paces magazine nr.11 - february 2012 en

Nr. 11, February 2012Nr. 11, February 2012

PACESWe believe in your happiness!

Promoted & Applied Social Economy Concepts

Published by the Integrative Medicine EntrepreneursPublished by the Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs

79-81 Dornei Street, 79-81 Dornei Street, District 1, BucharestDistrict 1, BucharestTel: 0372-770.126, Tel: 0372-770.126, Fax: 021-224.46.95Fax: 021-224.46.95www.patmedin.rowww.patmedin.ro

ISSN 2247 – 0573

Legal liability for the content of this publication belongs Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs

© PMI, 2011

Published by Published by IntegrativeIntegrative MedicineMedicine EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs79-81 Dorna Street, District 1, Bucharest79-81 Dorna Street, District 1, BucharestTel: 0040-372.770.126, Fax: 0040-21.224.46.95Tel: 0040-372.770.126, Fax: 0040-21.224.46.95www.patmedin.rowww.patmedin.ro

Editorial Team

Editor in Chief: dr. Aurel Storin [email protected]

Editorial secretary: Iancu Elena Cătălina [email protected]: Octavian Andronic [email protected] Florin Condurăţeanu fl [email protected]: Irina Ghiţă-Cioroba [email protected] Cornelius Popa [email protected] Clement Sava [email protected] Beatrice Iordache [email protected] Larisa Toader [email protected] Image Editor: Silvia Mandler [email protected] Administrator: Mihai Breahnă [email protected] Translator: George Wainer [email protected]: Gabriel Ionescu gabi@etipografi e.ro

SCRIB PUBLISHING, 2011

33We believe in your happiness!

To Be a Man…Editorial

What a short and simple word: MAN. And yet, how great and important is the meaning of this word.

When I see our society breaking apart, these days, I think that, were we really good people, it would look so good, our society and country.

But today, unfortunately, our society has an incomprehensible behavior, with a wickedness unworthy of human beings. How could such a behavior be of any help?

In fact, it helps some people to be rich, others richer and greedy, bypassing any scruples in order to reach their ultimate goal, “money”.

Could this be the true goal in life? Do you think that these rich people are really happy? I do not think so, as I met several people who are very rich and unhappy. They have their problems and they are important, but they do not have the moral courage to disclose them.

There are also happy rich people, but where does their happiness come from? It all comes from their behavior, their wish to help people, to do charity work, to provide guidance and teach those who need it. Thus, they become the true part in developing a healthy community.

What does it mean to be human?To be helpful to those who need you, to

the vulnerable, to know how to behave with dignity, with gentleness and understanding, with respect, because each of us is a human being and deserves respect.

To transfer to others the best that you have, be it your education, your knowledge or soul.

What does it mean to be human?To appreciate with the soul everything

that you were given. No matt er if it’s a small thing, it is signifi cant. Keep your dignity, do

not ever ask to be given, but only give to others. Each of us has something good and that good thing should be moved on to others, as well.

As far as the happiness of the powerful and rich, I would like to provide an example from my personal life. I was President of a bank and was surrounded

by many people (politicians, ministers, businessmen, diplomats, etc.) One day, I was asked by a journalist during an interview: “Mr. President, you must be a very happy man with so many friends near you, isn’t it?

I said: “I should be very happy, if the things you say were true. Unfortunately, this crowd around me is not made of friends. I have very few friends. These, I call them “friends of interest.” When I no longer have the current position, they will disappear, litt le by litt le.”

Unfortunately, I am now looking back and I think how right I was.

Several years ago, I made the decision to leave the exclusive circles of the fi nancial world, because that was not my universe. That exclusive society did not represent me. It was made of smiling, fake people, for whom the only interest was to earn more money. They were trying to deceive each other so as to achieve their ultimate goal, “money”.

Several years ago, someone told me when I invited him to a coff ee: “Mr. President, you’re from another world, from other circles. How can I stand near you, for I am a simple man.”

I said: “Right, you gave the answer. You are a MAN. This is true wealth, to be a MAN, and such people can only be met very rarely in those circles that I’ve been part of, so I insist that we meet.”

Three years ago, I returned to my fi rst love, psychology and pedagogy,

44 Promoted & Applied Economy Social Concepts Nr. 11/February 2012

Editorialso as to dedicate my life to people who

need counseling, guidance, fi nancial education and more.

We so dearly need these, most of us! We especially need to be educated to be human. Some people told me: “But, by the fact that you went from the fi nancial to the social welfare world, you will lose a lot, from the material point of view.”

I said I would lose materially, but not spiritually. I am far richer and happier knowing that I help people. I am more fulfi lled in what I do and I work with people who stand by me and who are willing to devote themselves to others who need us.

I am glad, in my life, I was able to be the same simple and modest man, even in high positions, so that I did not lose my dignity and honor and I helped people as much as I could.

I am sorry that some of these people who really appreciated my help at the time, have unfortunately forgott en very quickly about it.

It hurts me that they forgot my deeds. Moreover, they also VIOLATED OUR FRIENDSHIP.

Nevertheless, I still pray for their health and, should I be asked once again to help these people, I would do it with all my love.

I told you all this to show you what the word means, to be a MAN and how, unfortunately, many of us forget its meaning.

Because I feel fulfi lled in what I did in life and happy in what I do today, let me provide you with the secret of my investment. It can also be a recipe for you. I invested in two great things in life. These were excellent investments that helped me on the long-term:

1. My children (I have four wonderful children. I am very proud of them and I love them a lot).

2. I invested in myself, in gett ing education and in being a MAN.

As I speak to you today, in my editorial, about what it means to be a MAN, I remember with great pleasure a true man who devoted all his life to the people. He was very rich in his soul, not in wealth, and

he always shared his love for the country and people. I had the honor to meet him in the United States, in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2002. It was a meeting that we both att ended. I am referring to my wonderful friend, Father Petru Dugulescu in Timișoara, who has unfortunately passed away four years ago (May God rest his soul!).

Father Dugulescu, in addition to all the charitable objectives that he achieved for the benefi t of the community in Banat, was a remarkable writer and a poet. He wrote many novels of which I remember “I Have Programmed My Death”, writt en in 2003, as well as several books of poetry, including the volume “End of the Millennium”, writt en in 2005.

I would like to dedicate to you, my dears, this poem.

Father Dugulescu called this poem “A Prayer for the Nation”. It is a tribute to the Romanian people, who went through diffi cult times and is still facing them. The poet invokes God, addressing his prayers to Him, so that He would bring healing to so many contemporary wounds. He asks for a miracle to heal the nation of all the curses which fell upon it, in this “Country with a corrupt Government, which made it possible to have sinister billionaires, over night.” Meanwhile, “in the sad, gray blocks of fl ats, the elderly and children are starving”. “Heal our land, My Lord,” wrote the poet, and “give us a sign so that Romania wakes up”. This is Father Dugulescu’s “Prayer for the Nation”.

And fi nally, please remember:REAL WEALTH IS IN ONE’S SOUL, NOT

IN BANK ACCOUNTS.

Be loved and happy,LIVIU MANDLER,

President of the Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs.


A disabled society

One of the fi rst trends of “fashion” aft er the Romanian Revolution of 1989 was the issue of disabilities: during Ceauşescu’s time, the

policy was very strict and doctors did not have the courage to diagnose disabilities, except for more than obvious cases. They did so because they feared the “investigations” of the repressive “Securitate” Agency. Aft er that, the sky was the limit. There was almost an invasion of various disabilities which “adorned” the resumes of certain persons who simply benefi ted from revenues they were not entitled to. There is a famous case, among the fi rst such situations, of a head of the Capital’s Public Finance Department. He was given a lot of money (which amounted to a large percent of his wage) because he was supposed to be deaf.

Of course, that wave of “disabled people” was like a tsunami that hit the social security budget. It was caused by too lax policies of by moral fl aws that certain doctors had: they transformed their medical offi ces into certifi cate factories. Also, those certifi cates were too easily validated by specialized committ ees.

Not long ago, the media reported on the situation they encountered in a commune from Timiş County. There, a quarter of the population had certifi cates of disability: they were “blind”, despite the fact that they were working in their courtyards or even driving cars. The new Minister of Labor, Sebastian Lăzăroiu, has recently spoken about this situation of fake disabilities, of people who supposedly suff er from psychological affl ictions, all of them being led

by a woman who went to courts of law that simply supported her all the way, in cases when certifi cates issued by her were subjected to contestations. All this happened in spite of her own diagnosis: she is irresponsible. In fact, most of the later cases of abuse refer to psychological affl ictions. The diagnosis is not based on evidence, as it is the case of people who are limping, lack a leg or are blind.

My point is: Romania does not provide proper, really good services to disabled persons because of the excessive development of this category of people. According to certain statistical data, there are more than one million such people. The already small funds allott ed by Romania in this fi eld are even smaller per person, since they are also taken by people who take advantage of the system and produce damages to the state in two ways: they cash in revenues that they are not entitled to and they are not active in the labor market.

The revision of disability certifi cates, which started not long ago, is a slow process, whose results are late, already. It is more necessary to make a revision of the legislation and to give tougher punishments to those who steal directly from the state, in this way, as well as to those who favor their activity. It is only then that we shall be able to follow the European principles that govern this category of persons. They are our neighbors and they are entitled to large moral and material compensations from us. I am referring to the really disabled people…

OCTAVIAN ANDRONIC

Season tickets for urban public transport

In accordance with Law 448/2006 for the protection and promotion of disabled persons’ rights, amended and supplemented, severely

disabled people, their personal assistants and highly disabled people benefi t from free season tickets for all lines of surface and underground transportation means.

The pass for public urban surface transportation is valid throughout the country, being recognized by all local transport enterprises.

Such rights are paid from local budgets and the way in which gratuity is granted is to be decided by each local council.

Since January 2012, in District 1 Bucharest, free transportation by metro will be awarded in the following way:

• The person with a (severe and profound)

disability or the personal assistant will buy a subscription with 62 trips at any Metrorex kiosk;

• Aft er the card expires, a fi lled form is submitt ed to the Registry of the General Directorate of Social Welfare and Child Protection in District 1, plus the following documents:

- A copy of a valid ID (of the assistant, in case a season ticket is also required for him or her);

- A copy of employment contract or a valid additional document (for the personal assistant);

- An expired 62 monthly travel pass.• The deduction is to be made the following

month aft er the application is fi led, by postal mandate or in the person’s bank account, depending on the payment method used for the other rights enjoyed by the applicant.


Love is all you need and miss…

Inoticed that a “straight line is the shortest path between two points and the longest between two souls.”

For love is all you need and missAlthough it is your right,When you rarely go outAnd a shackle seems to hold youWhen your warm, humble smile,Is answered by a frownAnd when your senile grandfatherAsks for you to listen,When mom is shouting, once againAs she returned from workAnd asks for silence, in an angry toneWhen father never seems to have time for playing or for jokesBut sits, just like the gods of OlympusWatching the match and sweatingWhen daily, as a matt er of routineThey ask you to be as good as the saints,Be compassionate, dear childrenForgive them and love your parents!

They say that what does not kill you makes you stronger. This is also what I said to life when my daughter, Monica, made tremendous progress and was no longer diagnosed with Asperger type autism. We fought for ten years with the universe of chaos in her mind and we won.

I have recently read on the Internet about behavioral assessment (the one I used, even when it was not yet heard of in our country, as a method used for the recovery of autistic patients). I noticed something: parents whose children have developmental delays want them to evolve from primary forms of self-stimulating behavior to more advanced forms which are socially accepted. Nevertheless, there are parents who have a typical child and they consider that if he or she is developing normally, they no longer pay the same att ention that they should normally provide.

Parents, this is a two way street: as you give everything, out of love, to heal a child with autism, neglect can send them to that distinct world! Unfortunately, this is noticed only when it is too late, because neglected and unloved children turn into immature adults from the emotional point of view, who suff er all their life.

Thus, individuals must be respected and loved in all signifi cant places (at home, in the community and at school) by all signifi cant people (family, teachers and friends).

Autistic patients must be practically taught everything from the very beginning. They have few appropriate behaviors and the new behaviors have to be learned one by one. This is because learning one behavior rarely leads to the apparition of other behaviors, which were not learned directly (Lovaas and Smith, 1988).

Treatment for autism should last the whole life, because disruption leads to loss of benefi ts acquired by then (Lovaas et al., 1973). As previously discussed, the only exception is that of children who start treatment early and are already integrated at the age of 7 years.

As it is the case of hysterical manifestations and self-mutilation behavior, self-stimulating manifestations are present in typical individuals, as well. For example, there are cases when typical children and adults sway their body and move their hands erratically. Even casual observation can point out self-stimulating behaviors in high-level, typical adults. Examples of such behavior include repetitive and stereotyped movements, such as smoking, alignment of items such as glasses and silverware on a table, carefully folding and storing towels, matching rows of fi gures, as in slot machines, matching cards, matching balls in the holes, as in golf or basketball, arranging items in perfect rows, as in parades, alignment and spinning, in ballet, or in the performances of cheerleaders, or clapping regularly one’s hands when applauding. Notice how society provides access to self-stimulating behaviors as a reward, similarly to the teaching methods recommended for use in people with developmental delays. We self-stimulate ourselves aft er work, in the weekends and holidays, when we engage in activities such as golf, watching TV, solving cross-words, dance and many other forms of evolved entertainment which entail self-stimulation. We jump up and down, clapping repetitively, as a response to certain very good performances, actively reinforcing that performance by using sensorial enforcers. Anyone who ever watched children at school can see classic examples of self-stimulating behaviors during breaks, off ered as a reward for cooperation with the teacher and for being quiet in the previous class.

The eff ect of infl uences before birth is higher than many mothers think today. Many people considered that if you crave for something, you have to go get it. I used to say to my baby when she was in my womb: “Litt le girl, look through the belly butt on and, if you see the price is higher than 10 lei, you get over it and no longer crave for anything.”


I always said I would like her to be self-controlled and to lead her life in such a way as to be balanced, joyful and happy.

You can now understand what I felt when my doctor evaluated her and stated her diagnosis as a death sentence. Aft er a few moments of dread, as I thought about the training I had received from my parents for all my life, I became spiritually stronger and started reprogramming her brain line by line, step by step. Yes, I became a hacker of human brains. I read everything I could read, I watched everything I could watch and so, I succeeded, with love and divine infl uence, to see how my child

thinks and to take her out of her world. I never let her enter there, again.

We do not realize how happy we can be, as parents, to send our child a state of thanksgiving and gratitude by kindness, justice and a lot of patience, thus leading his or her mind to the Creator. We can thus give them the greatest treasure - a brilliant character.

BEATRICE IORDACHE

The prison of a free man

Ifound out about Stephen Hawking’s story during a rather “low” period in my life, when everything seemed gray, and even a bit of hope

or smile seemed to be gone, as my health condition was causing insomnia and... fears.

It was then that I found out about an astrophysicist, a genius who was stuck to a wheelchair for 45 years.

Being considered one of the elite scientists of the planet, with a brilliant mind, Stephen Hawking is a special man, who is also bound to a special chair that looks as if someone built an entire electronic, mechanical device, a thing full of computers, remote controls, special programs, voice synthesizers, etc, so that the famous Robocop would look like a scooter in front of a Lamborghini, if compared to him.

When he turned 21, he was diagnosed with a merciless disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease that att acks motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord, causing rapid muscle atrophy. Doctors said he would live three to four years. He recently turned 70!

Instead of breaking his will, the news of suff ering of a fatal disease did not prevent Stephen from developing a mathematical model of the origin and evolution of the expanding universe, since the “Big Bang”, as well as from making a study on the relationship between “black holes” and thermodynamics.

Because of this degenerative disease, litt le by litt le, muscles have atrophied and he is now able to move only a few muscles of his face and a fi nger!

This did not stop him from saying that he thought most about “Women... They are a complete mystery!” It happened before he turned 70, when he gave an interview to a journalist from the New Scientist Magazine and he was asked what he

thought about most oft en in one day. I tend to believe he is right. Despite being stuck

to a wheelchair, he was married twice, has three children and a brilliant mind.

This wonderful free man, a prisoner of his own body, once said: “When you are face to face with the possibility of dying, you realize that life is worth living and there are a lot of things worth doing!”

I found myself counting my fi ngers - ten. Plus ten toes... They all moved! I moved easily (because I can do it) to the closest mirror, I looked at myself and said “Escape from the jail of your fears! If he could do it, can you, too!”

ANGELA S.


Despite the bad weather, the thick fog all the way, the caravan for the

promotion a healthy lifestyle was a unique experience for us, the organizers.

We started with a place in the County of Brăila, Bărăganu, a small town with good, hard-working people. We can see it even at the entrance of the town. The caravan was set in the Town-Hall of Bărăganu and, aft er a shy start, when people did not know who we were and what we wanted from them, they gathered together, no matt er if they were passers-by, employees of the Town-Hall or people who were just curious to learn about keeping a healthy lifestyle. Our coordinator, a physician, turned on the tensiometer and told each person the value of the blood pressure and what measures they should take. There were open discussions about how to ear, what food additives are, as well as the health benefi ts of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

The next town was Însurăţei. We fi rst stopped at the nursery school, where I was challenged to answer

the interesting questions of the children. Aft er that, we discussed and tested the health of the adults who gathered around us. People of diff erent ages were stunned to learn that certain things they knew to be good for their health proved harmful, in time. Eating habits that became traditions in our country are not worthy of being followed.

At Viziru, an essentially agricultural village, people expressed their concern about the current state of aff airs in terms of a healthy life-style, but

also in terms of environmental protection, the irrational use of resources that lead to serious problems in nature.

The second day........Our caravan continued with

Vadeni, a locality somewhere between Brăila and Galaţi. I was amazed, even at the entrance, by the beauty and many newly built houses, with very nice households and an outstanding organization of the event. The Mayor was modest when she heard our praises, reminding us about an old Romanian saying: “A lot of heroes appear aft er the war...”

“It was a swamp when

“Live Healthily!” - A Successful Campaign organized by PMI,

Southeast Regional Center Constanþa


I became the Mayor! No one wanted it… now, everyone wants to be in this position.”

As we left , we were fi lled with that warmth and peace which reigned among the people of the locality.

Our next stop was at DGASPC (The General Department of Social Welfare and Child protection) in Brăila, where the people who gave us all their support for organizing this event greeted us with a decorated tree, as well as with questions and the wish to increase their knowledge regarding a healthy lifestyle.

The third day.............. We were invited at the Sporting Club Association

in Galaţi, a place where disabled people can fi nd a world that was created especially for them, where they feel understood and appreciated. Their gratitude reaches the two founding members, the Cristea family, who maintain good relations with the local authorities and lead a relentless struggle for their rights to free access and mobility in the city. Galaţi is one of the few cities in the country in which a disabled person can move around in the city by him or herself. The stairs of the blocks have ramps for wheelchairs and the means of public transport are especially equipped to transport disabled people, so that they are able to move easily at certain hours, already known by those in need.

The members of the Association are provided with the physical therapy room and their sports teams have already won numerous competitions.

Their artistic group delighted us with carols and special music created by and about disabled people.

For us, the team of the Center in Constanţa, the caravan was a joyous event, because we met people who are warm and kind, on our way.

by CARMEN PARASCHIVESCU

Can Lip Balm Cause Cancer?

Lately, people discussed a lot on the use of lip balm. Can it cause skin cancer? The answer to this question is particularly important, given

that the balm is the key element in a woman make-up kit. Every day, almost all women use lip balm at least a few times.

Dermatologists claim that this practice can result in skin cancer, but not because of its ingredients, which are not harmful (although it is good for a cautious person to look carefully at the composition of the product and avoid products with parabens).

No, the problem is not the lip balm proper, but the fact that women do not care that the balm does not off er any sun protection at all.

Although most pay att ention and use body products with a high UV factor in the summertime, women completely forget to do so for their lips.

They apply the balm and fi nd it suffi cient.Well, it is not so. Lips are also skin tissue and,

as all epithelial tissues, need sun protection.It oft en happens that farmers, sailors and

others who are exposed to sunlight for a long time, develop all sorts of diseases of the lips, sometimes even cancer.

And this can also happen to those who consistently use lip balm, but as a direct result of prolonged and unprotected exposure to sunlight, not because of the ingredients used in cosmetic products.

Therefore, dermatologists continue to support the use of lip balm, but without forgett ing the specifi c protection against solar radiation, which can oft en cause skin cancer.

CLEMENT SAVA


Lenin and Churchill ran the planet while suffering from brain injuries

That ugly Madam with a long black robe and a scythe oft en kills by a “travesty” disease called stroke. A portion of the brain is

damaged because it is not nourished with blood. The extra fat in the blood deposit themselves in vessels and the blood fl ow decreases, so that it no longer adequately irrigates the brain. Medicine calls this event “stroke”. This is a scare for many people, especially since such accidents, caused by poor irrigation or vessel rupture, had tragic endings: death or paralysis.

Until recently, a stroke did not allow doctors to do much. But now, the situation has changed and medicine developed rescue methods. Many people believe that, aft er an accident in the vessels of the brain, even if the patient escapes, he or she is no longer a whole person, becoming a kind of invalid. But certain examples deny this pessimistic variant.

Lenin took power in Russia and created the communist camp despite three (out of four) clogged arteries in his brain. Thus, it was poorly nourished with blood, but Lenin was, nevertheless, the evil leader of Bolshevism.

The head of England, Churchill, smoked Havana aft er Havana and emptied a bott le of whiskey every day. He also suff ered a stroke when he was the Prime Minister of England. He did not

stop and continued playing with his health, had two more strokes, but was, nevertheless, re-elected as British Prime Minister.

At the time, during World War Two, the U.S. President, Roosevelt, was in a wheelchair. This was not the result of a stroke, but of another disease, polio.

But these are not the only spectacular cases. Other famous people have created exceptional works while their brain arteries were clogged. The famous scientist Pasteur suff ered a stroke as he was still young, aged 45, but he discovered the vaccine later on. It was an epochal invention.

The renowned composer Ravel had his right hand paralyzed aft er a stroke, but he was still able to compose other masterpieces, as he interpreting them with his left hand.

There are a lot of problems with brain vessels. Perhaps it is also related to a certain inadequacy of cerebral arteries, which may have not fully adapted themselves to the bipedal position of the human body. Frequent strokes are somehow a sad proof of man’s incomplete and delayed adjustment to the fact that he moves on two feet. Researchers announced that about 50% of the world population has abnormalities in brain vessels.

FLORIN CONDURĂŢEANU

PMI Organized The “Live Healthily” Caravan at Regional Center Bucharest-Ilfov

For three months, the “Live Healthily” Caravan of the “regional network for the promotion and the implementation of social economy concepts

to increase the chances of social reintegration for disabled persons” strategic project was developed in Bucharest and Ilfov.

No less than 15 events were held in diff erent locations. Over 400 medical consultations were performed and hundreds of promotional materials were given: This is, in short, the result of the caravan, from December until now.

Dr. Catrinel Popescu held presentations about a healthy lifestyle in front of hundreds of people and there were many interesting discussions on what a healthy life is and the need for regular medical

checks. The prizes won in various raffl es and the diplomas were another att ractive part of the events for the participants.

The Live Healthily Caravan ended on January 31 with a large event during which the participants, being supported by a fi tness instructor, developed various activities for the promotion of a healthy life by movement (e.g. outdoor gymnastics supported by a trainer), as well as with by raffl es for the participants, pieces of information about a healthy lifestyle, etc.

LARISA TOADER


Over 80 People Benef itted from Professional and Psychological Counseling

The Center for Counseling and Integration of Disabled persons Constanta, managed by the Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs, fully

develops counseling work.Approximately 50% of benefi ciaries of the

“regional network for the promotion and implemen-tation of social economy concepts to increase the chances of social reintegration for disabled persons” project, are registered in the database of the Center in Constanţa and received psychological counseling and professional training.

The objectives of the counseling and professional guidance activity are to develop communication and relationship skills, to help writing a European format resume, to identify labor market opportunities by accessing information from that fi eld and to develop skills needed to have an interview with a prospective employer.

During the sessions of psychological counseling, experts identifi ed diff erent self-esteem problems and diffi culties of integration. Most eff orts are made by people who, aft er a painful recovery from an illness

or accident, are struggling to integrate into society or even into their own families. They feel that, since they have decreased physical capabilities, they are not worthy of receiving aff ection, and consider themselves to be a burden to the loved ones. The lack of money, because of their social status and the economic crisis, but also because of additional expenditures and recovery treatments, brings frustration, loss of stability and sometimes the collapse of the family. For the young and single, fi nding a partner who is able to understand their problems and special needs is a barrier in making a family.

Above all, there is a fear that the potential employer would reject them from the very beginning, if they found out about their health problems. Moreover, if they are silent about their health at fi rst, once discovered, they fear they might be dismissed without further explanation. Consultants: Marcela Neagu - Social Worker

Carmen Paraschivescu - Psychologist Georgiana Panţuru - Psychologist

L.T.

People with Visual Disabilities Can Now Start Their Own Business

As of January 2012, people with visual disabilities can receive fi nancial assistance from the Support Fund for Entrepreneurial

Initiatives, amounting to 20,000 Euros. The maximum amount that can be awarded to a benefi ciary is one thousand Euros, of which 50 percent - as a grant and 50 percent - as a refundable amount.

The Fund was created as part of the Business Assistance Program and Employment for the Blind, implemented by the Business Support Center for the Blind, with fi nancial support from the Dutch Foreign Ministry, in order to stimulate the self-employment process and to create opportunities for starting-up a family business. Thus, we help reducing poverty, especially among people with visual disabilities in rural areas.

According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the program can be accessed by visually impaired people who have a feasible business idea, have suffi cient co-funding sources, as well as managerial and technological skills. The program will support starting-up businesses in agriculture,

services, manufacturing and trade.In order to get funding, applicants will submit

a record that includes: the business plan, the application form, the document needed to justify the need for funding, a document that guarantees for the plan with a building or plot of land where the investments are to be made, statement of providing co-funding, by the applicant. Benefi ciaries will be assisted in making the record, by the project team and, aft er submitt ing it, an evaluation committ ee consisting of three experts will decide for or against granting fi nancial assistance. The post-funding monitoring stage will include an assessment of business effi ciency, of the impact on the welfare of the applicant and of the number of newly-created jobs.

So far, 35 people received training and technical assistance in business planning, in accessing bank loans and grants, as well as in the purchase of equipment and in workplace adjustment.

IRINA CIOROBA


An Intensive Course of Psycho-Oncology

The Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs are organizing a psycho-oncology course which will begin in late March 2012. It is accredited

by the College of Psychologists.The main objective of this psycho-oncology

course is aimed at att racting and training health professionals for providing psychological assistance in Oncology, Psychological, Social and Multidisciplinary Research in Oncology, knowing and developing conduct and prevention campaigns on health and on understanding the importance of prevention. In the end, we want to train trainers in Psycho-Oncology. In addition, it aims to create an international network between the Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs in Bucharest, the University of Medicine in Bucharest, the Italian Society of Psycho-Oncology, the International Society of Psycho-Oncology, the University of Ancona and the Semper Onlus Cancer Institute.

The course is structured over 2 years, having four modules. The fi rst two modules will run from March to June 2012.

The main topics are: • Assessment tools in Psycho-Oncology/Life

Quality; new drugs; • The family cancer patients; • Sick children and teenagers; • Complementary Techniques and Team

Interventions; • Social Work in Oncology; • Pain Therapy; • Palliative Diets.Here are some of the lecturers who will support

these topics:• Marco Romeo, a Psychologist and

Psychotherapist, Coordinator of the Italian Society of Psycho-Oncology in the Marche area and President of the Institute of Oncology for Integrated Support and Multidisciplinary Research.

• Ett ore Tito Menichett i, oncologist and Director of the Medical Division of Oncology in the Hospital of Senigallia, Senigallia region, Vice President of the Association of Oncology.

• Silvia Di Giuseppe, Psychologist and Psychotherapist, professor at the Italian Institute for Systemic and Relational Psychotherapy.

• Paolo Semprini, Manager of A.S.S.F.O.R.M. (a High-Level Training Activity NGO in Italy) and expert in Teaching Methodology and Quality Assessment during the learning process.

• Rossana Berardi, Researcher in Oncology at the University of Ancona, author of many national

and international publications, as well as a winner of numerous awards.

Recognition and professional role

The Basic and Advanced course will be recognized internationally by scientifi c organizations in this fi eld and by professional bodies. Graduates can be awarded the title of expert in Psycho-Oncology.

The fi rst year course is titled Psycho-Oncology Training, being available for all health professionals, psychologists, students in psychology and medicine. The main skills acquired in the fi rst year will be materialized in the bibliographic knowledge of the methodology for a bett er management of the response to psychological stress in diff erent stages of disease. Thus, students develop the capacity to understand mental and bodily relaxation techniques, as well as the bases of usual dynamics in cases of illness.

The second year allows candidates to actively participate in prevention campaigns, research protocols and training for operators. They will also receive recognition as experts in the fi eld of assistance. It will develop their ability to analyze their own diffi culties in the medical and therapeutic relation, thus strengthening the eff ectiveness of teamwork; the assistance fi eld will be integrated with research and prevention projects (labor psychology) so as to obtain training knowledge in Psycho-Oncology.

Organizational details:Note! The number of available seats is

limited, and we follow the FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED principle.

Those interested are required to fol-low the registration procedures!

You may register to our course until late February 2012.

The cost of the course is:• 650 euro / year / person• 550 euro / year / for members of The

Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs (PMI)• 250 euro / year / for fi nal year students in

faculties of medicine or psychologyPlăţile se vor putea efectua până pe 5 martie

2012 în contul P.M.I.: RO63 BITR BU5R ON03 5408


ICT counseling at PMI Regional Center Bucharest-Ilfov

This January, the CONSIM Bucharest-Ilfov broke a record in ICT training activities, having provided more than 30 ICT

training classes to least 15 diff erent people. Most participants in these counseling sessions are people who never used a computer so far, do not have such a device at home and do not have basic knowledge about the use of computers. This fact may lead you to a false impression about the benefi ciaries and you might think that our meetings were at a very slow pace and there was no interest. On the contrary!

Although, most ICT counseling sessions began with basic information on starting and shutt ing down the computer, the keyboard and how it can be used, as well as Internet browsing, they were very interesting for the benefi ciaries. As “juniors in the use of computers”, no matt er if they were 30 or 50, they proved a real interest in computers and their use. Some of them started coming every week, eager to learn its “secrets”. During this month, many users wanted to learn to type at a computer and to create various documents. Therefore, they received advice on using the Microsoft Word soft ware program. I must have taught them for at least 10 times, by

now, how to use the keyboard and to type with all 10 fi ngers. I am still amazed by the serious look on their faces as they were listening to me. Of course, aft er the theoretical course, we continued with the practical activities, in which the participants were helped to copy and paste a text on a healthy lifestyle and to write their resume. The computer got their interest so much that, for an hour, there seemed to be nothing else around them.

At the end of counseling sessions, our customers were satisfi ed (according to their writt en feed-back) and many scheduled weekly counseling sessions to learn as many concepts as possible related to the use of computers. Even more advanced users, who wanted to learn to use Microsoft Excel to prepare tables or to do book-keeping tasks, were satisfi ed.

LARISA TOADER

CC06, deschis la Banca Italo-Romena, Agenţia Ion Mihalache.

Payments will be made until March 5, 2012, in PMI’s bank account: RO63 Bitra BU5R ON03 5408 CC06, at Banca Italo-Romena, the Ion Mihalache Agency.

Also, it is possible to pay for the course in three installments at Banca Italo-Romena. There may be up to 12 installments, only with a lett er of recommendation from The Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs.

You may register:• online, at our website: www.patmedin.ro;• by e-mail, at: offi [email protected], oana.

[email protected]• by fax, at: 021.230.02.98

Other details about the course:For people in Cluj, Iași, Brașov and Constanţa,

it is possible to organize the theoretical course in an interactive manner, by videoconferencing, provided that at least 10 people gather in the respective town. For the practical part of the course, it is mandatory to go to Bucharest.

Here is the schedule of the course: Friday to Sunday, 8 hours per day, in the classroom of the Integrative Medicine Entrepreneurs, 79-81 Dornei Street, District 1, Bucharest (close to the Chibrit Square).

OANA CRISTINA VASILESCU


Interview with Dr. Cătălina Crişan - a specialist in psychiatry and Assistant

Professor at the “Iuliu Haţieganu” Faculty of Medicine in Cluj Napoca.

In the fi ght against cancer, patients go through diff erent emotional states. It is hard to lead a patient to full health. It is even harder, as their disease it is not tangible, not seen in any X-ray and, in most cases, does not hurt. Dr. Crișan Cătălina helps people accept themselves and, as a good psychiatrist, sees and hears what others cannot see and hear.

Sadness Is an Answer When Being Defeated

Camelia Șulea: People mistake depression for sadness and consider it normal. Thus, it is not treated and this can lead to a worsened affl iction and all other repercussions involved. What are the symptoms of depression and what is your piece of advice in this case?

Dr. Cătălina Crișan: sadness is an answer to defeat, to disappointment, to failure, to the loss of a loved one. It is, together with joy, a normal emotion. It is a universal, ubiquitous, transient experience, understood by others and it has the same code of expression in any culture. It must be distinguished from depression, known among specialists as major depressive disorder (or unipolar disorder). It is part of the mood disorders and is characterized by the appearance of one or several severe depressive episodes. Patients usually suff er from a depressed mood, loss of interest and of joy, as well as a reduced energy, which leads to increased fatigue and less activity. Deep fatigue aft er a litt le eff ort is a common feature. Other common symptoms include the decreased ability to focus and to pay att ention, reduced self-esteem and confi dence, ideas of guilt and worthlessness, sadness and a pessimistic vision of the future, ideas or acts of self-harm or suicide, disturbed sleep and decreased appetite. In case of depressive episodes, regardless of their severity (mild, moderate or severe, with or without psychotic symptoms), a period of at least two weeks is required for a diagnosis, but shorter periods may be accepted, if the onset is fast and symptoms are unusually severe.

It is vest for the person to consult a specialist,

such as a psychologist, a psychotherapist or a psychiatrist. Unfortunately, people are reluctant to go to the doctor, either because they do not realize that their symptoms require therapy or because of stigma.

C.Ş.: Are there diff erent types of depression? What is the most common type of depression for cancer patients and their loved ones?

Dr. C.C.: Among the clinical forms of depression, let me list: a major depressive episode, the stuporous depression, agitated depression, anxious depression, depressive reaction, masked depression (in this case, the most common

symptom is pain, pain in the digestive area, cardiac, bone, muscle, genitourinary pains that mask the specifi c symptoms of depression - when the patient sees a generalist or an internist doctor), melancholia or delusional depression, atypical depression (starts at a younger age and is accompanied by hypersomnia and an increased appetite) and double depression (in the background of a lasting depression, there appears a new depressive episode).

Cancer, especially the pancreatic type, together with neurological diseases (degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s or focal lesions, stroke, brain tumors, TCC, MS), endocrine diseases (Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, defi ciency of Vitamin B), cardiovascular diseases (heart att ack, heart surgery), infectious diseases (hepatitis, mononucleosis, AIDS) and birth are conditions that lead to depression

P A C E SInterviews


quite oft en. In cancer, its prevalence is from 17 to 25%. There also exists an isolated depressive mood or a severe depressive episode. Diagnosing depression in cancer patients is a challenge for the psychiatrist because of the overlapping symptoms of the disease and the side-eff ects of therapy, many of them being criteria for depression. Loss of weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, decreased concentration, motor disorders, feelings of powerlessness or guilt and suicidal thoughts can be caused by depression, by cancer, by the side eff ects of medication or by their combination.

C.Ş.: What other psychiatric disorders may occur aft er fi nding out the diagnosis and how can they be monitored? How can we prevent the onset of these affl ictions?

Dr. C.C.: In cancer, there may appear aff ective disorders (depression, quite frequently, with or without suicide att empts or suicide proper), anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, various addictions, cognitive disorders, personality disorders and dementia. The diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of the patient are the tasks of the psychiatrist. It is desirable that patients be monitored regularly and receive an individualized therapy, depending on their type of psychiatric disorder, of cancer, on their age, co-morbidities, related medication, as well as the possible interactions between psychiatric and cancer therapy. To prevent mental disorders in oncology patients, it is recommended for oncologists to collaborate with psychiatrists and psychologists, for an early detection of psychiatric symptoms.

C.Ş.: How great is the impact on the psyche when fi nding out the diagnosis, compared to the impact of the treatment proper?

Dr. C.C.: Being diagnosed with cancer is a traumatic experience for anyone. The possibility of death, bodily changes, the fear of invasive treatments and pain, the change of roles in the family and society and impaired work performance, all these are causing daily stress. The stages are the same as for any loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression (despair) and acceptance, the period being diff erent for each patient. The impact of learning the news is overwhelming and the consequences are diff erent from patient to patient, depending on the individual’s capability to adapt to various traumatic situations of life.

C.Ş.: In your view, the mood, both during treatment and aft er healing, may infl uence a possible relapse? Are there studies which support this view?

Dr. C.C.: It is a known fact that our mood infl uences everything that happens to us in

life and it depends largely on how we adapt to diff erent problems or traumatic situations that we may face at a certain point in our life. When facing the disease diff erent coping mechanisms are involved. In a made study by Dr. Feifel and his colleagues, in the 223 evaluated male patients facing diff erent life-threatening situations or chronic illness, confrontation was present in 18%, 10% were at the stage of avoidance and 52% were at the stage of acceptance-resignation. It was noted that the acceptance-resignation stage, as a coping mechanism, was common in patients with a small hope of recovery, with locus of external control and dysphoria. Confrontation as a coping mechanism was present in the extrovert patients, who take the disease very seriously and it is signifi cantly correlated with a life-threatening situation or condition. Avoidance was seen in those with a lower socioeconomic level, the dependent, with locus of external control (those who take the exterior as a landmark, not their inside) and a negative perception of themselves.

For example, individual features of psychosocial adjustment in women with breast cancer, during the postoperative period, correlated with biological parameters, are relevant to the health and well of the patient during anti-neoplasic therapy. Low levels of anxiety are correlated with an increased production of IL-2, while positive emotions correlate with an increased production of IL-12 and IFN-gamma. An increased amount of Th1 cytokines leads to a bett er quality of life.

C.Ş.: For people diagnosed with cancer that need a psychiatric treatment with drugs, are they contraindicated? What is the approach of treatment in these cases?

Dr. C.C.: Treatment guidelines for major depressions are well established and include an impressive number of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. However, it is not known whether these therapies are as eff ective in oncology patients, especially in those with terminal cancer. Several psychosocial interventions have been adapted especially for oncology patients who were diagnosed with depression. Antidepressants are helpful with other symptoms than depression, which is why they are commonly prescribed for cancer patients.

However, the prescription of antidepressants to these patients requires a certain knowledge, experience and caution. The selection of an appropriate medication is based on several factors, keeping a proper balance between advantages and disadvantages. Since antidepressants and anti-neoplasic drugs have the same paths of biotransformation, there is a high risk


of interaction between the two groups, especially if the components are inducers,

inhibitors or substrates of cytochrome P450 (CYP 450). In cancer patients, these interactions lead to a reduced effi cacy of specifi c medications or to an increase of the side-eff ects. Studies have shown that, for most antineoplasic drugs administered in combination with antidepressants, CYP 450 3A4 is involved. Antidepressants with inhibiting properties on the CYP isoform (such as fl uoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fl uvoxamine, all SSRI antidepressants) lead to a reduced eff ectiveness or increased toxicity of the antineoplasics. Also, we need to take into account the adverse eff ects of tricyclic antidepressants and the pro-emetic eff ect

of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Mirtazapine (Remeron) is oft en preferred in cancer patients (wanted as the fi rst line of treatment by certain experts): it is a sedative, causes weight gain, has few drug interactions and is a partial antagonist of 5-HT3 receptors (having anti-emetic properties). In conclusion, Escitaopram, Citalopram, Venlafaxine, Mirtazapine and Milnacipram are antidepressants used in the case of these patients. It should be noted that psycho-stimuli, being widely used in oncology, also have a role in the management of depression.

Interview by CAMELIA ŞULEA

Smoking is Thought to Be the Cause of COPD

Passionate cigarett e smokers do not give this habit up even when their breathing capacity is shrinking because of the COPD disease.

They move their hands fi nding a shaky alibi: “I have been smoking for 30 years! What is the point to stop now, especially since my grandfather died at 90, with the cigarett e in his mouth.” It is all false. At all times, it is good to stop smoking.

In case of the COPD disease, quitt ing smoking slows down or even stops respiratory damages caused by the disease every day. Of course, people do not regain their breathing capacity as it was before the respiratory disease, but quitt ing smoking does not worsen the low capacity of the body to breathe and oxygenate every organ.

Let me recall that COPD, the chronic obstructive bronchitis accompanied by emphysema, causes great damage. There appears bronchial narrowing because of infl ammation, too much secretion, because of the spasm of the muscles near the bronchi, i.e. the air tubes in the lungs. In addition, the alveoli burst. They are those small bags useful for an increased exchange surface between air and blood. Thus, less oxygen is loaded into the blood stream, aff ecting the process by which oxygen is provided to all organs.

Treatment for COPD primarily entails the need to quit smoking. Drugs must be taken daily to prevent colds, since they are more serious in patients with COPD. These patients need to lead an active life, not to be sedentary, although they tire easily because of breathing impairments. Movement makes muscles more vigorous, invigorated, thus helping the breathing process and oxygenation.

Moreover, COPD patients should make oxygen-therapy at home with some devices that concentrate the oxygen in the air that they breathe.

Smoking is certainly one of the causes because of which people suff er from chronic obstructive bronchitis with emphysema. Among COPD patients, about 85% are smokers. Thus, we strongly emphasize that the fi rst step to be taken is to abandon cigarett es in order to stop further damage to the lungs. Treatment for chronic COPD involves sprays, being somehow similar to asthma therapy. But these therapies with sprays do not have as spectacular results, as their have in the case of asthma. Most important is the use of bronchodilator sprays that widen the bronchi for about 12 hours. Cortisone sprays are also used for alleviating the infl ammation in the bronchi. The spray treatment results in less crises that entail inpatient hospitalization for those who suff er from COPD.

F.C.


Interview with Doctor Alexie Spiridon, MD-pathologist in Bacău. He is one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Non-conventional Medicine, based on the system of Indian medicine called Ayurveda. His persistent attention for the good patient, his cautious statements, as well as his common sense and open discourse, all prove that, for him, medicine is not only a profession, but a true vocation.

A “MEDICINE” CALLED HAPPINESS

Patricia Cihodaru: For starters, kindly tell us something about your professional activity.

Dr. Alexie Spiridon: Pathology is a specialty referring to concrete, immediate facts. If we take into consideration the objectives and working methods, other medical specialties seem to be pure poetry. Here, you can make sound connections between form and function. It is from this science that we continue to bring important contributions to human knowledge, certain diagnoses being truly revolutionary.

In addition to my training as a doctor, I work in the National Association for the Advancement of Non-conventional Medicine, since its establishment, in 1994. I am one of its founding members.

P.C.: Do you think that, in Romania, cancer is still considered an incurable disease?

Dr. A.S.: Yes, in short, cancer is still regarded as an incurable disease. This conclusion is the eff ect of a somehow incorrect generalization, which is only human, without proper statistical tools (opinion polls on diff erent age groups and occupations). This view is also enhanced by the new trend that appeared in therapies applied in very advanced stages of the disease. The following perspective began to take shape: advanced-stage cancer should be treated much like hypertension. As there is no cure for high blood pressure, some drug companies do not expect a cure for cancer. But, just as adequately treated hypertension can be controlled, and the life of that patient is acceptable, the quality of life of a patient with cancer can be improved, as well, even if the disease cannot not cured.

P.C.: How important are prevention and periodical checks?

Dr. A.S.: Obviously, prevention and periodical check-ups are very important. However, even experienced oncologists recognize that “everything” around us is carcinogenic, so that prevention is somewhat illusory. On the other hand, periodical monitoring can become an absolutely dangerous obsession, as we know of the following form of contagion (described in the literature about some districts of France): if in a neighborhood, in a block of fl ats, for example, a woman is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, either very serious or not very

known, in a short time that area will have many cases which were considered rare, at fi rst! There are many other examples of contagion - resulting from obsessions and phobias which are at the edge of normality, but which are obviously eff ects of ignorance and human frailty. Att ention and common sense should make the environment in which prevention and periodical check-ups should be performed.

P.C.: What do you think of natural treatments and the importance they are given?

Dr. A.S.: I carefully take natural treatments into consideration, as well as the importance they are given! I closely watch any natural treatment. As far as their importance is concerned... it remains to be established by scientifi c study. There is a joke about a man who had some symptoms - he thought he had a certain disease. He went to the doctor, where he paid for the consultation - because the doctor has to live, too. The doctor gave him a prescription and he went to the pharmacy. There, he paid for the prescription drugs - because the pharmacist has to live, too. Next, he left the pharmacy and threw everything into the trash can, because he has to live, too.

Of course, it is necessary to defi ne the terms: does naturist also mean natural? Not all the words whose root includes “natural” refer to a therapy! There are lots of... to call them appropriately, “blah, blah, therapies”: in newspapers, at television, at radio, by means of transportation, at weddings and christenings, and, as I said, also in residential neighborhoods. They all start from the question of prevention and seem to off er hope, in competition with the national health system. It’s great that it exists and that everyone can choose - they say! - how to live. But there is no honest debate on the value criteria.

Unfortunately, as far as I noticed, doctors fi rst make contact with the problems entailed by the self-administered “blah, blah therapies”. Thus, in such cases, they are right to say that they are a kind of a superstitious knowledge, not scientifi c and dangerous. But, valuable contributions, that have completed our medical system, are not communicated honestly, either.

P A C E SInterviews


I do not have illusions. The system is subject to its own inertia. But I am sure it will be reformed! It will be richer! In short, it will evolve. But in particular, everyone lives his or her own life! Similarly, as a simple man, I formed my opinions by observation: THE SYSTEM DOES NOT LIVE OUR LIVES. Yes, I am scrutinizing treatments whose name include the term “natur” and I wonder: How do we choose? What do we choose? I propose to keep an interaction with your readers, in this regard.

P.C.: What is your opinion on the relationship between oncology and psychology? Do you consider the latt er to be important in your activity?

Dr. A.S.: In general, I consider it is important! I see progress is being made. Oncology and psychology seem to rediscover - mutatis mutandis (changing what is necessary) - new grounds. The relationship between oncology and psychology is nevertheless depending on the fi nal recipient. I see we are making progress, but each of our lives are not an average! More specifi cally, in average, we are making progress, but each of us have loved one who suff er.

Ancient medical sciences left us with clear and eff ective issues in this direction, among which the one I like the most is: “Happiness entails health! Unhappiness entails disease! (This is also valid for cancer - our note) “. If oncology and psychology left on a journey together they might fi nd that sui generis “America”, they might fi nd that MEDICINE CALLED HAPPINESS! And this hope is justifi ed, because the statement above means that happiness is a sui generis medicine. I see that happiness has not been formalized as an adjunctive therapy, yet. I do not have illusions, but I hope that the progress of the relationship between oncology and psychology will be more consistent. There are good signs in this direction.

P.C.: Are you be willing to support integrative medicine for patients diagnosed with cancer?

Dr. A.S.: Yes, I am. The best proof is this interview. I feel, however, a need to defi ne what integrative medicine is. No even the word or fi eld of MEDICINE has been properly defi ned, yet. So, it is somewhat confusing to refer to the so-called blah-blah medicine. As far as integrative medicine is concerned... I have some insights, as I call them, but there is a need for precision, so that we realize what we do, how and with whom!

P.C.: At this point, could you tell us more about the Ayurvedic medicine.

Dr. A.S.: Word by word, Ayurveda means “the science of life”! It shows us what life is, what is favorable for a good life and what is not, what is good for happiness, health and longevity. This off er alone should be a good sign for any physician!

People today are provided with a lot of treatment methods. Of these, only some are systemic and of them, only a few have been experienced for a long term. Among the systems known in our country today, the Ayurvedic medicine is closest to the principles and general aspects of our “Hippocratic” medicine. The Ayurveda system has a legendary, mythical origin, but is still the offi cial health system for more than a third of the world’s population!

Consider the remaining third of the population, inside China’s borders, and the isolated population in places where indigenous medicine is eff ective, but is transmitt ed only “from mouth to ear” - and you will realize that the Western medicine system is not the most spread!

Ayurvedic medicine is, even in India, reconsidered and re-appreciated, because where Chinese and western medicine, as well as homeopathy were not effi cient, Ayurveda proved that it still had unused resources, that nobody had asked of before. From the practical perspective, the relation between cost and benefi ts is in favor of the Ayurveda medicine and, in general, in favor of alternative medicine! Gradually, pragmatism becomes, for everyone, the sensible consequence facing suff erance, disease and death. Each person in distress wants something with immediate eff ects. Alternative medicine has much to off er!

P.C.: What can Ayurveda off er?Dr. A.S.: I found that the Ayurvedic system of

medicine is very practical and, therefore, applied to life, the mind-body relationship, to everything that is specifi cally human. It is old, so that it is verifi ed, but not promoted properly. Therefore, it seems “worn out”. It is said, with a lot of pride and superfi cial, indemonstrable generalizations, that the so-called modern trends today should change old concepts as a whole, as they are usually considered to be a matt er of ignorance! The media is also involved in updating people about new discoveries that further broaden the scope of knowledge in general and particular fi elds of science. But, this whole fl ood of information lacks the creative synthesis.

One of the Indian lecturers who held training sessions in Ayurveda, in a program of continuous medical training developed by the Ministry of Health, was asked by the Romanian doctors att ending the course to share some considerations on particular areas of medicine (then under study). He said that it was inappropriate that diff erent theories and drugs appeared so easily and quickly, only to be replaced by others, without reaching stable, substantive, long-term outcomes. He testifi ed that, given the conditions of unproductive agitation - and we know


the results of our medicine - he prefers the traditional, ancient sources. These, he said,

leave room for innovation, as expected, from their inception, for, it was anticipated that man, along the historical evolution, would change, as well as the concrete conditions of life, diff erent from the initial times. Nevertheless, the basic principles remain the same. Thus, the so-called modernization of Ayurveda is an adaptation of the ancient, practical and substantive knowledge to the life of the modern man.

P.C.: Do you think that cancer patients have access to specialized and systematic information about the problems they face?

Dr. A.S.: It seems obvious to me that cancer patients have NO access to specialized and systematic information on their problems. This is the system, with its inertia. On the other hand, patients should also be helped to be more responsible!

P.C.: What is the usual att itude of patients - do they fi ght the disease or refuse treatment?

Dr. A.S.: It is diff erent from one case to another! Before us, the Apostle said: “God’s ways are many and unchartered.” But he also said they were WONDERFUL! We are told that THESE PATHS ARE ALSO WONDERFUL! I could sent them all, for scientifi c conformity, as stated above, as well as for making patients more responsible: spontaneous healing exists! Just study how they took place! Can a good contagion occur? In a lucid and scientifi c way, it is worth formulating the hypothesis that there may be a unique mechanism which, as in the case of the French districts that were contaminated with rare pathological tumors, may contaminate the body and provide a spontaneous healing!

P.C.: If you were to propose a change in the Romanian mentality about cancer and its cure, what

would you change?Dr. A.S.: Our inertia and ignorance. The fi rst is

of maximum urgency! For this reason, I said that the patient is also responsible! He or she is responsible for being sick! And by the way! Situations may be very misleading. Sometimes, even if cancer patients are cared for and a lot is invested for them, they go to the Other Side! These are the cases in which they would not heal. Just as suggestion, in order to be operative, must fi rst become self-suggestion, healing is, fi rst of all, self-healing. Of course, we can help each other, but, as illness is an individual matt er, as a result of causes which fi rst became self-causes, healing is self-healing fi rst of all. I am not exaggerating. In my opinion, this is the mechanism! As a conclusion, it is legitimate to demand more responsibility from the patients! Thus, we can go on and be informed, as well as use other means in order to get rid of ignorance. More specifi cally: a child who wounds himself out of ignorance has our understanding, but he is the one who got injured, so he is responsible. Of course, ignorance is a human trait and we need to help each other in order to overcome it and to live a happy life. But things get very complicated when patients are inert and blame everything else, instead of recognizing the devastating consequences of inaction in their lives!

P.C.: An ending message for the readers?Dr. A.S.: Yes, I will end with the greeting that

became famous in The Nutt y Professor movie, as Patch Adams said: Gesundheit! Be healthy! Be happy!

Interview by PATRICIA CIHODARU

Life lessons…

Which always fall in the category “this is good, do like them!” This is what disabled people provide us with. They teach us

what determination, dignity and fi ghting spirit is. Their optimism, good mood and how they fi nd joy in everything, all these are impressive.

I was given such a lessons as I was att ending a training session of the basketball team hosted by the Constanta County Sports Association for Disabled People. Despite being immobilized in wheelchair, they practice basketball and, what is an unimaginable eff ort the rest of us, is only natural for them. They smiled and challenged us to sit in a wheelchair and throw the ball to the basket. Obviously, we have not even tried, because we

would have not succeeded, anyway.I asked them what makes them practice sports

so consistently and their answer was: “It is healthy and it makes us happy”. It is not easy, but the fact that they exceed the limits imposed by disability increases their self-esteem. They are glad to meet, communicate and train, so as to successfully participate in diff erent Paralympic competitions.

They have diff erent stories, but also a common denominator that characterizes their “struggle with life”. If each of their stories was a precious stone, all together would make an impressive string of gems.

M. Ş.


Camelia Șulea: What are the diseases in which naturist treatments entailed remarkable results?

Mirela Filip: Disease which had a favorable outcome aft er naturist treatments are: respiratory virosis, asthma, a low immunity, anemia, muscle infl ammation, problems of the digestive system (e.g. gastritis, biliary dyskinesia) and many other diseases whose result was satisfactory both for the patient and for me.

C.Ş.: Are cancer patients turning to naturist treatments? What kind of cancer you have off ered to provide help for?

M.F.: Yes, I noticed that more and more cancer patients are turning to naturist treatments. The patients who ask me for help usually have or have had breast cancer, but I know people who seek treatment and they are suff ering from lung cancer and even colon cancer.

C.Ş.: What is the stage of the cancer patients who come to you for help? Is it during or aft er the oncological treatment?

M.F.: Patients who are undergoing oncological treatment come to my shop to buy noni juice. However, aft er the end of the oncological treatment, they continue to take naturist supplements to support the development of their immunity.

C.Ş.: What naturist supplements are recommended aft er oncological treatment?

M.F.: Mostly, I recommend using antioxidants, such as:

- Noni juice;- Aloe vera (juice, tablets

or gel);- Ganoderma lucidum;- Green tea (tablets or tea);- Volatile oils (e.g. grape seed oil, bayberry oil,

wheat germ oil);- Extract from green barley and oats;- Hemp;They can be supplemented with a healthy diet,

rich in vitamins and minerals, less used by the Romanians, but oft en found in naturist stores, such as lentils, quinona, decorticated millet, wheat germ fl akes, saff ron from India, Pumpkin and sunfl ower seeds. A food that is good to avoid during oncological disease and then consumed moderately, is soy, since it infl uences the secretion of hormones.

C.Ş.: What treatments do you recommend to patients with a low immunity?

M.F.: Here are some treatments recommended and oft en used to boost immunity: pollen, honey, royal jelly, echinacea (tinctures, tablets), vitamin C and goji fruits. But we should not forget fruit juices made of cranberry, bayberry and

Mrs. Mirela Filip is a strong supporter of naturist treatments. This passion started as she had to treat her family members, and resulted in a life style and daily activities based on a part of complementary medicine, namely, plant-based treatments. The naturist shop she opened was inspired by the needs of those around her.

Cancer Patients Buy Noni JuiceP A C E SInterviews


Do not Throw Away the Meniscus!

Our knees are such a splendid project, having so well-polished surfaces, that they were not matched by any high technology. The

knee is one of the most pressured areas of the body, with many degrees of motion. When we step, the knee supports forces as strong as three times our body weight.

Wear fi rst att acks the cartilage that cracks, breaks and becomes frail, until it’s too thin or even disappears. Thus, there may appear situations in which the bones rub against each other and the pain of direct contact is great. The cartilage lubricates the knee and distributes the forces felt by the knee in an even way. Thus, cartilage damage and wear may entail osteoarthritis in the knee.

Doctor Rodica Marinescu, head of the Second Section of Orthopaedics in the Colentina Hospital, explains about this kind of arthritis, called osteoarthritis. There was a time when the meniscus was removed as standard procedure. Surgeons even competed to see how fast they were able to remove the meniscus.

Later on, it was found that the removal of the meniscus brought about knee osteoarthritis sooner. The apparition of arthroscopy, i.e. the use of the endoscope into the knee, brought many benefi ts. The camera allows doctors to see the damage in the knees and, due to the tools of the arthroscope, they can fi x a meniscus, so that it is not completely

removed.Thus, by arthroscopy, one can sew the meniscus

if it is not very damaged. The arthroscope can also be used to cut only that portion where the meniscus is broken and the cartilage is removed only in extreme cases. Even if a portion of the meniscus is left , it may fulfi ll its role. It is good to keep at least the peripheral one third of the meniscus.

Thus, knee osteoarthritis mainly starts aft er the removal of the entire meniscus. But arthritis, the degradation of the knee joint, may also occur when ligaments are aff ected by sprains or dislocations. The knee has very important ligaments, crossed ligaments that bring stability to the knee. In case of a severe sprain, crossed ligaments are damaged and the “knee runs away”. Aft er a sprain or dislocation, it is good for aff ected ligaments in the knee to be fi xed surgically. Delaying the surgical repair of ligaments for four to fi ve years leads to bad consequences, as there may appear osteoarthritis and cartilages and ligaments will be destroyed.

Infections of the joints may also lead to osteoarthritis in the knee, so that infections should be treated promptly. When osteoarthritis has destroyed the knee, patients may resort to implanting a prosthetic device in the knee.

FLORIN CONDURĂŢEANU

black currant. The latt er is oft en used to treat anemia, which is one of the most common

complications following oncological treatment.

C.Ş.: What about panic att acks and anxiety? What are the most prescribed herbal treatments?

M.F.: Naturist food stores have certain tablets which are characterized by a combination of substances involved in treating these problems. The substances included in these products are: valerian, lavender, orange volatile oil. An alternative product is tea made of Pasifl ora or lemon balm.

C.Ş.: Are there naturist treatments that help hair growth? Which ones are used most oft en?

M.F.: Yes, of course there are. In this case, there are combinations of plants with capillary tonic eff ects.

They are prepared based on: peppers, oil, olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, jojoba oil, burdock and nett le. It is important to know that there are already prepared products with these combinations in the best suited proportion, in herbal stores.

Interviu de CAMELIA ŞULEA

Pentru toate aceste categorii de persoane Diperia Vitamed, împreună cu Patronatul Medicinei Integrative, lansează “Campania Sufl et pentru sufl et!”.

• Testările pe dispozitivele DDFAO respectiv ESG şi ESTECK - 50,00 RON• Şedinţa de acupunctură - 25,00 RON• Şedinţa de terapie BOWEN - 25,00 RON

În doar 25 minute poţi afl a care este starea ta de sănătate. Contactează-ne la nu-merele de telefon afi şate sau pe email şi vei benefi cia de informaţii suplimentare. De asemenea, la aceleaşi numere de telefon te vei putea programa pentru investigaţii.

Vă mulţumim şi vă aşteptam cu drag !

Strada Dornei, nr. 79-81(Piaţa Chibrit) Sector 1, BucureştiInformaţii si programări: 021 230 46 66Fax: 021 224 46 95, Mobil: 0722 46 56 15Program: L-V: 8-21, S: 8-19E-mail: offi [email protected]

paces magazine nr.11 - february 2012 en

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