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Haunted

This is my favorite place
Mar 26, 2008
17,059
29,421
The woods are lovely dark and deep
Many people have felt the pain of the metaphoric broken heart. But the broken hearts of songs and poetry also have a physical counterpart. Known medically as stress cardiomyopathy, its less clinical term is "broken heart syndrome."
Stress cardiomyopathy is a sudden and severe weakness in the heart muscle caused by intense emotional or physical distress. On the emotional side, one of the most common triggers is the unexpected death of a loved one. Sometimes, though, the emotional stress is intense but related to far less severe situations. Johns Hopkins researchers have reported cases in which people suffered stress cardiomyopathy in reaction to a public speaking engagement and even a surprise party. Physical triggers can include a car accident, an asthma attack or a seizure.
How to tell the difference. The symptoms of stress cardiomyopathy are similar to those of heart attack: chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness and weakness. But stress cardiomyopathy usually develops within minutes of a severe stressor.
The key difference between heart attacks and stress cardiomyopathy is that each has a distinct underlying cause.
  • Heart attacks occur when a blockage in the arteries limits blood flow to the heart, damaging portions of the muscle.
  • In contrast, during severe stress, the body releases a massive amount of adrenaline and other stress hormones. In some people, heart muscle cells may become temporarily stunned by that hormonal surge, resulting in stress cardiomyopathy.
A positive prognosis. There's no proven way to prevent stress cardiomyopathy. Luckily, though, the condition is temporary. Once tests confirm a broken heart, patients stay in the hospital while the weakened heart recovers. The short-term treatment usually involves medications to improve blood pressure, lower the heart's workload and prevent blood clots. Patients have an excellent long- term prognosis.

From Johns Hopkins Newsletter
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
The dragon blood tree is one of the most popular natural wonders growing in and around the Mediterranean region. The tree gives out a deep scarlet colored sap, which is why it is given the peculiar name. The sap is believed to have excellent healing qualities and is used by the locals to cure various diseases and wounds. It is a popular practice to use the gum extracted from the roots of these awe-striking trees in the manufacture of varnishes and toothpastes.
tree_1.jpg
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
The dragon blood tree is one of the most popular natural wonders growing in and around the Mediterranean region. The tree gives out a deep scarlet colored sap, which is why it is given the peculiar name. The sap is believed to have excellent healing qualities and is used by the locals to cure various diseases and wounds. It is a popular practice to use the gum extracted from the roots of these awe-striking trees in the manufacture of varnishes and toothpastes.
tree_1.jpg
gorgeous tree.
 

danie

I am whatever you say I am.
Feb 26, 2008
9,760
60,662
60
Kentucky
Dolly Parton said she once entered a drag queen look-alike contest -- and lost. The other contestants didn't know they were going up against the real Dolly.

"They had a bunch of Chers and Dollys that year, so I just over-exaggerated -- made my beauty mark bigger, the eyes bigger, the hair bigger, everything," she said, laughing. "All these beautiful drag queens had worked for weeks and months getting their clothes. So I just got in the line and I just walked across, and they just thought I was some little short gay guy.. but I got the least applause."

Not sure if this is true or not, but it's interesting.