3 Things About Fear You Should Consider

After posting about ways on how to deal with fear, let us look at some of the facts and myths. You may have heard people saying that fear helped them go through a particular situation. Is fear really a good thing? Let’s find out.

“Fear makes you stronger” - Fear arises from the existence of a perceived threat. In that particular situation, the adrenal glands secrete epinephrine (adrenaline) into the blood, causing an increase of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles. At the same time, it decreases the functionality of other bodily processes that are not directly related to the fight-or-flight response. The drawback is that it only lasts for a short time.and you feel a lot of stress afterwards.

“Fear allows you to judge better” - Although some people would claim that fear allows them to make better judgments, what actually happens is that your mind focuses only on the object or situation that you fear and gives you less options to choose from. In effect, it allows you to decide faster but the options that you missed may have been far more suitable than the one that you picked.

“Fear allows you to perform better” - It actually depends on the situation. Often times you will hear people say that their fear allowed them to react better to situations when fear was present. However, the reason for that is related to the fight-or-flight response (see above). This is not always the case. Since fear also hampers your judgment, decisions that could have helped you perform better during the situation may have been left out.

3 Steps in Conquering your Fear

My last post was about some of the most ridiculous fears that were observed from people. Although, most of us would think of them as funny, there are people who actually do experience them. So, how does one go around dealing with fear? First, we’ll have to define what fear is. Fear is an emotional response to something that we perceive as a threat. It’s a survival mechanism that triggers to a negative stimulus. It is often related to a bad experience from the past. With that said, let’s proceed with some steps on how to deal with a specific fear.

Identify - Although usually, the first step seems to be the hardest, for this one it’s pretty easy. Like any problem, the first step in finding a solution is to identify the problem and its causes. For example, ask yourself, “What is it that I fear and why?”

Understand the cause of your fear - Humans fear that which they don’t understand. For example: You are afraid of spiders. What is it about spiders that you fear? It’s bite? Do some research about spiders and you will find that not all spiders are deadly. Also, the deadly ones would only bite when threatened.

Face it - Look at pictures or imagine the situation that you fear. Make sure to maintain the image for as long as you can. Also, remember to breath properly. You will experience things like rapid breathing and heightened pulse rate. Focus on calming yourself. Afterwards put yourself in that situation or look at the actual object. Then do the same. Imagine the worst that could happen and conquer it. What are the chances of the worst happening, anyway?

30 Unusual Fears

Phobia is an irrational fear of an object or situation. Irrational, meaning, there is no reason for the fear. Here are some of the most ridiculous phobias that I’ve heard.

Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing.
Acerophobia- Fear of sourness.
Alektorophobia- Fear of chickens.
Alliumphobia- Fear of garlic.
Allodoxaphobia- Fear of opinions.
Amathophobia- Fear of dust.
Anthrophobia or Anthophobia- Fear of flowers.
Asymmetriphobia- Fear of asymmetrical things.
Automysophobia- Fear of being dirty.
Bromidrosiphobia or Bromidrophobia- Fear of body smells.
Chronophobia- Fear of time.
Consecotaleophobia- Fear of chopsticks.
Dendrophobia- Fear of trees.
Dutchphobia- Fear of the Dutch.
Francophobia- Fear of France or French culture.
Geumaphobia or Geumophobia- Fear of taste.
Hypnophobia- Fear of sleep or of being hypnotized.
Iatrophobia- Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors.
Ithyphallophobia- Fear of seeing, thinking about or having an erect penis.
Japanophobia- Fear of Japanese.
Judeophobia- Fear of Jews.
Kathisophobia- Fear of sitting down.
Numerophobia- Fear of numbers.
Oneirophobia- Fear of dreams.
Oneirogmophobia- Fear of wet dreams.
Optophobia- Fear of opening one’s eyes.
Osmophobia or Osphresiophobia- Fear of smells or odors.
Papyrophobia- Fear of paper.
Panophobia or Pantophobia- Fear of everything.
Sophophobia- Fear of learning.

Ridiculous, right? What’s there to fear from taste, odor, or even opening your eyes? I just don’t understand what goes on in people’s minds. But like any fear, these can be overcome with therapy.

5 Small But Terribly Dangerous Creatures

A lot of people find insects amusing and beautiful, especially young boys. However, even with their small size, some can be fatal to large animals and even humans. Here are my top 5 most dangerous insects in the world.

5. Tsetse Fly - A large biting fly fom Africa that feeds on the blood of vertebrate animals. They are known to cause Sleeping Sickness in humans and Nagana in cattle. Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease in people and animals that is caused by Trypanosoma, a protozoa transmitted by the tsetse fly. The symptoms for sleeping sickness begin with fever and headache then a swell on the back of the neck. Afterwards, the victim may experience daytime slumber and insomnia. It could lead to death afterwards.

4. Africanized Bees - Also called killer bees, are descendants of 26 Tanzanian queen bees that bred with other species after they were accidentally released from a hive in Brazil. What makes the bees deadly is their defensive nature and tendency to swarm. Also, they tend to follow victims even when already far from the hive. This aggressiveness when attacking potential threats ensure a very painful death for the victim. The venom that they secrete, however, is just as potent as a honey bee’s.

3. Deathstalker - A species of scorpion that is highly dangerous because of its venom. The venom is actually a powerful mixture of neurotoxins. Although, the poison would not kill a healthy adult, it could be fatal to kids and the elderly. Ironically, a component of the venom (peptide chlorotoxin) has the potential to cure human brain tumors while the other toxins may help against diabetes.

2. Black Widow - One of the most well-known spiders, especially because its venom could be fatal to humans. The venom is said to be more potent than that of rattlesnakes, however, their size and the amount secreted reduce its effectiveness. Both male and female have an hourglass shaped marking underneath their abdomen. The females are relatively larger than the males and contrary to popular belief, the females rarely eat the males after mating.

1. Anopheles Mosquitoes - Deemed the most dangerous creature on Earth. This mosquito causes more than 300 million cases of malaria annually, which results in between 1 to 3 million deaths. They can also carry dengue, elephantiasis, and yellow fever. They are usually active during the nightime so one way to protect yourself is to apply insect-repellents and wear longer sleeves.

6 Things You Need To Know About Abortion

Here are some abortion facts I found in the Guttmacher Institute’s website. I’ve decided to post these after the news about the 20 - 20 tie vote for the abortion requirement bill in Florida. The bill would require all women in Florida to undergo ultrasound before the abortion itself. Here are the facts (note that these is for the US only).

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* Nearly half of all pregnancies to American women are unintended; four in 10 of these end in abortion.

* About half of American women have experienced an unintended pregnancy, and at current rates more than one-third (35%) will have had an abortion by age 45.

* Overall unintended pregnancy rates have stagnated over the past decade, yet unintended pregnancy increased by 29% among poor women while decreasing 20% among higher-income women.

* In 2005, 1.21 million abortions were performed, down from 1.31 million abortions in 2000.

* Nine in 10 abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

* A broad cross section of U.S. women have abortions:
o 56% of women having abortions are in their 20s;
o 61% have one or more children;
o 67% have never married;
o 57% are economically disadvantaged;
o 88% live in a metropolitan area; and
o 78% report a religious affiliation.
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There are different opinions regarding abortion between the pro-life people and the pro-choice side. I’m still open for opinions regarding the issue so don’t hesitate to post your comment. Let me hear your thoughts!

Ultrasound before abortion: Are you for or against it?

Here is something that came in recently which I believe is worth mentioning. The senate arrived at a rare 20-20 tie vote, putting down the bill that proposes to require all women here in Florida to have an ultrasound before an abortion.

Personally, as a mother and a doctor, I support the abortion requirement. Although it will entail some costs, it should only be proper that those who would perform the abortion know how old the fetus is. Other than that would be my personal bias. I became a doctor to save lives, not kill them.

Here are some notable quotes from the article:

”Unless you ovulate or have ovulated, we have no business as males interfering with your female decision on reproduction. A woman making a decision that she wants to abort, that decision should be honored.” - Jim King

‘If good medical practice dictates screening, what does no screening mean?’ Fill in the blank. It’s bad medical practice.” - Dan Webster

‘What is it that we might be afraid of in an ultrasound?’ Oh, I don’t know. Could it be that in the ultrasound she might see the baby — the unborn — putting his thumb to his mouth and sucking his thumb before she has an abortion? Could that be what we’re afraid of? So we think then she won’t have it and we think she shouldn’t have to see that?” -Ronda Storms

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So how about it? How do you feel about this particular issue?

Spots that get her excited

I mentioned some tips on how to use your hand for your man’s pleasure a few weeks ago. So to be fair with you guys, let me tell you some spots that could get us excited.

Erogenous spots, as we call it, are areas with nerve-endings and increase sensitivity. Lips, nipples, and thighs are among the commonly known spots. Although not for all women, try to find one where she likes it the most. Here are some that most guys pay less attention to:

Neck - Ever wonder why she sudddenly gasps or raises her shoulders to cover her neck when you touch it? The back of the neck is considered as one of the most sensitive parts of a woman’s body. To use it to your advantage, breathe down her neck, or kiss her there (move her hair aside, of course). Use your imagination. You’ll make her want you more.

Ears - Try to whisper something sweet in her ear and watch her react. Some women’s ears are actually sensitive to touch. For this one, your lips and tongue are key to arousing her. Use your lips to suck her earlobes, and your tongue to lick the edges of her ear.

Behind the knees - This area is highly sensitive and she may react differently depending on how sensitive she is. If she’s ticklish, don’t bother with this area. If she likes it though, start licking the area smoothly..but don’t overdo it.

Feet - If you feel comfortable with it, try giving her a foot massage…with your mouth, of course. A lot of women like having their toes sucked on. You may also lick her soles while gently massaging her feet. I know mine are…but before doing those things, make sure her feet are clean!

Hands - Ever wonder why people like holding hands? It’s not because of the custom. The hands are actually sensitive, too! Kiss her palm and play with her fingers. Lick her hands to excite her. You can be creative and use chocolate. Whatever works for you.

Take note that these spots were not meant to be stimulated individually. You can mix and match. Try kissing her neck while massaging her hands. Again, be creative!

Six Pregnancy Myths

Looking for current news online, I encountered this particular article about improving the chances of whether a new mother will conceive a boy or a girl. According to the article, a high energy diet would boost the chances of having a boy while the opposite would most likely yield a girl. After reading through the entire thing, I’m still unsure whether to believe the findings of the survey or not, but unless they are able to explain the details of how it works, I wouldn’t agree to the research just yet.

While we’re on the topic of pregnancy, although there are clinical methods of knowing the gender of an unborn child (I had ultrasound myself), there are also popular myths on how to find out.

Heart Rate - If a baby’s heart rate is below 140 then it’s a boy. On the other hand, if the baby’s heart rate is 140 and above, then it’s a girl.
Belly Shape - If you’re carrying low then you’re having a boy, but if you’re carrying high then you’re having a girl.
Urine - If your urine is bright yellow then it’s a boy, if it is clear then it’s a girl.
Breast - If the right breast is bigger than the left then it’s a boy, otherwise it’s a girl.
Chinese Calendar - By matching your conceiving age and month of conception, you can figure out if it’s going to be a boy or a girl. Here’s a link to the chart.
Ring Test - Tie a ring on a piece of string. Hold the string so that the ring hangs down in front of your belly. Gently swing the string and take note of the motion. If the ring moves in a circular pattern, you are having a boy, but if it moves in a straight line, you are having a girl.

5 Things to Avoid in Las Vegas

I’ve been to Las Vegas quite a few times with my husband. I haven’t had any real trouble so far and have always enjoyed my visits. However, it may not be the same for everyone. Here a few things to avoid while on a vacation in the city.

Driving - Traffic can get really bad in Las Vegas, especially the Strip. Instead of driving, try taking a walk or take a taxi. The monorail is also an alternative.

Losing all your money on gambling - In gambling, sometimes you win, often times you don’t. Don’t go to Las Vegas in the hopes of winning a lot of money in one of the casinos. Many people have tried and many have failed. My husband and I gamble just for fun. I suggest you do the same.

Drinking - Alright, drinking is fine but not too much that you’ll spending the next day in the hotel with a massive hangover. Also, getting drunk in Vegas would be bad in more ways than one - it could quickly lead you to the above situation (gambling).

The Heat - When I say “heat”, I’m not just talking about the scenes in Las Vegas. The city is in the desert and temperatures could easily reach 90 - 100 degrees during the summer. Bring a lot of water to avoid dehydration and avoid the afternoon sun.

The Wrong Crowd - Las Vegas is not called Sin City for nothing. Especially in the casinos, there are a lot of unlikable people that move around. People who smoke without any regard for other people, people who drink in public and often go loud when drunk, and scantily clad women are but a few of them. If you’re going to Las Vegas for a vacation, at least you should know what you’re getting in to.

Common beach-related injuries

With summer in full swing, I’m sure most of you are thinking of going to the beach for a vacation. It could be in Miami, French Polynesia, or even Bora Bora. Of course, there are unexpected events that can occur while traveling or even when at the destination itself. Here are some beach-related injuries and how to address or prevent them.

Kinetosis - It’s not beach-related but if don’t happen to live near a beach then you will surely have to travel. If you’re going to travel by commuting to your destination there’s a possibility that you may suffer from kinetosis or motion sickness. This happens when there is a disagreement between your perceived movement and the vestibular system’s sense of movement. You may feel dizzy, experience cold sweat, develop a headache, or worse, feel like vomiting (which would not help relieve motion sickness).

In case you run into the situation, let me give you some advice on what to do. One, if in a car or any other vehicle, try looking towards the horizon in front of the vehicle instead of the windows to your sides. Second is to take a nap, but be especially wary of passengers who might take your belongings. Of course prevention is still better than cure so try taking Dramamine or Bonine (you can purchase these over-the-counter) one hour before traveling.

Dehydration - Of course, with the summer heat you’ll be sweating a lot. So try to replenish your body fluids with water every now and then - especially when you’re feeling dizzy or developing a headache. Those two mentioned could already be symptoms of dehydration, which could lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Sunburn - At the beach, try to stay under the shade as much as possible between 10AM to 2PM - the hottest part of the day. Overexposure to the sun could cause sunburn, especially if you do not apply sunblock to exposed areas of your skin. Try to avoid going into the water or make sure to reapply it afterwards. In case you do get sunburn, apply vinegar to sooth the pain. Pain-relievers or analgesics could also help. There is no immediate treatment for sunburn and it will heal in time.

Cramps - I’m sure most of you who have tried swimming a few times would have already experienced having muscle cramps. Basically, a cramp is a painful, involuntary muscle contraction due to overexertion. This happening while swimming in deep water could be extremely dangerous. In case it does happen do not panic, immediately stop swimming, tread water, and relax to prevent further cramps from developing. Softly massage the cramped area then immediately move out of the water.

Eating potassium-rich foods could help prevent cramps from occurring so make sure to eat your potatoes. Other foods rich in potassium are avocados, bananas, and soybeans.

Jellyfish Stings - Jellyfishes are some of the creatures I fear when going into the water. When you are stung by one, focus on getting out of the water to get help. Isolate the infected part so as not to spread it on an another area. Rinse the infected part with seawater, not fresh water to prevent activating the nematocysts (jellyfish sting cells). Use forceps or protective gloves to remove the tentacles. Use pain relievers to control the pain and immediately seek medical help.

Make sure to remember some of these tips before heading out. Enjoy!