As the planet changes, the world’s weather systems are becoming more and more erratic. Severe storms and floods occur almost on an annual basis at least somewhere on the globe. And now, for almost the first time, many countries in the West have to think disaster preparedness. No person is immune and no country is likely to be singled out in terms of latitude or longitude: disaster could occur anywhere. When we think there is a severe storm on the way we need to keep on eye glued to the TV or tune our radio into our local weather station. In such situations you won’t have time to sort things out when the anticipated storm arrives, so you need to prepare ahead of time.

You should have some idea which direction the storm is coming from and moving towards. Everything moveable in the house needs to be tied down; windows need to be opened slightly on the side of the house opposite to where the storm is starting from. During these preparation hours, prepare: put gas in the family vehicle, check battery generated equipment. As storm approaches, ensure that all electrical equipment has been disconnected, keep telephones free except for true emergencies and ensure you have an adequate source of drinking water in clean containers.

A very real threat to the population at the present time is terrorism and you need to take cover immediately if you think you are going to be in the presence of some explosive device. Unless you have been ordered to evacuate, stay indoors and take cover away from any windows. Injuries occurring when people are travelling are a major source of death, with damage to infrastructure occurring at any place and any time. Many of the multiple injuries involved are due to collapsing infrastructure and advising people to remain indoors is often the best advice and people should heed it. The amount of damages in the USA ran into US$123 billion in 2004, with just US$49 billion of these losses covered by insurance.

The tsunami in December 2004 caused wide-spread devastation running into an estimated US$7.2 billion required to rebuild India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, with a further US$5 billion to assist Kashmir after the earthquake there. Due to large-scale devastation it is likely to be necessary to call upon the citizens themselves to provide sufficient help amongst themselves in order to shore up struggling emergency services. This amounts to disaster preparedness and putting into practice common sense procedures for those less able to help themselves.

This is just providing disaster preparedness in terms of foreign aid, but what about the amount necessary to rebuild New Orleans or, for that matter, the amount required when THE BIG ONE comes and devastates Los Angeles. How can you be ready for disasters such as this? No matter how disaster preparedness is drummed into your resilient American spirit, disaster upon disaster has been wreaked in current years far in excess of anything the people of America could ever have dreamed might happen.

So pay attention to such issues and be prepared always, no one knows when they may have to face such uninvited situations/circumstances.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness .

Do you have appropriate supplies available for use in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or any other major emergency? Would you even know what to do yourself, or even how to prepare yourself for an emergency? First and foremost, it is all right having a disaster preparedness kit, but are you familiar with the contents and how to make use of those contents? Basically do you have basic first aid knowledge and know what not to do as much as what you actually need to do? In a panic, would you remember to pick up certain important documents such as your passport, or drivers licences, medication/copy of prescriptions, insurance documents and social security cards, various insurance documents and immunization cards. Copies of other important documents such as the title deeds to your property and other paperwork which confirms your identity in The System all need to be to hand somewhere you can reach them.

Firstly, in an emergency, water mains could be burst – there could be water everywhere so you need to ensure you disaster preparedness kit was kept in a waterproof or water-resistant container. You need to find a secure place to keep it, preferably not in the house, as you would not want your disaster preparedness kit damaged or destroyed before you had a chance to locate it. Perhaps you can’t think of anywhere appropriate outside the home to store your disaster preparedness kit. If so, go for the attic or, if you must, the basement. In any sort of disaster the social fabric of society tends to get eroded quite quickly – which means, pilfering is likely to become the norm. Don’t let other people know about your disaster preparedness kits otherwise your home is likely to get ransacked with people trying to find it.

Another problem is making sure you can get into it when you need to. I’m talking about keys – if you can lose suitcase keys as frequently as I can how much more are you likely to lose keys to your disaster preparedness kit? Use a good combination lock and set it to the same number as the date of birth of a member of your family so you, and other family members, are less likely to forget it. Things like birthdays are hard to forget and, emotionally, it would probably be a good idea to ensure you take photographs with you which could not be replaced plus other mementoes which makes life sweeter for the evocative memories they might evoke.

For physical survival, things like a knife and scissors plus other little gadgets are always a good idea. Spare blades and a knife sharpener are also useful. LED flashlights can be a good idea but many of the items that can be freely purchased in any camping/trekking shop would be ideal. Storm matches, firelighters, sleeping bags. Leather gloves and heavy duty needles are always a good idea, plus tarpaulins and some kind of waterproofed ground sheet. Changes of underwear and spare outdoor clothing, including heavy duty boots are always a good idea in case you have to leave home in a hurry before having time to dress properly. You will never be fully prepared, but at least saving some of your more personal belongings helps you retain an identity when all else has been lost.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness.

In the event of a disaster occurring when you are caught up in an emergency situation, food may be hard to come by and water may be contaminated. In an attempt to provide victims caught up in emergencies with proper nutrition and supply adequate liquid supplement the US Coast Guard recommends, as an absolute minimum, 2400 calories for each person, produced as a food bar, to last three days. Most food rations are prepared as a 3600 calorie food bar, carefully prepared under supervision and guaranteed to meet both Halal and Kosher approval.

These emergency food rations are 100% FDA approved, with the recommended levels of vitamins and minerals. Each individual meal replacement consists of 9 x 400 calorie meals, with each bar weighing 76g. The actual formulae taste of vanilla/lemon, with appropriate satiety factors, does not contain nuts, coconut, tropical oils or added cholesterol to acerbate any allergic responses and each 3600 calorie food bar is fully ready for use in any emergency situation.

The actual formula contains the optimal nutrients required, including 46 g carbohydrates, 23g of total fats of which saturated fats constitute 7g, and a combination of mono-saturates adding up to 29g. 3g Protein is included, with 23mg sodium [salt]. Other constituents include 2g dietary fibre and 14 g sugars. Sufficient liquid has been included for adequate rehydration extra water is not required to prepare the 3600 calorie food bar for consumption. Other essential nutrients included are Vitamin A and C, calcium and iron.

Each survival bar is baked with flour enriched with vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E, B6, B12, Niacin, Iron, and Folic Acid. Calcium and phosphorous are also added. The shortening used to mix the flour is partially hydrogenated soybean with cottonseed oils. For flavouring granulated sugar, corn starch and corn syrup are used, together with completely natural lemon flavouring. Supplementary artificial flavourings have also been added to provide the buttery and the vanilla flavours. Naturally, to ensure the 3600 calorie food bar does not spoil, various preservatives have needed to be included, such as the natural antioxidant Gamma/Delta Tocopherol. Artificial food colourings used are Tartrazine, FD & C Yellow 5, and FD & C Red 40.

Thee survival packs, specially formulated for the victims of the world’s cataclysms, have a shelf life of a minimum of five years, with hermetically sealed edges in a material resistant to oxidation. Both the hermetic seal and the decay-proof packaging have been approved by the USCG and conform to the MIL-131 Barrier Materials’ Standards and the Department of Defence. The actual 3600 calorie food bar formulae themselves have been designed to withstand extremes of temperatures from both ends of the spectrum, from -22 degrees F to +149 degrees F.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness.

In the case of potential disaster you need to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours. That means 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear needs to be available according to the minimum time recommended by various government sources. The 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear provided by Survival Kit is designed to support an average family of four for 3 days. It consists of emergency food, water and shelter, first aid and sanitation, lighting and communication supplies. An emergency blanket should be included and various essential tools like a hammer and screw driver and a whistle [believe it or not that might be an important item].

In the Ark III Survival kit 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear was valid until 2011: one of the questionable advantages of purchasing a fully fitted 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear kit is that all the limited shelf items expire together. Naturally, this would cut down on time when it comes to the twice yearly checks. It may, or may not, be cheaper to purchase items separately, especially as the Ark III only contains just 24oz of water: not very much water, even in an emergency. If you want a more upgraded product you can obtain an upmarket version, the Super Ark.

One of the advantages of purchasing a full-fledged 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear is that the food and water expire only after 5 years. One thing to remember is to keep the fully complete 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear near the door in the house, outside in a safe place in the yard, or even in your vehicle. Basic supplies in the basic kit needs to be a flashlight, together with appropriate batteries; a radio with batteries – or even one of those wind-up radios; a box of waterproof matches; an emergency blanket; four 125ml water pouches to the specification of the US Coast Guard and a 2400 calorie food bar, again US Coast Guard approved, both food and water approved for a five-year lifespan.

Other items that need to be considered in with the 72 hrs survival supplies food and gear are a pack of tissues, first aid kit, wet naps and something suitable for outdoor wear like an emergency poncho or waterproof fleece jacket. Add an N95 respirator mask, water treatment tablets, LED headlamp, and sanitation supplies similar to the chemicals used for those camping chemical toilet units. An in-depth survival box like the TrekkerTM, containing items such as these would make an acceptable wedding present or starter gift.

Food for Thought: Most of the time we are so engrossed in our daily routine that we hardly get time to think about unusual events, emergencies and disasters. They may come in any form, sometimes they are easily predictable while most of the times they are highly unpredictable. As generally seen, hurricanes and floods are some common natural disasters which give us advance notice or warnings, but other natural disasters and calamities give us no such warning sign like earthquakes and tornadoes. Some common occurrences like fires and attacks etc. can occur anytime, anywhere, so in such situations we may have to face several emergencies and challenges. These emergencies and challenges can overwhelmed not just you and your family but your clients, your business, your distant friends and even business partners residing in the affected areas. As a little gesture to the mankind, I have written several articles on this topic. Here you can learn about useful tips and techniques about disaster management and emergency preparedness.

Zoloft is an oral medication, administered as a tablet which is taken, either with or without food, once a day usually. It needs to be stored at room temperature, around 25 degrees centigrade, in a moisture-free area away from light. Pharmaceutical recommendation is that Zoloft is used regularly and is taken at around the same time every day for maximum effect. The brand name, Zoloft, is also known by its generic name of Sertraline.
 
The group of drugs Zoloft belongs to is known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs which work by readjusting some essential chemicals which are produced naturally in the brain.  This group of drugs is used to treat the symptoms of a range of conditions from depression to obsessive compulsive disorders [OCD]. Other illnesses it treats are post-traumatic stress syndrome [PTSD], panic attacks and panic disorder, social phobias and a particularly relentless form of premenstrual syndrome known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder [PMDD]. Zoloft has also been found to be a particularly effective treatment for premature ejaculation in men.

When to Consider Zoloft

As Zoloft is used effectively for an array of disorders, the dose is different depending on who it has been prescribed for and which condition it is intended to treat.  A downside of this drug, in terms of the patient, is that it can take up to four weeks for the full effects to be experienced but, once the body does start to metabolise it, Zoloft’s effects are extremely effective. To begin with, Zoloft is usually started at doses of 50mg a day if your treatment is for depression or for obsessive compulsive disorder.  Doses for panic disorder start at 25mg a day and, in all other conditions it can be increased to a maximum of 200mg a day in order to obtain full effects. Doses should never be doubled up if you miss a dose, but simply taken at the appropriate time the following day.

SSRIs are the group of drugs the medical profession and prefer for depressive disorders that are having a detrimental effect on people’s lives as symptoms of these disorders are known to have beneficial effects on most of the symptoms associated with even the most profound depressive states. Obsessive compulsive disorders, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress syndrome all respond particularly well to Zoloft.

Benefits of Zoloft

Within the last ten years or so, Zoloft has been found to have a particularly profound effect on the release and re-uptake of serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters in the brain. So far, scientists have been able to isolate many more than 100 neurotransmitters produced by the brain, although indications appear to suggest there are many more waiting to be discovered. Some of the more important neurotransmitters that we do know about are dopamine, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine.  Each of these have very distinct jobs to do in the body, with some affecting our moods and well-being, our emotional response to outside factors and temperature control. As an example, voluntary use of your muscles is affected by the actions of acetylcholine.  Scientists still have to establish the full effects each neurotransmitter produces on the body: they have only really just tapped the surface.

Evidence of this can be seen in drugs that are prescribed which, when taken, should have specific effects on people and which, in fact, either produce a different effect or an effect that is too pronounced or insufficient to work properly.  The SSRIs, which Zoloft has been developed to act on, prevent serotonin being picked up and used too quickly by the body. Quite often, unfortunately, Zoloft is not particularly effective in some people as their symptoms are dependent on other neurotransmitters – perhaps GABA, or dopamine. Many people continue to be untreatable, despite using Zoloft appropriately and, even though other medication is often tried, some people’s symptoms just do not respond to any medication at the moment.

Side Effects

Zoloft may be a drug that is in frequent use and is very effective when used appropriately. However, it is still a drug that needs to be treated with respect. It is important to remember that, if you forget to take a dose of your Zoloft medication, you should never take a double dose when you do remember. If you do overdose on Zoloft, you may experience symptoms of dizziness, agitation or increased heartbeat and need to seek medical attention as a precaution. Zoloft is a drug that needs to be treated with respect.

There are side effects from Zoloft, as with most medication. These are mostly annoying rather than debilitating, but it is always as well to realise they could happen and know what to expect. Dry mouth and nausea are fairly common and experienced by quite a number of people on this medication. Other side effects are sweating, drowsiness, and trouble sleeping. A more distressing side effect is an upset stomach and possibly diarrhoea.  When you consider these side effects are probably more annoying than the symptoms of the illness that is being suffered, it is probably better to put up with these inconveniences and allow the Zoloft to do its job. 

Only if you start to experience more serious side effects should you go back to your doctor and be reassessed. Symptoms that are particularly serious are black stools, vomit with a ‘coffee ground’ appearance, decreased sexual ability, bruising that occurs more easily and unusual alterations to weight – either increase or decrease. Changes in mood or mental attitude and seizures are also serious but uncommon. One symptom which is regarded as a medical emergency can occur in men. If they experience prolonged or painful erections they need to seek medical assistance as a matter of urgency. Symptoms such as loss of appetite or unusual weight loss, or uncontrollable shaking occur very rarely but, if you do experience any of these distressing symptoms, you need to ask your doctor to re-evaluate your medication.  Other side effects can be distressing, such as swelling, rashes, itching, trouble breathing, or extreme dizziness. 

Drug Interaction

Zoloft has been known to react to some groups of drugs, namely the MAO inhibitors such as Parnate, Nardil and Marplan. Side effects can be rather serious, and often fatal, when combined with the MAO inhibitors. As the effects of mixing SSRIs with MAO inhibitors can be potentially lethal, it is always recommended that at least two weeks’ elapses between MAO inhibitors being stopped and a course of SSRIs commencing. Similarly, anybody who is prone to seizures or who has a liver disorder should be very careful about Zoloft medication being administered. 

Most over-the-counter preparations are fairly safe when taken with Zoloft but, as with anything else, it is better to take the advice of your medical practitioner and not take matters into your own hands where drugs are concerned. Even over-the-counter medication can alter the effect of Zoloft, either by reducing its effect or increasing it: other medications, no matter how minor, can even alter the effects of Zoloft completely. Some drugs are known to alter how your body metabolises Zoloft. There is also a concentrated form of Zoloft and, if you have been prescribed that, then it is absolutely essential that you do not take Disulfram, which is also known as Antabuse. 

The list of drugs which are known to interact with Zoloft is quite extensive, but roughly they are: 

• Tagamet [also known as Cimetidine]
• Valium [also known as Diazepam]
• Digitoxin [also known as Crystodigin]
• Tambocor [also known as Flecaimide]
• Lithium which also goes by the names of Eskalith and Lithobid
• Nardil and Parnate, both of which are MAO inhibitors – plus any other MAO inhibitors
• Paxil and Prozac, both of which are also SSRIs, and any other SSRI combination
• Elavil [also known as Serzone], prescribed as antidepressants
• Any generic cold medication which can be bought over the counter
• Propafenone [also known as Rythmol]
• Sumatriptan [also known as Imitrex]
• Tolbutamide [also known as Orinase]
• Warfarin [also known as Coumadin]
 
While plenty of research continues into the effects of Zoloft in different life situations, it is still not entirely known whether Zoloft affects the foetus in pregnancy and further research needs to be carried out to establish whether Zoloft appears in the breast milk. Similarly, there is evidence that Zoloft should not be taken in conjunction with alcohol.
Withdrawal from taking Zoloft

Withdrawal symptoms can occur if Zoloft is stopped too quickly, with people experiencing nausea, muscle pains, insomnia, weakness, anxiety, lightheadedness and tremors, often lasting for up to two weeks. Symptoms then begin to tail off over the subsequent two weeks. However, if Zoloft is stopped properly under the supervision of a doctor, the amount of medication in your blood level reduces by 50% of the original level at the end of the first day. This means that Zoloft has a half life of one day, reducing at the rate of 50% on day one, followed by 25% on day two, followed by 12½% on day three, and so on. 

Serotonin Syndrome

Sometimes, treatment with SSRIs may carry on too long and this in itself causes its own problems. Clinically, symptoms can develop as the result of disproportionate serotonin stimulation. This is known as Serotonin Syndrome. Sufferers exhibit changes to their mental state; motor and autonomic nerve systems also change.  The most common cause of serotonin syndrome is the use of more than one SSRI, although sometimes it can be due to an imbalance of tryptophan or an increased release of serotonin from its store in the body. This happens as the result of taking amphetamines such as Ecstasy, Bromocriptine, Cocaine, and L-dopa. 

Other effects can be seen secondary to intakes of:
• Dextromethorphan,
• Nefazadone,
• Pethidine [also known as Meperidine],
• Citalopram,
• Fluoxetine,
• Fluvoxamine,
• Parexetine,
• Venlafaxine and
• Tricyclic antidepressants
 
Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome are often widely different between different people. Sufferers often have a marked alteration in their mental status, often revealed as agitation, confusion and anxiety, together with restlessness, hallucinations and coma.

Conclusion

Zoloft is an extremely efficient SSRI which, if administered properly, can help to relieve some of the more unpleasant symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress syndrome. It is a drug, however, that does need to be treated with respect and monitored carefully by your medical advisor. Anybody who is taking Zoloft is best advised to stay away from alcohol and ensure they adhere carefully to the dose recommended for them.

Annoying side effects can occur with Zoloft but generally these are far outweighed by the many benefits obtained from taking this medication. Some side effects can be fairly serious, especially if Zoloft is mixed with MAO inhibitors. Considering the benefits that are available for sufferers who take Zoloft, the few side effects are considered tolerable when compared to the amount of relief obtained by sufferers.

Rakesh Sharma “Jack” is a freelance copywriter, SEO writer and eBook expert based in India with more than 10 years of experience. He has written dozens of eBooks, hundreds of research reports and thousands of articles on various topics. To know more about him and his services, please visit: http://www.aurumwriters.com.