Home Alone: How Pets deal with Separation Anxiety

One night I came home from work to find our house in disarray. The pungent scent of urine filled the air. Pillows were scattered everywhere, their stuffing torn out. Vases and other knickknacks were reduced to mere shards of porcelain and glass. Some of my books were ripped to shreds. At first I thought that my apartment had been burglarized but I realized that the burglars couldn't have missed seeing the flat screen television, DVD player and speakers prominently displayed in the living room. The one thing missing was my dog, a large Labrador retriever named Bob. I worriedly searched the rest of the apartment and found nothing else amiss. Upon entering my bedroom, I found Bob under the bed chewing one of my shoes. If that wasn't bad enough, I saw a pile of dog stool right on my pillow. As I scolded him for making a mess, I wondered why a normally well-behaved dog like Bob could make such a mess. That's when I learned about pet separation anxiety.

Pet separation anxiety manifests itself in different ways. They can be destructive, as Bob was, or choose to disturb your neighbors with a fit of loud barking and whining. They may also spread their stool and urine in the most unexpected places, such as the inside of your favorite pair of shoes or all over your clothes. They chew and scratch on furniture without compunction. They tend to destroy things that you frequntly use and carry your scent, and they do all these things as soon as you leave them alone. They are also wildly excited to see you when you get back, incessantly demanding your attention.

But what can cause this anxiety in our beloved pets? One of the most common reasons is when pets are frequently left alone, they get bored. They may also feel abandoned by their owners. The bad behavior that they manifest is merely a cry for much needed attention.

So what can you do about it? Teach your pet to recognize I cues signaling your departure, such as picking up your keys and interact with them on your terms and not when they demand it. Try increasing the amount of exercise that your pet gets, but if your time is limited you may want to consider hiring someone to walk your pet. Add more toys for it to chew. During the hours that you are away at work, you might want to hire a dog sitter or putting your pet in daycare. If you have the space, you can set aside an area for your pet. Crates and pens are available in different sizes and materials. Choose one suitable to the size and strength of your pet.

In case of serious separation anxiety cases, consult your veterinarian. They may be able to suggest other available therapies or medication for your pet. You can also consult with pet trainers and do research in print or online for ways on how to train your pet to accept your absence. Internet forums for pet owners can also be a valuable tool for learning effective techniques in handling your pet's separation anxiety. But most of all, treat your pet with love and sensitivity. Remember that your pet is only acting out what it cannot verbalize. With a little help, you and your pet can live an anxiety-free existence.

Buy Effexor tablets online with no prescription

Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter with many important functions in the brain and body Serotonin deficiency is a common contributor to mood problems. Some feel it is an epidemic in the United States. Serotonin is key to our feelings of happiness and very important for our emotions because it helps defend against both Anxiety and depression. Many of the current biochemical theories of depression focus on the biogenic amines, which are a group of chemical compounds important in neurotransmission?most importantly norepinephrine, serotonin and, to a lesser extent, dopamine, acetylcholine and epinephrine.

Effexor is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Effexor works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain, which helps to improve certain mood problems.

Effexor is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder.

Anti anxiety medication are benzodiazepines, which relieve the symptoms of anxiety quickly and which calms the individual. Benzodiazepine includes drugs such as Xanax, Kalma, Restoril, Tranxene and Valium. They are fast acting medicines, but they do not have a long lasting effect. These medicines have side effects like drowsiness and fatigue. Benzodiazepines cannot be given over a long period of time, as a person can develop a tolerance to them and become dependent on them. Some people also experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop the use of these medicines. Buspirone (BuSpar), is another anti anxiety medicine which must be taken for at least two weeks for the effects to show.

New prescription medications are often unknown quantities when it comes to long termed effects in the human body. Remember what they discovered about thalidomide. Enough said!

Why do I think that medications are a poor choice in attacking the depression 'plague'? Because I've taken them myself, Zoloft, Sertraline and Effexor XR and I remained depressed and suicidal throughout the course of the medications. And I'm by no means the only one to have experienced this.

Toxicity: SSRIs have a safe toxicity profile in comparison to other anti-depressants such as tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and many others. SSRIs do come with side-effects, some of which can be pretty severe, but few are life-threatening in an overwhelming majority of cases. Most side-effects of SSRIs are manageable and fade away as treatment is tapered off. Nevertheless, caution must be exercised over the essential nutritional supplements - such as vitamins -- one takes in course of treatment with an SSRI.

Tension Headaches Treatment Tips

1. Avoid situations that may cause a tension headache.

2. Use good posture when reading, working, or involved in activities that may cause a headache.

3. Exercise the neck and shoulders frequently.

4. Treatment for this type of headache usually includes nonprescription pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

5. Try to avoid sitting, standing or working in one position for long periods of time.

6. Do regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your neck and shoulders.

7. Applying heat or ice to sore muscles may ease the tension.

8. Use a heating pad set on low, a hot-water bottle, a warm compress or a hot towel.

Panic Disorder Treatments Without Medication

I was diagnosed with panic disorder a few years ago, my doctor prescribed Buspar to help ease the panic attacks. I really can't stand taking medicine, but anything seemed better than a panic attack. So I took the medicine, which made me feel like a zombie. After two months of the medication, I was still having panic attacks. This is when I began my search for panic disorder treatments, that didn't require medication!

There had to be a way to find a solution that didn't involve a pill, and I was determined to find it! After all, I had lived 35 years without ever having one panic attack, so why I am I being plagued with this now. I needed answers. During my next visit to the doctors office, I picked up every pamplet there was involving anxiety or panic disorder. Turns out, that wasn't such a wise idea either, because each pamplet offered a different drug as the solution.

On my way home that day, I stopped off at the library. I skimmed through book, after book hoping to find some medication free answers. There were a few techniques that I had learned, but they didn't stop these attacks. It was starting to look like medicine was the only way.

I hated the panic attacks, I hated the medicine, and I really hated knowing that something was wrong with me! For the next several days, I went to visit my sister, she lived on the beach and thought that maybe a vacation would help. The first day that I was there, she was called into work leaving me with nothing to do. I decided to do more research on her computer. That's when I found it, real panic disorder treatments that didn't include medication of any sort.

This guide has saved me from going crazy! I feel like me again, and I haven't experienced a panic attack in over 1 year now. I am truely panic free, for good. I know how to control it, and it doesn't come from medicine. Medicine to me is just a cover up, for panic disorder, not a cure buy any means.

Grapefruit Diet - Pros and Cons

The Grapefruit Diet, also known as the Hollywood Diet or Mayo Diet, has a long history in the United States. It has existed since 1930 and has been known as a fast weight loss method up until now with many variations and the only essential thing that can not be changed is a half serving of grapefruit before every meal. Grapefruit is claimed to have fat burning properties, and with the diet encouraging meat intake, these combination's of high cholesterol foods with grapefruit seems to burn fat faster.

The basic of the diet itself has been identified as low carbohydrate and protein diet with the averages of 800 to 1000 calories per day. With less than 1000 calories per day diet, most people will still loose weight even without grapefruit consumption, but how the half serving of grapefruit before each meal boost the weight loss process is still unknown. Notes that up until now, no scientific studies have manage to prove grapefruit's power to burn fat.

These are a sample of meal plans based on grapefruit diet:

Breakfast

1. Half serving of grapefruit or 4 oz unsweetened grapefruit juice
2. Two eggs, any style of cooking.
3. Two slice of bacon, cooked medium.
4. You can also add black coffee.

Lunch

1. Half serving of grapefruit or 4 oz unsweetened grapefruit juice.
2. Salad, any type of dressing, any size.
3. Meat, any type, unlimited amount.

Dinner

1. Half serving of grapefruit or 4 oz unsweetened grapefruit juice.
2. Meat, any type, unlimited amount.
3. Any red or green vegetable cooked with seasoning or a salad.A cup of coffee or tea.

Bedtime snack

8 ounces of skim milk with sweetener, the alternative is a glass of tomato juice.

No snack between meals allowed.

Pros

1. It consists of 12 diet days with 2 off diet days, so you have 2 days to eat whatever you want.
2. The program offer pretty quick weight loss: 18 pounds in first 18 days.
3. For those who doesn't like the idea of going to gym, this program have no instruction whatsoever regarding exercise or workout.
4. Affordable and simple.

Cons

1. It is not healthy to eat too much acidic citrus fruit all throughout the day for long periods. It will increase the acidity level in your stomach and increasing the probability to get a sore stomach, gastritis or even ulcerous diseases. If you suffer any of this or other digestive tract ailments, you should stop consuming any acid foods like grapefruit, lemons, or oranges.
2. The program cuts out things that needed in a balanced diet, such as carbohydrates.
3. The limited foods varieties restrict you to improve your eating habits, and it can cause boredom, monotony, and taste fatigue.
4. You will regain weight as soon as you quit the diet.
5. Unlike other citric fruits, grapefruits are known for their interactions with some drugs like felodipine, a drug used to control hypertension. Recent studies show that felodipine in combination with grapefruit juice can cause toxic effects.
6. If you starting this diet, monitor how are you feeling every day, there are report that some persons experienced runs in the beginning of the program, and this can leads to dehydration if not treated quickly.
7. There are opinions that grapefruit inhibits the insulin production of the pancreas. If you suffer from diabetes, you may even get to coma because the insulin level decreases suddenly.
8. This is a list of drugs that can lead to unpredictable and hazardous if combined with grapefruit juice:

• Statins (Cholesterol Drugs): lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin Lipitor, Simvastatin Zocor, simvastatin/ezetimibe Vytorin
• Antihistamines: Ebastine, Seldane
• Calcium Channel Blockers (Blood Pressure Drugs): nimodipine (Nimotop), Felodipine (Nitrendipine, Plendil), Pranidipine, nisoldipine (Sular), nicardipine (Cardene), verapamil (Verelan)
• Psychiatric Medications: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)
• Intestinal Medications: cisapride, taken off the U.S. market (Propulsid)
• Immune Suppressants: cyclosporine (Neoral), (tacrolimus) Prograf
• Pain Medications: Methadone
• Impotence Drug (erectile dysfunction): sildenafil (Viagra)
• Ant-HIV medication : saquinavir (Invirase)Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone (Cordarone)

Note that you don't have to understand all of these drugs, simply consult with your doctor before if you plan to start this diet.

Conclusion

It's okay to starting grapefruit diet if you just aim to look leaner in your wedding or your friend's party, but with so many downfalls and side effects, it's not advised to do this in long term. There are people that claim to do this for years with good result, but you should not try your luck just for a few pounds weight loss, there are many weight loss programs out there that offer healthy long term solution as well as quick result. But if you really want to try this, remember to consult your doctor if any bad symptoms occur and before starting the program.