Saturday May 19 , 2012

Posts Tagged ‘health’

In Case Shyt Happens

DCBuppie

 6 Comments

Oct 22 |00:43

This week was tragic for me maaan.
TRAGIC.

To get to the point, since it is now Friday, I had a VICIOUS ALLERGIC REACTION. I have no clue what the hell I am allergic to.

Anyway, in the hustle and bustle of things, it came time to utilize my health insurance.

AWW YES!! You know, that thingy our corporate jobs provide us. (Actually they deduct an amount each pay period and give us some credits towards it, but rarely pay for the entire thing.) That thing which many single bups do not pay too much attention to…. until Shyt happens.

Well shyt happened. And I the DCBuppie had to make some life decisions in the midst of my situation.

It made me realize how trained I am to reduce cost in the case shyt happens. This is probably something I learned from my parents, whose first step in all “shyt happens” scenarios was to rub some tussin in it and tell me to go take a shyt.

I digress.  Back to the story.

First, I had symptoms and I ignored it. Sunday one eye was clearly swollen. But I just blamed it on the lack of sleep, or a cosmetic malfunction.  Of course I am walking ’round looking like

But I had shyt to do. I thought I could solve this by poppin my good ole Benadryl.

So that is what I did.

Only to wake up Monday morning, in full panic mode, when both my eyes are swollen, and the only way I could now see is if my head was fully erect and my eyeballs peered over my lower lid.

I looked completely unrecognizable. COMPLETELY.

Holding my blackberry over my head, I called my Sister, a RN. Aw yes. Free medical advice.

She said: “Yea, you should call an ambulance and go to the emergency room.”

and you know what popped in my head ?? $$$$$

Aint that about a bitch? Isn’t this ironic?

You see , I being a mid 20 bup, opted for the cheapest coverage, to maximize my DOLLARS in my pocket. I mean  given my youthfulness this made sense. And in doing so, I can remember that an ambulance would incur some heavy montary damage.
So I stagger around my condo, head up of course to find my laptop.

Google my health provider….. Sign IN……Check “IN NETWORK”. (Cus if it aint IN NETWORK, then I got to come out all my pockets.)  SEARCH URGENT CARE ,  cus I figured it would cost less.

I found one within the city. Hopped in my whip, some how managed to park and walk into  urgent care.

I walk in, and am asked, “How can we help you.?”

WTF face. I know this BITCH sees my face.

SO while, I want to say: “BITCH my face blew up. Can you  hurry the fcuk up!?”

I say , I need help. I am having an allergic reaction.

“Can I have your insurance card.”

WTF FACE x2

She goes into her systems verifies my coverage, all before saying yes she can help me.

Once this is all cleared, she handed me 300 sheets of the same fucking form asking me the same questions. Name,DOB, Aliments, etc. Luckily within 10 minutes I see a Doctor.  AND in 20 minutes I was given a steroid shot and 2 prescriptions.

As I laid on the bed waiting my prescriptions, I couldn’t help but think:

WHY da fuck am I putting myself through this ?! I mean really now??
When shyt goes down, don’t we pay for smooth shyt?

I could not help but wonder, If I inconvenienced myself with this “cheaper” insurance OR if the entire insurance scheme impounded my situation?

Anyway, my face is getting back to normal. Ah just in time for 2011 Benefits selection!

This time I am going to opt for one with ambulance included. No need yall, I am  SHAKING MY DAMN HEAD at my damn self!

 

Workout Critiques

Up&Coming

 5 Comments

Jun 1 |12:51

Recently I have decided that it is time for me to start working out again. I have noticed that upon doing this I have got a lot of dare I say criticism about my choice. Of course that doesn’t ever stop me from doing anything productive so I continue to do what I do, but it is weird. It seems if you begin a regimen to help better yourself and others haven’t (and think that maybe they should) you get a bit of grief about it. Here are the three things people have said to me in particular:

1. You’re thin! Why are you working out?! Ummm when did people get this idea that if you are thin that you do not need to work out?! That’s one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. How about I want to be in shape. In my teens and EARLY 20′s I noticed how I could do so much without getting tired. I could run at least a mile and I had great upper body strength. This was partially due to high school athletics. But once I got to college I worked out less and less. And when I did I could barely get through it which discouraged me from even trying. Recently, I saw some of the closest people to me were working out and how much it was doing for them, therefore, I knew it was time for me to get consistent and make some lifestyle changes. Even though I can eat whatever I want now and stay the same weight without exercise doesn’t mean it won’t eventually catch up to me later in life.

2. You are only working out because your boyfriend does! Granted my man was the person who urged me to workout the most. It is an active part of his daily life. However, Best Bup also works out, and so does The Close Confidant. I do spend a lot of time with my man so some of his habits rub off on me. However, I am a photographer therefore his interest in photography has increased. No one is frowning upon that. I can see if I picked up a bad habit from him. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with him being an influence on my decision to workout.

3. I can’t be sweating my hair out everyday! YUCK Honestly, ladies this was a HUGE reason why I hadn’t worked out in a while. I hated the thought of sweating my hair out everyday. And even when I would work out I would be so pissed because my hair would be ruined. And it is even WORSE because I have natural hair. However, one day the Close Confidant says to me, “Well at least your hair will look nice in your casket since you want to sacrifice your health to keep your hair looking nice.” That did it and I finally realized how stupid I sounded. I have now got a routine as far as how to care for my hair since I am working out. It is A TASK but it is well worth a healthy lifestyle. And Buppie women out there that work out any suggestions on how you maintain your hair are MORE THAN welcome in the comments section!

Bups, working out is essential to your future health. You may be in alright shape now but what shape is your body going to be in when you are 50? Your body is like a car. You can run it and put miles on it without the necessary maintenance. But as that car gets older you are going to see what all that wear and tear did to it plus the fact that you didn’t do a good job maintaining it.

Just something to think about.

 

GO GET TESTED

DCBuppie

 2 Comments

Dec 1 |08:36


World AIDS Day!

Go Get Tested.

We all know we should get tested. It is my hope we are all having safe sex. I am having the SAFIEST SEX! Cus I am claiming Celibacy right now! But no matter if you using a jimmy hat or not, the WORST part to an HIV test is the WAIT for the Results.

Time and time again, you use protection. You “trust” your partners. You may even trade AIDS/HIV results before you boogie. You do everything right. But then you hear ish like 1 out of 2 people in your city got AIDS. You start thinking of What if scenarios. What if you was that one person to use a condom, and catch it? You start thinking every partner burned you. You want to sue Trojan for false advertisement. Your stomach gets all flappy. You get depressed. If someone says the wrong word to you, you could break out in tears.

Then you get to praying.

“Dear God. Please let me be negative. I know I shouldn’t being having Sex. I know I was wrong. If you make me negative, I will never have sex again.”

We say this prayer, hear our Negative results. And get right back to EFFinng.

Shakes my Head.

 

How About A Divorce Between The Right and The Left (Dwn Twn)

DCBuppie

 0 Comments

Aug 9 |10:32

Oddly enough, this was circulated via email around my job. HR quickly replied how this was out of policy. As always share your thoughts.
Original Article

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists, Obama supporters, et al:

We have stuck together since the late 1950′s, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right so let’s just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.

Here is a model separation agreement:

Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.

We don’t like redistributive taxes so you can keep them. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU, and abortion clinics. Since you hate guns and war, we’ll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore, Katie Couric and Rosie O’Donnell…

We’ll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies and illegal aliens. We’ll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms and rednecks. We’ll keep the Bibles and give you CBS, NBC, CNBC and Hollywood ..

You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we’ll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us. You can have the peaceniks, and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we’ll help provide them security.

We’ll keep our Judeo-Christian values. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N., but we will no longer be paying the bill.

We’ll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks American made cars and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.

You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors. We’ll continue to believe healthcare is not a right. We’ll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem and “In God We Trust” where it belongs. I’m sure you’ll be happy to substitute I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, Kum Ba Ya or We Are the World.

We’ll practice trickle down economics and you can give trickle up poverty your best shot. Since it often so offends you, we’ll keep our history, our name and our flag.

Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I’ll bet you ANWAR which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.

Sincerely,

John J. Wall
Law Student and an American

P.S. Also, please take Barbara Streisand and Jane Fonda with you.

 

Gynecology Facts All Black Women Should Know

DCBuppie

 2 Comments

Jan 21 |20:44
Syleena Johnson, BDO Staff Writer

(BlackDoctor.org) — In the past few years, self diagnosis has become an internet phenomenon. I can’t tell you the number of times women have written me tearful emails because they’ve read or heard something about gynecology they think applies to them – and it doesn’t. A lot of what you read about gynecology or about caring for your va-jay-jay is either exaggerated or “just plain wrong.” Because of this, we have decided to provide you with the facts

Secret # 1: Birth control pills may cause your sex drive to wane.

If your desire for canoodling hasn’t seemed quite the same since you started taking “the Pill,” it’s not your imagination. It’s 100% true that birth control pills can reduce the desire for sex in many women.

This is true not only for women in their reproductive years. It’s also true for women going through menopause who may use a low dose pill to control symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings.

What can you do to get your sex drive back? Switching pill brands or formulations sometimes helps. If it doesn’t, consider switching to another form of birth control such as an IUD — if you’re in a monogamous relationship — or condoms. Another option is to take the Pill less frequently and use another method of protection to prevent pregnancy. If you’re using the Pill for relief of symptoms such as hot flashes, talk to your doctor about cutting back the dosage.

Secret # 2: To reduce some side effects of birth control pills — including nausea — insert them vaginally.

Inserting the Pill vaginally is not harmful. It can be very effective, particularly if you are suffering with any nausea or vomiting for any reason, including from taking the Pill.

This little known secret came to light thanks to an Israeli study published in the journal Contraception. Doctors compared two groups of women using the Pill. One group took the pill by mouth; the other inserted it into the vagina and let it dissolve. The result? The women who used the vaginal route had less nausea, vertigo, headache, breast tenderness, period pain, and stomach upsets than the ones who took the Pill orally.

Secret # 3: Migraine headaches may increase your desire for sex — and orgasms may stop headaches and menstrual cramps.

Having sex may be the last thing on your mind while you have a headache. But don’t be surprised if you feel stronger urges to get intimate in the time leading up to a migraine — as much as 24 hours before. Doctors aren’t sure why this occurs. According to researcher James Couch, MD, of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, it may have something to do with an increase in the levels of serotonin. This brain chemical may be linked to sexual appetite.

Moreover, recent research has shown that for up to 20% of women, having an orgasm may stop a migraine in its tracks, immediately relieving the pain. But this isn’t the first time orgasm has been linked to pain relief. Goldstein says some women find it helps menstrual cramps — possibly because of a release of bio-chemicals that flood the body and relax the uterus, relieving pain.

Secret # 4: Avoiding sex will make painful sex hurt more.

Many women believe that avoiding intercourse and giving their vagina a “rest” is the best antidote to painful sex. Experts say the exact opposite is true. There is some measure of truth to the axiom that if you don’t use it, you lose it. Stop having sex and resuming it may be that much harder — both physically and in terms of desire.

At the same time, she says, pain with intercourse is not normal. It often occurs when your partner simply isn’t arousing you enough. In other instances, hormonally driven vaginal dryness — like the vaginal dryness some women feel when nursing a baby or going through menopause — can also cause sexual discomfort. A little dollop of a lubricating product or an estrogen cream applied directly to the vagina is all you need to eliminate discomfort from painful intercourse related to hormones.

If arousal is the problem talk to your partner about increasing foreplay. Then do whatever it takes to get you through the excitement phase and make your body ready for intercourse.

Secret # 5: It’s easier to contract an STD if you have sex during your period.

While having sex during your period is the least likely time to get pregnant, it’s also the most likely time to catch an infection. The reason? Changes in the acid/alkaline balance of your vagina during your menses make it easier for bacteria to proliferate. Normally the vagina is acidic, [a condition bacteria don't like]. But blood raises the pH substantially, making it a more alkaline environment and that’s a condition that can allow bacteria to thrive. If you’re not 100% certain of your partner’s sexual health, always use a condom.

Secret # 6: Wearing cotton underwear and changing your laundry detergent really do work to reduce your risk of vaginitis.

Doctors say these long-standing axioms are not just an old wives tale. Vaginitis is an irritation of the vagina. It causes excess vaginal discharge, burning, and itching. Wearing cotton underwear and using a different laundry detergent can reduce the risk of vaginitis. Another way to avoid the risk is not to use perfumed soaps, intimate deodorants, or other fragrant products around your vagina.

If you don’t see at least some reduction in symptoms of vaginitis soon after you make these changes, Goldstein says talk to your doctor. Your problem could be bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection, a sexually transmitted disease, or another infection that needs medical care.

Secret # 7: To reduce the risk of developing toxic shock syndrome when traveling abroad, bring a supply of US made tampons.

The potentially deadly infection known as toxic shock syndrome is on the rise again. It’s still linked to highly absorbent tampon use. These tampons are no longer sold in the United States, but depending on where you travel out of the country, you might still find them on store shelves right next to safer, less absorbent type. If you aren’t very familiar with the language in another country, you could easily come away with the wrong type. To be safe bring your own from home, and never leave them in your body for an extended period of time.

Secret # 8: Avoid the use of tampons to protect against incontinence leaks.

Because a tampon in the vagina also exerts pressure on the urethra (the tube where urine passes out of the body), it can act as a kind of “stopper.” This may help control leaks, drips and dribbles. Doctors say it’s okay to use this method once in a while — for example if you tend to “leak” urine while exercising. However doctors warns not to make a habit of it and says to remove the tampon as soon as you’re done working out. A tampon inside a dry vagina, they say, can cause significant irritation as well as microscopic tears in the skin. The irritation and tears can later open the door to infection. To help control everyday leaks, drips, and dribbles, you can use one of the new ultra thin incontinence pads. They are more absorbent than a typical menstrual pad and safer than a tampon.

Secret # 9: Intercourse won’t increase your risk of recurring yeast infection — but oral sex might.

Studies conducted at the University of Michigan Health System showed that men do not generally pass a yeast infection to a woman during intercourse. According to the study it appears that the risk for recurrent infections is related to something else — perhaps the woman’s immune response to the yeast.

Interestingly, however, the study, which looked at over 200 men and women, came to another rather surprising conclusion. Women who receive oral sex seem more likely to suffer from recurring vaginal yeast infections. This was the case whether their partner showed signs of yeast infection in their mouth or not.

We’re not saying that oral sex is a problem for everyone, but if a woman is experiencing recurrent yeast infections, these activities put her at an increased risk. The CDC reports that up to 80% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime. A hormone imbalance, high blood sugar levels, certain antibiotics, birth control pills, or stress can also cause a yeast infection.

Secret # 10: That “urine-like” odor around your vulva may not be urine at all, but sweat — and there is something you can do about it.

Because secretions from sweat glands have some of the same components as urine, it’s common for some women who perspire a lot to experience a urine-like odor in the area of their vulva or even on their panties. But before you jump to the conclusion that you have an incontinence problem try washing your va-jay-jay zone more frequently using a mild soap and water. Add a dusting of cornstarch-based powder to absorb moisture. Avoid nylon panties and panty hose, which tend to hold in heat and increase sweating. If the smell disappears then it was likely sweat and not urine. If it continues, talk to your doctor.

Courtesy of Blackdoctor.org.

 

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