Alone

“Laugh and the world laughs with you; snore and you sleep alone.” (Anthony Burgess)

Two people sleeping together in the evening can be a nightmare if one of them snores. Snoring is actually the vibration of respiratory structures. The resulting sound is due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. Snoring is known to cause sleep deprivation to snorers and those around them, as well as daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus, and decreased libido. Snorers can sometimes suffer severe impairment of their lifestyle. Overweight individuals are often diagnosed with sleep apnea. (Thin people can get this ailment too.)

A sleep disorder that snoring can be a sign of is sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing (or periods of shallow breathing during sleep). Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and they happen many times a night. In the most common form, this follows loud snoring. There may be a choking or snorting sound as breathing resumes. As it disrupts normal sleep, those with sleep apnea may experience sleepiness (or feel tired during the day).

There are three forms of sleep apnea: obstructive (OSA), central (CSA), and mixed.

OSA is caused by partial or complete blockage of the airways during sleep. During sleep, a person's throat muscles relax allowing the tongue and/or fatty tissues of the throat to fall back into the airways and block airflow. Once a breath is taken the brain returns to sleep, and the process begins once again. This process can occur just a few times a night or hundreds of times a night depending on the severity of the condition.

CSA occurs when the brain temporarily fails to signal the muscles responsible for controlling breathing. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which can be thought of as a mechanical problem, central sleep apnea is more of a communication problem.

Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both OSA and CSA symptoms. Some patients being treated for OSA with the use of CPAP machines develop symptoms of CSA upon PAP therapy. This phenomenon had long been noticed in sleep labs, but had not been previously researched.

People with sleep apnea may not be aware they have it. In many cases it is first observed by a family member. Sleep apnea is often diagnosed with an overnight sleep study. For a diagnosis of sleep apnea, more than five episodes (arousal) an hour must occur. Without treatment sleep apnea may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, obesity, and motor vehicle collisions.

For moderate to severe sleep apnea, the treatment is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), automatic positive airway pressure (APAP), or a bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) device. With proper use, CPAP improves outcomes and appears to decreases the risk of death due to heart disease.

Evidence suggests that CPAP may improve sensitivity to insulin, blood pressure, and sleepiness. Although CPAP therapy is effective in reducing apneas and less expensive than other treatments, some people find it extremely uncomfortable. Patients complain of feeling trapped, having chest discomfort, and skin or nose irritation.

“Her blood-curdling snoring (with its gargling and squawking and its terrifying pauses) is like the sound the devil might make if he were alternately relishing and strangling on a pound of human flesh.” (Bailey White, author of Mama Makes Up Her Mind and Other Dangers of Southern Living)[i]

CPAP machine

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[i] Sources used:

·        “Sleep Apnea” from Wikipedia

·        “Snoring” from Wikipedia

·        “The 3 Types of Sleep Apnea Explained: Obstructive, Central, & Mixed” by Kevin Phillips

Inspired by the Netflix “Embarrassing Bodies: Rally.”

 

Welcoming

“Continue loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Always remember to help people by welcoming them into your home. Some people have done that and have helped angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1-2, ERV)

In the crunch of priorities in your life, where do your friends fall? For the busy, working individual with countless demands on their lives, keeping up with friends often gets pushed to the side. It might be because there isn’t enough time in a day, or because “friend time” feels like too much of a guilty pleasure.

You can’t treat friendships like a hobby you’re waiting to take up when you have more leisure time. Friends must be a priority because they’re an integral part of God’s plan for your life. The Bible makes this important statement about being in community together:

“Two people are better than one. When two people work together, they get more work done.  If one person falls, the other person can reach out to help. But those who are alone when they fall have no one to help them.  If two people sleep together, they will be warm.

 But a person sleeping alone will not be warm.  An enemy might be able to defeat one person, but two people can stand back-to-back to defend each other. And three people are even stronger. They are like a rope that has three parts wrapped together. It is very hard to break.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, ERV)

Be intentional about forming and building solid Christian friendships. Rushed chats at church, or Facebook messages from home don’t count. Like any other worthwhile relationship, true friendship requires an investment of real time and energy.

Statistics show that about 20 percent of Americans spend regular time with their neighbors; while 33 percent say they’ve never interacted with them. In the 1970s, nearly 30 percent of Americans had frequent time with their neighbors, and only 20 percent had no interactions with them, God’s church can improve their community efforts in three distinct ways:

 

1.     Accept God’s hospitality:

“And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household.” (Ephesians 2:19, VOICE)

“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.” (Henri Nouwen)

2.     Imitate God’s hospitality:

“When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or (if they need lodging) for the night.” (Romans 12:13, TLB)

“The word hospitality in the New Testament comes from two Greek words. The first word means love and the second word means strangers. It’s a word that means love of strangers.” (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

3.     Extend God’s hospitality:

^“Help carry each other’s burdens in this way you will follow Christ’s teachings.” (Galatians 6:2, GW)

“A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” (Abigail Van Buren)

Here are several methods to better demonstrate God’s hospitality:

·        Sacrifice at least five Friday nights each year to entertain those you do not know.

·        Include those you do not know in your daily plans.

·        Pray for opportunities to assist those you do not know.

·        Be friendly (and have fun) with those you do not know.

·        Plant the seed of the gospel in those you do not know because the work of God is never done.

“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning...Face it, friend. He is crazy about you! ” (Max Lucado)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “A Third of Americans Have Never Met Their Neighbors” by Melissa Dahl

·         “Most Americans Don't Know Their Neighbors: We Should Change That” by Eric Metaxas 

·        “Synod” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synod)

·        “Too Busy for Friends?” by Diane Paddison

Inspired by the sermon “Refrigerator Privileges” Sunday, July 23, 2017 Doug McClintic (Regional Governing Director of Church Multiplication) CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH

The Thorn

“I will say this: because these experiences I had were so tremendous, God was afraid I might be puffed up by them; so I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me and prick my pride.” 2 Corinthians 12:7, TLB)

I will never know what the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was since the Bible does not tell us. I can empathize with the above verse. Somewhere is my late thirties to early forties; I was diagnosed with the emotional roller coaster of Bipolar Disorder (BD) to struggle with for the remainder of my life.

Bipolar Disorder (manic depression) is a mental health condition  that causes periods (episodes) of depression and periods of elevated mood disturbances. BD comes in two varieties.

In manic Bipolar I Disorder, a person's mood is extremely abnormal and is also combined with increased activity or energy that is also abnormal.  In hypomanic Bipolar II Disorder, a person has a sustained mood that is elevated (heightened), expansive (grand, superior), or irritable. This mood is different from their normal mood when they’re not depressed. 

BD is not going away anytime soon. The distressful statistics speak for themselves:

5,890,000 US adults who are diagnosed as BD.
2.65 % US adults that suffer from BD.
25 years old when BD symptoms are discovered.
23 % chance a child will BD when 1 parent has an existing case. (66 % chance a child will develop BD when both parents are diagnosed.)
9.2 years reduced life span for an individual who is BD.
20% of people diagnosed as BD individual commit suicide.
70% of people with BD will receive at least 1 misdiagnosis from a doctor or psychologist

Home/What is bipolar?/Bipolar disorder statisticsPrevious Nextisorder statistics

If you know of someone with BD that you would like to assist, here are some things you can do for them:

1.       Ask what they need help with. 

2.       Be supportive of their BD treatment plan.

3.       Continue inviting them to do things together with you.

4.       Do not take their boundaries personally.

5.       Educate yourself about Bipolar Disorder

6.       Encourage them not to isolate themselves from other people.

7.       Go to a BD support group with them.

8.       Let them know you are available to talk anytime they need you. 

9.       Listen without trying to offer advice. 

10.   Pray to God for emotional wholeness for that person daily.

11.   Reassure them that they are an ordinary participant in their life.

“Bipolar Disorder can be a great teacher. It's a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life.” (Carrie Fisher) [i]

 

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[i] Sources used:

·         “10 Ways to Help Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder” by our Advice and Support Community

·        “Bipolar Disorder Statistics” (http://www.Bipolar-lives.com/Bipolar-disorder-statistics.html)

·        “Bipolar Disorder Statistics” (http://www.statisticbrain.com/Bipolar-disorder-statistics)

·        “Bipolar Disorder” from Wikipedia

·        “What Is the Difference Between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder?” by Marcia Purse

Topic suggested by my wife, Bobbi Kinker.

 

 

Not Found In

“True beauty is found not in how one looks, but in how one treats others.” (www.auroremourette.com)

 Have you ever met two close friends that are so different that you wonder what could they possibly see in each other? Accepting in each other’s differences is an overriding theme in both the 1991 animated and 2017 live- action versions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Here’s a quick, short summary of the story (after this break with part of the theme song lyrics):

 Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small, to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared

 

Beauty and the Beast is the story of a village woman (named Belle) who eventually falls in love with an arrogant, selfish wealthy French prince (named Adam) who is turned into a horrible beast by an enchantress for his lack of love. He lives alone in a castle with his servants (who have been turned into enchanted household items). By the end of the story, the spell on the prince is broken He is turned back into a human because of his selfless love for Belle.

Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

There are several life lessons that can be gleaned from Beauty and the Beast:

1.   Dare to be Different: Standing out because you’re not like everyone else isn’t a bad thing. Embrace what makes you different, because it’s also what makes you special. True beauty comes from within; it’s all about kindness to others and selflessness. Life can be stressful when we are not involved in the purposes God made us for.

2.   Don’t let fears prevent new experiences: Life can be scary. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone makes you a better person. Some people can look intimidating and scary. Once you take the time to get to know them, they may be kind and gentle. Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and that can be difficult to accept. We are all human that are interconnected with each other. An insatiable desire for knowledge inspires us to keep learning. God wants you to be the best version of yourself possible.

3.   Banish the curse:  Sometimes, you are not the only one who suffers for your wrong doing. Unfair as that may be. Adam and Eve sinned, and everything would take on a perverted, contaminated version of itself. God’s love frees us from the curse so that we can reach the potential He created us with. Love has made all things new again, and old things are passed away. Love is a two way street. God’s love for us does not alone save us. If it did, there would be no reason for Jesus’ cross. God wants our love in return. When we choose to return His love, we can break free from the curse. Life can return to the manner in which God intended it to be.

4.   The monster inside me: I imagine Satan telling Jesus throughout His life how absurd to love parasites like you and me. God insists on loving me though I am an appalling creature who constantly makes mistakes.  I am a disgrace to the splendid sovereignty of God. Praise God that He loves me anyway, and that He went beyond my actions to the real me deep inside. Many times, this world doesn’t always provide a happily ever after. God will help you survive those rough times.

“If Beauty and the Beast [is able to teach us] one thing, it’s that looks don’t matter as long as you’re a billionaire who owns a castle.” (@Millionaire_Mentor)[i]

Disney's 1991 and 2017 versions of Beauty and the Beast

 

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[i] Sources used:

           ·        “11 Life Lessons from Beauty and the Beast” by Rachel Berman

·        “5 Insights from Beauty and the Beast” by Antwuan Malone

·        “13 Things You Didn’t Know About Beauty and the Beast” by Olivia Bahou

·        “Beauty and the Beast Summary” (http://www.shmoop.com/beauty-and-the-beast/summary.html)

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Imagine

“Imagine the worst stomach pain you’ve ever had. I have that 24 hours a day.” (Keith Adkins)

There are some embarrassing ailments in life that people only talk to a doctor about (in whispering tones) when all other options have been exhausted.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition of the bowel that causes episodes of abdominal cramps, bloating, and either constipation (or diarrhea). IBS comes in three types: IBS going with Constipation (IBS-C), IBS going with diarrhea (IBS-D), and Unsubtyped IBS (IBS-U).

Other symptoms that can occur include: nausea, headache, belching, poor appetite, tiredness, backache, depression, fatigue, gas, mucus in the stool, muscle pains, feeling quickly full after eating, heartburn, and bladder symptoms. IBS causes lots of mild to severe discomfort. It is incurable, but simple changes in one’s lifestyle can ease the severity of symptoms. Though IBS affects the working of the bowel, there is otherwise nothing wrong with the bowel.

The truth spells out a demanding (but not unmanageable) life challenge:

·        IBS is the most common gastrointestinal disorder, which leads to $1.6 billion per year in health-related spending in the US.

·        IBS is more commonly diagnosed in women (25 to 54 years) than in men (1.5 to 3 times higher).

·        For people with an IBS biological relative, the risk for developing IBS is twice as high.

• ·        IBS is a very real problem for 60 million people (20 percent of Americans). Bottom of Form

 

·        Most people with IBS experience symptoms, including abdominal pain/discomfort, for an average of 8.1 days per month.

·        IBS people have twice as many days off work (compared to the general population). In addition, they experienced more days in bed or feel less productive at work because of their symptoms.

·        Approximately two-thirds of people with IBS reduced their activity level compared to healthy individuals. They found it difficult to make new friends, and have a variety of relationships. 

As not to increase IBS bathroom visits, you should keep far away from grains (oatmeal and barley), root vegetables (like carrots and parsnips), fruits (berries, oranges, grapefruit, and mangos), legumes (peas), fried food, beans, caffeinated drinks, and processed foods. What follows are natural, home remedies for IBS that could be helpful to you:

·        A fresh, ripe banana helps with IBS symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and gas.

·        Cabbage juice can be an effective treatment for IBS constipation.

·        Carrots help with the IBS symptoms of constipation and diarrhea.

·        Chamomile tea is loaded with the antispasmodic property and rich in the amount of tannins, which can provide a great source of relief of IBS diarrhea.

·        Eat small, regular meals. (Don’t skip them.) This can aid in regulating the function of the bowel in regards to IBS diarrhea, it is better to eat small and regular meals that will even make you better. If you have constipation, consuming foods that are rich source of fiber will move the food through the intestines.

·        Fennel seeds reduce the intestinal spasms as well as the bloating that is associated with IBS.

·        Ginger helps with IBS gas removal and bloating reduction.

·        Oat bran can help with the IBS symptoms as it pertains to stools. They will get soft, and then pass out easily and painlessly.

·        Peppermint eases the IBS symptoms of bloating, cramping, burping, and diarrhea

·        Soluble fiber absorbs the liquid found in the intestines, and aids in fighting off IBS diarrhea.

·        Thirty minutes of regular exercise helps to relieve the stress connected with IBS.

·        Yogurt (with live cultures) becomes an effective remedy for IBS diarrhea.

People say love is the best feeling, but I think finding a toilet when you've got diarrhea is better.”People say that love is the best feeling, but I think finding a toilet when you have diarrhea is better.” (Rotten eCards)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “15 Effective Home Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)” (https://authorityremedies.com/home-remedies-for-irritable-bowel-syndrome)

·        “5 Simple Steps to Cure IBS without Drugs” by Mark Hyman, MD

·        “How Common Is IBS?” (https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/what-is-ibs/statistics)

·        “Irritable Bowel Syndrome” (https://patient.info/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome-leaflet)