Check out our November newsletter!
NOVEMBER 2019
THE GITTENS GA Z E T T E
833-448-8367 833-GITTENS WWW.THEGITTENSCLINIC.COM
How Marijuana May Aid Treatment THE BENEFITS OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS
Medical cannabis has been a topic of discussion for decades. The conversations typically revolve around questions like“Has its effectiveness been proven? What conditions is it useful for? Is it addictive?”As of late, with 29 states legalizing its use, more research has been brought to light to answer these pending questions. Here are some of the recently proven benefits of medical marijuana. Muscle Spasms A recent study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that cannabis can treat a variety of muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis and diaphragm spasms. It’s especially helpful for those suffering from diaphragm spasms, as other prescribed medications show few benefits. Lung Capacity One of the common concerns with smoking anything is the damage done to lung capacity. A study conducted by the American Medical Association found that marijuana does not impair lung function. In fact, it may even increase lung capacity. When looking into risk factors for heart disease, researchers tested the lung function of over 5,000 young adults over 20 years. Tobacco smokers lost lung function over time; however, cannabis users showed an increase in lung capacity. Seizures In a study published just a couple years ago by the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found how medicinal marijuana can help victims of Dravet syndrome. In a double-blind trial, they took 120 children and young adults and studied the effects marijuana had on half of the control group. What they had found was that patients’seizures decreased from 12.4 to 5.9 per month with cannabidiol. They even found that 43% of the patients who used cannabidiol had at least a 50% reduction in seizures. In fact, 5% became completely seizure-free. Pain While it’s not recommended for severe pain, like from a broken bone or post- surgery, it is highly effective for chronic illnesses. The biggest draw of using cannabis is that it’s much less risky than using opiates — it’s far less addictive and impossible to overdose on. It can also replace the need for nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs like Advil or Aleve. Marijuana is an excellent replacement for these drugs, especially for those with kidney, ulcer, or GERD issues.
Cannabis is shown to help treat multiple sclerosis
and nerve pain in general. These are issues where few treatment options exist, and the available options, like Neurontin and Lyrica, are highly sedative. Patients who have made the transition
to cannabis claim that it enables them to resume their general activities without feeling wholly disengaged.
While patients can see significant improvement in chronic pain, seizures, and muscle spasms, those are just some of the benefits. Doctors have also recorded improvements in patients with fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and interstitial cystitis. Since the increase of cannabis legalization, the CDC investigated its risk of addiction, which is a concern for many. The CDC found that only one in 10 individuals become addicted, while the Journal of Harm Reduction found that it does not hinder the success of patients in drug rehabilitation. If you have
any further questions or concerns about the benefits of medicinal cannabis, feel free to call anytime at 1-833-448-8367 or visit our Stuart, Miami, or Palm Beach Gardens offices.
-Dr. Carl Gittens
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YOUR VOTE MATTERS AND, SOMEDAY, YOUR KID’S WILL TOO!
Teach a Lesson About Voting This Election Day!
ENGAGE YOUR KIDS ON THANKSGIVING With These Gratitude-Themed Games
The 2020 presidential election is heating up, but Election Day 2019 still requires citizens’ voices to decide the fate of their cities, counties, states, and judgeships. As the U.S. enjoys a relatively quiet election day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, use the opportunity to teach your children about their civic duty and the power of voting. For the Young Kiddos There’s no reason why children can’t be involved in local elections. Let your kids tag along to the voting area, and ask for help from city workers and local representatives to answer your kids’ questions. You can even set up your own family election by holding a vote over what to have for dinner or where the next family vacation should be located. If you’re looking for bedtime books to feed their curiosity, try out fun reads like “O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words” by Sheila Keenan. Various websites, like KidsVotingUSA.org, also have ample resources for educators and families.
Thanksgiving is an excellent time to teach children about gratefulness. By planning some fun, gratitude-themed games, you can impart a valuable lesson and spend some quality family time together. Get your kids in the holiday spirit by adding a Thanksgiving twist to these classic games.
Pictionary
For NewVoters
Want to bring out your kids’ creative sides? Pictionary is the perfect way to encourage artistic expression and grateful thinking. Try adding a rule where players have to draw something they’re grateful for. This will get your kids thinking beyond turkey and stuffing and give them an imaginative way to express their gratitude. Plus, who doesn’t love a good art contest?
Turning 18 comes with the newfound responsibility of voting for our country’s leaders, and, for new voters, the system, ballots, and restrictions can be confusing. Start by walking your teen through the registration process, which can be done in person at your
GuessWho?
municipality’s office or online at USA.gov or Vote.org. Next, talk with your teen about what’s at stake in the upcoming election. Be careful not to seed your
To play gratitude-themed Guess Who?, have each participant write down their name and something they’re thankful for on a slip of paper and put it in a bowl. Then, at the dinner table, have each person draw a random slip and read what it says without saying the name while everyone else tries to guess who wrote it. While Pictionary may get your kids talking about what they are thankful for, Guess Who? will tune them into what others around them are thankful for too. Like regular pick-up sticks, the goal is to remove a stick from a haphazard pile without disturbing the others. However, by using colored sticks that represent different kinds of thankfulness — such as places, people, or food — you can make players think outside the box. This will ensure you get a wide range of creative, thoughtful answers whenever the kids pick up a stick. These modified games are great for helping your kids realize how much they have to be thankful for. Use these to spend some fun, educational, quality time with your family this Thanksgiving. Pick-Up Sticks
language with opinions so your teen can develop their own view. Direct them to resources like
Ballotpedia.org, where they can find information, practice voting, and see local sample ballots. And, of course, when Election Day rolls around, celebrate their first vote!
Don’t Forget About You! Voting is a right and privilege that comes with U.S. citizenship. Don’t miss your opportunity to have your voice heard. Learn more about your local election by visiting Ballotpedia.org or contacting your municipality and be sure to register to vote if you haven’t already.
Remember, your kids learn by watching what you do, not just by listening to what you say. Inspire them to get involved and, when the time comes, exercise their right to vote!
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THE GREATEST AMERICAN WAR HORSE The Legend of Sergeant Reckless Animals have acted as companions to humankind for thousands of years. They’re a near-constant source of companionship, comfort, and aid. Unfortunately, military animals don’t often get the recognition they deserve. One horse, in particular, was essential to the success of her regiment during the Korean War. Meet Sergeant Reckless. Bought for $250 in 1952 by a U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant at a Seoul racetrack, Sergeant Reckless was trained to carry ammunition for the 5th Marine Regiment. Her name was a play on the “recoilless” rifle ammunition she carried and a nod to the daredevil attitude of the soldiers who used them. Reckless was pivotal for her regiment in more ways than one. As Robin Hutton notes in her book “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse,”“Because horses are ‘herd’ animals, the Marines became her herd. She bonded so deeply with them that Reckless would go anywhere and do anything to help her adopted family.” Sergeant Reckless’ greatest achievement occurred during the final stages of the Battle for Outpost Vegas. During the bloody five-day campaign, Reckless made 51 trips to resupply guns over the course of a single day. By the end of the battle, she had carried 386 rounds of ammunition by walking 35 miles through
rice paddies and mountain trails.
After dropping off the ammunition, Reckless would then bring wounded soldiers back to safety. Reckless was trained to lie down when under fire and avoid barbed wire, and her ability to do so without needing human command saved many lives during the battle. Reckless would close out her war career with two Purple Hearts and the rank of staff sergeant. She spent the rest of her years at Camp Pendleton in California. To learn more about this legendary mare, be sure to check out “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse” by Robin Hutton.
THE BEST LEFTOVER TURKEY SANDWICH
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients (per Sandwich)
•
1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing
•
2 slices sourdough bread
•
2 tbsp leftover gravy
•
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp butter, room temperature Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.
•
2 slices Swiss cheese
•
1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey
•
3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce
Directions
1. Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other. 2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown. 4. Slice and serve.
Solution on Page 4
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INSIDE 1 833-448-8367 • 833-GITTENS WWW.THEGITTENSCLINIC.COM THE GITTENS CLINIC 611 SW FEDERAL HIGHWAY, STE. E STUART, FL 34994 Unique Benefits of Medical Marijuana
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Gratitude-Themed Games for Kids Teaching Kids the Power of Voting
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The Legend of Sergeant Reckless The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich
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Adventure Like a Scandinavian
THERE’S ‘SNOW’ PLACE LIKE SCANDINAVIA Embrace Winter Like a Pro
Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark have long topped lists of the world’s happiest people. This may seem strange considering these countries can spend half the year in darkness; dusk sets in around 2 p.m. for some Northern cities in the wintertime.
anymore, give Nordic skiing a try. It’s less stressful on your body but still a challenging, fun way to enjoy a beautiful day outside.
Dress for Warmth There’s no such thing as bad weather, only poor gear. The Fins embrace this mentality wholeheartedly by trekking in subzero temperatures. The key is proper layering. Start with warm base layers that retain heat while allowing air to circulate. Skintight spandex isn’t very effective, so try thermal underwear or wool instead. On top of your base layer, add fleece and then down. If you’ll be somewhere with a lot of moisture, make sure your down is synthetic and waterproof. Your extremities get cold the quickest, so keep them warm with a buff, cozy gloves, hats, and wool socks, layered as needed. OneWord: Sauna Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you need to be too. A day on the slopes would not be complete without a sauna. In Finland, Sweden, and other Northern countries, taking a sauna is considered a daily ritual for its purported health-boosting and mood-boosting benefits. Age and Ageing health journal has found evidence linking sauna use to a lowered risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The Scandinavians’ positive outlook on winter likely contributes to their happy demeanors year-round. Instead
of looking at the winter months as something to endure, these folks embrace the season and find ways to enjoy it. Here are a couple ways to emulate their attitude.
Try Nordic Skiing If you’re a seasonal runner but it’s too cold to enjoy your go-to activity this winter, it’s time to
diversify. Skiing isn’t the only wintertime option, either. There’s ice skating, ice climbing, and snowshoeing, to name a few. If your knees can’t take downhill skiing or snowboarding
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