Nursing Degree Guide

By Kelly Kilpatrick

Using organic supplements to improve health and well-being is something many patients are looking into to improve their quality of life overall. Using supplements in conjunction with a diet and exercise plan is something you should discuss with your physician or holistic medicine practitioner. Buying organic supplements can be tricky at times, as there are many companies out there looking to capitalize on a market that is getting more attention than ever before. If you are shopping for organic supplements, there are several things you need to look at before purchasing, especially if you are not familiar with the company.

Manufacturer

This is where a little bit of research comes in. Look into the company in question and do your homework. If you are buying products from overseas, chances are a USDA certification will not be prominent on the label. Some companies simply label their products as “all-natural” or use the word organic in the product name to be deliberately misleading.

Contents

Find out exactly what is in your supplements. There is no reason to take unnecessary compounds or preservatives, as there are plenty of great supplements out there that are free of this extra filler. Again, research is the key to understanding what you do and do not want to ingest when you take your supplements.

Concentration

If you have moved past the first two obstacles, it’s time to figure out the concentration of the supplements in question. If you have been advised to take a certain amount of a specific supplement each day, make sure that you check to see if you will be able to get the recommended amount from the brand in question. Will have to take one dose or two? These factors will determine how long the product lasts as well as its cost effectiveness.

Certification

Products sold in the United States that say vegetarian or organic will be certified by the USDA. If you are in doubt, look for the certification on the packaging. Perhaps your product is not what it seems. It’s better to be safe than sorry if you are trying to rid your body of unnecessary chemical compounds.

Shelf Life

Organic supplements do not contain the same preservatives as their non-organic counterparts, so make sure that you will be able to use all of your products before they expire. Sometimes health food stores may miss a package of expired supplements, so it’s important that you are vigilant about this aspect of your supplements as well.

By Kelly Kilpatrick

As you are faced with the unthinkable prospect of losing a loved one, you are likely overcome by so much emotion you can no longer function properly. Every moment is spent attempting to prepare for, and waiting for, someone to die.

You want be near that person because you don’t know how much time is left and you don’t want to miss anything. Every breath is precious. While this is completely normal and understandable, you must find some ways, however small, to take time to care for yourself.

Here are some simple things you can do:

Talk to someone who will just listen.

You don’t need advice, sympathy or commiseration as much as you need someone to just listen to your feelings of fear, anger and sadness. This may not be a family member or close friend. There are many professional resources your hospice can share with you if you are in need of counseling. Use them.

Keep a journal.

Write down what you’re feeling, experiencing and seeing in your loved one’s final days. If they are still verbal, keep a log of the things they’ve said. Attempt to record what you can. This may not make sense now but you are too tired and overwrought to remember anything. And you may want to remember this time and those last conversations, later when you’ve had time to grieve.

Stop trying to prepare for the end.

Many people attempt to imagine what life will be like without someone they love or work to emotionally distance themselves from that person in the hopes of easing the agony of their death. This is futile and will not ease the terrible pain of that person’s absence. It also wastes precious energy that could be spent living in the here and now with someone whose time is limited.

Be kind to yourself.

There is no handbook to prepare for the death of someone integral to our lives. You will be angry, impatient, and sometimes unkind and unsure. You may feel self-involved and selfish or guilty about what you’re unable to get accomplished. This is common and not your fault. Cope as best you can and lean on others as much as you can.