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I certainly never expected to post on this subject, but I’m posting this simply as a warning to others to not dismiss indigestion as just a bit of gas resulting from eating too much, or too spicy. If you have indigestion for more than a couple of days, get to a doctor and get tests done, it may just save your life.

My story probably goes back about about 18 months ago when I felt something wasn’t right in the stomach region. I had a little indigestion, but nothing major, anyhow I had blood tests etc, but nothing was shown, and it seemed to clear. However I continued with ongoing blood tests and had a Colonoscopy Oct ‘09 which found a 3mm sessile polyp which was removed on the spot and everything else was fine; it’s a pity they didn’t do an Endoscope at the same time, cause they might have found this shit earlier.

Anyhow a bit over 2 months ago I started getting some bad indigestion again, so off to the doctor, more blood tests. while waiting for results he put me on Nexium 40 which was supposed to reduce bile production, but a week and a half later I was still suffering and taking a pack of Quikeze each day as well as Nexium. The blood test came in and showed the presence of H. Pylori bacteria, but to see if it was active or not, an Endoscope was required. Unfortunately I had to go on the public waiting list; 6 weeks have passed and there’s still 3 to 4 months to go … but we’ve bypassed that now.

I went to my Naturopath, and without telling him anything, took one look in my eyes said ‘bacteria’ and preceded to open a book on the gastric section; I said H. Pylori, he nodded. So after a brief discussion he advised gluten free, sugar free, and yeast free for a month to allow the bacteria to go back to it’s proper levels. Within 3 days my stomach settled and it was then I became aware that the indigestion had been masking something else.

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What a week it has been. I think the symptoms started the previous Wednesday, but it was only after riding to Midland on Monday that the symptoms of Hay Fever really set in.

I used to suffer from Sinus problems a lot, until I went vegan in ‘94 – the absence of dairy in my system greatly reduced the over production of mucous, and hence virtually eliminated severe sinus attacks. And after quitting smoking in ‘98,  sinus attacks were almost a thing of the past, they were rare and minor.

But this week’s Hay Fever attack reminded me fully of the pain and discomfort from blocked sinuses, a reminder I could’ve done without. I’m over the worst of it now, but am not going for a ride this Sunday as my head is still clogged up, and I would be needing to stop and remove my helmet every 10 minutes or so just to clear my nasal passages.

So instead I’m running a nice hot tub, adding some essential oils to it, and am then going to soak in it for a while – should help clear the head and lungs. I hope to go for a ride during the week, to plan out a ride for the group in a couple of weekends time.

something to consider when thinking about what to eat for your next meal …

… and it’s not much different here in Australia, or anywhere else in the so called ‘developed world’.

In the past year, over 56 billion animals were slaughtered for food globally; all for less than 6 billion humans. Apart from detrimental effects on human health, and the animal suffering caused, the effect on the environment is devastating and totally unsustainable – see the UN’s FAO 2006 report ‘Livestock’s Long Shadow’ (or download the .pdf files).

The eating of meat is a choice, not a necessity !
A conservative calculation/estimate is there are around 600 million vegetarians on Earth, with approximately 30 million of then being vegan, which really dispels the myth of meat being necessary (method of calculation is here).

Making the choice not to consume meat is making a decision not to condone, nor participate in un-necessary acts of exploitation, cruelty & abuse which ultimately result in the brutal killing of a sentient life.

Go Vegan – it’s better for you, your health, your wallet, the animals, and the environment – it’s a Win – Win decision !