How to Fix Your Hair: 10 Ways to Fix Dry Damaged Hair -


Many top hair-care specialists agree on the following hair-repair tips to help dry, damaged & lifeless hair and scalp.


Here is a simple, all-natural 10-Step solution that you can put into action right away:

1.     Apply conditioner the right way. ...ends or all-over
2.     Rotate your products. ...to suit hair's current state
   
3.     Use protective products ...to protect from damage
4.     Be careful with oils ...go lightly just on dry areas
5.     Change your diet ...for overall health & great hair!
6.     Try a mask. ...for detox and added moisture
   
7.     Be gentle on hair ...use a gentle brush & detangler
   
8.     Turn down the heat ...style without heat!
   
9.     Know when to get a cut ...trim dry ends often
   
10.     Stimulate the scalp ...for circulation & hair growth
    

"DETOX YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE!"

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This disclosure is to inform that a relationship exists between Favosity and some of the products or services reviewed, recommended or promoted on our site. Product suggestions offered here are for your convenience and perusal.

(Disclaimer: This is an op-ed article intended solely for educational and informational purposes only.)

In April 2016, Favosity Blog posted an article in regard to the Ebola Outbreak at that time in West Africa entitled: "Is Ebola Related to the Meningitis Vaccine?" (04/16/2015)


*Meningitis has many of the same symptoms as the disease that is now being called 'Ebola' ...Just a coincidence?


(Below is a short excerpt from an article on the 2014-2016 'Ebola' outbreak in West Africa. It seems that the new 2019 'Ebola' Outbreak in the Congo may possibly have the same cause again: The Aggressive Vaccine Campaign in the Congo.)


EXCERPT: VRM EBOLA REPORT

"The recent Ebola outbreak in Africa coincides with a massive Meningitis Vaccine campaign targeting over 100 million Africans; notably including all four West African countries (Guinea, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone) caught in the epicenter of the viral spread." October 2014


Fast Forward to Today:

Now in October of 2018, a press release announces that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is launching a major vaccination drive against Meningitis, Cholera, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) and Influenza (Flu) . (Source: www.gavi.org/library/news/press-releases/2018/democratic-republic-of-congo-launches-major-vaccination-drive/


Democratic Republic of Congo launches major vaccination drive: Kinshasa, 11 October 2018

"A quarter of a million more children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are set to be protected against some of the world’s deadliest diseases following the launch of a major new boost to the country’s routine immunization program.

The 'Mashako Plan' aims to boost vaccine coverage by 15 percentage points, protecting 220,000 additional children.
DRC vaccination drive. The (eventual) goal is to reach more than 90 percent immunization coverage by 2022."


Immunization in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

To obtain the above-mentioned goals, an article from 11/18 in Borgen Magazine entitled, 'Immunization in the Democratic Republic of Congo' states that:

"In order to accomplish this, the Gates Foundation is providing funding and technical support and PATH is coordinating the implementation along with the DRC National Ministry of Health and international organizations, including Gavi, WHO and UNICEF."  Source: https://www.borgenmagazine.com/immunization-democratic-republic-congo/


The Usual Suspects:

Listed in the article above, we have all the 'usual suspects' involved: The Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and PATH (a global 'health' organization based in Seattle WA). The Gavi Vaccine Alliance itself is supported by such dubious donors as:


Donors:

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, China Merchants Group, Comic Relief (Red Nose Day), the ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation, Girl Effect, The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (IFPW), the Gulf Youth Alliance, JP Morgan, “La Caixa” Banking Foundation, LDS Charities, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Orange, Philips, Reckitt Benckiser, Unilever, UPS and Vodafone.



See More About Some of These Donors Below:


Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Bill Gates invested $10 million in Liquidia Technologies, a closely held biotechnology company developing vaccines, as part of a $400 million initiative to fund activities to "help poorer countries." This is a huge conflict of interest! Bill Gates profits from the agenda of his own foundation.

Children’s Investment Fund Foundation - With main offices in Nairobi, Kenya and New Delhi, India. Hmm ...India being the site of the major paralytic polio outbreak after the Gates Foundation brought in the Polio Vaccine; and of course Africa, the home of several major Ebola Outbreaks after major vaccination campaigns. 

Girl Effect - Some of their 'Partners' include: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF (U.N.), Facebook, GAVI Vaccine Alliance, ISON Technologies (Leading IT company in Africa), and Vodafone (666 Logo).

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. - is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in the United States, and is ranked by S&P Global as the sixth largest bank in the world.

LDS Charities / Immunization -  Our Mission: Improve access to immunization services. Our efforts have increased the number of ...immunized children, vaccine delivery,  and procurement.

Orange - Deutsche Telekom and Orange: manifesto for a digital Europe ...making Europe a stronger and bolder digital force.

Reckitt Benckiser Group - is a British multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, England. It is a producer of health, hygiene and home products.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirate's (UAE's) Armed Forces.

Unilever - (nutrition, hygiene and personal care.) A global British-Dutch owned multi-brand transnational conglomerate consumer goods company. Its products include food and beverages, cleaning agents, beauty products, and personal care products. It is Europe’s seventh most valuable company.

UPS (April 26,2019) - A new pilot vaccination project between UPS and vaccine manufacturer Merck intends to ship vaccines all over the country and have them administered by “professionals” within your very own home. (What could go wrong?...)

(Disclaimer: This is only an account of what we did with both Veterinary and Natural Herbal remedies and protocols, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way. Please consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's supplement, diet, or exercise habits.)


WHAT'S IN MEEKO'S TRAY? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT!


What About Herbal Remedies?

One of the things that we did almost immediately after being sent home with all of the vet prescriptions for Meeko was to find out if there were other more natural options as well.

There are many, and I will let you know here which ones we chose, as well as what worked - and what didn't. Most are very safe and mild, and many are even food-based.


Herbal Heart Support:

All of the herbal formulas mentioned here are Certified Organic and ethically wild-harvested. These tonics are also 100% natural and can help to aid in overall health support.

One of the first natural treatments that we used in conjunction to the meds from the Vet was an Herbal Tonic called Young At Heart which can be mixed with food or given orally. Best of all, it's Bacon-Flavored!


Additional Organ Support:

We also used Dandelion Root to help with his enlarged Liver. Dandelion root helps maintain normal blood pressure and good circulation, both very important in the treatment of a 'heart patient'.

Another addition was Urinary Gold to help Meeko's kidneys to rid excess fluids for his edema and bloating. It also Helps to stabilize and maintain kidney function as well as a normal and comfortable flow of urine.


Dietary Supplements:

Another herbal dietary nutritional supplement we used was Spark (from the same company as the above herbal tonics). This is a powder that can be added right into the dog's food.

This powder is a great food-based 100% natural all-in-one supplement containing greens, pre- and probiotics, enzymes, and lots of 'super-foods' full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.


Back On Track:

One thing that I've come to realize, at least at this point in Meeko's healing, is that sometimes it's a matter of getting them stabilized and back on the right track.

No one thing that you do has to be done all of the time, or for the entire length of time that you are treating them. We tried to monitor Meeko's behavior and use intuition to see what he may need at a given point in his healing. 


NEXT TIME: Other Natural Supplements That We Used.


(See: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)


*The herbal tonics listed here are Certified Organic and ethically wild-harvested. **(Please consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's supplement, diet, or exercise habits.)

In another Blog Post, we showed some of the herbs and medications that were in Meeko's 'supplement tray'.

In this post we'll list all of the products shown here that Meeko used on his journey so far with Heart Murmur and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and where to find them.


On the first row at the far left is Complete Probiotics Powder for Cats & Dogs. This is very easy to mix into food or into a dividable 'bolus'.

Next is Tooth & Gum Wipes for Dogs, Cats, Puppies & Kittens. These wipes are nice and soft, and can be wrapped around the finger in case of any 'gnawing'.


Beside this is Colloidal Silver for Pets liquid or spray that can be added to their drinking water. (Please consult pkg. for your dog's size & weight.)

Next to that is Gold Flax Oil. This can be used  in food as a supplement too, but this time we used it on Meeko's outer ear to help treat his Ear-Edge Vasculitis. 


In the second row on the left is SPARK. This is a powdered overall supplement with Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics, Prebiotics and Enzymes for Digestive Health & Vitality. 

Behind this is Young at Heart, Urinary Gold for Dogs, Throat Gold, and Dandelion Root. These professionally formulated herbal supplements can be given orally by dropper or added into food.


Also in Meeko's supplement tray is Powdered Liver & Immoplex Glandular capsules which can be mixed into food or made into a bolus as well.

Next are the homeopathic remedies Nat. Mur 6x to help with edema and bloating due to water imbalance in the body, and Apis Mellifica 30x to reduce swelling.


Aside from these, there are also some of Meeko's prescription veterinary medicines in his tray, as well as some helpful aids such as a pill cutter/crusher, and a finger toothbrush.

Also pictured is an Oral Syringe to administer liquid medicines. However, as a smaller dog, Meeko did MUCH better with these slender syringes than the larger ones.)


(SEE: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)

(Disclaimer: This is only an account of what we did for our dog with both Veterinary and Natural Herbal remedies and protocols, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way. Please consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's supplement, diet, or exercise habits.)

(Disclaimer: This is only an account of what we did with both Veterinary and Natural Herbal remedies and protocols, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way It is based solely on our own opinion and experience.)


Abdominocentesis:

This is a "generally a safe procedure that can be performed in most canines without the need of sedation. This procedure is a successful way of removing excess fluids from the abdominal cavity, aiding the dog's ability to breathe and eliminating pain."
Source: https://wagwalking.com/treatment/abdominocentesis
 
Meeko did well with this procedure and is currently having it done once a week. We call this his 'spa day' since he comes home with a nice slim tummy again afterward (and because he gets lots of nice attention from the nurses at the vet!).


Precautions:

There are precautions for this procedure, but Meeko has not had too much trouble with the protein or 'albumin' loss. We have also been giving him a High Protein diet and lots of fluids to help him with that issue.

Having to do the weekly abdominocentesis is not ideal, and we hope to eventually lessen the time between treatments. In the meantime, he is still taking a diuretic as well as other supplements to help with cardiac function and to alleviate excess fluid buildup.


Other Options:

We also try to walk him often (or go outside in the yard) for light exercise to help with circulation and to make sure he's eliminating excess fluids as well as having good bowel movements since this can also contribute to bloat.

Some herbal and homeopathic treatments that we also used in conjunction to the meds from the Vet for fluid buildup included Urinary Gold (for the Kidneys) and Dandelion Root (for the Liver).


Dietary:

Another important Herbal Tonic that we used was Young At Heart which can be mixed into their food or given orally. We also followed the guidelines for a low sodium diet by making mostly homemade meals for Meeko.

That way we could know what was going into it, as well as control the quality. We used all-organic ingredients such as Brown Rice, Carrots, Parsley (also a natural diuretic!), and grass-fed beef, chicken and organ meats.

(SEE: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)


*Please consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's supplement, diet, or exercise habits.

(Disclaimer: This is only an account of what we did with both Veterinary and Natural Herbal remedies and protocols, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way.)



Torbutrol:

Torbutrol, also known as Butorphanol or Stadol, is an 'Opioid Sedative' (yikes!). In the case of our dog Meeko, it was prescribed for Cough Suppression. It can also be used for pain or tracheal collapse.

In fact, a recurring, hacking cough was the first symptom that we noticed in Meeko last fall that led us to seek a consultation with the Vet and which led to his CHF diagnosis.


The Cough Is Kaput:

We only gave Meeko the Torbutrol one time as it made him extremely lethargic and sleepy. In a word - 'loopy'. This is probably one best saved for an airplane ‘trip’!

Because of the tablet's pink color and sleep inducement, we called it 'Pink Fairy Dust'. However, Meeko's cough quickly disappeared on it's own, so we no longer had any need for this med in his protocol.


Common side effects of Stadol (butorphanol) include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• constipation,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• dry mouth, or.
• warmth or redness under the skin.

The clinical manifestations of butorphanol overdose are those of opioid drugs in general.The most serious symptoms are hypoventilation, cardiovascular insufficiency, coma, and death.

(Source: https://www.rxlist.com/stadol-side-effects-drug-center.htm#professional)


None of the Above Please!

None of these side effects sounded very pleasant, and especially for a 'heart patient', so we were really glad that Meeko ended up not needing this medication in his treatment protocol.


NEXT TIME: Hear about Meeko's experience with his tummy fluid draining procedure at the Vet, abdominocentesis,



(SEE: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)

*Please consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's supplements, diet, or exercise habits.

(Disclaimer: This is only an account of what we did with both Veterinary and Natural Herbal remedies and protocols, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way.)


Benazepril:

The next med that Meeko was prescribed by the Vet for his CHF was BENAZEPRIL.This is an ACE inhibitor Blood Pressure medication.

ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) inhibitor is a type of vasodilator used primarily for the treatment of hypertension (elevated blood pressure) and congestive heart failure.


Side Effects:

Some of the ‘side effects’ for Benazepril are the same as for CHF - Labored Breathing, Fainting, Lethargy. Again, I'm concerned that we won't know if these symptoms are from the meds or his condition.

It also says not to give to pets with Liver Disorders. Meeko has also been diagnosed by the Vet with an enlarged liver, so this gives me some hesitation as well.


Drug Interactions:

The side effects state that Benazipril can react with Diuretics and Vasodilators. However, Meeko is currently on these: Furosemide (a diuretic), and VetMedin (a vasodilator).

Although I’m not necessarily saying he shouldn’t take any of these, you can see the reason for some caution. Other reactions can be dizziness and low blood pressure.

Source: https://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/benazepril


Meeko's Reaction:

Meeko had some trouble with this medication. As indicated in the possible side effects, he experienced some dizziness with Benazipril due to overly-lowered blood pressure.

In the end, it was concluded that he didn't need both the Benazipril and the VetMedin (Pimobendin) as these are both vasodilators. We then continued with just the VetMedin.


Pink Fairy Dust:

Next time we'll cover how Meeko did with the Torbutrol (also known as Butorphanol or Stadol - or, as we called it, 'Pink Fairy Dust') that was prescribed to him by his Vet.


(See: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)

(Disclaimer: This is only an account of what we did with both Veterinary and Natural Herbal remedies and protocols, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way.)


Lasix Diuretic:

Today we'll focus on the next medication that Meeko was prescribed by the Vet, Furosemide.

Furosemide, or Lasix, is a diuretic that can help with ridding the body of fluids that might otherwise build up in the lungs or abdomen.


Side Effects of Lasix:

One of the more alarming side effects of this drug are that it can cause Seizures. Other confusing side effects include Lethargy and Increased Heart Rate.

Well, Meeko's heart is already beating too fast and working overtime really hard. Again, we won’t know if it’s the illness or the meds!

(Source: www.petmd.com/pet-medication/furosemide)


What to Do?

But, okay, he needs it. He's already starting to get edema and swell up in his tummy and even in his back legs with excess fluid. So, we'll take some Diuretic - and some extra trips to the potty!

We're fortunate that one of us could be home most of the time to let Meeko out often. This also gave us a chance to monitor him for what effects the different medications were having on him.


What Meeko Thought:

Of all the medications from the Vet, this is the one that Meeko did the best with. Most of the others either made him not feel well, or made him a little 'loopy' or lethargic.

This is probably also the most 'essential' of all of the meds that were prescribed, per both of the veterinarians that we consulted with. So, that's lucky!  : )


What About Natural Remedies?

One of the things that I did almost immediately after being sent home with all of these drug prescriptions for Meeko was to not only look up the possible side effects, but to also find out if there were other more natural options.

There are many, and I'll let you know here which ones we chose, as well as what worked - and what didn't. Most are very safe and mild, and many are even food-based.


Back On Track:

One thing that I've come to realize, at least at this point in Meeko's healing, is that sometimes it's a matter of getting them stabilized and back on the right track.

No one thing that you do has to be done all of the time, or for the entire length of time ...Except that we haven't been able to keep Meeko from bloating up in his abdomen. 

But, that's also a story for another Blog Post...  : )


(SEE: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)

(Disclaimer: This is only an account of what we did, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way.)


The Vet Meds:

Hello again! In this 2nd segment, we'll talk about what medicines that the Vet prescribed for Meeko's Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

We mentioned in the last Blog Post that he was given VetMedin (Pimobendin), Lasix (Furosemide), Benazipril and Torbutrol.


1. VetMedin:

First up is the PIMOBENDAN (VetMedin). This one is used to open vessels & lower pressure. It is a relatively new medicine on the market, and has, "not been extensively researched in dogs with diabetes, heart defects," etc.

Okay, so I'm being told to give this med to my dog who has a heart 'defect' - a heart murmur, enlarged heart and congestive heart failure. Feeling a little leery...


1a. - Side Effects & Cautions:

In further researching this medicine, it seemed strange that the side effects were exactly like the symptoms that were trying to be avoided: "Labored Breathing, Cough, Build-up of Fluid" etc.

How will we know if it’s from his illness, or the medicine? : ) The warnings state to: "Use with extreme caution and only with the recommendation of an experienced veterinarian."

Source: https://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/vetmedin


Other Options?

But, there's no other choice, he has to have this medicine, right? Given the above cautions, we opted at first to give Meeko just small amounts of the VetMedin to start with.

It seemed like a pretty user friendly pill - Supposed to taste like a dried Liver treat and should be easy to administer ...except that Meeko didn't like it at all.


The Bolus Solution!

So, I crushed it up in a pill-crusher then added a little water and made it into a soft bolus which I could then easily 'hide' small bits of it in a little bit of food.

This worked pretty well, as long as it was a food Meeko liked, and as long as he couldn't still 'smell' it - which he almost always could, & would still 'reject' it.  Oh well... :)


Bolus Storage:

I kept the medicine 'bolus' in a little plastic pill pack with dividers in the fridge for convenience & easy storage.

After this, I then made a bolus with all of his other more bulky medications too, but that's a story for the next Blog Post...


(See: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)

...And Here's How We're Helping Him:

Our pet Chihuahua-Toy Fox Terrier Meeko was diagnosed with CHF over 6 months ago and was never expected to make it this long ...but he has!!


We're so happy that he's still with us and doing pretty well. I wanted to relate Meeko's story and his battle with CHF in case it may help someone else with their pet too.

This is only an account of what we did, and isn't meant to constitute medical or veterinary advice in any way. (This story will be done in smaller segments over a few days so that it won't be too long.)


The Story of Meeko:

Our oldest son had loved the Disney movie Pocahontas when he was a little boy. When he was a little older, he bought me a puppy for Mother's Day.

When my son brought the puppy to me, he fit in the palm of his hand. He named him Meeko after his favorite character, the cute little raccoon in Pocahontas.


Fast Forward to the Present:

This was now 15 years ago. We've had many fun years with Meeko and he is still with us, but now he's very sick with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

He started out with a recurring cough and was diagnosed with CHF and an Enlarged Heart at the beginning of last November 2018.


Vet Procedures & Meds:

This was very devastating news at the time, and we felt very stunned and panicked. They did an X-ray and an Ultrasound as well as blood tests at the Vet just to be sure.

His heart was so enlarged that it filled up the entire rib-cage from edge to edge. Meeko was put on several medications such as Pimobendin (VetMedin); Benazipril; Furosemide (Lasix); and Torbutrol (Butorphanol).


Our Approach At First:

The VetMedin is meant to help the heart pump more efficiently; Furosemide is a diuretic to aid the circulation in pumping fluids out of the body and not build up; Benazipril is for helping to lower high blood pressure; and Torbutrol to help with the cough.

To be safe, we gave him only one medication each day to see how he would react to it. Being as he's not a very big dog, we didn't want to overwhelm his system.


Next Time - What Helped, & What Didn't:

Please join us in our next Blog Post when we talk about what each Medication does and how Meeko felt about them.  : )



(See: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)


(SEE BELOW FOR SOME 'NATURAL REMEDIES' WE TRIED - & - A YUMMY SNACK!!)