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The opioid crisis is top news and top of mind, and with this realization, many are seeking alternative pain care such as acupuncture. There are now over 700 addiction centers offering acupuncture as an alternative and/or adjudicative therapy. Many patients and their doctors must prepare for an alternative plan to pain management because of the risk of addiction.  The infographic below provides an overview of what the opioid epidemic means for the U.S., the deadly side effects of the opioid crisis problems with addiction,  and ways that acupuncture is being used as a form of treatment for many people seeking alternative medical help for their addictions.  Get access to the full academic resource created by the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine here: http://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2017/07/13/how-acupuncture-can-help-opioid-crisis-infographic  

Hormones are chemical molecules produced by glands of multi-cellular organisms that help carry messages to various organs in the body. They are extremely important for our body to function in a coordinated, controlled and timely manner. When there is a deficiency or excess of hormones, we experience the repercussions in myriad ways. Hormone imbalance can throw our body into a tizzy and effects include everything from moodiness, depression, body aches and weight gain to stunted growth, infertility, hair loss and poor immunity. Besides this the entire physiological and behavioral characteristics of a person is also affected. It is also notable that women experience hormonal issues at a greater rate than men. This could be because hormones play a major role in regulating menstrual cycle, preparing the body for pregnancy and parenting, and bringing about menopause. Since there are constant hormonal changes taking place in a woman’s body, she is also more vulnerable to their imbalance. Learn more about hormone imbalance and how it is profoundly affected by the lifestyle choices you make. 1. Wrong Diet Sets off Hormone Rollercoaster Our diets and eating habits have changed over the past several years. Over-dependence on refined oils and processed fats, too much of sugar and carbohydrates replacing fiber intake, lack of healthy fats in diet, and decrease in consumption of green veggies have all resulted in hormones being thrown into a tizzy. Saturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for hormone synthesis and cellular health. Coconut oil, avocado, oily fish, olive oil, grass fed red meat, pastured eggs and organic dairy products are excellent sources of these fats. Ensure you cut down on caffeine and alcohol consumption. The long-term effects include not only an altered biochemistry that causes profound harm to our neuroendocrineimmune system, but also psychological and behavioral disorders. Sustained and high caffeine intake recreates stress conditions in the body and increases cortisol production. It also increases the sensitivity of serotonin receptors which gives a temporary feeling of wellbeing. But they ultimately result in imbalance of hormones. Alcohol affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) and disturbs reproductive and sexual functions in the body. 2. Exercise Balances and Maintains Hormonal Wellbeing Exercise plays a key role in maintaining hormonal health and wellbeing. Moderate to vigorous exercise has numerous health benefits including lowering cortisol level, inducing EIGR (exercise-induced growth hormone response) and aiding in weight loss. Yoga is a form of light workout that helps lower adrenalin level and stimulates the release of calming brain chemical GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). A study by Boston University School of Medicine has concluded that yoga helps the autonomous nervous system and combats depression. The International Journal of Current Research says regular practice of yoga increases endogenous secretion of melatonin which in turn contributes to uplifting your mood and enhancing wellbeing. Excessive exercise can result in increased level of cortisol in the body which stimulates feelings of stress. So ensure that you do not exhaust yourself or inflict damage by tiring out muscles. Progesterone is essential to regulate menstrual cycle and alleviate the unpleasant PMS symptoms. Mild exercise and aerobic activity stimulates progesterone production in the ovaries. 3. Prioritize Your Sleep Sleep is essential to maintain a healthy mind and body. If you have had a poor night it will be easy to notice that you feel groggy and fuzzy-headed the next day, and find it hard to concentrate. Sleep deficiency also leads to obesity in teenagers and increases risk of excessive weight gain in other age groups as well. A research paper published in the American Journal of Human Biology shows a strong correlation between lack of adequate sleep and obesity in children and adolescents. Healthy sleeping habits are extremely important to regulate production of ghrelin and leptin. Leptin signals your body that it is satiated or full and ghrelin makes you feel hungry. When you are sleep-deprived, ghrelin level in your body shoots up whereas the leptin level goes down. As a result you find it difficult to feel full and are always hungry. This also leads to weight gain and a range of other health problems. Sufficient sleep is also essential to regulate blood sugar, promote growth in children and build immunity. 4. Take Special Care of Digestive Health Digestive or gut health is often overlooked when trying to achieve hormonal balance. But do you know that many neurotransmitters trace their source to the digestive tract? Serotonin that is necessary to regulate sleep and stress level is found in the highest concentration in our gut. Estrogen balance is affected when gut microbiome is not in an optimal condition. As estrogen fails to get excreted from the body the delicate estrogen/progesterone balance is adversely affected. Faulty gut also leads to higher chances of developing insulin resistance. So ensure that you speak top your doctor and take adequate probiotic supplements to enable your gut to function optimally. Garlic, tomato, kale, asparagus and yogurt are also excellent prebiotic foods that feed your good gut bacteria. Conclusion A healthy, balanced and optimal hormonal environment will help you achieve holistic wellbeing. This is because you have addressed the root cause of physical, behavioral and psychological health issues. So keep the above tips in mind and give the best care possible to your mind and body. (Image Source: Pixabay)

In Matthew 28, Jesus commands that all believers become disciples who make disciples of all nations. It was a declaration for us to do more than just grow—but also go. Making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, teaching them to follow after Him, and sharing his message ... with everyone.If you want to be a disciple, then you must make disciples—standing fast until all have heard, loving until lives are changed—losing your life, to find your frontier. | http://findyourfrontier.org

Northeast Africa has one of the highest concentrations of unengaged Muslim people groups in the world. This hot, dry, and dusty region faces extreme poverty due to political instability, devastating ethnic conflicts, drought, and famine.But God is at work, unfolding His incredible plan for the peoples of this region. Abundant opportunities exist in medicine, education, and engineering. Furthermore, workers report new eagerness for the Gospel among some Muslim people groups.Join us in serving and reaching the unengaged Muslim people groups of Northeast Africa.http://findyourfrontier.org

South Asia is home to India and Bangladesh, countries with two of the highest populations of Muslim people in the world.In this hot and humid region, people face some of the toughest living conditions in the world due to overpopulation and unreliable access to basic infrastructure like plumbing, sanitation, and electricity.The lack of clean water leads to significant public health problems. Illiteracy and an oppressive ethnic caste system also contribute to great difficulties for families. However in the midst of these difficulties, we are finding that God is indeed at work and unfolding His incredible plan for the people of this South Asia. He loves the peoples who live in this region and is His calling the church to join in His wonderful work. South Asia isn’t just a place to venture into the unknown. It’s a place to go and make Him known. Find your frontier and join us in reaching the unengaged Muslim people groups of South Asia.http://findyourfrontier.org

The healthcare industry relies heavily on the talents and skills of Christian nursing missions whose mission is to train and educate future nurses. There is currently a shortage of nursing professionals. This, coupled with the rising demand for nurses means that professionals in the industry, specifically nursing educators, can look forward to highly promising career prospects. Nursing educators have the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings including educational institutions, hospitals, online learning programs and training facilities. Educators have the ability to speak at conferences as well as conduct research and hold leadership roles in the academic community They can also specialize in different disciplines and work environments such as cardiology, family health, pediatrics and mental health.   To learn more, check out the infographic below created by Duquesne University's Online Master of Science in Nursing program.   

According to American Medical News, the number of nurse practitioner jobs is expected to grow by 130 percent from 2008 to 2025 while nurse managers positions are expected to grow by 17 percent from 2014 to 2024. This growth demands advanced knowledge and industry experience to continuously improve the delivery of primary care services. Patient expectations, timing, growth of health care data, and use of evidence based practices all play a vital role in a nurse practitioner's and nurse manager's future. For nurses to succeed in the evolving profession, they should adopt a willingness to become powerful leaders and effect change by redesigning existing systems through creativity and teamwork, moving out of their comfort zones to implement change demanded by existing research, continuously educating their workforce, and accepting multiple perspectives to challenge existing processes and practices based on sound evidence and research.   To learn more, check out the infographic designed by Bradley University’s online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate program.

In times of illness and injury, many people turn to religion and spirituality for comfort and healing. So it makes sense that these parts of a person’s life should be incorporated into their care. The good news is that there’s growing support in the medical community to address religious and spiritual issues in patient care. In fact, organizations like the American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Nursing Association have stressed the need for greater understanding of a patient’s belief systems, particularly when dealing with treatment options and end-of-life issues. The most effective ways for nurses and healthcare workers to deal with religion and spirituality in the hospital in three steps: Communication, Support and Accommodation, and Tolerance. To learn more, check out this infographic created by Adventist University’s Online Masters in Health Administration program.    

Maintaining a clean and safe medical laboratory is very important for the health and well-being of both, the staff as well as the patients. A clean and hygienic laboratory is also very much essential to maintain the morale of your staff, and prevent the outbreak of infections and the cross-contamination of specimen samples. Clinical laboratories have the expensive and complex equipment, large quantities of medical supplies and several months' worth of disposables. So it becomes extremely important that your lab is not only safe and clean but well-organized too. Phlebotomists are often responsible for keeping their workplace safe and organized, and it is an important job responsibility as well. Here are a few things that you can do to ensure that the medical laboratory is always safe, sanitized and organized. 1) Ensure Cleanliness First and foremost, a medical lab needs to be kept clean and germ-free. In order to remove contaminants and other infectious spills, it is important to follow strict and foolproof Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that ensure zero infection outbreak. Hospital-standard cleaning solutions kill almost all bacteria and help sanitize work surfaces, equipment, and other lab supplies. While cleaning the office, it is necessary to use high-quality vacuums that are fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Absorption (HEPA) filters. This will ensure that even the smallest micro particles are removed and the surfaces are thoroughly clean. 2) Wear Protective Clothing and Gear Protective clothing and gear ensure that medical lab technicians, patients, and customers stay safe. Medical lab technicians handle potentially dangerous and hazardous specimens, so it becomes extremely critical that they protect themselves. A fresh pair of non-sterile disposable gloves is recommended for phlebotomists for every new patient. It is also necessary to disinfect the patient's skin before and after drawing blood. The syringe and the needle have to be discarded and the collected specimens, emptied in sample tubes, should be handled with utmost care. The phlebotomist should label the specimens and store them safely. The essential protective gear for lab technicians includes a lab coat, gloves, goggles and face mask. Specialized heavy-duty protective gear needs to be used when handling dangerous specimens, especially in the wake of the outbreak of fatal infectious diseases. Protective gear should be worn when cleaning lab equipment that holds noxious chemicals as well. It is important that lab technicians are trained in proper safety practices and are aware of the SOPs. 3) Waste Management is Critical Medical diagnostic labs must adhere to strict and stringent waste management protocol. The common wastes produced in labs include material wastes like used syringes and needles, cotton swabs, wipes and other disposables. It is necessary that they are discarded in properly labeled bins. Sharp needles and glassware should be separately disposed to avoid injuries. Biomedical wastes have to be disposed of following strict procedures and protocols. Often the government lays down rules and regulations regarding disposal of hazardous medical wastes. There will be separate color-coded disposal units for dangerous bodily wastes including infectious waste, blood products, contaminated equipment, and IV tubes. Medicines past their expiry date, hazardous drugs, radioactive waste and other disposables all need to be disposed separately. Any flaw or mistake in the proper disposal of biomedical waste at medical facilities can prove to be extremely dangerous or even fatal. 4) Stay Organized A well-organized medical lab will ensure that accidents and mishaps do not occur. A medical lab technician or a phlebotomist has to ensure that the samples and specimens that are collected are properly labeled and stored. In a case of wrong or faulty identification, the wrong diagnosis will lead to faulty treatment. Such grave errors often lead to lengthy lawsuits too. So you need to be very careful here. If your facility is in a busy hospital, there will always be an endless stream of patients filling in. Most patients will carry self-identifying tags, documents or badges. In other cases, you can ask for the details from the patient himself, or from an accompanying caregiver, family member or nurse. Once the specimen samples are collected, you are required to store them properly. Most bodily samples will need to be refrigerated if you do not have diagnostic or testing facilities in your lab. Sometimes patients bring in urine samples collected overnight or over a certain period. These specimens are usually collected from home using urine cups or with products having urine transfer tube. You will have to ensure that the sample is stored at the desired temperature and transported safely. Conclusion Medical diagnostic labs face several challenges in maintaining a clean and a safe working environment. If proper procedures are followed and quality safety protocols are implemented, this can be effectively achieved. (Image source)

This session will describe the unique roles that women have in medical missions and the challenges faced by women in the international missions context.

How can urban health care missions be done in urban settings, especially in government owned facilities? This breakout session seeks to address this questions. Ministry can be done in and through government hospitals and institutions by connecting with healthcare personnel, sharing the gospel and discipling them and bringing them into healthy churches. This breakout session will give some insights and specifics into how to do this.

This session will discuss ways to analyze future or current relationship for compatibility, ways to identify potential differences in five areas that affect their future or current marriage.This session will also give tools to adapt and adjust to the difficulties participants may encounter.