the Stigma … Free of the Danger that went along with smoking.

Continue reading →

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A Reason to Go Over the Bridge – LungForce Expo November 1st in Newton

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Attend the LungForce Expo and learn more about lung cancer, COPD, asthma and other respiratory issues, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Tuesday. November 1st.                        Boston Marriott Newton.  2345 Commonwealth Avenue. Newton, MA.                       For patients, care givers and health professionals. 

lungforce-images

Lung Cancer Statistics  –

  • Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
  • 1 out of 4 Cancer Deaths are from lung cancer.
  • More people die each year from lung cancer than colon, prostate and breast cancer combined
  • The rate of lung cancer in men has dropped 32% for men, but risen 94% for women

Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Can Save Lives.

  • 5 year survival rate for lung cancer is 55% when detected early (localized to the lung.)

Lung Cancer DTW FB

Decrease Risk Factors –

  • Stop Smoking (Best thing you can do is ‘never start.’ )
  • Avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
  • Avoid exposure to radon* and other chemicals
  • Eat healthy, balanced meals with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
  • Exercise regularly. (Ask your doctor for recommendations.)

*Have your home tested for radon – Contact your local public health department or the American Lung Society for information on radon testing. More information on Radon Here.

‘Stop Smoking’ Today!  Help is Available – Tobacco use and nicotine addiction is complex. Stopping smoking may require a comprehensive, collaborative approach.

Stopping Smoking is the Single Most Important Step you can take to improve their longevity and quality of life.

The GOOD News – The minute you stop smoking, your health begins to improve.                    Help and support are available for those that want to stop smoking.

Ask Your Physician – about your lung health, prevention of disease, screening, diagnosis, treatment and recommendations to stop smoking. If you have lung disease or have undergone lung surgery, ask about Pulmonary Rehabilitation.**

Dreamtime Wellness™ – Offers Smoking Cessation Programs. Ask about our programs and Free Consultation. 

See you at the LungForce Expo!

Enjoy the Breath of Life, and a Healthier You,    Karen

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC.  Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

Sources and More Information – 

 

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GREAT AMERICAN SMOKE-OUT is November 19th

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Thursday. November 19th. Great American Smoke-Out. STOP NOW!I know, you have heard it all before… But for those of you still smoking, maybe this time it will sink in! You Deserve to be Healthy!

And if you want to Stop Smoking, Help is Available to Make It Easier.

STOP SMOKING

STOP SMOKING TODAY

Know the Risks of Tobacco Use and Smoking –

A set of lungs, before and after a lifetime of smoking

A set of lungs before, and after a               lifetime of smoking

  • Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body
  • Smoking Causes Coronary Artery Disease and Stroke
  • Lung Cancer is the most preventable cause of cancer death.
  • 80% of lung cancer deaths are related to smoking
  • Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also increases the risk for other cancers; the mouth, lips, nose and sinuses, larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum, ovary (mucinous), and acute myeloid leukemia. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2014)
  • In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths; this equals about 480,000 early deaths each year. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2014; and US Surgeon General Report 2014)
  • Tobacco use accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths, causing 87% of lung cancer deaths in men, and 70% of lung cancer deaths in women. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2014)
  • Smoking causes 8 out 0f 10 cases of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.) * 1 in 4 people with COPD never smoked.
  • Smoking is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke
  • Smokeless/Chewing Tobacco can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer of the mouth, tongue, cheek, gum, and pancreas.
  • Second-hand smoke can harm others and increases your risk of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Second-Hand Smoke Harms Others

THE GOOD NEWS – STOP SMOKING and –

  • Decrease your risk of heart disease; benefits begin immediately after stopping!
  • 2-5 yeas after smoking, your risk for stroke is decreased.
  • 5 years after you stop, your risks for cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder drop by half
  • 10 years after you stop smoking, your risk for lung cancer decreases by half

Sources, More Information and Help to Stop Smoking  –

Continue reading →

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November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Are You at Risk?

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Here are Some Facts:

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death
  • Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women
  • More people die each year from lung cancer than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined
  • Smoking is the # 1 Risk for Lung Cancer (80%–90% of lung cancers are attributed to cigarette smoking!)
  • Non-smokers can get lung cancer too!

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer –

  • Smoking Cigarettes
  • Second Hand-Smoke
  • Radon (2nd leading cause of lung cancer.)
  • Other Chemicals (asbestos, arsenic, diesel, exhaust, nickel, tar, soot, some forms of silica and chromium.)
  • Personal or Family History of Lung Cancer
  • HIV infection
  • Radiation Therapy to the Chest
  • Beta-carotene supplements.
  • Arsenic in drinking water (primarily from private wells) can increase the risk of lung cancer. For more information, visit the EPA’s Arsenic in Drinking Water.

How to Prevent Lung Cancer – For information visit Lung Cancer Prevention.

Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Saves Lives!

Here is a Cancer Survivor’s Story – http://www.lungcancer.org/find_support/stories/23

Free Lung Cancer CT Screening – At Lahey Burlington and Peabody. Call 855.CT.CHEST to find out if you qualify or log onto = http://www.lahey.org/lungscreening/

On Hope by Emily Dickinson

Sources of Information and to Find Out More –

Do You Smoke Cigarettes …? NOW is the Time to STOP!!

Talk to you doctor about risks of lung cancer, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Continue reading →

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Importance of Controlling High Blood Pressure

Dreamtime Wellness ™ Photo copy

More Information on ‘Cardiac Risk Factors’ in Honor of February ‘Heart Month.’

#1- STOP Smoking if you smoke. There are resources to help! (Contact us privately for confidential information on how to stop.)

Enjoy the Breath of Life

This winter as people were out in the cold shoveling, I have overheard a number of them say as they were huffing and puffing, –  “I wish I had never smoked!” Stopping smoking at any age can help improve your overall health! (www.lung.org)

#2- Control Blood Pressure

Wellness from the Heart

High Blood Pressure (HBP) has  sometimes been called “the silent killer.” People typically do not have symptoms when they have HBP and may not be aware that it is damaging arteries, heart and other organs.

Have your physician check your blood pressure. Follow their advice for treatment. If they prescribe medication to treat HBP, take as directed. Do not stop taking your medication unless you discuss with your physician first. If you experience symptoms of lightheadedness or dizziness while on the medication, have your blood pressure re-checked and any medication adjustments under the guidance of your physician.

 High blood pressure if left untreated can result in:

  • Heart Attack
  • Heart Failure
  • Aortic Dissection and Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
  • Stroke
  • Peripheral Artery Disease
  • Vision Loss
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Angina
  • Kidney Damage

Contact Your Physician if you have further questions about high blood pressure, other cardiac risk factors and how to stop smoking. (For more information about cardiac risk factors – www.aha.org)

Take Good Care of Your Heart All Year Round!    ~ Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N.

Heart Health

At Dreamtime Wellness™, we offer education and tools for self-care, relaxation and stress management that are helpful for ‘heart health.’ Contact us with any questions – info@dreamtimewellness.com. or www.dreamtimewellness.com.

 

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects.  The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.