No matter how safe you know a procedure is, no matter how proven and how routine it’s become, there’s always an innate fear when you’re scheduled to go under the surgeon’s knife. You don’t know what to expect after the effects of the anesthesia have worn off, and you’re not really mentally prepared before they wheel you into surgery. I’ve been through three surgeries in as many years; none of them were for life-threatening reasons, but I still felt my heart pounding heavily all the same before I went under. But after the first one, I realized that you’re able to cope better mentally and recover faster physically if you know what to expect, how to take the necessary precautions, and think positively. So if you’re scheduled to go into surgery anytime soon, here are a few things to bear in mind:

Follow your doctor’s orders:

No matter what other people tell you to do, it’s best to stick to your doctor’s orders. Don’t do anything that they’ve advised you against and always talk to them before you include all kinds of vitamin supplements and health enhancements in your diet. If they’ve asked you to stop certain drugs, do so immediately. Following your doctor’s orders could be the difference between an easy and painful recovery, or even life and death, post surgery.

Make sure you’ve told your doctor all that they need to know:

You must be completely honest with your doctor so that there are no surprises during the surgery and during your recovery period. If you smoke, drink regularly or do drugs, now is the time to come clean. Show them your prescription if you are on any kind of medication, and also ensure that they know if you’re allergic to any drug or chemical substance.

Talk to your doctor about post-surgical care and recovery:

Some surgeries are easy to recover from; you’re usually home in a few hours or in a day and can resume normal activity immediately. Others are more complicated and you may have to stay in the hospital for a few days before you go home. You may also need someone to help you around for sometime before you regain total independence. So talk to your doctor about your options and arrange for a loved one to assist and support you through the process.

Follow your post-surgical instructions carefully:

Once the surgery is over, you may be in a certain amount of pain. While this will subside over the next few days, ask your doctor what you must do in case the pain becomes unmanageable and under what circumstances you need to call for emergency help. Follow instructions so that there are no untoward incidents hampering your recovery process. Don’t jump the gun in resuming normal activities or going to work. Allow your body and mind time to heal and relax before you resume your regular life.

A surgery need not be a frightening process if you’re well prepared mentally and physically, and if you have loved ones to support you throughout the procedure.

This article is contributed by Shannon Wills, who regularly writes on the subject of surgical technologist schools. She can be reached at email address: shannonwills23@gmail.com.  She invites your comments and questions.

Here are a list of interesting alternative type websites.

These 3 are place where you can get information on trials.

National Center of Complientary Medicines

 Show research and trials on alternative medicines.

US Government Clinical Trials

  Shows Up Type Of Trials are going on in the US.

Cochrane Collaborative

  Shows many well designed trials in homeopathy and other alternative medicines.

Homeopathy Specific Websites

National Center Of Homeopathy

  Helps people find resources of homeopathy in the US.  Has a doctors directory as well to help people find homeopathy in the US.

Homeopathy Home

  A great resource on homeopathy.  Has information about doctors, providers, resources and other pieces of information.

Homeopathy Remedy Finder

  Helps find the correct homeopathy remedy for usage.

Homeopathic Education Services

  Helps explain homeopathy to people.  Contains information for homeopathic practioners.

Other Alternative Medicine Websites

Holistic Healing

  Offers on many subject of alternative medicines such as yoga, herbal medicine and chinese medicine.

American Holistic Medical Association

  Integrating traditional health care with alternative type medicines.

Dr. Weil

  Dr. Weil website helps people with nutrition and alternative type medicines.

  If you know of any other good alternative medicine websites,  please list them in the comments below.

  There have been many skeptics and doubters of homeopathy.  One of the more famous skeptics in homeopathy is Simon Singh. He was on BBC television citing numerous trials on homeopathy.  He stated all trials in homeopathy that he ever studied were failures when compared to a placebo

  He and follow skeptic Edward Ernst published a book called Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial.  The book was very critical of homeopathy.  Ernst and Singh also were offering a $10000 reward to anyone showing that homeopathy actually does work.  No one took them up on this challenge.  Homeopaths said this was a publicity stunt for their book.

  Singh did not get into legal trouble for his criticism of homeopathy.  He was actually bashing chiropractic care.  He wrote in one his articles that chiropractic happily uses bogus treatments to help children with ailments.  The British Chiropractic Association sued him for libel.  In the first trial, the judge ruled that in this article that Singh's intention was to show the chiropractors knowingly were dishonest in treating childrens' illnesses.  Singh appealed this decision.  Now an appeal court will hear Singh side of the story and what he was trying to convey in his article.  

  A charity Sense About Science has said English law of libel has no place in scientific disputes.  This group has launched a campaign to draw attention to Simon Singh's case.  Many people are afraid that criticisms of alternative medicine will not be possible if scientists are sued. The English libel law needs to be reformed according to this charity.  They also states that this is a free speech violation in England.  This organization is primarily funded by pharmacetical companies.

  The appeals have a long way to go.  This will be a land mark case in Great Britain.  I am sure everyone looks forward to the verdict.            

  Insomnia is a condition where some one is trying to get sleep.  However, they can not fall asleep for various reasons.  Either they are not having the oppurtunity to fall asleep or staying awake despite the oppurtunity to sleep.  There are various homeopathic remedies to help with these type of sleep issues.

  Coffea Crudea is used for sleepless and wide awake conditions.  Can not keep the eyes closed.  Too many thoughts in your head can cause sleeplessness.  The thoughts can be happy thoughts, worrying thoughts and problems you are trying to figure out.  Sleep is very light and can be awakened very easily.  This is the most common type of insomnia.  This is why coffea crudea is the most common homeopathic remedy for insomnia.

   Passiflora Incarnata is a homeopathic medicine for sleep if you are experiencing constant worries. Exhaustion causing sleeplessness.  Remedy is commonly used for insomnia in infants and the elderly.  

 Calcarea Phosphorica is used for sleeplessness for people with aching pains in their bones and joints.  These pains are causing sleeplessness.  The person may not be able to get up in the morning due to feeling really tired.  

  Lachesis Mutus is used to help with sleep during menopause. The person wakes up unrefreshed after sleeping and does not feel good after getting some sleep.

  Chamomilla is used to help infants and babies go to sleep.  Some babies or infants sometimes refuse to sleep.  Infants sometimes become restless and irritable caused by condition of tooth ache or colic. 

   Start these remedies in a 6X or 6X potency. Taking 3 to 5 pills approximately 3 times a day.  If you are on a prescription sleep medicine, please consult your doctor to make sure if you can stop taking that medication.

 Skeptics in the UK are overdosing on homeopathic medicine to show that it has no effects as a medicine.  They believe this type of medicine is simply a placebo.  To proof this, they are protesting in front of popular drug stores that are carrying homeopathic products.

  Boot's pharmacy, a popular pharmacy chain in the UK, is the target of these attacks.  Boot's pharmacies are all over England.  They are easily accessible to many english people.  Skeptics are urging the store not carry homeopathic medicines along side pharmacetical drugs.  Boots standard medicine director has said  "The pharmacy follows the advise of the Royal Pharmacy of Great Britainon on complimentary medicine.  This medicine is used by the National Healthcare System(NHS) of England."

  Boots has no plans to stop offering homeopathic medicine despite the protests.  Almost 1 in 10 people in the UK have tried homeopathic medicines.  The popularity of these medicines seem to be growing despite the protests.

  Protests are planned by skeptics in other countries including Spain, Canada, Australia and the US.