Resolving to view life through global lenses

The results of the seismic tremors from the recent earthquake in southern Haiti have not stopped being felt around the globe because many people live by the old adage, “I am my brother’s keeper.”

Along with being our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers comes the need for an unyielding willingness to accept the responsibility for the welfare and well-being of fellow humans; those who live close by and those who live a distance away.

And, that same social and moral responsibility to be concerned about and care for others provides us with the authority to carry out actions that will bring about whatever provisions and protections needed to ensure the care, comfort, and security of others.

The authority to act responsibly makes us accountable to any and everyone our actions might affect; which generally amounts to any and everyone throughout the world since we really don’t know how far-reaching our influence can be on a given day.

We live in a 21st Century global society.

Long gone are the days when we can close our eyes, plug up our ears, silence our mouths, or sit on our hands when there is work to be done to keep our brothers and sisters comforted, cared for, and secured.

Now is the time to be that “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel first began singing about almost 41 years ago.

Our individual and collective help and assistance can bring relief to surviving Haitians in Haiti, and to their grieving loved ones who live far away from them. We are all our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

When our brothers and sisters hurt, we all hurt. When they are strengthened, we are all strengthened.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."  (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)

What's That Lump In Your Throat?

“Having a lump in our throats” is generally a term used when we feel choked up, overwhelmed, or anxious about something.

Research in the medical world also shows that if someone is experiencing a “lump in his or her throat” the cause could have an anatomical and/or medical implication; describing something known as Globus Hystericus.

According to Nexiumresearch.com (2000), Globus Hystericus is defined as:

Globus is the term given to the sensation of a lump in the throat causing difficulty with swallowing when there is no physical cause. One can't, of course, know there is no physical cause unless it's been excluded.

Globus hystericus is a Freudian diagnosis. It is used today to describe far more than neurosis.

Those that follow a URI are due to patient awareness of their epiglottis and symptoms dissipate after examination to R/O cancer. Explanation is all that is required. Many describe this as a lump in the throat.

The most common cause is gastroesophageal reflux disease - GERD. The Primary Care Physician´s concern and responsibility is to rule throat cancer or other serious malady.

Stress, anxiety, and/or depression are said to be some of the common factors associated with the evidence of Globus Hystericus.

http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec02/ch007/ch007e.html

To date, there has been no known discovery of any type of medicine being used to treat or cure Globus Hystericus, however; sympathy, empathy, and/or regular reassurance have been recommended as positive and progressive measures to immediately implement when dealing with someone displaying signs of the disorder; which typically has a somewhat temporary lifespan.

Medical experts suggest seeing a doctor to rule out any type of permanent or long-term medical issues, and professionals in both the mainstream and alternative medicine sectors are providing sound advice about natural and home remedies that work well to reduce, control, and manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore that lump in your throat because there may be underlying stress causing your esophagus to feel constricted and blocked, making it feel as if the meals you eat are not being fully digested; but instead are planting themselves right in your throat.

Try to laugh more frequently and more heartily with loved ones so that the stress, anxiety, and/or depression are replaced by laughter; which is known as “good medicine.”

http://www.innerrewards.com/topics/stress-reduction/articles/ir-the-health-benefits-of-laughter-489

http://www.innerrewards.com/topics/coaching-counseling/articles/ir-male-depression-and-anxiety-531

Also, consider including Yoga in your daily exercise routines -- there are poses and postures that are good for reducing stress and other anxiety-producing factors.

http://ndri.com/article/simple_yoga_technic_for_anxietystress_antidotes_to_anxietystress-144.html

There are natural and home remedies being recommended to specifically help target the esophagus, throat, and digestive system. These natural remedies are said to provide relief from the feelings of having a lump in the throat.

http://www.howtoremedyheartburn.com/blog/natural-heartburn-cure-herbal-remedies-heal-the-esophagus-and-sphincter/

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/home-remedy-heartburn.shtml

And, please don’t hesitate to call on your primary care physician to help you answer any questions about what you're experiencing in the throat area. This will serve to help you rule out any severe medical problems in the throat, esophagus, and digestives areas.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Educational Leader