Welcome to Medical alert

The First Medical Alert Page

Latest First Medical Alert News

First Medical Alert

A Nottingham medical student who travelled through some of the poorest parts of Kenya after contracting swine flu in the UK has sparked a state of national alarm in the East African country, The Independent can disclose. The 20-year-old man, who has ...

UK student sparks Kenya swine flu alert - The Independent

CLAY COUNTY,FL -- A cat has tested positive for rabies in the Keystone Heights area in Clay County. The Clay County Health Department has issued a Rabies Alert for the next 60 days. They suggest you vaccinate your pets against rabies and contact with ...

Clay County Confirms Case of Rabies in Cat - First Coast News

Despite isolated rain showers across parts of northeastern Oklahoma, the weather and air quality combined Wednesday to put area residents at risk of heat exhaustion and respiratory problems. More of the same conditions are predicted throughout the ...

100° and rising: EMSA treats 10 for heat-related illness; high-risk ... - Tulsa World

The heatwave is set to continue for many parts The Met Office has raised its heatwave alert level in parts of England, as hot and humid conditions look set to continue until Friday. London and the South East are now on Level 3 of four, with ...

Heatwave alert level increases - BBC News

The man, a visitor from America who was staying at the Cumbria Park Hotel in Scotland Road, Carlisle, complained of feeling ill on Saturday morning, and tests were carried out on him by staff from the Stanwix Medical Centre. He ended his stay at the ...

First Cumbrian swine flu case confirmed - Whitehaven News and Star

The Met Office has raised its heatwave alert level in parts of England as hot and humid conditions look set to continue until Friday. London and south-east England are now classed as Level 3 with temperatures set to reach at least 32C (89.6F). The ...

Level of heatwave alert increased - BBC UK News

MANILA, June 25 — The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (Deped) on Thursday issued the revised rules for the suspension of classes or offices that have influenza A(H1N1) alert. The agencies said this will prevent the ...

DOH, Deped revise guidelines for suspending classes, work for A(H1N1 ... - Balita News

Pam Gordon is the assistant to Merlin's Operations Coordinator in Liberia. She is a Canadian working for Merlin, the international medical aid agency, in post-conflict West Africa. Normally based in the capital Monrovia, she joined a week-long Merlin ...

Liberia: One week in Grand Walking County - Reuters AlertNet

Tulsa World Weather: Stay updated on the latest forecast with complete coverage from the Weather Channel. Tulsa’s temperature reached the 100-degree mark for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday. However, cooler temperatures are expected Sunday ...

Heat reaches 100 for fifth day - Tulsa World

NAIROBI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's health authorities said on Monday they have stepped-up surveillance at all entry following the confirmation of the first H1N1 flu case in the country. Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo said tests ...

Open Question: OLDSKOOL-CLASSIC COUNTRY FANS-RAY PRICE HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER COLON SURGERY?

Country great Ray Price recuperating after surgery Associated Press • June 30, 2009 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A spokesman for country music great Ray Price says the singer is home in Texas recuperating after surgery to remove polyps from his colon. Advertisement Price's agent, Bobby Roberts, says Price was admitted to a hospital in his home state on June 22 for routine medical tests when a colonoscopy revealed a large number of polyps in the pre-cancerous stage. Roberts says the surgery was successfully completed the next day. He says the 83-year-old entertainer is alert and expects to be back on the road in a few weeks. Price began his career in the 1950s as a honky tonk singer with hits like "Crazy Arms" and "Heartache by the Numbers." Later, he moved in a pop direction with orchestration on hits such as "Danny Boy" and "For the Good Times." Let's all wish him a SPEEDY RECOVERY OK? more

Voting Question: Problems with a maid who left me to die--?

I am currently under treatment for a malarial type infection and have been at my parents house for weeks recovering. A few days after starting a new antibiotic, my body went into shock from something called 'die off' effect. Die off is basically where the bodies of bacteria are killed off so quickly that they block your filtering systems, allowing poisonous back up to occur. After a few hours of intense nausea, I started walking towards my dad's office to tell him something was wrong. On the way, I passed out on the floor. When I awoke, I couldn't move or speak. I remember feeling internally conscious, and praying in my head for someone to find me. The maid was there that day so I knew she would have to walk into the kitchen and find me eventually. Lying there in a puddle of drool, passing in and out of consciousness, I listened and waited for someone to find me. Finally, about an hour after I had initially passed out, the maid walked into the kitchen. In my head I was screaming for help, but not only did she walk by, but she stepped over me and continued with her cleaning. Lying there on the floor, panting, half conscious and unable to move, I tried desperately to ask for help, but no sound would come out. She was in the kitchen with me for more than half an hour before she moved on to the rest of the house. About an hour later, my dad came into the kitchen to get some water and found me unconscious and unable to move. He immediately recognized something was wrong and picked me up and rushed me to the hospital. When I woke up, I was in the car on the way there. Eventually the shock passed as I received an overload of fluids at the hospital to flush out my kidneys. But I will never forget the let down when that maid stepped over me and left me helpless on the floor. The maids came again today and I stayed in my room until they left, unable to face the woman who ignored me in my time of severe medical need. My question is, how should I deal with this maid in the future? Should I report her to her company? Should I fire her outright? Should I continue allowing her to work here knowing what she did to me? Should I just assume that alerting someone to my unconscious state was beyond her duties as a maid or human being? How can I face her knowing what she did? I realize this is a sticky situation, but any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm really not sure of how to handle things. I figure some outside advice would be helpful as I know I am too emotionally invested in this to make objective decisions. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. more

Resolved Question: What is your opinion?

An easy question since almost any answer will be correct. So Best Answer really is the issue. Number of physicians in the US: 700,000. Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year: 120,000. Accidental deaths per physician: 171 per 1,000 (U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services) Number of gun owners in the US: 80,000,000. Number of accidental gun deaths per year (all age groups): 1,500. Accidental deaths per gun owner: 0.0188 per 1,000 (U.S Dept of Justice) Statistically, then, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Fact: Not everyone has a gun, but everyone has at least one Doctor. Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. Doctors must be banned before this gets out of hand. As a Public Health Measure, the statistics on Lawyers have been withheld for fear that shock could cause people to seek medical aid. more

Voting Question: anyone else realize the guy on the ExtenZe commericals is THE SAME ACTOR from the Medical alert Commercials!?

not that I am old enough or in a situation where I need those penis enlargement pills. But it really irked me when I saw this old guy on tv talking about ExtenZe cause I kept thinking I KNOW THIS GUY......months went buy....3am rolls around and a commercial flashes by about some sorta Medical alert Necklace- if youre hurt you push the necklace button and a voice ask if youre alright- OLD comercial from the 1980's they still run it....ITS HIM!!!!! Answering the phone with a headset asking if she is ok...Really angry that people pretend to be Normal citizens trying a product....and the whole time theyre liars, paid actors. ok its called Life Alert...they showed the commercial on another channel ha hah just now.... more

Resolved Question: Is this a good story so far?

First of all I'm not sure where this story should take place or whether I should put it in some fantasy realm. Yvonne is from a very wealthy and famous high class family. One day an injured man wielding a bloodstained sword stumbles over to one of their gates surrounding the household. The guards refuse to let him in and he falls unconscious. Yvonne, however notices him and makes the guards let her bring him in for medical care. Without telling anyone she brings him to her room and has her personal servant watch him while she fetches the family's live in doctor. However, when she and the doctor get back she sees the servant dead in a pile of blood and the 'injured' man missing. She turns around to the doctor but sees him suddenly fall to the ground dead as well. The 'injured' man goes for her as well but there's a yell outside and he bolts with the guards who were wandering the garden chasing after him. A lot of the household and guards (not all as the premises is huge) are alerted of the intruder but he seemingly disappears and is thought to have escaped as a gate is open and the two guards (the same ones who let Yvonne take the man inside) are dead. The entire family is puzzled over what was the purpose as the only casualties were a servant, a doctor and those two guards besides nothing appeared to be stolen. Yvonne is shook up that she had been tricked to let this man in and denies her involvement as everyone who knew was dead anyway. However, that night when everyone is sleeping, the man sneaks out of his closet hiding place and murders Joe (Yvonne's father and the head of the county). Then the man escapes unnoticed. The next day the blame is being thrown around, accusing the first guard to wanted to abandon the search, the first guard who notices the fake escape route, including those dead guards who were assigned to watch the gate as being in on it or were bribed. Yvonne was no exception. Some thought she was threatened or bribed to work against the family others had no explanation as to what happened. Anyway Yvonne got so scared she ran away. The family was then at odds. Half thought she was threatened or bribed and the rest thought she simply betrayed them and they were hunting for her. She ran far away hoping to forget about everything and start a new life. She meets a family and they take her in thinking she's a runaway from her family who forced her to marry someone she didn't like. She went along with that and made up stories to support that idea. She then falls in love with a man she meets there named Leon. However, years later, she gets notice that the head of the county her family was in before was passing by that area. She sees that that man is the man she let in her family's home years ago. She vows for revenge and wants to let her family know the truth. Unfortunately she also finds out that she is a wanted criminal being hunted and thought to be in cahoots with the real assassin. No one realises that the current head of the county is the real assassin but her. She tells Leon the truth and they together seek for a solution. PS any further ideas? more

Resolved Question: which one is the answer?

To be fully prepared for emergency situations, you should A. rely on medical personnel for injuries, no matter how extreme. B. become certified in CPR. C. hire a sports medicine specialist to attend to any injuries that occur in your classes. D. rely on instinct and only alert medical professionals when the injured has stopped breathing. more

Resolved Question: H1N1 flu, how do you get treatment?

Just to let you know, I'm not a TROLL asking a stupid question. I was just wondering, if someone thinks they have the H1N1 flu, how do they go about getting medical attention? If someone just goes to the hospital, they might infect other patients waiting as well. Can they just go to the hospital ER or is there a certain procedure to follow? I ask since the WHO just raised the H1N1 to phase 6 alert. more

Resolved Question: 34 weeks pregnant. TMI alert!!?

I am 34 weeks pregnant with my third little one (in 4 years!# and worked as a server through most of this one, though I am not working anymore. Baby dropped about 2 weeks ago and has stayed happily low in my stomach since, much to my relief being only 5'1 to begin with. I have experienced a lot of pressure around my pelvic area since, but today the pressure has increased, doubled, maybe tripled! I have a little experience in the area of pregnancy so I tried to soothe my worried mind by washing my hands very well and grabbing a set of medical gloves I keep around and checked my cervix. It is very high, as well as very soft and seems to be around 2 cm dilated. I notice while in there (here comes the bulk of the TMI) that there was quite a lot of solid white chunky stuff, and tons of mucus around. I have been dealing unhappily with BH for a while, but am beginning to wonder tonight if this little rugrat is preparing an early arrival?? Does it seem that I'm worrying too much or is this all coming a little early? Keep in mind this is my 3rd, so I just wonder if she may not stick around for her whole "lease" more

Resolved Question: DOES STAINLESS STEEL NECKLESS TURN YOUR NECK GREEN?

I am ordering a stainless steel medical alert neckless and want to be sure it does not turn my neck green. more

Voting Question: Can i still Qualify for SSI discability if my medication is under control?

I have been ill for about 2 years now and have started collecting SSI disability since i could not work. I was hospitalized over the weekend and they got my meds to the point where i can function normally(and now i get to wear a cool little medical alert bracelet...). I have been considering trying to go back to work, but dont want to get put out of the system since I have had sperts like this before only to come crashing down a few weeks later. So i guess my question is: If I'm feeling better and can function can I continue to collect disability during this time before I (more then likely) come crashing down again. If it effects the answer, I am a full-time college student, and would only be working minimal hours while in school. I would appreciate if answers would offer outcomes for both working and non-working scenarios. more

Resolved Question: How do I go about/fight this particular traffic ticket given my situation?

I'm in the state of NJ. I got a careless driving 2 point ticket, and I won't get into the full details over how b/c it's complicated and it happened while I was having a medical emergency, but nevertheless I got it. What can those be reduced down to, if I speak to the prosecutor about amending it or whatever,etc? I already used something twice, where I got some charges reduced down to a 0 point violation, so whatever that was I can't use it a 3rd time. So I'm wondering if they then just leave it at the original 2 point ticket violation, or do they switch it to something else or what? I actually had to get an ambulance to take me into the hospital during this whole experience, and I basically got the ticket because I put my emergency lights on, to pass a few cars to get to the hospital because i really didn't want to wait while I was feeling bad, and pulling over while I was so close would have been stupid, though I was even on the phone with the 911 people and they were advising me what to do. It was complicated, but I don't feel that I deserved a ticket for that especially when i did it intentionally to get to where I was going. I wasn't careless driving, I was driving with intent. Also the officer couldn't give a cahoots about how I felt. He really seemed like he didn't even care. Who should I complain to about that? I just don't know what to do right now, should I just pay the ticket and just get it over with? I mean it's only a 2 point ticket, but will the judge listen to my story and what not? Should i bring paperwork from the hospital? How should I prepare for this? Should i take it to trial??? I just feel like this was wrong and in most cases it's okay to get a ticket especially if you broke a law, but I was having a medical emergency, and it was confusing because it wasn't bad enough to the point where I couldn't drive, i was alert and fine, but my heart was beating abnormally to a degree and I felt my arms/legs start going numb and I calculated that I was only like 30 seconds away from the hospital anyways so I'll drive there, instead of wasting time and pulling over and waiting, etc etc etc. The cop made me take longer to get there, and meanwhile I was in distress, panic, and getting worse once he stopped me and I had to wait for the ambulance. He made my situation WORSE. It's always about the law and always about other drivers. You always have to just be a good little driver and behave...god forbid you're dying or have something wrong with you and NEED to get somewhere. Oh just sit back pull over and call them. It's NOT that easy. What about where you leave your car...what if it's a bad neighborhood and someone steals it or breaks in? What if it's in a bad spot and risks getting hit? What if it's in a business/commercial place? Again it's not that simple, and I was in a confusing situation, and the 911 people were telling me to drive to the hospital one second, pull over the next, u get the idea... but I just can't beleive that even after the ambulance came and hooked me up to all these machines and what not, I still had the heartless cop give me the ticket and go "it could have been worse u could have gotten more tickets for how you were driving." That was perhaps true but still heartless, unhelpful, unfriendly, and totally cold. I officially H@te cops right now. I can't believe they'd do that even while someone is suffering. Heck, I even saw them laughing with each other. Another day for them, another dollar..they just care about themselves and money. they're such sc8mbags. What can I do about this? if i need to complain about the cops obviously I'd do it after the ticket matter's been resolved. * 2 hours ago * - 4 days left to answer. Additional Details By the way, there's no way in hades that i'm going to respect a cop just because they have a badge. They're people just like everyone else, and they are elitists and think they're better than you just because they're police officers. I really don't like their attitude and approach. It's nasty and totalitarian. more

Resolved Question: I got a careless driving 2 point ticket during a medical emergency. How should I go about thi?

I'm in the state of NJ. I got a careless driving 2 point ticket, and I won't get into the full details over how b/c it's complicated and it happened while I was having a medical emergency, but nevertheless I got it. What can those be reduced down to, if I speak to the prosecutor about amending it or whatever,etc? I already used something twice, where I got some charges reduced down to a 0 point violation, so whatever that was I can't use it a 3rd time. So I'm wondering if they then just leave it at the original 2 point ticket violation, or do they switch it to something else or what? I actually had to get an ambulance to take me into the hospital during this whole experience, and I basically got the ticket because I put my emergency lights on, to pass a few cars to get to the hospital because i really didn't want to wait while I was feeling bad, and pulling over while I was so close would have been stupid, though I was even on the phone with the 911 people and they were advising me what to do. It was complicated, but I don't feel that I deserved a ticket for that especially when i did it intentionally to get to where I was going. I wasn't careless driving, I was driving with intent. Also the officer couldn't give a cahoots about how I felt. He really seemed like he didn't even care. Who should I complain to about that? I just don't know what to do right now, should I just pay the ticket and just get it over with? I mean it's only a 2 point ticket, but will the judge listen to my story and what not? Should i bring paperwork from the hospital? How should I prepare for this? Should i take it to trial??? I just feel like this was wrong and in most cases it's okay to get a ticket especially if you broke a law, but I was having a medical emergency, and it was confusing because it wasn't bad enough to the point where I couldn't drive, i was alert and fine, but my heart was beating abnormally to a degree and I felt my arms/legs start going numb and I calculated that I was only like 30 seconds away from the hospital anyways so I'll drive there, instead of wasting time and pulling over and waiting, etc etc etc. The cop made me take longer to get there, and meanwhile I was in distress, panic, and getting worse once he stopped me and I had to wait for the ambulance. He made my situation WORSE. It's always about the law and always about other drivers. You always have to just be a good little driver and behave...god forbid you're dying or have something wrong with you and NEED to get somewhere. Oh just sit back pull over and call them. It's NOT that easy. What about where you leave your car...what if it's a bad neighborhood and someone steals it or breaks in? What if it's in a bad spot and risks getting hit? What if it's in a business/commercial place? Again it's not that simple, and I was in a confusing situation, and the 911 people were telling me to drive to the hospital one second, pull over the next, u get the idea... but I just can't beleive that even after the ambulance came and hooked me up to all these machines and what not, I still had the heartless cop give me the ticket and go "it could have been worse u could have gotten more tickets for how you were driving." That was perhaps true but still heartless, unhelpful, unfriendly, and totally cold. I officially H@te cops right now. I can't believe they'd do that even while someone is suffering. Heck, I even saw them laughing with each other. Another day for them, another dollar..they just care about themselves and money. they're such sc8mbags. What can I do about this? if i need to complain about the cops obviously I'd do it after the ticket matter's been resolved. By the way, there's no way in hades that i'm going to respect a cop just because they have a badge. They're people just like everyone else, and they are elitists and think they're better than you just because they're police officers. I really don't like their attitude and approach. It's nasty and totalitarian. more

Voting Question: swine flu im scard!!!!??!?!!!!?

WHO: World Closer to Swine Flu Pandemic June 2, 2009 -- The world is "getting closer" to a full-scale swine flu pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns. The official declaration of a pandemic alert -- triggered by widespread H1N1 swine flu beyond the Americas -- will come with a new severity rating, said Keiji Fukuda, WHO interim assistant director-general for health security and environment. The WHO has been dragging its feet over declaring a worldwide pandemic to avoid causing undue alarm and to allow it time to develop specific guidance for different parts of the world. When swine flu broke out, the world was already at phase 3 of its six-phase pandemic warning system. That was because the deadly H5N1 bird flu was infecting humans but not spreading from person to person. When swine flu burst upon the world in April, the WHO rapidly raised its warning level from phase 4 and then to phase 5 as it became clear a flu virus new to humans was spreading easily -- and widely -- from person to person. "Globally we believe we are at phase 5 but getting closer to phase 6," Fukuda said today at a news conference. "It is clear the virus continues to spread internationally. There are a number of countries that appear to be in transition [to widespread infections at the community level]. These countries include the U.K., Spain, Japan, Chile, and also Australia." When the WHO finally does declare a global swine flu pandemic, it likely will rate the severity of the disease as moderate, not mild or severe. "It is fair to call the situation moderate," Fukuda said. "We know this infection can be fatal in a number of individuals. This includes people who have some underlying medical conditions and it includes women who are pregnant -- but it also includes people who are perfectly healthy. So we do have some hesitation calling such an infection mild." Fukuda noted that severity does not solely depend on the virulence of the virus. "Severity is not just a quality of the virus and its ability to harm people, but a combination of that virulence and the vulnerability of populations -- how well off they are in terms of chronic conditions and poverty and malnourishment," he said. "And it's also a matter of the resilience of nations, how well they are able to cope with diseases." Fukuda said the WHO's rating would be flexible in order to change as the pandemic becomes more or less severe. Meanwhile, all eyes are on the Southern Hemisphere -- particularly Chile and Australia -- as swine flu hits that part of the world just as it's entering normal flu season. At this early point in their flu season, Fukuda said, nearly all flu cases appear to be swine flu and not seasonal flu. "We will look carefully to see if the kind of illness typical of flu is seen in the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly at which age groups," Fukuda said. "Will there be a change in the number of people who develop serious illness? Will there be a change in the virus itself? We expect the virus to drift, but does that really lead to any changes in the behavior of the virus, and to the antigenicity of the virus [that would affect vaccine development]? We will be monitoring that carefully." http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090602/who-world-closer-to-swine-flu-pandemic more

Resolved Question: Having Trouble Going to Sleep?

Well for a while now, I've been having this 'problem' going to sleep. The wierd thing is that I almost never feel sleepy tired. When it gets close to bedtime I just get progressively worse headaches(the later I stay up the worse they get) and it becomes difficult to think. I feel fatigued, but it is just doesn't seem like the "sleepy" type of tired. It's kind of like the "sleepiness" has been replaced with "headacheness". Also, when I wake up in the morning I am almost instantly alert, as if it were the daytime or something. As a younger child I used to wake up and stay sleepy for a short time after, but now it's not the case. The good thing is that it doesn't take me too long to go to sleep, even if I feel wide awake a moment before. I usually sleep 8-9 hours and I don't wake up very often at night, yet it only feels like an extended nap. I'm just want to make sure nothing is wrong with me. I am almost afraid of losing the ability to feel tired, or that I won't be able to tell if I'm tired or not. I have no other known medical conditions and I'm generally pretty healthy. So is this normal and is there any advice that would help me relax or get to sleep? Thanks :) more

Resolved Question: I was not allowed to leave the hospital. Is that legal?

I live in Virginia. I became over heated recently while out running with my partner and she called EMS who took me to the local hospital. I was in the emergency center but they would not allow her in to see me. I was feeling better and I said wished to leave. They refused to let me leave and refused my wishes to see my partner. What rights do I have once I am in the hospital? Can they keep me against my will? Can they refuse to allow me to see my partner. She has my medical power of attorney but we did not have it with us when we were out running. My partner asked for an advanced medical directive but could not get it to me to sign because they would not allow her to see me. I asked for an advanced medical directive but I could not get anyone there to witness it. I finally found someone who would take it to her and she called friends who drove over and witnessed it. I knew many hospitals mistreat same sex couples, but I was conscious and alert. This seemed like kidnapping. Do you sign away your rights as a citizen when you go to the emergency room? more

Resolved Question: i have a question about those medical alert bracelets?

I just found out that I am very lactose intolerant; if I NEED to take a dairy aid (lactaid) before eating ANYTHING with even the least bit of dairy in it, should I wear a medical alert jewelry thing of some sort? Basically because I know some emergency medications have lactose in them... should I need to take one or be given one in an emergency should I get an identification thingy? more

Voting Question: What are people's opinions about this and illegals?Paying taxes comes back to bite illegal immigrants?

Paying taxes comes back to bite illegal immigrants http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2009/05/30/ap/us/d98gmd6o0.txt By IVAN MORENO GREELEY, Colo. - Immigrant advocates say they've seen nothing like it before or since: A prosecutor looking for illegal immigrants seized thousands of confidential tax records from an income tax preparer popular with Hispanics in this northern Colorado city. The October seizures led to identity theft and criminal impersonation charges against more than 70 people, and prosecutors allege that as many as 1,300 suspected illegal immigrants were working using false or stolen Social Security numbers. But the American Civil Liberties Union said the documents of as many as 4,900 people were seized, many of them legal residents, and that the probe was the "equivalent of a house-by-house search of innocent homeowners in order to find a suspect believed to be somewhere in the neighborhood." Two judges have agreed, ruling that Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck had no probable cause to seize the records. Buck is appealing, however, and a ruling in his favor could open up a new avenue for prosecuting illegal immigrants. The charges have been ironic for immigrants like Horacio Arturo Cervantes. The 42-year-old father of four from the Mexican state of Chihuahua said he had been honest about paying taxes, even though he was in the country illegally, because he was hoping for a path to U.S. citizenship. Cervantes pleaded guilty to identity theft before the judges' rulings, and now faces deportation. He said he pleaded because he wanted to get out of jail and try his chances in immigration court. "I feel like I'm up in the air, not knowing what's going on, just with a desire to stay here," he said in an interview in Spanish. His next court date is June 23. Buck's investigation, dubbed Operation Numbers Game, marked the first time a prosecutor used tax records to charge illegal immigrants with identity theft, according to the ACLU and the Los Angeles-based National Immigration Law Center. Officials with both groups said they knew of no prosecutor who has tried it since. Buck's probe triggered a conundrum: The people charged allegedly are in the country illegally and were fraudulently using Social Security numbers. But the Internal Revenue Service requires them to pay taxes, and those records are confidential. Buck declined to be interviewed for this article because of pending appeals. But in a February interview, he argued that "if you're in this country illegally, and you're working in this country illegally, there may be a requirement that you pay taxes but it's kind of ridiculous." Buck has argued that the records aren't confidential because they were seized not from the IRS but from the tax preparer. The investigation started after a Texas man alerted Weld County authorities that his identity was being used. The suspect in that case told authorities he had filed his taxes with Amalia's Translation and Tax Services, a business widely used by immigrants in Greeley, where one-third of the population is Hispanic. To pay their taxes, Amalia Cerrillo's customers used Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, which the IRS issues to people without Social Security numbers. Foreign nationals with U.S. investment income also use ITINs. Those charged in Operation Numbers Game allegedly used others' Social Security numbers to work and their own ITINs to pay taxes. ITIN filers had an income tax liability of $50 billion from 1996 to 2003, according to the latest IRS figures available. Former IRS Commissioner Mark Everson told Congress in 2006 that ITINs were "bringing taxpayers into the system." IRS spokeswoman Nancy Mathis said ITINs solely track tax returns and don't convey or record immigration or work status. Nor do they give immigrants the right to work in the U.S. Buck had said more identity theft cases were possible, and that prosecutors in other states were interested in his investigation, but Larimer County District Judge James Hiatt halted it in April. Ruling in favor of the ACLU, he said investigators violated privacy rights by seizing the tax documents and that their search was over-broad. Hiatt likened the search to taking medical records from a doctor's office because one patient was a suspected drug user. In a separate but similar case in March, Weld County District Judge James Hartmann Jr., called the search warrant "nothing more than an exploratory search based upon suspicion that some unknown person or persons" committed a crime. Buck is appealing the rulings, and one of the appeals is before the state Supreme Court. While the cases he had pending were allowed to proceed, he has dismissed 30 of them without prejudice so far. The move gives him the option to file charges against the same people again if his appeals succeed. However, a Supreme Court ruling in early May could be another setback to Buck's investigation. The unani more

Resolved Question: Why do people keep believing illegal aliens do not pay taxes?

Paying taxes comes back to bite illegal immigrants GREELEY, Colo. Immigrant advocates say they've seen nothing like it before or since: A prosecutor looking for illegal immigrants seized thousands of confidential tax records from an income tax preparer popular with Hispanics in this northern Colorado city. The October seizures led to identity theft and criminal impersonation charges against more than 70 people, and prosecutors allege that as many as 1,300 suspected illegal immigrants were working using false or stolen Social Security numbers. But the American Civil Liberties Union said the documents of as many as 4,900 people were seized, many of them legal residents, and that the probe was the "equivalent of a house-by-house search of innocent homeowners in order to find a suspect believed to be somewhere in the neighborhood." Two judges have agreed, ruling that Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck had no probable cause to seize the records. Buck is appealing, however, and a ruling in his favor could open up a new avenue for prosecuting illegal immigrants. The charges have been ironic for immigrants like Horacio Arturo Cervantes. The 42-year-old father of four from the Mexican state of Chihuahua said he had been honest about paying taxes, even though he was in the country illegally, because he was hoping for a path to U.S. citizenship. Cervantes pleaded guilty to identity theft before the judges' rulings, and now faces deportation. He said he pleaded because he wanted to get out of jail and try his chances in immigration court. "I feel like I'm up in the air, not knowing what's going on, just with a desire to stay here," he said in an interview in Spanish. His next court date is June 23. Buck's investigation, dubbed Operation Numbers Game, marked the first time a prosecutor used tax records to charge illegal immigrants with identity theft, according to the ACLU and the Los Angeles-based National Immigration Law Center. Officials with both groups said they knew of no prosecutor who has tried it since. Buck's probe triggered a conundrum: The people charged allegedly are in the country illegally and were fraudulently using Social Security numbers. But the Internal Revenue Service requires them to pay taxes, and those records are confidential. Buck declined to be interviewed for this article because of pending appeals. But in a February interview, he argued that "if you're in this country illegally, and you're working in this country illegally, there may be a requirement that you pay taxes but it's kind of ridiculous." Buck has argued that the records aren't confidential because they were seized not from the IRS but from the tax preparer. The investigation started after a Texas man alerted Weld County authorities that his identity was being used. The suspect in that case told authorities he had filed his taxes with Amalia's Translation and Tax Services, a business widely used by immigrants in Greeley, where one-third of the population is Hispanic. To pay their taxes, Amalia Cerrillo's customers used Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, which the IRS issues to people without Social Security numbers. Foreign nationals with U.S. investment income also use ITINs. Those charged in Operation Numbers Game allegedly used others' Social Security numbers to work and their own ITINs to pay taxes. ITIN filers had an income tax liability of $50 billion from 1996 to 2003, according to the latest IRS figures available. Former IRS Commissioner Mark Everson told Congress in 2006 that ITINs were "bringing taxpayers into the system." IRS spokeswoman Nancy Mathis said ITINs solely track tax returns and don't convey or record immigration or work status. Nor do they give immigrants the right to work in the U.S. Buck had said more identity theft cases were possible, and that prosecutors in other states were interested in his investigation, but Larimer County District Judge James Hiatt halted it in April. Ruling in favor of the ACLU, he said investigators violated privacy rights by seizing the tax documents and that their search was over-broad. Hiatt likened the search to taking medical records from a doctor's office because one patient was a suspected drug user. In a separate but similar case in March, Weld County District Judge James Hartmann Jr., called the search warrant "nothing more than an exploratory search based upon suspicion that some unknown person or persons" committed a crime. Buck is appealing the rulings, and one of the appeals is before the state Supreme Court. While the cases he had pending were allowed to proceed, he has dismissed 30 of them without prejudice so far. The move gives him the option to file charges against the same people again if his appeals succeed. However, a Supreme Court ruling in early May could be another setback to Buck's investigation. The unanimous ruling said undocumented workers can be considered identity thieves only i http://www.columbiamissourian.com/wire/article/222314/ more

Resolved Question: Should prosecutors be able to seize tax records to find people who commit identity theft etc..?

Is it legal since it they were seized from the tax preparer? Is this a way to end identity theft and illegals fraudulently using social security cards and ITIN numbers? Paying taxes comes back to bite illegal immigrants By Ivan Moreno Associated Press Writer Updated: 05/30/2009 11:18:25 AM MDT GREELEY, Colo. - Immigrant advocates say they've seen nothing like it before or since: A prosecutor looking for illegal immigrants seized thousands of confidential tax records from an income tax preparer popular with Hispanics in this northern Colorado city. The October seizures led to identity theft and criminal impersonation charges against more than 70 people, and prosecutors allege that as many as 1,300 suspected illegal immigrants were working using false or stolen Social Security numbers. But the American Civil Liberties Union said the documents of as many as 4,900 people were seized, many of them legal residents, and that the probe was the "equivalent of a house-by-house search of innocent homeowners in order to find a suspect believed to be somewhere in the neighborhood." Two judges have agreed, ruling that Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck had no probable cause to seize the records. Buck is appealing, however, and a ruling in his favor could open up a new avenue for prosecuting illegal immigrants. The charges have been ironic for immigrants like Horacio Arturo Cervantes. The 42-year-old father of four from the Mexican state of Chihuahua said he had been honest about paying taxes, even though he was in the country illegally, because he was hoping for a path to U.S. citizenship. Cervantes pleaded guilty to identity theft before the judges' rulings, and now faces deportation. He said he pleaded because he wanted to get out of jail and try his chances in immigration court. "I feel like I'm up in the air, not knowing what's going on, just with a desire to stay here," he said in an interview in Spanish. His next court date is June 23. Buck's investigation, dubbed Operation Numbers Game, marked the first time a prosecutor used tax records to charge illegal immigrants with identity theft, according to the ACLU and the Los Angeles-based National Immigration Law Center. Officials with both groups said they knew of no prosecutor who has tried it since. Buck's probe triggered a conundrum: The people charged allegedly are in the country illegally and were fraudulently using Social Security numbers. But the Internal Revenue Service requires them to pay taxes, and those records are confidential. Buck declined to be interviewed for this article because of pending appeals. But in a February interview, he argued that "if you're in this country illegally, and you're working in this country illegally, there may be a requirement that you pay taxes but it's kind of ridiculous." Buck has argued that the records aren't confidential because they were seized not from the IRS but from the tax preparer. The investigation started after a Texas man alerted Weld County authorities that his identity was being used. The suspect in that case told authorities he had filed his taxes with Amalia's Translation and Tax Services, a business widely used by immigrants in Greeley, where one-third of the population is Hispanic. To pay their taxes, Amalia Cerrillo's customers used Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, which the IRS issues to people without Social Security numbers. Foreign nationals with U.S. investment income also use ITINs. Those charged in Operation Numbers Game allegedly used others' Social Security numbers to work and their own ITINs to pay taxes. ITIN filers had an income tax liability of $50 billion from 1996 to 2003, according to the latest IRS figures available. Former IRS Commissioner Mark Everson told Congress in 2006 that ITINs were "bringing taxpayers into the system." IRS spokeswoman Nancy Mathis said ITINs solely track tax returns and don't convey or record immigration or work status. Nor do they give immigrants the right to work in the U.S. Buck had said more identity theft cases were possible, and that prosecutors in other states were interested in his investigation, but Larimer County District Judge James Hiatt halted it in April. Ruling in favor of the ACLU, he said investigators violated privacy rights by seizing the tax documents and that their search was over-broad. Hiatt likened the search to taking medical records from a doctor's office because one patient was a suspected drug user. Weld County District Attorney's Office: http://www.co.weld.co.us/departments/da/index.html excuse me, but identity theft does ruin peoples lives every day. would you not be able to buy a house etc... because someone used your identity, would you like to pay someone elses debt because they used your info. it is not a victimless crime at all! cheatly- You call everyone else a racist, but your profile shows the real racist, another who blocks people but will answer their questions, low, low low, ha ha ha! more

Resolved Question: Will a paramedic recognize a medical alert bracelet if it had beads or charms on the band?

There are some I can buy online, they have a medical plate with the medical star symbol on it, but the bands are either a cord or has beads on it. Here's the website: http://www.laurenshope.com/products.aspx?catid=92 more

Resolved Question: Is my cat a Service Animal?

I am disabled, I have narcolepsy, trigeminal neuralgia, chiari type I, and several other medical conditions. I have a wonderful amazing cat, who wakes me if I have slept for too long. I do not wake to auditory stimulation often. I will continue to sleep (because of the narcolepsy) without being physically nudged shaken etc. My cat steps (ever so carefully) onto me and literally caresses my face with his paw until I awake. I can sleep for 12-16 hours if I am not awoken. I had serious issues when I visited Canada for a week alone because I had no one to wake me. I have medicines I have to take every 12 hours for nerve issues, or I have very serious pain. Could he considered a service animal because of this? My husband thinks I am crazy for even thinking it :D However traveling would be so much easier (in that I would get up on time) if I could take him along to any hotel. Unfortunately I can't always take the husband!! Although I did not train him I have become quite dependent on his little helping paws. "Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets." http://www.ada.gov/svcanimb.htm Yes he is definitely a pet...well a family member I would say. I believe it says that a service animal is not a pet in the sense that when you bring them (usually dogs) into a restaurant etc. If it says "no pets" it wouldn't apply to your "service member" I assume most people with a service member in their home love it as a family member, or should. I certainly appreciate my little guy!! And jeez...cats can definitely be trained. I am not sure where that idea came from that they couldn't! My cats are so smart they train me! lol more

Resolved Question: Medical Alert Bracelet that calls caregivers living >5 miles away.?

I have a friend with Parkinson's who often falls. He doesn't want one of those medical alert things that call 911 or a service center, just something that will alert my household when he needs help. Cellphones are often difficult for him to operate, or even get out of his pocket. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm looking for a bracelet or pendant style device. I have already tried Google. Seriously. I'm looking for answers from people experienced with this sort of thing. more

Resolved Question: Should I get a medical alert bracelet?

I have a condition called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, which makes me faint frequently and have extremely low blood pressure. I halso hve Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which is a connective tissue disorder that causes overflexibility and frequent dislocations, and I am allergic to some IV pain and nausea medications. I know they can get pretty expensive but I was wondering if it would be worth it. uhm sophie you're an idiot. i have no problem with my blood sugar. and drinking pepsi won't keep me from fainting, i faint because my body can't adjust from laying/sitting to a standing position. more

Voting Question: How prevalent are psychiatric disorders among Bariatric Surgery patients or candidates?

Approximately 66% of the participants had a lifetime history of at least one axis I disorder, and 38% met diagnostic criteria at the time of the operation. Psychiatric Disorders Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Relationship to Obesity and Functional Health Status Am J Psychiatry 164:328-334, February 2007 doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.164.2.328 © 2007 American Psychiatric Association Quicksearch Advanced Search Or Search All APPI Journals This Article * Abstract Freely available * Full Text (PDF) * Alert me when this article is cited * Alert me if a correction is posted * Citation Map Services * Email this article to a Colleague * Similar articles in this journal * Similar articles in PubMed * Alert me to new issues of the journal * Add to My Articles & Searches * Download to citation manager * reprints & permissions Citing Articles * Citing Articles via HighWire * Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar * Articles by Kalarchian, M. A. * Articles by Rofey, D. L. * Search for Related Content PubMed * PubMed Citation * Articles by Kalarchian, M. A. * Articles by Rofey, D. L. Related Collections * Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders Psychiatric Disorders Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Relationship to Obesity and Functional Health Status more

Resolved Question: i found a cat with a broken arm?

just few minutes ago ive found a kitten who looks like 3 months old laying on the ground meowing at me for help in my yard,i knew that she had something broken so i lifted her up as gently as possible (i handled all the scratching and loud meows cuz shes in pain) . i think she has a broken arm cuz when she tries to stand up she falls down immediatly,could it be a broken leg too? , i have to say this im sorry but GOD D*MN KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ,im sure they did this to her as they love to do evil things to animals .i have called several vets and im still calling ,i have no money whatsoever at the moment ,but every vet i call they say that i have to pay before they can see whats wrong with her !! .i have called my friend and he said that he can be able to let me borrow the money first thing tomorrow morning ,i have put the kitty in a wide basket with a blanket under her in my room ,shes no longer meowing shes asleep,im worried that something will happen to her by tomorrow morning!! will she be ok until i can manage to get her medical help ? . shes also not eating or drinking should i keep trying every 30 mins ? ,i feel aweful ! some vets r not even answering , its 12:00 AM where i live just to let u know ,will she survive through the night? . u can say im poor who quit his job lately and still lookin for another . shes very thin , but her eyes r alerted she noticed my parrot and was wondering what he is . do cat die from an injury?broken bones? . thank u more

Resolved Question: Can you tell me some good Darwin Award canidate stories?

Number One Idiot of 2008 I am a medical student currently doing a rotation in toxicology at the poison Control center. Today, this woman called in very upset because she caught her little daughter eating ants. I quickly reassured her that the ants are not harmful and there would be no need to bring her daughter into the hospital. She calmed down and at the end of the conversation and happened to mention that she gave her daughter some ant poison to eat in order to kill the ants. I told her that she better bring her daughter in to the emergency room right away. Here's your sign, lady. Wear it with pride. Number Two Idiot of 2008 Early this year, some Boeing employees on the airfield decided to steal a life raft from one of the 747s. They were successful in getting it out of the plane and home. Shortly after they took it for a float on the river, they noticed a Coast Guard helicopter coming toward them. It turned out that the chopper was homing in on the emergency locater beacon that activated when the raft was inflated. They are no longer employed at Boeing. Here's your sign, guys. Don't get it wet; the paint might run. Number Three Idiot of 2008 A man, wanting to rob a downtown Bank of America , walked into the branch and wrote this, "Put all your muny in this bag." While standing in line, waiting to give his note to the teller, he began to worry that someone had seen him write the note and might call the police before he reached the teller's' window. So he left the Bank of America and crossed the street to the Wells Fargo Bank. After waiting a few minutes in line, he handed his note to the Wells Fargo teller. She read it and, surmising from his spelling errors that he wasn't the brightest light in the harbor, told him that she could not accept his stickup note because it was written on a Bank of America deposit slip and that he would either have to fill out a Wells Fargo deposit slip or go back to Bank of America. Looking somewhat defeated, the man said, "OK", and left. He was arrested a few minutes later, as he was waiting in line back at Bank of America. Don't bother with this guy's sign. He probably couldn't read it anyway. Number Four Idiot of 2008 A guy walked into a little corner store with a shotgun and demanded all of the cash from the cash drawer. After the cashier put the cash in a bag, the robber saw a bottle of Scotch that he wanted behind the counter on the shelf. He told the cashier to put it in the bag as well, but the cashier refused and said, "because I don't believe you are over 21." The robber said he was, but the clerk still refused to give it to him because she didn't believe him. At this point, the robber took his driver's license out of his wallet and gave it to the clerk. The clerk looked it over and agreed that the man was in fact over 21 and she put the Scotch in the bag. The robber then ran from the store with his loot. The cashier promptly called the police and gave them the information on the license. This guy definitely needs a sign. Idiot Number Five of 2008 A pair of Michigan robbers entered a record shop nervously waving revolvers. The first one shouted, "Nobody move!" When his partner moved, the startled first bandit shot him. This guy doesn't even deserve a sign. Idiot Number Six of 2008 Arkansas: Seems this guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the liquor store window was made of Plexi-Glass. The whole event was caught on videotape! Idiot Number Seven of 2008 I live in a semi-rural area (Weyauwega , Wisconsin). We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the deer crossing sign on our road. The reason: "Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! - I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore." STAY ALERT! They walk among us.... And they REPRODUCE...!!! more

Resolved Question: please answer! do you like my short story?

“Fire Fire!” The ash covered people screamed out in fear. Hotel stood, ready to crash to the ground. Rock and ashes fell from the building and with a loud hard crash, the bitumen in the road cracked right through the dotted lines. Fear screamed through the air as the cars moved bumper to bumper away. But what the people didn’t know at this very moment was that our little girl’s life was on the line. The red and white vehicles came from everywhere. They ran through the smoke and kicked ash through the streets of the disaster. “One girl still in!” The fireman exclaimed. “My daughter, my daughter” I gasped. It was like I was in a dream where I couldn’t do anything but fight to scream the words I wanted to. The fireman’s faces were alert and ready to go. This was why they were here; to save a life. They skipped the steps of the hotel, trying to beat the fire to her, but they weren’t of much luck when the fire came their way. There was the girl screaming as the fire grew nearer and nearer. The firemen had no choice but to jump from the building leaving the girl behind them. They fell from the hotel caught at the bottom by the trampolines. Everyone around was held back by police and news reporters who pushed their way through the crowd to get the full view. I could feel something rattling beneath my feet and as I looked around me, I saw nothing but thick black smoke everywhere I turned. Unsuccessful, the firemen reached the bottom of the building. Huffing and puffing, their cheeks turned a dark exhausted red, and sweat twisted through their hair. Every one of them was silent while they stared up to where they had jumped searching for signs of the girl. That’s when we saw him. Emerging from the dusk came a large dark figure, his Jet Black hair burnt to a crisp, blew in the hot smoky night breeze and his dark eyes stared towards the crowd. The firemen jumped back a little as he moved towards them. Their helmets rattled and shook. Every car’s headlights opened wide as if they were watching. The wind whistled and there he was. The head of the man hung high above the power lines and in his arms, lay the girl’s burnt live body. Releasing his arms gently and placing her on the road in front of us he disappeared back into the smoke. I leaned in to check if she was okay, she had severe burns and probably needed medical help, but at that very moment she was safe in my arms, I smiled and a tear trickled down my cheek. My little girl was alive. more

Resolved Question: Im looking for a senior medical alert that maybe has no monthly bill or is paid for by medicare -?

or maybe one that has a low monthly fee and great customer service- maybe fall protection too in case my great aunt couldnt push the button more

Resolved Question: Question about meth addicted mother?

I have a friend that is meth addict. She has two small children, ages 9 months and 4 years old. Both children have separate fathers who are not in their lives and have no plans to ever be. She has a "friend" that lives across the country 2500 miles away and provides her full access to his bank account with a salary of $60,000 a year. He visits once a year for a few days. She lives in a luxurious house which costs $1500 a month, attends school, leaves the kids with sitters 12 hours a day, and does not work. The 4-year-old is attending a preschool program in which they are noticing odd behaviors and seizures (side effects from whatever medications he is on) and they want social services to visit the home for an "inspection". She is attempting to legally refuse the inspection and their other requests for mandated medical attention. When she goes on a binge, she'll have family babysit for 24-48 hour periods. When she crashes and needs sleep, but the kids are up, she'll give them sedatives to incapacitate them or put them to sleep for 16 hours each time every few days. All of her friends are dealers and/ or addicts who generally exchange meth for sex. The "friend" providing her the funds is attempting to gain custody of the children because he was named a godfather, has gotten sober through the 12-step program, and is aware of her downward spiraling addiction. I have not alerted authorities because I have come to a point in my life where I have to accept that this is probably common and when she hits the bottom, it will be done without me getting involved in her affairs; at which point, I hope the children will no longer be harmed. My question is: Why would this man give this woman access to all of his money and a luxurious lifestyle when he knows she is harming her own children, continually argues with him & bosses him around, and is legally going to resist his attempts to help the children? Thank you for the replies. Although I didn't want to get involved, I alerted the child abuse investigators at our local police station. more

Resolved Question: who are the TOP 10 WORST liberals in public office today?

i am a moderate conservative (not republican) and find myself more and more loathing the democratic party each day. people like barack obama and nancy pelosi are representing what i DO NOT believe in nor what i think is right for the country. i know these gangsters have a posse and as an alert voter and quasi activist, i would like to know who is out to take my money and give it to people that believe in gay marriage, cap and trade, teachers unions, welfare, t.a.r.p., abortion, the stimulus package, socialized medical care, separation of church and state, an "evolving" constitution, and that civil rights are more important then the greater good. that is not me and i would like to know who NOT TO VOTE for. by the way, i am from the harry reid state of nevada in las vegas and i am unemployed just throwing that out there. more

Resolved Question: A heart patient - medical alert id tag help...?

I am a heart patient with mitral valve regurgitation, tricuspid valve regurgitation and a dilated aortic valve. I have discussed with my doctor that I am to get a medical alert bracelet that states my name, that i am a heart patient and then my Cardiologists name and office number. I forgot to ask him if i should include my need for prophylactic antibiotics before different procedures. Do you think I need to include that - or will most Emergency Responders assume that I need antibiotics? If I do put it on there how would i appropriately word it - is "Antibiotic Prophylaxis" the proper term - would just the phrase being on there be sufficient? more

Resolved Question: Are Filipinos workaholic?

The Center for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weekly Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT!!! This virus will wipe out your private life entirely. If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises. Take two good friends to the nearest liquor store and purchase one or both of the antidotes - Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life. ---------- Received via e-mail. I just find it amusing so I thought of sharing it with you guys. more

Resolved Question: Would it be a good idea to wear an allergy medical alert bracelet?

I am allergic to bee stings and general anesthesia- confirmed by doctors. more

Voting Question: How to fully or finish potty training this dog?

I read that if a dog has accidents inside (not including medical issues) then they're not potty trained. Even if they go outside most, 90% of the time. True? Well if so then how can I finish potty training my dog. Here is our info: She free feeds, but usually only eats once a day and it's usually late any where from 8-9:30pm shell go to her bowl & eat. She does seem to know the words "potty & poop" and does them on command pretty consistently. She has alerted me that she needs out by standing at the door and staring at me. The trouble comes when she's left alone at home, this Is when shell some times go in the house :( Tips PLZ more

Resolved Question: Partying college aged neighbors. Is it time to step us the issue?

We live in a privately owned condo building. Most owners are like myself professionals who work 8-5 monday through firiday. Some of use like me work weekends and my shift can start as early as 7am. About a yeat ago a man bought a unit for his 20 yo son could live here and go to college. There have been bizarre inssues and insane times for parties at this unit. Once I woke up at 4am to screams. I ran out to hear a party going on, music and insturments being played from thier unit.... it was mid week and I was due to be up in 2 hours. I have called as have my neighbors have our local police. ( varying times, days, always a freaking party) Last night I was kept up til midnight with the SAME issue. I called the police and instructedt them to please notify the party thrower that this is the LAST call. Next incident will result in a formal complaint as this has been well documented via police records. It will result in an automatice citation to the tune of $1000. I have some reservations to do this, but really talking to the them, notes etc have NOT worked. 1 hour ago - 4 days left to answer. Additional Details Our HOA is involved. But all they have done is a letter the owner a month ago. I have tried to pursue all venues. TO the gal who said they should have fun on the weekend would feel completely differently if she had to get up a 6am on the weekend. Put yourself in my shoes.. I am a medical professional who's patient's well being rely on an alert nurse... would you want me to take care of your parents with 4 hours sleep? Think about that. Almost did Janets comment.. very tempting. more

Resolved Question: Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic – Fact or Fiction?

Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic – Fact or Fiction? American health officials declared a public health emergency as cases of swine flu were confirmed in the U.S. Health officials across the world fear this could be the leading edge of a global pandemic emerging from Mexico, where seven people are confirmed dead as a result of the new virus. On Monday April 27th, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert level to four on its six-level threat scale,1 which means they've determined that the virus is capable of human-to-human transmission. The initial outbreaks across North America reveal an infection already traveling at higher velocity than did the last official pandemic strain, the 1968 Hong Kong flu. The number of fatalities, and suspected and confirmed cases across the world change depending on the source, so your best bet -- if you want the latest numbers -- is to use Google Maps' Swine Flu Tracker. Several nations have imposed travel bans, or made plans to quarantine air travelers2 that present symptoms of the swine flu, such as: Fever of more than 100 Coughing Runny nose and/or sore throat Joint aches Severe headache Vomiting and/or diarrhea Lethargy Lack of appetite Top global flu experts are trying to predict how dangerous the new swine flu strain will be, as it became clear that they had little information about Mexico's outbreak. It is as yet unclear how many cases occurred in the month or so before the outbreak was detected. It's also unknown whether the virus was mutating to be more lethal, or less. Much Fear Mongering Being Promoted I suspect you have likely been alarmed by the media's coverage of the swine flu scare. It has a noticeable subplot - preparing you for draconian measures to combat a future pandemic as well as forcing you to accept the idea of mandatory vaccinations. On April 27, Time magazine published an article which discusses how dozens died and hundreds were injured from vaccines as a result of the 1976 swine flu fiasco, when the Ford administration attempted to use the infection of soldiers at Fort Dix as a pretext for a mass vaccination of the entire country. Despite acknowledging that the 1976 farce was an example of “how not to handle a flu outbreak”, the article still introduces the notion that officials “may soon have to consider whether to institute draconian measures to combat the disease”. WHO and CDC Pandemic Preparedness Seriously Broken The pandemic warning system has failed as it simply doesn't exist, even in North America and Europe. To improve the system, massive new investments in surveillance, scientific and regulatory infrastructure, basic public health, and global access to common sense interventions like vitamin D optimization are required. According to the Washington Post, the CDC did not learn about the outbreak until six days after Mexico had begun to impose emergency measures. There should be no excuses. The paradox of this swine flu panic is that, while totally unexpected, it was accurately predicted. Six years ago, Science dedicated a major story to evidence that "after years of stability, the North American swine flu virus has jumped onto an evolutionary fasttrack". However, maybe this is precisely what public health authorities desire. This is NOT the First Swine Flu Panic My guess is that you can expect to see a lot of panic over this issue in the near future. But the key is to remain calm -- this isn't the first time the public has been warned about swine flu. The last time was in 1976, right before I entered medical school and I remember it very clearly. It resulted in the massive swine flu vaccine campaign. Do you happen to recall the result of this massive campaign? Within a few months, claims totaling $1.3 billion had been filed by victims who had suffered paralysis from the vaccine. The vaccine was also blamed for 25 deaths. However, several hundred people developed crippling Guillain-Barré Syndrome after they were injected with the swine flu vaccine. Even healthy 20-year-olds ended up as paraplegics. And the swine flu pandemic itself? It never materialized. More People Died From the Swine Flu Vaccine than Swine Flu! It is very difficult to forecast a pandemic, and a rash response can be extremely damaging. As of Monday April 27, the worldwide total number of confirmed cases was 82, according to WHO, which included 40 cases in the U.S., confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control. But does that truly warrant the feverish news headlines? To put things into perspective, malaria kills 3,000 people EVERY DAY, and it's considered "a health problem"... But of course, there are no fancy vaccines for malaria that can rake in billions of dollars in a short amount of time. One Australian news source,3 for example, states that even a mild swine flu epidemic could lead to the deaths of 1.4 million people and would reduce e The rest of this article can be read from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/28/Swine-Flu.aspx more

Resolved Question: which kills more people doctors or gun accidents?

Doctors vs. Gun Owners Doctors (A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000. (B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000. (C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171. *Statistics courtesy of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Now think about this: Guns (A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000. (Yes, that's 80 million) (B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500. (C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188. *Statistics courtesy of FBI So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do..' FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR. Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!! !!! Out of concern for the public at large, statistics on Lawyers were withheld. For fear the shock would cause people to panic, and seek medical attention! more

Resolved Question: Did Obama's administration invent the pig flu?

So that they could pass their socialist medical plan? It certainly is bringing to light the fact that if all are not afforded healy care then it can quickly become a major issue for all! Neenooneenoo! Conspiracy alert! Jump on it Glen Beck! LOL Yes I'm kidding.. ;) more

Resolved Question: Is it possible that the swine flu scare is just to clear stock of Tamiflu?

Is it part of the conspiracy to keep the world living in fear and dependency, or is swine flu a real threat? Here's an article from "What Doctors Don't Tell You". Something to think about anyway... Swine flu alert clears old stock of Tamiflu 30 April 2009 It is almost three years since we faced the hysteria of an avian flu epidemic, when governments bought billions of dollars of Tamiflu – the same anti-viral now being promoted to combat a supposed swine flu pandemic. The shelf life of Tamiflu also happens to be three years. The World Health Organization has, at the time of writing, increased its threat level to five, which means governments can activate their pandemic plans – and start handing out Tamiflu drugs. This is extremely convenient for governments that would have very soon have to dispose of billions of dollars of Tamiflu stock, which they bought to counter avian flu, or H5N1. The US government ordered 20 million doses, costing $2bn, in October, 2005, and around that time the UK government ordered 14.6 million doses. Tamiflu’s manufacturer, Roche, has confirmed that the shelf life of its anti-viral is three years. England’s chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has said that the UK is “well prepared” to counter swine flu – but only because it was well prepared to counter an avian flu pandemic that never happened. The other worry is when, or if, medicine comes up with a specific anti-viral for swine flu. The last time they did – when we had the last swine flu scare in 1976 - health officials rushed through a vaccination programme that resulted in 1 out of 100,000 vaccinated Americans developing Guillain-Barre paralysis. The US government paid out $93 million in compensation. Those of us who quaked in fear from the expected SARS epidemic and shook from the anticipated avian flu pandemic may feel they’ve been here before. Despite the dire warnings, at the time of writing just 2,600 cases of swine flu have been confirmed or suspected around the world , and there have been 160 deaths, and not all of these may turn out to be caused by swine flu. More people die on UK roads every month. Meanwhile, while we’re blaming the Mexicans for starting the anticipated global pandemic of swine flu, who are the Mexicans blaming? Several of their newspapers are pointing the finger at local plants of Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork packer and hog producer. Mexican journalists report on concerns from locals in Perote, Santa Cruz, Mexico – where the outbreak was believed to have started – that the pig breeding farm polluted the atmosphere and local water supplies. A municipal health official seems to support the locals’ concerns, and says the outbreak may have been started by flies that reproduced in the pig waste. more

Voting Question: Question for a recruiter about MEPS/Sec. Clearance?

I know a guy that... Is currently on ADD meds for about a year. This person functions perfectly fine off the meds, and only got on the meds for an "advantage" in school. This person has good credit, no criminal history, no history of illegal drug use, and no other medical history. 1. If this person failed to disclose this medical history at meps and on his/her sf86 AND can completely keep his mouth shut about all of it; should he/she worry that this history can be discovered later? -no one else knows about this condition(even the family) -there is no magic database that stores this type of information -there is no chance of "symptoms" alerting others to this condition obviously this person will stop taking the meds months before meps to absolutely ensure a clean UA -no one knows of his situation(even family/recruiter) more

Resolved Question: Is this a concern for me or should i not worry?

When I was 16 I was put on RISPERDAL® to augment ZOLOFT® (help ZOLOFT® be more effective). I was already on 500mg of ZOLOFT® daily before starting RISPERDAL®. Like ZOLOFT® it worked and then the dosage needed to be increased over time to get the same initial effect (RISPERDAL® went from .5mg to 1mg to 2mgs daily). Once it was increased to 2mg I felt odd like I was dreaming through life. As if I was going through the motions not awake nor alert but aware. The dosage increase made me have irregular cycles as well. Before hand I was regular. So she lowered the dosage to 1.5mgs (the dreaming symptoms went away). I went six months without having a menstrual cycle. When I told my psychiatrist she said if I went over 6 months I should see an OBGYN. But I had my period so I did not go over six months. Than it continued to be irregular every three- six months or so, once I had it a week apart! She did some research and found that not having periods is a rare side-effect of RISPERDAL® rare. So she had my blood tested to see if it affected my prolactin levels. When the results came back it showed that my prolactin levels were in normal range for the average female my age and that it was not caused by RISPERDAL®. I wondered if my natural prolactin levels were lower than average in the beginning and if the drug had raised them because this all started when she increased the dosage to 2mgs, but she didn’t believe so. Finally after continued concerns she recommended that we discontinue the drug. And one month later I had a normal menstrual cycle. I thought that the problem was solved but then I didn't have one next month and the month after. I went back to my old irregular routine. Currently my most recent period is extremely light. So light that in the beginning I thought I was spotting till it got slightly heaver. I am currently 19 and concerned for my health. I can’t afford to see a doctor but I’m hoping for medical advice. more

Resolved Question: Funny! Actual writings in a Mpumalanga Hospital (South Africa) Register?

Actual writings in a Mpumalanga Hospital (South Africa) Register 1. The patient refused autopsy. 2. The patient has no previous history of suicides. 3. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital. 4. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with B only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days. 5. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night. 6. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.. 7. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared. 8. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed. 9. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993. 10. Discharge status: Alive but without my permission. 11. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert but forgetful. 12. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch. 13. She is numb from her toes down. 14. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home. 15. The skin was moist and dry. 16. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches. 17. Patient was alert and unresponsive. 18. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid. 19. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce. 20. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy. 21. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation. 22. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized. 23. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function. 24. Skin: somewhat pale but present. 25. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor. 26. Large brown stool ambulating in the hall. 27. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities more

Resolved Question: Why is the rest of the world on Alert about the swine flu but Obama's CDC say "is no reason to avoid Mexico"?

Deadly new flu strain erupts in Mexico But there is no reason to avoid Mexico, CDC and the WHO said. "CDC is not recommending any additional recommendations for travelers to California, Texas and Mexico," Besser said. http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE53N22820090424?sp=true Asia on alert over swine flu threat Asian health officials went on alert and urged the public to be vigilant amid the threat of a flu strain that has killed up to 81 people in Mexico and sparked warnings of a potential pandemic. Governments across the region, which has in recent years been at the forefront of the SARS and bird flu epidemics, urged the public, and especially travellers, to be on guard for symptoms of the new multi-strain of swine fever. In New Zealand, a 25-strong school group was quarantined pending the results of medical tests after returning from Mexico with flu-like symptoms, local health authorities said. In Japan, airports tightened checks on passengers arriving from Mexico, with quarantine officials giving out face masks and using thermography imaging cameras to screen for passengers with a fever. Australia has good communicable disease surveillance and control systems in place to detect and respond to outbreaks of illness," a health department spokeswoman said. South Korean health, agriculture and foreign ministry officials held an emergency meeting to discuss the issue, while in China, the health ministry said it was "paying close attention" to the situation. The Chinese government was Sunday studying inspection and quarantine measures to guard against the spread of the latest flu strain, officials said. In Hong Kong, health officials said checks at border crossings had been stepped up and that airlines had been asked to broadcast messages on all flights coming direct from affected areas. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.18f8754dd2a36fa5cbc610cad8f4b794.721&show_article=1 more

Resolved Question: where can i get a medical alert band in toronto canada?

i found the web site but i was wondering if there was a place to get one in town. more

Resolved Question: Should I wear a medical alert bracelet - allergic to penicillin?

I'm allergic to penicillin, should I wear a medical bracelet incase of an emergency. The last time I had a reaction was over 10 years ago, when I went into anaphylactic shock. Due to the severity of my reaction, should I wear one? Even though it was 10+ years ago? more

Resolved Question: Car insurance claim agent refuses to pay with bodily injuries on the record?

I got in a car accident at the beginning of the month (I was rear-ended and the fault has already been accepted as the other party's). The passenger in my vehicle immediately had swelling on the neck (a huge, red knot that was really hot) and felt very sore, so naturally, we both went to see a doctor, as I was incredibly sore and very dizzy. The doctor recommended that we take two days off (separate facilities mind you), and gave us both medication. I alerted both my own insurance and the other party's insurance that we had visited a doctor because of our uncomfortable state. I told them I was waiting to see if my health insurance would cover my own visit, as in most car accident's here in California, they will not and send it to the car insurance instead of the medical. About a week later, a letter was sent out to both myself and the passenger from the other party's insurance company stating they would pay X amount for the car's repair and X amount for my own personal losses. I was fine with this and called to accept. When I did so, not only did the agent claim that I have NOTHING wrong with me because the accident wasn't really severe, but that I was lucky to get anything for the car repair itself (the check had already been mailed). The agent claimed that they had NEVER sent out the letter stating the X amount they were giving me for my personal losses and that I was lying to cheat them out of money. She offered me an incredibly LOW amount that was highly unreasonable and nowhere NEAR the amount stated on the letter she had personally signed and I stated I would feel better faxing her a copy of the letter she had sent me already because it was the fairer of the two. The agent went on to state that I should not have seen a doctor because there was NO need and that the fact I LISTENED to the doctor and took just one day off work was my own fault for, and I'm paraphrasing here, being a "wimp" because I was sore. She ended the conversation by stating she was suspending my claim because I was not cooperating with her and that if I decided to come to my senses she would CONSIDER about a 1/4 of the original X amount in the letter. What can I legally do? I have tried contacting auto lawyers but of course this isn't an entirely serious claim and they stated it wouldn't be monetarily worth it. There HAS to be some law regarding the fact she sent me a letter already with an estimate and is refusing to acknowledge that. Is there anything I can do? This is not really about the money so much as just not being swindled by some shady auto insurance company. Thank you. ANY advice is appreciated. I know its a long shot, but there's got to be SOMETHING. I'm planning on faxing the copy of the signed letter stating the amount she sent me as proof that she did, in fact, send me that letter with the X amount printed VERY clearly stating the insurance was going to compensate me. This question details communication with the other party's insurance. However, when I called my insurance company, they stated they cannot legally talk to the other insurance company. I have All State. They stated it had something to do with being California. Is this true? They told me it was up to me to deal with this. more

Resolved Question: Car Insurance Claim Agent refuses to pay WITH bodily injuries on record?

I got in a car accident at the beginning of the month (I was rear-ended and the fault has already been accepted as the other party's). The passenger in the vehicle immediately had swelling on the neck (a huge, red knot that was really hot), so naturally, we both went to see a doctor, as I was incredibly sore and very dizzy. The doctor recommended that we take two days off (separate facilities mind you), and gave us both medication. I alerted both my own insurance and the other party's insurance that we had visited a doctor because of our uncomfortable state. I told them I was waiting to see if my health insurance would cover my own visit, as in most car accident's here in California, they will not and send it to the car insurance instead of the medical. On that same day, a letter was sent out to both myself and the passenger stating they would pay X amount for the car's repair and X amount for my own personal losses. I was fine with this and called to accept. When I did so, not only did the agent claim that I have NOTHING wrong with me because the accident wasn't really severe, but that I was lucky to get anything for the car repair itself (the check had already been mailed). The agent claimed that they had NEVER sent out the letter stating the X amount they were giving me for my personal losses and that I was lying to cheat them out of money. She offered me an incredibly LOW amount that was highly unreasonable and nowhere NEAR the amount stated on the letter she had personally signed and I stated I would feel better faxing her a copy of the letter she had sent me already because it was the fairer of the two. The agent went on to state that I should not have seen a doctor because there was NO need and that the fact I LISTENED to the doctor and took just one day off work was my own fault for, and I'm paraphrasing here, being a "wimp" because I was sore. She ended the conversation by stating she was suspending my claim because I was not cooperating with her and that if I decided to come to my senses she would CONSIDER about a 1/4 of the original X amount in the letter. What can I legally do? I have tried contacting auto lawyers but of course this isn't an entirely serious claim and they stated it wouldn't be monetarily worth it. There HAS to be some law regarding the fact she sent me a letter already with an estimate and is refusing to acknowledge that. Is there anything I can do? This is not really about the money so much as just not being swindled by some shady auto insurance company. Thank you. ANY advice is appreciated. I know its a long shot, but there's got to be SOMETHING. I'm planning on faxing the copy of the signed letter stating the amount she sent me as proof that she did, in fact, send me that letter with the X amount printed VERY clearly stating the insurance was going to compensate me. more

Resolved Question: Young women spreading HIV and pregnant should i tell ?

I work at a doctors office and i have seen 3 women under 25 come in with HIV pregnant and are having abortions, these women know they are HIV positive before they got pregnant because their medical history. It makes me so upset because these women are infecting others who are unaware. I want to alert their partners what should i do ? And by the way my office does not report it they say its their business. When i say should i tell i am thinking of the telling the department of health and the department of health trying to find their partners more

Resolved Question: Why do I have more energy at night then during the day?

It's strange really. No matter how long I try to force a normal schedule on myself, I always find that I can't go to sleep, wake up in the night, and am tired throughout the day. On top of that, I get a huge rush of energy in the late evening, and by the time I need to go to sleep, that is the LAST thing I want to do. I am also much more alert at night, and am slightly photo-phobic (aversion to light) Is there a medical condition that fits this? NOTE: No, I don't believe in vampires, an NO, I have not even SEEN the movie Twilight. I'm looking for something real and with proven medical science to back it up. Except for occasional napping, I do all of my sleeping during the night, and it has been that way for most of my life (though I do occasionally stay up) Oh, and I do have depression, though I believe it is under control by Zoloft. more

Resolved Question: Stress and heart rate concern?

In a medical book that I read it said this : "Exercise and stress both activate the body's 'fight-or-flight' system and increase heart-rate, but repeated alerting of the system without accompanying physical activity is probably harmful." Can you explain clearly what you think this means and do you think they mean an increase in heart attack risk ? The second part of my question is about when you hear of men (and women) who have a heart attack following a stressful situation. If you are involved in a very stressful situation and don't have a heart attack there and then are you in the clear and if not how long afterwards could it still happen (i.e. would you be weakened by the stress) ? more